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Silver Pines Ranch #1
Holding The Reins
To hold the reins idiom; metaphorTo be in charge of, to be in complete control of; yourself, a situation, people or all of the above.
Cecilia “CeCe” Ashby is finally escaping the toxic relationship that has consumed her entire adult life.. She returns to her hometown of Laurel Creek, Kentucky and her family’s equestrian ranch unsure of what the future holds. It’s time to move on, she just has no idea where to start.
Nash Carter is the newly retired superstar of the Dallas Stars, Laurel Creek’s hometown hero, local business owner and notorious bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fourth sibling in the Ashby clan.
It’s been years since his days of tormenting and protecting CeCe with her older brothers Wade and Cole, but when CeCe returns to town unexpectedly and needs a job, he knows he has to have her and not entirely for business.
In fact, Nash can’t seem to take his eyes off of his best friend’s much younger, vulnerable little sister and it seems she’s been staring right back.
Despite the many self-proclaimed reasons why they would never work, the fire between them ignites and they form a little pact of rules before jumping into the flames.
As ‘just one night’ turns into many, Nash quickly learns that where CeCe Ashby is concerned his typical rules simply don’t apply. Now he has to figure out if he can push his past trauma aside enough to have the life he never expected to want. A life he’s both terrified to live and terrified to lose.
All he has to do to have it all? Take a deep breath and let go of the reins.
Cecilia “CeCe” Ashby is finally escaping the toxic relationship that has consumed her entire adult life.. She returns to her hometown of Laurel Creek, Kentucky and her family’s equestrian ranch unsure of what the future holds. It’s time to move on, she just has no idea where to start.
Nash Carter is the newly retired superstar of the Dallas Stars, Laurel Creek’s hometown hero, local business owner and notorious bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fourth sibling in the Ashby clan.
It’s been years since his days of tormenting and protecting CeCe with her older brothers Wade and Cole, but when CeCe returns to town unexpectedly and needs a job, he knows he has to have her and not entirely for business.
In fact, Nash can’t seem to take his eyes off of his best friend’s much younger, vulnerable little sister and it seems she’s been staring right back.
Despite the many self-proclaimed reasons why they would never work, the fire between them ignites and they form a little pact of rules before jumping into the flames.
As ‘just one night’ turns into many, Nash quickly learns that where CeCe Ashby is concerned his typical rules simply don’t apply. Now he has to figure out if he can push his past trauma aside enough to have the life he never expected to want. A life he’s both terrified to live and terrified to lose.
All he has to do to have it all? Take a deep breath and let go of the reins.
384 pages, Paperback
First published October 22, 2024
About the author
Paisley Hope
4 books839 followersRomance author of small town alpha men, and the women who bring them to their knees
Spicy HEA's a must
Wifey & Mama, southern belle at heart.
All the 90's country.
Will work for dark chocolate and lattes
Spicy HEA's a must
Wifey & Mama, southern belle at heart.
All the 90's country.
Will work for dark chocolate and lattes
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,718 reviews
April 4, 2024
3.75! This was cute! Nash is iconic
September 23, 2024
3 stars
i think this novel would work perfectly as plate cleaner. it was cute but nothing did really grab my attention. i had a hard time trying to connect with the main characters and that’s mostly why it took way longer than usual to finish this book. but if you want an easy read with a good amount of toe-curling scenes this is the perfect read for you!
many thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
——————
let’s go🤠
“I love you so much it consumes me. but I want it all. I want you, in every way.”
❦ age gap
❦ small town
❦ found family
❦ ex hockey player
❦ cowboy romance
❦ brother’s best friend
i think this novel would work perfectly as plate cleaner. it was cute but nothing did really grab my attention. i had a hard time trying to connect with the main characters and that’s mostly why it took way longer than usual to finish this book. but if you want an easy read with a good amount of toe-curling scenes this is the perfect read for you!
many thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
——————
let’s go🤠
Currently reading
October 24, 2024ᝰ.ᐟ pre-read: ᯓᡣ𐭩୭˚.
arc time!!!
this is my first time reading a cowboy romance and this one has a lot of good reviews, I’m excited🤭
arc time!!!
this is my first time reading a cowboy romance and this one has a lot of good reviews, I’m excited🤭
Currently reading
November 5, 2024*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
Would you look at this gorgeous cover!! *heart eyes*
Would you look at this gorgeous cover!! *heart eyes*
August 28, 2024
”Her eyes meet mine, time stops and she smiles at me, breaking me, reducing me to nothing more than hers.”
after dealing with a breakup from her former fiancée, Cecilia moves back to her family’s home town ranch in Kentucky. Nash is a close friend of Cece’s family and after retiring from playing hockey, he now runs a few businesses in town while also helping Cece’s oldest brother Wade with the horses on their property.. ok part time cowboy🤠. since Cece and Nash have known each other for a long time, there’s a sense of mutual trust and care that they have before things even go further with them that i really appreciated. i felt that the focus on grief and trauma were handled realistically and it made me connect to the characters more as individual people.
”We’re not a phase. We’re the exact opposite of a phase. We’re always. I’m going to follow you everywhere you go for the rest of this life. And then, I’m going to follow you into the next.”
➸ Cecilia - she’s a bit wild, protective and doesn’t back down, but she’s also dealing with the grief of losing her father who was basically the glue that held everyone together. she always took the time out to consider other’s point of view while also still prioritizing herself and her own needs and that’s something i love to see! plus her relationships with all of her family and the way she comforted/supported Nash was the sweetest thing on the planet.. my Nashby heart🥹💜.
➸ Nash - mister Carter, excuse tf outta me!! 😮💨 i have to emphasize how down bad i was for this man and his filthy mouth.. i’ve fallen and can’t get up🧎♀️. i really just loved him in general tho, especially with how he constantly looked out for Cece and protected her for literal YEARS. his whole situation with his parents was hard to read and the fact that he was so close to Cece’s dad too made it worse. but Nash learning to not let his fear stop him from having the life he desperately wants with Cece was my absolute favorite.
“If you’re struggling, you’re living. You have to hold some peace in that,”
another great thing about this book was how the characters dealt with the eventual conflict. they have their initial impulsive reactions, but they do communicate with eachother openly when they felt ready which made them so easy to root for. i also loved Cece’s brother’s Wade and Cole, along with her friends Ginger and Olivia. i can’t wait to read the next books in this series with the glimpses i got in here🤭. if i gotta mention some negatives it’ll mainly be in my struggle to stay fully invested the whole time— it took me forever to read this and im an epilogue hater so i didn’t love that either, but otherwise i did enjoy this!
ready for my first cowboy romance (i think? idk lol)
after dealing with a breakup from her former fiancée, Cecilia moves back to her family’s home town ranch in Kentucky. Nash is a close friend of Cece’s family and after retiring from playing hockey, he now runs a few businesses in town while also helping Cece’s oldest brother Wade with the horses on their property.. ok part time cowboy🤠. since Cece and Nash have known each other for a long time, there’s a sense of mutual trust and care that they have before things even go further with them that i really appreciated. i felt that the focus on grief and trauma were handled realistically and it made me connect to the characters more as individual people.
”We’re not a phase. We’re the exact opposite of a phase. We’re always. I’m going to follow you everywhere you go for the rest of this life. And then, I’m going to follow you into the next.”
➸ Cecilia - she’s a bit wild, protective and doesn’t back down, but she’s also dealing with the grief of losing her father who was basically the glue that held everyone together. she always took the time out to consider other’s point of view while also still prioritizing herself and her own needs and that’s something i love to see! plus her relationships with all of her family and the way she comforted/supported Nash was the sweetest thing on the planet.. my Nashby heart🥹💜.
➸ Nash - mister Carter, excuse tf outta me!! 😮💨 i have to emphasize how down bad i was for this man and his filthy mouth.. i’ve fallen and can’t get up🧎♀️. i really just loved him in general tho, especially with how he constantly looked out for Cece and protected her for literal YEARS. his whole situation with his parents was hard to read and the fact that he was so close to Cece’s dad too made it worse. but Nash learning to not let his fear stop him from having the life he desperately wants with Cece was my absolute favorite.
“If you’re struggling, you’re living. You have to hold some peace in that,”
another great thing about this book was how the characters dealt with the eventual conflict. they have their initial impulsive reactions, but they do communicate with eachother openly when they felt ready which made them so easy to root for. i also loved Cece’s brother’s Wade and Cole, along with her friends Ginger and Olivia. i can’t wait to read the next books in this series with the glimpses i got in here🤭. if i gotta mention some negatives it’ll mainly be in my struggle to stay fully invested the whole time— it took me forever to read this and im an epilogue hater so i didn’t love that either, but otherwise i did enjoy this!
