Jam-packed with nostalgia, thoughtful introspection, pitch-perfect comedy, and the raw, honest truth of life in your 30s — Slow Dance isn’t your typical romantic tale. In a shelf full of new-age romance books that feel like the literary embodiment of a TikTok filter, Slow Dance is the well-loved VHS tape you find buried in the attic when you go home to visit your parents. It’s the warm, sometimes awkward, but overall utterly fond feeling that unravels in your chest. This book revels in the grainy film, the dusty edges, and every perfectly imperfect take that makes Shiloh and Cary’s story feel uniquely honest and real.

This was one of those books that started slow but every moment hooked you into that next chapter. You just really wanted to see what was going to happen with Shiloh and Carey next. At the same time it was filled with two different timelines of flashbacks telling the story of what led to their not seeing each other for fourteen years. I usually hate flashbacks and I’ll admit that I was a little impatient with how many this book had, but those chapters were so useful in helping to create depth in these characters. These chapters showed how these young people held onto their hearts and secrets. How communication could have led these characters in a different direction earlier in their lives and maybe made them reflect upon some of their own decisions and the paths they themselves chose. Despite the help in character development it did make the story plod along a little slowly, but I’m a girl that appreciates a slow burn romance and Slow Dance was the penultimate slow burn.

When the time came for our characters to make the journey together in current time I felt so rewarded! I was brought along on this lengthy journey, saw their struggles and insecurities, and felt all the emotions they were each feeling. If my book had not been virtual I would probably have had little tears in the pages from my eagerly advancing the pages and my finger tracing the paths of the words that had meaning. This was a very well done novel, one I’ll re-read to find again those sentences that had meaning and to again feel the depth of emotion these two characters felt for each other.

This was my first Rainbow Rowell romance and I definitely recommend it.

I loved following Cary and Shiloh through multiple points in their relationship, starting when they’re best friends in high school, then moving on to college, and then years later when they’re meeting again at a friend’s wedding after years of separation. Their relationship definitely is a slow burn, but the journey getting there is 100% worth it.

I didn’t want to put this book down at all and I read it in 2 days!

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars, rounded down.

Okay - I loved the Simon snow Trilogy, so I knew I had to jump on this when I saw it. It is a delightful little story. The story does a slow burn, missed connections romance thing, and it jumps from teenage friends to adults in the plot as it sets up the story.

It took me a while to get into this book. To be honest, Shiloh annoyed me, and her character was difficult to place or connect with. There were a lot of things SAID about her personality that I didn't feel like were shown through her actions or development over the course of the plot. That being said, I slowly grew to like her a lot more, and eventually I was really sucked into the story and the romance and the way the plot unfolded. It felt really real, and it felt really tangible and well developed with the conflicts that came up, and I struggled to put it down from about 45%.

The end did seem pretty abrupt, though. This slow burn builds throughout the book and then it felt like the book just suddenly ended. I don't feel like I got the closure I wanted (needed?) and that is what is keeping me from rating this as a full five stars.

But! The book is fun. It's charming. It's light. It's weirdly emotional. It's gripping. I couldn't quite put it down and I thought the plot was nuanced and well done.

Slow Dance is a character-driven second chance romance about high school friends who run in to each other again in their 30's. I liked that it was a realistic romance, with adult characters who are flawed, carried family baggage, and had professional obligations. It started a little slow for me, but picked up as I got to know the characters. The author does a great job at weaving the storylines (present day and flashbacks to high school and other adulthood milestones), slowly revealing the history, and giving perspective to the characters' actions. Read this is if you are fan of second chance romances, slice of life fiction, and/or gritty family dynamics!

About a quarter of the way through this story, I began to wonder why I was feeling so uneasy. The sadness was hitting me like a truck and I kept asking myself why I was so upset, and yet the answer was so obvious. This book felt like being forced to look into a mirror. The more Shiloh talked about her life and how she’s changed (and hasn’t), the more I questioned how I’ve grown and changed. I questioned how 18 year old me would see myself and the way my life has turned out. I thought of the lost childhood friendships and wondered how they were doing. The thoughts were endless.

As teens, we know it all. We have a plan! We know who we think we are without really knowing who we actually are. Would any of us really have anticipated the paths we are currently on? Our main characters in this story are facing those questions while trying to grow and build a new life with the ones who were, at one point, the most important people around them.

Shiloh and Cary were flawed. They felt so real and authentic and. truly, stressed me the hell out. With every mistake they made, my frustration grew. However each of those mistakes felt real! None of what happened in this story seemed far fetched, and for that I really applaud the author. This is an interesting read that will have you questioning every moment.

~special thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an arc of this story

It's been years since high school best friends Shiloh and Cary have seen each other. Now, at their friend's wedding, all of the questions of what if come creeping back up.

Loved this one! Here's what I loved:

Rowell's writing: There is something about Rowell's writing that feels like an old friend. There is a nostalgia to it. I adore her use of dialogue. That shinned in this one. Shiloh and Cary's dialogue is snappy and truly funny. It helps you get into their lives and relationship.

Cary: Loved this man. He had so many challenges to overcome but he is one of those guys that just keeps pushing through no matter what. He's so devoted to those he loves.

Old friends and new lovers: The relationship between Shiloh and Cary was amazing. I loved seeing them together just as much as seeing them as friends. While neither was very open with feelings all the time, you can feel their love.

All in all, this was a really good second chance romance with some past and present chapters that keep you hooked.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!

Back in high school Shiloh, Cary and Mikey were like the Three Musketeers. Yet things were always a little bit different when it was just Shiloh and Cary, the pair constantly dancing around their true feelings for one another. But each had different plans for their future-Cary headed to a life in the military and Shiloh off to pursue a college degree. Little did they know life had plans of its own for each of them.

Now over a decade later the trio is reuniting for Mikey’s wedding. While Cary’s dreams of joining the Navy came true, Shiloh’s now divorced with two kids, living back at home. Admittedly embarrassed, she also can’t deny the part of her that wonders what it will be like to see Cary after all this time. Will he still be single or is his dance card officially full?

Slow Dance is a sweet second chance romance from the acclaimed author, Rainbow Rowell. Full of angst both past and present, it’s also a relatable relationship that creates a believable one step forward, two steps back sort of footwork between the two. Although this is a serious story, there are many light moments sprinkled throughout that help add levity, thus making Slow Dance a book that makes all the right moves.

Have you ever felt like it took you a long time to get to where you were meant to be? Like you didn’t mean to take the scenic route, but you did and now you know you were meant to take that route the whole time? Like you would have missed something vital if you hadn’t?

That feeling, combined with an oversaturation of Gen X nostalgia, makes up the majority of the sentiment, story, and romance of Slow Dance.

(Yeah, I can say that because I’m Gen X and I not only had friends just like these characters but I could’ve lived lives similar to theirs if I didn’t grow up in a town smaller than even Omaha (though I don’t live in Nebraska)).

I’m normally a huge fan of Rainbow Rowell. I’ve read almost everything else she’s written and I own most of it, too. Her strengths tend to be dialogue, character building, character arcs, and emotions. These are all things I have always loved and admired about her writing. Everyone in her books is messy, vulnerable, and terribly human. No one looks perfect and no one’s okay. I love how Rowell isn’t afraid to write incredibly mundane people falling in love in the most haphazard, dazzling ways. The issue I had with Slow Dance was that I really disliked Shiloh and Cary read much like her other male characters from her contemporary novels.

So while the dialogue was sharp and witty and the emotional messiness was alive and well, I just wasn’t invested in the romantic relationship between Shiloh and Cary. I also felt like the ending was a bit rushed and left a few loose ends flapping.

