Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this eARC! I thought that this was a fast-paced read. I think many people who want something quick and satisfying to read would like this book. It wasn't for me, because I felt that the characters were caricatures of female/male dynamics in a relationship and didn't enjoy how they interacted with each other.

4.25/5

Paisley Hope made me nostalgic for a small town that doesn’t even exist. This book was a breath of fresh air, and a great palette cleanser. I’m not sure how she did it, but she managed to include every microtrope in this story without it ever being shoehorned in. They all fit perfectly, and made for a really fun read.

Nash and Cece were a great couple to build the foundation of this new series, and I’m excited to continue reading about the other characters in future books. This story was extremely readable and had a great balance of humor, emotional themes, and steamy bits. Definitely excited for the rest of the series.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review. I am in my cowboy romance era and this book did not disappoint! This takes place in a small town in Kentucky were CeCe goes back home after breaking things off with her fiancé after finding out he was cheating on her. CeCe stays on her family's ranch to heal her heart and start a new life as a single woman. She doesn't expect to see her childhood crush, Nash to be working on her family's farm and to keep running into him around town. Nash was known as a playboy, former NHL hockey star, but since his career ended, he has been living the small town life and has changed his ways. CeCe finds it easy opening up to Nash grieving about her father's death, her latest breakup, and her goals in life. Nash shares with CeCe how his trauma of his parents' death is really affecting him and the death of CeCe's dad. Nash has always been quite close with CeCe's family. This book has a lot of spice and banter mixed in with cowboy romance and hockey romance! I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

This books has all the feels and you will fall in love with the close family dynamic. The strong female lead who won’t bend for anyone while she gets her life on track. You will not be able to put this one down until it is finished. I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves a small town country setting with some spice. I was given a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I freaking loved this story and cannot wait to read the next one, holy heck! This was just utter perfection!! Nash and Cece got me out of a reading funk, that’s for sure! Highly, highly, highly recommend!

Fun and overall spicy filled read! I wish I loved it more since it has a ton of my favorite tropes..but it lacked in some areas. Will still read more of the authors books since the writing was there. Would recommend to anyone who wants to try a small town romance with cowboy/hockey vibes.

This was an interesting mix of two very popular romance themes, hockey and cowboy. While it leans heavier towards the cowboy side of things, it was interesting imagining the main male character as a hockey player also.

Cece realizes the love that was always right in front of her with her old childhood friend. She gets out of a terrible relationship and as she is getting over things, she reconnects with her old friends and family. I love how supportive and close Cece's family is. I feel like they would do anything to protect her and are always rooting for her. I love the banter between Cece and her close group of girl friends. They text each other about the current gossip and have fun going out and drinking together. I do wish Cece had the courage to stand up to her toxic ex a bit more, but hey, that's why you have a handsome protective cowboy I suppose.

I loved the protective nature of her old child hood friend Nash. He goes above and beyond to look after her and while some might find it a bit overbearing, I think it was romantic. While they struggle with communication sometimes, I think they are a very good match for one another. There is a lot of spice in this book, but it is VERY good. Nash has a very dominant nature in and out of the bedroom.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Paisley Hope for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.

I had a hard time following the book to the end. It was a simple story and nice enough, just not for me or the timing was off. I might have to give it a different try at a later date. It felt a little repetitive and the characters not really likable.

Paisley Hope’s Holding the Reins is a heartfelt and engaging novel that plunges readers into the world of equestrian dreams, self-discovery, and resilience. Set against the backdrop of horse shows, training barns, and the tight-knit (yet often competitive) equestrian community, the story offers an intimate exploration of a young woman’s journey to find her place in a demanding world.

The protagonist, Natalie Covington, is a determined and passionate equestrian trying to balance her ambitions with personal challenges. Hope crafts Natalie as a relatable and multidimensional character whose struggles—both in the arena and in her personal life—feel authentic and compelling. As Natalie faces setbacks, betrayal, and self-doubt, her growth throughout the novel is both satisfying and inspiring.

The depiction of the equestrian world is one of the novel’s strengths. Hope’s detailed and accurate descriptions of horse training, competition dynamics, and the bond between rider and horse showcase her deep knowledge of and love for the sport. The horses themselves are characters in their own right, with distinct personalities and pivotal roles in Natalie’s story. Readers who have ever felt the powerful connection between human and animal will find this aspect of the book particularly moving.

Hope’s prose is accessible yet vivid, balancing technical equestrian terms with emotional depth. The pacing of the story is consistent, with just enough drama to keep readers hooked without feeling contrived. Themes of perseverance, friendship, and self-belief resonate throughout, making the novel a perfect read for both horse enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates a coming-of-age story.

If there’s a critique to be made, it’s that some secondary characters could have been fleshed out further. A few relationships feel underexplored, which may leave readers wanting more depth in certain subplots. However, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise well-rounded novel.

Overall, Holding the Reins is a heartfelt and uplifting story that will captivate horse lovers and inspire readers to hold tight to their own dreams. Paisley Hope has crafted a novel that feels both personal and universal, and it’s a must-read for anyone who has ever dared to chase their passions, no matter the obstacles.

Rating: 3.75

I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the arc of this book. The cover alone is outstanding and really brought my attention to this one! I absolutely loved the characters throughout this book as well as the steamy storyline.

