All I could think of the whole time was Gollum from LotR - “my precious!”

I expected to love this book since I typically fall for men like Cole. But the dynamic was weird.

I said this after I read Off to the Races and I'll say it again, this series tops Chestnut Springs. It's SO good.

“𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡, 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐭. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐲. 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐭. 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮? 𝐔𝐬? 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧, 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬.”

I loved this book. I loved reading about the Eaton's baby sister Violet and how she single handedly reshaped her sheltered life and took charge of her sexuality and became a winning jockey.

Cole, Vaughn's older brother is dark and broody and grumpy and tender. He's not a cinnamon roll. He's got a lot of trauma. But he also goes to therapy and meeting Violet opens a door for him.

We know from seeing Cole and Violet in the first book that these two know each other, but not how. In this book we find out that Violet had posted a nude photo online and Cole had seen it and they had been chatting for a year when after she did more on screen, she ghosted him and that was that.

Until Cole unveiled himself when he saw her again at a horse race.

When Violet gets hurt racing and the only house with no stairs is the one Cole is staying in, the forced proximity is just perfection. They have to live together, face things together, and talk about what happened together.

There is also a "fuck it" moment which I love and the spice is so good. It's definitely still a slow burn but I loved the pay off.

𝐇𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐬. “𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞.”

It was an emotional journey, and there are revelations I'll keep to myself but I absolutely loved it.

Except the epilogue, but you knew this was coming.... <spoiler> This author just can't help but to add pregnancy where it does not belong. And it had to be accidental? When Violet already told us she was on birth control? WHY? It doesn't make sense and it made the epilogue feel cheap. I hated it.</spoiler>

Thanks to NetGalley for the E-ARC! I did pair this with the audio since this book is already out and it's fabulous! Highly recommend.

4.25

I really enjoyed this book, it made me feel a wide range of emotions, which is always something that I appreciate about well-written and thought-out books. It was so immersive, I felt like I was there with them. This book made me laugh, giggle, smile, blush, made me feel frustrated and even caught me by surprise a few times.

I loved so many of the characters. Billie is so witty and such a good friend to both Violet and Cole. She reminded me of some of my friends, it was so wholesome and funny to read. The trio seemed like such good friends, it was sweet and refreshing to read.

I also really appreciated the way that Elsie wrote about mental health, I feel like she represented it really well and showed the mental anguish that comes with PTSD. She was so good at writing about deep and sensitive topics. I loved that Cole was in therapy and had such a good relationship with her. So refreshing to see a man willingly in therapy lol

The only reason it was not a 5-star book for me is because I get so FRUSTRATED with miscommunication tropes, drives me up the wall. However, Elsie did make it as enjoyable as it could of been for me. I just wanted to hit my head against the wall a few times hahahaha.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Elsie Silver, and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. #Netgalley

Comparing the Gold Rush Ranch series to Chesnut Springs is doing yourself dirty – let me start there. I really enjoyed getting to see more of Violet, but also I think I would've enjoyed reading all of these in order BEFORE Chesnut Springs just so I wasn't comparing them.

Can Elsie Silver write a bad book? I don't think it's possible. A Photo Finish brings together so many amazing things- great characters with depth and heart, a setting with it's own cast of fun characters and a happy ending.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Another 5 star book from Elsie Silver!!

Violet and Cole actually met years ago online, but their relationship ended abruptly. Violet is a jockey on the ranch that Cole’s family owns. An injury forces Violet to move in with Cole and that’s where it all starts! The tension, the angst, the sunshine to his grumpy!

This book was one of my favs! It was a well written second chance romance filled with emotion. I absolutely adored Violet and you can’t help but empathize with Cole as to why he is the way he is. I loved this book and didn’t want it to end! I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!

📘: A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver
🗓️: July 23, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, Elsie Silver, and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Reviewed on NetGalley, Amazon, and Goodreads.

Photo Finish by Elsie Silver is a fantastic small-town romance and the second book in the Gold Rush Ranch Series. Featuring Violet Eaton’s sunny disposition and Cole Harding’s journey through trauma, this novel beautifully blends heartwarming romance with real-life issues. Violet’s light contrasts with Cole’s darkness, creating an engaging grumpy/sunshine dynamic.

The chemistry between them is off the charts, and the story is both emotionally rich and realistically grounded. A must-read for fans of age-gap romances and small-town settings. It’s a solid 5-star read!

Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Bloombooks, and Elsie Silver for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Confession this is my first (well, second. See below.) Elise Silver read. I know, I know. But now- I'm all in!!

I started this book then stopped within the first two chapters-- I could feel like I was missing context from the predecessor story, Off To The Races. I read Off To the Races (LOVED IT) and then hopped back into The Photo Finish. I'm glad I did!

The Photo Finish is an: age gap, hidden online identity, horse racing, STRONG FMC, veteran MMC, small town, dual POV, forced proximity, oops! he's my boss, spicy tale. I loved the vulnerability of both MCs and the journey they were on. I'm so ready to read Mira's story next!


Special note: Our FMC is the baby sister of the 3 MMCs from the Chestnut Springs Series!

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…

Until her.

I really enjoyed this read by Elsie Silver. I just love fantastic second chance/ secret identity romances with grumps (but soft on the inside) MMCs and a sassy, kick ass female lead. Plus who doesn’t love stories with country and horses?! And lastly, I very much happy to see the story of a character that has been mentioned in another series by her.

spicy yet sweet!! a quick fun read by one of my favorite authors. good plot and likeable characters. would highly recommend this one!

This is a classic Elsie Silver read - endearing characters, emotional roller coaster, and satisfyingly predictable. If you're a fan of her writing, I promise you'll love this too!

In true Elsie Silver fashion, I was hooked. I enjoyed the plot and both main characters. I like the vulnerable side of Cole the MMC. And knowing Violet is an Eaton just made me giddy!

Another hit by Elsie Silver! She is so talented at creating a small town dynamic. I was so excited to read Violet's story and it didn't disappoint. The pacing was perfect and the storyline was so believable. I wanted to wrap Cole up in a hug. I loved that Violet didn't give up on him even when it would have been easier to. The spice was *chefs kiss*. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Thank you NetGalley for the E-ARC!

🐎💗🪻

Cole and Violet just have a way of winning over every readers heart over. Violet never took any shit from Cole, always staying true to herself. Along with the fact that his very witty, direct and lovable therapist leaves him to deal with his struggles, all sets up a wonderful premise!

After all was said and done, this romance checks off all the boxes - farm life, handsome, rich grumpy guy meets sassy, independent strong female who doesn't NEED a man.

While this book was somewhat predictable, what much can you expect with a romance book?

Now, I did have a few problems with the writing, and I can see how in later books she could in prove. At times it felt silly, bland, and rather repetitive. There was an explicative every other sentence. And at times it could also feel very cheesy, I see room for improvement and believe Elsie can really go all out in later series!

🐎💗🪻
You'll like this book if you like...
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Strong female lead
- Ranch romance
- Smut scenes
- Cute, feel good romance

I loved the chestnut springs series so when I realized that there was actually a book about violet I just about lost my marbles.

This book, while I now know it was written first, lives up to the other series in my heart.

This is a love story about two people who are deeply struggling with a lack of self love and misguided feeling of needing to prove themselves to feel worthy of love. They are two sides of the same coin and I can’t imagine two characters more deserving of each other.
This book made my heart swell with its many sweet moments.

I can’t wait to read the rest of the series

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and lovable. The pacing was perfect and left you wanting to read more. I can't wait to read more by this author!

The way I felt a whole range of emotions while reading their book - I laughed, blushed, giggled, cried, got angry, nervous, felt my heart skip beats, wanted to hug Cole so tight he’d never be able to escape.
There were so many times the banter made me laugh so hard I was gasping for air, there’s just no feeling better than a book that manages to make u feel like being given the warmest most comfort inducing hug.

I will definitely be reading more of Elsie Silver - i didn't know small town romances were my type!!

I kept putting off this author's books because I know they're a series and there are many books. So when I got this ARC, I thought - here we go. I read Wild Love and then Off to the Races (Book #1 of Gold Rush Ranch Series) first and then devoured this book. While standalones, I do think it helps to read the series in order (Off to the Races gave me more background and info for A Photo Finish)

I needed a cold shower after this steamy read. The spice-o-meter is high on this one! We follow Violet and Cole on Gold Rush Ranch as they slow burn their way to love.

- Grumpy /Sunshine
- Cowgirl/Western Romance
- Small Town
- Dual POV
- Age gap

4 out of 5 stars
4 spicy peppers!

“I know you see yourself as dark. But you aren’t. You’re swirling color, all different shades, a mosaic. You’re complicated and beautiful. And I’m not quitting on you, so you better not quit on me.”

“I live in the shadows, and she’s like this ray of light that brightens my day.”

Thank you to netgalley, bloom publishing and the author elsie silver for this advanced digital copy of A Photo Finish in exchange for an honest review. This is a five star small town romance read that releases Saturday July 13th 2024. This novel is the second in the Gold Rush Ranch Series. I read the first book in the series called Off To The Races.

This book was everything and more!
A Photo Finish features the Eaton boys from elsie silvers other books called The Chestnut Spring Series; but this novel features Violet Eaton and Cole Harding. Violet is a sweet sunshine personality, while Cole has some heartbreaking trauma to work through. He slowly gets through his trauma with Violet by his side. I enjoyed the realness of this book with realistic issues along with their off the charts chemistry.





Book Tropes:
Age Gap
Grumpy/Sunshine
Small Town Romance
Close Proximity
Tortured Hero