Wild Card

Rose Hill #4

by Elsie Silver

Sebastian Rousseau is a grumpy, hot as hell fire pilot who is too damn good with his hands.

It’s the perfect combination. But unfortunately for me, he’s also my ex-boyfriend’s dad.

A chance meeting brought us together and a missed connection has kept us apart.

One year later, a stroke of fate has us living under the same roof—which makes everything between us downright messy.

Because even after all this time, he’s still the man I think about when I fall asleep. The one I can’t get over no matter how hard I try.

He’s working on mending a fragile relationship with his son and we both know acting on these urges would be the ultimate betrayal.

But I see the heat in his eyes. That look of need that never fails to send a shiver down my spine.

The mutual longing is borderline unbearable and the simmering heat between us is downright palpable.

We both know there are rules when it comes to situations like this.

But then again…following the rules never has been my strong suit.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Small Town Romance, Contemporary, Cowboy Romance, Westerns, Fiction

464 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2025

About the author

Elsie Silver is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of sassy, steamy, small town romance. She’s a born and raised Canadian girl who loves a good book boyfriend and the strong heroines who bring them to their knees. Her books promise banter, tension, and a slow burn that comes to a screeching halt.

Reviews

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

"you look at her like she hung the moon, and she's the only woman in the world who finds your shitty attitude to be endearing."

4 stars !!!!

if you know me or my reviews, you know that ex-boyfriends' dad trope ALWAYS gets me. i literally read this whole series because i saw a tiktok saying the trope for this one and knew i had to tune in beforehand.

and elsie silver DELIVERED.

this may be a hot take, but i think every book in the rose hill series got progressively better and better. the chemistry, storytelling, romance, etc. have improved with each book.

and wild card was the best yet. gwyn and bash's relationship felt authentic: from their first meeting in the airport to their heartfelt epilogue. the age gap (12-13 years) also wasn't a main conflict which was extremely refreshing to read considering they were both consenting adults.

and clyde!!!!! i'm so happy that we as readers were able to learn more about him and his backstory. i absolutely loved his relationships with gwyn and bash. the father figure (and cupid) they both needed.

my only complaint is the slight immaturity from bash at times. this was more prevalent at the end, and kind of came out of left field. he was calling his son immature, but maybe it was a genetic trait.

but at the end of the day, this book served age gap and grumpy x sunshine, so i really cannot complain too much.

pre-read: streets are saying this is ex bfs dad ??? yall already know im UP

[Maddy ✨ ~The Verse Vixen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Card – Rose Hill’s Wildest Goodbye!





Chef’s kiss and a mic drop. That’s how you end a series...
With Wild Card, Rose Hill reaches its final act. Four books. Four couples. four colors. Four stories tangled in small-town secrets, betrayals, and second chances.We’ve seen enemies fall in love, broken hearts learn to heal, families fracture and stitch themselves back together—and through it all, every connection in Rose Hill felt like threads in the same tapestry.

Now comes Sebastian Rousseau—the grumpy fire pilot with off-limits written all over him—and the forbidden story that doesn’t just end the series, it crowns it.In EX's Dad we thrust!

Here’s to the tropes we devoured-Enemies-to-lovers, second chances, We had the sunshine and grumpy, the found family vibes that stitched each story together forbidden romances—Rose Hill had them all, tied together with family, gossip, and heartbreak. the characters we claimed, the angst we survived, and the small-town chaos that felt like home. And Wild Card? The finale that took every ounce of tension, temptation, and small-town chaos—and gave us the best book of the series.Wild Card isn’t just the finale—it’s the one I’ll remember the most.

Best book of the series so far, you cannot convince me otherwise🤺 Review (and unhinged ramble) to follow soon…💌

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ೃ ⁀➷ pre-view: 🎯

The moment has arrived- Let the chaos begin!🤸🏻‍♀️


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Guess who just snagged the ARC!?(spoiler: it’s me, and I’m feral)
BRB, Speedrunning My CR- So I Can Dive Into This ASAP!

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💜Daymn! Purple hues. Small town. Big secrets. Dark temptation. Off-limits tension. Total disaster incoming.🎴

જ⁀➴WHAT TO EXPECT (and survive):
👨‍✈️ Sebastian Rousseau — Fire pilot. Full brooding mode. Built like sin and always fixing something... preferably shirtless...
📌 Forced proximity. One house. Zero willpower.
👀 “I see the way you look at me” and “don’t start something you can’t finish” energy
🚫 Off-limits AF. (Does it stop anyone? Nope.)
🔥 Grumpy x Chaotic, but make it absolutely feral
😏 Enough tension to snap a hair tie
🫠 Unspoken things. Like I still think about you every night and hate myself for it.
💋 The kind of forbidden where guilt tastes sweet and want never really left 💅 THE VIBE?
FMC: He’s shirtless, in sweatpants, making pancakes.
BFF: Ex’s dad???
FMC: I can’t.
BFF: Girl, you need therapy.
FMC: He licked syrup off his thumb. I’m dead.
Cue-Bad Idea Right❓▶•၊|။||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• 1:00
Imagine soft dusk light pouring through windows. A record crackling. You’re in his T-shirt. You said it would never happen again.
It’s happening again.
Regret in his eyes.
Need in yours.
You’re in trouble.
🖍️ COLOR THEORY MOMENT:
Each book in the Rose Hill series? A perfectly color-coded heartbreak. And Wild Card? OH. PURPLE?! SAY. LESS. 👑💜

Get ready for a rollercoaster of forbidden temptation, messy decisions, and too close for comfort vibes. This is the kind of tension that makes you want to throw your phone across the room and scream.The art? Flawless. The vibes? Immaculate. My patience? Gone faster than my impulse control when I entered a book-store!
Chaos, drama, and all the bad decisions? Bring it. 🥂 Popcorn’s mandatory 🍿, and I’m hitting repeat on Lana Del Rey and The Weeknd. We’re talking undeniable chemistry, jealousy in overdrive, and enough angst to leave you on the edge of your seat. 90% impulse, 10% regret, and 100% bad choices. LET'S F*CKING GOO!!🚨🔥
PS: Exams are winning right now, so I’ll be lowkey. If I’m MIA, it’s because I’m drowning in books, caffeine, and existential dread. brb! once I can think beyond formulas and lectures. Until then, keep the chaos going, send me good vibes... I’ll catch up soon.

[♥︎ Heather ⚔ (New House-Hiatus)]

I can't wait to read this one. And the covers for this whole series are so freaking pretty! 😭 Can't wait to add them all to my shelves.

💜Small Town
💜Grumpy MMC
💜Forbidden Romance
💜Close Proximity
💜Western Romance
💜Age Gap
💜Ex-Boyfriend’s Dad

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars

”Gwen, I need you. Like my next breath. It’s… I can’t breathe without you.”

this series came to an end pretty prematurely compared to the author’s previous ones, and I’m definitely left with an Elsie Silver book hangover- craving more.

Wild Card was no surprise—I simply devoured it. It had that forbidden “ex-boyfriend’s dad arc” that was truly addictive and made it impossible not to crave more from the characters and the story. revisiting Rose Hill was, without contest, a nostalgic experience, especially since this is the last installment. We had a final glance at beloved characters from earlier books living out their happily-ever-afters, and it was absolutely heartwarming.

Gwen is what we can describe as a nomadic and free-spirited woman, a yoga instructor who’s been through some tough battles, yet still found a way to connect with herself on deeply introspective and inspiring levels. Bash is at the antipodes of her character: hard, a veritable grump who divides his sacred time between his heroic profession—piloting firefighting planes—bowling, and taking care of his very old friend, Clyde, who in my opinion was the highlight of this novel. but Gwen and Bash had one thing in common: their scars. both of them were portrayed with flaws that shattered my poor heart into pieces, but they played a beautiful role in their journey of finding each other, rediscovering each other, and most importantly, falling in love with each other.

I think I’d better stop on this note, because I could go on and on and probably spoil one or two points. some of the books in the Rose Hill series are my favorites by this author, but this one might have stolen my heart from start to finish.

many thanks to Periwinkle Pony PR for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!





—-
GOT THE ARC🥂 it’s ✨tiime ✨🤭

[Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars.

"You're a fucking wild card. Unpredictable and never what I expect.”

okay, i did not expect to enjoy this book as much as i did and it was a very pleasant surprise. it’s my first elsie silver book too! i have “chestnut Springs” and the first three books of this series “Rose hill” all in my TBR and i’m planing to get to them all soon but i’m glad this was my introduction to her 😍

the whole plot or let’s say the conflict of this book revolve around the fact that the heroin (gwen) dated her ex-boyfriend’s dad — and i’m so relieved with how elsie wrote the entire situation. she didn’t suffocate me with it but didn’t ignore it either. there was proper resolution for it and i highly enjoyed that because i was scared of how it will play out.

➷ gwen dawson is a 27 who’s bratty sunshine reincarnated. she’s been emotionally neglected by the first people who should’ve showed her support, her family. yet the bright and vibrant and positive way she moves through life and the way she takes everything as a lesson and the way that she believes that everything happens for a reason and she’s not gonna overthink the bad things that happen along the way is generally inspiring to me. yes i’m learning things from a fictional character 😭 she is very funny, wholesome and sweet. she is charismatic and confident. she’s friendly and put people around her at ease. she’s a helper with everyone she meets. incredibly understanding and emotionally mature about what every situation she gets into. I remember saying in one of my past reviews that I don’t like reading about people pleasers and gwen was. she even said it herself, but I’ve never felt annoyed by it. because while, yes she is? it never made her doormat who can be pushed around. she does it because she’s naturally sweet and love helping people also, her passion with yoga was SO WHOLESOME!!

➷ Sebastian Rousseau. or dash as everyone call him is a 39 year old. very grumpy and emotionally distant man. he doesn’t know how to understand even his own emotions sometimes which leaves him to shut down and not communicate properly, which made me kinda annoyed. and trust me I get it. I get his reasons and insecurities on why he overthinks. he had two past relationships where both women has left him and got the better “picture perfect families” he felt like he had always been the pit stop for others—a place they paused before moving on to finally find what they wanted, which was never him. but at the same time… man you’re 40 you should’ve been better!! this thing didn’t leave a sour taste in my mouth because he did change by the end and learned to become better, and I adored that. but yeah, it annoyed me at the start when it was happening. beside from that bash is an amazing person. who in some kind of way, just like gwen? they both pride themselves in being helpful and reliable. I mean… his entire job is to help people and save lives. and he literally donated his kidney to his friend, how selfless is that?! he even built gwen a yoga studio just so she can feel that she have her own place in rose hill. i just find him hot>>> his restrain and control and the way he didn’t let himself act like a hormonal teenager just because he was attracted to her was one of the best things about him. he thought things a lot before doing them and i appreciate that quality as well. he’s stern and grumpy from outside but soft and caring and providing on the inside ahh 😩

— I absolutely loved the development of their love. as i said at the start, I was afraid of how elsie will play out the situation of the “ex-boyfriend’s dad” but it was all was greatly done!! there wasn’t any childish actions or drama, in my opinion it all got figured out in a very realistic way. truly like the outcome. I know that from the time they first met each other it started on a mutual attraction but I appreciate that it didn’t stay that way. they grew much more then that. every single transition their relationship has jumped into? it all took its perfect time and slowburn and moments and scenes.
i’m very picky with pacing in books and in my opinion this one was cooked very nicely ✨

”I've got a laundry list of ways I'd like to watch you work for it, and none of them involve poker”.

the spice scenes were seriously so so HOT and yum too 🤭

➸ The only reason this didn’t get a perfect score is because the book dragged a little. and the final chapters could’ve focused on them making up for that last argument instead of saving gwen from the fire and all that action that occurred. i adored them start to finish but oh yeah… it did feel a bit long after the 70% mark. and one last thing: the writing is addictive as hell, i seriously couldn’t put it down even though no crazy actions were happening, it was just very engaging!!


(AND CLYDE NEED A BOOK 🗣️)



***ARC Provided by The Publisher Bloom Books.***

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY FAVORITE BOOK IN THE ROSE HILL SERIES HANDS DOWN!!!!

