4.5⭐️

I love Elsie’s stories and the way that they transport me to a different world. I’ve never read an Elsie book I didn’t like and this was no exception. Cole and Violet are relatable with their fears and setbacks but they don’t feel overdone just to create conflict. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC

I felt like the pacing slowed down, and some of the conflicts felt a bit forced. However, I still appreciated the themes of growth and self-discovery that were present throughout the book. Elsie Silver has a talent for creating relatable characters and heartfelt moments that kept me engaged for the majority of the story. Overall, "A Photo Finish" was a solid read with a lot of potential, but it did lose some steam towards the end. I would be interested in checking out more of Elsie Silver's work in the future, as I enjoyed her writing style and the depth she brought to her characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks bloom books for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

This was my first Elsie Silver book and let me tell you it was amazing!

"A Photo Finish" by Elsie Silver is an absolutely delightful read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Watching the characters fall for each other was a true pleasure, and the tension between them was palpable and engaging.

The grumpy hero with a valid reason for his demeanor added depth to the story. When I realized he wasn’t just being a jerk, I was able to get to know him and understand his reasons. This made his character so much more relatable and compelling. The heroine’s unwavering support, even during the third act conflict, was inspiring. She gave him the space he needed to realize he was being ignorant without ever giving up on him. Her line, “I’m not quitting on you, so you better not quit on me,” resonated deeply and showcased her strength and commitment.

The slow burn and the chemistry between the characters were absolutely perfect—*chef's kiss*. Every moment of their journey was sweet, romantic, and thoroughly captivating. I found myself eating up every moment of their interaction, eagerly anticipating their eventual happy ending.

In conclusion, "A Photo Finish" is amazing, sweet, and romantic. It's a book that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a heartfelt and engaging romance!

Cole and Violet 😍

This book had me blushing, giggling and on the verge of crying! Cole is a veteran who has PTSD and meets Violet online, only he never turned his camera on. They meet a year after Violet ghosted him and he outs her as the person he was messaging her in the worst way.

Violet ends up needing a place to stay and Cole’s brother and fiancé(Violet’s bff) set her up to live with Cole for her month of recovery.

Violet and Cole experience their relationship in a whole new way and discover neither of them had truly buried the thoughts or feelings for the other. 🥺
I adored how Cole opened up to Violet and worked on himself to be better.

Tropes:
- forced proximity
- small town
- he falls first
- overprotective MMC

I love Elise Silver and every book of hers and this was no different! I think Violet and Cole might have some of the most chemistry of any of her couples it was so magnetic to read! The ptsd anxiety was done so well and really added to the story - it isn’t just about romance but rather these two intriguing complicated characters. Violet is such a strong FMC and very relatable. Can’t wait to read whatever she writes next. Will be adding to our library 100% right next to all her other books (they are such a fan favorite at the library)

Cole walked so Cade could run.

If you look at the book description, you’ll think you’re in for an oh so sexy time. And while it is amazingly spicy, it is so much more. Violet and Cole have an insane amount of chemistry. They are the perfect grumpy/sunshine couple. And the ptsd anxiety rep is really well done. Cole has so many layers. And Violet is such a tour de force of going for what she wants. She’s a great heroine.

Typically love Elsie Silver and the characters she gives us with these small town romances, but A Photo Finish wasn't for me. Even though I read the first book, I appreciated the read wasn't necessary in order for anyone to read this second book. Even saying that though--there were a handful of times a line or thought felt repetitive when it popped up again a page or two later. That is just something I thought could have been addressed in editing or with ARC readers.
Very cute story though. Love the creativity in the storyline with Colin and Violet and still plan to continue the series.

