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Possessive Hearts #1

Tarnished (Silver Springs)

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Cassidy
I've been in love with Asher for as long as I can remember.
But this headstrong, billionaire rancher wants no part of me.
He says I'm too young.
He's wrong.
Asher still sees me as the girl I was.
It's time to show him the woman I've become.

Asher
I'm a man of few weaknesses.
Cassidy is one of them.
She's my Kryptonite.
Too beautiful.
Too Tempting.
And completely off-limits.
Almost losing her is the wake up call I need.
I just hope I haven't left it too late to claim the only woman I've ever loved.

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2021

89 people are currently reading
175 people want to read

About the author

Violet Rae

190 books174 followers
Mom. Author. Chocoholic.

I am the author of steamy contemporary and paranormal romances.

Thank you for checking out my Author page. You can find me on most social media platforms.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
151 (42%)
4 stars
103 (29%)
3 stars
66 (18%)
2 stars
22 (6%)
1 star
13 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Alison.
1,507 reviews108 followers
September 5, 2023
"I’ve only ever had Cassidy in my arms once, three years ago, and the memory is seared into my brain and branded on my heart…"

Read 2: Actually accidentally read this again. I wanted to read this series and didn’t realize I had already read book 1. Still a four star read for me. I’m not a huge fan when the heroine is so obviously in love with the hero and has been for a long time but it was okay.

I thought this was a good read! It was a little darker than I expected from a short novella but that really only made it more interesting in my mind.

I was annoyed that Asher pushed her away three years ago but there were two things that made me "okay" with it. The first is that he remained celibate during those three years. He loved her, he couldn't look at anyone else. The second is that she didn't give into him right away. When he proclaimed his love she didn't fall into his arms immediately and let him has his happily ever after, she let him know that he was going to have to work for it.

A good read.
Profile Image for Andrea Fleury.
1,020 reviews79 followers
June 12, 2025
Cassie

Cassie has had a rough life. Between a worthless father and a drunken mother who sleeps with every guy in town. She has seen it all . But there's only one thing she wants. Asher. Her best friends older brother.
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,676 reviews111 followers
March 23, 2022
Good

This was a enjoyable story. Cassidy has loved Asher for as long as she can remember but he rejected her after they shared a kiss with some pretty harsh words. Asher watched his father’s heart break when his much younger mother deserted them for a younger man. He vowed he would never let a woman break his heart, especially a younger one. He loves Cassidy but won’t risk his heart.
I wanted Cassidy to make Asher grovel more before she gave him another chance. She has been let down by everyone she loves and I wanted Asher to definitely grovel more.

Safety and Spoilers
Safe. No ow/om drama. H has been celibate for over 10 years and h is a virgin. h’s mother was being blackmailed by her ex husband to keep her secrets. Both her mother and father have treated her horribly throughout her life. h is shot by her father and his partner and her mother is murdered by them. Father is beneficiary if both die and he wants the money.
Profile Image for Mya.
1,502 reviews59 followers
May 21, 2023
This story's characters are really interesting. I enjoyed reading this story.
Profile Image for Becky.
1,928 reviews65 followers
January 19, 2022
Quick, easy read.

Reading this book from my library because A. I'm in a book slump! B. I'm quarantined with covid, And C. Bored outta my mind and tired of being sick ( don't get me wrong I'm very blessed I'm not sicker!) but back to this book review... This is a new author to me, it seemed like she's a new author or maybe a new author to this genre. Anyway it was a decent, quick read but the storyline was one that lacked depth if that's the right word. I'm struggling to describe what I felt reading it, light read maybe?! Whichever, I just didn't feel a connection between the storyline or characters.
Profile Image for Donna Feibusch.
1,767 reviews24 followers
November 10, 2021
Awesome Read!!!

