Very cute book, and obviously I loved the MMC Nash. I got annoyed by some of the repetitiveness, but still enjoyed the book as a whole. The love story was cute and I liked the plot as a whole.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for this ARC!

3.75 stars

"I would love her with my whole heart every day until death took me." NASH CARTER

This was a fun, sweet, and steamy read. A brother's best friend trope is typically a favorite of mine. I love that these two characters had a past in their childhood as well. I loved the premise of the story, but in some instances, I found the plot to fall flat for me or that there was too much going on.

Holding the Reins has:
- Brother's best friend
- Cowboy romance
- Found family
- Small town
- Dual pov

Genuinely enjoyed this book, the characters and storyline. I finished it in a day and a half. And I really really liked Paisleys writing style. I always love the grumpy men who have a little bit of their own issues to work through and I love a good forced proximity situation. Definitely recommend this book

This is a really solid classic cowboy romance. I enjoyed it, but by no means was it life changing. If you love a good small town love story, I think you'll enjoy Hold the Reins and Paisley Hope's writing style.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This was a quick, fun read. The pace was good, and the vibes were exactly right for this type of book. You found yourself rooting for the couple, and the FMC in the story. The undertone is about moving past the past and letting go. I can appreciate that and felt it was well executed.

Unfortunately, i had to remove some stars because of all of the ick inducing moments. There were quite a few moments that gave me the ick and secondhand embarrassment, and honestly, most of them felt unnecessary to the larger point of the story, so i couldn't look past them. I really had to push through those pieces of the story and get through it.

I think if you expect some of that awkwardness, you will be fine, but the story itself is strong outside of those moments.

This book was a quick read and I had fun while reading it, but there were a lot of things that I didn't love. The vibes were immaculate and you can't really go wrong with a cowboy romance 🤠

I loved this story SO MUCH! Cece returns home to Kentucky after breaking off an engagement with a truly heinous man. She’s reunited with Nash, who lost his parents at a young age and was taken in by Cece’s parents. He was like a brother to her, yet everything is different now that they’re adults.

Cece and Nash’s love story is so hilarious, spicy, and beautiful. Their community and family truly shine through in every scene, and the big feelings that are expressed are so beautifully written. This may be one of my favorite books in 2025, and it’s only February!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for this early copy!

Giving this a 3/5 is so sad because I loved this couple and the vibes of the book.

I did almost DNF multiple times towards the beginning of the book because of the awkward conversations this family had about sex and sex toys…
Our FMC’s vibrator fell out of her suitcase and her bff’s GRANDMA told the whole town… Excuse me…

Just weird things like that gave me horrible second hand embarrassment and I almost couldn’t finish it. I’m glad I did continue and finish this book because I loved our couple and their discovery of love.

Thank you to the publisher for the arc through NetGalley! All opinions are my own honest opinions.

cowboy romance? say less.
I really enjoyed this book from this new to me author. I have been enjoying cowboy romances for a bit now, which started with Elsie Silver books. Fans of those books will thoroughly enjoy this series.
This book follows CeeCee, who moves back to her family ranch after a breakup with her fiancée. Upon coming home, she decides that she needs to start her life over and gets a job at the local sports arena who is owned by no other than her brother's best friend, ex-NHL star Nash Carter. They don't hate each other per se but they aren't bffs. Not going to say too much because I want you to read it but we have workplace romance, brother's best friend, forced proximity(ish), cowboy romance
Defiantly will be reading more from this author

First book in the Silver Pines Ranch series - A woman returns to her familys ranch after a broken engagement and finds herself falling for her brothers best friend.

Thank you to Dell, NetGalley, and Paisley Hope for allowing me to be an early reader. All thoughts are my own.

I wanted so badly to like this book but I think Elsie Silver has truly ruined me for all others when it comes to cowboy romances. Maybe I just have too high of expectations? Overall this was boring and lackluster for me and I’m super bummed about it.

DNF.

I love everything about this.

Hot ex-hockey player - Check
Part time Cowboy - Check
Brothers best friend - Check

I absolutely ate this whole book up. Fans of Elsie Solver will love everything in this book.

I can’t wait to read the rest of this series.

Oh yeah, this book was just what I was hoping it would be! Fun, swoony, with characters who were relatable and great to read. Adored this one!

This book got me out of a reading slump!

I loved the chemistry between the characters and I pretty much devoured the book in a weekend. Highly recommend!!

My current genre obsession is cowboy/western romance. This one was absolutely perfect for me. I'm a huge fan of Lyla Sage's Rebel Blue series and I'm happy to report that this read very similarly to those books. I can't wait to dive into the other two books in this series! Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

This book is the start to a perfect small town romance book that will make you feel like at the end of the series, you were there. Paisley has a way of pulling you in and captivating you.

Tropes
-former NHL player/ cowboy
-forced proximity
-brother's best friend
-age gap (8 years)
-protective mmc
-he falls harder and faster

these are all the reasons this book was perfect for me!!!

I absolutely loved the setting of the book as well as the fact that it dealt with grief in such a good way. I am a fan of Paisley Hope and this book is the reason why!!

Oh you’re needing a cowboy romance but have already read the usual suspects? Well not to freaking worry because this book should be next on ur list!!!

I’m always a little suspicious when a trope goes really viral to read super recent adds to the subgenre. This however did not disappoint. It was sweet and silly and made me kick my little feet. I love love loved it and am adding this series to my list of series I started too soon because now I’ll have to wait for every sequel. The burden of getting in at the ground floor ig.

Kindle copy provided by publisher for review:)

I LOVED this book!! Paisley Hope is an AMAZING author and does such a great job weaving an intriguing story that readers will fall in love with like I did!! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves romance books!!

Was not a huge fan of this. I found the mmc a little creepy and the fmc lost me at “my pu$$y screamed”. Also overuse of “I wish I was that ~insert random object here~”.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it