Thank you to Penguin for providing me with an arc to read and review.

4.5/5 Stars

I absolutely loved book 1 in this series so I was excited to read book 2 and then life got in the way. I finally got to read it and I had such a good time. This is grumpy x sunshine, boss x employee, and small town romance. This one was really cute and also spicy as hell and I loved it. Once the spice starts, it doesn’t stop and Wade’s mouth is dirty as hell.

I am excited for the next one as I love Mabel, Cole’s daughter and I love accidental marriage. I do think this one was decent with plot in the beginning but once they got together it fell off a bit and never fully got back to plot. I didn’t mind it as it was what I needed after reading a book with very little spice but it did feel inconsistent. I really recommend this series so far if you want a high heat cowboy series.

This fun and sweet cowboy romance introduces us to Ivy – a sassy horse trainer – and Wade – her rather grumpy (but very attractive) boss at Silver Pines ranch.

When Ivy starts working for Wade, he gives her the nickname Trouble, and that is what ensues as they fight their attraction… until they don’t!

I did feel as though I was missing some context, having not read the previous book in the series, but it was still an enjoyable read.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

From the moment Paisley originally announced this book when she was indie published I was so excited so when she got picked up by a publisher I was completely ecstatic for her.

I’ve waited for this book for so long and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I couldn’t get enough of the tension between the two characters along with the book being filled with so many tropes that I absolutely adore. The combination was perfect!!!

If you’re someone who loves a cowboy romance novel then I highly recommend this series for you as it’s filled with everything that you’ll love.

Paisley Hope knows how to write a spicy book with characters that you’re going to fall in love with. It was so lovely being back on the Silver Pines Ranch with all the characters I’ve adored since Holding The Reins. The found family trope is always such a strong aspect in her books.

I can’t wait to see what else Paisley does within this series. I know that Cole and Ginger’s book is next which I am so ready for after all the little crumbs we’ve had from previous books.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I read it so fast i could not put it down. The character development from the first book and the writing style made me have to finish it. I got so immersed in this book that I can not wait for the next installment!!!

This is my first book by this author and the first thing I'll be doing is reading book one in this series!

I really enjoyed reading this one. I liked the slow build up to the lust and when the spice hit, it really hit. Even going from lust to love was a nice and believable progression. I really enjoyed the plot, the additional characters and we were given just the right amount of spice.

I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

I loved this book, the characters, the plot and omg the spice!

Ivy has just moved to Silver Pines ranch to take on a job as a horse trainer, working under the grumpy ranch owner - Wade Ashby. Together they're going to have the next Kentucky Derby winner but working together so closely means they're spending a lot of time together and this isn't easy when they're both attracted to one another but unable to actually admit it.

Then Ivy sprains her ankle and without really thinking, Wade offers to have her stay with him so he can help her out and they quickly settle into a domestic routine that is incredibly comfortable for them both.

I liked the moment when they finally gave into their attraction for each other, even if the moment was interrupted by Wade's younger brother Cole. But the fact that neither of them runs from their feelings and they actually take the time to discuss the matter while they're travelling to Nashville to look at a horse. But then they realise there is just no way to stay away from each other, so they don't.

There is no third act break-up (YAY!) and there are some really heart warming moments throughout the story as well. Particularly with Wade - he 100% shows he's there for Ivy, he listens to her, he praises her, he sticks up for her and he backs her completely through everything. He's the perfect book boyfriend.

But the spicy scenes, of which there are many - are ridiculously hot! Wade is a cowboy with a super filthy mouth and I totally loved it. He clearly knows what he's doing in bed and he's confident in what he enjoys, he really isn't afraid to take it but Ivy matches him every time even though she isn't as experienced.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

ARC review: I love this series so much 🥹 Holding The Reins (book 1) is one of my favourite cowboy romances ever and I loved this one just as much! Ivy & Wade have my heart ❤️
Can’t wait for the rest of the series!

Look if there’s a grumpy rancher involved I am eating that book up but a caring grumpy rancher, a hard outer shell, soft gooey heart. I am a goner!
Welcome Wade Ashby. Eldest Ashby son thrust into running his family ranch after his dad passes away and coming off the back of a divorce, Wade is guarded and gruff until a clumsy ray of sunshine barrels into his life talking a million miles a minute ready to work as the Ranches new trainer.

As a reader I absolutely adored the spark and tension between Wade and Ivy, both have walls up due to their past traumas and relationships but they find solace in each other (and snuggled on the couch bonding over action movies and ice cream)

Paisley Hope manages to blend the lighthearted energy of the Ashby Family with some harder topics like emotional abuse, alcoholism and pregnancy related fears (all off page) in a way that feels natural and gentle. Wade is so understanding to Ivy’s past and surrounds her with the kind of love we all want.

Plus the SPICE level is HOT. All I am saying is MINE and when you read the book you’ll know!

Look, im a sucker for a cowboy romance and paisley continues to deliver - she just gets it. Save a horse, ride a cowboy and all that!

This book felt like home 🫶🏽 I absolutely loved ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑠 earlier this year + think I loved this even more. I adored Ivy + Wade from the very beginning: their characterisation was perfect + the chemistry between them was on fire. If you love a small town cowboy romance, incredible found family vibes, boss/employee + forced proximity, this is the book for you—— this is your sign to pick up book one if you haven’t yet visited Laurel Creek!

Possible spoiler (although I’m pretty certain it was mentioned in the cw at the start of the book) but the plot does inc surprise pregnancy + mention of fertility issues. Although these are dealt with very sensitively, I know they can be difficult topics for lots of us 🤍

Another great romance with sexy cowboys which had me hooked from the beginning. Bring back in Silver Pines was just what was needed and I loved grumpy Wade.

I loved Ivy, her backstory and her chance to set her life on track again and the sparks between her and Wade was perfect.

She knew how to push his buttons but he fell for her and would do anything these wants. He’s lush.
I liked the other characters in the book and will be picking up book three as soon as.

I absolutely ate this up!! After reading the previous book I knew I would be obsessed! I loved the found fam vibes and the girl gang 🫶🏻 small town cowboy romance is an absolute fave of mine and this did not disappoint! Cannot wait for what's next!!

I think I enjoyed this book more than book 1! I LOVED the characters we followed through this book. I felt myself welling up so many times through this book. There were times I was so angry at the characters too. But ultimately I can not wait to read the next book!!!

Not a big fan. I really didn’t like the first one but I want to give the second one a chance. I couldn’t finish it, DNF

I had such high hopes for book 2 in the Silver pines series.

However I must say compared to the book 1 this really has taken the spice level up to 100.
Spicy scenes don't usually bother me, however I felt that in this case the scenes replaces character development and growth.

Instead of seeing a deep romantic connection forming we were just given spicy scenes.
Having said this, I did like Ivy's character I really liked her backstory, I only with this was properly explored and her inability to have children discuss on more personal level with Wade. This is a very sensitive subject for a lot of women and I feel like it was just resolved/ explained away in a handful of chapters.

Overall I think I would still give book 3 a try as I do like the family these books are centred around.

Absolutely love it. Cowboy era impending for everyone. Slowing becoming one of my favourite series to read. Brilliant balance of humour, romance and warm feeling content.
Can’t wait to read the 3rd book 😍

*Training the Heart* by Paisley Hope is a powerful and uplifting read that invites readers on a journey of emotional growth and healing. With a focus on developing emotional resilience, the book offers practical tools, insightful wisdom, and personal stories that resonate deeply. Hope’s compassionate approach makes complex concepts on mental health and personal development easy to understand, while encouraging readers to cultivate self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Whether you're dealing with personal challenges or simply looking to strengthen your emotional well-being, *Training the Heart* provides a roadmap for navigating life with a more balanced and open heart. Perfect for anyone seeking a thoughtful and empowering guide to emotional self-care.

This has all the makings of an emotional read, but sadly it fell short for me on that front. The smut, though? Whooo, that most definitely delivered.

I do wish we got a little more of the non-sex part of their relationship because I just wasn’t emotionally invested. Every time I think they’re finally going to talk about feelings, especially with Ivy fresh out of an abusive relationship, they just go back to doing it. I’m all for a smutty book, but I do like some balance.

Another thing I really, really hoped for was to see Ivy kill it at her job. There was such a huge build up about her being this horse whisperer of sorts, but we didn’t even see them together? I wish we did.

Even with all that, this was still a fun time and I’m looking forward to book 3!

I really wanted to love this book. Being a horse rider I was looking forward to seeing where this would go but I must admit I was a little disappointed. I think there were just too many spicy scenes. It seemed like we got over one spicy bit and was landed with another spicy bit straight after. It kind of took away from the story, Im still not even sure there was a story other than boy meets girl and they get it on. There were so many more levels that could have been investigated, especially around the mental abuse that was touched on but not really fully explored.

I did enjoy it but there was no real story line and too much sex.

4.5🌟
What a great second instalment to the series. I loved being back with the gang. Wade and Ivy's story was everything I wanted. A great blend of workplace, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity romance. I loved watching these 2 grow and bring out the best in each other. It was so easy to get lost in there story. Not only was it funny in places, swoony and sexy but also incredibly moving and heart wrenching. Can't wait for book 3!