October 5, 2024
4.5 Part Time Cowboy Full Time Dirty Talker ✨'s
Holding the Reins is such a fun and dirty read! I loved this small town, brother's best friend, secret dating, and found family romance so much. The story follows Cece who after 8 years moves back to her hometown after discovering her fiance cheating, and Nash, her older brother's best friend, and former hockey playboy turned small town golden boy. Nash was so sweet and gone for Cece, I love how he was so desperate for her and willing to do anything to make her life easier. The found family was so well done and I thought it was perfect how Cece and Nash both had their own separate grief to work through. For a debut book, I think Paisley Hope did phenomenal, the story was fleshed out and flowed well, I do think the writing and plot could use some minor tweaking but beyond that, the romance and steam were so good. Nash is an absolutely feral dirty talker and let me tell you the man delivered EVERY TIME!
Holding the Reins is such a fun and dirty read! I loved this small town, brother's best friend, secret dating, and found family romance so much. The story follows Cece who after 8 years moves back to her hometown after discovering her fiance cheating, and Nash, her older brother's best friend, and former hockey playboy turned small town golden boy. Nash was so sweet and gone for Cece, I love how he was so desperate for her and willing to do anything to make her life easier. The found family was so well done and I thought it was perfect how Cece and Nash both had their own separate grief to work through. For a debut book, I think Paisley Hope did phenomenal, the story was fleshed out and flowed well, I do think the writing and plot could use some minor tweaking but beyond that, the romance and steam were so good. Nash is an absolutely feral dirty talker and let me tell you the man delivered EVERY TIME!
June 3, 2024
me when the ex-hockey-player part-time-cowboy brother’s-best-friend
crawled to her
as an apology
Currently reading
October 12, 2024𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚ 🤠 i miss reading about cowboys thank you netgalley for my eARC can't wait to dive in!
March 1, 2024
3.5 stars and a long review, sorry lol
I’m always going to love taking a chance on a debut author and then finding a book that has heart, excellent characters, and great promise for future writing. Some parts of Holding the Reins worked wonderfully for me and some I struggled with a bit. You can tell that the author loves her characters and is setting up this small town to have several future romances and I do think that as she refines her writing, she’s going to be an even stronger storyteller.
The book begins with Cece (h) coming home to her small town in Kentucky from Seattle, after she’s left her cheating fiancé. The opening is her being chased by her BFF’s grandma, who rescued Cece’s vibrator when it fell out of her luggage. What made that scene funnier is how the author chose to have everybody find out about it (at one point Cece asks if there’s a tin can and string set up around town for how info flies around and I died laughing). Cece’s dad passed away a few months prior and as she moves home, she's figuring out what her life looks like now, but she’s got her momma, two brothers, her niece, and a girl gang that are a trip. She also has Nash (H), her brothers’ best friend, and honorary other member of their family. Nash retired recently from the NHL and has a couple of businesses going around town keeping him super busy, while also being very present in the community and in Cece’s family. And though he used to help tease her with her brothers, grown up Nash and grown up Cece want to do a different kind of teasing, despite the possible consequences.
Written in first person, dual POV. Tiny ow moments (h thinks H still dates around like he did in high school and college, but he doesn’t, however he does go on one date while crushing on the h, to try and be with someone more “appropriate” - he spends the date talking about h and then ends the date going to her rescue and forgetting about the ow so it was irritating but also kind of not; h also gets jealous a couple of times thinking about ow he might be hooking up with that he’s not) and small om moments as well (h’s ex is on page a couple times being an ass but he still wants her back and there’re a couple of times also that H loses his mind over om being interested in dancing with h), and neither are virgins (H has been celibate for 19 months *cheers* and h had been with her ex for eight years).
Nash Carter was fire with his jealous/possessive moments, some really hot “my/mine” talk, his equally hot dirty talk, his sweet and caring moments (y’all, he braids her hair back when she’s feeling sick and ties it off with f’ing dental floss cause he doesn’t have a hair tie), and his wonderful nature that made him want to give back to his community. Full package right there (along with an apparently *ahem* large other kind of package). He was emotionally challenged, but it was because of past trauma related to the loss of his parents, so it was hard to hold it completely against him…I also could have done without him constantly thinking of how tiny Cece was.
Cece was also lovable with her intelligence, sassiness, and spark. She was fun when she was pushing Nash’s buttons, but also amazing when she was with her friends or family. I reveled in the moments when she was shown different facets of Nash than what she had pictured too. Which she gets lots of opportunity to see when she starts working for him and because she keeps ending up in his bar with her friends.
Cece certainly wasn’t one dimensional, but I felt Nash did stand out more though since Cece had more to discover about him, while she was more of an open book to him. Also there was a hefty amount of steam in this book and I was there for it (just fyi for my fellow readers who aren’t fans of degradation - there’s one scene with 2 words used that’s super brief but it made me pull up for a moment personally and do a word search, but it’s just those 2 uses).
I did find the writing needed some work but at least there were only a few typos. Sometimes there was floating dialogue where I wasn’t sure if the last person who spoke said something or a new person and transitions between chapters/POVs was sometimes confusing. This is me being nitpicky though and I know it, but I have friends on here that I think might feel nitpicky about it too.
It would have been great if there was more of a catalyst for why Nash and Cece saw each other differently. I was glad this wasn’t a pining situation but it also felt very lust-based at first kind of out of nowhere since they'd seen each other as adults, though always knew the other was attractive. Or if there was a slightly longer timeframe than the couple of months this was. I also couldn’t understand why the details of what happened with Nash’s parents took so long to share. There wasn’t a mystery to it, but it took the reader til 60% to know the facts and it drove me a little crazy with the hints. The scene itself was impactful, it just would have worked better for me if some of the info had been shared earlier and then the rest of the scene played out as is. Pacing in general was slightly off though, but that might have also been because of the timeline.
The timeline is a point that I was seriously confused about. Some milestone moments are given for context and I was still confused. For example, why it took her so long to leave her fiancé once she suspected he was unfaithful, I was surprised how quickly Nash got himself settled back in the area (unless I misunderstood that timing, which brings me back to my concern), and the timing of the events of this story seemed to both fly by and take weeks at a time. There’s a reference at one point that they have time for an event they were planning, that was seriously huge on a short window since I thought they only had a month, then weeks passed, but they still somehow had time for additional arrangements.
Still, this book was packed with small town goodness, funny and sweet side characters, and a sweet romance. The third act conflict was emotional and frustrating, but also had me cheering for Cece not wanting to accept less than she deserved a second time. Even if Nash was there with her but couldn’t use his words well. Her brothers made a stink, but weren’t as awful as they (and I) feared. Plus, Nash shows up in a great way. Then the ending was so amazing. Some of the middle of this story might have been a bit of a valley for me, but the ending was so damn strong. A proposal that had me tearing up and an epilogue seven years later of them married with kids and just adorableness. I’ll definitely check this author out again.
I’m always going to love taking a chance on a debut author and then finding a book that has heart, excellent characters, and great promise for future writing. Some parts of Holding the Reins worked wonderfully for me and some I struggled with a bit. You can tell that the author loves her characters and is setting up this small town to have several future romances and I do think that as she refines her writing, she’s going to be an even stronger storyteller.
The book begins with Cece (h) coming home to her small town in Kentucky from Seattle, after she’s left her cheating fiancé. The opening is her being chased by her BFF’s grandma, who rescued Cece’s vibrator when it fell out of her luggage. What made that scene funnier is how the author chose to have everybody find out about it (at one point Cece asks if there’s a tin can and string set up around town for how info flies around and I died laughing). Cece’s dad passed away a few months prior and as she moves home, she's figuring out what her life looks like now, but she’s got her momma, two brothers, her niece, and a girl gang that are a trip. She also has Nash (H), her brothers’ best friend, and honorary other member of their family. Nash retired recently from the NHL and has a couple of businesses going around town keeping him super busy, while also being very present in the community and in Cece’s family. And though he used to help tease her with her brothers, grown up Nash and grown up Cece want to do a different kind of teasing, despite the possible consequences.
Written in first person, dual POV. Tiny ow moments (h thinks H still dates around like he did in high school and college, but he doesn’t, however he does go on one date while crushing on the h, to try and be with someone more “appropriate” - he spends the date talking about h and then ends the date going to her rescue and forgetting about the ow so it was irritating but also kind of not; h also gets jealous a couple of times thinking about ow he might be hooking up with that he’s not) and small om moments as well (h’s ex is on page a couple times being an ass but he still wants her back and there’re a couple of times also that H loses his mind over om being interested in dancing with h), and neither are virgins (H has been celibate for 19 months *cheers* and h had been with her ex for eight years).
Nash Carter was fire with his jealous/possessive moments, some really hot “my/mine” talk, his equally hot dirty talk, his sweet and caring moments (y’all, he braids her hair back when she’s feeling sick and ties it off with f’ing dental floss cause he doesn’t have a hair tie), and his wonderful nature that made him want to give back to his community. Full package right there (along with an apparently *ahem* large other kind of package). He was emotionally challenged, but it was because of past trauma related to the loss of his parents, so it was hard to hold it completely against him…I also could have done without him constantly thinking of how tiny Cece was.
Cece was also lovable with her intelligence, sassiness, and spark. She was fun when she was pushing Nash’s buttons, but also amazing when she was with her friends or family. I reveled in the moments when she was shown different facets of Nash than what she had pictured too. Which she gets lots of opportunity to see when she starts working for him and because she keeps ending up in his bar with her friends.
Cece certainly wasn’t one dimensional, but I felt Nash did stand out more though since Cece had more to discover about him, while she was more of an open book to him. Also there was a hefty amount of steam in this book and I was there for it (just fyi for my fellow readers who aren’t fans of degradation - there’s one scene with 2 words used that’s super brief but it made me pull up for a moment personally and do a word search, but it’s just those 2 uses).
I did find the writing needed some work but at least there were only a few typos. Sometimes there was floating dialogue where I wasn’t sure if the last person who spoke said something or a new person and transitions between chapters/POVs was sometimes confusing. This is me being nitpicky though and I know it, but I have friends on here that I think might feel nitpicky about it too.
It would have been great if there was more of a catalyst for why Nash and Cece saw each other differently. I was glad this wasn’t a pining situation but it also felt very lust-based at first kind of out of nowhere since they'd seen each other as adults, though always knew the other was attractive. Or if there was a slightly longer timeframe than the couple of months this was. I also couldn’t understand why the details of what happened with Nash’s parents took so long to share. There wasn’t a mystery to it, but it took the reader til 60% to know the facts and it drove me a little crazy with the hints. The scene itself was impactful, it just would have worked better for me if some of the info had been shared earlier and then the rest of the scene played out as is. Pacing in general was slightly off though, but that might have also been because of the timeline.
The timeline is a point that I was seriously confused about. Some milestone moments are given for context and I was still confused. For example, why it took her so long to leave her fiancé once she suspected he was unfaithful, I was surprised how quickly Nash got himself settled back in the area (unless I misunderstood that timing, which brings me back to my concern), and the timing of the events of this story seemed to both fly by and take weeks at a time. There’s a reference at one point that they have time for an event they were planning, that was seriously huge on a short window since I thought they only had a month, then weeks passed, but they still somehow had time for additional arrangements.
Still, this book was packed with small town goodness, funny and sweet side characters, and a sweet romance. The third act conflict was emotional and frustrating, but also had me cheering for Cece not wanting to accept less than she deserved a second time. Even if Nash was there with her but couldn’t use his words well. Her brothers made a stink, but weren’t as awful as they (and I) feared. Plus, Nash shows up in a great way. Then the ending was so amazing. Some of the middle of this story might have been a bit of a valley for me, but the ending was so damn strong. A proposal that had me tearing up and an epilogue seven years later of them married with kids and just adorableness. I’ll definitely check this author out again.
October 29, 2024
you guys aren’t ready for what i’m about to say. hold on to your cowboy hats. there’s a new man in town and he’s taking ALL THE OTHER COWBOY MMC’S OUT! 😫😫🔥😭🙌🏼🙌🏼💖💖💖💖. nash carter…you might arguably be, the best small town mmc ever written??! i never thought i’d say that when i started this book.
i don’t even know where to start with this review. i picked this up yesterday before i had to shoot some content and i DIDN’T WANNA PUT IT DOWN!! genuinely, it immediately had me in a chokehold and i couldn’t stop thinking about it all day. this whole world and family are so gorgeous you will fall in love with them from the very first page.
now…how do i tell y’all that i had an out of body experience reading this book. THIS FKN MAN YALL 😫😭🔥 like i’m not playing AROUND. not only is this man a words of affirmation fella but ACTS OF SERVICE TOO!! my man my man my MAN. seriously he’s just so incredibly special (as was CeCe, i love you girly 🥰) but i just couldn’t get enough. and y’all… you’re genuinely not ready for the spice. i’ve read spicy small town before. but let’s just say i read a scene in this (of which there are MULTIPLE!!!), that has made it onto my roman empire list. i can’t talk about it or i might get sent to the psych ward.
if you love a small town, brothers best friend, boss x employee, forbidden romance that feels so authentic and original, look no further. i loved this SO MUCH. 5⭐️ and 4🌶️ because i will NEVER BE THE SAME!! bring on book 2!
enjoy my thoughts while reading:
- tropes: small town, brothers best friend, ice hockey player, age gap, guy falls first, boss x employee, acts of service, words of affirmation
- IMMEDIATELY. this is hilarious 😂
- i love ginger she’s gonna be my fave
- need ginger and cole’s book like i need air to breathe and im 27 PAGES IN WTF 😫🙌🏼💖
- i’m literally kicking my feet in the air like a little girl i love this SO MUCH 😭💖
- the guitar string bit is KILLING ME i love this family already 😂😂
- acts of service mmc, we love to see it
- “TOUCH HER AGAIN AND I’LL FUCKING BURY YOU” IM ALIVE IM SCREAMING 😫🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
- the SPICE holy WHAT 🔥🔥🥵
- might have just found my be fave quote of all time
- little firefly is so cute 🥹
- SHE MADE HIM CRAWL?!?!?! HOLY SHIT. INSTANT 5⭐️. INSTANT NEW ROMAN EMPIRE SCENE
- yep that got me. i’m crying so hard
i don’t even know where to start with this review. i picked this up yesterday before i had to shoot some content and i DIDN’T WANNA PUT IT DOWN!! genuinely, it immediately had me in a chokehold and i couldn’t stop thinking about it all day. this whole world and family are so gorgeous you will fall in love with them from the very first page.
now…how do i tell y’all that i had an out of body experience reading this book. THIS FKN MAN YALL 😫😭🔥 like i’m not playing AROUND. not only is this man a words of affirmation fella but ACTS OF SERVICE TOO!! my man my man my MAN. seriously he’s just so incredibly special (as was CeCe, i love you girly 🥰) but i just couldn’t get enough. and y’all… you’re genuinely not ready for the spice. i’ve read spicy small town before. but let’s just say i read a scene in this (of which there are MULTIPLE!!!), that has made it onto my roman empire list. i can’t talk about it or i might get sent to the psych ward.
if you love a small town, brothers best friend, boss x employee, forbidden romance that feels so authentic and original, look no further. i loved this SO MUCH. 5⭐️ and 4🌶️ because i will NEVER BE THE SAME!! bring on book 2!
enjoy my thoughts while reading:
- tropes: small town, brothers best friend, ice hockey player, age gap, guy falls first, boss x employee, acts of service, words of affirmation
- IMMEDIATELY. this is hilarious 😂
- i love ginger she’s gonna be my fave
- need ginger and cole’s book like i need air to breathe and im 27 PAGES IN WTF 😫🙌🏼💖
- i’m literally kicking my feet in the air like a little girl i love this SO MUCH 😭💖
- the guitar string bit is KILLING ME i love this family already 😂😂
- acts of service mmc, we love to see it
- “TOUCH HER AGAIN AND I’LL FUCKING BURY YOU” IM ALIVE IM SCREAMING 😫🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
- the SPICE holy WHAT 🔥🔥🥵
- might have just found my be fave quote of all time
- little firefly is so cute 🥹
- SHE MADE HIM CRAWL?!?!?! HOLY SHIT. INSTANT 5⭐️. INSTANT NEW ROMAN EMPIRE SCENE
- yep that got me. i’m crying so hard
Shelved as 'dnf'
September 25, 2024dnf @ 66%
This sounded like a good time but really wasn’t for me.
The cringey writing style, the nonexistent plot, the red flag of a mmc, that’s just some of the things I disliked about this story and I could go on.
The sex scenes took me out you guys.. Idk maybe I’m too old for this over the top ridiculously unrealistic stuff but like come on..
Also brother’s best friend remains the worst trope out there, I stand by that.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
This sounded like a good time but really wasn’t for me.
The cringey writing style, the nonexistent plot, the red flag of a mmc, that’s just some of the things I disliked about this story and I could go on.
The sex scenes took me out you guys.. Idk maybe I’m too old for this over the top ridiculously unrealistic stuff but like come on..
