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Table of Contents
About The Book
Filled with scenes of sizzling passion that'll make you blush, plot beats of swoon-worthy romance that will leave you breathless, and a cast of Black female characters that you’ll fall in love with, the unputdownable debut novel from Oti Mabuse brims with heat and heart. Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Tahlia Hibbert, Ana Huang, Lauren Asher and Tessa Bailey.
To fall in love, they first have to get back in hold.
For 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.
Taking on the responsibility of running the family dance studio wasn’t in her master plan, but with her two younger sisters pursuing their own successful careers, Lira’s flame of ambition is barely burning anymore.
But Lira is still feisty and fierce, and just because her family treat her like a doormat, she’s not going to take it lying down anymore.
A chance encounter sees Lira 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 has been the darling of the Latin Ballroom scene since his mother taught him the Argentine tango as a child. 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, he’s been surrounded by fawning women all his life. He’s the quintessential bad boy - arrogant, cocky, and he almost can’t help but take women for granted.
As the longest serving, and most popular professional dancer on hit Italian TV dancing competition, Bring the Heat, the world’s his oyster, and 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’s at his wit’s end and down to his last two female lead auditionees. He needs to feel the heat, the fire, the chemistry... then in walks Lira.
On the dance floor they’re smouldering, off it, they’re electric.
To fall in love, they first have to get back in hold.
For 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.
Taking on the responsibility of running the family dance studio wasn’t in her master plan, but with her two younger sisters pursuing their own successful careers, Lira’s flame of ambition is barely burning anymore.
But Lira is still feisty and fierce, and just because her family treat her like a doormat, she’s not going to take it lying down anymore.
A chance encounter sees Lira 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 has been the darling of the Latin Ballroom scene since his mother taught him the Argentine tango as a child. 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, he’s been surrounded by fawning women all his life. He’s the quintessential bad boy - arrogant, cocky, and he almost can’t help but take women for granted.
As the longest serving, and most popular professional dancer on hit Italian TV dancing competition, Bring the Heat, the world’s his oyster, and 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’s at his wit’s end and down to his last two female lead auditionees. He needs to feel the heat, the fire, the chemistry... then in walks Lira.
On the dance floor they’re smouldering, off it, they’re electric.
About The Author
Photography by Michael Wharley
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 to become a judge on Dancing on Ice appearing on our screens to over five million viewers per week. Family and connection means everything to her 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
“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
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (November 12, 2025)
- Length: 352 pages
- ISBN13: 9781398540460
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High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Slow Burn Export/Airside Paperback 9781398540460
- Author Photo (jpg): Oti Mabuse Photography by Michael Wharley(0.1 MB)
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