Wade Ashby can do no wrong, ladies! grumbly and gruff and bossy cowboy on the outside, warm and protective and a soft spot for his woman (and family!) on the inside. he also has a penchant for collecting Ivy’s scrunchies for *reasons*. haha! Ivy is his perfect match with a stubbornness and wit to balance his dry humor and banter. in a life full of unexpected surprises, these two tap into the much needed unconditional love they both yearn for. and watching them fall is the very best part!! entirely unputtdownable and swoony and spicyyy and perfect. love the world that Paisley’s created! she’s a word magician!

Sometimes you need to read a silly, little cowboy romance because life doesn’t need to be so serious. Sometimes that cowboy romance may not be anything crazy but it does bring you joy. Training The Heart did just that, and that’s all that matters.

I think Ivy’s character journey does well illustrating the effects of a toxic relationship and healing of moving forward. I like that Ivy has a completely different personality and character journey than Cece, the last book’s female lead. However, the one con I couldn’t shake is how much Ivy giggled. I don’t necessarily correlate naivety with a giggle response, but reading “Ivy giggled.” as a reply so many times cheapened the experience of her retort. This came off more foolish than humorous, which her character didn’t strike me as.

Wade Ashby may be grumpy but that man knows how to communicate! I love how he knows when/and how often he checks in on Ivy. But similarly, I love how Ivy knows how to ask the “right” questions that are perfect for Wade. “How do you feel about that? Is it a weight you welcome or weather?” So simple but perfectly put for how Wade converses.

I like how Paisley writes a heavier romance topic (i.e. emotional abuse, grief, and healing) in a digestible, ‘beach read’ style flow. I look forward to reading the next installment in the Silver Pines series.

Wade was THAT guy… swoony, loving, caring, but the biggest grump ever - yet the minute he lets you in, you see through that facade! I absolutely loved his character development and the way he changed throughout the book with the right partner. Ivy - for all that she has been through - was one of the strongest characters I’ve read. She knew what she wanted and how she was going to get it was up to the events around her. She grew to trust Wade and once they realized how amazing they were together, talk about fireworks. The plot was so well done, it flowed seamlessly with all the events that happened. Loved the banter, the honest and open communication, and don’t get me started on the steam! Loved this one to the moon and back. Amazing job, Paisley Hope! Thanks for the arc!

I've read all three of Paisley Hope's books in the last few months and they have been five star reads! She is quickly becoming a favorite author. Training the Heart is the second book in the Silver Springs series. We see this romance set up in the first book. You could read this as a standalone but I highly recommend the first book in the series as well.

Ivy Spencer is trying to move past her last bad relationship and getting a new horse training job is just the way to do it. When she arrives, she finds herself at odds with the gruff cowboy who has taken over the family farm. Their working relationship quickly turns into a secret relationship when he has to take care of her after falling off a horse. Ivy has to figure out how to navigate her work and personal life when the lines are blurring quickly.

I LOVE this series! Wade and Ivy were such a good couple. I loved their dynamic since the glimpses we saw of them in the first book. When Wade started collecting her scrunchies everywhere, I audibly sighed out loud. Paisley Hope has a way of writing characters that are funny but have depth in their feelings and backstories. Both Wade and Ivy, have a past that they just can't seem to move on from. It's refreshing to see them work together and not have some major blowout right at 80%. That doesn't mean Ivy doesn't need to take a moment to figure out her own feelings, but ultimately, they are a team. I am living for the chemistry between Cole and Ginger. I cannot wait until the next book! Ginger is such a spitfire and their push and pull is sooooo good.

Tropes: new start, boss/employee, sick bed, dirty talk, grumpy hero, found family, accidental pregnancy, small town, forced proximity, special nicknames, tattooed hero, MINE

Thank you to NetGalley, Paisley Hope, and Random House (Ballantine) for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #NetGalley #TrainingTheHeart #PaisleyHope #RandomHouse #SilverPinesNovel

SWOONING! I have such a sweet spot for road trip romances and this one really hit the mark for me. The grumpy x sunshine trope paired very nicely with forced proximity. Wade & Ivy have a special connection that is heatearming and romantic. Plus who doesn’t love a cowboy romance?? I want a cowboy of my own!! Overall great series so far!

It was rough for a moment because it started in a very abrupt way. I needed more context, more seasoning for that first chapter, but after that? The chemistry build up and there is nothing I love more than a grumpy cowboy that’s softens for their girl. He dances, he’s protective but gives her space to thrive in her own way, he’s dominant but also knows when to give her dominance (😏).

This book was HOT, like burning up, room on fire, the firefighters cannot put down hot 🥵

I enjoyed thoroughly this book, the characters and the way they connected was beautiful, and how the side characters played out with actual personalities and differences was great. This book not having a third act breakup was the cherry on top.

5/5 !!!!!
I didn't expect to love Ivy and Wade more than CeCe and Nash, but here we are! I absolutely adored them and would read hundreds more pages about them (also those bonus chapters were soooo good, thank you Paisley ;) )

This book starts off with Ivy being late to her job interview to be the new horse trainer at Silver Pines Ranch, and of course, Wade is annoyed at her tardiness, but little does he know this woman will change his life. If you like a grumpy cowboy, look no further because Wade Ashby is your man. He's broody and sarcastic, but he's the most caring and selfless guy - he just shows it in his own way.

The tension between these two in the beginning was so good, I ate it upppp. Ivy was the perfect amount of sassy to Wade's grumpy personality - they meshed so well as a couple. Seeing their physical attraction grow into a loving relationship was so special (and made me so jealous of Ivy because Wade is literally the definition of a perfect cowboy imo). Ivy and Wade left their emotionally manipulative previous relationships and truly learned what love was with each other. I think I literally highlighted half of my ebook in red with sweet moments in their romance and moments that left me blushingggg. Fair warning, this book does have a lot of spice in it, so beware if that's not your thing.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but in cowboy romances I love when there is an emphasis on horses, riding, training, etc. Aside from the romance, another main plot line was Ivy and Wade buying and training a horse to race in an upcoming Kentucky Derby. I loved that they chose to purchase and train a filly as there have only been a handful of fillies to win any of the triple crown races ever! As a girl with a decent amount of horsey background, I loved this so much.

Another major plus in my opinion was the amount of Ashby family and Not Angels that we got, it really made me feel immersed in the story and that I was there having dinner at the Ashby family table! We continued to get more CeCe and Nash moments along with a ton bickering between Cole and Ginger that I giggled at every time. I really hope this continues in future books in the series :)

(plot spoilers ahead)
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I usually am not one to enjoy the surprise pregnancy trope, but I feel like it fit perfectly into the story, especially given the fact that Ivy was manipulated to believe that she couldn't successfully carry a baby to to term by her ex husband... I'm so glad we got to see Ivy live her dreams of starting a family and Wade was so supportive of her every step of the way <3

I adored this book and recommend this to all my fellow cowboy romance lovers!!!


Also, a big, big thank you to Paisley Hope and Random House for letting me read this eARC through NetGalley!

Wade Ashby the man that you are! Ivy fresh out of a toxic relationship takes a chance on a new ranch doing what she loves. Training horses. Wade has sworn off relationships until he spotted a black haired beauty. No not the horse. The chemistry was fantastic. I love the background conflicts they both had going on and how them being together muted it. Not to mention how much I love this family and how they extend their heart to outsiders.

This book had no business being that hot. Seriously, it had me over here blushing and clutching my pearls. I was not expecting things to go that route. Book one was spicy, but this book took it to another level🥵.

✨MINE✨

Not only was it spicy, but the storyline was good too. I loved Ivy and Wade’s story. I am fully invested in this family. So much that I am counting down the days until I can get my hands on the next ARC. Long live cowboys! 🤠

Grumpy/sunshine
Forced proximity
One bed
Small town
Dual POV

Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

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.