This is the second book in the Silver Pines series.
I really enjoyed Holding The Reins.
This book follows on from that but this time our female main character is Ivy who has had a really bad past relationship and manages to get a job at Silver Pines ranch as a head horse trainer.
Wade is her grumpy boss but somehow Ivy manages to break down his hard exterior and a relationship blossoms.

I struggled to get through this book. There was ALOT of spice and some of it went on for a very long time 🙈
It got a little boring as the book went on & I wanted more about them & less spice!

The last chapter 😱😳 didn’t need to be there! I was happy with the epilogue 🙈

I give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to Netgalley, and Penguin Random House UK for the ARC.

I forgot how spicy the first book was, until I read this one 🥵 of course, that’s not the only good thing about this story.

A forbidden romance between a boss and his head horse trainer ticks a lot of my favourite boxes - only one bed, touch her again and die, both of them are jealous - so I absolutely devoured this book. It’s well-written, immersive and I felt like I was a part of the Ashby family.

However, after all the build up and anticipation for the derby, it felt like the ending was super rushed. Ivy’s career and success was superseded by a surprise, which I hate, and despite the fact her wins were still celebrated, I felt they came secondary all of a sudden for other things.

Nonetheless, I will be recommending this book to everyone when it comes out on the 17th October. I’ve already pre-ordered my trophy version 😂

Thank you NetGalley and Paisley for giving me the chance to read this book early in exchange for my honest thoughts 🫶🏻

Training the Heart by Paisley Hope 🐎💜
ARC Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Release: October 17th (UK + AU), December 31st (North America).

Tropes to expect:
🐎 Boss x Employee
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🏠 Forced Proximity
🛏️ One Bed
👶🏼 Surprise Pregnancy
🌾 Ranch Setting
💜 Found Family

Oh it was so good to be back in Silver Pines. I didn’t realise I missed them so much until I read about them again and loved fell in love with all the characters again. Seeing my babies Cece and Nash make a few appearances made me heart burst 💕

Our grumpy MMC Wade Ashby, the man that he is 🫠🙌🏼 Through his grumpiness and hard exterior we got to learn his soft side and what a treat it was. The boys giving him shit for his soft side never failed to make me laugh. I love Wade and he didn’t disappoint. The filthy mouth on that man 🫠

Ivy Spencer our FMC was a ray of sunshine to read about. We got to learn about her past self and the things she went through. Wade never wanted a repeat of these events and helped Ivy get through them. Ivy was just herself even during some spicy scenes in particular the
🤠👠 scene 🥵🥵 my fav!

I did feel that there were a lot of spice scenes which took away from the plot. I wished the surprise pregnancy happened a bit earlier since it was what I was looking forward to the most as it wasn’t focused on much. Would’ve loved to see more of the pregnancy 💕👶🏼

As always Paisley has the best found family and all the characters are so loveable. The banter between the boys with text messages had me giggling. The Not Angels girl gang serves as always.

Cannot wait for what the next books will bring to the series. Cole and Ginger’s banter in this book has me so excited for there’s in April 2025 🤭

Thankyou to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouseuk for the ARC, so greatful 💜

• Training the Heart
By Paisley Hope •
☆☆☆☆

~ ARC REVIEW - May contain spoilers ~
~ All opinions are my own ~


• Ivy Spencer steps in to cover maternity leave at the ranch and her grumpy new boss is a challenge. She enjoys tormenting him and watching him squirm.
Wade is grumpy and the stress of day to day life having to manage everything since his father passed can get a bit much at times.

The two bond over the love of horses and the plans for training and the ranch but it isn't love before it's more than a professional relationship.

▪︎ Please check trigger warnings.

I really enjoyed the characters, this book for me was definitely smuttier than the first and at times it did feel for me that I hoped for more space in between the smut and to get further along with the plot and focus on the story.

Be still my pulsing, beating heart.
Wade Ashby, the man you are.
Ivy, you deserve all the nice things in the world and more.

If I could see a rom-com about life on a ranch with horse racing, I would want Wade and Ivy on the big screen. They are so cute together it hurts. I love all the cameos that we get from all the other characters, I missed Cece and Nash so I’m super happy we got to see them again.

And that ending oh myyyyyy!!
The only little hiccup I had is the tattoo, I just couldn’t get my head around that. If it was in the heat of the moment and it was just in a sharpie, sure I would get the vibe. But the tattoo on the hand? I can’t see it. Other than that I’m in love with everything.

