Review: ‘Holding The Reins’ by Paisley Hope
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Holding the Reins
by Paisley HopeSeries: Silver Pines Ranch #1
Published by Dell on October 22, 2024
SubGenres: Contemporary Romance
Format: eBook
Pages: 415
Source: Library - Libby
Audience: 18+/Adult
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In this steamy cowboy romance, a woman returns to her family's ranch after a broken engagement and finds herself falling for her brother's best friend—the first novel in the Silver Pines Ranch series.
Take a deep breath and let go of the reins.
Cecilia “CeCe” Ashby is finally escaping the toxic relationship that has consumed her entire adult life. She's returning to her hometown of Laurel Creek, Kentucky, and to her family’s equestrian ranch, unsure of what the future holds.
Nash Carter, the newly retired superstar of the Dallas Stars, is Laurel Creek's hometown hero, local business owner, and notorious bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fourth sibling in the Ashby clan. It’s been years since his days of tormenting CeCe with her older brothers Wade and Cole. So, when CeCe needs a job, he feels drawn to help her.
Nash can’t seem to take his eyes off of his best friend's sister, and it seems she’s been staring right back, not without animosity left over from his childish teasing back in the day. Despite their initial reluctance, the fire between them ignites and it isn't long before they jump into the flames.
I’ve recently been enjoying Small Town and Cowboy Romance stories and noticed Holding The Reins by Paisley Hope on social media. I knew it was a book I needed to read, especially since it includes other tropes I enjoy, such as Brother’s Best Friend and Found Family. I can’t get enough of these tropes, and Paisley Hope did a fantastic job incorporating them in Cecilia ‘Cece’ Ashby and Nash Carter’s story.
The FMC, Cee Ashby, has returned home after many years away due to her fiancé cheating on her. She decides to start fresh in her hometown and soon begins to run into her brother’s best friend, Nash Carter, everywhere in town, and she can’t help but find him hotter than ever before. The MMC, Nash is no longer a hockey player, but he stays busy with several jobs, including running a bar and a ranch. When he sees Cece for the first time after she returns home, he can’t take his eyes off her. He is eager to welcome her back to town and is determined to help her get back on her feet by offering her a job. However, he realizes that the more time he spends with her, the more he will want something deeper than just friendship. 😘
I immediately fell in love with Nash Carter when he was introduced. Though he is initially known as the notorious bachelor, he begins to develop deep feelings for his best friend’s sister, Cece, and soon, he only has eyes for her. You’ve got to love a man who will go to great lengths for the woman he admires, even if it means getting into trouble with his best friend. But Nash doesn’t care; his priority is making Cece happy. He even brings her coffee before work and does other things that make him the perfect book husband (not boyfriend, but husband material).
I loved Cece in this book and how she was starting over in her hometown after leaving her cheating fiancé, who was a jerk. Her ex-fiancé didn’t deserve her, and she found someone much better who treats her like a queen (um…Nash Carter). There were times when I questioned her decisions, especially toward the end of the book, but overall, she was a great character to read about.
Overall, a great read, and I give it four stars. I could have easily finished this book in one sitting if it wasn’t for other responsibilities that I had to get done. (Why are chores always getting in my way of reading?) I’m so glad I read this book because now I need to check out other books Paisley Hope has written. I’m always finding new authors on Goodreads or Social Media, which is why my physical library at home keeps growing. 😁
Single/Dual POV: Dual POV.
Standalone or Part of Series: An interconnected standalone in the Silver Pines Ranch Series.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy reading steamy small-town romances, then check out Holding The Reins by Paisley Hope.
Book Quote: “You’re the queen I crawl to. I’ll kneel at your feet for the rest of my fucking life. Now, sit on your throne.”
What to Expect:
✓Small Town Romance
✓Cowboy Romance
✓Brother’s Best Friend
✓Forbidden Romance
✓Found Family
✓One Night Stand
✓Former Hockey Player Hero
About Paisley Hope
Romance author of small town alpha men, and the women who bring them to their knees
Spicy HEA's a must
Wifey & Mama
All the 90's country
If I'm not writing I'm probably in my garden
Will work for dark chocolate and lattes
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