It was funny because the story actually WAS a slow burn. It was another cute and sweet enemies-to-lovers story that I ultimately enjoyed. I plan to read more from this author!

I really enjoyed this book. At points I felt that it was a bit slow, but that was often overlooked by the emotional roller coaster that this story takes you on. If you are a fan of contemporary romance, I highly recommend that you check this one out.

A special thank you to Netgalley, Sarah Chamberlain, and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved Ellie and Kieran’s story. It was fun and such a good time to read. I loved that the characters had careers that we actually got to see throughout the novel. I felt like the romance was well paced and authentic to their character. They had the right amount of pining and it felt like Ellie did a careful balance of moving on but honoring her previous husband. I liked the character growth they both exhibited and letting themselves have a life apart from one another. It was genuinely so wonderful but it did feel a little rushed at the end.

2 ⭐️

If there was one thing this book got right, it was that it was the slowest - it felt about 3 hours too long. There was no burn, however.

Ellie was a people-pleaser to the point where it was annoying, but she was also kind of a know-it-all who wasn’t very nice. I don’t know how you can people-please and be not nice at the same time, but she pulled it off. Kieran was immature and relied so much on his natural talents that he didn’t really put in any effort for anything. None of the side characters were memorable enough to even remember their names. The ending was somewhat redeeming, with Ellie taking some ownership over her life and feelings, and Kieran actually putting in hard(ish) work, but I could not have cared less about their relationship.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

*The Slowest Burn* by Sarah Chamberlain is a beautifully crafted contemporary romance that delves deep into personal growth, self-discovery, and the transformative power of love. With well-drawn characters and an emotional depth that draws readers in, this novel explores the ups and downs of a relationship where both partners must learn important lessons—one about understanding love, and the other about loving themselves.

The story centers around two compelling protagonists. One character embarks on a journey to understand what true love feels like, navigating the complexities of vulnerability and intimacy. The other learns the equally important lesson of self-love, realizing that they must stop prioritizing the needs of others above their own and begin to recognize their own worth. This dual arc is the heart of *The Slowest Burn*, and Chamberlain excels in creating a narrative that is both tender and poignant, as the characters move through their individual transformations toward a shared, deeper connection.

What sets this novel apart is the way Chamberlain balances the emotional weight of the story with moments of undeniable chemistry. The romance builds slowly, with a careful and deliberate pace that mirrors the emotional journey of the characters. The "slow burn" of the relationship feels organic and earned, allowing readers to fully invest in the characters’ evolving connection. The intimacy between them is charged with longing and desire, but it is never gratuitous. The spice in this book is sensual and well-placed, enhancing the emotional undercurrent without overwhelming the narrative. This thoughtful approach allows the characters’ development to remain front and center, making the romance feel deeply earned rather than rushed.

Chamberlain's writing is both evocative and sensitive, capturing the complexities of human relationships in a way that feels authentic. The pacing is carefully measured, building tension and emotional depth as the characters struggle, grow, and ultimately find healing in each other. While the romance is undeniably at the forefront, the novel’s exploration of self-worth, acceptance, and the importance of emotional growth adds layers to the narrative, making it feel richer and more meaningful than many traditional romances.

The emotional rollercoaster that the characters experience, from moments of doubt and pain to bursts of joy and clarity, ensures that readers are constantly engaged. The ups and downs of the relationship are not just about love between the two, but also about the personal journeys they undertake—making the story all the more satisfying.

In conclusion, *The Slowest Burn* is a compelling, heartfelt romance that combines emotional depth with simmering chemistry. Sarah Chamberlain has crafted a narrative that explores both the vulnerabilities and triumphs of love, while never losing sight of the importance of self-love and personal growth. It’s a slow-burn romance done right, where the spice is never gratuitous, and the characters’ development is what truly shines.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy romance with depth, emotional complexity, and characters that feel real. Chamberlain proves herself a skilled storyteller, and *The Slowest Burn* will undoubtedly resonate with fans of slow-burn love stories.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC of this book. This was an honest review.

Whenever a character career is food and loves food, I'm drawn to the story, and since character chef Kieran won a cooking show this year and Ellie is the cookbook ghostwriter his publisher paired him with, I became instantly smitten. Also, there was grief and emotionally charged moments between family members making it a page turner. I love enemies to lovers, fake-dating and foodie romances. So this book hit the spot.

First off, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻 lives up to the title. A slow building romance that explores various themes on the road to its happily ever after.

Ellie’s a ghostwriter for cookbooks and is hired to work on Kieran’s book. He just won a reality cooking competition so the publisher wants to build on that momentum. Kieran, for all his talent as a chef, is not the typical type Ellie works with. They’re a clash of personalities, and they have their struggles - he has ADHD, and she’s a grieving widow. When the publisher has them in a close proximity situation, they start making headway.

There’s so much that the author tackles here. Ellie’s grief, the codependent dynamic with her in laws, her own career ambitions. Then Kieran’s self-confidence, his lack of focus. And they both have parental issues. I almost wish some of these things could’ve been pared down so that the story could’ve paced better. I don’t mind a slow burn, but it did feel too slow at times.

Highlights:
* Romance, slow burn. Opposites attract
* BTS of collaborating & writing a cookbook
* Friendship
* ADHD rep

Be aware of: grief, lack of self-care, codependency

In the end I did like this story, and could relate to Ellie’s loss, and the work it takes to move forward. Ellie and Kieran’s ‘aha’ moments are the best as they wake up to their potential. They’re also very sweet together. If you love your slow, slow burn, check this out!

Thanks @smpromance & @netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I could gush on and on about how amazing this book is, but no matter how many words I use I don't think it would do it justice. I loved every minute of this book. The way the characters moved from being at odds with each other, to working together, then being friends and finally lovers was incredibly well written, and it felt real. There was a real depth to the characters, not because they had tragic back stories but because of the way the pain in their past had shaped them into the people they were, and the work they did to pull themselves out of the past and heal.
Even the big issue that always comes up 3/4 of the way through to separate the couple didn't feel contrived or over the top. It felt real and honest. It wasn't a plot device to slow the story down and raise the stakes, it was something that was very much needed for the character development and the story was better because of it.

Can't recommend this enough.

I loved this book so much! the writing was spectacular and I didn’t get bored, the characters made me want to root for them and the story flowed!

This one got off to a rocky start, with the two MCs stubbornly clinging to their own fears and pain and it was difficult to see how they will get past this to work together. But once they did, I really enjoyed the two of them together. There was so much heartache in this and I thought the slow romance development suited their situations and their personalities.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc! I sadly couldn‘t get into the story. The descriptions of the mmc put me off & I couldn‘t look past that. This sounds like a fun romance book if you‘re in the mood for some type of reality show in the world of cooking and food.

This book dove into grief and how it can change the dynamic in found families. I really appreciated that it didn't shy away from this, but gave the story more heart and a stronger backbone.

Ellie was swept up in a once in a lifetime romance. Max was everything, and he made it all so easy for her. Falling in love, taking care of her. Giving her wonderful parents, after hers let her down in every way. She had a plan for the future. All until a heart defect took Max from her. Now she and his parents have been grieving his loss, unable to move on.

When Ellie meets her latest celebrity cook, nicknamed the Happy Pirate Leprechaun, she has her work cut out for her. Not only does he not respond to any of her emails, he has no sense of direction and has never followed a recipe. How is she supposed to pin him down to help make a cookbook when he's never used one?

Their initial interactions don't go well, including a very public argument. Slowly, they start to see things from each other's point of view, and come to an understanding. When they both start having feelings, Ellie must face the prospect of moving on from Max, and what that will mean not only for her, but for her in-laws as well.

I really liked this one. While I wouldn't rate it high in the spice department, everything was done very tastefully, and this one had so much heart!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers at St. Martin's Press for the arc to this one! All opinions are my own.

This was the perfect sexy election week escape read! The chemistry between the MCs is undeniable and the descriptions of food were so visceral. I couldn't put it down!

Ugh, honestly this took me forever to finish… so I guess the title rings true. While I love a good slow-burn, the pacing and lack of chemistry between the two MCs just did not mesh well with me/my tastes at all. When I finally got to the end, I genuinely just felt…. apathetic. 🙃 Though it may not have been the right book for me this time around, I’m sure others may still be able to find joy in it!

