I enjoy Paisley’s writing so much, and I fear she may have ruined me for all future cowboy romance books!

Wade Ashby made me blush! I wasn’t sure what to expect from Wade, but he was perfect! He was grumpy, possessive, a little dark and oh so sexy. They’ll never be another like him. The tattoo, the scrunchie?!?!

And Ivy! I knew she was gonna be ‘trouble’ when we met her in Holding the Reins. She came to Silver Pines with some baggage bless her, but she was the perfect sunshine to Wade’s grumpy. And as always with Paisley, Ivy got her boss babe moment that I’ve come to expect from these Silver Pines ladies! 😍

One of my favourite things was the representation of women and female relationships. God, I loved this so much. I’m such a girls’ girl, and I get the vibe that Paisley is too. The female relationships in the book are to-die-for. I want an invite to the next Sangria Sunday so badly!

There is nothing I didn’t enjoy about this book! It was such a good small town, modern romance. Loved, loved LOVED it!

I don’t think this book is for me, I could quite gel with the characters and couldn’t keep my self engaged or wanting to read more. Whilst the writing style was easy to read and follow, it couldn’t quite capture my interest

REVIEW
cw: mentions of bereavement, grief, alcoholism, emotional abuse, gaslighting, fertility issues

Rancher Wade Ashby is the strong but silent type, preferring to keep his thoughts - and heart - under lock and key after his divorce and the death of his father have left him emotionally exhausted, and carrying the weight of ty business on his shoulders. When Wade needs a new equestrian trainer to cover maternity leave, in steps Ivy Spencer. Ivy has her own emotional baggage, but they begin to grow closer while training a horse for the Kentucky Derby, and soon neither can deny their attraction.

I was so excited to read the second in the Silver Pines Ranch series, and it did NOT disappoint. Wade only made a few appearances in the first book, so I wasn't sure what to expect from him, other than that he was a bit of a grump. But I very quickly grew to love him. I cackled laughing at the prologue. You could feel Wade's blood pressure increasing as Ivy floundered on. The sexual tension between them as the story unfolded was perfectly drawn out and their chemistry was sublime. Seriously, it's always the quiet, unassuming ones, isn't it? *winks* But I also swooned SO hard at the auction. I loved the duality of Wade. He was so steady and dependable around the ranch, but so uninhibited in private. I said it about the previous book, but Paisley Hope writes excellent Alpha men without falling into the controlling a**hole trap. There's some actual nuance to their characteristics. Sure, Wade would fight (probably kill) for Ivy if needed, but he also listened and allowed her to fight her own battles.
I loved Ivy immediately. Her love of spicy audiobooks was relatable and I loved the domestic routine she got into with Wade, watching action movies. They were so cute together. She also had excellent banter and I loved how she teased Wade about his strictness. My heart broke when she spoke of her past, but I LOVED the horse training aspects of the story, and Ivy's intuition with Angel was beautifully written. The slow-ish burn really drew me in, and while there were plenty of incendiary scenes, my favourite was when they finally gave in to their attraction. I'm definitely going to be buying the audiobook when it comes out because phew! Ivy would definitely listen to this book! The scene in the storeroom was also SO hot and I LOVED Wade's new tattoo *winks*. Cole's joke about it made me CACKLE, but I also loved the camaraderie between the brothers, as well as Nash.
It was fun to catch up with the characters from Holding the Reins, and while you can read this as a standalone, I highly recommend reading in order. Nash and CeCe were so stinking cute together and I loved their celebrations. Mama Jo and Pop/Papa Dean were as hilariously astute as ever. The banter in the group chats was also hilarious, as were the conversations at the family dinners. And yes, Nash, you can be a German Shepard puppy (IYKYK). I am still SO invested in the Ginger/Cole and Olivia/Asher dynamics. Janelle, Wade's ex-wife, was a piece of work, but I loved it when he finally cut her off.
I saw the 'twist' coming a mile away but also didn't care because I was so happy for Ivy. The realisation about just how manipulative Ivy's ex (Brad) had been left me incandescent with rage on her behalf. I liked that there was minimal conflict and the final chapters and epilogue were SO adorable. I can’t wait for Cole's story now! As for the bonus chapter? 🔥🔥
A series that just gets better and better.

Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥.5

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. Wished is published on 17th October 2024*

This is the second book I’ve read by this author

I loved the first one and I loved the second in the series even more

Great romance

I enjoyed revisiting characters that were already familiar. It was fun to see a different side to Wade rather than the protective older brother we saw in the first book.

Wade and Ivy are meant to be together. It was nice to see how they worked through their issues to find a life together. It was very steamy in places.

I did however think it was mostly predictable and I saw the twist coming before I even got it to it. That being said sometimes a nice easy read it is what you need and this is that.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for my copy✨

4.25 stars
Even though I wasn't sure about the first book in this series, I much preferred this story and would say that it is well worth picking up if you're looking for a good cowboy romance.
This had a nice take on the grumpy x sunshine trope but I also appreciated that it tackled slightly deeper and more difficult topics.
There was such a great connection between Ivy and Wade and I was definitely rooting for them,
And if you want some seriously steamy/spicy scenes, you'll find that here. Did some of them go on a little too long for my liking? Maybe. But that was mainly because I wanted to see where the story would go next.
I also adored the Shania Twain references.
In my opinion, I would just skip straight to Training the Heart and it can be read as a standalone too.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A well written story about the relationship between Ivy and Wade that doesn’t get off to a very good start. Wade is looking for a temporary head horse trainer got his ranch . Ivy arrive late and Wade thinks she doesn’t have suitable experience as she doesn’t look old enough but soon finds out she has a way with horses and all the staff are instantly taken with Ivy but wade always manages to rub Ivy up the wrong way. A good steady read following the relationship between them and the twist and turners for Ivy in a man’s world whilst changing wades preconceived ideas. And instant attraction between them. Good read 4/5

I did like the first book of the series a little bit more, to be honest, but that was mainly because I personally wasn't that into some of the spicy scenes.
I did really enjoy and like the book though - solid 4 stars!
It was the perfect combination of sweet and spicy, and it did cover some heavier topics.
Wade was the perfect grumpy cowboy and I love when a guy is grumpy to everyone else except her, and Ivy was his sunshine. :)
I loved his nickname for her (trouble <3) and how they became such a great team and how he was just always there for her. That was exactly what Ivy deserved, especially after coming out of her horrible last relationship.

After reading this book I just love the whole Ashby family and the NotAngels even more, and I definitely can't wait for the next book in the series!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book I was nervous on how I would feel about Wade being the MMC coming from the first book and obviously not seeing much of his other than his mostly closed off grumpy side but I absolutely love him and Paisley Hope CAN JUST WRITE MEN 😘🤌🏽 He is the embodiment of a gentleman and also if the saying if he wanted to he would.

Ivy was also so fantastic especially with the topics she was dealing with but it was beautifully written and I loved ivy's sassy stubborn remarks.

Thank you Penguin Random House and Paisley Hope for the opportunity to read this early I can not wait for the next one

This is the 2nd book in the Silver Pines Ranch series, and it follows Ivy and Wade. Wade is the oldest Ashby, who is in charge of the ranch where Ivy was hired to help out with the horses. Wade is a typical grumpy cowboy who has a rough exterior but is so lovely when he is around the people he loves. Ivy has had a tough couple of years. However, she is a ball of sunshine who doesn't shy away from Wade and his grumpy ways. I loved every minute of this book, and I love Wade and Ivy. I love how Ivy fits in perfectly with his family and how he is fiercely protective of her throughout. I love how they rile each other up and how they work together so well. This book gets released on the 17th of October, and if you've read the first one and loved it, or you're a fan of Elsie Silver and Lyla Sage, you'll love this series

The sequel I never knew I needed until I read this book.

When Ivy Spencer lands on the ranch, and is huge hit with the horses and the family. Wade is still as hostile as ever, with the world on his shoulders.

