The Emerald Waves: Silver Peaks

by Nikki Ashton

378 pages, Paperback

Published September 19, 2025

About the author

I live in Cheshire with my husband, two dogs and mum in law and write romantic humour and contemporary romance. My first two books, Guess Who I Pulled Last Night? and No Bra Required both stayed at number 1 on the Amazon Humour list for 3 & 4 weeks respectively. My ambitions of becoming a writer started at the age of 10 when I started writing poetry at school, and was given the honour of reading one out to the rest of my year group (an horrific experience that I will never forget). Thankfully I have a wide variety of strange and wonderful people in my life, otherwise I'd be stuck on what to write about! I am currently talking to family and friends, finding out their innermost secrets in readiness for my next book.

My books are romances that come with a little more than vanilla sexy times, sometimes a few tears, lots of hot men and feisty women, but ultimately they'll make you smile.

You can follow me on Twitter on @NikkerAsh or on Facebook at Nikki Ashton Books

Reviews

[Nicole Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emerald Waves is the second book in the Silver Peaks series. It focuses on our two main characters Gunnar and Cassidy.

Tropes:
🤠 Cowboy romance
🤠 Grumpy x sunshine
🤠 Foes to lovers
🤠 Second chance
🤠 Suspense
🤠 Found family

Gunnar and Cassidy meet three years prior to the book taking place. Cassidy a new teacher at the local school. Gunnar notices her when he picks his niece up from school day. The two end up going out in a date and it goes horribly. Three years later and the two still don’t really get a long. This creates so much tension, as they say there’s a fine line between love and hate.

Eventually the two put aside their differences to help create a program for the children in the community. This requires the two to put in long hours with each other and they realize that their first impressions of each other weren’t accurate.

Their story is long and it takes time till they get their happy ending but it’s a beautiful journey.

While I enjoyed reading this book, I had a hard time reaching for it. The story was good, I just had a hard time connecting with the characters.

Thank you Nikki Ashton and (insert PR co).

3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the arc in exchange for a fair review talesandteacupspr.

This is a slow burn cowboy romance that I really enjoyed. I sometimes find slow burns a bit too slow but this one was a good pace.

The characters are loveable, I definitely saw some of myself in Cassidy and could relate to her. I think everyone will relate to at least 1 character in the series.

The story flows really well and having read the first book the continuity was good too. It was nice to have all the characters still playing main parts in the story even though the main 2 characters were different. It also didn't take away from their storyline either it was so well integrated and I love that.

The chapters are quite short which I prefer and it was an easy read.

Having read this and the first in the series it's definitely one I want to keep reading. I can also see the possibility of a spin off series which would be great too!

I'm definitely looking forward to more books by Nikki I can see her fast becoming an auto-read author!

[Jamie Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

i LOVE how each chapter begins by listing a song to go along with it!
the push and pull between cassidy and gunner is driving me crazy. one terrible date and several miscommunications has them arguing at every turn and blind to the fact that they’re actually perfect for each other.
this was not something i would typically read but i am sooo glad i did!! easy 5⭐️
*arc review*

[Kat Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving the Miller family and I couldn’t wait to read all about the charismatic Gunner. Cocky and handsome with a sensitive swoony side that made me melt. I loved how different he was to Nash and Nikki writes their brotherly bond so well. Cassidy was instantly likable and their chemistry leaped off the pages. She is a strong woman living a simple life but then she goes on a date with Gunner and Lily comes back in to her life and it all felt very meant to be. I loved how Nikki wrote the part where Cassidy and Gunner finally turn towards each other. There’s a good amount of drama and surprise in this book. The spice was spicing! I want to be a Miller and live on the ranch. I already can’t wait to read Wilder’s book!

[Sharmaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely cute as anything, the illustrations on each chapter are bloody wonderful! Love love love them. The wonderful @lovebookstours and @nikkiashtonauthor sent me a physical copy of the second book in the silver peaks series and wow! What a series so far!!! I adored the first book (The Lilac River) so had high expectations for the second book and it did not disappoint at all. Completely knocked it out the park. LOVED the story line with Gunner and Cassidy and trying to guess will they, won’t they. I also adored that there was a name of a song on the top of each chapter. Cracking idea that! Short chapters which I adore. Overall absolutely cracking book! Would definitely recommend 1000000000000%

[Lorna Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A feel good romance with a good mix of plot and smut.

I did find the story quite repetitive so it could have been shorter but it wasn’t too repetitive that it became boring.

I would have liked to see how the camp/school at the ranch developed and actually worked out but the ending was good enough to satisfy.

[Debbie Last · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book