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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
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
First things first, thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Man, I was so excited to read this... I went into this book with high hopes, especially as a fan of the author’s previous series.
But unfortunately it wasn't IT for me. While the premise was intriguing, the story took a direction that I really didn't feel connected and invested in.
Not so positive points for me:
The story focuses almost entirely on Collins and Brady, but both characters felt underdeveloped. Despite getting their POV, I still didn’t feel like I truly understood each of them. It was disappointing, especially given how strong the character work was in the author’s previous books. Also I didn't really feel a particularly strong chemistry between them until like 70% of the book...
The lack of presence from other characters, for example, Collins’s family was something that also bothered me. She returns home for them, yet they’re barely in the story—just a few scenes with her sister and parents, with little depth or emotional connection. It made the world feel flat and the relationships unconvincing.
If I'm being honest, the whole ghost thing aspect didn’t work for me—it felt a bit far-fetched and hard to connect with, even by the end.
(And what's with all the stammering?!)
Positive points:
Despite the issues I had with the plot and characters, I enjoyed the writing. The prose was beautiful, and there were so many meaningful sentences that stood out. As someone from a small town, I found the reflections on small-town life supeeer relatable ahah
I also appreciated the ending. Things tied together nicely, and I finally felt the sense of community the book had been hinting at all along. While I still didn’t love the ghost concept, I liked how it connected to Collins’s personal growth.
Man, I was so excited to read this... I went into this book with high hopes, especially as a fan of the author’s previous series.
But unfortunately it wasn't IT for me. While the premise was intriguing, the story took a direction that I really didn't feel connected and invested in.
Not so positive points for me:
The story focuses almost entirely on Collins and Brady, but both characters felt underdeveloped. Despite getting their POV, I still didn’t feel like I truly understood each of them. It was disappointing, especially given how strong the character work was in the author’s previous books. Also I didn't really feel a particularly strong chemistry between them until like 70% of the book...
The lack of presence from other characters, for example, Collins’s family was something that also bothered me. She returns home for them, yet they’re barely in the story—just a few scenes with her sister and parents, with little depth or emotional connection. It made the world feel flat and the relationships unconvincing.
If I'm being honest, the whole ghost thing aspect didn’t work for me—it felt a bit far-fetched and hard to connect with, even by the end.
(And what's with all the stammering?!)
Positive points:
Despite the issues I had with the plot and characters, I enjoyed the writing. The prose was beautiful, and there were so many meaningful sentences that stood out. As someone from a small town, I found the reflections on small-town life supeeer relatable ahah
I also appreciated the ending. Things tied together nicely, and I finally felt the sense of community the book had been hinting at all along. While I still didn’t love the ghost concept, I liked how it connected to Collins’s personal growth.
Different characters and *very* different vibes from Lyla’s previous books, but reading Soul Searching still felt like coming home ❤️🩹
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
Thank you Dial Press Trade Paperback, and Dial Delights for this advance digital copy.
This is one ARC I was really excited to get my hands on. I love Lyla Sage’s Rebel Blue Ranch series, and I loved that world, so I was excited to see what shed build with the town of Sweetwater Peak.
The plot of Soul Searching and the pace in which I read it, reminded me of the summers I would go to my local public library’s little teen alcove and read R.L. Stine’s Fear Street books. It reminded me of the feeling I got when I watched any supernatural or paranormal show growing up. It feels nostalgic and mysterious and otherworldly, and I love that I now feel like a resident of Sweetwater; protective and proud of my little lost ghost town. Collins and Clarke are not only twins with very unorthodox but very cool names, but I loved reading about sisters. There’s nothing like ‘em. I also of course, adore Brady. He’s another male character I have to add to my favorites roster just like Brooks (*sigh*), Wes, Gus, and Dusty. I adore men written by women. The intimate scenes are always sooo well-written and so hot.
I also can’t get enough of how Lyla writes close-knit families, with all their quirks and inside-jokes. It means a lot to me who comes from a family like that to see a positive (but not without flaws) family unit on paper.
But perhaps my favorite thing about reading Soul Searching, is how Lyla always thinks of clever ways to bridge her characters from one story to the next. The citizens of Meadowlark popped up like Easter eggs, and it felt like I was in on a huge secret by knowing who they all were.
I can’t wait for the story to continue in the series. I wish it was ready and in my hands now!! I will be reading my physical copy when it arrives, and just in time for my favorite season, too. I did get spooked a few times by the ghost stories within Soul Searching, and the thrill made it that much more exciting. Because I was reading a digital review copy, I didn’t see the playlist Lyla created until I was finished, but damn, she has incredible taste. Every song fits the vibe and they’re all songs that happened to pop up in the days before I picked up Soul Searching. I fully believe in fate, too.
This is one ARC I was really excited to get my hands on. I love Lyla Sage’s Rebel Blue Ranch series, and I loved that world, so I was excited to see what shed build with the town of Sweetwater Peak.
The plot of Soul Searching and the pace in which I read it, reminded me of the summers I would go to my local public library’s little teen alcove and read R.L. Stine’s Fear Street books. It reminded me of the feeling I got when I watched any supernatural or paranormal show growing up. It feels nostalgic and mysterious and otherworldly, and I love that I now feel like a resident of Sweetwater; protective and proud of my little lost ghost town. Collins and Clarke are not only twins with very unorthodox but very cool names, but I loved reading about sisters. There’s nothing like ‘em. I also of course, adore Brady. He’s another male character I have to add to my favorites roster just like Brooks (*sigh*), Wes, Gus, and Dusty. I adore men written by women. The intimate scenes are always sooo well-written and so hot.
