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medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ᯓ★ 2.5 rounded up ★ᯓ
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
⋮ 2025 read ⌗7
⋮ format: e-book
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
────୨「summary」ৎ────
Done and Dusted follows the cowboy love story between Clementine ‘Emmy’ Ryder, who returns home to her family ranch after a barrel racing accident, and Luke Brooks, Emmy’s big brother’s best friend. Although initially at odds with each other, the two warm up and begin finding comfort in each other, which leads to them growing closer than ever before.
────୨「plot」ৎ────
The plot is straightforward. This story is a very, very low angst and low conflict romance. The pacing is fairly quick as it is a <400-page book. To be completely honest, nothing much actually happens in this book, which is perfect if you just need a little palate cleanser, which I did. There was not much that kept me hooked, but I continued on since it was an easy book to read between the two other big fantasy stories I was reading simultaneously.
────୨「characters」ৎ────
Emmy and Luke are both likable enough for a contemporary romance novel, but I didn’t care much for either of them. Both of them have their mini character arcs, so they do undergo some character development. However, I think having Emmy and Luke start as already decent and relatively well-adjusted but bland characters made their arcs a little less dramatic, which in turn makes it seem like the characters didn’t change at all.
From Emmy’s family—Gus, Wes, and Amos—to Emmy’s best friend, Teddy, the side characters were also cute and served a purpose, which was to support Emmy, Luke, and the EmmyLuke agenda. The side characters were only there for the two protagonists and as some flavorless comedic relief. I know this book is the first in a series of interconnected books, so I already know Gus and co. are gonna be appearing in their own books. Besides Teddy, I didn’t find any other character to be remotely interesting or memorable.
────୨「writing, language & pacing」ৎ────
Just like the plot, the writing and language are simple. I have nothing much to say about the writing itself because it was forgettable and nothing noteworthy. I didn’t think the writing was particularly charming or funny—it just was.
As for pacing, in less than ten chapters, they were lusting after one another, Emmy was already realizing Luke was not the same immature boy she grew up with, and they both barely resisted the attraction. Thus, this was not a delicious slow burn.
────୨「setting & world-building」ৎ────
One thing that I liked was how much attention the author gave to creating a character out of the setting. Rebel Blue and Meadowlark were the quintessential farm/small town combo, but I appreciated how the author added some descriptive paragraphs to help readers see a more vivid picture. This made it stand out a little taller in a sea of endless small-town romances.
────୨「originality」ৎ────
It’s a cowboy romance book built on tropes. Nothing original is happening here, but I still thought it was better than most small-town romances being advertised on BookTok right now. I think the writing being as simple as it was helped keep this story fairly down-to-earth.
────୨「impact & overall conclusion」ৎ────
I wanted to like Done and Dusted a lot more, but unfortunately, it was a little too boring for me. Despite the medium-to-fast pacing, I felt like nothing actually happened. Conversations were hollow, tension was minimal, and the characters felt distant. Most of the book felt like filler chapters strung together. The [cowboy] spice, which I’m guessing is the main draw of the book, was also pretty weak. The story just skipped along without actual momentum, and I found myself checking the corner of my e-reader for how much time was left until it ended.
If you’re looking for a no-stakes romance book set on a ranch, this might work for you. For me, it was just boring and forgettable.
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
⋮ 2025 read ⌗7
⋮ format: e-book
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
────୨「summary」ৎ────
Done and Dusted follows the cowboy love story between Clementine ‘Emmy’ Ryder, who returns home to her family ranch after a barrel racing accident, and Luke Brooks, Emmy’s big brother’s best friend. Although initially at odds with each other, the two warm up and begin finding comfort in each other, which leads to them growing closer than ever before.
────୨「plot」ৎ────
The plot is straightforward. This story is a very, very low angst and low conflict romance. The pacing is fairly quick as it is a <400-page book. To be completely honest, nothing much actually happens in this book, which is perfect if you just need a little palate cleanser, which I did. There was not much that kept me hooked, but I continued on since it was an easy book to read between the two other big fantasy stories I was reading simultaneously.
────୨「characters」ৎ────
Emmy and Luke are both likable enough for a contemporary romance novel, but I didn’t care much for either of them. Both of them have their mini character arcs, so they do undergo some character development. However, I think having Emmy and Luke start as already decent and relatively well-adjusted but bland characters made their arcs a little less dramatic, which in turn makes it seem like the characters didn’t change at all.
From Emmy’s family—Gus, Wes, and Amos—to Emmy’s best friend, Teddy, the side characters were also cute and served a purpose, which was to support Emmy, Luke, and the EmmyLuke agenda. The side characters were only there for the two protagonists and as some flavorless comedic relief. I know this book is the first in a series of interconnected books, so I already know Gus and co. are gonna be appearing in their own books. Besides Teddy, I didn’t find any other character to be remotely interesting or memorable.
────୨「writing, language & pacing」ৎ────
Just like the plot, the writing and language are simple. I have nothing much to say about the writing itself because it was forgettable and nothing noteworthy. I didn’t think the writing was particularly charming or funny—it just was.
As for pacing, in less than ten chapters, they were lusting after one another, Emmy was already realizing Luke was not the same immature boy she grew up with, and they both barely resisted the attraction. Thus, this was not a delicious slow burn.
────୨「setting & world-building」ৎ────
One thing that I liked was how much attention the author gave to creating a character out of the setting. Rebel Blue and Meadowlark were the quintessential farm/small town combo, but I appreciated how the author added some descriptive paragraphs to help readers see a more vivid picture. This made it stand out a little taller in a sea of endless small-town romances.
────୨「originality」ৎ────
It’s a cowboy romance book built on tropes. Nothing original is happening here, but I still thought it was better than most small-town romances being advertised on BookTok right now. I think the writing being as simple as it was helped keep this story fairly down-to-earth.
────୨「impact & overall conclusion」ৎ────
I wanted to like Done and Dusted a lot more, but unfortunately, it was a little too boring for me. Despite the medium-to-fast pacing, I felt like nothing actually happened. Conversations were hollow, tension was minimal, and the characters felt distant. Most of the book felt like filler chapters strung together. The [cowboy] spice, which I’m guessing is the main draw of the book, was also pretty weak. The story just skipped along without actual momentum, and I found myself checking the corner of my e-reader for how much time was left until it ended.
If you’re looking for a no-stakes romance book set on a ranch, this might work for you. For me, it was just boring and forgettable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol
Minor: Violence, Abandonment
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Mental illness, Death of parent, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
There is something lovely here, even a really wonderful love story, that’s overshadowed by poor copy editing and weird misogyny. The whole idea that Emmy’s older brother is so protective that nobody can date her is crazy. And the fact that he becomes physically violent because someone kisses his sister is not normal! It sucks! That is the entire reason I won’t read more in this series: because that guy sucks. Also I thought the sex was cringey but it was still fun to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Major guilty pleasure book. The writing was not great but the lovable characters, fantastic spice, and old country music references really hooked me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I initially read the third book in this series first (not bad to do, so if you’re more into enemies to lovers, go ahead and read Lost and Lassoed) and definitely liked that book more. While I find Emmy and Brooks lovable, their story wasn’t something that blew me away. It took me awhile to get through the book because I wasn’t inspired to read it all the time, and the main conflict of “we have to keep our relationship a secret because my older brother will kill his best friend if he finds out we are messing around together” isn’t thrilling to me personally as a reader. Nevertheless, I really love Lyla Sage’s writing style, as well as the setting of Meadowlark, Wyoming where Rebel Blue Ranch is located. All the characters warm my heart as well, especially Amos. We love a caring father who owns a ranch - what a guy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content/Trigger Warnings: Parental Abandonment & Child Neglect Mentioned, Anxiety & Panic Attacks (On-Page), Alcohol Consumption, Death of a Parent Recounted (Off-Page), Sexual Content, ADHD representation
I normally hate best friends' sister/brother romances, but Lyla Sage ate with this one! Not having a third-act breakup helped.
I thought I fell out of love with small-town romances. Lyla Sage reminded me why I love them. I felt there was an actual emotional connection between the characters. They had long, genuine talks about their thoughts and fears. It didn't feel that their attraction was purely sexual, which can be attributed to why I don't always like best friends' sister/brother romance.
I also thought the representation of ADHD in the FMC was very relatable. Every time she bumped into something unintentionally, I felt that in my soul.
I normally hate best friends' sister/brother romances, but Lyla Sage ate with this one! Not having a third-act breakup helped.
I thought I fell out of love with small-town romances. Lyla Sage reminded me why I love them. I felt there was an actual emotional connection between the characters. They had long, genuine talks about their thoughts and fears. It didn't feel that their attraction was purely sexual, which can be attributed to why I don't always like best friends' sister/brother romance.
I also thought the representation of ADHD in the FMC was very relatable. Every time she bumped into something unintentionally, I felt that in my soul.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
this was a cute and quick cowboy x cowgirl romance! emmy was a sweetheart and luke was the rugged cowboy who swept her off her feet to get her back on her horse! their love was smooth & sweet- the story was an easy read with low angst/conflict (other than ofc when her brothers found out hehehe).
aaron shedlock and stella hunter are newer narrators to me, but i enjoyed both of their performances & felt they matches each character very well!
aaron shedlock and stella hunter are newer narrators to me, but i enjoyed both of their performances & felt they matches each character very well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Blood, Death of parent
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Violence, Abandonment