This book was so good! I loved it so much more than the first one. I felt like there were a lot of good elements regarding a soldiers life after war that made it so good and made me not want to stop reading. I loved the way the relationship developed and I loved the main character. The writing was wonderful. I can’t wait to read the next ones in the series

this story was WOW, it was vulnerable and painful but in such a beautiful way. seeing both cole & violet’s journeys was amazing!

Very solid read! Overall made me want more! This was my first of this author but will not be my last. I flew through this one so quickly.

ELSIE SILVER HITS EVERYTIME!! Violet Eaton and Cole Harding are the perfect pairing !! It’s the definition of grumpy met sunshine, she’s sweet ,caring but she’s also stubborn and I love her for that !! And he’s complex and complicated like most me, rough around the edges and gives off Doberman boyfriend vibes, the touch her and you die every girl needs in their corner .! They are both vulnerable and dealing with their own issues and I love that we get to go for a ride along in their story and all the other stories Elsie has written with these top tier couples !!

I loved this book!!!! The new cover is amazing and just as beautiful as the storyline. I can't recommend Elsie Silver enough!!!

What you come to expect from Elsie Silver is put on full display in this story. A strong headed heroine, a swoon worthy love interest, and just enough spice to keep you wanting more. I am so happy Elsie is putting Canada on the romcom map. Horses, misunderstandings, and love.

This was my first Elsie Silver book and I am so bummed it took me this long to find her. This is book two of a series but can certainly be read as a stand alone.

The character development in this story was amazing. The author had the triggering topics (PTSD) beautifully. You really rooted for them. The flashbacks were great and added to the overall development/story.

This grumpy sunshine, close proximity romance was a great read! Violet Eaton was a real go-getter. Once she sets her mind on something, she perseveres until she accomplishes it. When she comes face to face with Cole Harding, she panics. He's part of the past she'd like to leave behind. The things she did need to stay in the past especially now that she's got her dream job as a jockey. Cole has PTSD, which makes interactions with people difficult for him. When an injury forces Violet to live with him, the layers of Cole's demeanor start to peel open. They may have started out with an anonymous interaction on the internet, but being with Violet IRL is the balm Cole needs to heal himself from the inside out.

I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

Amazon Review pending system approval
Blog post goes live Oct 15th
Will be covered in upcoming Youtube wrapup

TL;DR: A great example of a grumpy/sunshine type of story.
Source: Netgalley, thank you to the publisher!

Plot: Two people who had an online fling end up forced in close quarters and have to work things out. This was pretty original (for me) in the setup.
Characters: I liked these characters okay, though Violet wasn’t my favorite. She’s very pushy.
Setting: You gotta love a ranch right? This one wasn’t as rich on setting and focused much more on their inner monologue.
Romance: These two had it bad for one another and that was very obvious.

Thoughts:

I really liked A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver, with some caveats. This one is a great take on a grumpy/sunshine with Violet, who finally has her dream job as a jockey. She wins her first big race and in that moment in the winners ring comes face to face with the man she had an intense online fling with a few years ago. Not only that but he’s her boss’s brother in law and she’s forced to share a house after an injury soon after.

Violet is for the most part, very positive and go getter. She goes for what she wants and works hard to get it. Cole is a veteran with PTSD and he’s intense withdrawn. At the beginning of this Cole was a huge asshole, like HUGE asshole. But he slowly comes around and we see more of his personality and why he is the way he is. I started off disliking him and slowly grew to understand him on a lot of levels and I really appreciated a twist that Elsie snuck in there. Violet on the other hand began to feel pushy and abrasive and I lost a lot of love for her in the later half.

Their romance is intense. You can tell they have it bad for each other, and I liked the setup and ranch. My main issue was just Violet and especially her treatment of Cole in the last portion of the book. He suffers from PTSD from seeing his father’s death and augmented by his time in the military. As someone with personal experience with that I really, really, hated how she treated him and his triggers and anxiety. I’m aware it’s going to be different for each person, but if someone treated me that way I would absolutely not react how he did and even reading it was upsetting.

That’s a small complaint, and one that I do know is entirely personal to my own brain/emotional soup. Otherwise this was a very good romance, with clear chemistry and a fun arc to follow. If you like Elsie Silver this one is probably going to be a hit for you.

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.