Do I need to lie down? Possibly. Was it because of Sheriff Cole and his mouth? Absolutely.

Riding the High is a deliciously spicy friends-to-lovers romance that had me swooning, blushing, and whispering “he really said that" every few chapters. Ginger and Cole’s chemistry is off the charts, and the banter? Top tier. I love when characters clearly know each other, and watching them toe the line between friendship and something much steamier gave me all the feels.

There’s a surprising amount of heart in this one, too. I adored Ginger’s bond with Mabel—it gave the story extra heart and grounded her in such a sweet, real way. But let’s be honest: this is Cole’s world, and we’re all just thirsting in it. He’s a sheriff with a filthy mouth and a surprisingly romantic streak, and it WORKS.

If I had one small wish, it’s that a few of the emotional beats between Cole and Ginger had a little more space to breathe—I wanted just a smidge more unpacking to match the intensity of the heat. But overall? This was a super fun, sexy ride through a small town I wouldn’t mind getting stuck in.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC—I’ll be thinking about that "g" brand for a while 👀🔥

I have been waiting for Cole & Ginger’s book and it did not disappoint! Paisley Hope can honestly do no wrong in my eyes.
I loved how we finally got to see the secret friendship that Cole and Ginger had developed so many years ago. They were always there for each other and had such a solid friendship. They both have such strong personalities that the banter was hilarious but also full of tension.
Cole and Ginger find themselves married after one too many drinks while out in Vegas. They have to keep their marriage hidden to protect their reputations but it only pushes their feelings to the surface. This leads to the most epic f-it moment!
I thought Wade had a filthy mouth but enter Sheriff Cole Ashby 😮‍💨 Cole and Ginger have amazing chemistry. I love how Ginger not only fell in love with Cole, but also his daughter, Mabel. When he calls them “daddy’s girls” I just melted!
I just love this series and I can’t wait to go back to Silver Pines for Haden and Cassie!

Riding the High | Paisley Hope | Sliver Pines book 3 | 5•6•25
✨best friend’s brother
✨secret friend’s to lovers
✨single dad
✨accidental/secret marriage
✨secret pining
✨forced proximity

Thank you Paisley Hope & Dell for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

60/100 or 3.0 stars

I enjoy this series so much. If I give a romance three stars, that is a very good thing. I have enjoyed the world Hope has created! It is so fun to read these. The only reason this is a 3.0 and not a 3.5 stars is the sexual content by the third book is pretty redundant. It's the same that we have read with the first two stories, the dialogue is almost the exact same as book one and two, so that was kind of boring. I liked the story around the sexual content, so I would love to continue the series whenever access to the fourth book is available!

Oh my goodness! Infinity stars to Ms. Paisley Hope and the amazing story of Cole and Ginger!

I was so excited and honored to have the opportunity to ARC read this book and I loved every second of it!

This story follows Cole "Law Daddy" Ashby, the new sheriff of Laurel Creek and the eldest sibling of CeCe and Wade Ashby who's family owns the Silver Pines Ranch. Cole has always been a bit of a player who since his terrible marriage, where the only thing good that came out of it was his daughter Mabel, has not wanted to commit to anyone. He is known to sleep around, but since being appointed sheriff he is determined to show the town that they made the right choice and make more responsible choices.

Ginger "Vixen" Danforth, is Cole's little sisters best friend and he has known her since they were kids. She is the daughter of a Kentucky congressman and elementary school teacher at the local school in Laurel Creek. She is a spit fire and wants to break free from the reputation that her family has put on her being a congressman's daughter.

After a weekend in Las Vegas, for Cece and Nash's bachelor/bachelorette party, Ginger and Cole play their long time game of truth or dare. After a few two many drinks, they wake up the next morning having gotten married in a Vegas chapel. Unable to get an immediate annulment, the two decide to stay married for 90 days in secret, until Gingers father is re-elected and Cole is out of his probationary period as the county sheriff.

When Ginger agrees to help Cole out with his 8 year old daughter over the summer and Ginger moves into Coles spare bedroom, the long time feelings for each other start to come to the surface and they start to forget that this marriage is meant to be temporary.

I was looking forward to this book since book one in the Silver Pines Ranch series. I just loved the little snippets Paisley gave us of Cole and Ginger so I was so happy to receive this book and it did not disappoint. This book is my new favorite in the series!

The banter between Ginger and Cole was amazing. I love a fiery FMC and Ginger is definitely that. She is not afraid to speak her mind and she definitely kept Cole on his toes. Cole is a single daddy, cop and sexy as hell! The connection between the two of them, having been long-time friends first made their relationship that much more intoxicating and fun to read.

I love all the side characters like Papa Dean and Mama Jo and the new ones that were introduced like Gingers parents and her Nonna (who had me cackling). But the character that took the cake for me was Mabel, Coles daughter. That girl has my heart!

This book made me laugh, swoon and cry and I cannot wait to see what Paisley Hope comes up with next in this series!

Read if you like:
-Single Dad
-Best friends brother
-Fiery FMC
-Forced proximity
-Secret marriage

Thank you, @authorpasileyhope and @netgalley for the #gifted ARC.

My first time reading this author. The story of Cole Ashby and Ginger Danforth is a great story; but I thought it was a little long.
Cole Ashby is the new sheriff in town and Ginger Danforth is the local congressman's daughter.
Ginger always seems to fall short of her father's expectations and when Cole and Ginger get married in Vegas this is not good. They decide not to let anyone know they are married, and Ginger moves into Cole's home to help care for his daughter during the summer. Cole and Ginger have known each other for a long time and now are forced to spend time together.

I really wish I loved this one more than I did, but I found it to be cringey, kind of boring, and the tropes were literally all over the place. I’m unsure why, but this book made the tropes seem like a jumbled up mess. And it felt like it was just thrown together, and every five seconds a new trope was added. Maybe it’s just me, even though I really do love this couple & Mabel.

Also… the law daddy nickname really confused me tbh. I really did not get it at all which started me off on the wrong foot in this book.

Overall I still liked the book and really want to continue to read this series.

Tropes:
Accidental marriage
single dad
best friends brother
secret friends to lovers
forced proximity
nanny

3.5?
The writing was great as always, but I didn't like the way the trope was executed. This book had the MMC being a playboy (literally the first chapter of book, and he's sleeping around till he accidentally drunken marries the FMC) and the FMC pining for him for more than a decade - I could not really root for them because I don't think the MMC had the same depth of feelings the FMC did until he was forced into the relationship via their fake marriage -- it kind of felt like a he fell for her because it was convenient.

TWs - absentee parent (MMC's kid)

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for letting me read an ARC of Riding the High.

I absolutely loved Cole and Gingers story! The chemistry they had was so genuine and amazing. Then the spice was very spicy 🥵. The tension was so good. Loved the banter, witty comebacks, and flirting. This is my favorite book so far by Paisley Hope and I’m looking forward to reading this again after release.

💕 Accidental marriage
🤠 Single dad/Sheriff/Cowboy
💕 Best friends brother
🤠 Secret friends to lovers
💕 Forced proximity
🤠 Reformed playboy
💕 It’s always been you
🤠 Found family
💕 Slow burn

Ginger. When it comes to you, I don't forget. I remember every f***ing thing.

Lower stars than previous books, but I'm not a huge fan of friends to lovers. I will say that I feel like this friends to lovers was done right. Ginger was so sassy and kept Cole on his toes. It was very easy to keep reading. Cole was not always my favorite, but he did say a few good things.

2025 Book #47
Rating: 3.5/5
Tropes: Accidental Marriage, Sheriff x Teacher, Friends to Lovers, Single Dad
Spice: 3 (9 chapters)
Romance: Yes
Plot: Yes
Pages: 432

I absolutely adored Cole and Ginger's story. Their friendship and how they supported each other over the years was just so heartwarming to read. They really felt like the best couple at the ranch! Mabel continues to be a highlight for me, and I loved seeing her bond with Ginger even more in this book.

The only little thing that left me wanting more was the Vegas wedding. I understand they were really drunk, but since Cole remembered bits and pieces, I would have loved some flashbacks to that night. It felt like a fun moment that was a little glossed over.

Even with that small wish, this is definitely my favorite book in the series so far! I'm already looking forward to reading more about the Ashbys in the future. (And please, please, please, Paisley, we need Liv's book!)

Riding the High by Paisley Hope wastes no time throwing readers into the fire with a spontaneous Vegas wedding between Ginger Danforth and Cole Ashby. One wild weekend turns their lives upside down, and instead of a quick annulment, they agree to keep their secret marriage under wraps—for now.

The chemistry between them is undeniable, and it only intensifies when Ginger moves in with Cole. Their close quarters lead to sizzling moments and emotional breakthroughs that make it clear they were never just pretending. The “Vixen and Law Daddy” nicknames bring a fun and playful edge, and the mutual pining adds a layer of depth that makes their connection feel earned despite the fast timeline.

Ginger's bond with Cole's daughter, Mabel, is one of the sweetest parts of the story. Watching them become a little family is heartwarming, and Mabel adds a touch of innocence and humor to balance the steam. The waterfall scene marks a powerful turning point in their relationship, and the emotional payoff is worth every page. By the time Cole utters, “We’re you and me close,” it’s clear this marriage was meant to be.

This was my most anticipated book in the series, and it didn’t disappoint. My favorite so far.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

Paisley Hope does it again! I haven't read one of her books that I haven't enjoyed.

After a weekend in Vegas, Sheriff Cole Ashby and daughter of a congressman Ginger Danforth wake up married. They decide to wait to divorce until Cole's probationary period is up as Sheriff and Ginger's father is reelected. Quickly, their fake marriage becomes anything but. I loved the transition from friendship to lovers between Cole and Ginger.

Tropes:
Secret friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Sheriff x Teacher
Single Dad

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.75⭐️ 3🌶️

Cole Ashby a.k.a. Sheriff Daddy is serious book boyfriend material! Ginger and Cole may be polar opposites but they complemented each other perfectly. The way Ginger makes Mabel feel special and loved the way her mother should be doing warms my heart. I absolutely can’t stand Brent and Gemma. I look forward to reading Freeing the Wild!

5⭐️ 3🌶️

The Ashby family continues to win me over! We were introduced to the banter of Cole and Ginger since the first book in the series and I have been not so patiently waiting for this book and their time to shine!

Cole learned how to love from watching his father love on his momma and it shows in the way he has cared for Ginger since they were kids and the way he is with sweet girl Mabel. Ginger is unapologetically herself, the way she FINALLY stood up for herself and the way Cole gave her the confidence and space to do so was perfection.

ARC provided by Random House and NetGalley. Releasing in the US May 6, 2025

We're back at Silver Pines for the story that I've been looking forward to since meeting the Ashby family and their circle of hooligans in book one - that's right, it's time to get to the bottom of the friction between Ginger and Cole!

Turns out this particular Not Angel and her best friend's brother have secretly been close friends for years, and the verbal sparring in public was just too much fun to give up. But one night in Vegas ups the stakes, and these friends are both about to learn what they really mean to each other.

Some people will complain that these cowboy romance series all recycle the same storyline with the single dad/nanny & best friends brother tropes, but you know what? GIVE ME 14 OF 'EM. I will eat it up every time!!!!!

I think what I love most here is how sacred they are to each other. It's always been Cole for Ginger, and it's always been Ginger for Cole, and they just didn't get the timing right. They're both so desperate to protect their friendship now, to do right by their favorite person, that they've settled for platonic love rather than risking losing each other.

Am I the only one who suspects at least one of them was maybe not all that drunk that night in Vegas, just loose enough to let hope in?

The spice in this book is my favorite flavor. It is abundantly clear to me why they have so many kids in the epilogue.

Riding the High By Paisley Hope

Thank you to NetGalley!

I swear this book had me in an emotional chokehold. I’m not sure I’ve swooned and been awed so much in a book. I simply couldn’t get enough. Chapter after chapter of pure joy and happiness. Highly recommended. Five fantastic stars from me!

Cole Ashby, is one of my newest favorite book boyfriends. Single Daddy, Sheriff with the most precious little girl, Mabel. He treats his girls with the upmost respect and affection they deserve. What more could we ask for. Ginger Danforth, is more than just a friend, but these two have to figure out if it’s worth the risk. So much sexual tension that you feel it buzzing on the pages. And when they break…whewwwwwwweeee! It’s hot!

When a night out in Vegas changes everything. Can something that happened while three sheets to the wind, be their forever? It’s a beautifully heartfelt story. Goodness, read this book to find out. You’ll fall in love just like I did.

I love the chemistry between these two characters and the family dynamic however the overall storyline lacked for me in comparison to the first two books in the series

Book 3 in the Silver Pines series just might be my favorite yet. I loved this book—there’s just something about a single dad that hits different, and Paisley Hope absolutely nailed it.

Tropes You’ll Find:
✔ Single Dad
✔ Brother’s Best Friend
✔ Accidental Marriage
✔ Friends to Lovers
✔ Found Family
✔ Small Town Romance

This story had it all: heart, heat, and so much charm. It was as sweet and emotional as it was sizzling hot—the spice was seriously spicing. The characters felt real and lovable, the chemistry was undeniable, and the emotional moments were so well done.

If you’re a fan of small-town romance with just the right mix of heat and heart (and a swoon-worthy single dad), Riding the High is a must-read. Paisley Hope keeps getting better with each book!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this amazing E-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Five incredible stars!!

Thank you so much for the ARC copy of this book! I'm so glad I didn't have to wait until release day to read this one!

Being back in Silver Pines is like coming home. I love the Ashby's and getting glimpses into the past couples from this series is the best!

Something has been brewing between Ginger and Cole for many years. One could day they've become the best of friends with great banter that may border on the line of flirty. When they wake up after a drunken night in Vegas accidentally married, pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place that they may have just given into what was meant to be all along.

Back to reality, Cole admits that his new role as the town Sheriff may require more hours than he thought, so he asks Ginger to help out as nanny to his daughter Mabel for the summer. They decide to keep the marriage under wraps for awhile in the meantime.

Witnessing these two fall in love and trying to hold themselves back was amazing. The tension, banter, all of it! I also firmly believe Paisley writes some of the best spice on the market and I would love for someone to try and convince me otherwise!

Read if you love:
👢nanny/single dad romance
👢friends to lovers
👢big families
👢accidental marriage

"How can you be only in love with someone who feels like they've been a part of you forever? Like you need them to breath?"

I loved this series!! And I loved Cole Ashby! This book had all my favorite tropes, single dad, and found family is my favorite. I can’t wait for the next!