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A False Start: A Small Town Brother's Best Friend Romance (Gold Rush Ranch Book 4) Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 29,186 ratings

I kissed my best friend’s little sister, and the world stood still.

That night we were two perfect strangers, the town’s grumpy recluse and a gorgeous girl in the back of a bar. Until we weren’t.

Because Nadia Dalca isn’t just some girl. She’s the girl I can’t have. Fourteen years younger than me and completely off-limits.


My plan is to stay away, but the universe keeps pushing us together. It’s like some sort of cosmic joke, to give me a taste of something so electric—so real—something that breathed life back into me.

Because I can look, but I can’t touch.

Her sinful curves, her light-hearted laughter, her wild side . . . I’m addicted to every last bit of her.

And when she turns those sultry eyes on me––the ones so full of longing and so free of judgement? I’ve always considered myself a strong man. But when she looks at me I’m weak.

To give in to our connection would be a betrayal. My life is beyond complicated, and she has the world at her fingertips. Her brother is the only family she has left, and sad as it sounds, he’s also my only friend.

But I kissed her again anyway.

And now I can’t stop.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
29,186 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise this romance book for its beautiful love story and emotional depth, with one review noting how the characters show vulnerability. The writing is well-executed, and the story serves as a wonderful conclusion to the series, with one customer highlighting how it spans multiple years. The book features a complicated but strong heroine who is wise beyond her years, and customers appreciate its themes of healing and overcoming obstacles.

74 customers mention "Romance"71 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in this book, describing it as a beautiful love story with raw passion and emotion.

"...I was nervous. The chemistry practically leaped off the page! Romance is off the charts!!..." Read more

"...The thought behind it made sense and I loved the kinky spice. Also, an incredible use of a nickname" Read more

"...This story is enthralling and beautiful. A story about love and when it comes to you at the wrong time but is the perfect person...." Read more

"...The maturity, the love, the connection. It was so wholesome and so REAL. 10/10." Read more

61 customers mention "Story quality"56 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, finding it a wonderful conclusion to the series with an ending that makes them swoon.

"...book (Stefan & Mira) you’ll be THRILLED to know that this story is immensely better. WAY BETTER!..." Read more

"...This story is enthralling and beautiful. A story about love and when it comes to you at the wrong time but is the perfect person...." Read more

"...This story is so good and a great way to end the series. If you are looking for a romance book with a good plot twist this is the one." Read more

"What a great ending to the series. I loved the growth these two went through in this book and it also proved that age is really just a number...." Read more

52 customers mention "Character development"52 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly noting the complicated but strong heroine and one swoony hero, with one customer highlighting how the author allows characters to show vulnerability.

"...A lot of depth to her character and I found her sooo warm and likable. Shes also extremely sassy and quick witted and I adore that...." Read more

"...about love and when it comes to you at the wrong time but is the perfect person...." Read more

"...Great characters. Wonderful found family. Some forbidden goodness. Secrets. Undeniable chemistry and all the banter!! You can't miss." Read more

"...From the character development, to the heart, to the reality of growing and healing yourself...." Read more

47 customers mention "Cute"47 positive0 negative

Customers find the book cute, describing it as adorable and sweet on the inside, with one customer noting it's the sweetest in the series.

"...Shes also extremely sassy and quick witted and I adore that. The banter between and every character is pure gold...." Read more

"...This story is enthralling and beautiful. A story about love and when it comes to you at the wrong time but is the perfect person...." Read more

"...The maturity, the love, the connection. It was so wholesome and so REAL. 10/10." Read more

"...This book was beautiful and it perfectly captured the messy insecure feelings that come with wanting a life for ourselves but wanting true happiness..." Read more

23 customers mention "Writing quality"23 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its readability and emotional depth, with one customer highlighting the author's skill in crafting steamy scenes.