Can Ivy be the one to break the hostile persona and what is she hiding from her past.

Just as steamy as Holding the Reins. Can’t wait for the third!

4.25 stars, I absolutely loved this book, Wade and Ivy were just so perfect for each other. It's grumpy/sunshine, small town, cowboy romance, forced proximity, and found family, some of my favourite tropes. Wade has a lot on his shoulders, he's just left a failed marriage and has a ranch to run. He's grumpy and very bossy. In comes Ivy, who's left an abusive relationship (check trigger warnings) and has come to Silver Pines ranch for a fresh start and to have her dream of training a race horse come true. Ivy is so fierce, sassy and strong and has overcome so many difficult situations. Ivy and Wade had such a strong connection and really opened up and helped each other to heal so beautifully. They had such good banter with each other, that had me giggling. Wade does so many sweet things for Ivy as well as being a freak in the sheets. It still had a lot of spice in the book and sometimes it felt very overpowering for the story. Overall, it was a really good read and I couldn't get enough of it and I'm excited now for the rest of the series!
Thank you to Net Galley and Paisley Hope for the ARC read. All opinions are my own!

Wow, what a follow up to Holding the Reins!

I absolutely loved Wade and Ivy’s story, they had such a great dynamic, the banter and connection between them both was so gorgeously written. I absolutely adored their journey together, they both had so much depth as characters, and Paisley handled difficult topics which such raw grace.

Training the Heart is an fab grumpy x sunshine read, with lots of laughter and plenty of spice!

Can’t wait to see where the series goes next.

This is the second book in the Silver Pines series.
I really enjoyed Holding The Reins.
This book follows on from that but this time our female main character is Ivy who has had a really bad past relationship and manages to get a job at Silver Pines ranch as a head horse trainer.
Wade is her grumpy boss but somehow Ivy manages to break down his hard exterior and a relationship blossoms.

I struggled to get through this book. There was ALOT of spice and some of it went on for a very long time 🙈
It got a little boring as the book went on & I wanted more about them & less spice!

The last chapter 😱😳 didn’t need to be there! I was happy with the epilogue 🙈

I give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to Netgalley, and Penguin Random House UK for the ARC.

I forgot how spicy the first book was, until I read this one 🥵 of course, that’s not the only good thing about this story.

A forbidden romance between a boss and his head horse trainer ticks a lot of my favourite boxes - only one bed, touch her again and die, both of them are jealous - so I absolutely devoured this book. It’s well-written, immersive and I felt like I was a part of the Ashby family.

However, after all the build up and anticipation for the derby, it felt like the ending was super rushed. Ivy’s career and success was superseded by a surprise, which I hate, and despite the fact her wins were still celebrated, I felt they came secondary all of a sudden for other things.

Nonetheless, I will be recommending this book to everyone when it comes out on the 17th October. I’ve already pre-ordered my trophy version 😂

Thank you NetGalley and Paisley for giving me the chance to read this book early in exchange for my honest thoughts 🫶🏻

Training the Heart by Paisley Hope 🐎💜
ARC Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Release: October 17th (UK + AU), December 31st (North America).

Tropes to expect:
🐎 Boss x Employee
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🏠 Forced Proximity
🛏️ One Bed
👶🏼 Surprise Pregnancy
🌾 Ranch Setting
💜 Found Family

Oh it was so good to be back in Silver Pines. I didn’t realise I missed them so much until I read about them again and loved fell in love with all the characters again. Seeing my babies Cece and Nash make a few appearances made me heart burst 💕

Our grumpy MMC Wade Ashby, the man that he is 🫠🙌🏼 Through his grumpiness and hard exterior we got to learn his soft side and what a treat it was. The boys giving him shit for his soft side never failed to make me laugh. I love Wade and he didn’t disappoint. The filthy mouth on that man 🫠

Ivy Spencer our FMC was a ray of sunshine to read about. We got to learn about her past self and the things she went through. Wade never wanted a repeat of these events and helped Ivy get through them. Ivy was just herself even during some spicy scenes in particular the
🤠👠 scene 🥵🥵 my fav!

