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Slow Dance

By: Rainbow Rowell
Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman
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Publisher's summary

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 thereand 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.

©2024 Rainbow Rowell (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers
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Critic reviews

A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK

“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

What listeners say about Slow Dance

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

It was fine

This book was fine, but I honestly don’t see what all the fuss is about. It’s more of a character study than anything, and somewhat anti-climactic.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good character development

So I didn’t like or dislike this one. It’s very long. And the characters are very much brought to life. That being said, I didn’t love Shiloh. But, I didn’t dislike her. I think I just didn’t relate to some of her tendencies.
I would not listen again. Narrator did great. I’m not super familiar with her. But, if you like lengthy disfunctional family stories, you’d probably like this.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A moving love story!

A quick read that travels from a childhood friendship into adulthood. Family drama and illnesses. A love story about the truest form of love.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

GREAT!!!

This was my first solo audiobook and I am hooked. The prose is gorgeous and I loved it!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Rainbow being Rainbow

If you love her other books this one will not disappoint. The authors voice comes through like all her books. My only dislike was the ending just seemed to fizzle a bit. Great characters and story. Can wait for her next book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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My favorite so far!

Really beautiful story. I have loved all of Rainbow’s books but this is one of my favorites. I’m a sucker for a friends-lovers romance. These characters feel familiar to me. They feel like people I grew up with. I love them.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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So authentic!

I loved this story! So well written and heartfelt and true to life. The book moves forward in a way that is so satisfying. An HEA for me is this kind of connection through all the times.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Messy, Real, Sweet

Slow Dance was a tender story. Love gets tangled up in so much of the broken parts of life. The telling of this story was beautiful!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved It

I enjoyed this one so much and found myself slowing down to make it last longer. I loved Shiloh and Cary as they were so relatable and believable. I cared about these characters and their complicated relationship, and I especially loved Cary and his tenderness towards Shiloh. The narrator is wonderful which added to the enjoyment.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Slow burn for sure

I liked this book, some of the situation, for sure, seem fictional. But all in all, I enjoyed the story.

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