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.”🥹😭

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate and love these two!

Now y’all don’t know but I’ve been waiting so patiently for Wade & Ivy! We were introduced to these two in Holding the Reins (Nash and Ceces story) and I was not disappointed! This is a slow burn full of chemistry, tension, and simping (lots of simping). That hotel scene 🥵🥵🥵 I mean no words!

Wade is the calm, grumpy rancher, while Ivy is the sunny horse trainer! Im a sucker for a great grumpy/ sunshine trope read! I really enjoyed Wade and Ivy’s dynamic, it just felt real and raw and just relatable at moments. Wade trying to do the right thing and do right by his family. Ivy is just a woman trying to start fresh and be herself again. These two were just made for each other!

Wade is just a beautiful man that I’m just going to be dreaming about and that mouth! Oh that mouth! Mercy! Ivy can we switch places! Paisley Hope please keep writing Cowboy romances because I’m starting to become a simp for them!! Also I’m going to need Cole and Ginger story soonish! I’m giving this Cowboy a 5/5⭐️!!!

Another great cowboy romance from Paisley Hope! She hits the mark everytime. I loved Wade and Ivy's story. The sass, the banter, the dirty talking all of it. One of my favorite things about the Silver Pines Series is the found family and tight knit friend group. It really adds to the story and makes me so excited for the rest of the series.

💗Training the Heart💗
By Paisley Hope

- Review posted to Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, and TheStoryGraph on 12/31/24

~~

As if I wasn’t already smitten by the Paisley Hope’s Silver Pines Ranch world, now I’m officially dialed in! Might as well stake my claim on an Ashby cabin of my own because I am here for the long haul! Seriously, the more I read from Paisley, the more she cements her place as a top comfort author of mine. She makes it entirely too easy to slip away from reality and get lost in her words, and I simply cannot get enough!

Training the Heart, book two in a series of interconnected standalones, was smokin’ hot and packed full of some of my all-time favorite contemporary tropes. There’s a smidge of angst, but the delicious heat, captivating characters and connections, and beautifully depicted foundation of family are the real winners here. I'd definitely recommend this story to any of my western and small town romance-loving pals!

Wickedly possessive with a mouth made for dirty talking and shockingly soft side reserved for a very select few, Wade Ashby is really ✨that guy✨ He had me fanning myself and grinning like a giddy fool from the very start. As much as I adore Wade, though, Ivy really stole my heart. She truly is a ray of sunshine and despite many hardships, she continues to shine. Strong and independent with sass for days, this girl is a queen. The two of them together? Perfection.

Why you’ll love Training the Heart
💗 Small Town Romance
💗 Dual POV
💗 Grumpy/Sunshine
💗 Boss/Employee
💗 Forced Proximity
💗 One Bed
💗 Man Obsessed & In Total Denial
💗 Strong FMC
💗 Filthy-Mouthed Rancher
💗 Hand Tats and Collars

Big thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for sharing an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review! These thoughts are authentically my own. 🖤

Paisley Hope does it again! This book had me hooked from the first page! Ivy blasting smutty audiobooks in her truck is such a vibe. I loved Ivy and Wades relationship and highly recommend this book to any romance readers.

ARC Review

4.25 ⭐️

🐴 grumpy x sunshine
🐎 forced proximity
🐴 boss x employee
🐎 forbidden

I loved Wade & Ivy 🥹 The way this man had it bad for his girl! And Ivy, after everything she had been through she was still an absolute ray of sunshine.

I definitely liked book 2 more than book 1, my main issue with book 1 was it was too long and dragged, whilst I still think this book didn’t need to be as long as it was, it definitely had a much better flow to it.

I really love the family / found family aspect of these books and TTH was packed full of these moments!

There was a LOT of spice here and whilst I’ll happily read an all spice no plot book I do think it can take you out of the moment sometimes, luckily the spice was very well done and Wade Ashby is one dirty man.

Overall really enjoyed this book and I am waiting on the edge of my seat for Cole & Ginger.

Thank you Paisley Hope & NetGalley for the ARC.

Oooo weeeee!! We're back on Silver Pines Ranch and Paisley cranked up the heat with this one.

