This book was everything that I could have wanted. Holding the Reins (book one) was AMAZING. Nash Carter was an amazing book boyfriend that was equal parts swoony and sinful. With Training the Heart, Paisley Hope basically said “hold my beer” and gave readers Wade Ashby.

Wade is the definition of a grumpy cowboy who has some serious walls put up in his life (even though he will not admit it) and Ivy is the picture of sunshine who just sits there chipping away at those walls. Ivy does not let Wade get to her with his sarcastic comments, dishing it right back to him. She also gets under his skin in a way that eventually breaks those walls altogether.

Wade is so protective and obsessive over Ivy that the readers just can not help but swoon. But when that man opens his mouth in the bed room…..PUDDLE ON THE FLOOR!

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Why is a grumpy rancher obsessed with his employee exactly what I needed?

This was even better than the first book. I absolutely loved how tenderly Wade takes care of Ivy—he’s constantly protecting and supporting her in every way. The family dynamics in this series are also such a highlight for me. The Ashbys have my heart. 💜

“Mercy.”

This one was HOT 🥵 If you’re a fan of Elsie Silver or Lyla Sage and you’re looking for a cowboy romance with more spice, you need to pick up this series.

This book also has a surprise twist 👶🏼🤰🏻 at the very end, which I think was so well done in this book. Given Ivy’s story, I didn’t mind it at all—it actually felt like the perfect way to tie everything together.

Tropes I loved:
🐴 grumpy x sunshine
🐴 one bed
🐴 man obsessed
🐴 hand necklace 😉

Rating:
⭐️ 4.5 rounded up
🌶️ 4 on the spice scale

I am obsessed with Ginger and can’t wait for her story next. Huge congrats to Paisley—ever since I discovered her books, I’ve been hooked!

Thank you to Random House for the eARC and this amazing opportunity. Training the Heart comes out on December 31, the perfect book to start the new year. Preorder it now and don’t miss out on Ivy and Wade’s story! 🪻 🐎 💜

I love love loved this story! I bought it for myself when it came out and sprayed the edges. I cannot wait to read the next one! Thank you so much for this opportunity

Training the Heart by Paisley Hope is a small-town cowboy romance that delivers plenty of tension and chemistry between its leads. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic between the ranch owner and the feisty horse trainer is engaging, and their banter keeps the story moving. The setting is charming, and the character interactions feel lively.

That said, the story loses some momentum in the second half. The romance takes center stage at the expense of the plot, with extended steamy scenes that, while well-written, start to feel repetitive. I would have preferred a stronger focus on character development and storytelling rather than leaning so heavily into the physical aspects of the relationship. Additionally, the side characters sometimes steal attention from the main couple, which made the book feel a little cluttered.

Overall, this is an entertaining cowboy romance with solid writing and likable leads, but the pacing and balance between romance and plot could have been stronger.

⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5 stars, rounded to 4)

Paisley has wrote some of my favorite books that I just want to live in. I can not begin to put into words hoe much I love this world she has created. I just want to make this fictional world a reality and up and move there. Pure perfection in every sense of the word.

Paisley Hope has done it AGAIN!!! This was my first 5 star read of the year. I am OBSESSED with the Silver Pines Ranch series and can not wait until I can get my hands on Riding the High. I will forever recommend this years to those that want to dip their toes into the cowboy romance realm and will always pick up a Paisley Hope novel from here on out because WADE ASHBY?!?! The man that you are!!

This is a very classic cowboy romance. It's definitely not one of my all time top reads, but I didn't dislike anything.

First and foremost, I would like to thank Dell Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC of Training the Heart by Paisley Hope. I really enjoyed this book!

This is a steamy, small-town cowboy romance featuring some of my favorite tropes—forced proximity, neighbors, boss/employee, and grumpy-sunshine dynamics. As the second installment in the Silver Pines Ranch series, this interconnected standalone novel delivers an engaging and heartfelt story.

Wade, the eldest son, carries the heavy burden of running the family ranch, while Ivy, the new horse trainer, is looking for a fresh start after the end of her relationship. Set against the backdrop of training a new racehorse for the Kentucky Derby, their long hours together—and the fact that they’re neighbors—keep throwing them into each other’s orbit.

I loved how Ivy is quickly embraced by Wade’s sister’s friend group, much to his disapproval. Watching him struggle to resist temptation because she’s his employee (and his undeniable attraction to her) was so entertaining. And when she is unexpected injured it forces him to share his space and care for her, their connection deepens into something more.

Paisley Hope knows how to write tension, and she certainly knows how to bring the heat! The chemistry between Wade and Ivy is undeniable, and the romance unfolds with the perfect mix of angst, passion, and heart.

