Kieran O'Neill should be on top of the world. He's just won a cooking reality TV show, he's on track to open his own restaurant before he turns thirty, and he's even got a high-paying cookbook deal. Still he can't impress his stuck-up family, his ADHD makes planning ahead impossible and, worst of all, his ghostwriter is the most uptight, humourless woman he's ever met. But to be seen as a serious chef like he's always wanted, he needs to finish this book...
Ellie Wasserman is barely holding it together. She's a thirty-year-old widow living with her needy in-laws, her little brother won't adult without her help, and instead of working on her own cookbook, she's ghostwriting one for the chaotic, impulsive Kieran O'Neill. Or would be, if he'd ever answer her emails. But to own her own home like she's always dreamed of, she needs to finish this book...
As their deadline gets closer and the heat between them builds, can these two driven, lonely people let go of their past hurts and make something truly sweet together? Or will their fragile new love go up in smoke?
The Slowest Burn is the perfect title for this book because it really was a slow burning book and romance but I loved it for what it was.
What made me want to read this book was that one of our main characters Ellie is a young widow, and being a young widow myself I can't say that this is something I come across to often in books especially taken from this angle in where we follow Ellie as she is about to navigate her way out of the other side of grief to that dreaded and scary first hint of romance after her husband. I really appreciated how well the author dealt with this topic, it wasn't all plain saying, emotions were explored and boundaries were tested so it all felt very authentic.
We also meet our love interest Kieran who I loved straight away, his chaos and energetic energy could be felt through the pages and he also has his own struggles which ADHD which often leads to him being very misunderstood. As we get to know both Ellie and Kieran, yes the outcome is predictable but none the less I was really invested in them as characters and I loved watching them love and learn from each other, bringing out the best in each other and more than anything being a much needed support to move onto a new chapter in their lives.
This was a slow paced romance that was easy to get lost in and although it may not stay in my mind forever it was a comforting read with a hint of spice that I enjoyed from start to finish.
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