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.

Jasper is the handsom hockey player and Sloane has been in love with him her whole life. On her wedding date, she is really unhappy and Jasper busts her out of the wedding and they leave together.

Jasper has a lot of drama and issues from his past. Sloane has to overcome her family issues... Both are terrific characters.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley, Elsie Silver, and SourceBooks Bloom Books for allowing me to review Powerless!

I was waiting so patiently for Jasper's book, and I am so glad I have finished reading it. The story involves Jasper, a close friend and Sloane, a cousin to members of the past characters in books in the series. The two of them are childhood friends and close; however, Sloane is set to get married. Jasper, not wanting to acknowledge his feelings is beside himself. On the day of her wedding, things don't go as planned when Sloane finds out information about her fiancé and Jasper is her saving grace. Since that day, things seem to have changed between them, from friends to something more.

This book is full of spice and is a great childhood friends to lovers, slow burn type of romance. If you are a fan of the series, then it is definitely worth a read.

4⭐️

Jasper and Sloane are soulmates and you cannot tell me otherwise. Since they were kids, they were kindred spirits and no matter who came and went, they ended up together. Jaspers past was so tragic and heartbreaking and both Jasper and Sloane lacked a feeling to love and trust. They found that in each other. No matter how hard they tried they were meant to be. I absolute adored this book!

Favorite Quote:
“Sunny, you’ve always been my girl.”

5⭐, 3🌶️

"Because I've been staring at Jasper Gervais since I was ten years old, and suddenly...he's staring back."

Oh dear, sweet Jasper. How we knew you'd be a wonderful hero in a romance novel, then you had to go and start getting HOT AND POSSESSIVE with Sloane's ring, and a certain "crawl to me" scene😏And him calling her sunny, ugh freaking loveeed that! Jasper and Sloane's characters are so perfect for each other and I loved that throughout their road trip, and THEN we got a peak of Gold Rush Ranch!

"He makes me believe in myself. Then he bosses me around in bed - but I like that part. The rest of it makes me realize how powerless I've been trained to be my entire life. It stirs an unfamiliar rage inside of me."

Tropes:
💜Hockey x Ballerina Romance
💜Childhood Friends to Lovers
💜Forced Proximity - Road Trip
💜Small Town/ Character Series

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

ALSO, all the chaos with the mystery of Beau's disappearance throughout this book has me SO EXCITED for us to get his book! SO SO EXCITED!

Lastly, CONGRATU-FREAKING-LATIONS to Elsie Silver for this indie book series for all being traditionally published! 💜

Thank you NetGalley and and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for an eARC copy of Powerless, by Elsie Silver! This is my free and honest review.

Return to Chestnut Springs for Jasper and Sloane's childhood crush, friends to lovers story. Silver builds the tension slowly as Sloane runs away on her wedding day after learning her husband to be has cheated on her. Jasper steps up and whisks her away from the fallout of the wedding by going on a road trip. Forced proximity, a near death situation, one bed, and a spicy shower moment ensue. If slow burn, friends to lovers, yearning fueled romances are your vibe then this book is for you.

I think this is my favorite one so far. It had a lot of depth and I just couldn't help but fall in love with the characters, especially Jasper 👀

I think the biggest surprise for me was that I actually liked it. And that's not to say I thought it would be bad, because Elsie Silver couldn't write a bad book if she tried. What I mean is friends to lovers, especially childhood friends to lovers, is my least favorite trope. It almost always feels like there's absolutely no angst or tension or really even that undeniable chemistry. But Sloane and Jasper? All the tension. It was palpable. 😏

The passion, love, humor, and growth, all make the characters loveable and relatable. Jasper is definitely my favorite though (sorry Sloane). Did I say that already? Well it's double true. Firstly because who can't relate to social anxiety? Secondly because that filthy filthy mouth 😳. He's definitely the best of the men so far and I really don't think anyone could top (hehe) him.

Honestly I'd give is six stars for the crawl to me scene if I could. 😌

I promise the book was not all spice, I just can't help mentioning it because 🤌🤌🤌. There's love, grief, trauma, abandonment issues, everything that makes a story feel raw and real.

Childhood friends to lovers? Count me in. Sloane and Jasper are hot like molten lava

The growth we see in Sloane is palpable. The way that Elsie tackled Jasper’s trauma and the anxiety and just … overwhelming pain? Masterclass. Bravo. Everything I expect and more from her!

Now — when Jasper helps Sloane take off her wedding shoes to run? Absolutely swoon worthy and it’s truly the small details that make this story shine. To see Sloane figure herself out and essentially return to her roots made the characters and plot line feel so real and honest.

This book had me crying, laughing… and wanting to set my kindle on fire. Silver masterfully writes these touching, genuinely emotional stories that just keep me coming back for more.


Thank you to Netgalley, Bloom Books, and Elsie Silver for the eArc!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher's for this Advanced Readers Copy of Powerless by Elsie Silver!

I've been wanting to read this because the hype is unbelievable. Its well deserved. I truly loved this book and will be reading the others. I'm a little upset I waited so long to read them lol.

I feel like this series keeps getting better and better.

This childhood friends to lovers is perfection. It has so many other tropes and elements that added to it, but it was exactly what I want when I read this trope.

Jasper is wow. SO much more than I expected. Like damn 🥵 iykyk

Sloane’s growth in this book was exquisite. I was cheering for her and so proud. It was an amazing journey.

These two together were beyond hott. They set my kindle on fire.

You seriously experience all the emotions when reading this book. It was so hard to put down. I laughed out loud multiple times, I got teary eyed for beautiful moments, felt like I got gut punched with a twist, I got outraged and shocked and scared and yep, all of the feels. Highly recommend!

Was up till 1:30a binging this.
So freaking good.
As a daddy's girl Harvey had me a blubbering mess 😭🥹. Stole the show at the end for me.

Keep telling myself I'm not a friends to lovers fan but when it's the broken boy.... Apparently I'm sold.

Ahhh these books just keep getting better and better!
I don’t think I love anything more in a book than a childhood crush turned into love as adults.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

“We’re us. Unlikely and inevitable all at once. We’re forever.”

Sloane & Jasper are both amazing in their own ways. Their relationship is built on a deep friendship, stemming from childhood and it's beautiful.
I appreciated how Elsie tackled Jasper's trauma, his pain and his anxiety.


Tropes + Topics:
🩰 Childhood friends to lovers
🏒 Cousin’s best friend (gives brother’s bf vibes)
🩰 Longtime crush
🏒 Found family
🩰 Hockey player & Ballerina
🏒 Flashbacks
🩰 Road trip
🏒 Forced proximity
🩰 Small town
🏒 Dual POV/first person
🩰 Canadian setting
*check triggers if you have any!

Can’t wait for Theo & Winter’s story, and then of course BEAU 🥰

Thank you to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Bloom for a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Jasper and Sloane have known each other ever since Sloane's best friend's, Violet, family took him in as one of their own. Everyone sees them as cousins. They see each other as friends. But when Sloane's arranged wedding falls through, they both are very happy for a chance to see their friend as something more.
This is book 3 in the Chestnut Springs series, a small town, best/childhood friends to lovers, one bed spicy romance that had me swooning and kicking my feet! When he kneels down to help her take her wedding shoes off to help her run away? Come on! I love how much into each other they both secretly are and have been for so long. The sense of family that Elsie writes into her books is priceless, the Eaton family is really close knit and I'm loving every minute of it.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I AM SO OBSESSED WITH JASPER. and when he calls her sunny <3

swooning over another hockey man. who could have guessed. me. i could have.

sometimes series scare me but this one did not let down at all.

i am obsessed with the men of chestnut springs and i am currently packing my bags to find me one asap !!!

if you haven’t already u need this series in ur life.

5/5

Book three of the Chestnut Springs Series did not disappoint. We get to dive into Jasper Gervasis life, the quiet standoffish hockey player. But there was one thing he loved more than hockey, she just doesn’t know it. It is easier to keep people at a distance than to let them get too close. That's when secrets get revealed.

Sloane has been crushing on Jasper since she was 10 years old, but she thinks Jasper has only ever seen her as a friend. With her life starting to crumble after a broken engagement, she has to get her priorities fixed and decide what is next for her. Jasper just happens to be there with her through this new period of her life, and now she is not sure she ever wants him to leave.

Just like all of the books before it in this series, I loved it. It was fun to watch Jasper make his moves towards Sloane, and to watch her character growth. By growth, I feel like it might be more of a “find her way back” to her roots and who she is. I did feel like something was missing between the characters. I felt the sexual tension and the love, but it felt a little forced at times. It was not my favorite in the series, but definitely one I want to add to my bookshelf!

I absolutely love this book. The author does a great job of keeping the reader interested throughout the story, and the overarching character development is great. I really loved Sloan and her entire personality and growth by the end. She is me & I am her 😭

This book is a great mix of friends to lovers and hockey romance. I had never been on for the friends to lovers trope, but I’m changed after this book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone, even if these tropes previously haven’t been your thing, Elsie can change you!! Thank you NetGalley and the author for an eARC of this book

Thank you SOURCEBOOKS bloom books and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

this was soooooo good! childhood best friends, "it's always been you". ugh i loved it. the sexual tension between sloane and jasper, but neither one wanting to give in because they didn't want to risk their friendship.. *CHEFS KISS* sloane standing up to her trash father, jasper overcoming his fears and finally putting himself first and trust the people he loves wont leave. such a beautiful story and jasper is HOT! a really good read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the childhood best friends to lovers trope, as well as anyone who's read the other books in this series. Seriously, such a good read!

Powerless: ★★★★★ (5) 🌶️🌶️ (2)