My Review of
‘Heartless’ by Elsie Silver ✨
DISCLAIMER:
this is not a personal attack by any means. you are 100% allowed to love this book, i can see why people do! i enjoyed it for the most part as well! now, don’t go insulting me, my tastes, convince me to change my mind, etc. because that won’t fly with me. i don’t try to make anyone hate anything so long as they stay in their lane, and it’s a two way street on my page. be respectful!! that’s all i ask :)
also! there won’t be any spoilers, so feel free to keep reading! 💕
now, for the review…
i… thought it was fine. NOT bad. NOT good. just fine. reason why? if i knew these two characters in real life, they would HATE me because i’m aromantic and asexual, and the author made sure the reader knew they wanted to screw each other on every single page, along with invalidating asexuality multipe times.
to start, i hated willa in flawless, mainly because she was putting down asexuality first. cade was fine, i don’t remember him well in flawless, so i won’t talk about him in that book. in heartless, i didn’t necessarily mind her, she was just, personally, way too forward with s*x for my personal comfort.
as for cade in heartless, he was… extremely iffy in the first half, especially with his views of women who weren’t willa. he also put down asexuality ALONG WITH willa in this book multiple times. and y’all, i reallyyy hate that that kind of talk is so normal in romance books, that’s what deters me from them in the first place.
for why i gave it a low rating, along with putting down my sexuality, like i said before, the need to remind the reader they wanted to go to bed together, to put it lightly, got so overdone that i was getting bored with it. the banter was not for me, i don’t prefer that kind of banter they had, and they made me really miss rhett and summer 🥺
luke, though, really brought out the best of the two! i really liked their dynamic outside of themselves! willa got so protective over him and she loved him so much that it made me go warm and fuzzy with how sweet she was with him! and cade, the same way, their relationship all together was really adorable.
all in all, definitely not going to be my favorite of the series, that belongs to flawless so far. but! lemme know what you guys think!! 💕
Okay, so you've heard my initial thoughts on Elsie Silver's 'Heartless' – it was a 'fine' read for me, landing at a 2.5/5. But I know this book, and the whole Chestnut Springs series, is super popular, so I wanted to dive a little deeper into why it resonates with so many, and what other aspects might be worth considering if you're thinking of picking it up! First off, 'Heartless' is part of Elsie Silver's beloved Chestnut Springs series, known for its small-town charm, cowboy heroes, and steamy romance. This particular installment follows Cade Eaton, a rugged bull rider, and Willa Grant, a city girl with a secret past. Their journey is a classic forced proximity, grumpy-sunshine dynamic, set against the backdrop of a close-knit ranch community. Many readers absolutely adore the banter and the undeniable chemistry between Cade and Willa. The description of Cade as a protective, if initially gruff, cowboy, combined with Willa's feisty spirit, creates a pairing that often hits all the right notes for contemporary romance fans. One thing I did appreciate, and mentioned in my review, was the character of Luke. He truly brought out a softer, more endearing side to both Willa and Cade, making their family dynamic incredibly heartwarming. It’s those moments of genuine care and connection, especially in their interactions with Luke, that highlight the potential for growth and deep affection within the relationship, even if other elements didn't quite land for me. Let's talk about the book cover too, because it's pretty iconic for Elsie Silver's style! The 'Heartless' cover features a prominent blue rose, often symbolizing mystery or the unattainable, alongside a classic cowboy hat and a guitar. These elements perfectly encapsulate the blend of country life, romance, and perhaps a touch of longing or emotional depth that the series aims for. It definitely sets a mood, hinting at the Western setting and the passionate, often complicated, love story within. It's the kind of cover that makes you want to pick it up and escape into their world! For those of us who love to really engage with our books, remembering that 'HOW I TABBED' guide I saw in my own notes, I think tabbing 'Heartless' could be a fascinating exercise. You could use different colored sticky notes to track specific elements: a bright blue for those 'happy/cute yay!' moments, perhaps when Luke is involved or a particularly sweet scene unfolds. A lighter blue could be for 'sad/iffy' parts, marking spots where the characters struggle or where the narrative felt a bit off. And naturally, a dedicated color for 'romance / smut' scenes could help you analyze the pacing and frequency of intimacy, especially if you have specific preferences or sensitivities in that area, like I do as an asexual reader. Tabbing can really help you understand your own reading experience better and pinpoint exactly what works or doesn't work for you in a book like this. If 'Heartless' or similar high-spice cowboy romances aren't quite your cup of tea, but you still love the small-town, found-family vibe, there are so many other fantastic reads out there! You might enjoy authors who focus more on emotional intimacy and banter with less explicit content, or those who consciously incorporate diverse perspectives, including aro/ace characters. Exploring books with diverse representation can be incredibly rewarding, offering stories that resonate on a deeper, more personal level. Don't be afraid to branch out and find your perfect romance story!
