Now listen, everyone knows I am an absolute sucker for a hockey romance. There's just something about them that hits different, every single time. On the other hand, cowboy romances are also pretty high on my face tropes list. I didn't think that I would ever find a book that somehow incorporated both of those things. Until Holding The Reins.

Nash Carter is a retired NHL hockey player, part-time cowboy, part time bartender, full time owner of the community ice center. Reformed playboy and never one to settle down, his world is thrown off when the little sister of his 2 best friends comes back to town after a bad breakup. She's all sass and Kentucky fire. Suddenly he doesn't just see her as the pseudo little sister.

I loved Cecelia. She really is fiery, sassy, and strong. She's also incredibly smart and creative. All around well rounded. While heavy topics are discussed and mentioned in the story, it was still so warm hearted and really made me feel for the characters. Also, hot damn this book has some spicy scenes. Buckle up for Nash the epic dirty talker. Have mercy.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What’s inside:
Small town romance
Brothers best friend
Age gap (8 years)
Sports romance (retired NHL player)
Cowboy romance

Holding the Reins was my first cowboy romance. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it was probably more cowboys. That being said, the stage is set for future books that would probably lean more cowboy than small town.

CeCe is 25 years old and just got out of a long term relationship hen she found her fiancé cheating on her. She moves back home from Seattle ti her family’s ranch in Kentucky.

Nash Carter is 33 and a retired NHL star. He grew up with CeCe’s family, is best friends with her older brother, and is considered a “bonus” son after having lost both his parents in a tragic accident. Nash has recently moved back home to Kentucky, is working on the ranch, bartends at the local bar, and also runs the local ice rink (I’m still not sure when he slept…)

Nash and CeCe were not close growing up, due to their age difference (Nash is 8 years older). But they quickly fall into insta lust and begin a secret no strings attached relationship. I had a hard time connecting with their relationship as it was never made clear what changed. Neither was pining after the other for years. So how did they see each other differently now than when they were kids and basically siblings?

The pacing was a bit weird or wonky. CeCe goes to work for Nash at the rink and they start putting together a fundraiser for the rink. They plan it for a date 6 weeks away, which seems like a rather short amount of time for the type of fundraiser they planned. There were also times where the author would tell us rather than show us what was happening. As well as using time jumps where days or weeks will have flown by. I feel like a lot of the relationship growth between Nash and CeCe happens off page in these times.

Overall, there was way more spice than plot and very little actual conflict. If that’s your thing, then this is your book!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC of this novel.

I am in my cowboy romance reading era so when I saw the cover of this book I was all in. Unfortunately this book didn’t work for me. I didn’t bond with the decision making of the heroine. I found myself to be super annoyed with her a lot of the book. There were some repetitive aspects in sentences that I had a hard time with. And honestly I just could not with Cece.

There was a lot of smut in this book. And honestly, I read basically anything that I vibe with and there have been plenty of smutty books that I’ve vibed with just fine. This one was not one of them.

This felt like a book with too many tropes. Nash is a cowboy. He’s a hockey player. He’s loaded. He’s her brothers best friend. It’s a forbidden romance because he’s practically family. One likes relationships and the other one doesn’t. Cece and Nash are childhood enemies… so it’s enemies to lovers. It’s a lot. And it’s too much to be done well.

Overall, as we can tell, this one was not for me.

2 stars
5 steam level

This was the cowboy/hockey crossover I didn’t know I needed. I have seriously been missing out by skipping over the cowboy romance novels. I loved everything about the family and friend dynamic in this story. Everyone was truly a ride or die for one another. Not to mention the spice was definitely there. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series.

🖤Former NHL player turned part time cowboy
🖤Boss/Employee
🖤Brother’s best friend
🖤Dual POV
🖤Spicy small town
🖤Found family

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Super cute brother's best friend romance. This book has all the tropes I enjoy, the brother's best friend trope, small town romance. I devoured this book so quick.

