If you were on the fence or liked book 1 then I think you will like this one sooooo much more!

I ADORED wade and Ivy's story so much. The grumpy x sunshine trope was everything in this book.
Wade is such a softy under that grumpy exterior he plays into and i loved every minute of it!
and Ivy was such a sweetheart who experienced a rough childhood and a rough couple of years before she came to silver pines. She deserves all the happiness in the world. I also loved how open she was with listening to her romance books and how she wasn't afraid of people hearing it while she was listening LOL. that girl was never embarrassed and owned up to it.
ALSO the dedication??? I love it.

The way Paisley writes these men is just perfect and i am loving this series so much. This book is definitely my favorite so far but i can not wait for Cole and Ginger!!
And she did not disappoint with the spice in this book y'all
I don't want to spoil anything but i highly recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley & Random House for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review :)

3.5⭐️

Wade and Ivy are likeable characters. They have great banter and I like the way their relationship plays out. Again, I feel like this story was heavy on tropes, especially in the bedroom. I found myself getting bored in parts, but overall I enjoyed it. The close proximity situations were well done.

The Ashby family is my favorite part of this series and I am excited for Cole's book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this review copy.

Wowza! Obsessed and in love with Wade and Ivy’s story!!

I already wish I could reread and or never leave Silver Pines. Oh and I absolutely loved the teasers for Cole and Ginger!

Wade freaking Ashby, new book boyfriend alert, can the man do anything wrong? His character is a prime example of what a real strong man should be and it’s almost like there needs to be a how to be a man handbook by Wade Ashby that’s a required read for all men!? My goodness I’m still just floating in my thoughts on everything this MMC had to offer.

Ivy is the sassiest sweetest Queen who has a darn right filthy mouth herself! Her story is so important for women looking to find the courage to leave a toxic relationship and I love that Paisley decided to include this type of example in the story. Absolutely adore her and I always love the Not Angels sisterhood friendship connection. It always makes me happy to read about a girl tribe. As well as a whole supportive community and family that just has you wishing for that sort of bond and connection in our real lives!

I really can’t put it all into words how I feel about this book this series and this character community! It’s the sort of thing you feel when watching a movie!

Thank you Paisley!

Wow. Just… WOW! I loved Holding the Reins, and this one just blew me away! I loved Wade and Ivy so dang much, they were perfect together! This one was just as amazing as the first, and I can’t wait for Cole & Ginger!

🌟Cowboy/Rancher Romance
🌟Small Town
🌟Boss/Employee
🌟Grumpy/Sunshine
🌟He Falls First/Hard
🌟Past Abuse
🌟Addiction (not MMC or FMC)🌟One Bed
🌟Guy/Girl Squad
🌟Dual POV
🌟🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Paisley Hope has delivered another unforgettable gem with Training the Heart, a story brimming with heart, soul, and irresistible charm. From lovable characters to sizzling romance, this book has it all—sharp banter, close-knit friendships, and spice that scorches the pages. It's the kind of book that hooks you from the first chapter and is completely un-put-downable.

Ivy and Wade are pure magic together. She’s sunshine, he’s grumpy clouds, yet they complement each other perfectly. Both are fiercely loyal and hardworking, unafraid to challenge each other but able to concede. Ivy’s competence and intuition make her a force to be reckoned with, and watching Wade marvel at her brilliance had me swooning. She’s captivating, and Wade? He’s absolutely captivated.

Ivy is a treasure. Her journey of escaping an abusive relationship and learning to reclaim her life is both heartbreaking and inspiring. She’s proof that resilience and light can coexist, even after enduring immense pain. Watching her tackle emotionally difficult moments made me so proud, and her warmth and humor only make her shine brighter.

And then there’s Wade—rugged, hardworking, and all man. He carries so much weight on his shoulders. Beneath his tough exterior is a well of tenderness reserved solely for Ivy, and once he falls for her, he falls hard. His quiet obsession, protective nature, and the way he softens just for her completely stole my heart. Watching Wade realize he’s utterly smitten was as satisfying as it gets. His tattoo and his dirty mouth? Mercy! Let’s just say they’re unforgettable.

The chemistry between Ivy and Wade is undeniable—intense, electric, and utterly consuming. Their spark quickly blazes into an inferno, and their connection feels as natural as it is passionate. And the bonus epilogue? Wow Wow Wow!

Adding to the magic of Training the Heart are the guy and girl squads (Nash, Cece, Cole, and Ginger). These characters bring so much energy, fun, and emotional support to the story. They’re the kind of people you’d want by your side—loyal, loving, and always ready to lift you up when you need it most.

From start to finish, Training the Heart is a fantastic read. The ending and epilogue left me grinning from ear to ear, and I can’t recommend it enough. This is one story that will capture your heart and leave you craving more.

Thanks to Dell, Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for the gifted eARC

Thank you to Dell for the ARC of this book! I have enjoyed this series as a whole and I did enjoy this one overall. The grumpy sunshine trope was well done and I enjoyed both characters. That being said, I truly felt like the spice in this book distracted from the story itself instead of adding to it. I found myself skipping through love scenes some of the time because I felt like the really didn't enhance the story. That being said, I'm still excited to read the next one and I enjoy Paisley Hope as an author. This one just was not my personal favorite. I'm sure others may love this one.

I am DEEPLY upset with this one. I PRAISED holding the reins to everyone I knew. It was amazing, so I had high hopes for this.

Dreams… shattered.

Now I enjoy some spice in my books, but they didn’t do anything but fck? I have no idea how they even fell in love between the what? 7 times in one night? One point it was like 5 chapters straight.

I know the same amount of information about the main characters at the end as I did at the beginning. Character development? Plot? Where y’all at?!

Giving it two stars because… I forced myself to finish all almost 500 pages.

Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review… I guess 🤣

4 stars for sure!!!
I went absolutely feral for Wade Ashby!!! I loved the crossover in timeline with Holding the Reigns and seeing little glimpses of those characters.

Wade is perfection, all grumpy and perfect. I loved seeing him break down with Ivy and how she made him a better person. Ivy is everything. From the moment we met her in Holding the Reigns I knew I would love her. I love how she wants to fight her own battles and how she can fight them.

I mean, we knew Wade wasn't going to be able to hold out for long but I loved watching him try.

4.5⭐️
The chemistry between the characters was off the charts—they knew exactly how to match each other’s freak. They had me blushing more times than I could count. Their connection was electric and added so much spice to the story.

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy of this book!

This was definitely a different take on the cowboy romances that we are used to. I haven’t ever read anything about race horses/kentucky derby/that whole world! I really enjoyed the humor in this book and loved wades grump but also how unhinged he was in the bedroom!

Ivy was a sweet FMC and I she was able to put up with wade and put him in his place when needed! I felt for her and her whole situation throughout the whole book but was a bit disappointed in the way that her situation was resolved! Overall this was a good read and I flew right through it in about 24 hours!

Want to start by saying overall I really enjoyed this book! I loved Wade and Ivy and I cannot wait for Cole's book (And hopefully Olivia and [Redacted]).

While I did love it, it was just missing something. It had some of my favorite tropes but I didn't feel like they all reached their full potential. Especially after reading Wolf.e and knowing what Paisley Hope is capable of.

I'm not sure what it was missing, but I do know what it had too much of: Unnecessary Smut. I know, not the worst problem to have! But it got repetitive and I wanted to see more of their actual relationship grow and not just their physical connection.

Putting that aside, I had a great time! Lots of sweet and funny moments mixed in with some emotional and heavier moments. I love these characters, the Ashby family, and Silver Pines. I look forward to coming back!

I am in my small town/romance on a ranch era but unfortunately, this just didn't do it for me. I DNF'd it about half way through because I think this book should be a lot shorter and I am not a fan of the writing style. This book is by no means bad, I just think it wasn't for me. I really did appreciate the way the author wrote about horses and their training - you can definitely tell they did their research or have worked around horses. I actually wish there would have been more focus on the family dynamics and ranch lifestyle in this which would have immersed me more into the world.

What to expect:
- grumpy/sunshine
- FMC is a romance reader
- boss/employee (forbidden)
- MMC falls first
- ranch/horse trainer
- 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Thank you SO much to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC! As always, all opinions are my own.

I enjoy a cowboy, “forbidden” love story as much as the next person and this book delivered with its strong, well-developed characters. It had just the right amount of spice and resilience to keep things engaging. However, I felt the story dragged at times. I wished for more focus on the small-town charm, found-family dynamics, and ranch lifestyle, as these elements help me feel more immersed in the world. That said, the author did an excellent job weaving in the characters' past traumas, their present lives, and their personal growth, which added depth to the story.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book! This story follows Ivy, a horse trainer who’s fled an abusive relationship and is looking to lay low and find herself again and Wade, the oldest Ashby brother who is in charge of running the ranch after his dad passed away and is hoping to make a derby run like his dad did. What started out as playful and often times snarky workplace banter, turned into Ivy totally charming Wade into falling in love with her.

