



100 of the Best Slow Burn Romance Books
Are you on the hunt for the best slow burn romance books? Honestly, I don’t blame you.
After reading hundreds and hundreds of books over the years, I have finally determined that my absolute favorite book trope/style of love story is the slow burn romance.
Give me romances with all of the sexual tension, the longing, the loaded glances, the intense feelings, the emotions that make my stomach flip… it is my catnip and I can’t get enough! Honestly, that’s why I read books and all of my favorite romances have slow burns.
With a list of over 100 of my favorite slow burn romance novels – which consists of everything from friends-to-lovers to enemies-to-lovers, bad boys to cinnamon roll heroes, contemporary romance to historical romance, rock stars to sports stars, romantic comedies to romantic suspense – I hope they help you find a new favorite and fill your need for a little slow-burning loving.
Be sure to check back or bookmark this page, as this list will continually be updated!

This page is divided into four sections:
- What is Slow Burn Romance?
- My Top 3 Slow Burn Recommendations
- Books I have read and reviewed
- A list of books that I have read and highly recommend, but do not have reviews yet.
Also, if you are looking for slow burn romance books that are in Kindle Unlimited, be sure to check out my collaboration with Joy at HEANovelThoughts.
What Is Slow Burn Romance? (and why do I love it so)
- Slow burn romances are character-driven, and I love getting to know the characters through their internal dialogue, seeing their daily life, and their interactions with one another.
- Slow burn romances follow the characters as they fall in love gradually, giving us a realistic and genuine romantic experience. It allows us to watch the progression and transformation of their relationship over time.
- Since the storyline is slower-paced than insta-love, we have time to become invested in the characters and their relationship. It makes the payoff that much more rewarding!
- I find that the ending of a slow burn is much more satisfying since we’ve been following along for every step of the couple’s journey from beginning to end. It’s almost like a personal victory after all of the time and effort it took to get them to the point of a happily ever after!
Related: Check out my list of the best second chance romances. Click here!
My Top 3 Favorite Slow Burn Romance Books
It’s so hard to narrow down my list of personal favorites, but if I had to pick just three slow burns to recommend to readers, it would be these books. I wholeheartedly suggest you give them a try — especially if you are new to the slow burn trope.
1) The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
I loved The Hating Game SO MUCH. Sally Thorne may have been a debut author with this book, but she has written a quintessential enemies-to-lovers story that is incredibly smart and sassy. So well written, so entertaining, and so enjoyable–I couldn’t stop reading it and I didn’t want it to end. Ever.
2) The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
Mariana Zapata has earned her reputation as “The Queen of Slow Burn”. Her books are long, the characters are fleshed out thoroughly, and the relationships between the hero and heroine are allowed to steep until almost the last chapter. I can’t recommend The Wall of Winnipeg and Me more!
3) Arrogant Devil by R.S. Grey
R.S. Grey may be known these days as “The Queen of Rom-Coms”, but she is no slouch when it comes to slow-burning romances. She has several that I adore, but none as much as Arrogant Devil. The ranch-life storyline, the hardworking heroine, the grumpy hero, and the hilarious side-characters make this one a must-read!
The Best Slow Burn Romance Books I Have Read and Reviewed
Click on the image to be taken to the spoiler-free review of the book and to get more information, including the synopsis and purchase links.
- All
- Coming of Age
- Contemporary Romance
- Dark
- Fantasy
- Historical Romance
- Military Romance
- Mystery
- New Adult
- Novella
- Rock Stars
- Romantic Comedy
- Romantic Suspense
- Sports

A Favor for a Favor by Helena Hunting – All In Book 2

A Place in the Sun by RS Grey – Vacation Romance At Its Finest!

A Thousand Letters by Staci Hart – Persuasion with a Modern Twist

A Touch of Forever by Jo Goodman – Review + Exclusive Excerpt!

Acting on Impulse by Mia Sosa – Review + Excerpt

After We Fall by Melanie Harlow – City Girl Meets Grumpy Farmer!

