905 reviews for:

Training the Heart

Paisley Hope

4.06 AVERAGE

emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I just knew Wade and Ivy's book was going to be a treat. There's something about a grouchy man going all soft for the woman he cares about that does it for me.

The tension is better in this one than in book one. There's a lot more longing and self-denial built up before the two end up in bed together. Even if it happens 45% of the way through the book, It actually felt like it took longer to get there than it did with Nash and Cece. Maybe because this book is longer in general. 

The plot in this one has a bit more oomph too. We actually have a goal outside the bedroom! 

The ex drama (from both sides) is also more prevalent, but I think it also sort of serves a purpose. 1, To give us a clear juxtaposition between bad love and good love and 2, to give the characters a chance to fight for each other against a common enemy. 

So yes, there's a LOT of spice in this - I'd argue it's a little 'dirtier' than in book 1 (kink may not be the best term here). But I feel like the story's constructed better so that it doesn't feel like all fuck all the time. They flirt - even before they recognize it as flirting. Then they <i>flirt</i> via text, by innuendo, even in front of his whole family. 

But more than that, they actually continue their work together. It doesn't fall by the wayside the way it does in book 1. And they spend time together that doesn't necessarily devolve into sex. Their ice cream and movie nights are charming. Wade is there for Ivy when her mother ends up in the hospital. He stands up beside her while she deals with her ex. He shows her he cares about her with more than just his body, and that feels important. The actions he takes, buying the horse she wants, building the cabin for her mother - they are gestures that help to prove the words that come out of his mouth. Just having them talk about things - the horse, their pasts, her mother, even nonsense things like their movies - makes the relationship feel whole and worth something - there's more than just the carnal lust blazing between them and - for both their sakes, given both their backgrounds - that really feels fulfilling. 

There's also some really great moments between the boys and girls separately that drive home the "everybody's family" vibe I got and LOVED in book 1. Especially with the events that go down toward the end of the story, both Wade and Ivy find comfort and support in their friends and family and that's JUST what I look for in books like these. 

I'm not craaaaaazy about some of the way this book ends. There's a trope in here that I saw coming, but don't usually enjoy
Ivy ends up pregnant, and there's a little angst because she's been told by a previous doctor that she can't carry to term and it'll be difficult for her to actually have children, so she freaks out a little and puts space between her and Wade ... that lasts for about 6 hours. It was realistic, but I'm not typically a fan of a surprise pregnancy. Just...as they go, it was written very well
.

But aside from one or two little things, I'd say this book is pretty close to perfect for me. It's genuinely funny, genuinely heartwarming, spicy - but in a good, more balanced way. It's everything I could want from a contemporary romance. 
emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
goodjareads's profile picture

goodjareads's review

4.0

4.5
emotional lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I cried 
I laughed 
I loved 
This book was amazing 👏 🙌 all the emotions ❤️ 
adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

No third act break up!
emotional hopeful medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No