Thank you Netgalley & Quercus for access to this title in exchange for an honest review. 🤍

I liked Done & Dusted but Swift & Saddled was above and beyond my expectations. It is the perfect combination of steamy and sweet, with the cosy small town family vibe introduced in the first novel.

This book is definitely an improvement from the first in terms of editing and plot pace. I’m so glad the series got picked up for traditional publishing, it has really allowed Lyla Sage to reach her full potential.

If you enjoy small town romances or cowboy romances, you will adore this. Perfect for readers who loved the Chestnut Springs series & more!

Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus books for providing me with an eARC of Swift and Saddled for an honest review.

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Swift and Saddled is the second in the Rebel Blue Ranch series and follows interior designer Ada Hart as she is hired Weston Ryder to renovate a new guest house on his family’s ranch. Ada has just come out of a short-lived marriage and is solely focussed on developing her career and not on her love life. But after kissing a mysterious cowboy in a local dive bar, Ada turns up on her first day to find out that mysterious cowboy is actually Wes, her new boss! Can Ada keep things professional with Weston? Or is love in the air at the Blue Rebel Ranch?

I had read Done and Dusted and loved it so was very excited to receive this ARC. Even a few chapters in, I was already smiling and laughing out loud at some of Ada’s whip smart comments. And from the beginning Weston is the most swoon worthy male main character, sweet but also spicy in places! I enjoyed both of their character developments and I found the openers of the characters about their mental health really refreshing.

I found the ending of this book to be a bit abrupt, but apart from that I was hooked from start to finish. Can’t wait for the next book (the cover art of this series is also amazing).

Wow what a cute romance. A romance that truly pulled on your heartstrings. I haven’t read the first book in this series, ”Done and dusted”, but I really think I need to after finishing this! My second ever cowboy romance, and all I can say is ”Yeehaw!”. Bring on the cowboy romances! 🐴 I could relate so much to Ada, our FMC, that it truly got me teary-eyed at times. Another thing that made me tear up, was the beautiful representation of mental health, depression and seeking help for this. Also extra positive that it’s a man, the importance of showcasing and bringing mens mental health in the spotlight. You are not weak, you are not less of a ”man”. This is a very important topic to me, and it needs to be talked about a LOT more ♥️

Highly recommend this book if you are in the mood for a sweet romance, a couple of spicy scenes, the breathtakingly beautiful landscape of Wyoming, houserenovating, horses, found family, golden retriever cowboy and a FMC that I think a lot of us can relate too ♥️

One last thing, can we just appreciate the covers of these books? The old school western romance covers, so freaking cool and I love them!

»Swift and Saddled« was one of my most anticipated romance book releases of 2024 so far and I’m so happy I got to read it early (because I’m a really impatient person and adored Done and Dusted last summer) and that I loved it just as much as the first book in the series. Ada and Wes had me giggling and kicking my feet and also blushing a little bit.

I didn’t even mean to read the book just yet because when I started it I was in the middle of another book and only wanted to read maybe the first few chapters of »Swift and Saddled« (because you know - impatient person here) but then I just didn’t want to put it down. I was invested in Ada’s and Wes’ relationship really fast and loved to follow them along while they were first fighting their attraction for each other (well, she was fighting it he just wanted her) and then slowly falling in love with each other. There were so many cute moments in this book and funny ones (hence the giggling and kicking my feet) but the book also discussed a bit more serious topics: Ada came out of a pretty toxic relationship and Wes is diagnosed with depression and on meds, both things the characters talk about to each other. The book nonetheless wasn’t a heavy read by any means in my opinion and I appreciated that the characters talked especially about mental health so openly.

The only reason this book is »only« a 4 star read for me is that I felt like I couldn’t really grasp Ada’s past - she was married and is now divorced and we learn that her ex-husband was very controlling. Contradicting to that he was also the one who divorced Ada? I just felt like that didn’t necessarily made sense and then there was a phone call at the end and we never found out what her ex-husband wanted from her because she didn’t answer the phone but then why mention the call? I don’t know, I just wish there would have been a bit more information about Ada’s past.

Apart from that I can’t recommend this book enough, it also made me desperately want to reread »Done and Dusted« and the few glimpses we saw of Teddy and Gus make me so excited for the next book in the series already!

Oh how I love a good cowboy romance! If there is one thing I completely adore about the Rebel Blue Ranch series is the setting, it feels so much like home, I would leave my city to go live in a small country town in a heartbeat!

In this second book we follow Ada and Wes. Ada is an interior designer and influencer ready to move from the city to a small town in Wyoming in the hopes of running away from her old life. Wes is the nice guy of the family hoping to prove himself to everyone around him while battling depression - and he also happens to be the one who hired Ada.

This book was fun and quick to read! The plot was good, although I would have liked for it to be more developed. I would’ve taken a longer book if it meant elaborating more on some aspects of the story.
The writing is simple and very easy to read, which is great for a romance as it makes it possible to read the book in one sitting (who doesn’t like to binge-read a good love story).
As for the characters, they were the best part. I have to say my personal favorite was Wes, since I felt he was very well written and three-dimensional. I loved that we got to see a side of depression that isn’t often portrayed in media: the “happy” side. When everything seems to be fine on the outside but there is a dark cloud on the inside. It made me feel seen and really resonated with me. And I also loved that it was lightly talked about and it wasn’t a big deal or something the character was ashamed of. I feel it did a great job normalizing it while also keeping up with the light theme of a romance book.
Overall, Swift and Saddled was a pretty good cowboy romance and I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. I do have to finish by saying that my most anticipated couple are Teddy and Gus, and I can’t wait for their book!

*Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for providing me with a digital ARC

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Great,fun and easy read! My first book by this author and I love it. I’m definitely going to be checking her other books too! Loved the writing and it was just what I needed right now! Def recommend!

Lyla’s writing definitely came across as more confident in this book. The writing flows well and the dual POV chapters are the perfect length. I loved the addition of the mental health/depression representation too.
I love the he falls harder, he falls first and boy obsessed tropes. Weston Ryder possesses all those qualities wrapped up in massive Cinnamon Roll energy.
Ada is the black cat fmc who comes across as a little stand-off ish and prickly at first but is really just putting up walls to protect herself.
One thing I love about small town/ Cowboy romances is when we get that older character who loves to meddle in all the main characters lives. In this book, that was Amos Ryder- who needs to be protected at all costs!
I really enjoyed reading as Ada and Wes surrendered to their attractions to one another and worked through their issues to create a strong relationship. Really looking forward to the next two books in this series!

Swift and saddled – a review

I read Done and dusted and absolutely fell in love with Lyla sage’s fictitious world. In this installment we get to follow Wes Ryder who has finally convinced his family to build his dream guest ranch in Rebel Blue ranch. The story takes an unexpected turn when Wes, in need of an interior decorator, encounters Ada Hart. Little does he know that the enticing woman he meets at a bar and shares a passionate kiss with is the same person he's hired for the job. The morning after their steamy encounter, their first business meeting takes an awkward twist as Ada strives to maintain professionalism while grappling with the memory of their unexpected connection.
Ada, recently out of a short-lived marriage, is determined to keep things strictly business. Despite Wes's undeniable charm, showcased even more in his cowboy boots, Ada isn't ready to dive into a new relationship. The tension between them crackles with anticipation as they navigate the complexities of personal desires and professional boundaries.

Lyla Sage skillfully weaves a tale that goes beyond the conventional romance narrative. The clash between Ada's commitment to professionalism and the palpable chemistry between her and Wes creates a delicious tension that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. Swift and saddled not only delivers on the promise of a heartfelt love story but also explores the intricacies of timing, personal growth, and the unexpected connections that shape our lives.

