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jayybear's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Child death
Minor: Sexism
sarahsbooklife's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Vomit, Abandonment, Child death, and Infidelity
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
I enjoyed this book overall, but I did struggle a bit getting into it. I'm not the biggest lover of friends-to-lovers romances to start with, but the angst that came with this was pretty good. I just wish that the romantic side of their relationship could've started a bit earlier in the book. When I read in the blurb that Jasper gets Sloane out of a loveless marriage and helps her escape on her wedding day I thought that there would be a bit more of a build to that but it happens within the first couple of chapters. Like it was a very big part of the book but I just hadn't expected it so early on. At the start I wasn't really sure if I liked Jasper and Sloane and I did think about DNFing this book, but I had really enjoyed the first two books in this series so I persisted and I'm glad I did because this book was really fucking good!sofareadsbooks_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
My least favorite of the Chestnut Springs book so far :( For several reasons. First of all, I feel like we don't really get a proper introduction of Sloane in the previous books. We see her for a brief minute in the second book, but she doesn't really get mentioned before - this caused me to not be super invested in her, because I didn't know her. Secondly is that I guess I didn't really enjoy Jasper as a character? Maybe he was a little bit too broken for me, and a bit too much of a hypocrite (like when he was saying he didn't want to tell Sloane to tell what to do but also being a controlfreak at at the same time and telling her exactly what to do). I guess it just didn't sit right with me. I loved seeing some of the other characters though, and the setup for Winters story seems like fun.
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Grief, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Sexual content
beckyremillard's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Car accident, Death, Child death, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide
aklovekorn's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Grief, and Sexual content
amateur_bookworm's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
My summary:
When Sloane Winthrop’s entire life blows up moments before her wedding that she never wanted, all she wants to do is go to her uncle’s ranch. As a kid, the Eaton’s ranch was a safe haven during the summer away from her stuffy parents—and also where she spent time with Jasper Gervais, her childhood crush. Jasper escaped an awful home life when Beau Eaton took him home when they both were in high school. The Eatons raised Jasper just like he was one of the family. Now a big-time NHL goalie, Jasper has always stayed friends with Sloane, a prima ballerina at a big dance company in the same city. After Jasper busts Sloane out of her wedding and takes her to the ranch, they get the devastating news that Beau is missing in action from his special forces unit. Jasper and Sloane turn to each other to cope, as they always have—but this time they may finally be on the same page together with their feelings for each other.
My thoughts:
I just adore Elsie Silver’s writing style. It’s sassy and hilarious and tugs at the heartstrings and the characters are just perfect. I’ve really enjoyed the Chestnut Springs series so far and switching from cowboy romance to a bit of a hockey romance in the third book just works perfectly for me.
Jasper had me swooning in the first six pages. His story is so heartbreaking and redeeming at the same time. The scene with him and Harvey at the table with the news of Beau missing had me gutted. This book is much more sad and emotional than the others so far in the series. And Sloane’s support of Jasper ever since they were kids is, just, everything.
The slow-burn friends-to-lovers plot had me chomping at the bit for Jasper and Sloane to just make it happen already. But when it does finally happen, it does not disappoint!
Also, Sterling Woodcock?!? Excuse me while I die over Sloane’s douchebag fiancé’s name. And anytime I have to put a book down to Google a reference of a person, with the accurate premonition that I should use private browsing mode for said search, well, I was cackling as I found out who Peter North is (yeah—I’m clearly not Canadian).
I’m excited for Winter and Theo’s story in the next book. But, now, what I’m really here for is Beau’s story. I feel so invested in his outcome after his bit in this book.
Note: I’ve found myself really looking forward to the Harvey bonus scene at the end of each Bloom edition book. It is just a great little cherry on top at the end of each story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Infidelity, Child death, and Grief
Minor: Emotional abuse and Suicidal thoughts
traceyanderson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Body shaming, Car accident, Child death, Sexual content, Classism, Grief, Pregnancy, Cursing, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
thatgirlgeorgia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Child death, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Death, Grief, Sexual content, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Classism, and Gaslighting
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Rating: 5/5 stars
Sloane Winthrop has loved Jasper Gervais from the moment she saw him, but he’s never felt the same…until now?
This book is absolutely the perfect friends-to-lovers story. The tension was top-tier, and I loved the simple beauty of a story about finding the person who will always accept you for exactly who you are. POWERLESS made me tear up multiple times, and while some aspects of the third-act conflict were frustrating (again, as per usual) the ending was absolutely pitch-perfect.
Also, the snippets/teasers for RECKLESS???? I am absolutely feral.
If you haven’t read this series yet, literally what are you waiting for? Here’s your sign to get started.
CW: Infidelity; mentions of death of child/grief; injury/danger of loved one; mental health; toxic parental relationship/emotional abuse
Sloane Winthrop has loved Jasper Gervais from the moment she saw him, but he’s never felt the same…until now?
This book is absolutely the perfect friends-to-lovers story. The tension was top-tier, and I loved the simple beauty of a story about finding the person who will always accept you for exactly who you are. POWERLESS made me tear up multiple times, and while some aspects of the third-act conflict were frustrating (again, as per usual) the ending was absolutely pitch-perfect.
Also, the snippets/teasers for RECKLESS???? I am absolutely feral.
If you haven’t read this series yet, literally what are you waiting for? Here’s your sign to get started.
CW: Infidelity; mentions of death of child/grief; injury/danger of loved one; mental health; toxic parental relationship/emotional abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Grief, Death, Emotional abuse, Child death, Infidelity, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
kristanjenkins's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Grief, Toxic relationship, Death, Sexual content, Car accident, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, and Abandonment