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...

5 ⭐ 2 🌶 5 🎧

I loved this story so much 😭 it's a nice slow burn with some racy flashbacks and filled with angsty goodness.

Cole was freaking everything. His secret broke my heart, but the way Violet reacted to it and his PTSD was amazing and healed it right up. And when Cole overcame it all? Gahhhh so sang sweet. Violet was such a spit fire and I absolutely adored her.

I loved all the Billie and Vaughn moments in this story too and can't wait for more from this family.

The audio was fantastic. Connor Crais and Vanessa Edwin were amazing as these characters and I had such a great time with this listen.

I went into this book pretty blind only knowing that Violet was the Eaton’s youngest sibling and having seen her in the chestnut spring series a couple of times. This book seriously surprised because I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. And maybe that my own fault because it’s Elsie Silver, I love all her books and this one was no exception. This book scratched an itch in my brain and every time I put it down I kept thinking about it and all the characters. Violet is honestly so amazing and strong and I loved her. Cole was so complicated, raw and real you just couldn’t help falling in love with him. Their story was honestly so fun and engaging I was having the best time reading this book. Love all the tropes and the characters.

I think this one is my favorite from the series!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Elsie Silver's small town romances and being a top fave of mine and I want more. Her characters are always the cutest and to finally read her debut series is amazing. Cole and Violet have such a special place in my heart. Their story was so sweet and possibly my fave of this series.

A-MAZ-ING! So well written to the point where I could feel all the emotions. I loved this second chance romance but the tension between the main characters was just *chefs kiss* Elsie did such an amazing job and this is by far my absolute favorite by her. It's a must read 1000%!

4 Stars I've read enough of Elsie Silver's work now to know that I'm pretty much gonna love anything she writes, and A Photo Finish is no exception. This is a reprint of her Gold Rush Ranch series with new covers.

What happened between Cole Harding and Violet Eaton in their anonymous online chats was supposed to stay in the past, but it's a small world and both find themselves in Ruby Creek on the Gold Rush Ranch. Cole has reluctantly moved to town where he finds Violet working on the family ranch as a jockey. When Violet is injured and unable to ride, the two are forced into close proximity under the same roof. Just like when he first met her years ago online, Cole wants her even though she shouldn't. The closer they become, the harder it is for Cole to keep his heart and his secrets under lock and key.

I love Elsie's small town cowboy romances. It's the perfect setting for a romance and I adored Cole and Violet together. It was so fun to see Violet breaking the glass ceiling as a female jockey in a male dominated field. She absolutely kicked ass and I loved every second of it. We also love a man who goes to therapy and works on himself. It's especially nice that Cole saw a therapist on his own accord instead of being nagged or only doing it for the FMC, which I've seen plenty in other books. The banter and spice between Cole and Violet was 🔥 and exactly what I expected from Elsie's writing. A great read if you love cowboy romance, small town romance, and grumpy sunshine!

4 Stars I've read enough of Elsie Silver's work now to know that I'm pretty much gonna love anything she writes, and A Photo Finish is no exception. This is a reprint of her Gold Rush Ranch series with new covers.

What happened between Cole Harding and Violet Eaton in their anonymous online chats was supposed to stay in the past, but it's a small world and both find themselves in Ruby Creek on the Gold Rush Ranch. Cole has reluctantly moved to town where he finds Violet working on the family ranch as a jockey. When Violet is injured and unable to ride, the two are forced into close proximity under the same roof. Just like when he first met her years ago online, Cole wants her even though she shouldn't. The closer they become, the harder it is for Cole to keep his heart and his secrets under lock and key.

I love Elsie's small town cowboy romances. It's the perfect setting for a romance and I adored Cole and Violet together. It was so fun to see Violet breaking the glass ceiling as a female jockey in a male dominated field. She absolutely kicked ass and I loved every second of it. We also love a man who goes to therapy and works on himself. It's especially nice that Cole saw a therapist on his own accord instead of being nagged or only doing it for the FMC, which I've seen plenty in other books. The banter and spice between Cole and Violet was 🔥 and exactly what I expected from Elsie's writing. A great read if you love cowboy romance, small town romance, and grumpy sunshine!

