Probably half-filled with smut, Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope is about a woman who returns to her hometown and reunites with her brother’s best friend.

Summary: After breaking up with her unfaithful fiancé, Cecilia "CeCe" Rae Ashby returns to her hometown Laurel Creek to be with her family. She reunites with her brother's best friend, Nash Carter, a former NFL player and now a part-time cowboy, a bartender and a hockey coach.

Tropes/Genres:
• brother's best friend
• small town
• reformed playboy
• age gap (25f 33m)
• contemporary romance

Review: The book was quite enjoyable at the start but got rather boring towards the end. The smut was nice at first but eventually got too much to the point where I rolled my eyes and groaned when another smut scene popped up. There really wasn't a need for that much smut. It takes away the romantic charm of romantic books. They were literally going at it like rabbits.

CeCe is a very charming main character, but she's also forgettable. She's a bit dumb because of the whole "I can do this alone" thing even though it's clear that her narcissistic ex was dangerous and didn't really care about her well-being, and she was proven to be WRONG! Her friends Ginger and Olivia are also lame, considering they do nothing but harass her for information and make her overthink. The only good part about CeCe was probably everything going on with her father. That was really sad. Everything else could've been handled better.

Nash is supposed to be a part-time cowboy and a hockey coach, but both of them are barely mentioned. The roles seem to exist solely for the sake of making sure the author feels better about marking this book as a cowboy and sports romance. Even then, it still doesn't feel like either a cowboy or a sports romance. I appreciate how sweet and protective he is towards CeCe. I just find it funny how they agreed to have a one-night stand and he sounded like he was making love to her. The vibes don't match what it's supposed to be!

This story is told through dual POV, showing the perspectives of both CeCe and Nash. It's nice to be able to read about how the two of them feel about each other. It's just such a shame that most of what they feel about each other seems to be sexual attraction rather than romantic attraction. By the way, I don't find it weird that he fell for her even though he knew her when she was a little girl considering they were both adults and hadn't met in years while she was in Seattle and he was doing his NFL business. However, I highly appreciate that he felt bad for being attracted to her considering she was his best friend's little sister and he was trusted to protect her!

Their romance started out very strong. However, the moment their first smut scene extended past the first chapter, I started losing interest. You see, they decided to spend a day having sex, which can be cute, but the author's writing didn't hold up my interest in their sexy time for very long. It got draggy and boring even though they were doing different things throughout the night. I think the smut probably wasn't that well written, not to mention how much of it there was in the book. It took away the romantic charm the two main characters originally had before they started canoodling, which started around 40% into the book.

It felt like everything happened way too quickly between CeCe and Nash, and there were also a lot of filler scenes. In fact, even a lot of the smut scenes felt like filler scenes because the author didn't really know what to write to develop their romance and decided to throw in some smut instead hoping it would distract the readers. (It clearly didn't work for me.) There were also plenty of lines that made me need to put down the book because of how "Why did you write this? It's so bad." they were.

As opposed to how it was marketed, this book is neither a cowboy nor a sports romance. It's just a small-town brother's-best-friend romance. Just because the MMC used to be an NFL player and is now a hockey coach (which is barely mentioned) and a part-time cowboy (also barely mentioned), it doesn't mean it's a cowboy or sports romance. Seriously. Stop misleading your readers.

While there are a lot of things I didn't like about this book, there are still plenty of good things. For example, I liked the whole part about CeCe, Nash and their relationship with her father Wyatt. He honestly sounded like a great man who gave solid advice. I also thought that Nash's backstory and fear of losing his family all over again were very valid. That's one thing that the author expressed very well in this book. It didn't bring me to tears, but it made me feel sad for him because no one deserved to go through what he experienced. Nash is a sweetheart who's considerate towards women, which is a huge plus. The only trope that the author didn't mess up was the brother's best friend. That was great!

Overall, this book is okay, but people who don't read books simply for smut probably wouldn't enjoy this that much because there isn't much of a romantic connection between CeCe and Nash, while it's very obvious from a mile away that they are sexually attracted to each other. That kind of defeats the purpose of being a romance book. I recommend this book to readers who like small-town romance with way too much smut.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.

