I had a hard time following the book to the end. It was a simple story and nice enough, just not for me or the timing was off. I might have to give it a different try at a later date. It felt a little repetitive and the characters not really likable.

Paisley Hope’s Holding the Reins is a heartfelt and engaging novel that plunges readers into the world of equestrian dreams, self-discovery, and resilience. Set against the backdrop of horse shows, training barns, and the tight-knit (yet often competitive) equestrian community, the story offers an intimate exploration of a young woman’s journey to find her place in a demanding world.

The protagonist, Natalie Covington, is a determined and passionate equestrian trying to balance her ambitions with personal challenges. Hope crafts Natalie as a relatable and multidimensional character whose struggles—both in the arena and in her personal life—feel authentic and compelling. As Natalie faces setbacks, betrayal, and self-doubt, her growth throughout the novel is both satisfying and inspiring.

The depiction of the equestrian world is one of the novel’s strengths. Hope’s detailed and accurate descriptions of horse training, competition dynamics, and the bond between rider and horse showcase her deep knowledge of and love for the sport. The horses themselves are characters in their own right, with distinct personalities and pivotal roles in Natalie’s story. Readers who have ever felt the powerful connection between human and animal will find this aspect of the book particularly moving.

Hope’s prose is accessible yet vivid, balancing technical equestrian terms with emotional depth. The pacing of the story is consistent, with just enough drama to keep readers hooked without feeling contrived. Themes of perseverance, friendship, and self-belief resonate throughout, making the novel a perfect read for both horse enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates a coming-of-age story.

If there’s a critique to be made, it’s that some secondary characters could have been fleshed out further. A few relationships feel underexplored, which may leave readers wanting more depth in certain subplots. However, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise well-rounded novel.

Overall, Holding the Reins is a heartfelt and uplifting story that will captivate horse lovers and inspire readers to hold tight to their own dreams. Paisley Hope has crafted a novel that feels both personal and universal, and it’s a must-read for anyone who has ever dared to chase their passions, no matter the obstacles.

Rating: 3.75

I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the arc of this book. The cover alone is outstanding and really brought my attention to this one! I absolutely loved the characters throughout this book as well as the steamy storyline.

Fun and spicy cowboy/ranch romance. Reminds me of elsie silver and Yellowstone. Excited to see where the next books take this series

Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope has one of the most memorable opening scenes of any book I've read, which set the tone for a funny rom-com cowboy romance...but delivered so much more. There was true depth to the characters and their story arcs were well-timed and believable. The spicy scenes were downright steamy, yet full of emotional connection between the characters. This is the first book I have read by this author, but now I will be reading her other books in the Silver Pines Ranch series. Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this lovely book.

I am firmly in my cowboy romance era and Paisley Hope promises a good time! Similar to authors like Elsie Silver, Lyla Sage, and Bailey Hannah- this author captures the lightheartedness of a slow ranch life with the hardness of a grumpy cowboy. The plot was cute but could use more refinement and the growth in the writing is measurable! I enjoyed this cast of characters and I’m excited to see where this series goes next!

So good! I loved the cowboy, small-town mixed with the hockey vibe. Nash is a dream! The whole town is. So well written. Will definitely be making Paisley Hope and auto-buy author.

A very cute debut novel! Few things appeal to me more than an ex-professional hockey player turned part-time cowboy and this delivered.

Overall I had a fun time reading and I’ll definitely be picking up the rest of the series!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book. This is the first book I've read by Paisley Hope, and I enjoyed it. Small-town romances are my favorite, and I fell in love with Cece and Nash. I thought the pace of the book was good. I would say this is somewhat of a slow-burn romance and a bit of forbidden romance thrown into the mix. Cece and Nash have known each other for many years and when Cece returns to her hometown because of a bad break-up with her ex-boyfriend Nash is there to help her get her life back on track. I enjoyed reading about the relationship between Nash and Cece and for them to finally have their happy ending. Overall this was a great book and I will be continuing the series.

This book was so cute! Nash and Cece are now a part of my heart. Cowboy romances are some of my faves because I am a small town girl with a cowboy husband and I think this book did it justice! (Also this book being a duo of hockey, small town, AND brothers best friend?!🤪 We love that!) I love how Nash was always doing little things for Cece because it’s the little things that count. ❤️ This book was steamy and fun and hot! I personally don’t think it took anything away from the story though because this book had plot AND steam!

Thank you NetGalley, Paisley Hope, Random House Publishing Group, and Dell Romance for the ARC to Holding The Reins!

"Holding the Reins" by Paisley Hope is a small-town cowboy romance that masterfully combines beloved tropes with deep emotional resonance. The story centers on CeCe, who returns to her hometown after a broken engagement, and Nash Carter, her brother’s best friend and a retired hockey player turned ranch hand. What starts as a rekindling of old bonds transforms into a fiery and layered romance, as both characters navigate unspoken chemistry, shared grief, and the complexities of falling for someone off-limits. The banter is sharp, the tension is palpable, and the classic “touch her and you’ll regret it” trope is executed to perfection.

This debut novel is packed with fan-favorite elements: secret hookups, a strong found-family dynamic, and a swoon-worthy protector hero who’s utterly devoted to the heroine. Nash’s mix of sweetness and raw passion, paired with CeCe’s determination to rebuild her life, creates a romance that is as tender as it is steamy. The small-town charm and vivid setting enhance the story’s intimacy, while the protagonists’ emotional growth adds depth to their sizzling attraction.

Paisley Hope’s writing is impressive for a first novel, seamlessly blending humor, heartache, and heat. While some minor tweaks in the plot could refine the pacing, the story flows beautifully, delivering everything fans of cowboy and best-friend’s-little-sister romances could hope for. "Holding the Reins" is not just a fun, dirty read but also a heartfelt exploration of love, healing, and second chances.

Brother's best friend cowboy romance....yes please and that cover 😍.

This book follows Cece and Nash. Cece is returning home to her family's ranch after her long term relationship is over when she finds her fiance cheating. Cece has also recently lost her father and was really close with him. She is still grieving and trying to find her place. Nash is a retired NHL player turned golden boy in their small town he is also Cece's brother's best friend and the guy, along with her brothers, who teased her endlessly when she was a kid. Cece gets a job where Nash is her boss, she is skeptical at first to take the job, not wanting to clash with Nash more than she already does, but he convinces her to work with him.

Nash Carter has become my newest book boyfriend. He is so sweet and caring he is always doing sweet gestures for Cece and I melted every single time. He was incredibly protective of her, standing up for her against her ex, trying to keep guys away from her while she was out with her friends. And the filthy mouth on him was 🥵🔥. Nash has his own tragic past to work through, and the moments where Nash and Cece just sat in their grief were really beautiful. Oh and he falls so very fast and so very hard and we love to see it!

I loved Cece and the whole Ashby family. I loved the banter and family dynamic. I loved Cece's girl group! They were so much fun and the group messages between them were hilarious. I loved the dynamic between the best friends and Nash and Cece's brothers.

I am so floored that this is a debut. novel and I cannot wait for the rest of the series, The other characters in this book were so good and I really hope every single one of them get their own story.

If you love dirty talking ex NHL players that are bar owners and part-time cowboys with a heart of gold, then you NEED this book today!

This was the fantastic, spicy romance that I didn’t know I needed. I loved Nash and Cece! The childhood friendship to lovers was perfect. They also had really good communication with each other which is always a relief in a book. Such a good cowboy romance. I can’t wait to read book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House publishing for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
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𝘐𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 want 𝘕𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘐'𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸. ⁣
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This is my first book by this author, and I loved it! Brothers best friend is a favorite trope of mine, and this one hit all the marks. ⁣
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Nash Carter is a recently retired hockey star and wears a lot of hats in Laurel Creek. He's also an eternal bachelor. CeCe Ashby is back in town after escaping a toxic relationship and needs to find a job. Look no further than Nash Carter for help. These two can't seem to keep their eyes off each other! ⁣
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I loved Nash and CeCe! Nash is one of the dirtiest talking part-time cowboyspart-timeI think I've read 🥵 CeCe is so sweet with her mom and niece, and she has the funniest group of girlfriends. ⁣
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This was a great introduction to the Ashby siblings and the ranch, and I can't wait for more! ⁣
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Thank you, @randomhouse & @netgalley , for the ARC!
10w

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!!

I love a cowboy and small town romance! This one had all the best aspects that I love in a romance book. The setting was one of my favorite parts, the found family and Cece discovering herself again back in her hometown. I LOVED Nash, one of my favorite book boyfriends. The scenes with him protecting Cece from her ex were everything. I loved the brother best’s friend trope and of course a romance with a cowboy (who was a former hockey player). This was a really strong debut and I am excited to read the next book!

Thanks again NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!

3.5-4?!

I think this may have just been too spicy for what I was in the mood for.

•small town
•cowboy
•fwb to lovers
🌶️🌶️🌶️

“I knew what this was when it started but some way, somehow it’s me who’s breaking the rules, not only her no feelings rule, but all my own rules”

💚brother’s best friend
🩷small town
💚found family
🩷spicy
💚age gap
🩷fmc returning home
💚retired nhl player
🩷man obsessed

Everything I need and want from a small town romance! She moves back home after a break up (ex not wanting to let her go), he’s a retired nhl playboy, she’s had a lifelong crush on him, his best friend’s little sister, around and around we go. I’m always here for it. Give me all the Silver Pines stories!

💜 great debut!
💜 Small Town
💜 Cowboy
💜 Brothers best friend
💜 He falls first
💜 Loved the audio

Loved this! The spice, the emotions, the girl gang 😍

Thank you netgalley for this ARC!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

If you’re in the mood for a slow-burn romance filled with second chances, small-town charm, and just the right amount of horse ranch drama, Holding the Reins delivers in spades. Paisley Hope spins a heartfelt tale about starting over, finding yourself, and, of course, falling in love when you least expect it. This book had me smiling, swooning, and occasionally shouting, “Just kiss already!”

CeCe Ashby is the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for. She’s coming out of a toxic relationship, and you can feel her mix of relief, trepidation, and hope as she returns to her family’s equestrian ranch. Watching her rediscover her strength and passion for life was one of my favorite parts of the book. Enter Nash Carter—hockey superstar turned local business owner, who also happens to be her brothers’ best friend and her childhood tormentor. Naturally, sparks fly, and not all of them are friendly at first.

The chemistry between CeCe and Nash is chef’s kiss. Their banter is sharp, occasionally playful, and always laced with that electric tension that makes you grin like an idiot. Nash’s journey from protective big-brother figure to swoon-worthy love interest is seamless, and it’s clear early on that his teasing comes from a place of affection. CeCe’s guarded heart and Nash’s reluctance to risk his friendship with her family add just enough angst to keep things interesting.

Favorite moments? There are so many. The scene where CeCe takes the reins—literally—on the ranch and impresses everyone with her horse-handling skills? Iconic. Nash seeing her in that moment, fully herself, is a turning point in their relationship. And don’t even get me started on the scene where they’re forced to muck stalls together—it’s equal parts hilarious and steamy, proving that romance can bloom even in the most unglamorous settings.

The small-town vibe in Laurel Creek is another highlight. From the tight-knit Ashby family dynamics to the townspeople who always seem to know everyone’s business, it’s impossible not to feel like part of the community. The equestrian setting adds a unique touch, grounding the story in a world of hard work, tradition, and a little Kentucky magic.

If I had one critique, it’s that the conflict toward the end feels a bit rushed. There’s a misunderstanding that causes some temporary friction, and while it’s resolved quickly, I would’ve liked to see a bit more depth in how CeCe and Nash navigate it. Still, it doesn’t take away from the overall charm of their love story.

Holding the Reins is ultimately about letting go of the past and finding the courage to embrace the life—and the love—you deserve. It’s warm, witty, and packed with all the feels. Whether you’re a sucker for small-town romances, best-friend’s-sibling tropes, or anything involving horses, this one is a must-read. Grab a cup of sweet tea and settle in—you’re going to love the ride.

5 Stars for this Small town ex hockey player turned bar owner romance. I love Nash and CeCe's story.