This book has everything I love. We have Nash who is a cowboy AND a hockey player. Like are you kidding!!! Cece is the girl from the country who moves from her home town to the big city, gets engaged to an asshole rich guy, then leaves him and goes back home. Nash is both of her brothers’ best friends. Nash is very protective of Cece which I eat up every time! When I started the book and read the dedication, I was hooked. Cece’s friends, Ginger and Olivia, are the bffs we all want. Their text threads were so funny, I was laughing out loud. The dirty talk from Nash had me sweating🥵 The sneak peaks of the other couples for future books made me so excited to read them. The conflict between Nash and Cece wasn’t dragged on longer than necessary which I always appreciate. I wish the couple would have taken longer to “get together” personally, but it still wasn’t too soon. I love the tension and the longer it is the better for me. Overall, I really enjoyed this read and gave a rating of 4/5 stars!

This was my first cowboy romance and it did not disappoint ! The book was written as if I was being told a story from a childhood best friend. The entire family is full of personality. The FMC is likable and relatable as she is coming into her own. I want to be one of the Not Angels ! They are a hilarious group of friends. The MMC has many talents, part time cowboy, retired hockey player, bar owner, and a hot my/mine talker. Mental Health played a surprisingly beautiful role in this story. It reminds you how to just be there and present for someone you love when things get hard. It was enjoyable. Id love to read more from Paisley Hope.

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved this book. This takes place in a small town where you immediately want to visit. Imagine one of the cute towns you see on hallmark and that is where you’re at. The MMC grew up as a family friend to our FMC. Nash was a professional hockey player who moved back home after he retired. He is the definition of can’t sit still! He helps out on the ranch, owns his own hockey center, and also helps out at the local bar since the owner is elderly. Then we have Cece who is strong willed, loves her family, and she just moved home after a break up. The two jump right back into their banter with each other just like when they were kids. Their relationship grows from there. I recommend this book to anyone who loves small town romances, brothers best friend, and secret relationship.

As someone fully in her cowboy romance era, I really enjoyed this one! I really liked Nash and Cece and their relationship. Nash used to be more of a playboy and that's how Cece still sees him since she hasn't been home much. I loved how she comes to the realization that he's changed and how much he cares and supports his community. It does take a while for their relationship to move into the physical but I think that makes a lot of sense given that they've known each other for years and Nash is kind of part of the family.

Once their relationship gets going - whoooooo boy is it steamy! Definitely delivered on the level of heat I was hoping for. Dirty talk abounds!

The book is just a touch too long and the beginning is a little bit slow - but that was really my only complaint!

Thank you to Dell and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

this was AMAZING - done and dusted by lyla sage meets powerless by elsie silver but make it kentucky south instead of western.

Thank you to Dell for the ARC! This one was so fun and I flew through it and can't wait for the next in the series! This is a book for you if you like any kind of cowboy romance and enjoy authors like Elsie Silver, Lyla Sage etc. It's a fun and happy read with a brothers best friend trope which I always enjoy! See below for a synopsis but definitely pick this one up!
CeCe comes home to her small Kentucky hometown after a failed engagement and a toxic relationship. When she gets there she has no idea what life holds for her now. She applies for jobs and ends up working for her brother's Best friend, Nash, a newly retired hockey star. She's always just been the little sister to him, but now he is seeing her in a different light and they find themselves drawn to each other.

I just found my new favorite western romance series! Holding the Reins is a fun & witty romance with plenty of passion as well as hilarious one-liners from side characters that I'm anxiously waiting for Paisley Hope to write their story so I can fall in love with the characters all over again.
Thank you, #NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, with all thoughts and opinions that are my own. This is my first Paisely Hope book it won't be the last. If you're looking for spunky characters, a little drama, a whole lot of passion, & some swoon, then I recommend adding this wonderful romance story to your TBR list.

Thank you netgalley for the ARC! I loved this, easily a 4.5 star for me! I read it in 24 hours. The FMC, Cece, is returning home to Kentucky after her engagement went wrong. She's ready to be back with her family and friends on the ranch she grew up on. She's looking to return to her roots and start again. When she gets back Cece runs into our MMC, Nash Carter. Cece grew up with Nash always around and hanging out with her brothers. Nash is a retired NHL player, part-time cowboy, bartender, and all around positive influence on their community. Cece remembers Nash as the boy who grew up with her brothers, always ready to tease her. Nash remembers Cece as the younger sister of his friends, and someone who they all kept an eye on growing up. Yet when they see each other again-they can't deny that they've both grown up and changed. They also can't deny their attraction to one another.

What I loved about the book: the story was easy to follow, the plot made sense. The closeness of the small town community and the cowboy/ranch elements. The way that the author covered Cece's dad passing and how they found ways to remember him/feel like he was still there. The jokes and banter between the MMC and the FMC, as well as with the side characters. I loved how we got Nash's point of view and really he was DOWN BAD for Cece from the moment she returned. I think we can all identify with Cece, being interested in Nash but cautious with her heart after her past. It was funny, it was cute, it was SPICY. Highly recommend for a fun and relatable cowboy, small town, friends to lovers romance!

Can't wait to read the rest of the series!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I received this as an arc from NetGalley and was eager to start this. I had been recommended this book by other readers and it did not disappoint! I love a man who knows how to talk dirty and take care of his FMC and boy does Nash Carter do just that! Cece and Nash have instant chemistry and they just make sense. I appreciated that the conflict level wasn't high in this book - just straight chemistry and the love of family. I love the way Paisley Hope set up the rest of her world and stories to come and I can't wait to return to these characters. On a more personal note; my middle names is Rae and I didn't know anyone else growing up who had that as a middle name so it was exciting for me to read about a character who no only has that same middle name, but is often called Rae. Just a little thing that I really enjoyed! Definitely worth they hype.

Easily a 4.25⭐️ read for me!

I’m definitely in my cowboy romance era because I ate this book up! CeCe and Nash (can you get any more cowboy than that?) are chef’s kiss 💋🤠

Also not to mention, the fact that Nash was a retired professional hockey player?! HELLO! Please sign me up.

Holy steamy, loved up, romance! My goodness the passion between CeCe and Nash is off the charts...it almost made me blush.
This was a grown up together, my brothers best friend, to lovers romance with deeply buried feelings that come to light now that CeCe has returned home. Trying to regroup after a less than mediocre relationship that fizzled and crashed, Cece decides to head home. Cece has a lovely family, devoted and supportive mom, protective brothers, and the support of a stereotypical small town.
Nash is the home grown hero, that survived tragedy, made it big in the NHL, and came home to pay it back the family and town that provided so much when he was younger.
Trying to resist the attraction was futile and I don't think they really tried all that hard to be honest. The relationship bloomed, the conflict minimal, and the ending happy. What more could you ask for?
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars!

Cece comes back to her hometown after discovering her fiancé is cheating and decides to put down roots. Nash is her brothers’ best friend and childhood crush. He’s the town player, works in a bar, retired hockey player.

There’s a lot of animosity between them at first, but once they get together they’re obsessed with each other. The spice really amps up. At one point, he crawls to her.

It’s first person, dual POV, open door spice.

I would say that if you like the Rebel Blue ranch series by Lyla Sage, you should check this one out.

The only thing I didn’t love is how the main women speak about other women. Pretty regularly they’d be calling women sluts/tramps/etc. and it felt icky.

I’m still looking forward to Ginger and Cole’s book. 👀

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!

Save a horse, ride a cowboy.

Tropes:
cowboy romance
ex hockey player
found family
brother's best friend
age gap
small town

This was such a fun small town/cowboy romance. First of all, we get a hockey player AND a cowboy? Hell yes. Second, this book is bringing back all of the great feelings I had while reading the Knockemount series, so if you love that one, this is for you. Nash was so sweet and protective, and absolutely obsessed with Cecilia. Cece was such a fun FMC, I feel she was very relatable. Those two together? The hottest couple ever! The spice and the dirty talk in this book was something else. Please only read this when you're alone.😂
I also love that in the center of this book is all the memory's of Cecilia's dad. I think the bond he had with everyone is very special. As for the hockey player/cowboy, I think it was done very well. This was also just such an easy read. I think it would be perfect for a palette cleanse.

The way I thought this book was going to ruin me with a miscommunication, but then turned it around had me swooning for both MC's. They both handled their issues very well. For once, I wasn't angry yelling at my kindle for them to just talk to each other. Cece's brothers and her "not angels" were great characters that added a lot to the story. I'm excited to see them in the next book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I knew I was going to enjoy this book when the dedication page was "To all my babes who know they can be strong, modern women, yet still shamelessly drop to their knees like the good fucking girls they are the moment their cowboys tell them to." ..... umm yes please

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5
- small town romance
- brother's best friend
- found family
- boss/employee
- ex hockey player/ part time cowboy
- hidden romance
- light breath play
- praise kink
- possessive MMC
- found family
- he fell first
- talks of death, grief, and cheating

I absolutely DEVOURED this book and I cannot wait for the next one. This is a small town romance comfort book read and a perfect palate cleanse book. Not to mention the array of emotions I felt, from giggling to almost tears from both laughing hard and sensitive subjects.

CeCe (Cecilia) Ashby the FMC just moved back to her family's ranch after breaking things off with her toxic fiancée. She is very sassy and straightforward and will no longer be chasing after any man. She starts working at the local ice rink to find out her new boss is none other that her brother's best friend, Nash.

I loved everything about Nash Carter. That man could do no wrong in my eyes. He's the sexy, ex NHL hockey player, and part time cowboy MMC, and best friends with the Ashby brothers. And the things that came out of this man's mouth had me craving more.

"You're the queen I crawl to. I'll kneel at your feet for the rest of my fucking life. Now, sit on your throne."

"Come, little queen, soak my face. Baptize me... and then, I'll fuck you like the king that owns this pussy."

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Paisley Hope and Random House Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Welcome to Silver Pines!

Get ready to fall in love with Cece and Nash. Holding The Reins gets a hold of you and wont let go. From CeCe coming home after years and a breakup away to Nash giving back to those who were there for him when he needed it most on his darkest days. This was really a turn the page to find out how this small town romance unfolds with falling in love with the one person both CeCe and Nash shouldn't be. Right off the bat you know that one night is not enough for them. Flashbacks and reminiscing of the times they grew up together show that they really cared for each other and morphed into something more as they spend more time together. Family and friends are just as lovable and make you want more of them and the little peaks of what is to come has me dying to get back to Silver Pines!

Absolutely loved it and cant wait for more!

3.5 ⭐️

I loved having the opportunity to receive an ARC and read this, it was so cute! I loved the characters and the family dynamics, plus the setting! There were times though towards the end where spice scenes would pop up and I would mostly skim through them, it felt a bit much at times because it was happening so often. Other than that, I really liked it! I’m *super* excited for book two following Wade!!

Star: 5
Spice: 3.5

Oh!
My!
GOOOODNESSSSS gracious!!

Tropes:
-small town romance
-cowboy romance
-small age gap romance
-found family
-brother's best friend
-friends to lovers
-forced proximity
-protective MMC
-amazing girl gang
-office romance
-dirty talk


This book, which was a debut release, is a MUST read!!!! The magic that was put into this incredible love story was so captivating. I couldn’t help but get sucked in from the start! Who doesn’t love a small town, retired hockey player turned part-time cowboy with friends to lovers vibe? I mean you can’t get better than that mash up! Nash Carter has entered the world of book boyfriends, and he does not disappoint. There was literally nothing I did not like about his character. If only he was real and coming home straight to me. (Did you see what I did there?)
I think what I loved about Nash so much was his protective state, he had millions, but with other millionaires, they are so domineering, demanding, controlling, and cold at times. Where even though Nash loved to be in control, he has a soft, tender side to him. Him braiding her hair…STOP! IT! RIGHT! NOW!!!!

I was absolutely in giggles from page one and didn’t stop throughout the book unless I was cheesing hard, panting, or tearing up. The chemistry between not only Nash and CeCe but the other side characters and their relationships were amazing! Cece and Nash were soooooo good together. Nash is her brother’s best friend, part of the family as Mama Jo considers him one of her sons, 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 just so satisfying. The character development between the MCs was so good and their chemistry was SO HOT! Speaking of hot, those spicy scenes were on another level. I mean the bourbon scene? SHEESH. And the tequila scene… I’m dead!

The way I went feral for this book and still am, shows how much this book has a hold on me. Nash and CeCe were the best friends to lovers characters and the best way to start off this series. I’m reeling to get my hands on the second.

A perfect cowboy romance. I loved everything about this book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

I want to move to Laurel Creek, Kentucky and make friends with these characters!! Cece and Nash are couple goals but I also really enjoyed the side characters too. I loved all the banter and angst between Cece and Nash! He was smitten by Cece and I just love the way he takes care of her. The way they were able to overcome past obstacles and grief, communicate and fall in love. All the perfect tropes in one book make this such a fun read. And not to mention all the spice- the bourbon scene!! If you love small town romances, brother’s best friend, forced proximity, found family and secret relationship then add this to your TBR!

”We’re not a phase. We’re the exact opposite of a phase. We’re always. I’m going to follow you everywhere you go for the rest of this life. And then, I’m going to follow you into the next.”

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine, and Dell Romance for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to love this book, because the premise sounded quite interesting, but I’m giving this a 2.5 stars only because it felt like a mix of done and dusted + powerless by Elsie silver and I felt like it was a little too similar. I think it had the potential to be really unique and different, but the amount of similar tropes and similar scenarios to these other books was off putting to me.

I think if you’re interested in a cute cowboy romance, brother’s best friend you’d like this It was a fun, fast, cute spicy read. I really enjoyed the banter between CeCe and her mom as well as her relationship with her family.