This second Rebel Blue Ranch read did not disappoint. I'm glad to see the world established in Done and Dusted was expanded upon in Swift and Saddled, yet still felt comforting and romantic.

Ada and Wes were fantastic characters to read, both as individuals and as a romantic pairing. I appreciated that their instant chemistry was well-paced throughout the novel, and didn't lean right into insta-love. The tension was palpable at points (the popcorn scene!!), and I loved all the moments where they were tested by the other and how long they could hold out.

I love spicy books, and this one did not disappoint. It was tastefully done and I adored their connection. Who doesn't love a cowboy romance?
Wes was a character that i adored from the moment we met him in book one, and I was glad that his story was the next in the series.

I liked the author's continued commitment to mental health representation and trauma recovery in this second book. Wes' depression was handled very well and felt like a natural part of his overall character which was really nice. I also adored that both characters maturely approached their issues and fears. The honesty that Wes and Ada established early on in the book wasn't cheapened by some of the rash decisions or not communicating well enough when feeling insecure. I absolutely loved the resolution to the third act angst and just swooned over how healthy this connection was for both of them.

Very eager to read book three. Meadowlark and Rebel Blue has become a comforting small town that I wish to spend more time within.
Bring on book three.

Never in a million years did I think I would love this book as much as I ended up loving it. Really.

I loved Wes, there’s no question about it and the representation that I brought to the table was F A N T A S T I C - a cowboy (SUNSHINE) with depression? I really enjoyed his development so freaking much! But, for me, Ada stole the show! I could relate so much with Ada and with everything she was and what she was looking for. I love every single thing about her - especially her inner thoughts.

This book is so, so good - not only because it’s a cowboy romance but because this family is EVERYTHING - I really can’t wait for Gus&Teddy! I love the found family trope, the reserve grumpyxsunshine, the cowboy vibes and everything about this book!

Please make sure you read this book because IT’S SO GOOD!

Star Rating: 4.5
Spice Rating: 2.5

Oh god I love this series so much! The family and the friendships in these books are just so incredible it makes me want to sob!

I absolutely adored Wes and his story. It look me a little while to warm up to Ada but I did really like her in the end and I can't wait to see more of hers and Wes' relationship in the background of the rest of the series.

I need the next book immediately!

No one is sadder than me about this…but I’m going to dnf 😢 I just couldn’t connect with the characters in this one and it really dragged from chapter to chapter. It also put me in the worst reading slump because I felt like I had to finish it. I loved done and dusted though! Read that!

What an absolutely gorgeous book.

Lyla Sage is a new-to-me author whose work I plan to continue reading. I love cowboy romance and was looking for more recommendations in this subgenre, when I came across Lyla's name. Her first book, Done and Dusted, was continually being recommended, and there was a lot of promo for Swift and Saddled in its lead-up to release.

After reading its blurb and swooning over its colourful, old-school comic-styled cover, I knew this book was going to be good. And it was!

Ada and Weston are two characters with entirely different lives and a mutual attraction toward each other. However, while this may have elements of 'opposites attract', at their core, these two characters are very similar: they want a life filled with love, family, and stability.

For Ada, I loved and admired her character growth. She has a lot to overcome, and she does so with a lot of hard work, effort, and kindness (toward herself when she stumbles). For Wes, I loved his caring nature. He was a major cinnamon roll hero who only wanted to help his loved ones in any way he could.

As for the rest of the characters, I enjoyed meeting each and every one. I plan to go back and read Done and Dusted to discover Emmy and Brooks' story, and I look forward to each new addition to this series!

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys lighter contemporary romance/cowboy romance with a bit of spice and the found family trope.

Disclaimer: Thank you to Lyla Sage and Quercus Books for the ARC.

Swift and Saddled was the perfect combination of sweet and steamy, with the same cozy vibe as the previous book in the series. We follow Wes and Ada, and I must say they are real characters with so many insecurities and dilemmas that I couldn’t avoid relating with them.

The romance in this book felt authentic, and while the main characters were portraited as opposites, they found balance in each other. The way Lyla introduced mental health topics to the story was quite unique, since that’s not the way most author’s do it, and it made the story feel more honest.

Overall, this is a heartwarming book and I recommend it to small town romance fans. I did, however, felt like the pace of the book was a bit rushed and the love at first sight trope is always tricky for me.

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

This book was so cute! I love small-town romances, and I definitely missed Rebel Blue Ranch.

I seriously love this family so much. Special attention and spotlight going to Amos, because he's so nice and kind and incredible. I love the relationship and the vibe in the family and everyone is truly so wonderful.

Wes deserves all the love. I have no words for him, really. The way he's just so understanding and supportive and kind! He's always there for the people he cares about, and his ability to read people and truly understand them even if he just met them like 2 mins ago is wow. He is amazing and truly deserves everything.

Ada is an interior designer who hasn't had the best couple of years after her divorce. She's new in town, and she's trying her best to focus on her dream and her career. She definitely doesn't expect to meet a handsome cowboy on her first night in the small town.

The connection between Wes and Ada is instant. They meet at a bar, they share an incredibly steamy kiss, and they go their separate ways. And then their paths cross again, which makes sense considering Ada was hired by Wes himself to help with the renovations of the old house at the Ranch. Their vibe and dynamics change from this moment, mainly because there's absolutely no way Ada would get involved with her boss. Just imagine!

I actually enjoyed seeing them work through their relationship and the challenges, and finding ways to overcome it and focus on themselves. Wes is the perfect gentleman at all times, and every time he would show up he would absolutely steal the show.
Ada - sadly I couldn't connect with her that much. However there were a few moments when she was sharing her thoughts to which I could relate.

I wish some aspects had been developed a bit more: I wanted to learn more of Ada and her past, her divorce, Wes' depression. I feel like specially the last one didn't get the attention it deserved, and it all left me craving more.

Overall I really enjoyed this one, it's nicely written and the pace is great - this is definitely a "read in one sitting" kind of book with beautiful small-town and found family vibes.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Lyla Sage and Quercus Books for the ARC of this book!

It is truly the best feeling when I love a sequel just as much as the first book. The characters were so much fun and different in the best ways from Emmy and Brooks, while also still bringing the same home-y feeling of the first book. I finish these books already missing Rebel Blue Ranch and I’m so excited for the next one.

I really related to Wes with his struggles with depression while outwardly being the golden retriever kind of person that everyone expects from you. It can be hard to be on all the time just to keep up with everyone’s expectations.
Wes and Ada together were the perfect blend of grumpy and sunshine, he fall first, and forced proximity tropes. This book had so many great tropes while still feeling genuine and heartfelt.

Thank you NetGalley, Quercus Books, and Lyla Sage for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Quercus Books and Lyla Sage for this EARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I loved being back at Rebel Blue Ranch!
This time we have Ada and Wes, in this sweet forced proximity romance.

Such a heart-warming story - Ada is on a journey of self discovery and Wes has his own demons to face.

When Ada is welcomed to the family at Rebel Ranch, she thrives in the small town, finding what she really wants! Wes has always wanted to prove himself on the Ranch and now its all finally coming together.
Wes is such a loveable guy and Ada is so relatable - together they are cute, funny and wholesome.

I loved that we get more of the family in this book, and give more substance to some of the characters mentioned in Done and Dusted.
Here we have a great combination of small town family with steamy romance - just what I needed!

After loving Done and Dusted, I was SO excited to return to Rebel Blue Ranch and I was not disappointed!

Wes was an absolute dreamboat of a cowboy and I loved how his approach to show Ada that he cared was to show up and be there. He was patient, loving and kind, and was the perfect gentleman and gave her time to trust him. Ada was a great female lead who had been shown before that she wasn’t worthy of love, but I loved her and so do the whole gang at the ranch!

I loved the cameos of my fave characters (shoutout to Teddy, Amos and Luke) and the hints at what is to come in the next book! Overall, definitely recommend this if you love a cowboy, small town romance with some spice.

Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus books for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars for me

I really enjoyed it however I did enjoy done and dusted more and felt that I connected with the main character in that book more.
I still really enjoyed the dynamics of it. Especially that they were both so open with each other, that was very refreshing to see. It’s a cute small town cowboy romance I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

To say I loved this book is an understatement. There was not a single moment in the book where I wasn't enjoying myself and as someone who always has something to complain about, that says a lot.

Ada and Wes are just the absolute sweetest and their attraction to each other was so well written and so believable. I adored how Wes constantly wanted to be around her but didn't want to cross her boundaries. He's literally the dream man, so respectful, so nurturing and his dirty talk? Lord, help me

Ada's past felt like it actually added to the plot of the book instead of just being there, and I really appreciate that. I love it when a character's past experiences don't just fade away as time goes on, but are something they have to deal with every day. Because that's how it works in real life.

Adding to that, I also really appreciate how this book handled some darker subjects like depression and anxiety. It's so nice to see a book where depression is just part of someone's life. It's not the main plot, it's not their entire personality, it's just there.

I feel like the spice is just improving with each book, so I'm definitely not complaining. I can't wait for book 3 to come out.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

After reading Done & Dusted I knew I wanted to read the second book, too!
This comes together nicely and focuses on Ada and Wes. I love how we get the spice but also the journey of healing. The spice was quite timid and I would’ve loved a bit more but with a focus on mental health and a new life this was in a good balance. The romance IS SLOW. But with their instant connection it makes you YEARN. I loved this!

Swift and Saddled (Rebel Blue Ranch 2): Lyla Sage

🌟 4/5

Genre: new adult romance

POV: dual

Tropes: small town romance, cowboy, black cat x golden retriever, boss x employee

TWs: depression, divorce

On the night before her new interior design project, Ada arrives in Wyoming in search of dinner but ends up in a dive bar making out with a hot cowboy.

Fast forward 12 hours and she arrives at Rebel Blue Ranch to be greeted by her new boss, Wes — the guy from the bar. Eek!!

Rebel Blue Ranch, Meadowlark, Wyoming and the Ryder family felt like home. With lots of involvement from Done and Dusted characters, Emmy and Luke, and Teddy and Gus (Lost and Lassoed - pub date later this year).

Ada is a self deprecating fmc, who had been through a tricky marriage and divorce 2 years ago. She has built herself up over the past few years after she lost her identity and independence in marriage. She likes herself now but can’t believe that anyone else would like her? Until Wes.

Wes is patient. Kind. “The nice guy” with the biggest heart. Described as the sun by Ada (perfect!!). And he describes her as the moon, where he’s the tides she keeps drawing in. 😭 if you love a soft, caring mmc, Wes is for you!

Lyla Sage handled the discussions of depression throughout extremely well. Highlighting the importance of medication, therapy and routine for people with depression. Explaining the concept of feeling good now, but always anticipating that there may be a time you might not feel so good and fall into the dark pit again. Shining a light on depression is always needed.

I loved the depth to the characters and the communication!! Especially from Wes, encouraging her and being patient while she freaks out about her feelings. It’s so refreshing to read a healthy relationship with conflict resolution.

Special mention to meddling Amos Ryder, he knows all 🤭

So excited for Lost and Lassoed 🤠🩵

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus for an arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ada Hart is a strong independent woman who doesn’t need a man. Refusing to be a woman who relies on anyone else she chases her dreams leaving her disastrous marriage behind her. Her next project takes her to one of the largest ranches in Wyoming for the biggest job of her career.

She arrives in town and heads for the first dive bar she sees where she casts her eyes on a handsome cowboy. Their spark draws them out of spotlight ending in a frenzied kiss. Fireworks went off and Ada bailed leaving her bag in the bar.

She’d regret the kiss if it wasn’t one she couldn’t stop thinking about. Until the moment she realises the handsome cowboy is her new boss.

Weston Ryder is a quiet happy man with a heart of gold and a desire to restore the family ranch. His mood shifts dramatically when a certain interior designer is around. Agreeing to keep things strictly professional is harder than they both thought. While the walls are literally coming down, Ada’s walls are firmly in place. Dreams and love has them pulling into directions they are not sure about. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made for true happiness.

Swoooonnnn … Weston Ryder welcome to the book boyfriend club. I adored every complicated, real and raw page in this book. Both Ada and Weston battle their own inner demons to find their slice of happily ever after. This series needs to be made into a series or movie asap! Sorry @authorlylasage I need more already.

If you’ve not picked this series up yet gallop don’t trot!

Wes and Ada supremacy 🙌🏽 another amazing book from Lyla, I enjoyed being back in the Rebel Blue Universe.

Both characters were so likeable we get to learn more about Wes and meet a new character from outside the small town. Seeing Ada progress in this town following her divorce was so bittersweet as she kind of starts over. I’m not the biggest fan of instalove/lust but the chemistry between her and Wes was undeniable. There is a lot of tension and sweet moments as well which leads to them fighting their feelings for one another.

Overall I’d say this was a great book about self discovery and love after loss with the perfect balance of forced proximity and found family vibes 🥰

Reading this book, makes you feel warm and comfy. Small town ranch with amazing characters and family.

Ada&Wes. Their chemistry was so good from the beginning. They were reverse grumpy x sunshine. And it was so well done.
Ada's journey was impressive. How she wanted a fresh start. And Wes supported her. It was heartwarming. He was so kind and sweet.
And of course, he has a dirty mouth in bed

And I want to read the next book also. Teddy and Gus. That book will be angsty and full of banter.


Thank you Netgalley and Quercusbooks for the ARC!!

(Thank you NetGalley, Publisher, and Lyla for this ARC in exchange for an honest review)

Release date: March, 5th

This book belongs to the ongoing Rebel Blue Ranch Serie:
1. Done and Dusted
2. Swift and Saddled
3. Lost and Lassoed (November, 5th)

Tropes:
😡Reverse grumpy x sunshine
🐴Cowboy x city girl
🔥Steamy first meeting
💙He falls first
👨🏻Boss x employee

📖 City girl Ada Hart is determined not to rely on a man after her failed marriage and career setback. But when she lands a major project on a Wyoming ranch, she can't ignore the handsome cowboy who catches her eye at a local bar—only to discover he's her new boss, Weston Ryder. Despite Ada's reluctance, Weston is smitten and sees this project as a chance to win her over. As they work together, Ada's walls start to crumble, but will they risk it all for love?

✨ I know everyone loves the grumpy guys, but the sunshine ones? They're for me. Wes is adorable and one of the loves of my life. He has an illness I wanted to see more on paper to be just perfect and get to know more about how he would feel. My Ada has her bag too, and as individual characters, they're so good but together? They're perfect. You know I'm well known for not liking the 3rd Acts, and I honestly tolerate this one thanks to how Wes acted. He deserves 5 stars, I'm sorry if I'm not objective. I just can't. I hope you give this book a chance because I honestly enjoy it, love it, and read it so so fast! I couldn't put it down for a second.

🌸 Curious for more details? Hang tight till the release date! Join me on Instagram (@lovelace.books) to spill all the tea after it hits the shelves! ☕📖

My first Lyla Sage book. It’s a cute, small-town romance with all the right vibes, but it felt somewhat superficial to me. However, it’s an easy and quick read, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

I’m going to start with Wes because I loved him. It’s hard not to. He’s an absolute sweetheart dealing with some issues and who doesn’t usually go for women easily—except for Ada. And while it’s very insta-lovey for him, I can’t fault him. That’s how much I loved him.

Ada is new in town, and she has quite a few issues to handle herself. I wanted to love her, especially bearing in mind her past relationship, but I only liked her. Some of her reactions and attitudes didn’t work for me, and she could do with more character development.

They meet at a bar. Just two strangers at the same place at the same time. Something clicks between them, and they can’t control it. So much so, they’re all over each other until reality comes crawling in and Ada runs. But it’s all fine. Until she gets to the house she’s renovating the following day and realizes the sexy cowboy who lit her up the previous night is her boss.

They obviously have to work closely together and you can see the lust and the want. Except you also see Wes pining for her—I don’t think he even realizes he’s doing it. But she’s not giving him an inch. This is a job, she needs to keep things professional, and, most of all, she doesn’t need more hurt in her life. She’s had enough of that.

Wes does his best, though. He’s there. He listens. He doesn’t go away when she seems to want him to. I don’t think he can. She’s fighting it too… and while I sort of got it at first (like I said, my own past issues make her relatable), then I didn’t.

I understand self-confidence issues more than the average person. I understand thinking people don’t like you, or feeling unworthy. However, we’re never shown how this came to be. We hear about the ex (way too much, if you ask me—there’s even a phone call that doesn’t need to be there at all), her lack of friends, and her estranged family, but we don’t really know what happened. Without more character development, it’s like she’s denying all of it… just because.

At the same time, you have Wes, always there, waiting. And damn it, my heart broke for him. However, while I loved him to bits, his mental health issues seem to be forgotten somewhere mid-book, and while I’m a fan of the representation, I’m not a fan of treating mental illness as an accessory or something in a scene or two to then swipe it under the rug.

When they finally come together, it’s good. I love how they open up to each other (even though it seems to be more on his side). I loved the sort of weird innocence between them when it finally happened and as they explored each other, but I didn’t necessarily love it in subsequent scenes. Requesting permission to touch her as if they’re strangers didn’t sit well with me—call it what you will.

Wes single-handedly stops an attempt at a third-act breakup, only for it to happen again at 90% of the book. And it’s… strange. Again, maybe because we don’t really know her and all her reasons seem shallow. Maybe because he didn’t deserve it. And maybe because it’s a very teenager-y sort of added drama, IMO.

It does have an HEA, and I loved it. I also loved her found family at the ranch. And I know these two are really a forever thing. As a character-driven reader, it just felt like a missed opportunity at a book that could have been great but ended up being OK.

4.5 stars

I really loved this one.

Wes is just beautiful and has a heart of gold. I loved him so much. Ada was the grump to his sunshine and was so relatable for me. I loved how they meet and then figure out who the other is. They had great physical tension and their personalities meshed so well together. I loved how open and honest they were about things too. It was just so lovely to read.

The way the storyline developed was so good. I liked that it spanned over a period of time and because it fit them better. Of course seeing all the characters you met in the previous book was wonderful! And it definitely has you peaked for the next couple of books! I’m so excited for them!!!

Also I loved that it addressed depression as well as other things. It was done really well I thought.