Sadly this was a dnf for me, I was anticipated to read this book but unfortunately it wasn't for me. I couldn't connect with the story and the characters and I truly tried to finish it but I simply couldn't.

I’ve been counting down the days until Swift and Saddled available! Eeek!

Oh boy, the second installment in the Rebel Blue Ranch series did not disappoint! In fact, I think this is my favourite. Ada and Wes’ story is *chefs kiss*. A solid 4.5 stars!

Sage is brilliant is balancing real life with the romance all want and as a result the story, plot and characters relationships feel genuine and warm. You laugh, you cry, you giggle and oh you woop!!

Not to spoil too much if you love a black cat FMC and a golden retriever MMC with some found family sprinkled in then you’ll love this. A scene involving Wes sitting on a car bonnet, broke my heart and put it back together again!

The story does handle themes of depression, absuive and controlling relationships (prior) and as the first book, death of a family member so do consider if this is a story for you.

Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

✑ SWIFT AND SADDLED, by Layla Sage
rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ stars (4) loved it!
note: moving to a small town ranch asap

If you liked the first book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, buckle up, because you are going to loooooove Ada and Wes!

Done and Dusted did not really work for me (it was quite a fun and fast read, but it did not grasp me enough). Swift and Saddled, though? I devoured this book way faster than I thought I would!

The connection between the characters and the chemistry was so well done that I’d be at the edge of my seat each time Wes and Ada would so much as brush their arms. They also had their fair share of growth and depth, and I especially enjoyed seeing the mental health representation in our male character, Wes!

I related far more to Ada than what I initially thought, seeing quite a lot of myself in her insecurities. I loved to see her grow in confidence and self-love throughout the book, and - special mention to the girl’s group!! one of the highlights was seeing all the girlies together and creating bonds, it made me even more excited to read the next book(s) in the series!!

I also need to mention the hints and glimpses of the future couples I *hope* we are going to get in the upcoming books. It is one of my favourite things to see in a romance standalone series, and I got particularly excited at Cam’s storyline!! Such a nice and fun group of characters to read about, I had the best time with all the squad scenes!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Quercus books for giving me the chance to read and review this book ahead of its release! You guys don’t want to miss Swift and Saddle, so make sure to mark your calendars for March 5th!

Absolutely loved this one! Feels so great to be back in Meadowlark with the Ryders.

I really enjoyed getting to know Wes a bit better and the escapism was just fabulous. I loved getting to see Wes from a romantic perspective and the inclusion of his mental health was brilliant. It wasn’t super in depth but it was explicit and I loved how it was normalised in this book.

I read this so fast, I was totally sucked in! There are a couple of bits that are grammatically clunky so I had to reread the page a couple of times but it wasn’t so much that it really took away from the reading experience.

I am so excited to read more of this series! Super ready for some Gus x Teddy ;)

4 stars
Thank you so much to Quercus and NetGalley for my E-ARC! Xx

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

Come dicevo, tra tutti i libri possibili e immaginabili, proprio quello con entrambi i nomi dei miei figli (per fortuna lei ha il nome della FMC ma lui non quello del MMC, sarebbe stato un po' inquietante! 😂), una coincidenza assurda! Nei prossimi giorni scriverò una recensione degna di essere chiamata tale, ma ho amato questo libro ancora di più del primo! Ho apprezzato tantissimo che ci sia un'ottima rappresentazione della depressione maggiore, e, ormai ne sono convinta, amo i reverse grumpy x sunshine quanto i grumpy x sunshine normali, anzi, recentemente penso che i golden retriever MMC siano il mio punto debole.

4.75 stars

In this book, we follow Emmy’s brother Wes. Wes is going to renovate the old Big House and hires Ada to do so. But the day before the renovation is supposed to start, they accidentally meet at the bar. Although neither of them knows who the other person is. They share a phenomenal kiss, and then Ada runs out with the intention never to see this person again. Until the next day, when she sees who her new boss is.

