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A review by booksandmeforevermore13
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I'm mildly disappointed with this one because I had really high hopes and it was easily one of my most anticipated releases of this year. While there was a lot I loved and enjoyed, there were some aspects that rubbed me the wrong way or felt sort of incomplete or like it wasn't explored.
Firstly, what was the reason for such animosity between Gus and Teddy? It couldn't have just been what went down between them seven years ago. Gus does mention that he didn't particularly like Teddy because he believed that her influence was what encouraged Emmy to get in trouble growing up. But she's currently in her late 20s, and Emmy is more than old enough to make her choices, so why is he still so hostile towards her? We don't get a very clear idea about this situation and why the hostility continued for so many years.
Initially, Gus definitely pissed me off because he was being petulant and a total asshole to everyone who was only trying to help him. But then things got better once he and Teddy slowly started getting along. As his feelings for Teddy changed, I kind of fell in love with him because his words, his actions, and his inner monologue were all so goddamn swoon-worthy. He was a really good dad to Riley and always put her above everything else, and that showed when he was willing to take help from Teddy when he couldn't tolerate her presence. As someone who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders and felt like he needed to do it all by himself, being with Teddy helped him realize that asking for help didn't make him weak or a failure, but someone who didn't let pride get in the way of asking for help so he could work to his full potential. And we see this slowly sink in as the story progresses.
Just my personal opinion, but I thought the fact that Gus was dyslexic would play some part in enhancing the relationship between him and Teddy. Especially when Gus used to prep in advance before reading to Riley, so I was hoping Teddy would help him out in some way or at least be made aware of it, but he never mentioned it to her.
I loved Teddy just like I knew I would because she's been my favorite character in the last two books. On the outside, she came off as happy, confident, and cheery—the one people could always count on—but there was so much going on with her behind the scenes that she couldn't talk about. I could totally understand where she was coming from when it came to her feelings and fears about her friendship with Emmy, with them being in different phases of their lives and feeling this sense of being left behind. Her feeling like everyone else had moved on and knew where their lives were going except her. It was so relatable and made me connect with her character more.
One thing I've loved from book one is Teddy's relationship with her father, Hank Anderson. He is an absolutely amazing dad who made Teddy his world from the very first time he laid his eye on her and never thought twice about uprooting his life to give her a good and stable life. Teddy and Hank's relationship was truly so special and heartwarming. The moment when Teddy talks about Hankwhile in the hospital most definitely made me cry.
I absolutely adore Riley. She was the cutest and totally stole the show whenever she was present. I loved how happy, funny, innocent, and curious she was. I loved watching her relationship with Teddy grow as they spent more time together while Teddy babysat. Although they already had a good bond before, spending the summer together, learning new things, starting new projects, and experiencing new adventures together really transformed their relationship into something much deeper. I also enjoyed the moment Gus and Teddy joined forces to take care of Riley.
I enjoyed the banter between Teddy and Gus right from the start, and I loved how Teddy got under Gus's skin every single time. Their banter and neither being able to back down in any situation definitely played some role in the spicy scenes, and I totally loved it. These two were absolutely electric when they finally got together and gave back just as good as they got even during sex.
The romance between Gus and Teddy—once they started being tolerant of each other's presence—grew quickly. Neither expected things to feel the way they did, and I was so glad that Gus was sure about wanting Teddy and never had thoughts of walking away from the moment he started learning more about her and the parts of herself she kept hidden from the world. Gus was absolutely thoughtful, gentle, patient, and loving once he softened up to Teddy, and I loved that side of him. Although I wish there were more heartfelt conversations or we'd gotten more moments of them spending time together.
Teddy and Gus were similar to each other in the sense that they both took care of everyone and everything around them without ever asking for help or support in return. They both had taken over a lot of responsibilities for their families and found it difficult to let go of that role. This was also why they were the perfect fit for each other because they knew exactly how to love each other.
These two showed each other that they could want more for themselves, and it wouldn't be so bad to hope for a future that had seemed farfetched. That they could let their guard down with each other knowing they were safe, understood, and heard.
I have to mention that Gus and Cam are a dream team when it comes to co-parenting Riley, and I loved how supportive Cam was, calling Gus out on his bullshit and encouraging him to take the leap.
Amos Ryder truly steals the show in all the books and knows exactly what everyone needs and gives them all the nudge required to move in the right direction.
I thought I was pissed at Gus for the way he reacted when he found out about Emmy and Luke, but Emmy's reaction pissed me off so much more. Her reaction to finding out about it from Teddy and the conversation that followed got me really mad at her, and I really think she needed to work harder on apologizing to Teddy because that justification and apology did not win me over. At all. It just left a bad taste in my mouth, especially because I was really fond of their friendship. After everything Teddy had done to be there for Emmy, with zero judgement and full support, Emmy really didn't come through on her end, and I like her less now.
That epilogue has me super excited for Cam and Dusty's book already!!!!
Firstly, what was the reason for such animosity between Gus and Teddy? It couldn't have just been what went down between them seven years ago. Gus does mention that he didn't particularly like Teddy because he believed that her influence was what encouraged Emmy to get in trouble growing up. But she's currently in her late 20s, and Emmy is more than old enough to make her choices, so why is he still so hostile towards her? We don't get a very clear idea about this situation and why the hostility continued for so many years.
Initially, Gus definitely pissed me off because he was being petulant and a total asshole to everyone who was only trying to help him. But then things got better once he and Teddy slowly started getting along. As his feelings for Teddy changed, I kind of fell in love with him because his words, his actions, and his inner monologue were all so goddamn swoon-worthy. He was a really good dad to Riley and always put her above everything else, and that showed when he was willing to take help from Teddy when he couldn't tolerate her presence. As someone who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders and felt like he needed to do it all by himself, being with Teddy helped him realize that asking for help didn't make him weak or a failure, but someone who didn't let pride get in the way of asking for help so he could work to his full potential. And we see this slowly sink in as the story progresses.
Just my personal opinion, but I thought the fact that Gus was dyslexic would play some part in enhancing the relationship between him and Teddy. Especially when Gus used to prep in advance before reading to Riley, so I was hoping Teddy would help him out in some way or at least be made aware of it, but he never mentioned it to her.
I loved Teddy just like I knew I would because she's been my favorite character in the last two books. On the outside, she came off as happy, confident, and cheery—the one people could always count on—but there was so much going on with her behind the scenes that she couldn't talk about. I could totally understand where she was coming from when it came to her feelings and fears about her friendship with Emmy, with them being in different phases of their lives and feeling this sense of being left behind. Her feeling like everyone else had moved on and knew where their lives were going except her. It was so relatable and made me connect with her character more.
One thing I've loved from book one is Teddy's relationship with her father, Hank Anderson. He is an absolutely amazing dad who made Teddy his world from the very first time he laid his eye on her and never thought twice about uprooting his life to give her a good and stable life. Teddy and Hank's relationship was truly so special and heartwarming. The moment when Teddy talks about Hank
I absolutely adore Riley. She was the cutest and totally stole the show whenever she was present. I loved how happy, funny, innocent, and curious she was. I loved watching her relationship with Teddy grow as they spent more time together while Teddy babysat. Although they already had a good bond before, spending the summer together, learning new things, starting new projects, and experiencing new adventures together really transformed their relationship into something much deeper. I also enjoyed the moment Gus and Teddy joined forces to take care of Riley.
I enjoyed the banter between Teddy and Gus right from the start, and I loved how Teddy got under Gus's skin every single time. Their banter and neither being able to back down in any situation definitely played some role in the spicy scenes, and I totally loved it. These two were absolutely electric when they finally got together and gave back just as good as they got even during sex.
The romance between Gus and Teddy—once they started being tolerant of each other's presence—grew quickly. Neither expected things to feel the way they did, and I was so glad that Gus was sure about wanting Teddy and never had thoughts of walking away from the moment he started learning more about her and the parts of herself she kept hidden from the world. Gus was absolutely thoughtful, gentle, patient, and loving once he softened up to Teddy, and I loved that side of him. Although I wish there were more heartfelt conversations or we'd gotten more moments of them spending time together.
Teddy and Gus were similar to each other in the sense that they both took care of everyone and everything around them without ever asking for help or support in return. They both had taken over a lot of responsibilities for their families and found it difficult to let go of that role. This was also why they were the perfect fit for each other because they knew exactly how to love each other.
These two showed each other that they could want more for themselves, and it wouldn't be so bad to hope for a future that had seemed farfetched. That they could let their guard down with each other knowing they were safe, understood, and heard.
I have to mention that Gus and Cam are a dream team when it comes to co-parenting Riley, and I loved how supportive Cam was, calling Gus out on his bullshit and encouraging him to take the leap.
Amos Ryder truly steals the show in all the books and knows exactly what everyone needs and gives them all the nudge required to move in the right direction.
I thought I was pissed at Gus for the way he reacted when he found out about Emmy and Luke, but Emmy's reaction pissed me off so much more. Her reaction to finding out about it from Teddy and the conversation that followed got me really mad at her, and I really think she needed to work harder on apologizing to Teddy because that justification and apology did not win me over. At all. It just left a bad taste in my mouth, especially because I was really fond of their friendship. After everything Teddy had done to be there for Emmy, with zero judgement and full support, Emmy really didn't come through on her end, and I like her less now.
That epilogue has me super excited for Cam and Dusty's book already!!!!