My rating: 3.5 / 5 stars
This is my first Paisley Hope book, and I heard so many good things about it and the whole series. Nevertheless, I instantly bought all the volumes that were released, even though I believe the market is completely saturated with the cowboys trope.
Holding the Reins tells us the story of Cece and Nash, who have known each other since childhood. Nash is her brother’s best friend and was also very close to her parents. The story begins with Cece returning to the town where she grew up, after splitting up with her boyfriend. She desperately needs a job and a new direction in life, but she is smart and determined to succeed. She is also heartbroken after her father’s death, and all of her family is still trying to pull themselves together after this loss.
After she applies for a finance position in one of Nash’s businesses, Nash is determined not to let her go. The only problem is that Nash has a history, and it’s not a good one – he used to be a player, a hockey player with a reputation, driven by anger and grief because he witnessed his parents die. He blames himself for what happened; therefore, his life was a mess. But now, he has started a business teaching kids how to play hockey, and he contributes so much to the community. So now, Nash is a changed man, but the trauma he experienced is not letting him love. Plus, he is helping Cece’s family without her knowing. So, when the time comes, Cece will discover a new Nash, full of surprises. 🙂
Cece and Nash will work together and will fight this attraction building between them. Nash is afraid of losing her, Cece is afraid of getting her heart broken, but at the same time, they fall in love faster than blinking.
The story was nice and easy to read, but the plot was not that complex or something to follow with intensity. Mainly, most of the book was about Nash’s trauma of letting himself love and fear of losing Cece. He was hot and cold; he was afraid of admitting his love to her and her family, and there were cases in which I wanted him to be more determined and sure. For a 30-something guy, his problems were hard to understand for me. I liked Cece and I understood her more, admiring her personality and her determination. She was nice, but not a different heroine from other books.
So yes, the story was nice, the intimate scenes were nice and intense, but the plot was flat from my POV, so I expect something more elevated in the other books that follow the series.
Ramonisme 