As always this author has created another fun and original story! The characters feel three-dimensional and like real people. I enjoyed the way the author has crafted and described the setting. The speed of the plot is good and the writing style is smooth. The history and connection between Violet and Cole felt odd and a little strained at times. There were some sweet and swoony moments but I would have still preferred more emotional depth at times. Also, it sounded odd when Cole was looking at Violet and thinking how she is small and looks like a little girl. In a different situation, it could have been sweet but in that particular setting and situation it felt odd. I don't think the author meant for it to come across this way and I see that Cole is a good guy and didn't mean it in a strange way but it was still uncomfortable to read. Overall, this book was just not for me.

Thank you to the author, Sourcebooks, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book was so cute! Cole was broody and grumpy, which I loved. He was so complex and I’m so glad he had a therapist from the beginning of the book. You could really see his growth throughout the story. He started off so closed off, which made it all the more adorable when he finally let Violet in. Speaking of Violet, I absolutely love her! I’m obsessed with her brother’s series, so getting to read her story was such a fun experience. I thought it’d be light hearted but it was really deep and meaningful. And that epilogue—wow! I love when an author gives us a perfect epilogue with weddings and babies. It made me feel so mushy, and I truly ate it UP.

Wow I haven not read this author before but that was spicy! Overall I liked it and it can be read as a standalone which I like since im new to this series. I liked the build up and story overall as well as the mental health components.

Elsie Silver just knows how to get it done. This story had me thirsting over the mmc like no other. I can't blame Violet for getting so caught up in a 1 year online relationship with Cole. The man was hot hot hot, even in his single picture he sent to her where most of his face was hidden. I will admit that I was shocked to find out Cole's big secret, that probably shows how unobservant I am but it's my truth. I fear that Elsie Silver can't write a man that I won't immediately fall head over heads for. Will be coming back for the rest of this series in the future.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster packed with swoony romance and heart-wrenching moments. Major themes like vulnerability, trust, and self-worth are explored as Violet and Cole, reconnect after years apart. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s the emotional depth that sets this book apart. Both characters carry heavy baggage, and watching them break down walls and heal together is incredibly satisfying. If you’re looking for a romance that will tug at your heartstrings while delivering all the heat, A Photo Finish is a must-read!

I am obsessed! This was my 4th Elsie Silver book in the past 2 weeks.. I started with Rose Hill Ranch & fell in love. I absolutely LOVED Cole & Vi’s story.. I do gotta say I was a little unsure with their “original meet-cute” but all was redeemed with their love story, I loved the second chance & the grumpy/sunshine aspect. I sobbed the last few chapters. &&& Trixie, the true star of the show (obsessed!!) I liked the disability inclusion as well. Well done Elyse!

Elsie Silver just has such a way with small town romances! I didn't realize that A Photo Finish was not the first one in this series, so I went back and read the first before this one. I really liked this series and will read the third one!

My first Elsie Silver book and I found it to be perfect! Loved the characters and their stories. Loved the descriptive scenery and and horse racing vibe. I don't know any other way to say this book is absolute perfection!

Thank you to Bloom Books, Netgalley, and Elsie Silver for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Why is this the first Elsie Silver book I’ve read?! Adding all her others to my THR now. This was a different take on a second chance romance with the added excellence of a grumpy/sunshine trope. So cute! I loved it and my only complaint is that it was a little too slow burn for me. Can’t wait to read the others in this series!

Elsie Silver does not miss!! The characters she creates and the settings her stories take place are truly magical. This story is the story of two broken people that through love find a way to heal. Great story!

I enjoyed Violet and Cole’s story so much more than Billie and Vaughn.

But it feels like something is missing.
I shouldn’t compare it to Chestnut Springs, the characters in this one doesn’t come to life as well.
They don’t scream close knit happy family.

But it’s really nice to see the progression in writing style to what I am currently obsessed with and can’t get enough of.

I unfortunately still didn’t like Cole or Violet. Lol
And I don’t see them as a couple that lasts after the pages end.

Take the grumpy/sunshine trope and make it cowboy.

Cole's rough exterior from multiple life traumas, resulting in some serious PTSD, is a protective front hiding his cinnamon roll insides that just want a HEA of their own. Kids and white picket fence included. Violet Eaton (of the Chestnut Springs series), is the perfect balance for him with her positive foot forward attitude. I love how she fought for her own independence, fueled by her stubborness, determination and heart of gold. Their "meet cute" may have been unconventional, but it allowed for some great chemistry and spicy tension. And I really enjoyed getting to read the "past" chapters, watching how their relationship grew and how they became a light for each other as they re-found themselves. These two have to be my second favorite Silver couple.