I couldn’t love this more 😭
Cece & Nash are just two perfectly developed characters. They are so well written with complex layers just adding to the dimension of the story.
I loved the brother’s best friend trope it was done so well and was so emotionally satisfying.
And the SPICE. LOOOOORD the spice was spicing in this one!
Honestly at this point I’m ready to move to Silver Pines because the men are just 😍🥵
I’m so excited for Training the Heart because I’m already in love with Ivy and Wade has a place in my heart 😭😭

Well, send me over a Nash any day of the week. Is there anything this man can't turn his hand to? I'm not surprised Cece eventually caved in, I would have long before she did. This whole book was very easy to read, entertaining and light. Lots of steamy scenes and all the characters were very likeable and I could see that Nash would have been worried about harming his family bonds given how tight knit they all were.
Anyway, it was delightful to read and I really enjoyed it.

This book will make you smile and keep your fingers crossed CeCe to get the love she deserves.
Returning home from Seattle, leaving a cheating ex.
Old crushes ignite and burst into flames but not without issues.
Prepare to put the rest of the world on hold whist you cannot put the book down.

Sadly unable to read this one as there was a lot of missing text (words and letters, sometimes letters replaced with symbols) and it took away the enjoyment of reading and sometimes didn’t make sense.
It’s a shame, as this book & plot is very much up my street! Hopefully pick up a physical copy soon

This is one for the Elsie Silver fans, with Nash fitting right into that cowboy, NHL, backwards cap wearing, good girl uttering, touch her & die MMC. And CeCe ticking the tiny but fiesty, off limits best friends little sister, beautiful & clever FMC boxes.

This is predictable, but in a good way, like knowing you're going to enjoy your favourite ice cream flavour. Training the Heart has emotion & laughs, as well as the family element that promises a great series with characters we've already met.

I'm looking forward to Training the Heart already & can't wait to see everyone else's story.

thank you to @Netgalley for this eBook to read and review -
all thoughts are my own.


It was meh for me

The plot was really predictable.
Relied on the smut abit to much.

If I’m being honest the MMC makes me feel sick
“Little one” 🤢 and he comes across as a controlling twit!




Alotttt of random errors instead of letters (don’t know whether it’s just my copy)

I absolutely devoured this book! From page 1, I knew I was going to love it (if you know you know). The main lead characters were amazing and I think everyone needs a Nash in their life's, but not only are the main leads amazing most of the other characters are too (except Drew again if you know you know).

The storyline was great. It had some heartache, hope, family, friends, and love. A few good moments of sadness but a few laugh out moments with Mable - I swear that girl has a bit of my heart.

I would highly recommend this book

I can't review this one as the copy I received is missing a lot of text so I wasn't able to read it properly.

A huge thank you to @Netgalley and fora gifted copy of this lovely eBook to read and review -
all thoughts are my own.

Holding the Reins is the first novel in the Silver Pines series and promised a cowboy romance
with promised 18+ steam rating, which I can fully confirm the steam rating is that high, it was
spicy with various steamy scenes that can get the readers heart racing and wishing for their
own cowboy!

Despite the plot being predictable I am completely here for a drama free comfort romance
read, and this book certainly delivered on that. The chapters were short and told for
alternating perspectives which is always a great addition, the author did a grand job writing
the sex scenes from both the male and female MCs you could sense the difference between
both, and the characters just grew throughout. I loved both of them, and their chemistry was
instantly palpable through the pages, but there were times you just wanted to hit their heads
together, and in my own personal opinion I found the number of times the C word was used
to be quite cringey, I am usually okay with vulgar language but this one just got me, and made
certain lines and moments uncomfortable – but that is my personal feelings and preferences,
I just don’t like the word.

The story really had me with all the emotions, it was heartfelt in places, full of angst and
anger in some, as well as spicy and humorous, I loved the “not angels” but I would have loved
to know more about them. Especially the possible budding romances; Ginger and Cole? Wade
and Ivy? I need answers!

All in all, this is a great steamy sports romance, just check the steam and language guidance
before picking it up. But for me I cannot wait for book two!

I really enjoyed Holding the Reins, some people have mentioned misogyny within the book but I felt the main character would be backed up by her part time cowboy whatever she wanted to do.
It was a good steamy romance which is definitely worth a read.

Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope is a new cowboy/sports romance. The story centres on CeCe's return to her small hometown of Laurel Creek, Kentucky after an unfortunate engagement that didn't work out. She's happy to be back on her family's Silver Pines Ranch, spending time together with her two brothers Wade and Cole, her mom and grandfather. But what she doesn't count on is developing feelings for her brothers' best friend Nash, an icy hockey superstar who grew up with the family after suffering his own personal tragedy.

The pairs attraction towards one another is strong, and despite them trying to deny it because of the complications it may cause in the family, before long the two are jumping right into a secret relationship together. While they do their best to keep their newfound affections secret from her family, it doesn't take long for her friends to uncover the truth which leads to some humorous exchanges.

The spice level between the two is high so be warned about that. Although I thought Nash was a great character from the sports star/cowboy side of things, personally I didn't enjoy the fact that he was very dominant in the bedroom and in general over protective towards CeCe. I enjoyed the family dynamic with the sibling banter, the touching relationship with Mama Jo and the often mischievous grandpa though.

This is a comfortingly spicy four-star read. I wish I was able to give this five-star as I did enjoy the story, but there were parts I just couldn’t get behind, that being said it did some other stuff in such an amazing way that I am so conflicted. CeCe is a really strong character and she will hook you in, Nash felt a little over done, but there was a comfort to him as well. If you are after spice, then this is the story for you. Now off I go to read Training the heart to see what else the Ashby’s ca get up to as we continue to devour this author.

Holding The Reins by Paisley Hope is the first book in the Silver Pines Ranch Series. This Small-Town Romance Brother's Best Friend romance is the story of CeCe and Nash.
 
CeCe left her hometown of Laurel Creek and moved to Seattle where she had a good life and thought she found the love of her life. But it turned out that he was cheating, and their love turned toxic and that’s why she returned to her hometown. She tries to get back on her feet and helps out in her family’s equestrian ranch and I loved all the ranch vibes. CeCe is a good heroine who is soon confronted with her old feelings for Nash.
 
Nash also grew up in Laurel Creek and he is the golden boy and heartthrob who was a successful baseball player for the Dallas Stars. He retired from his career and built a life in his hometown, and he is such a good man and I loved his dirty mouth.
 
This book is such a great small-town romance and because of that CeCe and Nash get closer regardless. And CeCe isn’t just the small and annoying little sister of his best friend anymore and that added a secret aspect to it. One night quickly turns into so much more and I really enjoyed this very spicy romance.
 
Overall, if you love small-town romances, definitely give this one a go. 4 stars.
 
(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)

After breaking up her engagement Cece returns home to her family's ranch in Laurel Creek, Kentucky unsure of what the future holds for her.
This is when she catches up with Nash Carter, NHL superstar turned local hero and part time cowboy. He's the unofficial 4th member of the Ashby family and Cece's brother's best friend.
When Cece is in need of some normality in Laurel Creek, Nash offers her a job, but he's drawn to her and can't keep his eyes off of her.


Brothers best friend
Hockey player turned part time cowboy
Playlist
Dual POV
Age Gap
Spicy
Small Town
He falls fast
Found Family


This is my first book from this author and I’m telling you this is going to be the next big cowboy series. This is the perfect crossover between hockey and cowboy romances. I loved this book and I can’t wait for the next one. Since finishing this book I’ve been all over the author’s Instagram needing to know more about the next 2 books, they can’t come quick enough.


I enjoyed the author’s writing style and the way she brought the characters to life. I loved seeing the different sides of each character and how they interact with others. You can really feel the chemistry between Cece and Nash. They gave me squealing and feet in the air moments and even a cry (of happiness) at the end.

3.75/4 stars

THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING I WANTED!! I keep this short because I think you should truly go read this yourself. A small town-cowboy-hockey romance with spice is what you can expect and it hits all the sweet spots!

4.5 STARS. When I tell you that I NEEDED a new steamy Cowboy romance series and this delivered! Cowboys, hockey and spice. Amazing. I immediately reached for the next in the series.

Holding the Reins is the first book in Paisley Hope’s Silver Pines series and let me tell you this is the perfect book for all the cowboy and sports romance loving readers out there. It was such a fun and easy read, I couldn’t put it down and I genuinely can’t wait to start on book 2 Training the Heart.

Holding the Reins see CeCe Ashby returning home to her families ranch in Kentucky having left her toxic ex in Seattle. On her first night home she sees Nash Carter, retired hockey superstar and her brothers’ best friend, in the bar he now owns. Nash and CeCe both know they should be off limits to one another but cannot seem to deny the pull they feel towards one another. As ‘just one night’ turns into many, Nash learns that where CeCe is concerned his typical rules don’t apply. Now he has to figure out if he can push his past trauma aside to live the life he never dared dream of.

There is so much to enjoy about this book and I’m so pleased it’s the start of a series. It’s similar to Lyla Sage’s Rebel Blue series in that we’re going to be treated to each siblings story, so if you’re a fan of Sage’s you’re going to love Hope. Honestly there’s so much to enjoy we’ve got:
🐎 a small town setting - where everyone seems to know everything
🏒 a wonderfully tight nit family unit, Mama Jo is a dream
🐎 a brilliant, strong and independent FMC in CeCe
🏒 former hockey star, with a heart of gold, MC Nash who falls hard for CeCe
🐎 brilliant chemistry between the MCs and some serious steam
🏒 a truly brilliant female friendship group - the Not Angels
🐎 a brothers’ best friend situation
🏒 characters who are created with depth and heart who feel very real, and have issues and trauma that they’re working on
🐎 a horrible ex who gets taken down!

I loved that Hope included CWs in her author’s note at the start of the novel and her dedication, well phew if that doesn’t make you want to read it well…

I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait for the next in the series.

Thank you to the author and publishers for accepting me for the arc of this book. This is the first book in the Silver Pines ranch series set in Laurel Creek, Kentucky.

Cecelia Rae Ashby, or Cece as she is known, returns home after her broken engagement with Andrew, who she had been with for 8 years. She finally had enough of his philandering ways. She moves back to her family’s horse ranch unsure of where her life is taking her next.

Nash Carter is a retired NHL star who is now a business owner and a notorious bachelor. He is also Ceces brothers best friend and has been in her life for as long as she can remember. When Cece finds a perspective job at the sports centre she almost refuses the job as it means Nash would be her boss. Nash however wins Cece round and she finds herself falling for the one man she should stay platonic with but little does she know that Nash is feeling the same about her.

This is a small town cowboy romance with ice hockey thrown in and I absolutely loved it. The dynamic between Cece and Nash was great and I loved the storyline. Whilst the ending was a little predictable it did not distract from the story and I found it did not spoil the book for me at all. I think I have found another book boyfriend in Nate Carter 😛. Spice level was decent and I’d give it a 2 🌶️ rating. I cannot wait until I get to read book 2 which I have also been lucky enough to receive an arc digital copy of and I shall be reading in the next few weeks.

I read Holding the Reins at exactly the right time and exactly when I needed it. I wanted a light, addictive book, and that’s precisely what I got here. Not to say it’s a fluffy romance with no substance, because it absolutely isn’t. It has depth and emotion, and there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye.

I really liked both CeCe and Nash, and the whole Ashby family. There actually wasn’t a single character I didn’t get on with, and I especially enjoyed the banter between CeCe and her siblings. The chemistry between her and lifelong friend Nash is also off the charts hot, and I was invested in them right from the start.

Like I said earlier, there’s much more to this book than I first anticipated. It deals with numerous hard-hitting subjects, like grief and loss, both of which are handled really well. The characters are deep and realistic, dealing with much more than the old cliches of dancing to country music and working on a farm. The way they help each other cope is so nice and heartwarming, and the epilogue further cements them as a great cowboy couple.

Holding the Reins is a spicy cowboy romance that kicks off the Silver Pines series, and I’m really glad I read it — I’m already looking forward to the second book, which I believe focuses on one of CeCe’s brothers. If you’re looking for a romance book to sweep you away, then look no further. Get this one on your wishlists!

3.5/5.