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.

This wasn't my favorite book by this author, but the story was still a fun ride. Interesting characters and developing relationships made me want to stick with it and finish.

I've read a very small selection of Elsie Silver books so far, with the last one being read was Heartless, so to my surprise this was about Cade's sister Violet! A very unplanned order to read them in but it worked out quite nicely. I really enjoyed following Violet's story and grumpy Cole as well. It was interesting watching these two interact with all of their past online history and then having the universe throw them together in person. The chemistry was off the charts and both characters were well flushed out! I am very much so looking forward to reading more from Elsie Silver.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

One of my favorite Elsie Silver books of all time!. Violet and Cole are to die for! I love the small town romance vibes, Elise is the queen of these! Grumpy x sunshine is one of my favorite tropes & it is portrayed so well here.

Can't believe Chestnut Springs is reader's faves when Gold Rush Ranch exists?! I'm joking but seriously, this series proves that Elsie had the country writing prowess from the beginning because I'm obsessed with her debut series and this book is proof that she's always had the chops for this career!

Although this wasn't my fave book that Elsie has written it was really fun! She excels at writing these alpha men and I always, always enjoy denial and tension that her characters experience. Thank you so much for my ARC, I truly appreciate it!

I seem to be on an Elsie Silver book binge. When I was awarded the ARC for this book - at this point, it was a no brainer to accept it. The only bad thing that comes to mind is that THIS particular book is the second book in a series that I have not yet started - so that means I had not yet read the first book that proceeds that. (If anyone has read any of my previous reviews - then you would understand that I have a HUGE problem with reading books out of order...I know, I know...it's weird. It is just a me thing)

So - I was so enamored with Ms. Silver that I immediately jumped into this book - so I do not know what occurred in the first book (and to be honest, at this point I still don't know who the characters were in that book)

In this book, we meet Violet Eaton and it took me a minute to understand that Violet was the youngest Eaton from the Chesnut Springs series - and when I realized that - I did a silent squeel. Once I realized that- I think I would have loved this book regardless. The fact that the book was awesome made it all the better.

This book introduces us to Cole- who is a veteran suffering from PTSD - but who the storyline takes it time unraveling his background. It honestly takes most of the book until we TRULY understand what his issues are.

Then there is Violet, who has tried to get away from her father and three older brothers- trying to live her life. She finds herself on a farm and is promoted from a groom to a jockey. And, not only just a normal jockey, but the horse that she has groomed and has chosen to ride is a winner. And Violet is the jockey riding this horse.

The story is about the push and pull between Cole and Violet. They each have issues. I enjoyed the entire plotline between the two of them and even though the back ground was unfurled little by little, it was done at a pace that held my interest. I TRULY loved the two of them -warts and all.

So- another winner by Ms. Silver. At this point, I''m wondering if she can write a bad book......

Thank you to NetGalley and to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book will be available for publication on July 24, 2024.

this elsie silver book wasn't for me and I think it simply comes down to how the characters met and the depth to their relationship. it felt very shallow

5 stars

I love this book so much! A Photo Finish is the second book in Elise Silver's Gold Rush Ranch series. It is a modern-day cowboy romance with dual perspectives of Violet and Cole. There are several great tropes including Forced proximity and grumpy/sunshine. Violet and Cole’s story is one of my favorites. It had a great backstory and history of these characters, but Cole definitely stood out. He was a hard, mean, mysterious guy and I loved getting to know him and was sucked into how he was written and grew. Their story has a more serious tone then the first book but still had lighthearted and funny moments.
This had some of the best written mental health and disability representation. It was so well done; it gave excellent insights into the mindset of the person looking to change both positive as well setbacks and struggles. The romance and relationship development were good with great pacing, and I would give it two on the spicy scale. I would recommend this book and definitely check trigger warnings.
I received an ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

This whole series is 5 stars for me! I really loved the dual timeline in this one! And the pining and attraction between these 2 was great!

elsie silver will always be THAT girl. i fear i need to stop doubting her & her ability to write such a good romance.

4.5 stars

"Alexa play True Love by P!NK" This is a Grumpy x Sunshine, forced proximity, second chance romance that is set in kind of the same universe as the Chestnut Springs series. Violet is the sister to the MMCs in the Chestnut Spring Series. Cole is 100% giving Daddy Cade vibes. So if you love him, chances are you'll love Cole as well. This book threw me for an emotional ride. I laughed i, i cried, i wanted to yell at Cole from outside of the book. Elsie always does tropes justice and this book was no exception.