If this was her debut, then it’s no surprise that Silver has become so popular in the years since – not only was this genuinely entertaining on its own, but it also makes for a fantastic series starter and an all-around great read. I loved the push/pull, feuding that’s really flirting, sexual tension, and unique setting. I loved the firecracker of a heroine and how she keeps the hero on his toes. He’s a bit of an entitled jerk who is accustomed to getting what he wants, and it was so fun to watch him crave something so badly. It’s got he falls first vibes and a hero who does the pursuing – and not for just one night – which won me over in a big way. Pair that with the electric tension between these two, and I flew through the pages with ease. I loved it!
The story follows Vaughn, a man who has been left cleaning up his grandfather’s mess. Vaughn inherited a horse racing stable whose reputation is in tatters following a cheating scandal revolving around his grandfather, and he’s been cleaning house ever since. Excited to meet a new horse trainer who comes highly recommended, Vaughn is shocked (and dismayed!) to discover that it’s the gorgeous woman he assumed was a gold digger and tried to send packing. Not only did Billie stand her ground during their first encounter, but she gave as good as she got – and that’s got Vaughn feeling off-kilter. He agrees to give her a trial run with a task that’s sure to be impossible to achieve, but Vaughn soon realizes that Billie is full of surprises. She exceeds his every expectation, and it’s not long before the fiery woman is thawing out the grump.
As a big, big fan of Silver’s Chestnut Springs series, I’ve been meaning to check out her first series for awhile now – and the release of the audiobook was just the push I needed. I’ve intentionally avoided spoilers so I could go into this series with fresh eyes, just like I did Flawless back in the day. And I’m so glad I was able to go in with zero expectations, because this was such a great read. As with Chestnut Springs, this series has a setting that I don’t often read about in contemporary romance, and I loved the unique feel that gave the story. I was truly rooting for Billie in her role at work, and that added another layer of interest to an already-excellent story. I also loved the instant enemies to lovers vibes, which is always a big win for me. I am SUCH a fan of strangers to lovers romances, and this was a good one. These two have a thread of tension between them from the start, partially because of the sheer awfulness of their first interaction (lol), and partially because they feel an unwanted attraction right away. I adored watching Billie thaw out Vaughn’s cold exterior to reveal the warm and loving man underneath, and the spiciness certainly didn’t hurt. I’m also a fan of the cast of characters, and this did a great job of getting me excited for the next installment. I devoured this in one sitting and loved it the whole way through.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3s1LeiU
Audio Note:
I’m glad I waited for the audio, it was worth the wait! I’m actually not the biggest fan of CJ Bloom’s voice, but I must be used to it at this point, because I didn’t even realize it was her until about halfway through, lol. She generally has a snobby edge to her voice that I don’t find relatable, but that was not the case this time. She gives a stellar performance and embodies Billie’s strong personality well. I also thought Tim Paige did a good job, infusing a lot of personality into the performance. He’s also not one of my favorites, but his voice worked well for Vaughn’s mix of cold jerk and rugged stable owner. The runtime is perfect for bingeing (around 9 hours), and the vibes were ideal for the format. It’s mostly lighthearted with plenty of sexual tension, and the chemistry was even more obvious with the emotive narration. It’s a slow burn in the spice department, though Billie and Vaughn have sparks flying between them from the start. I wouldn’t say it’s a bad workday listen, but know that you might be in for a few awkward moments at the office, lol. All in all, I’d love to experience the rest of the series in audio, but now I’m not sure I can wait til the next one releases in December. Not a bad problem to have though!
Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3s4KKsh
Blurb:
Keeping things professional with my employees has never been an issue. Until she waltzed onto my property.
Billie is talented. She’s mouthy. And she’s so damn tempting. I can’t stop thinking about all the ways I could take her down a peg.
I can’t stop thinking about her, period.
We clash from the moment we meet. And in a small town, on an even smaller farm, it’s hard to keep your distance. It’s even harder to keep that friction from turning to fire.
But keeping my distance? That might be the biggest struggle of all. Because Billie is the whole package, whip-smart with a body I fantasize about when I’m alone, and quite possibly the only woman who can save this business—and me.
She drives me crazy. In every sense of the word. Every smart-mouthed little comment—every game we play—I end up wanting more. Wanting her closer. With me. Under me.
I try not to let her get to me, but the more time we spend together the more I crave her. Her lips. Her trust. Her heart.
I want it all.
But at what cost?
Because suddenly I don’t just want to win races, I want to win the girl.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3s1LeiU
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.
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