💜 🕊️ 💟 ☁️🪻

ELSIE WHAT DID YOU PUT IN THIS BECAUSE YUMMY IN MY TUMMY, this book was so dang good I have nothing but positive things to say about Bash and Gwen. They were perfection, heaven on earth, a match made to last, Wild Card was everything and more and I CANNOT WAIT FOR EVERYONE TO READ THIS!!!! My lips are sealed on anything else because spoiler free queen, just do yourself a favor and get ready for this book to release BECAUSE IT IS DIVINE.

Thank you to Elsie for an early copy of this book.

[Paige 💫]

shamelessly going to devour this 🤩

——

Ex-boyfriend’s dad! What in the Sara Cate is this?! But also, I’m kind of intrigued? 🫦🤠

I’m still holding out hope for a blue cover 👵🏻 update 22/03 - it's purple!! ngl it is stunning

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was, by far, my favourite in the series!!! I read it in one breath, I didn't even eat or drink anything, that's how consumed I was by it and honestly it's been a while since that happened to me..
Elsie has a way of making you truly feel for her characters, it's why I love her books so much, and this one made me feel so many things... I cried and felt anxious and laughed and fell in love and was giggling and kicking my feet so much..

I loved Bash, an aerial firefighter, he's truly a man after my heart, grumpy and prickly, but with a heart of gold. He was hurt far too many times and it honestly broke my heart. His struggle with keeping everything in, with doing what he thought is right and the way he was made to feel second best, was heartbreaking. Seeing the way Gwen made him feel lighter and happier and how he always loved every part of her, how he grew and slowly started to take charge of his life and the way he truly worked on himself, made my heart flutter. We love a man that can not only recognise, but actually do something to make amends for his behaviour. His control around Gwen was both entertaining and frustrating, but seeing that control slip was the highlight of the book. It was everything..
Gwen was such a light, positive and confident and I loved her passion for her work as a yoga teacher. She had her baggage, but she never let it bring her down. She went after what she wanted, but never at the expense of others. She gave Bash all the space, but never gave up and she always stood her ground. She told him off when he really needed someone to do that, but she never let him feel second best, she choose him every time. I absolutely loved how she was with Clyde, he was like a father she always wanted to have.

Clyde is, without a doubt, one of my favourite characters ever. Him stirring up trouble was hilarious and I loved everything he did for his two doofuses. He did make me cry a few times and I'm so happy he's okay. Bash giving him his kidney was one the kindest things you can do. Their friendship was my favourite and seeing them rib each other was so entertaining.
I also loved seeing everyone else, I adore every single character and I'll never tire hearing about them, especially West.
And, while I was a little worried about Tripp, he wasn't that bad. Hope we learn more about him. And Emmett too..

I have to say I was afraid, with the main conflict being the fact that Bash is her ex-boyfriend's dad, that everything is going to be too complicated, but this was done incredibly well. They handled the situation so much better than I thought they would, even do there were some bumps on the road..

I loved their meet-cute, the limes and tequila, and even more, I loved how their story progressed. All that tension and angst and so much chemistry.. It was so well done.
Bash and his battle with guilt and the feelings he felt for Gwen, their instant connection and all those moments they were so close to losing control, but never there, gave me everything I needed. And when that control finally snapped, ohhh, that was so hot. That flight scene and what came (pun intended) after, was so good..
I also loved all the small moments, every time he let Gwen help him when everything became too much, all the raw and vulnerable moments, especially that moment on the balcony that made me cry far too much for my liking and of course we can't forget the racoon..
This book truly pulled on my heartstrings, I took everything way too personally and honestly any book that makes me feel that way is an incredible book in my eyes. I fear this will not be easily topped.
And what happened at the end, hit a little too close to home, because we had a close call with a fire this summer...

I can't believe this is the last book, I'm a little sad, but so excited for the next series!!

༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

𝓣𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓾𝓽𝓼𝓲𝓭𝓮 𝓸𝓫𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓿𝓮𝓻, 𝓲𝓽 𝔀𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘’𝓶 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓰𝓾𝔂 𝓘 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓭 𝓾𝓹 𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱.
𝓑𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝔂 𝔀𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓫𝓮 𝔀𝓻𝓸𝓷𝓰.
𝓘’𝓶 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓽 𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓭𝓪𝓭.

𝓣𝔀𝓸 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓷𝓾𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻𝓼.
𝓞𝓷𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓷.

𝓘 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓶𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓭—𝓼𝓷𝓪𝓹 𝓲𝓽 𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓸𝓾𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓭 𝓪 𝓱𝓸𝓽 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓿𝓮. 𝓑𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓽𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓾𝓼 𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓾𝓻𝓷 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓾𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂.
𝓑𝓾𝓽 𝓘 𝓭𝓸𝓷’𝓽.

“𝓣𝓾𝓻𝓷𝓼 𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓲𝓽’𝓼 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓮𝓪𝓼𝔂 𝓽𝓸 𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓪 𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓾𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓬𝓽 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱.”

“𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓲𝓼, 𝓖𝔀𝓮𝓷, 𝓷𝓮𝔁𝓽 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝔀𝓪𝓽𝓬𝓱 𝓶𝓮, 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓳𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓪𝓼𝓴.”

“𝓕𝓾𝓬𝓴 𝓲𝓽. ”

𝓘 𝓭𝓮𝓬𝓲𝓭𝓮 𝓘 𝓭𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮. 𝓘 𝓭𝓮𝓬𝓲𝓭𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓢𝓮𝓫𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓪𝓷 𝓡𝓸𝓾𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓪𝓾 𝓲𝓼 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓭, 𝓘’𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓰𝓮𝓽. 𝓘𝓽 𝓶𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓫𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓘’𝓵𝓵 𝓼𝓮𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓷𝓸𝔀.

𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓶𝔂 𝓰𝓲𝓻𝓵 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓼, 𝓼𝓱𝓮 𝓰𝓮𝓽𝓼.

“𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵.”
“𝓨𝓮𝓪𝓱. 𝓘𝓽 𝓲𝓼,” 𝓑𝓪𝓼𝓱 𝓪𝓰𝓻𝓮𝓮𝓼.
𝓑𝓾𝓽 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓘 𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓷 𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝓽𝓸 𝓯𝓪𝓬𝓮 𝓱𝓲𝓶, 𝓱𝓮’𝓼 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓸𝔀.
𝓗𝓮’𝓼 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓽 𝓶𝓮.

“𝓐𝓽𝓽𝓪 𝓰𝓲𝓻𝓵. ”
“𝓣𝓪𝓴𝓮. 𝓘𝓽. 𝓐𝓵𝓵. ”

“𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓪 𝓯𝓾𝓬𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓭. 𝓤𝓷𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓭𝓲𝓬𝓽𝓪𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓱𝓮𝓵𝓵 𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓶𝓮 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓭𝓪𝓶𝓷 𝓭𝓪𝔂. 𝓑𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓸𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷 𝓪𝓷𝔂 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓶. 𝓑𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓘 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓘 𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾.” 𝓗𝓲𝓼 𝓿𝓸𝓲𝓬𝓮 𝓬𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓴𝓼. 𝓢𝓸 𝓭𝓸𝓮𝓼 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽. “𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓘 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓘 𝓱𝓪𝓭𝓷’𝓽 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓷 𝓰𝓸𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓮𝓵𝓵 𝔂𝓸𝓾.”

𝓘… 𝓖𝔀𝓮𝓷, 𝓘 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓷𝓮𝔁𝓽 𝓫𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱. 𝓘𝓽’𝓼… 𝓘 𝓬𝓪𝓷’𝓽 𝓫𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾.

“𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓵𝓲𝓶𝓮𝓼, 𝓑𝓪𝓼𝓱. 𝓘’𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓮𝓺𝓾𝓲𝓵𝓪. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓶𝓮? 𝓦𝓮’𝓻𝓮 𝓰𝓸𝓷𝓷𝓪 𝓼𝓹𝓮𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓼 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓶𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓪𝓼, 𝓸𝓴𝓪𝔂?”

.·:*¨ ¨*:·.

Tomorrow can't come soon enough!!
I'm so excited, I already know I'm going to love this... 💜

[Kaila.Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars. Phenomenal audiobook. Fav Elsie Silver book ever. No notes. No review needed just go read it.

[manas · Rating 1 out of 5]

➳ when your mom says we pike lawson at home ☆

⤷ “that he was a fool to let you get away. but that it was just as well because i could fuck you better.” bro is 40 years of age and beefing with his non-existent, good for nothing, mommy's boy son. 👹👹👹

characters = mid. setting = mid. plot = mid. writing = mid. insta love = obviously. concept = mid. trope = wasted. development = mid. cover = cute. smut = VERY mid. pacing = piss poor. my braincells = completely gone. my intertest in reading this book = how did we get here?

it’s wraps for everybody. holy flop. this rating hurts me a lot because i went into this book with the highest expectations but came out deeply disappointed. i can't believe such a good trope was wasted on this book — on these characters. this review will have‼️SPOILERS‼️obviously, this is a romance, so there isn't much to spoil, but i will be going into the details of why this didn't work. my opinion is just that — MY opinion. take everything with a bucket of salt. a huge shoutout to my girl, though. i am grateful i read this with my queenie, laura. i love you, bestie. 🦢🤍

how this book went:

1. meet up at the airport
2. both are of them are horny, wet, hard, and obsessed
3. miscommunication for 8+ months
4. homegirl starts fucking his son for no reason
5. bro is pissed at his so-called son for no reason
6. grown adults behaving jejune and petty, trying to see who let's go of their ego first
7. cringe smut
8. goodnight

😎🤏🏼🥱🤏🏼

now...i am not trying to hate but that's all she wrote. that's it, folks. this book was all hype, no substance. my first age-gap/ex bf's dad trope was none other than, birthday girl. with penelope douglas, i do have beef with her and some of her terrible books, but i can confidently say, she really set the bar for most of the popular romance authors these days. you cannot out-do the doer. the entire time i was reading this book, i kept comparing gwen & bash to pike & jordan. with birthday girl, we as readers are able to feel their love, their friendship, and the small moments that make up their story. with wild card, none of those aspects are present. we don't get to see or feel their love. i can't even tell you why they like each other, and guess what? neither can they.

this is the basic plot of this plotless book:

for starters, this book makes NO sense. we have our main characters who meet at the airport and from there, they spend an entire red eye night due to a layover. from the very first chapter, this 40-YEAR-OLD MAN, is super hard, possessive, obsessive, and downright gooning over a woman he doesn't know. from here, they get drunk on some sugary margaritas and then proceed to run around the airport like children, while also wanting to fuck each other. following this mess, they exchange numbers and promise to call when they are back home. 8 months go by, and bash's dumbass texted a few times with no response, so he gives up and leaves her alone. right after this, bash gets invited to his son's birthday and shocker, the son's new girlfriend, gwen, is the mystery woman bash is obsessed with. all this nonsense aside, they resolve their miscommunication SO FUCKING FAST, because gwen tells bash that he got the number wrong and she was also upset he never reached out...

this is reading like a soap-opera. how can you take “ex-boyfriend’s dad” — one of the best tropes out there — and make it the most mundane thing ever. the first 50 pages were solid and i thought it was headed somewhere, only for the rest of the book to be the most useless fucking thing ever. there is no reason gwen should've been with bash's son, and there is no reason gwen and bash needed to hide this loser ass relationship. the forced proximity in this was beyond embarrassing because again, there is no reason they both need to be around each other. everything that happened with these characters happened because of plot armor. gwen was in a very brief, very stupid relationship with tripp — bash's son — but there was no reason for this besides filling up the trope. from here, it's so clear neither gwen nor bash cared enough about that man to keep it a secret. they didn't even care to do anything about it because as soon as bash comes back to rose hill, gwen purposely takes up a job as a yoga instructor there.

this book is chaotic and all over the place. there is an entire dedicated plotline of this older man, clyde, who has to get a liver transplant and in turn, ends up brining these two jejune babies together. sorry, but i don't care about this man and his liver. i just don't. gwen was acting like thanos in this book. she was a part time yoga teacher, a doctor, a nurse, a therapist, and a teacher all in one. instead of building up the relationship with bash and allowing herself to let go of her insecurities and grow into a better person, we had her playing god, trying to save oldie from death. there is no real relationship with the son — he shouldn't even be in the picture honestly — and everything was so clearly done just to fit this forbidden trope in. but here's the thing — this shit ain't taboo, it's not hot, it's not fun, and it's done in poor taste. there wasn’t even chemistry to save us as readers. just blather.

there are literal scenes in this book where the main character — grown man mind you — is beefing with his son and saying the following:

i saw her first. 💀
she was mine first. 💀
i choose gwen. 💀

BITCH LMFAO!!! i am so grateful my parents are not like this because i would've been in jail. i don't care that bash didn't have a relationship with his son because of the obvious plot development, but this is so corny. after finding out, though, bash said he wanted to right his wrongs, but he really did not. this man was a bozo, selfish piece of shit who was equal parts embarrassing and puerile. this is not how a SANE grown man speaks — how he conducts himself. this book read like a cartoon and i cannot believe this is what i was excited for. the buildup of this relationship meant nothing since we got everybody's lustful thoughts by page one, followed by ZILCH. when we got to the smut — the terrible smut — i clocked myself out because i could not take it anymore. everybody in this book is chopped as hell. these trifling ass people need to get out of this small town and go explore the world with dora. i'm so done with these superficial romances. sometimes, things can be fun and mindless — while still making sense. these side quests pissed me off so bad. stop. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

utter fucking tomfoolery on crack cociane. ruining such a good trope is a hate crime. major props to connor crais, because his vocaltussy never fails me. the cover is also stunning & looks beautiful next to the rest of the series. i’m sorry, elsie. i still love you! 🤓

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS!! some of elsie’s angstiest, steamiest best work yet and I mean ittttttt!!!

never thought I would be so down bad for an ex-boyfriends dad trope but who tf am I kidding?? of course I ate this sh*t up because the messier the better ladies ;*

perfect way to end the rose hill series, i was obsessed with all the cameos and (as usual) the found family & banter was top top tier, going to need Fever Dream immediately pls:)

[Laura Jane ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my wild card of being bored to death by a book with one of my favourite tropes.

It was so bland it should have been beige.

If this book was just the prologue.. on track for 4 stars. Tension, chemistry, silly fun time vibes. Screaming and giggling. Alas, it was all too good to be true because how did ex-boyfriends dad become such a snooze fest? I can read the same predictable plots over and over again, if they are executed well, but this wasn’t it. How did two people go from all that angst to the most forced ‘oh we can’t be with each other’ - biggest eye roll of 2025.

Less than 30% in I completely lost interest, their chemistry became nonexistent and the insta-lust crept in. SOS. The forced proximity was just that, forced. How are these two living together but actively avoiding even having a proper conversation.

I don’t understand the plot line with Clyde either, what? Is she a yoga teacher or a nurse? Make it make sense please. It felt such a random story line to run with. Other than that, what even happens? Where is the build up of their relationship? Where is the tension and longing? It gave absolutely nothing. Zero depth to make me believe they felt anything for each other but lust, which sucks because as I said, at the very beginning the chemistry between these two was so good!! It did a complete 180 so quickly.
I also don’t even understand why she even dated the son, other than to make it the trope. It made no sense.

No one is more disappointed than me because this should have been the one for me. 😭 It just had no spark or anything to make it special and I found myself irritated by how predictable and corny it became. This is a great example on how not to do ex-boyfriends dad.

Some positives: the concept of Bash is hot as fuck. That’s not even a question. Also, I laughed a lot, that’s not necessarily a good thing; but I laughed either way.

This whole series has pretty much been a miss for me. Chestnut springs is so fun, reckless and heartless are perfection… but this just felt so bland in comparison. This is coming from me, the queen of Daddy issues solved by reading about fictional Dads. How did this miss so badly?

My Rose Hill Rankings:

🩷 Wild Love (4 stars)

🧡 Wild Eyes (3 stars)

💚 Wild Side (2.5 stars)

💜 Wild Card (2 stars)


Buddy read with my Queenie manas - ily 🤭🦢

[Grace Quan · Rating 5 out of 5]

˚₊ ⟢┊Full Review!!🪻┊⊹࣪⋆

Personally my favorite of the series--might even be my favorite ES book! And that's saying a whole lot cause I'm Elsie's biggest fan.

˚₊ ⟢┊tropes🏔️┊⊹࣪⋆

✈️Ex boyfriend's dad
🔥Age gap
♣️Yoga instructor x Ariel firefighter
♦️Forced proximity
♠️Curvy fmc
♥️Forbidden
🌲Small town

˚₊ ⟢┊my thoughts💜┊⊹࣪⋆

I stayed up until midnight just waiting for this baby to be released. And when I got my hands on it, I read until I physically passed out. The beginning of the book was so charming and butterflies were just living in my stomach.

The meet cute!!!??? Hello?! Best meet cute I've read in a very long time. Not only did it have tons of chemistry, it felt like it was fate. I know that's such a cliche line but it truly did feel like their meet cute was fate. It was fate because their meeting didn't feel lusty at all. It was more about their emotional connection than physical attraction. (it was there but not annoyingly overwhelming)

The plot progression felt seamless and perfectly paced. No parts dragged, no parts felt rushed, it was engaging and cute throughout.

Lastly, the ending. Everybody clap 👏👏👏 no stupid pointless third-act breakup! Instead, there was an exciting ending that was satisfying and complete. This was a good ending, all ends tied in a neat bow. 🎀 thank you Queen Elsie for the series, it was a wonderful ending. A bit bittersweet but I know she's working on a new series that I'm so excited about!

˚₊ ⟢┊characters🦝┊⊹࣪⋆

♡Gwen♡

Gwen was a good main character. She knows what she wants and she's not going to take your shit. But she's also kindhearted and very selfless while letting absolutely nobody walk all over her. She's curvy and confident in her curves. AS SHE SHOULD BE!! She's a confident goddess and she knows it. She's a yoga instructor so she's very in tune with her mind and her body. Gwen is a very strong main character.

♡Bash♡

Sebastian "Bash" Rousseau was a great blend of hotness and emotional intellect. While he could have been a bit more emotionally mature, he was worlds ahead of many of the MMCs in romance books. Frankly, I'm tired of book men with no emotional maturity. It's not cute. So to see Bash have some emotional intellect was a real treat. I'm not going to wax poetic about how hot he was, we already know this, but I'd like to talk about how the age gap was handled. First off, it was only 12 years so nothing too crazy. Second, it didn't feel icky at all, it felt right.

Overall, Bash has my heart. 💜

˚₊ ⟢┊notable quotables 💬┊⊹࣪⋆

"TO THE OUTSIDE OBSERVER, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT IM STARING AT THE GUY I SHOWED UP HERE WITH. BUT THEY WOULD BE WRONG.

I'M STARING AT HIS DAD." 🔥🔥🔥
~•~•~

Format: Audiobook 🎧
Date read: 9/9 🗓️
POV: Dual
Star rating: ✰✰✰✰✰

~•~•~
𝓹𝓻𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭: i stayed up sooo late last night waiting for this book to come out!!!
~•~•~
Update: 5% in and I KNOW it’s going to be the best Rose Hill book! 🌹
~•~•~
Are you free tomorrow? No. I’ll be falling in love with my ex’s dad 💜💜

[Tarah DeWitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

He said "I could f*ck you better" and I accidentally ran into my doorframe

[Alya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now what???😭 I'm not ready to let this series go that I'm mad at myself for flying through it but when I tell you I couldn't stop reading!!!😭 Elsie's writing - the atmosphere, the vibes in all her books is just pure comfort! I get lost her universe so easily - let's not forget credit where it's due - her MMCs??? OH MY HEART - I wouldn't be able to rank even if my life depends on it - especially Rose Hill series but let me tell you she put her all in tbe "finale" I mean she didn’t stop at age gap but also Ex boyfriend's dad aka fire pilot - I ate that shit up!!! I loved them sososo much🥲 the chemistry, the tension, dialogues!!!! OH LORD THAT ONE SCENE 🤭💜

ONE OF THE BEST AGE GAP, EX BOYFRIEND'S DAD BOOKS!!

[April (catching up)]

We have a cover and it's PURPLE 😍💜

Ex boyfriend's dad 👀 GIMME GIMME 🤭🤭

[Noa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"All the best things in life are complicated."

Sebastian Rousseau.
A real life hero - fire pilot to be specific.
Saving people is his job - that doesn't stop him from being grumpy all the time.
But one overnight at an airport with her and his life is changed.
Gwen Dawson.
The girl he thought about for 8 months.
The girl he never could seem to get out of his head.
The girl he could've had if he just had the right number.
And Gwen couldn't get Bash out of her head either.
There is just one slight problem it seems…
Gwen is going out with Bash's son.
But Bash saw her first.
And rules are meant to be broken.

"Still, I think about Gwen. Even though I know I shouldn't."

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review 💜💜

"You're a fucking wild card. Unpredictable and never what I expect."

OMG this book from the first chapter had me legitimately kicking my feet, giggling and (I kid you not) walking around my apartment freaking out from how obsessed I already was.
This whole series has been such a whirlwind for me and every time I come back I love it more and more - this book might be one of my favorite Elsie Silver books and it is my favorite in the series and not just because of the color 💜💜

"Because this fire between us is bound to burn someone eventually."

Bash and Gwen each have my entire heart - Gwen is a legit badass who is snarky, fun, and takes nothing from no one and Bash is the grumpy hot fire pilot and doesn't that just sound delicious! I could not put this book down - I cried, I laughed, I cried some more, I fanned myself, and my heart felt so whole and that is thanks to this book I swear!! Anyways loved this book - all my compliments to the amazing chef 💜💜

"Gwen, I need you. Like my next breath. It’s… I can’t breathe without you.”

You know me - you know the drill - and I absolutely love the aesthetic that this book was giving this playlist might just be some of my best work ngl ❤️‍🔥

(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Xs...)

🎶 "Wildcard" - Miley Cyrus
🎶 "Lavender Haze" - Taylor Swift
🎶 "Lay All Your Love On Me" - Zara Larsson
🎶 "Flames" - R3HAB, ZAYN, Jungleboi
🎶 "sugar honey ice & tea" - Bring Me The Horizon
🎶 "Danger Zone" - Kenny Loggins
🎶 "Trouble" - P!nk
🎶 "Style (Taylor's Version)" - Taylor Swift
🎶 "Movement" - Hozier
🎶 "older" - Isabel LaRosa
🎶 "Take Me To The Pilot - Live" - Ben Platt
🎶 "On My Mind" - Alex Warren, ROSE
🎶 "Hooked" - Dylan Scott
🎶 "Getaway Car" - Alex Warren
🎶 "Happen To Me" - Russell Dickerson
🎶 "Whole Lotta Woman" - Kelly Clarkson
🎶 "Should've Been Us" - Tori Kelly
🎶 "One in a Million" - Bebe Rexha, David Guetta
🎶 "Self Control" - Bebe Rexha
🎶 "The Giver" - Chappell Roan
🎶 "Somebody To You" - The Vamps, Demi Lovato
🎶 "Drinking With Cupid" - VOILA
🎶 "Espresso" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎶 "On Purpose" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎶 "yes, and?" - Ariana Grande
🎶 "Figure You Out" - VOILA
🎶 "Wildest Dreams (Taylor's Version)" - Taylor Swift
🎶 "WOW" - Zara Larsson, Sabrina Carpenter
🎶 "Alien" - Sabrina Carpenter, Jonas Blue
🎶 "From Eden" - Hozier
🎶 "Like Real People Do" - Hozier
🎶 "Sucker" - Jonas Brothers
🎶 "Too Much" - Dove Cameron
🎶 "Jackie and Wilson" - Hozier
🎶 "Date Your Dad - Acoustic Version" - Bellah Mae
🎶 "HEARTBEAT" - Isabel LaRosa
🎶 "Let Me Move You" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎶 "Too Sweet" - Hozier
🎶 "Eyes Wide Open" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎶 "A.D.I.D.A.S." - Little Mix
🎶 "I Love Me" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "Juno" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎶 "Good Enough" - Little Mix
🎶 "Out Of The Woods (Taylor's Version)" - Taylor Swift
🎶 "You Proof" - Morgan Wallen
🎶 "I Wanna Be Yours" - Arctic Monkeys
🎶 "Hey Daddy" - dreamsoda
🎶 "Wild Ones" - Jessie Murph, Jelly Roll
🎶 "Death Wish Love" - Benson Boone
🎶 "Wildflower" - 5 Seconds of Summer
🎶 "How I Look On You" - Ariana Grande
🎶 "One Thing" - Lola Young
🎶 "Play With Fire" - Sam Tinnesz, Yacht Money
🎶 "Beggin'" - Maneskin
🎶 "The First Time" - Damiano David
🎶 "Lose Control" - Teddy Swims
🎶 "Lipstick" - Charlie Puth
🎶 "LOUD" - Sofia Carson
🎶 "Shy" - Renee Rapp
🎶 "The Bones" - Maren Morris, Hozier
🎶 "Better Man" - 5 Seconds of Summer
🎶 "I wish I hated you" - Ariana Grande
🎶 "Wild Card" - Lennon Stella
🎶 "You Get Me So High" - The Neighbourhood
🎶 "In My Blood" - Shawn Mendes
🎶 "Wonder" - Shawn Mendes
🎶 "greedy" - Tate McRae
🎶 "Constellations" - Jade LeMac
🎶 "Ruin My Life" - Zara Larsson
🎶 "I Want Crazy - Encore" - Hunter Hayes
🎶 "Forever and a Day" - Benson Boone
🎶 "Make It To Me" - Sam Smith
🎶 "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" - Sleeping At Last
🎶 "Ordinary" - Alex Warren
🎶 "Little Toy Guns" - Carrie Underwood
🎶 "Die A Happy Man - Remix" - Thomas Rhett, Tori Kelly
🎶 "Coffee In The Morning" - Jeremy Jordan, Matt Copley
🎶 "Hold My Girl" - George Ezra
🎶 "Would That I" - Hozier
🎶 "Catch My Breath" - Kelly Clarkson
🎶 "Kiss Me (Acoustic)" - Sixpence None The Richer
🎶 "the boy is mine" - Ariana Grande
🎶 "I'm yours" - Isabel LaRosa
🎶 "Smoke and Fire" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎶 "She Drives Me Crazy" - Fine Young Cannibals
🎶 "Hesitate" - Jonas Brothers
🎶 "I Was Made For Lovin' You - Orchestral Version" - YUNGBLUD, Dominic Lewis
🎶 "Eat Your Young" - Hozier
🎶 "A Sky Full of Stars" - Coldplay
🎶 "dancing in the kitchen" - LANY
🎶 "Imagine - Acoustic" - Ben Platt
🎶 "Addicted" - Saving Abel
🎶 "To The Moon" - Meghan Trainor
🎶 "Electric Love" - BORNS
🎶 "Love The Hell Out Of You" - Lewis Capaldi
🎶 "Troubled Waters" - Alex Warren
🎶 "Silence" - Marshmello, Khalid
🎶 "Never Let Me Go" - Florence + The Machine
🎶 "Unwritten" - Natasha Bedingfield
🎶 "Pointless - Strings Acoustic" - Lewis Capaldi
🎶 "Afterglow" - Taylor Swift
🎶 "Heavenly Kind of State of Mind" - Lewis Capaldi
🎶 "Back To You" - Selena Gomez
🎶 "Carry You Home" - Alex Warren
🎶 "Worth Your Wild" - Russell Dickerson

Wooph and Elsie Silver… I mean you already know 🌶️🔥💋

"I love this skirt. Such easy access."

"Come for me, Gwen. Let me watch."

"Look at you. Delivious. So fucking tight. So fucking wet. You have no idea what you do to me."

❤️‍🔥 Tropes ❤️‍🔥

💜 Ex-boyfriend's dad
💜 Age gap
💜 Small town/Western
💜 Grumpy hero
💜 Forbidden romance
💜 Forced proximity

Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/DN5bymQDA...

[itsjessamess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elsie cooked and I ATEEEEEEEEE it up in one night

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Why do romance series ever need to end? Alas, if it had to be the end for Rose Hill, I’m so glad we ended with Bash and Gwen’s swoon-worthy love story. From the moment we first encounter them in Wild Side, I knew these two were something special. I am so happy that they became a reality and that their story lived up to my rather high expectations.

While I wasn’t expecting their meet-cute to take place locked inside an airport in the dark of night, I did envision that there would be a ton of chemistry, banter, and a very powerful connection worthy of all that Bash would have to risk. I loved the journey ES takes us on with these two, from their quips to their kisses, and all the spice in between, and although I still remain conflicted as to who my favorite couple is of the series, they are probably near the top.

The only thing that makes coming to the end of an Elsie Silver series a little easier is knowing that we may encounter these beloved characters in her next series. And I cannot wait to see what comes next.

Read if you like:
▪️forbidden love
▪️ex-boyfriend’s “new” dad
▪️firefighter pilot x yoga instructor
▪️airport meet cutes
▪️curvy heroine
▪️small town

Thank you Periwinkle Pony and Bloom Books for the advanced copies.

[anh]

why have all my anticipated reads been so bad 😭 anyways, going into this one with zero expectations

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of my new favorite Elsie Silver books!

From the start, I was obsesseeddddd with the man that Bash was. The way he stood for NO disrespect when it came to Gwen!?! Swoooooooon. He literally found her crying and immediately was like, who hurt you!?!!?! I loved the emotions this man felt, even though he was a grumpy character, and just how much love he had to offer. Gwen was such a ray of light and her character was the best. Her relationship with Clyde was adorable and I loved how she showed up for the people she cared for as well. These two had such a mature romance and I loved it. Don't get me wrong, it was still playful and full of banter, but they communicated and shared just how much they wanted each other and fell for each other. And they both loved so much for the people they cared for.