I really enjoyed reading Tarnished: Silver Springs Book 1!!! All about Cassidy Webb a twenty-six year old Vet Tech & Ashton Stanton a forty-eight year old rancher. Both Cassidy & Ashton have feelings for the other and it goes back to when she was sixteen years old, however Ashton will never act on his feelings!! Cassidy wishes she could move on, but the heart wants what it wants!!! Read about Cassidy & Ashton and see if they can ever get out of each other’s way!! It was a gripping tale from start to finish, with lots of emotion running though out!!!!Looking forward to reading book 2!!!
Profile Image for Polly Barreto.
766 reviews10 followers
January 18, 2022
This is the first book by this author that I have read.
It was a likable read. I liked both characters but had a hard time connecting with them. The story itself was good, flowed nicely, and the secondary characters helped greatly with the storyline. Had some good angst – overall I did enjoy it, but not sure I enjoyed it enough to continue on with the series.
Profile Image for Sommer Lovett.
132 reviews4 followers
August 26, 2021
Let me say I read Branded book thru ARC/Booksprout and then I enjoyed that book enough to buy it afterwards Sadly this will not be one I buy. This book was just ok for me. I really feel there should have been some chase even a tiny bit. The h from the very beginning was almost a doormat and throwing her feelings way out there right from the get go. The H has a hang up about him being older than her and he treats her very coldly to put distance between them and he acts that way for 4 Years! And he FINALLY figures it out while she waits patiently all meek and mild and lovestruck and she jumps in his arms in a second. She never tried to move on. I just wanted her to make him put in a little effort, but was very quick in that regard. This book’s storyline is actually before Branded and Branded came out first. When I read Branded I was hoping I could read about how Cassie and Asher got together since she seemed so spunky and she said that Asher had called her a “glorified dog groomer” when they had gotten into a fight before they got married… Well he didn’t call her that and they pretty much never got into a fight anyways. ( How could they? when she was pretty much a doormat with him) It was someone else who called her that and she got into an argument w/ that person. I also didn’t see how he could have had such strong feelings for her but had no idea about her home life since she was his sister’s best friend and they lived in a small community. I just didn’t feel this 📖 or the romance.
Now saying all this I still want to read Dani’s book and I am reading Molly and Flynn’s right now😀I am new to this author and I have loved previous works from her and I still will in the future too I am sure. I do love steamy books and this author can write some of those sometimes😜 I am a fan of Violet Rae❤️

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Chalice.
3,701 reviews111 followers
March 20, 2023
3.5 stars

The couple: Asher and Cassidy

Romance trope: brother's best friend
Series: Silver Springs
Length: 82 pages

Plot: Cassidy has been in love with her best friend's brother, Asher, for a while now, but even though they shared a hot kiss three years ago, he's avoiding her because of the age difference. He doesn't want to be left behind like his mom did to his dad, so he keeps Cassie at arm's length. But she needs him and he never really knew. He'll have to fight for her now that he's made up his mind and the only question is if she's still willing to give him a chance.

Commentary: I do like that Cassidy didn't immediately fall into his arms and forgive him (it didn't take too long, but this isn't a long story). She let him know that he hurt her and never really got to know her but made a bunch of assumptions instead. She stood her ground and that, more than anything, told him that she was mature enough for him despite the age difference.

I like this author's stories -well-written, solid characters, sweet/dirty love stories.

Next book in the series: Branded
Profile Image for Raecharmed.
9,301 reviews70 followers
September 2, 2021
Asher doesn't have a good opinion when it comes to relationships. He likes his sister's best friend Cassidy but is worried about how it'll turn out. Cassidy likes Asher but doesn't think she has a chance with a guy like him. When Cassidy learns some hard truths from her parents she doesn't know what to do. Cassidy doesn't want to take her friend up on her option to live with them because of how she feels for Asher. She doesn't want to see him with someone else. Asher is trying to move on from his feelings for Cassidy but its hard when she is around with his sister. Will either of them finally admit their feelings for each other? Can they get their happy ending?

