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liberianmocha 's review for:
Wild and Wrangled
by Lyla Sage
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wild and Wrangled hooked me from page one and never let go. This isn’t just a cowboy romance — it’s a second chance love story that’s as tender as it is unforgettable. If Yellowstone’s Rip and Beth had softer edges, more warmth, and a deeper sense of mutual care, you’d have Dusty and Cam.
What made this stand out for me was how different the romance felt. As a reader, you know they love each other. You can feel it in every look, every quiet moment. And Dusty makes it clear he still wants her. So why can’t they just be together? The answer isn’t the tired “they just need to communicate” trope. Their history is messier, more complicated — and that tension pulled me through the pages.
I also loved that the author didn't give us the tea all up front. The entire time I wondered about how Gus and riley were a thing (trying to avoid spoilers). And how xyz was her fault. And what reason kept them apart because again it wasn't a simple miscommunication. That alone kept me turning the page because with the flashbacks giving us bits and pieces of answers, I trusted the author would tie up all these lose strings and she did!!
I also loved that the author didn't give us the tea all up front. The entire time I wondered about how Gus and riley were a thing (trying to avoid spoilers). And how xyz was her fault. And what reason kept them apart because again it wasn't a simple miscommunication. That alone kept me turning the page because with the flashbacks giving us bits and pieces of answers, I trusted the author would tie up all these lose strings and she did!!
Cam’s character hit me hard. She’s resilient in ways that aren’t always loud or flashy. I connected with her deeply — her complicated family dynamics, her quiet strength, the way she carries herself even when she’s never been made to feel “enough.” Watching her co-parent with grace, surrounded by a village that included Dusty’s own parents, Gus's parents, friends, etc, everyone but her own family- made my heart ache in the best and most relatable way.
Some of my favorite moments weren’t grand gestures but the little, intimate ones: Dusty at her daughter’s soccer game, the two of them in the grocery store, the quiet electricity at her parents’ gala. I could feel the town silently rooting for them — whispering, hoping, cheering them on from the sidelines.
I laughed, I cried, I swooned. The longing in this book? I felt it in my bones. If you love second chance romances that balance deep emotional beats with moments of pure swoon, Wild and Wrangled is a must-read.