Wade Ashby... you dirty, dirty man. Give me an overprotective cowboy any day of the damn week please!

Wade and Ivy are destined to combust with all the sexual chemistry and frustration in this one.. and damn do they explode. The forced proximity and one bed situation in this one was glorious!

It was fun to see another badass FMC. Ivy is a horse trainer (which is a profession I loved to read about!) and is my kinda chick, with her confidence and determination.

I was so happy to see my baby Nash Carter and Cece in this one! Can't wait to head back to Silver Pines in 2025!

But seriously yall... if you want some dirty cowboy scenes... this is your book. The smut outdid the plot in this one for me

Training the Heart by Paisley Hope is a cowboy romance. Wade has an ex-wife and she won’t let him alone. She had refinanced so she could buy their house but, not being great with money, she didn’t keep enough to fix the roof, so she always called Wade. She didn’t really want him back but she enjoyed playing with him. For his part, he was done with women. He was going to focus on the ranch and training a horse to race for the Triple Crown a year and a half from now. The biggest problem was that he needed to find the horse. And his trainer was going out on maternity leave. The first problem was solved when a new trainer appeared with few credentials, but he felt good about her so he was going to give her a chance. Well, anyone can see where this is going.

What an entertaining book, full of fun as well as running the ranch. Before Wade knew it he had been totally gobsmacked by Ivy. She was tiny, funny, beautiful, and he lusted after her. As we had already learned, his experience with women was not good. The story of their romance was fun and liberating, for both of them. Her experience with men was not all that great so she was not entirely into the idea either. The ranch is a great setting and we got to spend a lot of time with the horses. Of course, both ex’s showed up to cause mayhem. It was an entertaining read. Plus, it had a happily-ever-after which is why we read romances.

I was invited to read Training the Heart by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #PaisleyHope #TrainingTheHeart

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

5/⭐️
3/🌶️

I’m obsessed!!!! If Paisley writes it, I'm going to read it -- she has quickly become one of my favorite authors! I wasn't sure how anyone could be better than Nash, but WADE... I'm speechless! Something about the grumpy cowboy, it gets me every time!

Ivy is one of my favorite FMCs I've read in awhile! I loved how strong she was, and just how joyful she is! She's been through some stuff, but it didn't break her. And the way she melts Wade, and brings out his dimples!!! Their story is just so sweet, emotional, funny, and HOT -- mercyyyyy. I'll never look at my scrunchies the same again, iykyk 🥵🤭

I love the found family and friendships in this series! Between the girl friends, and the whole Ashby crew, I never want to leave!! This series has easily been one of my favorites of 2024!

💜 grumpy x sunshine
🪻 forced proximity
💜 man obsessed
🪻 cowboy romance
💜 boss x employee
🪻 one bed

“Training the Heart” is the second book in Paisley Hope’s Silver Pines series, and WOW, it’s everything you want in a grumpy-meets-sassy romance! It’s got laughs, swoons, blush-worthy moments, and enough chemistry to light up the entire ranch.

Here’s the setup: Wade Ashby, the overworked, recently divorced and grieving ranch owner, is just trying to keep it all together when in walks Ivy—the fiery, book-loving horse trainer who is not here to take any nonsense. Wade? He’s all gruff and bossy. Ivy? She’s pure sass with a side of “try me.” The result? Absolute perfection.

From the moment Ivy steps onto his ranch, Wade is a goner (even if he doesn’t want to admit it). When her loser ex pops up, Wade’s protective streak goes into overdrive, and he protects Ivy while still allowing her to protect herself. The banter? HILARIOUS. Ivy doesn’t just hold her own—she hands Wade his attitude right back, and it’s so satisfying to watch. The spice? WAY off the charts. Wade’s dirty mouth and his possessive “mine” attitude (and that tattoo!) had me fanning myself. But it’s not just about the heat—Wade’s acts of service stole my heart. Midnight ice cream, cozy movie nights, and little moments of support made him the dreamiest grump alive. What I loved most was how Ivy and Wade made each other better. They pushed, supported, and “saw” each other, bringing out the best versions of themselves. It was beautiful and heart-melting and just so, so good.

Also, shoutout to the Ashby family and the hilarious group text chats. Wade’s brothers and Ivy’s “Not Angels” crew are just as entertaining, and I’m officially obsessed with Silver Pines.

Paisley Hope has absolutely secured her spot on my auto-buy list. I adored “Holding the Reins” with CeCe and Nash, and I cannot wait for Cole and Ginger’s story. If you love small-town romance with humor, heart, and plenty of heat, grab this book immediately!

Thank you to Netgalley, Paisley Hope, and Random House Publishing Group and Dell for providing this gifted ebook ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

saddle up!! it’s 𝗣𝗨𝗕 𝗗𝗔𝗬 and we’re back at Silver Pines Ranch!

"𝗜’𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲. 𝗜’𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂."

I am ending 2024 with a hot cowboy and a 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗚!! I have been waitingggg for Wade and Ivy’s story and it did not disappoint! The tension between this grumpy cowboy and sunshiney horse trainer started when they were introduced at the end of Holding the Reins and continued throughout the entirety of this book. There’s just something about a super cranky manly man that takes care of her and leaves her post-it notes around the house that makes my heart melt.

Similar to the first book in the series, Training the Heart has amazing banter and sassy back and forth between the characters. It also has supporting characters that help make the book what it is. The friend and family dynamic in Paisley Hope’s books are truly one of a kind.

I am so proud of Paisley Hoper's author journey and all that she has accomplished this year. I am so happy that these stunning books are showcased across all the bookstores - Paisley and these amazing stories deserve all the love!

⭐️: 4.5/5

🤠 small town cowboy romance
🤠 he cares for her
🤠 grumpy x sunshine
🤠 workplace romance
🤠 one bed / roadtrip
🤠 found family

Thank you Dell Romance and Paisley Hope for a finished physical copy of this book in addition to a Netgalley eARC!

Mercy

🐎 Cowboy Romance
✨ Workplace Romance
🐎 Ranch Owner x Horse Trainer
✨ Found Family
🐎 Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ Hand Necklaces and Dirty Talk
🐎 Nicknames: “Trouble” and “Chief”
✨ One Bed
⚠️ Fertility Issues and Parental Death (past)

Paisley Hope! What do you put in these books? Wade MF Ashby has snatched the proverbial belt buckle and cowboy hat from Cade Eaton as my new cowboy book boyfriend! The mouth and hands of that man! 🥵 He’s the grumpy cowboy who becomes begrudgingly smitten with his new horse trainer, Ivy Spencer.

He’s literally my perfect grumpikins! Tough on the outside but a complete cinnamon roll on the inside who will do anything for his woman and family. He’s supportive and protective of Ivy and also gets a TATTOO on his hand that says “mine” so it looks pretty wrapped around Ivy. 🥵💀

I absolutely loved the spitfire that is Ivy Spencer. She’s no holds barred with Wade and I enjoyed every minute of it! From the banter and sass to her unapologetic training methods. I also absolutely love that she unabashedly played her smutty audiobooks everywhere and left her scrunchies in a million different places. Is she me? 🤔

This book does touch on past parental death, grief over the loss, and meaningful remembrances of them. Another heavy topic is that of fertility issues.

We also see more of the Ashby clan with adorable Mabel and her swear jar and Papa Dean making inappropriate comments. The girl gang of Not Angels is still one of my faves and they provide great comedic entertainment!

Thank you so much to Dell and Paisley for the advanced copy! ❤️

Wade, the grumpy cowboy first introduced to us in Holding the Reins, is the no-nonsense boss man of Silver Pines Ranch. He has a hard and fast rule against fraternizing with his employees, until Ivy Spencer, talented horse trainer, enters his world. Cue the stereotypical grumpy x sunshine “she breaks down his walls while he heals her wounds” storyline and things start to heat up. There was a lot of good, good spice in this book, but not much else develops between these Ivy and Wade. Their connection is largely based on passion, though there is a standout moment with Ivy's toxic ex-boyfriend that adds some emotional depth.
I had a strong inkling of how the story would end, especially with the heavy foreshadowing in earlier chapters. While this isn't my favorite trope, it still felt a bit predictable and ultimately fell flat for me. As for the next book in the series, featuring Cole and Ginger, I’m not sure I’m invested enough to continue.

