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Review
4.5 stars
The first book in a brand new series from Elsie Silver, this is a fun, flirty and heartfelt small-town romance. It’s a brother’s rival story with a forbidden twist set in the midst of a reality dating show, and I loved it.
Emmett is a professional bull rider, and arch nemesis of Theo Silva (from [book:Flawless|125157226], Chestnut Springs, #1). He is desperate to help his family save their ranch, so he signs up to be the bachelor on a reality dating show. He has no intention of actually falling in love and is only in it for the money, but things get complicated when Julia Silva walks into his home.
Julia is Theo’s younger sister, and she has the opportunity of a lifetime working behind the scenes on location for Emmett’s reality show. They have met previously when Emmett helped Julia out of a horrible situation, so even though she’s heard nothing but bad things about him from her brother, she knows that deep down he’s a good guy. And seeing him with his family, and spending time with him on his family’s ranch, things between them quickly escalate.
“I can’t stop thinking about you. I can’t stop looking for you. I can’t stop wanting you. Images of you fill my brain every second of every day. You’re everywhere. Like a song stuck in my head, even though I don’t want you there. I feel like I’m living in a fever dream that I can’t fucking escape.”
But Emmett is under contract and Julia is hoping for a recommendation so she can move forward with her dream career. They’re in a really tricky spot, and the forbidden vibes are so freaking good! They’re both fighting the attraction, even while knowing the feeling is mutual. The flirting, teasing, banter, and longing are delicious, and I felt every moment of the slow burn. The build-up is so good, and I loved watching them fall for each other.
“Yes. The smirky, smoldering, hot bad-boy thing you do. Do that.” A slow smile spreads across his face.
“Did you just call me hot?”
I love these characters. Julia is smart, funny, confident and relatable. She handles herself and her situation maturely, and she’s lots of fun. And Emmett is the quiet, grumpy, emotionally guarded guy who loves his family yet declares that he’s never falling in love, which makes it fabulous when he does just that. He boldly follows his heart, and it’s beautiful to see.
“For her? I’d burn.”
The reality show aspect is fun. I’ve actually never watched a reality dating show, but this was pretty much what I imagined, and it feels like the author had a good time with it. It’s funny, and I loved how Emmett handled it, especially considering his deepening feelings for Julia.
We get to see Theo and Winter, and the interactions with them are lots of fun. We also meet the rest of Emmett’s siblings, and they’re a fantastic bunch. And his grandparents are an absolute hoot! They are all so entertaining, and I’m so looking forward to continuing on with the series.
I loved this one – 4.5 stars.
I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Julia Goldani Telles, and it’s such a great one to listen to.
Emerald Lake
Fever Dream (#1)
Review
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Untitled (#2)
To be released 11 May
Pre-order: Amazon