Overall, Training the Heart is a fantastic addition to the Silver Pines Ranch series. Will definitely be picking up the next book in this series when it comes out.

As a Ky girlie, I am always up for a cowboy romance set in Kentucky! These books are spicy and just fun reads! I love the steam and romance in all of Paisley's books! Tensions are high in this one and the pay off is great!

I really liked this book!! While I enjoyed the first book in this series I MUCH preferred the second. I loved both the FMC and MMC and thought their love story felt so authentic

Paisley Hope's *Training the Heart* is a steamy and heartwarming cowboy romance that delivers on the promise of Wade and Ivy's story, hinted at in the previous Silver Pines Ranch book. While I enjoyed the first book, I was particularly excited to dive into Wade's story, and he certainly didn't disappoint!

Wade, a grumpy ranch owner burdened by family responsibilities and past hurts, is the epitome of the strong, silent type. Ivy, a sunny and independent horse trainer with her own turbulent past, arrives at Silver Pines Ranch with dreams of training a racehorse for the Kentucky Derby. Despite their vastly different personalities and training philosophies, their undeniable chemistry ignites, creating a push-and-pull dynamic that's both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

I loved how Wade's gruff exterior masks a deep caring for Ivy. His "acts of service," like the sweet movie nights they share, speak volumes about his feelings. Both characters have been hurt by past relationships, and it's beautiful to watch them slowly open up to each other and find the love and support they've always craved. The sense of family and community within the Silver Pines Ranch group is a wonderful addition to the story.

One of my favorite quotes from the book perfectly encapsulates Wade's feelings: "One: I’m wildly in love with Ivy. I not only love her, I need her, like the moon needs the sun to set every night just so it can rise. Two: there’s no me without her anymore, she just doesn’t know it yet.”

While I did enjoy *Training the Heart*, I found myself connecting slightly less with it than the first book in the series. Some of the dialogue felt a bit cringy at times, which detracted slightly from the overall flow. However, the story itself is compelling, the spice is definitely there, and Wade and Ivy's relationship is truly top-tier. I particularly loved the trope used at the end (which I won't spoil!), even though I saw it coming. It felt fitting for their journey and added a satisfying touch to their HEA.

Overall, *Training the Heart* is a delightful addition to the Silver Pines Ranch series. It's a story about second chances, finding love in unexpected places, and the power of vulnerability. Four stars. I'm eager to see what Paisley Hope has in store next!

I really enjoyed the first book in the series, but this book was a miss for me. Wade and Ivy's relationship felt like it was based so much on a physical relationship. I love open door romances, but I found myself skimming through many of the spicy scenes because they were so long and drawn out. I felt like there were so many times that the f word was used, and I checked- it was used 707 times. I was so distracted by its over use that it took me out of the story.

I felt like Ivy and Cece (who is Wade's sister and the FMC of book one of this story) had a similar backstory. They both had abusive exes and escaped them to start over.

I love the family dynamics, and the found family aspect of the book was top notch.

For me, the lack of character growth and development took away from my enjoyment of the book. It focused too much on the physical and not enough on the emotional connection.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dell for an ARC of this book.

I loved this book so much. This ranch is just the best setting and I love this family so much. The love story in this is so amazing and loving. I loved seeing the characters grow with each other and fall in love. I also see how much the family meddles in everything. I just love this series so much and I highly recommend it.

Paisley Hope has become a MUST READ NOW author for me, and this book is EXACTLY why!! I loved Wade and Ivy so much- don’t get me wrong, Holding the Reins was excellent, but this book was incredible.

Their chemistry from the get-go was so off the charts. Wade has been taking on the pressure of maintaining the family ranch for years and thrives on control to manage a tight ship. The stress and workload have taken on a toll, along with his divorce and toxic ex.
Ivy is his opposite in so many ways- her sunny personality is a daily distraction for Wade, who slowly starts to find her as irresistible as everyone else. Literally from their initial interaction, she’s creating chaos in his life- her first impression is hilarious and her smutty audiobooks are putting Wade on edge!

When they finally give in to their feelings, it is HOT. Wade is just as dominant in bed as he is in real life, and the combination of that and her sass was 🥵. These two had me blushing!

It’s going to be VERY hard to top Wade Ashby, but if anyone can, it’s Paisley Hope! I look forward to Cole x Ginger next!

Tropes

🐎 Small town/cowboy
🐎 Boss x employee
🐎 Forced proximity
🐎 Tattoed MMC (no spoilers but this was my favorite part of this book🔥)

Thank you to NetGalley, Paisley Hope and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

*Blushes feverishly* I am sure there are spicier books out there. But I haven’t read them.

