The Slowest Burn is at its heart a romance novel, but oh, it’s so much more than that. The extras are what elevate this book beyond a throwaway romance and something you keep on your shelf and read again when you need to be reminded that even though everyone has their flaws, that makes finding your right person and making it work better than any fairy tale romance. Both Ellie and Kieran have their own demons they are fighting when they’re brought together for Ellie to help ghost write Kieran’s cookbook. Things do not start off well. Ellie is very much the controlled, organized and overly selfless character that doesn’t know what to do with the unfocused, messy and free-spirited Kieran. Being forced together to make progress on the cookbook helps them realize that their differences can help them elevate each other. But they also have family and the problems they’ve created to contend with too. Kieran’s expected him to conform to a box they wanted to put him in, and he deals with ADD and recovering from substance abuse at least partly because of this. Ellie raised her younger brother because of their absentee parents and he takes advantage of her because of it. She’s also a widow who is still very close to her in-laws, but her mother-in-law still isn’t coping well three years after her son’s death, a burden that Ellie carries much of. How could these two ever overcome the obstacles in their lives to find happiness together, especially when his publicist and her boss are discouraging it. In a story that is about enemies to lovers that’s also full of obstacles, there’s also a lot of joy and happiness in this story. And for there being people that are selfish and make life difficult for Ellie and Kieran, there are also people that are really good friends to them too that help them see past their struggles. The food elevates everything, but a story about opposites where you’re given the opportunity to see why they fall for each other and want to root for them doesn’t need it to be a feel good (romance) story I’ll want to read again. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this nice enemies-to-lovers slow burn. Ellie and Kieran were too cute and as a person who enjoys cooking really this book. There are some triggers so please check those out before reading.

I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher.

There is so much love written in this book. Not just with the two main characters but as well as the side friendships! The title is very fitting as this is quite the slow burn but the tension is so well done.

Sarah wrote such an interesting story about a chef with ADHD(which I related to way too much) and a ghost writer who has to have everything perfectly organized and planned, which created the perfect dynamic for opposites attract.

I love a “hate” to love book and I enjoyed how their bickering turned to foreplay. They both have parental trauma and had so much self doubt. But the two of them patched up the cracks for eachother.

One part of the book I really appreciated was that they didn’t just accept each others faults, they both worked separately to achieve their goals and make sure they were confident in themselves before fully given themselves to the other. Just so much growth on each of their parts, as well as a few of the side characters.

Do yourself a favor and say “yes, chef” to this book!

Very slow burn, cute and fun at times. Took me a while to get into this book, there was very little relationship development early on even though they were spending nearly 24/7 together for months. Things progressed a little toward the middle of the book but I didn’t see enough of their early banter, conversations or experiences together to really connect. It was a fun concept and a quick easy read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are mine alone.

This was a nice enemies-to-lovers slow burn. I was also incredibly hungry while reading this because of all the food discussions in the book. This book handles heavy topics very well. I would read the trigger warnings before reading.

I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher.

i have been deep in a "culinary romance" kick and this book fit right in! i liked that this book took all my fave tropes (especially enemies to lovers) but put its own spin on it. the connection between MCs was palpable and although the spice wasn't major, the passion was there! the foodie in me absolutely loved every reference to good eats. can't wait for this one to hit shelves so i can snatch up a physical copy!

I truly enjoyed "The Slowest Burn" by Sarah Chamberlain. This food-centered book captivated me from start to finish. The grief of becoming a widow in your late 20s, or at any age, is unimaginable, and it made me so thankful for my husband. The evolving relationship between Kieran and Ellie kept me interested and eager to see what would happen next. Their journey was both heartwarming and compelling.

I really liked the ADHD and dyslexia representation. I also love how the characters are flawed in general. I struggled with FMC at first, I found her intolerant, rigid and at the same time kind of a pushover. I did love her journey, and the ending was satisfying. I found the chemistry ok, I kind of wanted more slow burn and instead at times it just felt too slow. Without the burn. I still enjoyed the story overall. 3 to 3.5 stars.

I have been having a pretty tough month and just needed a book that was SWEET and romantic with not so much heaviness in it and this is PERFECTION

In her debut, SARAH CHAMBERLIN kills it with the sweetest most adorable and delicious (in more ways than one) romance book that is a must read. I loved these characters so much. They were full of depth, enemies to lovers, but the best kind of enemies because they bickered like friends and not meanness.

This book has close proximity, slow burn, and dual POV’s that made this book so adorable.

Overall, this is a debut author that is a must read!!!!

