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tristatereader's reviews
87 reviews
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Done and Dusted is a “brother’s best friend” romance featuring cowboys 🤠 so if either of those 2 things pique your interest, keep reading 👀
Emmy Ryder is a famous horse rider on the barrel racing circuit. She’s worked hard at her career and loves what she does. But after a traumatic riding accident, she can’t bring herself to get back on a horse. After a month of isolation, she decides it’s time to move back home to Meadowlark, Wyoming. While her father and older brothers are thrilled to have her home, Emmy doesn’t disclose why she’s home. She feels she can work through the trauma on her own, but instead finds herself becoming more and more isolative. Until her brother’s bestie, Luke Brooks, comes into the picture.
Luke has a reputation for being Meadowlark’s bad boy. He has been a surrogate member of the Ryder family for as long as Emmy can remember. And Luke and Emmy have antagonized one another for the entirety of that time. But when Luke finds Emmy in the midst of a panic attack, all defenses fall and he helps her through it in the most supportive way.
I stayed up until 2am reading this bad boy. It was one of those books that immediately grabbed hold of me. The angst between Emmy and Luke was minimal and there was no third act breakup 🙌🏼. When Brooks was in his soft boy era, I couldn’t get enough of him. He took care of Emmy like she was the most precious thing in the world to him and I was living for it. I loved Emmy’s tenacity in getting herself back on the horse (not a metaphor). I also loved the side characters (Amos Ryder is a babygirl) and I’m dying for Teddy’s book 😍 even if Gus is on my list at the moment 😒.
Picked up book 2 yesterday and can’t wait to dig into Wes’ story!
*This book is superrrr spicy 🥵🌶️🔥
Emmy Ryder is a famous horse rider on the barrel racing circuit. She’s worked hard at her career and loves what she does. But after a traumatic riding accident, she can’t bring herself to get back on a horse. After a month of isolation, she decides it’s time to move back home to Meadowlark, Wyoming. While her father and older brothers are thrilled to have her home, Emmy doesn’t disclose why she’s home. She feels she can work through the trauma on her own, but instead finds herself becoming more and more isolative. Until her brother’s bestie, Luke Brooks, comes into the picture.
Luke has a reputation for being Meadowlark’s bad boy. He has been a surrogate member of the Ryder family for as long as Emmy can remember. And Luke and Emmy have antagonized one another for the entirety of that time. But when Luke finds Emmy in the midst of a panic attack, all defenses fall and he helps her through it in the most supportive way.
I stayed up until 2am reading this bad boy. It was one of those books that immediately grabbed hold of me. The angst between Emmy and Luke was minimal and there was no third act breakup 🙌🏼. When Brooks was in his soft boy era, I couldn’t get enough of him. He took care of Emmy like she was the most precious thing in the world to him and I was living for it. I loved Emmy’s tenacity in getting herself back on the horse (not a metaphor). I also loved the side characters (Amos Ryder is a babygirl) and I’m dying for Teddy’s book 😍 even if Gus is on my list at the moment 😒.
Picked up book 2 yesterday and can’t wait to dig into Wes’ story!
*This book is superrrr spicy 🥵🌶️🔥
Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Weston Ryder has never done anything wrong in his entire life and I will die on this hill.
That’s it. Thats the review.
This is book 2 in the Rebel Blue Ranch series by Lyla Sage and what a book 🥹 Wes was one of my favorite characters from book 1, so I was beyond excited to see he had his own story 🤠
Wes is Emmy’s older brother, chronic middle child, and the definition of a golden retriever character. He’s the more reserved Ryder sibling, but he loves hard and would do anything for his people. When he takes on the enormous project of redoing the old family home, affectionally named Baby Blue, Teddy offers him a contact from design school.
Ada comes barreling into Meadowlark on a dream and prayer. She’s running on E, mentally and financially. But she’s determined to start a new life and Baby Blue is her shot. In search of food, Ada winds up at the only open bar in town, The Devil’s Boot. As she sets her work station up for the day to make the final preparations on her upcoming project, she has a dog-fueled encounter with a handsome cowboy.
