4.5/5 ⭐️s
🌶️🌶️ - medium spice

LOVES:
- The way they both repressed their feelings for so long is both impressive and ridiculous 🙄
- Cole’s daughter is a sweetheart and lends a major cute factor to the story
- My favorite part is always the turning point when one of them (usually the MMC) finally decides it’s time to really go for it. Of course, it takes some convincing for the other person, but that’s the fun stuff 😉
- The conflict and resolution were done really well. Just enough tension and communication to make it entertaining, but not frustrating.

CRITIQUE:
- The beginning felt important, but like the point could have been made in fewer pages. Once we hit the wedding/nannying I was all in!

Very sweet and exactly what you’d expect. Third in the series, but my first book from Paisley. I would absolutely read more from her!

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and Ballantine Books for the eARC 💝

one of my favorite small town universes. every time I'm in Silver Pines Ranch I feel like I am right there with them that's how comfy and cozy it feels.

WHEWWWW. ginger and cole were a VERY HIGHLY ANTICIPATED READ since before Paisley got traditionally published. I was foaming at the mouth for the crumbs that they gave. Their banter and the tension it's like you could feel it on the pages and that was just in the other two books. THIS BOOK????? HOLY MOLY. this was HOT. like HOTTTTT.

They have always had an attraction to one another but never told each other and then one night early on in their friendship Ginger kisses him and he basically rejected her. Fast forward here they are and they go to Vegas for the weekend for the joint bachelorette/bachelor party of Nash and Cece, spend the night drinking like there is no tomorrow and boom wake up the next day to rings on their fingers. Memories of spending the night together and getting married in Vegas. You know, what basically happens to everyone in Vegas after a wild night. They decide to keep the marriage a secret until Cole gets officially sworn in as the sheriff and Ginger has a job as Mabel's nanny for the summer then they decide to split ways.

Obviously, that is not what happened and before the summer was even up they were declaring their love for each other. Ginger is my mf girl like I love her. She is a baddie but such a softie at heart. my little oreo. Cole, daddy law...who knew he had that mouth on him jesus. the things he says has to be studied. i need a man in uniform ASAP. their love. the yearning. the longing. ginger's relationship with mabel and how they became a team.

i honestly loved this book. there are no words that can encapsulate the emotions i went through. so well worth the wait and the epilogue.....I CRIEDDDD they are so cute. I can't wait to be back in Silver Pines soon.

Thank you so much to Paisley Hope, Dell Romance and Netgalley for the e-ARC.

5 ☆

Every word this talented author writes is a true pleasure, and I fully embrace her work without hesitation. Cole and Ginger are the delightful friends I never realized I needed, and I will cherish them alongside the entire Ashby Clan for years to come. From the moment I opened this book, I was filled with excitement and happiness! This charming story of an unforeseen Vegas wedding featuring a devoted single-dad sheriff and his secret friend captures everything I love about romance. I felt a strong connection to Ginger—fiery and passionate; I genuinely admired her steadfast support for her friends and Cole. Cole represents the perfect partner: devoted, loving, and undeniably charming, especially with his daughter, Mabel. Their relationship made my heart soar! I appreciate the thoughtful references to past characters and how Paisley tackled the single-parent theme. The rich history between Cole and Ginger, their palpable tension, and their fiery chemistry captivated me! The picturesque small-town backdrop and the dynamic of the Ashby family make this series utterly enchanting. "Riding the High," the third book in the Silver Pines Ranch series, initially drew me in. Their playful exchanges and undeniable chemistry solidified them as my favorite couple! If you haven't started this delightful series yet, now is the perfect time!

The audiobook was truly an extraordinary experience! The narrations were performed with such skill that they brilliantly showcased the narrators’ exceptional talents. Erin Mallon and Thomas Oakley brought their characters to life with astounding finesse, imbuing each role with profound emotional depth that resonated with listeners. Mallon’s remarkable ability to seamlessly shift between different voices created richly nuanced personalities, while Oakley’s powerful delivery added captivating gravitas to the narrative. Their dynamic performances transformed the story into a vibrant, immersive journey, making it feel like the characters shared their experiences with the audience. The combination of evocative storytelling and masterful voice acting made this audiobook an unforgettable auditory adventure, leaving a delightful and lasting impression long after the final chapter concluded. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone looking to be transported into another world!

I really like this series! Book 3 was a cute and fun friends to lovers/secret marriage story with Cole and Ginger. They are a fun couple with sizzling chemistry and equally sizzling spicy scenes. This book was well written with great dialogue, good conflict and an interesting storyline. They’ve been good friends since Cole was married to his first wife. Cole has always been careful and protective of his daughter since her mother kind of left her.

One night in Vegas and the two blur those friend lines. They get drunk and end up married. Cole is trying to become the town Sheriff and Ginger is the daughter of a congressman. A divorce won’t look good right now. They decide to fake it for now. Except, they might accidentally be in love with each other.

The middle was a little bit slow but I still was interested enough to find out what happens to the characters. I’m looking forward to more stories by this author. I received this book from Random House Publishing-Ballantine and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

4.25⭐
A drunken Las Vegas wedding that must be kept secret for three for political reason before they can divorce. Plus, Ginger and Cole must be my favorite friends to lovers that I have read in a long time. If not done well, I find all that internal dialogue can get cringy. But here was it was the perfect amount as was the spice. Plus Cole relationship with his daughter, Mabel, was enough to melt my heart. The Silver Pines Ranch series features interesting and fully developed characters and is rapidly becoming one of my favorite series. Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes:
-best friend's brothers
-secret friends to lovers
-single dad
-accidental/secret marriage
-forced proximity
-small town

Riding the High is book three in the Silver Pines Ranch series and is Cole and Ginger's story.

Ginger is best friends with CeCe, who we meet in book one. Cole is Cece's brother. Ginger always had a thing for Cole for as long as she could remember and now as adults they share a great friendship.

Cole is a great dad and has put his daughter first. Ginger is who is just a ray of sunshine and know exactly what buttons to push on Cole. This was a friends to lovers story written well! These two have banter and chemistry and it was nice to finally read their story. Cole and Ginger had become a great support system to one another and after a drunken night in Vegas find themselves married. Then, Ginger moved in with Cole to become his nanny to his daughter and just that. But does it just stick to that?

I thought this was a nice story and a good addition to the series.

Two best friends, a wild weekend in Las Vegas that leaves them waking up to find out they got married... and a fake marriage to pull off... except their feelings for each other are only becoming more real and when the end date of their agreement comes up... will they end it or make it official? The third book in the Silver Pines Ranch series and it follows newly appointed sheriff playboy Cole Ashby and his best friend, congressman's daughter and complete Vixen, Ginger Danforth. Cole and Ginger have known each other their entire lives, Ginger is Cole's sister's best friend and they kissed when they were younger until he turned her down and rejected her... now years later they're best friends. Cole is a playboy who for some reason despite all the women he sleeps with the only one he actually wants to be around is his best friend, Ginger. Cole is the newly appointed sheriff and has a younger daughter he also has to look after but during a wild weekend in Vegas, Ginger and Cole play a game of truth or dare, add in some drinks (too many) and find themselves not only married but having slept together for the first time. Cole and Ginger decide to keep the marriage a secret so that Ginger's father's re-election will go well and Cole can land the sheriff job permanently. But keeping this marriage together means Ginger is moving into Cole's house and spending the summer with his daughter and him... and it's him realizing that resisting temptation and keeping his control of his desires for Ginger is going to be harder than ever, and it's making him realize that he is in fact falling for her... and that he wants this marriage to be real but he has to find a way to convince Ginger that he means the real thing and that he is determined to be her husband. Oh I absolutely adored this so so much. Ginger and Cole reminded me of Nick and Jess from New Girl, two people who have a history but have always danced around each other but are completely perfect for each other despite. I adore Ginger so so much, she's just so sweet and cute and the way she loves Cole's daughter Mabel was so sweet. I couldn't get enough of the romance between Ginger and Cole!! This is such a fantastic series and I can't wait for the next one!!

Release Date: May 6, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you for the chance to read and review "Riding the High" in advance. I really enjoy this series by Paisley Hope and I look forward to what comes next.

I liked Cole and Ginger’s relationship. It was great to see how Ginger connected with Cole’s daughter, making them feel like a family.

Although the book started slowly and felt long, I found the ending with Mabel, Ginger, and Cole to be worth it. I also appreciated the epilogue that showed the future for all the characters.

STORY
🌟🌟🌟🌟

SPICE
🌶️ mild

RECOMMEND
💳 yes

I am obsessed with everything Paisley writes. Small town romance meets sheriff x best friend’s brother. I am a sucker for a good best friend’s brother romance and Paisley did not disappoint. The mouth on Cole Ashby is everything. I would highly recommend if you are looking for a steamy, banter filled, small town romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Paisley Hope for the ARC.

The third in a series that can be read as a standalone, this was a friends to lovers, dual POV, SPICY small town romance perfect for Elsie Silver fans and GREAT on audio narrated by Erin Mallon and Thomas Oakley. I loved the heartfelt, slow burn, mutual pining romance between a single dad sheriff and a congressman's daughter who get secretly married in Vegas on a drunken night and try to keep it hidden to avoid a scandal. Recommended for anyone who enjoys modern cowboy romances and authors like Lyla Sage or Bailey Hannah!! Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed Cole and Ginger!
The ‘secret friends’ was a great aspect and getting snippets of the past really brought out the fact that these two really saw each other.
I will be reading more accidental marriage tropes!!



secret friends to lovers
best friends brother
accidental marriage
forced proximity
single dad

ARC review:

Accidental marriage, secret friendship?? I knew I was going to love Cole and Ginger’s story from all the little previews we got from books 1 and 2 and I was all in from the jump. Cole and Ginger are so so good together! The banter, chemistry, and spice were all on point. 😮‍💨🥵👌🏻 The single dad trope gets me every single time! Cole Westin Ashby was 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😍😍😍. Loved Ginger’s relationship with Mabel. Thank goodness there was no third act breakup because I would’ve been ready to riot. Love this series so much!

This amazing book made it on my 𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 and so far this entire series has made it on my top reads. This author was a new to me author and I read one book and BAM I WAS HOOKED! Lets dive into it.

This is book 3 in the series and I would recommend reading from book one. Now Ginger and Cole have know each other for a long time, they have history and Ginger is Cole's little sister's best friend. These two have he weirdest relationship, more like a situationship without the hanky panky. It was a lot of fun to watch them before the lines for blurred. Now I do my reviews without spoilers but girl when I tell you that the SPICE AND SMEXY SCENES in this were HOT. BELIEVE MEEEE! Phew!

Ginger is a school teacher and Cole is the local town's Sherrif. He is also a single dad and Ginger is no stranger to Mabel. When these two weirdos end up in vegas....well lets just say what happens in Vegas comes back home with you for them. Now they are in this pickle and end up living together which works out because Cole needs someone at home with Mable and Ginger is perfect, she can tutor her and watch her at the same time. Well, how does one resist the sweet, sassy, fun, smart and sexy Ginger? NOT COLE i tell you! Hahahah I had so much fun reading this and the story line was catchy, everything about it kept me engaged. Down to the last page. This was a emotional ride though because I read the other books you get a glimpse of these two and it was like a ticking time bomb between them. I loved them together, I loved that they are polar opposites, I love that both have a need that only the other can feed....15/10 for everything including the details and writing style. I am excited for what's next!!

p.s. I did end up reading this twice because I got the ARC so early I knew reading it again I would love it and I think I loved it even more!

AHHHHH THIS WAS PHENOMENAL!!! lawdaddy and ginger have been cooking in the slow burner from book one- and they were absolutely worth the wait! literal heart eyes and drool worthy chemistry occur between these two, from their banter and flirting, to their nights in vegas and in the hot tub, to the secret tattoo/branding and nicknames- every bit of it is perfection. the love law daddy has for his girls is like none other & i adore gingers relationship with mabel>>>>

huge thanks to netgalley, Paisley’s team and publisher, for allowing the opportunity for me to receive an ARC! after listening to the audios of book one and two i knew i needed to finish this gem on audio after release!

erin mallon and thomas oakley were freaking fabulous- their narrations were perfection!

tropes: single dad, best friends brother, friends to lovers, fake marriage, secret marriage, nanny romance, witty banter
vibes: funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Abandonment

I loved this one! Probably my new favorite of the series.
Ginger is wild and sassy and has been in love with Cole forever, however he is older and her best friends brother therefore they can only be “secret” friends. Cole also has secret feelings for Ginger but as a single dad he doesn’t have time for himself. Enter a wild night in Vegas and these two head home hitched 🤭 The banter between these two had me kicking my feet laughing and the spice when they finally gave in to their longing🥵
I knew these two were end game since book 1 and it was so satisfying seeing them finally come together and become a family.
Thank you Paisley Hope, NetGalley, and Random House- Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
If you’re looking for a new cowboy series, saddle up and head to Silver Pines Ranch!

✨ Small Town Romance
✨ Best Friend's Brother / Friends to Lovers
✨ Secret Vegas Wedding
✨ Single Dad
✨ Cop x Teacher
✨ Roommates
✨ "My Wife"
✨ Nicknames: "Vixen"

Hi, hello, I'm a Paisley Hope stan account. Everything she's written has been a 5 star read. I've been waiting for Ginger and Cole's story ever since book one in the Silver Pines Ranch series due to their HOT and undeniable sexual chemistry and flirty banter. Woo boy, this one didn't disappoint! 🥵

Cole and Ginger go to Las Vegas for CeCe and Nash's joint bachelor/bachelorette parties and find themselves hitched after one drunken night of truth or dare. Instead of getting divorced, they decide to stay married until at least Cole's probationary period of being the new sheriff is over (among other reasons) and to keep their marriage a secret. But when Ginger moves in
with Cole during the summer to help with Mabel, it starts getting harder to deny their feelings for each other.

Ginger is my sassy girl. I just absolutely love her. She's been crushing on Cole since they were young and hiding her feelings for him in cheeky banter and pranks. But Cole also has secrets of his own when it comes to Ginger and once he's able to fully let himself go for her, holy moly! That man falls HARD! 🔥 And adorable Mabel and her swear jar had me cracking up throughout the book. Those three together are so freaking cute! 😍

Thank you so much to Dell for the advanced copy! 🖤

This was such a great read. I appreciated the little snippets of the past. Ginger is a spit fire and I loved her character so much! Her personality was everything and you can see how much she cares. Even though she's 27 her parents are still on her case for not settling down. Cole is the new Sheriff and a single dad carrying everything in his shoulders.

After a drunken night in Vegas these secret besties get hitched. Unfortunately Cole's in his probationary period at work and Ginger's dad is a prominent congressmen. They simply can't get divorced so Cole comes up with the bright idea for Ginger to be his nanny while they wait out the time. What could happen with forced proximity and harbored crushes 👀

Their chemistry was off the charts and this book had some of the best banter from a couple in awhile. Their text convos had me laughing out loud. Cole's little girl was darling! Her relationship with Ginger melted my heart.

Thank you Ballantine for the gifted ebook.

I have said it before and I will say it again. Paisley Hope can write epic men.

Throughout the past two books we saw the complicated relationship between Cole and Ginger. Cole is known as the town playboy but also quite straight laced with everything involved with his daughter. Ginger is a fiery and sassy, congressman's daughter that struggles between her need to please her father and to be true to herself.

After an impulsive Vegas wedding, Ginger moves in with Cole to help be a nanny for his daughter Mabel. They decide to keep their accidental marriage a secret for now, but they cannot keep their attraction at bay for long.

I LOVED this book. They tried to fight it, but I could tell that it would not last. I loved seeing how Ginger cared for his daughter. And the way this man could dirty talk. YESSS PLEASE.

Pick this one up if you enjoy:
* Long-term pining
* Best friend's brother
* Secret friendship
* Accidental marriage
* Sherrif x nanny/teacher
* Single dad

Cole and Ginger secretly pined for each other since they were teens but she’s his little sister’s best friend, and now he’s divorced with an adorable, young daughter. Over the years, Cole and Ginger became really close friends. Neither wants to risk the possibility of damaging their friendship. Everything changes when they go with the family on a bachelor/bachelorette trip to Las Vegas and do something that can’t stay in Vegas.

This heart-warming, spicy, small town romance is book three in the Silver Pines Ranch series, but could easily be read as a stand-alone novel. If you care about tropes, this one is friends to lovers. The main characters are charming and well-rounded, and the secondary characters are a community of supportive, funny, quirky folks. Cole’s eight-year-old daughter, Mabel, is particularly smart and endearing.

It’s worth mentioning that the first few chapters felt a bit slow to me, but after the Vegas trip I was hooked. If you have the same experience, keep reading. It’s worth it!

Big thanks to Random House and NetGalley for providing an ARC copy!

Cole freakin’ Ashby… sir. Single dad, town sheriff, low-key the sweetest cinnamon roll, but also the man has the dirtiest mouth and I ate it up. And Ginger? That woman is sass, chaos, and heart in human form. The banter? Unmatched. The chemistry? Dangerous. The way they orbit around each other like they’re not obviously soulmates? Infuriatingly perfect.
Now, let’s talk Mabel. She’s the real MVP. Written like an actual kid (thank you, Paisley) but also just… a tiny emotional glue stick who somehow makes this accidental family feel real. Watching Ginger and Mabel bond was this soft little gut punch I didn’t know I needed.
Oh, and the Vegas wedding? The live-in nanny situation? The “we’ll stay married for a few months to avoid a scandal” plan that immediately spirals into “we’re in love but won’t say it out loud” chaos? I WAS SCREAMING.
This book was pure serotonin. Friends-to-lovers written with actual history and emotional weight, family dynamics that made my chest ache, and a slow burn that had me fanning myself. And then Paisley just sprinkled in Brooklyn 99 references and made me fall in love harder?? Cool, cool, cool, cool, cool…
Cole and Ginger were everything and then some. If this isn’t my favorite in the series, it’s definitely in the top two. I laughed, I blushed, I cried a little. This book wrapped me in a cozy small-town blanket and then lit it on fire with spice.