𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬
𝘼 𝙋𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙤 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝
𝙀𝙡𝙨𝙞𝙚 𝙎𝙞𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙧
3.5/5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Elsie Silver is a fantastic writer and I will continue to read anything she publishes! I wasn’t full gripped by this one, though. It had great angst, plot, and character dynamics…but something felt missing. The MMC was a bit of a drag sometimes, but he finally got his stuff together. Read if you love horses, angsty chemistry, and overcoming personal trauma / obstacles.

Violet is a really adorable character. She is strong and capable and had a cute sense of humor. She knew she had to push herself outside her comfort zone at one point and ended up virtually meeting Cole, although she didn’t know who he really was. Cole is a grump and it wasn’t until about halfway through this book that was really explained. However, the pieces came together and Violet was absolute sunshine the whole way through. Throughout the entire novel, Violet and Cole have a push and pull dynamic where the tension between them is palpable. (There is also a ton of blushing cheeks). The glimpses from their past interactions really add to it and show another perspective as the story moves on. There is a large helping of steam with this book (especially in their past interactions) and sometimes Cole comes off as only thinking about one thing with Violet. It toes a line and ends just on the side of not too creepy. Cole undergoes the most growth, which is refreshing to see, as Violet always stayed true to herself. I loved the ranch theme and as the first Elsie Silver book I’ve read, it will definitely not be the last! 4⭐️, 3.5🌶

Read if you like:
- Cowboy romance
- Second chance
- Dual POV
- Age gap

This is only the second book that I’ve read by Elsie Silver, the first being Off to the Races, and I did see major improvements in her writing. I appreciated the depth to these characters, the struggles that Cole had to overcome, and their connection. However, I wasn’t a fan of Cole and Violet’s meet-cute as it felt a bit icky to me. Overall, there were definitely some questionable parts to this story, but it was enjoyable and I will likely continue this series at some point. I also liked that we got introduced to the Eaton family, so I’m excited to read the Chestnut Springs series in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I devoured this book. A steamy grumpy sunshine that kept me turning the page until the very end. I loved that the MMC, Cole, had trauma/baggage, that was slowly revealed to the reader. His therapist, Trixie, cracked me up at every turn. Violet, the FMC was bright and cheery but also tough as nails. Even though she was tiny (really, though...she'd a professional jockey) she was so mighty.

This is book two in the series and now I need to go read book one to catch up!

Thank you for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

This was my first Elsie Silver book and I’m obsessed! This was a fun cute grumpy/sunshine small town trope.

Violet is a new jockey and has a passion for racing horses. Cole is a veteran who runs a multinational business who has come back to the ranch (reluctantly) to help with a business venture. Little does Violet know she knows her new boss…intimately. Can they manage to keep it professional or will they rekindle their connection. Or will his past make her walk away for good?

I read this book in one day and couldn’t put it down. I loved the twist about halfway through. I wasn’t prepared or expecting that at all.

Solid 4/5 stars and I would highly recommend this one!!

Thank you Elsie Silver and Bloom books for the chance to read A Photo Finish e-ARC!

I'm absolutely in my small town era! This book is amazing! It made me giggle and kick my feet, blush, and made me nervous at certain parts.

Cole and Violet are life. They have such a fun and unique story in how they met and I absolutely ate that up! The tension, chemistry, and banter between these two was absolutely top teir.

Cole is our haunted MMC who was previously in the military and has a lot of ✨️trauma✨️ of which, causes him to keep to himself, never really getting close to anyone, especially not a lady-friend.

Violet is our up and coming jockey with ambition and drive to be the best in her sport. She has confidence, she is sweet, and is an absolute badass.

If you want a book that makes you feel so immersed in their story that it feels like you're living it with them, definitely pick up this book (or really anything Elsie Silver because I swear, she is a genius with words).

Tropes:
Small Town
Grumpy × Sunshine
Horses/racing
Broken to healed
Veteran
Past trauma

I have loved the Eaton family since becoming obsessed with Chestnut Springs, and could not wait to read Violets story after seeing her pop up. Needless to say I loved this just as much as the others!

