✨Training the Heart✨ by Paisley Hope

Paisley Hope certainly knows how to write a man!! I already knew Wade Ashby was going to be my type of book boyfriend after reading Holding the Reins, but after Training the Heart, I’m upgrading him to book husband!

This is my third Paisley Hope book this year and I swear they just get better and better!! As a fan of a small town romance this ticked all my boxes and was by far one of the sexiest books I’ve read this year. In fact, it was filthy!

The second instalment in The Silver Pines series, Training the Heart follows Wade, owner of Silver Pines ranch, as he prepares for the famous Kentucky Derby whilst trying to resist his new horse trainer, Ivy. Whilst Wade tells his ranch workers to keep their hands to themselves, he can’t seem to follow his own advice, struggling to remain professional and keep his distance. As the two work closer together tensions reach a peak when they’re forced to share a bed one night in Nashville!

I knew this book was going to be great after the characters were introduced in Holding the Reins, and having both points of view throughout their story made all the ‘will they, won’t they’ tension that little bit hotter. I genuinely loved this book and thought about the characters and their story after I’d finished reading it. I can’t wait for more in the next instalments.

Thank you to Paisley Hope, NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK for the ARC!

🌶️ 5/5

💜 Obsessed with her
💜 Grumpy cowboy
💜 Smut reading MCF
💜 Forced proximity
💜 One bed
💜 Scrunchies

I must admit that this is not my type of book, with swearing and very spicy scenes with a touch of S&M, however as I received this as an advance copy I felt I had to read and finish it. Saying that if you don't mind the language and love the spicy bits (and there are many who do) you will enjoy it. I did like the storyline itself, with grumpy Wade meeting his match in Ivy, both suffering from previous relationships, with Wade struggling running the ranch after the death of his father. There is also a supportive family and friends, with plenty of friendly banter between them plus, being set on a ranch, horses in the mix. As I said, although this might not have been a book for me, there are plenty of readers who will love this and I have scored it with those in mind.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

I have read Ms Hope’s earlier novel, Holding the Reins so knew what to expect. It is basically a love story between one very grumpy cowboy type and a girl who had a bad controlling relationship and wanted to steer clear of any new relationship.

If you are at all offended by soft porn/graphic language and descriptions, this is not a book for you.

All in all, knew what was coming and liked the back story

3.75 ⭐️ Actually better than book #1!

To be completely honest, that sentence is not much of a feat. Book 1 had things that I definitely liked, but it had too many instances of the MMC putting the FMC down, and at times felt judgy and sexist. Like those kinds of small-town microaggressions that are supposed to seem normal and you're just supposed to turn a blind eye to them, take them and move on. The kind that the second I turn 18 I realized I was a whole a** adult that didn't have to take sh*t from anybody (including but not limited to small-town family and friends who can't conceive that there's life outside their very narrow-minded beliefs). So, yeah, maybe book 1 was slightly triggering for me.

This book, however, took a -small but definite- turn for the better, in my opinion. Wade (MMC) seems like a much more level-headed man than our MMC in book 1, even if he's all gone for his girl, too. And Ivy! The absolute best FMC in the series (so far!) I loved her so much! The whole boss/ employee thing doesn't typically work for me, but here it was kind of cute.

Also, there's a very specific trope here that I always go RAVENOUS for, it's like a 'Who did this to you? (Dark Version) and omg it's done so, so well here. Ivy has a very disgusting, manipulative and abusive ex, and let's just say he kind of gets a knuckle sandwich for lunch at some point in the book -and let me tell you, he one thousand per cent deserved it!

If you liked book 1, I think you'll like this one even more!! I can't wait to see where this series goes next, because if this is a step up from book 1 (and it is!), book 3 has some big shoes to fill!

🌶🌶🌶/ 5 -There's certainly a bit of a small burn at the first 50% of the book or so, but wow when it got going things got really, really hot!

Thank you so much Net Galley for the eARC!* This review has already been uploaded to Goodreads :)

Another cowboy banger from Paisley 😍
💫Grumpy Cowboy
💫FMC horse trainer
💫Forced proximity

I really enjoyed Wade and Ivy's story. This is definitely a lot more spice than the first book but I loved every second 🤭

I would give it
3.75 /5 for 🌶️

I love a protective MMC and Wade would truly do anything for his woman. And that ending 🥹❤️‍🔥

I thought i loved book one, but book 2!!! OMG Perfection.

I adored Wade and Ivy and the fact we followed the same community from book 1. Paisley touched on a lot of sensitive topics but handled them beautifully - cant wait for book 3!

I'm struggling to put into words how much I loved this book!! Paisley has done such an amazing job with this one, and from the very start you can just see how amazing her writing became (and it was already great) and this combined with the amazing main and side characters, made me absolutely devour this book. it’s now one of my top cowboy romances. 🫶🏻

I love a strong FMC and I loved Ivy so much! Smart, sweet, talented, funny, sassy & strong despite the things she’s been through and things she’s been told that affected her self worth. She also has this sexy vibe about her and definitely knows how to put a grumpy & bossy rancher in his place when necessary.

Grumpy cowboys are my favourite type of cowboys, and Wade is now very high on top of my list of faves, fighting for the top position with Cade Eaton.
But beside his grumpy behaviour, contrasting with Ivy’s sunshine, he’s also a caretaker (which I am an absolute sucker for) who performs huge acts of service (which absolutely melted my heart), a private chef for his girly and a man obsessed. Did I mention he gets mine tattooed on his hand? I’m sure Ivy looks so pretty with her collar. 👀

I don’t know who I have a bigger crush on - Ivy or Wade. 😮‍💨

Also, the spice in this book?! 🥵🌶
I thought Holding the Reins was spicy, but this book takes it to another level. All the scenes are amazingly written though, and I absolutely loved them.
I think these were my fave spicy scenes in a book so far, and I’ve read a lot of them already, so that’s saying something. There was also a great balance between the spice and the plot.

I also loved the glimpses of Nash and Cece and how he is such a puppy for her! They are adorable. And this book made me so excited for Ginger and Law Daddy’s book! They banter is always great & hilarious, and I loved seeing more of them in this book.


Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Random House and Paisley Hope for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

While reading Holding The Reins I KNEW deep in my soul, Wade & Ivy were going to be exceptional, and Training the Heart did not disappoint.

Follow Rancher, Wade Ashby as he navigates running the family business and getting out of his failed marriage all while trying to deny his growing attraction to the newly hired horse Trainer, Ivy Spencer. Ivy is excited to achieve her life-long dream of training a horse for the prestigious Kentucky Derby, after fleeing from a past she’d left well behind. Or so she thought. Can Ivy let herself trust and fall for the towns closed off rancher?

The tension and angst between the grumpy boss and sassy sunshine trainer will have you hooked!

I love Paisley’s writing. It is full of banter, and so full of heart. I am instantly immersed and feel like part of this small town family and Silver Pines ranch.

Wade Ashby is the grumpiest of the grumps but the softest cinnamon roll for Ivy and simply put, I adore him. When you get to see him open up and really start living, it is the best thing to witness.

Ivy Spencer - what can I say? She is sweetness and sunshine with a whole lot of sass. The way she never backed down to Wade and gave as good as she got made me absolutely love her!

I enjoyed having scenes with the whole Ashby/Carter clan as well as Ginger, and Olivia. It makes me so happy to read.

All sensitive topics were handled with great care and sensitivity.

If you love anything cowboy, small town or want to start out, get yourself reading the Silver Pines series! This is certainly my new romance series obsession.

This is the second book in the series and it would be helpful to have read the previous novel ‘Holding the Reins’..
Wade Ashby has had to take responsibility for the family and the family ranch since his father’s death. This lead to his marriage breakdown and his serious outlook on life and lack of trust in women. He is sworn off women until temporary trainer I’ve Spencer arrives with a passion for scrunchies and spicy books.
This is a fun story about trust and passion with lots of spice and heart.

I enjoyed the 2nd book as much as the first. Paisley has done a great job. Ivy and Wade's story unfolds at just the right pace. It's nice to see all the familiars again too.
Sex is a little bit naughtier in this book than it was in the first book. It's almost as if the author is leading the reader gently down a path to the darker but no less gratifying side of love and lust.

thank you so much to netgalley for letting me read this book as an ARC.
I loved this book so so much!!
Wade is your grumpy cowboy/rancher, he's taken over the family ranch and says he'll never fall in love... of course that's not entirely true. . i just don't think she realised how hot her boss was going to be. I was smiling the whole way through reading. the Ashbys loved Ivy and they all knew that Wade had finally met his match.
these two are grumpy X sunshine, there's forced proximity and work place romance. this book had everything i wanted and more

thank you so much to netgalley and paisley hope for letting me read this book as an ARC.

I love this world and everything that happens in it. The family and friendships shown, the relationships that develop, the banter and “hate” between everyone is something I won’t get over in a while.

Wade is your grumpy cowboy/rancher, he’s taken over the family ranch and says he’ll never fall in love… of course that’s not entirely true.

enter Ivy. trying to leave behind a past she would much rather forget and needing a job doing something she loves. i just don’t think she realised how hot her boss was going to be.

the banter that these two share had me laughing and kicking my feet, it felt so real and I was smiling the whole way through reading. the Ashbys loved Ivy and they all knew that Wade had finally met his match… it now all depended on wether or not he would admit he was starting to like her.

these two are the definition of grumpy X sunshine, there’s forced proximity and work place romance. this book had everything i wanted and more, I definitely won’t be getting over these two in a while.

yes there was spice but there was also a lot of plot and storyline that it didn’t feel too overpowering… I don’t think I would change anything about this book and I can’t wait for the next one so I can fall in love with the Ashby family all over again. I’m so excited and ready for Cole and Ginger🤠

I loved this, and I think more than the first one! I loved everything about it, plot, character development, Wade and Ivy, all of the extended family, Wade beating the crap out the ex who I can’t even remember his name. Loved it 🤩 I think the accidental pregnancy trope isn’t well loved but I actually loved the way this was done tbh. I think wade being that loving nurturing support ivy needed in that moment was so so lovely!

Ooooooooft this book - tension for days.

Big fan of Paisley Hope and her easy to read, quick paced romances that have everything you need - plot, spice and well written characters that have chemistry across the board, both platonic and romantic!

Love the Ashby family and I think the running theme of the grumpy men finding their loves is adorable - with a “bit” of spice for good measure.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

Such a good small town romance.

I’ve read a fair few ranch romances at this point but this one stood out. Wade is an excellent character and he and Ivy are so well written. I loved them both as individuals but even more together.

This is a sweet, fiery, super hot romance. Well written and such a good read

Tropes:
Small town cowboy romance
Grumpy Cowboy MMC x Sunshine FMC
Forced proximity (Boss x Employee)
One bed
Found family

I enjoyed this book a lot more than Holding the Reins! I was hooked from the go and didn't want it to end! Can't wait to buy the physical book for my shelf!

Unfortunately, this wasn't for me.

Book 2 is no doubt written much better than Book 1, there is a definite improvement in writing style and character depth. The MMC seems more intriguing and there are less immediate red flags.

The FMC was so unprofessional at the start it made me recoil at times and the whole thing felt like a retelling of books I've read before, I didn't feel like I was reading a unique story so am choosing to not continue.

DNF @ 25%

Thankyou to the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book!!

I love a good cowboy/small-town romance and I have read a LOT of them....Paisley is giving other well known authors a run for their money....her cowboys may be my favourite cowboys yet!

Ivy and Wade are just EVERYTHING, I thought I fell in love with Paisley's writing when I read Holding the Reins, but I think I may love Training the Heart even more.

This book is the ultimate in Grumpy Sunshine, Wade's inner struggle with his feelings towards Ivy suck you right in and make you love him even more. Ivy is full of sass and attitude, she is not scared to voice her opinion and give back as good as she gets. The trust building in this book is so good, with each of the main characters having their own reasons to struggle to learn to let someone in after things that have happened in their past relationships.

The spice......incredible, just....wow.

The small town family dynamic is beautifully written and where some authors can often lack in presenting side characters, Paisley does this effortlessly. I hope there will be more in the way of reaching into the side characters in their own books as I am desperate to find out more and equally desperate to read more from Paisley Hope.

book 2 was somehow even better than book 1!!! i am so in love with these characters!! i need more!!!

If you loved the first book (which I did!) this delivers more of the same formula - and it is GREAT!