REVIEW: Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

In Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage, A year and change since her marriage went kaput, Ada Hart has worked hard to realize her dream of becoming a successful interior designer. And the remodel she’s starting soon at Rebel Blue Ranch in Wyoming is the project that’s going to put her on the map. Ada’s first night in Meadowlark proves to be a memorable one when she finds herself kissing a handsome cowboy at the local bar. Unfortunately, as she finds out the next day, he’s also her new boss. Knowing she can’t afford to mess up this opportunity, Ada makes it clear to Weston “Wes” Ryder that they’re to keep things professional. Easier said than done. Their out-of-control attraction is the first issue. The second? She’s not only falling for Wes, but she’s also falling for his family and the beautiful ranch they call home.

‘For the first time in my life, I think I had a big ol’ crush. It was new and exciting, but it also felt stable and natural–like it was the start of something that would last.’

Wes is used to being called the nice guy. The one who goes out of his way to help everyone and who can always be relied upon. But he knows there’s a woman out there who can bring out his wilder side–someone who will light up his days (and nights). From the moment he sees Ada across the bar, Wes is pretty sure she could be The One. And then there’s that kiss. The one that had him hearing angels sing. The fact that Ada isn’t interested in a relationship once he finds out she’s remodeling the ranch house he calls Baby Blue doesn’t deter him. Wes knows if nothing else, she feels that same connection between them he does. And he knows with some patience, some good old-fashioned wooing, and supporting her artistic vision on the project, Ada will also realize they belong together.

“The way you look right now is enough for me to want to drag you back upstairs and have my way with you,” she said. “Are you seriously shirtless and bottle-feeding a baby cow right now?”
I winked at her and she groaned, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

A slow burn western romance with the sweetest, sexiest cowboy hero and a talented heroine who finally found her home–and her happy ending–SWIFT AND SADDLED is my first Lyla Sage book but it most certainly will not be my last.

“This is strictly professional. Do you understand?” Ada’s eyes were cold, and her voice was sharp.
…She was right. She was here to work, and I needed her to do a good job.
So I nodded and said, “I understand.”
And tried to ignore the sound of my heart cracking.

CW: View Spoiler »Depression, controlling ex, abandonment. « Hide Spoiler

I had THE biggest smile on my face the entire time I was reading SWIFT AND SADDLED. No lie. And it wasn’t just one thing that made me fall in love with this book. It was everything: the western setting, the family vibe at the ranch, the character interactions, the explosive chemistry between Wes and Ada, and even their realistic personal struggles. All of it pieced together is the type of rich, emotional story I crave. Not to mention the heat level. *fans face* And to me, those elements were reminiscent of work by Elsie Silver, Kelly Elliott, and Devney Perry…some of my go-to contemporary authors.

Wes and Ada might have been very different on paper but the fact that they both had something to prove with the remodel project meant they had a good understanding of where each other’s head was at (most of the time). It was their pesky attraction that kept the tension going and made things, ahem, interesting. I think Wes was one of the most down to earth, charming, supportive heroes I’ve read in a long, long time. He was gentle and kind. But he was also ridiculously hot and had a penchant for dirty talk. The full effect of all that? Swoon-worthy comes to mind. (lol) And Wes was the kind of hero I have a feeling readers will cheer on the entire way.

Ada, well, she’d been through a whole lot. And she was kind of unique as a heroine in how shy she was at times and then other times you would see that strong backbone come out when she stood up for herself. It was an interesting mix that endeared her to me pretty much right away. My favorite part of Ada’s journey–well, aside from *everything* to do with Wes–was how the Ryder family ranch, Rebel Blue, became home. As did all of the people there. It was the place where she finally felt like she belonged. And that allowed Ada to blossom into the kickass woman she always was deep inside.

QOTD: Are you a reader of modern western romance? If so, any favorite authors or books to share?

Book Info:

Publication: Published: March 5th, 2024 | by The Dial Press | Rebel Blue Ranch #2

She’s the city girl who refuses to be saddled with a man. He’s the cowboy who wants her anyway.

The last thing Ada Hart needs is a man to take care of her. Not anymore. After failing out of her interior design program and the disaster that was her short-lived marriage, Ada clawed her way up from her rock bottom. Now, the only person she trusts is herself, and that has gotten her further than ever before. She has her own business, and one of the largest ranches in Wyoming just hired her for the most important project of her career.

When Ada arrives in Meadowlark, she finds herself in a dive bar where she can’t seem to shake the eyes of a handsome cowboy. When she leads him to the back of the bar, he leaves her with a kiss that most people can only fantasize about. She almost regrets that she’ll never see him again…except it turns out he’s her new boss.

Weston Ryder is a happy guy. Even happier now that the mystery woman from the bar is the interior designer for his dream project on his family’s ranch. He feels like he hit the jackpot. 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?