Flawless by Elsie Silver

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One of my most anticipated releases for 2022 is the spin-off series from Elsie Silver's Gold Rush Ranch series. The first book in her Chestnut Springs series, Flawless, came out June 24th and I've been waiting for the chance to pick it up! I was able to use this for the Summer of Swoon prompt author rec and Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo prompt dance.

Rhett is one of the top bull riders on the circuit and getting older. After mentioning he doesn't like milk around a hot microphone, his biggest sponsor, a dairy company, pulls away. As his reputation gets twisted in the media, his agent assigns new agent Summer to be his "babysitter." Summer is actually his agent's daughter and is only joining the company to help her father out since she feels indebted to him. When Summer pushes past Rhett's boundaries by being herself, they quickly find themselves succumbing to the spark between them. As the season continues and Rhett finds himself injured, Summer and Rhett struggle to come to terms on what the future is for their relationship.

Elsie freaking does it again. First off, Rhett is one smooth yet dirty talkin' cowboy and I am here for it. Elsie always does such a good job with her heroes really being all in for their heroines and here is not exceptions. There's a slightly different vibe with this book, just it still felt just as cozy and soul-warming as Gold Rush Ranch. Here we get more of the media and public aspect of bull riding and I really loved the way that she really showed how much of a sport it is. I have grown up farm/ranch adjacent so I have been to quite a few different rodeos. It's really crazy seeing it all come down to 8 seconds and I think Elsie did a great job really portraying the mindset of a bull rider in all aspects of their life.

Summer really was such a strong heroine and I was so heartbroken to hear about her horrible relationship with her step-mother and sister. I think the only thing that could've thrown this over the top was maybe her sister reaching out or being open to them working on establishing a better relationship in the future. As someone with some strained familial relationships, it just would've been that extra little pizazz to give Summer hope in that area. Her father was great though and I loved that he fired her so she could go and find a job that really fit her passions.

Another gush fest from me for Elsie Silver! I'm so happy to be reading her spin-off series and can't wait to see the other brothers (and maybe Jasper [grumpy hockey goalie anyone?]) get their HEAs and I think the next book it tentatively set to release in October. It feels far away, but I know it'll be here sooner than we know. If you haven't read Elsie Silver, I couldn't recommend her more. She had my favorite contemporary romance of 2021 and I need more people to read her books so we can gush together!

Have you read Flawless?

Bookishly Yours,

Stasi🍎

STATISTICS: Flawless, Elsie Silver, 5-stars, 2 days, Paperback, 428 pages, published in 2022, indie published

A False Start by Elsie Silver

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After getting through The Proposal, I needed something a little bit more my speed. The day after I finished it was the release of Elsie Silver's fourth and final book in her Gold Rush Ranch series, A False Start. It came out March 18th and I couldn't wait to pick it up as it was one of my most anticipated releases for the first quarter of 2022. I was able to apply it to the Love Has Sprung prompt a favorite author of Shelby's and the Taylor Swift Quarterly Challenge prompt Tim McGraw (set on a farm/ranch).

Griffin is Stefan's best friend. When he finds out the woman he made out with in the local bar's bathroom is not only 14-years younger than him, but his friend's little sister, he attempts to put distance between them. When Nadia comes back from vet tech school after two years and Griffin takes a job with young colts on Gold Rush Ranch, they see each other a lot more. The ultimate grump can't seem to stay away from Nadia, and she doesn't want him too. As they both open up to each other about their own traumas, it seems that their respective "jagged edges" fit together perfectly.

Oh my gosh, Elsie has done it again. Another freaking swoony, dirty talker, grumpy hero. Although I do have to say that Griffin is definitely her grumpiest so far. I loved seeing how closed down he was to everyone, even Stefan. Nadia just seemed to somehow break through all of his barrier without him realizing it and I loved how much he just yearned to be near her. She could rattle on about anything under the sun and Griffin was happy to just sit and listen. I loved the way that Nadia and Griffin evolved and how they really pushed each other to deal with their issues but in a supportive way. It was just so well done.

