A review by megatronatx
Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope

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