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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
“Love could be a recipe for disaster, or the best thing they ever cooked up…”
Kieran O'Neill just won a cooking reality TV show, is on track to open his own restaurant and even has a high-paying cookbook deal. But his ghostwriter is the most uptight, humorless woman he's ever met. Unfortunately to be seen as a serious chef like he's always wanted, he needs to finish this book...
Instead of working on her own cookbook, Ellie is ghostwriting one for the chaotic, impulsive Kieran. Or would be, if he'd ever answer her emails. But to own her own home like she's always dreamed of, she needs to finish this book... As their deadline gets closer and the heat between them builds, can these two people let go of their past hurts and make something truly sweet together? Or will their fragile new love go up in smoke?
I am a huge fan of cooking shows and finding new recipes to love, so this book was right up my alley since we were following a fancy chef and cookbook ghostwriter as they worked together on the writing of a new cookbook. I loved all the details about the recipes they were cooking together and perfecting as part of the process of putting together this cookbook. Reading it was like its own version of comfort food. Both characters were realistic in their emotional growth as they tried to heal from their own past traumas, making it easy to root for them and their HEA. I loved that Ellie helped to boost his confidence and Kieran ensured she felt appreciated through his little acts of kindness.
This book had all the right ingrediets for a great romcom: Opposites attract, Forced proximity, Steamy encounters, Sweet heartfelt moments, and so much more.
I am looking forward to seeing what is next from Sarah after this wonderful debut!
The Slowest Burn is out September 24th
Thank you to Sarah Chamberlain, St. Martin’s Publishing Group, and NetGalley for this early copy of The Slowest Burn in exchange for my honest review.
Kieran O'Neill just won a cooking reality TV show, is on track to open his own restaurant and even has a high-paying cookbook deal. But his ghostwriter is the most uptight, humorless woman he's ever met. Unfortunately to be seen as a serious chef like he's always wanted, he needs to finish this book...
Instead of working on her own cookbook, Ellie is ghostwriting one for the chaotic, impulsive Kieran. Or would be, if he'd ever answer her emails. But to own her own home like she's always dreamed of, she needs to finish this book... As their deadline gets closer and the heat between them builds, can these two people let go of their past hurts and make something truly sweet together? Or will their fragile new love go up in smoke?
I am a huge fan of cooking shows and finding new recipes to love, so this book was right up my alley since we were following a fancy chef and cookbook ghostwriter as they worked together on the writing of a new cookbook. I loved all the details about the recipes they were cooking together and perfecting as part of the process of putting together this cookbook. Reading it was like its own version of comfort food. Both characters were realistic in their emotional growth as they tried to heal from their own past traumas, making it easy to root for them and their HEA. I loved that Ellie helped to boost his confidence and Kieran ensured she felt appreciated through his little acts of kindness.
This book had all the right ingrediets for a great romcom: Opposites attract, Forced proximity, Steamy encounters, Sweet heartfelt moments, and so much more.
I am looking forward to seeing what is next from Sarah after this wonderful debut!
The Slowest Burn is out September 24th
Thank you to Sarah Chamberlain, St. Martin’s Publishing Group, and NetGalley for this early copy of The Slowest Burn in exchange for my honest review.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This was a really delightful read, I enjoyed how real the characters all felt and how well the author wrote in the emotional turmoil that comes with both characters' lives and situations. There were times when the characters were 'cringey' but in a way that felt authentic. Overall, a solid read.
This was a really delightful read, I enjoyed how real the characters all felt and how well the author wrote in the emotional turmoil that comes with both characters' lives and situations. There were times when the characters were 'cringey' but in a way that felt authentic. Overall, a solid read.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
Ellie is an organized ghost writer for celebrity cookbooks set to work with Kieran, a reality TV winning chef. It’s a recipe for fiery, antagonistic, and (eventually) flirty banter when these two are together. In the beginning, neither understands the other, but throw in some forced proximity with a side of fake dating; and everything changes.
This is the first book I finished in 2025 and what a way to start the year. The main characters are fully developed and relatable; and the supporting cast of characters lend an incredible authenticity to the story. The chemistry between Ellie and Kieran is present throughout, and there is no doubt you will fall in love right alongside them.
Read if you like:
· Characters who discover they are better together
· Sweet and steamy romances
· Being inspired to try new recipes
emotional
funny
fast-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
This book was an easy enjoyable palate cleanser romance. It was cute and had many troupes that I like but also had some character depth.
