Last week, I joined my friend at the neighborhood food drive, and we laughed about how we’d accidentally signed up for the same volunteer shift. Sometimes the best connections happen when you least expect them—which is exactly what happens in Riding the High, where a drunken Vegas mishap becomes the foundation for something real.
Plot Summary
Riding the High by Paisley Hope is the third book in the Silver Pines Ranch series. Cole Ashby, the newly appointed interim sheriff of Laurel Creek, is focused on proving himself worthy of the permanent position while raising his young daughter. Ginger Danforth, the daughter of a Kentucky congressman, has always lived under the pressure of neat appearances but yearns for adventure. After a wild weekend in Vegas, the two wake up married in a neon-lit chapel. With no quick annulment possible, they agree to stay secretly married for ninety days—until Ginger's father is re-elected and Cole's probationary period ends. But as Ginger helps care for Cole's daughter and they're forced to spend more time together, their fake marriage starts feeling dangerously real. This is an accidental marriage, brother's best friend, single-dad romance filled with heart, humor, and sizzling chemistry.
Why I Love This Book
I love how Riding the High takes a fun premise and adds genuine emotional depth. Cole is a devoted single dad who's protective, hardworking, and utterly swoon-worthy. Ginger is feisty, adventurous, and determined to be her own person. Their banter is top-tier, keeping the spark alive while they navigate their secret arrangement. I especially loved watching Ginger bond with Cole's daughter Mabel—their relationship adds so much heart to the story. The romance is steamy and satisfying, and I appreciated that the characters communicate like adults without unnecessary drama. The small-town setting and supportive Ashby family make this a warm, engaging read.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy small-town romance, cowboy heroes, accidental marriage, brother's best friend, or single-dad tropes, you’ll love this story. It's perfect for readers who want steamy romance with emotional substance, fun banter, and no third-act breakup. Fans of fake relationships that turn real and protective heroes will be delighted. This works as a standalone, but reading the series adds depth to the character connections.
⚠️ Trigger warning: references to past relationship issues, co-parenting challenges, explicit sexual content, mild adult language.
Tagged As
small town romance, cowboy romance, Silver Pines Ranch series, accidental marriage, brother's best friend, single dad, fake relationship, Vegas wedding, steamy, contemporary romance, HEA, standalone, emotional
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Explicit
The book features multiple explicit, open-door love scenes that are steamy and well-integrated into the emotional arc. The chemistry between Cole and Ginger is electric, and the intimacy serves their relationship development beautifully.