What I do think is that this book might be a lot better in audiobook format. This seems like the type of book that would read well that way. I don’t listen to audiobooks, but for some reason I kept coming back to that thought. I also think if I had liked Shiloh more I would’ve rated this book higher.

I was provided a copy of this title by Netgalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. A rating of three stars or lower means this review will not be appearing on my social media. Thank you.

File Under: Coming of Age/Contemporary Romance/Spice Level 1/Women’s Fiction

Thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

At first glance, I was into this novel. I had never read anything by Rowell before and I’ve heard good things, so when I liked the first chapter I was optimistic I’d love the book. But I really didn’t enjoy the writing style. It was all short sentences, one after another after another. It got so monotonous so fast. I think, stylistically, this book just wasn’t for me.

Ugh, I LOVED this book! In high school, Shiloh and Cary were best friends. When school ended, he went off to the Navy, and she wanted out of Omaha for college. They made a promise that their friendship wouldn’t change. But it’s been 14 years since they have spoken and everything has changed. They meet again at their friend Mikey’s second wedding, but they are both at different points in their lives. Shiloh is a divorced single mom of two, and Cary is still in the Navy. With 14 years of not talking, they aren’t even sure they can be friends. But there’s so much history between them.

My first 5 star read of July! It’s so hard for me to put into words how much I loved this book. The story is told from both past and present points of view. The past gives you insight into their friendship and their connection. It is a story of both friendship and romance. I absolutely loved that these characters were in their early 30s. It makes it more relatable for me (even though I am a bit older than that).

I really enjoyed that while Shiloh and Cary were maybe trying to find their way back to each other, it wasn’t a typical miscommunication issue that was keeping them from finding each other. They were real life situations – him being in the Navy, her living in Omaha, her having 2 kids and an ex husband. It was so much different to have these be the main focus and not a typical trope. And none of these topics were shied away from, they were at the forefront AND discussed between Shiloh and Cary. It just felt very mature.

I was hoping these two would find their way back to each other because it was so clear that they were made for each other. Rowell’s writing flows nicely and is easy to read, even with the past and present chapters.

This is a must read for any romance book reader!

I adore Rainbow Rowell. She has written some of my absolute favorites. Unfortunately, Slow Dance is not one of them. This book just fell so flat, so different from how her books usually suck me in. I didn't feel connected to either Shiloh or Cary. The only thing I really felt for them was frustration. There was no chemistry, no banter, just no fun in the book.

While I know this sounds harsh, I am definitely not giving up on Rainbow Rowell. She will remain a favorite and I will eagerly devour whatever comes next!

Rainbow Rowell is one of those authors whose books I will buy and read sight unseen. She writes endearing, memorable YA romance and heart-wrenching, lasting adult romance, and her latest, to be released at the end of the month, pulls together all the elements she writes best to paint the arc of two people who have always been everything to each other but lost it somewhere along the way.

Slow Dance follows the lives of Shiloh and Cary, two high school best friends whose lives were so entangled they were each privately convinced risking anything more would ruin their relationship. When Cary graduates, he joins the Navy, and his choice to leave while Shiloh went to college and began her own separate life, convinced each of them they were fine without the other.

But when a mutual friend gets married and they see each other again for what feels like the first time (Shiloh married, had two kids, and divorced in the intervening years), they know what they've always felt is still there.

"Cary kissed her through it. Long, sad kisses, with his hand cupped around the back of her head. These were kisses without hopes or ambitions. They were apologies. Eulogies."

The slow-burn is borderline glacial, I'll admit, and that took this down from five stars in my book. At 93% I still wasn't sure how things would wrap up, and the climax/conclusion felt a bit rushed after the languid pace of the rest of the book. BUT Rowell's writing is so good that it mostly made up for the disjointed pace.

"If she emptied her head in his lap, all that would fall out was his name."

and

"'I'm so happy right now,' Cary said—but it came out solemn. He wouldn't blame her if she didn't believe him.
Shiloh looked in his eyes. 'Really?'
He nodded. 'Don't begrudge me this life.'"

