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Slow-burn romance books are my absolute favorite thing to read.
Seriously, I can’t get enough of that gradual build-up where every small interaction between the characters feels meaningful.
Whether it’s the moment when they finally realize how much they care for each other or when a touch that’s supposed to be casual feels anything but – those moments make my heart race in the best way.
And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love that slow tension before the big romantic payoff?
I like to think of myself as a slow-burn romance expert, mainly because I spend a lot of time watching Asian dramas (they’re PG but full of delicious tension).
There’s something about how these shows take their time to build chemistry between characters; like when they share a quiet look, or when they’re so close but just not close enough.
That slow, slow build? Perfection.
It’s exactly what I want from a romance novel, too – where every little glance or word exchanged makes you fall for the characters more and more.
1. Radiance by Grace Draven

Brishen, the prince of the Kai, is tasked with marrying Ildiko, a woman from another kingdom, to seal a political alliance.
He expects an unattractive bride but is blown away by Ildiko’s beauty inside and out.
Despite their very different worlds, they discover they’re exactly what the other needs.
This is a slow-burn fantasy love story that blossoms between two people who didn’t think love was even possible for them and it’s so heartwarming!
2. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Khai doesn’t think he’s capable of love (because of his autism), and when his mom arranges for him to meet Esme, a woman from Vietnam, he’s sure it won’t work.
But Esme, who’s trying to make a better life for herself and her family, falls for Khai, even though he’s convinced he’s incapable of loving her.
Over time, they both learn that love is more complicated and beautiful than they thought.
3. Close Quarters by Kandi Steiner

Aspen, a photographer, is just trying to survive her summer on a yacht with her boyfriend and his billionaire boss, Theo.
But Theo, who’s used to getting whatever he wants, sees Aspen in a way no one else does.
As the days pass, their attraction grows, and soon, Aspen’s fighting feelings she doesn’t want to have for a man who seems to want her more than she ever expected.
4. Marriage for One by Ella Maise

Jack proposes to Rose out of the blue, and though it’s not a romance at first, their arrangement slowly turns into something real.
With Jack’s cool demeanor and Rose’s vulnerability, their slow-burn relationship grows into something beautiful and unexpected.
Watching their walls come down is truly something special, and the way they both open up to each other just tugs at your heartstrings.
5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy start off disliking each other, but through witty banter and misunderstandings, they start to realize that perhaps they’ve misjudged one another.
The slow burn here is one of the best, with the tension between them building with each interaction.
Their story is a classic example of love blooming despite first impressions.
6. Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle

Maybell inherits a house and has to share it with Wesley, a grumpy groundskeeper.
Their different personalities make it hard at first, but as they spend more time together, they begin to understand each other in ways they didn’t expect.
And their slow-burn romance is about breaking through the walls and finding unexpected love in the most unlikely places.
7. Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

Knox, a solitary man with a rough exterior, doesn’t expect to care about Naomi, a woman in a tough spot after being left by her twin.
But life throws them together, and as they work through their problems, their slow-burn connection grows.
This one’s a heartwarming and unexpected love story that takes its time to build – just the way it should.
8. The Perfect Catch by Meghan Quinn

Walker, a baseball player with a bad reputation, gets stuck with Kate, a PR manager, for a work assignment.
What starts as a professional relationship quickly turns into something more, with secret touches and stolen moments.
Their chemistry builds slowly, and it’s all about finding love when you least expect it. Such a fun and spicy slow burn.
9. Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan

Bree moves to a small town in Maine, hoping to leave her past behind.
There, she meets Archer, a silent man with a painful secret.
The romance between them is heart-wrenching, yet uplifting, as they both learn to trust and love again.
10. The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

Jess, a single mom and a math whiz, thinks love is just a numbers game.
But when her DNA test shows an unusual 98% compatibility with the grumpy founder of a matchmaking company, Dr. River Peña, she’s skeptical.
But as they spend more time together, Jess begins to realize that maybe there’s more to science – and love – than she thought.
11. On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

Jocelyn has a mysterious past that she’s running from, but when she meets Braden, a charming man who wants her despite her walls, everything changes.
They start a no-strings-attached arrangement, but Braden’s determination to know her deeply leads to a romance that challenges everything Jocelyn thought she wanted.
12. The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

Alexa agrees to be Drew’s fake date to his ex’s wedding, but their chemistry is undeniable.
As they spend more time together, the line between fake and real blurs.
It’s a slow-burn, feel-good romance about two people learning that sometimes the best relationships start when you least expect them.
13. The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Shay and Dominic don’t like each other at all, but when they’re forced to host a podcast as fake exes giving relationship advice, their relationship becomes a lot more complicated.
The show takes off, and as they pretend to be exes, they start to feel real emotions that could either make or break everything.
14. All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata

Aurora moves back to her old town to heal, but she’s not expecting to find herself drawn to her new landlord, Rhodes.
But slowly, the two of them start to connect, and their slow-burn romance is sweet and tender, and it shows that love can heal even the most broken hearts.
15. The Gravity of Us by Brittainy C. Cherry

Lucy and Graham are opposites – she’s emotional, he’s apathetic – but when they meet, sparks fly.
Their connection is instant, but their struggles with love and personal demons make their relationship complicated.
Will their love be strong enough to survive the gravity that pulls them apart?
16. To Love and to Cherish by Lauren Layne

Alexis, a successful wedding planner, doesn’t expect to fall for Logan, her business partner who’s always been all business.
But when they get closer, she starts to see a different side of him, and their slow-burn romance builds into something neither of them saw coming.
This one is a sweet and flirty journey about love blooming where it’s least expected.
17. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Olive, a Ph.D. candidate, convinces her best friend that she’s in a relationship by kissing the first guy she sees: Adam, a hotshot professor.
And what starts as a fake relationship turns into something real, with sparks flying and emotions growing.
Their slow-burn romance has witty banter and a little bit of science, but mostly a whole lot of heart.
18. The Love Interest by Kayley Loring

Fiona’s life is turned upside down by Emmett, her new professor, who writes her anonymous letters filled with playful tension and hidden feelings.
Their chemistry is undeniable, and Fiona can’t help but be drawn to him despite his teasing.
This slow-burn romance is full of banter, heart, and the gradual unraveling of their deep connection, which makes every moment of their exchanges unforgettable.
19. Royally Yours by Emma Chase

Princess Lenora must marry for duty, but she’s captivated by Edward, a man who once walked away from royalty.
As their interactions spark fierce tension, their undeniable chemistry grows stronger.
With wit, passion, and heart, they start a journey to find love amidst the pressures of the crown.
20. Forbidden by Karla Sorensen

Isabel’s life is shaken when Aiden, a widowed single dad she’s had a crush on for years, becomes part of her world.
Despite their strong chemistry, Aiden tries to resist because he knows that she’s younger and too tempting for him.
But their connection is undeniable and this leads to a slow-burn romance full of emotional highs, longing, and the risk of loving someone forbidden.
I hope you found something new to read from this list!
Make sure to check out my related posts for even more book suggestions.
And don’t forget to leave a comment with your own favorite slow-burn romances.
I can’t wait to hear what you think!