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hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Death of parent
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I really enjoyed this story. I actually wish it would have been longer so we could have seen more of their relationship development as well as more of the reconciliation between Gus and Luke.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Abandonment
I like the overall story, but the "sexy talk" really took me out. đ I don't typically like sex scenes to begin with, but Luke's dirty talk??? Gross.
I liked the ADHD rep with Emmy and her sensory issues. And her journey with recovering from being thrown off a horse. But the sexual content completely takes me out.
I liked the ADHD rep with Emmy and her sensory issues. And her journey with recovering from being thrown off a horse. But the sexual content completely takes me out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood
Minor: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Alcohol
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Cowboy Romance at its best đĽ°đ¤
Lyla Sage had written a beautiful little gem of a book. Her stories are just so effortless to read and have a great balance of lovable characters who find their way to each other despite their flaws and hang-ups. Five âs and yee-haw from me!
Lyla Sage had written a beautiful little gem of a book. Her stories are just so effortless to read and have a great balance of lovable characters who find their way to each other despite their flaws and hang-ups. Five âs and yee-haw from me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Done and Dusted was a very quick read with some sweet and fun moments but overall it was a very average read to me, the things I liked and the things I didn't like evening out in the end.
What I Loved
âł I'm a softie for books with great dads in them
âł the themes (ADHD rep, healing after trauma, people being able to change, being desperate to leave your hometown and then coming back to realize this is where you want to be, reevaluating your wants and needs)
âł I'm invested in Wes/Gus/Teddy's stories now
âł about 75% of the spice save for the spitting (why???) and him calling her a slut (I get that's something some people are into but god my knee jerk reaction was to DNF)
I didn't really vibe with the writing style, some scenes gave me full body cringe-shivers and they way this book was milking the "my best friends little sister" thing to death made my eye twitch.
The second half of the book was definitely better than the first but still not 100% for me (I also had really high hopes so maybe that's on me).
I'll still check out the other books in this series because I'm counting on the writing style to have improved as she evolves as an author and I'm invested in the side characters stories now. Also there were some great moments that stuck with me and it left me with a kinda warm feeling now that it's been a couple days since reading. Not a horrible book by a long shot but still not one of my favs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment
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
Emmy has returned home after an accident left her too shaken to get back on her horse. The last person she'd ever find herself turning to is Luke, her brother's best friend.
This was a really cute cowboy romance. Emmy and Luke were absolutely adorable. They're banter and chemistry was so hot... That whiskey scene... Iykyk. I loved the dual POV.
Emmy returns home after being thrown off a horse. Her fear and panic attacks prevent her from getting back on and continuing on the barrel racing circuit. She's returning home to figure out her next steps.
As a product of his mother's affair, Luke has never been accepted by his family. The Rider family took him under their wings when he was a teenager. Though he had a rough upbringing, he's managed to get his life in order. He's working at the ranch, running his bar, and teaching riding lessons.
I loved how they always had each other's backs and propped each other up. Luke is there to help Emmy regain her confidence so that she can get back on the horse, literally. He is so patient and compassionate when he's with her. Emmy helps Luke understand that he's enough just the way he is.
As much as I adored their relationship, I think I may have loved the family and friendship dynamics even more. I cannot wait for Teddy's book, I think her and Gus's tension is going to make for a very spicy read.
Tropes: cowboy, brother's best friend, he falls first, secret relationship, slow burn, forbidden romance, ADHD rep, found family
This was a really cute cowboy romance. Emmy and Luke were absolutely adorable. They're banter and chemistry was so hot... That whiskey scene... Iykyk. I loved the dual POV.
Emmy returns home after being thrown off a horse. Her fear and panic attacks prevent her from getting back on and continuing on the barrel racing circuit. She's returning home to figure out her next steps.
As a product of his mother's affair, Luke has never been accepted by his family. The Rider family took him under their wings when he was a teenager. Though he had a rough upbringing, he's managed to get his life in order. He's working at the ranch, running his bar, and teaching riding lessons.
I loved how they always had each other's backs and propped each other up. Luke is there to help Emmy regain her confidence so that she can get back on the horse, literally. He is so patient and compassionate when he's with her. Emmy helps Luke understand that he's enough just the way he is.
