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lisa_ella 's review for:
Out of the Gate
by Elsie Silver
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Out of the Gate by Elsie Silver delivers on the familiar tropes that small-town romance lovers enjoy—grumpy x sunshine, forbidden love, second chances, and horses galore. Ada and Dermot’s chemistry sizzles from the start, and the emotional tension simmers nicely throughout. You can feel their history, especially with how raw their unresolved feelings are. The setting, the ranch life, and the hint of legacy tied to the Gold Rush Ranch make for a solid setup to the series.
But while the connection between Ada and Dermot is intense and often touching, the execution left me wanting more. The age gap itself wasn’t a huge issue, 21 and 31 is believable, but the constant reminders that Dermot knew Ada since she was 10 made some scenes feel unnecessarily uncomfortable. The story also packed a lot into a short space. There were emotional flashbacks, military trauma, intense arguments, steamy scenes, reconciliations, and character growth all shoved into a novella’s length. It almost read like a condensed version of a full novel, where key moments like the emotional impact of Dermot’s letters or Ada’s career dreams could’ve used way more space to breathe and develop.
Still, I did enjoy watching Ada come into her own. She’s fiery and determined, and her journey with her horse Penny mirrored her relationship with Dermot in a clever way. Dermot’s inner conflict was compelling too even when he frustrated me, I understood where he was coming from.
Overall, Out of the Gate is a spicy and emotional prequel that lays a solid foundation, but it could’ve hit harder if given the space it needed. Worth a read if you're diving into the series, but not without its flaws.
But while the connection between Ada and Dermot is intense and often touching, the execution left me wanting more. The age gap itself wasn’t a huge issue, 21 and 31 is believable, but the constant reminders that Dermot knew Ada since she was 10 made some scenes feel unnecessarily uncomfortable. The story also packed a lot into a short space. There were emotional flashbacks, military trauma, intense arguments, steamy scenes, reconciliations, and character growth all shoved into a novella’s length. It almost read like a condensed version of a full novel, where key moments like the emotional impact of Dermot’s letters or Ada’s career dreams could’ve used way more space to breathe and develop.
Still, I did enjoy watching Ada come into her own. She’s fiery and determined, and her journey with her horse Penny mirrored her relationship with Dermot in a clever way. Dermot’s inner conflict was compelling too even when he frustrated me, I understood where he was coming from.
Overall, Out of the Gate is a spicy and emotional prequel that lays a solid foundation, but it could’ve hit harder if given the space it needed. Worth a read if you're diving into the series, but not without its flaws.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Abandonment
Moderate: Mental illness, Terminal illness, War