Slow Dance Audiobook By Rainbow Rowell cover art

Slow Dance

A Novel

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Slow Dance

By: Rainbow Rowell
Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman
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About this listen

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 romantic 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

Back in high school, everybody thought Shiloh and Cary would end up together . . . everybody but Shiloh and Cary.

They were just friends. Best friends. They spent entire summers sitting on Shiloh’s porch steps, dreaming about the future. They promised each other that, no matter what, 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
Coming of Age Contemporary Heartfelt Funny Feel-Good Divorce
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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

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

Soooooo good

The dialogue is snappy, the plot moves quickly, the characters are extremely relatable and ones you care about.

And the love story! Delightful.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Unusual love story.

The writing was unique and very good, but the overall story was just too slow and I somehow never was fully invested in the characters.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Such a special love story

Rowell is made of magic, and the narration was amazing as usual. You really root for these characters even when you want to yell at them in frustration.

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

Just OK

I wasn’t overly engaged. I usually finish an audio book within 2 day and this took me a week.

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

Outstanding performance

The actress that read this book is phenomenal. I loved the story and the characters but felt a little on edge even at the last scene!

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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

Lovely Love Story

I never listen to romance novels. But this one was recommended by Reese Witherspoon. I thought I would give it try and so glad I did. It was just so real and heartfelt and such deep dive into the characters. I really felt I knew them. The narrator was excellent. I could listen to her all day long.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Just Okay

I had high hopes for this book since it was chosen as a Reese’s Book Club book of the month. I felt like the story was all over the place (I know there are intentional flashbacks; that’s not my issue.) I also thought there was way too much unnecessary dialogue. It just wasn’t my cup of tea and dragged on in sections, but not the worst read ever.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

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.

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10 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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?

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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1 person found this helpful