Also brother’s best friend remains the worst trope out there, I stand by that.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2024
YALLLLLL SMALL TOWN ROMANCE IS SO BACK 😩
i cannot get over how good this book is, it took me straight out of my reading slump. i couldve easily read 200 more pages of these two!!!
i was giggling and kicking my feet the whole fucking time, oh my god the chemistry between nash and cece was INSANE, i have truthfully gotten really bored of smut scenes lately and theirs MY LORDDDDD, the bourbon?! THE CRAWLING 😮💨 the way the anticipation and sexual tension was built up for them was holy wow. i was getting frustrated for them before they finally said fuck it 😂
every last bit of this story was just phenomenally done to me, i have been craving the hell out of a cowboy small town romance lately and adding in an ex nhl player with a heart of gold on top of it?! yes fucking please 🤭
i really dont have any coherent thoughts other than do yourself a fucking favor and read this one bc nash and cece are superior
i cannot get over how good this book is, it took me straight out of my reading slump. i couldve easily read 200 more pages of these two!!!
i was giggling and kicking my feet the whole fucking time, oh my god the chemistry between nash and cece was INSANE, i have truthfully gotten really bored of smut scenes lately and theirs MY LORDDDDD, the bourbon?! THE CRAWLING 😮💨 the way the anticipation and sexual tension was built up for them was holy wow. i was getting frustrated for them before they finally said fuck it 😂
every last bit of this story was just phenomenally done to me, i have been craving the hell out of a cowboy small town romance lately and adding in an ex nhl player with a heart of gold on top of it?! yes fucking please 🤭
i really dont have any coherent thoughts other than do yourself a fucking favor and read this one bc nash and cece are superior
October 4, 2024
This MMC was a walking red flag I feel like Cece needs a restraining order.
I don’t think a 4-5⭐️ prediction has ever gone so wrong for me, which is a shame as I was super excited for this.
This book felt like a bunch of tropes had been jammed into a book with no alignment or editing. The writing was mediocre at best and overall just felt like a copy of another popular cowboy romance.
I can appreciate what the author was trying to achieve but this really wasn’t for me - the MMC actually concerned me at times and made it feel more dark romance than lighthearted southern-hockey fun.
Thankyou to the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t think a 4-5⭐️ prediction has ever gone so wrong for me, which is a shame as I was super excited for this.
This book felt like a bunch of tropes had been jammed into a book with no alignment or editing. The writing was mediocre at best and overall just felt like a copy of another popular cowboy romance.
I can appreciate what the author was trying to achieve but this really wasn’t for me - the MMC actually concerned me at times and made it feel more dark romance than lighthearted southern-hockey fun.
Thankyou to the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2024
I am so gone for this book it's not even funny LOL it has taken me an entire two days to even be able to think about writing a review... so let's get at it.
Nash is a retired NHL player who is not living small town life again and running a bar/restaurant. He has always been in CeCe's life...but what he doesn't know is that she is coming back to town after leaving her ex-fiance cheated on her. He has always been protective of her since he is best friend's with her brother and basically family to her parents. This is something that hasn't.... and won't ever change
CeCe shows up one night at his bar and everything has changed. She is breathtaking and he knows he needs to stay away, but he can't.
The tension is high, the angst is *chefs kiss*, the banter is impeccable and honestly how he takes care of her is just everything.
She ends up getting a job at the skating rink to help him out and they end up spending much more time together. They work through grief together (which is perfect in every single way). They end up not being able to stay away from each other. Friends can do it once with no consequences right? ;)
This book was incredible and I cannot wait for more.
Tropes
-former NHL player/ cowboy
-forced proximity
-brother's best friend
-age gap (8 years)
-protective mmc
-he falls harder and faster
- THE BOURBON SCENE OMG
5/5 stars
3/5 spice
Nash is a retired NHL player who is not living small town life again and running a bar/restaurant. He has always been in CeCe's life...but what he doesn't know is that she is coming back to town after leaving her ex-fiance cheated on her. He has always been protective of her since he is best friend's with her brother and basically family to her parents. This is something that hasn't.... and won't ever change
CeCe shows up one night at his bar and everything has changed. She is breathtaking and he knows he needs to stay away, but he can't.
The tension is high, the angst is *chefs kiss*, the banter is impeccable and honestly how he takes care of her is just everything.
She ends up getting a job at the skating rink to help him out and they end up spending much more time together. They work through grief together (which is perfect in every single way). They end up not being able to stay away from each other. Friends can do it once with no consequences right? ;)
This book was incredible and I cannot wait for more.
Tropes
-former NHL player/ cowboy
-forced proximity
-brother's best friend
-age gap (8 years)
-protective mmc
-he falls harder and faster
- THE BOURBON SCENE OMG
5/5 stars
3/5 spice
October 30, 2024
OKAY NASH CARTER. I SEE YOU. *swoon*
This was a spicyyyy sorta-cowboy, sorta-workplace, sort-forced proximity, brother's best friend romance featuring Nash Carter and Cece Ashby on her family's horse ranch in small-town Kentucky.
CeCe's returning to her hometown after a bad break-up and is immediately thrown back into the small-town life... at the airport, where she loses her vibrator. It stays as entertaining and fun as that scene throughout the whole story, with tons of fun and loud characters who make this universe something special. And that's without even mentioning the banter and back-and-forth button-pushing between Nash and CeCe.
Other things I loved:
- Short chapters!
- Sneaking around like you're kids again
- Friends who meddle
- A jealous fling who wants to protect you at all cost
- Annoying siblings (who I canNOT wait to read about!)
- the bond of family (both born and found)
This was such a fun read and I'm seriously excited for book two in the Silver Pines Ranch universe! Thanks to Dell Romance for the gifted finished copy of this one! These are my honest thoughts :)
This was a spicyyyy sorta-cowboy, sorta-workplace, sort-forced proximity, brother's best friend romance featuring Nash Carter and Cece Ashby on her family's horse ranch in small-town Kentucky.
CeCe's returning to her hometown after a bad break-up and is immediately thrown back into the small-town life... at the airport, where she loses her vibrator. It stays as entertaining and fun as that scene throughout the whole story, with tons of fun and loud characters who make this universe something special. And that's without even mentioning the banter and back-and-forth button-pushing between Nash and CeCe.
Other things I loved:
- Short chapters!
- Sneaking around like you're kids again
- Friends who meddle
- A jealous fling who wants to protect you at all cost
- Annoying siblings (who I canNOT wait to read about!)
- the bond of family (both born and found)
This was such a fun read and I'm seriously excited for book two in the Silver Pines Ranch universe! Thanks to Dell Romance for the gifted finished copy of this one! These are my honest thoughts :)
July 2, 2024
3 ⭐️ Maybe I just had high expectations, but...
there was way too much misogyny and felt too Christian Small Town 'Merica TM for my taste. The MCs were okay, but felt more and more flat as the story went on.
The plot was predictable, but I usually can get behind a comfort read like that. This one though... the whole third act conflict was laughable in the sense that it was annoying how the fmc refused to see reality, and the lack of diversity overall really bothered me.
I loved the premise, and I usually like Hockey Romances, but this felt like it was trying to do all the tropes at once, and accomplished none. There are also a lot of inconsistencies in the details, like she's wearing jeans in a certain scene and then a couple of pages later she's wearing tights...
⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 / 5 - The spice was spicing, though. This book would have 1 star from me if it wasn't for the steamy scenes. There were some cringe comments, and some 'how is that physically possible?' moments, but overall, I liked the smutty bits.
Thank you Net Galley for the eARC!*
there was way too much misogyny and felt too Christian Small Town 'Merica TM for my taste. The MCs were okay, but felt more and more flat as the story went on.
The plot was predictable, but I usually can get behind a comfort read like that. This one though... the whole third act conflict was laughable in the sense that it was annoying how the fmc refused to see reality, and the lack of diversity overall really bothered me.
I loved the premise, and I usually like Hockey Romances, but this felt like it was trying to do all the tropes at once, and accomplished none. There are also a lot of inconsistencies in the details, like she's wearing jeans in a certain scene and then a couple of pages later she's wearing tights...
⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 / 5 - The spice was spicing, though. This book would have 1 star from me if it wasn't for the steamy scenes. There were some cringe comments, and some 'how is that physically possible?' moments, but overall, I liked the smutty bits.
Thank you Net Galley for the eARC!*
May 15, 2024
4.5/5⭐
Мені дуже сподобалося, зважаючи на те, що це перша книга авторки, то вийшло справді чудово
Неш Картер - колишній гравець НХЛ, ковбой, власник бару і спортивного центру для дітей, чоловік, який завжди чимось зайнятий, і, здається, ніколи не відпочиває. А все через те, що йому важко знаходиться наодинці зі своїми думками, важко боротися зі своїми демонами і минулим, яке ніяк не відпускає.
Головний герой просто вкрав моє серце, його турбота про сім'ю Сісі, його ставлення до громади, його благородство і великодушність, його травма, яка не давала йому рухатися вперед, хоч би як сильно він намагався💔💔💔 Неймовірний чоловік. А те, що він ніяк не міг заснути без СіСі це взагалі 🫠🫠🫠Ну і не треба забувати, що він повністю і безповоротно захоплений головною героїнею і робив все для її задоволення і комфорту (хоч інколи й тупив, як без цього😂)
Сесилія - яскрава і впевнена в собі дівчина, яка нещодавно вийшла з токсичних стосунків. Дуже подобалося, як вона ставила свої межі в стосунках і знала свою ціну. Вона щира, весела, ініціативна, легко заводить друзів.
