The Front Runner

Gold Rush Ranch, Book 3

De: Elsie Silver

Narrado por: Zachary Webber, Soneela Nankani

Stefan Dalca is infuriatingly handsome. And annoyingly persistent. We’re supposed to hate each other. But apparently he didn’t get the memo, because he’s been asking me out for years.

And I always say no. Until today.

Today he has something that I desperately need. Today he’s a savior, and I’m his prize.

Our time together starts out as a simple transaction. Three dates. No touching. No telling anyone. And definitely no falling in love.

But with every intimate conversation, and each stolen glance, the tension between us builds.

The way he looks at me gives me butterflies. And when he finally touches me? We sizzle.

Stefan makes me feel seen in a way no other person has before. He cherishes my words as passionately as my body.

He makes me laugh. He makes me blush. He calls me kitten.

He’s not the villain he’s been made out to be.

And suddenly I find myself longing for him in a way the people closest to me wouldn’t approve of or understand.

Giving in to Stefan Dalca is playing with fire.

But with him I don’t even mind the heat.

©2021, 2022, 2024 Elsie Silver (P)2024 Elsie Silver

An amazing story; and the narration? Wonderfully perfect!

I read the book and now I’ve listened to the story and couldn’t love it more. Stefan (the horse rancher everyone seems to hate) falls for the town veterinarian and their slow burn romance is a delight. I loved every moment of this story.

Beautiful complicated storyline

I’ll say it a million times but Elsie Silver is the master at writing female friendships. In addition the found family in this story is complicated and heart warming. I’m actually surprised Stefan Dalcas redemption was this moving. Also Mira is a badass.

The storyline is very complex with lots of trauma. I love the how the trust slowly builds between Stefan and Mira. I like how Billie and Stefan are linked. It’s tightly and brilliantly written. LOVED the bonus epilogue in this audio version. Can’t get enough of this entire found family.

great audio Zachary Webber did a good job with Stefan’s complicated accent. It did drop at the beginning of each new chapter but he easily recovered it.

“I don’t want to tame her; I just want a front-row seat to watch her win the race.”

The Front Runner
Book #3
Gold Rush Ranch Series

4⭐️
2 🌶️🌶️

Stefan Dalca is the worst…. But is he really? He honestly loves unconditionally. The way he cares for the people he loves. How he holds so much in and feels guilty for things that were not in his control. Every part of this man’s life is trying to prove to the people he loves how sorry he is. the way his love for Mira Thorne shows since the very beginning. Yes there is bantering and longing but he waits for her. He waits for her to finally see what he sees. A beautiful and talented woman.
Mira Thorne is just fierce! Selfless and loving. Her love for those horses is wonderful. I love their relationship. The way he gets her to go out with her by saving Loki’s life.
their love grows from fake dating friends to actual lovers. The truths spills. My favorite part was when Stefan stands up for Mira at her family gathering. That’s a man standing by his woman.

"Nothing about this feels fake. Our bodies. Our minds. Our hearts. Absolutely everything about being with Mira feels like one of the most real things l've ever had in my life. And I won't let her slip between my fingers now."

"You are not the pawn, Mira. You are the prize."

“…Mira and I we are like a phoenix born from the ashes and I wouldn’t have it any other way..”

Wholesome and beautiful!

Is this the favorite of the series? No, yes… well maybe. I can’t choose between this and A Photo Finish!

The story of the villain? Sign me up!! I love a good redemption story and this delivered. Meeting Stefan in the previous books I knew I wasn’t his fan. Was he arrogant and cunning? Yes. He went for what he wanted and didn’t have that many obstacles along the way, so he could basically do what he wanted. Then we got to know him.

I enjoyed this tremendously. I loved how each layer of Stefan got slowly but steadily pealed off and we got to know just how wholesome and genuine he was. So charming and some of the words that this man delivered was so incredibly romantic and sweet- others filthy. But this quote I can’t stop thinking about- absolutely dreamy!

”You have beautiful hands. Almost as beautiful as your mind and heart. Sometimes I find myself staring at them while you work, so elegant and strong all at once. Hands that heal. Hands that save lives. Hands that belong in mine.”

I loved his dynamic with Mira. The tension and attraction was fun and how they both were denying their feelings for each other when they both were obsessed and the lust was dripping off the pages. Their self-control didn’t stand a chance in the end.

I loved how strong yet tender Mira was. She didn’t let the societal pressures define her and went about her life how she wanted to live it. I also loved how she stood up for herself and also when she couldn’t she had someone at her back to fight for her- that scene was perfect and I loved it!

The Loki storyline was so wholesome and I almost couldn’t handle the level of adorable that was Stefan and Loki. Not to mention the subplot which was heartbreaking and wholesome. Absolutely loved it!

This was such a thrilling, lovely and tension filled story and I loved how the villain wasn’t truly the villain after all. It all came together beautifully.

Zachary Webber

He is just amazing at bringing the story to life. I’ll listen to anything he narrates! The story is also good.

So glad the narrators did the book justice 🥹

I rarely write reviews but Front Runner is my favorite Elsie book & I’ve been eagerly awaiting for the audiobook. Zachary is one of my top male narrators & Soneela has become one of my favorite female narrators.
I’m super picky about narrators lmao. They both were amazing for Mira & Stefan & truly brought the story to life for me. Damn near brought tears to my eyes on the suspenseful chapters lol! I was also SO pleased they did the bonus chapter too! I can’t get enough of them & that felt like such a sweet way to end the audiobook 💖
Highly, highly recommend. I pretty much finished it in two sittings.

If he wanted to he would 🤍🤍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶/5

Tropes: fake dating, small town romance

This is Stefan (the “villain”) and Mira’s story. Mira is the town vet (and besties with Billie and Violet) who takes care of all the town horses. When she has a foal who needs a mom and Stefan has a mom who needs a baby they strike a deal. Stefan will help out if Mira agrees to go on three dates with him…and boy do sparks fly!

Mira and Stefan have had chemistry since book 1 of this series and I loved seeing them fall in love. Also Stefan is a sweetheart and I loved his character and how much he loved and supported Mira. Can’t wait for the next one!!

The audio was phenomenal!!!! Zachary Webber and Soneela Nankani were immaculate!!!!

Favorite of the Gold Rush Ranch Series…so far

Loved loved book 3 of the Gold Rush Ranch series with Stefan and Mira as he charmed the town vet, found his dad, and learned to like himself in the process.

LOVE Stefan!

OH MY GOSH I LOVE THIS BOOK! I didn't think I could love a book more than the last book in this series, but I'm 200% here for Stefan & Mira! The chemistry and the slow burn of their relationship was almost too much for me, but absolutely perfect! I could not get over how sweet he is despite having such a prickly exterior that the world around him sees. The way they both just care so much and will use those small gestures to show it is so endearing! And that filthy mouth on him, I couldn't get enough! The plot around these two was also written well and encompassed so much more than their relationship. 5 stars to Elsie and this book - I cannot wait for the next one! Also, the audio on this book was one of my favorites! The narrators did so well and I could really feel their emotions in the more intense scenes.

✨ small town romance
✨ best friend’s enemy
✨ fake dating
✨ he falls first and he’s OBSESSED
✨ slow burn
✨ strong FMC

Delco was a surprise

Patience in developing their story. They didn't dive into bed in chapter 1. Loki makes me giggle!