I was only giggling the entire time. I could not think about anything else for two straight days after reading this book. I am absolutely obsessed. With these two characters, you could so easily feel the chemistry between them. You could even feel the chemistry between Ada and the entire family. Also, how can a fictional character be so sexy? I am not sure whether this is a five-star book for me; I might crank it up if I keep thinking about this book. But for now, I simply am obsessed and I need to meet these characters.

“Hey, sweetheart.”
“Hi cowboy.”

Meadowlark (WY), I was already so exited for this book after reading Done and Dusted that I preorder it! (Will not cancel it, I need the paperback in my collection ♥️) so when I found out it was approved on @netgalley I was extra exited that I get to be one of the first few to already read Weston and Ada’s story!

As you all know by now, cowboy romance is my trope. My forever Era!

‘That was me, Ada Heart, nothing if not prepared.’

‘I’ve always had a thing for adrenaline- for the things that make me feel indestructible. I felt like I didn’t have anything to lose. Because of that, I used to be fearless.’

In D&D we read about Teddy knowing someone who might be able to help Wes design his B&B. This someone is Ada. So she goes to Meadowlark to fix up the B&B for Mr. Ryder. Ada doesn’t have a good history with friendship and relationships. She is awkward around people because she is so insecure and afraid no-one likes her. She just blossoms during her time at RBR.

Wes is the most amazing gentleman there is. Again there is a mental health rep which I think is amazing.

I love reading about Brooks, Emmy, Riley, Gus and Amos again. I love the family dynamics of these books.

A really sweet small town cowboy romance. No third act break up which is an absolute plus.

Swift and Saddled, the second book in Lyla Sage’s Rebel Blue series, was such a little dream of a book. It was such a fun, sweet, romantic and streamy read; I can’t wait for the next instalment Lost and Lassoed.

Swift and Saddled takes us back to Rebel Blue ranch in Wyoming, where Ada Hart has been hired for the project that she hopes will bring here career to the next level and get her the heck away from California and her past. What she didn’t plan on was for the handsome cowboy that she shared a passionate kiss with in a bar the night she arrived to end up being her new boss Wes Ryder. As Ada tries to resist the pull she feels to Wes, will they be able to make it through this project without giving in? Or will they both put their dreams on the line for a chance at love?

There was so much to enjoy about this book. It was such a fast, fun and easy read. You feel totally transported into beautiful Rebel Blue ranch along with Ada in reading this gorgeous story. It’s so romantic at its core and a lovely slow and steady build, after the initial passionate kiss. The chemistry between Ada and Wes was excellent and you could tell that these two were so right for one another and I was really rooting for them.

As characters I really liked both Ada and Wes, and it was great to see more of the other Ryders and Brooks from Done and Dusted. Ada and Wes complimented each other so well. Wes is a thoroughly decent guy and though he has his own issues he’s upfront and honest about how he’s doing which I really loved. I really liked the ways that he was there for Ada and helped her to realise that the way she was treated in the past was not a reflection of her failings but of those around her. Ada goes on such a journey here and you can see her confidence in herself grow on the page.

One thing I especially loved about this one was the found family element of it. The Ryder clan are just so very solid, with Amos seeking to be the best father to his kids and making sure they all know that family is more than those you’re born to. It was so lovely to see how kind and welcoming everyone was to Ada and how that helped her to open up and heal the wounds of her past. I’ll also say here that I appreciated the gentle and sensitive handling of mental health by Sage, particularly Wes’ depression.

I genuinely really enjoyed this one and can’t wait for the next.

I enjoyed this second installment of Rebel Blue. Even though I felt that Ada was quite abrupt at times, Wes provided solid land for her to feel tethered. Wes was soft and sure, and I felt that that was exactly what Ada needed.
I liked seeing familiar characters around, and can't wait to read Teddy and Gus next! The zingers were zinging!

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I was starting to think I'd forgotten how to read, but then picked this book up and turns out I just hadn't been reading anything I was bothered about.
Here we have a grumpy X sunshine insta lust cowboy story.
Wes hires Ada to do a renovation on a house and he falls hard and fast for Ada who tries very hard to keep her walls up.
This book was really sweet, rounded 4.5 stars up to 5.

My first book by the author!
I’ve not read her first book yet so can confirm it can be read as a standalone!
It’s a funny one as I found that I enjoyed this book, loved the characters, the family & the romance BUT never had a burning desire to pick up the book.
I think some people won’t love the ending but I did!
I think everyone needs a Wes in their lives!
More detailed review to follow on my Instagram
@the.readinglife

Loved the meetcute and the story that followed. Follows the classic and comfortable rom-com formula but I liked that although romance was important, female friendship and support was a key focus of this story. Ending was super cute and felt well deserved for these characters. Will be recommending to friends and romance lovers.

4.25⭐️

thank you to netgalley and quercus books for this amazing opportunity

first off let’s talk about how quickly i zoomed through this? it’s definitely a fast paced steamy romance!

the characters were so lovable and real - it hurt at times how much i related to both ada and wes. what cuties

the romance was nice to watch unfold and the spice was a very nice welcome too. the storyline was chefs kiss too. i mean a ranch renovation? it’s my younger self’s dream.

i did notice a few mistakes but that’s to be expected with an arc, but overall i loved it

Enjoyed this second instalment in the Rebel Blue Ranch series (which can be read a standalone, although the first book is also recommended). Wes and Ada are two people with a lot going on under the surface, and they complement each other beautifully. Ada's insecurities are detailed well; there was just enough about her background, and I'm not sure whether more information would have assisted with or detracted from the main story. I liked how her confidence blossomed both with Wes and her new-found female friendships. The subject of mental health is dealt with very practically, ensuring it isn't seen as anything shameful, and I felt the relationship developed very realistically, walking the line of not-exactly-smooth-sailing without tipping into over-dramatic. Looking forward to the next book, which has been building very nicely in the background.

After reading and absolutely loving Done & Dusted, I had high expectations for Swift & Saddled, and it definitely reached them! I really enjoyed this book, from the characters and chemistry to the storyline, it was an enjoyable and fun city girl x country boy romance. I can't wait for the next in the series!

'He was like the sun. No matter what, he would keep coming up.'
Okay I was super super hyped to receive this arc so thank you to the pub team for approving my request for an honest review.
If I'm being honest Done and Dusted was good but I LOVED Swift and Saddled more. I love both our MMCs.
I love how the grumpy x sunshine trope was used.
I love Wes and Ada so much. The chemistry was so so sweet. It was light and the perfect palate cleanser.
Small town romance and a renovation? SOLD.
Swift and Saddled delivered on sensitive topic such as personal imagery and self doubt which was honestly a. refreshing and b. relatable.
Lyla delivered on the perfect blend of chemistry and personal character development.
Wes is a dark horse and I loved his personality and sir the mouth on Wes made me fall for him hard.

READ for
-small town romance
-cowboys
-interconnected stand alone
- slow burn
-one night stand
-dual pov
-no 3r act break up cause Wes is a grown ass man

Can't wait for you all to read this!

Thank You for the ARC in exchyfor a review! Swift and Saddled was just what I needed. It was sweet and sweet.

It's a beautiful small town / cowboy romance and I loved the characters! I adored Done and Dusted and this one also blew it out the park.

I love the Black Cat x Golden Retriever trope, it gets me every single time!

Can't wait for more books in the Rebel Blue Ranch series!

This was a great second book, I might even say better than the first. Such a short and sweet novel that was totally bingeable. I loved all the characters and I can't wait for the rest of the series!

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc.

This book is so cute and sexy! I loved it so much. Sometimes when I read romance the connection feels forced, but with this book it was amazing! It felt so natural and real. I could really relate to the female main character Ada. I stuggle a bit with imposter syndrom and it was so comforting to read about someone going trough the same things as I am.


I also need a Wes in my life. What is it with bookboyfriends named Wes that always makes them amazing! Wes is a very sexy cowboy that cares so much! It is also a small town romance and I loved those kind of books!

Thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for this review copy.

I've been so excited for Swift and Saddled, Done and Dusted was a fav of last year (its so fun!), so I was excited for this sequel. It didn't disappoint. It's very much a black cat / golden retreiver kinda romance which is just SO CUTE, and was a great next book following the ranch. Already can't wait for the next one!