As much as I adored their relationship, I think I may have loved the family and friendship dynamics even more. I cannot wait for Teddy's book, I think her and Gus's tension is going to make for a very spicy read.
Tropes: cowboy, brother's best friend, he falls first, secret relationship, slow burn, forbidden romance, ADHD rep, found family
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow wow wow wow. Lyla Sage, the author you are. This book was SO GOOD!!! Iâm sorry I donât think you heard me, this book was SO SO GOOD! Like it genuinely got me out of my semi-reading slump and just captivated all my attention (I literally stayed up until 3am reading LMAO).
There were a lot of things I loved about this book and because I donât wanna ramble your ear off, letâs start with the town first. Rebel Blue Ranch was such an amazing setting and I could feel the warmth of the small town atmosphere just from reading about it. I truly felt immersed in the town and in the people and found myself falling in love with the familial energy as I was reading. Sage did such a great job of world building omggg
LUKE. BROOKS. WOOOO đââď¸ I literally ate his character arc UP! I loved the idea of a troubled teen growing up and relieazeing that he had two choice: become what everyone thinks of him, or become how HE wants to see HIMSELF. Brooksâ childhood absolutely gutted me and in a weird (well maybe sad) way, I found it relatable. In a world where we are told âfamily is everythingâ, his story shows that sometimes family doesnât always mean the ones you come from- but the ones you find. I loved seeing/reading about his relationship with Gus, Wes, Amos and the rest of the rebel family. It was so heartwarming.
Similarly, Emmyâs struggle with holding things in and trying to deal with problems independently and in her head was TOO REAL!!! To see her confide not only in Brooks, but also in her best friend, Teddy, made my heart so happy. I absolutely loved seeing the support Teddy gave her and reading just how close they are to one another like YESS #needthat! Teddy was so understanding of Emmy (so excited for Teddyâs book) and it was beautiful to see Emmy feel so comfortable around her. In this story, Emmy deals with ADHD which I feel like makes her journey even more powerful because she doesnât let that stop her from going after what she loves or what she wants to do.
Overall (this is very much not short LMAO) I loved this book with every part of my being and it really warmed my heart.
Until next time Rebel Blue đ
There were a lot of things I loved about this book and because I donât wanna ramble your ear off, letâs start with the town first. Rebel Blue Ranch was such an amazing setting and I could feel the warmth of the small town atmosphere just from reading about it. I truly felt immersed in the town and in the people and found myself falling in love with the familial energy as I was reading. Sage did such a great job of world building omggg
LUKE. BROOKS. WOOOO đââď¸ I literally ate his character arc UP! I loved the idea of a troubled teen growing up and relieazeing that he had two choice: become what everyone thinks of him, or become how HE wants to see HIMSELF. Brooksâ childhood absolutely gutted me and in a weird (well maybe sad) way, I found it relatable. In a world where we are told âfamily is everythingâ, his story shows that sometimes family doesnât always mean the ones you come from- but the ones you find. I loved seeing/reading about his relationship with Gus, Wes, Amos and the rest of the rebel family. It was so heartwarming.
Similarly, Emmyâs struggle with holding things in and trying to deal with problems independently and in her head was TOO REAL!!! To see her confide not only in Brooks, but also in her best friend, Teddy, made my heart so happy. I absolutely loved seeing the support Teddy gave her and reading just how close they are to one another like YESS #needthat! Teddy was so understanding of Emmy (so excited for Teddyâs book) and it was beautiful to see Emmy feel so comfortable around her. In this story, Emmy deals with ADHD which I feel like makes her journey even more powerful because she doesnât let that stop her from going after what she loves or what she wants to do.
Overall (this is very much not short LMAO) I loved this book with every part of my being and it really warmed my heart.
Until next time Rebel Blue đ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I like the main character and her arc.
More graphic sex scenes than I was expecting.
More graphic sex scenes than I was expecting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Alcohol
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent
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
Yeehaw! I loved this so much I immediately requested book two upon finishing! This was hot and fun and I was shocked by how giddy it made me. Officially in my horse girl era âđź
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment