Summary: In today's article, I have selected 20 of the best slow burn romance books I think are perfect for anyone who loves a slow build-up to an unforgettable romance. My top 3 picks:
- Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan
- The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Slow burn romance books focus on building romantic tension gradually, letting the connection between characters grow deeper over time. This slow progression makes the eventual romance feel more authentic and rewarding. Readers love slow burns for their emotional depth, the anticipation as the relationship unfolds, and the satisfying payoff when the characters finally come together. They’re ideal for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories and the journey of love.
TOP 20: Best Slow Burn Romance Books
- Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan
- The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
- Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
- Burn for You by J.T. Geissinger
- Book Lovers by Emily Henry
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
- The Marriage Game by Sara Desai
- How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson
- The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
- Slow Burn by A.K. MacBride
- The Other Brother by Hazel Kelly
- Kiss Away Your Pain by Debbie Cromack
- Infatuation by River Savage
- Make You Stay by ML Broome
- One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
- You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
- Beach Read by Emily Henry
- The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
1. Archer's Voice
- Author: Mia Sheridan
- About: Archer Hale is a quiet, misunderstood man with a tragic past, and Bree Prescott is a woman fleeing from her own trauma. Their story unfolds in a small town where love heals old wounds.
- Style of writing: Emotional, heartfelt, and character-driven.
- Length: 80,000–90,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Deeply emotional with lasting feelings of healing and hope.
- Difficulty level: Easy to read
- Why read it: A tender, soul-stirring romance with a slow burn that makes their emotional connection feel earned.
2. The Spanish Love Deception
- Author: Elena Armas
- About: Catalina Martín needs a date for her sister’s wedding in Spain, so she convinces Aaron Blackford, her annoying coworker, to be her fake boyfriend. What starts as a business arrangement soon blossoms into something more.
- Style of writing: Witty, humorous, and playful with a strong focus on character development.
- Length: 100,000+ words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Warm and satisfying with strong emotional growth.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: A fun enemies-to-lovers story with great banter and slow-building romance.
3. The Hating Game
- Author: Sally Thorne
- About: Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are co-workers who have a fierce rivalry, but when they are forced into a game of office one-upmanship, their animosity slowly turns into something more.
- Style of writing: Funny, snappy, and full of witty dialogue.
- Length: 85,000–90,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Leaves you with a sense of excitement and joy as the characters' connection builds.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A delightful, slow burn romance that is funny, quirky, and heartwarming.
4. Just for the Summer
- Author: Abby Jimenez
- About: Two people meet and spend a perfect summer together, but when summer ends, they part ways, only to reconnect later under unexpected circumstances.
- Style of writing: Heartfelt and emotional, with a light tone but heavy emotional moments.
- Length: 100,000+ words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Touches your heart and offers a deep emotional journey.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: A sweet romance with emotional depth and an uplifting story about love, life, and second chances.
5. Burn for You
- Author: J.T. Geissinger
- About: Bianca St. Ives is a woman on the run who meets a dangerous man, and their undeniable chemistry leads to a passionate but slow-burn romance.
- Style of writing: Intense, steamy, and filled with suspense.
- Length: 85,000–90,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Engaging and powerful, with a slow-burn intensity that makes the payoff even more fulfilling.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For lovers of steamy romance and suspense, with a slow build-up that keeps you hooked.
6. Book Lovers
- Author: Emily Henry
- About: Literary agent Nora Stephens has spent her life prioritizing her career over relationships, until a romance novel scenario begins to unfold when she meets Charlie Lastra.
- Style of writing: Smart, funny, and full of heartfelt moments.
- Length: 95,000–100,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Uplifting, with a satisfying mix of humor and heart.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A refreshing take on romance, focusing on personal growth, love, and finding happiness in unexpected places.
7. Pride and Prejudice
- Author: Jane Austen
- About: Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s relationship is full of misunderstanding and misjudgments, but their slow-burn romance becomes one of the most iconic in literary history.
- Style of writing: Elegant, witty, and sharp with social commentary.
- Length: 120,000+ words
- Year written: 1813
- Emotional impact: Timeless, with lasting impressions of character development and societal critique.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For its classic and enduring depiction of love, class, and personal growth.
8. The Ex Talk
- Author: Rachel Lynn Solomon
- About: Shy radio producer Shay Goldstein is forced to work with her coworker Dominic, pretending to be exes for a show. As their fake chemistry grows, so does their real-life attraction.
- Style of writing: Charming, heartfelt, and witty.
- Length: 85,000–90,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Heartwarming and humorous, with a sense of light-heartedness and warmth.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A fun and engaging enemies-to-lovers romance with a unique twist.
9. The Marriage Game
- Author: Sara Desai
- About: Layla Patel returns to her family’s matchmaking business and must navigate her personal and professional lives, especially when she’s paired with a charming rival.
- Style of writing: Romantic, humorous, and filled with family dynamics.
- Length: 85,000–90,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Lighthearted with a positive and warm ending.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a fun, fresh take on arranged marriage, family traditions, and the slow burn romance that develops.
