Slow Dance
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3.7 • 103 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eleanor & Park and Attachments comes Slow Dance—a novel of true love and friendship.
“A will-they, won't-they second chance romance for the ages, this one is poised to be one of summer's breakout hits.” —PEOPLE
“Sexy, sweet, wise, and nostalgic – Jane Austen’s Persuasion for our times.” — Gabrielle Zevin, New York Times bestselling author of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
“Deeply human, profoundly romantic. Rowell will break your heart and you’ll thank her for it.” — Leigh Bardugo
“I loved every page of Slow Dance, a book that is romantic to its core, and as funny and smart as its wonderful characters.” — Emma Straub
Back in high school, everybody thought Shiloh and Cary would end up together . . . everybody but Shiloh and Cary.
They were just friends. Best friends. Allies. They spent entire summers sitting on Shiloh’s porch steps, dreaming about the future. They were both going to get out of north Omaha—Shiloh would go to go to college and become an actress, and Cary would join the Navy. They promised each other that their friendship would never change.
Well, Shiloh did go to college, and Cary did join the Navy. And yet, somehow, everything changed.
Now Shiloh’s thirty-three, and it’s been fourteen years since she talked to Cary. She’s been married and divorced. She has two kids. And she’s back living in the same house she grew up in. Her life is nothing like she planned.
When she’s invited to an old friend’s wedding, all Shiloh can think about is whether Cary will be there—and whether she hopes he will be. Would Cary even want to talk to her? After everything?
The answer is yes. And yes. And yes.
Slow Dance is the story of two kids who fell in love before they knew enough about love to recognize it. Two friends who lost everything. Two adults who just feel lost.
It’s the story of Shiloh and Cary, who everyone thought would end up together, trying to find their way back to the start.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
The path to love for the couple in this tender, emotional romance is long—and worth it. In high school, best friends Shiloh and Cary always quietly harbored feelings for each other. But after their one romantic encounter went terribly wrong, they went their separate ways. Now, 14 years later, he’s in the navy and she’s a single mom. And yet, when they reunite at an old friend’s wedding, they discover that the spark between them is still glowing. Author Rainbow Rowell crafts a gorgeously evocative tale around these two flawed and relatable characters. While Cary is straightlaced and Shiloh is quirky and artistic, we could sense what has drawn them together since their teen years in working-class Omaha. Narrator Rebecca Lowman beautifully portrays the characters’ messiness, uncertainty, and regret—along with their much-deserved feelings of excitement and hope. Kick back with this wonderfully bittersweet listen.
Customer Reviews
Not my favorite by a long shot
I really had a hard time liking either of these main characters. It’s honestly a miracle that it ended up the way it did. They both just seemed to constantly get in their own way. Some of the plot seemed entirely superfluous and unnecessary. Very Random. It moved really slowly and I really struggled to finish. For me this was an about face from her other books that I’ve loved.
Also, whether it was the way it was written or the way it was read, in the audiobook, I had a hard time keeping up with who was saying what.
Mikey and Lois were the best part of this book.
Also, I’m curious as to why setting is 2006.
Loved this book!
loved
Love!!
I loved this book and the audiobook was great! The story for me was so beautifully written and the two characters so relatable. I just truly felt the longing each character felt for the other, I cried and sighed at their journey towards one another. And honestly, this was such a great romance book in that the characters were regular people, so you can actually relate to their fears, anxieties, and family drama.
This has been my second 5 star read for me for 2024– the other being “Just for the Summer” by Abby Jimenez, for reference.
If you’re looking for a touching romance book about 2 people with difficulties expressing vulnerability due to their upbringing and how they finally manage to make their way back to each other- please check this audiobook/book out!