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Slow Burn #3

Simmering Love

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A couch, a lie, and a Mafia problem. What could go wrong?

The day Ben Johnson decides to sell his couch is the day he gets a new roommate. Pepper is chatty, spunky, and nothing he is looking for but everything he might need. After all, his last roommate tried to drain him dry and is now involving him with possible Mafia characters. While spending time with Pepper, he realizes that not only has she moved into his apartment, but she seems to be moving into his heart as well.

Always predictable and now dishonest, Pepper Stratten is following her own dreams, not the dreams her parents have for her. After moving halfway across the country, she finds out her newly leased apartment is mold-infested, and she ends up rooming with a stranger—of the male variety. As her lie continues to grow, so do her feelings for Ben—until a lie of his own threatens to send their relationship up in flames. But Pepper might be the one person Ben needs to put his fire out.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2020

10 people are currently reading
43 people want to read

About the author

Jacie Lennon

14 books506 followers

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5 stars
24 (58%)
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8 (19%)
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8 (19%)
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1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
1,908 reviews8 followers
June 9, 2020
This is a new to me author that I took a chance on and was not disappointed. I loved the story and the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Maria (Ri).
5,138 reviews16 followers
November 2, 2021
4 stars

Cute, entertaining read. It was great to see familiar characters from the previous books. The plot of this book was different than I was expecting from the blurb. There were a few spots in the story that I wished had been fleshed out but still, this was a cute story for a rainy evening.
Profile Image for Raja.
Author 25 books358 followers
June 5, 2020
I received an ARC copy of this book just two days ago! I finished it in ONE because I could NOT put it down!

Let me start off by saying Pepper is a fun and vibrant name! True to those words, so is she! She has spunk, character and is funny as heck! I love her chatty ways and bubbly personality! She is quite infectious.

Ben plays the part of the cool guy when deep down inside, he doesn’t know how to act or handle Pepper and all her pepperiness! He sexy as all get out and to hot not to look.

Sparks fly from day one but they each have a motto that they plan on sticking to until the end! Throw in some shady happenings and you have yourself one heck of a mystery.

I laughed so much reading this book and highlighted so many new phrases and words that I’m going to input into my daily vocabulary (if I don’t already use some of them)!

The storyline was great, the characters are phenomenal, the ending was epic!
This was my first book by Jacie and she did NOT disappoint!

Love love loved it♥️
Profile Image for Jennifer Olivas.
542 reviews7 followers
June 3, 2020
Totally loved Pepper from the first time you meet her. She is funny, spunky, and a really sweet lady. She is the cousin of Mason, who works with Ben as a firefighter. She comes to look at a couch and ends up as Bens roomate. Ben's a super sexy, sweet guy who always has to put his brothers needs before his own, much to the detriment of his own dreams. Ben and Pep pretty much have the hots for each other from day one, but it is a steamy and sometimes frustrating journey for them to admit their feelings. These two had such amazing chemistry, and they really complimented each other. Loved the fact that there was suspense and romance! Loved the epilogue too! Another excellent book in the series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Virginia.
746 reviews44 followers
June 11, 2020
I’ve been wanting to read one of Jacie’s for a while but never had the chance. I’m glad I had time to read Simmering Love.

This is a slow burn romance about two people who end up living together because one needs a roommate and the other needs money. They weren’t supposed to fall for each other.

In this story we have drama and lies. An attraction that simmers. And a lot of fun. Pepper lives up to her name more sure. She’s spunky and funny. I laughed a lot while reading.

I would definitely read another one of Jacie’s books.

An arc was provided for an honest review.
421 reviews2 followers
June 14, 2020
Simmering Love is an amazing read. Pepper and Ben have an amazing story. Pepper meets Ben when she tries to buy his couch when things go wrong. Ben being the nice guy he is asks Pepper to be his roommate when she has not place to go. Will this turn of events bring them together? Make sure you one click Simmering Love is a hot and steamy book. Jacie writes a great story and you will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews216 followers
June 9, 2020
Story line is great and I loved the characters. I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it! Unexpected twists and turns had me reading this book in one sitting. Great storyline and character development made this book a hot and enjoyable read!
53 reviews
June 13, 2020
Wow.

I loved this 3rd book in the slow burn series. Pepper is such a quirky character. She rambles when she talks but what she thinks while she rambles is even more hilarious. I love the chemistry between her and Ben and it is too funny. They never say what they feel and it’s such a great build up to when they actually let their feelings out.
882 reviews9 followers
June 8, 2020
Recipe for Love … a dash of drama, layered with secrets, sprinkled with lies

Good title. It definitely matched the book…. very slow burn love story. Ben and Pepper aren’t suppose to be attracted to each other. She’s a spoiled little rich girl wanting to prove that she can make it on her own. So, she goes to Nashville under false pretenses. Her secrets are housed in lies.

Enter Ben, a good looking man who needs a roommate. As fate would have it, circumstances lead to Pepper moving in. She needs a roof over her head since the apartment she leased has mold issues. Ben needs the extra income. They are not suppose to be attracted to each other. Ben is a good friend of Pepper's cousin. Nope, everything needs to stay on the up and up. Problem is, that simmering love at one point must come to a boil.

👁OBSERVATIONS

Love how the author shows the insecurities that men face too. It’s not just women.

This was a quick read. Found myself skimming too much as I had a hard time relating to the characters. Pepper was immature and Ben definitely was an enabler. So were his parents.

The drama with Mark needed more development. We need to know how the gambling ring take down happened. And, if the feds were able to track the money through serial numbers, why wasn’t that money returned to Pepper? It was through her actions that allowed the capture. Also, what happened to Pete? Was he ever found? What price did he pay for his bookie role?

I never understand bedroom filler copy. It detracts from the main plot. Pepper’s use of a vibrator doesn’t add anything to the storyline. So, instead, the storyline could have used that wasted space for more in-depth character and scene development to unfold throughout the pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Skye Yanovsky.
1,178 reviews20 followers
June 11, 2020
Simmering Love (Slow Burn, #3) is a forced roommate and friends to lovers romance. When Pepper moves to Nashville and her place to stay falls through, what better option than her cousin Mason’s best friend to house her temporarily? Ben can’t find a reason to say no and could use the money so he agrees. Neither has any expectation that they would become anything more than temporary roommates. ⁣

Pepper and Ben were just so much fun. Pepper is this energetic ball of sass & smiles. She is exactly what Ben needs in his life as he navigates dealing with some family drama. This is a slow burn as neither one of them will make the first move but their friendship just continues to grow. You will literally be screaming at both of them to either kiss the other or just say something. I’m telling you, this is all the slow burn deliciousness you could want.⁣

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were so incredible likeable…Ben with his steadfastness & loyalty and Pepper was a ray of sunshine. I loved that we get to see all the characters from the previous books and see how their stories are continuing. Jacie does throw in some D-R-A-M-A in this book that had my head spinning but also showcased how much Ben & Pepper cared for each other so I was good with it. Overall, great storyline, lovable characters, a bit of drama and super steamy. I would definitely recommend this book.⁣

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.⁣
Profile Image for Charlotte Lynn.
2,227 reviews62 followers
June 15, 2020
It has been a long time since I have read a steamy romance book, so I decided the time was now. The world around me is crazy and it has been hard to focus on anything for any amount of time. Plus, I have never read a book by Jacie Lennon. Let me say, I have been missing out.


Ben is selling his couch, Pepper thought she had a place to live. She did not but Ben has an empty bedroom in his apartment. Can you see where this is heading? I could. It was an easy storyline to follow and the characters are fun and flirty. There were a few twists and turns that kept me guessing at exactly what would be happening next but mostly it went where I expected. This is not a bad thing. I loved the entire book, even the not so steamy parts. They made the story more real, no one’s life is all fun and sex. There are jobs, friends, and real life to handle but Ben and Pepper managed to handle everything thrown at them without losing focus on each other.



Jacie Lennon is an author that I will be looking for more from. I would like to see what characters she writes about next in Slow Burn. There are many secondary characters that deserve and need their stories told and their HEA’s found.

Profile Image for Marianne.
212 reviews11 followers
June 9, 2020
Wow!! It all started with a couch! Ben was selling his couch, because it held too many hurt feelings of his relationship between him and his brother and Pepper needed one for her new apartment, she never saw, because she was trying to become her own independent person and not have her life be controlled by her parents any longer, and because of that couch Ben and Pepper meet and become roommates by chance. Neither one of them is expecting to have the feelings they do for each other. They each are fighting the desires they have for each other, due to the fact that they don't want to mess up the friendship they are forming or the living arrangement they have. Jacie Lennon packed this book with so many feelings, action and a lot of Truth or Dare games, that neither Ben or Pepper could resist! Once I started this book I couldn't put it down, I needed to know what was going to happen next! An Absolute Must Read!!
Profile Image for Sandy House.
337 reviews3 followers
June 11, 2020
Keep an eye on this up and coming author. If you haven't started this series yet you really need to. "Simmering Love" is a killer page turning slow burn roommate romance. Pepper meets Ben when she responds to the advertisement he placed to sell his couch. She soon learns that her cousin is a friend of Ben's and the apartment she was going to move into is uninhabitable. Hence they become roommates. Pepper is a very determined young woman that is never at a loss for words. Ben is a very caring swoon worthy guy. There is an immediate intense attraction that they both fight forever until they no longer can. Let's just say their chemistry is smoldering HOT! There was so much playful banter from beginning to end and lots of humor. I absolutely fell in love with this couple.
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews188 followers
June 30, 2020
Pepper goes to look at a couch, and ends up with a male roommate named Ben. Pepper's cousin is Mason, who works with sexy Ben as a firefighter, so the entertaining journey begins. She's full of life, and kept me laughing so hard with all of her pepperisms that my sides hurt now. She & Ben have crazy chemistry shooting sparks all over the place, but they're not about to act on them, which makes this a push & pull situation that had me screaming at my kindle. If that's not awesome enough, there are some mysterious things happening making for fun twists that got the f-bombs dropping in between all the laughter! So, will Pepper & Ben get together?! Hit those one click buttons to find out! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!
Profile Image for Angie.
39 reviews
June 12, 2020
What a great book. This was really so beautifully written and i just couldn't stop reading it. I know i gave it 5 stars but i kind of have 1 issue and the reason for it was because i don't really love dual p.o.v since it makes me feel ripped out of the story from time to time, but you made this work and it really was fun to see into both worlds.

