When I started reading this book, I knew I had to do a Thoughts While Reading post. You may recall that last week I posted one for Off to the Races by Elsie Silver. So let's jump into my random thoughts for The Front Runner!
Not familiar with the book? Here's the description:
Stefan Dalca is beautiful, brooding, and bossy. He’s also public enemy number one in this small town, with a murky past that’s hard to overlook. And I just agreed to three fake dates with him.
I may be a renowned veterinarian, but when I find myself in a sticky situation, Stefan is my last hope. I need his help to save a sick foal and what he wants in return is me.
Our time together starts out as a simple transaction, but the more time I spend with him, the more I wonder if he’s not quite the villain they’ve made him out to be. With every intimate conversation and lingering look, the tension between us builds. I’ve been drawn to Stefan since the first day I laid eyes on him. And now he’s downright irresistible.
I know sleeping with the enemy is playing with fire. But like a moth to a flame, I’m attracted to the mysterious man in a way I can’t explain—in a way those closest to me wouldn’t approve of or understand.
And the more he softens for me, the harder I fall.
But as his mysteries unravel, so do hidden truths. Truths that are bound to leave someone burned.
I just didn’t expect that someone to be me.
The Front Runner is book three in the Gold Rush Ranch series. Trope wise this book is sports romance (horse racing), as well as small town, opposites attract, a little fake dating, workplace, and forced proximity. I guess you could even consider it a billionaire romance, as well as maybe a smidge of enemies to lovers. Personally I think it might be more hate to love than enemies, as it's really Billie who is enemies with Stefan.
- STEFAN? Oh, I wasn't too sure about him when he was introduced in Off to the Races. I'm curious about who he is, and how he came to be a race horse owner/breeder/all of that.
- I'm so happy that Mira is our leading lady. I've been curious about her!
- Okay so these stories are overlapping a bit. Interesting. I like that.
- Billie's dislike of this man is intense. I mean I get it after the shenanigans in Off to the Races.
- I still really like Violet. She's good people.
- Wait, what happened to that mare? I think my heart just broke. And of course her baby's sire has to be who it is. OF FREAKING COURSE.
- How is this going to bring Mira and Stefan together?
- OH THAT'S HOW!
- My heart is breaking all over again. (and over another horse!)
- I'm liking these glimpses of Stefan's past that we are getting. It sounds like his childhood was not an ideal one.
- "He needs a name. It's important he has a name." "Why?" "Because he's going to make it. A name ties him to this world. It gives him an identity. Means we recognize his existence."
- The fact that Mira cannot classify Stefan makes perfect sense. The sides he has shown are vastly different, and which is the real him? Or is he just a mix of it all?
- Hank really is the best. Such a father figure to all the characters.
- OOFTA THAT WAS A LINE! Did it just get hot in here?
- Loki? Really? I mean I love it, but too funny.
- What's going on with Nadia? What was that call about?
- 13 years between Stefan and Nadia. So he's 32, and I think Mira mentioned she's 27.
- I'm sorry, WHAT HAPPENED TO NADIA? I did not just read that. What the hell?!?
- This bond that Mira and Nadia have formed so quickly is wonderful. Nadia clearly needs someone like Mira in her life. That female connection, a sisterly relationship if you will. (or just a good friend.)
- That's right, Elsie did mention that there was content warnings for this book. 30% in, and Stefan just dropped some info. Oof.
- Okay that's the tie that Stefan has to Rush Creek. I was wondering about that, and it makes perfect sense.
- This has to be the dance that Stefan was referring to:
- What is Patrick up to? Seriously. He's sketchy and I don't trust him.
- I like learning about Stefan. This book has definitely changed my impression of him. Which was probably the point of him getting a story. The reader would feel for him, and what he's been through. I don't want to call it a redemption arc, as my initial reaction to him was based off of a brief encounter in that first book.
- Okay I guess this really is a fake dating situation. Especially with what's going on. Personally I didn't picture Stefan as blonde, but that's what Mira is saying, and he just confirmed it. So okay then. I pictured him with a darker complexion, and darker skin. Why? No real clue, it's just what I envisioned.
- Everything that happened when they visited Mira's parents was fantastic. From Nana giving her approval of sorts, to the things Sylvia said, to the way Sunny reacted to Stefan, to the "promise" Stefan made, I loved it all. Plus Stefan having Mira's back like that? SWOON!
- OOFTA THAT WAS ONE STEAMY KISS IN THE RAIN! More of that please!
- Oh my word the things that Stefan has experienced! His dad was a horrible person, that is very evident.
- WWWHHHHHAAAAT? WHAT?!? NO! NO WAY. Excuse me while I pick my jaw up from the ground. (p186 iykyk)
- Oh I cannot wait for that info to come out!
- Okay this little break up of sorts...I'm not here for it. Nope nope nope. Come on Mira pull your head out of the sand.
- Also this slow burn is TORTURE! (in the best way possible of course because of the tension.)
- Stefan is so f*cking misunderstood. YES HE IS MIRA, YES HE IS!
- I wonder if Billie, Vaughn, Violet, Cole, and Patrick will be at this event? I could see Billie and Vaughn I guess.
- Of course Patrick was there, and OH MY WORD!!! DID THAT JUST HAPPEN? DID THAT SERIOUSLY HAPPEN? AHHHHHH! Oh to be a fly on the wall!
- Moving on from that ordeal with Patrick...Anyone have a fan I can use because damn that next scene was steamy.
- So it's just done. Seriously. Unacceptable. What the hell!
- Okay that's better, and YES!
- That just made me blush. Dang. I can't say I've had a book make me blush before. Stefan has a mouth on him.
- Things are going too well, and there's still a lot left in this book. Something big is going to happen isn't it...
- I am loving that Nadia has joined the group. She fits in so well with Violet, Billie, and Mira!
- Glad it's out in the open now. Maybe now opinions will change. I would honestly love it if Billie's opinion changed. She's just holding a grudge.
- I love how much of a goner Mira is. She just hasn't realized it's love yet.
- Uh oh...here comes the drama. This is going to cause a fight, I just know it.
- I was hoping it wouldn't come out this way. UGH!
- My heart is breaking.
- I did love the conversation that Stefan and ___ had after the fact. I think it helped clear some things up, and shed a little light.
- That person is going out to the lake to "talk" with Nora. Oh my heart!
- WOULD YOU JUST LISTEN to what's being said! FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! UGH. I get it you're hurt, you're frustrated, but come on!
- Nana is so spot on with everything she said. Love that she helped Mira see what was right in front of her.
- OH NO! NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! NO!
- Tears...tears are falling down my cheeks right now. I'm a wreck.
- Oofta that was an emotional ride.
- Now let's work toward the happily ever after. It's time you two. It's time.
- Ahhhh the results! YAY!!
- The lake! It's happening! AHHHHH!
- So that's how it all went down with the colt. I love it.
When I discovered that this book was about Stefan and Mira, I was nervous. You see when I read Off to the Races I wasn't a fan of Stefan at all. What went down with DD just didn't sit well. Yes part of that was Vaughn's fault, and yes Billie may have overreacted a bit, but ultimately had Stefan pulled back I might not have felt like he was the bad guy. Then there was Mira who had my curiosity from the moment she was introduced. So I wanted to see her get her happily ever after, even if it was with Stefan.
I loved how that forced proximity really spurred things on between the couple. Being there for the mare and the foal was important, but it also proved to be the perfect opportunity for Mira and Stefan to bond. A friendship was forming, and the groundwork was being laid. Plus it showed Mira that Stefan isn't "Dalca the Dick" like Billie believes. There is more to this man, and she's going to like what she sees. While I wasn't too keen on the 3 dates agreement, it really did work out for the best. It allowed experiences to happen, conversation to build, and a connection to be formed. A better understanding was developed. All of that helped lead to their happily ever after.
The visit out to Mira's childhood home for that family event was an interesting one. I knew her mom would love Stefan, but her dad's reaction had me chuckling a bit. Then there's Nana who just knows everything. My favorite part though, besides that kiss, was when Stefan stood up for Mira to another family member. He shut that shit down immediately. The things he said were perfection.
I truly was not expecting The Front Runner to be a 5 star read for me. Yet here we are. I have fallen for Stefan, I like Mira even more now than I did previously, and I'm also really enjoying Nadia. Then there's that dang horse, Loki, that stole my heart too. It's the name plus a few other things.
The steam in this book? OH MY WORD. It may have started off as a slow burn but things definitely heated up. Stefan has quite the mouth on him, and some of those scenes were wow.
Now I marked this book as a sports romance, but I'm debating on it. You see there wasn't much that took place in that environment. We were only at the track once, and it wasn't a frequent conversation. So I'm struggling with my classification as sports romance.
I absolutely loved The Front Runner. It honestly is a toss up between this story and Off to the Races for a favorite. I honestly think that Stefan and Mira could come out on top of the list. That being said, I still need to read Nadia's story. She could trump them all. Only time will tell.
Thank you for reading my random thoughts, as well as my review. I appreciate you sticking around through my long-windedness. Have you read The Front Runner? If so what was your rating? Did you fall for the couple?
Happy Reading,
Laura
Laura
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