A review by amateur_bookworm
Off to the Races by Elsie Silver

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

4.5

My summary:
Vaughn Harding is reeling in the wake of his grandfather’s death and the allegations that his grandfather fixed horse races. Desperate to save the reputation of Gold Rush Ranch, the very same place his grandfather raised him, Vaughn wants to clear the ranch’s name. He starts by clearing house and hiring a new general manager, Hank. When Hank suggests bringing in an up-and-coming young horse trainer, Vaughn has no idea what he’s in for when the feisty Billie Black rolls into the ranch. Billie has spent the last decade escaping her own family drama, and just wants to train horses and win races. As both Vaughn and Billie try to put past family scandals to bed, fireworks erupt between them. 

My thoughts:
I’m not sure I have a spirit animal, but I definitely have a spirit author—and it’s Elsie Silver. Her writing style is my favorite for romance books. Her female characters are strong, her language could make a sailor blush, and her spicy scenes are hot. 

I love the fiery and feisty women that Elsie writes. And Billie Black is this and more! I love the fireworks between Vaughn and Billie when they first meet. It’s the complete opposite of a meet cute, and I am totally here for it. 

Honestly, I found myself rooting for the love story between Billie and DD way more than with Billie and Vaughn. The connections we can have with animals is such a blessing. I have the world’s best Golden Retriever and it is easy to extrapolate my feelings for her to be similar to what Billie feels with DD. I was super emotional through all of the DD scenes! 

I really enjoyed this book but it overall left me wanting a bit. The happily ever after was a little too abrupt and contrived for me. I liked the outcome, I just wish it hadn’t felt so rushed. 

This is Elsie Silver’s debut novel. And it’s the seventh book I’ve read by her. I started with her newest, Wild Love, and absolutely loved it. Then I read the Chestnut Springs series and loved those books even more! I was nervous to read her debut series, because I know authors really change and develop their writing more with each book. But her debut novel is overall great and I’m excited to read the rest of this series while I wait for Wild Eyes to come out in September! 
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