Thank you to @netgalley and @Stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @macmillian.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain is a captivating romance that masterfully blends slow-burn tension with deep emotional connections. This novel follows the story of Emma and Jack, two individuals with complicated pasts who find themselves drawn to each other despite their best efforts to stay apart.

What I Loved:
Character Development: Chamberlain excels at creating multi-dimensional characters. Emma and Jack’s personal growth and the gradual unfolding of their backstories make their relationship feel authentic and deeply moving.
Slow-Burn Romance: The slow-burn aspect of the romance is beautifully executed. The tension and chemistry between Emma and Jack build steadily, making their eventual connection all the more satisfying.
Narration: The audiobook, narrated by Hunter Johns and Kate Handford, adds an extra layer of depth to the story. The narrators’ ability to convey the characters’ emotions and personalities enhances the listening experience, making it easy to get lost in the story.
Overall, The Slowest Burn is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant romance that will appeal to fans of slow-burn love stories. Sarah Chamberlain delivers a story full of love, heartache, and redemption, making it a perfect read (or listen) for anyone who enjoys a deeply emotional romance.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #macmillianaudio #ltbreaderteam #theslowestburn #sarahchamberlain #smpinfluencers

Sarah Chamberlain's debut novel was an instant 5 star for me. I hope to read many more her in the future. Watching Ellie and Kiernan meet and fall in love was such a sweet story. I loved the title and the play on words as the characters were both in the food industry. Ellie is a disciplined ghostwriter for cookbooks, and Kieran is a free-spirited, up-and-coming chef.
Their partnership on Kieran's debut cookbook forces them into close proximity, slowly breaking down their defenses and sparking a genuine connection. I would love for some of the minor characters to get a sequel to this book, I can't wait to read the author's next book.

Sarah Chamberlain has written a sweet romance in her newest novel “The Slowest Burn” and I’m all about the food puns! So fun!

Ellie is a widowed cookbook ghost writer who lives in her controlling and co-dependent in-laws’ guest house. She is tasked to help write the cookbook of Kieran- a dyslexic, short, red headed cooking show winning chef. They are like oil and vinegar at first because he avoids working with her due to his uncontrolled ADHD. Ellie is also a rigid task master, which doesn't mix well. Ellie and Kieran end up connecting in more than one way after they spend enough time chopping and tasting and creating recipes in a small kitchen. These two start longing for each other and next thing you know they cannot get enough of one another.

This book was deliciously wonderful. I loved the characters and their interesting side stories. You will love all the yummy food references, or maybe you won't but I sure did!

I tried and just didn’t click with this book. It’s probably a bit for some people, but just not for me.

Sarah Chamberlain has cooked up a sweet little romance in her newest novel “The Slowest Burn” and I’m about to become a sous chef whipping up food puns so hold onto your aprons.

Ellie is a widowed cookbook ghost writer who still lives in her overbearing, co-dependent in-laws’ guest house. Wow, that’s a steaming hot mouthful of baggage stew, now isn’t it? She is tasked to help write the cookbook of Kieran- a dyslexic, ginger, short-king cooking show winning chef. They are oil and vinegar at first because he avoids doing work with her bc he has raging ADHD and she is a rigid task master. But as you know- if you shake up oil and vinegar hard enough it makes a sexy vinegrette…which is what happens with Ellie and Kieran after they spend enough time chopping and tasting and creating recipes in a small kitchen. These two start longing for each other and next thing you know vinegrette has been made and they are tossing each other’s salads in bed (ya, I went there).

All dirty sex/food references aside, this book was delicious. I loved the characters and their interesting side stories. If you are a foodie you will love all the yummy food references- though, spoiler alert- no food was used in any sex act, which is a missed opportunity, I think. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I think you will too!

Smut- 2.5 stars
Romance- 4.6 stars
Story- 4.4 stars
Making vinegrette smutty- 7.9 stars

This book is definitely a slow burn, but I really enjoyed it. The characters are fun and so loveable you will find yourself constantly rooting for them. I slowed my reading towards the end because I didn't want the story to be over. It is a great romance with some added spice. I hope to read more titles from Sarah Chamberlain in the future and will recommend to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to review.