Cowboy romance is a real favourite of mine. I really enjoyed this, its a little fast burn but the two main characters have tons of history so you know wheres probably been some build up to this over the years and its just finally reaching its turning point.

Nash is hot, successful but considered a womaniser and hes also best friends with Cece’s brothers. Cece has returned home after a toxic relationship and she’s here to stay, which is a recipe for trouble for Nash.

This book is spicy fun throughout!

A captivating contemporary cowboy romance that's beautifully written! The author skillfully intertwines rugged landscapes with tender emotions, creating a heartfelt story that lingers. Highly recommending!

a fun and cute read. cece and nash had good banter and i loved hearing about their history. everyone in the town was unserious and silly i loved it. the set up for the future books/couples have a lot of potential i’ll definitely come back for the rest of the series

I liked some parts of this book and it was fairly well-written for what it is – but the patronising, overprotective alpha men did not do it for me. The story was also kinda boring and overall I wanted more. Three stars because I did enjoy the first half.

I flew through this. But while I did enjoy this and the characters I definitely see some red flags with Nash. It's the type of relationship I don't see lasting. Which is totally fine. But I do wish some of his issues were addressed in the book instead of seen as a great thing for a boyfriend to be like.
Overall this is a cute book. I'll definitely be picking up future books

I think this had a lot of potential to be a good, strong story, however it just lacked a connection for me.

It didn’t grip me from the start, it felt very flat and unfortunately I ended up DNFing around the 15% mark (which is unusual for me).

I’d be interest to see what else the author writes, as I think their writing style could be good, this story just wasn’t for me I’m afraid :(

I loved loved loved this book! What a fantastic debut. Nash and Cece were amazing characters that I couldn’t get enough of. I really hope we get books for Cece’s brothers too.

After breaking up with her fiancé, Cecilia returns to her family's ranch in their hometown in Kentucky. Nash, a long-time friend of Cece’s family, has transitioned from a hockey career to managing a few local businesses. He also lends a hand with the horses on Cece’s brother Wade’s property—a bit of a part-time cowboy, if you will. The longstanding relationship between Cece and Nash brings a depth of trust and care that’s evident even before their relationship deepens. I appreciated how the story realistically addressed grief and trauma, making the characters feel like real people.
Cecilia 's a bit of a free spirit, fiercely protective, and unyielding. She's also grappling with the loss of her father, who was the cornerstone of their family. I admired how she balanced considering others’ perspectives while still prioritizing her own needs. Her close relationships with her family and the way she supported Nash were incredibly touching—my heart melted for them.
Known for his fierce protectiveness, Nash is the type who would say, “Touch her again, and you’ll regret it.” His loyalty and protective nature, especially towards Cece, made me adore him. He has been looking out for Cece for years, and his struggles with his own family and the grief over losing Cece’s dad were heart-wrenching. Watching him overcome his fears to build a life with Cece was truly heartwarming.
Another highlight of the book was how the characters handled their conflicts. They might react impulsively at first, but they communicate openly when ready, which made it easy to root for them. I also enjoyed the dynamics with Cece’s brothers, Wade and Cole, and her friends Ginger and Olivia. I’m excited for the next books in this series, especially with the hints we got here.
As for drawbacks, it took me quite a while to stay fully engaged with the story—it wasn't a quick read for me. And, being someone who isn't fond of epilogues, that part didn’t do much for me either. Despite these minor issues, I still enjoyed the book overall!

The story features plenty of banter and chemistry, along with moments of heartfelt grief that tug at the heartstrings. If you’re seeking an all-consuming, sweet, and spicy romance set in a small-town ranch, with the brother’s best friend dynamic and the perfect blend of a hockey player and cowboy, this is the book for you.

3.5/5.

I am fully in my romance era right now + this was book PERFECTION 🙌🏽 The plot, the characterisation, the spice, the emotion.. PHENOMENAL. This book is everything. From page one I was completely hooked and I loved every second.

Both the main, and supporting, characters are beautifully curated and are authentic, relatable + fun. Smart, witty, sweet but sassy Cece was so much fun and fiercely independent, and Nash; well Nash is a grumpy, dirty talking part time cowboy, part time bar owner and part time hockey place. Are you convinced yet? The perfect amount of protective; plus he’s tall, dark, handsome AND he’s tattooed. He reminded me a lot of my partner 🫶🏽

There was plenty of banter and chemistry but also some exploration of grief + moments that pulled on my heartstrings. If you’re looking for an all-consuming, sweet and spicy romance with a small town ranch setting, brother’s best friend + the perfect mix of hockey player and cowboy, this is your book!

This was Hope’s DEBUT NOVEL and she smashed it — I absolutely cannot wait for book two!

Thank you to the publisher & Netgalley for an advanced copy! All opinions are my own. Review also posted to Instagram (@redheadbookgirl), GR & Storygraph.

Thank you very much for the honor of reading an advance of Holding the Reins. Unfortunately the book doesn’t contain a summary underneath, but the gorgeous cover absolutely drew me in! I look forward to sharing a full review and thoughts very soon upon completion. Thank you again