How to Write a Slow Burn Romance That Keeps Readers Hooked
You know that feeling when you're deep into a book or bingeing a series and two characters clearly have chemistry, but they just won’t admit it? You’re screaming internally (okay, maybe out loud), flipping pages or hitting “next episode” because you need them to kiss already—but when they finally do, it's absolutely worth the wait.
That’s the heart of a slow burn romance.
If you’ve ever wanted to write a love story that makes readers ache for the moment two characters finally fall into each other’s arms, you're in the right place. Let’s break down how to build that kind of tension, why slow burns work, and how to pull it off—using examples from some of the most beloved fantasy romances on our bookshelves.
1. Start With a Why: What’s the Hold-Up?
A slow burn doesn’t mean "drag it out for 300 pages just because." It means delaying gratification with purpose. The reason your characters can't be together yet should matter—and it should reveal something deeper about who they are.
Take Nesta and Cassian from A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas. Their slow burn works because of the emotional walls Nesta has built. She's grieving, angry, and ashamed, and she doesn’t believe she deserves love—especially not from someone as loyal and good-hearted as Cassian. That emotional barrier is far more compelling than a simple misunderstanding.
Or look at Lou and Reid from Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin. She's a witch. He’s a witch hunter. Their enemies-to-lovers journey is steeped in ideological conflict—and forced proximity, which is always a good recipe for tension. Their situation makes a relationship not just difficult, but dangerous.
Whatever your characters’ reasons, make them feel real—and make the tension feel worth it.
2. Let the Relationship Develop Naturally
In a slow burn, the relationship is the romance. You’re not just aiming for a kiss—you’re building trust, understanding, and mutual growth.
Think about Elisabeth and Nathaniel in Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson. They start off wary of one another: Elisabeth is suspicious of sorcerers, and Nathaniel is sarcastic, guarded, and not exactly welcoming. But over time, they fight side by side, save each other’s lives, and slowly open up—first as allies, then as friends, and only much later as something more.
Let your characters share goals, solve problems together, or simply be in each other’s space. Give them the chance to become important to one another outside of romance. That way, when the feelings do start to surface, it feels earned.
3. Simmer, Don’t Stall: Keep the Tension Alive
Slow burn isn't slow because nothing is happening—it's slow because tension is building like a coiled spring. That tension is what keeps readers turning pages at 2 a.m.
A masterclass in this? Alina and the Darkling in Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. While their romance doesn’t last, the early dynamic is a study in slow-building tension. There’s power, curiosity, temptation—and a constant “should they/shouldn’t they” pull. You feel the heat in every whispered conversation.
Or flip it around and look at Bryce and Hunt in Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas. These two don’t touch each other for hundreds of pages, but the emotional closeness—shared grief, late-night talks, constant banter—builds so much romantic pressure that when something does happen, it’s electric.
Use tension-building tools like:
Unspoken feelings
Protective gestures
Close physical proximity
Late-night conversations
Subtle jealousy
Vulnerability in small doses
Tease us. Make us wait. Make it hurt a little. We love it.
4. Obstacles Should Reveal Character, Not Just Delay Plot
Sometimes the thing keeping your lovers apart isn’t an outside force—it’s themselves.
That’s why Poppy and Hawke (from From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout) make such a compelling pair. Poppy is heavily guarded—physically, emotionally, and socially. Hawke is wrapped in secrets. Every interaction is layered with tension because of what they’re not saying, and the lies between them are ticking time bombs.
Slow burn works best when the romance forces your characters to confront who they are. Don’t just throw in a magical curse or a forbidden love decree—ask: What does this character need to heal, learn, or let go of in order to love and be loved?
Let the burn be a path to self-discovery as much as it is a romantic arc.
5. Pay Off the Wait with Real Emotion
When the moment finally arrives—whether it's a kiss, a confession, or the first time they admit they care—make it count. Give us everything.
Readers want to feel that this moment was worth every awkward silence, stolen glance, and emotional detour.
That’s what makes the scene between Feyre and Rhysand in A Court of Mist and Fury, especially chapters 54 and 55, so iconic. Feyre finally sees the truth of their bond, of Rhysand’s love—and the emotional payoff is massive. It’s tender, raw, and rooted in everything they’ve both been through. Chapter 55 might be famous for its spice, but it’s chapter 54 that makes it all matter.
You don’t have to wait until the end of the book to deliver romantic payoff—but when you do give readers that moment, make sure it’s emotionally satisfying. That means no sudden changes of heart, no easy answers. Let it be messy, honest, and full of vulnerability.
6. Keep Readers Invested Along the Way
Slow burn readers are patient—but they still need something to hold onto. Breadcrumbs. Glimpses. Moments.
A great example? Kazi and Jase in Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson. Forced into close quarters and constantly on edge, their every interaction drips with tension. But even before they admit anything, we get little glimpses: lingering looks, small sacrifices, personal confessions. Those moments build trust—not just between the characters, but between the author and the reader.
Make us fall in love with their slow realization. Let us see how they change each other. Let us root for them before they even realize they’re worth rooting for.
The Slow Burn Promise
Writing a slow burn is a promise to your readers: “Stick with me. This is going to be worth it.”
And when done well? There’s nothing more satisfying. It’s a full-body sigh when the tension finally breaks. It’s bookmarking a chapter just to reread the moment when everything clicks. It’s watching characters not just fall in love—but earn it.
So write the longing. Write the stubbornness. Write the tenderness that grows in quiet moments. Write the spark that catches slowly... and then lights the whole world on fire.
You’ve got this. And we, your readers, are ready to burn with you.
