~Romance, Small-town, Contemporary, and more!~

3.5| An enjoyable and quick read, but nothing revolutionary. For starters, I was not a big fan of how this book started. While I understand their unconventional, unspoken friendship is a big part of their dynamic, the whole scene left a bad taste in my mouth. Cole and Ginger, while they do have tension, don't have much substance as characters. While this has been the case for the last two books as well, those books made up for it in the community and family throughout the books; this one did not. Throughout the majority of the book, I was screaming at them to just talk to each other. The miscommunication was baffling at times when they both wanted the same thing. I enjoyed Mabel's character and the side she brought out in both Cole and Ginger. I oddly found myself wanting more Gemma. By that, I mean some sort of growth. I didn't enjoy how much of a cartoon villain Brent and Gemma ended up being in the end. I also wished we had more insight into how Gemma treated Mabel in their alone time. I would have loved to see more of Ginger's relationship with her father after everything. That part wrapped up a little too abruptly for my liking. I did enjoy seeing some of the past characters in this book. It was fun to see what happened after their books wrapped up. I also appreciated how this book took place in different places, unlike the past books that were very ranch-heavy. Overall, this book was a quick and easy read I just wish there was more substance throughout the whole book. I enjoyed the funny moments but hoped for some more real talks and vulnerability from the characters.

Cole and Ginger! Partners in Crime!

I have been eagerly awaiting Cole and Ginger’s story since Holding the Reins, and let me tell you—it did not disappoint! Their banter has always been top-tier, and this book takes it to a whole new level. Honestly, each installment in this series just keeps getting better, solidifying it as a true 5-star series. I haven’t rated a single one lower!

Paisley Hope has an incredible talent for crafting real, relatable characters with struggles that make you root for them every step of the way. And the fact that we get to see beloved characters from previous books continue their journeys? Absolute chef’s kiss!

Now, let’s talk about Cole Ashby—the best single dad in town and newly appointed sheriff. With his no-nonsense demeanor, there’s no room for slip-ups. But one drunken game of truth or dare later, he wakes up married to his best friend, Ginger Danforth—the congressman’s daughter with a reputation to uphold. A marriage of convenience seems like the perfect solution: Cole needs a nanny for his spirited daughter, Mabel, and Ginger needs to keep up appearances for her father’s political career. But what starts as a practical arrangement quickly unravels as long-buried feelings rise to the surface. Turns out, they’re more perfect for each other than they ever realized.

This book was an absolute blast to read! I thought Cole would steal the show, but Ginger completely shined—which, let’s be real, is exactly how Cole would want it. Her sass and fire keep him on his toes the entire time. And that handcuff scene?! Whew. I was blushing! So swoony, so spicy, so perfect!

Do yourself a favor—stop reading this review and go pick up this book. You won’t regret it!

🌻 Accidental Marriage
🤠 Single Dad x Nanny
🌻 Best Friends Brother
🤠 Forced Proximity
🌻 It’s Always Been You
🤠 Dual POV
🌻 Small Town
🤠 Dirty Talker
🌻 MY WIFE

Thank you Netgalley & Random House for sending me this arc.

I've been looking forward to Cole and Ginger's book since Holding the Reins and the wait was so worth it. Every book in this series is truly amazing and solified Paisley Hope as an auto buy author for me.

This book revolves around the spit fire and sassy Ginger who has been in love with her bestfriend's brother for years. Cole, the MMC, is a single dad who is a bonafied f boy throughout books 1 to the early chapters of this book. Him and Ginger are secret friends and have been there for each other during tough times (mainly Ginger to Cole but who's counting? Haha). They accidentally get married in Vegas after a drunken truth or dare and due to circumstances for both of them, they decided to stay married and the rest they say is history. The banter and jokes between the MCs are top tier. Ginger is really funny and likes to get under Cole's skin. I love that we have seen glimpses of their interactions on the previous books so it wasnt much of a stretch on how fast they got together in this book. Once Cole decided to not hold back on his feelings for Ginger, the spice came spicin'. Love Mabel and her relationship with her dad and Ginger. Love the whole Ashby family and their partners (Cece and Ivy). I just know I would die to be a part of that family. They rib each other but the love they have is inspiring. I also appreciate the conflict in the book but love that there is no third act breakup. 😜

Overall, this is yet another amazing romance read from Ms Hope. Pick this up when it comes out on May 6th. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book!

