What do you think?
Silver Springs #1
Silver Linings
Gunner Brooks is a man of few words and even fewer smiles. As a former Navy SEAL, he's accustomed to danger and secrecy, still embroiled in covert missions alongside his trusted teammates. When a distressing message summons him away from his team and back to his hometown, Gunner's stoic facade begins to crack.
Returning home after years of absence, Gunner is stunned to find his childhood friend, Lily Bennett, caring for his ailing mother. Lily, harboring long-buried feelings for Gunner, never imagined their reunion would coincide with her own tumultuous circumstances—a failing engagement and an unexpected pregnancy.
Desperate and afraid, Lily reaches out to Gunner for help, igniting a chain of events neither could have predicted. In a bold move to protect Lily and her unborn child, Gunner proposes a marriage of convenience, a façade to shield them from a dangerous reality.
When their newly formed family moves to Silver Springs, Texas, for Gunner's job, he and Lily find themselves ensnared in a web of perilous secrets and unforeseen threats. Together, they must confront the shadows of their pasts and navigate the treacherous path ahead, where danger lurks around every corner.
In a town where tragedies are turned into hope, will Gunner and Lily be able to weather the storm together? Or will outside forces from their past ultimately pull them apart forever?
Returning home after years of absence, Gunner is stunned to find his childhood friend, Lily Bennett, caring for his ailing mother. Lily, harboring long-buried feelings for Gunner, never imagined their reunion would coincide with her own tumultuous circumstances—a failing engagement and an unexpected pregnancy.
Desperate and afraid, Lily reaches out to Gunner for help, igniting a chain of events neither could have predicted. In a bold move to protect Lily and her unborn child, Gunner proposes a marriage of convenience, a façade to shield them from a dangerous reality.
When their newly formed family moves to Silver Springs, Texas, for Gunner's job, he and Lily find themselves ensnared in a web of perilous secrets and unforeseen threats. Together, they must confront the shadows of their pasts and navigate the treacherous path ahead, where danger lurks around every corner.
In a town where tragedies are turned into hope, will Gunner and Lily be able to weather the storm together? Or will outside forces from their past ultimately pull them apart forever?
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2024
About the author
Tilly H. Colson
23 books333 followersTilly H. Colson is a contemporary romance author who enjoys writing stories filled with emotion, heartache, and happily ever afters for men who range from golden retrievers to alpha protectors, and the amazing women they love!!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
March 20, 2025
Ugh. I can’t believe I actually finished this book instead of chucking it into the #DNF pile
Lilly Kate - you are the wooooooooorst. Constantly crying and the lowest of self esteem. I get it - your ex was mean to you. But spending 100% of the book doubting every single person - including your hottie hubby - is exhausting.
And news flash lovebirds - it’s not possible to spend every single minute together, all day, every day - to keep crybaby Magee “safe.” She’s randomly independent when it defies all logic to be out and about. But then a wallflower when it’s sexy time with her husband. I just, I can’t.
Zero percent interest in completing this series. 👎
Lilly Kate - you are the wooooooooorst. Constantly crying and the lowest of self esteem. I get it - your ex was mean to you. But spending 100% of the book doubting every single person - including your hottie hubby - is exhausting.
And news flash lovebirds - it’s not possible to spend every single minute together, all day, every day - to keep crybaby Magee “safe.” She’s randomly independent when it defies all logic to be out and about. But then a wallflower when it’s sexy time with her husband. I just, I can’t.
Zero percent interest in completing this series. 👎
August 23, 2025
Small town thriller type romance - ex military team of private security action hero type guys - each book is one of their stories. Check your trigger warnings. I liked the drama and action, the other parts fell a little flat for me. Didn’t really connect to the story or characters in this one. As per this authors usual, great writing, good flow and easy to read.
Gunner is the silent broody type. He never thought he would be returning to his childhood home. But when tragedy strikes and he needs to come back to say goodbye to his ill mother - he doesn’t expect to find a girl from his childhood. Lily was the girl next door type. Gunner’s mom like a second mother to her. Now, she is stuck without family, a sleazy fiancé and 9 months pregnant. Having always had a crush on Gunner, she is happy to see him back. But when he bears witness to the train wreck her life is - he protects her and decides to help her. Leave the fiancé who hurts her, and marry him. Purely as an arrangement and that he would take in her baby as his own, but not a love match between them. But between the dangers of her ex and his family, and Gunners dangerous job - they have more than one target on their backs. And as friendship shifts to longing, can they become more than just an arrangement?
Gunner is the silent broody type. He never thought he would be returning to his childhood home. But when tragedy strikes and he needs to come back to say goodbye to his ill mother - he doesn’t expect to find a girl from his childhood. Lily was the girl next door type. Gunner’s mom like a second mother to her. Now, she is stuck without family, a sleazy fiancé and 9 months pregnant. Having always had a crush on Gunner, she is happy to see him back. But when he bears witness to the train wreck her life is - he protects her and decides to help her. Leave the fiancé who hurts her, and marry him. Purely as an arrangement and that he would take in her baby as his own, but not a love match between them. But between the dangers of her ex and his family, and Gunners dangerous job - they have more than one target on their backs. And as friendship shifts to longing, can they become more than just an arrangement?
