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The Slow Burn
From the bestselling author of Unlikely Story comes a warm, witty novel about a chef whose unexpected summer in Italy turns messier and richer than any recipe she ever would’ve planned.
Between a breakup and a burned-down restaurant, there’s nothing left in New York for Kit Roth except the ashes of her success.
Needing distance and distraction, she agrees to work for her best friend’s pasta-making nonna in the Italian countryside. But instead of providing a quiet sabbatical to eat up time while her kitchen is rebuilt, the small town of Manciano keeps pulling Kit into its rituals and rhythms. And before long, it shows her everything she’s been missing. Simpler cooking, community…and Nico Ruspoli, an olive oil producer with his own scorched past. But with Kit determined to leave after three months, and Nico rooted to his grove, their growing chemistry is at odds with what they both want for their future.
Yet with each passing week, Kit finds herself measuring less and tasting more. And when it’s time to go back to her life in New York, she doesn’t know what—or who—she’s willing to leave behind.
Between a breakup and a burned-down restaurant, there’s nothing left in New York for Kit Roth except the ashes of her success.
Needing distance and distraction, she agrees to work for her best friend’s pasta-making nonna in the Italian countryside. But instead of providing a quiet sabbatical to eat up time while her kitchen is rebuilt, the small town of Manciano keeps pulling Kit into its rituals and rhythms. And before long, it shows her everything she’s been missing. Simpler cooking, community…and Nico Ruspoli, an olive oil producer with his own scorched past. But with Kit determined to leave after three months, and Nico rooted to his grove, their growing chemistry is at odds with what they both want for their future.
Yet with each passing week, Kit finds herself measuring less and tasting more. And when it’s time to go back to her life in New York, she doesn’t know what—or who—she’s willing to leave behind.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2026
704 people are currently reading
14955 people want to read
About the author
Ali Rosen
8 books560 followersAli Rosen is a bestselling author of both cookbooks and novels, and is the Emmy and James Beard Award-nominated host of Potluck with Ali Rosen on NYC Life.
Her latest novel— described in a starred review by Kirkus as “a swoonworthy romance reminiscent of a Nora Ephron movie”—is Unlikely Story. She is also the author of three cookbooks including the recently released 15 Minute Meals.
She has frequently been featured on shows like NBC’S Today Show and ABC’s Good Morning America, and in publications including The New York Times, Bon Appetit, The Washington Post and New York Magazine.
She is originally from Charleston, SC but now lives in New York City with her husband, three kids, and rescue dog.
Her latest novel— described in a starred review by Kirkus as “a swoonworthy romance reminiscent of a Nora Ephron movie”—is Unlikely Story. She is also the author of three cookbooks including the recently released 15 Minute Meals.
She has frequently been featured on shows like NBC’S Today Show and ABC’s Good Morning America, and in publications including The New York Times, Bon Appetit, The Washington Post and New York Magazine.
She is originally from Charleston, SC but now lives in New York City with her husband, three kids, and rescue dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
December 20, 2025
After her restaurant burned down and her boyfriend of five years broke up with her, Kit Roth, for the first time in her busy life, doesn’t know what to do. Her work is her everything, but with the restaurant gone and construction for a new one underway, she doesn’t know what to do with herself. And that’s when her best friend suggests she go to Italy to work with her nonna to not only keep her busy, but to get her mind off of things. So, Kit leaves New York and adjusts to the small town life in Italy. Life shouldn’t be too hard, right? All she has to do is keep her hands busy, and time will fly. However, Kit was not expecting to be charmed by the wonderful people of Manciano or be attracted to a devastatingly handsome olive oil producer, even though she had every intention of going back to her life in New York.
*Heavy sigh* Well. That was disappointing.
I heard great things about Rosen’s novel, Unlikely Story, so I was excited to read this book, especially because the cover is so pretty and the setting is in Italy. I mean, come on? It’s Italy! What more do I need? Apparently, a lot because the only thing that slow-burned was my expectations, and even that went up in flames rather quickly. And a swoon-worthy romance? We don’t know her. 😭 I will say, though, I am proud of myself for finishing it, even though I forgot what most of it was about.
I think what really was a deal-breaker for me was the fact that I did not like Kit or her story. Like, at all. I thought she was so annoying, and the plot did nothing for me because it was so dull. I wanted to pull my hair out whenever she spoke a single sentence or thought a single thought, which was the whole damn time! Don’t get me wrong. I get why she is the way she is, and there is nothing wrong with not being like other women, and I appreciate that she wasn’t shouting that from the rooftops because ew, gross. She really was “not like other girls,” and that’s great! Perfect! You do you, queen. Just don’t be around me because I can’t stand you or your personality. 😂
And then there’s Nico, the love interest. He had potential, but his character/personality was as bland as an unsalted cracker, and whenever Kit talked about him, drooling over the fact that he “wasn’t like other men,” the blandness turned acidic, leaving a bad taste in my mouth. In my opinion, there was no chemistry, no depth, and no reason to put me through this torture. Sure, the man was sweet and said and did all the right things, but I don’t know. I just couldn’t root for their romance or their characters, honestly.
What I did like, however, were the side characters. Anita, Gia, and the other friends Kit made in Manciano. They were funny and amazing, and I liked the chapters they were involved in. But when it was just Kit or just her and Nico. Nuh-uh. Nope. I wanted those chapters to be over with. The writing was also good, and even though I didn’t like this book, I do want to read the author’s other novels and see if I have better luck.
I'm so sorry if I'm sounding judgmental, but I am glad my brain has forgotten about it because this is one book I do not want to be thinking about for days on end. Maybe you’ll have better luck with it if you decide to read it, but I honestly don’t recommend it.
Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
I honestly can’t remember–I’m so sorry! 😭
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Yes (🌶🌶🌶/5)
#TheSlowBurn #NetGalley
*Heavy sigh* Well. That was disappointing.
I heard great things about Rosen’s novel, Unlikely Story, so I was excited to read this book, especially because the cover is so pretty and the setting is in Italy. I mean, come on? It’s Italy! What more do I need? Apparently, a lot because the only thing that slow-burned was my expectations, and even that went up in flames rather quickly. And a swoon-worthy romance? We don’t know her. 😭 I will say, though, I am proud of myself for finishing it, even though I forgot what most of it was about.
I think what really was a deal-breaker for me was the fact that I did not like Kit or her story. Like, at all. I thought she was so annoying, and the plot did nothing for me because it was so dull. I wanted to pull my hair out whenever she spoke a single sentence or thought a single thought, which was the whole damn time! Don’t get me wrong. I get why she is the way she is, and there is nothing wrong with not being like other women, and I appreciate that she wasn’t shouting that from the rooftops because ew, gross. She really was “not like other girls,” and that’s great! Perfect! You do you, queen. Just don’t be around me because I can’t stand you or your personality. 😂
And then there’s Nico, the love interest. He had potential, but his character/personality was as bland as an unsalted cracker, and whenever Kit talked about him, drooling over the fact that he “wasn’t like other men,” the blandness turned acidic, leaving a bad taste in my mouth. In my opinion, there was no chemistry, no depth, and no reason to put me through this torture. Sure, the man was sweet and said and did all the right things, but I don’t know. I just couldn’t root for their romance or their characters, honestly.