"...Elsie Silver is a good author so I don't think you'll go wrong with any of her books. At the very least, it's a good read...." Read more

"...The characters were deep enough and well written to feel like this wasn't just some surface level connection or love. No...." Read more

"...i love the found family and how until the end it was so cute and healthy to read that i cried...." Read more

"...Every relationship in the series was highlighted, and every detail was written elegantly. The passion was raw and full of vibrancy...." Read more

18 customers mention "Pacing"15 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with its strong-willed characters and overcoming obstacles, and one customer notes how it spans several years.

"...My reason.” I LOVED how this book spanned a few years...." Read more

"So good. I usually hate age gaps. This was done right. So good I almost broke my glasses. The memories this book brought up." Read more

"...Nadia is such a strong and resilient FMC, she does whatever she can to heal and set her own path to success...." Read more

"...This book is no exception. Nadia is a strong-willed, young heroine with bright plans for the future and a broken past...." Read more

17 customers mention "Healing power"17 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's themes of healing and personal growth, with one customer highlighting how it explores realistic trauma and another noting its focus on overcoming past experiences.

"...Shes deep and all around amazing, but also still so young and knows that about herself. Her self awareness and old soul and so endearing...." Read more

"...From the character development, to the heart, to the reality of growing and healing yourself...." Read more

"...No. This was deep rooted and had you really rooting for them the entire book...." Read more

"...was such a beautiful story about waiting for the right timing, healing together, and working through your past...." Read more

14 customers mention "Nadia's character"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate Nadia's character, describing her as a complicated but strong heroine who is wise beyond her years.

"...Perfect. No notes (besides age, sorry). Omg and Nadia!!! Nadia was incredible lead. I loved her so much...." Read more

"...Despite their age gap, Nadia is so mature - unfortunately due to the extent of her past trauma...." Read more

"...visit, and it literally hurts to say goodbye (for now) to these wonderful characters...." Read more

"...This book is no exception. Nadia is a strong-willed, young heroine with bright plans for the future and a broken past...." Read more

Griff raises the bar on being the perfect book boyfriend
5 out of 5 stars
Griff raises the bar on being the perfect book boyfriend
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ STEAM: 🔥🔥🔥.5 Just when you think you found the perfect book boyfriend in Elsie Silver's Gold Rush Ranch series, the subsequent hero shoves the previous one off the throne. Don't get me wrong: All of the men in her series are fantastic, but Griff Sinclair has moved that bar higher. Griff needs to keep his distance from Nadia Dalca. Not only is she fourteen years younger than him, but she also happens to be his only best friend's younger sister. But he didn't know that when he gave in and kissed her in a bar bathroom. Even as time passed, neither of them could erase the fire that ignited from that kiss. And the distance they've kept from each other? Gone as Nadia works in the Gold Rush Ranch as a vet tech and Griff has been asked to pitch in with horse training as the current trainer Billie is all sorts of pregnant. Two sides of the same coin, they're both broken but resilient; just two amazing characters that complement each other well. They serve as each other's inspiration and support as they face their own adversities. I also love the ease with which they fit in each other's worlds. Elsie Silver has an uncanny ability to get you so invested in her characters so hard. So much so that every angst and hurt translate from paper right straight to your heart. I suppose I am glad that we have the spicy scenes to give us some reprieve from the emotional turmoil, but they just make us super thirsty. The dirty talk, the chemistry, the memorable moments (*cough*tent*cough*). The Gold Rush Ranch is one of my favorite fictional places to visit, and it literally hurts to say goodbye (for now) to these wonderful characters. This book is a phenomenal standalone, but you would be remiss to skip on the wonderful stories that came before.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    TLDR::
    Spice 🌶️ 4.5/5
    Romance ❤️ : 7/5
    Characters 👩‍❤️‍👨: 5/5
    Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    Cannot WAIT to read again!!!

