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Emerald Lake #1
Fever Dream
Not yet published
Expected 19 May 26From #1 New York Times bestselling author Elsie Silver comes a small-town, forbidden, rivals-to-lovers romance, the first book in the brand-new Western romance series Emerald Lake.
Professional bull rider Emmett Bush is not looking for love. He’s looking for a paycheck to save his family’s farm from bankruptcy. So, when he agrees to be the leading man on a hot new reality dating show, Romance Ranch, he’s already decided it’s all one big performance.
Until Julia Silva walks onto his property. Smart, snarky, beautiful, and off-limits in more ways than one. As the location consultant on set and the little sister of his most bitter professional rival, she’s the last woman who should pique his interest.
Julia has been warned about Emmett. She knows better than to fall for his cocky swagger, broad shoulders, and smoldering good looks. Plus, she’s sworn off relationships.
But as Julia and Emmett work together, mutual distaste grows into an unexpected connection and then… something more.
Soon, they find themselves searching for excuses to spend time together and out of reach of the cameras. Knowing glances. Stolen kisses. Secret rendezvous.
Still, Emmett signed up to play the role of an eligible bachelor searching for the one. His family’s land and legacy depend on him completing the show.
The problem is, he’s already fallen in love.
Just not with a contestant.
Professional bull rider Emmett Bush is not looking for love. He’s looking for a paycheck to save his family’s farm from bankruptcy. So, when he agrees to be the leading man on a hot new reality dating show, Romance Ranch, he’s already decided it’s all one big performance.
Until Julia Silva walks onto his property. Smart, snarky, beautiful, and off-limits in more ways than one. As the location consultant on set and the little sister of his most bitter professional rival, she’s the last woman who should pique his interest.
Julia has been warned about Emmett. She knows better than to fall for his cocky swagger, broad shoulders, and smoldering good looks. Plus, she’s sworn off relationships.
But as Julia and Emmett work together, mutual distaste grows into an unexpected connection and then… something more.
Soon, they find themselves searching for excuses to spend time together and out of reach of the cameras. Knowing glances. Stolen kisses. Secret rendezvous.
Still, Emmett signed up to play the role of an eligible bachelor searching for the one. His family’s land and legacy depend on him completing the show.
The problem is, he’s already fallen in love.
Just not with a contestant.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 19, 2026
17 people are currently reading
32320 people want to read
About the author
Elsie Silver
33 books69k followersElsie Silver is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of sassy, steamy, small town romance. She’s a born and raised Canadian girl who loves a good book boyfriend and the strong heroines who bring them to their knees. Her books promise banter, tension, and a slow burn that comes to a screeching halt.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Want to read
November 26, 2025authors stop using the line “he was so dirty”… to talk about non white skin…when???
will-not-read
December 8, 2025*Update (12/8/2025):* The line has been updated in a newer version of the ARC. The quote is now this:
Am I glad the quote got changed? Yes, although I will stand by the fact that the original quote should've NEVER made it past the first round of edits in the first place. Has Elsie Silver made any official statements or an apology on her platform yet? No. I feel like you can't just sweep something like this under the rug and just quietly change the ARC without telling anyone and letting people find out for themselves that it got changed. The impact of the words has already done its damage over the last two weeks, and many POC readers have explained how the words are harmful, and frankly, people are STILL talking about the original quote, and it's still making its rounds around bookish socials.
Readers are looking for a statement. An apology. Anything to show that she's learned from the situation and how she will learn to do better moving forward. None of that has happened. She's been limiting/deleting comments under her posts that ask her to address this entire situation instead. That's not holding herself accountable. That's hiding and avoiding the problem and attempting to quietly resolve it (AKA editing the ARCs without telling anyone) without apologizing to the people who have been negatively impacted by her words.
-------------------------------
*Update (12/4/2025):* Elsie Silver has STILL not said anything in regards to that line in the ARCs. Instead, she has limited comments on her posts on IG and has been silent about the situation entirely, which makes me believe that 1) she 100% knows what is going on, and 2) she knows and is refusing to take accountability, despite many readers calling her out and asking her to say something and apologize.
In my opinion, no author is above criticism; yes, even your favorite authors are not above this. Readers SHOULD call authors out on problematic behavior, and do it in a way that's not harassing or bullying them. From my understanding, all readers are looking for is an apology, because even though it IS an ARC and final changes are still very possible, that line should have never been written in the first place. If you can separate the art from the artist, so be it, but that could never be me, personally speaking, since I believe that author’s beliefs, prejudices, biases, etc. in real life can bleed into their writing and how they shape their characters and stories. (See my review on Capitana by Cassandra James from earlier this year as a great example of this.)
Have we not learned from the Abby Jimenez situation with Say You'll Remember Me ARCs earlier this year; where a Middle Eastern character “fucked off to his homeland?” Have we not learned anything from the Sophie Lark situation from her situation with Sparrow and Vine and her now-cancelled series, where characters have said, "but shouldn't there be a crew of people with questionable work visas picking these grapes for us?" Have we not learned from the Jessa Hastings and Never situation either? In 2025, moving into 2026, this is unacceptable.
-------------------------------
*Update (11/26/2025):* I removed this from my 2026 Most Anticipated shelf and put it on my blacklist shelf, “Will Not Read.” The news is also making its rounds around Bookstagram and other bookish socials now, so I’m hoping Atria (the publisher) does something about this in the editing process, and I’m hoping the author will say something about this as well. I understand that this is an ARC and final edits are still possible; I’m just more shocked that no one in the early editing process caught this and didn’t find a problem with this line at all.
Saying that someone’s tanned skin is “almost dirty” in the year 2025 (and 2026, since that’s when this book is officially coming out) is ah…not it.
This is an excerpt from the book itself, since early ARCs started going out to booksellers and librarians:
The fact that editors didn’t catch this early on and say, “Hm, this really isn’t in good taste, let’s remove it before ARCs go out” is CRAZY. I’m only hoping the ARC readers who have the book now speak up about this and get the line removed/changed, because Elsie Silver is way too big of an author now to let this go unnoticed, in my opinion.
"...with a deep summer tan and dirt on his knees from playing outside."
Am I glad the quote got changed? Yes, although I will stand by the fact that the original quote should've NEVER made it past the first round of edits in the first place. Has Elsie Silver made any official statements or an apology on her platform yet? No. I feel like you can't just sweep something like this under the rug and just quietly change the ARC without telling anyone and letting people find out for themselves that it got changed. The impact of the words has already done its damage over the last two weeks, and many POC readers have explained how the words are harmful, and frankly, people are STILL talking about the original quote, and it's still making its rounds around bookish socials.
Readers are looking for a statement. An apology. Anything to show that she's learned from the situation and how she will learn to do better moving forward. None of that has happened. She's been limiting/deleting comments under her posts that ask her to address this entire situation instead. That's not holding herself accountable. That's hiding and avoiding the problem and attempting to quietly resolve it (AKA editing the ARCs without telling anyone) without apologizing to the people who have been negatively impacted by her words.
-------------------------------
*Update (12/4/2025):* Elsie Silver has STILL not said anything in regards to that line in the ARCs. Instead, she has limited comments on her posts on IG and has been silent about the situation entirely, which makes me believe that 1) she 100% knows what is going on, and 2) she knows and is refusing to take accountability, despite many readers calling her out and asking her to say something and apologize.
In my opinion, no author is above criticism; yes, even your favorite authors are not above this. Readers SHOULD call authors out on problematic behavior, and do it in a way that's not harassing or bullying them. From my understanding, all readers are looking for is an apology, because even though it IS an ARC and final changes are still very possible, that line should have never been written in the first place. If you can separate the art from the artist, so be it, but that could never be me, personally speaking, since I believe that author’s beliefs, prejudices, biases, etc. in real life can bleed into their writing and how they shape their characters and stories. (See my review on Capitana by Cassandra James from earlier this year as a great example of this.)
