Take a deep breath and let go of the reins.
Cecilia “CeCe” Ashby is finally escaping the toxic relationship that has consumed her entire adult life. She’s returning to her hometown of Laurel Creek, Kentucky, and to her family’s equestrian ranch, unsure of what the future holds. Nash Carter, the newly retired superstar of the Dallas Stars, is Laurel Creek’s hometown hero, local business owner, and notorious bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fourth sibling in the Ashby clan. It’s been years since his days of tormenting CeCe with her older brothers Wade and Cole. So, when CeCe needs a job, he feels drawn to help her.
Nash can’t seem to take his eyes off of his best friend’s sister, and it seems she’s been staring right back, not without animosity left over from his childish teasing back in the day. Despite their initial reluctance, the fire between them ignites and it isn’t long before they jump into the flames.
I could not put this book down. I heard mumblings of this series in recent weeks, but as a first-time reader of Paisley Hope, I didn’t quite know what to expect. But when I say this book is HOT, I mean Paisley Hope really brought the heat. I found myself giggling with anticipation at their magnetic chemistry. It is so difficult to balance tension, spice, and character development with plot, but she did it effortlessly. I was locked in from the moment she said the word, “go,” and I already want to read it again.
If you’re in the mood for a spicy small-town romance with a sunshine heroine, a hotheaded hockey legend-turned-cowboy, and a whole lot of heart, Holding the Reins delivers it all, and then some.
CeCe Ashby returns to Silver Pines Ranch after years of staying away, carrying more than just emotional baggage. She’s healing from a traumatic relationship, the death of her father, and doing her best to keep her past from defining her. What she doesn’t expect? Nash Carter, the NHL’s golden boy with a God-tier jawline and enough emotional walls to put Fort Knox to shame.
“Let it consume me or keep holding the reins. So, I keep holding the reins and wait for the next day to come.”
Nash isn’t a blood relative of the family, but he might as well be. He’s grown up alongside the Ashby’s, especially CeCe’s older brothers, Cole and Wade, and is basically an honorary sibling after losing his parents tragically years earlier. The Ashby’s are his safe space and the people he’s terrified to disappoint. As his story with CeCe unfolds, you’ll find that it’s a beautiful, tangled mess of loyalty, history, and found-family feels, with just the right amount of small-town chaos.
Oh, and CeCe Ashby? She’s pure sunshine, but not the naive, sugary-sweet kind. She’s sunshine with a bite. She’s tough and tenacious, has a sharp tongue and quick wit, and enough sass to verbally eviscerate a grown man over a coffee order.
When CeCe returns to the ranch, sparks fly – some flirty, some fiery, and some downright flammable. Their banter is fast and filthy (in the best way), and the chemistry? Let’s just say death by perfect p**sy deserves a spot in the steamy quote hall of fame. Nash is a walking contradiction in all the best ways. On the surface, he’s cocky, flirty, and the king of no-strings hookups. He’s got a mouth that could make a preacher sweat and a reputation that precedes him, on the ice and in the bedroom.
But don’t let the dirty talk fool you – this book packs an emotional punch. CeCe’s healing journey is handled with grace and strength. Nash, despite his reputation for being a cocky, commitment-phobic playboy, reveals layers of protectiveness, vulnerability, and an unwavering devotion to the woman who lights him up from the inside out. And when he tells her, “You’re the queen I crawl to. I’ll kneel at your feet for the rest of my fucking life,” well… insert melted puddle here. It’s the perfect reminder that behind all the sass and steam, there’s a guy who’s totally and utterly hers.
“I love this woman like I’ve never loved anyone or anything. I love her more than the sun on my face rising over the mountain, the feel of fresh ice under my skates, or hoisting that cup over my head. I love my little firefly like I have no other option, and the truth is maybe I never have.”
…Nash is all in. He’s not perfect. He screws up, shuts down, and lashes out, but he fights like hell to get it right. He’s the kind of hero who will break your heart a little before he puts it back together. And he’ll probably be shirtless while doing it. What makes CeCe truly unforgettable, though, is her heart. She’s compassionate, wildly loyal to her family, and fiercely protective of her peace. She challenges Nash not just to love her, but to grow up, show up, and earn her. And when he finally does? Whew. It’s fireworks and firelight and feminine rage rewarded. CeCe is the kind of heroine who’s not waiting to be saved – she is the storm, the calm, and the whole damn story.
Oh, and the salad scene? Iconic. Because nothing, and I mean nothing, prepared me for the level of innuendo coming from the Silver Pines kitchen. Wade, CeCe’s brother, innocently (or not-so-innocently) declares he’s “tossing the salad,” which sets off a chain reaction of eyebrow-raising, jaw-dropping one-liners. Suddenly, everyone’s an expert, the whole room’s a mess of smirks and side-eyes, and poor CeCe is just trying to survive the chaos. Toss in Papa Dean casually mentioning his “fingering” skills, and I damn near dropped my Kindle. It’s unhinged. It’s hysterical. And it’s proof that Paisley Hope can serve up steam and salad with a side of raunchy laughter.
“Can’t. I’m tossing the salad.” Wade shakes his head as soon as the words leave his mouth while he mixes the salad.
“Yeah, Wade’s the best at tossing salad. Maybe even the best in the whole county.” Cole chimes in with a chuckle.
And then Papa Dean winks: “That only comes with lots of practice like my fingering.”
Holding the Reins isn’t just about their sizzling attraction; it’s also about digging into their pasts, facing old wounds, and navigating the complexities of falling for someone who’s technically off-limits. Their romance is messy, layered, and anything but simple and that’s EXACTLY why I loved it. CeCe doesn’t need saving. Nash doesn’t want to be cracked open. But that’s what makes it beautiful when they do it together.
Holding the Reins is equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, spicy and sincere. It’s about choosing yourself, letting someone love you the way you deserve, and maybe, just maybe, letting go of the reins long enough to be caught.
“I want it all little firefly. I want a life I’m terrified to lose.”