This book was so stinking good. There’s nothing better than a hot grumpy cowboy with a dirty mouth who loves with his entire soul. Wade is such a complex character who is truly dealing with oldest child syndrome of always taking on the burden of everyone around him, but with Ivy he does it without a second thought. Ivy is a badass horse trainer who desperately wants find herself, and gain back the confidence she lost due to her abusive ex, but struggles letting anyone close. Not only is she hesitant to let Wade in, but she is struggling with the fact that her mom is an alcoholic and she feels responsible to take care of her. Wade and Ivy’s chemistry is so believable, and his devotion to her was flat out swoon worthy. I wish we could have seen more interactions with the “not angels” because they are hilarious, but overall such an amazing book. I loved every second of reading by it.

I will be posting my review on Goodreads as soon as possible, and my bookstagram account CandeceBookedSolid by 11/17/24

4.5 ⭐️ Paisley has done it again! I really enjoyed her debut novel and the first book in this series, Holding The Reins, and was so glad to find I enjoyed this one just as much.

Wade is the oldest Ashby sibling, he’s gruff, grumpy and holds the weight of the family ranch on his shoulders. Ivy is their newest employee and the only woman to get under his skin. I really enjoyed their dynamic. This was a bit of a slow burn and the sexual tension between them built so beautifully. The payoff when they reached their breaking point was well and truly worth the wait. Although he seemed grouchy on the outside, Wade had the sweetest side to him and he showered Ivy with all the love and support she deserved. These two fit together so perfectly and seeing them get their happily ever after was everything.

Although I don’t know much about ranching or horses, I enjoyed that aspect of the story and seeing the lead up to the derby race. I also once again adored the friendships between the brothers and the Not Angels. They were hilarious and I cannot wait to get back to Silver Pines for Cole’s story with a certain fiesty best friend of his sister’s 🤭

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Dell & Random House Publishing for the ARC 🤍

I loved the first book in this series but could not handle the pacing of this one?! It felt very odd how we started out meeting the fmc and then like the time jumped forward? I didn’t like how it was all set up and then couldn’t get invested in this couple. I will still read more of this author though!

I am really liking this series! This book I would consider grumpy/sunshine. Wade can be seen as the grumpy rancher boss and Ivy the cheerful/fiery employee. Both gravitate towards each other and there comes a point where they just can't deny it anymore. Challenges come, but instead of pushing them apart. It pushes them closer. Definitely a fun read, with small town vibes, and smut.
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin for the ARC.

Tropes:
boss x employee
grumpy x sunshine
he falls first
cowboy romance
small town family ranch
no third act break up

Stop what you’re doing and add this to your TBR!!!
This grumpy cowboy with too much on his shoulders and a raven haired horse trainer that is there to get under his skin in this new romance by Paisley Hope. Ivy is on Silver Springs Ranch for a short time but in that time Wade realizes he hasn't been living for years until Ivy comes along and wakes him up.

I knew getting Wades story would take me out and I was so correct. Wade and Ivys story was spicy, sweet, a little heartbreaking but all over full of so much depth and meaning.

I love that both of them have experienced shared grief that not many would understand and can get each other in ways they haven't been seen before. There's a forced proximity element where the grumpy cowboy but can't help but to take care of her. I love getting to see under Wades skin and get to see who he truly is.

Thank you so much for these arc copies - love love love!!

💜ARC REVIEW💜
Tropes:
Cowboy Romance
Ex-Hockey player MMC
Found Family
Grief(Loss of parents)
Age Gap
Brothers Best Friend

Favorite Character:
Cecelia Ashby

Overall Review:
CeCe deserved so much more than that pathetic excuse of a man Andrew and thank GOODNESS it’s Nash Carter. I loved that when CeCe set her boundaries with her Ex, she didn’t let him walk all over her and make her cave. Seeing how she started to get so much happier being around her friends and family shows just how negatively her former relationship was effecting her. Nash being able to lean on CeCe’s family for support after what happened with his own parents warms my heart. Cecelia truly has some amazing parents for taking Nash into their home. I loved that Nash always had CeCe’s back even when she was going through though the official separation with Andrew. Also the slight stalking part for her safety? ADORABLE. Also that whiskey scene……wow 🤭. I did not expect that at all and I loved it ✨

Thank you to Paisley Hope and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC 💜

Thank you so much for the arc!

I always think that the second book in a series is better than the first and I was right about this one! It so hot to be honest. 🔥 it gave me the front runner vibes a bit in the way the FMC is always defending or taken care of herself while she takes care of everyone else. I really enjoyed the book. It is on a series but it can be read on its own for sure. I already can’t wait for the next book!