Have we not learned from the Abby Jimenez situation with Say You'll Remember Me ARCs earlier this year; where a Middle Eastern character “fucked off to his homeland?” Have we not learned anything from the Sophie Lark situation from her situation with Sparrow and Vine and her now-cancelled series, where characters have said, "but shouldn't there be a crew of people with questionable work visas picking these grapes for us?" Have we not learned from the Jessa Hastings and Never situation either? In 2025, moving into 2026, this is unacceptable.
-------------------------------
*Update (11/26/2025):* I removed this from my 2026 Most Anticipated shelf and put it on my blacklist shelf, “Will Not Read.” The news is also making its rounds around Bookstagram and other bookish socials now, so I’m hoping Atria (the publisher) does something about this in the editing process, and I’m hoping the author will say something about this as well. I understand that this is an ARC and final edits are still possible; I’m just more shocked that no one in the early editing process caught this and didn’t find a problem with this line at all.
Saying that someone’s tanned skin is “almost dirty” in the year 2025 (and 2026, since that’s when this book is officially coming out) is ah…not it.
This is an excerpt from the book itself, since early ARCs started going out to booksellers and librarians:
”…mischievous-looking little blond boy-hair nearly white-with a tan so dark that his knees almost appear dirty.”
The fact that editors didn’t catch this early on and say, “Hm, this really isn’t in good taste, let’s remove it before ARCs go out” is CRAZY. I’m only hoping the ARC readers who have the book now speak up about this and get the line removed/changed, because Elsie Silver is way too big of an author now to let this go unnoticed, in my opinion.
Want to read
October 16, 2025We have a cover and I'm in LOVE 😍😍
When the queen of small-town romance writes it, I will read it!!! Can't wait to fall in love with series and another MMC ☺️💘
When the queen of small-town romance writes it, I will read it!!! Can't wait to fall in love with series and another MMC ☺️💘
November 24, 2025
Alrighty, I’m calling it quits. I made it to 25% and have 30 highlights and notes. If I made it all the way, my Kindle would start on fire.
If Elsie Silver revealed that actually this was written by her 13 year old niece, I would say yes. Yes, I know.
Because despite this being from the POV of two adults, it reads so much like two 13 year olds. I read one page in a 13 year old boy’s voice and it worked so well. And that’s obviously down to how juvenile the writing is.
I don’t remember if Elsie Silver’s older books were this poorly written—it’s been a second since I read them and I’m honestly scared to go back and try at the risk of being disappointed. This book was Jasmine Mas/Lyla Sage level of poor writing.
Here’s a section from the book. No spoilers or anything. I’m just showing how weirdly written this is:
But without another word, I move in her direction.
And I start unloading bags of dirt.
Like I said, irritating.
We finish unloading in silence.
Are paragraphs not cool anymore? What are we doing? I get people have no attention spans these days and “there are too many words on the page” but come on…
This is a 3rd grade writing level.
And that’s just one example! There are more that I don’t want to add as this is an ARC and changes may be made pre-release. Just come on, y’all. Romance is silly goofy, yes, but the genre does deserve quality.
Speaking of that! Let’s talk about the “all tell don’t show.” This book was on another level. I’ve never been hit so hard over the head before about how I should feel about characters. I think Lyla Sage is the only one who has done it worse, but it’s close competition.
I’m told constantly that Emmett is a manwhore, rude, egotistic, blah blah. Turns out he’s the nicest person alive. Wholesome to his core.
Julia had a very scary situation happen (which I won’t reveal as it may be a spoiler) but then we’re told in a half a page how the incident really affected her and she used to be a partier but then she took a few months to work out, eat right, focus on her studies, and ditch her bad friends.
