Immediately yes. Instantly Yes. Theo Silva? Oh. My.
God. YES!
Let’s get one thing straight, I know for a fact that
this is not the reading order in the Chesnut Springs Series however I
got the first book mixed up with this current one (#4) and I really tried to
get into Flawless (#1) but I just couldn’t. Why? Because Winter Hamilton
and Theo Silva made it very hard to do so. Like, I am reading Flawless
on the side, it’s starting to get good but I binge read Reckless so
quickly that it matched the only other books I’ve done that with; The
Spanish Love Deception (Elena Armas) & King of Wrath (Ana Huang).
Now I could do the mature thing and just read review
everything in order but we don’t lie on this page so I’m keeping it real.
Chesnut Springs is a small-town land made for rusty
cow-boys all waiting for their women to drag them off their bull in their own
unique way. The imagery the descriptions made in my mind was beyond any other.
If I had to rate Chesnut Springs, I would wedge it between Lake Wisteria and
Westport. Comfortable, reliable and all mine.
I am Winter. I have a permanent RBF, when I get angry,
I cry because deep down I’m hurt and upset. Where Charlie from Charlie, Love
and Clichés matched the lackey side of me, Winter is the literal me. Smart
mouth, winter ice (though I’m literally born in April!) with vulnerability
wrapped up in a nice neat bow. Pink silk to be specific. If I’m not wrong, this
is my first one-night stand turned pregnant trope. The closest I’ve read to
something with a child as the thread that keeps everything together is The
Final Offer (Lauren Asher) but even that wasn’t actually the MC’s child.
I didn’t even know what to expect. The writing – which
I rarely talk about it – was immaculate. I don’t think, I’ve ever read such a
well written book, with all the right words, enough dialogue, just the right
amount of back story and humour done so well. If this was a stake, it
would’ve been succulent. There wasn’t any unnecessary detail. For
example, I loved that their first hook up was not included in the main body
straight away but rather later on in the book because that level of mystery
didn’t throw it in your face. Something like that, so early on, would’ve have
taken away from both Winter and Theo, whilst simultaneously making the overall
plot weak. Elsie Silver is experienced in making sure nothing – not even
Theo – can take away from the issues at heart. What is that? Uh duh. Winter,
her lack of trust issues paired with daddy issues.
Winter Hamilton is so many of us. There are hundreds
of books that include a sunshine FMC who has issues but she’s all flowers,
rainbows and candy despite those said issues. It’s draining. I’m sure
dozens of us can relate to Winter – feeling like a snippy, prissy, ice-queen to
hide away from having to talk about the things that overwhelm us. This is
Winter in a nut-shell. Then comes around a refreshing, loveable, jolly Theo
Silva who is nice just because. No ulterior hidden motive. No favours returned. No malice. Just cause that’s how his ‘mama raised him’. Too
good to be true.
Theo Silva is like that annoying happy person that
sometimes is too much for a Monday morning….but in a really hot body that does
dangerous things for a living like let’s say, bull riding. Eeek. I just blushed
– twice. From the beginning, I got Fox Thornton vibes but the more I
read, the more I realized I can never compare Theo Silva to any other male
character I’ve read about. He’s just so Theo. No matter what came in his way,
giving up on Winter wasn’t up for debate. 18 months. That’s how long he waited for
the second chance, that’s how long he stayed celibate for and that’s how long
he kept that ridiculous coaster form their first drink which entailed the
details of a drunk – consensual – rowdy night together. Sorry. I’m dead.
Miscommunication. The bane of everyday life and even
more of the romantic kind. When Theo decides he needs to brush up on his act to
be taken more seriously and not just labelled as a nepo-baby because his
dad was accomplished, that means distancing himself from everything…. including
the one-night stands. But Geoff – the idiot – who was handling his affairs in
all things phone and social media, didn’t think it was important to forward the
messages from Winter to Theo, like he had been instructed. Instead, Geoff
become Theo and said ‘Thanks’ for letting me know’. Again, Geoff is an
idiot. It’s not until 18-months later, that an impromptu falling of a bull,
having Winter as the visitor gone on-scene doctor (obviously), clashing to make
the stars align. The rest was – as we say - history.
