3.75⭐️

i really enjoyed this story! the premise of the plot really drew me in and i’m so thankful to say that it didn’t disappoint in the slightest. it even had me physically laughing out loud.

kate is such a funny, likeable fmc, i found her really endearing. the relationship with her sister was really well done too, liv was perfect comedic relief and their dynamic felt perfect. i wish we got more of kate and her daughter though, with how much love she has for alice i wish they had at least one scene in the same physical space.

the reason this just missed the mark for me is that i wish we had a few more scenes from charlie’s pov. we can see how much of a caring and protective man he is, so i wish we had some more insight to his internal thoughts and see his growth too after being thrusted into his role after losing his dad.

i can’t believe im saying this, but i also wish the love declaration wasn’t included? everything else in that scene for me was perfect, the dialogue made my heart flutter and i was grinning, so those three words actually felt out of place to me. i felt their chemistry 100% in the book and was yearning for them to be together but it didn’t feel like the right time and for me i think it is because of the lack of charlie’s pov that it missed my mark.

thank you to penguin general uk and netgalley for the arc 💌

If you are a fan of Bridget Jones then this is a book for you.

I enjoyed the romance and characters. Reading a book set in a hot London whilst it was raining in London on my commutes made me excited for the summer. My biggest issue with the book is that it is written in 3rd person as I struggled to connect with the characters and feel myself fully immersed, this is a gripe I have with the majority of romance books written this way and I know will work for some readers.

Josie Silver delivers a charming, witty romance in Off Script, where deception, reinvention, and sizzling chemistry take center stage. Freshly divorced Kate Elliot takes on a bizarre acting gig—posing as the face of a novel—while Charlie Francisco, back from LA, tries to prove himself by keeping the ruse intact.

Set against a sweltering London summer, their sharp banter and slow-burning attraction make for an irresistible read. With humor, heart, and themes of self-discovery, Off Script is a delightful escape for fans of fake identity tropes and steamy, feel-good romance.

Though was something missing, just can't quite put my finger on it.

3.5/5!

Imagine Bridget Jones and Louisa Clark (from Me Before You) were one person and they were pretending to be an author. The entire time I was reading the song “It isn’t perfect but it might be”- Olivia Dean was playing nonstop inside my head and i couldn’t think of a more perfect song for this book.

Thank you to Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business and NetGalley for the Arc!

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Overall, it was a nice book. I loved seeing the insides of the publishing industry. Kate was a freshly divorced woman trying to find herself again whereas Charlie is dealing with the loss of his father.
The 3rd person POV made me not relate to the characters as much as I wanted and I couldn’t really feel much chemistry between them.
There were some sweet moments such as the one on the couch, but they felt sudden, like it missed some build up.

It was just that I enjoyed the secondary plot more than the romance itself.

This book is actually so good! Yes it took me a month to read but I was in a slump and this got me out of it this past 2 weeks! Obsessed with both the main characters in the book! I love them both so much! I recommend if you love a good slow burn! I’m absolutely obsessed with the plot nothing like I’ve ever read before! Like I’m absolutely obsessed will probably reread and can’t wait for everyone else to get their hands on this book! It’s an absolute masterpiece

Kate is officially an empty nester so she decides to do something for herself again and pick up acting. Her old agent had passed so her letter reached Charlie his son who recommended her for a unique gig, acting as the author of a new romance novel. The original author is known for writing detective books so this love story inspired by his late wife doesn’t work with his image. The book is an immediate success but as their lies start to unravel Kate finds herself in quite the pickle. How do you move on from something like this?

The title is spot on because this book is very slow burn. In fact the romance comes second to everything else going on with the Kate navigating her new life and everything that comes with publishing a book. On top of dealing with her daughter and ex husband. I’m not mad about it, Kate is the moment and one of those characters you can’t help but root for.

I have to highlight Liv (Kates sister), she’s comedic gold! There are a few emotional scenes so it was nice to mix it up with some fun banter. Honorable mention to the T-Rex scene, another giggle worthy moment. Love the cover and bonus content at the end.

This book is incredibly well written, love the structure, characters and the ending is just spectacular. Every loose end is tied up and of course theres a HEA. I highly recommend it.

Read this if you like
🩷Agent x actress
✨Hilarious banter
🔥Slow burn
📖Contemporary romance

i’ve previously and constantly been one of josie silver’s biggest fans! this book brings you more of the same trademark wit and delight, a romance that’ll keep you warm and happy through life hurdles and misfortunes alike. i liked the characters, kate and charlie, so very much. i adored how the author mixes in the bitter with the sweet, the value and obsession fiction and pretense present for us even when you have to admit it’s not real and step away.
this was a really unique, wonderful book! i cannot recommend josie silver enough, for readers of romance & hard-hitting and delightful love stories.

What an absolutely fabulous story.
I just couldn't put it down.
It was emotional, hilarious, chaotic and serious. What more could you want!
Thanks so much for the review copy.

This story was quite the emotional rollercoaster! Love after divorce is also a favorite trope of mine. I felt the ex husband was kind of a bland character though and not very developed for being a plot point in the story. The plot points weren’t very strong to begin with, but I did overall enjoy this emotional yet cute book!

