4.58k reviews for:

Slow Dance

Rainbow Rowell

3.86 AVERAGE

plottwistqueen's review against another edition

5.0

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"Slow Dance" by Rainbow Rowell is an enchanting journey through time, love, and self-discovery that deserves a resounding 5 stars. Rowell masterfully weaves a story about Shiloh and Cary, who were inseparable friends with dreams of escaping their small town, only to find their lives diverging in unexpected ways. As they reconnect years later, their deep-seated feelings and unresolved issues come to the forefront, offering a poignant exploration of second chances and personal growth.

Rowell’s dialogue is as sharp and relatable as ever, capturing the essence of her characters' complex emotions and the nuances of their interactions. The chemistry between Shiloh and Cary is palpable, and their journey back to each other is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. Cary's lingering pining and Shiloh's internal struggles are portrayed with depth and authenticity, making their reunion all the more compelling.

Despite the occasional challenge posed by the non-chronological chapters, "Slow Dance" is a testament to Rowell’s skill in creating believable, flawed, and endearing characters. This novel not only revisits the magic of youthful love but also reflects on the intricacies of adult relationships. It's a beautiful reminder of how love evolves and how finding your person at the wrong time can sometimes lead to the most profound realizations.

cathm1970's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

emmaisreadingthis's review against another edition

4.75

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

thatgeekamanda's review against another edition

3.25

lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

sunshine20806's review against another edition

3.0

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

anxiousbaddiesbookclub's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous challenging funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

raehink's review against another edition

2.0

hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I don't think Rainbow Rowell is an author for me. I was annoyed by the miscommunication trope, didn't like any of the characters, and found the whole thing unsatisfying. I wanted to DNF the book halfway through but kept going to see if it would get any better. It did, but only slightly.

myfictionalworld_97's review against another edition

3.75

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

emilyckg's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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The thing that I hate about this book is that I can only read it for the first time once. 

zoenelson's review

4.5

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No