“We’re not a phase. We’re the exact opposite of a phase. You’re my always.”

wow this was sooo good. As soon as I picked this up, I knew I was going to love it. I loved the banter between cece & nash. their chemistry was everything. seeing how nash has always been there to protect cece was everything. my heart broke for him & cece. the things they went through. they are definitely soulmates.

the spice was hot. I did feel like towards the end it was a bit too much.

not gonna lie this had me emotional. especially towards the end. I loved the family dynamic & friendship here. I LOVED ginger. hopefully she gets a book.

thank you netgalley for this arc. I’ll be picking up a physical copy asap.

This was a wonderful way to start off my vacation! TOP shelf for sure! IYKYK.

The opening scene had me cackling so I knew I was going to love this one right away. The story is very much character driven. The found family aspect of the story was done so well. Loved how Cece and Nash dealt with their separate grief but were still there for each other despite it all. The side characters were great additions to this one. Don’t let the cute cover fool ya! There were plenty of SPICEY scenes! It was such a fast paced book that flowed well. I’ll definitely be doing a reread of this one!

Absolutely ADORED this. I adored CeCe and Nash and both of their personal struggles, but also how they came together to overcome them. I thought the themes of grief were handled perfectly, and the sweet moments balanced the spice out nicely. All in all, loved this one and can’t wait for book 2!

3.75

This was a quick, small town romance that I flew through in just a day!

Cece Rae moves back home after breaking it off with her cheating ex. In her small hometown, she runs into her brothers’ best friend and town hero (he’s a former hockey star), Nash. The two are instantly attracted to each other, but Cece just got out of a toxic relationship and Nash doesn’t do relationships because of his past, so how are they going to admit their feelings and make things work?

The good stuff, I liked the setting, the family, and the MCs. I was somewhat annoyed with our FMC and her immediate dislike of the MMC based on things from high school, but she recognized she was making assumptions and changed her views and I loved that! Nash, our MMC, was an interesting character and a bit of a golden retriever in some ways which I also love. The two together are cute and sweet and fit perfectly which led to a sweet and sometimes emotional romance.

Overall, I enjoyed this story, that being said there were a few things that didn’t work for me. Some of the characters seemed a bit one dimensional, which is fine for side characters, but I felt like Cece, our FMC, was a bit flat, especially when interacting with people other than Nash. Same could be said of Nash, though when his backstory is explored it actually makes sense and develops the character more. There were quite a few spice scenes, I don’t mind that, actually I look for that in books, but some of them fell flat and I just didn’t sense the chemistry. This isn’t for all of them, some worked well and developed the story further, but some felt like filler or like they were trying to do something and just didn’t. The pop culture country song references almost made me DNF. I don’t mind a few nods to songs or artists, but I felt like it was every single page and it really took me out of the story!! I don't care what song is playing when they walk into the bar or get in the car. I don’t need specifics and it drove me nuts anytime a song was mentioned.

Even though I had some strong opinions about aspects of the book, I still recommend it if you’re a lover of small town romances, cowboys, friends(ish) to lovers, and easy reads! I think I will continue with book two to find out what happens with Cece’s brother, and I’ll just hope the song references are limited! Ha!

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC!
Holy Cowboy!!! This book was sooooo good! I fell in love with Nash and CeCe!!! I had a hard time putting this book down! I love how they have been in each other's lives for so long and were separated and then come back together! CeCe was living in Seattle with her Fiancé Andrew, who is unfaithful to her. She had enough and moved back to Kentucy to be with her family. She reconnects with Nash, and they begin to build a different relationship.

4.5 stars! This was such a delightful cowboy/hockey romance with small town romance and some smut. This story follows CeCe Rae who moves back to her family's ranch after being gone for 8 years, after finding her fiancé cheating on her. Nash is her brothers best friends and someone who is basically family as he always helps at the ranch and CeCe's parents helped take care of him after losing his parents in a car accident when he was younger. I loved how each of the main characters were dealing with grief in separate ways and found each other when they were least expecting it. I love the humor and I love the way Nash is obsessed over CeCe. Nash is a dirty talker and about halfway through the book be ready for some smut for the rest of the book. So so good! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC to review.

what a lovely read! this is my first read by this author and im excited to dive into more books by them. likeable characters, interesting plot and well thought out message. i would rate this 4/5 only for the fact that it didnt capture my attention as quickly as i wouldve liked

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for the ARC!

This was such a fun start to this small town series! Holding the Reins had my ultimate trope: brothers best friend 🥵🥵🥵 I loooved it! It had some other great tropes as well- age gap, found family, and of course, Cowboy 🤠 this was a fun book with some great spice! Looking forward to the next book in this series!

Most of you know that I have been in my cowboy era for a while now (there is still no end in sight). After finishing this book I knew I was going to need to read more from Paisley…enter Wolf.e (but we’ll save that conversation for another time.)

This was a sweet and spicy read that gave us all the things we love from a small town romance: gossip, meddling, festivals, friends groups that have known each other for ever…

The forbidden aspect of any “brother’s best friend” is my favorite thing. There’s something so hot about the secrets and sneaking around and Paisley wrote this so well. The moment Nash Carter got on his hands and knees and crawled to Cece as an apology was the moment for me. I fell in love!

I am excited to get more of those Ashby boys!

Thank you @NetGalley, @dellromance, and @authorpaisleyhope for the arc in exchange for me honest review.

Synopsis: After ending her engagement, CeCe Ashby moves back to her small hometown in Kentucky to start over. She doesn’t expect to jump into a new relationship so soon, and especially not with her brother’s best friend and notorious playboy, Nash Carter. But no matter how hard they try, they just can’t resist their building attraction.

Thoughts: If you’re looking for a spicyyyy read that also has a great storyline, this is the book for you! The spice is spicin’ but the love story is also so genuine. I found CeCe and Nash as well as all the side characters to be super likable. And Nash Carter is the dreamiest cowboy hockey player you could ever want. I had a great time visiting Laurel Creek, Kentucky, and I can’t wait to return in book two!

Read this if you like:
🤠 cowboy romance
🤠 hockey romance
🤠 small town
🤠 brother’s best friend
🤠 friends to lovers
🤠 touch her and d*e vibes
🤠 spice

When I found out this mixed a hockey romance and cowboy romance together, I knew I needed to read it. And let me tell you. Nash Carter is everything you expect out of those two tropes. Throw in some childhood trauma that has turned him into a total softie, yet also emotionally closed off man who only opens up to CeCe and you got yourself a new book boyfriend.

Yet something just didn't grab me with this book. At times I was more invested in Ginger and Cole's bickering (they have to get together in another book) and what's going to happen between Ivy and Wade (because they have to get together too). I don't know if maybe the book was just a tad too long or if I just didn't connect with CeCe, but something just didn't keep my attention like I thought it would. Plus there were times the wording just didn't vibe with me...like her clit being called her berry.

Now, even with that, I'm going to give this author another chance because 1) I've heard so many good things about Wolf.e and 2) I'm invested in these side characters and want to know how their stories go.

Thanks to NetGalley and Paisley Hope for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a book! I was so excited to start this book, and it truly did not disappoint.

I knew I was gonna love Nash the moment I first read about him. There’s something about a part-time cowboy and a hockey player MMC! I loved how protective he was with CeCe. He let her have her moments, but he was always there to jump in when she needed him. The perfect supportive man.

CeCe was also easy to love! I liked that she didn’t take crap from anyone, and she could stand her ground. She was a perfect match for Nash in every sense of the word.

Their banter together was perfect. They knew when they could be silly and funny together, but also, they could be serious and hold tough conversations.

This book got me excited for the 2nd book in this series! I can’t wait to dive into Wade’s story!

If you like your books spicy, then head on over to Silver Pines Ranch because this small town, ex-NHL/part-time cowboy, brother’s best friend romance packs the heat!!

After a breaking her engagement, Cecilia (CeCe) Ashby moves back home to her family ranch where she hopes to get a new start in life. She hesitantly takes her brothers’ best friend, Nash Carter, up on his offer to work for him. She’s known him all their lives, and while he’s certainly aged well, she also remembers his playboy ways.

Neither is in a place to enter into a relationship but there’s no denying their attraction! But is “only one night” ever only one night? 🤣

As we enter into late Fall and Winter, this story will definitely heat things up and keep that fire burning for days! And it’s full of my fave microtropes that kept me smiling throughout. The secondary characters are a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to keep reading and see how their stories unfold.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dell Romance, and Paisley for the advance copy!

𝚝 𝚛 𝚘 𝚙 𝚎 𝚜:
🐴 small town romance
🏒 retired hockey player/part time cowboy
🐴 brother’s best friend
🏒 boy obsessed
🐴 found family
🏒 spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️

✩5

✦What to Expect✦
•Brother’s best friend
•He’s also her boss
•Hockey player turned part time cowboy
•Sassy/hilarious female friends
•Small town
•Obsessed and protective MMC
•Found family

✦Characters✦
•CeCe Ashby
•Nash Carter

 
✦Fav Quotes✦
“I’m not above begging,” she breathes out. “So f-king beg,”

He doesn’t look at you like you’re a fling.
He looks at you like you’re his endgame.

This man is the pinnacle. The basis for which all other men should be compared.

Nash Carter isn’t just in my heart; he’s taken over my entire being and I’m never, ever letting him go.

✦Thoughts✦
Oh my f’ing god!
YASSSSSSSS
Nash Carter. I’m obsessed.

Absolute perfection!!!!!
Loved these two together so much, they were so hot together and the banter & dirty talk was on another level! These two are officially a fav.

Liv & Ginger, they had me cracking up!
Ginger & Cole 👀

I can’t wait to read Training the Heart!!!

🌶: 3.5 out of 5
⭐️: 3.75 out of 5
🍿*: 5 out of 5

I swear, the way this book made me think that moving to a small town in Kentucky could genuinely save my life... Adding Nash to my pile of dream boyfriends!!

Holding the Reins is a cute small town romance novel that touches on grief, best friend's sister, "who did this to you" and he falls first and harder. It follows the story of Cecelia who leaves her life and cheating ex in Seattle to move home to her family ranch in Kentucky where she reintroduces herself to a close family friend, Nash. I love the banter between Nash and CeCe and the chemistry does build immediately starting at page 1. I'm such a fan of the supporting characters so Ginger was one of my favorite side characters, I wish I had a Ginger in my life.

Overall, I would rate this at a 3.75 as I wasn't a huge fan of some moments of possessiveness but the popcornability is at a 5!

*Popcorn scale is referring to how easily consumable the book is overall

Enjoyed this story! A complete review can be found on my Goodreads account.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214490423

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the ARC!
CeCe moves back home after breaking up with her fiancé following her father’s death. Nash, a retired hockey player who has been around her family since childhood is back in town. The two of them clash at first, but quickly develop feelings and sparks fly when they start working together.

I really enjoyed both of these characters. Their shared history definitely added to their connection and I liked seeing them bond over CeCe’s dad. This book went into grief and some traumatic experiences. While it was sad I liked seeing how the characters handled things and communicated about it. The entire family was an amazing addition to this book. The brothers, mom, and even CeCe’s friends really added something and seeing them interact was just as fun as the main relationship.
I love a small town setting and I’m really excited to see more Laurel Creek in future books. I loved that the author teased the setup of several other couples in the series. I’m definitely hooked and can’t wait to see where the other books in the series go!

-small town
-found family
-open door (like very open door. I would say it rivaled the actual plot).

The spice was very heavy handed in this one. Once I hit the 40% mark it seemed like there was a sex scene every couple chapters. This was outside my comfort zone and not my personal preference but it didn’t affect my rating. Just a heads up!

i enjoyed this book so much. the story, the characters, the plot, all of it was super enjoyable and fun. i always love reading small town romances and this hit every mark

Obsessssssssed 10/5 🌟

Give me runaway southern belle and the broody protective hockey player any day of the week. Cannot wait for the rest of this series.

3.5 stars

I love a good cowboy romance but this felt a tad flat to me in comparison to others I’ve read. Did I like it, yes. But it just wasn’t my favorite.

Nash is her brother’s best friends, but more importantly he’s the childhood friend that’s always had her back. He’s been part of their family since the beginning so watching Cece’s feelings transform as she realized, “Crap, I don’t love him like a brother” was so so satisfying.

The connection between Cece and Nash was fun, intense, and utterly undeniable. I was immediately drawn to them as a pair, and just that slow burn and the eyes Nash was constantly giving her was flirty and addictive. I think the spice was even too much in this storyline and I can’t believe I’m sayin that.

It definitely is a great debut and I’m excited to see what’s next! I believe in Cade and Ginger and want those enemies to lover sparks to ignite!

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: Brother's best friend/part-time cowboy | Workplace | He falls first | Found family | Small town | Banter & heart | Spiceeeeee