Reviews

Off to the Races by Elsie Silver

lisa_10's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

smileitssamm's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

stephy_reads_books's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.25

meganh10's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

cjcharding's review against another edition

3.75

3.75/5🌶️, Libby audiobook, first in a series ok as a standalone, contemporary, western, sports (horse racing), boss-employee, grumpy-sunshine, arguing makes us horny, sassy, race horse trainer FMC, grumpy, ranch owner MMC 

 

I’m so glad my library had this audiobook! I’m a big fan of the Chestnut Springs books and when I saw I had library access to the Gold Rush Ranch series, I decided to go back to where it all started. You can really read where Elsie started and got her voice in this book. It felt just like reading the Chestnut Springs books - Billie had to happen so we could have Willa, Vaughn before Cade/Rhett/Jasper/Beau (boy, does Elsie like a grumpy guy!). Was this book as good as the Chestnut Springs books? - nope. Did I enjoy being back in the world of Elsie Silver’s grumpy men and sassy women? - yep! But again, this is where it began, and it kind of shows. I found even in newer books, Elsie reuses phrases a ton or uses very common romance phrases (“release a breath she didn’t know she was holding” for example) and there was a lot of that in this book. I enjoyed the female friendships and the banter between the MMC and FMC. Honestly, this is half a love story between the MMC and FMC and half a love story between the FMC and a horse. Bonus, useless “this always makes me smile” point: I love when authors put a sex scene at 69% of the books. That has to be intentional, right?!?! 

alicelovesbooks's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense 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

3.75

ginnygrde's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

kenniereads's review against another edition

Dnf at 111 pages

thee_bibliophile_'s review against another edition

5.0

My thoughts while reading:

Billie is such a badass: Me throughout the whole book and when she 'whipped' that pompous asshole after the race.
I still don't know how to pronounce 'Vaughn.'
The Eaton Brother's little sister was the icing on the cake - I can't wait to get into her story.
Vaughn is third-wheeling Billie and her horse.
That kitchen island needs to be sanitizedddddd.

Overall, a fun and steamy read with an emotional element of course. This will get you in your feels, especially with regard to Vaughn's dilemma with his grandfather. It will make you realize the world isn't always black and white - a very bittersweet realization I came upon whilst reading.
Can't believe there was a time when I didn't read cowboy romance.
Look at me now...

booknookreads_grace's review against another edition

4.0

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
POV: Dual
Tropes: Small Town, Enemies To Lovers, Workplace

Pet names used: Boss Man, Mowgli (not used during spicy scenes)
Spice: