Holding the Reins

If you like your books spicy, then head on over to Silver Pines Ranch because this small town, ex-NHL/part-time cowboy, brother’s best friend romance packs the heat!!

After a breaking her engagement, Cecilia (CeCe) Ashby moves back home to her family ranch where she hopes to get a new start in life. She hesitantly takes her brothers’ best friend, Nash Carter, up on his offer to work for him. She’s known him all their lives, and while he’s certainly aged well, she also remembers his playboy ways.

Neither is in a place to enter into a relationship but there’s no denying their attraction! But is “only one night” ever only one night?

Cecilia Ashby has come home to Laurel Creek, Kentucky and left behind her life in Seattle when she discovered her fiance had been cheating on her for a long time. CeCe realizes she is more than happy to be home, but her long-time crush on family friend, Nash Carter is at best inconvenient, and at worst, a detriment in finding a job and starting over. Nash has recently retired from a successful career as a professional hockey player and seems to be always be around, but CeCe can't believe he feels more for her than just friendship.

Holding the Reins is a good start to the Silver Pines Ranch series, introducing several characters that will probably be in future books. The protagonists are likable and fit together very well, but seem pretty show more stupid when it comes to their feelings for each other. While the story could have used more humor and more angst, the steamy scenes fill the void in this otherwise light-hearted romance. Flashbacks regarding the death of a loved one and some mental health issues are gently touched on but don't overwhelm the plot. Overall, Holding the Reins is an entertaining western romance and a nice beginning to a new series. show less

Going in blind is always a delight. I thought this was a cowboy book and he’s a NHL player who is winding down his career and trying to figure out what comes next.

I am baffled by a lot of her characterization. She’s speechless at the sight of the stars above his property which are like two inches over from the stars under the property she grew up on. She’s never been fishing and is squeamish about fish and the hooks but grew up on a literal farm. She sees him talking to a woman in the bar he owns and decides that she’ll let some random guy touch her while they’re dancing to get even and she’s maybe 25?

I felt disappointed by the women hating on women that it felt like in the bar scene and back in Seattle.

4

I loved this story! From start to finish! This was the perfect brothers best friend, friends to lovers, work place romance. It had it all and I was here for it. It was pretty spicy which I didn’t Mind 🥵 I loved how things turned out for Cece and Nash! Another series that I’m excited to continue!

Nash and Cece ❤️

I loved this story! From start to finish! This was the perfect brothers best friend, friends to lovers, work place romance. It had it all and I was here for it. It was pretty spicy which I didn’t Mind 🥵 I loved how things turned out for Cece and Nash! Another series that I’m excited to continue!

This was definitely entertaining!!!