5/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶️

❥Cowboy/Rancher romance
❥Workplace romance
❥Grumpy X Sunshine
❥One bed/Forced proximity
❥Small town

Wade and Ivy’s book was definitely a favorite! I absolutely loved both characters so much and their story was so amazing! Wade was the broody caretaker of his family until Ivy shows up and turns his life update down. The banter between these two was hilarious. Seeing Wade get his attitude handed back to him was perfect. The way they fit together was the best. The spice and chemistry between them was absolutely on fire. I loved the whole thing! I can’t wait for Cole’s book!!

This is the second book in the Silver Pines series, but they are standalone and do not need to be read in order. (But I think you all know how I feel about Holding the Reins by the way I’m constantly recommending it!!)

Training the Heart is one of my favorite books I have read this year. It has so much grumpy/sunshine delicious tension that I love so much. It is hot. It is passion. It is save a horse, ride a cowboy!!!

This year has truly been the year of the cowboy for me, and wow do I love Wade Ashby SO MUCH!!! Grumpy on the outside, a softie on the inside for those he loves. He has a funny dry sense of humor that catches you off guard when he makes jokes.

Ivy is one of my favorite FMCs from this year. She is so strong and sassy and sunshine!!! Her beautiful inner strength is inspiring and she deserves everything good the world has to offer her.

The spice in this book will leave you with your jaw on the floor, and reaching for a glass of water!!! The rope play, the scrunchie (iykyk), the bar office hookup, the MINE collar???? I ate all of it up!

I’m back in Silver Pines, and it was everything I’ve come to love about Paisley’s writing. I’ve waited so long for this story and it was well worth it. Loved the little crumbs about Wade and Ivy I found in Holding the Reins and ate up their story here. Now to wait on Cole and Ginger, I’m in my single daddy era and KNKW that’s going to be the one to beat!

Honestly, if Paisley writes it, I’m going to read it. She just writes in a way that scratches my brain just right.

I was looking forward to Wade so much because I love a grumpy mmc

What I was not prepared for was ALL of Wade. He was so protective and honestly, so funny. I love good banter! And this book had that in spades…

Ivy was someone you just wanted to root for right out off the first time she was on the page. She was so sweet and chaotic in the best ways.

Every cameo from the other characters was perfection. And Ginger honestly stole the show for me. I canNOT wait for the next book. Because she is my favorite in that girl group. So freaking funny and bold.

Always here for a good cowboy romance and Paisley always delivers

This is a perfect fit for readers who crave a heartwarming, small-town romance with a dash of cowboy charm, accidental pregnancy, and a grumpy-sunshine love story that will leave them feeling hopeful and uplifted.

ARC REVIEW:

Y’all I could not get ENOUGH of this book. The tension, the spice, the love story, all of it. TOP NOTCH.

Wade is a grumpy ranch owner who just finalized his divorce. Ivy is the upbeat temporary horse trainer hired to take the place of someone on maternity leave.

Both of them have just gotten out of terrible relationships and she’s his employee, so this can’t happen, right? But when Ivy falls off her horse and sprains her ankle, Wade moves her into his cabin to help her during the recovery.

Not to mention the overnight road trip where reservations were screwed up and now they have one room with one bed. 😱

While all of these tropes sound like your normal run of the mill been there done that kind of thing, Paisley Hope makes them feel brand new again.

This book y’all!! I just don’t have the words for how much I love these two.

This was an entertaining and steamy romance that definitely took the spice to the next level compared to the first book in the series. The spice was well done, but I felt like the ratio of plot to spice leaned a little too heavily on the spice.

I enjoyed Ivy and Wade as a couple but there were gaps in the story, with time jumps that skipped over the moments where the characters would have been truly falling in love. Instead, much of the focus was on their physical connection. While that was enjoyable, I found myself wanting a little more emotional depth and a stronger sense of how their relationship evolved.

This was still a fun and entertaining romance. Fans of authors like Elsie Silver will likely enjoy this series, and I had a fun time reading it. I just wish there was a bit more balance between the emotional journey and the steamy moments.