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Build your Hotlist lens💬 Mentioned in 10+ Reddit threads
📖 122k+ Goodreads ratings
📚 Book 3 of a completed 4-book series
When a small-town veterinarian desperately needs help saving a sick foal, she makes a deal with Stefan Dalca—the brooding, beautiful man everyone in town loves to hate—agreeing to three fake dates in exchange for his assistance. What starts as a straightforward transaction quickly becomes anything but simple as stolen glances turn into lingering touches and the walls around Stefan's guarded heart begin to crack. She's drawn to the mysterious man everyone warns her about, and as she discovers there's far more to him than his dark reputation suggests, the line between pretend and real blurs dangerously. But when his carefully hidden secrets come tumbling out, she realizes that playing with fire leaves scars—and she might be the one who gets burned.
Reading soundtrack
Dark country meets sultry tension—brooding guitars, smoky vocals, and slow-burn intensity. Think Colter Wall meets The Weeknd: gritty small-town swagger wrapped in sensual R&B undertones. Forbidden desire simmering beneath the surface.
Alternate vibes
He's all in, she's not as convinced : r/RomanceBooks - Reddit
I haven't enjoyed Elsie Silver so far. : r/RomanceBooks - Reddit
Elise Silver: two hit wonder or all bangers, all the time? - Reddit
'The Front Runner' by Elsie Silver - Book on the Bright side
Review: “The Front Runner” by Elsie Silver - anna reads here
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