this one wasn't as good to me as holding the reins, but i did still have a great time! i think i just loved holding the reins so much that i was hopeful this one would hit that mark too, but it just fell a little flat for me.

I really enjoyed this one. It surprised me more than I thought it would. Cole definitely grew on me. And I love a good hidden marriage trope.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Riding the High is the third installment in Paisley Hope’s Silver Pines Ranch series. This charming small-town romance follows newly appointed sheriff and devoted single dad Cole Ashby, who’s eager to prove he’s the right man for the job. Enter Ginger Danforth, an elementary school teacher and daughter of a Kentucky congressman, who’s ready to break free from a life of expectations and finally embrace her adventurous spirit. A spontaneous Vegas weekend with their Laurel Creek friends leads Cole and Ginger, longtime friends, into an accidental marriage and a deal to stay married for ninety days.

One of my favorite romance tropes is friends-to-lovers, and Riding the High delivers it with heart and heat. The chemistry between Cole and Ginger had me grinning throughout; she knows exactly how to push his buttons, and he gives as good as he gets. Their banter is playful, their bond genuine, and the evolution of their relationship felt both natural and satisfying. The inclusion of Cole’s daughter, Mabel, added depth and warmth, grounding the romance in meaningful stakes.

With just the right amount of spice (a solid 4/5 on the steam scale, in my opinion), this story strikes a perfect balance between heart, heat, and humor. My overall rating was 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I’m already looking forward to the next trip back to Silver Pines Ranch!

I was super excited to dive into Riding the High, I really enjoyed Ginger and Cole in the first two books but unfortunately their story fell flat for me. I felt like they only had chemistry while doing the deed. The spice was great but unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. I do look forward to reading Freeing the wild and am excited to be getting Haden’s story!

This was an absolutely amazing book! I loved Ginger and Cole's chemistry so much, and I loved witnessing Ginger's wholesome bond with Mabel, Cole's daughter. I loved all of the small town magic and this series is one of my absolute personal favorite small town romance series! I cannot wait for the upcoming books, with Haden and Cassie (Ivy's younger sister), and especially Olivia and Asher!!!!

When i requested the book i thought it was an audiobook. My bad, it's not the publisher or Netgalley fault. As a mom it's hard to find time to sit and read. I did start the story and found it okay. I did not get far enough in the story to see if I would get into the characters. I'm not worried I didn't get to finish because I plan to just download the audiobook.

Update: Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for letting me finish the book.

The twist at the beginning had me feeling this was going to be a romantic comedy. It turned out to be a slow paced slow burn. The story is a close proximity roommate situation and domesticated living. There were only a few funny moments. No third act breakup. Explicit sex and mature.

I received the book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was really cute. I felt like the characters were a little immature at a few moments, but overall I had a good time. Single dad, nanny, Vegas wedding. What more could you ask for?

I love Paisley Hope and I’m so happy that I received an ARC for this. This series has been so wonderful and I’m so glad to be part of it. I can’t wait for it to continue.

First off, you mention single dad romance, and I am already sold!

This was a fantastic continuation of the Silver Pines series, and I absolutely devoured Cole and Ginger's story.
Paisley did an excellent job of setting this up in the previous books, where we were able to see these two banter back and forth. I just KNEW that the tension was going to be off the charts with these two, and I was not disappointed. The SPICE was *chef's kiss,* the wholesome relationship with Cole's daughter pulled at my heartstrings, and this was just everything that I could have wanted for these two!

I will read anything that Paisley Hope writes, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Riding the High is a swoony, slow-burn delight that proves what happens in Vegas definitely doesn’t stay there—especially when love is on the line. Paisley Hope delivers another addictive installment in the Silver Pines Ranch series, blending small-town charm, high-stakes secrets, and sizzling chemistry.

Ginger and Cole are an irresistible pairing: she's a buttoned-up congressman’s daughter aching for freedom, and he’s a grounded single dad with everything to lose. Their accidental Vegas wedding is the perfect setup for a fake marriage full of real heart—and watching them fall for each other while trying not to is half the fun.

