This book had me giggling and kicking my feet, and I am in love with Wes Ryder 🥰

Swift and Saddled follows Ada, a city girl headed to Rebel Blue Ranch to renovate the old homestead. On her first night she has a steamy moment that she flees from, only to meet Wes, hot cowboy and boss of the project. She tries her best to avoid her feelings, but as time goes by sparks certainly fly.

I absolutely loved the relationship between Ada and Wes, and that could be mainly because Wes is just an ideal man. He is open about his mental health and his feelings and so supportive of Ada and her career goals. I really loved that Wes was so often associated with the sun and definitely agreed with the description (all of my favourite quotes relate to this theme). Ada was also so relatable to me with her insecurities and it was so great to see her make such great relationships and feel like she belongs.

I have yet to read the first installment in the series but am very much excited to read about Emmy and Brooks who were so lovely to see together in this book as well!

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus for providing me with an eARC in return for an honest review.

Cowboy Wes Ryder is finally getting the opportunity to pursue his dream for Rebel Blue, his family's ranch, and hires a recommended interior designer to oversee the remodel of their future guest ranch. Ada Hart may have failed out of design school, but her natural talent and social media savvy landed her this job and she won't waste the opportunity. She's excited to spend 4 months bringing her vision to life, even if she's a city girl at heart and is completely unprepared for country living.

But when the two meet (and connect 🔥) at the local bar without first swapping names, will their plans be thrown into chaos? Or will they be able to resist the incredible chemistry that simmers between them for long enough to finish the biggest project in both of their careers?

I adored the first book in this series, Done and Dusted, and knew my cowboy loving heart would need another fix of Rebel Blue Ranch as soon as possible. I was SO excited to be accepted for an ARC copy by @authorlylasage @hachetteaus and @netgalley and read the book in one sitting!!

Both books in the series have been easy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reads for me. Who can resist a golden retriver cowboy (mental health rep) and a strong woman determined to make something of herself after the end of an unhealthy marriage.

This book publishes tomorrow & I encourage you to pre-order (as I have) so you don't miss out!

I apologise in advance for the scathing review, I do not enjoy having nothing good to say about a book but it was honestly so Lacklustre in every way. Very superficial, one dimensional storyline & characters. Things seemed to move along without any interesting or believable plot & character development. FMC was also irritating & unlikeable, which is kinda ironic because she thought that about herself also...
Overall it just felt written with very little care or effort; like the author wanted to jump on the Romance band wagon but didn't realise writing a good romance novel is actually a lot harder than you might think.

This book follows Wes and Ada, who feel an instant connection one night at Meadowlarks dive bar, where they share a kiss that neither of them can stop thinking about. The next day, Ada arrives at her newest interior design job, the most important project of her career, to discover that Wes is her new boss.

Wes and Ada complimented each other, and the connection between them seemed to genuine.

I absolutely loved Ada in this book, and I resonated a lot with her character.

I loved how Wes’ depression was represented - it wasn’t part of the plot, or something that he was trying to overcome. It was just part of who he is.

There were so many scenes in this book that I loved, but some of my favourites was when the Ryder siblings cooked together, and the girls/boys night, especially with Amos playing match maker.

- Small country town
- Black cat x golden retriever energy
- Forced proximity

I can’t wait to read Teddy and Gus’ story in Lost and Lassoed. Thank you to NetGallery and Lyla for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book. I think it's very hard for authors when they write the second book, after the first one went viral. There's always a comparison. I admit this book was different, as it probably didn't have the angst the first one did. But book 1 was new for everyone. The ranch, the characters, the tone. Now that we know what's going to happen, it makes sense that we get that 'safe' book. Wes is a lovely guy who got the girl he deserves.
Ada was reserved for most of the book, because she hadn't become the person she was supposed to be yet. Her history and marriage is so on point, it's terrifying. Yet the author made sure that there was no major drama at the end, and I'm thankful for that. It wouldn't have added anything to the story if it'd happened.
Am definitely keen for book 3, because if it's Teddy and Gus, you know that it's going to be fireworks galore!

Thank you for this ARC! This book was amazing. The relationship between Weston and Ada developed so naturally, the way he was endlessly patient with her, teaching her to be more independent was beautiful.

I loved how they had an instant attraction the moment they met, but it didn’t feel forced or unrealistic.

All in all, this book is one of my top reads for 2024! Definitely 5 stars and I would recommend eating a bowl of microwave popcorn while reading this book. 😉

A huge thank you to Hachette and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of Swift and Saddled!