ELSIE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, SHOW ME. Stop telling me! I want to SEE how she’s changed. I want to SEE Emmett being a douche bag.
But of course you don’t because that would ruin the fantasy. You can’t have REAL, layered people in romance books—at least not if they’re the main characters because then it would be harder to love them.
The only person in this book who is “mean” is the producer and he’s anime villain level mean: no complexities, no nuance. Just mean, nasty, sexist because we need a bad guy.
Everyone in this book is a one-dimensional character who is so good to their core. They are teasing, but in a lovable way. They selflessly take care of everyone. They bake fresh cookies. They have a business that they love—not for the money, but because they love the job so much. They work hard—the hardest.
Like, come on! There’s nothing here. It’s juvenile writing, juvenile characterization, juvenile storyline, with a predictable, juvenile ending.
Romance deserves better than this, it really does. I don’t need to know everyone’s eye color. I swear, no one cares about eye color more than romance and romantasy authors. I got told everyone’s eye color immediately, when they first entered a scene.
I DON’T CARE WHO HAS BLUE EYES AND WHO HAS BROWN EYES. Write a complex character!
I wouldn’t be so annoyed if this wasn’t going to be so popular when it releases. It just feels like a lazy, rush job that a 13 year old could write better.
There was also a part in this where Elsie Silver wrote:
“mischievous-looking little blond boy—hair nearly white—with a tan so dark that his knees almost appear dirty.”
Hello? Even after the Jessa Hastings debacle, we’re still writing “so tan they look dirty.” Can we just stop?
Anyway, that’s all for me. I can retire Elsie Silver to the shelf of romance authors I’ll no longer read from until they take a writing class.
Thank you, Edelweiss for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If Elsie Silver revealed that actually this was written by her 13 year old niece, I would say yes. Yes, I know.
Because despite this being from the POV of two adults, it reads so much like two 13 year olds. I read one page in a 13 year old boy’s voice and it worked so well. And that’s obviously down to how juvenile the writing is.
I don’t remember if Elsie Silver’s older books were this poorly written—it’s been a second since I read them and I’m honestly scared to go back and try at the risk of being disappointed. This book was Jasmine Mas/Lyla Sage level of poor writing.
Here’s a section from the book. No spoilers or anything. I’m just showing how weirdly written this is:
But without another word, I move in her direction.
And I start unloading bags of dirt.
Like I said, irritating.
We finish unloading in silence.
Are paragraphs not cool anymore? What are we doing? I get people have no attention spans these days and “there are too many words on the page” but come on…
This is a 3rd grade writing level.
And that’s just one example! There are more that I don’t want to add as this is an ARC and changes may be made pre-release. Just come on, y’all. Romance is silly goofy, yes, but the genre does deserve quality.
Speaking of that! Let’s talk about the “all tell don’t show.” This book was on another level. I’ve never been hit so hard over the head before about how I should feel about characters. I think Lyla Sage is the only one who has done it worse, but it’s close competition.
I’m told constantly that Emmett is a manwhore, rude, egotistic, blah blah. Turns out he’s the nicest person alive. Wholesome to his core.
Julia had a very scary situation happen (which I won’t reveal as it may be a spoiler) but then we’re told in a half a page how the incident really affected her and she used to be a partier but then she took a few months to work out, eat right, focus on her studies, and ditch her bad friends.
ELSIE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, SHOW ME. Stop telling me! I want to SEE how she’s changed. I want to SEE Emmett being a douche bag.
But of course you don’t because that would ruin the fantasy. You can’t have REAL, layered people in romance books—at least not if they’re the main characters because then it would be harder to love them.
The only person in this book who is “mean” is the producer and he’s anime villain level mean: no complexities, no nuance. Just mean, nasty, sexist because we need a bad guy.
Everyone in this book is a one-dimensional character who is so good to their core. They are teasing, but in a lovable way. They selflessly take care of everyone. They bake fresh cookies. They have a business that they love—not for the money, but because they love the job so much. They work hard—the hardest.
Like, come on! There’s nothing here. It’s juvenile writing, juvenile characterization, juvenile storyline, with a predictable, juvenile ending.
Romance deserves better than this, it really does. I don’t need to know everyone’s eye color. I swear, no one cares about eye color more than romance and romantasy authors. I got told everyone’s eye color immediately, when they first entered a scene.
I DON’T CARE WHO HAS BLUE EYES AND WHO HAS BROWN EYES. Write a complex character!
I wouldn’t be so annoyed if this wasn’t going to be so popular when it releases. It just feels like a lazy, rush job that a 13 year old could write better.
There was also a part in this where Elsie Silver wrote:
“mischievous-looking little blond boy—hair nearly white—with a tan so dark that his knees almost appear dirty.”
Hello? Even after the Jessa Hastings debacle, we’re still writing “so tan they look dirty.” Can we just stop?
Anyway, that’s all for me. I can retire Elsie Silver to the shelf of romance authors I’ll no longer read from until they take a writing class.
Thank you, Edelweiss for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
August 23, 2025₊˚⊹ ᰔ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞:
AHH ELSIE SILVER IS RELEASING AGAIN!! 👀
rose hill wasn’t my favorite compared to chessnut springs (still need to read her first series) but still so excited to read thisss!!💜💜
AHH ELSIE SILVER IS RELEASING AGAIN!! 👀
rose hill wasn’t my favorite compared to chessnut springs (still need to read her first series) but still so excited to read thisss!!💜💜
Want to read
October 13, 2025BRAND NEW Elsie Silver series?!!! one way ticket to Emerald Lake, please 🤠
My best guess is Emmet & Julia (Theo’s sister)! I’m manifesting Theo’s cameo ✨
My best guess is Emmet & Julia (Theo’s sister)! I’m manifesting Theo’s cameo ✨
Want to read
April 17, 2025MY QUEEN HAS PUT PEN TO PAPER ONCE AGAIN. SIGN ME UPPPPPPP!!
remind-me-once-out
September 12, 2025I love the title
Want to read
October 17, 2025₊˚⊹ ᰔ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞: 🌅
AHHHHHHH WE HAVE A COVER AND IT'S STUNNING!!!!!! Elsie is obviously an automatic read author so I couldn't be more excited for this one!!
₊˚⊹ ᰔ 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 19 May 2026 💙
What to expect
↠reality dating show
↠pro bull rider
↠rival's little sister
↠forbidden
↠small town
The blurb sounds sooooooo interesting! May can't come fast enough.
AHHHHHHH WE HAVE A COVER AND IT'S STUNNING!!!!!! Elsie is obviously an automatic read author so I couldn't be more excited for this one!!
₊˚⊹ ᰔ 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 19 May 2026 💙
What to expect
↠reality dating show
↠pro bull rider
↠rival's little sister
↠forbidden
↠small town
The blurb sounds sooooooo interesting! May can't come fast enough.
Want to read
April 3, 2025ELSIE SILVER ANNOUNCED A NEW SERIES I’m SCREAMING
Want to read
October 23, 2025.🌸˚𑁍.ೃ࿔*:･ I didn’t even finish the Chestnut Springs series yet, but who would blame me for being this excited about the new one? (Okay, maybe me… but I don’t care) As long as it’s a cute, fun, and warm read, I’m all in!
The new year feels so far away because I want to read this one so bad! YOU KNOW WHY?! Because IT’S A COWBOY ROMANCE 🤠 and honestly, who am I to resist that? I already know it’s going to eat and deliver, so here’s hoping I love every second of it! 💫✨
The new year feels so far away because I want to read this one so bad! YOU KNOW WHY?! Because IT’S A COWBOY ROMANCE 🤠 and honestly, who am I to resist that? I already know it’s going to eat and deliver, so here’s hoping I love every second of it! 💫✨
Want to read
August 29, 2025ANOTHER SMALL-TOWN ROMANCE SERIE!!!
