Thank you Netgalley and PenguinUK for this beautiful ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was my first Josie Silver book and certainly won't be my last. I absolutely loved her mature writing style - beautiful sentences painting me a picture of a wonderful story.

Kate Elliot is a 39 year old divorcee living in the studio apartment above her sister's dress shop. She's been left with nothing thanks to a watertight prenup and the last job she had was 20 years ago as an actress. She writes to her former agent who begged her not to leave the industry and get married, conceding his "I told you so" would be extremely appropriate and would he have any acting jobs for someone like her. Charlie's father is no longer alive to receive said email. Jojo's son is also newly divorced, returned home to England from LA, taking on his father's legendary agency, trying to fill his shoes, his apartment and the legacy he left behind for his son. Like father, like son - they both see something in Kate as Charlie hires her to be the ghost author of a destined best seller for an author who desperately wants to remain anonymous. Kate's time performing as debut author Kate Darrowby is as exciting as it is frightening as Kate is propelled out of her comfort zone for a book going viral and through it all Charlie takes care of not only her best interests, but her in general.

I really enjoyed the rollercoaster of a ride Kate went through as Kate Darrowby, rediscovering herself following her divorce from (horrible) Richard. Her daughter is at uni and she's alone for the first time in 20 years and forced to reflect and figure out who she is once again. She is naive but honest and kind to her core, caring for others and the translucency of her big heart ultimately wins everyone over.

My only wish was that there was more of Charlie and Kate in this book. When they were together it was magic but I was forever hungry for their next scene together, their next vulnerable moment, next touch, next everything. There is a lot going on outside their chapters together and it's a great read but given this is a romance, I just would have liked a bit more of the romance.

4.25 stars

Like the title suggests...this is a SLOW BURN!
The romance simmers in the background for much of the book, with the main plot centered on Kate pretending to be the author of a wildly successful novel. While the romance takes its time, the story is sprinkled with charming, heartfelt moments between Kate and Charlie that gradually build tension and make their eventual connection feel earned and deeply satisfying.

I really enjoyed Kate’s character. Recently divorced and a bit adrift, she had that relatable “figuring it out” energy without ever compromising who she was. Her wit, warmth, and loyalty made her easy to root for. I especially appreciated that her growth wasn’t about reinventing herself but about rediscovering her confidence.

Charlie was an absolute gem. Sweet, grounded, and quietly persistent, he was the perfect complement to Kate. He nudged her gently out of her comfort zone while always having her back, even when he was just “her agent.” Their chemistry felt natural and unforced, and those subtle moments of support and care made their eventual romance all the more rewarding.

A few small critiques:
While I enjoyed the slow burn, the pacing in the middle did drag slightly, and I would’ve loved a few more scenes that let the romance take center stage a bit earlier on. Also, a deeper dive into Charlie’s internal world, especially his motivations and past, could’ve made his character feel even more rounded.

Overall, though, this was a fun, heartfelt read with a sweet and emotionally mature romance. If you enjoy character-driven stories with a cozy literary backdrop and a gentle, satisfying love story, this one’s worth picking up.

Do you like books set in the publishing world or where the main character is an author?

Slow Burn Summer is a fresh take on the MC is an author trope! Kate is trying to get her life back on track after her divorce so she looks up her old agent and decides to see if she can have another bash at acting. The job she ends up with is definitely different to what she had in mind. The job her late agent’s son Charlie offers her is to pose as an author so the real author can keep their identity secret.

Kate and Charlie definitely have chemistry from their first meeting and bond over their love of Charlie’s father Jojo, and being slightly scared by his business partner! Their romance is threaded slowly throughout the story as the title might suggest and there are some moments where Kate seems to think she knows Charlie before he gets a chance to explain himself!

Alongside their romance is the story of Kate actually posing as the author which is a caper. Kate’s very close with her sister and that is a really strong point in Kate rebuilding her life. There are also some completely off the wall moments to enjoy too!

If you’re looking for more recommendations for this author then I would suggest One Day in December or One Night on the Island. Josie also writes under the pseudonym Kat French and her romance One Hot Summer is 🤌 chef’s kiss.