I’m hoping we’ll get to see a certain single dad with a certain fiery and loud mouthed best friend in the next one!!

Having been a huge fan of #HoldingtheReins this was a hugely anticipated read for me and I’m so grateful to Paisley Hope, Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK for allowing me access to this ARC.

I adored Wade and Ivy. I clicked with Ivy straightaway when she was listening to a smutty book out loud whilst working and was caught by her boss… Wade.

If you like grumpy and sunshine tropes and cowboy romance this is the book for you. It was a bit of a slow burn but once Wade and Ivy admitted their feelings it was sex left, right and centre! They barely came up for breath 🤣🥵

Ivy is a total badass, she is so strong with what she’s been through to come out the other side and make sure she gets what she wants in life, hats off to her - a huge round of applause. Girl is going to smash life!

I adored Wade, he comes across as this super grumpy, unhappy cowboy who doesn’t want anyone but his family in his life, doesn’t care about anyone or anything else but underneath it all (literally 🙊😍) he is a big softy who has so much heart and love to give and he’s been through shit in his life which has made him close off his heart.

Ivy and Wade help each other break down their barriers - they go through quite a bit together in the book and at times, I was tearing up for Ivy because she was made to feel like she was worthless and useless… and let me tell you, she’s far from it.

This book was so much more than the sex, cowboy romance and brings up a lot about Ivy and Wade. It was touching at times. I wanted to hug them both.

I just love, love the Ashby family and I can’t wait for more from Paisley Hope. The whole Ashby family need their own book - and the fact that we get Shania Twain references and songs throughout… well Paisley Hope, I’m your biggest fan!

I loved it!!

I adored book one in this series so I had high hopes for book 2! It did not disappoint. I loved the chemistry between Wade and Ivy. Ivy is such a likeable fmc. She’s a book girlie which I loved! The banter was brilliant. I loved how much Ivy teased Wade. The Ashby’s are such a thought knit family and I loved the small town aspect of the book too. I cannot wait to continue this series.

i could tell from the dedication and first 2 pages i was going to love this book

the mine tattoo 🥵

Wade is a grump cowboy and the owner of the ranch

Ivy is the new horse trainer he can’t stand that everyone loves (or does he)

It’s cowboy, it’s slow burn, it’s everything.

And the sexual tension in this book is second to none and when the spice hits it hits ❤️‍🔥

Not to mention the banter between the family and friends in amazing!

i absolutely LOVED wade in this book and it’s made me fall back in love with cow boy romances again he is so kind, caring and everything you want.

And Ivy was just everything, from her hardships, her independence and her energetic presence 🫶🏻

I would definitely check trigger warnings before reading as it does cover a few.

But other than that solid 4.5🌟

Did I think this series could get better? Not really no. Did it? absolutely. Nash seems like a fumbling teenager next to Wade, and I am so here for it and I love Nash. I am cackling and have been for at least 75% of this book. Calling her a brat within the first chapter. Check? Oh wait no, in the fricking prologue. Honestly, that was like a fucking beacon in a storm telling me that this book is for me.

This one is sunshine horse trainer x grumpy ranch owner, and Wade may be my favourite grumpy MC of all time. I did get slight age gap vibes at the beginning of this book, but we later learn that there is only a 5-year age gap, so maybe the boss x employee dynamic is hitting a bit too hard. I absolutely love Ivy, she is a complete badass and she doesn’t care what people think, especially when it comes to men. Wade thinking she is all innocent and naïve, not aware that all the ranch hands are after her and her just not giving a fuck is feeding my soul.

This book is so refreshing. I have never, ever seen a girlie become an absolute fumbling mess over seeing a scantily clad guy like Ivy did seeing Wade in a towel. I don’t understand it but I’m sure it’s doing something for feminism. I loved it.

A big contributing factor for my love of this book is that both Ivy and Wade are utterly feral for each other off the bat. The power they hold over each other is actually scary. There were sex scenes that did seem logistically impossible, but at the end of the day, this is a book, and I don’t actually care about unrealistic sexual positions. What I do care about is the god damn scrunchy on the dick??? Really Wade? This isn’t even an observation on the author, just menThat one is a bit questionable; I will never look at a scrunchy the same again. I would have laughed hysterically if I were Ivy hearing Wade admit that. They’re obsessed with each other it’s sickening and wholly wonderful.