Admittedly, I don't read cowboy romance. I saw this absolutely cute cover and was immediately drawn to it. I decided to give Paisley Hope a chance and I do not regret it for one second. This was a phenomenal debut. Half way through, I was already trying to look up the next book in the series. Cece is coming back to her home town to start over after escaping a bad relationship. She sees her brother's best friend (and the boy she grew up with), Nash and has an immediate reaction. These two could not stay away from each other and their chemistry is off the charts. Nash is a former hockey player/part time cowboy who tries his hardest not to be attracted to his best friend's little sister. Man, there are some steamy scenes in this one. Their banter and the push and pull of personalities made it. I cannot wait to read the second in the series. We get a preview of the couple towards the end of the book and their's already so much tension. 5 stars *chef's kiss!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Paisely Hope, and Random House/Ballentine for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #holdingthereins #paisleyhope #randomhousepublishing

This was good. I liked all the characters and the town was cute. Will read the next one in the series.

Me and cowboy romances go hand-in-hand. I absolutely ate this book up; I loved the banter between Nash and Cece and the mouth on that man was goooood. I really liked the plot, but honestly wish there was a littttle bit more cowboy scenes to it; idk why, but I just love that western feel. If you're a fan of Elsie Silver, I think you'll love this one as well.

This book held my attention for the first half or so. I wish it had more plot rather than just being filled with spicy scenes. If all someone wanted to read was smut, I’d recommend this book.

Absolutely LOVED this one. Nash was your successful businessman who had a soft spot for the gal who had been in his life since the beginning. CeCe was the hardened girl who had gone through trouble with someone she thought she loved, but it actually turned out that she just hadn't found the right man, or rather, focused on the right one. The banter between the two reminded me of best friends and lovers, which ultimately is what they became. Without each other, they weren't whole. Put the two together and you have straight FIRE. Loved watching CeCe develop emotionally and mentally, while Nash broke down his own barriers for CeCe despite his lived trauma. I do wish, though, there was more cowboy-ing in it! I would absolutely love to have the chance to read this book again for the first time, it was THAT good! Thanks for the opportunity to read!

Thank you, NetGalley and publisher for this ARC. This was my first cowboy romance, and I absolutely loved it. It has so many of my favorite book tropes such as age gap, small town, romance, and a strong female character. This book had tons of spice, but it also had a great plot and made me laugh out loud! I love the book so much. I had to buy a physical copy and I pre-ordered the next book from this series!! I highly recommend!

3 stars

Holding The Reins is a fun light cowboy/sports romance, following CeCe and Nash. This was just an easy read, not too heavy. I loved the setting, horses and of course the cowboys. The romance was sweet and for the most part the development of the relationship was paced nicely, when they finally got together it did really speed up. The spice scale I would be at a 2, there were some great moments but was not over the top and plot and character driven. Both Nash and CeCe were fun and likable. I would recommend this book, I had a good time while reading, it was super-fast, enjoyable. There was not anything that really blew me away, but fun.
I received an ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this read!
This book was so fun and I can't wait to read the rest of the series! I live in Lexington, KY so I loved that this book was set in KY and referenced Lexington several times. I am a sucker for a cowboy romance and a hockey romance and this combined the two! I loved all the side characters and am eager to learn their stories too in the upcoming books. Overall would recommend for any rom com lover!

This was quite the fun, quick, and steamy read! I’m (obviously) a big fan of cowboy romance - but when he’s also a hockey player - count me in.

In the fabulous time we live in where there are SO many books targeting the small town, cowboy/ranch romance loving girlies this book hits a lot of the marks. Did it stand out from all the other ones? Not really, but it was still good. I read it rather quick and I didn’t feel like it really dragged at any point. I’m SUPER invested in seeing what the rest of the series has to offer. Especially ginger and Cole’s book (fingers crossed).

Yikes. This was offputting from the dedication! Weak writing, poor grammar, and sixty little chapters. Multiple chapters to get through one scene? Why??

This whole book feels like cherry-picked tropes for TikTok popularity. Everything is immediately sexualized and shamed by BOTH characters. Slut shaming from her, every possessive red flag from him. Just reeks of internalized misogyny from the author.

Incredibly disappointing across the board. Enjoyed the cover and then save yourself the cringe of reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

This was the PERFECT read for me while I’m in my sports & cowboy romance era!
CeCe Ashby returns to small town Kentucky after a broken engagement. She isn't quite sure what path to take next, so
her brother's best friend, retired NHL player Nash Carter, offers her a job. Nash has always been super close to the Ashby siblings and has felt protective of CeCe, but he's blindsided by his attraction to her now. As the days go on, Cece’s dislike for Nash turns into desire.

