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Glances that last too long, touches that almost happen and a first kiss only after hundreds of pages: in a slow burn, love develops slowly, and that is exactly the appeal. Here are eight popular slow burn books from different genres, from romcom to dark romance.
How we chose: We analysed every book on this list in its own meta review, and slow burn is one of the central tropes in all of them. The order is not a ranking.
1. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
PhD student Olive impulsively kisses the feared professor Adam Carlsen, and fake dating slowly turns into more. A romcom set in the world of science.
- What readers love: The banter and chemistry between Olive and Adam.
- Worth knowing: Critics point out the power imbalance between professor and PhD student.
Read the full The Love Hypothesis review
2. Like Snow We Fall by Ayla Dade
Figure skater Paisley wants to make it to the Olympics in Aspen and has no time for distractions. New adult with a winter setting and grumpy x sunshine.
- What readers love: Snowy Aspen with its small town feel and a strong heroine.
- Worth knowing: Several readers criticize that heavy themes appear without warning. Check the content notes in our review first.
Read the full Like Snow We Fall review
3. Dunbridge Academy: Anywhere by Sarah Sprinz
Emma spends an exchange year at a Scottish boarding school and grows closer to Henry. A boarding school novel with forbidden love and found family.
- What readers love: The cosy, slightly dark boarding school atmosphere and the easy read.
- Worth knowing: Many readers are bothered that Henry has a girlfriend at the beginning.
Read the full Dunbridge Academy: Anywhere review
4. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Jude fights for her place as a mortal at the cruel faerie court and clashes with Prince Cardan. The romance develops very slowly across the whole series.
- What readers love: The dark faerie world and Jude as an uncompromising heroine.
- Worth knowing: The opening is considered slow, and some readers find the dynamic toxic.
Read the full The Cruel Prince review
5. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
The human daughter of the vampire king has to team up with a rival vampire in a deadly tournament.
- What readers love: An alliance that develops into a gripping slow burn and a rich vampire world.
- Worth knowing: Some reviews find the world and characters lacking depth.
Read the full The Serpent and the Wings of Night review
6. Quicksilver by Callie Hart
The thief Saeris is bound to the warrior Kingfisher in the fae realm. Between fights and banter, attraction slowly grows.
- What readers love: The characters and the sharp dialogue.
- Worth knowing: The plot is considered fairly simple.
Read the full Quicksilver review
7. Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
Two serial killers who only hunt other murderers turn their rivalry into a yearly competition. Dark romance with black humour.
- What readers love: The mix of darkness and absurd, bloody humour.
- Worth knowing: According to critics, big time jumps take out some tension. Graphic violence, so please check the content notes.
Read the full Butcher & Blackbird review
8. Leave Me Behind by K. M. Moronova
The only survivor of a failed special unit joins an elite squad that distrusts her. Dark military romance.
- What readers love: The military setting with a corrupt underworld and a strong heroine.
- Worth knowing: One blog criticizes unrealistic military details. Heavy themes, so please check the content notes.
Read the full Leave Me Behind review
What makes a good slow burn book?
A slow burn only works if the tension stays palpable over long stretches. The characters need good reasons not to give in right away, and readers need small moments of closeness again and again. If you want to write one yourself, read our guide Slow Burn: Meaning, Appeal and How to Write It.
Conclusion
Slow burn works in every genre: as a romcom, as new adult, as romantasy or as dark romance. If you like humour, pick The Love Hypothesis. Fantasy fans will find the right dose of tension in The Cruel Prince, The Serpent and the Wings of Night and Quicksilver. If you like it dark, read the content notes for Butcher & Blackbird and Leave Me Behind first. For more recommendations, see our list of enemies to lovers books.
Writing a slow burn yourself?
In an edit we check whether your tension holds across the whole book and where the story drags. Try our sample edit: 20 pages for €99.
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