I’m so glad I picked up this series, and to see that it’s getting traditionally published makes my heart happy. When I first discovered Elsie Silver, I knew right away she was going to become one of my favorite romance authors. I first read her Chestnut Springs series and completely fell in love with her writing style and character development. Her books are a breeze to read and very fast-paced, but they’re also well-plotted and always leave me wanting more. I think what I love most about her books is how great the male love interests are. They’re all swoon-worthy and always know exactly the right thing to say to the women in their lives. Reading these books feels like being wrapped up in a big, warm hug. It’s hard not to smile while reading. When I picked up A Photo Finish, I had high hopes that it would be amazing, and it definitely did not disappoint. If you are looking for a well-written and fast-paced cowboy romance, this is the book you should pick up this summer! I’m so excited to see where this series goes next!

Thoughts: I definitely liked this one better than the first one in the series. Violet is the girl who Cole talked to online, but one day she disappears. He recognizes her right away. The grumpy x sunshine was really great in this book. Somehow they are able to find happiness and I'm glad I was along for the ride.

Vibes:
Small Town
Forced Proximity
Grumpy x Sunshine
Spice: 2/5

“We’re like two opposite ends of a magnet, naturally drawn to each other.”

I’m just saying if you guys haven’t read this series yet and you loved chestnut springs, it’s so worth it!!! I actually had the best time from start to finish, also getting to see Violet Eaton finally made me sooo freaking happy! Also a man in therapy?! We love to see it honestly!!!

I absolutely loved this book! I finished it in less than a day! I could not put it down! Elsie Silver is an incredible author and the banter queen! I did not know that I needed Violet's story as much as this! Every story that Elsie Silver creates interlock together so well!

Book Review
A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver

Gold Rush Series book 2
Locale- Ruby Creek

FMC- Violet- you know her from Chestnut Springs series- she’s an Eaton, sweet and sunshine, former groomer and new jockey

MMC-Cole- brooding grouchy former cowboy , retired military turned businessman

Tropes and Triggers
Spicy
Broken to healed
PTSD
Forced proximity
Internet hook up
Retired military
Horses/racing
Grumpy vs sunshine

Thoughts
Mmmmm…. 😊
Spicy and sweet
Binged this one easily- Elsie just gets it-
The sexual tension, the mindfuck your brain plays with your heart when you’re falling in love , the art of hiding your pain and loneliness, the dialogue and banter of personality clashes… ALL OF IT

Read it
Whether you are in your cowboy era or not… her books leave a smile on your face 😏

Thanks to @netgalley and Bloom (Sourcebooks) for my digital ARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.

📖 A Photo Finish
✍️Elsie Silver
🗓️Jul 23 2024
📝SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books | Bloom Books

Genre:
Contemporary romance
Series or standalone:
Gold Rush Ranch Series

Tropes:
🐎dual timeline
🐎sunshine x grumpy
🐎sports romance
🐎second chance romance
🐎hidden identity
🐎small town romance
🐎forced proximity
🐎 veteran soldier

💭 Summary 💭
Cole once had his chance with Violet. But he blew it. They were never meant to meet again, but it’s a small world and they meet on his family ranch where she works as a jockey.
Will there be a second s chance for them?

Heroine:
Violet Easton
Hero:
Cole Harding

Location:
Gold Rush Ranch, Ruby Creek, Canada 🇨🇦
Fluency/Writing:
violet Easton…. Wait where did we hear that name again? Yes, in our beloved Chestnut Springs Series. Now we finally get the chance to meet the youngest Easton. I could not wait, I was way too excited for this!

This is not quite up to par yet with the Chestnut Springs Series but in typical Elsie Silver fashion, it was still a book worth reading. I liked Violet a lot and I am glad we got to know the youngest sibling as well. She is sassy and driven, I loved that about her.

⭐️Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own, I was under no obligation to review.

Not my favorite Elsie Silver book, but still binged it in one sitting. I loved Violet! What a sweet optimistic soul. I even liked broody Cole. I was initially icked out by how their relationship started, but the penpals theme grew on me. I loved reading about Violet training Pippy-what a sweet subplot. This one wasn’t as strong of a start to the relationship as some of her other books, but overall I thought it was a fun read. I’ll definitely go back and read the rest of the series!

A Photo Finish is book two in the Gold Rush Ranch series by Elsie Silver. I loved the first book in this series, Off to the Races. It's only my busy reading schedule that has made it difficult for me to get to this second book. But it was well worth the wait.

