Swift and Saddled was my first @authorlylasage book and it did not disappoint. Wes and Ada's story is an absolute delight that wraps itself around you like a warm hug.

I love how authentic this story was and how both main characters behaved like adults and worked through their issues. I especially love how gentle Wes was with Ada and would not take the third act break up of just about every romcom ever written.

Wes and ada had so much chemistry and the tension between them was 🥵. Everything about their story made me feel warm and gooey and I suspect this will become a comfort read.

I can't wait to read the next story in the rebel blue series. Cowboy romance era here I come.

Thank you to @quercusbooks and @netgalley for the e-arc 🥰

I read this book in one sitting, it's a cute and comfortable book and to me this is already a good thing, but what I really liked is the fact that the love story between the two main characters is really different than the previous book of this series.
I felt more connected with them and I enjoyed reading how they slowly fell in love.
I also liked most of the other characters, they're really funny and I liked reading how they interact with each other.

I think that Swift and Saddled it's not a perfect book, but it's sooo much better than Done and Dusted that I can't wait to read the next book of this series!

This was a nice book, but it wasn’t really for me. I read the previous book in this series last year and really enjoyed it, so this was a bit of a shame. Nothing was really bad about it, I want to stress – the writing is very good, the pacing was fine, and it was entertaining.

But the dynamic between Wes and Ada wasn’t my favourite and as a whole I found the book a little bland. The conflict there was felt a bit repetitive and I never felt very invested in their relationship. I liked Wes’ character – he was a sweetie, and I liked how he handled Ada. But I found her character hard to like and I didn’t really warm to her at any point during the book. I felt like we were being ‘told’ that she was grumpy and standoffish more than we were actually shown it, and sometimes this characterisation wasn’t consistent.

That said, whilst the dynamic between them wasn’t really my thing I did think their relationship developed nicely over the course of the book. The love scenes were steamy and well-written, and I thought their chemistry together was good.

It just wasn’t the book for me, I’m afraid, but I do think that it would do well with other readers, especially if you’re looking for a small town romance with a grumpy FMC and a Golden Retriever cowboy MMC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

Content Notes: Controlling and coercive behaviour (in past), death of a parent (in past), depression, on-page sex, unprotected sex, oral sex.

Okay Wesssss!! For sure my current Ryder favourite after reading this book. He is beyond sweet, caring and the fact he has a slight spicy side. I was there for it.

Even though this was about building a new area within the ranch, we saw Ada make a very very big impact on the Ryders. She’s recently divorced so will she open her heart to new starts?

Rebel Blue definitely has drawn someone else in and I love the way Wes and Ada’s relationship was a shock yet also a little slow burn! I can safely say I think Wes is my favourite Ryder right now.

There was just something about this book that just had me hooked.. a Five star read for me and the book that has me in my Cowboy Romance Era.

Also the hint of the possible third book I’m so here for it 😍

"We were a forever sort of thing."

- Small town
- Cowboy romance
- Workplace: interior designer x client
- Black cat x golden retriever
- Divorced FMC
- Found family
- Forced proximity (she lives in the same house)
- He falls first
- Mental health rep
- Dual POV

Wes and Ada share a kiss at Brooks’s bar before she runs out… and learns the next day that he’s her new client. She tries to keep things professional between them, but when Wes sees her and understands her like no one else, she struggles to keep the walls around her heart erected.

Something I admire about Lyla’s writing is the character depth – mam dives deep, and I love her for it! With Ada, you have a woman who comes off as cold but is really just shy and lonely, trying to find herself again after being trapped in a loveless marriage. She found both herself and a family at Rebel Blue Ranch, with Wes, the girls, and the Ryders inviting her into the fold.

"I think I might have been homesick for Rebel Blue before I knew it existed" = perfect found family vibes.

Then you have sweet, gentle, sunshine Wes, who’s looking to prove himself with the new guest ranch and step out from his siblings’s shadows. I loved the way he tenderly cared for Ada and understood she didn't want to feel trapped again.

"When I saw him, I felt... calm, like I'd just found shelter from a storm." 🥹 This perfectly describes their relationship and is just one of the many beautiful quotes I highlighted.

While I liked the mental health rep, I would've loved a little more depth. Wes's depression was mentioned briefly and then kind of forgotten about? This is really my only critique, though. Otherwise, it's another winner from Lyla, and I am DYING for Gus and Teddy.

Thank you to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the early copy!

One of my favourite books i’ve read so far in 2024, this is book 2 in the Rebel Blue Ranch series and can be read as a standalone,

this was so well written. i loved the first book and loved the second instalment even more so!

the romance was so wholesome and sweet. the characters well written!

thank you netgalley for the ARC opportunity for Swift and Saddled and thank you Lyle Safe for such a wonderful story, I can’t wait to read more!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc copy of Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage. I loved this book!! It was so sweet and endearing whilst also being super funny. I also loved guessing who the couples in future books would be and I’m pretty sure Gus and Teddy are soulmates - Dusty and Cam need a book too!!
I love Lyla Sage’s writing and cannot wait for more Rebel Blue Ranch books. If you enjoy small-town cowboy romances - think Chestnut Springs - you’ll love this series!

I loved Wes & Ada’s story! Two people with internal scars who become a source of safe space for one another.

Learning more about Wes’s character really showed that the happiest people are not always happy all the time, and the way he was able to be so vulnerable around Ada & also his family was so refreshing to read about in a male character. My girl Ada - there were parts of her I could relate to and others I couldn’t, but overall she creep into my heart from the very beginning and her story was so inspiring.

I loved seeing the dynamic between all the characters in this one - from the sibling bond between the Ryder siblings, the girl friendships with Emmy, Teddy & Cam and crumbs between Teddy & Gus (I’m so excited for their book!!).

Despite the ending feeling a little rushed (and a certain scene feeling a little open ended), I enjoyed reading this book a lot.

Thank you to Netgalley & Quercus Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

After Ada Hart’s marriage fell apart, she was determined that she would never need a man to take care of her. Since then, she has established her own business and has snagged an important project at one of the largest ranches in Wyoming. When she arrives in Meadowlark, she finds herself in a dive bar where she can’t seem to shake the eyes of a handsome cowboy. After sharing a passionate kiss, she quickly leaves, leaving behind her computer. Upon arriving at her new job, she finds out that the cowboy is none other than her new boss, Weston Ryder. Weston is thrilled that the mystery woman from the bar is the interior designer for his dream project on his family’s ranch. His excitement is dampened when Ada makes it clear that she will have nothing to do with him outside of work. However, despite Ada doing all that she can to put a distance between them, she feels so right when she is with Wes. All Wes must do is convince her to trust in him.
I enjoyed seeing Ada trust again, in someone so genuine as Wes. His support of her, showed patience and determination. I did find that his connection was quite quick from the start, but this was probably more so, as Ada was so reluctant to start a relationship. I loved Wes’s family and friends, who gave an added level of depth to this story. The author handled issues such as depression with subtlety and an openness that did not overwhelm the romance. A great read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐

• opposite attracts
• golden retriever boy x black cat girl
• forced proximity
• small town

I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first, Done and dusted! While I wasn't really interested in Emmy and Luke’s love story, I appreciated Ada and Wes more.

The mental health rep was interesting, but I would've preferred if Wes’ situation was showed a little bit more than this.

Overall, it was a cute and funny romance, perfect for everyone that is in their cowboy romance era 🤠 Also, the friend group created by the girls (Emmy, Ada, Teddy, Cam) was adorable. Girl power 🫶🏻

I’m really excited to read the third book! I bet that Teddy and Gus love story will be amazing.

I loved Swift and Saddled so much!
It is the perfect mix of a sweet and steamy small town romance. I mean who doesn’t love a chap wearing cowboy with a soft core🥰
I enjoyed being back at Rebel Blue Ranch in Wyoming - it makes me want to run away and start my own horse/cattle ranch with my very own cowboy!

I loved the growth between Ada and Wes - they felt so genuine and I’m so swept up in their relationship.
Let’s just say the calf in the garage scene would have had my heart melting too🐄

With the digital copy I also read the first chapter of the next book… let’s just say Teddy and Gus! OMG I’m so excited!! We NEED this book! I cannot wait to see more of Rebel Blue Ranch!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Quercus Books for a copy of this book!

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 4.5 stars ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

"Her eyes were like magnets, and when she wasn’t looking at me, my eyes searched all of her until they could find hers again."

“I see you, Ada. I always see you, even when you won’t look at me.”

"He was like the sun. No matter what, he would keep coming up."

“You’re the moon,” he said. “And I’m the tides. You pull me in without even trying, and I come to you willingly. I always will.”

i was right, i did like this one more than the first! and i'm so glad that the cover is as pretty as the first. this book was so sweet, short and fun and it made me beyond happy to be back at rebel blue ranch. the characters and the different types of relationships between them felt very real. the quotes in this book are amazing! if you're looking for a small town cowboy romance that is heartwarming, comforting and wholesome, then i definitely recommend reading this book! can't wait to read about teddy and gus next!!

˗ˋˏ ୨୧ thank you to NetGalley and Lyla Sage for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review! ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

This was one of my most anticipated release of 2024 because I devoured Done & Duster and think about it regularly still.

Swift & Saddled just didn’t quite hit the mark me though. It took a while for me to get into it and actually start enjoying it (about 40%) yet at the same time felt slightly rushed.

The depression representation felt gimmicky to me and was just thrown into the mix to have mental health rep throughout the series. As someone who suffers with depression themselves, it didn’t feel realistic to me. Having said that, Ada’s trauma response to her previous relationship was perfect.

I will probably still read the next book in the series because I NEEEED to understand what is going with Teddy and Gus…

Thank you Quercus Books and Lyla Sage for the Arc!

OMG so much goodness here! Meadowlark, small-town Wyoming. Start with that gorgeous cover, it reminded me of the penny dreadful comics when I was a kid. So much nostalgia!

I agree with other readers who thought that even though Ada is utterly gorgeous, Wes stole the show. A caregiver still finding his way in a big, boisterous extended family, his mental health rep was spot on. Wes’ depression was so thoughtfully shown, especially his awareness that it was not something he had, more it was part of who he was.

Ada is neurodiverse, and this adds to her challenges as she comes to Meadowlark, but isn’t sure how she can stay. She’s hurting from a marriage failure, and she’s insecure and lonely. She finds love, family, adventure and friendship at Rebel Blue Ranch.

It’s steamy, and they are both adorable, with all the respect and consent and consideration I could wish for 🌶🌶

This is just a wonderful read. There’s angst, but more importantly there’s kindness, and caretaking and vulnerability. I even re-learned how to drive a manual 😃. There’s plenty of momentum and I was committed from chapter one. Enjoy!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Lyla Sage for the ARC.

Swift and Saddled is the first book I've read from Lyla Sage, and it was so good that I'm now going to read Done and Dusted because I need Emmy and Brook's story. Wes was just swoon worthy in this book, and I fell in love with him straight away, and I enjoyed Ada growth throughout the book.

AHHH absolutely love her books!! Characters and vibes are both amazing! Gives me chestnut springs vibes in the best way possible.

I didn't think I could love a cowboy romance more than I loved Done and Dusted.. until I read this book - it was incredible!

The tension between Wes and Ada from their first kiss is EVERYTHING 😍 that she tries so hard to resist because he's her boss but just can't resist his charm, is just *chefs kiss*.

I loved that the story touched on some sensitive subjects such as mental health and also controlling relationships showing the vulnerability in both the FMC and MMC.

And let's not forget the spice, I mean.. their connection and the tension is 🥵 I was swooning, kicking my feet and it left me blushing!

I'm hoping there is a third booking coming because I am desperate to get lost in the world of these characters again, Lyla Sage's writing is just incredible!

This is my first cowboy romance, and oh boy, what planet have I been on! How have I not found them sooner?!? 😅

It features some of my fave micro topes/settings:
He falls first.
Opposites attract.
She's a designer, renovating his place.
Forced proximity (she's living on site!)
Found Family ❤️
He's a small-town guy... she's a city girl 🎶 does that remind anyone of a song??

Swift and Saddled is the sequel to Done and Dusted in the Rebel Blue Ranch series starring Ada and Weston. You don't have to read in order (I'm going to go back and read the first), but it does give away which couples get together 😋

Now I have just one problem... I NEED MORE COWBOY READING RECS! 📚 😆

Overall, this was a fun, fast read with laughs, feels and steam.

4,5/5

Great novel! I immediately became attached to Ada. I loved her determination and courage. Her attraction to Weston is instantaneous and their immediate chemistry can be felt across the pages. Weston is also a very good main character. It's so rare to see a man talk openly about his doubts and vulnerabilities. Seeing him suffer, struggle, and acknowledge his chronic depression and not be ashamed to seek treatment or talk about it was really touching. Watching their love story slowly build around the renovation of Weston's project was beautiful and sweet. I also loved the secondary characters and can't wait to discover their stories too.

Besides sports romance, I really like romantic stories that take place on ranches with cowboys. I was curious about this story even though I haven’t read the first book in the series (and I don’t think it’s necessary, I got the gist of things without is). I was quite pleased. The characters were so amazing, especially Wes with his tender heart and caring nature. Ada was so relatable to me, feeling not being likeable enough. I also liked the mental illness representation. The conflict was so lifelike and I really liked how undeterred Wes was by it, how he chose to be patient with Ada and had faith in her.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the book.