Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Paisley Hope for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wade and Ivy - I was so excited for this book as soon as we met them in Holding the Reins (book #1 in the series which I highly recommend reading first). They did not disappoint.

Wade is the grumpy rancher who doesn’t want Ivy causing trouble on his ranch but needs a temporary trainer while his full time trainer is on maternity leave.

Ivy is the positive but feisty trainer who doesn’t back down when Wade gives attitude. She is confident and talented and completely drives Wade wild.

I’m so obsessed with a grumpy man who turns so soft and caring for his woman.

They literally could not get enough of each other. I love spice but I could have done without a scene or two to allow a little more room for some of the bigger topics the book addressed (abuse, infertility, alcoholism) to be explored further.

Tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
Caretaking
Forced proximity
One bed
Small town
Dual POV

4.5⭐️ Paisley Hope has done it again for me. Wade Ashby, this grumpy, acts-of-service king, is truly top-tier. His YEARNING for Ivy? It should be studied. Ivy is absolutely perfect as his sunshine to grumpy, and their dynamic was everything. And can we talk about the spiceeeee? I was literally kicking, screaming, giggling. If there’s one thing about a Paisley Hope book, it’s that the spice is gonna be top-tier 🙂‍↕️😮‍💨. I, too, would like a man to tattoo 'mine' on his hand so it looks extra pretty wrapped around my throat (shoutout to the dedication page 👏). Just a heads-up: check the TWs for mentions of emotional abuse, alcoholism, and infertility. Overall, this one was chef’s kiss.

3.5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed this one! So far Ivy & Wade are my favorites, I feel like they had more chemistry or something going for them than Nash & Cece (however I did like them in their book). Their ending was beautiful, they really deserved it. My only problem with this (& Holding the Reins) was just smut chapter after smut chapter. I get it’s popular now but it’s a bit annoying to have to skim through three chapters practically of just one long continuous spice scene.

I loved this so much. Wade Ashby is so starchy and does not want to get close to his new the trainer. He is not looking for any additional complications. Ivy is breath of fresh air. He wants to ignore this draw and when he cannot ignore it anymore, he goes all in. I loved that there was no third act break up. Cannot wait for the next book!

All I can say is… damn. *puts money in Mabel’s swear boot*

I thought I was in love with Nash Carter…. And then I met Wade Ashby. My goodness gracious. I loved this. This book made me laugh, cry, blush, all of it. There’s just something about a grumpy, dominant man and a sassy, bratty woman. 🫣

Training the Heart is the second book in the Silver Pines series. It follows Wade, the owner of the ranch, and Ivy, the new horse trainer. I love the relationship these two have. I loved getting glimpses of Cece and Nash happy. There’s a trope in here that I usually don’t like, but it actually worked so well! This is everything I want in a small-town cowboy romance.

Dual-POV ☑
Super hot, tall, grumpy cowboy with some great tattoo choices ☑
Forced proximity ☑
Boss x Employee forbidden romance ☑
He cooks!!!! ☑

Cannot wait to read the next one in the series.

Content warnings: sexual content, death of parent, grief, alcoholism, fertility struggles, pregnancy, narcissism/emotional abuse, cancer, infidelity, car accident

Thank you to Netgalley, Paisley Hope, and Random House Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

⭐️ 3.5
🌶️4
Tropes: grumpy x sunshine, boss x employee, forced proximity, one bed
Release date: December 31, 2024

Back in September, I read an ARC of “Holding the Reins” by Paisley Hope & it put me straight into my ✨cowboy romance era✨ so I was super excited to also be approved for this ARC of the second book! This book follows Cece’s brother Wade & Ivy, who is hired by Wade to be the new horse trainer at their ranch.

Personally, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first one. The story was cute & I liked the plot but there was a little too much spice for me. The entire middle of this book felt like it was just back to back smut & I just wanted to get back to the story. I found myself skimming over a lot of the spicy scenes because it just felt like it dragged on a little too long. As far as the actual plot though, it was an enjoyable story & I liked seeing Wade & Ivy’s relationship development. I’m definitely looking forward to Cole & Ginger’s book next!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC.

I have nothing to dislike about this book. Ivy is so charming and since I love a grumpy sunshine romance, her and Wade are perfect. This book holds many keys to my heart: cowboys, complicated families, and lovers of love.

Excited to read about Ginger and Cole!

Let’s have a round of applause for WADE FREAKIN ASHBY 👏👏👏 Literally, this fictional man has me in a chokehold 🥵 I don’t think I’ve ever loved 2 characters more right from the get go. The chemistry, the tension, the fire, PERFECTION!

Ivy Spencer is my spirit character, her passion, feistiness, & heart just make me wish I was her 🤣 and don’t even get me started on Wade. THE FREAKIN HAND TATTOO 🫠 I am on a puddle on the floor.