I'll be recommending this one to longtime Rowell fans, as well as those who enjoy sweet, tender romance without a lot of spice.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

DNF 21%

Woof I was not feeling this one at all. I was thinking about DNFing earlier but I wanted to make it to around 20% before I threw in the towel.

The writing just seemed really weird, almost lazy to me. And I was not connecting with either character at all. Just the whole thing was very two dimensional. Shiloh thought this. Shiloh did this. Shiloh, Shiloh, Shiloh.

Sorry, Rainbow 💚

Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for access to this arc.

“Slow Dance” is a quiet story that sneaks up on you. These are characters who have been through a lot even as teens. Living in north Omaha is hard but Shiloh and Cary have extra burdens they’ve carried. Shiloh’s mother has no idea who Shiloh’s father might be and the two lived alone with Gloria often bringing men home and then later reminding Shiloh to keep her door locked. Cary’s got a complicated family with siblings, step-siblings, half-siblings, stepfathers – who were mostly drunks and abusive, and a mother who isn’t his mother – exactly.

It’s fifteen years since everyone fled – Cary to boot camp and the Navy, Shiloh to college, and Mikey off to do his art. And somehow everyone is now back in Omaha – Shiloh and Mikey to stay and Cary to be there for Mikey’s second wedding. Shiloh misses the wedding, because her ex (probably deliberately) isn’t on time to pick up the kids, and wonders if Cary will be there. Cary is there and wonders if Shiloh, who wasn’t in the church, will be there at all. Could this finally be the right moment for everything to work out between them?

The dual-ish timelines let us see the three friends as they were and as they are now. Think back to how you were at age nineteen and compare that to your mid thirties. Things change, right? Life knocks you around, things don’t turn out quite as you thought they would, people mature, and other people get older and need help. “Slow Dance” takes these characters through all that.


There’s no “WOW we’re in love” moment. After they’ve finally started to communicate all the things each thought the other knew, these two will need to sort through fifteen years of what they’ve lived, argue a little, talk a lot, reflect a great deal and only then start to make decisions about how to move forward. Even the sex is non-orgasmically real. This is the good, the bad, and at times the ugly. Cary and Shiloh know each other better than almost anyone else and even though the love is there, it’s still hard. It’s still work. Still at the end of the “day,” I think they’re on their way to finally getting it right. B

I absolutely loved this novel. I have always been a Rainbow Rowell fan and have loved her YA and adult works alike. The characters were unique and dynamic yet incredibly relatable. The plot was moving, and the emotions were palpable. I haven't cried at a book in a while, but this one made me shed a tear.

Loved it, loved it, loved it. What a way to write about love, as realistic as it gets. It's probably the most honest love story of childhood friends to lovers. Rainbow’s writing! All the feels. I really appreciated the home state love of Nebraska and the details of growing up in a suburb and coming back to it, how accurate it was. Sometimes these characters were unlikable but they were so genuine too.

This was dreamy, sweet, and wonderful. I loved Shiloh and Cary. I feel like it’s been a while since Rainbow Rowell released an adult novel, and I have missed her. She has such a compelling and unique voice. I loved the premise here - the inclusion of the characters’ financial situations and the military aspect both felt fresh and different than other things I’ve read lately. The timeline could have felt disjointed but it felt like it worked perfectly. Highly recommended!

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell is a delightful book. It was fun to follow Shiloh and Carey as they manage to figure out their deep attraction while dealing with their families.

This book is like a lovely, winding slow dance in and of itself. The back and forth with different perspectives and timelines is so incredibly engaging and interesting, and while it doesn't always unfold chronologically, there's a clear path through the narrative. I absolutely loved this book - it made me want to go back and read Fan Girl or Eleanor and Park, or really any of Rainbow Rowell's previous novels; she just has such a magical way with words. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time... the ending was satisfying, but my brain gets to toy with what I think the characters would do next.