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, humorless 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?
This book has a lot of deeply complex pasts when it comes to the characters and though I thought it would be too much, it wasn't. Ellie struggles with moving on because she lives with her in-laws, who are almost using her as way to not move on from their son's death. Kieran has parents that want to use him as a trophy, and he's been estranged from them for a few years prior to the story starting. Both of the character's have past trauma and events they need to work through and it takes a bit before they manage to realize they can work through it together.
Ellie's best friend, Nicole, is one of my favorite characters in this book. Even though she is going through her own shit, she manages to keep Ellie on track and make sure she is OK. (I also wouldn't mind a book about Nicole and Jay in the future haha).
With the characters being so beautifully complex, there is are some triggers readers might want to read about. Ellie has a lot going on, and people know she will do anything to make them happy, which means sacrificing her own happiness because of it. Kiernan has big dreams, but wants to make sure he can achieve them on his own accord, not someone else's. Them working together means they bring each other exactly what they need and I really liked it.
There are also the tropes within the book, some for real and others they sort of poke fun at. You have fake dating, which Ellie makes fun of, the idea there could be 'one bed' and overall a light enemies/rivals to lovers vibe. Don't forget the slow burn of the 'will-they-won't-they' the title implies.)
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
I rated it a 4 out of 5 stars!
The Slowest Burn is expected to come out September 24, 2024!
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