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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Thank you so much NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for giving me access to this audiobook!
The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain will be released on Oct 1st, it's a heartwarming romance where we follow Ellie Wasserman, a meticulous ghostwriter who is still healing from her past who meets the charming and messy chef Kieran O’Neill.
They are tasked with working together on Kieran’s debut cookbook, their initial differences lead to sharp tensions, but over time, their professional partnership turns into an unexpected attraction.
It's a perfect read for foodie lovers, people who love a slow burn romance with personal growth!
As for the audiobook, I loved the narration, especially from the female voice, it was done perfectly! And even as I was listening at 2x speed it still was engaging and not boring.
The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain will be released on Oct 1st, it's a heartwarming romance where we follow Ellie Wasserman, a meticulous ghostwriter who is still healing from her past who meets the charming and messy chef Kieran O’Neill.
They are tasked with working together on Kieran’s debut cookbook, their initial differences lead to sharp tensions, but over time, their professional partnership turns into an unexpected attraction.
It's a perfect read for foodie lovers, people who love a slow burn romance with personal growth!
As for the audiobook, I loved the narration, especially from the female voice, it was done perfectly! And even as I was listening at 2x speed it still was engaging and not boring.
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Slowest Burn is such an enjoyable debut! The two major characters, Ellie and Kieran, were excellent. The two POV were such a lovely addition.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Wow this book took me my surprise in the best way! I bought it mainly for the gorgeous cover (I mean, come on just look at it) but the inside was just as good, if not better. The author brought a lot of complexity to the story and characters. There’s neurodiversity rep which I think is done well, as well as grieving the death of a spouse and son (in the case of Ellie’s in laws). The only reason I didn’t rate it 5 stars is because I wish the mother in law’s bad coping skills were challenged sooner and more often .
Ellie is a ghost writer who is tasked with a difficult “celebrity chef” for her next book.
How does she handle working with someone who doesn’t know how to finish a task outside of the kitchen.
Overall I appreciated this story but I felt there were missed opportunities for a deeper exploration of Ellie and Kieran. The author could’ve expanded on both of their emotional baggage on how it motivated them and ultimately contributed to their growth.
For the foodie in me I need more descriptions on food, I felt like the most descriptive we got was for a creamed spinach dish.
It’s a great debut novel, I just wanted a little bit more from Ellie and Kieran to ultimately fall in love with them.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
How does she handle working with someone who doesn’t know how to finish a task outside of the kitchen.
Overall I appreciated this story but I felt there were missed opportunities for a deeper exploration of Ellie and Kieran. The author could’ve expanded on both of their emotional baggage on how it motivated them and ultimately contributed to their growth.
For the foodie in me I need more descriptions on food, I felt like the most descriptive we got was for a creamed spinach dish.
It’s a great debut novel, I just wanted a little bit more from Ellie and Kieran to ultimately fall in love with them.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
medium-paced
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is an aptly named novel as it is definitely is a slow burn romance where the characters become friends first. Ellie and Kieran are both fully formed, dealing with their own separate demons. The relationships they had with the secondary characters were great (Ellie & Ben especially!) and I loved how real and raw it all felt. Also, shout out to Chamerlain for giving us a 5’7’’ short king - they don’t all need to be huge, burly men!
I really enjoyed this book! I felt like the representation of grief and childhood trauma were well done and the character development felt realistic and healthy. My only qualm with the book is it felt a little close to 'insta love'. While our characters start off as... Unwilling coworkers that then developed into a friendship, and then to feelings. That all felt very real. I just felt like the feelings to full blown love was a little quick based on both of their backstories. Overall-- It was still a VERY enjoyable read. As someone who personally melts at acts of service... Our MMC delivered on that so well at the end and it left me swooning and kicking my feet in delight. I also appreciated the epilogues. Sometimes I feel like they aren't needed, but I wanted to see how their relationship stood the test of time.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Chef Kieran just won one of the most popular reality tv cooking shows and has agreed to a book deal. With his ADHD and dyslexia Kieran definitely needs the help of a ghostwriter for his cookbook. The problem is organized, focused and bossy widow Ellie is the exact opposite of Kieran and they start off on the wrong foot. But when Ellie realizes Kieran is not being difficult on purpose, she finds ways to make Kieran feel comfortable working on recipes and cooking with her. As the two slowly peel back layers of their pasts Ellie and Kieran realize how much they mean to each other. But what happens if the publishing company finds out the two are in a relationship? Ellie’s career could go down the drain.
There are so many things I loved about this book, more than just the San Francisco setting and food. Ellie learning to work with Kieran’s neurodivergent brain made me want jump up and dance in celebration. Kieran being Ellie’s biggest supporter and champion and loving her in her grief was so heartwarming and touching. It takes time to learn each other and all our moods and forms and this book showcases that fundamental message in the most beautiful and delicious way!
There are so many things I loved about this book, more than just the San Francisco setting and food. Ellie learning to work with Kieran’s neurodivergent brain made me want jump up and dance in celebration. Kieran being Ellie’s biggest supporter and champion and loving her in her grief was so heartwarming and touching. It takes time to learn each other and all our moods and forms and this book showcases that fundamental message in the most beautiful and delicious way!