Member Reviews
It’s not often that I’m introduced to a new author and absolutely fall in love with their writing. Reckless by Elsie Silver was a beautiful story that made me fall hard for Elsie’s writing style and characters. This beautiful story about second chances in life, family redemption, and new love was a breath of fresh air while also giving the reader the familiar romance tropes we love.
We meet Winter as she is in the middle of a divorce from her vile husband and trying to mend the broken relationship with her sister. While visiting her sister she meets Theo Silva, the younger, rugged, and sexy bull rider she’s attracted to. After she follows him back to their hotel, they have a few drinks and one night of passion. It was supposed to be just on night, but that night left them both with a permanent souvenir. This is just the beginning of their love story.
What I love about Winter is that she’s honest about her flaws and mistakes and that she is the one in the wrong with her sister. We see her grow so much as a person and learn to trust the good things happening in her life. Reckless showed how we can let go of our past, find forgiveness, and have a beautiful future. I absolutely loved Theo and his assertiveness. He is the perfect book boyfriend! I highly recommend this story and I will be reading more from Elsie Silver in the future.
Another Elsie favorite!!! I now understand what people were saying with the Theo.fing.Silva comments. And let's just say they weren't wrong. 🥵😍🥵😍🥵
At first, I was curious about this one. The glimpses of Winter we had gotten in previous books I didn't love, and while I'm fine with the accidental pregnancy trope, I can't hop on board with the secret baby. But then. Then, Theo thawed the ice queen and melted all of our hearts in the process and this book was soooo sooo good!!!
Their gas station and drive to the ranch meet cute was something else, and of course you have to wonder how does one get from that, to, well, Vivi! After 'his' initial reaction to her being pregnant, my heart dropped into my stomach. I could imagine everyone was reading the same book and loved Theo. But when he returns, unsuspectingly right next door to Winter, I was so excited to see how he would fix that reaction. Until we see he really didn't know and my heart broke for him, for them. And I loved every minute of watching Theo work to put back the pieces, not just for each of then indivually but for the the three of them as a family. He pursued without being pushy, she learned to lean on him and start trusting again. With both his mom and Harvey in their corners (Also the part where Harvey spilled the beans on accident 🤣) plus their friends turned family, they were able to fight for each other through the course of the book in a way that was just perfect for them and their situation and I wouldn't have it any other way!
This book had everything you could want in an Elsie book - the best friends, a hilarious text thread, Harvey comments, Theo, steamy moments, and one heck of a romance. I can't wait for the next one!
Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the ARC in exchange for my review!
We have reached the moment of my Chestnut Springs re-read that I have been waiting for! I was so excited to revisit the instalment that was my favourite the first time through. Of course, it remains so on my second, in which I just let myself read this in one sitting on Sunday morning and it is just so damn perfect.
Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
Characters: How on earth can I even put into words how much I love Winter and Theo? Winter, was a character I remember being so excited to see have her own story. Throughout my re-read, I have been looking forward to being in her mind again. She is one of my favourite characters in this series, how she went from somewhat of a villain, to this girl in need of this found family. I am so glad she found it with Theo! He is definitely the most gentlemanly guy in Chestnut Springs. It is hard not to fall in love with him and how he loves his daughter and Winter with his whole heart.
Setting: This story primarily takes place on the same road in Chestnut Springs, where Theo and Winter have conveniently ended up as next-door neighbours. Don’t worry there are still some key scenes at the Wishing Well, including my favourite Eaton family dinner with a “my wife” reference!
Pacing: I remember flying through the book on my first time through, my second I re-read it on a Sunday morning in one sitting. I woke up, grabbed the book and just read for a few glorious hours. That is how easy this book, these characters, and this relationship is to escape into.
Romance: Winter and Theo are the best Chestnut Springs couple! Elsie convinced me to love a trope that is often so hard to execute. From the early chapters, their chemistry is obvious and once they have a child it all but intensifies. The love feels so epic in this one. The spice and the steam are really great too, from the scene in the gym to the scene at the wedding, I just ate it all up. I cannot speak enough about how much I love this book, and how it is not just my favourite book in the series but one of my favourites I have read this year.
I have never been a fan of “ranch/cowboy” books but this totally changed my mind. It was so well written, the characters were relatable and realistic.
I really adore this author and this entire series has been amazing! I adored Theo and Winter! I loved how they balanced each other out. Theo really was a great guy, who wanted Winter and a family. These two don’t hit it off at first but they decided to have a one night only! Fast forward to Winter being a single mom, Theo in town to do a rodeo demo but gets hurt. Theo gets a second chance with Winter and soon realizes the baby is his. Boy does Theo step up! Winter starts to finally open up and wants Theo. I adored this story of finding oneself, falling in love, and letting the past go to move on! Can’t wait to read Beau’s story!
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication date: December 5, 2023
Reckless is the 4th instalment of Elsie Silver’s Chestnut Springs spicy romance series. This was previously published and has been updated and rereleased.
Winter Hamilton had an icy reputation in her family and workplace. Raised by an uncaring mother and married to the doctor that once treated her sister, Winter is surprised to find out some family secrets that help her understand how her sister and her were raised so differently.
Theo Silva is a young bull rider well known on the circuit not only for his skills in the ring but his skills in the bedroom. As Rhett Eatons protégé, he’s on a mission to win the world buckle and conquer “buckle bunnies” along the way.
After a one night stand between Theo and Winter, she attempts to reach him weeks later when she has news to share with him. After he clearly wants nothing to do with her, she moves on. Too bad the one night they had was the best sex either of them had every had.
When they run into each other more than a year later, their chemistry is undeniable and that little secret Winter was trying to share, is a bombshell Theo never expected.
This was another amazing instalment of this series. I really enjoyed Winter and Theo’s story. This is a 4.5 star read for me!!
#NetGalley #elsiesilver #reckless
This was cute. I really loved Theo and how he fought for his family every step of the way. It was refreshing to read a romance novel that didn’t have a third act break up!
I absolutely ADORE this series. Winter is a strong, yet fragile, woman and I loved watching her fall in love with Theo. Theo and Winter’s banter is perfect. Their chemistry is perfect. All together this book is perfect.
Read if you like:
-single mom
- banter
- he falls first
Such a wonderful book with wonderful characters.
In Elsie Silver's Reckless, the scorching romance between rowdy bull rider Theo Silva and resilient STEM professional Winter unfolds with unexpected intensity. A chance encounter at a small-town gas station sparks a connection that leads to a passionate one-night stand, complicating Winter's life when she discovers she's pregnant with Theo's child. Silver masterfully navigates the challenges of single parenthood, unraveling layers of emotion and trust between Theo and Winter. The delicate handling of the "Secret Baby" trope adds depth to the narrative, showcasing the characters' vulnerabilities and their journey towards healing. With compelling characters, genuine emotions, and a perfect blend of steamy romance and western aesthetics, Reckless stands out as a beautifully portrayed love story, affirming Elsie Silver's storytelling prowess and making it a must-read for those seeking a heartfelt and captivating romance.
Icy and off-standish Dr. Winter Hamilton meets wild and carefree bull-rider Theo Silver the night she leaves her awful husband. His charming and soulful personality has her jumping into bed with him, and just Winter’s luck…she ends up pregnant. 18 months later, Theo and Winter see each other again and secrets and misunderstandings come to light between the two. Parenting together is going to hard with their wildly opposing personalities, but throw attraction and possibly love into the mix? This is going to be a wild ride.
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I have been eagerly awaiting this installment of the Chestnut Springs series and I was not disappointed! Like a lot of fans, I was surprised that Theo was going to be Winter’s love interest and was interested to see how that played out, AS WELL as redeeming Winter. Because…Winter? Oh she was a hot mess leading up to this book. I should have known Elsie Silver would take a complicated woman and turn her into one my of favourite female characters ever. Winter is sharp edges and vulnerability buried deep where no one can find it. Except Theo. Theo cracks Winter open and loves what he sees- not just even the sharp edges, but especially them.
Yes this is a surprise pregnancy book but it’s also kind of a secret baby surprise too, and for Winter it’s the best thing that ever happened to her. I could talk for hours about the reality of parenting a newborn and while I never had to do it alone like Winter did at first, it seemed like Silver nailed it. I think so many fans are going to go crazy for Theo, but for me the real star of the show was Winter and her healing her relationship with her sister and finding a group of friends that loved her as is.
Tropes- surprise pregnancy, secret baby, single mom, he falls first, close proximity, grumpy/sunshine.
I really loved this book! These characters where everything for me. I really enjoyed seeing Winter’s side of childhood and growing up compared to Summer’s. This had a trope I’m usually not a fan of, but Elsie did it so well. Theo was just *chef kiss*. I couldn’t get enough of the banter and chemistry between Winter and Theo. I also really enjoyed how Winter comes to be able to express her love for those around her and the true meaning of family. I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the series. Elsie Silver’s May just be my new all time favorite author and an auto buy author for me. I literally binged read the first 75% of this book in one sitting and stayed up late doing it which is rare for me to do. I highly recommend this book and series to everyone.
Absolutely recommend this, it’s one of my favorite of the series, possibly #1 on any given day. This is a standalone but I do recommend at least reading Reckless before this to get a sense of how Winter is perceived. “Unlikeable” FMCs are my favorite and Winter fits in that descriptor. She’s closed off and misjudged but the way Theo ends up truly seeing her is simply beautiful.
