A Photo Finish

• SmallTown
  - Family Ranch
  - Ex Military x Jockey
  - Grumpy x Sunshine
  - Second Chances
  - Forced Proximity
  - Age Gap
  - Shared past
  - PTSD
  - Pen pals
  

cheesy, corny, good smut! only downside was the very end had an unexpected pregnancy and i hate that in books. but other than that, c enjoyable

This is Violet Easton's story. Having read Chestnut Creek (and loving it) I wanted to see where Violet came into it. It's a slower read, like the first book in the series. Violet is working at Gold Rush Ranch with Billie and just got her big break as a jockey on DD. Then she meets Cole, Vaughn's brother, and turns out they have history.

In an attempt to push her boundaries Violet posted a nude photo of herself online two years ago. There she met Golddigger85 and Pretty_In_Purple and he struck up a conversation. The book jumps back and forth Between their online relationship developing and the present day. During her 2nd race Violet is injured, hurts her leg and ends up having to move in with Cole whilst she heals. They reluctantly get to know each other better and Violet finally discovers why Cole never turned his web cam on. He's a military vet with PTSD and a prothetic leg. That explains why Golddigger85 ghosted Pretty_In_Purple after a year of chatting and when their relationship seemed to be moving forward.

It was slow but ok. I don't get why a girl in her early 20's would be so reclusive and why Vaughn is the right man for her.

This was everything. It made me swoon, and tear up, and it was just perfect.

Violet Eaton - what a force. She wants to work for and earn her accomplishments. She's tired of being coddled and underestimate because of her size. She makes the perfect race horse jockey, but it's a “man's sport” so she has to work to earn respect.

Cole Harding is a veteran, who now runs the family business. He's a suit, with a lot of traumas and triggers, but good news is he's in therapy.

Violet and Cole were anonymous internet pen pals, and then it was a shock when she showed up on his family ranch.

The universe kept putting these two together, and it was wonderful to see the connections and growth.
Cole witnessed his father, horse jockey, die while riding so he is constantly worried about Violet having the same fate. He battles with himself about not being what she deserves and his personal demons with the war and witnessing his fathers death.
Violet helps train horses and knows not to give up on the stubborn. She sticks with him, and gives him a chance to just be. Be himself and choose to love himself enough to know he is worthy of that

Men with lack of communication skills is incredibly frustrating but you kind of understand why in this book. He was at least able to see his faults and actively change. He fine as fuck thank you very much. 

I love them

Spoiler- Free Review:

This was such a sweet romance! I am fully invested in knowing more about the characters in this amazing town that Elsie Silver has created! I picked up this book as a quick palate cleanser, and it was more than I expected in the greatest way! This book follows the stories of Cole and Violet who we meet very briefly in book 1, Off to the Races. Cole has so much baggage and things to overcome from his past as well as a secret that I did not see coming. His character arc was one of my favorites and I feel like he deals with things that a lot of people struggle with on a daily basis. Violet, sweet sweet Violet. She is like a breath of fresh air. So carefree and fun, but she also has some insecurities holding her back. This was just the sweetest love story, and I love that the author gave a glimpse into the future in the epilogue; because, we all know I love closure. This is an adult romance, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, age gap, so many good tropes! The way Elsie Silver writes is amazing. The story was so sweet, but the spice was hot! She writes this so well! Definitely recommend this series for fans of romance. 18+ for language, sexual content, and themes.