Ellie is a ghostwriter for a publishing company and she does a lot of cookbooks. 2 years ago her husband suddenly died and she lives with her in-laws in a detached cottage on their property. Even after 2 years, her MIL is struggling to get over the death of her son and Ellie provides stability and support to her even though she is also grieving.
Kieran is a chef who recently won a cooking competition show and was offered a book deal. He is paired up with Ellie to write his book but his demeanor is very carefree and unorganized, unlike Ellie who is a control freak and wants everything measured to a perfection. They start off very rocky, since he puts off her emails and doesn't want to take the time to go into depth with her about the book and she is struggling to get anything measurable from him to go off.
Kieran brings out a fight in her and they argue most of the first part of the book. He is goofy and easily distracted. He likes to fly by the seat of his pants when cooking and thinks differently than Ellie. Also, when he is exhausted or stressed his ADHD takes control and he becomes selfish and a bullheaded prick. Troupe #1- enemies to lovers
After a huge public blowout between them, the publisher sends them away to his vacation house to find a way to work together and focus on the content for the book. Troupe #2 shared space and one bed
They slowly come together and form an understanding once they confess their fears to each other. This allows ideas to flow and get the book back on track. They become friends and continue to work on the book back at home by testing recipes. When he has to return home for an anniversary party for his parents he asks Ellie to come with him to pretend to be his girlfriend. Troupe# 3 fake dating. This part was unnecessary. We already know his childhood was not great and there was no reason to go to dinner. His parents are a non issue for the rest of the book and there was no closure. It also kinda stalled the organic relationship they had formed and this made things feel forced.
The book was a very slow burn— the slowest in fact! And at times I struggled to read it. I think the pacing needed to be a little better because the author did a good job of building up the tension between the two but it didn't pack the payoff punch I wanted it to.
The rest of the books seemed like a different book— Ellie finally stands up to her MIL and her FIL, Ben, finally realized how the mother has not been well for years and he never saw it. But there was not any closure as we never really hear from the MIL again.
This book just seemed a little disjointed and left a lot of things unfinished but an overall good read.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.
I read this book through a digital ARC from NetGalley
Author: Sarah Chamberlain .
Genre: Romance
Troupe: Listed in the review!
Ellie is a ghostwriter for a publishing company and she does a lot of cookbooks. 2 years ago her husband suddenly died and she lives with her in-laws in a detached cottage on their property. Even after 2 years, her MIL is struggling to get over the death of her son and Ellie provides stability and support to her even though she is also grieving.
Kieran is a chef who recently won a cooking competition show and was offered a book deal. He is paired up with Ellie to write his book but his demeanor is very carefree and unorganized, unlike Ellie who is a control freak and wants everything measured to a perfection. They start off very rocky, since he puts off her emails and doesn't want to take the time to go into depth with her about the book and she is struggling to get anything measurable from him to go off.
Kieran brings out a fight in her and they argue most of the first part of the book. He is goofy and easily distracted. He likes to fly by the seat of his pants when cooking and thinks differently than Ellie. Also, when he is exhausted or stressed his ADHD takes control and he becomes selfish and a bullheaded prick. Troupe #1- enemies to lovers
After a huge public blowout between them, the publisher sends them away to his vacation house to find a way to work together and focus on the content for the book. Troupe #2 shared space and one bed
They slowly come together and form an understanding once they confess their fears to each other. This allows ideas to flow and get the book back on track. They become friends and continue to work on the book back at home by testing recipes. When he has to return home for an anniversary party for his parents he asks Ellie to come with him to pretend to be his girlfriend. Troupe# 3 fake dating. This part was unnecessary. We already know his childhood was not great and there was no reason to go to dinner. His parents are a non issue for the rest of the book and there was no closure. It also kinda stalled the organic relationship they had formed and this made things feel forced.
The book was a very slow burn— the slowest in fact! And at times I struggled to read it. I think the pacing needed to be a little better because the author did a good job of building up the tension between the two but it didn't pack the payoff punch I wanted it to.
The rest of the books seemed like a different book— Ellie finally stands up to her MIL and her FIL, Ben, finally realized how the mother has not been well for years and he never saw it. But there was not any closure as we never really hear from the MIL again.
This book just seemed a little disjointed and left a lot of things unfinished but an overall good read.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.
I read this book through a digital ARC from NetGalley
Author: Sarah Chamberlain .
Genre: Romance
Troupe: Listed in the review!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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