Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - Powerless

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Powerless by Elsie Silver

27 reviews

amateur_bookworm's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

My summary:

When Sloane Winthrop’s entire life blows up moments before her wedding that she never wanted, all she wants to do is go to her uncle’s ranch. As a kid, the Eaton’s ranch was a safe haven during the summer away from her stuffy parents—and also where she spent time with Jasper Gervais, her childhood crush. Jasper escaped an awful home life when Beau Eaton took him home when they both were in high school. The Eatons raised Jasper just like he was one of the family. Now a big-time NHL goalie, Jasper has always stayed friends with Sloane, a prima ballerina at a big dance company in the same city. After Jasper busts Sloane out of her wedding and takes her to the ranch, they get the devastating news that Beau is missing in action from his special forces unit. Jasper and Sloane turn to each other to cope, as they always have—but this time they may finally be on the same page together with their feelings for each other.

My thoughts:

I just adore Elsie Silver’s writing style. It’s sassy and hilarious and tugs at the heartstrings and the characters are just perfect. I’ve really enjoyed the Chestnut Springs series so far and switching from cowboy romance to a bit of a hockey romance in the third book just works perfectly for me.

Jasper had me swooning in the first six pages. His story is so heartbreaking and redeeming at the same time. The scene with him and Harvey at the table with the news of Beau missing had me gutted. This book is much more sad and emotional than the others so far in the series. And Sloane’s support of Jasper ever since they were kids is, just, everything.

The slow-burn friends-to-lovers plot had me chomping at the bit for Jasper and Sloane to just make it happen already. But when it does finally happen, it does not disappoint!

Also, Sterling Woodcock?!? Excuse me while I die over Sloane’s douchebag fiancé’s name. And anytime I have to put a book down to Google a reference of a person, with the accurate premonition that I should use private browsing mode for said search, well, I was cackling as I found out who Peter North is (yeah—I’m clearly not Canadian).

I’m excited for Winter and Theo’s story in the next book. But, now, what I’m really here for is Beau’s story. I feel so invested in his outcome after his bit in this book.

Note: I’ve found myself really looking forward to the Harvey bonus scene at the end of each Bloom edition book. It is just a great little cherry on top at the end of each story.

Content Warnings

karlapardo's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Such a good book!!!! I loved this book and the characters. Jasper is just *chef's kiss*. The way this man loves Sloane is beautiful, he would do anything and everything for her, the love is just palpable. Sloane has so much growth in this book that it just makes the reader love her a little more every chapter. I think that both characters had huge growth. Jasper with his traumatic and tragic past and brooding attitude; Sloane being so easily manipulated and she had no self confidence. And then the growth going to Jasper letting Sloane in and being able to let go of his brooding and grumpy personality because of her. And Sloane stepping into herself and her confidence and independence was beautiful to read. The SPICE! So good. I loved their connection, and their understanding and support for each other. They were just meant to be. Their relationship just had me in love and the more the book when on the better it got.

Memorable Quotes

"No, Sunny. I shouldn’t be scared. You’re the least scary thing in my life. You’re not just tattooed on my skin. You’re branded on my heart. Woven into the fiber of my being. The most constant and reassuring person in my life. When I close my eyes, I see you. When you’re away from me, I dream about you. When I need someone to lean on, you are always there for me. God. You’ve loved me when I haven’t even been able to love myself"
"He's constantly trying to blend into the background, but even when he's hiding, I see him."
“It’s like she and I are tethered together, but she’s the strong one. The pillar. And when troubled waters wash me downstream, all I have to do is follow the rope that ties me back to her. It always leads me back to her.”
“But as usual, she doesn’t shy away from my darkness—after all, she’s my Sunny. She chases away the dark just by being herself.”
“I mean, if y’all can overlook tail-babies, I’m not sure what could really keep you apart.”
“I want him to be as connected to me as I am to him.”

Content Warnings

lilhappyhermit's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Jasper and Sloane’s story from childhood until present day was so precious. They’ve always been there for one another, through all of the ups and downs of life and never once steered away from one another, always stuck in each other’s orbit. But finally, after Sloane’s wedding gone wrong, their worlds collide in the most beautiful way. Finally coming to terms with how they feel and have felt for one another all this time. This book was so precious.

Content Warnings

kristanjenkins's review

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

nicolecurlsuptoread's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ [5/5]
Spicy! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ [5/5]

Powerless is book 3 of 5 in the Chestnut Springs series.

📌 You’ll dig this if you like
» Road trip with only one bed 🛏️
» Pro hockey 🥅 + prima ballerina 🩰
» Slow burn feat. small town
» Grumpy cinnamon roll vs. sunshine
» Friends to lovers
» It’s always been you

Honestly, this story has all the tropes, and they were perfect. Powerless continues my obsession with the Chestnut Springs series and the entire Eaton clan.

Jasper was quiet in Flawless and Heartless so I didn’t know if I would connect with him, but holy heck are he and Sloane hot! 🔥 The moment I started to see Jasper’s perspective I was hooked and rooting for him.

Jasper saves Sloane from a marriage she doesn’t want, and they take off on a road trip to escape their problems for a while. Cue forced proximity and simmering attraction that has been brewing for decades.

The slow burn is f’ing delicious and when they do finally get together it is explosive! ❤️‍🔥 💥 🧨 🥵 😮‍💨 🫠

If it isn’t clear, I highly recommend Powerless. It’s no secret I love the whole Chestnut Springs series and I can’t recommend it enough; it lives rent-free in my mind and each book gets better. Elsie Silver is a master. 👑

📌 What stood out
» Harvey Eaton! Champion meddler and pot stirrer! 🏆😂🤣

» Sloane integrates seamlessly with Summer and Willa. The budding friendship is equally comforting and hilarious.

» Sloane’s potty 🚽 mouth when Jasper gets her going is fantastic, and he loves riling her up. His smug pleasure from it, knowing he can bring out the wild in her, made me root for him even harder. He wants her wild, and I love it! 👏

» I love seeing Willa and Summer again, and Willa’s fixation on knowing the size of Jasper’s 🍆 is hysterical.

📌 Moments

» That shower scene!!! Sloane finds out Jasper has a hidden tattoo and demands to see it, with steamy consequences. 🚿🧨😮‍💨🫠 IYKYK
I absently lick my lips and he groans. My gaze snaps up to those navy eyes I know so well. They hold me captive. They’re simmering with a heat I’ve never seen. He’s done a good job of looking at me like I’m a friend, but he isn’t right now.
He’s looking at me like I’m his.

» The tie-in for the title made me want to jump up and down and happy scream.

🚫 Triggers: Anxiety, Military MIA, mention of SI, death of child sibling (past, off-page), alcohol consumption, abusive/controlling family dynamic, toxic romantic relationship (not between MCs). Please check warnings.

Content Warnings