What I did like, however, were the side characters. Anita, Gia, and the other friends Kit made in Manciano. They were funny and amazing, and I liked the chapters they were involved in. But when it was just Kit or just her and Nico. Nuh-uh. Nope. I wanted those chapters to be over with. The writing was also good, and even though I didn’t like this book, I do want to read the author’s other novels and see if I have better luck.
I'm so sorry if I'm sounding judgmental, but I am glad my brain has forgotten about it because this is one book I do not want to be thinking about for days on end. Maybe you’ll have better luck with it if you decide to read it, but I honestly don’t recommend it.
Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
I honestly can’t remember–I’m so sorry! 😭
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Yes (🌶🌶🌶/5)
#TheSlowBurn #NetGalley
November 11, 2025
While this was an incredible story worthy of all the stars, I was extremely disappointed with the author’s choice to include open-door intimacy. It made me uncomfortable and I skipped pages. I don’t think I’ll be reaching for another book by this author.
If the above isn’t a deal breaker for you, then allow Rosen to whisk you away to the little town of Manciano, about 1.5 hours out of Rome, and introduce you to Kit Roth (I read it as Kid Rock the entire book, not accidentally), who has arrived to work for her bff’s grandma for the summer. The townsfolk and the break are good for Kit, who soon sees the value of having time to marinate.
I appreciated the reminders that:
✔️part of growth is learning to accept the things that we can’t change
✔️we can’t possibly guess or even plan for everything
✔️there’s danger in allowing someone to be your crutch
✔️self-care is essential
✔️relationships require sacrifice
✔️endings are also beginnings
Grab your tissues! Nico Ruspoli and Nonna Gianna will work their way into your heart.
Fav. scene: when Gia puts Kit’s pasta in the same drawer as hers
What I’ll remember about this book: (Besides the uncomfortable sex scenes?) The powerful lessons about olive DNA.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
If the above isn’t a deal breaker for you, then allow Rosen to whisk you away to the little town of Manciano, about 1.5 hours out of Rome, and introduce you to Kit Roth (I read it as Kid Rock the entire book, not accidentally), who has arrived to work for her bff’s grandma for the summer. The townsfolk and the break are good for Kit, who soon sees the value of having time to marinate.
I appreciated the reminders that:
✔️part of growth is learning to accept the things that we can’t change
✔️we can’t possibly guess or even plan for everything
✔️there’s danger in allowing someone to be your crutch
✔️self-care is essential
✔️relationships require sacrifice
✔️endings are also beginnings
Grab your tissues! Nico Ruspoli and Nonna Gianna will work their way into your heart.
Fav. scene: when Gia puts Kit’s pasta in the same drawer as hers
What I’ll remember about this book: (Besides the uncomfortable sex scenes?) The powerful lessons about olive DNA.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
October 11, 2025
damn, I'm out here cooking with olive oil because it's high in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, but now I'm stocking up in the off chance this man shows up and wants to sensually drizzle olive oil all over my naked body.
✰ 4.5 stars, I knocked off half a star because the spice could do to more closely adhere to the female gaze
source: netgalley ebook arc
✰ 4.5 stars, I knocked off half a star because the spice could do to more closely adhere to the female gaze
source: netgalley ebook arc
January 24, 2026
3.5/5 stars
This is a review of the ebook and audiobook. The audiobook is read by Dominique Salvacion.
This is a slow burn, friends to lovers, foodie romance set in Italy.
Kit is a Michelin star chef with a restaurant in New York City. When something happens she suddenly has the summer off. She travels to Italy.
The setting is amazing. Her being a chef and everything to do with food is amazing. But the book is very slow burn. The romance takes a while to happen. The actual story also took me quite a while to get into.
Dominique Salvacion is a good audiobook performer. However a bunch of the characters (other than the main character Kit) are Italian. And so she did their parts with an Italian accent. I obviously understand why it was done this way. But it didn’t work for me. So I ended up reading most of the book.
The last part of the book is by far my favorite. The friendships and the romance in Italy really came together. And I ended up really enjoying this part of the book so much.
Overall read this if you like slow burn stories with major focuses on Italy and food.
Thanks to Montlake Romance, Brilliance Publishing and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
This is a review of the ebook and audiobook. The audiobook is read by Dominique Salvacion.
This is a slow burn, friends to lovers, foodie romance set in Italy.
Kit is a Michelin star chef with a restaurant in New York City. When something happens she suddenly has the summer off. She travels to Italy.
The setting is amazing. Her being a chef and everything to do with food is amazing. But the book is very slow burn. The romance takes a while to happen. The actual story also took me quite a while to get into.
Dominique Salvacion is a good audiobook performer. However a bunch of the characters (other than the main character Kit) are Italian. And so she did their parts with an Italian accent. I obviously understand why it was done this way. But it didn’t work for me. So I ended up reading most of the book.
The last part of the book is by far my favorite. The friendships and the romance in Italy really came together. And I ended up really enjoying this part of the book so much.
Overall read this if you like slow burn stories with major focuses on Italy and food.
Thanks to Montlake Romance, Brilliance Publishing and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
January 21, 2026
[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Slow Burn releases January 27, 2026
“Two abandoned souls finding solace in each other […]”
When Kit gets dumped by her boyfriend the same night her restaurant is engulfed in flames, she takes her best friend’s suggestion and packs her bags for a summer spent in Italy, giving her the best of both worlds: a much needed escape from the city while her team rebuilds their restaurant, and the necessary work-life structure to keep Kit at ease.
A summer in Manciano sleeping in fields with cows and the neighbour who produces olive oil, making pasta, and assisting her best friend’s nonna in her restaurant, is a stark change of pace for Kit as an executive chef in New York’s world of fine dining. Yet even with the simplicity, Kit’s surroundings are not so far removed from the principles, repetition, precision, and fierce loyalty that Kit knows like the back of her hand.
It feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life for a culinary romance like this one. As a female chef, I can attest that Rosen gets it! The innate passion, drive, and straightforwardness in her fmc, the sense of being at home in a kitchen, and the speed in which you can become familial with those alongside you in the industry. I even loved the focus on breaking down a dish and appreciating the technicality and purpose of an ingredient, and how those later became metaphors weaved into the character’s self-growth.
But more than that were these subtleties in which Kit and Nico responded to each other — his inability to remain idle when he could sense her in distress, the solidarity shown in the squeeze of a hand, effortlessly making space for him in the soft underbelly of herself when she’s naturally conditioned to have this impenetrable shell of resiliency, and even the intentionality and romanticism of delicately holding wildflowers when they’re meant to withstand the worst of weather… I mean, come on!!
A glass of wine with fresh pasta, or an affogato with a helluva good pastry is a must while reading this!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Slow Burn releases January 27, 2026
“Two abandoned souls finding solace in each other […]”
When Kit gets dumped by her boyfriend the same night her restaurant is engulfed in flames, she takes her best friend’s suggestion and packs her bags for a summer spent in Italy, giving her the best of both worlds: a much needed escape from the city while her team rebuilds their restaurant, and the necessary work-life structure to keep Kit at ease.
A summer in Manciano sleeping in fields with cows and the neighbour who produces olive oil, making pasta, and assisting her best friend’s nonna in her restaurant, is a stark change of pace for Kit as an executive chef in New York’s world of fine dining. Yet even with the simplicity, Kit’s surroundings are not so far removed from the principles, repetition, precision, and fierce loyalty that Kit knows like the back of her hand.
It feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life for a culinary romance like this one. As a female chef, I can attest that Rosen gets it! The innate passion, drive, and straightforwardness in her fmc, the sense of being at home in a kitchen, and the speed in which you can become familial with those alongside you in the industry. I even loved the focus on breaking down a dish and appreciating the technicality and purpose of an ingredient, and how those later became metaphors weaved into the character’s self-growth.
But more than that were these subtleties in which Kit and Nico responded to each other — his inability to remain idle when he could sense her in distress, the solidarity shown in the squeeze of a hand, effortlessly making space for him in the soft underbelly of herself when she’s naturally conditioned to have this impenetrable shell of resiliency, and even the intentionality and romanticism of delicately holding wildflowers when they’re meant to withstand the worst of weather… I mean, come on!!
A glass of wine with fresh pasta, or an affogato with a helluva good pastry is a must while reading this!
October 4, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own!
📖 Book Review 📖 Sometimes when a tiny spark ignites in our life, we might as well let it all burn and start fresh. In Kit Roth’s case, her entire famed New York restaurant burned down so it might have been more than a tiny spark...but it was certainly a moment that launched some serious self reflection about next steps. Breaking up with her boyfriend and taking a sabbatical in Tuscany might not have all of the answers, but it certainly will equip her with some serious pasta making skills from the best of the best, Nonna.
Ali Rosen whisks readers away for an immersive summer in the Italian countryside in a robustly heartfelt lighthearted take on Eat, Pray, Love…a book that has resonated in the hearts of women and prepared them for empowerment and wanderlust before they even hit their mid-life crises.
Ali Rosen’s The Slow Burn brings the perfectly paced slow burn summer of personal growth, “pasta studies”, and of course romance with a handsome Italian olive oil producer. I’m an almost forty-one year old mom of four who is exhausted beyond words and I still almost pulled an all-nighter for this one. While I wish I could hop on a plane to Italy right now, I know the that is not in the cards for me, but there are smaller things I can do to find joy. Life throws us one challenge after another and The Slow Burn is a reminder to take the sabbatical when we can and embrace the unexpected to find happiness.
📖 Book Review 📖 Sometimes when a tiny spark ignites in our life, we might as well let it all burn and start fresh. In Kit Roth’s case, her entire famed New York restaurant burned down so it might have been more than a tiny spark...but it was certainly a moment that launched some serious self reflection about next steps. Breaking up with her boyfriend and taking a sabbatical in Tuscany might not have all of the answers, but it certainly will equip her with some serious pasta making skills from the best of the best, Nonna.
Ali Rosen whisks readers away for an immersive summer in the Italian countryside in a robustly heartfelt lighthearted take on Eat, Pray, Love…a book that has resonated in the hearts of women and prepared them for empowerment and wanderlust before they even hit their mid-life crises.
Ali Rosen’s The Slow Burn brings the perfectly paced slow burn summer of personal growth, “pasta studies”, and of course romance with a handsome Italian olive oil producer. I’m an almost forty-one year old mom of four who is exhausted beyond words and I still almost pulled an all-nighter for this one. While I wish I could hop on a plane to Italy right now, I know the that is not in the cards for me, but there are smaller things I can do to find joy. Life throws us one challenge after another and The Slow Burn is a reminder to take the sabbatical when we can and embrace the unexpected to find happiness.
December 3, 2025
When Kit's restaurant burns down and her boyfriend dumps her on the same day, she unexpectedly decides to spend the summer in Italy learning how to make pasta from her friend's Nonna. Kit's busy life in NYC quickly turns into a slower life in Italy with new friends, simpler cooking, and a slow burn romance with the local olive oil producer.
The Slow Burn by Ali Rosen is a wonderful story of personal growth, romance, and friendship. I loved seeing Kit slow down and learn how to balance her work/passion with enjoying all that life has to offer. This was a heartwarming story and I definitely recommend it!
☆☆☆☆.5/5☆
Pub date: January 27th, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the gifted copy. This is my honest review.
The Slow Burn by Ali Rosen is a wonderful story of personal growth, romance, and friendship. I loved seeing Kit slow down and learn how to balance her work/passion with enjoying all that life has to offer. This was a heartwarming story and I definitely recommend it!
☆☆☆☆.5/5☆
Pub date: January 27th, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the gifted copy. This is my honest review.
October 5, 2025
Olive oil has never been so hot.
October 23, 2025
Thank you so so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book! Ali Rosen never disappoints this book was so so good and the perfect escape getting into the colder months!
January 28, 2026
4.5 stars! The Slow Burn is such a sweet story of friendship, personal growth, and a cute friends to lovers romance between a chef (Kit) and an olive oil producer (Nico).
Set in the small town of Manciano, Italy, this story included so many beautifully detailed descriptions of Italian food, scenery, and culture (e. g. barrel rolling, olive oil production, local pasta and pastry shops). The writing of the setting was well-done, which made me easily picture the town and left me craving a trip to Italy.
I felt invested in Kit's and Nico's love story and eagerly awaited how things would play out for them, considering the logistical challenges of their relationship.
Some parts of the story felt quickly passed over, which for the most part I didn't mind since it kept the story moving at a quick pace, but I would've liked to see Kit's and Nico's friendship building at the beginning more on page. Their early days at Belpagna were mentioned only briefly, and although their friendship's growth was expanded on throughout the story, that initial connection as friends was very formative for the start of their relationship (but not focused on much).
In addition to enjoying the romance, I loved how much personal growth and development Kit experienced throughout her time in Manciano. She learned to appreciate simplicity, find balance alongside her ambition, slow down, and open up more to the people in her life. The friendships formed and grown along the way with Gia, Emilia, and Anita were lovely to see.
Overall, this is a beautiful story and I highly recommend!
Thank you to LEO PR and Montlake for the ARC! As always, all opinions are completely my own.
Set in the small town of Manciano, Italy, this story included so many beautifully detailed descriptions of Italian food, scenery, and culture (e. g. barrel rolling, olive oil production, local pasta and pastry shops). The writing of the setting was well-done, which made me easily picture the town and left me craving a trip to Italy.
I felt invested in Kit's and Nico's love story and eagerly awaited how things would play out for them, considering the logistical challenges of their relationship.
Some parts of the story felt quickly passed over, which for the most part I didn't mind since it kept the story moving at a quick pace, but I would've liked to see Kit's and Nico's friendship building at the beginning more on page. Their early days at Belpagna were mentioned only briefly, and although their friendship's growth was expanded on throughout the story, that initial connection as friends was very formative for the start of their relationship (but not focused on much).
