Slow Dance

A Novel

De: Rainbow Rowell

Narrado por: Rebecca Lowman

A REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Rainbow Rowell comes Slow Dance—her smartest, funniest, most powerful novel yet

“If you, like me, think thirty-somethings methodically working through their issues is very hot, Slow Dance is the book for you. The people in it feel like people you know or maybe even people you’ve been. Slow Dance is 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

Shiloh Butler was supposed to get out of north Omaha.

She used to sit out on the front porch with her best friend, Cary, and plot their escape. Shiloh was going to be an actress – she had a scholarship to a good school – and Cary was laser-focused on the Navy. Sharp, stoic, golden-eyed Cary . . . thin as a stick of gum and poor as dirt. He was probably the most decent person Shiloh has ever known. She hasn’t spoken to him in fourteen years.

When Shiloh gets an invitation to a high school friend’s wedding, Cary is the first and only thing on her mind.

She desperately wants to see him again, but she doesn’t know if she can bear being seen by him. What would Cary think of Shiloh at thirty-three? A divorced mom living in the same house she grew up in. Someone who works behind a desk, not onstage.

Would Cary even want to see Shiloh after all this time? After everything?

The answer, it turns out, is yes.

In her triumphant return to adult fiction, Rainbow Rowell has written a love story so honest and human – so cathartic – you’ll feel it in your bones. Slow Dance is as sharp and compassionate as you’d expect from Rowell. Deeply, profoundly romantic, it’s a power ballad of a book.

Well-written but didn't get the full effect

3.5 stars. This second-chance romance is well-written, with a believable plot, dialogue which feels genuine and refreshingly regular, flawed, non-glamorous people at its center. The story alternates between the past and the present, starting off with the reunion of friends for a wedding and gradually filling in the backstories with narratives and scenes which shed light on their characters and relationship. There is definitely a quirky element to the friendship between Cary, Mikey and Shiloh, and I could believe how Cary and Shiloh didn't hold on to their friendship the same way after high school or allow romance to blossom because life got in the way and they made decisions based on their perceptions and insecurities. Romance novel fans will find much to enjoy that is not within the typical romance formula. However, I found myself emotionally detached from the characters and their situation. I wanted to finish reading to see how they would resolve their situation, but I did not feel connected to them. The novel dragged on too much for my taste and I often felt impatient with the characters.
About the audiobook: Rebecca Lowman does a very good job narrating, bringing the characters to life and moving the plot along with good energy.

10/10!!!

Ugggh this was just so wonderful!!! Had me beaming!!! 🥰🥰🥰 Such a feel gewwwd!

This was my first Rainbow Rowell novel. I’ve seen her books around for the last year or so and as usual, the cover to this one really grabbed me so I decided to read! I loved every page of this! You are invested into the dynamic of Shiloh and Cary from the get-go! What I probably love the most is that like most books like this, it is NOT predictable! It was surprising at every turn, and whatever I thought I was going to happen happened another way - often better than what I had in mind! In fact, I thought this book was going to be way different than what I figured. Honestly, most juvenile. One of those cases where the cover is better than the actual book. I was geared up for a possible let down or meh, 3 out 5 stars. BUT… NO 😃

Its humor in the dialogue really carries you through the story too. It keeps you engaged and totally gushing!! You root for these characters and also care about the sub charters too! They aren’t forgettable which is such a refreshment! Each role plays a very important part in these people’s lives. Rowell is a fabulous writer and now I just want to read everything she’s written!

10/10!!!

Ps. The sex scene is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥!!!

Narrator was fantastic! Enjoyed her narration here than when she narrated "Rules of Civility" by Amor Towles! In "Slow Dance" her voice for the character Lois sounded so much like Sadness from Disney Pixar's "Inside Out" which was really cute and fun to hear! Anyone else pick up on that?

Unexpected gem

This was a great story about relationships. It’s not overly exciting but the character development is great. You really feel for what the main characters are going through. It’s not your typical romance but it’s much more realistic.

Great book. Great narration

Such a sweet story of deep, unwavering love. This book is beautifully narrated. It doesn’t matter how amazing a book is, if the narrators voice is hard to listen to, but it’s always a no go.

Real life love story

I love Rainbow Rowell!! Ever since Eleanor and Park, but the ending of this book was just so perfect. The story itself wasn’t like other novels. It’s real people and real life but still with the feels of a great love story. And of course Rebecca Lowman always delivers. I saw this was being narrated by my favorite Rebecca Lowman and didn’t even have to read the description before I clicked purchase. She always delivers a great story with that wonderful voice of hers.

Frustrating but good

Shilo and Carey were so frustrating and stubborn. Can someone please explain to me why in all the time that Carey was away at deployment Shilo never once offered to help or go see Carey’s mom? I mean they lived only blocks away! Not to mention when she was recovering from her hip surgery!!! This left me with too many unanswered questions.

Really cute!

I find it so lovely that people can have second chances when they miss the first one, love is never perfect but it can be so beautiful even tho.

The most realistic, relatable book ever. 5 stars are not enough!

This book was so honest. From teen angst to adult issues. It was realistic. A journey of growth even for the shall I say damaged or children who did not have the best start… This book kept my throat wobbling…tears in my eyes but in a good way.. It took two days because of work. But I could have done it in one because it was so hard to put down. Not a book you want to miss a word of. Not a word.

Fun and Nostalgic

This was a fun and nostalgic book. I loved that it was about the military and the early 90's.

I loved the character development. I also was very attracted to the chemistry

I would recommend this book. The readers were great. They made the characters and dialogue very relatable