Why slow-burn is the best kind of romance to read
When love stories simmer like a well-cooked stew, they grow more aromatic with age. In the romance book world, we call these novels slow-burn romances. They bring the best kind of tension to a heartwarming story.
I’m almost done watching the forensic-detective series Bones. This TV series follows a team of scientists as they team up with the FBI to solve crimes. The two main characters of this show are Temperance “Bones” Brennan who is an extremely smart forensic anthropologist and Seeley Booth, an FBI agent.
Across twelve seasons, we follow Bones and Booth on their adventures as they hunt killers and are often under threat themselves. They are great partners, but there is a tension between Bones and Booth, the kind that can so easily explode into love. But do they get together? They initially hate each other, they argue, and they are opposites in every way possible - Bones likes logic and rational thoughts whereas Booth trusts his gut.
Are they meant to be together? We all want them to be. But when do they actually end up getting together? At the end of season six. Yes, season six!!
As a huge champion for Bones and Booth, the episode they finally end up becoming a couple was cause for a huge celebration. But until then, I was screaming at the screen for them to kiss, hoping that this time would be when they finally become a couple. All those misses were like torture, the good kind.
Seeing Bones and Booth dance the tango, I realised something else. Slow-burn is the best kind of romance novel. It’s my favourite. So much so that I often write stories like Bones!
Slow-Burn With High Tension
A slow-burn brings so much delicious tension into the mix. After all, the couple wants to be together. They should be together, but they just can’t. They can’t because they think the other is a criminal… or they can’t because they believe the other person is far too important as a friend.
So what do they do instead? They dance around each other, they might even argue, try to push each other away, but that fiery bond between them never lets them get away.
Yum! I LOVE that tension.
Slow-Burn Where They First Touch
We all love that first time the bond pulls them close. Maybe it’s mid-argument or in those rare moments of complete honesty. Oh my god, I once had Sloane and Joshua from Lessons In Deception arguing in a hotel room. The pulling and shoving ends with Joshua on top of Sloane on the bed. Perfect makings for a romantic scene. But do they kiss? Err… you’ll need to read the book to find out:)
Slow-Burn Where They Decide to Fight or Make a Truce
Like in Bones, I’ve realised that slow-burn romances give the couple a chance to decide: will they be friends or will they hate each other? In my romantic suspense novel Dangerous Escape, Leo and Molly meet in a pub when she’s trying to escape from her abusive ex. She is penniless and with a young-daughter relying on her. He is a new billionaire with no one to call his own.
He helps her out of a tough spot, knowing she is in no shape for a relationship. But this guy is consistent. He helps out with her daughter, being an unexpected father figure, he gives them shelter, he helps out at home… and asks for nothing in return. For Molly, he is the perfect guy. But he is also a close friend she doesn’t want to lose.
But two years on, the tension is at a boiling point, the stakes too high… Maybe it’s time for Molly to make a move… Or is it?
Their tension is opposite to that of Sloane and Joshua, who don’t trust each other, but decide to tolerate each other while they investigate the disappearance of Sloane’s sister. But of course, the tension can only escalate so much until the veneer cracks and emotions come out to play.
Slow-Burn Opposites Attract Romances
Like I said with Bones, I am a sucker for a slow-burn opposites attract romance. In my opinion, you get the whole brigade of tropes: they start as enemies, end up becoming partners and friends, they grow closer meshing their opposing traits into a great partnership built on trust, and then just when you think they’ll end up together, their bond is tested. Talk about juicy love stories.
Slow-Burn Romance Recommendations
If you’re one who loves to see the couple go through the wringer and come out on the other side stronger, I’ve got a few slow-burn romance recommendations for you. And these recs are books I’ve written. So I promise you, you’ll them:
Lessons In Deceptions by Shana Frost
A crime scene isn’t the best place to fall in love, but Joshua and Sloane didn’t get the memo.
Sloane is a romance-book-loving, pink-haired carer who stumbles into Joshua and sends him sprawling on the ground. Oops. But her galloping heart at seeing a manifestation of the perfect book-boyfriend isn’t the only thing stirring… Joshua is transfixed by the beauty on top of him.
That is until she accuses him of killing her sister.
Err what?
My reader said about their story,
"Watching Sloane and Josh circle each other was torture of the best kind."
-Nikki's Book Nook.
And I agree with her.
Read Lessons In Deception
Dangerous Escape by Shana Frost
Leo and Molly are cute together, and I don’t even want to get started on Molly’s wee daughter Rose. Leo is the most attentive man out there. Babysitting Rose, caring for her as a father might, helping Molly get back on her feet, and then helping her slay her demons… Leo is the book boyfriend who will have your heart melting.
Molly is as strong as they come. Running from her dangerous ex, she will do anything to get her daughter to safety including holding a stranger’s hand and hoping he helps them out. But she is no damsel in distress. This woman only needs a break, because when her ex comes looking for her again, she is ready to fight her own battles. She only needs Leo to stand by her and believe in her. When I was telling Molly’s story, I felt so proud of her.
If you’re looking for a Cinderella-like story, where she saves herself from her abusive ex while also finding her prince? Read Dangerous Escape, only available on Kobo and Kobo Plus.
Those are my recommendations for you. Do you enjoy slow-burn romances or instant obsessions ruin you more? I had asked this question to my mailing list a while ago. Read it and tell me what you think! And if you’re anything like me and love discovering books with all sorts of delicious romance tropes, here are some of the romance book authors I love to read. I also want to know from you- which one is your favourite slow-burn romance novel? Comment below and let me know.