A cute and fun summery rom-com with a really enjoyable and intriguing plot line! Would highly recommend.

I genuinely wasn't sure what this book was - romance? Contemporary fiction? It confused me really, and that affected how I saw the characters and the story.

I liked the idea of the story, but I just didn't feel like it went anywhere. The added romance felt a bit tacked on to me, I just couldn't appreciate it.

The ending felt a bit too clean and easy, almost as if it all tied up too neatly for Kate. However, it was very easy to read, and I loved Liv and her comedic protectiveness - her shop and skills were fabulous.

This is such a summer read. An easy read rom-com. I enjoyed it, I did lol in a few places. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin General UK for ARC

Slow Burn Summer

Kate is down on her luck. Recently divorced from her cheating husband, her daughter has left the nest and headed for university, she is jobless, single & staying with her sister.
Kate once dreamed of life as an actor and even dipped her toes in the water with a role in a soap but she put her life & dreams on hold for marriage and motherhood.
What better opportunity to start pursuing those dreams again? So Kate writes to her agent - asking if maybe he could find a role for her?
This leads to Kate taking on a huge and very unusual role - posing as the author of a brand new novel.
Chaos ensues - in the best possible way with Kate getting herself into some amusing situations.
It’s a lovely story, Kate is such a relatable and likeable character. She’s so funny & her mishaps are hilarious. I love the relationship she shares with her sister Liv. The bookish theme was highly accurate too.
Set in some amazing locations, with a love story thrown in - a romcom you might say…a really great book - I’d expect nothing less from Josie Silver. Took me a little bit longer to get into but a perfect summer read.

Beautifully written characters anchor this story, each one vivid and emotionally resonant. The narrative unfolds slowly, sometimes almost too gently, but that quiet pace allows room for layers to emerge—stories within stories, hidden truths, and the quiet complexity of ghostwriting and identity. There's a sense of intimacy that builds gradually, rewarding patience with emotional depth.

The connection between storytelling and the reader is a subtle thread throughout, handled with care and intention. While the romance exists, it often lingers in the background. There’s a longing for more—more tension, more vulnerability, more space for that relationship to fully bloom.

Yet the strength lies in its reflective tone and the way it blurs the lines between fiction and reality. It's not a book that hurries, but one that lingers, asking for time and attention—and offering something meaningful in return.

Kate is almost 40, newly divorced and looking for a new direction in life. From finding her husband cheating on her, to him taking everything in the divorce and her teenage daughter leaving home to go to University - Kate needs a change. She reaches out to her old agent, hoping to rekindle the acting career she left when she thought she was in love.

Charlie is the son of said agent, his dad having recently passed away he’s now inherited his dad’s agency. He too has had a tumultuous love life - having been chased out of LA, and his job as a script writer, by his ex-wife and her family.

When Kate’s letter lands on Charlie’s desk he has the perfect gig for her - they need an unknown actress to play the role of an author. The actual author wants to remain anonymous so they need someone to be ‘the face’ of the book for the upcoming marketing and press tours. What could go wrong?

I really enjoyed this book. Primarily the themes we saw at the forefront, of the complex relationship between readers and authors and what they feel entitled to as a community. I loved the way Kate navigated her role as the face of the book and the various mishaps along the way. The book also focused on Kate rebuilding her life post-divorce and her finding her own footing. I really enjoyed this aspect, as gave us a more complex FMC. Her various shenanigans and mishaps led to a really likeable character!

I also enjoyed the way the author considered grief throughout this book. Charlie had recently lost his dad and was struggling to fill his shoes in the talent agency. We saw his struggles with grief as a reoccurring theme throughout. Also the book the novel centred around - that Kate was the face for - and the discussions it raised, all added to an all round portrayal of grief that was well done.

Whilst some reviews critique the lack of romance, I enjoyed that it was almost a sub-plot. As the title suggests, it’s meant to be a slow burn! It, therefore, gradually developed naturally throughout. This made me more invested - as I’d seen them grow closer across the pages. The events of the book added nuance to their relationship, I.e. the times he showed up for her - rather than the other way round. Just overall a very relatable, lovable romance plot!

A notable mention has to be made for Liv, I absolutely loved her. Such a fiercely protective, loyal cheerleader of a sister. I really enjoyed the way she threatened Kate’s ex-husband and supported her throughout the book. Even if this did manifest in questionable ways - I.e. triflegate!

Overall - I’d highly recommend this one if you’re after a book set in the publishing industry that focuses on life after divorce, love and grief.

ARC copy provided by Penguin & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoy books by this author, I like the writing style and how the characters are crafted. This was a delightful read and one I’d definitely recommend

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this lighthearted story.

Kate is looking for work after her relationship ended and gets in touch with her old agent. But, now it’s his son Charlie who has taken over.

He gives her an opportunity to pretend that she wrote a book which is soon to be published, so that the real author can remain anonymous.

Kate accepts, little knowing what’s going to happen.

I liked the characters and the relationship between Kate and her sister.

I recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was something different from the usual love story, and that’s what made it great for me. The idea felt original and fresh, and I got quickly into the story. Kate is a great character and easy to connect with. I liked seeing how she handled everything, especially the more serious moments. Charlie was also a very strong character, and the way the connection between him and Kate grows was really nice to read. The pacing was good for most of the book, even if for me it slowed down a bit in the middle. But the writing is smooth and the author knows how to keep the reader curious. It’s my first time reading something by Josie Silver, and I think I will try more from her. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

I’ve read and enjoyed Josie Silver’s books before and was expecting a romantic story. This book does have a romantic element but it’s a multilayered story with a fantastic set of supporting characters and a large dose of humour, the dinosaur disguise was hilarious. A story with everything and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

it was a lighthearted, easy, funny and loving read for the summer ☀️ overall i give this book a 3,5 stars.

This is the story of Kate, who decided to contact her old acting agent following her divorce, to see whether, after a 20 year hiatus, she could pick up on her acting career.

Sadly, her agent had died, leaving his son, Charlie, running the business in his place.

Charlie’s drop-dead gorgeous, and he has a job for Kate… but it’s not exactly what she was expecting.

Kate’s role is as the author of an amazing book, taking the place of the real author, who wants to remain anonymous. She’ll do interviews, be the face of the social media accounts and do the book festivals and signings… all goes swimmingly until someone discovers Kate’s secret and goes to the press.

Kate, and her family, come under intense scrutiny but Charlie’s there to help…

I really like Josie Silver’s books. This one has a great premise, it’s not run of the mill and is entertaining. She’s written some lovely characters but some of her usual humour is missing and the wit is dialled down. I felt like some elements of the story could have been explored further, I would have loved to hear more about some of the key characters, for example.

That said, this is still a really enjoyable story - get a cuppa and settle down for a few hours.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Review for NetGalley

Slow Burn Summer is a moving and thoughtful story about grief, new beginnings, and the slow build of an unexpected connection. Kate, seeking a fresh start, finds herself thrown into the quiet world of Charlie, who is reeling from the recent loss of his father. Their relationship unfolds gradually, with tension, warmth, and a sense of emotional authenticity that really resonated with me.

Charlie’s quiet grief and Kate’s own need for change are handled with care and realism. The slow pace in the first half may not be for every reader, but it ultimately makes their bond feel earned and sincere. Josie Silver’s writing is tender and grounded, with characters who linger after the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A slow burn romance that covers the excitement of actress Kate posing as a novelist for the real author who does not want to be revealed. But what happens when things don't go as smoothly as planned. This is Kate's story along with Charlie, her talent agent. I liked this book, especially the bookish side to it. The romance was too slow for me (guess I should have anticipated it from the title huh?) and then moved so fast by the end that it didn't seem realistic. If you're going into this one as a romance, please note that it seems more like a backstory with the novel being more focussed on throughout the book.

This was such a gorgeous and fun story!

First of all, thank you so much Josie Silver for writing romances for woman who are a little bit older than your usual romance FMC, it is s refreshing. So many woman I know who are older often feel like they are observing, rather than participating in society so I love to see Kate get centre stage here.

The slow burn was delicious, the yearning so tangible, it is the perfect beach read for summer.

The second half slowed down a little, with the humour starting to feel a little repetitive but in the end, I love books about books so this was always going to be a winner as well..

This one is a fun read for all the bookish, messy, loveable heroines out there 🫶🏼

Kate was the FMC I did not expect, she’s someone you couldn’t help but cheer for; a former soap star, turned accidental author imposter with a healthy sprinkling of romcom cheer and chaos to boot, she was hilarious! Mix her in with a broody agent, Charlie and his ‘cruella deville’ type business partner, Fiona and her fun and witty overprotective sister; Liv, were left with a recipe for a fun, chaotic and loveable romcom!

Trifle gate and the T-Rex were a little bit too far in the ‘would that really happen’ vicinity for me and felt a little un-natural but otherwise the comedic element was brilliant and the romance and chemistry left me internally screaming ‘JUST KISS!’ on multiple occasions 😂

Thank you Net Galley for my earc 🫶🏼

The book had me hooked instantly with a funny meeting between the two main characters; Kate returning to her old agency after a break from acting, and Charlie her new agent. Both characters lives have recently been turned upside down, both newly divorced and in new locations, trying a new job.

Charlie’s agency are looking for someone to be the face of a fantastic new romance novel, as the author wants to remain anonymous. When Kate walks in and interviews for the job, Charlie knows she would be perfect.

The premise for this book is great, as a reader and lover of books I’m sure I’m not the only one who would love this for the insight into the publishing and pr world! Kate’s role as “guardian angel” of the book is so well done, and she adds her own personality and twists to the marketing campaign which make everyone fall in love with her and the book.

There’s also a will they, won’t they theme running the background between Kate and Charlie. He’s a screenwriter so some of their scenes towards the end are quite cheesy but also I loved them both so much that I was here for it 😂

Josie Silver does an amazing job of showing the sinister side to the internet vs the amazing side. It’s worrying how quick public opinions can turn, and with the help of social media, escalate in such a negative way. As the reader you see the full journey of the book, Kate’s feelings about it and her emails with the actual author, so when the public fallout happens I felt completely on Kate’s side and I think it’s a fantastic message to portray that behind the social media face you are criticising, there’s a very real person (and possibly multiple teams) that have their own reasonings and feelings.

I definitely recommend this one for all the readers!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Slow Burn Summer is a book about Kate, recently divorced, living in her sisters flat above her shop and looking for work in the first time in years. She sends a letter to her old agent asking if they have any work going. Unknown to Kate the boss has died and his son has taken-over and he invites her in for a job offer that's totally different from anything she has been offered before. To become a ghost author for a well known author who has branched out and written his first romance. Kate takes the role on, having to keep the true authors identity secret whilst doing all the publicity and social media for the book. The story follows Kate as she navigates this new world, with her agent Charlie at her side.

Its a lovely heart warming summer story - a great pool side read for the summer but it took me a while to enjoy it. It felt really slow going to start but I finished it within 24 hours, but the first 40% was just slow and I thought about not finishing it. I'm glad I did and I did enjoy it in the end. The characters were good, Kate's sister - the best sister and the story was good, and well thought through too and the ending was really lovely.

I gave it four stars but if i was going on the first 40% it would be a 3 star, but the ending made up for it.

4.25✨
Thank you NetGalley, Josie Silver and Penguin UK for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review - Slow Burn Summer publishes July 17th.

The premise of this book is so good! Kate, a former actress is drafted in by talent agent Charlie to play the part of a romance author for a new novel, covering for a famous author who doesn’t want to be attached to the book.

Kate and Charlie are both delightful characters. Kate’s inability to stop talking / no filter was really endearing and Charlie was such a sweetheart, always taking care of her. The plot was really well thought out, it kept me guessing and wanting to know who the author was throughout. It was well paced and an enjoyable read, the ending wrapped everything up so nicely. The romance was just the right amount and complimented the story in such a nice way.

Kate’s sister Liv was really entertaining (prawns in hummus, the trifle incident) and so sweet towards Kate (mouse orchestra). The side characters really added to the story (even Fiona!)

Overall I really enjoyed this wholesome book and it has made me want to pick up more by Josie Silver. I’ll definitely be picking up a copy of this for my bookshelves on publication day.

This book just wasn't for me. I definitely think other people will love it when they read it. I will still recommend it to friends and followers