Member Reviews

I’m fully in my cowboy romance era. I adored this book and will be going back for book 1 asap. It gives Elsie Silver Chestnut Springs vibes which I also loved. A steamy kiss opening had me hooked. Both Wes and Ada are so lovable and so damn cute together. The fact that Wes knew exactly what Ada needed even when she didn’t was nearly as swoon worthy as the topless cowboy rescuing and feeding a baby cow. The romance and the spice were perfectly done and the interior design elements were such a fun addition. I could really picture baby blue.

I fell in love with the whole family and can’t wait to get stuck into Emmy & Brookes story. I want to be a part of that girl group so bad. They are all such fun characters.

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A cute romance setting in a cowboy town! I read this without realising that it was part of a series, so I was a little lost with the background of the other characters. However, it still stood well on its own. It was heartwarming and entertaining.


I would’ve liked Ada’s back story to have been developed a bit more. However, it was a really good and easy read.

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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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Another charming installment in the Rebel Blue Ranch series by Lyla Sage. Following Wes and Ada, as their one-night hot kiss cannot be forgotten when Ada is the new interior designer working at the Ranch.
This book was fun, steamy and enjoyable from start to finish.
Now I can't wait for the third installment.
And can we take a moment for the cover art!!!

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This was a fantastic book, and a great continuation of the series,

After an almost hookup in a bar with a scorchingly hot cowboy, Ada discovers that her new boss is....none other than the man she was all over the night before. With too much on the line, Ada does the only thing she can do - retreat behind the cold and matter of fact facade. Only, Wes is kind, respectful, and increasingly irresistible.

Wes, oh my soft hearted Wes, was loveable, yet still effortlessly sexy, and the way his character felt and suffered really resonated with me. It was especially heartwarming to read such an accuracte description of depression without stigma or pity. Ada's struggle to trust again was also impactful, as well as the battle she had to learn that she too was loveable and worth having as a friend.

Thank you for the oppotunity to read this great book, and I cannot wait for Teddy and Gus' story!

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This book was a fun read. I loved reading done and dusted so i instantly knew that i was going to be obsessed with this series after finishing the first few chapters of swift and saddled!! i would 100% recommend this book and the whole series to all my book besties. Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book before its release date, i can’t wait to annotate the physical copy :)

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Swift and Saddled is an amazing sequel and I am just so damn proud of Lyla Sage for giving us another heartwarming romance. Cannot wait for the next one!

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Every once in awhile, I come across a book that makes my heart happy. 𝗦𝗪𝗜𝗙𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗗 was one such read. I went into this one, looking forward to a small town - cowboy romance (which happens to be my kryptonite) and was completely in awe of both Wes and Ada. Both characters were so relatable, especially Wes. I could relate to him on so many levels. Like Wes, I’ve suffered from depression at various points in my life and seeing him and his open and honest way of dealing with it, felt so real. It touched me, Wes with his big emotions and big heart has taken the top spot on my Favorite Book Boyfriends list and will stay there for a very long time. I strongly recommend 𝗦𝗪𝗜𝗙𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗗 and am giving it the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval m TBR and Enjoy!

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i would swiftly saddle a cowboy too 🤝🏻

thank you netgalley for the arc!

i don’t think lyla’s writing is for me. which doesn’t matter, i know it is for a lot of other people. i’m a big fan of elsie silver’s chestnut springs series, so i was going into this very excited, but i was a bit let down. i didn’t love lyla’s first book, done and dusted, either.

swift and saddled has everything i love: small town, cowboys, opposites attract, forced proximity. unfortunately i didn’t feel connected to the characters and i didn’t care for them.

it was a good story, and i know a lot of people will love it, but it wasn’t for me.

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I’m always a sucker for a small town romance, and in late 2023 one of my favourites was Lyla Sage’s Done and Dusted.
So when I requested and somehow received an advanced copy of of Swift and Saddled for an honest review, it jumped to the top of my (ever growing) TBR.

Returning to the Rebel Blue Ranch, Swift and Saddled tells the story of Ada Heart and Weston Ryder.
Ada is an interior designer in search of a new start and Weston is one of the brothers we got to know in book one who hired her… they just don’t know this when they meet at the bar the night before the job starts.

This dual pov book really tugs at your heartstrings with their romance. He definitely falls first, and then some- but she’s not far behind. Ada’s personal growth free of the big city is joy to read. Her rediscovering who she is and what she is capable of on her own is very powerful. Seeing Weston’s dreams become a reality is heartwarming, he grows so much as a character through this story, both in his love for Ada and his passion for the Ranch. This book does touch on themes like depression, but handles them so well.

With a delightful family and found family aspect, cast of strong reoccurring characters and plenty of spice, this sequel really lived up to the hype and I can’t wait to read book three.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this advanced copy to review. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

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I ABSOLUTELY DIDNT KNOW I NEEDED THIS IN MY LIFE!!

Thanks for Netgalley for the copy of this one early - I adored this book.

I am not a normal sucker for romances, let alone cowboy romances but i had heard a lot of hype and good things about Done and Dusted by this author and wanted to see what all the fuss was about - i wasnt disappointed.

the intensity for this book was on another level and the slow burn of the relationship between our two main characters was everything and more.

I will for sure be looking for all this authors backlist books and recommending this one to anyone that will listen

5 stars

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First of all I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me a preview of this book. We left Weston in Dune and Dusted with his desire to renovate the old family home next to the Big House on the Rebel Blue Ranch. Weston is the middle child who wants to leave the mark as he feels “less” than his older brother Gus and his little sister Emmy and wants to left a mark. And that’s when we finally meet Ada, the interior designer for the “Baby Blue” Wes’s dream house. She is from San Francisco, not a country girl, and she is determined to get her small interior designer agency to be successful and, after a marriage ended up taking her life back. The chemistry between the two characters will be seen from the first pages and we will see how both will come to the head chapter by chapter. Wes is a gentleman like every Ryder and I was pleasantly impressed to learn more about him like his depression. I loved how the author normalised this topic. We also see the evolution of the relationship between Emmy and Brooks and of course also Gus and Teddy (the next main characters of the saga 👀). A light book that leaves you with a smile on your face at the end that I would recommend to all my friends. Who doesn't need a cowboy who treats you like the moon? Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book that will be released on March 5th!!

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Having enjoyed "Done and Dusted" by Lyla Sage last year, I was eager to read "Swift and Saddled".

One of the highlights of "Swift and Saddled" is undoubtedly its setting. The small-town atmosphere is vividly depicted, transporting readers to a place where community bonds run deep and the rugged charm of cowboy life is ever-present. Sage masterfully captures the essence of this setting, evoking a sense of warmth and familiarity that envelops the reader from the very first page.

Central to the story are the characters of Ada and West, whose chemistry and dynamic drive much of the narrative. Ada emerges as a strong and independent protagonist, determined to carve out a life for herself. Meanwhile, West embodies the quintessential "sunshine hero," his unwavering support and endearing personality making him a standout character.

One commendable aspect of the book is its portrayal of open communication and mental health representation, albeit with room for deeper exploration. The inclusion of these themes adds depth to the storyline, offering a refreshing take on contemporary romance.

However, while the romance between Ada and West is undeniably sweet, it occasionally lacks the spark and chemistry that elevated its predecessor. Despite this, certain scenes, such as the memorable cow scene, inject moments of heartwarming charm and humour into the narrative, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

In conclusion, "Swift and Saddled" delivers a pleasant and heartwarming romance that will appeal to fans of small-town settings and cowboy tropes. While it may not reach the same heights as its predecessor, it still offers an enjoyable escape into a world filled with cosy charm and endearing characters. I would recommend it to readers seeking a light and fluffy romance with all the nostalgic appeal of small-town living.

Overall, I rate "Swift and Saddled" 3.5 out of 5 stars.

*This is an ARC. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this title. All opinions are honest and my own.*

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This was a fun romance without much depth. It's a little bit light for me, and tries to do more than it should have. I appreciate the cowboy theme, but trying to make it modern fell a little flat. Both main characters lack depth, and there is an over-explaining everything vibe that I'm allergic to. My favourite character is of course Amos, who's also a little over-the-top-great, but I'm not immune to it!

Might try another by the author to see if it's just these characters that don't do it for me, but we'll see.

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Sadly this was a dnf for me, I was anticipated to read this book but unfortunately it wasn't for me. I couldn't connect with the story and the characters and I truly tried to finish it but I simply couldn't.

