Slow Burn - by Oti Mabuse (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Filled with scenes of sizzling passion, plot beats of swoon-worthy romance, and a cast of Black female characters that you'll fall in love with, Slow Burn brims with heat and heart. Perfect for fans of Talia Hibbert, Laura Jane Williams, Tia Williams, Farrah Rochon, Hannah Grace and Bolu Babalola.

For dancer Lira, Latin Ballroom is everything. Whilst her dreams of fame were cut short aged 19, she's never forgotten the connection she felt dancing with a stranger at the Paris World Championship afterparty 13 years ago. Now, with her younger sisters pursuing their own successful dancing careers, and the responsibility of running the family dance studio falling to her, Lira's ambitious flame is about to flicker out. Until a chance encounter sees her secretly auditioning for Slow Burn, a new dance show about to embark on a 6-week European tour, and coming face to face with a blast from her past that sends her reeling.

Gabriele is the quintessential bad boy of the Latin Ballroom scene. Slim of hip, with long, lean muscles that pop, a chiselled jaw, dark eyes, obscenely long lashes, and a mouth that just won't give, it's no surprise when he lands the principal male lead role on Slow Burn. But, with just a few weeks to go till the tour starts, he still hasn't found his female co-star. All it takes is one audition to set his world on fire...

On the dance floor they're smouldering, off it, they're on fire.

'Full of heat and glamour. I couldn't put it down' LAURA WOOD

'Second chance romance, the most delicious slow burn, and two fantastic leads with a fiery chemistry that'll have you feverishly turning the page' ANISE STARRE

'A dazzling romance that swept me off my feet with sizzling chemistry' LIZZIE DAMILOLA BLACKBURN

'So hot the sparks fly off the page!' ISABELLE BROOM

'Delicious!' EVA VERDE

'Sparkles with fun and sizzle' LUCY VINE

'Hooked me in from the beginning' BEVERLEY KENDALL

'A brilliant and sizzling romance! A must-read for romance lovers!' BETH REEKLES

Review Quotes

Readers LOVE Slow Burn

'A beautiful story. I couldn't put it down' NOEMI
'You can feel the tension and heat between Lira and Gabriele from the very beginning' WENDY
'The chemistry between Lira and Gabriele builds from a gentle sizzle to hot, hot, hot!' KAREN
'Romantic, colourful and dynamic' JOANNE
'There's just the right amount of tension, and spice' ELIZABETH
'The electricity and passion between Lira and Gabriele make for a sizzling read' ANNETTE
'This steamy, sultry, dance-inspired novel will draw you in and keep you hooked!' TRISH
'A beautiful and compelling read' LOUISE
'Strong female characters and the will-they won't-they romance make for a great read!' KAREN
'Flaming hot!! A smouldering and seductive read' KERRIE
'Passionate, evocative and mesmerising. The hottest book of the year' MICHELLE
'Sparkles with electrifying dancing, drama, family dynamics, and sizzling chemistry!' CLAIRE
'Passionate, romantic and full of glitter and glamour' KERRY
'Steamy, gripping and addictive' KIRSTY
'I really enjoyed the scenes where Lira and Gabrielle dance, their chemistry was off the scale. A brilliant read' PREENA
'Vibrant, heartfelt, simmering with emotion and sparkling with chemistry' SHARON

'A glorious treat of a novel full of heat and glamour. With scorching chemistry, family tensions and a peek at the behind-the-scenes world of dancing, I couldn't put it down' LAURA WOOD, author of Under Your Spell

'A dazzling romance that swept me off my feet with sizzling chemistry and fabulous dance-floor moments. Lira and Gabriele are richly drawn characters who peel back each other's layers (and clothes!) with tenderness and heat. A flirty, fun read packed with heart' LIZZIE DAMILOLA BLACKBURN, author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?

'So hot the sparks fly off the page!' ISABELLE BROOM, author of The Summer Trip

'This second chance tale of hot dance floor chemistry drops you into the heat. Delicious!' EVA VERDE, author of In Bloom

'Such a total joy! Slow Burn sparkles with fun and sizzle. I adored Lira and Gabriele and was completely sucked in from page one' LUCY VINE, author of Book Boyfriend

'Slow Burn hooked me in from the beginning. Lira and Gabriele are beautifully developed in this second-chance romance. After thirteen years apart, I loved the couple's sexual tension-filled reunion on the dance floor. While both are dealing with families pulling them away from their dreams, through triumph and tragedy, the two realize they must forge their own path in life' BEVERLEY KENDALL, author of Token

'A brilliant and sizzling romance! Packed full of warmth, wonderful characters and a fun, unique setting, Lira and Gabriele's story well and truly shines! A must-read for romance lovers!' BETH REEKLES, author of The Kissing Booth

'This checked all my boxes! Second chance romance, the most delicious slow burn, and two fantastic leads with a fiery chemistry that'll have you feverishly turning the page. Outside of the romance, the thoughtful exploration of family and responsibilities was so well done and had me feeling for both Lira and Gabriele. The perfect read if you're looking for something to heat things up this autumn!' ANISE STARRE, author of Just A Taste and the Flights and Feelings trilogy

About the Author

As one of the most instantly recognisable faces in the UK and one of the country's most beloved broadcasters, presenters and talent show judges, Oti Mabuse is a dancer of international success and renown, winning titles and championships across the world. The only professional on Strictly Come Dancing to win twice concurrently, she left after seven years on the show and became a judge on Dancing on Ice, before taking the head judge role on Dancing With The Stars Ireland in 2026. Family and connection means everything to Oti and in December 2023 she welcomed her first child into the world. Oti spends her (hard won) downtime getting used to the rhythm of Mum-life and escaping into romantic fiction, which, second only to her love of dance, is her other passion in life. Her favourite authors include Colleen Hoover, Bernadine Evaristo and Dolly Alderton.

?"My name, Otlile, means 'I am here' in Setswana, and that's exactly what I am - here. For too long women like me - empowered, curvy, black women - haven't been able to see ourselves in swoon-worthy, heart-racing romances... I want to change that." Oti Mabuse