This is an amazing story that will draw you in from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
114 reviews
September 1, 2025
You lost me a little when the MMC has treated her like dog shit and ignored her for years and then all of a sudden decides I want her can’t live without her. I had hope because the FMC follows up his declaration with a page worth of no you don’t get to treat me like this and think I will just take you back, I was all hell yeah girl you tell him, only for him to be like I know sorry wanna go on a date and this dumb bitch was like yes! But I pressed on, a decision I will later come to regret. I can suspend reality with the best of them but in what freak word do you pay the doctor with a credit card prior to surgery 🤦‍♀️ “I’ll cover it,” I say immediately, pulling my card from my wallet and handing it to him. you have got to be fucking joking. Another laugh riot was when the FMC is talking to the police and he sits down and takes out his PDA, that’s right kids we have apparently time traveled back to 2002.
Profile Image for Nova.
2,710 reviews102 followers
September 12, 2021
I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.

Cassidy is working hard to keep her mother and her going, giving up going to college to support them both but each day is filled with put downs and hurtful comments from the one person that should accept her as she is. Life hasn’t always been like that especially when she was living with her father in Denver, but when his life and business fell apart he dumped her in her mother’s doorstep.Her saving grace in life is her best friend Dani, she spent most of her childhood with her and her older brother Asher hiding out at their ranch. Asher has been the object of all her dreams for years but four years ago he rejected her in the worst way and shattered her heart. She can’t get over him as much as she tries, he ignores her but he has made it more than clear that he will never see her as anything other than his little sisters best friend. But everything changes the night he takes her home, they share a kiss to end all kisses, she’s on cloud nine until her mother tells her family secrets that rock her world, there is no way that she can tarnish his perfect life with the things she’s just discovered. Is this really the end for them?

Asher fell for Cassidy when she was sixteen years old, she had just returned from Denver to live with her mum when her dad abandoned her. Gone was the cute little girl he’d watched grow up and in her place was a woman who was going to bring him to his knees if he lets her. But after his mother left him and his sister Dani he’s always been determined that he would never be with a woman who was so much younger than him, so when they shared a kiss four years ago he knew he would have to push her away. He is done fighting how he really feels but when her life is in danger has he left it too late to show her how he truly feels, will she give him and then a chance at loving each how they always should have done?

This is a new author for me and this story I enjoyed so much. Cassie was a perfect heroine and had a heart of gold. Asher has been living in the past he almost missed a chance to have a future. I’m hoping I don’t have to wait to long for the next book in the series and I’m hoping Dani gets her happy ever after. 4.5 steamy stars.
Profile Image for Cynthia Carpenter.
1,675 reviews15 followers
January 21, 2024
LOVED IT

A short, steamy, full of twist and turns, and suspense. Cassidy has not had the best home life with her mother, but she makes the most of it. For years she has been in love with her best friend brother Asher three years ago he pushed her way because of what happen to his father. Now he is trying to make up for it. When things go wrong and she ends up missing andnher mother dead. When the truth comes out about her past will she be able to figure out the truth. An amazing read that gives younall the feels and won't disappoint. Can't wait to read whatnthis author has next.
Profile Image for Marie.
5,195 reviews52 followers
October 21, 2023
How long can you Iive in denial?

Asher has been living in denial for years, he is trying to convince himself that he is doing the right thing....but his heart calls out to Cassie.
It has been a rocky relationship with hurt and denial on both sides, but the second Cassie's life is in danger Asher loses control, she is his, his to protect, his to claim, his to love and the best way to do that is with her in his arms!
A sweet, dirty, sexy and heartwarming second chance for first love which I read on Kindle Unlimited.
Profile Image for Victoria.
4,699 reviews
August 24, 2021
I was a little confused that this seemed to have events before the previous book I had read, but the author explained why at the end, so it made a more sense. I enjoyed the flow of the story, the good characters, the dark and light, and the ups and downs. The connection and chemistry between Cassidy and Asher was believable and I enjoyed learning about their shared past from both points of view.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Erika Jackson.
659 reviews4 followers
October 16, 2022
Small Town Romance💕💕

