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!

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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!

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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

A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver is a sweet romance book. Grumpy rich man, small town (almost) innocent young lady and horses - what's not to love? I enjoyed the spicy. I also liked the deeply emotional part of delaing with trauma. Thank you, Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books | Bloom Books for giving me the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
SPICE: 🔥🔥

I love Elsie’s writing. I swear she could write a grocery list and I would be begging for more. Violet and Cole were so good together, and I was hooked from the very beginning with these two! This is a reread for me, and I have to say after gobbling up everything Elsie has written, this is probably the swooniest of all her couples.

Listen, I will fall for the tortured grump EVERY SINGLE TIME. Cole is no exception and watching him heal and open up to Violet, it just made all parts of me melt in a puddle on the floor!

TROPES ⬇️

✨ Small Town
✨ Age Gap
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Second Chance
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine

This was my first Elsie Silver book, and I have mixed feelings. While I enjoyed it for the most part, I was mostly bored throughout the story. I had to keep convincing myself to pick this one back up. I loved the horse element, the strong female (Violet), and the tortured billionaire (Cole). Violet is a small horse jockey who is fiercely independent, but is also very patient. Cole is the grumpy owner of the ranch, who has endured so many traumas that he has given up on love. While it was sweet, and the twists were a bit jarring, I think it was missing something. I cannot put my finger on it, but it is missing something. Still, I recommend as a good cowgirl! romance.

I am the biggest fan of a mmc with a tough exterior who is troubled and is a softie for his love interest. Cole is just that. He is by no means perfect, but I love a character that is as complex as him. I loved seeing Violet as I have seen glimpses of her in the Chestnut Springs series. She is so sweet and hardworking. I loved seeing how she blossomed throughout the book and on her own.

This book was so good! I had read this after The Chestnut Springs series. It made me smile to hear some familiar names. Cole and Violet where great characters and a great start to another great Elsie Silver series.

Elsie can write no wrong book. Another fabulous read!

This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. Just the obstacles these characters had to overcome. My heart felt for Cole with his PTSD and military background. I cried quite a few times while reading this. I couldn't stop rooting for him.

There is just something so comforting about a small town and Elsie does it so well. I'd love to be there with the horses and people. I loved chestnut springs and this is quickly becoming a favorite.

A fantastic read!