February 26, 2026
4.25 ⭐️ Review
This was my first book by Tilly H. Colson, and I am immediately picking up book two because I need more of this world. This was romantic suspense done right. Protective hero, high stakes, emotional tension, and a found family vibe that already has me hooked.
Gunner is the definition of protective alpha MMC, and I ate it up. He is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his people, no hesitation, no questions asked. We love a man like Gunner. What I appreciated most, though, was that his protectiveness never crossed into controlling. When Lilly needed saving from a bad situation, he stepped in without making it about himself. He put his feelings aside and focused on her and her unborn child, and that selflessness made me love him even more.
Lilly is his sister’s pregnant best friend, and her vulnerability mixed with quiet strength made her so easy to root for. Watching her slowly find safety and stability while navigating everything she was going through added such an emotional depth to the story.
I also really loved getting a look inside their company that works alongside the FBI. The team dynamic is already giving me future book obsession energy. You can tell each character has layers and backstory just waiting to be explored, and I am ready for all of it.
If you love romantic suspense with a fiercely protective hero, emotional stakes, and a cast you know you’re going to fall for, this one is absolutely worth the read. 4.25 stars and officially invested in this series.
This was my first book by Tilly H. Colson, and I am immediately picking up book two because I need more of this world. This was romantic suspense done right. Protective hero, high stakes, emotional tension, and a found family vibe that already has me hooked.
Gunner is the definition of protective alpha MMC, and I ate it up. He is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his people, no hesitation, no questions asked. We love a man like Gunner. What I appreciated most, though, was that his protectiveness never crossed into controlling. When Lilly needed saving from a bad situation, he stepped in without making it about himself. He put his feelings aside and focused on her and her unborn child, and that selflessness made me love him even more.
Lilly is his sister’s pregnant best friend, and her vulnerability mixed with quiet strength made her so easy to root for. Watching her slowly find safety and stability while navigating everything she was going through added such an emotional depth to the story.
I also really loved getting a look inside their company that works alongside the FBI. The team dynamic is already giving me future book obsession energy. You can tell each character has layers and backstory just waiting to be explored, and I am ready for all of it.
If you love romantic suspense with a fiercely protective hero, emotional stakes, and a cast you know you’re going to fall for, this one is absolutely worth the read. 4.25 stars and officially invested in this series.
July 6, 2025
DNF - so cringey and cliche. FMC is an absolute gob of a woman. Weak and whiney and so full of contradictions that it was painful to read about her in the pages I could stomach through.
“Why would I pack? This is my home, too. (10 sentences later) You’re right. I can’t ask you to stay here. I’ll get my things together.”
“He cleared out our account, Gunner. Not just the one we shared, but my personal one too. I feel like such an idiot.” (That’s because you are)
“His eyes held nothing but concern in them, and she hated that. Why wouldn’t he just keep his distance? Why did he have to make it extra difficult for her by being so sweet and attentive?” (Ew cringe. Why do authors do this to FMCs??)
“I want you to take a leap and show him your heart. Be vulnerable with him and let him see the real you. Not the you that is always so strong and pushes through everything with a smile on her face.” (At no point in the story is the FMC strong. Saying it doesn’t make it true. The author needs to make it so, and she definitely did not)
The MMCs mom is dying and he can’t wait to get out of there and back to his life but we’re expected to believe he’s gonna marry some girl to help her out?! Holy hell Batman, pick a character development arc and stick to it Tilly:
“Gunner had been itching all day to hear something from anyone on his team. He should be back in Texas, helping with what had happened. Being in Connecticut was too much to handle.”
Wait. Time for the FMC to be whiney and pathetic again:
“I’m so sorry, Gunner. I’m so sorry he came to your mother’s celebration of life and caused a scene. I totally understand if you want me to leave. I’m sorry.”
But wait there’s more…She starts giving birth and he rushes her to the hospital:
“But I know you probably don’t want to be in here for that, so you can go. (2 seconds later) Please, don’t go. I’m scared.” (Back to being completely contradictory again!)
And that is when I had to call TOD…
“Why would I pack? This is my home, too. (10 sentences later) You’re right. I can’t ask you to stay here. I’ll get my things together.”
“He cleared out our account, Gunner. Not just the one we shared, but my personal one too. I feel like such an idiot.” (That’s because you are)
“His eyes held nothing but concern in them, and she hated that. Why wouldn’t he just keep his distance? Why did he have to make it extra difficult for her by being so sweet and attentive?” (Ew cringe. Why do authors do this to FMCs??)
“I want you to take a leap and show him your heart. Be vulnerable with him and let him see the real you. Not the you that is always so strong and pushes through everything with a smile on her face.” (At no point in the story is the FMC strong. Saying it doesn’t make it true. The author needs to make it so, and she definitely did not)
The MMCs mom is dying and he can’t wait to get out of there and back to his life but we’re expected to believe he’s gonna marry some girl to help her out?! Holy hell Batman, pick a character development arc and stick to it Tilly:
“Gunner had been itching all day to hear something from anyone on his team. He should be back in Texas, helping with what had happened. Being in Connecticut was too much to handle.”
Wait. Time for the FMC to be whiney and pathetic again:
“I’m so sorry, Gunner. I’m so sorry he came to your mother’s celebration of life and caused a scene. I totally understand if you want me to leave. I’m sorry.”