This book was a delightful read. The plot was well written and I enjoyed how it developed and was easy to read and follow. The characters were had such a brilliant connection and worked so well together.

Slow Burn Summer is the perfect summer read. I'm enjoying the trend of literary career-themed rom-coms and this is a great addition. I love the unique premise of a struggling actress who assumes the role of a novelist. Kate is very relatable, she's honest, funny, and authentic. The chemistry between her and Charlie develops naturally throughout their 'professional' relationship. What I liked the most was the theme of new beginnings. I am a divorcee, and this made me feel seen. If you want a charming literary-themed read filled with genuine emotion. this is the perfect addition to your summer reading.

Absolutely brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending it.

I love Josie Silver books, I always get totally immersed in them, I find them the perfect rom-com blend.

The story follows Kate, who once dreamed of being an actor but put her ambitions aside for marriage and motherhood. Now, newly divorced, broke, and living in a tiny flat above her sister’s fancy dress shop, she takes a chance and writes to her old agent, hoping for work. Enter Charlie, a script writer fresh from LA, navigating his own fresh start after a failed marriage and the unexpected responsibility of taking over his late father’s business. He’s searching for a ghost writer for a new romance novel, and Kate’s letter lands in his lap at just the right time.

I adored this book. The publishing and book community angle made my bookish heart so happy, and Silver’s signature mix of wit and depth made it impossible to put down. As always, you get taken on a little rollercoaster of emotions. Thankfully, it’s not as devastating as The Two Lives of Lydia Bird (OMG, so emotional). Kate and Charlie are lovely characters, and I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold. Kate’s sister, Liv, is another standout character.

This is quick read, no slow burn to get into it, you'll be hooked.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the ARC.

There is nothing not to love about Slow Burn Summer. Kate and Charlie's story is unique, funny and really has an "old school" romcom feel about it which I absolutely loved! The insight into publishing and book publicity was so interesting as a bookworm. I particularly loved Kate's sister Liv who I think deserves a book of her own, she is fierce and fabulous as well as talented. I also had a soft spot for Fiona who is clearly the Miranda Priestley of publishing but I just couldn't read enough of!
Excellent characters, feelgood vibes and lots of juicy chemistry to squeeze out of a perfect book for the summer!

A great holiday read. I loved the story and the characters were just wonderful. Highly recommended for a holiday reading list.

A cracking read with great characters.
Such believable storyline you could imagine yourself in someone else's shoes and be swept away with great story telling.
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the arc copy of Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver is a heartwarming romance set in a cute English village. The chemistry between Lottie and Sam develops gradually, making every moment feel genuine. Silver creates a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere with relatable characters and emotional depth. Perfect for fans of slow-burn romance this book is a great summer read!

Thanks to Penguin General UK and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This was my first Josie Silver book and I did really enjoy it.

I thought the premise of this book sounded amazing and I enjoyed Kate coming into her own again and rediscovering herself after a messy divorce(HATED Richard I mean she deserved so much better!) I absolutely loved her sister Liv and I loved the trading of the bracelet from their mum when they needed extra luck/courage, I thought this was really sweet.

There were some funny moments in this book which I loved - revenge prawns and the angry T.Rex (iykyk) and I enjoyed Kate exploring the book world.

I will admit I could’ve done with a LOT more of Kate and Charlie, I felt like the romance was kind of sidelined because of the relationships forming with other characters like H and I felt like we didn’t get enough of the two of them together. I also would’ve loved to see Kate’s manuscripts going somewhere after they were rescued by Kate and Liv in one of my favourite parts of the book.

Thank you so much for this ARC! I started to fall in love with this story slowly and then all at once. I read 80% of this book in one sitting, enjoying the way it is wrapped around another story that we don't know, but whose impact can be felt in the characters that interact with it. It is quite a unique feeling to be touched by a book that describes characters having the same experience as you. There was no point in this story when I knew where it was going, an amazing feeling that I hadn't had in a long time. All in all, it is a lovely read that I can't wait to recommend to everyone.