Clyde's character was the best in this one, and the dynamic between these three as they lived together and took care of Clyde after surgery was so fun to watch. I literally didn't want this book to end and just loved being in this world with these characters! I'm so so sad this series is over, but I absolutely can't wait for what's to come next!!

[Alyssa Nieves · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ummm Elsie, what was this?? 🤨

I am so over all of these new releases disappointing me. I am going to crash out!!

I was SO excited to read this one! I was literally counting down the days until it came out and I’m so sad it ended up falling flat for me.

I actually really liked both of the main characters and I liked both of them together but, the way their story developed was not giving at all! The beginning was so promising but then around 30% in we just lost the plot. It became so much more focused on Tripp (the mmc’s son) and Clyde (the mmc’s and fmc’s friend) that I honestly got bored waiting for something to actually happen between the main characters. Where were the vibes?? The banter? The chemistry? It was a constant back and forth and it was so bland.

This had so much potential and I just really thought I would end up as one of my favorite books of the year but it definitely didn’t. I loved the first 2 books in this series and I’m so sad that I didn’t love the last 2 books. Whyyyyy!!

Going to need 2025 releases to turn around for me because every single one has disappointed me! I refuse to believe I’m the problem here (maybe I am).

[aira]

I've been so ready for this book even though a couple of the tropes have me skeptical, but in Elsie we trust. 🙂‍↕️

[Anila]

Pre-read: Not gonna lie, the idea of dating my ex's dad gives me the ick🥴but I’ll just trust ES on this and go in with an open mind🤨

[nikki]

THE COVER'S PURPLE AND SO PRETTY AAAAAAHHHHH💜💜💜

ETA: EX-BOYFRIEND’S DAD🕯️ EX-BOYFRIEND’S DAD🕯️ EX-BOYFRIEND’S DAD🕯️ EX-BOYFRIEND’S DAD🕯️LFG BIATCHESSSSSSSS🫡 BASH IS GONNA BE SO HAWT AJAJEKSKSKLSKSK

pre-read review: okay I just found out which tropes are gonna be in this book and who it's about and I'm positively ECSTATIC because the main trope is one of my all time faves aaaaaaahhhhhhskskskksksms😩🫣

[Soft Nectarine ~]

Update: cover is PURPLE!!! I was hoping for my favorite color in the series 🙌

This is the year of AGE GAP and I’m living for it!!

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love both of these characters so much! Elsie just hits every emotion I want her too.

It's always so hard to condense all the feelings I have for an Elsie Silver book after finishing it. Even ones that are not my favorites, are still written so well. I find it hard to put it all into words. But add on that this is one of my favorites by her, that makes it even harder.

I truly connected with Gwen, and I found her positive attitude and yet very real-ness to be so charming. She was just the right side of quirky for me while still having a strong sense of self and self worth. She takes her work very seriously and genuinely believes she can help people with her classes and skills. I just enjoyed reading about her so much. I wanted to be her friend and also to be her when I grow up.

Then we have Bash. Grumpy, brave, and a little beaten down. He does a dangerous job fighting forest fires from a plane and he is unassuming and introverted in his personal life. He's just found out that he has a son he never knew about and that kid is all grown up now and there doesn't really seem to be room in his life for Bash. I felt devastated for him.

Which of course, complicates things when Bash and Gwen share one amazing night stuck in an airport together. Fully planning to connect with one another again, only to have fate play a wicked game. A game that leads Gwen to casually date Bash's estranged son and make any hope of a future they had go up in smoke.

This really was so compelling. I understood everyone's motivations and I could see how Bash would be so conflicted. But I also love how Gwen didn't lower her standards to make things easier. She deserved to be loved out loud.

I don't want to giveaway anything to this romance, as I know so many will pick it up. But I was truly pleased with it and it is among Elsie's best, in my humble opinion. I can't wait to reread it and grab the audio.

6 Stars
3 on the spice scale

CW: medical scenes (surgery), forest fire danger, body shaming (not the MC)

*Thank you to Periwinkle Pony and Bloom Books for an ARC of this title.*

[sasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is the first time i don’t wanna fuck a dad

[Nerlie౨ৎ🎧📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⋆˚࿔ review 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
5⭐️

This book was everything and so much more.

Bash was absolute perfection. Ugh, I love him so much. I will always be weak for grumpy fictional men and he ate so hard. I love how thoughtful he was about everything, even the little things. And his protectiveness made him that much hotter. The mouth on him🫦 had me blushing—he’s just so hot 🙂‍↔️.

Gwen, my perfect angel, I adore her so much. She’s such a great and relatable character. Sweet, but still a total baddie who didn’t take crap from anyone. The way she told that boy off was absolute perfection. I also loved her friendship with the girls; the way they took her in so quickly was just so adorable.

The romance was everything I could ask for—the push and pull, the tension, the chemistry. Their moments had me looking insane with all my giggling and kicking my feet. From their very first meeting you could feel the sparks, and it only got better from there. The forbidden aspect added so much spice 🤭💋. Everybody interrupting and their timing drove me insane because I just wanted them together, but once they kissed I was flying. I can’t say too much, but just know they are HOT.

Clyde was hilarious. I was dying every time he was on page. He has the best chemistry with both Bash and Gwen, and I loved how he and Gwen teamed up to mess with Bash—they’re so evil together and I loved every second of it.

One of my favorite things about Elsie Silver’s writing is how consistent her characters are. They always feel true to themselves, no matter which book you see them in. For example, West was exactly like he was in his own book, and I love that continuity so much.

And of course, I was thrilled to see my wife Tabitha and my husband Rhys again 🤭. Their cameos had me screaming.

Overall, this book was pure perfection. It gave me everything I wanted and reminded me exactly why I love this series so much.


⋆. 𐙚 ˚ pre read ⋆. 𐙚 ˚
IT’S HERE 🙂‍↕️
Prepare to get sick of me 💀.
Should I lower my expectations maybe but I can’t 😭

[avi ౨ৎ]

WAIT A MINUTE EX BOYFRIEND'S DAD?!?!

well hey, if the second version doesn't work you go to the OG


...... why does the people cover make the guy look like he's a hot grandpa😭