А які тут сцени 🔞 , а які брудні розмови, божечки, я аж почервоніла з одного моменту (хоча зазвичай мене таке бентежить) Але це було прям дуже🔥, аж захотілося поставити 5 зірочок за ту сцену😂
Окремо хочеться згадати другорядних персонажів: сім'я і подруги Сісі. Які ж вони чудові🥹🥹🥹 Їхні посиденьки в барі, переписки, сімейні вечори😍😍😍
Також було багато натяків на наступні книги. Дуже чекаю історію Коула і Джинджер, майже впевнена , що буде троп буркотун і сонечко.
Загалом, це було дуже мило, гаряче, весело і цікаво.
Мені дуже сподобалося, зважаючи на те, що це перша книга авторки, то вийшло справді чудово
Неш Картер - колишній гравець НХЛ, ковбой, власник бару і спортивного центру для дітей, чоловік, який завжди чимось зайнятий, і, здається, ніколи не відпочиває. А все через те, що йому важко знаходиться наодинці зі своїми думками, важко боротися зі своїми демонами і минулим, яке ніяк не відпускає.
Головний герой просто вкрав моє серце, його турбота про сім'ю Сісі, його ставлення до громади, його благородство і великодушність, його травма, яка не давала йому рухатися вперед, хоч би як сильно він намагався💔💔💔 Неймовірний чоловік. А те, що він ніяк не міг заснути без СіСі це взагалі 🫠🫠🫠Ну і не треба забувати, що він повністю і безповоротно захоплений головною героїнею і робив все для її задоволення і комфорту (хоч інколи й тупив, як без цього😂)
Сесилія - яскрава і впевнена в собі дівчина, яка нещодавно вийшла з токсичних стосунків. Дуже подобалося, як вона ставила свої межі в стосунках і знала свою ціну. Вона щира, весела, ініціативна, легко заводить друзів.
А які тут сцени 🔞 , а які брудні розмови, божечки, я аж почервоніла з одного моменту (хоча зазвичай мене таке бентежить) Але це було прям дуже🔥, аж захотілося поставити 5 зірочок за ту сцену😂
Окремо хочеться згадати другорядних персонажів: сім'я і подруги Сісі. Які ж вони чудові🥹🥹🥹 Їхні посиденьки в барі, переписки, сімейні вечори😍😍😍
Також було багато натяків на наступні книги. Дуже чекаю історію Коула і Джинджер, майже впевнена , що буде троп буркотун і сонечко.
Загалом, це було дуже мило, гаряче, весело і цікаво.
February 23, 2024
STOP what you’re doing and please read this book.🤤❤️
"𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗹 𝘁𝗼. 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲. 𝗡𝗼𝘄, 𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲."😅
NASH CARTER!!!! is my fictional man! I have claimed him and that’s that! 😅❤️🔥😍🤤 The words on this man.. 🥵 This had to be the spiciest book I’ve read this year.
𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗋𝖻𝗈𝗇 𝗌𝖼𝖾𝗇𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝗆𝖾 𝗀𝖺𝗌𝗉𝗂𝗇𝗀🥃😅❤️🔥🫢
I loved every minute of this book. The characters were amazing, the spice🥵 was beyond AMAZING! Retired hockey player and former cowboy with beautiful blue eyes had me speechless at times. ❤️🔥😍 The girl group chats were my favorite, I was laughing out loud a lot. Can Ginger be my bestie too? Lol 💕
I really need this author to write about Wade and Cole like ASAP!
"𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗹 𝘁𝗼. 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲. 𝗡𝗼𝘄, 𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲."😅
NASH CARTER!!!! is my fictional man! I have claimed him and that’s that! 😅❤️🔥😍🤤 The words on this man.. 🥵 This had to be the spiciest book I’ve read this year.
𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗋𝖻𝗈𝗇 𝗌𝖼𝖾𝗇𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝗆𝖾 𝗀𝖺𝗌𝗉𝗂𝗇𝗀🥃😅❤️🔥🫢
I loved every minute of this book. The characters were amazing, the spice🥵 was beyond AMAZING! Retired hockey player and former cowboy with beautiful blue eyes had me speechless at times. ❤️🔥😍 The girl group chats were my favorite, I was laughing out loud a lot. Can Ginger be my bestie too? Lol 💕
I really need this author to write about Wade and Cole like ASAP!
September 20, 2024
✨4.25
🌶️2.25
📖~415 pages
📚Standalone as of now, but most likely the first in an interconnected series about the Ashby siblings
🎬Contemporary, western, smalltown sports romance
✏️Review:
After reading buket's review (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) and seeing, quoting, "ex-hockey-player part-time-cowboy brother’s-best-friend crawled to her as an apology" I KNEW I had to steamroll this bad boy to the top of my tbr list, and I'm so glad I did!
Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope is Book 1 of what is hopefully shaping up to be the Silver Pines Ranch series, which should follow the romantic sagas of the Ashby siblings of Laurel Creek, Kentucky. Holding the Reins is Cecilia “CeCe” Ashby and Nash Carter’s story, who have known each other since childhood, after Nash’s parents died and CeCe’s family took him in. Although CeCe remembers Nash to be an overbearing childhood bully of sorts, in the years after CeCe left home and now makes a defeated and fiancé-less return, Nash has much changed, she finds; where he was once a playboy with commitment issues, he now is a responsible businessman, still with some lingering commitment issues.
These commitment issues stem from losing his parents in such an unexpected and sudden manner; if you can lose the ones you love so easily, is it even worth it to love at all? Nash doesn’t think he thinks so, but with CeCe being home and a new chemistry building between them, Nash is starting to question a lot of things.
To start off with the technical side of things, I thought the writing was all around good. It hooked me pretty instantly, which can be a hard feat to achieve, and I credit that to the endearing and engaging writing, which focuses a lot on giving us, the reader, a clear insight into the emotions and feelings of its characters. On the editorial side, not sure if I just had a wonky copy, but periods started disappearing after some sentences, which was a little odd after not noticing any editorial mistakes at all as of yet to that point.
The MCs and the romance itself were a true highlight. There was that aspect of family-friend, forbidden romance, sneaking around the family, but if you’re looking for a book that plays HARD into those aspects, then not sure this is the one to cover that. The romance between the MCs is like such a poorly kept secret, they are so obvious with each other haha. Both MCs, CeCe and Nash were likeable, and when paired together, even more so. They had great chemistry with each other, and felt how their relationship evolved in how they saw each other, as time progressed after CeCe returns home and they spend more time together at work. I also loved Nash’s relationship with the Ashby family; I love the nickname they all gave him, “Nashby”, a combination of his first name and their last name. Fitting, humorous, but also understatedly touching at the same time.
Nash also did one of the most romantic things I’ve read in a romance novel in recent memory. CeCe’s late dad gave her a beloved necklace of an infinity symbol and a firefly, and not only is firefly Nash’s pet name for CeCe, but, to show his absolute love and commitment, he gets the same symbol of an infinity symbol and firefly on his own body. UGH, my heart.
I could see how some of the romance could feel a little OTT and overdone, but honestly, I found it more endearing than cringey? Most of the time. I could almost feel the author’s heart in the words, and their want and desire to give the reader a romance they could savor. And yeah, so if it’s a little OTT? Honestly, maybe I’m putting intentions into the author’s writing, but I really could feel her desire to SERVE versus underserve, and as the reader on the benefitting end of that, I just gotta respect that.
I think all the stuff with the ex-fiancé was fine, but I almost could’ve done without it, although I did love that Nash/Andrew confrontation scene. I’m not sure I fully believe why CeCe was with Andrew for so long, with how he obviously treated her since the beginning of their relationship, and how obviously her family felt about him. I know her late father’s words were the thing that gave her the push to leave Andrew, but I just can’t really wrap my mind around what kept her there in the first place.
