DNF....What a waste of an audible purchase....I hate age gaps like this, especially when the FMC is a virgin. But also, the questions she asks him, not even great narrators could save. I'm calling it. I hate this series and will never check out or purchase another book. They are all one-dimensional and cringy to me. I was like, maybe I didn't like the first one, but the rest progressively get better, right? Then I hated the second one, then I skipped to the 5th one because I liked the narrators, and nope. I apologize to the author and the people who loved this series, but this is hands down the most over-rated nothing series I've ever read, and I read like a book a day. Please check out the Knockemout series if you like small town romance. It's a million times better.

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-reader

Hopeless has to be my favorite of the series. Beau is an emotionally damaged hero without being a raging asshole, and he's up for the whole fake fiance bit? Sign me up.

I'm sad to see Chestnut Springs go, but so excited to see what comes next!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I have loved this series so much from book one. As someone from the south who sees actual cowboys this. Book makes it very hard to control myself while grocery shopping sometimes. I ove Elsie’s writing so much it’s witty, funny, and very well paced. I find i fly through these so quickly!

This was a very quick romance from Elsie Silver, lots of good tropes from small town to fake marriage. I really enjoyed Beau and Bailey's story and watching them both grow and get their happily ever after. I look forward to reading more from Elsie Silver in the future.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

Hands down this is my most favorite out of the series. I have not a single negative/bad thing to say about this one. Read all of them just to get to this one if your hesitating DONT. This book is another amazing installment in the Chestnut Spring series. I devoured it so fast and I am obsessed with Beau and Bailey and I think Beau's book was definitely worth the wait.

I have been hearing such great things about this series, and was not disappointed! I love a slow burn romance - it had just the right about of romance and steam that I enjoy.

Also, I didn't realize that this was book 5 in the series, but it didn't feel as though it took away from my ability to follow it. I think I probably would have enjoyed seeing some characters if I had known them from previous books, but it was still good!

This one did not disappoint at all. Lord 5 books in and I still want more. The stories and characters never leave you and just leave you wanting the next story.

I have never read Elsie Silver before but this story caught my attention and kept. I loved following Beau as he navigated his relationships with his family and his “fake” fiancé. Even though I had not read the rest of the series I had no problems following some of the backstory. I did however go back and read some of her other books.

I’ve devoured this entire series! Elsie Silver is one of my favorite authors now. She writes characters and romance so well. Even though I received this arc for free through NetGalley, I purchased the paperback version along with the rest of the series for my bookshelf.

Classic tropes: age difference, wrong side of the tracks, scarred hero.

Beau seemed to be wallowing a bit in his self-importance. I wasn't impressed by him at all. Bailey was a great example of how hard it is to get ahead when you start at a disadvantage. I like how Bailey was confident in exploring her sensuality and annoyed that Beau didn't trust her judgment. Overall, there is a lot of teasing and not a lot of plot movement.

PS. Get these people some sunscreen!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

In Elsie Silver's passionate and captivating novel, "Hopeless," we're introduced to an unlikely couple, Beau Eaton, the town prince and military hero, and Skye Hamilton, the outcast bartender from the wrong side of the tracks. Their paths collide, and an intriguing fake engagement is born out of a bet. As Skye attempts to shed her family's reputation and save up to escape the small town, Beau seeks a reprieve from his family's meddling. The lines between reality and pretense blur as they navigate this intricate arrangement. While they're expected to maintain a public display of affection, it's the private moments behind closed doors that challenge the boundaries of their carefully constructed facades. The chemistry between them ignites, and emotions that were never meant to be part of the deal begin to surface. Beau, a man scarred by his past, finds himself falling for the woman who was supposed to be nothing more than a pawn in his game. Skye, initially hesitant and cautious, gradually succumbs to the undeniable attraction between them. As their hearts become entangled, they confront the challenges and consequences that come with their unconventional relationship. Silver masterfully weaves a tale of forbidden love, societal expectations, and the transformative power of connection. The characters are relatable and well-developed, their struggles and triumphs tugging at the reader's heartstrings. The writing is evocative and sensual, capturing the intensity of their emotions and the raw passion that fuels their connection. "Hopeless" is a story that explores the complexities of love, the boundaries of societal norms, and the resilience of the human spirit. Silver's storytelling prowess shines as she takes readers on an emotional journey filled with twists, turns, and heartfelt moments. This book is a must-read for those who enjoy contemporary romance novels with a touch of forbidden desire and a satisfying happily-ever-after.

thiis book....RENT FREE in my mind!!! serving age gap slow burn fake dating romance like no one else!! i LOVE U BEAU EATON

Such a sweet ending to an amazing romance series! I don’t always love every single book in a connected romance series like this but this final one cemented this series for me.

I’m glad that Beau and Bailey were actually friends when their romance started, i think that was really important in their love story. I think Bailey really made Beau’s life a bit lighter. I’m glad that Elsie didn’t made this story as heavy as she could have given Beau’s past, i think this way it fit a bit better with the other four in the series.

Overall, this was a great ending to an amazing series & i will always recommend!!

*thank you NetGalley & Bloom books for this book*

I couldn't put this book down, I absolutely loved it! Beau might have topped the Chestnut Springs men for me because he was so darn perfect.

I loved his romance and chemistry with Bailey so much and I was rooting so hard for them by the end. Obsessed with them!

I love that every book in this series is different, but also the same in the perfect way. If you loved the first, you’re also going to love this one. So glad this series is getting the hype it deserves right now!

Elsie Silver is perfection in the world of small town romances. I loved the surprises she included throughout this story alongside the predictability that we all crave from books like this. Some of the plot points were WILD but I was mostly accepting of this 😂 I did read the series out of order but it just made me more excited to go back and fill in on the stories in books 2-4 😍

Thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the ARC.

I will always love Elsie SIlver's books! This was a great addition and closure to the Chestnut Springs series. It deals with lots of mental health issues and proudly announces, "It's okay to not be okay!"

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

LOVED!!! Hopelessly in love with this book.

Beau & Bailey. Let me start by saying that Beau did not disappoint!! I loved the fake dating, loved the age gap, and I honestly loved everything about this book! I loved the way they fell for each other and grew together. This was such a sweet and beautiful story.

My heart is a little broken that this series has come to an end. The Chestnut Springs series is such a gift to romance readers. This has to be one of my all-time favorite series I’ve ever read. I loved all the characters, and it’s so hard to even pick a favorite, because they are also so lovable. This book and the rest of the series will be one that I will read over and over again. I’ll make sure to have the paperbacks and the kindle versions!


📘: Hopeless by Elsie Silver
🗓️: January 30, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, Elsie Silver, and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Reviewed on NetGalley, Amazon, and Goodreads.

This was such a a good ending to this series! I loved both main characters and will miss all the characters in this series so much.