A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver

While Chestnut Springs series is for those with the "Cowboy Take Me Away" fantasy, Gold Rush Ranch Series is for the horse girls (meant lovingly)!

Yes we know as it gets shoved down our throats enough is society men are big and strong, and can do manly things; So it was refreshing with this book and series that the women are the actually the ones doing and thriving in the world of horse racing. Book one our main female lead was the racehorse trainer and in this book our leading lady Violet (little sister from Chestnut Springs) is the new derby winning jockey (get it ladies)! Of course being female power players in a male dominated industry not only do they have to tackle idiotic male behavior in the workplace, but also with their love interests. Thankfully our male romantic leads are willing to grow as humans, and bless Cloe he actually goes to therapy. 

Now onto Violet and Cole's story...

Who would have thought our sweet Violet would take a walk on the wild side and post a nude online?!? Of course mister grumpy gills Cole was the one who was able to catch our girl's attention online and make what was supposed to be a private cam girl/sugar daddy type arrangement to a virtual pen pal situationship. After a year of developing a friendship with a dash of flirting, one night Violet finally bares it all for Cole, he returns the favor by being a cold hearted grump. This is the last time Violet plans on speak to Cole (well at least the username) ever again. 

Until one year later right after Vi gets her big win on DD and Cole reveals himself to be her former penpal with benefits (only for him), again dick move. Oh since he is also part owner of Gold Rush Ranch, kinda Vi's boss now and he is living on the Ranch for a while. The forced proximity gets worse after Violet breaks her leg (f*ck you Patrick) she has to move into the same house as Cole. This backstory makes Violet's drunken night out with Billie and Mira make so much more sense now. 

Thankfully through this forced bonding time Violet and Cole begin to understand each other more, Violet continues her personal development in sticking up for herself/not being a people pleasing doormat, and Cole learns to allow others in and finally tackle his trauma around his father's death and lingering wounds of being a wounded veteran. Thank goodness for Cole's eccentric, hippie, take no bs grandma vibes therapist. (Side note would love for her and Hank to get together).  

Loves: the vulnerability from Cole and Violet, the groveling from Cole, oh the sexual tension and reward then the tension finally snapped, ladies doing the work and the men being their cheerleaders, friendship between Vi, Billie, and Mira, and the brothers reconciliation, the horses. 

Hates: Both Cole and Vaughn did this where in their inner dialogue multiple times would be like this is what I'm going to do to show her I'm --serious, in charge, etc-- then would whimp out on the action and ghost our girls. Hank falling off in the story, he brought Vi flowers and then we don't really see/hear from him again. Also, why was there no showdown with the mom to has out her abandoning the boys after their father's death and trying to rebuild a new and healthier relationship with her?

Definitely enjoyed this book read it all in one sitting couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading book 3.

Ratings:

Overall: 7.75/10

Spice: 3.75/5

Thank you Bloom Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.