Elise silver men 🔛🔝 of me 🔥
Elise silver men 🔛🔝 of me 🔥
December 4, 2025
Racism. Nuff said. Sick of these white authors and their obvious disgust for darker skin.
Want to read
October 16, 2025Hyped for Emmett’s and Julia’s, (who you might not recognize until the last name, Silva) book🩵
Want to read
April 3, 2025The horse girl in me is thriving
Want to read
October 17, 2025⋆｡˚୨𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰୧˚｡⋆
I didn't see this couple coming at all. BUT I'M LIVING FOR IT!!!!
Also, the synopsis seems very good, ughhh ms. elsie, do something good here, i beg you 🙏🏽💘
I didn't see this couple coming at all. BUT I'M LIVING FOR IT!!!!
Also, the synopsis seems very good, ughhh ms. elsie, do something good here, i beg you 🙏🏽💘
December 3, 2025
"”…mischievous-looking little blond boy-hair nearly white-with a tan so dark that his knees almost appear dirty.” seriously not in 2025 or 2026 or even 2030 - looking at the editor here, do something.
December 4, 2025
There is literally ZERO excuse for using “dirty” as the word to describe a person of color. This is incredibly disappointing. Spoilers: the book sucks. The author sucks more. Literally DO BETTER.
no-ty-ill-hate-it
December 18, 2025"mischievous-looking little blond boy—hair nearly white—with a tan so dark that his knees almost appear dirty.” 🙄🙄
(my review got removed, but they allow me to repost it, I don't even understand)
(my review got removed, but they allow me to repost it, I don't even understand)
Want to read
October 16, 2025this is literally the plot from that trashy Miranda Cosgrove Netflix movie omg
Want to read
October 17, 2025LA COVERRRR? ✨
un livre sur Emmett et la sœur de Théo ma vie ? et les tropes 🥹 pitié j'ai trop hâte
plus qu'à attendre le 19 mai 2026 maintenant 🧍🏼♀️
un livre sur Emmett et la sœur de Théo ma vie ? et les tropes 🥹 pitié j'ai trop hâte
plus qu'à attendre le 19 mai 2026 maintenant 🧍🏼♀️
Read
December 18, 2025fuckass goodreads deleted my review of this book but im putting it back up because the racist remark was still there .
Want to read
October 23, 2025Oh my god this is actually SUCH a stunning cover hello? Let's hope this one is just as good as all her others!
Want to read
October 20, 2025The cover isn’t what I expected, but i think I kind of like it.
Want to read
September 2, 2025FEVER DREAM IS COMING ON MAY 19TH!!!! I'M SAT FOR THIS NEW SERIES SOFKPSJSOAKDOS I'M SO HAPPYYYY!! are we getting julia silva's book? 🤭
most-anticipated
June 24, 2025EXCUSE ME??????????? The Queen is pleasing us with a new series?????????
Want to read
November 4, 2025Ok but why a reality dating show? 😩
Want to read
August 21, 2025WE HAVE A NAME! FEVER DREAM!
Want to read
October 17, 2025are we deadass getting emmett’s book
update: WE ARE!!! WITH THEO’S SISTER??
i’m foaming at the mouth elsie GIVE IT TO ME RN
update: WE ARE!!! WITH THEO’S SISTER??
i’m foaming at the mouth elsie GIVE IT TO ME RN
Want to read
September 25, 2025I am SAT!!!
Yes. Give me another cowboy romance queen 🙇🏻♀️🧎🏽♀️🤠
I have a feeling this is going to be Emmet's book and maybeeee theo's sister?!
Yes. Give me another cowboy romance queen 🙇🏻♀️🧎🏽♀️🤠
I have a feeling this is going to be Emmet's book and maybeeee theo's sister?!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews