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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I am not the biggest fans of slow burn romances but the premise of the story sounded too good so I just couldn't resist clicking into this book! And the literally author wasn't kidding when she mentioned a slow burn. It seemed like for half of the book, the main characters were constantly at odds with each other, but gradually, they began to warm up to each other; a development I quite rather seemed to like!
Aside from the simmering tension between them, there were many other elements at play in this book. Ellie had to navigate through intense grief while also trying to move forward with her life.
The guilt in this story is palpable!
We also see themes of parental neglect, unlikable characters, and various other tropes making appearances throughout the book.
There was a lot to unpack here. Some of the supporting characters were truly despicable!
Once the main characters started working together instead of against each other, I found myself truly invested in the story. Their connection was heartwarming and allowed for emotions to blossom. The romance was sweet and not too steamy, but in the end, they stood by each other.
In conclusion, The Slowest Burn presents a captivating plot that gradually unfolds into a beautiful love story. I enjoyed the creative dishes they cooked up together. I would definitely love to read more works by this author!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
Aside from the simmering tension between them, there were many other elements at play in this book. Ellie had to navigate through intense grief while also trying to move forward with her life.
The guilt in this story is palpable!
We also see themes of parental neglect, unlikable characters, and various other tropes making appearances throughout the book.
There was a lot to unpack here. Some of the supporting characters were truly despicable!
Once the main characters started working together instead of against each other, I found myself truly invested in the story. Their connection was heartwarming and allowed for emotions to blossom. The romance was sweet and not too steamy, but in the end, they stood by each other.
In conclusion, The Slowest Burn presents a captivating plot that gradually unfolds into a beautiful love story. I enjoyed the creative dishes they cooked up together. I would definitely love to read more works by this author!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!
Pub Date: Sep 24 2024
The gradual burn of opposites attracts is my fav. One told in dual POV? Woof.
Our main characters Ellie and Kieran are brought together to create a cookbook. While Ellie is order, Kieran is chaos. Each also have a lot to unpack. There’s grief, parental abandonment, emotional abuse/manipulation, and neurodivergence. Despite these difficult subjects, Ellie and Kieran discover how to compromise, adopt new perspectives, and enjoy each other's company.
Chamberlain’s writing incorporated a harmonious balance between challenging topics and a romantic element. She made space for hardship, reflection, and growth. Not only did I really enjoy The Slowest Burn, but it also made me absolutely ravenous. Need their cookbook stat!
Pub Date: Sep 24 2024
The gradual burn of opposites attracts is my fav. One told in dual POV? Woof.
Our main characters Ellie and Kieran are brought together to create a cookbook. While Ellie is order, Kieran is chaos. Each also have a lot to unpack. There’s grief, parental abandonment, emotional abuse/manipulation, and neurodivergence. Despite these difficult subjects, Ellie and Kieran discover how to compromise, adopt new perspectives, and enjoy each other's company.
Chamberlain’s writing incorporated a harmonious balance between challenging topics and a romantic element. She made space for hardship, reflection, and growth. Not only did I really enjoy The Slowest Burn, but it also made me absolutely ravenous. Need their cookbook stat!
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Sarah Chamberlain for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed The Slowest Burn VERY much. If you like: dual pov, enemy to lovers, chef/ghostwriter, Top Chef style shows, parents with stupid expectations, unreliable parents, San Francisco food scene, explosive attraction and Ginger MMCs that I picture as Jeremy Allen White- this book is for you.
Both MC's have deep pasts- and I like how they were explored and how they found growth together. I especially appreciated Ellie's journey through grief- along with the guilt and obligations that get tied to it.
emotional
slow-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
First, thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced e-copy of this book!
The Slowest Burn is just that, a slow burn romance. Ellie is a ghost writer for cookbooks and Kieran is a chef fresh off a win for a cooking show. Paired together to write a book, things don't start off well. Ellie is uptight and organized while Kieran's ADHD makes it difficult to focus. Once they learn to accept each other, however, things start to look up.
This book was slow in the beginning and took awhile for me to get into. However, I loved both the characters Ellie and Kieran. I loved them unpacking each other's backgrounds and figuring out how best to help the other. There are definitely some heavy topics in here (absentee parents, death of a spouse, depression) but I think they were well done. Overall, I enjoyed the book once I got through the first maybe 25 %.
The Slowest Burn is just that, a slow burn romance. Ellie is a ghost writer for cookbooks and Kieran is a chef fresh off a win for a cooking show. Paired together to write a book, things don't start off well. Ellie is uptight and organized while Kieran's ADHD makes it difficult to focus. Once they learn to accept each other, however, things start to look up.
