Slow Dance book cover

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell Summary

Slow Dance
Rainbow Rowell
Fiction
Relationship
Inspirational
Personal Development
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of Slow Dance

Rainbow Rowell's first adult novel in a decade - "Slow Dance" weaves a bittersweet second-chance romance across decades in Omaha. Reese Witherspoon's August 2024 pick became an instant NYT bestseller, capturing hearts with what People calls "a romance for the ages."

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Key takeaways

1

When Two Hearts Finally Align

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What happens when the timing is never quite right, but the connection refuses to fade? Shiloh and Cary's story begins at a wedding reception in 2006, where their unexpected reunion after fourteen years apart ignites a dormant flame. Standing awkwardly in a youth wrestling club transformed for the occasion, Shiloh spots Cary at the head table-a groomsman she wasn't prepared to see. Their first interaction crackles with unresolved tension as they exchange surface-level updates about their lives. "It's so weird to be talking to you," Shiloh admits, "and not know, you know... anything." When she asks if he needs to return to the head table, Cary's simple response speaks volumes: "No one will miss me." This chance encounter becomes the catalyst for confronting their complicated past-one filled with almost-moments and missed opportunities that have haunted them both for years.

2

The Dance of Almost and Not Quite

3

The Weekend That Changed Everything

4

The Misunderstanding That Cost Fourteen Years

5

Building Bridges Across Time

6

Navigating Real-Life Complexities

7

The Courage to Chase What Matters

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Slow Dance isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Fiction. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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@Matt, YC alum
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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254
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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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