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I’ve been counting down the days until Swift and Saddled available! Eeek!

Oh boy, the second installment in the Rebel Blue Ranch series did not disappoint! In fact, I think this is my favourite. Ada and Wes’ story is *chefs kiss*. A solid 4.5 stars!

Sage is brilliant is balancing real life with the romance all want and as a result the story, plot and characters relationships feel genuine and warm. You laugh, you cry, you giggle and oh you woop!!

Not to spoil too much if you love a black cat FMC and a golden retriever MMC with some found family sprinkled in then you’ll love this. A scene involving Wes sitting on a car bonnet, broke my heart and put it back together again!

The story does handle themes of depression, absuive and controlling relationships (prior) and as the first book, death of a family member so do consider if this is a story for you.

Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

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✑ SWIFT AND SADDLED, by Layla Sage
rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ stars (4) loved it!
note: moving to a small town ranch asap

If you liked the first book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, buckle up, because you are going to loooooove Ada and Wes!

Done and Dusted did not really work for me (it was quite a fun and fast read, but it did not grasp me enough). Swift and Saddled, though? I devoured this book way faster than I thought I would!

The connection between the characters and the chemistry was so well done that I’d be at the edge of my seat each time Wes and Ada would so much as brush their arms. They also had their fair share of growth and depth, and I especially enjoyed seeing the mental health representation in our male character, Wes!

I related far more to Ada than what I initially thought, seeing quite a lot of myself in her insecurities. I loved to see her grow in confidence and self-love throughout the book, and - special mention to the girl’s group!! one of the highlights was seeing all the girlies together and creating bonds, it made me even more excited to read the next book(s) in the series!!

I also need to mention the hints and glimpses of the future couples I *hope* we are going to get in the upcoming books. It is one of my favourite things to see in a romance standalone series, and I got particularly excited at Cam’s storyline!! Such a nice and fun group of characters to read about, I had the best time with all the squad scenes!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Quercus books for giving me the chance to read and review this book ahead of its release! You guys don’t want to miss Swift and Saddle, so make sure to mark your calendars for March 5th!

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Absolutely loved this one! Feels so great to be back in Meadowlark with the Ryders.

I really enjoyed getting to know Wes a bit better and the escapism was just fabulous. I loved getting to see Wes from a romantic perspective and the inclusion of his mental health was brilliant. It wasn’t super in depth but it was explicit and I loved how it was normalised in this book.

I read this so fast, I was totally sucked in! There are a couple of bits that are grammatically clunky so I had to reread the page a couple of times but it wasn’t so much that it really took away from the reading experience.

I am so excited to read more of this series! Super ready for some Gus x Teddy ;)

4 stars
Thank you so much to Quercus and NetGalley for my E-ARC! Xx

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“I see you, Ada. I always see you, even when you won’t look at me.”

Come dicevo, tra tutti i libri possibili e immaginabili, proprio quello con entrambi i nomi dei miei figli (per fortuna lei ha il nome della FMC ma lui non quello del MMC, sarebbe stato un po' inquietante! 😂), una coincidenza assurda! Nei prossimi giorni scriverò una recensione degna di essere chiamata tale, ma ho amato questo libro ancora di più del primo! Ho apprezzato tantissimo che ci sia un'ottima rappresentazione della depressione maggiore, e, ormai ne sono convinta, amo i reverse grumpy x sunshine quanto i grumpy x sunshine normali, anzi, recentemente penso che i golden retriever MMC siano il mio punto debole.

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4.75 stars

In this book, we follow Emmy’s brother Wes. Wes is going to renovate the old Big House and hires Ada to do so. But the day before the renovation is supposed to start, they accidentally meet at the bar. Although neither of them knows who the other person is. They share a phenomenal kiss, and then Ada runs out with the intention never to see this person again. Until the next day, when she sees who her new boss is.

I was only giggling the entire time. I could not think about anything else for two straight days after reading this book. I am absolutely obsessed. With these two characters, you could so easily feel the chemistry between them. You could even feel the chemistry between Ada and the entire family. Also, how can a fictional character be so sexy? I am not sure whether this is a five-star book for me; I might crank it up if I keep thinking about this book. But for now, I simply am obsessed and I need to meet these characters.

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