This was absolutely beautifully written, but just didn't sit right with me. I loved Jojo and Fiona, loved the plotline, but the romance between our two main characters felt stilted and forced and then all of a sudden, drenching. Liv felt like a more fleshed out character than her sister and I found myself rooting for her and Nish more than anyone else! I wish we'd gotten more of a slow reveal for the author as it came a bit out of the blue and then suddenly we get all this detail and development for them that felt sort of irrelevant. It was hard to bond with or care about a character we know very little about until the end. I'm not sure I'd read this again, but I enjoyed it while it happened!

When I saw the title I simply had to request!

As a lover of a slow burn romance, I was intrigued to see if this book would deliver... and it absolutely did, with the perfect slow burn and a unique take on the whole boy-meets-girl romance.

The characters were brilliant, and I loved following their individual healing process as they got to know one another throughout. A fantastic read!

Kate has spent the last 20 years being married to the father of her child Alice, when her marriage falls apart and she finds herself kicked out of the family home too, a job is a must. She's spent the last 20 years raising her daughter and supporting her husband and her only work contact is Jojo, her talent agent from a long forgotten acting career. As Jojo has passed away, his son Charlie has stepped into his shoes & offers Kate the role to get her back on track, but it's not your average acting job! She'd heard of Ghost Writer's but a Ghost Author? For a book she fell even more in love with than her first love Richard? Sign her up! The one clause, she can never know the identity of the author & has to take on her toughest role to date - debut novelist!

Josie Silver, once again, gifts us with a book which is laugh out loud funny with a side of feet kicking falling in love! The feeling I get from a 90's, Hugh Grant starring romcom, is delivered in 'Slow Burn Summer'. A 5 star summer must read!

This was such a joyful and refreshing read. Kate and Charlie are finding love again after heartbreak and I loved their slow burn romance.

The storyline was so fun and unique! I really enjoyed it and I found myself really rooting for Kate throughout. I also adored her sister Liv, she was brilliant! She deserved her own book!

This book was addictive, fun, easy going and had me smiling with every page.

Thankyou to netgalley for sending me an advanced e copy of this book, I can’t wait for it to be released for everyone else to enjoy too :)

Slow Burn Summer is an enchanting and delightful summer read that captivates the heart and imagination. Its vivid storytelling and engaging characters make it the perfect escape into a sun-soaked world. I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone seeking a fun and refreshing literary adventure!

I absolutely love Josie Silver’s books and Slow Burn Summer is a funny, emotional and romantic triumph. Set in the world of books, Kate - in an attempt to return to acting, something she hasn’t done for years - is offered a unique opportunity, to be the public face of a romance book when the author wants to remain anonymous and out of the limelight.

It’s a setup that leads to some hilarious moments as Kate becomes well known, but also some really tricky situations. I loved Kate’s strong will and the relationship with her sister, Liv, and I loved the developing romance between Kate and her agent Charlie, the way it was really slow burn (hence the title) but also utterly delicious.

It’s a poignant, funny, romantic read with such well drawn characters, and it lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve finished it. I loved it.

If you love books about books then I highly recommend this one!

We follow Kate Elliot, freshly divorced and in need of a job. she unearths an old letter from her ex-talent agent, Jojo Francisco – she takes it as a sign from the universe to brush off her old acting skills and become someone else entirely.

I absolutely loved Kate! She is so witty but still very much unsure of herself. She is so relatable. I enjoyed reading about her escapades along with her older sister whom she is currently living with in the apartment above her sister’s fancy dress shop. I wish I had an older sister just like Liv!

I fell in love with pretty much all of the characters. Except a few of course! As a book blogger myself this was so much fun to read, especially about how the book community is portrayed in the book. It’s pretty accurate.

This is such a feel good read. I was laughing and gasping all the way through!
There was enough drama, angst and romance to keep you going.

The storyline was fantastic! It really had me guessing at how it all would turn out. Josie’s writing flows so effortlessly and beautifully I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I read this book so quick!


Slow Burn Summer is a perfect fun summer read and I would highly recommend it.

Thank you so much to random House and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.