Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell was such a fantastic and beautiful read. I've already declared it my favorite book of 2024 (and we're only 16 days into the year). There is truly something very special about Rainbow Rowell's writing, especially when it comes to her adult titles.

I loved the way she wrote the relationship between Shiloh and Cary and the alternating timelines. We get to see glimpses of their relationship from different points of their lives. The times I had to stop reading to hug my kindle was more than I can count. Rowell has a way of describing small details about characters that really do make up a big part of who that character is.

I will be forever gushing about this book and will force every single person in my life to read it.

It's a new forever favorite and thank you to both Netgalley and William Morrow for giving me the opportunity to read it.

Wow. I absolutely loved this book. I’ve only read Rainbow Rowell’s YA books before and remember liking them very much but this was just amazing. Flawed and imperfect characters who seem totally realistic and in totally realistically messy circumstances. Somehow the very non-linear timeline was easy to follow and enhanced the storyline. The style of sentences was also a bit unique (kind of matter-of-fact reporting), which in this case I appreciated for the uniqueness it added to the feel of the reading experience. It also seemed to underscore the basicness (if that can be a word) of Shiloh and Cary’s lives and the ways in which they’re often just going through the motions of and trying to make it through their circumstances. The last couple of chapters were a tad less complicated and mesmerizing for me as the rest of the novel, but I loved this book. I am sure it will be one of my top of the year, and if there are any I’m going to like better, I absolutely can’t wait to read them. I’m going to be telling everyone I know to read this.

I have been waiting for a new (non-fantasy) Rainbow Rowell book FOREVER. Eleanor and Park and Landline are two of my all time favorites. This book sounded like it was along the same lines and it did not disappoint. Shiloh and Cary were high school best friends who both wanted more than friendship but didn't communicate it. They lost touch for many years and reunited in their thirties (as friends.. or more?). I am a sucker for stories like this. It’s all about the nostalgia and making up for bad decisions when you’re younger.

The characters are imperfect and messy and at first their inability to communicate is a little frustrating, but it gets better.
I loved every minute of this book. The side plots were interesting. I LOVED that the kids were fully formed characters with their own personalities.

I saw some reviews of this book that indicated the ending was ambiguous but I didn’t find it to be at all.

Another great emotional book by Rainbow Rowell. The story went by too quick no didn’t want it to end. Fun characters and a great story.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the digital ARC. I’m usually a fan of Rainbow Rowell and her writing, but while there was a lot I enjoyed here, this wasn’t my favorite from her. I did really like how the story was structured with a mixture of past and present POVs, as well as some letter/email/texting correspondence. I liked the mid-2000s setting, especially with the fashion and technology descriptions (who among us was able to resist love the dress-over-jeans trend?). There was some Attachments-level longing that was also done really well. It was extremely midwest, which I also appreciated. On the downside, I’ll admit that the military element was a pretty substantial turnoff for me. I also found Shiloh’s character to be a little difficult to connect with for most of the story.

All in all, I would recommend this book to fans of Emily Henry, Ashley Herring Blake (a stretch, but there are some similar vibes), and, of course, Rowell’s other adult fiction titles. 3.5 rounded down.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for this review:
Fans of Emily Henry or Tessa Bailey should give this one a look. This is a well-written romance with grounded characters and realistic scenarios. The midwestern setting is a trademark for Rowell but a welcome one. Very engaging, entertaining novel.

Calling all second chance romance enthusiasts. This one breaks some of the mold of the trope, but it's worth it. This story is told third person, dual perspective and dual timeline. But the past timelines aren't linear. They don't go all forward or all backward. The variance keeps you guessing.

This book is funny and heartwarming and emotional — as with all great Rainbow Rowell novels. I devoured it and I loved the characters.

I saw a new Rainbow Rowell book and I dropped everything to go read this! I love how real and relatable her books are and this was no exception. Sometimes it is fun to read something just cheesy and romantic but other times I really love the realistic depth that Rowell writes with. The different time periods weaved through out made it a really interesting engaging story. I would for sure recommend this book and will be purchasing for our library.

I expected more sweeping romance when I started the book, but I appreciated the more realistic aspects of the plot. The kids were not a convenient roadblock to a happily ever after. Like in real life, they had honest reactions to their parents divorce and mom's new relationship.

The writing flows easy enough but I wasn't personally gripped by the story itself. I stopped after chapter 3 (6%). Three stars for the target audience with four to five for the right readers/diehard fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

It’s been 10 years since Rainbow Rowell has published a full length adult novel. I love how real Rainbow Rowell books are. They are extremely relatable. Also since I’m very familiar with their setting (Omaha) I can picture almost every place she mentions. I know people exactly like Shiloh and Cary….friends that everyone assumes are more than friends. This book has a lot of will they, won’t they moments and a lot of moments where I want to knock their heads together. Without spoiling anything I wasn’t exactly satisfied with the ending. I might be the odd person out but it just didn’t sit well with me.

Rainbow Rowell is something special. Did you know she did an in-store signing of Attachments at Rainy Day Books? I remember working it and thinking how lovely she was and how I hope her career would be fulfilling (for her). Look at her now! I loved this book - weirdly Cary was a mash-up of every man I've ever dated/loved, so it hit a little extra for me. I agree with the reviews that say it is more of a Happily for Now than an HEA, but that felt right, too. Loved it. Stayed up wayyyy to late reading.

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for this eARC!

A new Rainbow Rowell book is a banner occasion - I should have waited, I should have taken more time to savor this one, because I know it will be a while until I have another book from Rainbow. But I'm not perfect, and so I gulped this down in 24 hours, neglecting some things I needed to do in favor of spending time in Omaha with Shiloh and Cary, two of Rainbow's most perfect imperfect characters.

They were best friends in high school, and reunite years later at their third musketeer (Mikey's) wedding. As adults, their lives are complicated - Shiloh is divorced with kids and Cary is in the Navy, with some extended family issues of his own. Even after all those years and all that baggage, though, Cary and Shiloh are drawn together. Like all of Rainbow's books, this was EMOTIONAL. The story is told out of order and from both main characters' perspectives, but Rainbow uses short chapters and her time jumps to give us the character beats we need when we need them. I laughed, I cried, I thought about my own choices. Her characters are so real and flawed, but that is just what makes them beautiful. Obviously, Rainbow is a genius and I loved this so much. Now, to wait for the next book, which, because I'll still be me, I'll tear through it too - why wait for something as good as this?