I did feel that there were a lot of spice scenes which took away from the plot. I wished the surprise pregnancy happened a bit earlier since it was what I was looking forward to the most as it wasn’t focused on much. Would’ve loved to see more of the pregnancy 💕👶🏼

As always Paisley has the best found family and all the characters are so loveable. The banter between the boys with text messages had me giggling. The Not Angels girl gang serves as always.

Cannot wait for what the next books will bring to the series. Cole and Ginger’s banter in this book has me so excited for there’s in April 2025 🤭

Thankyou to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouseuk for the ARC, so greatful 💜

• Training the Heart
By Paisley Hope •
☆☆☆☆

~ ARC REVIEW - May contain spoilers ~
~ All opinions are my own ~


• Ivy Spencer steps in to cover maternity leave at the ranch and her grumpy new boss is a challenge. She enjoys tormenting him and watching him squirm.
Wade is grumpy and the stress of day to day life having to manage everything since his father passed can get a bit much at times.

The two bond over the love of horses and the plans for training and the ranch but it isn't love before it's more than a professional relationship.

▪︎ Please check trigger warnings.

I really enjoyed the characters, this book for me was definitely smuttier than the first and at times it did feel for me that I hoped for more space in between the smut and to get further along with the plot and focus on the story.

Be still my pulsing, beating heart.
Wade Ashby, the man you are.
Ivy, you deserve all the nice things in the world and more.

If I could see a rom-com about life on a ranch with horse racing, I would want Wade and Ivy on the big screen. They are so cute together it hurts. I love all the cameos that we get from all the other characters, I missed Cece and Nash so I’m super happy we got to see them again.

And that ending oh myyyyyy!!
The only little hiccup I had is the tattoo, I just couldn’t get my head around that. If it was in the heat of the moment and it was just in a sharpie, sure I would get the vibe. But the tattoo on the hand? I can’t see it. Other than that I’m in love with everything.

I’m hoping we’ll get to see a certain single dad with a certain fiery and loud mouthed best friend in the next one!!

Having been a huge fan of #HoldingtheReins this was a hugely anticipated read for me and I’m so grateful to Paisley Hope, Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK for allowing me access to this ARC.

I adored Wade and Ivy. I clicked with Ivy straightaway when she was listening to a smutty book out loud whilst working and was caught by her boss… Wade.

If you like grumpy and sunshine tropes and cowboy romance this is the book for you. It was a bit of a slow burn but once Wade and Ivy admitted their feelings it was sex left, right and centre! They barely came up for breath 🤣🥵

Ivy is a total badass, she is so strong with what she’s been through to come out the other side and make sure she gets what she wants in life, hats off to her - a huge round of applause. Girl is going to smash life!

I adored Wade, he comes across as this super grumpy, unhappy cowboy who doesn’t want anyone but his family in his life, doesn’t care about anyone or anything else but underneath it all (literally 🙊😍) he is a big softy who has so much heart and love to give and he’s been through shit in his life which has made him close off his heart.

Ivy and Wade help each other break down their barriers - they go through quite a bit together in the book and at times, I was tearing up for Ivy because she was made to feel like she was worthless and useless… and let me tell you, she’s far from it.

This book was so much more than the sex, cowboy romance and brings up a lot about Ivy and Wade. It was touching at times. I wanted to hug them both.

I just love, love the Ashby family and I can’t wait for more from Paisley Hope. The whole Ashby family need their own book - and the fact that we get Shania Twain references and songs throughout… well Paisley Hope, I’m your biggest fan!

I loved it!!

I adored book one in this series so I had high hopes for book 2! It did not disappoint. I loved the chemistry between Wade and Ivy. Ivy is such a likeable fmc. She’s a book girlie which I loved! The banter was brilliant. I loved how much Ivy teased Wade. The Ashby’s are such a thought knit family and I loved the small town aspect of the book too. I cannot wait to continue this series.