My least favorite of the first 3 books in this series but still a good book, I think the combination of country/cowboy and hockey felt odd to me and didn't work for me. I do love friends to lovers so I enjoyed the relationship development of the characters.

Elsie Silver has never written a bad book and I'll die on that hill. I had such high hopes for Jasper and Sloane and this exceeded my expectations. Jasper doesn't have to say many words... but when he does Jesus I need some holy water. Sloane doesn't take any shit as she shouldn't and I LIVED for her standing up for herself. I haven't read a hockey book in a while so this will definitely send me back down that rabbit hole. Jasper is the best kind of book boyfriend. That was my original review in February. I got the opportunity to reread an ARC as it is being republished. I fell in love with these 2 even more especially after Beau’s book!!! Here’s to forever rereading the Chestnut Spring Series and Elsie Silver’s dedications.

“For the ones who’ve spent their lives being just a little *too* agreeable. Here’s to getting comfortable disappointing other people to avoid disappointing yourself.”

Sweet, emotional, and romantic. I love a good childhood friends-to-lovers romance.

Elsie Silver surprised me with this one as I was not expecting a hockey romance when the other books have been more focused on bull riding. Not only that, we have the juxtaposition of a hockey player with a ballerina. It was a combination that I did not know I needed in my life. The rough and tumble with the delicate.

Jasper is a self-loathing hero who does not think he is good enough for Sloane. Sloane is someone who is willing to settle for things so far beneath her just because it makes her parents happy. As friends, these two make each other better and they feel comfortable to confide in one another and tell each other things that they trust no one else with. As a couple they are electric. They are romantic, spicy and just so unbelievably sweet. I was uncontrollably giggling and smiling, especially whenever Buddy's Best was involved. The cherry on top was the ballerina that Jasper tattooed on himself in honor of Sloane's first performance that he missed.

I am absolutely obsessed with anything Elsie Silver writes. She creates characters that are complex and always work hard to overcome their issues for their loved ones. While this book differs a bit from the tone and vibes of the previous books, it is great all on its own.

There’s nothing quite like a ballerina and an ice hockey player. Throw in a ranching background, sprinkle in some trauma, and a runaway bride and you’ve got Powerless.

I loved where Elsie took us throughout this book. Starting off strong with an uncomfortable dinner, the stage is really set with the dynamic between Sloane and Jasper. That all changes when she receives a message on her waiting day and looking to her cousins friend to help her escape. After pining for each other for years, putting these two in close proximity only sets the stage for angst.

This was a great read! The supporting characters really balanced the story well. Every moment of Jaspers and Sloanes journey was absolutely beautiful even when it was a step back for them.

Themes/Tropes: Runaway bride, hockey romance, small town romance, friends to lovers.

📚: Powerless by Elsie Silver
⭐️: 4/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

A childhood crush, a ruined wedding day, and a road trip to get away from it all is how ballerina Sloane and NHL star Jasper (and their unrequited feelings) find themselves in close quarters.

With some of the spiciest scenes I’ve read, this was a read that brought a lot of heat *fans self*. Consider yourself warned.

I love - LOVE - a good hockey romance, and Elsie Silver delivers with Powerless! Self-published earlier this year, this is the third book in the Chestnut Springs series. (I read it as a stand-alone.)

Big thanks to Bloom Books (@read_bloom) via @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This version of Powerless, with its updated cover, comes out on Tuesday 11/7!

Absolutely distraught that this book is over. I could not put it down and cried when it was over.

Sloane and Jasper will always have a special place in my heart. Their friendship is so pure and then the tension and angst it creates, swoon. And goodness those spicy scenes were enough to have me blushing which given the things I’ve read is quite a feat.

This book was utter perfection and I wish I could reread it for the first time all over again.

Friends to lovers
One bed
Run away bride
Hockey player
Protective mmc

Cute but cringe.

I needed to see what all the Elsie Silver hype was about, and unfortunately, this book did not wow me. I came here and got exactly what I asked for.

This is an enjoyable, consumable romance, but it’s nothing revolutionary. I felt like this could have been a fantastic novella. While I have absolutely no hate towards this author, I don’t think I will need to read anymore.

Pump this directly into my bloodstream cause my type is any man Elsie Silver writes. Just when I think she can't out do Flawless or Heartless... Powerless happens. I am not complaining one bit. I may be growing on the friends to lovers trope. It's never been my favorite, but this one takes the cake.

I'll start with Sloan. She started out so heartbroken and weak that I almost didn't like her at first out of fear she'd be a pushover fmc- unwilling to stand up for herself and letting herself be walked over by her crappy father and fiance. I adored her by then end, though, finally embracing doing what she wants to do and living the life she wants. There wasn't a ton of growth here for her, but her outlook on life changed dramatically and I am here for it! Character development doesn't have to be dramatic and over the top.

BUT. JASPER FREAKING GERVAIS. His character development was top tier dramatic. After a tragic accident he blames himself for, he pushes everyone away. Never truly healing from his past. Only Sloane can see through his facade. Once he finally gives himself permission to heal, the development is beautiful. It's always the quiet and traumatized ones, amiright? This felt like a small step up, spice-wise, from books one and two. Again, not complaining at all.

Beyond that, the found family trope is STRONG in this one, folks. The comic relief in Harvey was perfect and he proves to be one of my favorites, yet again.

This is top tier childhood best friends. Jasper is our quiet, anxious, but deliciously protective mmc. Slone is the sweet ballerina, with a smart mouth. And her personal and family life just blew up. There is a delicious, tense, road-trip and that truck scene… good lord. Very spicy, and I’m happy to see a trend amongst these chestnut springs men. This series as whole is my definition of a found family!

I have heard so much about Elsie Silver and this book didn’t disappoint, now to go read her other works.

I always love a good hockey romance and especially one that brings family series into it.
I loved Jasper and Sloane’s story. It is a good friends to lover story.

If you are looking for a book with great characters, strong secondary characters and a fun escape, just go check this one out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for a copy of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was my second book in the Chestnut Hill Springs series. I love that they can be read as SA, or out of order. Sloane and Jaspers story has been my favorite so far, because I loved getting to see them grow independently and also together.

What I loved and tropes:
-the spice
-small town
-found family
-characters finding themselves
-runaway bride
-childhood crushes

Sloane is a professional Ballerina who lives the life her Father has set out for her, after all that’s the only reason she’s marrying Sterling. But after she receives an anonymous video of him cheating on her at his Bachelor party, Sloane runs as fast as she can. And the person who helps her flee her wedding, is Jasper the professional hockey player who lives with her cousins, that she’s known forever.

Sure Jasper has always had a soft spot for Sloane, and Sloane has always been hopelessly in love with him, but it just wasn’t written in the cards for them. But when Jasper whisks her away from the disaster of her wedding, and hides her away so she doesn’t have to face her ex fiancé and father, sparks start flying between them. Jasper has deep abandonment issues, and is so scared to let Sloane know how he feels, but realizes he may have to take the next step if he wants to try and have a future with her. Their chemistry is off the charts, but to figure out if they really have a chance at a life together, Sloane will have to face her father, and Jasper will have to face his fear of losing Sloane.

I was surprising how much I enjoyed this book! After the surprise pregnancy in Heartless, I was a little suspicious going into this books BUT IT WAS SO GOOD! I literally read it in one day! How Jasper and Sloane interact, their childhood friends to lovers trope (which means an ABUNDANCE of relationship history between them 👀), and the pure DRAMA made me unable to put this book down, LITERALLY! I mean there was so much going on and the connection between Sloane and Jasper was too good for me to want to stop reading!
I haven't read a romance book in one day in a second so if that says anything, I really enjoyed this book! I think I could say it is my favorite Chestnut Springs book so far! And that is saying something because I don't always love friends to lovers! BUT I do love small town romances (with GREAT side characters (like Harvey, he has my 💖)).
I'm definitely interested in seeing where the other Chestnut Springs books will take us! 🥳

I’ve seen a lot of praise for this author’s books so when I saw this on NG, I had to put in for it. I’m glad I did.

This is the third in a series, but you can read it as a standalone. Sloane has been in love with Jasper since the first day she saw him on her uncle’s ranch. Now years later, she’s about to get married but she runs off with Jasper when she gets a text of a video with her fiancé cheating on her. Everything snowballs from there.

