When "Good" Stories Go Bad: Flawless Elsie Silver review

The Great "Ick": Why I Nearly DNF’d This Viral Cowboy Romance

We’ve all been there, haven't we? You’re tucked in with a book that has a gorgeous setting, a rugged hero, and a plot that actually has some meat on its bones. You’re enjoying the ride, and then—bam—the author says something so jarring you feel like you’ve accidentally walked into the wrong room.

That was my experience with Flawless (Chestnut Springs, #1) by Elsie Silver, hence this review.

The Cowboy Charm

Let’s be fair: Elsie Silver knows her way around a small-town aesthetic. The rugged, "protector" dynamic between our hero and the boss’s daughter was genuinely lovely. I was invested! I wanted to see them navigate the mud and the drama of the ranch. Because I was reading this as my Advent book—just a few pages a day—I really tried to savour the atmosphere.

The "Ick" Factor

But then, we hit the romance. Or rather, the execution of it.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a "no-spice" or "low-spice" girl, and Flawless reminded me exactly why. The intimate scenes felt completely bolted on, rather than woven into the narrative. But the real deal-breaker? The terminology.

There is a repeated use of "child" terminology right before things get intimate. For me, that is a massive, flashing neon sign of an "Ick." It felt uncomfortable, jarring, and frankly, it ruined the character development I’d enjoyed up to that point.

Flawless Elsie Silver review - The Verdict: A Reluctant 2 Stars

If this hadn't been tied to my daily Advent reading, it would have been a DNF (Did Not Finish). It’s such a shame because the "bones" of a brilliant story were right there. But when the romance feels off-putting rather than enchanting, it’s hard to stay in the saddle.

Rating: ⭐⭐ Great characters, but the "Ick" was just too loud to ignore.