Anything You Can Do by RS Grey – A Fun and Charming Workplace Romance!

Bad Judgment by Meghan March – Quick and Steamy Romance

Beard in Mind by Penny Reid – Winston Brothers Book 4

Beard Necessities by Penny Reid – The Bittersweet End of a Unique Series

Beard Science by Penny Reid – The Craftiest and Wiliest of Heroes!

Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland – Full of Heart and Steam!

Bedmates by Nichole Chase – Sweet and Heartbreaking

Big Rock by Lauren Blakely – Big Fun and Totally Adorable

Bossman by Vi Keeland – My Review + Read Chapter 1!

Cocky Bastard by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland – Review + Read Ch 1

Dating-ish by Penny Reid – Quirky Smart Romance!

Egomaniac by Vi Keeland – Hilarious, Heartfelt, and Hot!

Fall by Kristen Callihan – An Emotional Rockstar Romance with Tons of Heart!

Fireworks by Sarina Bowen – Young Love Gets a Second Chance!

Forever Right Now by Emma Scott – An Emotional Rollercoaster!

Grin and Beard It by Penny Reid – Redemption and Movie Stars

Hard Wood by Lauren Blakely – The Big Rock Big Finale

Heat Wave by Karina Halle – An Emotional and Fiery Love Story!

Hidden by Laura Griffin – A Page-Turner of a Mystery!

Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre – A Sassy Southern Romance!

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne – Review, Excerpt, and Author Q&A!

Idol by Kristen Callihan – Epic Banter and Chemistry!

Joy Ride by Lauren Blakely – Rivals to Lovers Done Right!

Love Sincerely Yours by Sara Ney and Meghan Quinn – A Witty Office Romance!

Loving Mr Daniels by Brittainy C Cherry – Emotionally Intense and Complex

Mack Daddy by Penelope Ward – Star-Crossed Lovers Get a Second Chance!

Make Me Bad by RS Grey – So Adorable, It’s the Opposite of Bad

Making Faces by Amy Harmon – Brilliant, Powerful, and Unforgettable!

Marriage of Inconvenience by Penny Reid – Phenomenal Ending to the Series!

Meet Cute by Helena Hunting – A Sweet and Charming Dramedy

Mister Moneybags by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland – Review + Excerpt

Mister O by Lauren Blakely – Saftisfyingly Smart Romance

Mists of the Serengeti by Leylah Attar – Heartbreaking and Magical!

Motion by Penny Reid – It’s Smart Romance Gold!

Neighbor Dearest by Penelope Ward – Review + Chapter 1

On the Corner of Love and Hate by Nina Bocci – Small-Town Romance, Big on Personality

Outmatched by Kristen Callihan and Samantha Young – An Awesome Writing Duo!

Passion on Park Avenue by Lauren Layne – Review & Excerpt

Rock Chick Reawakening by Kristen Ashley – The Prequel to the Series!

RoomHate by Penelope Ward – Angsty Second Chances

Royally Matched by Emma Chase – Royal Romance Perfection!

Royally Yours by Emma Chase – A Fantastically Regal Royal Romance

Ruckus by L.J. Shen – So Unexpected and My Favorite of the Series!

Shacking Up by Helena Hunting – Review, Excerpt, and Q&A!

Shameless by Lex Martin – Tattooed Bad-Boy Turned Single Father

Showmance by LH Cosway – Damaged Hero Meets Spunky Heroine!

Space by Penny Reid – This Series is Killing Me (in a good way)!

Stroked Long by Meghan Quinn – The Perfect Balance of Silly and Serious

Stud Finder by Lauren Blakely – Read My Review + a Tempting Excerpt

The Air He Breathes by Brittainy C Cherry – Unforgettable and Mesmerizing!

The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon – An Enchanting and Captivating Fantasy!

The Debt by Karina Halle – My Review + an Excerpt of the Book!

The Foxe and the Hound by RS Grey — Adorable & Fun!

The Gravity of Us by Brittainy C Cherry – 4th Book in the Elements Series

The Hot Shot by Kristen Callihan (Game On #4) – Review + Excerpt

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – 1 of the Best Debuts I’ve Ever Read!

