Author Ali Rosen Talks About Her New Spicy Romance "The Slow Burn"

Rosen's latest book combines food and romance in Italy, and has just hit the USA Today best-seller list.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Author Ali Rosen, a noted cookbook author and television host, spoke to Mary Calvi about her new contemporary romance novel "The Slow Burn." The book follows a Michelin-starred chef in New York whose life falls apart, leading her to spend the summer in Italy where she meets a man who makes olive oil and helps her recalibrate her life.

Why it matters

Rosen's book taps into the growing popularity of food-focused romance novels that blend culinary details with emotional stories. The book's setting in Italy also reflects readers' continued interest in stories set in picturesque international locations.

The details

In "The Slow Burn," the main character Kit Roth's life in New York unravels when her restaurant burns down and her boyfriend breaks up with her. Her best friend convinces her to spend the summer in Italy, where Kit meets Nico Ruspoli, an olive oil producer with his own troubled past. As Kit learns to make pasta with Nico's grandmother, the two develop a growing chemistry despite their different plans for the future.

  • Rosen's book "The Slow Burn" just hit the USA Today best-seller list.

The players

Ali Rosen

A noted cookbook author and television host, and the author of "The Slow Burn."

Kit Roth

The main character in "The Slow Burn," a Michelin-starred chef in New York whose life falls apart, leading her to spend the summer in Italy.

Nico Ruspoli

An olive oil producer in Italy who Kit meets and develops a growing chemistry with during her time in the country.

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What they’re saying

“Absolutely. It's all about finding the right balance with a recipe and with a book ... You are trying to get feelings from people, which I think is what we get from food as well. You eat something and it brings you back to a memory. It makes you happy. It comforts you. I think it's the same with fiction.”

— Ali Rosen, Author (CBS News)

“You're not interested in olive oil?”

— Nico Ruspoli (The Slow Burn* excerpt)

What’s next

Readers can find an excerpt from "The Slow Burn" and purchase the book from the publisher.

The takeaway

Rosen's new book "The Slow Burn" taps into the growing popularity of food-focused romance novels that blend culinary details with emotional stories, reflecting readers' continued interest in stories set in picturesque international locations like Italy.