A review by jkreads
Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

3.5⭐️

{ARC review - big thanks to Quercus Books for the early copy in exchange for my honest review}

This was a fun time! This book is the second book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series and I actually haven’t read book one (Done and Dusted) yet, I meant to before starting this one buuuuuut as the pub date for this rapidly approached (and then passed 😅) I gave up on that. Swift and Saddled earned some points in that I could still understand everything that was going on very easily despite not having read the first book. Although this should be a given since they are interconnected standalones, it isn’t always the case. The exposition didn’t feel over the top or clunky, it was weaved in well and I felt it made sense given that I was learning who these people were along with our FMC Ada, who was a newcomer to town.

There is male mental health rep in our MMC Wes, who talks openly about his battle with depression. Points for that too because there is not nearly enough of this in books, or in real life! I’d love to see more of this in books, there is so much stigma around mental health and it seems an especially taboo topic for men, so every little bit of representation helps.

Swift and Saddled very much gave me the same vibes as the Chestnut Springs series so if you enjoyed those books, you will probably love this!