In addition to enjoying the romance, I loved how much personal growth and development Kit experienced throughout her time in Manciano. She learned to appreciate simplicity, find balance alongside her ambition, slow down, and open up more to the people in her life. The friendships formed and grown along the way with Gia, Emilia, and Anita were lovely to see.
Overall, this is a beautiful story and I highly recommend!
Thank you to LEO PR and Montlake for the ARC! As always, all opinions are completely my own.
October 22, 2025
⭐️ Reseña de «The Slow Burn» de Ali Rosen⭐️
Puntuación: 5 ⭐️
Disclaimer: Muchas gracias a NetGalley, la autora y Montlake por permitirme leer una copia avanzada (ARC) del libro. Las opiniones que leerán son mías y solo mías.
Entré en este libro buscando un romance, pero con cero expectativas de lo que podría encontrar. Así que imaginarán mi absoluto deleite al haber conectado inmediatamente con la historia y sus personajes.
En «The Slow Burn» seguimos a Kit Roth, una chef con renombre, en una especie de viaje de desconexión y un poco de autodescubrimiento después de que su restaurante haya sido quemado. Su visita temporal a Italia le da más que un descanso de su rutina, sino que encontrará un romance, amigos, y tal vez la manera correcta de cocinar una buena pasta.
Me encantó la protagonista y su forma de saber lo que es y lo que funciona con ella, incluso si no siempre ha sido lo mejor para sus relaciones con las personas de su entorno. El libro no es sobre cómo tiene una epifanía que cambia los cimientos de su vida, sino un ablandamiento de la coraza con la que se envuelve sin perder su esencia.
El interés romántico, Nico, es perfecto. Y no porque no tenga sus miedos o defectos, sino porque muestra otra forma de ser feliz. En mi libro, un hombre tan sosegado y tranquilo, con la vulnerabilidad en la piel, siempre gana puntos de más.
No pude haber disfrutado más el romance, ese descubrimiento de hasta dónde quieren llegar con la otra persona sin perderse a sí mismos. Hay comunicación y una evolución clara de ambos personajes, paulatina y con conflictos que se sienten reales. Hubo un punto en el que no creí que hubiera solución porque entendía la situación en la que ambos se encontraban de una forma en la que no suelo comprender los conflictos de los libros de romance. Y eso lo hizo aún más perfecto porque la resolución es la prueba perfecta de cómo Kit y Nico crecieron (juntos y separados) como personas más allá del pasado o las expectativas.
El libro es de romance, sí, y tiene el peso principal, pero una de las cosas que más disfruté es sobre otro tipo de amor: la amistad. Emilia y Anita me parecieron increíbles. Ver la evolución de la amistad entre Kit y Anita me gustó mucho, porque muestra una amistad lo suficientemente fuerte como para cambiar junto a sus partes. También disfruté mucho del personaje de Emilia; la sentí como la contraparte perfecta para Kit o, tal vez, lo que Kit pudiera haber sido en otras circunstancias.
No he visitado Italia, pero siento que la autora pintó un cuadro vívido al describir la ambientación del pueblo y sus costumbres. Aún no puedo creer que la carrera de barriles sea real, ni lo mucho que aprendí sobre los olivares y el proceso de elaboración del aceite de oliva.
A pesar de ser Kit una chef y de que sus ambiciones giren tanto alrededor de la comida, me gustó que esto no sobrepasara la historia de romance. La comida está en cada interacción y diálogo, pero como parte de quién es Kit, sin eclipsar su desarrollo como personaje más allá, justamente, de la comida.
En resumen, «The Slow Burn» es un romance adulto en un pueblo pequeño que te deja el corazón lleno y la esperanza de, tal vez, encontrar a tu propio Nico esperando en un sofá mientras mira el atardecer en un olivar.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⭐️ Review of “The Slow Burn” by Ali Rosen⭐️
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Disclaimer: Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Montlake for allowing me to read an advance copy (ARC) of the book. The opinions you will read are mine and mine alone.
I went into this book looking for romance, but with zero expectations of what I might find. So you can imagine my absolute delight at having immediately connected with the story and its characters.
In The Slow Burn, we follow Kit Roth, a renowned chef, on a journey of disconnection and a bit of self-discovery after her restaurant burns down. Her temporary visit to Italy gives her more than just a break from her routine; she finds romance, friends, and perhaps the right way to cook good pasta.
I loved the protagonist and her way of knowing who she is and what works for her, even if it hasn't always been the best for her relationships with the people around her. The book is not about how she has an epiphany that changes the foundations of her life, but rather a softening of the armor she wraps herself in without losing her essence.
The romantic interest, Nico, is perfect. Not because he doesn't have fears or flaws, but because he shows another way to be happy. In my book, a man who is so calm and quiet, with vulnerability in his skin, always wins extra points.
I couldn't have enjoyed the romance more, that discovery of how far they want to go with the other person without losing themselves. There is communication and a clear evolution of both characters, gradual and with conflicts that feel real. There was a point where I didn't think there was a solution because I understood the situation they were both in in a way that I don't usually understand conflicts in romance books. And that made it even more perfect because the resolution is the proof of how Kit and Nico grew (together and as individuals) as people beyond their past or expectations.
The book is about romance, yes, and that's the main focus, but one of the things I enjoyed the most is about another kind of love: friendship. I thought Emilia and Anita were incredible. I really liked seeing the evolution of the friendship between Kit and Anita, because it shows a friendship strong enough to change alongside its parts. I also really enjoyed Emilia's character; I felt she was the perfect counterpart to Kit or, perhaps, what Kit could have been in other circumstances.
I haven't visited Italy, but I feel that the author painted a vivid picture when describing the setting of the village and its customs. I still can't believe that barrel racing is real, or how much I learned about olive groves and the olive oil production process.
Even though Kit is a chef and her ambitions revolve so much around food, I liked that this didn't overshadow the romance story. Food is in every interaction and dialogue, but as part of who Kit is, without overshadowing her character development beyond, precisely, food.
In short, “The Slow Burn” is an adult romance in a small town that leaves your heart full and hopeful that you might find your own Nico waiting on a couch while watching the sunset in an olive grove.
Puntuación: 5 ⭐️
Disclaimer: Muchas gracias a NetGalley, la autora y Montlake por permitirme leer una copia avanzada (ARC) del libro. Las opiniones que leerán son mías y solo mías.
Entré en este libro buscando un romance, pero con cero expectativas de lo que podría encontrar. Así que imaginarán mi absoluto deleite al haber conectado inmediatamente con la historia y sus personajes.
En «The Slow Burn» seguimos a Kit Roth, una chef con renombre, en una especie de viaje de desconexión y un poco de autodescubrimiento después de que su restaurante haya sido quemado. Su visita temporal a Italia le da más que un descanso de su rutina, sino que encontrará un romance, amigos, y tal vez la manera correcta de cocinar una buena pasta.
Me encantó la protagonista y su forma de saber lo que es y lo que funciona con ella, incluso si no siempre ha sido lo mejor para sus relaciones con las personas de su entorno. El libro no es sobre cómo tiene una epifanía que cambia los cimientos de su vida, sino un ablandamiento de la coraza con la que se envuelve sin perder su esencia.
El interés romántico, Nico, es perfecto. Y no porque no tenga sus miedos o defectos, sino porque muestra otra forma de ser feliz. En mi libro, un hombre tan sosegado y tranquilo, con la vulnerabilidad en la piel, siempre gana puntos de más.
No pude haber disfrutado más el romance, ese descubrimiento de hasta dónde quieren llegar con la otra persona sin perderse a sí mismos. Hay comunicación y una evolución clara de ambos personajes, paulatina y con conflictos que se sienten reales. Hubo un punto en el que no creí que hubiera solución porque entendía la situación en la que ambos se encontraban de una forma en la que no suelo comprender los conflictos de los libros de romance. Y eso lo hizo aún más perfecto porque la resolución es la prueba perfecta de cómo Kit y Nico crecieron (juntos y separados) como personas más allá del pasado o las expectativas.
El libro es de romance, sí, y tiene el peso principal, pero una de las cosas que más disfruté es sobre otro tipo de amor: la amistad. Emilia y Anita me parecieron increíbles. Ver la evolución de la amistad entre Kit y Anita me gustó mucho, porque muestra una amistad lo suficientemente fuerte como para cambiar junto a sus partes. También disfruté mucho del personaje de Emilia; la sentí como la contraparte perfecta para Kit o, tal vez, lo que Kit pudiera haber sido en otras circunstancias.
No he visitado Italia, pero siento que la autora pintó un cuadro vívido al describir la ambientación del pueblo y sus costumbres. Aún no puedo creer que la carrera de barriles sea real, ni lo mucho que aprendí sobre los olivares y el proceso de elaboración del aceite de oliva.
A pesar de ser Kit una chef y de que sus ambiciones giren tanto alrededor de la comida, me gustó que esto no sobrepasara la historia de romance. La comida está en cada interacción y diálogo, pero como parte de quién es Kit, sin eclipsar su desarrollo como personaje más allá, justamente, de la comida.
En resumen, «The Slow Burn» es un romance adulto en un pueblo pequeño que te deja el corazón lleno y la esperanza de, tal vez, encontrar a tu propio Nico esperando en un sofá mientras mira el atardecer en un olivar.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⭐️ Review of “The Slow Burn” by Ali Rosen⭐️
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Disclaimer: Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Montlake for allowing me to read an advance copy (ARC) of the book. The opinions you will read are mine and mine alone.
I went into this book looking for romance, but with zero expectations of what I might find. So you can imagine my absolute delight at having immediately connected with the story and its characters.
In The Slow Burn, we follow Kit Roth, a renowned chef, on a journey of disconnection and a bit of self-discovery after her restaurant burns down. Her temporary visit to Italy gives her more than just a break from her routine; she finds romance, friends, and perhaps the right way to cook good pasta.
I loved the protagonist and her way of knowing who she is and what works for her, even if it hasn't always been the best for her relationships with the people around her. The book is not about how she has an epiphany that changes the foundations of her life, but rather a softening of the armor she wraps herself in without losing her essence.
The romantic interest, Nico, is perfect. Not because he doesn't have fears or flaws, but because he shows another way to be happy. In my book, a man who is so calm and quiet, with vulnerability in his skin, always wins extra points.
I couldn't have enjoyed the romance more, that discovery of how far they want to go with the other person without losing themselves. There is communication and a clear evolution of both characters, gradual and with conflicts that feel real. There was a point where I didn't think there was a solution because I understood the situation they were both in in a way that I don't usually understand conflicts in romance books. And that made it even more perfect because the resolution is the proof of how Kit and Nico grew (together and as individuals) as people beyond their past or expectations.
The book is about romance, yes, and that's the main focus, but one of the things I enjoyed the most is about another kind of love: friendship. I thought Emilia and Anita were incredible. I really liked seeing the evolution of the friendship between Kit and Anita, because it shows a friendship strong enough to change alongside its parts. I also really enjoyed Emilia's character; I felt she was the perfect counterpart to Kit or, perhaps, what Kit could have been in other circumstances.
I haven't visited Italy, but I feel that the author painted a vivid picture when describing the setting of the village and its customs. I still can't believe that barrel racing is real, or how much I learned about olive groves and the olive oil production process.
Even though Kit is a chef and her ambitions revolve so much around food, I liked that this didn't overshadow the romance story. Food is in every interaction and dialogue, but as part of who Kit is, without overshadowing her character development beyond, precisely, food.
In short, “The Slow Burn” is an adult romance in a small town that leaves your heart full and hopeful that you might find your own Nico waiting on a couch while watching the sunset in an olive grove.
January 28, 2026
I was uncertain about The Slow Burn, by Ali Rosen, before reading it. I’ve never liked any travel memoir with a romance - Eat Pray Love was a DNF for me. This book, however, is magical, and made me want to plan a trip to Italy. Rosen creates a beautiful, complex love story between two characters who complement each other perfectly. I fell in love with Kit and Nico as they fell in love with each other.
Kit Roth is an accomplished Michelin-starred chef in New York City whose life has imploded. Her restaurant burned down and her boyfriend broke up with her in the same few days. Faced with a few months of nothing to do, she lets her best friend Anita convince her to spend the time working in her Nonna’s restaurant in an Italian village. She finds herself doing grunt work in the kitchen, enjoying delectable pastries every morning at the local bakery, and quickly makes friends with locals Emilia and Nico.
Kit and Nico are instantly attracted to each other, and their personalities mesh so well. Kit has always thought of herself as driven, tough, and focused solely on her career and professional success, but Nico finds a way to break through and care for her. His gentle spirit and her fierce nature fit perfectly together. They treat each other with such devotion and tenderness. She is leaving at the end of the summer, so they know their relationship has an end date, but they still connect deeply on many levels.
I absolutely loved this book. Kit’s character evolves during her stay in Italy, and she learns to accept and take care of herself. The joy she and Nico experienced together was really beautiful to witness as a reader. I am now committed to reading all of Ali Rosen’s other work, and want to try all of the recipes she provided at the end of the novel.
Thank you to Ali Rosen, Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Kit Roth is an accomplished Michelin-starred chef in New York City whose life has imploded. Her restaurant burned down and her boyfriend broke up with her in the same few days. Faced with a few months of nothing to do, she lets her best friend Anita convince her to spend the time working in her Nonna’s restaurant in an Italian village. She finds herself doing grunt work in the kitchen, enjoying delectable pastries every morning at the local bakery, and quickly makes friends with locals Emilia and Nico.
Kit and Nico are instantly attracted to each other, and their personalities mesh so well. Kit has always thought of herself as driven, tough, and focused solely on her career and professional success, but Nico finds a way to break through and care for her. His gentle spirit and her fierce nature fit perfectly together. They treat each other with such devotion and tenderness. She is leaving at the end of the summer, so they know their relationship has an end date, but they still connect deeply on many levels.
I absolutely loved this book. Kit’s character evolves during her stay in Italy, and she learns to accept and take care of herself. The joy she and Nico experienced together was really beautiful to witness as a reader. I am now committed to reading all of Ali Rosen’s other work, and want to try all of the recipes she provided at the end of the novel.
Thank you to Ali Rosen, Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Slow Burn by Ali Rosen transports you to Summer in Italy in the best way!
Kit Roth is having a rough time, she is going through a breakup and has learned that her restaurant has burned down. Her best friend decides Kit needs a distraction, and suggests she go work for her Nonna in Italy, while the restaurant is being rebuilt.
Kit easily settles into the rhythm of the town of Marciano. Before long, she starts to reflect on things that were missing from her life back in New York. She likes the idea of the simpler cooking, the sense of community the small town brings and Nico, a olive oil producer who catches her eye.
Kit will be leaving once her restaurant in NYC is ready, and Nico's whole world is in Marciano, but the feelings between the two continue to grow.
I loved the amount of information you learn about pasta and olive oil throughout the book, and love that it's woven into the book so you learn it almost accidentally along the way. Warning, this book makes you hungry!!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Ali Rosen and NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
This title will be available to read on January 27th 2026.
Kit Roth is having a rough time, she is going through a breakup and has learned that her restaurant has burned down. Her best friend decides Kit needs a distraction, and suggests she go work for her Nonna in Italy, while the restaurant is being rebuilt.
Kit easily settles into the rhythm of the town of Marciano. Before long, she starts to reflect on things that were missing from her life back in New York. She likes the idea of the simpler cooking, the sense of community the small town brings and Nico, a olive oil producer who catches her eye.
Kit will be leaving once her restaurant in NYC is ready, and Nico's whole world is in Marciano, but the feelings between the two continue to grow.
I loved the amount of information you learn about pasta and olive oil throughout the book, and love that it's woven into the book so you learn it almost accidentally along the way. Warning, this book makes you hungry!!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Ali Rosen and NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
This title will be available to read on January 27th 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶🌶
✅️ Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Audio
Release: Jan. 27, 2026
This book made me crave some delicious italian food!
Read if you like ✨️:
- friends to lovers
- vacation romance
- found family
- chef FMC x olive oil producer MMC
- small town in Tuscany
- slow burn
- 1st person single POV
This book was adorable! If you're looking for a sweet, fun and light romance with plenty of yearning and lots of food talk, then look no further!
I had a lot of fun listening to this. The narrator did a great job, I loved the italian accent that was used! The setting was simply charming and the secondary characters were so endearing! I especially loved Nonna Gia: she was such a quiet but confident force of nature.
Kit and Nico definitely feel an attraction to each other pretty early on, but how they fall in love is just a deliciously slow burn. This book had plenty swoony moments and made me kick my feet in happiness!
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.
✅️ Kindle Unlimited
🎧 Audio
Release: Jan. 27, 2026
This book made me crave some delicious italian food!
Read if you like ✨️:
- friends to lovers
- vacation romance
- found family
- chef FMC x olive oil producer MMC
- small town in Tuscany
- slow burn
- 1st person single POV
This book was adorable! If you're looking for a sweet, fun and light romance with plenty of yearning and lots of food talk, then look no further!
I had a lot of fun listening to this. The narrator did a great job, I loved the italian accent that was used! The setting was simply charming and the secondary characters were so endearing! I especially loved Nonna Gia: she was such a quiet but confident force of nature.
Kit and Nico definitely feel an attraction to each other pretty early on, but how they fall in love is just a deliciously slow burn. This book had plenty swoony moments and made me kick my feet in happiness!
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Read
February 1, 2026There are few things that make me sadder than having to give up on a book with a strong premise (and this is already the fifth one this month I think), but there’s also something I really dislike: reaching 36% of a story and still feeling like I don’t truly know the characters. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened here. Instead of being immersed in the characters’ actions, emotions, and growth, everything is constantly explained to the reader rather than shown. As a result, the story feels distant, and the characters never fully come alive. It’s disappointing, because the idea behind the book had a lot of potential, but the execution made it hard for me to stay engaged and invested enough to continue.
November 24, 2025
All I needed to read was "Italian setting and food romance" and I was all in for this book. We follow Kit, who after a fire closes the restaurant she's working at in NY, decides to take a break in Italy, helping a friend's nonna at her restaurant. As she gets used to the laid back lifestyle, Kit finds herself enjoying herself more than she thought she would, especially after meeting handsome Nico. But what happens when her time is up and she needs to return to NY?
What a sweet book this was! It was light and refreshing with wonderful characters in a fabulous setting. The small town charm was real and I loved hearing about the festival and olive oil production! After all the yummy food talk throughout the book, I'm grateful to the author for providing recipes at the end and I can't wait to try my hand at making some of them.
What a sweet book this was! It was light and refreshing with wonderful characters in a fabulous setting. The small town charm was real and I loved hearing about the festival and olive oil production! After all the yummy food talk throughout the book, I'm grateful to the author for providing recipes at the end and I can't wait to try my hand at making some of them.
January 27, 2026
Kit, is a New York chef who decides to take an Italian working vacation after a break up and the loss of her job when the restaurant where she works burns down. What follows is a slow burn, friends to lovers romance with Nico, a local Olive farmer. I loved all the food, the friendship/mentorship between Kit and an older Italian chef and the great banter/chemistry between the main characters. This was good on audio and a new favorite for me by Ali Rosen! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
February 5, 2026
I had such a fun time reading this book!
The book opens with Kit, the FMC who is badass chef, coming home from her restaurant burning down finding her bf is leaving her. She is facing a crisis and what else to do while they rebuild her restaurant and she gets her mind off her ex who she wasn’t even sure she really liked? Move to Italy for the summer, work alongside her bffs grandma at her neighbor restaurant and possibly fall in love with a local.
I loved Kit and always enjoy the “not the right time or place” trope!
Thank you Goodreads for the giveaway and this audio is available on KU!
The book opens with Kit, the FMC who is badass chef, coming home from her restaurant burning down finding her bf is leaving her. She is facing a crisis and what else to do while they rebuild her restaurant and she gets her mind off her ex who she wasn’t even sure she really liked? Move to Italy for the summer, work alongside her bffs grandma at her neighbor restaurant and possibly fall in love with a local.
I loved Kit and always enjoy the “not the right time or place” trope!
Thank you Goodreads for the giveaway and this audio is available on KU!
October 5, 2025
If I wasn’t desperate for a summer spent in Italy before reading this book, I certainly am after! Ali Rosen’s The Slow Burn is an utterly delightful romance filled with beautiful settings, sizzling chemistry, a wonderful, full cast of characters, and what I can only imagine would be THE most delicious tasting food! I’m craving a bombolini as I type!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for my copy!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for my copy!
January 4, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Montlake and Ali Rosen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this one! The scenery and personality of the town was really enjoyable. The side characters and storylines were an asset to the book.
Kit wasn’t your typical damsel in distress. Readers might not like her because of that but I found it endearing. I liked that she was tall, strong, blunt personality, dedicated to her work and reserved in relationships. She had some significant personal growth that was cool to see.
My two complaints - Kit mentioned she was the person she was due to being a chef very often. Sure, I’m guessing there’s an argument to back that up but it was brought up more than necessary. Second, for as lusty as they were for each other I didn’t feel the tension and angst as much as I hoped. This was single POV so maybe that contributed to the low tension/angst.
I saw a review referencing the open door scenes and I have to clarify - sure, they are open door but in my opinion they are not explicit (I wished they were more but that’s just me). I know sex scenes are very subjective but I was surprised by it so thought I’d address it.
I really liked this one! The scenery and personality of the town was really enjoyable. The side characters and storylines were an asset to the book.
Kit wasn’t your typical damsel in distress. Readers might not like her because of that but I found it endearing. I liked that she was tall, strong, blunt personality, dedicated to her work and reserved in relationships. She had some significant personal growth that was cool to see.
My two complaints - Kit mentioned she was the person she was due to being a chef very often. Sure, I’m guessing there’s an argument to back that up but it was brought up more than necessary. Second, for as lusty as they were for each other I didn’t feel the tension and angst as much as I hoped. This was single POV so maybe that contributed to the low tension/angst.
I saw a review referencing the open door scenes and I have to clarify - sure, they are open door but in my opinion they are not explicit (I wished they were more but that’s just me). I know sex scenes are very subjective but I was surprised by it so thought I’d address it.
January 29, 2026
3.75
I enjoyed this. I liked her character development and how she opened up. Her relationship with Nico was sweet.
I really liked Nico. One of my favorite scenes was him getting jealous after her date. That whole scene was perfection.
I liked the setting, I can just imagine a holiday there.
I liked how it focused on her friendships with Emilia and Anita.
"We're lucky to have burned this bright."
I enjoyed this. I liked her character development and how she opened up. Her relationship with Nico was sweet.
I really liked Nico. One of my favorite scenes was him getting jealous after her date. That whole scene was perfection.
I liked the setting, I can just imagine a holiday there.
I liked how it focused on her friendships with Emilia and Anita.
"We're lucky to have burned this bright."
January 21, 2026
When her restaurant burns down and her boyfriend breaks up with her, chef Kit Roth, decides to take a sabbatical working for her best friend’s nonna in Italy. There she meets olive farmer Nico - while there’s mutual attraction, they can’t be together because she’s leaving soon and he’s had his heart broken before.
🌶️: a little
Low stakes, hallmark vibes, if Hallmark were set in rural Italy.
🌶️: a little
Low stakes, hallmark vibes, if Hallmark were set in rural Italy.
Read
October 23, 2025*early work perk read*
November 24, 2025
What a sweet, romantic, delicious romance that swept me away to a small town in Italy for new beginnings & good food.
I loved it. 😍
I loved it. 😍
January 27, 2026
I love books that take me to places I haven’t been and immerse me in the culture. If it’s really like that there, I have no idea, but Rosen made me long for the Italian countryside, its slower pace, and quirky, loveable characters. I enjoyed learning about the food and customs of the people, and I liked getting to know Kit and Nico. The ending wasn’t what I expected but it was perfect for the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
RTC!
December 5, 2025
📚The Slow Burn
✍🏻Ali Rosen
Blurb:
From the bestselling author of Unlikely Story comes a warm, witty novel about a chef whose unexpected summer in Italy turns messier and richer than any recipe she ever would’ve planned.
Between a breakup and a burned-down restaurant, there’s nothing left in New York for Kit Roth except the ashes of her success.
Needing distance and distraction, she agrees to work for her best friend’s pasta-making nonna in the Italian countryside. But instead of providing a quiet sabbatical to eat up time while her kitchen is rebuilt, the small town of Manciano keeps pulling Kit into its rituals and rhythms. And before long, it shows her everything she’s been missing. Simpler cooking, community…and Nico Ruspoli, an olive oil producer with his own scorched past. But with Kit determined to leave after three months, and Nico rooted to his grove, their growing chemistry is at odds with what they both want for their future.
Yet with each passing week, Kit finds herself measuring less and tasting more. And when it’s time to go back to her life in New York, she doesn’t know what—or who—she’s willing to leave behind.
My Thoughts:
The Slow Burn by Ali Rosen is a wonderful story of personal growth, romance, and friendship. I loved seeing Kit slow down and learn how to balance her work and passion with enjoying all that life has to offer. This was a heartwarming story and I definitely recommend. friends-to-lovers, Italian summer romance. Kit is an acclaimed chef in New York City who is left feeling lost when her boyfriend breaks-up with her while her restaurant is literally burning to the ground. She decides to travel to Tuscany to work with her best friends Nonna for the summer, where she meets Nico. He has been a part of this community since he was a child and now runs his families olive grove and mill. This book was an absolute delight to read and had me swooning, both from the amazing characters and the description of the countryside. I loved the main characters and how they grew and loved throughout the story. Additionally, the supporting characters were charming, witty, and made the book even better! I would highly recommend this book for anyone who loves food, adventure, and a swoony love story.
Thanks NetGalley, Montlake Publishing and Author Ali Rosen for the advanced copy of "The Slow Burn" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#MontlakePublishing
#AliRosen
#TheSlowBurn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Ali Rosen
Blurb:
From the bestselling author of Unlikely Story comes a warm, witty novel about a chef whose unexpected summer in Italy turns messier and richer than any recipe she ever would’ve planned.
Between a breakup and a burned-down restaurant, there’s nothing left in New York for Kit Roth except the ashes of her success.
Needing distance and distraction, she agrees to work for her best friend’s pasta-making nonna in the Italian countryside. But instead of providing a quiet sabbatical to eat up time while her kitchen is rebuilt, the small town of Manciano keeps pulling Kit into its rituals and rhythms. And before long, it shows her everything she’s been missing. Simpler cooking, community…and Nico Ruspoli, an olive oil producer with his own scorched past. But with Kit determined to leave after three months, and Nico rooted to his grove, their growing chemistry is at odds with what they both want for their future.
Yet with each passing week, Kit finds herself measuring less and tasting more. And when it’s time to go back to her life in New York, she doesn’t know what—or who—she’s willing to leave behind.
My Thoughts:
The Slow Burn by Ali Rosen is a wonderful story of personal growth, romance, and friendship. I loved seeing Kit slow down and learn how to balance her work and passion with enjoying all that life has to offer. This was a heartwarming story and I definitely recommend. friends-to-lovers, Italian summer romance. Kit is an acclaimed chef in New York City who is left feeling lost when her boyfriend breaks-up with her while her restaurant is literally burning to the ground. She decides to travel to Tuscany to work with her best friends Nonna for the summer, where she meets Nico. He has been a part of this community since he was a child and now runs his families olive grove and mill. This book was an absolute delight to read and had me swooning, both from the amazing characters and the description of the countryside. I loved the main characters and how they grew and loved throughout the story. Additionally, the supporting characters were charming, witty, and made the book even better! I would highly recommend this book for anyone who loves food, adventure, and a swoony love story.
Thanks NetGalley, Montlake Publishing and Author Ali Rosen for the advanced copy of "The Slow Burn" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#MontlakePublishing
#AliRosen
#TheSlowBurn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 11, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Full disclosure: I read this book almost a month ago, then promptly procrastinated on reviewing it. Even worse, I left myself exactly one note to work from: THE MAN CROCHETS.