I do have to say, of the four full length books in the series this might be my least favorite, but that doesn't detract from the rating at all. It just means that the previous books were that much more. One reason while it didn't jump over any of the others was the time jumps. They fit the story and made complete sense, but I did want the last one to happen a little bit earlier so we could see them in their hea a little longer. Even more since this is the last book in the series so I just would've loved to have more time with the family that's been built at Gold Rush Ranch. I do want to mention a little bit about triggers that might be there and the touchier subjects Elsie writes about. As we knew from Stefan's book The Front Runner, their father was abusive but we hear more about it from Nadia's POV. There's also Griffin and that he's suffering from the after effects of a bad concussion that ended his sports career. I think that Elsie handled them superbly (once again).

I can't wait to read what Elsie writes next and am excited for the spin-off series that she's teased. It hasn't been announced officially (that I've seen), but all clues point to it being about Violet's brothers (the heroine from A Photo Finish). I guess the eBook version has a short scene teaser? I read this in paperback though so I didn't get it. I did however, thanks to her newsletter, get a 2nd epilogue for A False Start plus a scene with Billy and Vaughn's wedding (that takes place before).

Have you read A False Start?

Bookishly Yours,

Stasi🍎

STATISTICS: A False Start, Elsie Silver, 5-stars, 4 days, Paperback, 392 pages, published in 2022, indie published

The Front Runner by Elsie Silver

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After getting through my book club books and the Historical Romance Readathon, I knew I had to finally pick up The Front Runner by Elsie Silver. I sped through the rest of the series last month and was so happy to see that The Front Runner would be out December 3rd! This is the third book in her Gold Rush Ranch series. I was able to use this for the prompt book Shelby made a post about for Winter's Kiss, The Grinch (enemies to lovers) prompt for Merry + Bright and small town romance prompt for Banging Through the Snow.

Mira is the veterinarian for the horse ranches nearby and also friends with Billie and Violet. While she doesn't have the disdain for Stefan Dalca that Billie does, she does recognize he doesn't always make the best choices. When a mare passes giving birth at Gold Rush Ranch and shortly after a foal dies on Stefan's ranch, they want to try to get the mare and foal together to save the foal's life. Stefan proposes to take Mira on three dates and they make a deal. As Mira learns more about Stefan and who he really is the attraction for him she's held back starts to boil over.

Oh my gosh, this book. I couldn't put it down and only did because I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. I loved the tension between Stefan and Mira. And the things that Stefan would say, oh gosh. So freaking hot. I loved seeing past the façade that Stefan perpetuates and how strongly he loves the people he lets in. There's a lot in his backstory and holds onto a lot of guilt, even when he probably shouldn't be feeling guilt for it. We also get to see DD's first colt (DD is the main horse in Off to the Races). Speaking of, I want to give a trigger warning for pet death. We see the aftermath of a red birth of a foal that doesn't make it. We aren't quite connected to this foal like other horses in the series, but I wanted to mention it because it's really sad. There's also talk about a mare dying. So DD's colt loses his Mom and they are looking for a mare to try to take to him so he can get the nutrients he needs. When Mira shows up at Stefan's ranch to help, but is late she has the idea to try to fit the colt with the now childless mare. Thankfully she takes to him and Stefan ends up naming him Loki.

Loki is the freaking cutest ever and I loved the relationship that formed between Loki and Stefan. So freaking cute and broke my heart when Stefan would get worried about him. I also loved getting to learn more about Mira. She's half Indian and I loved how Stefan stood up to her family. The connection between them was just everything. There's more drama that I don't want to spoil, but I love how much that Stefan loves Mira. They were just completely drawn to each other. Also, we know Billie from Off to the Races and how Stefan tried to underhandedly buy DD from her. She has hated him since then, but her grudge did bother me a little bit here. I just felt she took it a little too far, even for her. I did like that she came around and started to back off for Mira.

We also get to meet Stefan's younger sister Nadia there was a blurb in the back of the book that she is getting a book and it's potentially coming in March. I can't wait and am so intrigued on who she's going to be paired with. I can't wait to see what Elsie does next and am so freaking excited. Seriously, read this book, read this series, join Elsie's newsletter and follow her everywhere. I am officially obsessed!