We met the sweet and sassy Violet Eaton in book one. She is twenty six years old and has gone from horse groomer at Gold Rush Ranch, to their jockey. The girl lucky enough to ride their horses in races. Violet had a great childhood with three older brothers and a dad who loved her, maybe too much. They were very over protective. So when she moved away and got the job at Gold Rush, it was her way of launching Violet 2.0. A newer, bolder version ready to take on the world. Which is what brought her to the attention of Cole Harding.

I loved the way these two initially met. It was perfect for them and it allowed them to get to know each other in a way they wouldn't have otherwise. Without even realizing it was happening, they became reliant on each other. They looked forward to their conversations. Because conversations were all they were. There were no faces, no identities. Until everything changed. Now they are living on the same ranch, forced to share the same house. Neither can help but to want more from the other, to wish for what could never be.

Cole has secrets, secrets that have kept him from fully rejoining society. But, when his secrets are finally revealed, it gives he and Violet the chance to explore the chemistry between them. And let me tell you, these two do have ALL the chemistry. As their bond deepens, though, it also forces Cole to face his deepest triggers and he is forced to make a decision. To live in the past, in the dark corners, never knowing the joys life might have in store for him? Or to face them head on, not to allow them to win.

I really did love this book. I loved these two together. And I loved seeing more from Billie and Vaughn from the first book as well. This is such a wonderful series. Elsie Silver has such a beautiful way of telling her stories.

Elsie Silver's books are always so much fun and this one is no exception! I have been loving the Chestnut Spring series so it was so much fun to go back to get to know the youngest Eaton sibling, Violet! She's everything I would hope she would! She driven, compassionate, and independent! I loved learning about what made her want to leave home and strike out on her own!

Without giving too much away, the way her and Cole first "meet" is definitely nothing like I've read before!
Their chemistry is so good, their banter plays off each other in the most fun way! They help each other grow and heal to become the best versions of themselves!

I'm definitely looking forward to diving into the rest of the Gold Rush series as it continues to get re-released!

Tropes
-dual timeline
-sunshine x grumpy
-sports romance
-second chance romance
-hidden identity
-small town romance
-forced proximity

Gahhhh. This book. Cole. Violet. They are everything!

This story definitely took a twist I did not see from the get go. And I loved it!

Cole. Omg Cole. Tortured beautiful grumpy veteran soldier. I just wanted to wrap him in a giant hug and love him. He stole my heart.

Violet was everything I hoped she’d be and more and exactly what Cole needed. Her sunshine to his dark cloud. Opposites attract. They were wonderful together and the chemistry did not lack at all. Absolutely loved them.

This book makes you laugh, breaks your heart, and warms your soul. It was just perfection.

I loved the Chestnut Springs series from Elsie Silver and was excited to dive into her earlier series. A Photo Finish was great - super emotional while also being hopeful, and the characters have great chemistry.

Violet Eaton has struck out on her own to prove herself as a racehorse jockey. At one of her first big races, she meets Cole Harding, the brother of the owner of the ranch where she works. Cole out himself as the online pen pal that Violet had for over a year and then ghosted after a video chat gone wrong. When Violet breaks a leg in a race, she’s has no other choice but to stay at Cole’s farmhouse (the only one story building around apparently!) to recover.

Cole’s got a tough background and I loved how we see his growth in the book. I also loved his therapist, Trixie! The story contains text threads from the online relationship between Cole and Violet which also gave a nice dual timeline element to their relationship. We get both POVs which is my favorite. I loved how we get to see Violet and Cole show that we don’t have to be better or perfect to be worthy of love and acceptance.

Content flags: parental death off page in past; Cole has PTSD and a physical injury from his time in the military

I voluntarily read a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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

Cole and Violet met online after she posted an anonymous nude. What was just supposed to be a proposition turned into friendship between the two. After a year of ghosting him Violet comes flying back into Cole’s life.

The slow burn of this story really enhanced Violet and Cole’s chemistry. They got to know eachother without actually knowing eachother so you know that their feelings are genuine. You can also see that from the beginning they’re fighting the pull to be together.

I loved learning more about Violet Eaton and her story to becoming a jockey. I enjoyed Cole’s journey to becoming more comfortable and confident with himself and how he is able to compliment Violent.

Low key loved Pip squeak too 🐴

I absolutely adore Elsie Silver books & this didn’t disappoint! Loved this read & obsessed with the MCs. The audio version was *chefs kiss*

Thank you for this arc!