Training the Heart by Paisley Hope
5⭐️ Wade Ashby….people of bookstagram….good lord 🥵 Wade was soooooooo hot, Ginger was right, Wade is BDE personified hahahah. He’s genuinely such a good man. I love when dudes are absolute gruff, closed off alphaholes who are soft and gooey for their partner 💕 Ivy, a woman after my own heart with her spicy books 😂 I loved how she was so soft and cared so much for her mom, even when she struggled. Ivy and Wade just gravitated to each other over and over again, and everyone saw it but them. This really was a story of opening your heart because it’s worth the risk to fall in love with the person who lights up your life. DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE EPILOGUE!!!!!! Paisley hit us with the extendo-epilogue, which I am eternally thankful for 🙏🏼 this series was a random find for me, but quickly captured my heart and ooooohweeeee I can’t wait for Ginger and Cole to freak it 🤠 thank you to Paisley and NetGalley for this ARC, I loved this story so very much! 🖤

This was such a fun and sweet cowboy romance! Wade is one of the grumpiest MMCs I've ever read, and I loved reading about him falling all over for himself for Ivy. The two were just so perfectly made for each other and their chemistry was off the charts. The man was so possessive and OTT for her! While I did like the first book more, this one is just as charming and entertaining. I cannot wait to see where the rest of the series goes, Cole and Ginger are going to be so chaotic and lively🤭

Dead. Dying. Deceased. This was insanely good! There was not a single thing in this book that fell flat. The relationship, the friendships, the humor, the spice… all perfection. While reading this I actively updated my goodreads with updates of my favorite quotes (I’ll put them at the bottom of this review) because there were some GOOD ones here. This was highly emotional read for me due to the subject matter, but it was so beautiful and well written. I even messaged the author throughout the read and expressed how I had to take a breather and touch grass frequently during their first spicy encounter. It was insane. I will most definitely be giving this series a re-read once they are all out & hope to have the honor to ARC read the rest of the series!

this book is easily my favorite thing I read in 2024 and something YOU need to pick up immediately.

paisley hope you deserve a round of applause for creating one of my favorite fictional men.

5 chapters in, I was already obsessed with the main characters and that feeling never faded away. from the tension and banter of ivy and wade, to amazing side characters and a great plot, this book has everything you need.

the one thing I was not prepared for was the spice. all I can say is lives were changed and I need to find a wade immediately.

the way I know a book is going to stick with me is the moment I feel excited to start making edits and aesthetics of it. this was my first paisley hope book and it won’t be my last.

One of my faves for the year! I loved Wade and Ivy! Wade is a grumpy ranch owner who needs a temporary horse trainer. Ivy shows up for the job and is all sunshine and sass. There’s forced proximity, care taking (Wade is an acts of service man) and SO much spice! A dirty mouthed cowboy who loves to eat, yes please! 🙂‍↕️

They both had their issues to overcome, but they did it together. I loved how Ivy didn’t get insecure over Wade’s ex wife. She knew he loved her and trusted him. Wade was possessive, but also strong and steady. The best person for Ivy to make her home with.

Absolutely cannot wait for Cole and Ginger. I was loving their banter.

Absolutely amazing! I love everything Paisley Hope writes and Training The Heart was everything I wanted it to be and so much more! Wade and Ivy’s story was intoxicating and truly addictive. Once I picked up this book I could not put it down. The boss X employee trope was done so well with all the other tropes like one bed, grumpy x sunshine and set in a small town. I ate this one up!

Spicy, spicy, spicy! Wowee, Wade and his mouth. Also, moment of silence for his tattoo that he gets for her… Not ruining it, but MY GOD. Yes please.

I was so excited to read about grumpy Wade after seeing him in CeCe and Nash’s story. I love a good grumpy x sunshine story… Every… Single… Time.

Paisley does a really good job of giving a hot, hot cowboy romance while simultaneously giving her characters depth and development. Wade has the entirety of Silver Pines Ranch on his shoulder after his Dad died and Ivy is caring for her alcoholic, depressed Mother after trying to heal from an abusive relationship. These two characters were literally made for each other. The kind of relationship that takes your burdens and bears them together and helps you heal… together.