Paisley might just take the cake for writing my forever favorite book boyfriends, I mean Nash Carter, Wade Ashby ANDDD Wolfe, and I just know Cole will be right at the top 😍 I can’t believe I have to wait for that book 🤣

𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:
“Don’t you do that, don’t cover yourself with me, ever. You’re fucking perfect, Ivy, goddamn perfection, got it?”

“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.”

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲:
• Cowboy Romance
• Boss/Employee
• Grumpy/Sunshine
• Forced Proximity
• Surprise 👶
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you NetGalley & Paisley Hope for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Let me start this by saying I have never dived into the cowboy romance genre but Paisley Hope makes me want to dive head first. This book was incredible. The tension and banter between Wade and Ivy was everything. The mouth on Wade and what he says is 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. I love the family aspect from the Ashby family. I can’t wait to read more by Paisley Hope and dive more into the cowboy romance genre. Highly recommend giving this a read if you are looking for forced proximity, boss x employee, found family, and spice.

Thank you NetGalley and Paisley Hope for the ARC.

First of all—I’m OBSESSED with this series! Training the Heart is book two, but it’s interconnected, so you can read it as a standalone or in order. And Paisley Hope’s writing? Absolute perfection in my opinion.

ℳ𝓎 𝓉𝒽ℴ𝓊ℊ𝒽𝓉𝓈:

I already adored Wade from Holding the Reins, so I was beyond excited to receive this as an ARC! His and Ivy’s story was sweet, heart-melting, and full of the perfect amount of tension. They both wanted each other so badly but kept trying to “do the right thing” since she works for him… and that slow-burn build-up was everything.

Wade is such a grumpy cowboy with the biggest heart 💖🤠. He’s got the mouth of a sailor (which I loved), but the way he was so protective and caring toward Ivy made me swoon.

And Ivy…she was SO relatable. She’s officially one of my favorite FMCs. Shes a romance reader and I loved her scrunchie obsession. ( I have them laying around everywhere LOL)
Plus, she was so strong—she deserved every bit of her HEA.

The nickname Wade gave Ivy was perfect for her, and their chemistry was off the charts. The ending left my heart feeling all gooey, and I adored the strong family dynamic throughout the series. Seeing Nash and Cece again from a different perspective was also such a treat—I love them so much.

ℱ𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓉𝒽ℴ𝓊ℊ𝒽𝓉𝓈:

This book pulled at my heartstrings and gave me all the feels. I officially can’t wait for the third book in the series - because I need more! 🩷🩷

3.5 rounded up because Ivy's a badass at the end of the day.

Wade and Ivy's chemistry is top-notch. I love seeing Wade slowly lose his cool over Ivy's antics. Their story revolves around training a yearling for the derby which I thought was neat. The whole Ashby clan, plus the not-so-Angels, was also a nice banter to read and I adore how welcoming they are of Ivy. We get to see more of Ivy's backstory and the grief around a devastating news she received, only to find out that was all for deceit.

I will say, this book is heavy on spicy scenes to the point where I thought it's becoming over the top. The "mine" tatt was hot don't get me wrong, but honestly, sex every other chapter seems like a bit much; I wished there are more about Ivy's pregnancy really.

Training the Heart by Paisley Hope was an incredible read that had me hooked from the very first page. It struck the perfect balance of witty banter, sizzling tension, and heartfelt emotional moments. I found myself so invested in the characters and their journeys that I even teared up multiple times—which for me is always a sign of an incredible and moving story!

The main characters, Wade and Ivy, were a joy to read about, but the sense of community and the relationships surrounding them really added depth to the story. The integration of characters from the first book was seamless, and the family dynamics and friendships brought so much warmth and authenticity to the narrative. It truly felt like I was part of this world, and I didn’t want to leave when the book ended!

Paisley Hope handled sensitive topics like alcoholism, abuse, and fertility struggles with such care and nuance. These themes were woven into the story naturally and added layers of depth, making me empathize deeply with the characters.

The romance was beautifully done, with sizzling tension that built up to some incredibly steamy moments. The chemistry between Wade and Ivy felt organic and only added to the story's emotional depth. Wade’s transformation from the grumpy, guarded cowboy to the most loving and attentive partner was incredibly satisfying, while Ivy’s journey of personal growth and healing from past abuse was both inspiring and empowering. They were a couple you couldn’t help but root for.

Paisley’s writing was immersive and engaging, pulling me into every moment of the story. The character arcs were meaningful and inspiring, and the emotional payoff was well worth it. This book is now one of my all-time favorites, and I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series.

I absolutely adored “Training the Heart”. This is the second installment in the Silver Pine series focusing on Wade & Ivy’s relationship. Paisley’s words give a power of emotions, making the love between the characters entertaining & enjoyable.

What stood out to me the most was the spice! It was next level and had me blushing from the beginning to the end. To me, the best spice in books are the ones with grumpy MMC. Wade Ashby is a stubborn man with a filthy mouth & I adored every little bit of it!

To fully appreciate Training the Heart I would 10/10 recommend reading “Holding the Reins”. You will not be disappointed reading either of these books!

Thank you so much Paisley Hope, NetGalley, & Random House Publishing for the ARC!

After Ivy's introduction in Holding the Reins I couldn't wait for this book. I am so grateful to be able receive the ARC version.

I AM OBSESSED! I absolutely love Wade and Ivy.

Any book that has text threads gets me every time and this one did not disappoint. I am so happy that Ivy found her way to Wade and their family. After hearing about their ex's and the horrible relationships they both came from, their story was all the sweeter (& spicier lol)

The banter between Wade and his Siblings is perfection, but PaPa Dean is unhinged and definitely my favorite 😂

......'Mercy' 🥵🥵

If Paisley Hope does one thing really (really really) well, it’s make the chemistry for her MCs fly off the page. And from the beginning, Wade and Ivy were a freaking delight. He’s grumpy and surly, all serious and stoic. She’s the new horse trainer he hires, and is a capable, funny, take-no-crap woman who instantly has him head over heels (begrudgingly). There are so many moments in this where I had a smile on my face, reading their banter and how she needles him (it’s also my love language). And then there were so many moments where I was BLUSHING so hard because, lord, these two are hot (you’ll never look at scrunchies the same).

What I appreciate in Paisley’s books is that they all have an element of an emotional backstory, too. In this one, we have Ivy dealing with the emotional fallout from an abusive ex - in the moments where she opened up, they were raw and heartfelt. And, of course, Wade was there as the ever supportive, slightly overprotective down bad man he is. These two had so many adorable moments (their movie nights!! I mean…), the roadtrip and one bed trope always make me feral (and these two were SO hot for each other that it was SO much fun!), and there was so much communication and love and respect between them. I love a competent FMC and more than love an MMC who doesn’t stand in her way.

As always, I was eating up the breadcrumbs for Cole and Ginger’s story (I NEED THEM, please, Paisley, I’m begging) and absolutely adored seeing Nash & CeCe in their lovey-dovey coupledom. Not to mention, how much fun they made of how down bad Wade was (honestly, my favorite part). I love Silver Pines Ranch and can't wait to go back!!

Oh I love a good cowboy romance.
This had ALL the tropes in it and I ate. it. up.
I would totally recommend to all Elsie Silver fans who are looking to feel similar feelings!

Super excited for the next one!!

Thanks for the ARC NetGalley!

Grumpy rancher Wade Ashby stole my whole heart. I could not put this book down as the tension, spice, and some of the most tender and sincere moments gripped me from the very beginning. Top tier cowboy romance 😍🤠

Also, Author Paisley did an amazing job handling sensitive topics in this book.

Wade fcking Ashby... that's it that's the review. He is honestly the most perfect man and I don't have a single negative thing to say about him.

But really, holy hell I loved this so much. I loved being back at Silver Pines. Paisley truly has created a wonderful world within it, and it doesn't feel like it's been done before and I like that about it. I will say, I am not a prude but I was taken back a bit by how much smut was in this but like you'd have to read the book to know that Wade and Ivy just ooze chemistry and to put the two of them together in a room you're bound to have what takes place within the book happen. Their sexual chemistry is insane, and I loved the way Paisley wrote it.

I cannot wait to read more. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

When it comes to grumpy, Wade Ashby has a permanent scowl. Between his ex-wife, still dealing with his father's passing. And the weight of his family' ranch on his shoulders, he takes serious cowboy to a whole new level. When Ivy Winters comes to work on his ranch as the new horse trainer, their personalities clash. With her sunshine demeanor and her never ending poking the bear, add in a road trip, one bed and an ankle injury, and hold onto your horses for some angst and spilmice!

“I knew you were trouble, yet all I’ve wanted to do since the moment I met you is show you how to behave”

It’s a universally known fact that cowboys just do it better, right? Right.
And then add in a sassy horse trainer - with an unapologetic love for spicy romance books - and watch the magic happen 😮‍💨

“Not yet, baby. This is what heaven feels like, let me take my time”

I just ate up the banter between Ivy and Wade. They had me giggling and kicking my feet one moment, then sweating the next. Wade did his best to stay in his grumpy ass persona but was actually the sweetest man underneath it all and I was just swooning over him from the start. And every time Ivy decided to rile him up I couldn’t help but cheer her on and smile through the repercussions.

“Now you came in here, so tell me you want it. Tell me to stop being a gentleman. Tell me to be the man you’re in here looking for, Ivy”

And when the tension finally breaks, it explodes. Wade very much stops being a gentleman, and you’ll love every second of it.

And I never thought I’d say this, but I really enjoyed the pregnancy trope in this. Paisley Hope deserves an award for that alone, because I usually avoid it at all costs. It was a pleasant surprise and I might even be willing to try another. Maybe. If she writes it.


Tropes include:
•Employee x Boss
•Forced proximity
•Grumpy x Sunshine
•Teaching moments
•One bed
•Trauma rep
•Accidental pregnancy