10. How to Plot a Payback
- Author: Melissa Ferguson
- About: A woman seeks revenge for a past betrayal, but things don’t go as planned when she gets involved with the person she’s trying to hurt.
- Style of writing: Humorous, charming, and quick-paced.
- Length: 75,000–80,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Light but satisfying, with a heartwarming ending.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a romantic comedy that mixes humor and a slow-burn romance with a twist.
11. The Unhoneymooners
- Author: Christina Lauren
- About: Olive and Ethan are forced to go on their twin siblings' honeymoon after they fall ill. They can’t stand each other, but as they spend time together, their animosity starts to turn into something more.
- Style of writing: Humorous, witty, and engaging.
- Length: 95,000–100,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Uplifting and heartwarming, with a dash of humor and romance.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A fun enemies-to-lovers romance with humor, charm, and slow-burn chemistry.
12. Slow Burn
- Author: A.K. MacBride
- About: A romance that takes its time, exploring the emotional tension and chemistry between two people as they slowly build a connection.
- Style of writing: Emotional, slow-building, and intimate.
- Length: 80,000–90,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Subtle but powerful, leaving readers with a satisfying, emotional resolution.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A perfect choice for readers who enjoy slow burns and character-driven plots.
13. The Other Brother
- Author: Hazel Kelly
- About: Lily has always been attracted to her best friend's brother, and as they reconnect, their undeniable chemistry leads to a slow-building and passionate romance.
- Style of writing: Sexy, tender, and full of slow-burn tension.
- Length: 75,000–80,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Steamy and emotional, with a slow-burn romance that leaves you hooked.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a steamy slow-burn romance with family dynamics and a strong emotional connection.
14. Kiss Away Your Pain
- Author: Debbie Cromack
- About: A woman with a painful past is drawn to a mysterious man, and their slow-burn romance offers healing and redemption.
- Style of writing: Emotional, evocative, and deeply engaging.
- Length: 70,000–80,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Deeply emotional, with a cathartic, healing journey.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a romantic and emotional journey with an empowering slow burn.
15. Infatuation
- Author: River Savage
- About: A forbidden romance that builds slowly as two characters navigate the tension between their desires and the consequences of acting on them.
- Style of writing: Steamy, intense, and filled with emotional moments.
- Length: 85,000–90,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Intense and passionate, with a lasting emotional payoff.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For a slow-burn romance with lots of tension and a fiery connection.
16. Make You Stay
- Author: ML Broome
- About: A slow-burn romance that focuses on two people coming to terms with their feelings for one another and the emotional journey that follows.
- Style of writing: Thoughtful, emotional, and reflective.
- Length: 75,000–80,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Sweet and satisfying, with an emotional and heartfelt connection.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A sweet and heartfelt romance that builds emotions gradually and beautifully.
17. One Last Stop
- Author: Casey McQuiston
- About: August finds herself drawn to Jane, a woman she meets on the subway who seems to be stuck in time. As they grow closer, their slow-burn romance unfolds amidst the mystery of Jane’s situation.
- Style of writing: Warm, funny, and with a touch of magical realism.
- Length: 100,000+ words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Heartwarming with a mix of humor, love, and personal growth.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A charming romance with a twist of magic, emotional depth, and a slow-burn love story.
18. You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty
- Author: Akwaeke Emezi
- About: Feyi Adekola is healing from a tragic loss and struggling to embrace love again. Her slow-burn romance with a charismatic man forces her to confront her grief.
- Style of writing: Poetic, introspective, and emotional.
- Length: 75,000–80,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Deeply emotional and thought-provoking, with lasting feelings of healing and love.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For its emotional depth, beautiful prose, and the exploration of love, grief, and healing.
19. Beach Read
- Author: Emily Henry
- About: Two writers, one a romance novelist and the other a literary writer, spend the summer in neighboring beach houses. Despite their differences, a slow-burn romance begins to take shape.
- Style of writing: Witty, charming, and deeply emotional.
- Length: 95,000–100,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Uplifting and heartwarming with a mix of humor and vulnerability.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A perfect summer romance with emotional depth, humor, and a slow-burn relationship.
20. The Love Hypothesis
- Author: Ali Hazelwood
- About: Olive Smith, a Ph.D. student, kisses a random guy in her department to convince her best friend she’s over her ex. The guy turns out to be Adam Carlsen, a grumpy professor, and their slow-burn romance begins.
- Style of writing: Funny, smart, and endearing with a bit of academic charm.
- Length: 85,000–90,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Fun, heartwarming, and emotionally satisfying with great character development.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A charming enemies-to-lovers romance with witty dialogue, humor, and a slow-burn relationship that will make you smile.
Conclusion
In conclusion, slow burn romance books offer a deeply satisfying journey where chemistry builds gradually, making the eventual romance feel all the more rewarding. Personally, I think Archer's Voice, The Spanish Love Deception, and The Hating Game are perfect examples of this, each offering a unique take on love. Whether it’s the healing bond in Archer's Voice, the enemies-to-lovers spark in The Spanish Love Deception, or the playful tension in The Hating Game, these stories will keep you hooked as the characters’ connections unfold, leaving you with a romance that truly sticks.