I had high hopes for this book after enjoying Done and Dusted - but unfortunately, this one was just not for me. The book felt underbaked in most areas - the romance wasn't believable, the plot was slow and dragging, the big themes Sage attempted to tackle weren't handled with nuance or grace, and everything generally just felt a bit lacking. The writing was a bit messy in times, with clumsily constructed sentences, typos, and grammatical errors. I didn't feel connected to Ada or Wes - they didn't feel totally fleshed out or explored, and their complications were very surface level, without any deeper exploration.

I will say that the setting and ranch atmosphere was amazing, just as in the first book - Rebel Blue Ranch really does feel like a real place I would be keen to visit! But unfortunately, despite the gorgeous setting, this book fell short of what I'd hoped.

Wes is the middle child at Rebel Blue ranch. A sweet and sensitive cowboy. He is organising a reno for part of the ranch and has hired Ada to head the operation. Little does he know, the girl he's making out with at the bar is the woman herself.

I really liked Wes's character from Done and Dusted and I'm glad we got to know him better in this one. I wish we saw more of the mental health rep, rather than a brief glance.

I also liked Ada. She had a lot of complexities which I think also could have been delved into a little more.

All in all a cute little romance.
What's to love:
Instant attraction
Forced proximity
Work place romance/ forbidden

4.5 stars

I am mourning the fact that I don’t live on a ranch and can’t get a nice cowboy for myself. I loved this story. It was so easy to read I finished in a few hours. The pacing was perfect, I loved that you could feel the pull between Wes and Ada before the spicy times happened. It made me feel so invested in the outcome of their relationship.
The side characters were amazing too. I’m such a fan of families like the Ryders. Close knit but also tend to like to stir up trouble. I’m hoping there are at least two more stories coming up as the signs are there for two great pairings. Enemies to lovers anyone?

“You’re the moon,” he said. “And I’m the tides. You pull me in without even trying, and I come to you willingly. I always will”.

Every now and then, I love to immerse myself in a small town, country romance with swoon worthy cowboys. Lyla Sage and the world that she has created in Rebel Blue Ranch, gives me exactly that. The sequel to ‘Done and Dusted’ this story is centred on Wes, the middle child of the Ryder family, who falls head over heels for Ada, a sweet but edgy interior designer who is gun-shy about starting new relationships, whether that be intimate or platonic.

This was such a sweet and wholesome read that took me just over a day to read. It gave me all the feel good feels and I had a lot of fun reading this. The two main characters were so relatable and you can’t help but root for the both of them. Wes was an absolute dream (the way he referred to Ada as ‘sweetheart’ 🥹🫶). His vulnerability and openness around his mental health, and the way held space for Ada to process her emotions and past heartbreak was beautiful and exactly why I always love to see the nice guy win!! Ada was strong, fiercely independent and it was nice to see her walls come down as the book progressed.

If you are looking for a quick and easy romance read, I’d definitely recommend this! I’m looking forward to the release of the third book in November!!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Hachette Australia and New Zealand for providing me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Obsessed with this book. Just as good as done and dusted. n

GAHHH THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING I WANTED FOR A SEQUEL TO DONE & DUSTED 🤠🦋🫶🏼🥹✨
i loved learning more about wes, and ada was the perfect addition to the rebel blue crew. i love house renovations so the addition of this was v fun to see.

it gave found family vibes which i adored and i love how ada’s character grew the more she opened up to the ryder family. i loved ada from page 1 and loved the sass she brought to rebel blue. there was a lot of uncertainty from her at the start, not feeling that anyone would ever love her for who she was.

wes is such golden retriever energy but with a side of his own complications and getting an insight into him was a dream come true! i loved his character in done & dusted and was beyond stoked to see his book come to life. the love he holds for everyone and the kindness he shows to all is admirable 🥹🥹

bring on book 3 🫶🏼

huge thank you to net galley for giving me an e-arc of this one!! literally the best arc i’ve ever received 💗

“I wanted to figure out what else made her laugh the way she did that night at the bar. I wanted to know what songs she listened to when she was having a bad day, or a good one, and what her favorite food was. I wanted to know if her body reacted to mine the same way mine did to hers.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Netgallery, Hachette and Lyla Sage THANK YOU SO MUCH for #gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Give me all your calf saving, horse riding, lasso tossing sexy cowboys! Lyla Sage you have done it again, I have been swept off my feet, head over boots in love with another country boy!