This book was slow in the beginning and took awhile for me to get into. However, I loved both the characters Ellie and Kieran. I loved them unpacking each other's backgrounds and figuring out how best to help the other. There are definitely some heavy topics in here (absentee parents, death of a spouse, depression) but I think they were well done. Overall, I enjoyed the book once I got through the first maybe 25 %.
I received an advance copy of this book in ebook format in order to provide feedback. Now that I have that out of the way…. WOW!!! This book was so great! Starting out with Kieran and Ellie butting heads allowed the scene to be set and built upon. This book had amazing character development and really made me fall in love with the characters. I was rooting for everyone to get their happy endings. This was an amazing read and I would highly recommend it!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book was a 3.5 star book for me. I enjoyed the writing it was very easy for me to get into and it made me giggle at times. I loved Ellie's character so much, I must admit I relate to her a little too much. As a type A person much like Ellie, Kieran kind of stressed me out in the beginning. However, Kieran grew on me as the story went on. These characters are so opposite of each other but they work so well together and balance each other out. Overall, it was a cute read with some underlying dark themes. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this arc!
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
Our story follows our MMC Kieran, who is determined to write a cookbook after his successful win on a popular cooking show. However, he knows nothing about writing. Enters our FMC, Ellie, who will be the ghostwriter on his book. Problem is, they don't exactly start off on the right foot. Ellie is uptight, organized, and meticulous,. The complete opposite of Kieran. Them working together proves to be difficult until they can learn to accept each other's personalities and pasts.
There honestly isn't anything I would change about this book! The pacing was wonderful, the characters were relatable and lovable, and I found myself rooting for everyone. As someone who has lost someone close to them, the representation of grief was incredible. I really found that Ellie's self discovery journey to be accurate. I also appreciated that her weight was not a major defining factor of her personality and that it was only mentioned once. I also loved how Kieran was portrayed. His learning disabilities felt realistic and we love a short king. Overall, I couldn't have asked for better main characters.
As always, thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for an ARC copy of this book!
There honestly isn't anything I would change about this book! The pacing was wonderful, the characters were relatable and lovable, and I found myself rooting for everyone. As someone who has lost someone close to them, the representation of grief was incredible. I really found that Ellie's self discovery journey to be accurate. I also appreciated that her weight was not a major defining factor of her personality and that it was only mentioned once. I also loved how Kieran was portrayed. His learning disabilities felt realistic and we love a short king. Overall, I couldn't have asked for better main characters.
As always, thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for an ARC copy of this book!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain.
Ellie is assigned to be Kieran’s ghostwriter for his upcoming cookbook. These two are opposites who start off on the wrong foot but as they work together, their relationship and attraction develops. Ellie and Kieran are two really well written and developed characters. The journey they both go on in this book is written in such a real way. And when these two finally get together, they are absolutely perfect for each other!!
Ellie is assigned to be Kieran’s ghostwriter for his upcoming cookbook. These two are opposites who start off on the wrong foot but as they work together, their relationship and attraction develops. Ellie and Kieran are two really well written and developed characters. The journey they both go on in this book is written in such a real way. And when these two finally get together, they are absolutely perfect for each other!!
Ellie is a planner. She knows the details and gets things done. Kieran is not. And when Ellie is assigned as Kieran’s ghostwriter for his forthcoming cookbook, things don’t look promising. When Ellie’s boss sends them away for the week (no, there’s not only one bed), they learn that there’s more than they originally thought to each other.
Delightful supporting cast of best friends and in-laws. Slow burn, enemies to lovers, grief and disability rep, an absolute treat to watch Ellie and Kieran grow together.
And oh my gosh - where can I get a blood orange?! HOT!
I was provided a complimentary e-galley on NetGalley by St Martins Griffin in exchange for an honest review.
Delightful supporting cast of best friends and in-laws. Slow burn, enemies to lovers, grief and disability rep, an absolute treat to watch Ellie and Kieran grow together.
I was provided a complimentary e-galley on NetGalley by St Martins Griffin in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
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
this was a really cute read!! cozy, mixed some heavier topics in nicely without weighing down the book a ton, and complex characters that were very lovable. ellie was a great fmc, and for once i didn't hate the way that she handled every situation! kieran i was a little hesitant on at first but he really grows on you, especially as you understand more of his backstory. the fake dating trope was a little out of place and wasn't really explored in the way i thought it would be, and the time skips were a little confusing because it skips ahead at certain points more than others. but this was really cute, a good read if you're looking for a palate cleanser, something sweet and romantic!