Review: Lyla Sage’s debut roped my heart! 

 

“Done and Dusted” follows Clementine “Emmy” Ryder after a riding accident leaves her no choice but to return to her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming. Luke Brooks is Meadowlark’s most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He also happens to be Emmy’s nemesis and her older brother’s best friend. She’s off-limits, but he’s never been good at following the rules. 

 

I am obsessed with every single thing about this book and that is no exaggeration! I loved living inside the heads of Sage’s characters and hold them close to my heart. 

 

I appreciate the way Sage portrays Emmy’s neurodivergence when writing from her perspective. The subtle differences in how she navigates her life are so well-written. I heavily related to the way Emmy bottles up her feelings to avoid inconveniencing anyone. My heart broke as I watched her struggle to get back on the saddle again in silence, but I’m so glad Brooks picked up on what she was going through and made it his mission to help her do what she loves again! 

 

Luke faces hardships of his own that stem from his family situation growing up. He was made to feel unwanted, but found the strength to put that behind him after the Ryder’s took him under their wing. I love the thoughtful, protective, and kind man he became! He is definitely a top book boyfriend of mine. 

 

Emmy and Luke’s relationship made me positively giddy! The kitchen slow dances, nights out at The Devil’s Boot, trips to their secret place, and rides through the mountains make it impossible to fight the visceral urge to reread this book immediately. Everything about it truly makes my heart happy, from the Ryder family’s dynamic to Meadowlark’s small town atmosphere. This has quickly become a comfort read of mine and I cannot wait to return to Rebel Blue Ranch in the next installment!