I have been obsessed with cowboy romances for a long time and this has officially become one of my favorites. I can't wait to continue the series and see more amazing romances from these characters!

was so excited for this one because it's gotten a lot of hype however, l'm disappointed. Originally I really liked it (like the first 20%) but it was pretty slow to start. It's a cutesy little small town romance but I wouldn't consider it a cowboy romance. It you liked Powerless by Elsie Silver you'll like this one! It's similar in the small town, hockey player + part town cowboy, and girl leaving bad relationship aspect. Overall this book was good but just nothing special or new to me.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes small town romances and childhood friends to lovers (okay they weren't quite friends but they grew up together)

CeCe Ashby wants nothing more than to put her past behind her. After she breaks off her toxic engagement and returns to her small hometown in Kentucky, she 's piecing her life back together. Also back in town is newly retired hockey star, Nash Carter, who has been best friends with CeCe's older brothers, Wade and Cole. He's basically like a third older brother to CeCe except now he's seeing her in a different light. Can these two put aside their pasts in order to fight for their future?

First thank you to NetGalley and Random House: Ballantine Publishing for this ARC.

I'm such a sucker for a cowboy/small town romance. This book was adorable and had me giggling and kicking my feet.

These characters were very lovable. CeCe was a fun character that I saw pieces of myself in. However, at times I found her to also be annoying and a bit much. Which almost made me dislike her completely but I still managed to end up loving her in the end. And oh let me tell you, Nash Carter has cemented his spot on my list of book boyfriends. His devotion to CeCe truly makes me wish all men were written by women.

Without spoiling too much, I felt that this book encapsulated grief, anxiety and mental health very well. The feelings felt raw and real in a way that is hard to always portray in writing. Paisley truly did a great job portraying these thoughts and feelings.

If you're looking for a new cowboy romance, I highly recommend this one! I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

One of my faves! Who doesn’t love a cowboy romance mixed with brothers best friend. Nash is definitely going to be your next book boyfriend 😍🔥

this one was spicyyyyyy. i didn’t expect so much, but it was fun! i enjoyed it a lot!! I think it could have had a bit more to it, but i enjoyed it for what it was.

If you prefer smut with a little snall-town cowboy romance this is for you. While I enjoyed it, it was too much smut for me. I wanted more connection between the two main love interest and I didn't get that. I wasn't that invested in their story. I may read the next to see just to get another character perspective but not sure if these are for me.

This is a small town, age-gap romance between ex-NHL player and cowboy Nash and former corporate girl CeCe. Having just moved back home after splitting from her ex-fiance and leaving her city life behind, CeCe is trying to find her footing after such a drastic life change. Nash has his hands full running his own business, teaching hockey lessons, and helping out in a local bar. Nash and CeCe eventually cross paths and their reminiscing about the past starts a slow-burn journey that confirms that they each want more than just platonic friendship.

I'm a fan of small town and cowboy romances, and the cover for Holding the Reins immediately drew me in. I enjoyed Nash as a down to earth, good-hearted country boy MMC, and there were some truly entertaining and laugh-out-loud moments in the story. I did find the repeated references to the FMC's "tiny" body, hands, etc. to be a bit superfluous, and I found CeCe herself a bit hard to relate to at times (particularly the constant over-drinking). That said, these particularities may well be more personal preferences of mine versus things that would bother every reader. While this book was a bit of a miss for me, it may be a hit for others.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.

This book was exactly what I needed after the craziness of wedding planning/wedding weekend and two weeks away from my reading routine.

Small town, cowboy, forced proximity, and brother's best friend? Count me in! It was so much fun-fast-paced, funny, and set against a delightful backdrop. The book also features a fantastic family dynamic and entertaining side characters. I really hope the author explores some other potential couples that we kinda saw in this book.

If you're looking for a lighthearted, steamy romance, this book is for you.

This book had a lot of tropes and things I typically enjoy in a romance, but it ultimately was not for me. It was really similar to a couple of different "cowboy" romances I've read and it felt like it pulled things from other books and didn't really have anything that made it unique. Some of the writing and sentence structure was odd, and it was definitely more "spice" vs plot than I usually prefer. I'm sure many people will enjoy this, as it was an easy and sexy read, I would have liked more depth to the characters and more thorough editing.

4.5/5 ⭐️, 3.5/5 🌶️, 1/5 💧

🥃 Brother’s Best Friend
🥃 Forced Proximity / Workplace Romance
🥃 Small Town Romance
🥃 Found Family
🥃 Grief/Loss/Mental Health

Another small town cowboy romance with a happy ever after ending. I thought the conflicts that arose were nuanced and realistic, and I especially loved the strong fmc role in this book. Maybe not as dramatic, but it gave real southern vibes and the spice was spicing. I bought in to the tension and the imperfect mmc with his struggles in contrast to a strong fmc who knows what she wants. Loved it. Highly recommend this one!

This book wasn’t for me but it may be for others!

It took me a really long time to get into the book and even when I did I thought it was okay. I felt like I knew Nate but barely knew CeCe at all, other than her accounting background, ex-fiancé, and family. I thought Nate was sweet for the most part. He was hands on in his town and was there when needed. CeCe seemed… I don’t know if naive is the right word for it but she was in a 8 year relationship prior.

The book also longer than it needed to be. Granted that some chapters were shorter than others but still.