I adored all the characters as well as the immaculate tension and spice. I can never get enough of small town brothers best friend romances!

The mouth on this man was FILTHY in the best way possible. I will hear Nash Carter in my dreams.

Not me a girl that’s been thriving in her dark/bully romance era picking up this Brother’s Best Friend Cowboy romance and ADORING it!

"We're not a phase. We're the exact opposite of a phase. You're my always. I fucking love you more than I've ever loved anything in this life and I came here to make sure you knew it. Following you across the country is nothing. 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.”

A tall, tatted, hockey-playing, part-time cowboy with a tragic past, a filthy mouth, and a heart of gold?! SAY LESS! Nash is HERE to make me swoon. Over and over. Then blush 🤭 then we had CeCe who is a sassy, strong FMC. Their coupling was just precious, and with the great banter and quirky small town, it just made the story so quick to become invested in!

“Right here on the shore with CeCe in this simple moment, I know I want more moments like this with her. I want to be there for more firsts and I want her— not just for one night, and not in secret. I think I want her for as long as she'll have me. The thought causes my heart to beat faster and fucking terrifies me all at the same time.”

🩷 Brother’s Best Friend
💚Small Town Romance
🤠Retired Hockey Player turned Part-Time Cowboy, Part-Time Bartender

As a girl that is VERY critical of a Brothers Best Friend trope, I for the most part enjoyed how this was written! Why the brothers are concerned over Nash & Cece MAKE SENSE and it’s not filled with heaps of gross toxic masculinity!

I love this woman like I've never loved anyone or anything. I love her more than the sun on my face rising over the mountain, the feel of fresh ice under my skates, or hoisting that cup over my head. I love my little firefly like I have no other option, and the truth is maybe I never have.

Final Rating: 4.25⭐️, 3.5🌶️

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange of my honest review! Sorry it’s so belated 😅Now off to devour Training the Heart! WADE AND IVY BRING IT ON!

Picture this: a tall, tatted, hockey-playing, part-time cowboy with a tragic past, a filthy mouth, and a heart of gold. 😍 Nash is EVERYTHING—a swoon-worthy mix of charm, spice, and depth that sets a new standard for book boyfriends. Ladies, brace yourselves!

This small-town romance brought ALL the feels. CeCe is a sassy, strong FMC with a relatable journey that totally snuck up on me. Watching her character growth alongside Nash’s (hello, that unforgettable scene near the end!) was so satisfying. Their banter? Perfect. Their chemistry? Off the charts. The spice? Chef’s kiss. Paisley Hope, you did THAT. 👏

And let’s not forget the supporting cast—the Ashby family and CeCe’s friends were pure joy. I was laughing, blushing, and soaking up every second. Special shoutout to Mama Jo and the hilarious Sangria Sundays! 🍹

If you’re into small-town vibes, brother’s best friend, found family, cowboys, hockey, and some "touch her and I’ll unalive you" energy, this one’s for you. Oh, and the spice lovers? Yeah, you’ll be thanking Paisley too. 😉

Huge thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Paisley Hope for this amazing ARC. I’m already counting down the days for book two—because I NEED more of this series in my life! 🖤🔥

Holding the Reins reminded me why I love small town cowboy romances so much, not to mention that it’s brother’s best friend trope which was the cherry on top for me.
CeCe’s a kind of heroine I’ll always root for, seeing her find herself again in her hometown after a broken engagement and fall in love with her brother’s best friend Nash, who is a dirty talking cowboy that I would read multiple books about.
The small town Kentucky setting was dreamy and the perfect escape from the real world.
Anyway, CeCe and Nash were red hot and I can’t wait to see what this series has in store for us next.

wow do I love me a cowboy romance!!!

I loved Nash and Cece’s relationship in this story, they’re such strong hearted people who’ve dealt with pains & grief in their life. they find a way to truly know and love each other in the way they haven’t before that lets them really have such a strong, tender, spicy love story!

I also loved meeting all the characters in this story, getting excited to read more from this author and this series!!!

the only thing I didn’t love in this book was some sexist language used toward a side character, who is admittedly not a good person, I just didn’t like the use of the words (tramp, slut, etc.) in describing them, even though I understood the disdain toward this character.

thank you for the arc!!!