Any woman who loves a man with quiet acts of service, this book is for you. The one critique I do have about this book, honestly, and I can’t believe I am saying this… Is that this borderline had too many spicy scenes once they began. I love a spicy, open door book… But it gets to a point where the story almost stops and they just can’t keep their hands off each other. However, like I said the characters are developed pretty well, so this is just a small critique overall.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Paisley Hope for providing the ARC for this honest review.

I really enjoy Paisley Hopes writing style. I love me a small town cowboy romance and she DELIVERED! This was VERY spicy. Might I even say it was slightly too spicy because I felt like it detracted a little from the plot but hey, I still gobbled it up and was obsessed with Wade.

This is a grumpy/sunshine at its finest. Wade was alone and so grouchy and then ivy waltzed right in and turned his life upside down! Ivy had so much growth as a character I loved seeing her find herself and become a complete boss ass bitch. All in all I recommend this series!

I had such a fun time reading this book. It follows Grumpy Wade and Sunshine Ivy as they navigate horse training. It has one of my favorites trope ever one bed only!!! And 🥵. I’m not always a fan of accidental pregnancy but honestly this book knocked it out of the park!

Ugh these two! 💜

I’ve been so excited for Wade and Ivy since we met Ivy in Holding the Reins and it did not disappoint! Wade and Ivy both had so much growth throughout this book. They both helped each other learn how to deal with the baggage they carried.

I loved these two so much. Their dynamic from the very beginning had me hooked and cheering for these two. Their chemistry was off the freaking charts. And the mouth on that man! 🥵

And of course I absolutely loved seeing the Ashby’s. They had great banter and so much love.

I can’t WAIT for Cole’s book 😍

Favorite Quotes:

“Call me whatever you want, Trouble. But I’m not worried one bit. I’m not betting on the horse. I’m betting on you.”

“You just give me all your burdens, all your worries, I’ll be the steady.”

Mercy. Whenever I see that word, I will now always think of Wade Ashby and Ivy Spencer. And when Wade says it, I had a full-blown come apart.

I am such a sucker for a grumpy rancher, and boy did Wade deliver. All that bluster hiding his tender heart and his ummm passion. He loves his land and the mission of what they do. He works every day to honor his late father and keep his momma in the saddle. He keeps his dreams tucked away. Oh, and his heart is equally tucked away thanks to his no thank you ex-wife.

Enter Ivy Spencer.

Ivy does no harm and takes no shit. And I'm here for it all. Being a woman who is excellent at her job in a very male dominated world has molded her defenses. She arrives at Silver Pines, ready for a fresh start, rewarding hard work, and some peace of mind. And some serious distance from her good for not a damn thing ex.

Watching Wade & Ivy is like anticipating the fireworks show on July 4th. It's steamy, nerve-wracking, fun, and a little awe-inspiring. Breaking through the walls they've both constructed around their hearts takes some time and effort. There's no denying the exceptional chemistry that exists between them. In fact, I love how they use the physical to sometimes get to the emotional. But it's the quiet moments that speak the loudest. The movies and ice cream in the middle of the night, the post-it notes, the scrunchies.

Go get what you want with the person who sees all that you are and doesn't shy away from it, but stands closer to you.

Thank you, NetGalley and @authorpaisleyhope for the read.

“No training the heart, words to live by,”

This is a very cute and steamy cowboy romance that is about two hurt people who come together and help each other heal. It starts off with Ivy coming to the Silver Pines Ranch to be the new horse trainer and one of the ranchers, Wade, is helping her become acquainted. At its core, it explored Ivy and Wade’s pasts while going through several months of close proximity. From being in rather sticky situations to helping uncover the reasons as to Wade got divorced/Ivy left her partner. The family and community within the story was by far by favorite part and being along with the side character’s adventures and issues.The representation of abuse and seeing the other side from each of their POV was something I don’t see in books enough and I’m happy it was implemented! I adored Ivy‘s character and how much she grew throughout the story. I do think that the pacing of this was good up until halfway, and it felt very in and out because of the amount of sex scenes throughout the second half of the book. It was steamier than I expected, but evened out with the plot. If you like cowboy romances that have some depth and steamy moments, you would definitely like this one.