This book might be the reason why i start reading more books with dual p.o.v so in conclusion... that was an amazing book, with a great plot and distinct characters which i might add are totally hot and so cute.

I loved reading this and thank you so much again for the ARC it was great. Can't wait for the next work of art you're making 🌸
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
20k reviews257 followers
June 12, 2020
This is the 3rd book in this series and is Ben and Pepper’s story. Ben is selling his couch and Pepper needs one for her new apartment, and low and behold, they end up as roommates. Ben is a sweet and sexy alpha, while Pepper is a chatty and sassy girl who is following her own dreams, and not the life her parents want for her, and she is also Ben’s firefighter mate Mason’s cousin. Poor Ben was at a loss on how to handle Pepper at times which was funny. This is a well written story which is fun, entertaining, and humorous, as well as having suspense, secrets, drama, and lies which all lead to a steamy read. I recommend for all.
1,177 reviews4 followers
June 13, 2020
This is a funny slow burn romance. Ben , whose last roommate was a shady disaster, gets a new roommate Pepper. Pepper is as spicy and hot as her name.
The attraction between these two is instant but they ignore it for as long as they can. Both characters have some secrets and there is a bit of a mystery thrown into this wonderful sowing read.
I have enjoyed this series. These characters are likable and relatable. They are also perfect together once they finally get together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Christine Woinich.
2,777 reviews27 followers
June 27, 2020
This was an interesting story. Both Pepper and Ben kept secrets from everyone. When they met, there was an instant comfortable connection, and they began to open up. I liked that Pepper wanted to be independent and was strong enough to set out on her own. Ben was a little harder to crack as his troubles affected more than himself. I loved how the families on both sides were there when needed, albeit a bit reluctantly. I did enjoy the story and recommend it.

I received a copy of this story through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
1,886 reviews4 followers
June 16, 2020

This was a fun and romantic story that I had fun reading. It;s the third book in the series and is Ben and Pepper's story. Pepper needed a couch and Ben is selling one and they end up as roommates. Ben is a sweet sexy alpha male while Pepper is sassy. It's an entertaining, funny, romantic and humorous read with suspense,drama, lies and secrets thrown also, to make a very good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
3,411 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2020
Lots of drama going on in this one.

I didn't necessarily like certain aspects of how the relationship played out but that lends to a this-is-real-life-and-not-everything-is-all-unicorns-and-rainbows aspect that gives this book depth.

Would I read it again: yes
Recommend to others: definitely

I received a copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
Profile Image for Katherine Anderson.
Author 7 books33 followers
June 11, 2020
This book was soo good! It consumed me for days, it was all I could think about when I wasn't reading. Ben and Pepper are so cute, their chemistry is OFF the charts. They made me believe in love again, as cheesy as it sounds. I love this book so much, and I can't wait to tell my friends about it.
I read Simmering Love as an ARC for Jacie Lennon and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Vinessa.
1,951 reviews23 followers
June 11, 2020
Pepper and Ben meet because of a couch.
They end up roommates because this was Peppers first time on her own and rented an apartment sight unseen.
So the two become friends. Stay in the friend zone but secretly wish for more.
Turns out they make a great couple.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
725 reviews3 followers
June 6, 2020
The love story between pepper and Ben is funny and corky and just their story would have be enough, but the all alternate story about Ben brother is just too over the top and spoiled a cute story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ana *.
517 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2020
This book was really good to read, I enjoyed the characters and storytelling. It was fun getting to know Pepper and Ben. I really really really enjoyed everything about this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
7,813 reviews65 followers
June 19, 2020
Pepper and Ben are great together their chemistry is undeniable. The characters are amazing and I loved how different their personality is. The storyline was fun and well written.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jeanne Kotsios.
2,421 reviews11 followers
June 26, 2020
This book hooked me from the get go I just couldn’t put it down I fell in love with these characters and omg what a story just a perfect

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Profile Image for evieo17 .
5,070 reviews51 followers
June 12, 2020
This was a cute read from a new author for me. I really enjoyed it and would dry be checking out the other books in the series.
Profile Image for Nate.
24k reviews19 followers
July 2, 2020
I enjoyed Ben & Pepper's book. Good characters with great chemistry. It was an exciting, fun read. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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