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver is an absolute delight—heartfelt, beautifully written, and filled with the kind of slow-building romance that lingers long after you turn the last page. Silver has a way of crafting characters that feel incredibly real, with emotions that simmer and grow in the most captivating way.

The setting is stunning, immersing you in a dreamy summer atmosphere that makes you want to escape into its pages. The chemistry between the protagonists is undeniable, with a love story that unfolds naturally and authentically. It’s a book about second chances, self-discovery, and the kind of love that’s truly worth waiting for.

If you love poignant, character-driven romances with depth and emotion, Slow Burn Summer is a must-read. Josie Silver has once again delivered a story that tugs at the heartstrings and leaves you with a satisfied sigh. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book in advance. Slow Burn Summer was so slow that it was hard to get into the story. It felt like Kate was more interested and had more chemistry in her letters with author "H" person than with Charlie the agent. It did not feel like there was a progression of chemistry between Kate and Charlie. It's frustrating because Kate seems to have so much fun with her "ghost author" persona that you really want the sparks for her. I hope that others resonate with the story more.

I give this book 5 Sunday Times Bestsellers 📚

I started reading this book convinced it was a romance between Kate and Charlie, but this book is so much more.

It is a love story between readers and the books they love. While an author is the person who gifts the story to the reader, the story itself is so much bigger than everything else. It takes on a life of its own, through the importance it holds for each person who reads it.

Kate a struggling divorcee, with a particularly loathsome ex-husband, happens upon a once in a lifetime “ghost author” acting gig. What follows is the unfolding of mayhem and adventure. We, as the reader, go down the rabbit hole with Kate as she finds her way in the world, right at a time when she is question who she is and what she even wants from her life.

What the author does so perfectly, is she makes you fall in love with every aspect of Kate journey of self re-discovery. This is achieved through a collection of perfect supporting characters; Charlie the sexy agent, Liv the protective big sis, wild card and amazing seamstress, Nish her adorable husband and Fiona the indomitable literary agent (just to name a few).
The author also throws in suspense, who is the original author?! Comedy, I dare you not to smile at the idea of a grown man squishing himself into a car while dressed as a giant T-Rex.
And of course at the heart of it, Kate. Kate is so realistic and heartwarming as the girl who loves stories and her family, who is wanting a new and rewarding life for herself.

Also down with Richard! He was the true deserver of Triffle-Gate!

A beautiful book about Kate, a former actress, reaching out to her agent from years gone by and being offered the u ique opportunity to act as author of a new romance read. Nobody, least of all Kate, could envisage the chaos her latest role will create.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 🌟
I really enjoy this novel! Even though the characters in it are at a later stage of their life than me (around 40 and divorced), a lot of it still felt relatable. I loved that the running theme throughout it was also all about books because that was entirely relatable.

Kate is the epitome of a relatable character and my heart went out to her at different points throughout the book amidst the injustice she suffered. Charlie was a really likeable character who always seemed to turn up at the right time and was so supportive, no wonder there ended up being a slow burn aspect to it.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book for a fun, yet reflective novel.

A great story which was brilliant to read and kept you hooked in as you followed Kate through her journey post the divorce...

3.5 🌟 lovely easy read - very good for the summer months!
As an avid reader, the insights to the book publishing world were very interesting and an accurate representation of how welcoming and supporting the book community is.

I liked the characters but feel like they lacked chemistry - having loved Josie Silver's other books this is the reason for my rating

Wow what a read. I absolutely adored this book and read it in one sitting. It tells the story of Kate whose life is at a crossroads as her daughter is off at university and she is recently divorced and has been left with nothing even though her husband was the cheat. A chance letter to an old life sets off a job offer that will change not only her world but also those of her family and her old agency. This is a perfect beach read not to be missed!

I really liked Kate and Charlie’s story. I wasn’t too sure about him to begin with, but as the story progressed I changed my mind, he is just so thoughtful and kind 🥰 I loved the character development of both Kate and Charlie.

I read this in two sittings which is always a good sign.

Once again another beautiful romance by Josie Silver, I don’t think I could ever get bored of her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for the opportunity to read this advance review copy.

The premise sounded great, and it started off really well. I liked Kate a lot and was fully invested in her journey of finding herself again after her divorce. Watching her rebuild her confidence, step into a new role as a ghostwriter, and navigate the changes in her life was genuinely engaging.

But the romance—it just wasn’t there. I kept waiting for that slow burn, that tension, that moment when I’d feel the pull between Kate and Charlie, but it never really came. Their first real moment—falling asleep together on the sofa—caught me off guard, not because it was unexpected in itself, but because it felt unearned. There hadn’t been enough development between them to make it feel meaningful. I wanted more build-up, more lingering glances, more conversations that hinted at something deeper. Instead, their relationship felt secondary, almost like an afterthought, with so much of the book focused on Kate stepping into her ghostwriting role.

If anything, I found myself more drawn to the dynamic between Kate and ‘H’, the elusive author she was ghostwriting for. Their exchanges—mostly confined to email—had more spark, more intrigue. I could feel an underlying connection there in a way I just didn’t with Charlie, which made it all the more frustrating that the book never really explored it further.

In the end, this didn’t quite work for me. It had so much potential, and I really wanted to love it, but as everything came together, it just felt a bit underwhelming.