3.75⭐️
Very unique exploration on love after loss. Really enjoyed the character growth of the FMC and how she grows into her dreams. Didn't love the resolution though as I felt that none of her family actually apologised for belittling her and then we just skip to the epilogue. For a debut book, this was really good though.

I’m not huge on romance books, mostly because I always feel that the couple always gets together far too quickly and then I’m left bored. I picked this up because of the title ‘the slowest burn’. It does what it says on the tin! You’re left yearning for more and with the slowest of slow burns i absolutely loved it. An enemies to lovers that actually takes time to grow into something more and that’s what I like to read. Also the cover is so pretty!!

I adored this book from the very start to finish! As told in a dual pov of both the mmc and fmc, you really get to know them both intimately and I can safely say that these characters felt so raw and real. The friendships and relationships that these characters have are so authentically portrayed and conversations feel so natural.
Ellie is a ghostwriter for famous chefs, always prioritising others' needs before her own and struggling with her own challenges. There are themes of grief, guilt, troubled family dynamics and huge selflessness that I am sure that a lot of readers will connect with. Kieran is a neurodivergent chef, working with Ellie to have his own book published. He has a lot of shame, difficult familial relationships and a lack of self worth. Ellie and Kieran have to learn to work together to produce a cookbook that will aid both of their careers, while navigating their polar opposite ways of living.
When this book poses itself as a slow burn, it means it. The tension and understanding that builds between these characters as they heal alongside each other is remarkable and I didn't want this book to end! There is open-door spice, however it is done tastefully, naturally and in my opinion realistically.
Overall, this book shows how being different to each other still allows for understanding, healthy change, recognising one's own faults and fears and a capacity for a beautiful love. I felt all of the feelings for Kieran and Ellie and loved this book so much!
For fans of Emily Henry, Christina Lauren and Beth O'Leary, I am sure that this debut by Sarah Chamberlain will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy.
A huge thankyou to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the eARC and allowing me to provide an honest review of 'The Slowest Burn'.

4.25 ⭐️

I ate this book up. Was this the best book ever written- no not even close. But this author knows what an entertaining story is. And if it can entertain me I can look past the terrible writing and cringey jokes.

The slowest burn is the perfect rom- com, it follows Ellie and Kieran as they write a cookbook together.

Both characters misunderstood each other at the beginning, but when Kieran agent, books them to go and work together in a cabin for a week, they start to understand each a little more!

Kieran adhd and Ellie’s people pleasing was represented as a hurdle rather than something that defined them, which I really appreciate as the characters were easy to relate to.

Overall the writing could do with some improvement, but the story was amazing I loved it. Thank you NetGalley for spending me arc in an exchange for a honest review!

I really liked both of the main characters. I’ve been stuck in a book rut and this definitely dragged me out of it. It certainly lived up to the title. I hope the author is already working on another book as I really liked her style and pace of writing.

First of all thank you for the E-arc it is always appreciated! I really enjoyed this book, the fmc was the definition of a people please and I really loved that she put herself first by the end of the book! The face that Ellie was a ghostwriter for cookery books was cool to me as I’m the kind of person who always flicks though cook/baking books to read the description 🙈 I would have liked it even more if there was a recipe or 2 in here! Kieran was the complete opposite of Ellie but they really complimented each other and I thought they had good chemistry. As you can tell I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to reading more ☺️