“Does love start off as obsession? Because that’s what I am. Obsessed with my wife.”
Finally, an anticipated release that didn’t let me down this year! 🙌 Wild Side by Elsie Silver was a solid 4⭐️ for me. I really enjoyed it, even if a few things didn’t fully click, it was still a super enjoyable read overall!
I’d always dreamed of my wedding day. But not like this. Not looking into the eyes of the man who betrayed me.
But when my nephew’s guardianship is contested, I decide I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him in Rose Hill. Even if it means marrying the enemy.
Rhys Dupris.
A man who is secretive, broody, and completely infuriating. A man whose work takes him away for weeks on end and brings him back covered in mysterious bruises—ones he won’t talk about. In fact, we barely talk at all.
Which would be fine, except when he’s not talking, he’s staring. And the way he looks at me is borderline indecent.
The tension between us has always been palpable. But living under the same roof is a dangerous temptation.
I swore I would never forgive him. But that was before I knew the man behind the mask. The one who’s fierce and protective. The one who’s gentle and patient. The one who shows up for us when we need him most.
He’s not at all who I thought he was.
And that makes hating my husband so much harder… and loving him just a little too easy.
Review of Wild Side by Elsie Silver
Marriage of convenience and enemies to lovers in the same book? Two of my favorite tropes, written by one of my fave authors 😍? Wild Side by Elsie Silver was a total win! Even though it wasn’t my top favorite in the Rose Hill series (that spot still belongs to Wild Love ❤️), it was still a really fun and enjoyable read!
Plot Analysis of Wild Side by Elsie Silver
Imagine marrying the man you can’t stand… just to protect the person you love most. That’s the situation Tabitha finds herself in when she discovers that Rhys—her late sister’s former landlord and the man she holds responsible for her sister’s struggles—has been granted custody of her nephew, Milo.
Rhys is a globe-trotting pro wrestler, and Tabitha’s a small-town bistro worker with a big heart. Their paths cross again after years apart, and when guardianship gets complicated, they make an unexpected choice: a marriage of convenience to keep Milo safe and loved.
What starts as an arrangement full of tension and mistrust slowly shifts into something deeper… even if neither of them expected it.
Characters of Wild Side by Elsie Silver
Tabitha Garrison : Tabby is the ultimate grumpy black cat FMC 🐈⬛✨, and I loved that about her. She’s fiercely independent, always putting others first, and carrying way more than anyone should have to. Normally, I really connect with characters like her (especially as the only daughter in my own family), but for some reason, I felt a bit detached this time. I cared about her story, but I didn’t feel as emotionally connected as I expected to. Still, she was a compelling lead.
Rhys Dupris : Rhys was so easy to fall for 😩❤️ He’s 100% my type, acts of service as a love language? CHECK. ✅ He’s that classic MMC who doesn’t talk much, but shows his love through everything he does. The calm, quiet type with that steady energy? I was SOLD. 😮💨
And don’t even get me started on the jealous, possessive moments… I was screaming 😭🔥 He had me in a chokehold, truly.
Tabby & Rhys : The chemistry between Tabby and Rhys was absolutely electric ⚡️. They just got each other in the most natural way, filling the gaps the other didn’t even realize they had. Rhys gave Tabby the kind of steady, unconditional love she had always craved, and she gave him the sense of home and belonging he’d been longing for his whole life. They really were the perfect match without even trying.
Pacing & writing style
Elsie Silver’s writing in Wild Side was, as always, so good, no complaints there! 🙌 The slow burn? Absolutely immaculate 🔥 She just gets how to build tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Her characters felt real, relatable, and emotionally layered, like always.
That said, while this was technically a small town romance, something about the setting felt a little different from what I’m used to in the genre. The small-town vibe wasn’t as strong or cozy, and that threw me off just a bit. The trope was there… but it didn’t fully hit like usual 🤏🏽.
Another thing that felt slightly off balance was the focus on Rhys’s wrestling career, we got a lot of it: the drama, the tension, the emotional weight. Meanwhile, Tabitha’s world and perspective felt underdeveloped in comparison. I would’ve loved to see more of her life, her passions, her inner world beyond her grief and responsibilities. It made the story feel a bit one-sided at times.
I have zero complaints about the pacing in Wild Side by Elsie Silver. She truly knows how to pace her stories just right. The slow burn was so well done, it kept me hooked without ever dragging. And the drama + third act breakup? Came exactly when it needed to. Everything unfolded so naturally and hit at the perfect moments. She nailed it!
Tropes and Trigger warnings of Wild Side by Elsie Silver
Tropes of Wild Side by Elsie Silver
Tropes :
Marriage of convenience
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Found family
Single dad
Small town romance
Trigger warnings of Wild Side by Elsie Silver
Grief
Death of a sibling from a drug overdose
Some quotes I enjoyed
“I’ve spent a lifetime thinking I don’t like talking. It turns out I just needed the right person to talk to.”
“What are you going to do? Punish me?”