At first Wade’s tattoo did confuse me, but as the logistical elements of his reasoning played out, it made perfect sense. We do think it would have been a nice little wink to have ‘mercy’ painted on his skin too, it would have made for some serious fun with the power dynamic, but beggars can’t be choosers. If you learn one thing from this review, just know that the mc’s are kinky as fuck. It came so far out of left field; I honestly wasn’t expecting it at all. Yes, there are super sappy romance moments, but the majority is just pure unadulterated filth.

Wade laughing at Janelle faces is giving me life, FINALLY. I love how that little confidence push from Ivy and he is instantly able to actually prioritise himself. Yes, this man was always confident, but did he have the confidence to think he was good enough? No.

I do think there was maybe too many hints about Ivy’s ‘condition’, I knew from the morning of the bridal shower. It could have just clicked with me for some reason, I could be iin the minority here but I do think this was done very blatantly. On the other end of this, I didn’t see Ivy and Wade suspicion of Brad’s manipulation hit me like an absolute frate train. Obviously, he did it. He is fucking rancid, and I would put nothing past him, but I for one may have been manipulated by his little performance at the hospital. How can someone come off as such a normal, almost caring person and be so vicious and just cruel.

I cannot wait for Ginger and Cole; they fuel my veins. The first two books have just been blatant foreplay for them, and I cannot wait to see their heart drops. Their chemistry is boiling over, we just need to see them admit a little bit of emotion. I cannot wait. If we do not get this book, I will be outraged. Please Paisley, is that so much to ask?

Overall, this book was entirely thrilling. Yes, I had some minor problems, but nothing that could not be forgiven. I am so excited to continue this series and see what else this author has to grace our little reader hearts with. If I had to describe this book in one word, feral.

The first book in the ‘Silver Pines’ series, ‘Holding the Reins’, has been a romance reading highlight of my year so far so I was so excited to realise that book two was coming out so soon after and I snapped it up from NetGalley.

There’s something so cosy about a small town romance series where familiar faces pop in and out of the new story where you finally get to know the side characters I fell in love with in previous books, and ‘Training the Heart’ delivered exactly that.


Wade Ashby is a closed book.

With the weight of the family business on his shoulders, and his ongoing battle to escape a failed marriage, he only has time for one thing: looking after his ranch.

Life has dealt Ivy Spencer some tough blows.

So when the opportunity to work on the Silver Pines ranch presents itself, she grabs it by the horns. Nothing will stand in the way of her dream of training a racehorse on route to the Kentucky Derby.

Wade might be determined to keep his heart under lock and key, but Ivy’s constant presence soon ignites a passion he thought he’d lost long ago.

And once she starts tearing down his walls, there’s no going back. . .

Because the only way he’ll open up his heart again is if it stays that way forever.


Wade is the brother of CeCe - the protagonist of ‘Holding the Reins’ - and Ivy is a brand new face that we got a few glimpses of in the previous book. I fell in love with Ivy pretty instantly. She’s strong, independent and very sure of her abilities as a horse trainer, but she’s also a bit more delicate and messy in her confidence in herself following an emotionally abusive relationship. She’s perfectly rounded and so easy to like and empathise with - she’s the type of character that you can imagine having been friends with for years and years.


There’s a huge focus on both Wade and Ivy growing into their new lives and the new version of themselves after a bad marriage and divorce, and a horrible relationship. They learn to embrace their new freedom and the lessons they learned, sometimes from their own work, but also from their burgeoning relationship.

There are some of my favourite tropes in the book that only made me more excited and invested in their romance. We’ve got grump sunshine, workplace romance, age gap (not icky or too much of a gap), forced proximity and one bed. I mean, what more could you ask for?

The first 40% of this book was my perfect cowboy romance and I was so happy it lived up to my enjoyment of book one. But then it went a little off for me. The spice was incredible at first, but there’s so much of it that it quickly became a little boring for me. ‘Training the Heart’ was a lot spicier than ‘Holding the Reins’ in the volume of the scenes, and I know that’s part of the appeal of cowboy romance, it is for me too, but there was so much in this book that it got repetitive and boring in the language and what they were saying to each other.

There was still a lot of plot and focus on character development that allowed me to push on and I just skimmed a few of the spicy scenes. I’m all in for spice, but I just hope that in the next book it’s a bit more varied and potentially a bit less - it’s all about the tension and the build up!

