Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by lisa_ella
Off to the Races by Elsie Silver
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Off to the Races by Elsie Silver offers a blend of enemies-to-lovers, small town romance, and workplace tension wrapped in the world of competitive horse racing. Billie, a self-made horse trainer with a tough past, and Vaughn, a broody ranch owner with something to prove, definitely had chemistry, but their romance galloped a little too fast after a slow trot of a start.
The setting was rich and immersive. Gold Rush Ranch felt like a character in itself, and Double Diablo (DD) was honestly my favorite part of the book. Billie’s bond with him added emotional depth and grounded the story, giving me something tangible to root for.
That said, the pacing was uneven. The beginning was drawn-out, heavy on setup, but once the romance kicked in, it was like someone hit fast forward. There were key emotional moments, especially Vaughn betraying Billie that didn’t get the development or payoff it deserved. Vaughn’s "redemption" was too easy. Billie worked so hard for everything, and I wanted more groveling, more reckoning, more proof that Vaughn really saw her as more than just a means to an end to redeem his family.
Also, while Vaughn was broody and protective (which I love), he crossed into possessive territory a bit too fast at times. I appreciated Billie’s independence and boundaries, especially when she challenged his entitlement early on, but those dynamics needed more balance and time to heal after the conflict.
Overall, it had great tropes, solid emotional stakes, and a strong heroine, but the payoff didn’t quite match the buildup. A few more chapters and deeper groveling could’ve made this a stronger story. Still, if you're into ranch settings, slow-burn tension, and emotionally wounded love interests, this might still be worth picking up.
The setting was rich and immersive. Gold Rush Ranch felt like a character in itself, and Double Diablo (DD) was honestly my favorite part of the book. Billie’s bond with him added emotional depth and grounded the story, giving me something tangible to root for.
That said, the pacing was uneven. The beginning was drawn-out, heavy on setup, but once the romance kicked in, it was like someone hit fast forward. There were key emotional moments, especially Vaughn betraying Billie that didn’t get the development or payoff it deserved. Vaughn’s "redemption" was too easy. Billie worked so hard for everything, and I wanted more groveling, more reckoning, more proof that Vaughn really saw her as more than just a means to an end to redeem his family.
Also, while Vaughn was broody and protective (which I love), he crossed into possessive territory a bit too fast at times. I appreciated Billie’s independence and boundaries, especially when she challenged his entitlement early on, but those dynamics needed more balance and time to heal after the conflict.
Overall, it had great tropes, solid emotional stakes, and a strong heroine, but the payoff didn’t quite match the buildup. A few more chapters and deeper groveling could’ve made this a stronger story. Still, if you're into ranch settings, slow-burn tension, and emotionally wounded love interests, this might still be worth picking up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Death, Infidelity