It’s been a while since I’d read a book with this spice level, so I had to get used to it but it was enjoyable. Looking forward to reading the other two books left in the series.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

I LOVE JASPER AND SLOANE! All of the books in this series have been wonderful, but this one is my fave so far. Is it a hockey romance or a cowboy romance? Both? Is it friends to lovers or slow burn or forced proximity? All of them! The steam is phenomenal and the relationship is exceptional. Love seeing all the other characters from previous books in their Happily Ever After phase too. Can't wait for more by Elsie Silver!

Powerless by Elsie Silver is a captivating story of two childhood friends who embark on an impromptu road trip to escape their broken hearts and the complexities of their feelings. The author beautifully weaves a tale of unrequited love and second chances. As the reader follows the journey of the protagonist and hockey heartthrob Jasper Gervais, the story explores their evolving relationship and the emotional hurdles they must overcome. With engaging characters and a rollercoaster of emotions, this book takes you on a heartfelt and poignant ride that explores love, trust, and the complexities of relationships.

Childhood crush to best friend to lovers, part hockey romance combined with the some if the cowboy aspects we've come to expect from Elsie Silver, and this book was soooo good!! 🥰🫠🥰 also included are the infamous family group text threads and let me tell you I'd read an entire series just of the group text 🤣

He's a hockey star, she's a ballerina. They embark on a roadtrip after her would have been wedding isn't. I think because they have so much history prior to where the story starts it felt like we were missing a tiny bit of their relationship we got the flashbacks but I wanted a little bit more depth. There was a lot of them being their for each other with their presense, and knowing what we know about the these two, its what they both needed and that support between jasper and sloan was absolutely too notch. Because they were on a road trip (which that close proximity trope 😍🥵 ) we didn't grt as much of the found family as we did in the other books but I literally can.not.wait for the rest ofnthe series. Have also downloaded the gold rush rancb books for a rainy day and can't wait to dive into those too!


Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the ARC in exchange for my review!

“That when it comes to you, I’m powerless.”

After reading Flawless, I’m happy that now it’s Jasper’s time!

A runaway bride, a distraction, one road trip, and a decade of feelings lingering change everything for these two.

Sloane has always been in love with Jasper since the moment she met him but with their age difference. Friends was the only option to keep him in her life. Fast forward to her being engaged and arranged to be married off to an NHL player.

After a horrible accident, Jasper finds himself young and living at Harvey’s with his friends who have become his brothers.

“You’re going to help me literally become a runaway bride?”

Jasper will always be there for Sloane when she finds herself shocking news on her wedding day. He helps her escape from making the worst mistake of her life.

“See, Sloane? You can wear someone else’s ring, but we both know you’ve always been mine.”

One road trip and the realization and trigger has Jasper going after what he has always wanted. And that’s Sloane.

Harvey: “Y’all went and made the kissing cousins saying a real-life thing.”
Beau: “I think they might be doing more than kissing. Look how red she is.”

When Harvey gives him that white envelope. I cried so hard! That whole part was so beautiful. Jasper’s life may not have always been easy with what he went through but he has his founded family and that means everything.

Harvey: “It’s hereditary. I mean, look at you.”
Jasper: “Harvey, I’m not so sure about your understanding of the word hereditary.”
Harvey: “Been raising cattle my entire life. I know the meaning. I know there’s nature. And there’s nurture. Don’t care much if I had a role in making you. I know in my heart I had a role in making you who you are today. And I’m damn proud of you, Jasper. “

This book touched my soul in so many different ways. Sloane has never had someone as supportive as Jasper in her life. While Jasper has always longed for the unconditional love Sloane has always shown him.

Thank you, NetGalley, Elsie Silver, and Bloom Books for this ARC. As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared on my bookstagram @Alexandriavwilliams_ shortly.

Going into Powerless, I wasn't sure what to expect. Many of the reviews I had seen of it were from readers who are huge fans of this series, who didn't like how this book changes direction from the rest of the series. Personally, I didn't love the first two books in this series, so I was actually quite excited for this change of pace. And for the first quarter of this book, I loved it. It felt much more grounded than the first two books, with real characters coping with relatable struggles. The book started slow, and although Jasper and Sloane have a past, the romance moved slowly as well. Then, as the relationship was given more context, I became less and less impressed with Jasper, and the story as a whole. I officially stopped enjoying this book about half way through, ironically, when the main characters get together. Not only did it cement my issues with the first half of the book, but Jasper's character also took a complete 180, effectively ruining my interest in him.

For context, this book followers Jasper and Sloane, who have been friends (although they are often referred to as cousins - ew) for 18 years. These whole 18 years, Sloane has loved Jasper, and everyone knows it. Jasper struggles with depression and anxiety, and Sloane has always been there to help him through it because he is her top priority. I don't love books where the women are pining and loving harder than the men, but still, I held out hope. However, at the 50% mark, Sloane and Jasper get together, and everything falls apart for me.

Again, I need to iterate that Sloane has loved Jasper for 18 years. (Although he later says he has always loved Sloane), Jasper only starts showing interest in her when she almost marries another man at the start of this book. It is important to note that this "interest" is primarily sexual, and born of possessiveness. However, he doesn't pursue her because he thinks he doesn't deserve her. At the 50% mark though, he decides to go for it (it being sex, not a relationship). Not because he vows to be better for Sloane, but because (and he literally states this) he decides he doesn't care if he's not good enough for her, he's going to have her anyway. They then start dating (really just sleeping together) until the third act breakup at the end of the book.

My problem with this is two-fold. One part of it is that once Sloane and Jasper start having sex, his character completely changes. Before, he was reserved, caring, and anxious. After they start having sex though, there are practically zero scenes of him talking. He only exists in the sex scenes. I understand that this is because Elsie Silver was trying to make him a desirable, dominant, MMC, but she didn't add a layer of seductivness to him, she completely changed scrapped and rewrote his character.

Again, some more context for this book: During sex Jasper enjoys being in total control and having women want to pleasure and obey him. This isn't my cup of tea, but that's fine. The real problem is the way that this new aspect of Jasper's personality in the bedroom plays off of his (now very limited) personality out of the bedroom. If Jasper wanted Sloane to work for and obey him in the bedroom, but outside of sex communicated his feelings and made sure Sloane knew he cared for and respected her, that would be fine. But he doesn't. In the bedroom, Jasper controls Sloane. Outside of the bedroom, we see Sloane's POV of her loving and taking care of Jasper. And outside of the bedroom, we don't get anything from Jasper's POVs. We see him talk to his friends, have a conversation or two with Sloane about the NHL, talk about sex ... but we never get any external signs, or even an internal monologue of him showing he cares for Sloane.

At first I felt like I was reading too much into this, but as I went on throughout this book it became clear that this choice was purposeful. To illustrate my point, I'll highlight a scene where Sloane and Jasper are having sex, and Jasper tells Sloane to crawl to him. He asks her how he feels about it, wondering how she feels to be out of control, and she says, "Jasper, I feel like I've been crawling to you for years. This is nothing new to me." He even notices that her eyes look empty, and then continues to have sex with her anyway. This is heartbreaking. It is totally okay to have Jasper and Sloane have a dom/sub dynamic in their sexual life, but the thing about sex (both real and fictional) is that it is something that has to be talked about. It is okay for Jasper to treat Sloane like a plaything in the bedroom if that is what they are both into, but it is not okay for him, knowing she loves him, to never reaffirm her outside of sex that she means something to him.

Overall, this book started out new and exciting, but as it went on, Jasper's characters fell apart, causing the romance to as well. He never showed Sloane that he loved her. At the very end of the novel (and largely due to his friend's insistence) he just stated it. Show, don't tell! I needed more than one scene in this book showing or even straight up telling me that Jasper cared for Sloane. The way that the sex scenes and relationship development played off each other in this book was so disappointing, as both during and outside of sex, Jasper always was taking love and care from Sloane, but never giving it back.

I'm not sure if I'm going to continue this series. There are some elements of it that I really enjoy, and Theo and Winter have a lot of potential, however I simply don't enjoy this author's writing style.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Bloom Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Elise Silver can do no wrong. Jasper can do no wrong. Sloane can do no wrong. I love everything about this. The healing both Sloane and Jasper go on is so … beautiful. I love both of their stories. I love the side stories, especially with Sloane's mom. Also a hockey romance, but he’s also like a country boy ?! Yes please. Elise Silver writes smut like no one’s business, and I am here for every single SECOND OF IT. I love this, and I can’t wait to finish the Chestnut Springs series!

Elsie Silver does it again and again!!!

I love this book. Not my favorite but it does make me excited for Wild Love and the rest of the Chestnut Springs series.