I’m all in on the Ashby family and I’m so pleased that the third book is coming out so soon - currently being released in May 2025 - and we’re finally getting the dive into the electric tension between Cole and Ginger.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the review copy.

‘Training the Heart’ by Paisley Hope will be released on 17 October 2024 by Penguin in paperback and e-book.

Written by Sophie

I will start by saying I really loved book one when I read it, so was very excited to read Ivy and Wades story.

I really enjoyed the ranch aspect in this story, and it definitely felt more like a cowboy romance. The horse training and plot around this was done really well, and I felt this brought a different side to a cowboy romance. I liked Ivys back story, and this gave her some good depth and I felt she was pretty relatable. In terms of the relationship, I felt there could’ve been more tension and not just jumping straight in; felt very much lust to love. Wade also became very much like Nash in his alpha man personality; although I appreciate how grumpy he was!

I thought this book was well written, however did feel a little long. I found myself skim reading some parts, especially the spice. There was just too much of this for me personally and it became repetitive, but if this is something you enjoy then this one definitely will tick boxes for you!

I enjoyed this one more than book one. I liked that it focused more on the ranch and the horse training. It definitely had more of a cowboy vibe.
I like Wade and Ivy, however Wade did become quite similar to Nash in character - very alpha male.
It was super fun being back in this world with these characters though and I loved the banter between Cole and Ginger. Their book is going to be fire!
I did find it overly long. Again there was too much spice, it became quite repetitive and each time was more and more like the last so it didn’t make sense why there were so many spicy scenes. I was very glad to see more talk of consent in this book, but again there was a dubious drunken moment.
All in all it was a good fun read that scratched the cowboy itch. I just wish it had been a bit shorter and snappier!

Thiiiiiiis author. I was so excited for the next instalment of this series. Honestly, move over Elsie Silver because Hope is obliterating the small town romance. just book PERFECTION

PERFECTION !!!! This was everything I need and more. IVY SPENCER THE WOMAN YOU ARE. Such a strong independent woman who is secretly vulnerable under the hard act she can put on. Ivy was just the most perfect FMC for this book I wanted to wrap her up and give her the biggest cuddle but I also wanted to scream with happiness for her.

Now WADE MOTHERFUCKING ASHBY I just knew he’d get me in a headlock. A grump rancher who doesn’t smile at anyone or anything YES PLEASE. The way this man was OBSESSED was everything to me I adore the micro trope of the grumpy man only smiling because of the fmc. I adored the dynamic and the communication was spot on, I genuinely don’t think i’ve read about a couple with this much chemistry in ages they just got everything about each other. Ivy needed to feel like she was in control of her decisions and Wade fully accepted that and encouraged it. Reading about Wade letting Ivy in after such a bad relationship and the grief he’s had to endure had me sobbing he finally had someone who would have his back no matter what and that’s exactly what he needed.

Ivy & Wade >>>>>>

NOW THE SMUT OH MY THE SMUT. I jumped straight into this after reading Holding the reins and I thought Nash had a dirty mouth WADE CAME AND ATE HIM UP. This man got “Mine” tattooed on his hand so she can have a hand necklace !!! “You’re going to look so fucking pretty wearing my collar, Ivy” WHAT THE FUCKKKKKKKK WADE

Also his nickname for her is “trouble” just kill me off at this point, Wade has my heart and soul.

This book was just amazing and I will constantly think about Ivy and Wade till the day I die :)

After reading the first book in this series, I was thrilled to dive into the next instalment by Paisley Hope. From the moment I picked it up, I knew I was in for another beautifully crafted, emotionally charged cowboy romance that blends themes of healing, self-discovery, and love that sneaks up when you least expect it. Hope has a way of making her stories feel genuine and heartfelt, which draws you in and makes the characters' journeys that much more powerful.

At its core, this is a classic grumpy-sunshine romance, but there is so much more to the story. The emotional depth, the complexity of the characters, and the exploration of their personal growth make it more than just a typical romance. One of the things I especially loved about this book was how it developed the relationships and connections beyond the main couple. The family and friends' storylines woven throughout the chapters added richness and texture to the narrative, giving us a deeper understanding of not only Wade and Ivy but also the world they inhabit. It also gives readers hints about potential future storylines in the series, which is exciting for anyone following along.

Wade is your quintessential brooding, hot cowboy who thrives on control and structure, a man seemingly set in his ways. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear there is much more to him. Beneath the tough exterior, he’s got a heart of gold, and as layers of his character are peeled back, we see a soft, vulnerable side emerge—a teddy bear hidden under all that gruffness. His emotional journey was incredibly satisfying to read, as we watch him gradually let his guard down and open himself up to Ivy and the possibility of love.

