The Front Runner: A Small Town Fake Dating Romance (Gold Rush Ranch Book 3)

Like so many others, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Stefan Dalca getting his own HEA. But can we take a minute to talk about how incredible he is? Elsie Silver took a character we all muttered and grumbled about in the first two books and turned him into this sexy stud that we can’t get enough of. And if that’s not enough, she made us fall head over heels in love with Dr. Mira Thorne as Stefan fell in love with her too. I mean…I’m personally invested in everything Mira, but to see so much of her and to understand the woman behind all the horses being saved was an absolute treat.Where do I even begin with this review?! The Gold Rush Ranch series is so special to me and to see more characters from this world completely made my life. Mira and Stefan might just be my absolute favourites from this series––which is saying a lot since Violet and Cole are my one true loves––but their journey to falling in love is one that I can read over and over again, and never tire of.Mira is loved by everyone. Despite being younger and a woman, Mira is well respected and known all over Ruby Creek for the work she does with horses. She’s got a solid home base at Gold Rush Ranch and she’s best friends with Billie and Violet, plus she’s got Hank who adores her just as much. And Mira’s got supportive and loving parents (less supportive extended family members, but that’s not important) that gives her a rounded life. She’s not even missing a man to warm her bed, because she’s got a purple friend that does the job for her. I related to Mira so much, not just because she’s Indian, but because she’s so self-sufficient and sure of herself. She’s a tough woman, she knows her limits and she knows what she’s capable of. I loved the scenes where she’s working and treating horses, because you can feel the amount of love that pours through her when she’s in her element. She’s also hella sassy and feisty, her snappy comebacks are some of my favourites. Plus, Mira believes in giving everyone a second chance.Stefan. Ah, the man of the hour. I remember thinking he was so sleazy and creepy, but that’s because Billie flat out hates him and we saw him through her eyes. To see him through Mira’s eyes? *fans self* He is everything and then some. With Stefan, what you see is not always what you get and I really enjoyed watching Mira peel back the layers of the man. He’s been through so much and he’s never let those shortcomings and struggles define him. Stefan is so much more than just a rich man in a suit, he’s kind and caring and despite what Billie (and everyone else) thinks, he loves his horses and wants only the best for them. And then there’s Stefan’s feelings for Mira. Sweet lord, this man. There needs to be a word that is beyond swoony, because that’s what Stefan is. He’s a combination of swoony, sexy, dirty and charming––and it’s distracting as all get out. But the way he feels? Man, it broke me.Their relationship starts as a working one, then turns into three fake dates and eventually becomes the hottest and most beautiful thing on the planet. Elsie’s heroes have the best dirty talk and she also writes some really good steam, but what I loved so much about Mira and Stefan was their banter. It’s snappy, it’s funny and it’s incredibly sexy. There’s some serious pining in this book too. I know we all love watching the hero pine––and Stefan does that pretty much the whole way through––but there is just something so beautiful about the heroine pining too. And Mira’s feelings for Stefan are so confusing before she realises just what all of that means and she takes control of it. Some of my favourite scenes included Mira giving Stefan grief because he kept brushing their relationship off when she was getting so invested. I seriously didn’t think I would love these two as much as I did, but my god, they were so wonderful together. I also want to give Elsie lots of love for all the extra steam she included just for me (not really, but it’s an inside joke of sorts).Prepare for some tears too, because as you peel back Stefan’s layers and see the man beneath that broody, sexy facade, you’ll fall in love with him too. I also loved the scenes we got with Billie and Violet, because Mira’s friendship with them is so wonderful. I even loved how much of Hank we saw, because I loved him in Off to the Races and wanted more of him and I got it! I can’t wait to see what else we get from the Gold Rush Ranch world, because I’m not done with them yet!