Once I picked my jaw up off the floor, there was so much to adore about this book. I loved Holding the Reins so much and Training the Heart delivered similar energy.

To start, Silver Pines Ranch is a place for the Found Family. Paisley Hope’s storytelling is fast-paced and character-driven.

Here’s what you can expect:

-Grumpy/Sunshine
-Workplace Romance
-Forced Proximity
-Possessive MMC who is down bad and tries to fight it
-Only one bed
-Found family

Make no mistake, Wade Ashby is 100% the star of this story. He’s got a dirty mouth and a heart of GOLD. He’s a care-taker, a family man; he pretends to be a grouch but he’s actually a softie. He knows what he wants (like for real, trust me) and he has got it bad for our girl, Ivy.

Note: Unlike Holding the Reins, I don’t think this book is going to resonate with every romance reader. Definitely check trigger warnings because this book deals with some incredibly heavy content. Additionally, there is a trope—which many of us dislike—that I’d love to warn you about but don’t want to spoil anything.

And, like I said, LOTS of spice - so do with that what you will. I think it’s an amount (and overall percentage of the book that) that could alienate some audiences.

Thank you so much to Dell and NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I can’t wait to read Riding High.

Ivy Spencer is trying Ron,ate a fresh start at Silver Pines Ranch. After leaving her old life behind she is looking to make a fresh start and train a race horse for the prestigious Kentucky Derby. Enter her new boss, the grumpy Wade Ashby. After his failed marriage he swore off love, but as he starts to get to know Ivy he knows there is no going back from his feelings. As they begin to spend more time with one another lines and feelings begin to blur for both of them. As their walls come down can they let each other in?

I was leery to start this book, I was not as intrigued with Wade Ashby at first. He was merely the protective older brother. However, as I got further into this book I realized he was so much more. Especially his dirty talk. That was the ultimate surprise and in the best way. If there is anything Paisley Hope is good at its writing spicy scenes. This boom did not disappoint in that department at all. Some moments even left me blushing.

I was also very interested in the character of Ivy. She worked so hard to beget out of her old life in-order to create her new one. I could not help but admire her motivation and passion to not settle for what had been dealt to her. Watching her grow as a character and take back her life was empowering to see.

I also loved the returning characters from the first book. They added even more life and laughter.

Overall, Training the Heart was a fun read that left me counting down until I can return to Silver Pines again.

I love Paisley Hope and these cowboy romances. This town and family is almost a part of me. I love the emotions, the romance, the family, and all of the lessons learned. These are some of my favorite romance books ever! They remind me a lot of Elsie silver.

I’m such a sucker for a hot cowboy romance. This one definitely delivered!
This series is exceeding my expectations in the best way and I’m having so much fun with it. It’s a bit on the longer side, I do feel like a little trim in certain spots would be beneficial. Overall, the story is told really well. I am a big fan of Paisley Hope and Silver Pines Ranch now.
Wade, the grumpy dirty talking man, and Ivy, the girl that needs a little extra boost of confidence (don’t we all) are so hot together. Not just that, but they complimented each other really well.

This was another Hot and Steamy cowboy romance by Paisley Hope.

She does a great job writing these stories. I do think this was a little on the long side and somethings could’ve been left out without taking away from the story. But overall this was a really enjoyable read!!

“Ivy Spencer is mine and I’m the luckiest man alive because she landed on my doorstep. And you know what?
Finders keepers.”

Scrunchies and M&M Sundaes for the win! Paisley Hope has done it AGAIN. WOW.

Training the Heart is a beautifully written and emotionally charged romance novel that explores themes of healing, resilience, and the unexpected ways love can bloom. Wade and Ivy both have their own demons but when they came together it was pure magic. The chemistry between Wade and Ivy really bloomed the second they spoke to each other. The banter was top tier and flowed so well.

Wade was the exact balm that Ivy needed to thrive but Wade also needed Ivy just as much. Their intimacy was so charged and tangible that it made for a great story. Paisley Hope has a way of writing such deep and real characters that it never really feels like reading. I really thought I was going to be a Nash girl but Wade stepped in and said “Hold my beer”.

The amount of care and love through not only words but actions really did it for me in this book. Plus, any man that’s form of after care is an ice cream sundae with m&ms is a winner to me. 😊
The building tension from Holding the Reins and Training the Heart between Cole and Ginger has me beyond ready for the next book! I can’t wait to see what those two get up to.

Thank you Netgalley & Random House for sending me this arc.