Ada and the cowboy spend hours making heart eyes at one another, which culminates in an uncharacteristically fun and steamy make-out sesh. But of course Luke Brooks walks in on them before names and numbers can be exchanged, and Ada hightails it out of there. She can’t believe she did that and is so thankful she never has to see the cowboy again.
Until she shows up for her first day on the Baby Blue job.
And the cowboy from the bar is Wes 😈
Absolutely loved this book! Devoured it in one sitting. A few of my favorite things from this story include: how normalized Wes’ MDD was, how the spicy scenes were so full of communication and trust, Ada’s character growth, and the found family 🥹❤️
I cannot wait for book 3!
That’s it. Thats the review.
This is book 2 in the Rebel Blue Ranch series by Lyla Sage and what a book 🥹 Wes was one of my favorite characters from book 1, so I was beyond excited to see he had his own story 🤠
Wes is Emmy’s older brother, chronic middle child, and the definition of a golden retriever character. He’s the more reserved Ryder sibling, but he loves hard and would do anything for his people. When he takes on the enormous project of redoing the old family home, affectionally named Baby Blue, Teddy offers him a contact from design school.
Ada comes barreling into Meadowlark on a dream and prayer. She’s running on E, mentally and financially. But she’s determined to start a new life and Baby Blue is her shot. In search of food, Ada winds up at the only open bar in town, The Devil’s Boot. As she sets her work station up for the day to make the final preparations on her upcoming project, she has a dog-fueled encounter with a handsome cowboy.
Ada and the cowboy spend hours making heart eyes at one another, which culminates in an uncharacteristically fun and steamy make-out sesh. But of course Luke Brooks walks in on them before names and numbers can be exchanged, and Ada hightails it out of there. She can’t believe she did that and is so thankful she never has to see the cowboy again.
Until she shows up for her first day on the Baby Blue job.
And the cowboy from the bar is Wes 😈
Absolutely loved this book! Devoured it in one sitting. A few of my favorite things from this story include: how normalized Wes’ MDD was, how the spicy scenes were so full of communication and trust, Ada’s character growth, and the found family 🥹❤️
I cannot wait for book 3!
Hot Earl Summer by Erica Ridley
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Ok so I finished Hot Earl Summer yesterday and haven’t been able to think of anything else.
This is the 5th book in The Wild Wynchesters series by Erica Ridley, but can absolutely be read as a standalone (as I did). This book is a regency historical romance (Bridgerton besties, assemble) and it focuses on Elizabeth Wynchester.
As part of an amazingly talented and selfless family, Elizabeth is tasked with a solo mission to help an older woman locate the last will and deed of her late sister and her castle. When Elizabeth arrives to the castle, she’s surprised to see that the Earl who is meant to be home has absconded and left his reclusive cousin, Stephen, in his place. Stephen is witty, inventive, and… sturdy 😉. He’s spent his whole life tinkering with inventions and being ostracized because of it. As a result, he’s put up metaphorical walls that he’s sure no one can break down. Until Elizabeth comes barreling into his life. She’s always up for a challenge and… seems to be happily wielding battle axes?
So right off the bat, Elizabeth is probably my favorite FMC of all time. She is such a badass and I want nothing more than to be her bestie. She has a disability (I’m thinking RA) and the rep is incredible. She doesn’t let her disability define her, but she also takes the time she needs to recover and frequently checks in with herself, which I loved seeing. Stephen is an absolute golden retriever. He wants nothing more than to make others happy. He’s caring, kind, and looks at Elizabeth as if she hung the moon and stars. Their dynamic is perfection; filled with humor, passion, and trust.
I have 38276419 more amazing things to say about this book, which includes some of the best highlights I’ve ever highlighted in the history of highlighting.
I laughed, I cried (happy tears), I immediately added the rest of the series to my tbr/wishlist.