Great kickoff story to hopefully a new series, because I’m very curious about the Ashby brothers’ romances that have been set up here…
🧩 Accountant/business adviser FMC x hockey player/businessman/bar owner MMC
🧩 Brothers/family friend MMC
🧩 FMC gets job where MMC works
🧩 Age gap (older MMC)
🧩 FMC recently lost father, and the patriarch of the family, and that loss is deeply felt
🧩 MMC past trauma, lost both parents in car accident he survived
🧩 FMC recently down a no-good fiancé
🧩Parttime cowboy MMC
🧩Smalltown shenanigans and family bonds
🧩Down BAD MMC, once he accepts it
🧩MMC gets a tattoo to match the necklace the FMC’s late father gave her to show his commitment
🦺Former playboy, no-relationship type MMC, but he has changed in the years since the FMC moved away from home. Celibate stated for about ~19 months
🦺FMC had been engaged to a man she was dating since 18, but she doesn’t think she ever loved him and they are over at the beginning of the story, although the ex-fiancé makes a few appearances for dramatic effect
🦺MMC tries to go on a date with another woman to get the FMC out of his head, but the date clocks him instantly that he’s just there to avoid thinking of another woman, and he confides in her, nothing progresses between them at all
🔥’Just one night to get it out of our systems’ (yeah righttttttt)
🔥Dirty talking MMC
🔥FMC 💧 💧 💧
🔥He crawls to her 😺, literally
🔮
Symbol Key
✨= star level, 🌶️= spice level, 📖= total pages (usually on my iPhone screen), 📚= series or standalone, 🎬= genre, ���= tropes/elements, 🦺= potential safety/triggers, 🔥= spice/kink elements, 🔮= ending
🌶️2.25
📖~415 pages
📚Standalone as of now, but most likely the first in an interconnected series about the Ashby siblings
🎬Contemporary, western, smalltown sports romance
✏️Review:
After reading buket's review (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) and seeing, quoting, "ex-hockey-player part-time-cowboy brother’s-best-friend crawled to her as an apology" I KNEW I had to steamroll this bad boy to the top of my tbr list, and I'm so glad I did!
Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope is Book 1 of what is hopefully shaping up to be the Silver Pines Ranch series, which should follow the romantic sagas of the Ashby siblings of Laurel Creek, Kentucky. Holding the Reins is Cecilia “CeCe” Ashby and Nash Carter’s story, who have known each other since childhood, after Nash’s parents died and CeCe’s family took him in. Although CeCe remembers Nash to be an overbearing childhood bully of sorts, in the years after CeCe left home and now makes a defeated and fiancé-less return, Nash has much changed, she finds; where he was once a playboy with commitment issues, he now is a responsible businessman, still with some lingering commitment issues.
These commitment issues stem from losing his parents in such an unexpected and sudden manner; if you can lose the ones you love so easily, is it even worth it to love at all? Nash doesn’t think he thinks so, but with CeCe being home and a new chemistry building between them, Nash is starting to question a lot of things.
To start off with the technical side of things, I thought the writing was all around good. It hooked me pretty instantly, which can be a hard feat to achieve, and I credit that to the endearing and engaging writing, which focuses a lot on giving us, the reader, a clear insight into the emotions and feelings of its characters. On the editorial side, not sure if I just had a wonky copy, but periods started disappearing after some sentences, which was a little odd after not noticing any editorial mistakes at all as of yet to that point.
The MCs and the romance itself were a true highlight. There was that aspect of family-friend, forbidden romance, sneaking around the family, but if you’re looking for a book that plays HARD into those aspects, then not sure this is the one to cover that. The romance between the MCs is like such a poorly kept secret, they are so obvious with each other haha. Both MCs, CeCe and Nash were likeable, and when paired together, even more so. They had great chemistry with each other, and felt how their relationship evolved in how they saw each other, as time progressed after CeCe returns home and they spend more time together at work. I also loved Nash’s relationship with the Ashby family; I love the nickname they all gave him, “Nashby”, a combination of his first name and their last name. Fitting, humorous, but also understatedly touching at the same time.
Nash also did one of the most romantic things I’ve read in a romance novel in recent memory. CeCe’s late dad gave her a beloved necklace of an infinity symbol and a firefly, and not only is firefly Nash’s pet name for CeCe, but, to show his absolute love and commitment, he gets the same symbol of an infinity symbol and firefly on his own body. UGH, my heart.
I could see how some of the romance could feel a little OTT and overdone, but honestly, I found it more endearing than cringey? Most of the time. I could almost feel the author’s heart in the words, and their want and desire to give the reader a romance they could savor. And yeah, so if it’s a little OTT? Honestly, maybe I’m putting intentions into the author’s writing, but I really could feel her desire to SERVE versus underserve, and as the reader on the benefitting end of that, I just gotta respect that.
I think all the stuff with the ex-fiancé was fine, but I almost could’ve done without it, although I did love that Nash/Andrew confrontation scene. I’m not sure I fully believe why CeCe was with Andrew for so long, with how he obviously treated her since the beginning of their relationship, and how obviously her family felt about him. I know her late father’s words were the thing that gave her the push to leave Andrew, but I just can’t really wrap my mind around what kept her there in the first place.
Great kickoff story to hopefully a new series, because I’m very curious about the Ashby brothers’ romances that have been set up here…
🧩 Accountant/business adviser FMC x hockey player/businessman/bar owner MMC
🧩 Brothers/family friend MMC
🧩 FMC gets job where MMC works
🧩 Age gap (older MMC)
🧩 FMC recently lost father, and the patriarch of the family, and that loss is deeply felt
🧩 MMC past trauma, lost both parents in car accident he survived
🧩 FMC recently down a no-good fiancé
🧩Parttime cowboy MMC
🧩Smalltown shenanigans and family bonds
🧩Down BAD MMC, once he accepts it
🧩MMC gets a tattoo to match the necklace the FMC’s late father gave her to show his commitment
🦺Former playboy, no-relationship type MMC, but he has changed in the years since the FMC moved away from home. Celibate stated for about ~19 months
🦺FMC had been engaged to a man she was dating since 18, but she doesn’t think she ever loved him and they are over at the beginning of the story, although the ex-fiancé makes a few appearances for dramatic effect
🦺MMC tries to go on a date with another woman to get the FMC out of his head, but the date clocks him instantly that he’s just there to avoid thinking of another woman, and he confides in her, nothing progresses between them at all
🔥’Just one night to get it out of our systems’ (yeah righttttttt)
🔥Dirty talking MMC
🔥FMC 💧 💧 💧
🔥He crawls to her 😺, literally
🔮
Symbol Key
✨= star level, 🌶️= spice level, 📖= total pages (usually on my iPhone screen), 📚= series or standalone, 🎬= genre, ���= tropes/elements, 🦺= potential safety/triggers, 🔥= spice/kink elements, 🔮= ending
July 8, 2024
dnf @ 6%
this might be a lovely book for anyone who loves cowboy romances but i had to dnf moments after the mmc was introduced. i'm not a big fan of the writing style and i'm tired of reading books that i don't immediately love, because reading it always feels like a chore. i'm also not the hugest fan of the small-town trope and this just serves as a reminder of why i'm not.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review!
this might be a lovely book for anyone who loves cowboy romances but i had to dnf moments after the mmc was introduced. i'm not a big fan of the writing style and i'm tired of reading books that i don't immediately love, because reading it always feels like a chore. i'm also not the hugest fan of the small-town trope and this just serves as a reminder of why i'm not.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review!
May 2, 2024
Star rating: ★★★★★
Spice rating: 4 🥵🔥
This is now my new personality, IT WAS SO GOOD 😫🫶🏼 CeCe and Nash kept me hooked, giggling, kicking my feet and gasping throughout the entire thing🥹
Please please pleaseeee go read this book! Utter cowboy romance perfection 🤭
For more bookish content and discussions, please follow my bookstagram💕
https://www.instagram.com/lovinmyshelf/
Spice rating: 4 🥵🔥
This is now my new personality, IT WAS SO GOOD 😫🫶🏼 CeCe and Nash kept me hooked, giggling, kicking my feet and gasping throughout the entire thing🥹
Please please pleaseeee go read this book! Utter cowboy romance perfection 🤭
For more bookish content and discussions, please follow my bookstagram💕
https://www.instagram.com/lovinmyshelf/
April 25, 2024
не 5 зірочок, але 4,5 точно!! 💕
У авторки це перша книга, і насправді вона вийшла доволі класною
Як на мене, то тут цікаві персонажі. І розкриті, як головні герої, так і другорядні, так що ти з нетерпінням будеш чекати історії інших пар😍
Якщо ви любите ковбоїв та хокеїстів, то це прям комбо для вас🤭
Неш чудовий набір всього. Він владний, ковбой, колишній хокеїст, власник бару, та щей з брудними розмовами в ліжку чоловік. Має хороше почуття гумору. Завжди дбає про СіСі, наймає її улюблену співачку до себе в бар, не просто бусінка 😋 те як він дбав про сім'ю СіСі після смерті її батька було дуже мило з його боку, і заслуговує поваги.
СіСі весела дівчина, впевнена в собі, не боїться своїх бажань, вона мені теж дуже сподобалася.
Банда дівчат то щось дуже гаряче та цікаве. Їхні переписки, посиденьки в барі, це було дуже весело🔥 Ох, а мама Джо так взагалі мені дуже сильно запала в серденько, дуже мила жінка
хочу скоріше прочитати вже книги про братів, особливо про Коула та Джинджер, я думаю там буде вогонь😋🔥
і мене дуже зацікавив Ашер. Тому з нетерпінням чекаю!!
