i liked where the storyline went but i couldnt get into the writing. i wish it was dual pov and i wish the chapters didn’t feel like run on sentence 💔 i was looking forward to thing book and it just ended up not being for me

When Kate is hired as a ghost author for a new book whose author wishes to remain anonymous, she’s not sure what to expect. A handsome, charming agent and an instant best seller are definitely not what she envisioned.

Kate and Charlie are down to earth, enchanting characters who comically continue to face life’s challenges. This was an incredibly sweet rom com that focuses on the importance of maintaining all of life’s relationships. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a summer read with a bit of substance!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book! I really LIKED this one. I think I read it in less than 12 hours total, would have been sooner but sometimes a girl just needs to put the book down and sleep. Kate was a great main character, absolutely adored her and her sister. They melted my icy heart. Charlie? I think Charlie could throw trifle at my face and I’d literally say thank you. There were a few grammatical errors, very minor errors that I’m sure will be corrected before publication. I did find an inconsistency in the book though—in one chapter it is said that Charlie silences both of their phones and places them face down, yet on the same page his phone rings and immediately on the next page her phone rings. Not a huge deal, but if I caught it, I am sure others will as well. Those small things aside I really enjoyed this book and these characters.

This book is a gem from start to finish. I read it in one setting. It's a storyline I have not come across before and it really draws you in. The characters are relatable and interesting and flawed and wonderful.

Josie Silver has done it again. A heartfelt, pull at your heartstrings modern romance, perfectly set in quintessential UK. I really simply adored this book. As predictable as modern romance can sometimes be, there were some fun twists and turns that kept me guessing.

Kate Elliott gave up her role as a soap opera actress to get married, now twenty years later, she is divorced and in need of a job. Somewhat desperate, she sends a letter to her former agent. Although she does get an appointment, she learns that her agent has died, and his son, Charlie has inherited the agency. Charlie and staff are in an unusual situation, in need of an actor to play the part of an author, as in “ghost writer.”
A well know author has written a romance novel, sure to be a success, however, the author in question is known for a completely different genre and doesn’t want to be associated with this latest book. Kate agrees to fulfill the role, attending all promotional activities, including live interviews, that to her surprise are not only on radio but also television.
The book is a huge success, and Kate plays the role well, until unexpected situations come up that create some friction. Charlie is diligent about protecting Kate; however, some things are simply out of his control. There also is a bit of chemistry between Kate and Charlie that they both choose to ignore.
This is a captivating, delightful story that caused me to pause occasionally while I laughed out loud.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Charlie is a talent agent, who has some serious life issues at the moment: a divorce, a business he inherited but doesn't want, and an author who wrote an amazing romance book but also wants nothing to do with it. His agency wants to put the book on a summer tour, but needs to find someone to pretend to be its author - enter Kate, who used to act in soap operas, has her own life crises, but also seems to be perfect for this job. The catch is she just cannot know who actually wrote this gem of a romance book. So Charlie and Kate plan to lie throughout the summer, but as the lies get bigger and their lives intertwine more, are they able to keep up the charade?

I just loved this book about the book world, so that alone is a great recommendation for this book. However, the characters were also enjoyable, I liked all of them and genuinely wanted to see them succeed. The characters were written as real people, with complexities and layers that were very relatable. Also, the title of "Slow Burn Summer" is perfection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Dell for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a charming, peaceful book! I could totally picture myself curled up on the couch during a rainy summer day with this! It was beautifully written and I especially loved the ending, everything was wrapped up perfectly! Thank you Random House and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review! My review for this book is now up on Instagram and Goodreads!
www.instagram.com/becks_bookstagram
www.goodreads.com/rebeccagauger04

From the moment I saw Slow Burn Summer and Josie Silver’s name on the cover, I knew I was in for a treat. As a longtime fan of her work, I had high expectations and this book delivered in every way.

The story follows Kate, a forty something newly divorced woman who finds herself at a crossroads after her daughter heads off to university. A chance visit to the talent agency she once worked with as a child brings her face to face with Charlie, the son of the agency’s former owner. When Charlie offers her a rather unconventional job—pretending to be an author on a book tour to promote a novel written by an anonymous, publicity shy writer—Kate reluctantly agrees. What follows is a whirlwind of deception, discovery, and undeniable chemistry.

I truly loved this book, especially all the little nods to the book world. Josie Silver weaves a story that feels both fresh and deeply authentic, making it stand out from the usual rom com books. There are some seriously sweet moments, hilarious scenes, and some unexpectedly deep themes that give the book real emotional weight.

The standout character for me was Liv. Every time she appeared on the page, I found myself grinning. Her sarcasm, dry wit, and fierce loyalty to Kate made her an absolute joy to read. But beyond Liv, every character felt fully realized, to include the ones who weren’t exactly likable were written with depth and purpose.