Riding the High is book three in the series and was a good read. Cole Ashby, Ginger Danforth and the rest of the Laurel Creek crew head up to Las Vegas for a weekend away. Cole and Ginger play a game of truth or dare and after a few too many drinks, they wake up married. They realize they can't get an annulment.
so they decide to stay married for ninety days in secret, until Ginger's father is re-elected and Cole is out of his probationary period as Sheriff. Ginger also spends the summer with Mabel, Coles daughter. Ginger an Mabel had such a cute relationship! The chemistry between Cole and Ginger was sizzling and the steamy scenes were pretty explosive! Loved them together!!

I knew I was going to love Cole and Ginger from their interactions in the last two books and their book did not disappoint! I was literally smiling so big throughout the book. Their secret friendship and the accidental marriage? Perfect! Ginger’s relationship with Mabel was so sweet as well. And Cole was an absolute simp for Ginger throughout the book! This was a kick my feet and squeal book! No notes. I will definitely be rereading their story again and buying a paperback copy when it releases!

Absolutely LOVED Cole and Ginger in this one! Ginger has poked her head into every story prior, along with Cole of course, but I was MOST excited for Ginger! That girl had been through the wringer and back, and deserved her HEA. Finding it amongst your best guy friend/ your best friend’s brother was the icing on the sweet cake that this story was! Loved the single dad trope + the entrance of some wonderful relationship development amongst child and girl who has been around a while. Ginger made Cole change his ways and that was evident throughout the story, as he staked his claim and became mush around her. The characters were written so well, the plot was beautiful, and just overall, loved the story as a whole. Paisley Hope is already an autobuy, but this one will grace my shelves proudly once it’s released! Thank you Dell for the opportunity to read!

3.5 stars (ARC review)

Cole and Ginger's chemistry was evident throughout the first two books of this series, so I was thrilled to finally get their story.

I loved watching their love grow from their younger years, even though they tried to ignore and fight it. Ginger's relationship with Cole's daughter Mabel was equally wonderful to witness. From the start, Ginger naturally fits into their little family unit. However, regarding Cole and Ginger's connection, much of their chemistry was already established in the previous two books, leaving less room for development in their own story. Apart from flashbacks to the past, their present-day interactions felt limited to bedroom scenes unless Mabel was present.

link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7370547274

A tattooed sheriff ✅
No third act breakup ✅
A good time ✅

Cole and Ginger were so perfect together! The pacing was good and the spice was excellent. I’m not usually one for a single parent, but this one felt like it was done right and Mabel fit right into the story.

But thank goodness the rest of the kids were in the epilogue, praying for you, Ginger. It couldn’t be me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the E-ARC!

Riding the High is the third installment in the Silver Pines Ranch series, and we follow Cole and Ginger while being the best of friends, and along with being her brother's best friend, there is tension that arises with them and the rest of the ranch keeping an eye on them.

Seeing Cole and Ginger talk is basically seeing a sight for steamy eyes, and they have the whole best friend and teasing each other down to a tee. But they also, do have the best connection in knowing each other which makes this deal they make with each other a real challenge. Being together with so much tension in having some sort of feeling for each other makes Cole and Ginger have some real difficult moments, and I think Hope did an amazing job at that.

As far as plot goes, I can def see why they were best friends and what the challenge was from staying away from each other, however, these two characters really didn't stick out to me. I loved their relationship and connection, but it just seemed like they were fighting attractiveness, rather than really feeling, and I would love to see these characters, perhaps in a neighboring series. Where they are able to talk about the hardships they faced in their relationship, rather than it just being physical attraction and why they had to fight for their relationship. No matter what though, this is definitely the perfect vibe for a best friends brother and little sister try to keep their hands to themselves vibe!

⭐️ “Swoony, emotional, and utterly addictive!”

