If this was her debut, then it’s no surprise that Silver has become so popular in the years since - not only was this genuinely entertaining on its own, but it also makes for a fantastic series starter and an all-around great read. I loved the push/pull, feuding that’s really flirting, sexual tension, and unique setting. I loved the firecracker of a heroine and how she keeps the hero on his toes. He’s a bit of an entitled jerk who is accustomed to getting what he wants, and it was so fun to watch him crave something so badly. It’s got he falls first vibes and a hero who does the pursuing - and not for just one night - which won me over in a big way. Pair that with the electric tension between these two, and I flew through the pages with ease. I loved it!
The story follows Vaughn, a man who has been left cleaning up his grandfather's mess. Vaughn inherited a horse racing stable whose reputation is in tatters following a cheating scandal revolving around his grandfather, and he's been cleaning house ever since. Excited to meet a new horse trainer who comes highly recommended, Vaughn is shocked (and dismayed!) to discover that it's the gorgeous woman he assumed was a gold digger and tried to send packing. Not only did Billie stand her ground during their first encounter, but she gave as good as she got - and that's got Vaughn feeling off-kilter. He agrees to give her a trial run with a task that's sure to be impossible to achieve, but Vaughn soon realizes that Billie is full of surprises. She exceeds his every expectation, and it's not long before the fiery woman is thawing out the grump.
As a big, big fan of Silver's Chestnut Springs series, I've been meaning to check out her first series for awhile now - and the release of the audiobook was just the push I needed. I've intentionally avoided spoilers so I could go into this series with fresh eyes, just like I did Flawless back in the day. And I'm so glad I was able to go in with zero expectations, because this was such a great read. As with Chestnut Springs, this series has a setting that I don't often read about in contemporary romance, and I loved the unique feel that gave the story. I was truly rooting for Billie in her role at work, and that added another layer of interest to an already-excellent story. I also loved the instant enemies to lovers vibes, which is always a big win for me. I am SUCH a fan of strangers to lovers romances, and this was a good one. These two have a thread of tension between them from the start, partially because of the sheer awfulness of their first interaction (lol), and partially because they feel an unwanted attraction right away. I adored watching Billie thaw out Vaughn's cold exterior to reveal the warm and loving man underneath, and the spiciness certainly didn't hurt. I'm also a fan of the cast of characters, and this did a great job of getting me excited for the next installment. I devoured this in one sitting and loved it the whole way through.
Audio note: I'm glad I waited for the audio, it was worth the wait! I'm actually not the biggest fan of CJ Bloom's voice, but I must be used to it at this point, because I didn't even realize it was her until about halfway through, lol. She generally has a snobby edge to her voice that I don't find relatable, but that was not the case this time. She gives a stellar performance and embodies Billie's strong personality well. I also thought Tim Paige did a good job, infusing a lot of personality into the performance. He's also not one of my favorites, but his voice worked well for Vaughn's mix of cold jerk and rugged stable owner. The runtime is perfect for bingeing (around 9 hours), and the vibes were ideal for the format. It's mostly lighthearted with plenty of sexual tension, and the chemistry was even more obvious with the emotive narration. It's a slow burn in the spice department, though Billie and Vaughn have sparks flying between them from the start. I wouldn't say it's a bad workday listen, but know that you might be in for a few awkward moments at the office, lol. All in all, I'd love to experience the rest of the series in audio, but now I'm not sure I can wait til the next one releases in December. Not a bad problem to have though!
Off to the Races: A Small Town Enemies to Lovers Romance (Gold Rush Ranch Book 1)
4.1 | 23,105 ratings
Price: 5.99
Last update: 08-31-2024
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Top reviews from the United States
Jeeves Reads Romance
Loved it
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2023
Meagan Ward
Witty, endearing and inspiring!
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
Homemakermindy
good writing, not the best romance
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2024
Hannah Whitworth
Elsie Silver never misses
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2024