But wait there’s more…She starts giving birth and he rushes her to the hospital:
“But I know you probably don’t want to be in here for that, so you can go. (2 seconds later) Please, don’t go. I’m scared.” (Back to being completely contradictory again!)
And that is when I had to call TOD…
Read
August 22, 2025DNF @50%. I can’t keep going, so repetitive
January 15, 2026
DNF at 53 % read
When I first started reading this book of course I hoped to finish it with five stars. Alas, it was not meant to be. A bit later I was hoping to get at least 50 % done so I can say I read all that I could. Thank goodness I got far before DNF’ing it. Phew! Made that far and I felt I gave it the old best that I could.
We start off with Gunner, our hero and a former Navy Seal on a sad task. He’s returning to his home town as his mother is dying and he wants to be there for her and his sister. He finds his sister has hired her best friend, Lily to help take care of his mother in her final days.
Alas, Lily. She is truly the most pathetic, wimpiest personality void heroine I’ve ever read. Ever. She’s 9 months pregnant and living with her fiancé who doesn’t work, drinks all the time, expects her to do all the cooking, cleaning and every other household duty there is while de drinks the night away and while not outright hits her, still leaves her with bruises. He refuses any kind of evolvement with their child - and she accepts all of it. He’s a caricature of the evil villain and Lily drives me around the bend. Her best friend wants to help and Lily absolutely refuses, much preferring her martyr mask. When Gunner realizes how bad things are he is determined to help her, but, hello, professional victim won’t let him.
Speeding this disaster of a story up, he proposes they get married, she ver reluctantly agrees, crying ALL THE TIME because she loves him, has most of her life but she is a burden and will never love her.
Mother dies
Lily has baby
Lily cries
Lily almost dies
Lily cries
They leave home town so Gunner goes back to work
Lily cries
Gunner helps a lot with baby he’s fallen in love with baby girl
Lily cries
She meets his coworkers and fellow SEAL brothers
Lily cries
There is an attempted kidnapping of Lily but Gunner rescues her
Lily cries
You may have guessed that Lily cries All The Time and I finally couldn’t take any more and had to concede. This book was so cookie cutter written. It was bad. Gunner was such a stereotypical hero I found him difficult to tolerate also.
I do commend the author and there may be readers who love her writing but alas, not me. The only good thing I can say is I’m glad I got on KU so I’m not out any money.
When I first started reading this book of course I hoped to finish it with five stars. Alas, it was not meant to be. A bit later I was hoping to get at least 50 % done so I can say I read all that I could. Thank goodness I got far before DNF’ing it. Phew! Made that far and I felt I gave it the old best that I could.
We start off with Gunner, our hero and a former Navy Seal on a sad task. He’s returning to his home town as his mother is dying and he wants to be there for her and his sister. He finds his sister has hired her best friend, Lily to help take care of his mother in her final days.
Alas, Lily. She is truly the most pathetic, wimpiest personality void heroine I’ve ever read. Ever. She’s 9 months pregnant and living with her fiancé who doesn’t work, drinks all the time, expects her to do all the cooking, cleaning and every other household duty there is while de drinks the night away and while not outright hits her, still leaves her with bruises. He refuses any kind of evolvement with their child - and she accepts all of it. He’s a caricature of the evil villain and Lily drives me around the bend. Her best friend wants to help and Lily absolutely refuses, much preferring her martyr mask. When Gunner realizes how bad things are he is determined to help her, but, hello, professional victim won’t let him.
Speeding this disaster of a story up, he proposes they get married, she ver reluctantly agrees, crying ALL THE TIME because she loves him, has most of her life but she is a burden and will never love her.
Mother dies
Lily has baby
Lily cries
Lily almost dies
Lily cries
They leave home town so Gunner goes back to work
Lily cries
Gunner helps a lot with baby he’s fallen in love with baby girl
Lily cries
She meets his coworkers and fellow SEAL brothers
Lily cries
There is an attempted kidnapping of Lily but Gunner rescues her
Lily cries
You may have guessed that Lily cries All The Time and I finally couldn’t take any more and had to concede. This book was so cookie cutter written. It was bad. Gunner was such a stereotypical hero I found him difficult to tolerate also.
I do commend the author and there may be readers who love her writing but alas, not me. The only good thing I can say is I’m glad I got on KU so I’m not out any money.
May 14, 2026
This book wasn’t much of a read.
It did not feel like the first book of a series, characters lacked depth (and a proper introduction) and I could feel the author’s personal experiences shining through the pages. Overall, it felt like a recollection of moments, some sort of diary mixed in with Navy SEAL fantasy, instead of a proper romance novel.
To finish it off, the style was not breathtaking (to say the least).
It was not good. Do not read this book.
It did not feel like the first book of a series, characters lacked depth (and a proper introduction) and I could feel the author’s personal experiences shining through the pages. Overall, it felt like a recollection of moments, some sort of diary mixed in with Navy SEAL fantasy, instead of a proper romance novel.
To finish it off, the style was not breathtaking (to say the least).
It was not good. Do not read this book.
January 25, 2026
This one really was an experience. I liked it for the most part but it did start to get slow as the book progressed. Not a lot was happening and their romantic relationship didn’t really make sense to me, the pacing of it and the explanation.