Sage's narrative prowess shines as she brings Rebel Blue Ranch to life, making it not just a backdrop but a character in itself. The vivid descriptions of the ranch and the surrounding landscapes enhance the immersive experience, allowing readers to feel the crisp air and hear the echo of footsteps against the rustic wooden floors.
In conclusion, 'Done and Dusted' is a delightful addition to Lyla Sage's body of work, blending romance, humor, and a touch of realism. Wes and Ada's journey is a testament to Sage's ability to craft characters that resonate with authenticity, making this novel a must-read for fans of contemporary romance with a dash of unexpected twists."

This is a definite “must reads” of the year.

I want to thank NetGalley and QUERCUS books for this ARC.

Ms. Sage the way you come into my house and make me sob. The relationship between these two was crafted so wonderfully, the undying trust and support between them that was slow and sure, mixed in with the very obvious attraction and heat between them god they were so excellent to get to know. The vulnerability and honesty of Weston was so refreshing, and the lack of a third act break up was perfect for the story! Absolutely adored, will be buying for all of my friends when it comes out!!!

A sweet, small town cowboy romance

I'm going to preface this review by saying, it wasn't a bad book at all, but I really enjoyed the first in the series, Done and Dusted. This didn't deliver for me in the same way, but it was cute, and had some quality things to offer.

Firstly, I loved being back at Rebel Blue ranch! I'd definitely go and stay there! The Ryder family were just as amazing as in the first book, and it was great catching up with them all.
I liked the interior design/social media angle.
I loved our soft, gentle and open boy Wes, he's so precious!
I liked that they discussed mental health, and the message about medication, therapy, art and exercise to help.
I liked the communication between Ada and Wes, and between friends and family.
As I said, it was a cute book, which many will enjoy.

For me though, it got a bit boring once Ada and Wes got together. It felt flat, and a bit too long. Here wasn't any real angst and both characters felt a bit two dimensional. I wanted to know about their past a bit more, for the book to delve into what happened to both characters. I also got a bit fed up with the to and fro of Ada's feelings. I understand why she was written to have doubts and to be hesitant, but it annoyed me after a while. Maybe if more had been written about her ex, I would have understood her more?

To sum it up, this was cute, but Ada and Wes didn't compel me as much and Emmy and Luke did, their story wasn't as good. I'm happy they found each other though!
I am excited about Teddy's story being released though, she's a favourite of mine!

🤠🤠🤠

Thank you NetGalley for the E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Done and Dusted when I read it last year so I had slightly high expectations for Swift and Saddled, and all my expectations were met!

I loved Ada and Wes as characters! I love that we got to see Ada come out of her shell more and open up more to Wes and the girls. I have such a soft spot for Wes, he was just so gentle and patient with Ada and her struggles.

I only wish that the book was longer so you could see more of Ada and Wes together!

Lyla Sage has done it again! I absolutely loved her book Done and Dusted so was super excited to see Swift and Saddled on Netgalley.

Hot cowboys, immediate attraction and watching the cutest, most wholesome relationship develop? Sign me up!

S&S is honestly the best book (so far) in the Rebel Blue series, it touches upon real issues like depression and the way it's handled and explained throughout the book will make a lot of readers thankful and able to relate to that. It will make a lot of readers feel like they aren't alone and to see an author correctly handle topics like this makes me really happy. This book is full of heart-warming moments, Wes is a total cutie and he is down bad for Ada.

Ada is a very relatable FMC, she's down to earth, a bit of a loner with no real friends and she's trying her hardest to make a living and Wes is a total family guy who will stop at nothing for the people he loves.

Overall, Swift and Saddled is worth the wait. My only criticism is that I wanted more! It's a shorter book but one that is full of wholesome, heart-warming and funny moments.

I will be posting the full review on my Instagram closer to the release date :)

Well, needless to say, I loved this book. A lot. Ate it up in two days during a very hectic time of my life.
Don't know why, but I expected it to be a bit spicier. Still, I loved the setting, Ryder family, mental health representation, and I especially loved my prickly queen Ada and my sunshine king Wes together. Wes in general is a book husband material and such a sweet, gorgeous man. So, yeah, if you're looking for red flags, skip it, you won't find it here, as well as miscommunication and 3rd act break-up, and I couldn't be happier about it. 4.5/5

Thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for the eARC.

Okay, I'm a bit conflicted about this one. I went in it with a lot of hype because I really liked Done & Dusted. And Swift & Saddled definitely had its moments! I made a bunch of highlights on my kindle. But the relationship didn't really do it for me this time. It was way too much Wes convincing Ada he wasn't going to leave and that she wasn't in a cage, and Ada nodding saying she believed him, and then not believing him. It felt a bit weird to have her constantly going back and forth on her feelings for him, and kinda felt as if the book had to be a bit longer than the story actually had in it. Also the fact that Chance called, and that never got mentioned again.

Maybe I miss Emmy and Luke a bit too much.

Still, I do love the Rebel Blue Ranch a lot, and am excited for the next installment (I saw a Teddy POV so please give me that Teddy/Gus romance).

3-3.5 stars

It was so good to be back in Meadowlark, on Rebel Blue Ranch with characters I love so much! I devoured the first book but to be honest Swift and Saddled fell a little bit flat and didn’t quite hit the same for me.

I absolutely loved Wes (a total golden retriever) and the rest of the Ryder family of course but I didn’t particularly like Ada the FMC very much. While I understand why Lyla wrote her the way she did, I found her a little annoying, I did enjoy the interior design influencer aspect though, that was fun. I do wish the book was just a bit longer so we could have got a bit deeper with both MC’s because at times it felt quite surface level.

I did enjoy the story though, I think my expectations after Done and Dusted were just too high for Swift and Saddled to live up to. I will still read every cowboy romance this woman writes though and I can’t wait to be back on Rebel Blue Ranch for the next instalment!

Read if you like-
• small town romance
• cowboy romance
• golden retriever MMC
• reversed grumpy/sunshine
• instalove
• found family

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The sun & the moon
Loved the author’s debut Done and Dusted and am happy to report that Swift and Saddled is just as good. We are back in Meadowlark and on Rebel Blue Ranch with the Ryders, their friends and loved ones. This time the middle brother is expecting an influencer interior designer to help renovate the old big ranch house into a guesthouse. I adored ‘golden retriever’ MMC Wes and ‘black cat’ FMC Ada, and loved how honest tender and vulnerable they were with each other, while also dealing with their own personal struggles. Can’t wait to read about Gus & Teddy in the next Rebel Blue Ranch story.

Thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for the eARC of Swift & Saddled.

Sometimes you just need a cute, small-town cowboy romance. And this delivers.

The covers continue to be the best of the genre.

Excellent communication - am sick of authors still using miscommunication as a means to an end and this doesn’t have any of that!

The characters were great, I love the world where it takes place but the pacing was really off and the insta just is something I struggled with


I received an ARC by netgalley but opinions are my own

Thanks so much to Lyla Sage, Quercus Books and NetGalley for the eARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this read, a super short and cute read, I loved the small town element and the relationship between Wes and Ada was super sweet. The couple complimented each other perfectly, and I love how Wes worked hard to fight the negative thoughts Ada developed from her previous marriage.

The real standout elements for me is the interior design moments as well as the cooking moment, and I absolutely adored the side characters, and can't wait to dive into their stories once they eventually come out.

I really enjoyed the writing style and found it was easy to follow and will hopefully will be reading Lyla Sage's future works,

Would definitely recommend.

— 4 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"When you're treated a certain way for so long, you start to believe that's how you should be treated. It left me feeling like there wasn't anything about me that someone could love."

📖 | 320 pages
👤 | author Lyla Sage
🏢 | publisher Quercus Books
📅 | release date 5 March 2024

What you can expect:
— Adult Contemporary Romance
— Book Two In A Series (can be read as a standalone)
— First-Person POV
— Dual POV
— Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine
— Small-Town, Cowboy Romance
— Boss X Employee
— Black Cat/Golden Retriever
— Mental Health Representation
— Found Family
— Healthy Communication

Trigger warnings include: depression, alcohol consumption, explicit sexual content, references to controlling behaviour within a relationship, death of a parent (past, off-page).