Thank you Dell Romance and NetGalley for the ARC!

Second in the series with no shortage of spiciness! Wade and Ivy have such chemistry that it's easy to fall in love with them. Grumpy ranch boss vs. sassy horse trainer makes for sexual tension everywhere they are. Both Wade and Ivy have jaded past relationships, making trust a distant hope. But these two are wearing thin on keeping their attraction at bay, each trying to remain professional. Mishaps and derby yearling shopping get the best of them. But will those past relationships cast shadows too dark to move forward?

Thank you Paisley, Random House, Dell Romance and NetGalley for the ARC!

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

“Mercy . . .”

Miss Ivy Grace Spencer is looking forward to her future and takes a big step to get it back on track. Not only by leaving the wrong man but by taking a job at the Ashby ranch training horses. People may let her down; animals don’t. So this is a step in the right direction. Ivy is fiery and I love it. Confident. Full of life. Gives as good as she gets.

Mr. Wade Ashby runs the family ranch. He’s grumpy on a good day but add going through a divorce to the mix and his gruff nature intensifies. He has no idea what’s coming his way…

So much about this book made me smile and squeal. The way Wade gives Ivy exactly what she needs but at the right pace. These two are FUN. Tension, sass, desire. The chemistry and connection. Wade brushes, washes, and dries Ivy’s hair!! My FAVORITE. Also the friend group that rallies behind her-the best. I not only fell in love with this couple but the entire family. This book has everything I want in a romance. Text messages, tender moments, possessiveness, great banter, small and big gestures, intense soul deep love, a dirty mouth and plenty of activities to back it up. I’ve already read it twice and downloaded the audio today. Can’t wait for more; it’s definitely one of my new favorite worlds.

“One thing you may not know about me, is when I want something, I get it.”

“My name on your lips is like music to my ears. I can’t wait to make you scream it all fucking night long.”

“All I hear is silence and our breathing. I’m pretty sure I might be dead. If I’m not, I want to be because there’s no greater heaven than this. Buried in Ivy Spencer, with my shoulders bloodied and her arms around me.”

“Sometimes you need to forget about what everyone else wants, Wade. Follow your own dreams… Gotta fill your own cup sometimes too.”

“I’d sell my soul to the devil himself to live inside her forever.”

“This. Us. This isn’t like anything either of us have ever had before. You can take as long as you need, sweetheart, and when you’re ready to talk about whatever this is, I’ll be here, waiting, every fucking time.”

“I don’t know what ever made you think for one fucking second that it’s you against this world but it isn’t, it’s you and me. If I haven’t made it clear enough for you, Ivy, there’s everyone else and then there’s us.”

“So beautiful . . .” “I’m fucking home inside you, Ivy,”
“That’s good Wade,” “because I never knew home until I found you.”

“It doesn’t matter what happens today. It isn’t about the finish line, it’s about the journey, and fuck, we’re nailing the journey, Trouble.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥🔥🔥

I absolutely loved this book just as much as I did the first book in this series! Something about a grump cowboy that makes you fall in love with a book!

Wade Ashby stole my heart from the start! Ivy is a lot like myself; a strong independent woman who’s been burned so many times. Now I’m sitting here patiently waiting for the next story in this series so I can binge read it. Paisley keep doing what you are doing with these book because you are rocking it and I can’t get enough of them!

Thank you Paisley Hope and Netgalley for the ARC!

Wade-freaking-Ashby has entered the chat y'all!

I absolutely ate this book up! Since his father's passing Wade is in charge of the family's ranch and has just hired Ivy on as a part time trainer while theirs is off on maternity leave. Their attraction is real, but so are the lines the lines that Wade is determined not to cross in order to remain professional and keep his ranch running smoothly. The only problem is Ivy is a ball of sunshine that he never saw coming through the clouds of his divorce and daily struggles.