Hot Early Summer is out August 6th and you definitely won’t want to miss this one!
💙 Thank you so much to Forever for the gifted copy
This is the 5th book in The Wild Wynchesters series by Erica Ridley, but can absolutely be read as a standalone (as I did). This book is a regency historical romance (Bridgerton besties, assemble) and it focuses on Elizabeth Wynchester.
As part of an amazingly talented and selfless family, Elizabeth is tasked with a solo mission to help an older woman locate the last will and deed of her late sister and her castle. When Elizabeth arrives to the castle, she’s surprised to see that the Earl who is meant to be home has absconded and left his reclusive cousin, Stephen, in his place. Stephen is witty, inventive, and… sturdy 😉. He’s spent his whole life tinkering with inventions and being ostracized because of it. As a result, he’s put up metaphorical walls that he’s sure no one can break down. Until Elizabeth comes barreling into his life. She’s always up for a challenge and… seems to be happily wielding battle axes?
So right off the bat, Elizabeth is probably my favorite FMC of all time. She is such a badass and I want nothing more than to be her bestie. She has a disability (I’m thinking RA) and the rep is incredible. She doesn’t let her disability define her, but she also takes the time she needs to recover and frequently checks in with herself, which I loved seeing. Stephen is an absolute golden retriever. He wants nothing more than to make others happy. He’s caring, kind, and looks at Elizabeth as if she hung the moon and stars. Their dynamic is perfection; filled with humor, passion, and trust.
I have 38276419 more amazing things to say about this book, which includes some of the best highlights I’ve ever highlighted in the history of highlighting.
I laughed, I cried (happy tears), I immediately added the rest of the series to my tbr/wishlist.
Hot Early Summer is out August 6th and you definitely won’t want to miss this one!
💙 Thank you so much to Forever for the gifted copy
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was absolute perfection. 6/5 stars; no notes. Marian Hayes is a badass goddess. Rob deserves the whole entire world. I wept at how perfect the found family trope was executed. And in the least dramatic way possible, I would commit crimes so that these characters may never know a minute of sadness.
Read. This. Book.
You’re welcome in advance.
Read. This. Book.
You’re welcome in advance.
Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
My friends: Sara, will you ever get off your histrom reading binge?
Me: No 🫶🏼
Y’all… I loved this book. You have to suspend a little belief for this one, but it was such a comfort read for me.
I absolutely loved Beth and Gwen; they honestly gave me Penelope and Eloise vibes with their little shenanigans. And their relationship progressed so naturally for me. I loved watching them figure out that their feelings toward one another weren’t strictly platonic. It was such an important journey for both of them and I thought the author did a fantastic job.
I also adored the side characters! Beth’s mom 10/10, Gwen’s dad 10/10, Albie and Meredith 100000/10. There was also queer rep within an older couple (who were fully supported by the family) and I adored seeing that as well.
I’m on the edge of my seat, so excited for book 2!
Me: No 🫶🏼
Y’all… I loved this book. You have to suspend a little belief for this one, but it was such a comfort read for me.
I absolutely loved Beth and Gwen; they honestly gave me Penelope and Eloise vibes with their little shenanigans. And their relationship progressed so naturally for me. I loved watching them figure out that their feelings toward one another weren’t strictly platonic. It was such an important journey for both of them and I thought the author did a fantastic job.
I also adored the side characters! Beth’s mom 10/10, Gwen’s dad 10/10, Albie and Meredith 100000/10. There was also queer rep within an older couple (who were fully supported by the family) and I adored seeing that as well.
I’m on the edge of my seat, so excited for book 2!
A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I adored the character of Luke Doomsday in The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, so when I realized book 2 was his story, I was so freaking excited. And KJ did not disappoint.
Luke’s story was beautifully chaotic. This is the story of a man who never quite felt like he fit in anywhere. Abandoned, abused, neglected, and then suddenly thrust into a loving home, he spent his entire adulthood guarding his heart and making decisions based on the fear of loss. But then he finds Rufus. Quick-tempered, no nonsense, heart-of-gold Rufus. And suddenly he finds his hardened heart softening.
I loved so many things about this book. The romance, the mystery, the character growth… all written so beautifully. And that twist in the epilogue?! Truly didn’t see that one coming! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for more Doomsday books in the future 🤞🏼
Luke’s story was beautifully chaotic. This is the story of a man who never quite felt like he fit in anywhere. Abandoned, abused, neglected, and then suddenly thrust into a loving home, he spent his entire adulthood guarding his heart and making decisions based on the fear of loss. But then he finds Rufus. Quick-tempered, no nonsense, heart-of-gold Rufus. And suddenly he finds his hardened heart softening.
I loved so many things about this book. The romance, the mystery, the character growth… all written so beautifully. And that twist in the epilogue?! Truly didn’t see that one coming! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for more Doomsday books in the future 🤞🏼
Funny Story by Emily Henry
4.5
MY FIRST EMILY HENRY IS IN THE BAG BABYYYY!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! A true rom-com, this was sweet, spicy, and predictable (but not in the boring way). And if someone would have told me that Funny Story would be… funny… I would have rolled my eyes. But you guys… this book was HILARIOUS. I was cackling the entire time. I’ll definitely be reading more EH.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! A true rom-com, this was sweet, spicy, and predictable (but not in the boring way). And if someone would have told me that Funny Story would be… funny… I would have rolled my eyes. But you guys… this book was HILARIOUS. I was cackling the entire time. I’ll definitely be reading more EH.
Daniel Cabot Puts Down Roots by Cat Sebastian
5.0
Oh this was def my favorite of the Cabot series, which is saying a lot because I loved them all. But there’s something so special about Daniel and Alex’s story 🥹 I need a sequel where they’re old and gray and happy af
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Your girl’s fully immersed in her Bridgerton era so I’m reading any regency histrom I can get my hands on.
This was actually my first KJ Charles and it did not disappoint. Gareth and Joss quickly burrowed themselves in my heart and I think they might be one of my fav fictional couples of all time. They truly made each other better people and I love that in my romance. I also loved all of the side characters and their queer acceptance (despite it being 1810). And the found family trope was executed perfectly in this book. I was so happy that Gareth, the baby angel of my life, finally got the family he deserved 🥹
Starting book 2 ASAP!
This was actually my first KJ Charles and it did not disappoint. Gareth and Joss quickly burrowed themselves in my heart and I think they might be one of my fav fictional couples of all time. They truly made each other better people and I love that in my romance. I also loved all of the side characters and their queer acceptance (despite it being 1810). And the found family trope was executed perfectly in this book. I was so happy that Gareth, the baby angel of my life, finally got the family he deserved 🥹
Starting book 2 ASAP!
You Had Me at Happy Hour by Timothy Janovsky
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
You Had Me at Happy Hour is Timothy Janovsky’s sophomore adult romance and what a freaking gift to this genre!
Julien Boire is a sommelier who works at his aunt and uncle’s restaurant, Martin’s Place. His aunt and uncle raised him after his biological parents were deemed unfit and the three of them have such a great relationship. Julien is smart, hard-working, and precise. His OCD diagnosis allows for little to no leeway when it comes to making mistakes. And while he adores his aunt and uncle and the family business, he dreams of becoming a master sommelier and leaving their small town.
Greg is a mixologist who hit TikTok stardom while living the elite life in NYC. But Greg’s expensive lifestyle and less than stellar social circle lead him down a path of mental and financial instability. He decides to leave NYC and move in with his cousin in rural Pennsylvania while he focuses on himself. When he lands a mixologist job at Martin’s Place, he thinks it will be the perfect way to get back on his feet.
But Julien finds Greg cocky and distracting and has no problem letting Greg know. When the restaurant starts to suffer as a result of their tension, Julien’s aunt and uncle decide the two must team up and host happy hours. Shenanigans ensue and the outcome is absolute perfection.