<b>I received this NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review! I want to give a huge thank you to NetGalley, Bloom Books, and Elsie Silver for this opportunity. I am beyond grateful and looking forward to this book!</b>

<b>Genre</b>: romance
<b>Rating</b>: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
<b>Spicy</b>: 🌶️🌶️
<b>Trigger warnings</b>: Depression, Harassment, PTSD, Military

<b>This book made me feel</b>:

The first chapter alone had me hooked by the end of it. The meeting of our two characters… jaw dropped. I knew it was coming but I was still so surprised by how it played out. And I absolutely love how Elsie gets me every single time. This is also my most anticipated book in the Gold Rush Ranch series. I loved the concept before reading and honestly all the little pieces we got for each of our characters made it so much better than anything I imagined.

This book has some of my favorite things: caretaking (especially after an injury), forced proximity, and characters that are really well-developed. Overall there’s a lot of depth to both of our characters. Cole was not very likable to me for most of the book, but it was done so well that I understand his actions and where he’s coming from because of his past. And I still loved those small romantic moments that were shown. It honestly felt like so more than just a romance book. It felt like I was watching two characters grow, change, and learn about themselves and try to be better for both themselves and others.

This book also really made me want to get on a horse and just ride with the wind blowing in my face. I’ve been wanting that for a while, but I haven’t found anywhere that would actually let me do that so for now it’s still in my dreams. I miss riding. I didn’t do it often, but just a few times when I was younger and I desperately miss it.

<b>Favorite Character</b>:

Billie. I loved her. I haven’t read her book yet, but reading this one made me so much more excited for her and Vaughn’s story.

<b>Favorite quote</b>:

But who am I in the grand scheme of things? A twenty-five-year-old with little to show for herself—except a distinct lack of life experience and independence.

What I know is that movement is a gift, freedom that we can never take for granted. Your body, no matter the shape or size, is a workhorse that does incredible things for you. Simple things that you don’t even realize until you can’t do them anymore.

I’m not a crier, and this isn’t an unmanageable situation. But right now, everything feels heavy. Like more than I can bear.

“I think we’re all a little fucked up in our own way.”

“I’m not angry with you. I’m angry with myself.” “Why?” she asks, pure confusion on her face. “I don’t even know where to start with that question. It feels like I’ve been furious for a very long time at nothing in particular. And definitely not with you.”

I do the last push-up from my knees before flopping down onto the floor, feeling like a beached whale who’s given up on life.

I realize I’m happy. Happier than I’ve been in a long time.

Life is messy, something I know well. But when did I decide that the solution to that was to stop living?

Don’t pick a man who needs fixing—or changing—to meet your needs. He either wants to, or he doesn’t. And if you need to convince him, he doesn’t love you the way you deserve.

I know you don’t need me, but I want to be there for you.

You’re not a special snowflake. Stop acting like one.

feeling blue to my bones, wishing I could nap. Sometimes these moods hit me for a day or two. Everything feels heavy, and I feel low—downtrodden.

There’s no finish line where therapy is concerned.

"I realize she might be everything. The light at the end of the dark tunnel. The sunshine my dark existence so desperately needs." ☀️💛

Quick Thoughts:
-Super unique premise! (Cole and Violet started as internet pen pals. I really enjoyed the format of their past + their messages to each other.)
-Jennie from 2021 would've given this a solid 5/5 because tears were shed three times...but I can't rate it any more than a 3.5 because I definitely skimmed too much. Some moments felt so slow but I still enjoyed their growth and relationship.
-I read ES's other series first so I loved it when Violet mentioned her Eaton family!

A few of my favorite quotes:
-"Getting to know Violet was like discovering a medicine I didn’t even know I needed."
-"She shines like the sun, golden and bright."
-"She makes me feel safe, makes me want to take chances, makes me a better me—and if making someone a better version of themselves just by being there isn’t love in action, then I don’t know what is."
-"Win or lose. She’s always smiling out there. Smiling right at me. Lighting me up. Because she’s my f#ck!ng sunshine."