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros – Emotional Military Romance

The Opposite of You by Rachel Higginson – Fiery and Swoon-worthy Chemistry!

The Player and the Pixie by Penny Reid and LH Cosway – Unexpectedly Emotional!

The Risk by Elle Kennedy – A Slow-Burning and Sassy Sports Romance

The Sexy One by Lauren Blakely – Single Dad Falls for the Nanny

The Simple Life by Tara Sivec – Rom-Com Goodness Perfect for Fall!

The Simple Wild by KA Tucker – Simply Beautiful!

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren – One of My Favorite Romances of the Year!

The Upside of Falling by Meghan Quinn – Book 1 of The Blue Line Duet

The Varlet and the Voyeur by Penny Reid and LH Cosway – Book 4

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata – 1 of the BEST Slow Burns Ever!

The Wish Collector by Mia Sheridan – A Magical and Beautiful Love Story

To Love and to Cherish by Lauren Layne – Wedding Belles Book 3

Truth or Beard by Penny Reid – Winston Brothers Book 1

Twist by Kylie Scott (Dive Bar #2) – Mistaken Identity Has Never Been So Fun!

Until it Fades by KA Tucker – A Charming and Modern Small-Town Fairytale

Vicious by LJ Shen – A Complex Hate-to-Love Story

Wanderlust by Lauren Blakely – a Brilliant Combination of Sweet and Swoony

Wasted Words by Staci Hart – Jane Austen Reimagined!
Slow Burns I Have Read and Highly Recommend
These are books that I read and loved, but do not have a review on this site.
Click on the cover to read the synopsis for the book, plus purchase links.

Amour Amour: A Vegas Circus Romance

Applied Electromagnetism: A Romantic Comedy (Chemistry Lessons Book 4)

Arrogant Devil

Beautiful Secret (The Beautiful Series Book 8)

Birthday Girl

By a Thread: A Grumpy Boss Romantic Comedy

Chasing Cassandra: The Ravenels

Coldhearted Boss

Confess: A Novel

Dark Wild Night (Wild Seasons Book 3)

Dear Aaron

Easy (Contours of the Heart Book 1)

Eleanor & Park

Everything Girl

Faking Under the Mistletoe

Flat-Out Love

From Lukov with Love

Getaway Girl

Hearts of Fire (Hearts Series Book 2)

Hotshot Doc

It Ain’t Me, Babe (Hades Hangmen Book 1)

Justified (Loveless Series Book 1)

King of Hearts (Hearts Series Book 3)

Kiss the Sky (Calloway Sisters Book 1)

Kissing Tolstoy: Student Teacher New Adult Romance (Dear Professor Book 1)

Kyland

Managed (VIP Book 2)

Melt for You (Slow Burn Book 2)

Midnight Blue

Mists of The Serengeti

Most of All You: A Love Story

Moti on the Water

Not So Nice Guy

Outlander: A Novel (Outlander, Book 1)

Red, White & Royal Blue

Rhythm, Chord & Malykhin

Roomies

Six of Hearts (Hearts Series Book 1)

Something to Talk About

Surviving Raine: Surviving Raine Book 1

Sustained

Ten Tiny Breaths: A Novel (The Ten Tiny Breaths Series Book 1)

That Second Chance (Getting Lucky Book 1)

The Bride Test

The Butterfly Project

The Cad and the Co-Ed: Secret Baby Sports Romance (Rugby Book 3)

The Deal (Off-Campus Book 1)

The Duchess Deal: Girl Meets Duke

The Flatshare: A Novel

The Fortunate Ones

The Friend Zone (Game On Series Book 2)

The Guy on the Right (The Underdogs Book 1)

The Hating Game: A Novel

The Paper Swan

The Sea of Tranquility: A Novel

The Studying Hours: How to Date a Douchebag

The Year We Fell Down: A Hockey Romance (The Ivy Years Book 1)

Transcendence

Under Locke
