Slow Burn by Ali Rosen is a lovely novel that makes one realize that there are promises in the small quiet spaces we take to reset ourselves. The novel is listed as a love story between two people, but it is also a love story about pasta, Italy and olives. It is a love story about food and people and taking the time to find yourself. It is a love story about pastries and apricot olive oil ricotta cake.
Kit loves cooking and the city of New York with all its madness is her place, until her restaurant burned. Knowing she will not be able to cook for a number of months and feeling distraught, her bestie sends her to Manciano, Italy to help her Nonna make pasta. Kit doesn’t think this is the place, but goes and finds out making pasta with a few ingredients is much more complicated and complex than she thought. Slowly as Kit settles into Manciano, she meets Nico. He grows and processes olives at his farm. Nico and Kit seriously spark off each other, but both are unwilling to commit as they know it is short term.
The novel reads beautifully with all the characters and places in Manciano. I loved how the characters all supported each other and were not afraid to tell the blunt truth. I craved pasta the entire way through the book! Nico and Kit, as main characters, were awesome! Slow Burn by Ali Rosen is an awesome book to read slowly and enjoy the journey.
My favorite quote. Peace is brought into the world with love and not with force. (Pp258 Slow Burn)