Hope’s writing sparkles with warmth and wit, and the emotional payoff is everything. This is my favorite of the series so far—a heartfelt, heat-filled ride from first page to last.

If you love forced proximity, secret marriages, and rugged cowboys with a soft side, Riding the High is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

I really wanted to love this more, but I felt a little bit underwhelmed by the story. The story moved pretty fast and there wasn't enough depth in the characters.

Thank you for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cole is the kind of swoony single dad you fall for fast - steady, strong, and just a little bit stubborn. Ginger? Pure fire with a wild streak that made me love her instantly from book one. I loved their friendship and history. Then watching them navigate fake-married life, the tension, the teasing, the feels.. I couldn’t get enough!

Paisley Hope nailed it AGAIN. Sexy, sweet, and so much fun!

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for this arc.

I love Paisley Hope. I’ve read the whole series, and find myself hoping to be approved to arc read book four!

I know we’ve all read several different versions of the wild weekend in Vegas, woke up married in Vegas tropes, but I love how paisley took it by the horns and made it her own.

Also, Cole sounds like a sexy single daddy. Yum.

Heat Factor: You’ll be “Riding the High” Heat, that’s for sure.

Character Chemistry: They’re secret best friends plus best friend’s brother plus like four other tropes, and all of them imply deep, deep emotional intimacy

Plot: Cole has just been elected as town sheriff and Ginger’s dad is trying to be re-elected as a congressman—so it’s really inconvenient when they get drunk married in Vegas and have to scramble to minimize the fallout.

Overall: This is a very steamy, very sexy book with great execution and a satisfying ending, so if you have no issues with strict gender roles and patriarchy stuff you’ll probably love it.

Most of the time, my favorite way to review is just to open the book and start. Especially when it’s an author review or a pre-release, I often don’t even read the synopsis. All I know is the title and author, and I’m actually really okay with that because I find that it’s nice to go into something with a totally blank slate and an open mind. No preconceived notions, no judgments.

This one was no different—it was on the schedule, I opened it, and I read it. And I have to say, it was a solid, sexy romance.

Basically, Ginger is sassy/flirty secret snuggle buddy with Cole, her best friend’s brother. Cole and Ginger have inside jokes, cuddle up and watch Brooklyn Nine Nine together and frequently fall asleep together. When Cole needs physical intimacy, he drives out of town and has one-night stands. Ginger’s been in love with Cole since she was a teenager, but she’s seen what Cole has gone through with his ex and the mother of his child (he’s got sole custody) and isn’t totally sure Cole’s ever going to be ready for a real relationship…so she settles for what he’s willing to give her.

Except that during a joint Bachelor/Bachelorette party in Vegas, Cole watches Ginger attract dudes and something changes—he’s suddenly unable to deal with his attraction to Ginger, and after an alcohol-fueled night together, Cole and Ginger end up married and wake up in bed together. Which is a problem, because Cole was just elected Sheriff and is in a probationary period, and the town is skittish about scandal, and Ginger’s dad is up for re-election and can’t have any family secrets coming out and ruining his chances. So Cole and Ginger decide to move Ginger in as a “summer nanny” for Cole’s daughter so that if the news breaks they can play it off like they were just enjoying their privacy. It’s a whole thing.

Anyway, as you can imagine, it hits all the most steamy tropes—best friend’s brother, secret relationship, forced proximity, oops, we got married—and it becomes pretty clear that they were always teetering on the precipice of a deep romance and just needed a little push. Cole is a classic alpha; he’s a bit pushy, arrogant, and beefy (but he’s devoted to his daughter and squishy for Ginger). Ginger starts out as a firecracker—she’s sassy, inappropriate, and a solid friend. You can tell that the building dynamic is one of Cole being reliable and tight-laced, and Ginger being free and fun, and that when they’re together they bring out the best in each other.

I will say this: after having read the book, I checked out Goodreads, and it’s clear as day that this is a small-town alpha men series, which often means that the success of this relationship relies on strict gender roles, and that’s the truth here. By no means was this executed in a way that was gross or weird; in fact, I think it felt pretty realistic for a lot of families. Cole is career-driven and in charge and Ginger seems to be kind of directionless until she’s installed in Cole’s life; Cole doesn’t really change all that much, but Ginger’s entire personality shifts into something very subservient as the book develops. Their banter is sharp and pushes buttons in the beginning, but by the end Ginger’s spark is more of a light smoulder. At one point, Cole expresses what he’s hoping will happen in the years to come, and Ginger warmly agrees, but what Ginger wants is pretty much whatever Cole wants, and that’s what happens. There’s no indication of what Ginger wanted as an individual, but she’s clearly happy with every aspect of how her life ends up.

I think that as a reviewer I have to say the book was really well done. The tension is building between the couple, in multiple plot lines, and in the chemistry, and the characters are likable and fun. However, as a reader, I find that I tend to really love these alpha books IF the heroine’s life seems fuller in the end, and I didn’t see it here. Being told that she’s happy in the end because she’s barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen is great if that’s what her character has been built for, but this character was spicy, wild, and free when this book starts and no matter how picturesque the ending is, I don’t buy it if the pillars of her personality are nowhere to be found when the last page turns. If Cole fell in love with Ginger because she was spicy, wild, and free, then I want to see him continuing to love her because she’s spicy, wild, and free. I personally have a hard time seeing a wild bird being tamed as a happily-ever-after, especially if the only evidence Cole was mutually tamed is that he’s not having sex with strangers on a regular basis (and he lies about who he is during those encounters, too). Cole has a whole career and life outside of the home in the end, and Ginger’s just…flat. But again, if you really like a good “man in charge” type situation, you’ll get exactly what you’re looking for with this, and you’ll be swooning.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

This marriage of convenience romance had me hooked. To be clear I love everything Paisley Hope writes. But I went feral for the single dad sheriff and the daughter of a Congressman. Their banter was incredible and I loved every time we got Cole on page with his daughter. He is such a good father. Ginger is an excellent addition to the Silver Pines crew. I also loved the little bits of Nash/Cece and Ivy/Wade!!

Hope describes herself as the author of “small town alpha men,” and “spicy HEA’s a must.” Oh baby is that an accurate description. Not to mention, the trigger warnings were spot on. If that sounds appealing to you, jump in with both feet. You are going to love this book. However I should have known from those details that this is essentially trad wife smut. I’m down for some good spice, but the controlling, jealous MMC and the constant discussion of the size of his member just weren’t for me. Between the number of times I rolled my eyes or almost put down the book and walked away, I don’t think I’ll be reading more Paisley Hope.

Riding the High by Paisley Hope

This is the 3rd book of Silver Pines series and it’s steamier than ever.

Cole Ashby and his best friend Ginger tied the knot whilst wildly intoxicated and now have to keep it a secret from all their loved ones.

I love the single dad , impromptu wedding and in love with your best tropes

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵

I’m such a sucker for a single dad trope. Ginger has been ones of my favorite girls since book 1. Her firecracker sass is so fun. 10/10 banter between Cole as Ginger. Can’t wait for book 4!!

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine & NetGalley for this e-arc.

The Silver Pines ranch series is amazing. Their incredible chemistry is already evident in the prior books, but after a drunken night in Vegas, everything changes as they unintentionally tie the knot. Ginger and Cole are both desperate for one another and fear destroying their friendship, but the tension between them was too strong. There was a lot of flirtation, witty comebacks, and humor. I'll admit that I cried a few joyful tears during the ending because Ginger and Cole simply fit together and grow into the perfect little family with every page. I loved the scene with the waterfall date as well. I'm excited to see whose book comes out next because I love this series.

I tried to finish this book for over three months, but I can't stop feeling uncomfortable with how the main male character only sees our protagonist in a sexual way. I really tried to focus on other aspects of the story, but they got lost in all the sexualization. I decided to give up on this story, but I would still like to read something else by this author in the future.