I enjoyed this one a lot!! Following Violet and Cole’s journey was so heartwarming and sweet.

My biggest weakness is reading about military men thriving after PTSD. Sue me! The meet cute in this book was also absolutely giving the Nanny, which I ate the heck up 🤩

This. Book. It’s so freaking good! I started Elsie Silver’s books backwards on accident and read the first 3 Chestnut Springs books before switching to this series, and I had no clue how much I would love Violet. She might be my favorite Eaton. Friends to lovers, second chance romance, workplace romance, and all the character growth!

Posting 7/15 on goodreads and storygraph, posting on IG same week

Omg why have I never read this author before? I snagged this book from Netgalley without having read any of the others in the series. The first chapter didn't snag my attention until the very end. From there, I was hooked. I loved the characters and their development. I loved the therapy representation and battles with PTSD. I liked the FMCs outlook on both her situation and his. I liked mostly everything! I'm not that into horses but there was enough plot aside from that to keep things moving for me.

3.5 stars

Parts of this story I loved, but then it also dragged. I think this could have been a lot shorter and still had the same emotional impact. I loved how strong and independent Violet was. Cole was such a sweetheart underneath all that grumpy. His character growth was the best part of this book. This is the first time I’ve read Elsie Silver, and I definitely plan on reading more.

Thank you to Bloom Books for the gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.

This book was everything. I giggled and kicked my feet, I cried, I got angry, I laughed. I felt all the emotions.

Violet and Cole met online 2 years ago under pseudonyms and particular circumstances. Now Cole moves back to his family ranch to realize the girl he's been thinking about for 2 years is working there. Forced to live together, Violet starts to slowly thaw Cole's cold exterior and reconnect with the man she knew through a screen.

I loved how both our MCs Violet and Cole were complex characters. I loved seeing their character development individually and how it made them develop a relationship.

If, like me, you started with the Chestnut Springs series before reading Gold Rush Ranch, you won't be disappointed by Violet's story. It was everything I wanted from a grumpy x sunshine and more.

Tropes:
- Small town
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Age gap
- Forced proximity
- Wounded hero
- Found family

“Hot guy with a horse? It doesn’t get better.”

Another devour in one day, fun flirty adventure at Gold Rush Ranch.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

While Chestnut Springs series is for those with the "Cowboy Take Me Away" fantasy, Gold Rush Ranch Series is for the horse girls (meant lovingly)!
Yes we know as it gets shoved down our throats enough is society men are big and strong, and can do manly things; So it was refreshing with this book and series that the women are the actually the ones doing and thriving in the world of horse racing. Book one our main female lead was the racehorse trainer and in this book our leading lady Violet (little sister from Chestnut Springs) is the new derby winning jockey (get it ladies)! Of course being female power players in a male dominated industry not only do they have to tackle idiotic male behavior in the workplace, but also with their love interests. Thankfully our male romantic leads are willing to grow as humans, and bless Cloe he actually goes to therapy.

Now onto Violet and Cole's story...
Who would have thought our sweet Violet would take a walk on the wild side and post a nude online?!? Of course mister grumpy gills Cole was the one who was able to catch our girl's attention online and make what was supposed to be a private cam girl/sugar daddy type arrangement to a virtual pen pal situationship. After a year of developing a friendship with a dash of flirting, one night Violet finally bares it all for Cole, he returns the favor by being a cold hearted grump. This is the last time Violet plans on speak to Cole (well at least the username) ever again.
Until one year later right after Vi gets her big win on DD and Cole reveals himself to be her former penpal with benefits (only for him), again dick move. Oh since he is also part owner of Gold Rush Ranch, kinda Vi's boss now and he is living on the Ranch for a while. The forced proximity gets worse after Violet breaks her leg (f*ck you Patrick) she has to move into the same house as Cole. This backstory makes Violet's drunken night out with Billie and Mira make so much more sense now.

Thankfully through this forced bonding time Violet and Cole begin to understand each other more, Violet continues her personal development in sticking up for herself/not being a people pleasing doormat, and Cole learns to allow others in and finally tackle his trauma around his father's death and lingering wounds of being a wounded veteran. Thank goodness for Cole's eccentric, hippie, take no bs grandma vibes therapist. (Side note would love for her and Hank to get together).

Loves: the vulnerability from Cole and Violet, the groveling from Cole, oh the sexual tension and reward then the tension finally snapped, ladies doing the work and the men being their cheerleaders, friendship between Vi, Billie, and Mira, and the brothers reconciliation, the horses.
Hates: Both Cole and Vaughn did this where in their inner dialogue multiple times would be like this is what I'm going to do to show her I'm --serious, in charge, etc-- then would whimp out on the action and ghost our girls. Hank falling off in the story, he brought Vi flowers and then we don't really see/hear from him again. Also, why was there no showdown with the mom to has out her abandoning the boys after their father's death and trying to rebuild a new and healthier relationship with her?

Definitely enjoyed this book read it all in one sitting couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading book 3.

Ratings:
Overall: 7.75/10
Spice: 3.75/5

What was hinted in the previous book, what Cole told Violet in book 1, got me intrigued.

This is a nice book, I've enjoyed reading it and loved seeing them falling for each other a second time, in real life now

Elsie Silver can do no wrong in my book and this book was no exception. She is one author in which I have collected multiple versions for my book trophy shelf.
With that being said, let us get into the review for this book. The Gold Ranch series is a separate series than her Chestnut Springs books but there are characters that overlap. You dont have to read the other series to understand this book but I love her books so I recommend that you do. Technically this series also came before the other was written.
A Photo Finish is the second book in this series and it centers around Violet and Cole. Both were side characters in the first book. This book gives all the grumpy/sunshine vibes and I am here for it. Violet is trying to set away from her family’s shadows and become more independent. She is working hard as a jockey at Gold Rush Ranch and is making a name for herself. Cole is the older brother with a dark/mysterious past. He was in the military and it left its mark on him; one he chooses not to talk about. He realizes that they have met before and tries to drag it out of her but she would rather forget it. The two go through a lot but the writing is done so well that you are hooked from start to finish.
I cannot say enough about this book and about Elsie Silver. Please pick up this book, and all of her other books, and you wont be disappointed.

I LOVED this- 5 stars! By the time you jump in to Elsie Silver's smash hit Chestnut Springs series, Violet Eaton's story has already played out. I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to review A Photo Finish, part of Elsie's previous Gold Rush Ranch series. Violet's story is Book 2 of the 4 part series, but Book 1 was also fantastic, so I didn't mind reading that book first. I would highly recommend the whole Gold Rush Ranch Series to anyone who found the Eaton family through Chestnut Springs. While obviously written first, it was fun to 'go back in time' and learn about Violet.

Violet was tired of living under her father and brothers overprotectiveness so one night she poses nude and posts the picture on an internet site. What she doesn't realize is someone who is incredibly lonely and really needs a friend finds her attractive and reaches out to her. Friendly banter, flirtiness and attraction leads to a friendship, then Violet ghosts him. One day he turns up out of the blue as her boss's boss, Cole. Treading lightly around the origin of their friendship while trying to figure out what the feelings are between them poses an interesting situation.

This book was different in how the two main characters meet. After that the story plays out like a romance including spice. Violet always had feelings for Cole and he shared them for her. It was just getting them to communicate. I enjoyed this story in that it had more deeper topics like war and PTSD. It wasn't a superficial romance story but about dealing with painful pasts and accepting people regardless. I would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Elsie Silver and Source Books Bloom Books for allowing me to review this ARC!

I really enjoyed this book, but then again Elsie Silver never misses in my opinion! I loved how this book handled tougher concepts with such grace and gentleness, and all of the imagery of being light and reflecting light was just so perfect.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the relationship between Violet and Cole in the flashbacks, but that’s just a personal preference. However I loved the banter and the taking care of each other in the present between them! And as a horse person it was also so nice the have a book with horses that was written by someone who understands them and the therapeutic side of working with them.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of this book with its incredible new cover!

Thank you Sourcebooks, Bloom books & netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVE a second chance romance! It really is one of my favourite tropes to read. Cole and Violet were so fun to read about. From the way they first met, to how they reunited 😭 The growth and maturity they had to go through to make their relationship work. THE TENSION IN THIS BOOK?!? I enjoyed every second of it. I really enjoyed reading the Chestnut Springs series so I was really excited to check this one out! Finally reading about the last Eaton and I think her story might be one of my favourites 🥺🥺

If you enjoyed the Chestnut Springs series, I would highly recommend reading this one to find out all about the only girl Eaton!!

A Photo Finish: ★★★★☆ (4)

What are the chances that the one person you chatted with online turns up at your place of work in Ruby Creek and he’s your bosses brother. Slim to none but apparently not impossible. Violet is forced to live under the same roof as Cole, the man she got to know for the better part of a year until he broke her trust, she opened up and exposed herself only to find him unwilling to reciprocate. Safe to say they’re in a very uncomfortable situation now, wanting something they can’t have. Especially Cole, ha came back from war a different man with scars older and deeper then anyone knows and he plans on keeping them secret.

I’m obsessed with the format of this book, Elsie Silver is a genius! Starting every chapter with a short glimpse into the past from when Violet posted her photo and the two started messaging all the way up until Cole left her hanging and then going into the present time. It’s muck more effective then it would’ve been had their past been condensed to a few chapters. Love it!

Violet is a great character, the readers got to know her a it in the first book in the series and she’s one of the Eatons from the books Silver is most known for. She’s the sunshine to Coles grumpy, so outgoing, independent and strong. A great fmc but Cole is even more interesting. I don’t want to give any spoilers but he’s lived thru some traumatic events and is trying to figure out how to cope in his own way. Trigger warning PTSD, military service, severe injuries, death of a parent. He deserves to be happy and I’m so glad him and Violet kept finding their way back together.

From my experience you can’t go wrong when it comes to Elsie Silvers books. They’re all amazing and if you enjoyed The Chestnut Springs series this ones a use read!

Read this if you like
🏡Small town romance
🐎Horses
🌤️Grumpy x sunshine
🔥Spice
✨Forced proximity

Elsie Silver is becoming one of my favorite authors! I read this book in the original edition and loved it but the new covers just add the beauty to this series! Violet is such an amazing character and I really enjoy reading her story as it unfolded!

I really loved getting to see Violets relationship unfold. Elsie Silver does such an amazing job of telling stories and making you love characters you think you might hate. LOL I will absolutely be continuing on in this series.

3.5 stars ✰

it took me an embarrassingly long time to realise violet is cade’s sister (from heartless) HAHAHA I wish he made a bigger appearance in this it’s a little sad. but anyways, vi and cole’s story was so cute and unique I loved them so much!!

💌 tropes 💌

➳ online situationship (??)
➳ small town romance
➳ forced proximity (living together)

🎀 general thoughts 🎀

i thought this was super adorable, honestly the smut felt a little excessive at times but I’ll look past it!! the ending was so so perfect, I couldn’t have asked for anything better, it was so beautiful 🥹 and watching cole open up and take care of her whilst she’s injured was really really sweet <33 I would recommend this, it is so lighthearted and cosy, and a perfect palate cleanser read. I really needed this, it was defo right book right time for me 🙈🙈

thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review!!

It’s no secret Elsie knows how to write a cowboy romance and even without a ranch or a cowboy, a photo finish was no different! If you prefer a little less cowboy then Chestnut Springs series, I recommend this! This story follows Violet and Cole. Their past history together is .. unique to say the least and kept me engaged in the book. And while it does take place on a farm, that isn’t the main focus and it’s a much different style. There were some unexpected things I really enjoyed, and side characters like Trixie who I immediately loved. And while miscommunication is one of my least favorite tropes, I found it true to the characters and story. So I didn’t mind it at all. And if you didn’t read Off to the Races, which is book 1 in the Gold Rush Ranch series, I highly recommend! As you get a good amount of Billie in Violet’s story.

This was a really cute story. Two people who need and belong to each other finding their way back to one another. I really appreciated the back in forth timeline so you got to fully understand the whole relationship that happened online. I did find some parts where NO ONE JUST COMMUNICATED to each other so frustrating but I think that was the point. I found myself just wanting to throw my kindle at the wall and scream just talk dang it! But the slow burn paid off and the epilogue and bonus scene was all the gushy sweetness you’d need.

Another 5 star read from Elsie Silver!

He's seen every last inch of her, and she has no idea who he is...until now.

What happened between Cole Harding and Violet Eaton in their anonymous online chats was meant to stay buried in the past...until it didn't. It's a small world, but Ruby Creek is even smaller, and when Cole reluctantly moves to town for a business venture, he finds Violet working as a jockey on the family ranch, just as tempting as he remembers.

Cole had his chance with her, and he blew it. She ghosted him, and he closed himself off further than ever. But when a riding accident puts Violet out of commission, the two are forced under the same roof, and Cole finds his broody façade slipping. With every flush of her cheeks and every flare of heat in her eyes, the ice he's encased himself in melts. Violet makes him want things he shouldn't. Things he's been dreaming about since he first laid eyes on her years ago--things he doesn't deserve.

As a former soldier, Cole should have the discipline to walk away. He has scars older and deeper than anyone knows. His plan was to keep his secrets hidden and his heart locked away...