У авторки це перша книга, і насправді вона вийшла доволі класною
Як на мене, то тут цікаві персонажі. І розкриті, як головні герої, так і другорядні, так що ти з нетерпінням будеш чекати історії інших пар😍
Якщо ви любите ковбоїв та хокеїстів, то це прям комбо для вас🤭
Неш чудовий набір всього. Він владний, ковбой, колишній хокеїст, власник бару, та щей з брудними розмовами в ліжку чоловік. Має хороше почуття гумору. Завжди дбає про СіСі, наймає її улюблену співачку до себе в бар, не просто бусінка 😋 те як він дбав про сім'ю СіСі після смерті її батька було дуже мило з його боку, і заслуговує поваги.
СіСі весела дівчина, впевнена в собі, не боїться своїх бажань, вона мені теж дуже сподобалася.
Банда дівчат то щось дуже гаряче та цікаве. Їхні переписки, посиденьки в барі, це було дуже весело🔥 Ох, а мама Джо так взагалі мені дуже сильно запала в серденько, дуже мила жінка
хочу скоріше прочитати вже книги про братів, особливо про Коула та Джинджер, я думаю там буде вогонь😋🔥
і мене дуже зацікавив Ашер. Тому з нетерпінням чекаю!!
August 13, 2024
Cowboy Romance perfection💗🤠
The small town vibes were everything I wanted
(town gossip & everyone knowing everyone)
I absolutely adored it.
I mean, the only thing hotter than a filthy mouthed cowboy, is a filthy mouthed backwards hat wearing NHL player turned cowboy 😮💨🔥🏒 Nash Carter is the standard, going forward it’s going to be a requirement to read this book in order to date me. I truly feel like I could do a full review about Nash and how much I loved him. Everytime I was reading is POV I was blushing. We love an overprotective man who falls hard and fast. The retired playboy who refuses to settle down falls for her & her only. The flirting & the banter was giving me everything I needed. And look at my girl CeCe making this man crawl to her, pop the fuck off queen !! The spice in this book YALL. I’m telling you don’t sleep on cowboy romance
“We’ll make it fit baby, I promise” 🫠🫠🫠
This book also had A LOT of my favorite things..
-Beating up an ex & letting him know he fumbled the bag
- hair washing
-making her coffee & knowing exactly how she likes it
-flirty text messages
-taking care of her when’s she’s drunk
-dirty talk
- “FUCK IT”
It also had such an emotional element that really pulled on my fucking heartstrings. I did a lot of crying (happy and sad) Grief was written into this book so beautifully.
I absolutely loved this book with my whole heart, devoured it in basically one day. I can’t wait for the next one in the series. Cowboy/small town romance never lets me down & I can always count on it to hit the spot
The small town vibes were everything I wanted
(town gossip & everyone knowing everyone)
I absolutely adored it.
I mean, the only thing hotter than a filthy mouthed cowboy, is a filthy mouthed backwards hat wearing NHL player turned cowboy 😮💨🔥🏒 Nash Carter is the standard, going forward it’s going to be a requirement to read this book in order to date me. I truly feel like I could do a full review about Nash and how much I loved him. Everytime I was reading is POV I was blushing. We love an overprotective man who falls hard and fast. The retired playboy who refuses to settle down falls for her & her only. The flirting & the banter was giving me everything I needed. And look at my girl CeCe making this man crawl to her, pop the fuck off queen !! The spice in this book YALL. I’m telling you don’t sleep on cowboy romance
“We’ll make it fit baby, I promise” 🫠🫠🫠
This book also had A LOT of my favorite things..
-Beating up an ex & letting him know he fumbled the bag
- hair washing
-making her coffee & knowing exactly how she likes it
-flirty text messages
-taking care of her when’s she’s drunk
-dirty talk
- “FUCK IT”
It also had such an emotional element that really pulled on my fucking heartstrings. I did a lot of crying (happy and sad) Grief was written into this book so beautifully.
I absolutely loved this book with my whole heart, devoured it in basically one day. I can’t wait for the next one in the series. Cowboy/small town romance never lets me down & I can always count on it to hit the spot
October 22, 2024
Updated To Add: I just finished the audio of this and it’s AMAZING! Thomas Oakley as Nash Carter was the icing on the mother fucking cake!
Spice: 3/5
Plot: 5/5
I would like to officially announce that I have a new book boyfriend! Cue the spotlight… Ladies and gentlemen, it is my greatest pleasure to introduce you to the one and only Nash Carter.
Nash is a tall, dark, perfectly muscled and tatted, hockey playing part time cowboy that has a tragic past and a mouth to rival Daddy Cade. YUP. So basically he’s everyone’s perfect book boyfriend and the man that every author tries desperately to write lol. The difference between Nash and all of the others is that he’s written so much better than I could have hoped for.
Actually, this entire book was perfectly written. While the plot is fairly typical of your small town romance genre, the writing is what really made this book stand out for me. Paisley was able to take characters that could have been boring and stereotypical, but instead were original, relatable and completely consuming because her attention to detail and descriptive prose was so bang on. I absolutely adored the Ashby Family and all of their interactions. Again, it could have been boring and overdone but I found it really fresh and lively, especially Mama Jo - I love that woman and I hope I’m as cool as her one day lol. There were so many times that I caught myself laughing out loud at their witty banter and the text exchanges, it was absolutely perfect.
I honestly wasn’t sure that I was gunna like CeCe. It wasn’t until I was getting really annoyed with her in a particular situation that I realized my annoyance was a result of recognizing pieces of myself in her. (This counts as therapy right? lol) By the end of the book I was happily and firmly team CeCe and I really really enjoyed her character arc and the queen she becomes, IYKYK.
Just a quick note about Nash’s character arc while I’m on the subject, hopefully without giving anything away… there was one particular scene near the end that I wouldn’t (and didn’t) expect but it was sooo good. I feel like it really rounded out his own arc and was one of the things that helped to make his character more unique.
The way that Paisley has gone about setting us up for the rest of the series was very very well done. I’m already kinda (really) desperate to know what happens with certain characters and if the books were already published I’d be devouring them like the spicy addictive crack they are lol.
Now for the spice…. Woooo girl! Thank you Paisley! Seriously….THANK YOU lol. Y’all, it was perfect. It was so so perfect. In all of our spicy scenes - and there was no lack of them *smirks* - there was only one ick word for me, only one! That’s practically unheard of lol. All I’ll say is thank God Nik was home lol. It was that good.
If you’re in the mood for a seriously feel good read, with small town, brothers best friend, age gap, found family, cowboy/hockey, touch her and I’ll unalive you vibes… go read this, right now.
Congratulations Paisley on such an amazing debut novel! You’re the raw milk in a world filled with pasteurized 🤣🫶🏼
Xo
- J
Spice: 3/5
Plot: 5/5
I would like to officially announce that I have a new book boyfriend! Cue the spotlight… Ladies and gentlemen, it is my greatest pleasure to introduce you to the one and only Nash Carter.
Nash is a tall, dark, perfectly muscled and tatted, hockey playing part time cowboy that has a tragic past and a mouth to rival Daddy Cade. YUP. So basically he’s everyone’s perfect book boyfriend and the man that every author tries desperately to write lol. The difference between Nash and all of the others is that he’s written so much better than I could have hoped for.
Actually, this entire book was perfectly written. While the plot is fairly typical of your small town romance genre, the writing is what really made this book stand out for me. Paisley was able to take characters that could have been boring and stereotypical, but instead were original, relatable and completely consuming because her attention to detail and descriptive prose was so bang on. I absolutely adored the Ashby Family and all of their interactions. Again, it could have been boring and overdone but I found it really fresh and lively, especially Mama Jo - I love that woman and I hope I’m as cool as her one day lol. There were so many times that I caught myself laughing out loud at their witty banter and the text exchanges, it was absolutely perfect.
I honestly wasn’t sure that I was gunna like CeCe. It wasn’t until I was getting really annoyed with her in a particular situation that I realized my annoyance was a result of recognizing pieces of myself in her. (This counts as therapy right? lol) By the end of the book I was happily and firmly team CeCe and I really really enjoyed her character arc and the queen she becomes, IYKYK.
Just a quick note about Nash’s character arc while I’m on the subject, hopefully without giving anything away… there was one particular scene near the end that I wouldn’t (and didn’t) expect but it was sooo good. I feel like it really rounded out his own arc and was one of the things that helped to make his character more unique.
The way that Paisley has gone about setting us up for the rest of the series was very very well done. I’m already kinda (really) desperate to know what happens with certain characters and if the books were already published I’d be devouring them like the spicy addictive crack they are lol.
Now for the spice…. Woooo girl! Thank you Paisley! Seriously….THANK YOU lol. Y’all, it was perfect. It was so so perfect. In all of our spicy scenes - and there was no lack of them *smirks* - there was only one ick word for me, only one! That’s practically unheard of lol. All I’ll say is thank God Nik was home lol. It was that good.
If you’re in the mood for a seriously feel good read, with small town, brothers best friend, age gap, found family, cowboy/hockey, touch her and I’ll unalive you vibes… go read this, right now.
Congratulations Paisley on such an amazing debut novel! You’re the raw milk in a world filled with pasteurized 🤣🫶🏼
Xo
- J
Shelved as 'dnf'
October 18, 2024DNF at 27%
Yeah I just wasn’t feeling this one…
Yeah I just wasn’t feeling this one…
Want to read
September 24, 2024This sounds like every other cowboy romance I've read mixed into one, but I am going to read it this fall anyway! 🤠💓
February 11, 2024
4⭐️ I loved this soooo much. Exactly what I needed to get out of a slump. The characters were so lovable and the spice was 🔥🔥🔥
January 26, 2024
This book has EVERYTHING. I loved every single minute and couldn’t put it down.
If anyone’s looking for a new book boyfriend/ ex- hockey player / part time cowboy? Let me introduce to you….
NASH CARTER 🫠
The mouth on this guy.
“Touch her again and I’ll f*cking bury you.”
We love a possessive/ girl obsessed MMC 👏🏼
I loved everything about Nash, he’s been a part of CeCe’s family since a traumatic incident when he was younger, and the Ashbys took him in like one of their own. Closed off to all emotions, and scared of letting anyone get to close in fear of losing them, little miss firefly CeCe breaks down all his walls.
“You hold the reins, baby, I’m just here for the ride.”
Cecelia ‘CeCe’ Ashby.
She’s a little firecracker, part of the best girl squad, and sangria Sundays? Sign me up. After moving back to her hometown after a crappy relationship, CeCe ends up working for Nash, and just can’t help but notice him a little bit differently. The TENSION between these two. One night only, turns into a little more and I was so there for it.
“Goddam, cowboy Nash is f*cking hot.”
There was one scene in particular that will probably live rent free in my head for the foreseeable future.
“Crawl to me, baby.” 🫠
This book had the banter, the girl squad, and Papa Dean 🤣 I loved him. Group texts!! My favourite and all the best side characters, Ginger was my favourite and I ate up ALL THE CRUMBS Paisley dropped 🫠 secretly hoping she’s next with grumpy Cole.
If anyone’s looking for a new book boyfriend/ ex- hockey player / part time cowboy? Let me introduce to you….
NASH CARTER 🫠
The mouth on this guy.
“Touch her again and I’ll f*cking bury you.”
We love a possessive/ girl obsessed MMC 👏🏼
I loved everything about Nash, he’s been a part of CeCe’s family since a traumatic incident when he was younger, and the Ashbys took him in like one of their own. Closed off to all emotions, and scared of letting anyone get to close in fear of losing them, little miss firefly CeCe breaks down all his walls.
“You hold the reins, baby, I’m just here for the ride.”
Cecelia ‘CeCe’ Ashby.
She’s a little firecracker, part of the best girl squad, and sangria Sundays? Sign me up. After moving back to her hometown after a crappy relationship, CeCe ends up working for Nash, and just can’t help but notice him a little bit differently. The TENSION between these two. One night only, turns into a little more and I was so there for it.
“Goddam, cowboy Nash is f*cking hot.”
There was one scene in particular that will probably live rent free in my head for the foreseeable future.
“Crawl to me, baby.” 🫠
This book had the banter, the girl squad, and Papa Dean 🤣 I loved him. Group texts!! My favourite and all the best side characters, Ginger was my favourite and I ate up ALL THE CRUMBS Paisley dropped 🫠 secretly hoping she’s next with grumpy Cole.
July 25, 2024
What a fun book it has cowboys and sport romance all in one story! The tropes, the romance everything was blueprint small town romance and I ate it up
April 19, 2024
What a great debut!! This book popped up on my feed, and I was hooked at part time cowboy that is an ex hockey player in a small town OH and brother's best friend. I think that is my favorite trope (at least that I have read so far). I liked the banter (especially the texts). I liked the family dynamics. I loved the friendships. I liked the aspects of battling grief and the loss of a loved one. I loved how these characters pushed each other to be better. And how they really hadn't thought about each other in a relationship light like ever. It is so fun to read how those dynamic changes ever so slowly. I loved this world and am looking forward to future books with these characters!
Cecilia "Cece" is moving home after a terrible realization that the man she thought she loved is not the man she thought he was at all. What helped her come to that realization was a conversation with her dad right before he died. She decided enough is enough and moved back home to Silver Pines. She needs a job and a plan to keep her going. What she doesn't expect is an immediate interaction with Nash Carter. Her brother's BF and total playboy- at least from what she can remember. She expects him to tease her like he always did but instead he offers her a job at the new and improved hockey rink that he now owns. And teaches kids. And gives back to the community. He doesn't seem to be the same person she knew when she left. Now she can't find herself NOT looking at him at the bar that he owns. Or on the rink that she now works at. She can't help thinking maybe she was wrong. Maybe they should see if this chemistry they are both feeling could go somewhere. But is she ready for a relationship? Who needs a relationship if they can do one night which turns into two and then almost every night. Now she wonders if he is ready for more because she is.
Nash doesn't do relationships. He of all people knows how quickly people can leave your life. He witnessed his parents die in front of him. He has never allowed himself to get that close to a girl to even think about more. But now he can't stop thinking about Cece. How she creates chaos wherever she goes. How she stands up for the people in her life. He can't understand how she would let someone walk all over her life her ex did. He can't understand why he can't stop thinking about her. Or how he wants to kill any man who looks at her. They decide to test out the waters and give each other a night thinking it will quell the hunger between them but of course it only makes it stronger. And now Cece needs him to stand up and show her what she means to him, but is he ready to open up his heart? What if she leaves him too? But what if he never has this connection with another person?
I really liked this slowness of this one. It seemed so real and how they both wondered how other people would help get the thoughts out of their head when it in fact did the opposite. I love the idea of brother's BF- the secrecy. The longing AHH all of it. I liked how they both only started opening up to each other and how they realized they had the real thing but would they fight for it. I also really liked the side characters. Ginger was my fav- her and Cole whenever that happens will be pure fire. I am pumped about Wade and Ivy. Wade seems like he needs a firecracker to help him see the light again. I am also hoping for Olivia and Asher (the fire chief/bartender). I would highly recommend this series if you haven't already read it!! Any recommendations that are similar??
Cecilia "Cece" is moving home after a terrible realization that the man she thought she loved is not the man she thought he was at all. What helped her come to that realization was a conversation with her dad right before he died. She decided enough is enough and moved back home to Silver Pines. She needs a job and a plan to keep her going. What she doesn't expect is an immediate interaction with Nash Carter. Her brother's BF and total playboy- at least from what she can remember. She expects him to tease her like he always did but instead he offers her a job at the new and improved hockey rink that he now owns. And teaches kids. And gives back to the community. He doesn't seem to be the same person she knew when she left. Now she can't find herself NOT looking at him at the bar that he owns. Or on the rink that she now works at. She can't help thinking maybe she was wrong. Maybe they should see if this chemistry they are both feeling could go somewhere. But is she ready for a relationship? Who needs a relationship if they can do one night which turns into two and then almost every night. Now she wonders if he is ready for more because she is.
Nash doesn't do relationships. He of all people knows how quickly people can leave your life. He witnessed his parents die in front of him. He has never allowed himself to get that close to a girl to even think about more. But now he can't stop thinking about Cece. How she creates chaos wherever she goes. How she stands up for the people in her life. He can't understand how she would let someone walk all over her life her ex did. He can't understand why he can't stop thinking about her. Or how he wants to kill any man who looks at her. They decide to test out the waters and give each other a night thinking it will quell the hunger between them but of course it only makes it stronger. And now Cece needs him to stand up and show her what she means to him, but is he ready to open up his heart? What if she leaves him too? But what if he never has this connection with another person?
I really liked this slowness of this one. It seemed so real and how they both wondered how other people would help get the thoughts out of their head when it in fact did the opposite. I love the idea of brother's BF- the secrecy. The longing AHH all of it. I liked how they both only started opening up to each other and how they realized they had the real thing but would they fight for it. I also really liked the side characters. Ginger was my fav- her and Cole whenever that happens will be pure fire. I am pumped about Wade and Ivy. Wade seems like he needs a firecracker to help him see the light again. I am also hoping for Olivia and Asher (the fire chief/bartender). I would highly recommend this series if you haven't already read it!! Any recommendations that are similar??
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