Bookishly Yours,

Stasi🍎

STATISTICS: The Front Runner, Elsie Silver, 5-stars, 1 day, eBook, 313 pages, published in 2021

A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver

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The 2nd book in Elsie Silver's Gold Rush Ranch series is A Photo Finish. I used this to cover the prompt recommendation from Shelby for the second board of Fall in Love.

We pick up a year after the end of Off to the Races. After Violet won the Denman Derby and came face to face with Cole for the first time, they've avoided each other as best as possible. When Cole ends up needing to stay at the ranch while dealing with a new business nearby and Violet gets injured and needs a place to stay without stairs, they end up sharing the main house at the ranch. Cole and Violet had been friends online for over a year, but when Cole wasn't comfortable opening up to Violet things quickly ended. With them being stuck together for a few weeks while Violet heals, they start to reconnect in new ways.

Oh boy was this book heavy. I feel like the novella kind of was a primer for going into this. Cole is a veteran and dealing with a lot mental health issues. While he is currently seeing a therapist, there is still a lot of work he's still doing. Also, I don't want to give too much of a spoiler, but he's dealing with a pretty large trauma from his time abroad. Unfortunately, the only ones that he's told about it are his mother, his ex-fiancé and his therapist. When he finally opens up to Violet about it, most of the walls come down from there and seeing Cole not keeping as much to himself is so amazing. Just thinking about the weight that he kept hidden from everyone, even his brother, brings me to tears. Cole is such a strong person and I really enjoyed seeing his grumpiness constantly penetrated by Violet's sunshine.

I did wish that he opened up to her about his father's passing a little earlier since that was the other big thing that he was working on. It's hard to deal with grief, but when forced to be in the same area that his father passed for business a lot, it can make things harder. With Violet also being a jockey, I just wish it was brought up a little earlier. I liked that Violet knew about it and was considerate with him about it since she understood a little. I think that Cole is such a sweet cinnamon roll on the inside and I really grew to love him. I didn't quite expect this book to hit me in such a different way than Off to the Races, but it just blew me away. Another thing that I've enjoyed by Elsie, is when we get to the final conflict. There isn't too much wallowing, but the character that needs to make the apology immediately does what's needed for themselves and also goes about making a grand gesture in a way that isn't embarrassing and so heartwarming.

I am so excited to read more from Elsie Silver. Her series has been so good so far and I can't wait for the third book in the series, The Front Runner. Thankfully it comes out soon, December 3rd, and I'm so excited. Also, if you sign up for her newsletter you can get a bonus scene from this book that was super sweet. I didn't really mention it above, but we also get a lot of great horse therapy and I love that the horses our main character's are connecting with are characters themselves. If you enjoy small town, ranching, and/or horses, definitely give Elsie Silver a try. I'm obsessed!

Have you read A Photo Finish?

Bookishly Yours,

Stasi🍎

STATISTICS: A Photo Finish, Elsie Silver, 5-stars, 1 day, eBook, 368 Pages, Published in 2021

Out of the Gate by Elsie Silver

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Getting back to Elsie Silver's Gold Rush Ranch series, the next book I had was the novella Out of the Gate. It is listed as 1.5 in the series but is chronologically set before the main books. I used this for the prompt set on a farm or ranch for the Fall in Love board 2. I just want to note, I purchased this on kindle, but you can receive this novella free when you sign up for Elsie's newsletter.

We go back in time from Off to the Races and get the story of Vaughn's grandfather Dermot. He's returned from a stint as a soldier and has returned to Gold Rush Ranch to help with the foals over the summer. After confessing her love and being rejected before his deployment, Ada is torn on Dermot coming back. She's had a crush on him since she was ten years old and followed him around constantly. When that crush grew to love and she was rejected, she's had a hard time moving on.

First off, this was such a sweet and yet angsty read. I really enjoyed it, despite it having some things I don't usually enjoy. I'm not the biggest fan of 2nd chance romances, mostly because of the way it gets handled. Somehow, it gets handled like that here, but I still enjoyed it. The angst is all internal and mostly coming from Dermot constantly pushing Ada away. Not only was he dealing with feeling odd since he knew her as a child and the 10 year age gap, but now he feels broken after his service. Dermot is dealing with PTSD and still dealing with a good brunt of it since it's pretty close to his discharge.

I loved when they finally both gave in to their feelings they were so cute and combustible. This just didn't get 5-stars for me because he pushed her away too many times for my enjoyment. I still really enjoyed their banter. We also get more fun horse times and learn about Ada's wish to turn the cattle ranch into a racing horse ranch. It's also fun to see the start of the Gold Rush Mining company, which is the other major company the family owns.

I really enjoy Elsie Silver's writing and can't wait to read more in the series. This was such a fun peak back into the man that Dermot was and to see how his relationship was established. When paired with knowing how it affected Vaughn in the future it makes it even sweeter. I can't wait to continue the series and am excited to find a newer author that I really enjoy!

Have you read Out of the Gate?

Bookishly Yours,

Stasi🍎

STATISTICS: Out of the Gate, Elsie Silver, 4-stars, 0 days, eBook, 112 pages, published in 2021

Off to the Races by Elsie Silver

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Having a little bit more time to mood read before getting to some readalong books, I went through my tbr for the 2nd board for Fall in Love. I was in the mood for contemporary, so I decided to pick up Elsie Silver's Gold Rush Ranch series. It's been hyped a little by Shelby and I've been wanting to try them. I ended up using this for the prompt Shelby gave 4 or 5 stars. The first book is Off to the Races and is also Elsie's debut novel!

Vaughn has returned to his grandfather's ranch to try to save it. The family own two businesses and he used to be the PR guy for the mining side. After his grandfather is exposed for fixing horse races and then passing shortly after, Vaughn has stepped in. Not only is he hoping to save his grandfather's and the ranch's reputation, he also needs to get away and grieve in his own way. He hires Billie, one of the best upcoming horse trainers. She's got secrets of her own, but when she connects with one of the most cantankerous horses, he doesn't know if it's worth the risk.

Now, this book is at the threshold, if not a little past, the angst I can handle. I'm completely blown away that this is Elsie's first book. It was so good. I loved the small town feel with them being isolated on the ranch. It was a great grumpy sunshine trope. A little bit of enemies to lovers, which I'm not a fan of, but we know right away that it's more just them goading each other for fun. There were a lot of talk about grief and how everyone experiences it differently. Vaughn was really struggling with not only dealing with his grief and not in the prescribed way of his family, but also reconciling him having done something so honorable.

I loved how Vaughn and Billie connected emotionally and both had a lot of issues that the other help them identify and push to work on to be together. While Vaughn sometimes did or said the wrong things, I loved how immediately he knew it was wrong. There was one time when they were arguing in his POV and his inner monologue is like "I can't stop the emotions, I didn't mean it, but we're going there." It felt so real and I loved the deep dive into both of the character's psyches. It just helped connect me to both of them and really root for them to get there. Plus I loved the setting of a horse ranch and seeing a sport I haven't read too much in romance novels.

I really need to stop gushing about this book, but I absolutely adored it to pieces. I can't wait to read more from Elsie and this series. I will be adding the series to my wishlist. I know that there's a novella that's next about his grandfather and grandmother. I haven't looked at the main characters for book two yet, but I have some ideas of who the future pairings might be. I can't wait! Also, she just revealed the cover for the third book and it's absolutely gorgeous! Another thing I want to mention, if you join her newsletter you get some extras for both books and the novella for free. If you love contemporary romance and small town romance, please try this. I'm so thankful to Shelby for recommending this series. Seriously, please read this book. Also, if you love horses, this is a must read. So. Freaking. Good.

Have you read Off to the Races?

Bookishly Yours,

Stasi🍎

STATISTICS: Off to the Races, Elsie Silver, 5-stars, 1 day, eBook, 334 pages, published in 2021