Tropes Found in A Photo Finish:
-Small town romance
-Second chance
-Age gap
-Damaged hero
-Grumpy + sunshine
-Mental health rep
-Disability rep

I love Violet Eaton and this world that Elsie has created. There were so many moments that made me *FEEL* and so many things that I loved about this book -- but I feel like the way Violet and Cole "met" or at least how they ended up falling for each other felt kind of icky to me.

Once that was over, their relationship was SO sweet and the spice was *chef's kiss* I absolutely loved it.

Violet Eaton is one of my favorite characters ever & she's a horse girl just like me so I related a lot!

Overall, I love this series & will always recommend!

I received a copy of this for my honest review

In book 2 of the Gold Rush series our MMC and FMC "met" online when she posted a nude of herself to a forum page. They began an online friendship, but when she wanted to take it further he shut her down. A year later, she just won her first race as a jockey and in the winners circle she shakes the hand of her boss's boss, and when he says her screen name, she pales. Now he has moved to the ranch to help a new project and they are thrown together. Can they resist each other? Will they open up to make something this time?

Elsie Silver does it again!
This book follows Violet Eaton (Rhett, Cade, and Beau's little sister) who is an upcoming jockey at Gold Rush Ranch and Cole Harding, grumpy army veteran, and Violet's trainer's brother in law. But little did they know they met before...

I was skeptical about this book becuase of the cam girl element tbh, but fell in love with these character nonetheless! This story was so sweet, well written, and a great time to read. I'm a violet and Cole fan! (This is actually the type of ex-military vibe I was hopeing Hopeless would be, which missed the mark for me unfortunately), but this book completely exceeded my expectations! Read it in less than a day.

This is my first Elsie Silver book, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. I guess it’s time to binge read all her other books!

This novel follows sunshine Violet and grump Cole. After an accident happens, Violet has to recover under the same roof as Cole. Little do their family and friends know, these two have a past. A past both Violet and Cole think about frequently but are too scared to make a reality. Will these two finally get over themselves and give in?

I loved many aspects of the story, but I love how each chapter gives us a 2-3 page flashback to 2 years ago. I prefer this over back and forth time jumps between chapters. I thought this worked perfectly.

The spice level on this one is off the charts! I felt like my kindle was going to start on fire.

The bonus scene at the end was just too cute. I loved every moment between Cole and Violet.

If you are looking for a grumpy-sunshine, enemies to lovers vibe with a semi-slow build up, make this your next read.

*An ARC was received from Bloom and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

She lets me have my issues and doesn’t look at me like I’m a puppy who’s been kicked a few too many times. She just reroutes, like I’m not an inconvenience to her at all. She’s just . . . She’s like sunshine on my face. Warm and bright. I feel like I’ve been living in the shade, in a dark corner, and rather than dragging me kicking and screaming out of it—like so many people have tried to—she’s just shifted over a little bit to share her light.”


This book….so many feelings. Age gap and grumpy sunshine, which are two of my favorite tropes including the he’s only sweet to her trope. Cole had such a dark past and so many issues and Violet loved him through them. She loved him but she was tough on him which I appreciated. She didn’t let him just wallow…she knew her worth and if Cole wanted her, he was gonna have to do the work to get her. Cole and Violet were inevitable.

Thank you to Bloom and Netgalley for this arc!!

Elsie Silver does it again! I loved Violet and Cole. I’ve read all of the Chestnut Springs books - about Violet’s brothers and their friends - so I knew about these two but getting their full story is everything! Violet and Cole were friends on the internet but he let his insecurities and past trauma get in the way of becoming more. So imagine his surprise when he learns the girl he fell in love with over the computer works on his family ranch. Their story is full of twists and turns that will leave you heartbroken (but eventually repaired) in the best ways. I have not read the first in this series and I don’t think that had a negative impact on my experience. I need to go back now and read the rest of this series!