Paisley Hope delivers another steamy and heartfelt romance in Riding the High, the third book in the Silver Pines Ranch series. Sheriff Cole Ashby is a devoted single dad, and Ginger Danforth is the adventurous daughter of a congressman. A spontaneous Las Vegas weekend leads to an unexpected marriage, and now they have to figure out how to keep their new reality under wraps.

This book has it ALL:
💖 Friends-to-lovers romance
🔥 Spicy tension & swoon-worthy moments
👮‍♂️ A protective, single-dad hero
💍 The best accidental marriage trope ever
🏡 Small-town charm & heartwarming family dynamics

Cole & Ginger’s chemistry leaps off the page, and their journey from friendship to love is both emotional and deeply satisfying. Paisley Hope’s writing makes you laugh, cry, and fall in love right along with them. If you adore found family, emotional depth, and a touch of steam, this one’s a must-read!

A steamy friends to lovers, second chance romance, fake marriage in a small town. What’s not to love? Family dynamics, friendships and a trip to Vegas make for a fun read that will make you feel the Kentucky humidity as you turn every page! Pre-order this buzzy summer read now.

i didn’t expect to like this as much as i did! also didn’t realize it was part of a series but now i want to read the rest of them LOL! i love friends to lovers so i ATE cole and ginger up!! their realizations, their chemistry, MABEL! i’m sure it’s just me but i wanted a spicy third act plot twister than what it was - though what it was makes sense LOL - but overall would reccommend

3.5 stars! I loved both Ginger and Cole as characters and thought they had a lot of tension and chemistry early on and was expecting this to book to hit a little harder for me. I did enjoy this book, but I think this book did a lot of telling and not enough showing the connection that had always been there and how good of secret friends they were.. Because of this I didn't fully buy into their feelings for each other. Another couple of minor complaints are that I thought they used sex at times to "resolve" their issues at times and I thought the issues with Ginger's dad was wrapped up a little too quickly. It has some of the tropes I love - nanny/single dad and Vegas wedding, but maybe it's because I've read books recently with those tropes that I enjoyed more or maybe it's that longtime friends to lovers doesn't do it for me? I did love to get updates on the other couplings in this book and would recommend this book for anyone that is already into this series or loves fun small town romances! I will definitely be continuing in this series!

Thanks to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Paisley, absolutely NEVER disappoints. She knows exactly what I needed and Ginger and Cole were served to me on a silver platter. God this series just KEEPS GETTING BETTER. I mean a single sheriff dad and the girl next door that secretly gets married and Vegas, WHAT MORE CAN YOU WANT???

Ginger knows she needs to get out from under her parents thumb. However, her dad, the congressman, expects all images attached to him to stay squeaky clean. One miss step and her antics will be all the news talks about, which will prompt a disapproving phone call from her dad. How do you think he will take the news that his daughter accidentally got married in Vegas to the intern Sheriff because of a dare? Yeah, I wouldn’t want him to know that either. Which is why she finds herself in an understanding with Cole to stay secretly married till he gets the official job of Sheriff and her dad gets reelected. That all sounds easy till she finds herself kind of liking Cole and absolutely adoring his daughter. Girl dads, what can we say 🤭. As more time passes, this little marriage becomes more and with more comes feelings she isn’t ready to understand. Especially when she knows it has to end at some point and the disappointment from her parents is enough for a lifetime, she doesn’t need heartbreak added to the resume, from (irresistible, dirty mouth) Cole Ashby, no less.

Cole is determined to lay some roots for his daughter.. steady, untarnished roots. So, when he gets elected intern Sheriff in Laurel Creek, he is ready to show everyone he is the right man for the official position. How did he find himself married in Vegas to Ginger Danforth, because of a dare no less…. Well he doesn’t need anyone to find out how or that they are actually married till he has the job and her dad gets reelected and the news will no longer be news in this small town. Cole thinks he can handle Ginger and the closeness that happens when you marry someone. He just never expected the slow burning speaks that fly between them. He also never expected his daughter to take such a liking to Ginger. Cole knows his feelings toward Ginger need to be put on the back burner, till they can actual figure out how to be married without telling people they are married… easier said then done because Ginger burrowed her way it his life, his heart, and there is no denying it to anyone that happens to look at the way he is looking at his wife.

