Reviews

Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope

tbrbacklog's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad tense 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? Yes

4.25

We love a man who protects his woman. 
The way Nash barely tried to fight being attracted to his best friend's younger sister 🤣🤣 but when it came to his over protective alpha male instinct 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 sign me right tf up. 
I greatly appreciate the barely 3rd act breakup. 
What do you expect when you just ran back home after a toxic relationship to find your brother's best friend all grown up and completely different than what you remember? What's that saying "Save a horse ride a cowboy" 🤣🤣 and ride the cowboy did she LMFAO. 
Mhhh the angst and forbidden nature in this book were just perfect. Knowing damn well they shouldn't do anything but not being able to resist it. Personally loved the friend group LMFAO they were the perfect group of friends to keep you honest but have you burning calories from laughing too much. 
I really want to know about everyone lol like there are so many little moments that have me like "oop will they be a couple?" Can't wait to read more of this series.

valeriaana_reads's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.75

ashleys_novel_idea's review against another edition

5.0

Loved this book.

This book was everything, and the authors love for good music was a bonus! Nash was perfection, and I loved the family and small town dynamic. This author managed to fit hockey player and cowboy in one mmc. This book is a win!!!

carolyn___'s review against another edition

4.0

This was heavy on the smut side but the brothers best friend + cowboy trope gets me every time 

drnurseladyerin1's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was my first Paisley Hope novel and it WILL NOT be my last! I loved the setting of this story, in rural KY… I loved the dynamic between Cece and Nash… their past, overcoming their fears of making a future together, and finally getting their HEA… Nash is a gruff, retired NHL hockey player and also a “part time cowboy.” Does it get any better than that?! Except his mouth maybe… 😮‍💨 I listened to this one and narration was chef’s kiss! 🤌🏻💋 This one is a definite must read/listen! 

neadolley's review against another edition

Brother's best friend, secret dating, spicy scenes, small town, found family.
This had all the tropes and things that I love about a contemporary romance. I loved Cece and Nash, both individually and together, and this book just supported my theory that romances are better in every way if you throw a cowboy in them.

"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."

rachelreadsdaily's review against another edition

5.0

Saddle Up.  I love a hot cowboy romance and Holding the Reins definitely fit the vibe.  This story was fun, funny, sexy, dirty, and so dang good.  I loved CeCe and Nash and how they bantered and fell for each other.  Nash was a total sweetheart and really took care of Cece and I loved how he stepped in to protect her from her jerk of an ex.  This book was mostly sweet, but definitely hot at the same time.  Nash has a dirty mouth, which CeCe gives right back to him, but the defining moment for me was when she told him to crawl to her and like a good boy he dropped to his knees and worshipped her like she deserved. 

This story set up some crazy hot tension for Wade and Ivy and I can't wait for their story! 

cmcintyre's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

3.75

Now listen, everyone knows I am an absolute sucker for a hockey romance. There's just something about them that hits different, every single time. On the other hand, cowboy romances are also pretty high on my face tropes list. I didn't think that I would ever find a book that somehow incorporated both of those things. Until Holding The Reins.

Nash Carter is a retired NHL hockey player, part-time cowboy, part time bartender, full time owner of the community ice center. Reformed playboy and never one to settle down, his world is thrown off when the little sister of his 2 best friends comes back to town after a bad breakup. She's all sass and Kentucky fire. Suddenly he doesn't just see her as the pseudo little sister. 

I loved Cecelia. She really is fiery, sassy, and strong. She's also incredibly smart and creative. All around well rounded. While heavy topics are discussed and mentioned in the story, it was still so warm hearted and really made me feel for the characters. Also, hot damn this book has some spicy scenes. Buckle up for Nash the epic dirty talker. Have mercy. 

foreveryoungblood's review against another edition

5.0

Nash Carter is a damn treat

I adore this book. So sexy. So real.

Also felt like Paisley Hope literally wrote my sexual feelings as CeCe. Very relatable.

amyinthepages's review against another edition

4.0

Take Jasper Gervais from Chestnut Springs and Luke Brooks from Done and Dusted - smoosh them together and we've got our leading man and part time cowboy Nash Carter!

This book was so good! Loved it. Such a fun, sexy read. Realistic and relatable. Cannot wait to read the rest of the series, especially Cole and Gingers story!

- Small town romance
- Found Family
- "F**k It"
- He crawls to her
- Brothers Best Friend
- "Just one night"
- Retired NHL player
- He falls fast and hard

Spicy Chapters: 23, 24, 25, 26, 41, 43, 46, 50, 55, 57, 58, 59

"You're the queen I crawl too. I'll kneel at your feet for the rest of my f**king life. Now sit on your throne."