Both characters had their insecurities wrapped up
tightly with small rays of something peeking through the edges. That something
was actually each other. Where Theo felt the lady-killer image was winding
him down, so much so that he got called out by his mentor, Winter felt like her
ice-queen nature deterred all the best relationships in her life. Including the
one with her sister.
Kip and Marina. It’s so lovely to see a dad that just
messed up a bit however rekindles with his daughter. He found the dollhouse.
Who wouldn’t give another chance to a dad like that? One aspect that was so
bracing was how the author made sure to give more time to those bringing
positive energy than those who bought bad ones *cough* *cough* Marina &
Rob. They were like wet lettuce shooed out of the way with Theo there ready to
attack if necessary.
There was this one part where Theo let his
insecurities filter through. He said he didn’t have a McLaren or a Mchouse but
he had everything else to give Winter and you know what? I’m content without a
Mc anything when someone like Theo can be all flashy without trying
*TEARS*
So grateful, like so eternally grateful for the lack
of the whole breakup act. Not needed in a plot like this and truthfully my –
yes, my – Theo Dale Silva would never do that anyways. Remember when I
said I don’t give way spoilers on my page? Screw that. I am. One argument leads
to a love confession from the tightly wrapped up package who is Winter
Hamilton was the epilogue for me. That’s all I needed. I got it. I died. I read
it again and again and you get the idea.
I wouldn’t categorize my relationship with my sister
stressed under any circumstances. Of course, there’s the sisterly bickering
then making right up after over a burger dynamic going on but nothing strained.
To say I related to Winter on a sister level would be so far from the truth however
I do feel like I have strained relationships with other members of my
family. I don’t think I’ll ever get the closure I need, so basking in the ones
Winter got, that to with the push from Theo, is a lovely feeling I’ll never get
but will live without just fine.
Adding to what I mentioned before about not have
unnecessary words added to the plot. There was none of that drawn out divorce procedure,
not an excessive amount of Rob, no long 200-page epilogue on how Rob was dealt
with by the medical board and if Summer and Winter got their justice because
I’m damn well sure they did. If not, Theo and Rhett would have sat him on a
bull and made sure he was killed. It didn’t take the whole 300 and however many
pages for Theo to figure out Vivienne was his. Thank the Lord. Nothing works me
up more than a Soap Opera turned novel. Get on with it. No element took away
from the main hearts at hand.
My Ice-Queen (take a shot every time I say that
phrase) and Summer Sunshine.
The more I read since 2024 began, the better it gets.
Elsie Silver hit home run on this one. I don’t care that I’ve not read the whole
series, Theo and Winter are already my most thought about couple. I want to
have Theo’s personality but having Winter’s is fine to. Looks like I’ll have to
go find my sunshine somewhere else.
Summer is everything Winter will never be. Just like
their names, they’re polar opposites. I’m 25% into Flawless according to
technology. Seems a little predictable already but if I learnt anything whilst
reading It Ends with Us (Colleen Hoover) then it’s to never judge
25% into anything. Like, at all.
I want a billionaire Dante Russo who has Theo Silva
roots. City Life with Ranch Life on the by stand. Oh. I’m so looking forward for
both my career and happily ever after.
The most ideal song for this book? No brainer. Father
John Mistry – Real Love.
Now time to read these paper pages all again! I adore
reads like this.
Why don’t you pick up some neglected paper pages to
relive the fantasy all over again? I promise you it will be epic!
Mwah!
Vivian.
Don’t forget to keep reading, because as long as you
do, it’s making a struggling authors day that much better. Reach for the starts
of success.
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