This is a small town, age gap, brother’s best friend trope with a bit of ex hockey and part time cowboy.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this arc for my honest review.

• brothers best friend
• part time cowboy MMC
• small town
• "just once"

If you cant decide if you like dirty talking hockey players and cowboys more, well Nash Carter is the man for you! He is the best of both worlds!

This story was a fun, spicy, small town cowboy romance full of emotion that will tug on all your heartstrings.

This story deals with the past death of a parent/ parents and although its a sensitive and heavy topic I think Paisley did an incredible job incorperating it into the story while still keeping the vibes of the story light and fun! She made me want to go hug my parents!

Its always fun getting to know a new cast of characters and the Ashby family and their friends did not dissapoint. I am excited particularly to see what future stories hold for my girl Ginger! I am excited to read Wades book this December, the tension between him and Ivy was palpable in this story and I cannot wait to see what they get up to!

Thank you Dell for this ARC!

This might be my fault and I’m just burnt out on cowboy romances, but this felt like the same plot of at least two other books I’ve read and for me, it struggled to stand out.

The woman who left town is now back after a big breakup with some guy who works too much and cheats on her, now she’s back and her brothers best friend, who is also a bartender (hello done and dusted) sees her in a new light. Even the best friend being the troublemaker and the single dad brother foreshadowing felt too familiar.

I also felt like the MMC character was trying to be made into too many things. And why was it so long ?

The writing was okay but overall I was underwhelmed from the beginning.

Oh my gooosh.

I am absolutely obsessed. This book was everything! Former NHL player turned part time cowboy and he’s her brothers best friend?! Yes yes yes.

God I really loved the way their relationship went from friendship to more. The banter. The lust filled tension. Obsessed with all of it!!

CeCe is everything I love about about an FMC. Sassy, strong willed, independent.

Nash. Well Nash. 😮‍💨😮‍💨 need I say more?! I’m so freaking in love with this man and that dirty mouth!! Mr. Carter, sir!!!!

Can’t wait to read book two!! Already obsessed with them too😆😆

Thank you Ballantine/Dell for the early copy! 🫶🏼🫶🏼

Let me just say this is a hell of a debut. I absolutely loved this.

This story follows Cece and Nash. Cece has just moved back home after catching her ex-fiancé cheating on her. Nash is a retired hockey player and has been back in their hometown for a few years now. Cece ends up having to take a job working for Nash and let’s just say Cece being back has brought up some pining and tension between these two…

Cece was such a firecracker and I loved that she was able to help Nash work through some of his grief. Loved that they could each be there for each other. Plus her girl gang!!! Loved them so much…Ginger needs a book now. 🤣
Nash…where do I even start. I am absolutely feral for this man. I loved his protective he was of Cece and his nickname for her! 🫠 Plus he is cowboy and a hockey player…two of my faves in one. YES PLEASE!
Their tension, banter and chemistry was so 🤌🏼🤌🏼. There are a few scenes in this one that will forever live rent free in my head. “Crawl to me, baby.” IYKYK 😮‍💨

It's possible I requested this based on the cover alone, and since I'm still in my Elsie era, I was so excited to dive right in!!

When Cece returns to her hometown and reconnects with retired hockey play and part tiem cowboy Nash, sparks start flying every which way in this sweet and spicy brother's best friend, they both fall first and both fall hard with a whole slew of found family i can wait to revisit in the rest of the series (let's be honest, real curious about where Ginger and Cole end up!)

Reminiscent of the boots and bouquets series by jaci burton, this is a great read for those in their cowboy era!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my review!

3.5 Stars If you love Shania Twain and hockey playing part-time cowboys, you are going to love Holding the Reins!

Returning to her small hometown in Kentucky after a broken engagement, Cecelia "CeCe" Ashby is unsure of what the future holds. Luckily, her brother's best friend, retired NHL star Nash Carter extends a job offer to get CeCe on her feet. As the unofficial fourth Ashby sibling, Nash has always felt protective of CeCe, but he's surprised by how drawn he is to the grown up version of her. It isn't long before CeCe's initial dislike of Nash turns into a burning attraction.

I love both the cowboy romance and hockey romance tropes, so getting a mix of the two is the best of both worlds! I'm always a fan of the reliable small town and brother's best friend tropes as well. The characters are cute and the banter is both hilarious and delightful! Holding the Reins is a sweet romance with a lot more spice than the cute cover lets on.

Thank you Dell and Paisley Hope for the ARC 💗 Holding the Reins is out now!

I must be in my cowboy romance era because I really liked this book! It was absolutely adorable with just the right amount of steam/spice without going over the top. I am always a sucker for a “Brother’s Best Friend” romance and this one was no different. If you like books by Elsie Silver, Devney Perry, or Lyla Sage, this is a great go-to for the same vibes.

For fans of:
✨ Small Town Romance
✨ Cowboy Romance
✨ Brother’s Best Friend
✨ Spice

A very special thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

mostly smut - which is fine! but plot/characters not well written or captivating enough to carry me through personally. Could be a 3 or 4 star read for someone with different taste. I just wasn't charmed.

This was very cute. Sure it was predictable but you know what you’re getting yourself into and I had a blast. If you’re looking for a romance that will deliver with all the right tropes and not severely cheesy that will put you in a good mood, this is for you.