Scan barcode
libellumartinae's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Everything was solved so easily which has me wondering: why was this made complicated from the start? Like Emmy's struggle? Solved with the magical power of love, while it could have actually helped deepen the whole discussion around ADHD. Luke's obvious mommy issues? Solved by the power of being with your best friend's sister (which let me tell you was written in the most disgusting and despicable way possible, to the point of being straight up fetishizing).
All in all, I can feel the allure of this book but I doubt it's for me. Maybe it's the fact that I am not just into books that are just fluff, because I need the SADNNESS AND GOSSIP, UGH. It has been proved that cowboy romance is just not for me
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Abandonment
emsbookobsessed's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
“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.
Moderate: Abandonment and Child abuse
embroidery_by_booklover's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Violence
jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
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.
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment and Alcoholism
lilhappyhermit's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, and Blood
Minor: Abandonment and Alcoholism
marisabenn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Alcohol
emilywemily6's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, Alcohol, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content, Child abuse, Classism, Death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Drug use and Sexual harassment
dianaschmidty's review
- 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
4.5
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!
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
cinderellasbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
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 😮💨
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment