Reviews with content warning for Death - Off to the Races

Reviews tagging 'Death'

Off to the Races by Elsie Silver

12 reviews

beckyyreadss's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

I wanted to read this book because I’m enjoying the Chestnut Series and the Rose Hill series so when I saw the new covers getting announced, I was so excited to start it. I loved seeing where Elsie Silver started.

This book has two points of view. The first one is Billie Black, and she is a talented horse trainer who has travelled all over the world in the most prestigious places, but when a good friend and father figure Hank, calls in a favour to come and work on a small-town ranch called Gold Rush Ranch in Ruby Creek. She makes the trip, but the second she lands, she is dealing with the arrogant Vaughn Harding who think Billie is there on his mother request for a date. They but heads and Vaughn gives Billie a deal, she has three months to make his most difficult horse into a race winner. The second point of view is Vaughn Harding, and he has taken a leave of absence from his job to get things sorted out his grandad’s ranch especially after his grandad is getting bad press about fixing major races. He is determined to keep things professional with all of his employees, but he can’t stop thinking about Billie. She's mouthy and so damn tempting. They clash from the moment they met. And in a small town, on an even smaller farm, it’s hard to keep your distance. It's even harder to keep the friction from turning to fire. But keeping his distance? That might be the biggest struggle of all. Because Billie is the whole package. They both drive each other crazy. Every smart-mouthed little comment, every game they play, they both want more. Suddenly Vaughn doesn’t care about winning race, he wants to win the girl.

I love that Elsie has a way of writing these found family, small town vibes. Like everyone instantly loved Billie where Vaughn was wanting her out of his hair as soon as possible. I loved that the girl group was formed, and they were all looking out for each other but also if they didn’t want to talk about the men in their life being a pain in the ass, they would just get drunk instead. I loved Billie instantly, how she was standing up for herself from day one and didn’t give a shit about her past she just wanted to make sure she proved herself. My favourite chapter was actually when Billie wacked the hell out of the jockey that hurt her horse after she specially told him not to hurt the horse and then screamed at Vaughn’s brother. I adored Hank, he reminds me of Harvey and how he loves the lads he adopted like Vaughn but Vaughn hurt his adopted daughter, so he is like I adore you, but I'm pissed off at you right now and told him some hard truths.

Vaughn was a walking red flag, he took a while to grow on me, he sorts of reminded me of Rhett. Cold, then warm, then cold again. Can't speak his mind. Then makes promises he can’t keep and then a man has to tell him that he fucked up. Like dude, could you not tell by the fact that Billie broke up with you, handed in her notice and was planning to leave the country towards the end of the book. Vaughn had his major character development within the last three chapters when the third act conflict happened, which I don’t believe was needed.

I love how Elsie has already introduced most of the characters from the ranch and the Harding family and this book was a solid first book in the series and I cannot wait to see what happens within the Gold Rush Ranch.

Content Warnings

mayalberg_'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

4.0

A first book, so not my absolute favorite but the potential for the remaining books of the series is strong. It was a great in between book after reading some heavier ones and I can’t wait for the next.

Content Warnings

irisvdn's review against another edition

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emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Content Warnings

autumnwitch14's review against another edition

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funny 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

3.5

Content Warnings

edietz22's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

kell_yeah_reads'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? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

per my spreadsheet:

i think i need to read read it.

spice 🌶 - a 4 🌶 spicy (romance.io scale)
length - just right
reading speed - read in 2 days
did it make me cry? - not this time

Content Warnings