Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - Swift and Saddled

Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

59 reviews

carla20's review against another edition

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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

3.0

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rachelshubin's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0

“I never asked you to be the sun. I would rather have the moon anyway. You’re the moon. And I’m the tides. You pull me in without even trying, and I come to you willingly. I always will.”

Oh to be the girl wooed by cowboy in a Lyla Sage romance. I love that she blends contemporary romance with real representations of mental health. Specifically in Swift & Saddled, Wes has major depressive disorder. I love that Lyla doesn’t shy away from real things in her books and her characters are so much realer for that. Also, the fact there is so much asking for consent is extremely important and gratifying.

Ada went on such a journey in this book and I loved seeing how she eventually found a home in Wes. I also really appreciated the way she and Wes handled the third act which wasn’t miscommunication or a break up - but adults who 👏🏻 ACTUALLY 👏🏻 COMMUNICATE! How refreshing in a contemporary romance.

I cannot freaking wait for Gus and Teddy’s story. The build up is exciting.

Thank you to Dial Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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belarna's review against another edition

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fast-paced

4.25

Swift & Saddled reads like a classic rom-com movie which makes the story go by so quickly! The cast is fun and inviting (and the story also features some representation of major depressive disorder! We love that!). This is honestly an easy recommendation if you’re looking for a little cowboy romance fun 🤠🩷

I haven’t read Done & Dusted but I can only imagine that this is just as good (if not better)! I’m looking forward to checking out book three Lost and Lassoed which is going to focus on Teddy and Gus 👀

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.

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carolinecantrelle's review against another edition

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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

5.0

This book felt like a warm hug after a hard day. I’m booking my summer vacation to Baby Blue immediately so I can get more of Wes and Ada’s adorably soft relationship! My only complaint is that I wish it was longer…but I’ll just have to (impatiently) wait for the next book!

Thank you NetGalley & Random House for the ARC!!

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fivecatsinacoat's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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? Yes

4.0

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

While this is the second book in the series, it stands on its own well. I have not yet read Done and Dusted (but I'll be looking to read it now!), but it does feature the same characters and continues their story arcs, so if that is important to you, read Done and Dusted first.

It is so wonderful to see more accurate representations of mental health in romance books lately. As someone who struggles daily with anxiety and depression, I understand the toll it can have on your life. Including and discussing mental health issues as they relate to the characters really makes for a more authentic and honest narrative. I have never really felt more close to characters as I did in this book, and I honestly think the discussion and inclusion of anxiety, depression, and self-worth helped me to feel seen and respected.

In a way, I'm kind of mad that this book is fiction. I want to be at Rebel Blue Ranch. I want to spend the night in Baby Blue. I want to walk the trails and meet Waylon the dog and Loretta the calf. I want to feel the sunshine on my face.

Also, I will be purchasing physical copies of these books because that cover? Perfection. I need it on my shelves.

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readwithvic's review against another edition

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medium-paced

5.0

AHHHHHHH I LOVED THIS SO MUCH!!!

Wes and Ada were just so SOFT and so TENDER!!!! There was so much depth to both of these characters and their relationship development was just so sweet I weep. Ada was trying to just find herself amongst her passion and Wes was so unbelievably steadfast they truly are so perfect!!!!

The topics of mental health and past toxic relationships were handled with immense care and reading while these characters talked about them so freely and had their partner embrace them wholeheartedly was such a balm to the soul. The Rebel Blue series has been such a delight and I cannot wait to read everything Lyla Sage ever writes!!!

Thank you to Dial Press & Edelweiss for the ARC <3

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hilwithonel's review against another edition

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emotional 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

3.5

Small town workplace romance between newcomer with a dark past (we know this because of her sleeve tattoo) and her absurdly perfect cowboy boss. I mean, he rescues baby cows and never does anything wrong ever.
The chemistry was great and I really enjoyed the first half of the book. I just found the second half to be boring and the 3rd act conflict to be rushed.

Thanks to netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

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bookish_meli's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

"I think I might have been homesick for Rebel Blue before I knew it existed."

You know that Taylor Swift mashup that's going around of Midnight Rain + Daylight? That's Wes and Ada. Ada is Midnight Rain, Wes is Daylight. IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE. I loved being back at Rebel Blue! I missed il so much.

There's just something so special about Lyla's writing. It's warm, it's cozy, it's comforting, it's honest. It feels like coming home. She can suck you into the story immediately and not let you go until you finish. I had the biggest smile on my face while reading, while also shedding a few tears and being very deep in my feels.

I thought Ada was going to be the main character I connected with the most, but Wes took the first place. It was the best surprise. I loved the mental health representation and how Lyla tackled the subject of depression in Wes. It felt like I was reading about myself. It was so refreshing to see this conversation around depression, mental health, therapy, and medication from the pov of the mmc. Wes is also sunshine personified. He is pure, he is joy, he is so wickedly smart, he is so thoughtful, a consent king, and his mouth!? Loooord have mercy. The girlies are not ready for Wes. I cannot wait to see them go feral for him.

Ada is the sort of FMC I love because she's the kind of FMC I admire. I love that she's an interior designer, what a joy it is to read about a main character with the same profession as me! A prickly black cat woman who grew to accept a life she wasn't expecting but deserves nonetheless. I loved her journey of healing and acceptance, it was so beautiful to read.

I loved Wes and Ada's dynamic. A sweet slowburn with an epic reward. I loved how Wes remained a constant for Ada, how he showed her that no matter what he will be there, how she healed and grew and accepted love she didn't feel like she deserved.

This book was pure JOY all around, I cannot wait for it to be out in the world!

Thank you so much Lyla, The Dial Press, and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange of my honest review.

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alwayskeara's review against another edition

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emotional

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is an absolutely addictive read, I finished it in under 24 hours which is extremely rare for me. Wes is a top tier book boyfriend and I love his story with Ada. Both of these characters were complex and felt so real reading.

Lyla Sage is an absolute god and at this point I would pay to read a nutrition label if she wrote it.

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