OFF TO THE RACES is my first book by Elsie Silver. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about this author and so I wanted to try them out for myself to see how I would like it. Since I do enjoy cowboy romances, I thought that the Gold Rush Ranch would be the perfect place to start.
Right from the get-go, I realized that this would be a quick and easy read due to the writing style. Written in first person, it keeps things simple.
But it’s almost too simple.
This book lacked any depth or complexity to it. Even the conflict seemed a bit too easy to fix, thus making it a mediocre read for me. I won’t say that I hated it, but it doesn’t make me want to rush out to read other books by the author.
Similarly, because the writing seemed so basic, the characters also felt too one-dimensional to me, especially the hero, Vaughn. His point of view felt too feminine to me. And since Billie was a bit of a tough girl, I wanted him to be more masculine. However, due to the writing style, he just lacked the alpha male I was looking for. In the end, I just wasn't commited to the romance like I hoped to be.
Vaughn Harding heads from the city to small-town Ruby Creek, intent on revitalizing his family's ranch and the scandal attached to its name in the wake of his grandfather's unexpected passing. He needs a win, and when he hires Billie Black to train his best but most stubborn racehorse, he hopes she can deliver.
Billie is talented. Whip-smart. Sassy. And so damn tempting. She and Vaughn clash from the moment they meet, but he can't stop thinking about her. And in a small town, on an even smaller farm, it's hard to keep their distance. Even harder to keep their friction from turning into fire.
With every smart-mouthed comment, every game they play, Vaughn ends up wanting more. Her lips. Her trust. Her heart. Billie Black is the whole package, and possibly the only one who can save Vaughn's business—and him.
Vaughn wants it all. But at what cost?
Because for the first time, he doesn't just want to win races…he wants to win the girl.
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