If I had one small critique, it would be that the ending felt a bit abrupt. I wanted just a little more time with these characters, a bit more resolution. But that’s a testament to how much I enjoyed the journey because I simply wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

If you’re looking for a book that is fun, heartfelt, and refreshingly unique, Slow Burn Summer is one that you should pick up. It’s the perfect summer escape, and I’ll be recommending it to all my friends as their next beach read. Josie Silver has done it again!

Thank you to NetGalley, Josie Silver, and Dell for the eARC of this book.

Loved this one!! I’ve loved Josie Silver ever since reading One Day in December. And this novel did not disappoint. A unique setting for this story. Enjoyed that. Something different. Lived all the characters in this one. Can’t wait till her next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Josie Silver is a mixed bag author for me. Sometimes I really like her books and sometimes I don’t. This one was a miss for me. It was very slow and I didn’t buy into the romance at all.

This is a charming and heartfelt read that perfectly captures the essence of a slow-burning romance. The characters are very relatable and the way Silver balances emotional depth with light, summery vibes is so good. The story follows two protagonists who navigate their complicated feelings for each other while dealing with personal growth and past regrets. The slow-paced development of their relationship feels authentic and satisfying, making the eventual payoff all the more rewarding.

However, the pacing could feel a bit sluggish at times, with certain sections dragging on longer than necessary. While the emotional moments are touching, the conflicts were resolved a bit too neatly, which slightly detracted from the realism. That said, the book’s strengths lie in its ability to create a warm, immersive atmosphere and its exploration of themes like second chances and self-discovery.

Overall, it’s a great read for fans of contemporary romance. It’s not without its flaws, but it’s the kind of book that leaves you with a smile and a longing for sunny days and new beginnings. If you’re looking for a story that feels like a fun summer escape, this one is worth picking up.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

This was such a fun summer time romance read. The author is a great writer and she makes the story so fun to read.

I love this author and Im so thankful to Netgalley for the arc of this. I highly recommend reading it. It makes for a fun summer read, I can't wait until I can get my hands on a physical copy of this book.

This book was so sweet! It was a love letter to readers everywhere. Though it was a slow burn, I enjoyed it a lot and would recommend it!

I enjoy Josie Silver’s work so was excited for a chance to read and review “Slow Burn Summer.”

I have wanted to be an author my entire life so the idea of hiring a soap opera actress to play one for the purpose of a book tour was a intriguing. Silver takes the time to develop our protagonist Kate who is reeling from a divorce and trying to figure out what comes next. Charlie is her agent who finds this particular role for her who carries his own baggage.

While I could not quite get into the supposed chemistry of Kate and Charlie, I did like reading about their journeys and ultimate connection. I also appreciated Silver’s attention to the novel’s additional characters, especially Kate’s sister, Liv. Readers will certain relate to her as well as Kate.

I predict this novel will soar this summer.

Four out of five stars.

Thanks to NetGalley, Josie Silver and the publisher for a chance to read and review this novel.

Josie Silver is usually a comfort read for me that started with One Day in December. I love the fact that her characters are not usually extremely young and tend to be closer to my own age, which makes them that much easier to understand and appreciate. Her characters usually have flaws that I can relate to as well. Slow Burn Summer had the makings of a comfort read, but at times felt rushed and not completely fleshed out for me. I feel like Charlie was bland and we were not able to get a grip on who he really was. Especially given the fact theta Kate was the face for this amazing love story, but the love story taking place between Charlie and Kate was fairly bland. Kate was fun, but my goodness did she make some wild decisions. There were portions that were also extremely unbelievable (like everyone coming to stop the trifle bandit.) That being said, I adored Fiona and her crazy antics, Liz and her protectiveness of Kate, and I really did love Kate, even though she made rash decisions that I could NOT relate to. All in all it was a quick, cute read. I think it just needed some extra time to truly dig into the grit of the story.

3.50 stars

Kate gave up her career years ago for love. After love betrays her she tries to get an acting job again. Her agent has sadly passed away and his son has taken over. He needs someone to act as a romance writer. Kate takes the job and they are forced to be together. Throughout the story their relationship grows. I enjoyed the story. I do think seeing more of Charlie and their connection would have elevated this story for me. Still a cute hallmark love story 💕

This was a refreshing read about finding love after heartbreak. After her long term marriage ended, Kate was adrift. But when she reaches out to her former agent, she’s offered an unconventional role that changes her life.

Charlie is struggling to fill his dad’s shoes as an agent when Kate strolls into his life, a mess of beautiful vulnerability. As he represents this whirlwind of a woman through her unconventional role, he sees a chance as happiness for himself too.

As they go through the ups and downs of the summer, these two find themselves, each other, and a love for the books.

ARC REVIEW
3.25⭐️

This was a cute one I really liked the plot i think it’s unique and i haven’t read anything like it before! I think it was written very well and you were able to get everything from the plot but I did feel like the characters fell a little flat to me. Kate was a really great character and we were able to see so much of her which was lovely but I don’t feel we got to see much of Charlie really at all and not too much about their connection. Bonus point for the Harry mention though😁!