Elsie gives us another heartfelt, steamy, funny and charming story with The Front Runner. Stefan Dalca, a horse ranch owner who is widely known to be sleazy, asks for three dates with the renowned and well respected veterinarian Dr. Mira Thorne in exchange for helping her with a foal. The story follows this unlikely couple as their relationship grows from a working one to a fake one and to so much more.The story is captivating with constantly engaging plot developments. Elsie gives us complete, three dimensional characters with flaws and insecurities. Mira is a badass in her field, a loyal friend and loves her horses fiercely. Her loud, loving, interfering Indian family was depicted pretty accurately. Stefan is a very complicated character. The author dives deep into his past and gives us a perfect redemption arc for him.The intellectual connection that Mira and Stefan share and the witty banter they exchange is one of the things that I loved about this book. Another delightful connection we always see in Elsie's books is the one between the protagonist and their heart horse. So it isn’t a surprise that Stefan’s love and dedication to the cute, energetic and lovable foal Loki, just about melts your heart.The Front Runner is a must read for readers who enjoy a fast paced, drama filled, feel good story with a badass heroine, a cute foal that needs saving and a villain turned hero who will steal your heart before you realize it.Special thanks to Elsie Silver for providing an advanced reader copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I freaking love a good story that makes me go all weak in the knees and I can't stop gushing about Stefan freaking Dalca. That man and Mira have melted me and I'm still all smiles and hearts even after I'm done reading.The blurb tells you the crux for sure but THIS BOOK GIVES YOU THE REAL FEELS & WILL TAKE YOU ON A BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY OF HOW TWO UNLIKELY PEOPLE COME TOGETHER.Stefan is hated by most people especially the Gold ranch clan. Even though Mira knows how how much Billie dislikes Stefan, she's still a professional and truly cares about the horses to be partial to anyone.Stefan might have come into money but a lot is riding on this dream of his being in this racing business as also he genuinely loves horses.Stefan is mesmerized by Dr. Mira Thorne and he's many attempts at asking a date are unanswered. When an unfortunate incident happens, the enemy ranchers will have to put aside their differences for the better good of the horses.As Mira spends more time caring for the new foal and in turn witnesses how selfless and caring Stefan, she starts to realise how different and a good man he is to what bad image people have of him.The dynamics and playfulness between Mira and Stefan had me wanting them more and their antics and genuine care and unconditional love for the horses had me smiling and falling in love with them.Also, ahem.. THE FREAKING CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THESE TWO. ON FIRE 🔥🔥🔥There's truly so much going on in this one. There's nadia, stefan's sister, then mira's family. Then the gold ranchers clan and hank.I loved getting to know how much time and love and care is involved in breeding and taking care of horses. The Vets and the ranchers are truly heroes. They don't care about the sleepless nights or how much their time is taken or how they have to get all dirty. But they do with selfless love and I admire this oh so much because of this book which made me aware of these facts.I was completely swept away in this beautiful world of Stefan and Mira. Also, as a fellow Indian, my mouth was watering at every mention of samosas. Yummy!!! 😍😍AHH.. What an utterly mesmerizing, Gorgeous, funny, sweet, Steamy and Swoony ride this one was. Loved freaking loved this one.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

So when people told me I would fall in love with Stefan I had my doubts after all he is public enemy number 1 in books 1 & 2 but I was willing to have my mind changed. So Stefan is now my favourite of Elsie’s men there I’ve said it and I dare you to change my mind.Mila is the vet for the area and works with both Gold Rush ranch and Stefan’s farm whilst having a very close friendship with the girls from Gold Rush she strikes up a friendship with Stefan after he agrees to take Billie’s orphan foal in. She is strong independent and definitely likes to say what is on her mind she is a breath of fresh air and even she can’t deny Stefan is gorgeous.Stefan has been asking Mila out on a date for months but as far as she was concerned he was joking around that is until he says the foal can stay at his farm but she has to agree to 3 dates with him. Stefan has a mask which he wears giving him a hard exterior but his past is the reason he keeps his guard up only letting Mila see what lies underneath.I adored this book and this series is perfect, if you love funny banter, hot MMCs and strong FMCs, small town romance and ALL the spice you have to read this series.

Have enjoyed this series and wondered about Stefans story. Really enjoyed this book and how Stefan was not the person people made him out to be.Mira recognised not all was what it seemed with Stefan. Their attraction was hard to stop. Plus a few surprises would also make an appearance. Good read

Elsie promised and she sure delivered ❤ What a book, forget everything you thought you knew about Stefan ❤❤❤ He's just 🥰😍It's the first book of the year to make me cry, glad I was at home alone when I was reading it, because I cried like a baby 😭😅. Great book, and I'm off to the last book in the series ❤❤❤

I love the padding out of Stefan’s character - suddenly no longer the mysterious morally grey character! Mira is also a fabulous character - such a strong female lead and the moment between her and her granny in the kitchen is sumptuous.

I am absolutely loving this series! Every time I read another book in this series I love it even more than the last one. Stefan is now my new favourite! I can't wait for the next book in the series but I don't want it to end.