Series: Rebel Blue Ranch – 2
*Potential Spoilers Ahead*
Genre/Trope: Romance, Cowboy, Ranching, Home Design, Instant Attraction, Starting Anew
A bit about the book.
Swift and Saddled is the second contemporary romance book of the Rebel Blue Ranch series set in outback Wyoming. This book is based on the middle Ryder child called Wes who is often described as a ‘nice’ guy. Although he is always smiling and laughing, Wes struggles with depression, describing what it is like when the thoughts get dark and explaining what he does to cope. Wes finally gets the go ahead to turn the dilapidated old family house into a guest ranch, this has been his dream for years and when an outside designer comes in to help, feelings begin to appear.
How does it match up to my expectations of that genre?
I wasn’t as eager to jump into this book as I was with the first originally. However, after flying through the first, I needed to continue with the series as soon as possible. Not only does the author write in a very easy to read way, but the book ticks all the boxes for a contemporary cowboy romance without delving too deep into the ranching aspect of the genre.
The Summary
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. It’s 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?
The Analysis
Plot and theme
Wes has finally been given the green light to convert Rebel Blues old main house into a guest ranch. This has been his dream for many years. He can finally prove that he is more than just the ‘nice’ middle sibling. He can finally have something of his own. And he has big plans for the house he loveling calls ‘Baby Blue’.
Ada’s career as an up and coming interior designer has brought her out from Denver to middle of nowhere Meadowlark, Wyoming. Excited for the chance to gain some recognition with the once in a lifetime project, she hits the ground running having planned everything to a T. But when she arrives to find that the guy she has been corresponding with is not the older Mr Ryder, but the younger, much more handsome, son, the job suddenly became a lot more difficult.
Pacing, emotion, ending and plot holes?
Once again, I really enjoyed the way Lyla Sage paced this book. It was short but did not feel rushed at all. She also managed to include enough background information for the story to flow smoothly without lingering on people or events that did not need it. One example is when the ex reached out to Ada out of the blue. Ada thought about how strange it was and it made her remember the feelings she went through when it happened to her, but she did not contact the ex back. This was great! There was no need and it would have just caused unneeded drama.
Another thing which was done well, was how the mental health issues were addressed. I loved that Wes was open about his struggles and didn’t feel the need to hide them. I felt that Ada was also dealing with some depression which was not addressed. The way she thought about herself and how she felt others saw her is something I have dealt with in my life and is more than just thinking little of herself.
The Recommendation
Just like the first in the series, I would highly recommend giving this contemporary romance book a go.
It can be read after the first with some familiarity to the characters, or you can dive into it blind. It is written in a way that both options are viable.
Although this is the second in a series, it has an entirely different plot to the first book which not only made a refreshing change but kept my interest longer as I did not find similar sections throughout. All whilst keeping in the same genre as well.
Another great contemporary cowboy romance novel about finding love whilst also addressing harder to talk about topics like mental health.
Sealclops Books 
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