“Not in the way you’re thinking.”
“And what way are you thinking?”
“Does it involve bending me over this table—”
“She’s having fun. It’s good for her. And if mocking me is what brings her joy, then whatever.”
“I can take it.”
“I don’t know why you’re obsessed with me being a porn star. If you want to see me fuck someone, the bathroom is right there. Drag me in there right now, and you can watch me in the miroir while I bend you over.”
“Tabby, i’m not the kind of guy who fucks around. So you can make up all the rules you want, but i’ll be following my own. And that rule is that there won’t be anyone else while I’m wearing this ring”
“I wish you weren’t seeing me like this.”
“Like what?”
“At my worst.”
“Then it’s all uphill from here, baby. It’s going to make seeing you at your best so damn special.”
“Are you feeling okay? You seem very distresses.”
“Tabitha, wipe that smirk from that mouth, or I’ll fuck it off.”
“Maybe you’re just tired?”
“Tired of listening to you talk when I’d rather hear you choke on my cock.”
“I might be in love with you.”
“No, not might be. I am. I have been for while now.”
“That’s good. Because I’ve been in love with you for a while now too.”
“Take my mask off, baby.” “What?” “You heard me.” “But, Rhys…” My eyes bounce between his, my heart suddenly lodged in my throat. “You—” “Tabby, I’m tired of hiding. I don’t need to anymore, thanks to you. This is my choice. You and me. Together.”
“This woman needs a target for her anger. Someone to blame so that she hurts a little less. And without even thinking it through, I decide I can be that person for her.”
Final Thought
Okay, so here’s the thing, I really enjoyed Wild Side while I was reading it. I was into the story, the tropes were giving (marriage of convenience and enemies to lovers?? yes please 😩), the tension was great, the pacing was perfect, and Rhys totally had me in my feelings with his quiet, protective energy. But… when I finished it, I put it down and just kinda moved on. It didn’t stay with me the way I thought it would.
And honestly? I don’t even know what exactly was missing. The book had all the right piece, Elsie’s writing is always so solid, the emotional beats were there, the characters were well-developed, but something just didn’t click deep enough for it to leave a lasting impression. I had a good time in it, but once it was over, it didn’t leave a mark.
I think part of the disconnect came from how heavily the story focused on Rhys and his wrestling world. We got a lot of his drama, his career, his emotions… but barely anything about Tabitha outside of her grief and responsibility. I wanted more of her. More of her life, her identity, her voice. It felt a little one-sided at times, and for a story that’s supposed to be about two people coming together for a child, I wish we had gotten a more balanced look at both of them.
Also, for a small-town romance, the setting didn’t feel super small-town-y? I don’t know how to explain it, it had the label, but not the vibe. There was something about it that didn’t quite match the warm, cozy, community feel I usually get from this kind of story. It felt a bit more distant.
And here’s my little controversial opinion lol: I still think Wild Love is my favorite book in the Rose Hill series, and probably my favorite Elsie Silver book in general. I know so many people didn’t vibe with it, but for me? I was completely invested. It hit all the emotional notes I wanted, and it’s the only one that actually stuck with me after reading. The rest? I enjoy them while I’m in them, but they kind of fade away after that.
So yeah! Wild Side was a solid, enjoyable read. I liked it. I had fun. I swooned. I screamed at Rhys. But once it was over, it didn’t leave me with much to hold on to. Still worth picking up if you love these tropes, but it wasn’t a new favorite for me.
About the author
Elsie Silver is a Canadian author of sassy, sexy, small town romance who loves a good book boyfriend and the strong heroines who bring them to their knees. She lives just outside of Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband, son, and three dogs and has been voraciously reading romance books since before she was probably supposed to.
She loves cooking and trying new foods, traveling, and spending time with her boys–especially outdoors. Elsie has also become a big fan of her quiet five am mornings, which is when most of her writing happens. It’s during this time that she can sip a cup of hot coffee and dream up a fictional world full of romantic stories to share with her readers.
Practical Information for Readers
Wild Side by Elsie Silver Book Formats
Wild Side by Elsie Silver is available in various formats to suit every reader’s preference:
Paperback: Ideal for readers who enjoy the tactile experience of holding a physical book.
eBook: Convenient for on-the-go reading, available on all major e-reader platforms.
Audiobook: Narrated with emotional depth, available on platforms like Audible.
PDF Wild Side : While some may search for a PDF version, it’s recommended to opt for legal eBook options to support the author.
Where to find Wild Side by Elsie Silver PDF
Amazon Kindle: Offers a user-friendly interface with customizable reading settings.
Barnes & Noble Nook: Another popular platform with a wide selection of e-books.
Apple Books: Provides seamless integration with Apple devices and a smooth reading experience.
Wild Side by Elsie Silver Age Rating
I’d recommend Wild Side by Elsie Silver for readers aged 17+ due to explicit sexual content and themes of grief and loss. The book deals with the death of a loved one, which could be triggering for some readers, so keep that in mind before diving in.
