Wild Love – Elsie Silver
When the Past Crashes into the Present – But Fails to Leave a Mark
We’re all shaped by the ghosts of our past, and Elsie Silver’s Wild Love sets out to explore what happens when those histories collide with the present. After thoroughly enjoying Silver’s Chestnut Springs series, this novel was a highly anticipated read for me, especially given her track record of blending heartfelt emotion with small-town charm.
Once an awkward teenager turned world’s hottest billionaire, Ford Grant suddenly finds himself caring for a 12-year-old girl who’s just landed unexpectedly in his life. Rosie, his best friend’s younger sister, arrives in town to rebuild her life after her high-flying city career implodes. It’s the perfect setup for an emotional, angst-filled romance: small town, single dad, billionaire. On paper, it should have been wild. In reality, not so much. There are glimmers of what Silver does best; we get a brief but pleasant taste of small-town life, the evolving dynamics of old friendships, and even a neat tie-in with Chestnut Springs.
Cora, Ford’s daughter, is one of the book’s brighter sparks, witty, sharp, and full of life. Yet she reads far older than her twelve years, which makes some of her dialogue feel oddly mismatched. As the mid-teen she is written as, she is a joy to read, as the 12-year-old she is supposed to be, her behaviours are concerning. The story around Cora’s appearance struggles with believability too; it is not only based on no other family existing but also no other friends at all, as well as a massive data breach, but we’ll ignore that for story purposes.
As for Ford, he’s meant to be a reclusive, socially awkward billionaire with hidden depth, but he never really grows or changes. There are flickers of potential in his storyline, but instead of development, we mostly get self-pity. Rosie, meanwhile, is introduced as the classic “sunshine to his grump,” yet her behaviour leans more towards moody and snarky than charmingly spirited. Her so-called “bratty” side is presented as flirtatious fun, but it doesn’t quite land.
What’s more, the way her career downfall and subsequent relationship with Ford unfold raises more than a few eyebrows. What could have been a moment of strength and empowerment is instead handled poorly, leaving an uncomfortable aftertaste. It’s disappointing, especially when Silver’s previous heroines were written as strong, independent women with real depth.
Overall, Wild Love promises a lot but delivers very little. The emotional tension never truly builds, the romance feels forced rather than earned, and the supporting cast exists mainly to pad out the page count. When the love story finally takes centre stage, it lacks the spark, tension, and tenderness that make a slow-burn romance truly satisfying.
Was it an okay read? Sure. But memorable? Not quite. Wild Love feels more like a missed opportunity than the passionate story its title suggests, a gentle flicker where readers were hoping for fireworks.
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