Synopsis:
In this steamy cowboy romance, a woman returns to her family’s ranch after a broken engagement and finds herself falling for her brother’s best friend—the first novel in the Silver Pines Ranch series.

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.

Review:
“Your future is yours and you can direct that horse any way you choose.” (Page 175)

This was more a hockey romance than a cowboy romance, which is apparently more of a genre than I ever would have considered before the books I read this past year (2025). The brief mentions of horses or related thereof didn’t read as authentic, some lingo being incorrect (hoof nipper when picking feet, should be hoof pick). Sayings and such of riding by CeCe’s father certainly range true; hence the name of the book. The mention of clothing was fairly authentic, though even in horrible heat most horse people still wear full jeans because you never know what you may end up doing/against.

The tension between Nash and CeCe was palpable, and their shared past and connections made their time together interesting. A lot of introspection had to happen before either could truly understand why, or what, exactly was going on between them. This book was heavy; the family is going through loss and it echoes throughout the lives of all the Ashby’s, by blood or unofficial connection and it wasn’t something I was prepared for. Hope did very well in her depictions of grief and how the simplest of things can remind one of something small that they always took for granted.

There was some spice, a hint of enemies-to-lovers, touch her and you’ll die, all while making sure careers are on track and no one is giving up everything for the other. I really liked how well CeCe’s past integrated with the present, and how Nash’s misgivings on relationships and futures had to be worked through. Things were not instantly perfect, and while communication was spotty, why they held back and didn’t speak sooner was important to opening up and willing themselves to truly connect. I thought perhaps there was too much smut, and I wasn’t expecting as much as there was in this novel. I certainly skimmed a bunch of it.

This is the first book in a series, and while I don’t intend to continue reading it, perhaps it’s exactly your cup of tea.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️