On the other hand, Ivy is a breath of fresh air. She’s a cheerful, optimistic horse trainer, whose positive energy lights up every scene she’s in. But what I loved most about her character is how deeply layered she is. Despite her outwardly sunny disposition, Ivy has faced her own share of challenges and hardships. Her resilience, strength, and determination make her an inspiring character, someone who refuses to be defined by the difficulties she’s faced. I found myself admiring her inner strength and rooting for her every step of the way.

Watching Wade and Ivy's relationship evolve was one of the highlights of the story. What starts off as a tense, push-and-pull dynamic quickly grows into something deeper and more profound. Their chemistry is undeniable, leaping off the page in every scene they share. But beyond the physical attraction, there is a genuine emotional connection between them. The way their relationship unfolds, slowly and naturally, felt incredibly authentic. As their individual walls come down and they allow themselves to be vulnerable with one another, their bond strengthens, creating a truly moving and heart warming love story.

In typical Paisley Hope fashion, the romance is not only emotionally satisfying but also perfectly balanced with just the right amount of spice. The romantic moments between Wade and Ivy are beautifully written, capturing the intensity and passion of their connection. At the same time, the emotional depth of their relationship adds layers to the romance, making it much more than just surface-level attraction. Hope masterfully combines heartfelt moments with romance, ensuring that the love story feels real, raw, and powerful.

The side characters in the story, from family members to close friends, are more than just background—they play integral roles in shaping the main characters' journeys. The interconnectedness of their lives adds richness to the story, and the secondary characters' storylines add even more layers of complexity. These storylines are not only enjoyable on their own, but they also set the stage for future books in the series, making me eager to see where Paisley Hope takes us next.

However, before diving into this story, I would recommend checking out the trigger warnings. While the book is a heart warming romance, it does touch on some heavier topics that could be difficult for certain readers. It's always good to be mindful of these elements to ensure you're prepared for the emotional depth the story might take.

All in all, this was an incredibly satisfying and emotional read. The balance between heart warming romance, character growth, and family dynamics makes this story truly stand out. Once again, Paisley Hope has delivered a cowboy romance that goes beyond the surface, diving deep into the complexities of love, healing, and self-discovery. I can’t wait to see what’s in store in the next book in the series!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a heartfelt, emotional romance with a bit of heat!

I really enjoyed this book it made me giggle, feel empathy and also hatetred towards some of the characters, and I love it when a book does that for me having characters to adore and dislike.

One of the standout aspects of this novel is the character development. Throughout the story, we see the protagonist transform from a hesitant individual into someone who embraces her desires and confronts her fears. Key moments, such as her decision to take a leap of faith in love, showcase her growth and the lessons she learns about trust and vulnerability. The writing is rich with vivid imagery and heartfelt dialogue, making it easy to connect with the characters on a deeper level.

Overall rating : 5/5 ⭐️
Spice rating : 3/5🌶️

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

Paisley has gone and done it again. This was just as good as the first book in the Silver Pines ranch series.

I really loved this book, Wade and Ivy’s story was one of the best cowboy romances I have read. I loved the way their relationship developed through the book. The spice was written so well, I love a grump cowboy who totally softens for his girl.

The writing style was great with a dual POV.

If you love small town cowboy romances, I would recommend this.

I can’t wait for Cole and Gingers book next.

I was lucky to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3,5/5⭐️ After 300 pages it felt a little long, but Ivy and Wade are so cute 🥰 I didn't enjoy it as much as the first one, but I'm so excited to continue this series!

Oh my gosh. Wade Ashby is my new guilty pleasure!

This book was perfection, I adored Nash and Cece’s story in Holding the Reins, but Wade and Ivy have taken it to a whole new level. I absolutely adored their relationship, the chemistry was addictive from the get go. I loved how Wade had a gruff exterior but was an absolute sap for Ivy too, it felt so realistic and heartwarming. I loved the way he accepted Ivy in every way and how they fell for one another.

Perfect in every way, where can I order myself an Ashby man? 😍 looking forward to Cole’s story!

Oh my the second hit just as good as the first a great grumpy sunshine cowboy romance . Loved the development of ivy and wades relationship - Cole’s next right ? This is being purchased for Xmas gifts !!