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slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“You deserve to go out on your own terms. Just because you got dusted doesn’t mean you’re done.”
2.75 - I am a reader without a mental picture, so I rely entirely on the word choice and syntax to keep engrossed in the story. There were some choices linguistically made by the author that just brought me out of the story and made this a pretty mid read for me. Part of me wonder if it was intentional due to the FMC ADHD or if this is just the authors style. I didn’t feel invested in the romance. The spice did absolutely nothing for me. I felt like every cliche line was packed into this book. Luke was more attractive in his POV when talking or thinking about Emmy than during the actual sex. The story just didn’t feel like it was moving anywhere. It had no momentum. I had high hopes for the recovery from her PTSD and reclaiming racing storyline when she originally had the panic attack in the beginning, but it all just felt flat. It was just breezed over. The plot line with his mother and stepdad? Boring. Gus finding out about this romance? Anticlimactic. Gus was just cruel to Luke and that was it. There was no struggle or fighting for their romance. Just letting Gus get over it and a love confession.
And like I said, I was not invested in this romance at all. I was more intrigued by Teddy and Gus more than anything.
I’m hoping to give book 2 a shot and see if I like it any better. And if I don’t, it likely more a me thing than the author and the work itself.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Abandonment
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
I really liked that there was no 3rd act break up. This was such a sweet story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Violence
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
As a cowboy romance lover, I was so excited to read Done and Dusted because it features ADHD representation. Lyla Sage definitely didn't disappoint. D&D is a sweet, spicy, soft, low angst, brother's best friend romance. It's fun, it's rodeo, and it's romance at its finest.
Luke consistently shows up for Emmy throughout the book. He's truly the dream MMC. The Ryder family and friends are lovable and Meadowlark, Wyoming is a place you wish you could visit in real life. A wonderful debut from Lyla Sage.
Luke consistently shows up for Emmy throughout the book. He's truly the dream MMC. The Ryder family and friends are lovable and Meadowlark, Wyoming is a place you wish you could visit in real life. A wonderful debut from Lyla Sage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Abandonment
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had me kicking my feet like a school girl. Having Luke help Emmy through her mental block after her accident and, in turn, not only get closer with her but also helping her gain confidence behind the reins again was so precious and heartfelt. I loved how Emmy was able to see past her initial thoughts of Luke to see how loyal and soft-hearted he is. Having her step up to the plate and defend him, not out of any sense of obligation but simply because she cares for him, was so beautifully heartfelt. They balanced each other so well and are too cute.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Abandonment
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Graphic: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Blood, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
lighthearted
medium-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
This book was an easy, shallow read, but such a fun time. I loved how tender and sweet Emmy and Luke were to each other- I was literally melting when he held her in the barn the first time!! I absolutely hated Gus and his overprotective brother-ness. It made me very uncomfortable. And I didn’t enjoy the bedroom talk in this book, it was so different than their relationship dynamic outside the bedroom. All the conflicts wrapped up really easily and quickly at the very end of the book without a lot of internal conflict/tension, which made this a wholesome story (despite the spicy scenes lol). Considering the struggles that we saw hints of (Emmy’s ADHD and trauma from her accident, Luke’s generational trauma), I wish there was more depth, but it was still such a fun time where everything worked out in the end, if you want a happy ending cowboy romance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Classism
Minor: Drug use, Sexual harassment
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
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
This book was really fun! I love when a couple already knows each other and bicker a lot, only to discover that they never really actually knew each other before. That seems to often happen with brother’s bestie, which is a large part of the reason that it’s one of my favorite tropes. I also just flew through this book! One moment I was a quarter of the way through the book. The next moment, I was at the 80% point. This book ended up being a slower burn than I was anticipating, but it does not feel that way at all.
Emmy and Luke were both great characters! I loved being in both of their POVs, with their funny intermonologues about being confused about having feelings for the other person and their great banter with each other. They were honestly adorable, especially during the sweet moments in the second half of the book. They also had amazing chemistry!
I really liked them individually. I thought Luke’s story of having an extremely rough childhood but still managing a way through to be a successful business owner was pretty inspiring. I loved how Emmy had the sports career, subverting normal gender roles in many books. I also thought the storyline with her mental block was super interesting and very unique to this story and her character. I also have ADHD and I really appreciate when I see aspects of myself, no matter how quirky, reflected in the characters I read, which is exactly what happened with Emmy!
Overall, this was a really fun romance and I’m really excited to travel back to Rebel Blue Ranch for Gus’ (even if he really annoyed me at the end there) and Wes’ love stories! Mostly, I’m excited to see Teddy refuse to take Gus’ crap!
Emmy and Luke were both great characters! I loved being in both of their POVs, with their funny intermonologues about being confused about having feelings for the other person and their great banter with each other. They were honestly adorable, especially during the sweet moments in the second half of the book. They also had amazing chemistry!
I really liked them individually. I thought Luke’s story of having an extremely rough childhood but still managing a way through to be a successful business owner was pretty inspiring. I loved how Emmy had the sports career, subverting normal gender roles in many books. I also thought the storyline with her mental block was super interesting and very unique to this story and her character. I also have ADHD and I really appreciate when I see aspects of myself, no matter how quirky, reflected in the characters I read, which is exactly what happened with Emmy!
Overall, this was a really fun romance and I’m really excited to travel back to Rebel Blue Ranch for Gus’ (even if he really annoyed me at the end there) and Wes’ love stories! Mostly, I’m excited to see Teddy refuse to take Gus’ crap!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, 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
Closed Door Mods: Chapter 13 (some parts), Chapters 16-17 (some parts), Chapter 19 (some parts), Epilogue (some parts)
I think I found a new book series to be obsessed with, and you can find it right here in Rebel Blue Ranch…
Lyla Sage’s Done and Dusted is the definition of a chef’s kiss, comfort romance book. With mostly short chapters, I devoured this book and could not put this book down (albeit, I did so reluctantly). Sage’s world-building for life in Meadowlark is very well-executed and it feels as though you are instantly transported to this rural small town in Wyoming.
However, the real stars of the show are the cast of characters in Sage’s debut novel. Not only do you get an amazing relationship filled with great banter and even better chemistry, you also get such a charming ensemble of supporting characters. Besides liking our two main characters, Emmy and Brooks, I also loved seeing interactions from supporting characters such as Teddy, Amos, and Wes. Each of them were given their own moments to shine and have their own personalities, but so much so that it overshadows Emmy or Brooks.
Now, like any debut novel, there’s some critiques on how to improve (for example, there’s definitely room for improvement on her prose), but they are very little. If you’re looking for a romance you feel like you could read in like a day or two with a cast of great characters, you’re going to have a great time with this book. But if you’re not a fan of fast-paced books or books that are a tad bit more spicy, this might not be the book for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Toxic relationship, Abandonment
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I really liked it!
The chemistry was fire. I liked the emotional depth as their relationship develops and they begin to see each other in a new light.
What I loved most though was how the setting and the characters' lives, like owning a ranch, doing rodeos, felt authentic.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series. Ada and Wes's story is going to simmering, while Teddy and Gus is going to be intense 😮💨
The chemistry was fire. I liked the emotional depth as their relationship develops and they begin to see each other in a new light.
What I loved most though was how the setting and the characters' lives, like owning a ranch, doing rodeos, felt authentic.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series. Ada and Wes's story is going to simmering, while Teddy and Gus is going to be intense 😮💨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
I've been bitten by the cowboy romance bug!! God, this was just so cute. It checked so many of my boxes and the relationship at the center felt really believable. Also the smutty scenes made my eyes bug out like a cartoon character. Also can we talk about this cover? obsessed. Will definitely be reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment