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I love a good slow-burn romance book. When it’s well-written, finely plotted, and with the right pacing that doesn’t drag, then it’s the best kind of romance there is. Why? Because the buildup of the romantic tension and the anticipation of seeing the main characters finally get together make that happenstance so much sweeter and more satisfying.
Have you tried reading slow-burn romances? If not, then I highly recommend you do and see for yourself if you’d be one of the many converts who find them amazing. If you already have, then chances are that you’re a fan (because how can you not be??? heh) and are looking for more titles.
Either way, I give you some of my favorite slow-burn romances in the world. Most of them I’ve read so many times that I’ve just about memorized some lines. Ha.
And some are actually my go-to reads when I’m suffering through a book slump and just can’t find it in me to finish newly discovered books. Are they effective in taking me out of that dreadful book slump bubble? You bet they are.
Yes, they’re that good.
So, here you go, my 15 most favorite slow-burn romance books.
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1. On the Island
On the Island is also an older woman-younger man romance.
It’s the story of Anna, a 30-year-old English teacher, and her 17-year-old student, T.J., who both got stuck on an uninhabited island after their airplane crashed. Anna was set to tutor T.J. for the summer in Maldives and they were en route to meet T.J.’s family when the unfortunate crash happened. They stayed on the island for months before rescue came. While there, they began to fall for each other.
It’s a captivating, inspiring and romantic story that you won’t be able to stop reading.
2. Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice would have to be one of the pioneers of slow-burn romances.
If you’re familiar with the story, then you probably know that our main couple didn’t get together until almost the end of the book. But, oh my goodness, the longing, angst, and romantic tension leading to it would make you crazy with anticipation. They would give you so much feels that finally seeing them together is so delightful that you won’t mind having to go through all that long journey again.
It’s the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, set at the turn of 19th-century rural England. Mr. Darcy is prideful and Elizabeth is prone to prejudice, both of which led to their clash of wills and, thus, a long road to their happily ever after.
This classic truly deserves that title (classic) and justifies a spot on your shelf.
3. Outlander
Outlander is as much a beautiful romantic tale as it is an exciting time-travel adventure of epic proportions.
Central to the story is Claire, a former combat nurse from 1945, who, by a twist of fate, gets transported through time to 18th-century Scotland of warring clans and wars with the English. There she meets Jamie, a young Scottish warrior, whom she falls in love with.
Differences in time, circumstances and more make their love a futile one, but, as the cliché goes: nothing is impossible in love. And conquer the differences they did with their timeless love.
The love story of Claire and Jamie spans more than ten books, but the first book is enough to read their slow-burn romance. The rest of the books in the series tell their story and adventures when they’re already a couple. But you’re always welcome if you want to read on because the other books are just as riveting.
4. By a Thread
Well-written, witty and funny, By a Thread by Lucy Score is one of those books that will have you flipping the pages. It’s well-paced and the writing is cleverly fun that you can’t help but get captivated.
Our couple, Dominic and Ally, started on the wrong foot. That wouldn’t have mattered had Ally not ended up working for Dominic later on. As they navigate the intricacies of working close while hating each other, they find themselves falling into love instead.
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5. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me is written by “The Queen of Slow Burn”, Mariana Zapata.
Why “queen”, you might ask? Only because, to me (and to countless others, if her having numerous followers is anything to go by), she writes the best slow burn there is: mostly well-paced, with great romantic buildup, and with enough tiny details that bring the story to life. I honestly haven’t come across an author who writes slow burn as she does. And believe me, I’ve always been on the lookout.
I would have to warn you early on, though, that going forward you’d be seeing quite several books from her. I couldn’t, in good conscience, exclude them since they’re legitimately my favorites, so apologies in advance.
At any rate, The Wall of Winnipeg and Me is the story of Aiden and Vanessa. Aiden is a professional football player and Vanessa is his personal assistant. Vanessa doesn’t much like grumpy Aiden. But then some dislikes do turn into love when you’re both living in close quarters.
This book is the definition of slow burn since the pair doesn’t get together until so much later in the book. But the way Ms. Zapata builds up the relationship between these two is just wonderful seeing them come together is sensually fulfilling.
6. Melt for You
A woman gets some seduction pointers from her playboy, Rugby-playing, Scottish neighbor in this sweet and funny slow burn from author J.T. Geissinger.
Joellen has been in love with her boss for years and when an opportunity finally presents itself for her to make him notice, then Cameron McGregor offers to teach her a thing or two about the art of snagging a man. As tutor and student spend more time together, they would soon learn that something beautiful sometimes develops from close proximity.
Melt for You is a lovely read with some quick and witty banter between Joellen and Cameron. It’s hilarious in parts, but also heart-tugging when it needs to be.
7. Wrecking Ball
Wrecking Ball by P. Dangelico is another fantastic slow-burn romance I absolutely adore.
It’s the story of a struggling widow, Camilla, who gets hired as a nanny to the nephew of a popular football star, Calvin. Sparks fly when these two meet, and even more so when they have to live together.
I liked the pace of this slow burn as I found it to be just right; the progress of their relationship didn’t drag. Other things I love are the writing and the entertaining repartee between Camilla and Calvin. They share such a palpable romantic tension that culminated beautifully.
8. Rhythm, Cord, and Malykhin
Rhythm, Cord, and Malykhin is another fantastic slow burn from Mariana Zapata.
It’s the story of Gaby, who accepted an invitation from her brother to work selling merchandise in his band while they are on tour for the summer. She then meets one of the members of the other band they’re touring with, lead singer Sacha Malykhin. Both burned by love in the past, they learn to trust again and find a new and more beautiful love in each other.
This is a funny and fun book that’s low on angst. The romance of Gaby and Sacha is cute and heart-melting. Also providing laughs and more fun are the side characters consisting of Gaby’s twin brother and his close friends. Their group dynamic is hilarious and heartwarming.
The plot is quite simple and has definitely been done dozens of times, but what makes this a gem that stands apart from the others is the magic of Ms. Zapata’s writing. Just like in her other books, she shows you things, more than tells them. She gives these little details that make the characters come to life, making them believable and relatable.
9. From Lukov with Love
From Lukov with Love is another Mariana Zapata favorite.
This one is set against the backdrop of figure skating. Jasmine and Ivan are figure skaters who hate each other. Jasmine, who’s been having difficulties in the past several years with her career gets a big chance to pair up with popular and highly esteemed Ivan. Them being enemies poses a slight problem, but it’s a great opportunity for her, so team up they did.
There was a lot of bickering at the start, but all that turned into love.
Their journey is fascinating, and the ending is beautiful and satisfying.
10. Lead
Lead by Kylie Scott is another romance between a music band’s lead singer and his personal assistant.
Running away from a situation in her hometown, Lena Morrissey accepts a job as a personal assistant to Jimmy, lead singer of the popular band Stage Drive. She had to live with him as part of the job, which led to her having feelings for him. Jimmy, in a move to help her quash those feelings, sends her out on blind dates. Later, though, Jimmy started to reciprocate back.
This was such a fun and engaging romance. The parts where Jimmy was helping Lena date were hilarious, and heart-melting, in ways, since you can see that Jimmy was actually already starting to fall for her, but he just didn’t realize it yet. The scenes when he finally did are heart-tugging.
11. Dear Aaron
I don’t think I’ve ever read another book that made me smile and grin so much as Dear Aaron had me doing. I swear my face had this goofy expression the entire time that my cheeks were probably getting some exercise. Ha.
Dear Aaron is so witty, so cute, so much fun, and… just so a lot of much. A good portion of the book was devoted to the email exchanges between Ruby, the main female character, and Aaron, the main male character, which was such an adorable read. And really well-written and done.
Ruby and Aaron are sort of pen pals, except they do it through email (so maybe like, email pals?) Aaron is a soldier assigned overseas and Ruby was selected to communicate with him in this program that endeavors to help deployed soldiers avoid getting lonely. They started like that, but, of course, feelings developed over time.
Dear Aaron has everything I love about Ms. Zapata’s writing and more. More because it’s quite original and creative. Suffice it to say that I fell in love with the couple, their romance, and their story, as a whole.
12. Wait for It
My second favorite Mariana Zapata book is Wait for It.
The funny thing is, I didn’t expect to love Wait for It so much. When I picked up this book and read the synopsis, I thought it was just an okay read that wouldn’t leave much impression. I was fairly new to Ms. Zapata back then, so I knew there was a big probability that I was going to like it, but love?
But then I should have known better than to underestimate the brilliance that is Mariana Zapata. Because love it so much I did that by the end of the book I was ready to start it over again.
The story is that of Diana and Dallas who were neighbors. Diana was the guardian of her two small nephews. Dallas was aloof and distant at first, but they soon became friends and then, a couple.
It’s probably Ms. Zapata’s slowest of slow burns if you can call it that. But it doesn’t matter since there are always these significant events that are happening that enrich and propel the story forward. You get all these fine points that flesh out the characters’ personalities and relationships so that you get a finale that is more gratifying. So, in the end, everything’s all worth the wait.
13. A Court of Mist and Fury
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas is my favorite fantasy romance. This book wowed me—it’s simply on another level.
It’s the story of Feyre, a human, and Rhysand, a powerful fairy. Their romance is set against the backdrop of a world where humans and nonhumans co-exist, albeit not always peacefully. The road to their happily ever after is long and difficult. There are always conflicts, mysteries, and actions going on. But their romance is beautiful, powerful, and… epic.
Their story covers three full-length books and a novella. A Court of Mist and Fury is the second one in the series.
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14. Bet Me
If there’s an award for the Most Reread Book in my personal library, then Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie would grab the honors. No contest.
I discovered this book a while back from a friend who loaned me her paperback. I tried a few pages, went on to love it to bits, and then found my cheapskate self grabbing my hardback copy. Boy, was it expensive! Ha. But, on the other hand, really worth every penny, if its well-worn pages are anything to go by. Every reread makes me realize that I couldn’t love it more.
It’s the story of two people who don’t want to fall in love, and who refuse to despite fate always tossing them together. Minerva and Calvin are those two people—successful professionals, independent and driven.
Their chance encounters are hilarious; their repartee is quick and witty; the sweet moments they share, heart-melting.
This book is written in Crusie’s clever and quick prose, with side characters that are such hoots you can’t help but love them, too. The story has that cinematic rom-com feel that is so charming.
15. Kulti
If there is a perfect slow-burn romance book, then, for me, Kulti would be it. It has everything you’d want, and more: a fantastic plot, even pacing, a super likable heroine, an imperfect yet gallant hero, and a romance that’s built not only on love but also about friendship and loyalty. I couldn’t find fault with it.
The heroine is a professional soccer player who was coached by a famous international soccer icon. She’s nice and kind, he’s aloof and disagreeable. Sparks fly when they’re together. From being enemies to friends, and then becoming lovers, they would soon find out that falling in love isn’t as easy as it seems.
Kulti is the book I would find my fingers reaching out for when I’m in a reading slump. It’s the book that brings comfort when I need to get comforted. It’s one of my most treasured books. Period.
16. Attachments
I love, love, love Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. It’s a beautiful book that is told from the main male character’s point of view.
The story is about Lincoln, who works for the IT department of a newspaper company. One of his tasks is to warn employees whose email correspondence was flagged by the system. Some of these flagged emails are from Beth and Jennifer. The thing was, Lincoln didn’t warn these two about their inappropriate emails because at first he was sort of intrigued about Beth, and then later because he started liking her, and then eventually because he was falling for her. Lincoln was in a conundrum then as to how to come clean with Beth and whether or not to act on his feelings.
Attachments is such a great book — unique, well-written, with a solid plot and fleshed-out characters. It is unique because some parts of the story are in an email format and you get to know the personality of some characters, particularly Beth, through email exchanges. The slow-burn romance is so good — excellently paced, moving and heartfelt. I loved that it had such a satisfying happy ending.
17. The Love Act
The Love Act by Zara Bell is a fake dating romance between a famous Hollywood actor and a late-night TV show employee. Jack Hale, the actor, and Cassie Ray had to act like a loving couple in front of the cameras and the public to save Jack’s career and for Ray to earn money to help her friend. Fake turns into something beautifully real as they spend more time together.
The Love Act is an excellent book because the plot is solid, the writing is good and witty, and the characters are fleshed out. The slow-burn romance was done so well — excellently paced and with chemistry-filled romantic tension. The journey of Jack and Cassie is peppered with swoon-worthy moments and little details that build up to a satisfying union.
Final Thoughts
We hope you find your next favorite slow-burn romance read among these gems.
As always, don’t forget to share with others or save for later.
Happy reading!
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Great list – Many of these are new to me, so I am already starting to add them to the list! I have been in the mood for romance novels lately (change in season perhaps?) so this was the perfect post for me!!
Thank you! Glad you find this helpful. Hope you enjoy reading them.