Elsie Silver only writes perfection. I love her style, story and characters. They become so personal to you, and this book was no different. It was so fun to read this story after her Chestnut Springs series as we hear and see some familiar faces, while it is still an original story.

Our two characters are Violet and Cade. They are the definition of the grumpy/sunshine trope. Violet and Cade in a way met two years prior to this book. She was in a sort of rut and decided to sign up for a site to post risque photos of herself and chat with strangers. Enter Cade, one of those strangers who she started chatting with. They developed a sort of pen pal situation, however, Cade never showed his face. They both obviously grew feelings for one another, but Cade immediately pulled back when he realized he was getting in too deep.

Flash forward to present day. Violet is not living on the farm where Cade does as he is the brother of her boss and also technically her boss. She does not initially know it is him, though he knows it is her. Fate throws them together and all of the walls that were originally erected are broken down again. We learn about each of their insecurities and how they help each other over come them.

This book has a much more serious tone than other Elsie books as it tackles some serious topics such as PTSD, amputation and veterans. I loved how it was handled with care and hate anyone who made Cade feel like less of a man.

I really loved how the book would go from past to present, showing the reader how the relationship progressed, regressed and progressed again.

This book also has all the great tropes:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Roommates
Small Town
Touch her and die
Spice!
Healing

Thank you to the publisher and author for an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love getting to read Violet story I love all the Eastan stories. Watching Violet with Cole and learning who Cole is was just amazing.

I had a really hard time with the writing of this book. I do know that Elsie Silver is super popular, but I just don't think her style works for me - not with this book at least. I had to DNF unfortunately.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS for an ARC of this book.

I didn’t love the first book in this series, but I still had high hopes as I’ve read two other series from Elsie and fell in love with many books in the series. This one did not disappoint!

This is the story of Violet and Cole, who started chatting online and fell for each other, but neither admitted it and now we’re in the present. Violet starts working on his family’s ranch as a jockey, and she moves in with him as she recovers from an injury.

Even though they so badly want to hate each other, they start falling for each other again, as they spend more time together and more things are shared. There’s one scene which melted my heart - where Cole and Violet end up needing to stay overnight outside while on a hike, and instead of her leaving him (as he instructs), she stays. Swoon!

Tension and emotions were high in this one. I would absolutely recommend, even if the first book in the series didn’t pull you in.

Elsie Silver absolutely delivers with A Photo Finish, a small-town romance packed with tension, longing, and just the right amount of angst. If you love a slow-burn, second-chance romance with a hero who broods like it’s his full-time job and a heroine who refuses to settle for less than she deserves, this one is for you.

If I had to nitpick, there were a few moments where I wanted a little more—more open communication, more resolution to some of the emotional roadblocks—but overall, this book had me hooked from start to finish. Fans of the Chestnut Springs series will love it, and if you haven’t read the others yet? Trust me, you’ll want to after this.

A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver is a solid, swoon-worthy romance with all the small-town charm and tension you’d expect. The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, and the emotional depth kept me engaged. While I really enjoyed the story, some parts felt a bit slower than I’d hoped, which is why it’s not quite a five-star read for me. That said, Elsie Silver always delivers, and this one is definitely worth picking up if you love a heartfelt, steamy romance!

I have loved Elsie Silver since her Chestnut Springs series. I have read all of her books except this series so when I read Off To The Races and didn't like the MMC I wasn't sure I would like the rest but I actually really enjoyed this one! It felt similar to her others (in a good way). I liked getting to know more about Violet and Cole. The way they met was not what I was expecting going in. I really enjoyed their moments together and how Violet helped Cole to come out of the darkness. I'm looking forward to Mira's story next.

Thank you to Bloom Books and the author for this gifted copy.

✨ I should tell her she’s so much more. The thing that got me out of bed most mornings. My bright spot. My sunshine.✨

A photo finish is the second book in the Gold Rush Ranch series.

I really enjoyed this book, I actually think I loved it even more than the first one.
I was completely hooked and intrigued from the first chapter!
Tortured soul Cole and sweet independent Violet are like fireworks! They have a secret past nobody knows about! And Cole has a long time secret he hasn’t even told his family about!
Cole & Violets world are thrust together when Violet is injured and in need of a place to stay!

Small town + Grump x Sunshine = perfection!

Elsie Silver is a queen of romance! She makes my heart melt among other things 😉 this story was great and I can’t wait to continue this series.

This is way too much spice! I have not read any Elsie Silver, this is my first attempt and it’s not what I expected it to be at all! Where are the horses? Where is the ranch vibe? It’s mostly just a story about online promiscuity & I was very taken aback. I did not enjoy this at all.