4.5⭐️

Cole and Violets story might be my favorite so far in this series! I love how grumpy he is, but also can’t help but feel bad for how much trauma he has experienced in the past. But even with therapy, it’s not until Violet gives him that extra push where he starts to really work through the last of his trauma and grief. She is so patient and caring and I couldn’t help but love her for it! And that soft spot Pippy weaseled her way into Cole’s heart had me swooning!

✨ small town
✨ grumpy sunshine
✨ age gap
✨ forced proximity
✨ second chance

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Bloom Books, and Elsie Silver for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you so much to Bloom Books for early access to this re-release, and for Netgalley with the opportunity to review it.. These are my honest thoughts on “A Photo Finish” by Elise Silver:

4.75 stars ✨ this book was one of my favourite Elise Silver books. It’s in my top 3 for sure.

Let me start off by saying that I finished this book in like 12 hours that is how much I loved this story. Violet and Cole might be one of my favourite couples that Elise has written and she’s written about quite a few. Violet and Cole’s story is one that “on paper” seems something that you can’t not be hooked by the premise… and boy when you read that first chapter hehe it is game over. The concept of them knowing each other via a hookup app.. and chatting that way seemed to hit that very modern dating cliche of meeting someone online and then knowing the real them in person.

Initally, when reading about Cole it was a mystery as to why he was very reserved when it came to his backstory… but once as a reader you figure out why it makes a lot more sense and fills out the missing pieces. Cole, being having served… has reservations about having anyone close to him after experiencing the amount of loss he has. Which is respectable, but at the same time like he is told by many characters in the book, that the past doesn’t’ define who you are and to hide in the shadows benefits no one. In the shadows you can’t see the sun shine… and rainbows for that matter. When he eventually confesses his love to violet.. it made me think of similar ships where almost breaking though the safety of being friends onto the other side to be lovers can sometimes be the best thing that can ever happen.

For Violet, as I was reading her story I was conveyed and how it made me feel seen in a character. I was able to relate with her on a few different levels. About being a modern woman when it comes to the prospect of dating in the 21 century… what the experience and expectational differences are for both sexes. But then also how when it comes to your career, you have to do what you feel is best for you. To be able to share your entire self with someone and they have to respect your decisions in life especially your career if you want to make things work. Being Violet Easton and having 2 other brothers in Elise’s other series this was an extra fun one to see her backstory flourish.

I would give the spice about a 2.5 to about a 3 🌶️… as it was nice and spicy for the amount of scenes that were in the book. Cole and Violet when it gets going they do go for it. Also the fact that there was the added bonus of having some of their spicy content on a spicy app… it was an all around enjoyable book with that. From their intimate scenes where they were trying to not completely fall for each other but then they do… including their romantic entanglement in a stall… 👀

Overall, I throughly enjoyed this book. One of my favourites from Elise, and I want to continue reading the Gold Rush Ranch series.

As someone who loves Elsie and has read her chestnut springs series, this book unfortunately does not meet expectations. I found Cole to not just be grumpy but more like mean or angry. We learn more about why he behaves the way he does when he learn about his mental illness but I find his behavior with Violet to be frustrating. With that being said, there were elements of the book I enjoyed but it was skippable for me.

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 What happens when a relationship goes all out of order in the strangest way? Violet meets an internet friend/love interest who she might have taken it too far with until she is ghosted. Unbeknownst to her, this stranger is actually in her life at the ranch she is working at to spread her wings and gain independence away from her family! A Photo Finish is a modern day cowboy romance with all the familiar tropes with a female forward spin that will have you dreaming of this western romance for days….

Review is on Goodreads and will be posted on instagram closer to publication date and on Amazon when published!

I do wish this app allowed for half ratings as I feel this was a solid 3.5 read for me. The characters, while complex & well written just didn't. draw me in the way I had hoped they would. I wanted to absolutely love them but for some reason just wasn't completely sold. I do think that the difficult topics this novel touched on were handled/written very beautifully. The story itself was incredibly written (I've grown to expect nothing less of Elsie Silver), it just wasn't my book.