    **NO SPOILERS***
    I’ll try to save the lengthy review and just say that this one gave me absolute *butterflies* throughout the ENTIRE book. I blushed. I was nervous. The chemistry practically leaped off the page! Romance is off the charts!! If you found yourself a little meh about the previous book (Stefan & Mira) you’ll be THRILLED to know that this story is immensely better. WAY BETTER!

    Nadia has the spit fire personality similar to Billie and Willa (if you’ve read Chestnut Springs Series). Shes deep and all around amazing, but also still so young and knows that about herself. Her self awareness and old soul and so endearing. A lot of depth to her character and I found her sooo warm and likable. Shes also extremely sassy and quick witted and I adore that. The banter between and every character is pure gold.

    I’ll admit I didn’t think I’d like Griffin at first but honey was I wrong. Same thing happened to me with sweet Cole Harding. Talk about a man in love. The kind of wild chemistry and romance they have in The Notebook. It’ll make your head swim in the best way. Swoon worthy until the last page. I also liked that his character had some issues to over come but he’s far from tortured and super closed off. His evolution isn’t brutally slow like other books. So 👏👏claps for that.

    One thing I particularly love about Elsie Silver’s books is that they don’t follow a set pattern. Sure there’s the slow burn and a couple of repeated tropes throughout the 12 books of Gold Rush Ranch, Chestnut Springs, and Rosehill - but they all follow their own flow and they aren’t formulaic and predictable. The characters are all profoundly unique and the found family aspect in all 3 series is really unmatched. She’s got me thinking I actually know these people 😅🤦‍♀️
    I also love that she doesn’t add pointless 3rd act drama but the storylines also don’t get stale. Each book is fresh and unique in its own way and it’s one of my favorite things about this author. Even down to the spice element in each book - every relationship is notably different so it keeps things veryyyy fresh and fun 😉😅🌶️🔥

    As far as spice goes - this one is off the charts. Much spicier than Stefan and Mira (thankfully lol) and I’m telling you the chemistry had a girl blushing. Fanning my face. A few times my jaw was on the floor. Lol. But nothing too outlandish or fetish-y which Im glad about. Just two people very head over heels for each other.

    If you’ve made it this far just stop and start reading the book. You’ll love it. Happy reading!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2025
    3.5 stars *I’m trying so hard to put aside my disdain for huge age gaps when I write this but it probably would’ve been a 4 star without it*
    I can’t believe I’m more upset about saying goodbye to Gold Rush Ranch than I was about Chestnut Springs!! If you had told me books 3&4 would make me emotional when I read books 1&2 I would’ve laughed. I hated the Harding brothers. But Stefan and Griffin?!?! Perfect. No notes (besides age, sorry).
    Omg and Nadia!!! Nadia was incredible lead. I loved her so much. Her decision to pursue her career and make sure she achieved her goals before she settled down made me so happy. I loved that even though this resulted in a third act breakup it wasn’t drama or conflict heavy. They didn’t have to compromise. They both decided to work on themselves and I loved it SO. MUCH. More romance novels that focus on personal growth!!!
    Those seed packet notes?! Omg I could’ve screamed. That was one of the best grand gestures I’ve read in a while.
    I know it sounds like this should be rated higher but starting out the book with Nadia at 19 made me feel gross and creepy (even though there’s a time jump later). The physical intimacy before they could talk anything out made me uncomfy in this one.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    So, this is amazing. I love Griff. I think Griff and Cole take the cake for me for the silent broody men on a ranch… This was an amazing conclusion to this series and I love how you get to see where everyone in this circle ends up. It truly is beautiful
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was probably my least favorite book in this series - which is a pity because I think the rest of this series is really good. I've said it before: Gold Rush > Chestnut Springs -- which is why it was a little disappointing that A False Start didn't quite meet expectations.

    Summary: Griffin is the brother's best friend but comes with a mountain load of baggage from a failed NFL career that resulted in a brief period of alcoholism & associated decisions that have not served him well. He's reclusive and grumpy, trying to avoid the world since. Nadia is young (age-gap trope here) and impetuous; they've been dancing around this mutual attraction since she was barely legal. Now they are thrown into each other's paths because they're working on the ranch together - and of course, sparks fly....

