DNF at 27%. I probably shouldn’t have tried this one because I know romance hasn’t been working for me lately but I was intrigued by a cookbook ghostwriter. All ghostwriting is interesting to me. Unfortunately the story didn’t work for me and when a main character let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding and I rolled my eyes - decided it was time to stop. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ebook.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Ellie and Kieran. Ellie is a ghostwriter, she has contracted to write a cookbook with Kieran. Kieran is a chef at a restaurant. There is an instant attraction. They are opposite personalities. They start trying to write the cookbook. It takes time to start trying out recipes for everyday cooks. They start dating. They each have issues but together they worked them out and fall in love.

4.5 ⭐️

I adored this book so much! It really was a joy to read. It is a good idea to check triggers because it does deal with some heavy content which could be triggering to some people.

I loved Kieran and Ellie. Their whole relationship from starting out as working together to forming a friendship and then a relationship was just a delight to experience.

My heart hurt for Ellie but I loved that Kieran was there for her and understood her.

I definitely look forward to more from this author.

The sweetest romance between two relatable individuals! This slow burn was so well written. I was thoroughly invested in the characters and loved how the author depicted them- scars and all. I adored this couple and was cheering for them from the beginning.

Format - EARC (Netgalley)

Rating- ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Spice- 🌶 🌶

Series- N/A

Troupes- Enemies to lovers, Forced Proximity, grumpy sunshine, he makes her playful she helps him calm.

Representation- ADHD, Widow

CW- Mentions of the death of a loved one


This is my first book from Sarah and it most certainly will not be my last. I am writing this review many months after reading this book. So while I ca not give you small details about this book I can tell you that my Brain loved it. I love an ADHD hero and its even better cause this one cooks! And of course a badass sad girl who needs her life shaken up.

This book was spicy and Fun and did pull at the heart strings but it also made me hopeful and that’s all a good Romance can hope for.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little backlogged with my ARCs but working diligently to get caught up. I really enjoyed this romantic comedy! The characters were likable and well thought out and I found myself routing for them right from the start! It is fairly predictable and has a happily ever after, but the journey was definitely worth it! I would recommend to anyone who loves romance revolving around cooking!

This was a sweet book. Kieran a chef just won a cooking show and his agent is trying to capitalize on it and write a book. But Kieran has some stuff going on that prevents him from writing his book so they entail a ghost writer who is the complete opposite of him. What will happen between Ellie the ghost writer and Kieran.
3.5 stars

Liked both characters a lot and the storyline was generally godo with a focus on how grief can keep you back and nmoveyour forward, but the lead female character also had some additionals frustrations for me

It was cheesy and a little embarassing at times, but I didn't mind so much because the characters made me laugh. Honestly not what I expected from the cover because I usually try to go into books blind except for a few notes like genre and author in case I know them but it was sweet. Would definitely recommend for when you need a nice book to help you feel better during a slump

This was very cute and I loved the romance, the characters, dialogue, everything. Will definitely read more from this author.

This was such a lovely debut! I adored the setting and all the food references. I am looking forward to what Sarah Chamberlain writes next!

4.5 rounded up… maybe a 4.75?

Either way, loved this book. Dual POV will always be my favorite and Sarah Chamberlain knocked this one out of the park. She wasn’t kidding with the slow burn but the pacing is fantastic and I love how these characters grow throughout the book. Their banter is fantastic and I want the cookbook they wrote together because it sounds amazing.

My only issue was when Ellie finally goes for it, it feels a little out of character? Maybe that was the point but it felt a little jarring, otherwise this would’ve been a 5 stars.

I cannot wait to read more by Sarah Chamberlain, this was a fantastic debut.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

In this debut romance, widow Ellie Wasserman, struggling with the loss of her husband, is hired to ghostwrite a cookbook for reality chef Kieran O’Neill, who’s at the peak of his career but grappling with ADHD. Their partnership is full of tension and chemistry as they clash over their contrasting personalities—Ellie’s organized and controlled approach versus Kieran’s chaotic, impulsive nature. As the story unfolds, both characters must confront their personal struggles, including grief, family dynamics, and neurodivergence, while navigating their growing feelings for each other.

The book is a slow burn romance, with substantial emotional depth that explores not just the love story but also the characters' journeys of self-discovery. The dual POV allows readers to connect with both Ellie and Kieran as they work through their individual issues and their developing relationship. One of the standout elements is Ellie’s relationship with her father-in-law, Ben, whose deep affection for her adds warmth and complexity to the story. While the pacing can feel uneven at times, with jumps from one day to the next or months passing without explanation, the emotional payoff of the romance and character growth is well worth the wait. With a mix of real-world issues, a touch of humor, and the behind-the-scenes process of writing a cookbook, this debut novel is an engaging read that leaves a lasting impression.

Just like the title suggests, The Slowest Burn, is a slow burn romance between young widow Ellie and the hot young chef Kieran. Fresh of his win from the reality cooking show, Kieran has been tasked with writing a cookbook but he needs a ghostwriter and that’s where Ellie comes in. They don’t get off on the right foot but after being forced into a week long writing retreat, they reach an understanding and then begin to develop a friendship from all the time they spend together cooking in the kitchen.

It’s been three years since the death of her husband and Ellie finds herself adrift stuck between grief, being there for her in laws, and finding something for herself. The more time she spends with Kieran has her feeling like a new version of herself is possible where she can flourish. Ellie grounds Kieran and Kieran sets Ellie free; they both helped each other heal and grow into the future they can have together happily.

I sometimes struggle with slow burn stories but Ellie and Kieran’s journey felt right- it was necessary for it to simmer and build up because they both needed that time to accept what was happening between them. Ellie’s best friend Nicole and Kieran’s best friend Jay are just the kind of supportive friends everyone needs because sometimes you need to hear the tough love speech while being supported.


Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback

The Slowest Burn is a heartwarming story for readers who enjoy character-driven romances with a focus on personal growth and healing. The pacing is a bit slow and there's a general lack of conflict that might not be ideal if you're looking for a solid third act conflict. A contemporary romance more focused on character growth

This strangers to lovers romance was just wonderful. I love that Kieran has an atypical romance hero body type. And Ellie has a messy life and history.
Slow burn - obviously!
Grief
Second chances
Culinary world
Cookbook author
Extended family
Give this one a try, you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy to read and review, All opinions are my own.

The Slowest Burn is a cute and heartwarming romance novel that I really enjoyed, Ellie is a 30 year old widowed writer of cookbooks trying to figure out how to move forward with her life two years after the death of her beloved husband when she is tasked with ghostwriting the book of Kieran, a hot young chef fresh off a reality cooking show win. The pair start as practical enemies through some realistic misunderstandings but the chemistry grows as they get to know one another better.

I found this book really charming. While the title is apt, it is a slow burn, it was sweet, and the perfect level of spice as well. I enjoyed the cooking descriptions and the experimentation with food/recipes found throughout. The book also sends a strong message about grief and how to move forward from tragedy. I highly recommend this one.

The title does not lie, this was the epitome of a slow burn romance and I loved every minute of it. The characters are so well written and the ending was so so worth the read.

Synopsis:

Kieran O'Neill just won a cooking reality TV show, is on track to open his own restaurant and has even got a high-paying cookbook deal. Still he can't impress his stuck-up family, his ADHD makes planning ahead impossible and, worst of all, his ghostwriter is the most uptight, humourless woman he's ever met. Ellie Wasserman is barely holding it together. She's a 30 y/o widow living with her needy in-laws, her little brother won't adult without her help, and instead of working on her own cookbook, she's ghostwriting one for the chaotic, impulsive Kieran O'Neill. As their deadline gets closer and the heat between them builds, can these two driven, lonely people let go of their past hurts and make something truly sweet together?

Review:

This was a slow burn/enemies to lovers romance. I loveddd all the food in this book since they're literally working out recipes for a cookbook together. There were a lot of complexities which really added depth to this read, i.e. Kieran's complicated family relationship, the fact that Ellie is a widow with an also complicated family dynamic. I was rooting for both of them to work through their traumas as well as to succeed in their shared goal of finishing the cookbook. It's my first time reading this author, but definitely won't be my last!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my digital galley!

Enjoyable romance with a foodie angle!

THE SLOWEST BURN is a cute romance, though there's nothing hugely original about it. The entire time it nagged me that it reminded me so much of another book I'd read -- believe it was Ashley Poston's Seven Year Slip.

Here we have the usual set-up for a love story: two people with baggage have to get over it if they want to wind up together. Kieran won a reality cooking show and now he's trying to capitalize on that fame by publishing a cookbook. Ellie is the ghostwriter for said cookbook. Kieran is dyslexic with ADHD, but--of course--Ellie is orderly and uptight. The two clash... until they don't.

The serious aspect of the story revolves around a study of grief. Ellie is a young widow who still lives in a cottage behind her late husband's parents, and they depend heavily on her. Kieran has his own family problems, with a family who always had very high expectations for their son.

Kieran and Ellie are frustrating in the beginning, when they lack the ability to communicate. Once they get to know each other, it's an enjoyable book. The two feel they can't have a relationship due to perceptions in the publishing world. And Ellie is hung up on the fact that she can't have anything for herself (the usual) while Kieran is sure he'll destroy anything good he touches. I do feel badly for Ellie, as she has a lot going on, and Kieran seems like a pretty decent guy. Their chemistry is good, and there's a lot of cooking/baking references, if that's something you enjoy.

There are not a ton of major happenings or deep revelations, despite the serious topics covered, but this is still a sweet romance.