Reviews

Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope

jaylaa_maee's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

charw21's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.5

bluewillow's review against another edition

3.75

This exceeded my expectations and I read it in a day. Hockey player turned cowboy??? I was sat. Cece had a little bit of quirky main character syndrome which I think wouldn’t have bothered me as much if I didn’t just come off of reading the masterpiece that was Deep End (FKA Whet). But this was such an easy and satisfying read. And the main characters of the next book have already been introduced and set up, I might just go straight into reading the next one. I might like Wade and Ivy’s dynamic better. 

_minnie_'s review against another edition

1.5

First half was great. Didn’t enjoy the second half so much. 

prof_lex's review against another edition

• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

I DNFd this one. I usually give books 100 pages, regardless of whether I’m enjoying myself or not, but I couldn’t here. Stylistically, I’m not a fan of when authors try to do more than one POV but there’s no real distinction between the voices. There were also so many tropes, which is fine, except none were very developed. It’s like author used the trope to get to the next trope to set up the next trope and so on.

Also, Dell Publishing @RandomHouse, y’all really let this author down in editing. Typos are really distracting and having four glaringly obvious editing mistakes in under 20 pages is grounds for reprimand. Do better by your authors, ya jerks. 

beyondevak's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.25

malidon's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

2.75

hannahlou93's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

I really enjoyed this book but I must say it’s very reminiscent of Chestnut Springs and Blue Rebel Rank series….  Cowboy/Hockey player falls for his best friend sister. Very very Jasper but I adored jasper so that wasn’t a problem for me. 
I enjoyed the story, once I picked it up I didn’t want to put it down as I needed to see how they’d reach their HEA. Thankfully these characters did and I’ll look forwards to reading the next book in the series :)

nuggetsreads's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

megatronatx's review against another edition

3.0

I am fully in my cowboy romance era this past year. Excuse me, Nash Carter... Excuse me all the way. He might be in my top 3 cowboy MMCs of all time. I also was not expecting this book to be as spicy as it was, but oooookay. There's a scene where he crawls for her... Literally. You're welcome. I also love a good brother's best friend, secret dating, ex-hockey player romance. It keeps everyone on their toes. I honestly think that Paisley Hope is going to be one of the next big cowboy romance writers. I was shocked when I found out that this book was a debut. It doesn't feel like one at all. Plus, it makes you excited to keep reading the other characters romances.

CeeCee Ashby just broke up with her fiancé of 8 years and returns home to her family ranch to escape the life she felt trapped in. Nash, her brother's best friend and part-time cowboy is everywhere. Soon she finds that he's been there her whole life, watching out for her and protecting her. That trust explodes in what is supposed to be just one night fling and into... forever.

”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.”

Tropes:
Brother's best friend
Secret dating
Small town romance
Ex-hockey player
Boss x Employee