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

2023: "dress" by taylor swift -mira and stefan are THE MOMENT i love them so bad

2024: adding "i can see you" and "gulity as sin?" to the list of mirastefan songs!! second reread and i sobbed again! this reread has cemented this book as one of my favorites and mayhaps comfort reads!!!

love the indian representation with mira and the inclusion of indian culture in this. also, stefan makinge samosas with mira’s grandma!!! i swoon

stefan standing up to mira’s family and defending mira will always be one of my favorite parts of this book no matter how many times i reread

stefan’s love language is cooking and showing his love through the food he cooks UGH I NEED HIM SO BADDDDD also the way he treasures mira not just her beauty but also her intelligence and her capabilities as a doctor <3

all i can say without spoilers is that this book has one of my fav plot devices in the end that was also written so well and evokes the dramatics that i as a reader LOVEEE

fun read. mira might be my favorite.

📕 | This book follows Stefan and Mira, both of whom we have met in the previous books, Off to the Races and A Photo Finish. Stefan Dalca owns a horse racing ranch near Gold Rush Ranch, he’s fairly new in this town and no one knows much about him or his past so they think something fishy is going on with him. He appeared as the villain in the first book but quite as a gentleman in the second. Dr. Mira Thorne is the veterinarian in the clinic of Gold Rush Ranch and best friends with Billie and Violet but also treats other animals around the area and Stefan’s horses. When one of Billie’s foals needs adoption, only Stefan can help them, but in exchange, he wants three dates with Mira and the colt to stay at his property. As they take care of it and spend time together though, things will start to develop between them…

👍🏼 | It’s been a pleasant read and I thoroughly enjoyed it while reading it. I’ve been also intrigued to figure out what’s the deal with Stefan and I’m happy to confirm that he is indeed a good and charming man.

✍🏼 | We have glimpses of the past that blend greatly with the previous books and show how effective the author’s writing can be. The characters are well-written, likeable and believable. Their pasts are explained in a way that doesn’t seem forced or as if they write an essay to each other! And their actions seemed completely understood to me.

💖 | I’ve been delighted to get to know Stefan and unfold his mystery identity. His interactions with Mira were such a delight to read, always fun and interesting. I also appreciated how forthcoming Mira was with her doubts towards him and how he was always clear and honest, avoiding unnecessary drama where it shouldn’t be. Also, I can’t miss the fact that our Mr. Cool Calm and Collected is our dirty talker. Finally, I think that it’s been a family-centred book, from where Stefan has his sister back to look after her, to how we learn about his family situation, to how he stands up for Mira with hers, and of course, the adoption of a colt and its whole theme around it —which has been adorable to read about—. All these are tied to the “found family” vibes and I think it was brilliant on the author’s part.

👎🏼 | Nothing major to report here, only the fact that I wish we could see more of the side characters.

💬 | ❝ I was just a man with a sad past and no one to love. And then I saw you. It only took one look and I swear some part of me knew. ❞

🗣 | Recommended for those who enjoy fake dating, found family vibes, and a good slow burn.

✨ | Overall, a great and empowering book with an unexpected plot twist, lots of steamy tension, romantic and spicy, lovely characters and heartfelt moments! A False Start is the next and final book of the series that I can’t wait to read.

🗂️ | tropes + micro tropes : anti-hero/bad boy, fake dating, the villain gets the girl, steamy small-town vibes, slow burn, angst. interconnected standalone, found family

WHO DOESNT LOVE FAKE DATING WHEN THE CHEMISTRY IS ON FIRE I THINK STEFAN IS THE NUMBER 1 GOLD RUSH RANCH BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m a sucker for a good redemption arc where bad boy turns out to be the best boy in da world! One who seems lost in the world, one who seeks love! AND DR MIRA THORNE IS THE MISSING PIECE IN THE PUZZLE!

10/10! So freaking good 🤩

4.5 stars Ahh who doesn’t love a good redemption story? I am definitely a sucker for them and I honestly didn’t think there was any way I could forgive Stefan for his actions in the first book, but Elsie Silver did such a good job at proving me wrong about him. Stefan Dalca. Ugh. This man really just let everyone believe he was a horrible, awful person, but there was so much more to him. Sure, he was broody, a little cold and closed off, but really he’s an honest and loyal man who loves fiercely and takes such good care of those he cares about. “I’ve never considered myself a particularly good man. I never thought I was a bad man either. I was just a man with a sad past and no one to love. And then I saw you. It only took one look and I swear some part of me knew.” I liked that Mira meshed so well with Stefan. She was cold in her own way and somewhat reserved, but she would do anything for the people she loves. She was relatable to me in so many ways and I loved watching her slowly let Stefan in. I enjoyed the second half much more than the first half. Not to say the first half wasn’t good (it was great) but the second half had me completely invested. Plus, we got a lot of sweet and incredibly hot moments in the second half lmao. Stefan has been the best dirty talker of this series by far. This book had a lot of growth and character development - absolutely loved it and I’ll be sad to finish this series. Highly recommend!