I’ve loved Josie Silver’s previous books, so I was very enthousiast to read Slow Burn Summer, and it did not disappoint!
Nearly all characters were so lovable (sorry Fiona and Richard, perhaps not you) and relatable.
I loved the whole plot of this book and it was worked out really well. It also showcased a reader’s love for books and authors, which I thought was beautiful.

Kate is such a relatable character in so many ways, and I feel like that adds to the reading experiment. Charlie is a complex character on its own, navigating life after losing a dear one and going through divorce.

Liv - Kate’s sister - was such a badass. As was mentioned in the book: she should be president of the country. She’s the exact person you’d love in your life as part of your support system, as she’d always have your back.

The only minor thing in this book to me was the fact that I didn’t really feel the chemistry between the two main characters. I feel like I missed some build-up, even though this book is a slow burn romance, obviously :) but that didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying this book all round!

An enjoyable read that made me think how it would make a brilliant film. Kate attempts to return to her acting career after a painful divorce. She finds that her previous agent has died and been replaced by his son. He encourages her to take the role of an author who does not want to be connected in any way to a love story they have written. This brings drama to her life and her sister's. A love story evolves through the story.

I've loved previous Josie Silver books, so was excited to read this one, too.
Slow Burn Summer is exactly that. A slow burn romance, that has us as readers simmering throughout, as well as the characters!
Kate is reeling from a recent divorce and trying to find her feet again. Her daughter is at university, her ex living in what was their family home with his new partner, and Kate is in a flat belonging to her sister, attempting to make sense of her new life.
She bites the bullet and contacts her old agent, from before she got married, twenty years ago, in the hope that she can rekindle her acting career as a means to an end, and finds herself with a most unexpected role. That of an author. Specifically, she is to act as the author of a book she hasn't written because the actual author doesn't want to have their already famous name associated with this particular story.
Oh, and her agent? He's not the person she started out with, two decades previously, the flamboyant Jojo Fernandes. Instead he is working with Charlie Fernandes, his son. And a rather lovely looking, decent kind of man!
Without going into detail, Kate's life is a rollercoaster as the publication day arrives and the popularity of the novel soars.
She needs all the support she can get, and her sister is one amazing character, a real momma bear, who wonn't let anyone hurt her sister. And, of course, Charlie...
There's a lot that goes on, and it makes for a very entertaining read, and the slow burn is brilliantly done. A fantastic summer read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for an ARC.

This was so much fun! Slow Burn Summer is the perfect romantic comedy, beautifully woven with themes of loss, perseverance, and healing. While the pacing felt a bit slow at first, once I was invested, I couldn’t put it down.

The story follows Kate, a recent divorcee in need of an acting job, who lands a unique role as the “face” of a newly published novel. Working alongside her agent, Charlie, she navigates this unexpected opportunity which places her in many interesting situations.

There were lots of funny moment which had me laughing out loud, and Kate’s character, while eccentric and unique, never felt unrealistic. The balance between humour and emotional depth, especially with Kate’s journey of healing, was especially well executed.

I do wish we had more time with Charlie. He was such an intriguing character with layers to unravel, and the slow-burn romance was a delight. However, the ending felt a bit rushed, and I would have loved a more gradual buildup. Additionally, despite Kate’s deep connection with her daughter, Alice, we don’t see the pair together, only over email & phone. I would have loved to see more of this relationship!

One of the biggest highlights was the sisterly bond between Kate and Liv - it was so heartfelt. Kate’s evolving relationship with H was also incredibly sweet, and the unexpected twists and turns kept me hooked.

Overall, Slow Burn Summer was a thoroughly enjoyable read, filled with humour, heart, and an engaging storyline. I can’t wait to read more from Josie Silver!

