As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and Flawless is certainly among them. When it comes to these lists, I try my best to honor 20 different authors, but I honestly could not choose between the first two books in Elsie Silver’s Chestnut Springs series. I absolutely LOVED Heartless and ate up every minute of it, but I literally called Flawless “flawless” in my review, so how am I supposed to ignore that? Either way you spin it, this new-to-me author came flying onto my radar in 2022, and I am not complaining in the slightest. Silver delivered two of my top reads of the year, and that deserves its own kind of recognition. Crossing my fingers that the trend continues in 2023!
You’ll find my original review and some quotes from the book below!
Flawless is right – I absolutely LOVED this from start to finish. I’ll admit that I’m a cover hoe and that’s the primary reason I checked out this new-to-me author’s work, so I had no idea what was in store for me when I started reading. But this gripped me from the first few pages, and I loved the electric connection between these characters. It’s not quite enemies to lovers, more like strangers who resent having to be around each other, and I loved the friction that formed from their frustration (sexual and otherwise, lol). Our hero has a bad reputation, but it wasn’t long before I was falling hard for him – his vulnerability and insecurities were so endearing, and it was easy to see how deep his feelings ran. And by the end? Whoa boy, he took me by surprise in the best of ways, which made for some super swoony moments. And some super steamy moments. The buildup of all that forced proximity (including an only one bed situation) made this slow burn to SIZZLE even more impactful. It’s an all-around stellar read that didn’t disappoint at any turn.
The story follows Rhett (32), an aging bull rider whose body is starting to fail him. While he’s been putting his life on the line for over a decade, the aches and pains are beginning to wear on him. So when an unfortunate PR situation puts his career on the line, Rhett is frustrated and resentful. He risks his health every time he gets on a bull, and the fans who once built up his confidence now threaten to take away the one thing that makes him feel like a success. Add to that, Rhett’s agent has assigned him a “babysitter” in the form of his sexy but uptight daughter. Summer (25) is tasked with keeping Rhett in line, and his partying, playboy reputation makes her believe that will be quite the feat. But Rhett is nothing like Summer expected, and it’s not long before she’s seeing the real man who lives beneath the cocky persona.
Now… I’m not someone who usually reads romances about bull riders and ranchers. I definitely have before, but it’s never been something that’s felt fresh or relatable to me. This did. It took only a few pages for me to start rooting for Rhett and Summer – it was obvious that these two opposites would easily attract. I loved how Summer falls for Rhett’s true self, and it was clear that he was aching for someone to do so. Playboys always seem to fall the hardest, and that’s definitely the case here. Rhett falls hard and fast, putting up a valiant effort to resist but soon tumbling in a big way. I really appreciated that Silver didn’t play up his playboy past or add a lot of unnecessary drama; Rhett’s done a lot of growing on his own, but he’s been stuck with a manhoe label even though it doesn’t fit as well as it used to. And once he meets Summer? There’s no going back. It was easy to see how much she irrevocably changes him, and they were so absolutely perfect together… in AND out of the bedroom. It’s got plenty of spice, but the focus is on their connection – and that was consuming and vivid. I love being surprised by books, and this is a great example. It’s nothing like I would’ve expected, but everything that I wanted.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3onzLoK
Blurb:
The rules were simple. Keep my hands off his daughter and stay out of trouble.
But now I’m stuck with her. There’s only one bed. And well, rules are made to be broken.
I’m the face of professional bull riding—the golden boy. Or at least I was, until it all blew up in my face. Now my agent says I have to clean up my image, so I’m stuck with his ball-busting daughter for the rest of the season as my “full-time supervision.”
But I don’t need a goddamn babysitter, especially one with skin-tight jeans, a sexy smirk, and a mouth she can’t stop running.
A mouth I can’t stop thinking about.
Because Summer isn’t just another conquest. She sees the man behind the mask, and she doesn’t run—she pulls me closer, even when she shouldn’t.
She says this means nothing.
I say this means everything.
She says there are boundaries we shouldn’t cross. That my reputation can’t take any more hits—and neither can her damaged heart.
I say I’m going to steal it anyway.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3onzLoK
Also on the list – Heartless!
The series starts with Flawless, and Heartless is the next interconnected standalone.
Blurb:
Working as a nanny for the world’s grumpiest single dad should have been simple. Except I can’t keep my eyes off him. And he can’t keep his hands off of me.
Cade Eaton is thirteen years older than I am and barely looks my way. Until I get him into the hot tub one night for a game of truth or dare. Then all bets are off—and so are our clothes.
He’s gruff, a little rough around the edges. But broad-shouldered ranchers with calloused hands and filthy mouths are this city girl’s kryptonite. So who am I to resist?
But it’s in our quiet moments together that he softens. It’s when he takes care of me that I realize his hardened exterior is just a façade. It’s when I watch him go all sweet with his little boy that I really fall for him.
Someone convinced him once that his best wasn’t good enough. But I’ve never felt more cherished than I do in his arms.
My contract may say this arrangement is only for two months.
But my heart says this is forever.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DgYgwN
About the Author:
Elsie Silver is a Canadian author of sassy, sexy, small town romance who loves a good book boyfriend and the strong heroines who bring them to their knees. She lives just outside of Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband, son, and three dogs and has been voraciously reading romance books since before she was probably supposed to.
She loves cooking and trying new foods, traveling, and spending time with her boys–especially outdoors. Elsie has also become a big fan of her quiet five am mornings, which is when most of her writing happens. It’s during this time that she can sip a cup of hot coffee and dream up a fictional world full of romantic stories to share with her readers.
Follow Elsie!
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorelsiesilv
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorelsiesilver
Reader Group: www.facebook.com/groups/modernbellesromance
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/elsiesilver
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/elsie-silver
Website: www.elsiesilver.com
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