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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
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
The Slowest Burn is a decently written book with great imagery and well-rounded characters. I was very interested in the beginning of the story where we were introduced to the main character (Ellie Wasserman)—it was refreshing to read about a woman that wasn’t in high school/or fresh out of it, that had big personal issues that she had to deal with. And the other main character—Kieran O’Neill—is another very interesting character who really intrigued me from his first moment. The storyline was great, and I was immersed in it almost the entire time—although, it did get very slow at a few different spots.
Particularly, I wasn’t impressed with the formatting of the book—like how the pov’s kept shifting from Ellie to Kieran and the back to Ellie, all within a single chapter instead of either (A) separating the narrators by each chapter, or (B) just using a third person omniscient writing style. That really took me out of the book and was poorly executed, almost like it was fanfiction.
I loved the idea of two very broken people—coming from different parts of their lives—were forced together to learn to trust and rely on one another and build onto that before falling in love. And I think it could’ve been an amazing read if our two main protagonists weren’t constantly bickering and throwing around harsh words to each other. I think I would have appreciated it more if they actually got along better and really, slowly developed their bonds considering they both had major issues with letting people in.
At first, I was blown away with both characters and how unique they were—I don’t see many adult ADHD characters and Kieran really stood out . . . until he made it his whole personality. He’s a 27-year-old man and acted like a crazy teenage ex-boyfriend that kept growling at people he didn’t like or appreciate. And I don’t mean he didn’t it once in annoyance or anger, but continuously growling at people, including Ellie’s little brother at one point. For example, “”He hurt her,” a wolf inside me snarked back. “He made her cry.”” And the way he treated his supposed ‘lover’ was strange. They barely know each other and he’s acting out because she isn’t ready to move in with him—“”You can’t? Or you won’t?” . . . “So I’m a distraction now?” He barks back bitterly.” It’s probably just a me thing, but I really hate romance novels where the male love interest is literary growling at people, like how is that attractive?? Anyway . . .
All in all, I was quite pleased with the overall writing and presentation of the book. I loved the characters despite what I wrote in the review, and loved the final chapter. I can’t wait to read another book by this author!
Thank you Sarah Chamberlain for writing this amazing book and thank you St. Martin’s Press for an early copy of the book in return for an honest review.
Particularly, I wasn’t impressed with the formatting of the book—like how the pov’s kept shifting from Ellie to Kieran and the back to Ellie, all within a single chapter instead of either (A) separating the narrators by each chapter, or (B) just using a third person omniscient writing style. That really took me out of the book and was poorly executed, almost like it was fanfiction.
I loved the idea of two very broken people—coming from different parts of their lives—were forced together to learn to trust and rely on one another and build onto that before falling in love. And I think it could’ve been an amazing read if our two main protagonists weren’t constantly bickering and throwing around harsh words to each other. I think I would have appreciated it more if they actually got along better and really, slowly developed their bonds considering they both had major issues with letting people in.
At first, I was blown away with both characters and how unique they were—I don’t see many adult ADHD characters and Kieran really stood out . . . until he made it his whole personality. He’s a 27-year-old man and acted like a crazy teenage ex-boyfriend that kept growling at people he didn’t like or appreciate. And I don’t mean he didn’t it once in annoyance or anger, but continuously growling at people, including Ellie’s little brother at one point. For example, “”He hurt her,” a wolf inside me snarked back. “He made her cry.”” And the way he treated his supposed ‘lover’ was strange. They barely know each other and he’s acting out because she isn’t ready to move in with him—“”You can’t? Or you won’t?” . . . “So I’m a distraction now?” He barks back bitterly.” It’s probably just a me thing, but I really hate romance novels where the male love interest is literary growling at people, like how is that attractive?? Anyway . . .
All in all, I was quite pleased with the overall writing and presentation of the book. I loved the characters despite what I wrote in the review, and loved the final chapter. I can’t wait to read another book by this author!
Thank you Sarah Chamberlain for writing this amazing book and thank you St. Martin’s Press for an early copy of the book in return for an honest review.
✅ Ellie, 30, widowed, cookbook ghostwriter; Kieran, 27, chef who just won a reality TV show.
✅ dual POV
✅ grumpy - sunshine, but she’s the grumpy one
✅ ADHD rep
🌶️ : yes but the title does not lie.
✅ dual POV
✅ grumpy - sunshine, but she’s the grumpy one
✅ ADHD rep
🌶️ : yes but the title does not lie.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A hot chef and a badass ghostwriter work together to create steam and spice both in and out of the kitchen. What starts as sort of an enemies-to-lovers plot, quickly dives into a "he falls first" situation and I gobbled it up (pun intended).
The grief that Ellie went through after her (supposed) soulmate died in his sleep was gut-wrenching and you could feel it on the page. It got a bit much with Ellie's mother-in-law who just could not get over her son's death. I wanted to punch her in the face every time she was in a scene. Kieran was great to help get her out of this funk and start living her life. It was a really beautiful love story... love after loss.
Reminiscent of Katherine Center's books (which is a huge plus because I adore her). It's a reverse grumpy-sunshine romance with a little open door spice. Plus, there's a cat in it who breaks down the MMC's walls. We are here for it!
Thanks NeGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The grief that Ellie went through after her (supposed) soulmate died in his sleep was gut-wrenching and you could feel it on the page. It got a bit much with Ellie's mother-in-law who just could not get over her son's death. I wanted to punch her in the face every time she was in a scene. Kieran was great to help get her out of this funk and start living her life. It was a really beautiful love story... love after loss.
Reminiscent of Katherine Center's books (which is a huge plus because I adore her). It's a reverse grumpy-sunshine romance with a little open door spice. Plus, there's a cat in it who breaks down the MMC's walls. We are here for it!
Thanks NeGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book hits you in all of the feels. You immediately fall in love with the sparks that fly between Ellie and Kieran even before either of them want to admit it. The relationship that Ellie has created with her father in law is so heartwarming. The grief Ellie Carrie’s from being a widow and learning to live and love again absolutely tugs at your heartstrings. The friendship that Ellie and Nicole as well as Kieran and Jay share is a true tell them what they need to hear not what they want to hear supportive relationship that we all can hopefully relate to. I love the way they were both career driven in their own ways and figuring out how to balance work and love. I found myself not able to put this book down and sneaking chapters in any second possible throughout the day. This was a wholesome read all the way around.
I love watching cooking shows .. reading a romance novel based in a cooking show setting unlocked a whole new experience!
I really hope to see this turn into a movie in the future!
When this book is released in September 2024 it’s an absolute must read! I will definitely be adding Sarah Chamberlain to my list of loved authors and can’t wait for the next release!
Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an early release version for my honest review!
I love watching cooking shows .. reading a romance novel based in a cooking show setting unlocked a whole new experience!
I really hope to see this turn into a movie in the future!
When this book is released in September 2024 it’s an absolute must read! I will definitely be adding Sarah Chamberlain to my list of loved authors and can’t wait for the next release!
Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an early release version for my honest review!
3.75
Reading back to back chef romances was not the move because I think had I read this at a different time it would’ve been a 4!
Reading back to back chef romances was not the move because I think had I read this at a different time it would’ve been a 4!
emotional
lighthearted
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
Love The Bear? Here’s another take on the culinary world and fine dining. When Kieran, a reality cooking show winner, aka Happy Pirate Leprechaun, gets a cookbook deal, it’s dependable, super-organized young widow Ellie who gets saddled with the job of managing a reluctant “author” who just wants to be taken seriously, and not just seen as the chaotic fun guy as he struggles with his ADHD and dyslexia. Ellie is used to taking care of people, from her little brother to her still-grieving mother-in-law, smoothing things over and saying yes and making other peoples lives tidy as a kind of mitzvah. It is serving her or helping her to achieve her own dreams of a place to cook and write, and a cookbook of her own?
Kieran’s attraction is almost instantaneous, but when he fails to respond to emails, and then tries to show off by inviting Ellie and her best friend, a food photographer named Nicole, to a high-end Valentines Day dinner, Kieran and Ellie’s public fight over the shallowness of his cuisine goes viral, forcing the publisher to send them on retreat to his Sonoma cabin for a week to start hashing out the cookbook. On the road, they trade a question for a question in an effort to get to know one another.
When they finally subccum to their passion, Ellie sets a boundary that her place is for work and Kieran’s place is for fun, and they have to keep the relationship on the down low, as she could get fired for having a relationship with her cookbook author. The tension builds when they are discovered kissing during the food photography sessions.
Chamberlain’s food writing is outstanding; cookbook writing, recipe testing, the ghostwriting process, and a glimpse into restaurant industry are all lovingly rendered and fascinating. Judaism is a subtle thread of family, food, love, obligation, and service throughout, though Ellie isn’t traditionally observant (she doesn’t keep kosher or attend services).
The chemistry is there, Chamberlain expertly draws out the sexual tension, and the consummation includes consent, safety, and boundaries. Their childhoods, trauma, and struggles are portrayed in a way that shows they are ready for healing, and for each other with a maturity and grace and depth that is refreshing and heart-wrenching. The way they build each other up and support each other is lovely, from Kieran pushing for a writing credit for Ellie to Ellie showing up as Kieran’s fake girlfriend at a family function. Kieran, a red-head, is trying to uncouple himself from the caricature he’s been saddled with. A little younger, and a little shorter than curvy, world-weary Ellie, he is the one who makes her snort with laughter and feel joy again in a world she was just bleakly existing in, even as she made her plans for a life that moved forward, apart from her marriage.
Secondary characters are drawn in 3-D. Ellie’s support for her Jewish in-laws and the strain it puts on her is balanced with their care for her, and their memory of their son Max. Her best friend Nicole’s flirtation with Kiernan’s front-of-the-house bestie Jaye has just enough tease to make the reader want them to get their own novel, next.
I received an advance reader’s review copy of #TheSlowestBurn via #NetGalley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press.
Kieran’s attraction is almost instantaneous, but when he fails to respond to emails, and then tries to show off by inviting Ellie and her best friend, a food photographer named Nicole, to a high-end Valentines Day dinner, Kieran and Ellie’s public fight over the shallowness of his cuisine goes viral, forcing the publisher to send them on retreat to his Sonoma cabin for a week to start hashing out the cookbook. On the road, they trade a question for a question in an effort to get to know one another.
When they finally subccum to their passion, Ellie sets a boundary that her place is for work and Kieran’s place is for fun, and they have to keep the relationship on the down low, as she could get fired for having a relationship with her cookbook author. The tension builds when they are discovered kissing during the food photography sessions.
Chamberlain’s food writing is outstanding; cookbook writing, recipe testing, the ghostwriting process, and a glimpse into restaurant industry are all lovingly rendered and fascinating. Judaism is a subtle thread of family, food, love, obligation, and service throughout, though Ellie isn’t traditionally observant (she doesn’t keep kosher or attend services).
The chemistry is there, Chamberlain expertly draws out the sexual tension, and the consummation includes consent, safety, and boundaries. Their childhoods, trauma, and struggles are portrayed in a way that shows they are ready for healing, and for each other with a maturity and grace and depth that is refreshing and heart-wrenching. The way they build each other up and support each other is lovely, from Kieran pushing for a writing credit for Ellie to Ellie showing up as Kieran’s fake girlfriend at a family function. Kieran, a red-head, is trying to uncouple himself from the caricature he’s been saddled with. A little younger, and a little shorter than curvy, world-weary Ellie, he is the one who makes her snort with laughter and feel joy again in a world she was just bleakly existing in, even as she made her plans for a life that moved forward, apart from her marriage.
Secondary characters are drawn in 3-D. Ellie’s support for her Jewish in-laws and the strain it puts on her is balanced with their care for her, and their memory of their son Max. Her best friend Nicole’s flirtation with Kiernan’s front-of-the-house bestie Jaye has just enough tease to make the reader want them to get their own novel, next.
I received an advance reader’s review copy of #TheSlowestBurn via #NetGalley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press.
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Abandonment