Okay so, the secret baby trope. You’ve probably already heard that this will convert those wary of the trope and I could totally see that. I will say I’m a huge fan of surprise pregnancy and this is similar but a little different in that a certain time jump will absolutely break your heart. To be quite honest it holds me back from rereads of this story but it’s such a gut punch. So some of the reasons why I like surprise pregnancy don’t apply here and made it harder for me to read. I will say you can trust Elsie Silver to put you back together by the end and it truly is one of the best feeling HEAs of what I’ve read from her so far. So yes you’ll go through the wringer but it’s worth it! Especially cause Theo is soo amazing and gets with the program real fast.
I absolutely loooved the friendship between Winter and Sloane. I knew there would be sister dynamics with Summer but wasn’t expecting Winter’s connection to Sloane and it was so wonderful.
The spice per usual is well done. I will warn yall that the premise is correct they start off with a one night stand but you don’t really get the spicy details until later on in the story. But you do eventually get them so just hold out!
I’ve been enjoying this re-released covers and Elsie Silver’s quality continues to be so high with different stories and characters each time. Thank you to Bloom for this ARC!
4.25 stars
Elsie Silver’s Reckless is grumpy/sunshine gold, with the aptly-named Winter bringing all of that grumpy, and the infectiously optimistic Theo providing all those sunshine-y rays.
Fans of the Chestnut Springs series are already familiar with both of these characters. I, for one, have been waiting for Winter’s story. The author does a great job of creating an aura of ice around the character, and provides the perfect person to help her thaw.
Typically, I don’t always love the surprise baby trope, but this time, it is done to perfection. And the chemistry between Winter and Theo is white hot.
Thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
This is book four in a series, and although there are some details that aren’t discussed in this story, it didn’t affect the quality of the story at all and was read as a stand-alone for me.
After a one night stand, Winter winds up pregnant. Theo and her did not start things off on the right foot. Winter is mean, cold and has a tough shell she won’t let anyone crack. Theo is a womanizer bull rider. But maybe things aren’t as they seem on the outside.
I enjoyed this story and found myself relating to Winter a lot. I enjoyed the background stories of friendship, family and love as well as the main story line. It definitely made me want to pick up the previous books to get the whole story myself.
Hot and steamy moments to enjoy as well.
Restless by Elsie Silver, book four in the Chestnut Springs series. Possible second chances, spiciness, cowboys and family. Look forward to reading more in series.
Reckless reminded me why I LOVE a well written secret pregnancy book. Theo and Winter were everything. I’ve enjoyed all the books from this series but I had been anticipating Theo and Winter’s romance since the beginning and Elsie did not disappoint. If someone thinks they hate secret baby trope, they need to read this book, Elsie Silver will prove them wrong! All the stars!
Loved loved loved , wow this series keeps getting better and better, loved this couple so much and their ups and downs , i need more
Winter Hamilton is finally ready to have good things in her life. She is making amends with Summer, and joins in for family dinner at the Eaton Ranch. On her way to dinner she runs into Theo Silva at a gas station and from the get go he can't help but charm her and get under her skin, just for her to lash back at him and he loves every second of it. Despite her fighting her attraction she gives into Theo later that night at the Hotel they are both staying at. After they both have one of the best nights of their lives they seperate, and vow to stay away from each other. Fate may have other plans for them, and they both may get everything they ever wanted in a way they both least expect.
This series is honest to god a masterpiece. Elsie Silver is such an expert of balancing banter, smut, growth, vulnerability, and chemistry between characters. The character development of Winter in this one was so well paced and presented. The tension between Theo and Winter was mouth watering I could not stop reading. There are so many moments where the characters action's gave such insight to their personalities, and the writing that achieved that was beautiful. You feel so much for the characters, and see yourself in so much of the characters it is haunting.
𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 (𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟒 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐧𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬)
✍🏻 @authorelsiesilver
🎁ARC gifted by @valentine_pr_
📖 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
𝟓/𝟓⭐️
💭OK 𝗘𝗟𝗦𝗜𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗥 I FREAKIN' SEE YOU. You know an author can write the hell out of a book when she takes a character you're not particularly fond of and she ends up being your favorite of the entire series. There will be absolutely NO Winter slander on this page of mine. You can see your way out. And don't even get me STARTED ON THEO. I was also unsure how I'd feel about him because you don't see a TON of him in the other books, but he's absolutely one of my favorite MMCs of the series as well. And don't you worry- the comedy that is Harvey is BACK in full force here.
𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝🫶🏻
▪️fourth book in the Chestnut Springs series
▪️reverse grumpy / sunshine
▪️small town
▪️accidental pregnancy
▪️one night stand
𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: SLAY 𝗘𝗟𝗦𝗜𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗥 SLAY. I finished this book in less than a day. The text messages are back. The family dynamic you fall in love with in the first three books is back. The relationship between Winter & Theo is a chef's kiss. I freakin' loved everything about this book. Go start this small town series RIGHT FREAKIN' NOW. And then come thank me later.
Not sure if I was supposed to read this series together or if each story could be a standalone. Either way I loved the characters in this book and their hearts. The heat too 🔥 🔥 🔥