If Paisley writes it, I’m gonna read it. Absolutely NO NOTES, just perfection. And you know I’m already obsessed with Freeing the Wild… because the whole series has been an obsession.

Just like every Paisley Hope book, this absolutely gave me all of the feels!

With Ginger and Cole there wasn't a single page I skipped because the tension and story was just that good. Like, where is my cowboy sheriff with a little girl? I have now discovered that I need this trope to happen to me in real life because I'm sorry- I devoured that and now I want more.

One of the best reads so far this year Ms. Hope, and I hope you know that I will always be a huge fan!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the earc!! (Please, I beg you, keep approving me for her books 🩷)

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I can not get enough of Silver Pines Ranch! I crushed this book in two days! I am hooked on anything Paisley Hope writes now! I am in love with Cole and Ginger and didn't want this book to end! I loved the banter between these two in the other two books as well and to read their story was just an adventure.

Riding the High is the third book in the Silver Pines series. In this one, we are following Ginger and Cole. Cole is Ginger's best friend's brother. They have been circling each other for years. When her best friend moved away, Ginger and Cole developed a friendship that didn't have anything to do with her best friend. When they are on a bachelor/bachelorette trip to Vegas, Ginger and Cole indulge a little too much and wake up married the next day. They keep it a secret for various reasons. He is on a probationary period as the new sheriff in their town. Her father is running for public office and doesn't need a scandal. They don't want to take attention away from his sister's wedding. Can they keep it a secret or will they make the marriage real?

I enjoyed the overall plot of installment of the series. I like the characters of Ginger and Cole. My personal opinion (totally subjective) is that there was too much spice. I wish there was more balance between the plot and spice. We would get a couple of pages of plot and then a couple of chapters of spice. The character and storyline deserved more time.

Paisley Hope, you absolute QUEEN! You've done it again! "Riding the High" has officially landed me in book hangover territory, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Seriously, I know that whenever I dive into a Paisley Hope book, I'm guaranteed those delicious, sexy, swoony vibes that I crave, and this one delivered, hunny!

Ginger absolutely wrecked me with her long held, unrequited feelings for Cole since high school. The pining was everything! And Cole? When he finally dropped that glorious "it's always been you" line? I was DONE. Dead. Just…dead. I loved how their playful and supportive friendship blossomed before the romance really took off, even with those secret feelings simmering underneath. And Mable, Cole's daughter? Absolute perfection times ten! Seeing them together as a family unit warmed my heart and added another layer of sweetness to the story.

And, of course, because it's a Paisley Hope book, Cole's dirty mouth was off the charts! The nicknames "Vixen" and "Law Daddy"? I simply cannot! And those "atta girl" moments? Is there anything sexier? Plus, all the "my wife" moments? Swoon! And don't even get me started on the sexy truth or dare games. I had the absolute BEST time reading this book. The chemistry was explosive!

The epilogue wrapped up their story so beautifully, leaving me with a happy sigh and a serious craving for more Laurel Creek! And it makes me so incredibly excited for the next book! Bring on Cassie and Haden!

Favor? Please go read this book when it comes out on May 6th. You won't regret it! You'll be laughing, swooning, and begging for more. Paisley Hope has crafted another masterpiece, and I'm already counting down the days until my next trip to Laurel Creek!

This story. These MCs. I’ve been waiting for since book 1. And Paisley did them justice. What I loved about Ginger and Cole is the history behind them. The secret friendship and the playfulness behind their digs at each other were inklings to their true feelings. From day 1, Ginger knew her feelings for Cole would be hard to get rid of. And so did Cole. When the opportunity presented itself for them to stay together, their fate was only set more into stone. Throw in Gingers relationship and attachment with Mabel and I was hooked even more. I loved that their friendship still flourished while all the awkwardness of their new found “relationship”.

What I especially loved about Ginger and Cole was that they were very realistic. They knew their flaws and knew they weren’t perfect people. But they wanted to be. For themselves and for each other. That really makes or breaks a character for me and I was so happy that they felt like real people.

I trust Paisley Hope with my heart. She's successfully made me fall in love with three MMC's and I can't wait for the next one.