A huge thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

SLOW BURN SUMMER – JOSIE SILVER*****

Yes, this is a love story, but so much more than that. I have to say, Josie Silver has done it again.
Kate is jobless and partnerless and in need of money. She writes to an agent she used years ago as an actress to see if there is any work available. There is, but not what she expected. A well-known author has written a love story, way outside his normal genre, and has refused to publish it unless it can be under a non-de-plume and promoted by the (pretend) author.
The agent has died meanwhile, and his son is in charge along with a terrifying woman Fiona Fox. She gets the job of pretend author, and it all goes wrong, often amusingly so. Don’t want to give anything away, other than the obvious, given the genre, that she and Charlie, the agent, eventually fall in love. It’s a great read, rattling through the pages and set pieces towards an end you don’t want to come, because that means the story has finished. Full of great characters, inventive, sufficient twists and turns to keep you guessing. Loved it.

After loving Josie Silvers previous books I was delighted to get an arc of her newest offering Slow Burn Summer and I wasn't dissapointed.
With a fabulous cast of characters - the good, the bad and the grumpy. I loved Charlie and Kate and how their relationship played out and everyone needs a sister like Liv. I was surprised the Alice didn't make an appearance, especially as a key plot featured her actions but didn't feel the story was lacking from the omission.
Perfect read for the bookish like me out there!

Having read books by this author before, slow burn summer looked like something I would enjoy.

The story itself was really good, I enjoyed the whole thing revolving around books and people who love books. The idea of using someone to pretend to be the author was an interesting one and I thought from the start it definitely had the potential to be a little rocky. The characters were so great, I loved the main characters and I thought Kate’s sister Liv was a particularly fun character.

In all an easy to read book that I was pulled into immediately. Look forward to reading more of the authors books in future.

This is quite a book. A beautiful slow love story . You have an out of work actress, pretending to be an author and the story rolls from there. The sister part is amazing . I loved it. The beginning and ending are clever. Some good twists. I loved it .

I finished this book this morning and loved reading it. It was a unique storyline, with an easy writing style, which was easy to read. I loved the premise of a ghost author, someone paid to act the part, to pretend to have written the romance story. Plenty is going on in this story, personal lives moving on, romance, family relations and the role of social media in blowing things out of all proportion.

The characters were well written and I really liked Kate. The other characters were well crafted too, and I could relate to them all. I especially liked Kate's sister, she is a real tiger when fighting for her sister.

I highly recommend this story, it made me smile, laugh and towards the end have a few tears too. Not because it was sad but because I was pleased with the outcome of Kate's dramas. A must-read for the summer!

Slow Burn Summer, is a book filled with emotional depth, heartwarming and laugh out loud moments, and characters that stay with you long after the final page.

Kate, in particular, stole the show for me.

Her vulnerability and the emotional journey she undertakes to discover her own worthiness for love was both heartbreaking and beautiful.

Watching her grow, stumble, and ultimately embrace herself felt so authentic, making it impossible not to root for her.

Her struggles and triumphs were written with such care that her story resonated deeply. She is definitely a personable character.

Kate’s sister, Liv, was another standout character.

She brought so much humour and warmth to the book, and every time she appeared, I found myself laughing out loud.

Liv is exactly the kind of person you’d want in your corner - unflinchingly supportive, honest to a fault, and wildly entertaining. She balanced out some of the heavier emotional elements with her quick wit and unwavering loyalty.

Then there’s Charlie - the sensitive, steady, and dependable talent agent who stood by Kate through every twist and turn.

His quiet strength and unwavering support made him such an endearing love interest. He provided a grounding presence, especially when Kate was navigating the chaos of her personal and professional life.

Their chemistry was undeniable, and the slow burn of their connection kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of my favourite moments was the T-rex scene with H, along with the delightful exchange of emails that added another layer of charm to the book. These little details made the story feel even more personal and engaging.

If I had one critique, it would be the ending. After such a beautifully paced slow burn, the final declaration of love felt a little too abrupt. I wished for just a little more build-up to fully savour the moment. However, this didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.

Overall, Slow Burn Summer is a heartfelt, funny, and emotionally rich novel that I’d recommend. With memorable characters, a compelling romance, and moments of both laughter and heartbreak, it’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished it.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy a Josie Silver romance and this was lovely. I was delighted to receive a digital arc from NetGalley.
The premise of this book is that an author who doesn’t write romance needs a front for a book. Enter Kate, who used to be an actress but gave it up for a husband who turned out to be a toad, and has left her with no money and nowhere to live. Kate agrees to be the face of the novel, leading to a series of catastrophes.
Kate’s sister is wonderful and their relationship is the lynchpin of the novel. There is a slow-burn romance with her agent which I also enjoyed, but not as much as I loved the reclaiming of Kate’s identity. This will make a great summer read when published.

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver was the kind of book that snuck up on me in the best way. At first, the pacing felt a little slow, but then I realized that was exactly the point, it’s a story about healing, rediscovering yourself, and letting love unfold naturally. The characters felt so real, and I found myself completely caught up in their emotions. Silver’s writing is beautiful and atmospheric, making me feel like I was right there in those sun-drenched moments. By the end, I didn’t want to leave this world she created. It’s a book that stays with you, like the warmth of summer long after it’s gone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was swept away by this book, with its collection of delightful characters, one or two excepted. Kate, who felt very vulnerable to me, is persuaded by Charlie Francisco to play the part of an author who prefers to remain anonymous. There are so many twists to the plot, with a silly daughter letting a secret out, a highly organised sister bustling into the story, a TRex..... and a somewhat sad author who for his own reasons wants to remain un named. For me the only slight disappointment was the ending, which seemed to whistle in from nowhere.
Thank you for the chance to read and review the book, which I enjoyed.

4.5 Stars

Kate is almost 40, recently divorced and her daughter just left for college. So now, with nothing to do and not much money to do it with... she needs a job.
Enter Charlie. He took over his dad's talent agency and he needs an actress to 'play' an author who doesn't want their real name associated with their first ever romance book.
Kate was thinking more along the lines of a theatre job or a commercial. But okay. She can play an author for a bit. She loves books.
And seeing her hot new agent more often won't hurt much either.

══════════════════

That was so adorable!
And funny and sweet and bookish and also a bit sad.
We want for Kate to get her happily ever after and this new bookish world would be the perfect life for her. But it's not her life. She's just pretending. Ugh. So sad.
But of course it's not all sad. We get lots of funny and sweet and bookish and exciting and ... it's just adorable. I loved reading it. I adored the sister and brother in law and even super grumpy Fiona! Lol! Great cast! Great book world romance that gives us exactly what it promises: an amazing slow burn summer! READ IT!

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver is a beautiful, beautiful story that gripped me with both hands and didn't let go anymore. Published by Penguin General UK telling the story of Kate and Charlie.
Unique, intriguing, well written with some lengths, set in London UK, a wonderful slow burn, a story that gives all the feels.
I have a question, why does the author disrupt the flow with repeatedly putting 4 words into one???

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver had some lovely moments, but overall, it didn’t quite come together for me. I liked the premise of the ghost author, I typically enjoy the meta aspect of books about the publishing industry and this was a fun twist. There were some strong themes around love and grief, and a few humorous moments (like the T-Rex in the costume shop!). I had a lot of sympathy for Kate; she’s a relatable protagonist who seems to have been landed in an impossible situation by every member of her family.

However, the romance felt underdeveloped. The relationship between Kate and Charlie didn’t get enough time to grow, and I struggled to feel invested in them as a couple. The I-love-you declaration at the end completely took me by surprise as it didn’t feel built up in the story.

While I like Josie Silver’s writing a lot, the book was bogged down by too many subplots, like the email exchanges with the ghost author, which distracted from the main romance. There seemed to be more time given to the relationship with Kate and Hugh, than Kate and Charlie. The "first love" storyline seemed a bit weak. The side characters, such as Kate’s daughter and ex-husband, felt underdeveloped and one-dimensional, and some threads, like the manuscripts Kate rescues from her old house, were abandoned without resolution.

Slow Burn Summer had its moments of charm and humor, but the lack of focus on the central romance and the uneven pacing left me wanting more.

Another excellent story from Josie Silver. The idea of an unknown actress playing the part of an author because the real author doesn’t want to be associated with the book they’ve written had me hooked from the start. Kate is an endearing main character who’s spent most of her life putting others first, and her new agent Charlie is the ideal, caring love interest. Every good rom com heroine needs a fun, supportive sidekick and Kate’s sister Liv fulfills that role perfectly. With lots of ‘will they, won’t they’ moments and clues to the identity of the mystery writer, this is an entertaining read. I loved it.

“+I want to be part of your story.
-You are my whole book.”

Maravillada con esta historia!!! He estado inmersa desde el mismo inicio, me ha parecido increíble la forma de atrapar de la autora con su manera de escribir.

Read this book for:
📑Workplace romance
📑Actress x Talent Agent
📑Forced proximity
📑Slow burn
📑Redemption arc

Synopsis
Kate Elliot is used to playing roles, but nothing could prepare her for this one: pretending to be the author of the year’s hottest romance novel. Hired by talent agent Charlie Francisco to be the face of a reclusive writer, Kate immerses herself in interviews, signings, and all the chaos of a blockbuster book tour. But things get complicated when Kate starts exchanging creative notes with the real, anonymous writer and discovers unexpected chemistry with Charlie. As the book becomes a literary phenomenon, Kate must navigate her growing feelings and the precarious web of lies threatening to unravel everything, including her chance at love.

My Thoughts
This book was a total wild card for me. Based on the blurb, it felt like it could either be a big hit or a complete miss—but I’m so glad to say it was an absolutely hit! The story of Kate and Charlie pulled me in right from the start, and I found myself completely invested in their journey.

Kate, in particular, stole the show for me. Her vulnerability and the emotional journey she went on to discover her own worthiness for love was both heartbreaking and beautiful. Watching her grow, stumble, and ultimately embrace herself felt so authentic, and it was hard not to root for her every step of the way.

I also adored her sister Liv. What a standout character! She brought so much humor and warmth to the story, and every time she appeared, I couldn’t stop laughing. Liv is exactly the kind of person you’d want in your corner—unflinchingly supportive, honest to a fault, and wildly entertaining. I loved Hugh as well especially the T-rex scene and all the emails that have been written.

And then there’s Charlie. The sensitive, steady, and dependable talent agent who stood by Kate through every twist and turn. His quiet strength and ability to be there for her, even in the most difficult moments, was so endearing. I loved the balance he brought to the story, especially when Kate was struggling to navigate the more chaotic parts of her situation. Their chemistry was undeniable, and the slow burn of their connection kept me turning the pages.

If I had one critique, it would be the ending. After such a wonderfully drawn-out slow burn, the final declaration of love felt a little too sudden for me. It was almost like I got emotional whiplash—the "I love you’s" and resolution came so quickly that I felt it could have used just a bit more build-up. That said, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story; it just left me wanting more of that sweet, satisfying payoff.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it without hesitation! It’s heartfelt, funny, and filled with memorable characters that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

I received an e-ARC from NetGalley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adore the words written by Josie Silver, and the storyline that she shares in Slow Burn Summer is simply wonderful.

I do love narratives where leading characters are authors, and Ms. Silver took this in a different direction - which was a refreshing change. As a reader, I had my own opinions on Kate’s journey, and I feel that the story unfolded as I imagined it should. It, on the whole, felt very true to life.

Thinking back over the storyline, Slow Burn Summer seems to me to be more than just the courtship between Kate and Charlie. I did initially wonder if the author should have focused more on their romance – especially towards the end. However, I love different. The development of the storyline and the characters portrayed are perfect. Who wants to read the same, over and over again?

Slow Burn Summer took me on an emotional roller coaster ride. I loved the humour. I adored the relationship between Kate and Liv, and a story always gets a huge tick from me if my assumptions are proven wrong.
I highly recommend Slow Burn Summer to you to read.