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A review by bethreadsandnaps
Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
4.25
4.25 stars (publishes July 23, 2024)
I enjoy Rainbow Rowell's realistic fiction because I think she gets that hazy space of teenage friendship on the cusp of a relationship so well. This one has a 90s wedding song list in the early part of the novel that will take you back as a younger GenXer or an elderly millennial to those quintessential songs that defined your teen years, and you'll always remember the lyrics.
Shiloh and Cary (male) were part of a friendship triad with Mikey in high school. Many years later, Mikey is getting remarried, and both Shiloh and Cary come to the wedding. There they reconnect after not seeing each other in many years.
The author creates vibrant vignettes with Shiloh and Cary in high school, college, and present day. We learn about both Shiloh and Cary's family dynamics. I loved learning about these characters as both high schoolers and adults. While I expected the high school scenes to have a YA feel, they really didn't, which I appreciated.
This second chance romance definitely has an appeal. I will give three cautions: 1. It is a long book (but reads fast). 2. This will appeal more to character-driven readers. 3. It has a quieter third act than I expected.
I won't forget the characters of Shiloh and Cary for a long time.
I enjoy Rainbow Rowell's realistic fiction because I think she gets that hazy space of teenage friendship on the cusp of a relationship so well. This one has a 90s wedding song list in the early part of the novel that will take you back as a younger GenXer or an elderly millennial to those quintessential songs that defined your teen years, and you'll always remember the lyrics.
Shiloh and Cary (male) were part of a friendship triad with Mikey in high school. Many years later, Mikey is getting remarried, and both Shiloh and Cary come to the wedding. There they reconnect after not seeing each other in many years.
The author creates vibrant vignettes with Shiloh and Cary in high school, college, and present day. We learn about both Shiloh and Cary's family dynamics. I loved learning about these characters as both high schoolers and adults. While I expected the high school scenes to have a YA feel, they really didn't, which I appreciated.
This second chance romance definitely has an appeal. I will give three cautions: 1. It is a long book (but reads fast). 2. This will appeal more to character-driven readers. 3. It has a quieter third act than I expected.
I won't forget the characters of Shiloh and Cary for a long time.