Swift and Saddled is the second instalment in the Rebel Blue Ranch series by author Lyla Sage. After failing out of her interior design program and the disaster that was her short-lived marriage, the last thing Ada Hart needs is a man to take care of her as she claws her way up from her rock bottom. When an old college friend gets in contact with a job offer that is too good to pass up, Ada finds herself in Meadowlark, Wyoming as she desperately seeks to establish her own successful business and make her mark on the world. The last thing Ada expects on his first night in Meadowlark is for a hot-as-hell cowboy to give her the best kiss of her life without ever giving her his name, and she almost regrets that she'll never see him again... except it turns out he's her new boss. Weston Ryder is known to be a happy guy. When the mystery woman he can't seem to forget turns out to be the interior designer that he's hired to oversee his first independent project, Wes is thrilled. Too bad she wants absolutely nothing to do with him outside of work. Ada is convinced the pull she feels toward Wes will go away, but Wes can't stop thinking about her. Even though walls are coming down around Rebel Blue, Ada's walls are firmly in place. Can they make it through this project without giving in? Or will they both put their dreams on the line for a chance at love?

I really enjoyed the first instalment to the Rebel Blue Ranch series, Done and Dusted, and it's safe to say that its sequel has set out to impress. I absolutely adored Wes during his introduction in Done and Dusted. His calming and supportive nature was absolutely everything during Emmy's story, and I was truly thrilled to learn that we would next to reading Wes's story. Possibly my favourite aspect to Lyla Sage's writing is her ability to insert real life into her Fiction titles, evidently humanising fictional characters that readers can better engage and relate with. Wes's willingness to have open and honest discussions surrounding his depression was a breath of fresh air. How mental illness affects his day-to-day life and how he has better learned to manage his illness offered a raw clarity that I wish I saw more often in Fiction. Wes is such a sunny and cheery character, and the importance of these discussions highlight the honest truth that depression doesn't look the same on everybody and yet should still be regarded with the utmost respect and importance. Ada's willingness to learn about Wes's mental health battles and how she can learn to recognise the necessary signs to support him was everything. Wes is such a sweetheart who is nothing but a giver to the people that he loves, and he is nothing but deserving to see that love and devotion returned ten-fold.

Ada's character meant to much to me to the extent that it has taken me by complete surprise. In the aftermath of a controlling and emotionally neglectful marriage, Ada finds herself picking up the broken pieces of herself whilst being unsure of what comes next. It's a heart-breaking realisation to look in the mirror and hate the reflection that is gazing back at you. Ada's deep-rooted insecurities and fears largely plague her character throughout her development and journey in Swift and Saddled. I was thrilled to see the cast of women in this wonderful book rally around Ada with ease to show her what it's like to not be alone. That she doesn't need to be or feel alone ever again. Ada's walls are firmly sealed... however little-by-little we are graced with the knowledge that those walls are being chipped away. At her core, Ada is a fierce and loving woman that just longs to feel loved and adored. To finally stop running and call some place home. Ada's journey is a steadfast and stubborn one... but I was felt such genuine pride and awe for the woman we see her flourish into by the end.

Ada and Wes are so perfectly suited it makes my heart swell. Wes's patient and calming nature acted as a perfect balance to Ada's fierce and fiery demeanour. My favourite part about this couple is their ability to communicate their wants and needs clearly. Enthusiastic consent is always a joy to read on the page, and its within these moments that you see the tenderness and care shine through. Ada and Wes just understand one-another on an almost instinctive level, and I was truly rooting for their happily ever after from the very first page.

Author Lyla Sage has delivered another seamless, feel-good love story filled with raw truths and tough revelations. Swift and Saddled was an absolute joy to read and a breeze to get through with its steady pacing, loveable cast of characters and immersive small-town setting. The Rebel Blue Ranch series is quickly becoming one of my favourite Contemporary Romance series to read and rave about... and I'm particularly looking forward to a certain grumpy dad's story in the newly announced title for book three, Lost and Lassoed.

Thank you to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for a review prior to release date.