The chemistry between these two is palpable. Ivy is a fireball and force to be reckoned with FMC. She's unapologetically herself, she's beautiful and she's strong and Wade doesn't stand a chance fighting their soul deep connection. Wade is a dream MMC. He's steamy, strong, loves his family & friends, possessive and dirty talking just the way we like them.

I am absolutely loving this series so far and can't wait to be back on the Silver Pines Ranch for Cole!
💜GRUMPY X SUNSHINE
🪻FORCED PROXIMITY
💜MAN OBSESSED & IN DENIAL
🪻ROAD TRIP/ONE BED
💜STRONG FMC
🪻SPICY LESSONS
💜SURPRISE TWIST /HEA+ 👶🏼
🪻BOSSY RANCHER WITH A FILTHY MOUTH
💜NO THIRD ACT BREAK-UP
🪻he leaves her post it’s
💜”make me”
🪻they have a special word /phrase
💜rugged cowboy w/ no shame & she calls him good boy
🪻scrunchie shenanigans🤭
💜he cooks for her (very well)
🪻he gets mine tattooed on his hand as a claiming collar
💜 she steals and hides his pop tarts
🪻spicy AF small town

Thank you so much Paisley for allowing me the early ARC to read and review!

4.5 ⭐️
Why you’ll love this book!!
Grumpy x Sunshine
♥️ Cowboy Romance
❤️Boss x Employee
♥️ One Bed
❤️Dirty Talk
♥️ He Cooks

If you love spicy this book is definitely for you 😉. I loved Wade and Ivy as a couple and their banter was great!! I love how Ivy always challenged Wade he was so set in his was I think he was like that so he could feel in control of his life after his divorce and father dying . Ivy is such a strong woman for being so positive even after an abusive ex

Quite literally obsessed with the Silver Pines guys. I already knew I was going to enjoy getting to know Wade after being introduced to him in Holding the Reins, but man.. I didn't know just how much I'd actually love him.

This was lovely from start to finish! Sensitive topics were touched on in genuine and respectful ways, making this a story that most could relate to in some way. Between the banter, the tension, and the chemistry – Ivy and Wade were made for each other. I literally can't wait for Cole's book.

Thank you to Net Galley & Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the opportunity to read an E-ARC of Training the Heart by Paisley Hope. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

⭐️5
🌶️4

Paisley Hope you are a queen. Period. That’s the review.

I have been waiting for Wade’s story since we were introduced to him in the first book. While I love Nash and Cece, I have a mild obsession with Wade and Ivy together.

Wade and Ivy are the most perfect grumpy sunshine romance ever. Wade did his very best grumpy cowboy who wants nothing to do with little miss sunshine impression, but he was no match for Ivy and her scrunchies. Wade seems like your typical grumpy cowboy but he is so much more. The way that he and Ivy tackle everything that life throws at them together will make you fall in love.

These two together will melt your heart and your kindle. I can’t get enough of this book and I’m so happy it’s now available in the US.

A solid 3.75 stars

As much as I loved the first book in the series, this second book takes the cake. I mean Wade Ashby is just so 🥵🥵🥵🥵

As much as I loved Wade in this and learning more about his/the Ashby’s story, I really want to focus on my girl Ivy. This fmc has been through hell and back yet she’s never given up. She was in an abusive relationship with an honestly insufferable garbage man who treated her horrible. He made her believe she wasn’t worthy, along with other things but I won’t spoil it. She was able to get out, start a new life and career somewhere, and fall in love again with a man who helped her believe she was worthy of love. I really appreciated the infertility/miscarriage aspect in this book as a lot of it was stuff I could related to. It was handled so beautifully and the emotions Ivy had were spot on. It was soooo satisfying to see her finally get her happy ending.

Their relationship is the epitome of “I can do it on my own.”
“I know, but let me help.”🥹😭