I also can’t get enough of how Lyla writes close-knit families, with all their quirks and inside-jokes. It means a lot to me who comes from a family like that to see a positive (but not without flaws) family unit on paper.
But perhaps my favorite thing about reading Soul Searching, is how Lyla always thinks of clever ways to bridge her characters from one story to the next. The citizens of Meadowlark popped up like Easter eggs, and it felt like I was in on a huge secret by knowing who they all were.
I can’t wait for the story to continue in the series. I wish it was ready and in my hands now!! I will be reading my physical copy when it arrives, and just in time for my favorite season, too. I did get spooked a few times by the ghost stories within Soul Searching, and the thrill made it that much more exciting. Because I was reading a digital review copy, I didn’t see the playlist Lyla created until I was finished, but damn, she has incredible taste. Every song fits the vibe and they’re all songs that happened to pop up in the days before I picked up Soul Searching. I fully believe in fate, too.
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:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed Sage's writing, as always, and I did find the characters interesting. Unfortunately this one felt a bit unfinished to me - the ending felt pretty rushed and I didn't quite buy it?
I was so interested in Collins' ghosty-chatting abilities and why she stopped being able to communicate with all her ghosts.I guess it's just because she was adrift and needed her family/Brady to anchor her Hallmark-movie-style to her quaint hometown? But it felt like that didn't really get fleshed out on the page, I wanted to know more about why and how that ability went away, and how she gets it back.
The last 10% of the book is rapid-fire plotline wrap-up and it did feel pretty rushed to me.I checked how close I was to the end at one point and was shocked to see how few pages I had left when the developer plotline wasn't resolved at all
It seems like the author really wanted to marinate in the story/relationship of the two romantic leads and then expected us to be invested in Collins's familial relationships suddenly at the end. I really disliked that Collinswalked away after Clark exploded at her and then just hung out with Brady for a week to flirt instead of talking to her sister? Very weird pacing.
Also, it felt like there was a lot of build up toCollins taking over the town archivist responsibilities and maybe doing little town tours, so I was confused rhat her ending was traveling outside the town with Brady despite him having a business to run?
I was so interested in Collins' ghosty-chatting abilities and why she stopped being able to communicate with all her ghosts.
The last 10% of the book is rapid-fire plotline wrap-up and it did feel pretty rushed to me.
It seems like the author really wanted to marinate in the story/relationship of the two romantic leads and then expected us to be invested in Collins's familial relationships suddenly at the end. I really disliked that Collins
Also, it felt like there was a lot of build up to
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
This was my first Lyla Sage novel, and while I enjoyed the story, it ultimately wasn’t quite for me. I struggled to get into it at first, but the further along I read, the more invested I was. I especially enjoyed the second half of the book and the chemistry between Collins and Brady. At the start, I felt that the romance and chemistry between the two characters was underdeveloped and at times cheesy. However, the second half of the story is where the romance starts to work better. I particularly enjoyed Brady as a character and his hesitancy and awkwardness. The ghost plot line was also quite sweet.
That said, the story was ultimately a bit too simple and lacking in plot points that hooked me. I wanted more conflict, indecision, and challenges for the characters to overcome. The primary conflict arose quickly and was resolved too easily and the ending also felt a bit rushed. While Soul Searching was a sweet read, it was just not the right fit for me. I would recommend it for people looking for an easy, sweet romance and I am still interested in trying another Lyla Sage novel that might fit better with what I am looking for.
That said, the story was ultimately a bit too simple and lacking in plot points that hooked me. I wanted more conflict, indecision, and challenges for the characters to overcome. The primary conflict arose quickly and was resolved too easily and the ending also felt a bit rushed. While Soul Searching was a sweet read, it was just not the right fit for me. I would recommend it for people looking for an easy, sweet romance and I am still interested in trying another Lyla Sage novel that might fit better with what I am looking for.
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me a proof of this in exchange for an honest review - I’ve been excited about this one for MONTHS!
This was such a lovely read to start off my holiday week! Think summerween, western romance vibes. I absolutely adored the Rebel Blue Ranch series, so imagine my excitement when I saw we were getting the first book in a new series just in time for spooky season 👀 (aka my favourite time of year).
Soul Searching was an interesting change from the cowboy romances we all know and love, with supernatural elements (the ghosts were a highlight for me!) interwoven with the small-town romance that blossoms between our two elusive main characters, Collins and Brady. There’s a slight, unexpected crossover with the Rebel Blue Ranch series which I LOVED - and somehow didn’t see coming! I only wish there had been more of a backstory for our two main characters, they’re both quite mysterious and I often found myself struggling to really connect with either of them. With that said, I went into this wanting an enjoyable, easy, palette-cleansing read, and it gave me exactly that, so I cannot complain!
emotional
mysterious
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
This is my first book from Lyla Sage, and it did not disappoint! I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for fall vibes, and to anyone who loves an emotional, small-town romance. Some romances with paranormal elements can be quite silly, and while this book was fun it was much more of an emotional read than I was expecting, and I loved that about it! The main characters had lots of depth to them and the side characters were all lovable and I enjoyed reading about them all. Looking forward to reading more from Lyla Sage in the future!