But before we get to that, let’s discuss Kit. I loved this character who, in many ways, was a departure from genre norms.. It’s not that she’s prickly, or hard, just that she’s focused. Driven. She knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to sacrifice in the pursuit of it—first as a high-level athlete, and now as a Michelin-level chef. She’s the kind of person who’s not content with being good; she wants to be exceptional. I really love that this book never treats that ambition as something she needs to unlearn.
Then there’s Nico. Soft-hearted, crocheting Nico. Sits-up-all-night-to-babysit-cows Nico. Olive-nerd Nico.
He’s the kind of character who could very easily have tipped into “hot, foreign, manic-pixie-dream-boy” territory, but Ali Rosen writes him with enough depth and restraint that he never feels like a fantasy object. Instead of being some unattainable female-gaze fever dream, he feels grounded and real — someone who can match Kit’s hard edges with his softness, someone who can meet her where she’s at without needing her to change.
Together, they have stellar chemistry.
Truly.
It’s friends-to-lovers.
It’s slow-burn.
It’s just-for-the-summer.
It’s the heartbreak of watching two people fall in love when they don’t think it can last. And what’s happening between them is so apparent, so unavoidable, that they take the risk anyway. I LIVE for this kind of yearning in contemporary romance, and it is so well done here.
What else I enjoyed:
• I loved how much Kit stays Kit — she grows where it makes sense, but never feels rewritten to make someone else happy. Refreshing in a world where a woman is often asked to be the one to change everything.
• The town of Marciano — yes, it might be slightly romanticized, but it still feels like a real small town, full of blemishes and quirks.
• Gia, the pasta-making badass extraordinaire.
• The weird, wonderful number of olive — and olive oil — facts sprinkled throughout the book. Bonus!
This was my first Ali Rosen book, and I can’t wait to read more. Many thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for providing this advanced copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Full disclosure: I read this book almost a month ago, then promptly procrastinated on reviewing it. Even worse, I left myself exactly one note to work from: THE MAN CROCHETS.
But before we get to that, let’s discuss Kit. I loved this character who, in many ways, was a departure from genre norms.. It’s not that she’s prickly, or hard, just that she’s focused. Driven. She knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to sacrifice in the pursuit of it—first as a high-level athlete, and now as a Michelin-level chef. She’s the kind of person who’s not content with being good; she wants to be exceptional. I really love that this book never treats that ambition as something she needs to unlearn.
Then there’s Nico. Soft-hearted, crocheting Nico. Sits-up-all-night-to-babysit-cows Nico. Olive-nerd Nico.
He’s the kind of character who could very easily have tipped into “hot, foreign, manic-pixie-dream-boy” territory, but Ali Rosen writes him with enough depth and restraint that he never feels like a fantasy object. Instead of being some unattainable female-gaze fever dream, he feels grounded and real — someone who can match Kit’s hard edges with his softness, someone who can meet her where she’s at without needing her to change.
Together, they have stellar chemistry.
Truly.
It’s friends-to-lovers.
It’s slow-burn.
It’s just-for-the-summer.
It’s the heartbreak of watching two people fall in love when they don’t think it can last. And what’s happening between them is so apparent, so unavoidable, that they take the risk anyway. I LIVE for this kind of yearning in contemporary romance, and it is so well done here.
What else I enjoyed:
• I loved how much Kit stays Kit — she grows where it makes sense, but never feels rewritten to make someone else happy. Refreshing in a world where a woman is often asked to be the one to change everything.
• The town of Marciano — yes, it might be slightly romanticized, but it still feels like a real small town, full of blemishes and quirks.
• Gia, the pasta-making badass extraordinaire.
• The weird, wonderful number of olive — and olive oil — facts sprinkled throughout the book. Bonus!
This was my first Ali Rosen book, and I can’t wait to read more. Many thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for providing this advanced copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
January 28, 2026
Lighthearted, delicious, and cozy, this book is a summer vacation in a small Italian town with good food and great company!
The Slow Burn opens with Kit Roth at rock bottom: her restaurant has burned down, and her boyfriend of five years (who works for the group that owns it!) ends their relationship. When the chance arises to escape New York City, Kit takes it, landing in the small Italian town of Manciano.
There, she finds Nonna Gianna and Nico. Kit’s relationship with Nonna Gianna is a quiet highlight of the novel, built on mutual respect, trust, and the intimacy that comes from working side by side in a kitchen. And Nico? I couldn’t stop picturing Kostas Dounas from The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. The story carries Under the Tuscan Sun vibes, but instead of a celebrated writer reinventing herself, it’s a chef reconnecting with what she loves most.
This is a story of self-discovery, friendship, and falling in love without losing yourself. Kit knows who she is and what she wants, which I deeply respected. That self-assurance makes her assessment of Nico — yes, a little “he’s not like other men,” but satisfying — all the more earned. Their romance allows both of them to retain their individuality as they grow together. They have genuine, believable reasons for wanting different things, and I truly didn’t know how (or if) those paths would converge in the end. When they do, it feels authentic and deserved.
It’s a true slow-burn romance, complete with an open-door sex scene that never feels gratuitous. As Kit comes to terms with her feelings for Nico, I was literally bouncing with excitement for her. There are real obstacles keeping them apart, but the story beautifully explores how love doesn’t always bend to practicality or distance. Kit escapes the relentless pace of New York, where her heart has always lived in the kitchen, only to realize she might love someone even more than everything she’s worked for.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Dominique Salvacion. She was excellent overall, though I did grow tired of the Italian accents. That said, I’d happily seek out her work again.
Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the advanced audiobook copy!
The Slow Burn opens with Kit Roth at rock bottom: her restaurant has burned down, and her boyfriend of five years (who works for the group that owns it!) ends their relationship. When the chance arises to escape New York City, Kit takes it, landing in the small Italian town of Manciano.
There, she finds Nonna Gianna and Nico. Kit’s relationship with Nonna Gianna is a quiet highlight of the novel, built on mutual respect, trust, and the intimacy that comes from working side by side in a kitchen. And Nico? I couldn’t stop picturing Kostas Dounas from The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. The story carries Under the Tuscan Sun vibes, but instead of a celebrated writer reinventing herself, it’s a chef reconnecting with what she loves most.
This is a story of self-discovery, friendship, and falling in love without losing yourself. Kit knows who she is and what she wants, which I deeply respected. That self-assurance makes her assessment of Nico — yes, a little “he’s not like other men,” but satisfying — all the more earned. Their romance allows both of them to retain their individuality as they grow together. They have genuine, believable reasons for wanting different things, and I truly didn’t know how (or if) those paths would converge in the end. When they do, it feels authentic and deserved.
It’s a true slow-burn romance, complete with an open-door sex scene that never feels gratuitous. As Kit comes to terms with her feelings for Nico, I was literally bouncing with excitement for her. There are real obstacles keeping them apart, but the story beautifully explores how love doesn’t always bend to practicality or distance. Kit escapes the relentless pace of New York, where her heart has always lived in the kitchen, only to realize she might love someone even more than everything she’s worked for.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Dominique Salvacion. She was excellent overall, though I did grow tired of the Italian accents. That said, I’d happily seek out her work again.
Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the advanced audiobook copy!
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