You know that moment when you start reading a book and you just click with the writing style and story immediately and know you are going to love it? well I got that feeling at about page 3 in this book. I just knew I was going to devour this book and fall instantly in love with all of the characters.

I simply adored every single element of this book. Nash was by far one of the best MMCs I've read about in a while, I'm a huge lover of the MMCs who have trauma from their past and have to find a way to work past it or the FMC helps them deal with it so they can be together and this book hit the spot for that so well. Nash is dealing with a lot of trauma from when his parents died and watching him and CeCe fall in love and him open up to her about it was one of my favourite parts of the book!

What more do you need in a book than a protective, caring MMC who is a retired Hockey player, owns a bar and is also a part time cowboy??? We love cowboys in this house and ones who play Hockey... well we love them 1000% more. I loved the little moments in this book showing how much Nash cared for CeCe, especially in the beginning. The little moments will always be what make or break a book for me and this story was absolutely incredible, it has everything I needed it to and I am jumping immediately into book two of this series!

This was a great fun small town read. Nash and Cece are a hot couple! If you love small town cowboy romances like Lyla Sage & Elsie Silver then you'll really enjoy this one!

- small town romance
- Hot and sassy FMC
- possessive cowboy ММС
- No third act breakup
- flirty banter
- spice 🌶️
- brother's best friend
- reformed playboy

Unfortunately this didn’t work for me. It felt like tropes glued together for the sake of it, but I didn’t manage to connect with the characters and the story.
Also there were a lot of spicy scenes that didn’t really help with the character development.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this e-arc!

Once I started reading I could not stop! I devoured this book in mere hours because I was just obsessed with the two main characters. I needed more of them and to know how their story would end. I still want more from this now and that’s when you know it’s an amazing read that you’ll constantly recommend!

I loved how it was ex-nhl/part time cowboy feel to it! It worked so perfectly and the romance built up before anything physically happened!

A small town, (very) steamy, cowboy romance.

She’s a beautiful young woman returning to her hometown after breaking up with her narcissistic partner.
He’s her brothers’ gorgeous friend, former ice hockey professional, part time cowboy, bar owner and town benefactor.
They met back up and sparks fly!

❤️ a fun easy read
🚩 possessiveness and controlling behaviour

Thanks to cornerstone and netgalley for the chance to read this ARC

4.5⭐️
I became OBSSESSED with this book even to the point I stayed up most the night to finish it! Which is absolutely unheard off or me. The writing is so easy to read and I lived the dual POV. I fell so in love with this world and the characters I can not wait to read the rest of the series!!

4.25⭐️


Thank you negalley and penguin for the arc.

✨Nash the man that you are✨

This book gave me the same vibes I had when reading the chestnut spring series. I loved the found family element and the snippets we got for future books in the series.

I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. The Ashby brothers and the not angels are just iconic and I cannot wait for their books💖💖

Also the ending and the epilogue was just so cute 💗💗

I really really wanted to love this book but there was just too much spice for me that I think it took away from the actual story.

I absolutely loved this book!

We start with Cece, who’s moving back home after a tough breakup, hoping for a fresh start. Enter Nash, a retired hockey player turned part-time cowboy. As Cece settles back into life in her small hometown, she keeps running into Nash – whether he’s helping out at the family ranch or becoming her new boss.

Their connection is undeniable, but there’s one major problem: Cece is Nash’s best friend’s sister, which makes her off-limits. Or does it?

This book had everything I love in a small-town romance – a steamy love story, loveable characters, and the perfect balance of tension and sweetness. I think this might be my new favourite in the genre! If you’re a fan of small-town cowboy romances, look no further. I can’t wait to devour everything Paisley Hope has written, and I’m excited to read the next book.

5 stars – perfection!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the main female character but overall I found the story to be very boring.

Look, we all know that cowboy romance is in and Paisley simply does not disappoint! This book is very much a comfort read for those in their Cowboy Roland era and I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed it

I loved this, it was a nice fluffy, spicy fun read, perfect as a palette cleanser, i always love the cowboys element I highly recommend to anyone and everyone go and read this

CeeCee returns home as her life as she knows is basically falling apart. She finds her Fiancée has been cheating on her and she has had enough packs her bags as returns home to the comfort of her family ranch to get her life back on track. When she gets there she gets there she realises her brother’s best friend is there after retiring from being a pro iice hockey player and now part time cowboy . There is chemistry between them-and he has part of her family since his parents died when he was young. A well written quick enjoyable read with interesting characters , humour the odd bit of steamy under current for good measure.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope is a charming romance that draws you in with its beautifully developed characters and heartfelt storyline. The chemistry between the protagonists is undeniable, and I found myself rooting for them from the start. The author does a fantastic job of capturing the complexities of relationships, blending moments of lighthearted banter with deeper, emotional exchanges.

The rural, equestrian backdrop adds a unique touch to the story, making it feel refreshing and grounding. While there are a few predictable moments, the authenticity of the characters and their journeys make this book difficult to put down.

Thank you netgalley for providing me with a copy to give my honest opinon, and I look very forward to more books from paisley Hope

I absolutely ate this up. Will be coming back to this series for more!

CeCe returns to her family's ranch after escaping a toxic relationship, and winds up working for her brothers' best friend. Who happens to be a retired hockey player. Sparks ensue! But while they try to fight the fire between them, her ex hasn't quite let go of her.

This may have been a bit heavy on the tropes: we get a sports romance, cowboy romance, enemies to lovers, forced proximity and brothers best friend all in one! In my opinion it didn't need so many layers, as the banter and chemistry of the characters spoke for itself.

This is perfect for anyone who wants to read a romance and have a great time. It was fun, flirty and very hot!

WOW wow wow. Amazing, aside form some minor grammatical errors this book is just wonderful. A cowboy x hockey small town acquaintance to lovers romance with enough spice to literally blow your mind. Loved the plot, the characters, the setting, just everything. Can't wait for the rest of the series already!!

People love cowboy romance. They love sports romance. In Holding the Reins, they get both - and it's great!! Lots of fun, looking forward to the rest in the series.

Cece and Nash’s story was just perfect in my opinion.

Friends, enemies, spice and all things nice.

i loved both the main characters and it wasnt just a trope - there was a storyline in between the spice too. Really looking forward to reading more from this series.

Holding the Reins is Paisley Hope's debut novel, and what a debut it is! The story follows Ce-Ce, the main character, as she returns to her family's ranch after the end of a toxic relationship. Back home, she finds herself drawn to Nash Carter, a family friend and retired ice hockey star who now owns the town's ice rink.

The chemistry between Ce-Ce and Nash is undeniable, but there’s a twist—Nash is her brother’s best friend, complicating their budding romance. The tension between following their hearts and respecting family boundaries adds depth to their relationship and keeps readers hooked.

I absolutely loved this book. It has just the right amount of steaminess, balanced with heartfelt moments and a charming small-town setting. I hope we hear more from the townsfolk of Laurel Creek in future books!

A very very naughty, saucy and raunchy book, well done Paisley Hope!!! The book has the right mix of story, engageable characters and some extreme fireworks. If you've ever met a Nash type in your life, you'll be reawakened by CeCe's experience. That goodness she left Seattle to come home to the man who would awaken her inner temple. 5 Soaring Stars. (Not for the faint hearted).