This is my first Elsie Silver book and it for sure will not be my last. You do not have to read these books in order (I clearly didn't), but I am sure that makes the plot even richer already knowing some of the characters and the locations. I really enjoyed this book. The romance between Cole and Violet was sweet and very realistic in my opinion. There were times where I found myself cringing or laughing over things that happened in the book but that's just real life. This book is SPICY for sure. I felt myself blushing as I was reading some of the middle to later chapters.


Thanks to Sourcebooks, Netgalley, and Elsie Silver for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

Ａ Ｐｈｏｔｏ Ｆｉｎｉｓｈ by Elsie Silver
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I finally read an Elsie Silver book and I can’t believe it took me this long! She’s been on my radar for years and I feel like I’ve been missing out. Thanks to Elsie Silver, Netgalley, and Bloom Books for this ARC. There’s nothing I disliked about this book—the authentic characters, Canadian setting, and the perfect mix of playful and spicy banter made it a great read. I love a strong female main character who’s passionate about what she’s doing, and the dynamic with the grumpy guy who isn’t just grumpy around her was really enjoyable. Seeing Cole go through the healing process throughout the story was well done, and I appreciated that Elsie showed him still going to therapy even after the happy ending for him and Violet. I also love that the series is connected but each book can be read as a standalone. I’m looking forward to diving into the next book.

This story begins, more or less, with the two main characters, Violet Eaton who is a jockey, and Cole Harding, a former soldier, who have had several illuminating conversations over a relatively short period of time, but they have never actually met in person. Still, they come to know each other, their <i>’likes’</i> and <i>’dislikes’</i> when it comes to certain aspects of their lives. They seem to share a similar…passion.

Cole considers himself as somewhat damaged, and seems reluctant to put himself ‘out there’ in terms of relationships, but since their conversations are not particularly ones that would be aired in public for others to hear, their draw to each other eventually has them meet in person so they can share that passion.



Pub Date: 23 Jul 2024

Many thanks for the ARC provided by SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books / Bloom Books

Okay… first things first. The description and cover on NetGalley did NOT look like the Goodreads description, and I definitely wish I had looked at the Goodreads page for it first. I feel like the cover and description would've given me a better idea of what I was getting into.

I am apparently in the minority here (hello, BookTok girlies) but this book was not my favorite. For starters, the plot is completely… biology-driven… and is trying really hard to overlook some deep character flaws that are just magically fixed at the end of the day. There were a lot of things that made me think "no self-respecting human should ever let that fly," and yet, both parties did anyways. There were a lot of descriptors that repeated themselves endlessly (lots of "squeaking" from Violet and Cole describing her as "looking" weak but "not actually weak"??) and Violet's eyes somehow changed from sky blue to indigo multiple times (my eyes change color in the light, but not SHADES darker). The dialogue was a little choppy, and I found myself skimming a lot of the flashbacks because the scenario was extremely cringeworthy.

There were some redeeming factors, no doubt. The female friendships were sweet and I liked the racing aspect of it (though I actually would've liked to see more of that-- I feel like there were a lot of side plots introduced there that died on the vine). I just wish the actual plot had been a little more fleshed out outside of the relationship so there was a little more meat to the story.

Thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was my first Elsie Silver and while I think I prefer a romance with a little more plot aside from just the romance, I did enjoy the backdrop of the horse ranch and racing. I didn’t realize when I downloaded this book that it was in a series, so I had not met the characters before, but it didn’t seem to matter too too much, since the previous book was about a different couple than this one.

This book centered around Cole and Violet, and featured the grumpy/sunshine trope most prominently. I enjoyed that aspect of their relationship, Cole seemed to have genuine issues that he was working through, and I loved that he was already seeing a therapist on his own without it being because a woman had nagged him to do it. I would have loved to see more of the Vaughn and Cole relationship and dynamic, and more plot in general, but overall I did enjoy this book!

Now that is what I call an emotional roller coaster! My goodness this book was full of so many emotions I was not ready for it all but I loved every healing word!

I loved how Elsie wrote this book! There’s a mix of flashbacks and current events and I think she did a fabulous job bringing it all together. The way Violet and Cole push one another is just amazing. They see each other and help to build the other up!

A very well written and perfectly executed book when it comes to PTSD and healing! It’s an angsty start but the build up was worth it!