Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - A False Start

Nadia is 19 and her life is finally starting to come together. She’s recently moved in with her older brother after growing up with an abusive dad and she just got accepted into a veterinary tech program. Out at a bar, she ends up sharing a searing kiss with a stranger. A stranger who turns out to be Griffin, her brother’s one true friend. Griffin has his own demons from the past and usually keeps to himself. While the attraction between Nadia and Griffin is there, so is their baggage from their respective pasts.

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this book a lot. And the more I sit and think about it, the more I like it. I read this pretty quick. Both Nadia and Griffin really tugged on my heartstrings and I really wanted to see them make this work. It kept me turning the pages, that’s for sure. I think it’s a sweet ending to the Gold Rush Ranch series. (I definitely went back to read Powerless for the chapters that Jasper and Sloane were visiting. And, wow, this cottage sees some action.)

Also. Pour over coffee is delicious. The jokes about the complicated coffee had me laughing—but, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. My goal when I’m retired is to be Griffin’s mom making single cups of pour over coffee for everyone for an hour.

Elsie Silver has quickly become one of my favorite authors. And mostly I’m really sad that I’ve finished all of Elsie Silver’s books that she’s written to date. I love her writing style so much. I can’t wait for Wild Eyes to be out in September.

Content Warnings

hjb_128's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

savvyrosereads's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Nadia and Griffin shared a kiss two years ago—before they knew she was the sister of his best friend, and fourteen years his junior. Unfortunately, two years later they’re forced together again, and they can’t seem to get each other out of their systems…

I really enjoyed this series, though at the end of the day Chestnut Springs will probably always be the one that holds my heart. This was a great conclusion and I especially loved the bonus epilogues. The story itself was a bit more character driven than the prior ones, which isn’t always my favorite for romances, but I still really enjoyed it!

Nadia and Griffin were great characters and while I’m not always a fan of age gap romances I liked the way this one was done. Their relationship was so poignant and beautiful and healing, and those grand gestures????? Be still my heart.

CW: Alcoholism, mentions of domestic abuse and child abuse

Content Warnings

carla20's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

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