Fun and spicy cowboy/ranch romance. Reminds me of elsie silver and Yellowstone. Excited to see where the next books take this series

Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope has one of the most memorable opening scenes of any book I've read, which set the tone for a funny rom-com cowboy romance...but delivered so much more. There was true depth to the characters and their story arcs were well-timed and believable. The spicy scenes were downright steamy, yet full of emotional connection between the characters. This is the first book I have read by this author, but now I will be reading her other books in the Silver Pines Ranch series. Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this lovely book.

I am firmly in my cowboy romance era and Paisley Hope promises a good time! Similar to authors like Elsie Silver, Lyla Sage, and Bailey Hannah- this author captures the lightheartedness of a slow ranch life with the hardness of a grumpy cowboy. The plot was cute but could use more refinement and the growth in the writing is measurable! I enjoyed this cast of characters and I’m excited to see where this series goes next!

So good! I loved the cowboy, small-town mixed with the hockey vibe. Nash is a dream! The whole town is. So well written. Will definitely be making Paisley Hope and auto-buy author.

A very cute debut novel! Few things appeal to me more than an ex-professional hockey player turned part-time cowboy and this delivered.

Overall I had a fun time reading and I’ll definitely be picking up the rest of the series!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book. This is the first book I've read by Paisley Hope, and I enjoyed it. Small-town romances are my favorite, and I fell in love with Cece and Nash. I thought the pace of the book was good. I would say this is somewhat of a slow-burn romance and a bit of forbidden romance thrown into the mix. Cece and Nash have known each other for many years and when Cece returns to her hometown because of a bad break-up with her ex-boyfriend Nash is there to help her get her life back on track. I enjoyed reading about the relationship between Nash and Cece and for them to finally have their happy ending. Overall this was a great book and I will be continuing the series.

This book was so cute! Nash and Cece are now a part of my heart. Cowboy romances are some of my faves because I am a small town girl with a cowboy husband and I think this book did it justice! (Also this book being a duo of hockey, small town, AND brothers best friend?!🤪 We love that!) I love how Nash was always doing little things for Cece because it’s the little things that count. ❤️ This book was steamy and fun and hot! I personally don’t think it took anything away from the story though because this book had plot AND steam!

Thank you NetGalley, Paisley Hope, Random House Publishing Group, and Dell Romance for the ARC to Holding The Reins!

"Holding the Reins" by Paisley Hope is a small-town cowboy romance that masterfully combines beloved tropes with deep emotional resonance. The story centers on CeCe, who returns to her hometown after a broken engagement, and Nash Carter, her brother’s best friend and a retired hockey player turned ranch hand. What starts as a rekindling of old bonds transforms into a fiery and layered romance, as both characters navigate unspoken chemistry, shared grief, and the complexities of falling for someone off-limits. The banter is sharp, the tension is palpable, and the classic “touch her and you’ll regret it” trope is executed to perfection.

This debut novel is packed with fan-favorite elements: secret hookups, a strong found-family dynamic, and a swoon-worthy protector hero who’s utterly devoted to the heroine. Nash’s mix of sweetness and raw passion, paired with CeCe’s determination to rebuild her life, creates a romance that is as tender as it is steamy. The small-town charm and vivid setting enhance the story’s intimacy, while the protagonists’ emotional growth adds depth to their sizzling attraction.

Paisley Hope’s writing is impressive for a first novel, seamlessly blending humor, heartache, and heat. While some minor tweaks in the plot could refine the pacing, the story flows beautifully, delivering everything fans of cowboy and best-friend’s-little-sister romances could hope for. "Holding the Reins" is not just a fun, dirty read but also a heartfelt exploration of love, healing, and second chances.

Brother's best friend cowboy romance....yes please and that cover 😍.

This book follows Cece and Nash. Cece is returning home to her family's ranch after her long term relationship is over when she finds her fiance cheating. Cece has also recently lost her father and was really close with him. She is still grieving and trying to find her place. Nash is a retired NHL player turned golden boy in their small town he is also Cece's brother's best friend and the guy, along with her brothers, who teased her endlessly when she was a kid. Cece gets a job where Nash is her boss, she is skeptical at first to take the job, not wanting to clash with Nash more than she already does, but he convinces her to work with him.

Nash Carter has become my newest book boyfriend. He is so sweet and caring he is always doing sweet gestures for Cece and I melted every single time. He was incredibly protective of her, standing up for her against her ex, trying to keep guys away from her while she was out with her friends. And the filthy mouth on him was 🥵🔥. Nash has his own tragic past to work through, and the moments where Nash and Cece just sat in their grief were really beautiful. Oh and he falls so very fast and so very hard and we love to see it!

I loved Cece and the whole Ashby family. I loved the banter and family dynamic. I loved Cece's girl group! They were so much fun and the group messages between them were hilarious. I loved the dynamic between the best friends and Nash and Cece's brothers.

I am so floored that this is a debut. novel and I cannot wait for the rest of the series, The other characters in this book were so good and I really hope every single one of them get their own story.

If you love dirty talking ex NHL players that are bar owners and part-time cowboys with a heart of gold, then you NEED this book today!

This was the fantastic, spicy romance that I didn’t know I needed. I loved Nash and Cece! The childhood friendship to lovers was perfect. They also had really good communication with each other which is always a relief in a book. Such a good cowboy romance. I can’t wait to read book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House publishing for the ARC!