A review by bookish_meli
Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

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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