DNF at 20%.
I really wanted to push thru because I have this as an arc, but I can’t continue. The spice is just extremely disturbing, it’s borderline creepy with the way they’ve met and the things the male mc says. Every chapter began with these descriptive spice scenes of how they met. I can’t continue reading this, there is nothing propelling me to move forward.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver!

3.5⭐️ I definitely enjoyed this one more than the first, but I HATE when books have ~she doesn’t wear makeup and doesn’t feel like she needs to unlike some women~ and that happened twice within 80 pages.

yeehaw! thank you to the publisher for the arc for this. it took me a while to be in the mood to read this but i am so glad i waited til the time was right! i loved cole and violet so much! they are an amazing book couple and i loved reading more about actual ranch life. i can't wait to read the other books in this series!!

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, I will read anything and everything Elsie Silver writes even if it’s just her grocery list. A Photo Finish is delectable, and I cant wait to read the rest of the series.

I am *very* behind on reviews, but I love and will always continue to love every single thing that Elsie Silver writes!! Her stories feel like a comforting weekend trip to your family cabin/farm/property in a small town, and her characters are people I would love to have in my inner circle of friends.

10/10 will definitely binge the rest of the series ASAP.

A Photo FInish is the second book in the Gold Rush Ranch series and I think it is my new favorite Elsie book.

The dynamic between Violet and Cole… how they started off in secret a year ago and then come together to be forced to live together… It isn’t even one of my favorite tropes but the way their story was written had me flipping pages so fast while having all the emotions.

Cole’s back story and the hidden secrets of his own, Violet’s strength and determination, it just makes for such a great combo.

I loved seeing the characters from other books intertwined into this story and cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

I will forever be obsessed with all Elsie Silver worlds- and I’ve loved the series that started it all. I knew Violet and Cole’s story would be explosive, emotional, intense, and addictive- and it was all that and so much more. It’s a moving, emotionally rich, captivating love story of hope and healing, true love and growth. My favorite in the series!

A Photo Finish gives us the story of Violet and Cole, two characters we’ve glimpsed in earlier books of the series. Violet is a dedicated young jockey who has been working at Gold Rush Ranch for some time, while Cole is the brooding, mercurial, troubled brother of Vaughn Harding (the protagonist of book one). From the moment they meet, there’s undeniable chemistry between them, though what Violet doesn’t realize initially is that Cole already knows exactly who she is. Their first interaction happened online, in an anonymous, flirtatious, but meaningful way—but it ended abruptly. Their reunion two years later when they "meet" again doesn’t go smoothly, but when they’re forced to live together, Cole becomes increasingly drawn to Violet. Despite his attraction, he resists, trying to ignore her strength, beauty, and determination. Violet, in turn, tries to keep her distance, but the sparks between them are undeniable. They can't resist their connection, their pull.

Their dynamic is electric. The sexual tension and chemistry leap off the pages, and I couldn’t help but love how Violet fought for what she wanted and challenged Cole in ways no one else had before. She treated him like a normal person, not the hero, not the fragile veteran suffering from PTSD, and that was exactly what he needed. He didn’t want to be seen as broken.

While Off to the Races was more lighthearted, A Photo Finish delves into much heavier issues, such as PTSD, mental health, and sexual harassment. Elsie Silver does a fantastic job exploring these topics, adding real depth to both Violet and Cole’s characters. It was refreshing to see Cole get help with therapy, to take his challenges on with intention. Mental health is so critical, and therapy was crucial for both Cole and Violet. Their journey wasn’t easy, but it was made more powerful by the struggles they had to overcome.

Through finding emotional safety and connection in each other, they are able to confront their own baggage together and find a transformative journey. It was at times painful and heartbreaking, but ultimately, it was so rewarding to see them find happiness.

This book is hands down my favorite in the series. I loved how their story unfolded—the way they each had their own personal demons to face, and even though they were tested to their limits, they never gave up. A Photo Finish truly stole my heart. It’s everything I crave in a romance and full of yummy tropes- small-town setting, a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, a damaged hero, a strong heroine, forced proximity, and a delicious slow burn. I couldn’t have asked for a better love story. I was completely captivated by Cole and Violet and was rooting for their happily-ever-after every step of the way. And such a swoon-worthy, heartwarming, and charming ending, it was effortlessly romantic and heartfelt.

ELSIE NEVER FAILS! I can't believe I get to read her books, like they're all absolute masterpieces and make me feel *things*! So I'm reading this AFTER the Chestnut Springs series and before reading had no clue this was taking place BEFORE all of that since it includes Violet Eaton!! I was wondering if we would get her story and here it was all along! I'm glad it was re-released because I wouldn't have read them for years. This was hot, Violet and Cole are everything!

"You don't look at me like I'm tragic. You look at me like we're inevitable."

THIS MAN! THIS WOMAN! THEY WIN! they freaking win (my heart and everything else)