Billie was another favorite character for me. I love me a girl with no filter, who will tell it to you like it is. We all need friends like that in our lives. I will definitely be going back to read her and Vaughn's story.

Another one of Silver's books that I burned through in less than 2 days. Let's be real, this is Elsie's world and I'm just living in and loving it.

Tropes: forced proximity, small town, cow boy romance, grumpy/sunshine, touch her and die, mental health rep
TWs: PTSD, Parental death, sexual harassment, horse riding injury, military injury

Considering I requested this book just based on liking the author from another book I read, and didn’t realize this one was book #2 in a series, I really enjoyed it. I personally prefer to read things in order but that mistake won’t impact this rating. Elsie Silver is now my go-to country romance author. Strong female leads, makes that know they need to work on some things, funny/quippy side characters - it’s just a good mix. Nothing too steamy, cheesy, or that I couldn’t image to be realistic (considering I’ve never set foot in a ranch and I don’t know any better). I’ll be going back to read book #1 and continue in if there are more!

This book was the perfect balance of spice, emotional depth, angst and happily ever after all with the backdrop of true and loyal friends, small town charm, and found family. I loved that there wasn't a long drawn out miscommunication of our FMC and MMC. We had confusion, and confrontation immediately and with the way the author cycled back and forth from the present and its palpable sexual tension and longing to the past where things went wrong, you were never left frustrated just invested! Violet and Cole become fully developed people by the end of the book and don't cut corners in getting to that final form. They join in a realistic happily ever after because they put in the work, acknowledge that the work is never truly done, and bare their souls through communication that was not always easy. The way this book normalized and praised therapy and taking care of one's mental health was refreshing and spoke to my inner child that was always told therapy and telling anyone about your problems was strictly forbidden or perceived as weak. This book healed that part of me. Trixie, the unsung hero of the book, showed how the dynamic between therapist and client does not need to be sterile but only really works when you feel safe. Whatever setting, or pairing does that is what you should be pursing. Last bit of praise I will lend to this particular work by Elsie Silver is that she created magic without being unrealistic. She made Cole Harding real with selfish fears that he didn't just suddenly lose because he wanted to be with Violet but that he learned are fears worth carrying and working through to be with the true love of his life! Team Butterface & Pretty in Violet!!!!

Perfect for fans of Lana Ferguson's The Nanny and Kevin Costner's Yellowstone.

Violet and Cole's story is angsty, it's bingeable, it's the perfect second book in this series. I loved this one and can't wait to read more by Elsie Silver!

I'm a major fan of Elsie Silver after reading her Chestnut Springs series and Rose Hill series, so I had to check out this series. I definitely liked this book a bit more than the first one. The chemistry between Cole and Violet was absolutely phenomenal. This book sent me through all of the emotions. One second I was a blushing fool and then I would be giggling, crying and laughing. I really loved Cole. I just wanted to hug him so many times throughout the book. Overall all I really loved this book. Definitely would recommend reading it and the entire series! I really do love me some Cowboy romances.

I didn't realize this was the second in a series, but that didn't take away any of my enjoyment of this book. This was super steamy and it was great. I enjoyed the horse aspects of this book and really want to go back and read the first now.

This was a great read!

I am fairly new to Elsie Silver books, but I am not disappointed so far! The characters were well-developed and quite amazing! I just loved Violet and Cole! They had such an amazing connection together that it had me hooked on the story the entire time.

I do recommend giving this a read! It will be worth it!


Thank you Bloom Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book!

Elsie does it again. I am convinced I will never NOT read a book that Elsie Silver writes. Hearing Violet and Cole's story after seeing them in the Chestnut Springs series was so much fun! I would highly recommend everyone have a little Elsie Silver in their life!

Oh Elsie Silver, she could just copy a dictionary word for word and I’d still devour it. Her books give me all the feels and I devoured this in one sitting!
With a MMC like Cole, who is a tad grumpy, owns a ranch *swoon* and sexual tension that jumps off the page, once Violet and Cole give into their feelings in THE BARN (again…*swoon*) it’s impossible to put this book down.
I love how Elsie is able to tackle important topics and issues while also painting a beautiful love story with characters that grab you from the first page.
A Photo Finish is available now and I highly recommend y’all run to grab a copy!
Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for this arc, all opinions are my own.