Wild Eyes, the first book I’ve ever read by Elsie Silver, definitely lives up to its name: Wild. It’s the second book in the Rose Hill series but you can read each book as a standalone. Although this is the first book of hers I’ve read, I see myself reading many more in the future. I loved this book so much I read it in one sitting. I couldn’t bring myself to put it down.
Although, this book is not appropriate for younger audiences it offers foul language and sexual content.
Famous country singer Skylar Stone is sick and tired of people telling her what to do and controlling her life. She finally snaps when she finds out her famous boyfriend is being paid by her father to date her. Stone wants to break away from her luxurious lifestyle and take her career back.
So what does she do? She flies to a small town and within minutes is putting her life on the line by trying to get a video of a grizzly bear for her social media. Luckily the town’s most eligible bachelor, Weston (West) Belmont is there to save her. He knows of Stone…actually he’s obsessed with her, but he would never tell her that.
The fiery banter in this book is what made it so good. Right off the bat, the chemistry between the characters is compelling. The forced proximity, small town romance, single dad, and friends-to-lovers tropes are done well by Silver.
After her near death experience, Stone makes her way to the recording studio with plans to write her own music for the very first time. With nowhere to stay she finds herself being offered to stay in a little barn on a property with her newest friend’s older brother. To her surprise she’s living on Belmont’s property. Welcoming as ever, West shows her around, introduces her to his kids, and becomes her second newest friend.
Even though I enjoyed this book, it does not come without flaws. Belmont’s two children, Oliver who is eight years old, and Emmy who is six years old seemed a bit too mature for their ages. I did love their characters, but sometimes it felt like Emmy was saying things that were so emotionally mature for a six-year-old, and both of them talk in a way that younger children could not comprehend.
But, this book was still a solid four stars for me. It had a perfect mix of heartwarming moments and heartbreaking scenes. It made me fall in love with the main characters and the side characters. It focused on the relationship between Belmont and Stone while not forgetting the details outside of their dynamic.
Belmont is optimistic and passionate while Stone is anxious and vulnerable but that’s what makes them so good together, he calms her storm. He is afraid of commitment and she was never shown real love growing up, but they are showing each other how to truly love another person and commit to one another, and it is so sweet.