    This one felt a bit rushed and the storyline didn't feel very carefully thought out - unlike the author's other books. It felt like leftover ideas were smushed into a book and they were all struggling to gel. I think back on the book and can't really say that anything stuck out for me or was particularly memorable. It was an interesting read but didn't really move me, in anyway.

    A large part of this is because I don't feel like the MCs were particularly well developed or consistent. I struggled to understand who Griffin & Nadia actually were and just when I thought they might go one way, they were sometimes gleefully galloping in the absolute opposite literary direction. So that's always a bit unnerving when, as a reader, you can't quite get a grip on the characters.

    I felt the story meandered and probably because I wasn't quite invested in the characters - i found myself losing steam about halfway through. However, there is a plot turn towards the 75% mark & they are seperated, during which time - I found the writing and story to be quite emotional. Outside of that, wouldn't really say it was memorable.

    Elsie Silver is a good author so I don't think you'll go wrong with any of her books. At the very least, it's a good read. However, not sure this one really compares to some of her other Hall-of-Famers ....
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I’m usually not a huge fan of major age gaps but this one did it well. The thought behind it made sense and I loved the kinky spice. Also, an incredible use of a nickname

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Márcia Ferreira
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente condições
    Reviewed in Spain on June 9, 2025
    O livro encontra-se em excelentes condições, adorei
    Report
  • ValSmith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Elsie Silver doesn't disappoint once again!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 18, 2022
    Love love love this 4th instalment in the Gold Rush Ranch series.
    Brother's best friend, age gap, small town contemporary romance with tension so hot you'll sweat your pants off and delicious spice that will challenge your poker face when reading in public. By the way, this book was the hottest in the series.
    Nadia is a young woman, who is trying to find her path out of a dark past. I loved her resilience, her spunk, her fire. Griffin is a grumpy man, ex-football star, living recluse in the mountains. He is the perfect swoon-worthy book boyfriend, who can't help but want to protect Nadia even though he tries to stay away. And what is hotter than a man who's a total softie for animals?
    Elsie Silver's stories and characters will suck you right in. I got attached to these characters like no others. They are so fun, flawed but relatable. The romance always progresses at a pace that permits you to be drawn in and feel everything with the characters.
    In this book, I especially liked how the characters were communicating throughout their struggles, which made the story so much more believable and relatable to me, and took out all unnecessary drama. Elsie Silver doesn't rely on usual or expected tropes and brings us on a journey in her books that we can't get enough of.
    As always, Elsie Silver's attention to details makes even the animals an essential part of the story. The horses have a purpose and their relation with the characters are endearing and touching. I particularly love how the author normalizes going to therapy when you go through difficulties and how she portraits the therapeutic effects of working with animals.
    This romance was fun, touching, sweet hot and so much more. Elsie Silver is a one click author for me, and she have yet to disappoint me!
  • Gabriela
    5.0 out of 5 stars Adorei
    Reviewed in Brazil on April 8, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Acho tão sensacional quando os personagens lutam contra os próprios demônios, superam suas próprias inseguranças. Uma leitura linda, emocional, super recomendado
  • Claudia. W
    5.0 out of 5 stars I think this one is up there with my favourite
    Reviewed in Australia on December 15, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This story is beautiful. I'm not usually a huge fan of an age gap but I absolutely adore Griffin's character and his story, I also love Nadia's story and her strength. Together their pasta and traumas are devastating but I really loved reading about the way they supported each other. It was a stunning story. I just loved it
  • Dagmar Müller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Schnelle Lieferung. Entspricht meinen Vorstellungen
    Reviewed in Germany on December 13, 2024
    Meine Enkelin hat sich das Buch zu Weihnachten gewünscht.