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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very slow and dry book. I know it’s a slow burn but it didn’t feel like it. Felt like they said “I love you” out of nowhere. FMC is kinda dumb for sharing confidential info over a freaking email. Like wth dude. Also the trifle dude incident didn’t make sense to me. Not romantic at all??
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
There were elements I enjoyed in this book but the ending fell a bit flat for me with the outlandishness of the entire trifle plot line. I enjoyed the authors other works more, but would try her again.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wanted to love it but it just didn’t completely sweep me away. It was enjoyable but missing that something special
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay… I’m pretty disappointed by this book. The plot sounded promising and original, but the execution left me feeling more frustrated than fulfilled.
Let’s start with the romance.
Yes, it’s a slow burn, and I was totally ready for that. But the problem is… there wasn’t much burn at all. No real tension, no chemistry buildup, barely any emotional connection that made me root for the characters as a couple. It felt rushed and underdeveloped, which made the romance fall flat for me.
Now, the actual plot is what had me spiraling.
Kate is hired by Charlie (her agent/love interest) to pretend she’s the author of a bestselling novel written by a famous but anonymous male author. She’s an actress — this is supposed to be a temporary gig, a performance. She creates a pen name, builds a social media presence… and is expected to live this lie.
But then, everything explodes.
Her daughter’s boyfriend takes screenshots of Kate’s private email — a message she sent to her daughter to explain the truth — and sells it to the press. And that’s when things really go downhill.
What made me angry was how everyone around Kate failed her, except Liv, her sister, who had her back from the beginning.
Alice (her daughter) didn’t push back when her father decided they should run off to the south of France to avoid the press. She didn’t stay to support her mom. She barely even checked in on her. It was heartbreaking to see Kate so alone in a mess that wasn’t entirely her fault.
Then there’s the publisher, who only cared about book sales, not her safety. And even Charlie, who supposedly cares for her, didn’t really show up until she had an emotional breakdown. He’s her agent and the one who got her into this — he could’ve done more, sooner.
Kate, a woman in her 40s, had no real protection and was being harassed — her personal space violated, her sister’s property damaged — and still, she tried to keep quiet and endure. I understand her instinct to protect her family, but at what cost? She kept everything inside, and the consequences were devastating.
The one thing this book does highlight well is how brutal social media and public judgment can be, especially when you’re a woman in the spotlight. It shows the dark side of virality, how quickly people form opinions without the full story, and how overwhelming it is to become a public target. That felt real and relevant.
But still… the emotional weight didn’t land the way it could’ve. The romance was too underdeveloped to feel satisfying. And too many characters made frustrating decisions that left me disconnected from the story.
Let’s start with the romance.
Yes, it’s a slow burn, and I was totally ready for that. But the problem is… there wasn’t much burn at all. No real tension, no chemistry buildup, barely any emotional connection that made me root for the characters as a couple. It felt rushed and underdeveloped, which made the romance fall flat for me.
Now, the actual plot is what had me spiraling.
Kate is hired by Charlie (her agent/love interest) to pretend she’s the author of a bestselling novel written by a famous but anonymous male author. She’s an actress — this is supposed to be a temporary gig, a performance. She creates a pen name, builds a social media presence… and is expected to live this lie.
But then, everything explodes.
Her daughter’s boyfriend takes screenshots of Kate’s private email — a message she sent to her daughter to explain the truth — and sells it to the press. And that’s when things really go downhill.
What made me angry was how everyone around Kate failed her, except Liv, her sister, who had her back from the beginning.
Alice (her daughter) didn’t push back when her father decided they should run off to the south of France to avoid the press. She didn’t stay to support her mom. She barely even checked in on her. It was heartbreaking to see Kate so alone in a mess that wasn’t entirely her fault.
Then there’s the publisher, who only cared about book sales, not her safety. And even Charlie, who supposedly cares for her, didn’t really show up until she had an emotional breakdown. He’s her agent and the one who got her into this — he could’ve done more, sooner.
Kate, a woman in her 40s, had no real protection and was being harassed — her personal space violated, her sister’s property damaged — and still, she tried to keep quiet and endure. I understand her instinct to protect her family, but at what cost? She kept everything inside, and the consequences were devastating.
The one thing this book does highlight well is how brutal social media and public judgment can be, especially when you’re a woman in the spotlight. It shows the dark side of virality, how quickly people form opinions without the full story, and how overwhelming it is to become a public target. That felt real and relevant.
But still… the emotional weight didn’t land the way it could’ve. The romance was too underdeveloped to feel satisfying. And too many characters made frustrating decisions that left me disconnected from the story.
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Plot was confusing after 1 chapter and I didn’t care enough to try to be un-confused
Thank you Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver is a sweet, heartwarming story about second chances, starting over, and finding yourself again. Kate’s newly divorced, her daughter’s off at college, and she’s finally ready to chase the dreams she gave up years ago. But instead of stepping back into acting, she ends up pretending to be the face of a romance novel written by a reclusive author—cue the fun twist.
The book has a cozy, slow-burn vibe with great themes of reinvention, family, and quiet personal growth. There’s also a touch of unexpected romance woven in (think: work + close quarters), which pairs perfectly with the love story she’s promoting.
It’s not a fast-paced read, but it’s heartfelt and feel-good, with characters you’ll want to root for. I give it 3.5 stars, but rounded up for goodreads.
Read this if you like:
• Second chance plots
• Forced proximity with a bookish spin
• Slow-burn romance
• Feel-good stories about fresh starts
Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver is a sweet, heartwarming story about second chances, starting over, and finding yourself again. Kate’s newly divorced, her daughter’s off at college, and she’s finally ready to chase the dreams she gave up years ago. But instead of stepping back into acting, she ends up pretending to be the face of a romance novel written by a reclusive author—cue the fun twist.
The book has a cozy, slow-burn vibe with great themes of reinvention, family, and quiet personal growth. There’s also a touch of unexpected romance woven in (think: work + close quarters), which pairs perfectly with the love story she’s promoting.
It’s not a fast-paced read, but it’s heartfelt and feel-good, with characters you’ll want to root for. I give it 3.5 stars, but rounded up for goodreads.
Read this if you like:
• Second chance plots
• Forced proximity with a bookish spin
• Slow-burn romance
• Feel-good stories about fresh starts