The Best Slow-Burn Romance Books Waiting For You

When we’re talking about romance books, sometimes we can have either a slow-burn romance or an instant-love one. But personally, I feel like we can also find the slow burn aspect in instant-love romances. For example, we can have a book with two characters who get it on early in the novel, but in terms of their romantic feelings for each other, they are not yet there. I call that an emotional slow burn because we do have them interacting a lot in these swoony moments, but they are not yet there in the “I fell in love with them” part of the story. The most common way you’ll see a slow-burn romance book is, probably, when two people take most of the book to finally be together.

I love a good slow-burn romance. I love all the anticipation and the get-to-know-you and the small moments between the characters and the will-we-will-we-not. It’s so intriguing and entertaining to see them fall for each other because it feels like you’re watching a train hit something in slow motion; you know what’s going to happen but you cannot stop watching. Those books are definitely my kind of books. Don’t get me wrong, I do love an instant-love romance from time to time, but the slow burns just hit different, somehow.

Runaway Groomsman by Meghan Quinn

Sawyer is a famous screenwriter who just ran off to a small town from his scandalous life. You see, his ex-girlfriend cheated on him with his former best friend (they were the leading actors in the movie HE WROTE!). Then, the guy asked him to be his best man and to be at their wedding.

He doesn’t want his movie to flop because of bad press, so he decides to follow along, but enough is enough. Tired of living this fake life, he gives Hollywood the middle finger and ends up driving to a quirky town where he meets a lovely lady who he cannot stop thinking about.

Lease on Love by Falon Ballard

Sadie just got fired from her job, but that’s okay… it wasn’t something she was happy doing. But that means she needs a new place to stay! After a night out drinking with her best friends, she accidentally matches with a guy in a finding-a-roommate app. But Sadie thinks she has match with someone on a DATING APP!?

When she arrives to the “date”, they both instantly realize they’re both confusing this situation. But Sadie actually really needs a new place, so Jack offers her to stay with him in this beautiful Brooklyn brownstone for a very cheap price. So, this is where their roommates-to-lovers romance starts between a chaotic girl and the shy nerdy boy who is actually really rich.

The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas

Rosie needs a break. After her apartment’s roof almost falls down on her, she needs a place to stay while she finishes drafting her newest romance novel. She’s currently having writer’s block, so it’s getting quite hard to complete her second book.

Rosie's best friend Lina is out of town on her honeymoon, so Rosie decides to stay at her place for a few days. She never thought Lina had already rented out her place to her cousin! Handsome Lucas… Lucas, the same person she has been crushing on for months. He doesn’t know of course. Or else he wouldn’t have offered to help her out with her novel. You know, for inspiration.

Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

Shannon wants to start fresh. She also wants to run away from her life, but that’s way harder to achieve. So, a new school has to be enough for her. But on the first day at her school, she manages to come in contact with the notorious, popular rugby player Johnny Kavanagh who  instantly takes a liking to her.

But Shannon is keeping secrets that no one can find out. Secrets that have been plaguing her for far too long. What she doesn’t know is that when Johnny decides on something, he goes for it. He’ll find out everything there is to know about Shannon and there won’t be turning back from that. 

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

This book is the perfect book for this season. Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic in order to be safe. As one of the only witches in Britain, she has been hiding throughout her life, creating short-lasting relationships with neighbors, friends, or any other person in contact with her.

So, when an unexpected message arrives, telling her to come to Nowhere House to teach three young witches to control their magic, she hesitates at first. But Mika wants a family of her own, so maybe she’ll find one there.

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