Book Review: A False Start by Elsie Silver

Title: A False Start

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Gold Rush Ranch Series (Book #4)

Genre: Romance, Adult Fiction, Contemporary

Pages: 432

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2022

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"I kissed my best friend's little sister, and the world stood still.

That night we were two perfect strangers, the town's grumpy recluse and a gorgeous girl in the back of a bar. Until we weren't.

Because Nadia Dalca isn't just some girl. She's the girl I can't have. Fourteen years younger than me and completely off-limits.

My plan is to stay away, but the universe keeps pushing us together. It's like some sort of cosmic joke, to give me a taste of something so electric - so real- something that breathed life back into me.

Because I can look, but I can't touch.

Her sinful curves, her light-hearted laughter, her wild side... I'm addicted to every last bit of her.

And when she turns those sultry eyes on me-- the ones so full of longing and so free of judgement? I've always considered myself a strong man. But when she looks at me I'm weak.

To give in to our connection would be a betrayal. My life is beyond complicated, and she has the world at her fingertips. Her brother is the only family she has left, and sad as it sounds, he's also my only friend.

But I kissed her again anyway.

And now I can't stop."

My Rating: 5/5

This was once again Elsie Silver, just writing perfection. The tension between our main characters is excellent. The spicy scenes were wonderful, and the plot was fantastic. I was so grateful for the way the author chose to end this book. She has this way of making each character so unique that I feel like they are real people. This series isn't quite as good as Chestnut Springs in my opinion, but I can't wait to read the Rose Hill Series.

Thank you for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Front Runner by Elsie Silver

Title: The Front Runner

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Gold Rush Ranch (Book #3)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Western

Pages: 356

Publisher: Indie 

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"Stefan Dalca is infuriatingly handsome. And annoyingly persistent. We're supposed to hate each other. But apparently, he didn't get the memo, because he's been asking me out for years.

And I always say no. Until today.

Today he has something that I desperately need. Today he's a savior and I'm his prize.

Our time together starts out as a simple transaction. Three dates. No touching. No telling anyone. And definitely no falling in love.

But with ever intimate conversation, and each stolen glance, the tension between us builds.

The way he looks at me gives me butterflies. And when he finally touches me? We sizzle.

Stefan makes me feel seen in a way no other person has before. He cherishes my words as passionately as my body.

He makes me laugh. He makes me blush. He calls me kitten.

He's not the villain he's been made out to be.

And suddenly I find myself longing for him in a way the people closest to me wouldn't approve of or understand.

Giving in to Stefan Dalca is playing with fire.

But with him, I don't even mind the heat."

My Rating: 4/5

Elsie Silver has to be one of my favourite authors. If she writes it, I will read it! I loved the two characters that this book covered and I think that the longing was written so beautifully. Also while there was a miscommunication trope, I felt it wasn't the main plot of the story. I loved the way this story and Stefan tied it to the other characters in the story. I look forward to continuing on with the series and starting the next series soon. Although if anyone else uses the nickname kitten, I might have to knock it down a star as well. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver

Title: A Photo Finish

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Gold Rush Ranch Series (Book #2)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, 

Pages: 420

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"I've seen every square inch of Wiolet Eaton's delectable body and she has no idea who I am.

Until now.

What happened between us online, in our chats, was meant to stay anonymous and in the past.

Until it didn't.

It's a small world, but Ruby Creek is even smaller. When I move to the tiny town, the grumpy, facade I've created slips when we're forced to live under the same roof.

Every flush of her cheeks, every time her eyes flare with what, every time she begs me not to stop, the ice I've encased myself in melts. She has me wanting things I can't want. Things I've been dreaming about since I first laid eyes on her two years ago- things I don't deserve.

But my invisible wounds have the power to ruin us both. As a former soldier, I should have the discipline to walk away, but the more I open up to Violet, the more I want to keep her.

I came back from the war a different man, but my scars are older and deeper than anyone knows- and I planned to keep it that way. I planned to keep my secrets hidden.

Until her."

My Rating: 5/5

This has been my favourite so far. Could it be the grumpy sunshine trope, could it be Elsie Silver's ability to tie together relationships from the current books with previous books, or even other series, or is it because this romance was too damn good. The long-term yearning was excellently written and the characters were unique in a way that wasn't unsettling, but also distinguishable. I look forward to continuing the series soon.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Out of the Gate by Elsie Silver

Title: Out of the Gate

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Gold Rush Ranch Series (Book #0.5)

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Adult Fiction

Pages: 112

Publisher: Indie

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Own on Kindle)

"Dermot Harding is ten years older than me. A family friend. An employee on my father's ranch.

But I've loved him as long as I can remember.

At eighteen, I kissed him and he pushed me away. He said I was too young.

The army took him from me for three long years, but now he's back at Gold Rush Ranch- looking at me like he's never looked at me before. letting his hands linger longer than they should. Offering to help me train the racehorse I've always dreamed of owning.

I say that I've moved on, but our chemistry? It's electric. It's overpowering. And soon all our reasons for staying away from each other fall away, along with our clothes.

He says he's too old and too broken for someone like me. He says we can never work. But his body tells another story.

I put my pride on the line for him once before.

Am I a fool to risk it again?"

My Rating: 4/5

I think that if you're reading this series it might be a good idea to start here instead of with the actual first book because I had a few moments where I was reminded that we were reading about someone's grandparents and I can't explain why that took me out of moments, but it did. I liked to better understand the characters and how this ranch turned into a racehorse training facility, and the chemistry was excellent. The age gap was a little intense, but I think it was well done overall.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Off to the Races by Elsie Silver

Title: Off to the Races

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Gold Rush Ranch (Book #1)

Genre: Contemporary, Small Town, Romance, Adult

Pages: 334

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "Lights flash all around me, forcing me to cover my eyes with my forearm."

"Keeping things professional with my employees has never been an issue. Until she waltzed onto my property.

Billie is talented. She's mouthy. And she's so damn tempting. I can't stop thinking about all the ways I could take her down a peg.

I can't stop thinking about her, period.

We clash from the moment we meet. And in a small town, on an even smaller farm, it's hard to keep your distance. It's even harder to keep that friction from turning to fire.

But keeping my distance? That might be the biggest struggle of all. Because Billie is the whole package, whip-smart with a body I fantasize about when I'm alone, and quite possibly the only woman who can save this business- and me.

She drives me crazy. In every sense of the word. Every smart-mouthed little comment- every game we play- I end up wanting more. Wanting her closer. With me. Under me.

I try not to let her get to me, but the more time we spend together the more I crave her. Her lips. Her trust. Her heart.

I want it all.

But at what cost?

Because suddenly I don't just want to win races, I want to win the girl."

My Rating:5/5

It's been a while since I stayed up to finish a book and had no interest in sleep while trying to get to the end and this one did it for me. In the beginning, I was a little hesitant because the male lead is a little hard for me to get behind a rich guy acting the way he does but with time he grew on me. Billie on the other hand I loved from the word go! She's fire, she's passionate and she's amazing. I love the way Elsie Silver builds on her stories to extend to the next book in a natural way. It doesn't feel forced it seems to come around naturally. I love it! The chosen family vibes in this immaculate. Would highly recommend it if you want a small-town romance on a horse farm!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny