FMK: Bull rider, rancher, hockey player. Welcome to Chestnut Springs. 

Elsie Silver's Chestnut Springs series has made its debut on the #booktok red carpet in the last few months, and after reading the first few books, I can see why. Elsie Silver creates an inviting, small-town world with compelling characters and storylines. If you love bull riders, cowboys, hockey players, rogue panties, hot tubs, or hotels with only one bed - then you'll love this series. Get to know the boys of Chestnut Springs and the strong woman that steal their hearts.

What is the Chestnut Springs series about?

The series takes place in British Columbia, near the Rockies. It is part of the same world as the Gold Rush Ranch series, also by Elsie silver. Each book follows a different couple in a series of connected standalone novels. The first book follows a bull rider and his unlikely relationship with his big city agent's daughter. The second follows the brother, a full-time cattle rancher, and his new live-in nanny (who is also his future sister-in-law's best friend). The third book follows the honorary third brother, an NHL hockey player, who rescues his childhood best friend after her failed wedding day. The fourth book features a hot shot bull rider, the new guy in the circuit, who's one night stand gets a little more complicated by a tiny plus sign. And the highly anticipated fifth installment will follow the mysterious military brother, Beau Eaton, and his fake engagement with the girl next door.

Is Chestnut Springs 'Spicy?'

All of the books in the Chestnut Springs series contain spicy scenes, typical to the level you'd see in other contemporary NA romance novels. I will say that Elsie Silver has a bit of a dirty mind ... you know, if that's your thing. *wink*

Keep reading to learn more about each of the books in the Chestnut Springs series!

Chestnut Springs Series Order

Flawless

Published June 24, 2022 | Read on Amazon

Couple: Summer and Rhett

Trope: Forced Proximity

Rating: 4.4/5

I flew through the first book in the series. I wouldn't really call this one enemies-to-lovers, but the first half of the book feels like a slow burn, which is 1000% my cup of coffee. After a minor dairy scandal that threatens his sponsorships, a playboy bull-rider and his new PR babysitter are stuck in the same house until he competes in the championships. They just have to make it through the next few weeks and then they can be rid of each other. Rhett wants to win the championships, not matter the cost. And she doesn't want to fail. At least in that they can find some common ground.

At first glance, the story doesn't seem that complex. But Silver's characters seem to always have a few more layers than you might think. As Rhett and Summer get to know each other, they develop an understanding that eventually leads to more. With most fluffy-romance novels, I'm not too picky about believability or longevity when it comes to the relationship, but these two have me rooting for them long after I finished the last sentence. And the best part? We get to see more of them as the series continues with Summer's best friend, Willa.

Heartless

Published October 14, 2022 | Read on Amazon

Couple: Will and Cade

Trope: Single Dad/Nanny

Rating: 4.6/5

After reading book two, I can confidently say that Silver is only going to get better. I absolutely adored Cade and Willa. Heartless is an age-gap, single parent, grumpy-sunshine, small-town romance that will have you giggling for hours. Cade runs his family's cattle ranch, taking over for his elderly father and taking care of his family after his mother's death. Willa steps in to help as a nanny for Cade's son, living in their home on the ranch next door to her best friend, Summer.

I found this one be be a bit lighter than the first installment. Willa's witty comebacks and optimistic inner-dialogue provide a fresh perspective, and you won't be bored if they read the series back-to-back. I'm not normally a fan of employer/employee tropes, but this one felt very genuine and was not used to manipulate any part of the relationship. The friendship between Willa and Cade's son is heartwarming, and I loved watching Cade's guard fall down as Willa refuses to be anything but herself. The birthday party scene nearly brought me to tears. I want someone to fight for me like Willa fights for her boys!

And the spice in this one? Immaculate. I'll take seconds and eat every crumb on the plate. I mean, the porch scene???? God bless Elsie Silver and her dirty mind.

Powerless

Published February 10, 2023 | Read on Amazon

Characters: Sloane and Jasper

Trope: Childhood Friends to Lovers

Rating: 3.7/5

I've always been a sucker for second chance romance, especially childhood friends, and this story is cute. Sloane is a ballerina who is used to having her life planned out for her, never getting to make her own decisions. Jasper is an NHL hockey player who had a rough childhood and has a fear of abandonment. After some wild circumstances in their adult lives, the childhood friends reconnect and discover there might be something between them.

I will say, it's definitely my least favorite of the series. There's just something...missing with Jasper and Sloan's chemistry. You know what I mean? But this book did have more of an intimate, slice of life feel than the first two books. It's one that I may have liked more if I read it at a different time. It gives you space to understand the characters and become invested in their stories.

Reckless

Published June 9, 2023 | Read on Amazon

Characters: Winter and Theo

Trope: Second Chance Romance

Rating: 4.8/5

I've been patiently waiting for Winter's redemption, and this was better than anything I could have imagined!

After leaving her toxic marriage, Winter wants nothing to do with men. But when she meets a rowdy bull rider used to buckles and bunnies, she tells herself it can be a one time thing. But he's the persistent sunshine to her grumpy exterior, and it becomes harder and harder to keep herself away.

And things become even more complicated when a tiny plus sign throws all of her plans out the window. I'm not normally a fan of surprise pregnancy tropes, but this one actually feels realistic. The banter and understanding between Theo and Winter is off the charts, and might mark this as my favorite book in the series so far.

And I know I said earlier that these are technically standalones, but you will get so much more out of the stories if you read them in publication order. Especially in this story, we get to see an entirely different side to Winter that we didn't in the previous books, and it makes the ride that much sweeter.

Hopeless

Published October 13, 2023 | Read on Amazon

Characters: Bailey and Beau

Trope: Fake Fiancé

Rating: 4.4/5

In this age gap romance, a military veteran struggles with PTSD, feeling a bit lost in the world - until he reconnects with a local bartender, and they two realize they might be able to help each other.

Bailey's last name brings a certain reputation in town, and not a good one. She struggles with the insecurity of living in her family's shadow. Beau realizes he may be able to help her out while getting his family off his back. They worry about him and how he's acclimating being back in town, after everything he went through overseas. They decide to become fake fiancés, but spending time together isn't as simple as they thought it might be. As they navigate their feelings for each other, and their own emotional pasts, the line between faking it and reality becomes blurry. Is that a good thing, or is it just going to hurt them more?

This was a heartwarming conclusion to one of my favorite romance series out there right now. The slow burning tension between Bailey and Beau is exciting. But readers that have been waiting to learn more about Beau may be a bit let down - the story doesn't dive too deep into his past, and I wish Elsie had given us a few more glimpses in to the sweet man.

Will there be any more Chestnut Springs books?

The Chestnut Springs series has come to a close, with the final installment in October of 2023, Hopeless. But don't worry - Elsie Silver's new Rose Hill series is out now! The first book in the series, Wild Love, is a western romance about a billionaire businessman who can't stop thinking about his best friend's little sister. Buy Wild Love on Amazon and start reading today.

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