Paisley Hope has a skill writing some dirty talking cowboy ranchers who deliver with more than just words. I enjoyed Holding the Reins early this year and was excited to get the chance to read Training the Heart in advance. It was a great addition to the Silver Pines series.

Wade is a grumpy man, but underneath the outward, surly, to-the-point attitude is a man with a filthy mouth on him who’s not shy about letting the words fly and putting it to work when the opportunity presents itself. And present itself it does through a lot of this book. You’ll be getting A LOT of spice in this one — I’ll be honest about that usually leaving me skimming sometimes but didn’t so much here. The connection between Wade and Ivy was fiery and passionate.

Ivy has had a challenging past few years leading up to her arrival at Silver Pines. Wade is the kind of man she needs. He’s gruff and growly, but he has an aura of safety and respect, and he becomes someone she can speak her mind to and build her own self-confidence with. He listens to her when it comes to training the horses, he takes her words seriously, and he has her back without shrinking her down.

I’m not good with providing spice ratings because it’s so subjective, but know that once the sexual tension dam breaks between these two, it’s a deluge that does not get reined back in. It’s hot and it’s frequent, but not at the sake of sacrificing plot. It builds the intimacy and trust between the two of them in a very steamy way.

I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series as it comes. Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the first Silver Pines book just fine. Spice heavy, but I don't remember it being really cringey or gross. This one was like the author is trying to get an award for most disgusting spice scene - and there was more than one contender in these pages. I really want to read Cole and Ginger's story but I'm not sure if I will considering how much ick this book gave me. It also has the #1 most hated romance trope that, in my mind, was executed poorly. I usually save one star for DNFs but two is just too generous here.

WOW! I was not expecting half of what I read in this one! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Ivy & Wade, especially the way they supported each other. I did not expect to love this one as much as I did. I'm excited for the rest of the series.

If you want a man that is utterly obsessed and yet somehow oblivious to his feelings, this book is for you!
BIG Acts of Service man, Wade will do anything for Ivy without even thinking twice! I love them so much! And when the spice hits 😮‍💨 it HITS!!

Wade and Ivy are electric! They are a perfect example of the grumpy/sunshine dynamic. I love that they challenge each other to be better. They both have issues to work through and it shows as they spend time together. They are surrounded by an amazing support system in his family - I absolutely adore Papa Dean! The way that they interact with each other and everyone else just draws you in and won't let go. I am so excited for the next book!
Main points:
❤️grumpy x sunshine
❤️ slow burn
❤️horse rancher x horse trainer
❤️caretaker x independent woman
❤️opposites attract
❤️found family
❤️forced proximity
❤️witty banter
❤️she goes to him when she's hurt
❤️save a horse - IYKYK

Obsessed with this series and with Silver Pines! The Ashby family is everything and I just can’t get enough.

Ivy Spencer signs on to help Wade Ashby train horses and source their next derby winner. She comes with some baggage, but she sheds it while falling for her new boss. Wade is the grumpiest grump with a soft spot for Ivy, who unlocks his heart and teaches him how to open up.

Everything about their romance was swoon worthy. I loved their banter, their chemistry, and the way they supported each other. There were some surprisingly heavy topics in this book, but they were handled respectfully and honestly. I thankfully don’t have experience with any of those topics but I am hopeful that the way they were portrayed in the book was authentic. I got the sense that that was very important to the author, and got confirmation when I read the author’s note!

I even enjoyed what is typically my least favorite trope, which I won’t identify here for spoiler reasons. But it was wrapped up in another important part of the story that made it make sense.

There are also not enough chili peppers to describe the spice in this book. Off the charts. Unhinged. Insane. Also, as a side note, don’t read the bonus chapter unless you’re prepared for what it’s about. Really, really, really not something I have any interest in reading about but I have to give it to the author for making sure she was thorough with her story and didn’t deprive some of her readership of what they were clamoring for. Different strokes for different folks and all that. Just be prepared!

I also loved that the author included a horsey glossary at the end. But, as an equestrian, please consider this my official pitch to be Paisley Hope’s equine consultant for the rest of the series. Anyway, give me book 3 immediately. That is all.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Grumpy/Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Boss/Employee
Cowboy Romance
Surprise Pregnancy

This was my first Paisley Hope book and I am now addicted! The writing, the spice and the absolute hilariousness of this book is perfection! I smiled, kicked my feet and laughed all through it! Wade is the grumpy to Ivy’s sunshine and their sweet and spicy love is chefs kiss!

As a note, please check content warnings: alcoholism, emotional abuse, fertility struggles

Wade Ashby is a closed off, newly divorced, control freak grump with the weight of his family’s business on him. Ivy is a sunshiny, sassy, horse trainer that has come to fill in on the Ashby ranch. Wade’s made it clear to everyone that Ivy’s off limits… but is she off limits to him?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Wade, oh Wade! Ivy is one lucky girl. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group of this book.

I loved the literal and metaphorical stripping of Wade’s layers in this second installment of Silver Pines Ranch. Wade and Ivy healed each other and I loved that every step of the way you know Wade will have Ivy’s back! I love a sassy heroine and filthy mouthed hero. Now looking forward to Ginger and Cole’s story.

I enjoyed this book, it was an easy read, and Paisley encompasses small town in such a great way! The tropes were written nicely and the tension between these two is very palpable.

I always love a good cowboy romance, and this one was such a good one. I was laughing so much reading this one because their banter was truly comical. Wade and Ivy were just so witty with one another and always had it ready immediately. I love when the banter is super heated or tension filled, and boy was it here. While they made me laugh, Wade and Ivy also melted my heart. They were truly exactly what each other needed.

This was also a first from Paisley Hope that I have read, and I will be reading the next book in this series immediately.

Training the Heart (e-arc)
Rating: 4/5
Spice: 5/5

Special thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an authentic review!

“One: I’m wildly in love with Ivy. I not only love her, I need her, the way the moon needs the sun to set every night just so it can rise.
Two: There’s no me without her anymore, she just doesn’t know it yet.”

“It’s like he’s training me to crave him, to beg for him. If that is his plan, it’s working. I’ve never wanted anything more.”

“You said to me once, you don’t need me to come to your rescue, and you were right. You don’t, I don’t need to be your hero, you’re already your own fucking hero,”

——
WOW. I’m speechless. This is my second Paisley Hope book and let’s just say, I’M A FAN. NO—I’M A STAN. After reading “Holding the Reins” I was sooooo excited to get my hands on this e-arc! I was feral for Wade and Ivy! I love the way they navigated through the loss of their own dad and being in charge of their family. From Ivy giving up everything to take care of her mom and moving away from her disgusting ex-fiancé Brad (I will fight this man if I ever see him) to find out who she really is and learning to trust those around her to help. And then Wade, being the ultimate grumpy man in charge of their family Ashby family and learning how to trust others and fall in love again!! These two truly have my whole heart!! The way that Wade made it clear how much he wanted Ivy and the GODDAMN TENSION!! THE GODDAMN SPICE—give me a moment to calm down! I have truly fallen in love with Paisley Hope’s writing style and can’t wait to see what Cole and Ginger will be up to! I know it’s going to be my favorite!

Paisley hope has become an auto buy author for me I just love her so so so much!! This book was absolutely lovely , and grumpy Wade has my heart and I loved Ivy also. The mind tattoo I mean fire. And mercy ! Wow this was fun. I love that it’s spicy with also so much heart. I’m excited for Cole and ginger story! I saw a little less girl squad in this, and felt more centered on just Wade and Ivy, so it will be fun to see what comes next. The forehead kisses swoon. The grumpy falls in love trope always the best. 4.5 stars.

LOVED IT!! Wade and Ivy are so freaking cute.

Small town. Grumpy x sunshine. Touch her and d!e. Boss x employee. Forced proximity.

The spice was everything. 🥵🥵

The bonus chapter had me wishing the next book came out yesterday. 🫣

Oh how I just love a grumpy man. Give me heated banter or give me death. Wade is the definition of brooding and impatient but that’s just because his brain is constantly moving on to the next thing. “Poor” guy has is life turned upside down with in five minutes of interviewing the lovely, Ivy Spencer. Ivy is the sunshine among Wade’s dark clouds. The kind of woman who can distinguish the difference between smut and spice. After leaving behind a toxic relationship, she’s looking for a new start at Sliver Pines Ranch. Connecting with Ivy isn’t a challenge because she feels so real and true to herself. I have never wanted to be a scrunchie so badly in my entire life (when you get there please have the best time<3) There are always bigger themes going on outside of the romance. This book includes topics surrounding alcohol abuse and ex narcissistic partners. I don’t normally enjoy the accidental pregnancy trope but throughly enjoyed how this one handled it. I am dying for Cole and Ginger… I just want more information it’s killing me.



Pub Date December 31 2024

ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine, Dell Romance and NetGalley. Thank you.

review posted to NetGalley & Goodreads

5/5 stars 4/5 spice
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: Paisley Hope does not miss!! If you want the charm of a small town romance with all the tie-curling spice, you need to give the men of Silver Pines your full attention. I fell for Nash (retired NHL player and part-time cowboy) in Holding the Reins, but he doesn’t even hold a candle to Wade Ashby. He’s the grumpy, dominant, dirty-mouthed cowboy you’ve been looking for. The way in which Paisley writes tension just had me screaming, and when it got spicy, it was all out. My god, does that man take charge and prove what’s his. That’s not why I loved Wade though. He was thoughtful and kind, loyal to a fault, and always fought for those he loved. Then there’s Ivy, who could not be more relatable if she tried. She is lost and used to only looking out for herself, forcing herself to be brave even when she didn’t feel like she could. And her love of smutty books was the cherry on top of her perfect character. I didn’t expect to feel so emotional while reading this book, but boy did I shed a few tears. Sadly, I think many people can relate to Ivy and her past, and the raw emotions Paisley will pull out of you as you read just attest to her amazing writing ability. She has a trope in this book that I loathe, and the way she wrote it has me reconsidering my hatred of it.
This series just keeps getting better and better. I’ll scream it to the world that Paisley’s books are nothing short of spectacular.
Silver Pines is in need of a trainer, which causes trouble in human form, Ivy Spencer, to show up right on Wade Ashby’s front step, late, I might add. He’s not quite ready for his world to be rocked by the spitfire of a horse trainer and does everything he can to get her beautiful body out of his mind. Being her boss is a big boundary, but forced proximity has a way of making the line look so tempting. This dirty-mouthed cowboy has found his match, and they will set your kindle (or book) on fire! Prepare for everything you didn’t know you needed in a small town cowboy romance.

Paisley Hope is the type of author that if she writes it, I’m going to read it. Training the Heart did not disappoint. The story, characters, emotion, and writing style are all 5 stars. Wade and Ivy’s story is beautiful and wish I could read a million chapters about their life, their love story and how they face challenges and adversity together. The writing is strong and flows so well. I enjoyed the story starting right away with the character development and world building seamlessly integrated into the storyline. I highly recommend giving this book a red. You’ll not be disappointed.

"Training the Heart" by Paisley Hope is a classic grumpy-sunshine, boss-employee, and forced proximity romance that takes readers straight to the heart of the ranch. Wade is broody and reserved, bearing the weight of family and a failed marriage, while Ivy, driven by her Derby dreams, is sunshine incarnate. Their chemistry is palpable, sparking all sorts of unexpected feels as Ivy bulldozes her way past Wade’s walls, and—bonus!—he’s a big ol’ softie underneath the grump.

Between prank calls, tender hair-drying moments, and that classic “only one bed” trope, their relationship blooms with slow-burn sweetness and a hefty dash of heat. Wade’s protective side, especially in dealing with Ivy’s toxic ex, is pure swoon, while Ivy’s spunk and ambition make her one of Hope’s best heroines yet.

Thanks to @netgalley and @randomhousepublishing for this eARC. If you’re into cowboy romances that leave you doing a happy dance, this one’s for you! Prepare for passion, pranks, and plenty of spice—Paisley Hope has me counting down to the next in the series.

Training the Heart- Paisley Hope

My god, Paisley never misses. Wade Ashby. That literally should be my review because oh my lordddd this man… 🥵😮‍💨 He officially takes the spot of top grumpy cowboy in my book.

This book is so freaking good, not like I expected anything less. The story and plot are phenomenal & the banter and spice, out of this world. Paisley has such a way with her writing it just sucks you right into the story and it’s impossible to not just sit and devour her books.

Wade runs Silver Pines Ranch and Ivy is his new lead horse trainer. The two are the epitome of grumpy vs. sunshine, which makes for top tier banter. Her sass puts him right in his place and even though he doesn’t like to admit it, he loves it. The two of them both have pasts that have damaged them. Their chemistry is undeniable and what starts as a fling, turns into much more. Watching them heal each other and the way he takes care of her, ugh it’s so damn sweet.

Read if you enjoy:
Grumpy/sunshine
Forced proximity
Road trip/one bed
Spicy small town
Man obsessed
Found family
No third act breakup
Surprise HEA

Thank you so much Paisley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book as an ARC!

Where do I start?! The girls were right! Wade def gives off BDE! "Training the Heart" was such a good book! My favorite so far in the Silver Pines series! I loved Ivy's sass, and Wade's rough exterior.

5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
Forced Proximity
Grumpy x Sunshine
One Bed
“Mine”
HEA
No Third Act Break-up
Acts of Service
Cowboy in Denial
Slow Burn but ALL the chemistry

This is the second book in the Silver Pines Ranch series. Wade is the grumpy, oldest Ashby child and is left running his family’s ranch following his father’s death and his tumultuous divorce. Shortly after taking over the ranch, his main trainer goes on maternity leave— leaving him to find a new trainer to help him find and train a horse that can get to the Kentucky derby.

In walks Ivy Spencer— young, yet distinguished trainer running away from her own rocky past. No matter what she does, she can’t seem to get on the right foot with her new, bitter boss.

Little does she know….with every scrunchie she loses, her boss has her wedged further into his brain. The two have to figure out to work together if they’re going to make a derby run… but can they do it while denying the chemistry between them??

I’ve said it before, I need to say it again… @authorpaisleyhope knows how to create the most incredible fictional men. Wade is definitely the epitome of grumpy, manly cowboy. Ivy is a very strong AND likable FMC. This story was great and the spice was 😮‍💨👏🏻 🚿

Thank you so much @authorpaisleyhope for the opportunity to read this as an ARC on @netgalley !

I already pre-ordered this book, purchased #1 and am ecstatic for #3. This is definitely one of my top 5 series of all time. I'm OBSESSED.