I love this story! It was different and captivating. Cassie is trying her best. She is young, sweet, and pretty. She has been crushing on her best friend brother for years. Asher is her best friend brother. He is distant, handsome, and sweet. He is trying his best to keep the distance between him and her. The story was wonderful and keep me entertain. The writing was great! It gave me all the feels. Amazing work again Violet Rae!
Profile Image for MandyMarie.
939 reviews21 followers
August 25, 2021
Billionaire Cowboy, age gap and BFFs brother

Tarnished is a book that has it all - it’s a cowboy, billionaire, age-gap, best friends brother, small town romance!
This is a quickish read full of humor, some drama, and oh, the steaminess! Asher tried to stay away from his little sisters best friend …. But Cassie is too sweet and too perfect!
Profile Image for Ashley Crimmins.
356 reviews3 followers
August 26, 2021
Short and steamy

I love short steamy stories! Cassidy and Asher have loved each other from afar for years! Asher is Cassidy’s best friends brother. Asher us is twelve years older and mentally struggling with age gap. Can Cassidy convince Asher to throw caution to the wind and love her anyway?
351 reviews
August 11, 2023
Great read!

Loved the main characters, loved the storyline, and the plot twists. The supporting cast of characters creatively enhanced the story, and the villain was the kind you love to hate (and felt great when he got his comeuppance). All in all this was a great find from a one day list of free books; I have a new author added to my TBR list.
Profile Image for Winter.
2,069 reviews7 followers
December 9, 2021
This book really surprised me. It moved very quickly and felt like a lot of story in a short book. The heat level was higher than I anticipated as well. I don't know why but I just didn't expect the chemistry and sauciness of the few love scenes. Definitely a good thing.
Profile Image for Jamie West.
1,454 reviews5 followers
February 24, 2022
Cassidy and Asher!

Whoa! Love this sweet and sexy as sin best friend’s older brother love story!! After years of pushing her away, Asher hopes he’s not too late to claim his HEA with Cassidy. Especially with the danger she finds herself in.
Profile Image for Raine .
246 reviews4 followers
June 5, 2022
WOW

I definitely thought that “I almost lost her” reading the blurb was going to be in reference to another man. Holy hell was this a total twist I didn’t see coming! Definitely worth the quick read!
Profile Image for Liz.
2,124 reviews10 followers
September 4, 2022
This book just wasn't really for me. The description definitely didn't talk about how this book is kind of romantic suspense and there are guns and shooting and drama. The rest of the story didn't have a lot of depth of content, so I don't feel like I really understand their relationship.
408 reviews
October 15, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book. They also did a good job, I like the characters in the book. I will read another one definitely. I like how she tied in a prior character from another boon to this one.
1,170 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2023
Great story

Wow! This book had a little bit of everything. But having the characters, Asher and Cassidy, finally taking what they want is so heartwarming. The drama just added to the feelings between them. I enjoyed their happy ever after very much.
2,788 reviews2 followers
October 27, 2023
Cassie and Asher

Cassie has been dealt a bad hand in the parents she has to deal with. Neither one is sober or anything resembling ethical. As her has kept away from Cassie because wage difference until circumstances make him aware that he could lose her.
Profile Image for Fran.
2,471 reviews4 followers
March 12, 2025
loved this fast paced novella

What a wonderful story and a great strong female lead. Cassie kicks butt and I loved her. No matter her past, her parents, her life she is the best lead ever. Asher wasn’t too bad either. Fast paced, steamy and I loved it.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,255 reviews36 followers
September 19, 2025
Sweet

Asher and Cassidy.

She's loved her best friend's brother since she was young.

Asher he hides his feelings for a few reasons. Will he man up before its to late.

Will things work out for them?
Profile Image for Rachel Schembri.
165 reviews3 followers
September 12, 2021
Enjoyable

Aww a very cute quick easy read. I do wish we got a little bit more bonding time between her and her newly found brother.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

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