Lyla does such a great job of making her characters so relatable, raw and real. I love that each of her books so far have included a different look at mental health in a wonderful and respectful way.

I also love, LOVE, love! That there was no third act break up!!

As much as I loved this book I also have to try and rein in my excitement about BOOK 3! I am so lucky to have been gifted this book before it’s publication date but the diamond cherry on top is the sneak peak to book 3!! November will not come quick enough, I am so excited for some more Teddy!!

This is your sign to add more cowboy romance to your TBR, have you done it yet? No?! Why do it immediately! You won’t regret it!

Review will be placed on my Instagram (@books.with.brit) on Monday 26th Feb

I ADORED this so much. A cowboy romance was exactly what I needed after a long stint of fantasy books and god did this one deliver

Wes is the ultimate cowboy wet-dream and I haven’t cried and laughed over a man in so long. I love him with my whole heart and no man will ever live up to him 😭 “you’re the moon. And I’m the tides. You will me in without even trying, and I come to you willingly. I always will.” I MEAN COME
ON

I related to Ada on so many levels and I felt so seen, but at the same time, it was healing. I adore her tenaciousness and how fiercely she loves and focuses on projects. I had no idea going into this that I would be this emotional but here we are

The side characters were EVERYTHING and I’m absolutely hanging out for a certain brother and best friend to get together 👀

I’ve really grown to love the small town/ranch setting over these last two books! I absolutely love all the characters and the found family aspect is one of my favourite elements. I really enjoyed Ada and Wes together, and I loved how much mental health rep we got between the two of them. My favourite element of this book was actually Ada’s profession though. As an architecture student, I love it when my MCs have architecture/design related jobs🤭 it gives me something to connect with, and watching Ada transform the house throughout this book was so fun!

Overall I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and quick romance read, I absolutely loved it and will 100% be picking up the next book in the series when it eventually comes out!

There are no words for how much I loved this book! Done and Dusted was easily one of my favourite books I have read this year and then Swift and Saddled blew it out of the water!

Wes was the most wonderful and vulnerable MMC and Ada a fantastic FMC

The Ryder's are a wonderful family and I can't wait to read more about them

Lyla Sage has done it again!!

When I got approved for this ARC I was so excited to get back into the world of Rebel Blue and when I opened up my kindle to read it was magically!

Wes…. Ada…. Obessed!

Can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy next month!

5 stars

This second Rebel Blue Ranch read did not disappoint. I'm glad to see the world established in Done and Dusted was expanded upon in Swift and Saddled, yet still felt comforting and romantic.

Ada and Wes were fantastic characters to read, both as individuals and as a romantic pairing. I appreciated that their instant chemistry was well-paced throughout the novel, and didn't lean right into instalove. The tension was palpable at points (the popcorn scene!!), and I loved all the moments where they were tested by the other and how long they could hold out.

I'm not huge on super spicy books, and I was hesitant after not appreciating some of the choices made in book one's smut scenes, but the physical romance in this book is so tastefully done. It provides enough heat without degrading each other and showcases a mutually beneficial romance. I'm definitely more interested in crossing paths with a hot cowboy now!

I appreciated the author's continued commitment to mental health representation and trauma recovery in this second book. Wes' depression was handled very well and felt like a natural part of his overall character which I really liked. Ada's recovery from her previous relationship and how much that had stripped her of her autonomy and individual personality was a good addition to her otherwise hard-hitting and bold character. I did tire a little of her "could never be loved like other people" rhetoric, but I liked the progression she made into finding the people who could love her genuinely. I also adored that both characters maturely approached their issues and fears. The honesty that Wes and Ada established early on in the book wasn't cheapened by some of the rash decisions or not communicating well enough when feeling insecure. I absolutely loved the resolution to the third act angst and just swooned over how healthy this connection was for both of them.

Very eager to read book three. Meadowlark and Rebel Blue has become a comforting small town that I wish to spend more time within.

Wow!!!!
This is absolutely a top read for me. This book ticks all the boxes and has everything a Romance readers need. I can’t wait for the to read the next book.

If your a romantic and love reading a romance that will have you swooning, then this is for you!

Lyla has done it again. 🥃

I was so happy to be back in Meadowlark. The found family vibes in this book is just perfection.

Wes is one patient and kind soul. You see Ada slowly start to trust again and their development in this romance is so sweet to see.

If you haven't already you need to add Rebel Blue Ranch Series into your tbr.

Thank you so much to netgalley for an arc copy of Swift & Saddled.