I didn't dislike The Slowest Burn, but I didn't love it, either. The best parts happened in the beginning of the book—Chamberlain does slow-burn tension so well—but there was a lot of heavy topics (mostly depression and grief) woven throughout that I just wasn't in the mood to read, and I found Kieran and Ellie's relationship kind of schmaltzy toward the end.

For fans of Emily Henry or Abby Jimenez

Oh, how much I enjoyed this book!

I’m discovering that dual POV is my favorite writing style for contemporary romance. It’s nice being able to see inside both main characters’ heads, as it helps the reader understand where each individual is “coming from,” as far as thoughts, intentions, and emotions are concerned.

It’s imperative to understand that the title of this story is not a tease or misleading; it is absolutely a slow burn. There’s a gentle sweetness to it, seeing how Ellie loves (as a caretaker), but it’s also nice seeing how both she and Kieran develop and grow as time progresses.

The one thing that I felt was a drawback was that there could have been more expansion and depth on their backgrounds. Some more anecdotes on Kieran’s wild youth and why he did the things he did (we get more insight on him stealing a candy bar than we did on him stealing and crashing a car!), more personal and specific remembrances on Ellie and Max’s life together, etc. would’ve flushed out the storyline more, in my opinion.

Overall, an excellent story, especially for a debut novel!

PS - Ms. Chamberlain, as one Sarah to another (😆), I would absolutely love to see some of these recipes you describe!

•𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯’𝘴 𝘎𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.•

I received a ARC review of The Slowest Burn from Netgalley. I loved the second chance romance. Ellie and Kieran have to collaborate to make his cook book after he gets famous. I like the opposites attract and how they complement each other. There is some triggers of loss and abuse which I found that most readers can find common threads to relate to these characters.
I like how they took a chance on each other and showed up for each other.
Very good story, recommend.
3.75 stars!

The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain is truly the slowest burn romance that is worth the wait!

This is her debut novel and it is witty, romantic, angsty, opposites attract and all set in the world of cooking and writing. One thing I really enjoyed was the literary and culinary world as a fan of cooking shows myself. The tension and banter was great! I love the forced proximity aspect of the story along with Kieran being neurodivergent with ADHD felt so accurate in the representation that I felt seen. Ellie and Kieran deal with a lot of things individually that shaped them and how they slowly heal each other but the chemistry between them is sizzling and so worth it. a must read romance!

This story follows Kieran, a chef trying to make it by making a cook book. And Ellie, food lover and ghost writer tasked with writing Kierans book.

This was definitely a slow burn! There was one aspect of the plot I wasn’t expecting (the fake dating bit) that added a little oumph to push the plot along. They were definitely missing a little bit of chemistry but made up for it with their friendship.

In terms of character growth- Kieran definitely grows into himself as the story moves along with the help of his growing relationship. He learns to be more confident in his career and keep a balance with his family. Ellie, however, is stuck in the same position for a majority of the book despite encouragement to grow. She stays in the same spot until she is confronted and only then starts to grow.

Absolutely loved this debut! Obsessed with the cover. Loved getting to spend time with Kieran and Ellie, and watching them both grow and fall for each other. Looking forward to whatever Chamberlain writes next!

4.75 stars!!!

i looooooved this book so much !! i was EATING it up!!! the way sarah wrote this was truly incredible. like?? the food descriptions made me want to EAT. the internal struggle of loneliness reminded how it feels to feel alone. the hope and fragility of a new relationship made me believe in love again. i cannot explain to you how wholesome and beautiful and hot this book is !!!! forced proximity, a dash of fake dating & a whole lot of pining!!!

i absolutely love both ellie & kieran and adored their journey throughout the book - both individually and together. we saw SO MUCH growth from both of them. i was seriously cheering them on!! so many incredible scenes and moments that made me swoon & my heart burst UGH *chef's kiss*

hey, sarah... i wouldn't be upset if you shared some of those recipes ellie & kieran created ....

DNF. The writing style was not for me, and I didn’t enjoy the dialogue. Might be more enjoyable for other readers!

Definitely not a top read. It was hard to pick up and finish. It felt like you were dealing with bickering kids the whole time.

Definitely aptly named lol I enjoyed this but at certain times I was like "okay, we get the slow burn, let's go." It felt drawn out at times? I'm all for good tension, but this made it seem like the author was Trying To Make A Point. Overall entertaining, but wanted the pacing to be just a little less slow.

A lovely romance story can be found in The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain. Overcoming grief & childhood trauma to rediscover one's own strength & happiness along side someone you've fallen in love with is the setting for Ellie & Kieren in The Slowest Burn.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book on #NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own, but this enemies to lovers romance is a recommendation to add to your TBR list.