The romance suspense part didn’t really make sense to me either, the twist had me confused on how it was portrayed in the story. Gunner was very sweet though and I loved seeing him interact with Sage.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
The romance suspense part didn’t really make sense to me either, the twist had me confused on how it was portrayed in the story. Gunner was very sweet though and I loved seeing him interact with Sage.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
September 25, 2025
I loved this one so much!! It was a roller coaster of emotions and has one of the absolute sweetest MMC’s ever!! I immediately want to binge the entire series!
September 4, 2025
there were parts of this book that I actually loved. his support of her postpartum was absolute magic. he literally said and did all the right things.
the parts I didn't like were how dumb dumb they both are. he ignored his feelings and didn't believe she had any real feelings even though his sister told her so many times that Lily had always been in love with him.
and then there is Lily. look all woman have the right to go and do anything with out being molested, but the number of times she put herself in dangerous situations or ignored something physical because she didn't want to ask for help was just dumb. and also something happened to her EVERY time she was alone. I started to expect it.
and then there is the plot at the end. I was so confused, was her ex's family behind everything or was it the Santiago people? were they connected?
the parts I didn't like were how dumb dumb they both are. he ignored his feelings and didn't believe she had any real feelings even though his sister told her so many times that Lily had always been in love with him.
and then there is Lily. look all woman have the right to go and do anything with out being molested, but the number of times she put herself in dangerous situations or ignored something physical because she didn't want to ask for help was just dumb. and also something happened to her EVERY time she was alone. I started to expect it.
and then there is the plot at the end. I was so confused, was her ex's family behind everything or was it the Santiago people? were they connected?
January 2, 2026
Romantic suspense is a new subgenre for me and I loved getting to keep exploring it through the start of the Silver Springs series! Pregnancy isn’t at the top of my favorite tropes list, but I think it’s really well done here, and I loved the doors it opened for Lily and Gunner to explore more emotional intimacy than they would have been able to without experiencing birth and parenthood together. I found myself lost in the suspense plot just as much as I was in the romantic one! They were intertwined so well. I think the next book in the series may become a new favorite for me based on the set up we got at the end of this one! 3.75 stars rounded to 4 ⭐️
August 9, 2025
More 1,5 stars than 2, but alas, no half stars in this joint.
Anyway...
She was annoying and her whole personality was "me, the victim". He was so bland it should be punishable with jail. And omg-the-final-twist-was-so-unpredictable-I-totally-didn't-see-it-coming-halfay-through-the-book.
Also, pregnancy kink. Yuck.
Anyway...
She was annoying and her whole personality was "me, the victim". He was so bland it should be punishable with jail. And omg-the-final-twist-was-so-unpredictable-I-totally-didn't-see-it-coming-halfay-through-the-book.
Also, pregnancy kink. Yuck.
August 17, 2024
I wanted to really like this book but it was just OK. The writing just didn’t vibe with me, it felt off.
March 19, 2026
A pleasant surprise
4.75 stars
This was a recommendation that I found on Instagram about being a good romantic suspense (series) similar to Catherine Cowles. I didn’t know what to expect. I was a little iffy about the one trope of another man’s baby and I don’t tend to care for that trope, however that was quickly forgotten because there was so much going on. In the beginning, it was an emotional turmoil and messy as Gunnar came back to say goodbye to his terminal mother. It was rough to read as the heartbreak was there, but not only that dealing with Lily’ abusive partner at the time while she was pregnant.
It was raw and deep and at times dark. The only great thing about that time was the reunion of Gunnar and Lily. The glory of the tropes unrequited love and protective hero was on full display. The greatness continued on with lots of action, feels, angst, and adorable moments.
What warmed my heart was seeing Gunnar fall in love so deeply with not only Lily but baby Sage. He became such an amazing hero. All things he did for both of them was amazing. It was just beautiful to see that love story grow and flourish throughout the story. It thought the pace for the love story was just perfect.
The suspense element upped the stake so much between them. It was when Gunnar’s really protective side came out, which I was all for.
Overall I had a really good time with it. I was immediately hooked even though it started with heartbreak. It got better and better as the story progressed both in the romance department and the suspense part. I can’t wait to read more in this series with the friend group that was introduced in this one.
4.75 stars
This was a recommendation that I found on Instagram about being a good romantic suspense (series) similar to Catherine Cowles. I didn’t know what to expect. I was a little iffy about the one trope of another man’s baby and I don’t tend to care for that trope, however that was quickly forgotten because there was so much going on. In the beginning, it was an emotional turmoil and messy as Gunnar came back to say goodbye to his terminal mother. It was rough to read as the heartbreak was there, but not only that dealing with Lily’ abusive partner at the time while she was pregnant.
It was raw and deep and at times dark. The only great thing about that time was the reunion of Gunnar and Lily. The glory of the tropes unrequited love and protective hero was on full display. The greatness continued on with lots of action, feels, angst, and adorable moments.
What warmed my heart was seeing Gunnar fall in love so deeply with not only Lily but baby Sage. He became such an amazing hero. All things he did for both of them was amazing. It was just beautiful to see that love story grow and flourish throughout the story. It thought the pace for the love story was just perfect.
The suspense element upped the stake so much between them. It was when Gunnar’s really protective side came out, which I was all for.
Overall I had a really good time with it. I was immediately hooked even though it started with heartbreak. It got better and better as the story progressed both in the romance department and the suspense part. I can’t wait to read more in this series with the friend group that was introduced in this one.
May 26, 2025
this is one of the most intensely written romantic suspenses I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It's like on a rollercoaster - you know what's going to happen but you also are there for that thrilling, adrenaline filled, omg what adventure feeling. The moment Lily Kate and Gunner are reunited you knowww that they aren't going to be apart. I loved the realistic approach to their marriage of convenience and how they both went into it prepared. It's an ULTIMATE not his baby story where Gunner will always remind you that he is sprout's dad and Lily Kate is his wife.
I loved getting to know the boys of montgomery defense and I'm so intrigued to learn more about them as we go through the series. There were so many layers to each of them that we got little glimpses of. The banter between them made me giggle endlessly too. Tilly balanced the emotional romance, the stresses of being new parents, the intense suspense, and found family elements so well. Honestly a top tier romantic suspense that so many more people NEED to be reading
I loved getting to know the boys of montgomery defense and I'm so intrigued to learn more about them as we go through the series. There were so many layers to each of them that we got little glimpses of. The banter between them made me giggle endlessly too. Tilly balanced the emotional romance, the stresses of being new parents, the intense suspense, and found family elements so well. Honestly a top tier romantic suspense that so many more people NEED to be reading
April 4, 2026
Rounded up to 3.75 ⭐️ I felt the beginning of this book was very rushed. It took me a minute to put the characters together and who they were to each other, still can’t keep the Navy Seal names in my mind. It was just all very poorly written at the beginning in my opinion. But, it finally turned into a wonderful story of found family, grumpy sunshine turned big cuddle bear. Would I recommend this book? YES!! Just maybe be aware to pay close attention to the beginning to help you better become more knowledgeable of the characters. Ending was great!! 🌶️🌶️
June 25, 2026
Did a “blind date with a book” through the library and ended up with this. Figured I needed to break up what I’ve done recently with a contemporary romance anyway…
The problem with this book is the writing. The FMC cries probably every three pages and I wish that were an exaggeration. Like girl, I am whiney but you are a whole never level. The words “cry” and “tears” show up over 100 times in the book. The word “team” shows up 89 times, which feels like a lot for a book in the non-sporting group. Like I get it, the MC is part of a dream team. The characters are pretty flat, the motivations barely make sense.
This book could have been an email.
The problem with this book is the writing. The FMC cries probably every three pages and I wish that were an exaggeration. Like girl, I am whiney but you are a whole never level. The words “cry” and “tears” show up over 100 times in the book. The word “team” shows up 89 times, which feels like a lot for a book in the non-sporting group. Like I get it, the MC is part of a dream team. The characters are pretty flat, the motivations barely make sense.
This book could have been an email.
October 28, 2025
i'm only annoyed by the side plots with the ex but the book was good gunner is such a girl dad
December 29, 2025
who cheered when james got got?? i did!!
January 9, 2026
It was cute! The writing felt a little bit off for me, and I definitely feel like the pacing wasnt the best, but I really liked the overall concept and will probably read the others in this series!
September 17, 2026
Too many characters way too much happening and lily spends her day and night CRYING. I skipped CHAPTERS so I can finish this and guess what… I didn’t miss anything. So much happens and yet so little. Don’t bother read this
July 12, 2026
Quite frankly, this was awful. I cannot pull my punches here so buckle up.
Lily is whiny and completely unlikable. She could have a good reason for being this way but instead of showing me her trauma, I'm told everything: her parents were mean to her. Her ex was abusive. Thus, I have zero emotional investment in her and on top of that she's so insufferable and annoying, I can't get past how much I can't stand her to care about her even a little.
I really need this author to stop telling me everything and show me. Gunner is apparently grumpy, but I would love to see that and experience that. Gunner also apparently has no feelings. Oh, he doesn't? D Please show me how that's possible because with the flip flop of perspectives every 3 pages I know that's absolutely not true. All I get are his emotions. I know every thought this character has and every single emotion he has, constantly. So, for Lily to tell me she doesn't know what he's feeling, when all he does is communicate with her and help her and take care of her...it's incredibly disingenuous.
This man sleeps in his car outside your apartment to protect you, marries you so you can be protected, bathes you, calls your child his child. And you're surprised when he says you're friends? HELLO ?? You've known him you're whole life and you think he doesn't like you? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? All I know of this man is he's so selfless it's mindboggling and to a superhuman standard.
So now I can’t stand her more because the author just wants to create drama where there is none just for this book to be interesting. Except it’s not. Interesting, that is.
I am a reader who enjoys a dual or multiple POV story. I think it's very useful in certain circumstances and can be utilized to show aspects of a character that you would otherwise have to be told explicitly. But this author switches POVs so frequently that I got whiplash. Why did we swap POV three times in one chapter? And we do this SO MANY chapters? Why? It feels cheap and it makes no sense to me.
I guess the author did end up showing me something because this shows me that she doesn't know how to tell a story through actual storytelling. She only knows how to tell a story by explicitly writing shit out for you so you know how to feel and how the character is feeling exactly, cuz she TOLD you.
Also I know Lily "loves the way water cools her down immediately.” That’s an actual sentence she wrote and I had to read. It’s just bizarre. What is that sentence? Why are you writing that out, reading it, and thinking "oh yea, that's going in my book."
I know I'm being very critical but this has gone too far. You have to be able to tell a story and not just anyone can be an author. This is supposed to be a craft but here we are with sentences like "she loved how the water cooled her immediately." WHAT ARE WE DOING?
I don't know what all these reviews are that are hyping this story up. I guess it's all the people who agree with that video about large words in books is ableist.
I don't need you to type every single thing out for me to understand. Use subtext, use imagery, use flashbacks, use actual storytelling. I just need you to show me. Not everything but can you show me one thing?? I'm begging for comprehension and literacy to come back.
Lily is whiny and completely unlikable. She could have a good reason for being this way but instead of showing me her trauma, I'm told everything: her parents were mean to her. Her ex was abusive. Thus, I have zero emotional investment in her and on top of that she's so insufferable and annoying, I can't get past how much I can't stand her to care about her even a little.
I really need this author to stop telling me everything and show me. Gunner is apparently grumpy, but I would love to see that and experience that. Gunner also apparently has no feelings. Oh, he doesn't? D Please show me how that's possible because with the flip flop of perspectives every 3 pages I know that's absolutely not true. All I get are his emotions. I know every thought this character has and every single emotion he has, constantly. So, for Lily to tell me she doesn't know what he's feeling, when all he does is communicate with her and help her and take care of her...it's incredibly disingenuous.
This man sleeps in his car outside your apartment to protect you, marries you so you can be protected, bathes you, calls your child his child. And you're surprised when he says you're friends? HELLO ?? You've known him you're whole life and you think he doesn't like you? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? All I know of this man is he's so selfless it's mindboggling and to a superhuman standard.
So now I can’t stand her more because the author just wants to create drama where there is none just for this book to be interesting. Except it’s not. Interesting, that is.
I am a reader who enjoys a dual or multiple POV story. I think it's very useful in certain circumstances and can be utilized to show aspects of a character that you would otherwise have to be told explicitly. But this author switches POVs so frequently that I got whiplash. Why did we swap POV three times in one chapter? And we do this SO MANY chapters? Why? It feels cheap and it makes no sense to me.
I guess the author did end up showing me something because this shows me that she doesn't know how to tell a story through actual storytelling. She only knows how to tell a story by explicitly writing shit out for you so you know how to feel and how the character is feeling exactly, cuz she TOLD you.
Also I know Lily "loves the way water cools her down immediately.” That’s an actual sentence she wrote and I had to read. It’s just bizarre. What is that sentence? Why are you writing that out, reading it, and thinking "oh yea, that's going in my book."
I know I'm being very critical but this has gone too far. You have to be able to tell a story and not just anyone can be an author. This is supposed to be a craft but here we are with sentences like "she loved how the water cooled her immediately." WHAT ARE WE DOING?
I don't know what all these reviews are that are hyping this story up. I guess it's all the people who agree with that video about large words in books is ableist.
I don't need you to type every single thing out for me to understand. Use subtext, use imagery, use flashbacks, use actual storytelling. I just need you to show me. Not everything but can you show me one thing?? I'm begging for comprehension and literacy to come back.
August 24, 2026
Just discovered this author through the blue ridge ranch series that (I think) are her most recent releases. I loved them, even if I thought sometimes they got a bit too ‘cartoon villan-y’ but BOY O BOY if I thought they were too much of a caricature this was another level. I have to assume these were published first and it’s admirable they’ve improved so much but the Blue Ridge Ranch were four/five star reads for me where as I didn’t even want to finish this, the were just so horrible it was unrealistic and she was just so wet of a character
March 21, 2026
My first Tilly book, and honestly… the story had so much potential but fell completely flat. Lily and Gunner were some of the blandest characters I’ve read.
The third-person POV threw me off right away, and the first 100 pages felt very monotonous with repetitive POV switches. I don’t think their ages aren’t stated, but both came across as immature, and the constant miscommunication was exhausting.
I understand Lily’s past, but her lack of trust in herself, low self-esteem, and tendency to be a doormat didn’t work for me. Gunner wasn’t any better, he kept switching between wanting her and pushing her away with no real reasoning. Their relationship lacked any real emotions, friendship, tension, chemistry and even the spice felt random and uncomfortable. Lily’s ex plot line was so obvious but the team went chasing a crime family lead instead — that entire storyline was so absurd.
The only thing that kept me going is sometimes the series gets better after the first book (hopefully). Safe to say, this book frustrated me. Still, I’m curious enough about Sloane and Gage to continue — 1 star!
The third-person POV threw me off right away, and the first 100 pages felt very monotonous with repetitive POV switches. I don’t think their ages aren’t stated, but both came across as immature, and the constant miscommunication was exhausting.
I understand Lily’s past, but her lack of trust in herself, low self-esteem, and tendency to be a doormat didn’t work for me. Gunner wasn’t any better, he kept switching between wanting her and pushing her away with no real reasoning. Their relationship lacked any real emotions, friendship, tension, chemistry and even the spice felt random and uncomfortable. Lily’s ex plot line was so obvious but the team went chasing a crime family lead instead — that entire storyline was so absurd.
The only thing that kept me going is sometimes the series gets better after the first book (hopefully). Safe to say, this book frustrated me. Still, I’m curious enough about Sloane and Gage to continue — 1 star!
August 10, 2024
The book was okay, definitely not my favorite. To be fair though I read my book of the year before this! I think this could’ve been a lot better if the MMC and FMC actually had chemistry. Their relationship didn’t spark, and I felt zero tension. The FMC personality was bleak, and I didn’t really like her that much. She cried over everything and it just personally annoyed me lol. (She went through awful things! I just enjoy more head strong characters). This was the first pregnancy trope I enjoyed though! Overall it could’ve been so much better if the characters had chemistry, even during the smutty scenes it just felt forced, and she wasn’t in some sort of danger every other chapter. I will read the second when it comes out! Sloan seems like more my character vibe and my heart aches for Gage. I want both of them to have their HEA!
August 31, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I read this in two days. Couldn’t put it down; the story, the characters, the spice! I love me a pregnancy trope and this was a great one. The character building of not only our FMC and MMC but all the other seals was great! I look forward to Gages story and everyone else in the group. This is my first book I’ve read by this author and look forward to ready her series this is a spinoff of.
Also note I am a firm 1st person reader and I loved this 3rd person story. I was shocked I. Got so into it. I think I’ve been turned to the dark side 😂
Also note I am a firm 1st person reader and I loved this 3rd person story. I was shocked I. Got so into it. I think I’ve been turned to the dark side 😂
September 30, 2025
I generally don’t review books but this book needs serious editing. The writing style was a narration and in first person horrible POV. Please don’t waste your time like it.
The FMC is so insecure it’s laughable but refused to listen when she was in danger. The MMC had potential if the character had better development. Again, the writing just horrible.
The FMC is so insecure it’s laughable but refused to listen when she was in danger. The MMC had potential if the character had better development. Again, the writing just horrible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2025
Very boring despite a lot happening
July 29, 2024
Gunner Brooks is a man of few words and even fewer smiles. As a former Navy SEAL, he's accustomed to danger and secrecy, still embroiled in covert missions alongside his trusted teammates. But when a distressing message summons him away from his team and back to his hometown, Gunner's stoic demeanor begins to crack.
Returning home after years of absence, Gunner is stunned to find his childhood friend, Lily Bennett, caring for his ailing mother. Lily, harboring long-buried feelings for Gunner, never imagined their reunion would coincide with her own tumultuous circumstances—a failing engagement and an unexpected pregnancy.
Desperate and afraid, Lily reaches out to Gunner for help, igniting a chain of events neither could have predicted. In a bold move to protect Lily and her unborn child, Gunner proposes a marriage of convenience, a pretense to shield them from a dangerous reality.
When their newly formed family moves to Silver Springs, Texas, for Gunner's job, he and Lily face unexpected challenges and threats to their safety. Together, they must confront the echoes of their pasts and navigate a path where uncertainty looms at every turn.
In a town where tragedies are turned into hope, can Gunner and Lily weather the storm together? Or will forces from their past ultimately pull them apart forever?
“Silver Linings” is the first instalment of Tilly’s new series “The Silver Springs”. Gunner (aka Ripper) and Lily are such a beautiful couple - you will fall in love with them both. Lily is his sister’s Gia’s best friend and is also nursing his dying mum. When he discovers she is nine months pregnant and in an abusive relationship, he becomes very protective of Lily. To protect her and her child, they get married and move to Texas. To Gunner, Sage and Lily are his family and he will go above and beyond to protect his family.
Lily has always loved Gunner, but he has made it clear that they are a family in every way, except in the bedroom. Gradually these barriers start to fall and for once, they finally both admit their feelings for each other. The chemistry between these two is off the page! Now they are a real family in every way …. now he and the team just need to find out and stop who is trying to abduct Lily and Sage.
There is never a dull moment! This book is everything you expect from a alpha male small town romance! I’m very happily hooked - I did not want it to end! Once I started reading, I could not put this book down! At times you will laugh, you will cry, get angry and frustrated - most of all, you will love the twists! This book will charm “the pants off you” and leave you going back for more 😊 I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful love story. This is a lovely book that will keep you hooked! It has fun, laughs, intrigue, twists that you do not expect, and physical attraction. You will fall in love with Gunner and Lily 💗
This is a lovely book that will keep you hooked! It has fun, laughs, intrigue, twists that you do not expect, and physical attraction. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful love story 💗 From page to page, chapter to chapter, you will enjoy this beautiful story - from cover to cover! This book will not disappoint! Highly recommended 😊
Returning home after years of absence, Gunner is stunned to find his childhood friend, Lily Bennett, caring for his ailing mother. Lily, harboring long-buried feelings for Gunner, never imagined their reunion would coincide with her own tumultuous circumstances—a failing engagement and an unexpected pregnancy.
Desperate and afraid, Lily reaches out to Gunner for help, igniting a chain of events neither could have predicted. In a bold move to protect Lily and her unborn child, Gunner proposes a marriage of convenience, a pretense to shield them from a dangerous reality.
When their newly formed family moves to Silver Springs, Texas, for Gunner's job, he and Lily face unexpected challenges and threats to their safety. Together, they must confront the echoes of their pasts and navigate a path where uncertainty looms at every turn.
In a town where tragedies are turned into hope, can Gunner and Lily weather the storm together? Or will forces from their past ultimately pull them apart forever?
“Silver Linings” is the first instalment of Tilly’s new series “The Silver Springs”. Gunner (aka Ripper) and Lily are such a beautiful couple - you will fall in love with them both. Lily is his sister’s Gia’s best friend and is also nursing his dying mum. When he discovers she is nine months pregnant and in an abusive relationship, he becomes very protective of Lily. To protect her and her child, they get married and move to Texas. To Gunner, Sage and Lily are his family and he will go above and beyond to protect his family.
Lily has always loved Gunner, but he has made it clear that they are a family in every way, except in the bedroom. Gradually these barriers start to fall and for once, they finally both admit their feelings for each other. The chemistry between these two is off the page! Now they are a real family in every way …. now he and the team just need to find out and stop who is trying to abduct Lily and Sage.
There is never a dull moment! This book is everything you expect from a alpha male small town romance! I’m very happily hooked - I did not want it to end! Once I started reading, I could not put this book down! At times you will laugh, you will cry, get angry and frustrated - most of all, you will love the twists! This book will charm “the pants off you” and leave you going back for more 😊 I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful love story. This is a lovely book that will keep you hooked! It has fun, laughs, intrigue, twists that you do not expect, and physical attraction. You will fall in love with Gunner and Lily 💗
This is a lovely book that will keep you hooked! It has fun, laughs, intrigue, twists that you do not expect, and physical attraction. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful love story 💗 From page to page, chapter to chapter, you will enjoy this beautiful story - from cover to cover! This book will not disappoint! Highly recommended 😊
October 10, 2026
Estaba tan necia en querer leer un libro sobre una madre soltera que me aventuré a leer este sin pensarlo demasiado y fue un GRAVE ERROR.
Si hay algo que me molesta es que escriban de un tema sin saber absolutamente nada, porque, ¿por qué me dices que un bebé recién nacido de 4 días nencesita "tummy time" cuando no puede ni abrir bien los ojos? Luego, a las 5 semanas escribes que esta sentado en su columpio. ¿Acaso no conoces a los bebés? APENAS Y APRENDEN A SENTARSE DE 4 A 6 MESES. Una busqueda de google de lo dice en 0.00003 segundos.
Luego, el personaje principal es tan necia y al mismo tiempo tiene tan mala autoestima que no entiendo cómo la estaba escribiendo, decidete, acaso es una "girl boss" que no quiere ayuda de nadie o siempre llorará porque su esposo por conveniencia no la quiere. Decidete mi reina, ¿quieres el amor del Navy Seal o quieres "dejarlo libre" porque ser padre de tu bebé es demasiado para él?
¿Me dieron romance, al menos? TAMPOCO, estas personas que se supone que se concen desde hace años tienen la química que yo tengo con un wey que me quiere explicar las reacciones REDOX.
¿Y luego me quieren venir a decir que él siempre estuvo enamorado de ella? Mejor tirenme una piedra a la cabeza, me molestaría menos que los supuestos sentimientos de este tipo por ella.
Y hablando del tipo, ¿cómo mierdas me quieres explicar que un NAVY SEAL no puede pensar por 5 segundos que tal vez la persona detrás de las amenazas a su esposa es su exprometido, del cual escaparon porque era física, emocional y economicamente abusivo con ella? Ex prometido, que por cierto, viene de una familia de dinero y tenía contactos a reventar en el pueblo que abandonaron.
5 PESOS DE PENSAMIENTO CRÍTICO, SEÑOR NAVY SEAL.
Desde la primera vez que la intentaron atacar yo sabía que era el exprometido, y este cabrón no pudo pensar en eso.
Escondería esta review por spoilers pero la gente necesita ver esto.
Si hay algo que me molesta es que escriban de un tema sin saber absolutamente nada, porque, ¿por qué me dices que un bebé recién nacido de 4 días nencesita "tummy time" cuando no puede ni abrir bien los ojos? Luego, a las 5 semanas escribes que esta sentado en su columpio. ¿Acaso no conoces a los bebés? APENAS Y APRENDEN A SENTARSE DE 4 A 6 MESES. Una busqueda de google de lo dice en 0.00003 segundos.
Luego, el personaje principal es tan necia y al mismo tiempo tiene tan mala autoestima que no entiendo cómo la estaba escribiendo, decidete, acaso es una "girl boss" que no quiere ayuda de nadie o siempre llorará porque su esposo por conveniencia no la quiere. Decidete mi reina, ¿quieres el amor del Navy Seal o quieres "dejarlo libre" porque ser padre de tu bebé es demasiado para él?
¿Me dieron romance, al menos? TAMPOCO, estas personas que se supone que se concen desde hace años tienen la química que yo tengo con un wey que me quiere explicar las reacciones REDOX.
¿Y luego me quieren venir a decir que él siempre estuvo enamorado de ella? Mejor tirenme una piedra a la cabeza, me molestaría menos que los supuestos sentimientos de este tipo por ella.
Y hablando del tipo, ¿cómo mierdas me quieres explicar que un NAVY SEAL no puede pensar por 5 segundos que tal vez la persona detrás de las amenazas a su esposa es su exprometido, del cual escaparon porque era física, emocional y economicamente abusivo con ella? Ex prometido, que por cierto, viene de una familia de dinero y tenía contactos a reventar en el pueblo que abandonaron.
5 PESOS DE PENSAMIENTO CRÍTICO, SEÑOR NAVY SEAL.
Desde la primera vez que la intentaron atacar yo sabía que era el exprometido, y este cabrón no pudo pensar en eso.
Escondería esta review por spoilers pero la gente necesita ver esto.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews