Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
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!
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Thank you to NG and the publisher for a free review copy.
This was such a cute book. I wasn't sure if I was going to like Kieran or Ellie, but they both grew on me. I loved the growth they both went through, the slow burn romance, and the story that progressed.
This was such a cute book. I wasn't sure if I was going to like Kieran or Ellie, but they both grew on me. I loved the growth they both went through, the slow burn romance, and the story that progressed.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Abandonment
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a lovely read. I enjoyed the chef + ghost writer pairing ad I felt like Sarah did a great job exploring the different ways grief and trauma can present in peoples' lives. My only qualm was that Kieran seemed pretty immature to me and not necessarily someone that Ellie would go for, which made some aspects of the romance unbelievable. He did show growth during the story, but in some ways it felt like too big of a jump; he almost seemed like a completely different person at the end.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy!
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
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
WARNING: There will be some minor spoilers.
🔥 SLOW BURN
🥐 CHEF ROMANCE
🍯 FAKE DATING
The Slowest Burn is essentially 'The Bear' crossed with your typical romantic drama. I have a new found love for the 'chef' romance genre and its all thanks to this book.
Kieran and Ellie are both complex characters but so incredibly loveable. Kieran's struggled with ADHD are very relatable and perfectly written. There are so many elements that Sarah Chamberlain explores so expertly. The same goes for Ellie's innate sense of people pleasing; Hank's ineptitude is very typical of a second child who views the other sister as a pseudo-parent! I also truly felt Diane's grief throughout.
I love the story, the romance, the tropes... I do have to say, however, that I was not a fan of the references to Ellie being overweight. There were a few comments made without a lot of depth or conclusion to them. It's also worth noting that the woman on the cover of the book is not overweight, or in keeping with the comments made within...
That being said - I would happily reread this book and definitely recommend to others!
🔥 SLOW BURN
🥐 CHEF ROMANCE
🍯 FAKE DATING
The Slowest Burn is essentially 'The Bear' crossed with your typical romantic drama. I have a new found love for the 'chef' romance genre and its all thanks to this book.
Kieran and Ellie are both complex characters but so incredibly loveable. Kieran's struggled with ADHD are very relatable and perfectly written. There are so many elements that Sarah Chamberlain explores so expertly. The same goes for Ellie's innate sense of people pleasing; Hank's ineptitude is very typical of a second child who views the other sister as a pseudo-parent! I also truly felt Diane's grief throughout.
I love the story, the romance, the tropes... I do have to say, however, that I was not a fan of the references to Ellie being overweight. There were a few comments made without a lot of depth or conclusion to them. It's also worth noting that the woman on the cover of the book is not overweight, or in keeping with the comments made within...
That being said - I would happily reread this book and definitely recommend to others!
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I could not put this book down! Thanks to St. Martins Press for the advance reader copy. I have never read a Sarah Chamberlain book, and was pleasantly surprised. This book is written in both characters' viewpoints, and their story has a great element of enemies to lovers. Kieran, a local chef and reality cooking show champion, is paired with Ellie to write his first cookbook. Their opposite personalities clash at first, and his reluctance to write a book infuriates her. As they get to know each other, they discover they love cooking and working together, and the relationship takes off from there. Both characters have childhood trauma, that Chamberlain addresses in a sensitive way. Also, Ellie is a widow with close ties to her in-laws, which adds more drama and layers to the story. Their personal lives eventually blow up their professional lives, and they part ways. The ending wraps up the story beautifully, and you feel great about their futures, both career-wise and for their relationship. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will look for more Sarah Chamberlain novels to read in the future!
The Slowest Burn is a fun, reflective and heartfelt rom com, set in a foodie world, complete with close proximity and a wonderful furball of a cat named Floyd.
I really admired the attention paid by the author to create such a diverse cast of characters, and capture the complexity of their experiences. At certain points it felt like there was a bit too much going on, but the overall effect was a story full of heart, reflection, and love, that was heartwarming and satisfying.
The portrayal of grief, particular the dynamic between Ellie and Diane, felt authentic and honest, a mix of sadness, guilt and misplaced love. The journey of self discovery for Ellie and Kiernen was as much if not more a focus on the story than their romance. I loved the way they supported each other to find and celebrate their true selves.
This was a great debut novel, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for the authors next work.
Thank you Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for this read. Opinions expressed are my own.
I really admired the attention paid by the author to create such a diverse cast of characters, and capture the complexity of their experiences. At certain points it felt like there was a bit too much going on, but the overall effect was a story full of heart, reflection, and love, that was heartwarming and satisfying.
The portrayal of grief, particular the dynamic between Ellie and Diane, felt authentic and honest, a mix of sadness, guilt and misplaced love. The journey of self discovery for Ellie and Kiernen was as much if not more a focus on the story than their romance. I loved the way they supported each other to find and celebrate their true selves.
This was a great debut novel, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for the authors next work.
Thank you Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for this read. Opinions expressed are my own.
lighthearted
medium-paced