Slow Dance: A Novel

Written by Rainbow Rowell

Narrated by 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jul 30, 2024
• ISBN: 9780063380226

Rainbow Rowell

Rainbow Rowell is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Slow Dance, Eleanor & Park, and the Simon Snow trilogy, as well as several other award-winning novels, short stories, and comics. She lives with her family in Omaha, Nebraska.

Reviews for Slow Dance

[Jill Ann · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A love story a lifetime in the making! A story of hope, faith and fighting for second chances even if you have to convince yourself you deserve them. A story of lifelong friendship and first love- finding your soulmate and realizing that somewhere in your hearts, you always already knew it.

[Kimberly Sellers · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The narrator was really difficult to get through. Overall, just a little slow.

[drpqvbsqms · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This narrator sounds like AI… weird. Inflections on words. It completely took me out of the story unfortunately

[stacia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very much enjoyed this as an audiobook. I always enjoy Rainbow’s style of story telling. It’s stripped down to the essentials without feeling minimalist like you’re missing important elements.

[hwq8nf4pc9 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rainbow Rowell never fails to write characters that pull me in and shed light on human behaviors. I love the way she describes in her stories. Every time I read one of her books it changes my life.

[julie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love her books, lots of angst in this one. From their teens to their 30+

[Michelle Tate · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great storyline. Little slow at first. Almost put it down, but glad I didn’t.

[Ali Carlson · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Didn’t love this. Didn’t really feel like there was ever a climax that had me wanting more.

[fabiingrassia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this story so much. The narration was perfect.

[Barb O'Connor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the characters. Very honest portrayal of single motherhood. Great story!