Off to the Races: horses, races, and romance

Off to the Races by Elsie Silver is the first book in the Gold Rush Ranch series. Vaughn Harding has taken over running the Gold Rush Ranch after the sudden death of his grandfather. He has always tried to keep a professional relationship with his employees. It has been fairly easy to keep his distance until she walked in his life. Billie Black is young but talented. She’s mouthy and takes no crap from anyone and Vaughn can’t stop thinking about her. Billie needs to prove herself as a horse trainer. When Vaughn gives her what seems to be an impossible task: training a skittish horse named Double Diablo, Billie is determined to prove him wrong. The friction between them causes a spark, a spark they can’t afford to turn into a fire. There is a lot at stark for both Vaughn and Billie. Will they risk it all for love? 

Off to the Races is a steamy romance. The attraction between Vaughn and Billie is instant but their irritation at each other overrides their desires until they can’t fight it anymore. Both Vaughn and Billie are fighting against family reputations and scandals. I enjoyed Billie’s interaction with Double Diablo as she sees what others haven’t seen or chooses to ignore. Vaughn had a lot of growing up to do as he often acted like a man child who was playing boss. I love how Billie went toe-to-toe with him and called him out. The other character I enjoyed was Hank Brandt, a mentor to both Vaughn and Billie. Overall, I enjoyed Vaughn and Billie’s story but I’m not sure if I was interested enough to continue with the series. I may pick up the other books in the future. If you enjoy a steamy romance with a ranch and horses, you might enjoy Off to the Races. 

Off to the Races is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook