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Rebel Blue Ranch #3
Lost and Lassoed
THE INSTANT
NEW YORK TIMES
BESTSELLER!
'Deliciously addictive . . . as sizzling as it is emotional and vulnerable' - Elena Armas, author of The Spanish Love Deception
She thrives in chaos. He prefers routine. The only thing they have in common? How much they hate each other.
Teddy Andersen doesn't have a plan. She's never needed one. She's more of a go-with-the-flow type of girl, but for some reason, the flow doesn't seem to be going her way this time.
Gus Ryder has a lot on his plate. He's always been the dependable one, but when his workload starts to overwhelm him, he has to admit that he can't manage everything on his own. He needs help.
His little sister's best friend, the woman he can't stand, is not who he had in mind. But when no one else can step in, Teddy's the only option he's got.
Tempers flare, tension builds, and for the first time ever, Gus and Teddy start to see each other in a different light. As new feelings start to simmer below the surface, they must decide whether they should act on them. Can they keep things cool? Or will both of them get burned?
Lost and Lassoed, instant New York Times bestseller, November 2024.
'Deliciously addictive . . . as sizzling as it is emotional and vulnerable' - Elena Armas, author of The Spanish Love Deception
She thrives in chaos. He prefers routine. The only thing they have in common? How much they hate each other.
Teddy Andersen doesn't have a plan. She's never needed one. She's more of a go-with-the-flow type of girl, but for some reason, the flow doesn't seem to be going her way this time.
Gus Ryder has a lot on his plate. He's always been the dependable one, but when his workload starts to overwhelm him, he has to admit that he can't manage everything on his own. He needs help.
His little sister's best friend, the woman he can't stand, is not who he had in mind. But when no one else can step in, Teddy's the only option he's got.
Tempers flare, tension builds, and for the first time ever, Gus and Teddy start to see each other in a different light. As new feelings start to simmer below the surface, they must decide whether they should act on them. Can they keep things cool? Or will both of them get burned?
Lost and Lassoed, instant New York Times bestseller, November 2024.
Audible Audio
First published November 5, 2024
3,312 people are currently reading
123k people want to read
About the author
Lyla Sage
10books11.1kfollowersLyla Sage lives in the Wild West with her loyal companion, a sweet, old, blind rescue pitbull. She writes romance that feels like her favorite things: sunshine and big blue skies. She is also the author of Done and Dusted. When she’s not writing, she’s reading.
Instagram: @authorlylasage
TikTok: @authorlylasage
Threads: @authorlylasage
Instagram: @authorlylasage
TikTok: @authorlylasage
Threads: @authorlylasage
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 18,007 reviews
February 20, 2025
i’m beyond obsessed!!!!!!!!
“I’d think about the time my daughter and I danced together in Teddy Andersen’s garage.”
I may go back and change this to a 5⭐️ stay tuned. (I did do that 10 minutes later)
“I’d think about the time my daughter and I danced together in Teddy Andersen’s garage.”
I may go back and change this to a 5⭐️ stay tuned. (I did do that 10 minutes later)
March 15, 2024
The mustache has sent me into the stratosphere.
November 8, 2024
4.75 stars
revisiting the warm and cozy atmosphere of Meadowlark Town feels like slipping into a big hug. “Rebel Blue Ranch” will always resonate as a comforting fictional escape, a refuge where I can immerse myself in its endearing characters, picturesque landscapes, and delightful repartee.
Teddy & Gus, Gussy & Theodora. I was drawn to their hypnotising dynamics from the very first quarrels that spark their introductions in the series. experiencing their evolution from irrational rivals to shy friends and, ultimately, toe-curling lovers exceeded all my expectations. Teddy, previously portrayed as reckless yet altruistic, is painted with candid nuances in "Lost and Lassoed." the narrative unveils the softer, more tender aspects of her strong and capable exterior, especially in her relationship with her best friend. I admired how the author skillfully navigated the changing tones in their lives, illustrating how they adapt to life's unpredictable currents.
Gus embodies the archetypal grumpy male, concealing a tender heart within. his distinctive blue-collar personality traits complement his caring nature, shaping his relationship with Theodora into something truly special.
I especially loved how very character, every relationship, and each conversation is beautifully depicted and narrated. from Theodora’s tight bond with her father to how Gus’ daughter shared a special connection with her to how she enhanced Gus and ձ’s relationship. it was simply perfect.
—ĔĔĔĔĔ
THIS SERIES COVERS 🧎🏽♀️🧎🏽♀️
”I watched my daughter collide with the woman I loved, and I watched the woman I loved catch her. I watched them laugh and smile at each other, and then I watched them clasp hands and start walking toward me—the luckiest man alive.”
revisiting the warm and cozy atmosphere of Meadowlark Town feels like slipping into a big hug. “Rebel Blue Ranch” will always resonate as a comforting fictional escape, a refuge where I can immerse myself in its endearing characters, picturesque landscapes, and delightful repartee.
Teddy & Gus, Gussy & Theodora. I was drawn to their hypnotising dynamics from the very first quarrels that spark their introductions in the series. experiencing their evolution from irrational rivals to shy friends and, ultimately, toe-curling lovers exceeded all my expectations. Teddy, previously portrayed as reckless yet altruistic, is painted with candid nuances in "Lost and Lassoed." the narrative unveils the softer, more tender aspects of her strong and capable exterior, especially in her relationship with her best friend. I admired how the author skillfully navigated the changing tones in their lives, illustrating how they adapt to life's unpredictable currents.
Gus embodies the archetypal grumpy male, concealing a tender heart within. his distinctive blue-collar personality traits complement his caring nature, shaping his relationship with Theodora into something truly special.
I especially loved how very character, every relationship, and each conversation is beautifully depicted and narrated. from Theodora’s tight bond with her father to how Gus’ daughter shared a special connection with her to how she enhanced Gus and ձ’s relationship. it was simply perfect.
—ĔĔĔĔĔ
THIS SERIES COVERS 🧎🏽♀️🧎🏽♀️
May 18, 2025
4.45!
“I don’t have much to offer,” he went on softly. “Just a quiet life with a grumpy man from a small town, but I can promise to love you every day.”
I knew this was going to be the best one when I first met Teddy and Gus, and fortunately, this book lived up to my expectations and thoughts! Lyla Sage really did well with this book—the way she wrote it, the elements of romance she brought in, and how they were executed were things I loved. Her writing has always been very addictive and engaging for me. The short chapters also complement the book, but I wanted to savour this story page by page, so I took my time with it—and I ended up loving it even more. I'm putting off reading the next book because I don’t want this series to end. Small-town romances make you feel so comfy and have such feel-good vibes that I honestly think this one belongs on my comfort-read shelf.
“Life had begun to feel bittersweet, and I was getting all of the bitter and everyone else was getting the sweet.”
One more thing that I liked—not only about this book but the whole series—was the length. It was perfect, ranging from 300 to 350 pages, and I feel like that is ideal for a romance. There was nothing unnecessary, it wasn't dragged out, and most importantly, I did not feel bored even once.
“It was a beautiful thing to watch your best friend be loved in the way you know she deserves.”
Teddy was an amazing FMC to read about. She was flirty, the right amount of quirky, and really witty. Her banter with Gus was so fun, and her scenes with Riley were so cute—I loved their relationship and how she cared for her. I liked how, over the course of the book, Teddy changed so much. She was able to feel comfortable being vulnerable and sharing her true thoughts. She also learned to confront and resolve conflicts, which I really liked. Also, I really appreciated Emmy and her talking and working things out<3
“It’s okay to love her, Gus. It’s okay to want her. It’s okay to want. You have so much love to give, Gus. I see it in the way that you love our daughter and in the way you care for your family—me included—and I just want you to have someone who can love you back the same way.”
Gus—I really liked him too! He was broody, but he was so in love with Teddy. I loved how, underneath all the rough, brooding energy, he was a soft cutie-patootie inside. His development throughout the book was well done, too. His ability to ask for help and how he learned it was okay to trust and love Teddy and open up to her was very sweet. I also loved how he and Teddy looked like the perfect parents for Riley. I really appreciated seeing that Cam (Riley's mom) and Gus were able to stay close and remain friends even after the divorce—it's very rare to see that.
"I watched my daughter collide with the woman I loved, and I watched the woman I loved catch her. I watched them laugh and smile at each other, and then I watched them clasp hands and start walking toward me— the luckiest man alive."
The romance was soooo good!! The hate-to-love dynamic was executed so well, and the nanny x single dad trope was incredibly well done too. Their chemistry was on point, the tension between them was sizzling, and the intensity and denial made it even hotter. I loved the domestic moments they shared, and I also liked how those moments helped develop the romance. The spicy scenes were very hot, but Teddy and Gus were just so perfect together. From the very start, their romantic story had me soooo intrigued that I could not stop reading it. As the story progressed, I was really happy that it only made reading this book an even more enjoyable experience.
Also, that epilogue has me dying to read the next book! Like, when Dusty was introduced, I was wondering how things would go—but damn, I didn’t think it would start in the epilogue.
Overall, a stellar installment in this series!
__
I bought this book because the girl on the cover looked like Lana Del Rey and then I read the first two book and I absolutely fell for Teddy and Gus and I have been waiting for their book the most (idk why I procrastinated reading this so much) but I'm sooo excited!
“I don’t have much to offer,” he went on softly. “Just a quiet life with a grumpy man from a small town, but I can promise to love you every day.”
I knew this was going to be the best one when I first met Teddy and Gus, and fortunately, this book lived up to my expectations and thoughts! Lyla Sage really did well with this book—the way she wrote it, the elements of romance she brought in, and how they were executed were things I loved. Her writing has always been very addictive and engaging for me. The short chapters also complement the book, but I wanted to savour this story page by page, so I took my time with it—and I ended up loving it even more. I'm putting off reading the next book because I don’t want this series to end. Small-town romances make you feel so comfy and have such feel-good vibes that I honestly think this one belongs on my comfort-read shelf.
“Life had begun to feel bittersweet, and I was getting all of the bitter and everyone else was getting the sweet.”
One more thing that I liked—not only about this book but the whole series—was the length. It was perfect, ranging from 300 to 350 pages, and I feel like that is ideal for a romance. There was nothing unnecessary, it wasn't dragged out, and most importantly, I did not feel bored even once.
“It was a beautiful thing to watch your best friend be loved in the way you know she deserves.”
Teddy was an amazing FMC to read about. She was flirty, the right amount of quirky, and really witty. Her banter with Gus was so fun, and her scenes with Riley were so cute—I loved their relationship and how she cared for her. I liked how, over the course of the book, Teddy changed so much. She was able to feel comfortable being vulnerable and sharing her true thoughts. She also learned to confront and resolve conflicts, which I really liked. Also, I really appreciated Emmy and her talking and working things out<3
“It’s okay to love her, Gus. It’s okay to want her. It’s okay to want. You have so much love to give, Gus. I see it in the way that you love our daughter and in the way you care for your family—me included—and I just want you to have someone who can love you back the same way.”
Gus—I really liked him too! He was broody, but he was so in love with Teddy. I loved how, underneath all the rough, brooding energy, he was a soft cutie-patootie inside. His development throughout the book was well done, too. His ability to ask for help and how he learned it was okay to trust and love Teddy and open up to her was very sweet. I also loved how he and Teddy looked like the perfect parents for Riley. I really appreciated seeing that Cam (Riley's mom) and Gus were able to stay close and remain friends even after the divorce—it's very rare to see that.
"I watched my daughter collide with the woman I loved, and I watched the woman I loved catch her. I watched them laugh and smile at each other, and then I watched them clasp hands and start walking toward me— the luckiest man alive."
The romance was soooo good!! The hate-to-love dynamic was executed so well, and the nanny x single dad trope was incredibly well done too. Their chemistry was on point, the tension between them was sizzling, and the intensity and denial made it even hotter. I loved the domestic moments they shared, and I also liked how those moments helped develop the romance. The spicy scenes were very hot, but Teddy and Gus were just so perfect together. From the very start, their romantic story had me soooo intrigued that I could not stop reading it. As the story progressed, I was really happy that it only made reading this book an even more enjoyable experience.
Also, that epilogue has me dying to read the next book! Like, when Dusty was introduced, I was wondering how things would go—but damn, I didn’t think it would start in the epilogue.
Overall, a stellar installment in this series!
__
I bought this book because the girl on the cover looked like Lana Del Rey and then I read the first two book and I absolutely fell for Teddy and Gus and I have been waiting for their book the most (idk why I procrastinated reading this so much) but I'm sooo excited!
November 9, 2024
4.5 stars
Last and Lassoed marked my third visit to Rebel Blue Ranch, and it’s my favorite book in the series so far. I wish I could step into the pages of these stories, or Rebel Blue were real, because this fictional ranch has truly become my comfort place. I’m completely in love with this series—the heartfelt stories, the serene, picturesque beauty of Rebel Blue, and the vibrant, realistic characters. I hope Lyla never stops writing these beautifully comforting and healing stories filled with bold, funny, and unforgettable characters.
Teddy Andersen has the fiercest and softest heart. She was always portrayed as a chaotic, headstrong, and fearless person, but here Lyla reveals her more softer, creative, more caring, and compassionate side. She is fierce, strong and relentless when needed, but she’s also perceptive and supportive when the people she loves need her. And though Teddy never knew how to take care of herself or be vulnerable with other people, it was reassuring to see her accept that she could simply be herself with Gus and Riley. Her friendship with her lifelong best friend, Emmy, shows how changing relationships and seeing other people succeed can bring challenges and sadness, and how it takes time to embrace this part of life.
“I think you are miraculous, Teddy. I think that your existence— the way you care and fight and love and live— is a miracle.”
August Ryder, or Gus, is the embodiment of the grumpy cowboy. I've always liked him, and I knew that behind his grumpy and cold-hearted exterior, he hides a tender and caring side for the people he loves and those around him. He is the perfect blend of tough exterior and hidden warmth. Gus is an incredible father—he is thoughtful, affectionate, and so patient with Riley that every time I read about them together, my heart just melts. The way he loves his daughter is everything. As the eldest Ryder brother, he carries a lot of responsibility, and he’s often reluctant to delegate his work or share his stress with family members. He slowly learns to open up, share his burdens, and accept that he can't be everything for everyone in his life.
“I don’t know how or when it happened, but Teddy Andersen made me want something for myself: her. I wanted her.”
Teddy and Gus were always meant to be together. They could deny it all and hate each other for years, but their love story was inevitable. Teddy and Gus love fiercely and deeply when it comes to their people and family, and they both fear not giving or loving enough, or simply not being enough. They’re so similar in their fears and the way they love others, and they bonded over this instantly. I loved the dynamics between them, from their time as archnemeses to when they put aside their hatred and became friends. Friends who simply spent time together doing mundane, domestic things—listening to each other talk, taking care of Riley, comforting each other, and making sure the other person was okay. Those are my favorite moments between Teddy and Gus. Their relationship was simply beautiful, and I loved how they finally gave in to their desires, confronted their true feelings, and allowed themselves to see where this thing between them could go. They’re so perfect.
I adored the moments with Gus, Teddy, and Riley together. The things they did as a trio added a nostalgic, cozy, and homey vibe. They make such a beautiful family, and seeing Teddy dote on Riley as if she were her own child was everything. Teddy and Riley are the perfect duo; I loved how chaotic they both are and how deeply they care for each other. Riley is an adorable kid with a joyful personality that can bring a smile to anyone's face. She added something special to Gus and ձ’s love story—she was the first thread that bound them together, and I absolutely love her.
Lyla crafted this story so beautifully, adding meaningful layers about life’s challenges. She intricately explored the father-daughter relationships between Gus and Riley, and Teddy and Hank, unknowingly healing a lot of “daddy issues” along the way. I can’t wait to see which other cowboys we’ll get in this series, and I’m so excited for Dusty and Cam’s book!
To my girl, Giuls,
Who knew pornstache could be that sexy? I'm glad we ate it up.
—ĔĔĔĔĔ
Didn't knew mustaches are sexy as hell 😮💨 rtc
—ĔĔĔĔĔ
It's finally here 🤭 and now Giuls and I can finally swoon over Gus!
—ĔĔĔĔĔ
The cover 🤌🏻 the couple 🔥 THIS BOOK IS A NEED
“I watched my daughter collide with the woman I loved, and I watched the woman I loved catch her. I watched them laugh and smile at each other, and then I watched them clasp hands and start walking toward me— the luckiest man alive.”
Last and Lassoed marked my third visit to Rebel Blue Ranch, and it’s my favorite book in the series so far. I wish I could step into the pages of these stories, or Rebel Blue were real, because this fictional ranch has truly become my comfort place. I’m completely in love with this series—the heartfelt stories, the serene, picturesque beauty of Rebel Blue, and the vibrant, realistic characters. I hope Lyla never stops writing these beautifully comforting and healing stories filled with bold, funny, and unforgettable characters.
Teddy Andersen has the fiercest and softest heart. She was always portrayed as a chaotic, headstrong, and fearless person, but here Lyla reveals her more softer, creative, more caring, and compassionate side. She is fierce, strong and relentless when needed, but she’s also perceptive and supportive when the people she loves need her. And though Teddy never knew how to take care of herself or be vulnerable with other people, it was reassuring to see her accept that she could simply be herself with Gus and Riley. Her friendship with her lifelong best friend, Emmy, shows how changing relationships and seeing other people succeed can bring challenges and sadness, and how it takes time to embrace this part of life.
“I think you are miraculous, Teddy. I think that your existence— the way you care and fight and love and live— is a miracle.”
August Ryder, or Gus, is the embodiment of the grumpy cowboy. I've always liked him, and I knew that behind his grumpy and cold-hearted exterior, he hides a tender and caring side for the people he loves and those around him. He is the perfect blend of tough exterior and hidden warmth. Gus is an incredible father—he is thoughtful, affectionate, and so patient with Riley that every time I read about them together, my heart just melts. The way he loves his daughter is everything. As the eldest Ryder brother, he carries a lot of responsibility, and he’s often reluctant to delegate his work or share his stress with family members. He slowly learns to open up, share his burdens, and accept that he can't be everything for everyone in his life.
“I don’t know how or when it happened, but Teddy Andersen made me want something for myself: her. I wanted her.”
Teddy and Gus were always meant to be together. They could deny it all and hate each other for years, but their love story was inevitable. Teddy and Gus love fiercely and deeply when it comes to their people and family, and they both fear not giving or loving enough, or simply not being enough. They’re so similar in their fears and the way they love others, and they bonded over this instantly. I loved the dynamics between them, from their time as archnemeses to when they put aside their hatred and became friends. Friends who simply spent time together doing mundane, domestic things—listening to each other talk, taking care of Riley, comforting each other, and making sure the other person was okay. Those are my favorite moments between Teddy and Gus. Their relationship was simply beautiful, and I loved how they finally gave in to their desires, confronted their true feelings, and allowed themselves to see where this thing between them could go. They’re so perfect.
“Wanting used to scare me so much, because I didn’t think I had the space to want anything more than what I’ve got. But wanting a future with you is the easiest thing in the world. And I want it all, with you.”
I adored the moments with Gus, Teddy, and Riley together. The things they did as a trio added a nostalgic, cozy, and homey vibe. They make such a beautiful family, and seeing Teddy dote on Riley as if she were her own child was everything. Teddy and Riley are the perfect duo; I loved how chaotic they both are and how deeply they care for each other. Riley is an adorable kid with a joyful personality that can bring a smile to anyone's face. She added something special to Gus and ձ’s love story—she was the first thread that bound them together, and I absolutely love her.
Lyla crafted this story so beautifully, adding meaningful layers about life’s challenges. She intricately explored the father-daughter relationships between Gus and Riley, and Teddy and Hank, unknowingly healing a lot of “daddy issues” along the way. I can’t wait to see which other cowboys we’ll get in this series, and I’m so excited for Dusty and Cam’s book!
To my girl, Giuls,
Who knew pornstache could be that sexy? I'm glad we ate it up.
—ĔĔĔĔĔ
Didn't knew mustaches are sexy as hell 😮💨 rtc
—ĔĔĔĔĔ
It's finally here 🤭 and now Giuls and I can finally swoon over Gus!
—ĔĔĔĔĔ
The cover 🤌🏻 the couple 🔥 THIS BOOK IS A NEED
December 2, 2024
4.75 Stars ★
"I watched my daughter collide with the woman I loved, and I watched the woman I loved catch her. I watched them laugh and smile at each other, and then I watched them clasp hands and start walking toward me— the luckiest man alive."
To say that I was happy to be back in Meadowlark at Rebel Blue is an understatement. I adore this place as it has become a comfort to me. It's like being wrapped up in a warm blanket on a rainy day. I desperately wish this place were real.
Lost and Lassoed is the third book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series and is my favorite one yet. Lyla has filled this enemies to lovers, best friend's brother, grumpy x sunshine, single dad x nanny, small town romance with the best banter and tension, forced proximity, and many laugh out loud moments. This had me laughing out liud in the very first chapter. She even included some monents that had me tearing up. I wasn't expecting either of those to happen, honestly.
The boutique that Teddy worked at has closed permanently. She needs a job for the summer while she figures out what she wants to do with her life. Insert Gus her nemesis, who has realized that he can't do everything by himself, is in need of help with his daughter, and Teddy is his only option. He offers her a job to babysit, and she's not in the position to turn it down.
Theodora "Teddy" Anderson is so many things and is known for being flirty, funny, sassy, and loud. Underneath the exterior, she is artistic, has a fierce yet soft heart, and has a caring nature. She doesn't put her needs first or show her vulnerability with many often and never really knew how, until Gus. The way that she felt safe enough to share and show her private thoughts and fears with him was heartwarming. I loved watching her go through the pains of growing in life as an adult. Where friendships drift a bit with the busyness and changes of life. Getting serious as a couple, married, and other obstacles that sometimes take presence. She felt like she was behind, and it was so real, raw, and life like most of us have felt this way. I know that I have.
"I liked who I was—I liked, or at least respected, every part of me—and it felt good to show someone the parts that I kept to myself, whether it was out of necessity, or love, or insecurity, or whatever else it might be."
August "Gus" Ryder is the grumpy, hard-working cowboy that likes to be in charge and doesn't like to ask for help. His tough exterior hides his interior softer, caring side that he only lets those that are closest to him see. He has a soft spot for his family and loved ones, especially his daughter Riley. Seeing the way that he is loving, tender, and patient with her in their moments together was endearing. I loved that Teddy helped him realise that he can't do it all on his own and that it's okay to open up, let others in, ask for help and share some of his responsibilities and weight that he tries to carry alone.
"I don’t know how or when it happened, but Teddy Andersen made me want something for myself: her. I wanted her."
Teddy and Gus have hated one another for most of their lives. Their dynamics slowly moved into a friendship and into much more as lovers. I loved watching them go through the different phases of their relationship and blossoming into something that is so good. The tension and banter between them is chefs kiss and adds to the depth of what they made. They still have the back and forth banter once they cross those lines, and I was still eating it up. The two are so opposite but yet compliment one another so well. One thing they have in common is that they both love deeply and with their all so much that they care for others before themselves. Together, they built a bond on this alone by caring for and comforting one another when they needed it most. They just knew when the other was feeling down or their thoughts were too much. It was those moments that were some of my favorites where they just talked and gave comfort sometimes without the words. Add in Rliey, and the way that they became the best team and taking care of Riley with patience, tenderness, and love was just so precious.
“Wanting used to scare me so much, because I didn’t think I had the space to want anything more than what I’ve got. But wanting a future with you is the easiest thing in the world. And I want it all, with you.”
One thing that Lyla does is write some of the best found family that I've had the privilege to read. We see it all so well in this book. Everyone that is in the circle of the Ryder is family in some kind of way, and it's the sweetest.
"We were all connected in our weird little small-town web."
This was one of my most anticipated reads, and it delivered. There were just a couple of things that I wanted to see more of, and that's why this wasn't a five-star read, but I loved it regardless. The ending was wrapped up perfectly for their love story and set us up for Cam and Dusty's book, which I can't wait for.
Favorite quotes and moments
“Hey, pornstache. Nice of you to join us.” “Fuck off, Theodora,” he said without even glancing my way.
"Talking to Teddy made me wonder what it could be like to do this— talk, fold laundry, listen to music— with someone I actually liked. Probably pretty fucking great."
“I’ve got you, Teddy baby.”
"I don’t know how or when it happened, but Teddy Andersen made me want something for myself: her. I wanted her."
“I think you are miraculous, Teddy. I think that your existence— the way you care and fight and love and live— is a miracle."
︵Ŀ︵‿୨ˡ୧‿︵‿︵
˚ʚˡɞ˚ Pre-read:
This is one of my most anticipated reads. Please deliver all of the tension and banter in this enemies to lovers. Let's go, yeehaw 💚🤠
"I watched my daughter collide with the woman I loved, and I watched the woman I loved catch her. I watched them laugh and smile at each other, and then I watched them clasp hands and start walking toward me— the luckiest man alive."
To say that I was happy to be back in Meadowlark at Rebel Blue is an understatement. I adore this place as it has become a comfort to me. It's like being wrapped up in a warm blanket on a rainy day. I desperately wish this place were real.
Lost and Lassoed is the third book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series and is my favorite one yet. Lyla has filled this enemies to lovers, best friend's brother, grumpy x sunshine, single dad x nanny, small town romance with the best banter and tension, forced proximity, and many laugh out loud moments. This had me laughing out liud in the very first chapter. She even included some monents that had me tearing up. I wasn't expecting either of those to happen, honestly.
The boutique that Teddy worked at has closed permanently. She needs a job for the summer while she figures out what she wants to do with her life. Insert Gus her nemesis, who has realized that he can't do everything by himself, is in need of help with his daughter, and Teddy is his only option. He offers her a job to babysit, and she's not in the position to turn it down.
Theodora "Teddy" Anderson is so many things and is known for being flirty, funny, sassy, and loud. Underneath the exterior, she is artistic, has a fierce yet soft heart, and has a caring nature. She doesn't put her needs first or show her vulnerability with many often and never really knew how, until Gus. The way that she felt safe enough to share and show her private thoughts and fears with him was heartwarming. I loved watching her go through the pains of growing in life as an adult. Where friendships drift a bit with the busyness and changes of life. Getting serious as a couple, married, and other obstacles that sometimes take presence. She felt like she was behind, and it was so real, raw, and life like most of us have felt this way. I know that I have.
"I liked who I was—I liked, or at least respected, every part of me—and it felt good to show someone the parts that I kept to myself, whether it was out of necessity, or love, or insecurity, or whatever else it might be."
August "Gus" Ryder is the grumpy, hard-working cowboy that likes to be in charge and doesn't like to ask for help. His tough exterior hides his interior softer, caring side that he only lets those that are closest to him see. He has a soft spot for his family and loved ones, especially his daughter Riley. Seeing the way that he is loving, tender, and patient with her in their moments together was endearing. I loved that Teddy helped him realise that he can't do it all on his own and that it's okay to open up, let others in, ask for help and share some of his responsibilities and weight that he tries to carry alone.
"I don’t know how or when it happened, but Teddy Andersen made me want something for myself: her. I wanted her."
Teddy and Gus have hated one another for most of their lives. Their dynamics slowly moved into a friendship and into much more as lovers. I loved watching them go through the different phases of their relationship and blossoming into something that is so good. The tension and banter between them is chefs kiss and adds to the depth of what they made. They still have the back and forth banter once they cross those lines, and I was still eating it up. The two are so opposite but yet compliment one another so well. One thing they have in common is that they both love deeply and with their all so much that they care for others before themselves. Together, they built a bond on this alone by caring for and comforting one another when they needed it most. They just knew when the other was feeling down or their thoughts were too much. It was those moments that were some of my favorites where they just talked and gave comfort sometimes without the words. Add in Rliey, and the way that they became the best team and taking care of Riley with patience, tenderness, and love was just so precious.
“Wanting used to scare me so much, because I didn’t think I had the space to want anything more than what I’ve got. But wanting a future with you is the easiest thing in the world. And I want it all, with you.”
One thing that Lyla does is write some of the best found family that I've had the privilege to read. We see it all so well in this book. Everyone that is in the circle of the Ryder is family in some kind of way, and it's the sweetest.
"We were all connected in our weird little small-town web."
This was one of my most anticipated reads, and it delivered. There were just a couple of things that I wanted to see more of, and that's why this wasn't a five-star read, but I loved it regardless. The ending was wrapped up perfectly for their love story and set us up for Cam and Dusty's book, which I can't wait for.
Favorite quotes and moments
“Hey, pornstache. Nice of you to join us.” “Fuck off, Theodora,” he said without even glancing my way.
"Talking to Teddy made me wonder what it could be like to do this— talk, fold laundry, listen to music— with someone I actually liked. Probably pretty fucking great."
“I’ve got you, Teddy baby.”
"I don’t know how or when it happened, but Teddy Andersen made me want something for myself: her. I wanted her."
“I think you are miraculous, Teddy. I think that your existence— the way you care and fight and love and live— is a miracle."
︵Ŀ︵‿୨ˡ୧‿︵‿︵
˚ʚˡɞ˚ Pre-read:
This is one of my most anticipated reads. Please deliver all of the tension and banter in this enemies to lovers. Let's go, yeehaw 💚🤠
March 3, 2025
Okay the conclusion I’ve drawn from this series is that this author and writing style just isn’t for me and that’s okay!!! I truly thought that this book would make not liking the first two worth it…. I fear that wasn’t the case. I mean the fact that the single dad x nanny didn’t have me hooked…. I know, I’m shocked too.
It started out really promising! But then they all of a sudden went from hating each other to kissing in the kitchen, to being in love?? Idk it didn’t do it for me. I just think the insta love in these books is what’s turning me off the most because it makes it hard for their relationship to feel believable and it pulls me out of the story.
Also this is a personal problem but something about the writing is just so cringe to me… I CANT EXPLAIN IT I JUST FEEL SO AWKWARD WHILE READING THIS BOOKS!!!!!
Anyways, it’s a no for me, I was hopeful for this one but I will take the L. Also I shouldn’t have read this after the Windy City series. I’m so slumpy.
It started out really promising! But then they all of a sudden went from hating each other to kissing in the kitchen, to being in love?? Idk it didn’t do it for me. I just think the insta love in these books is what’s turning me off the most because it makes it hard for their relationship to feel believable and it pulls me out of the story.
Also this is a personal problem but something about the writing is just so cringe to me… I CANT EXPLAIN IT I JUST FEEL SO AWKWARD WHILE READING THIS BOOKS!!!!!
Anyways, it’s a no for me, I was hopeful for this one but I will take the L. Also I shouldn’t have read this after the Windy City series. I’m so slumpy.
April 22, 2025
5 ⭐️ Easily my favorite book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series! Lyla truly just keeps getting better and better.
I'd rather fight with Teddy than be happy with anyone else.
WHAT TO EXCEPT:
✨ cowboy romance
✨ Wyoming ranch setting
✨ sister’s best friend / best friend’s brother
✨ enemies to lovers
✨ hate to love
✨ single dad
✨ slight age gap (8 years)
✨ nanny x boss
✨ grumpy x sunshine
✨ sass and banter
✨ "baby"
✨ 3/5 🌶️
✨ mild angst
✨ Ryder family cameos
✨ dual POV
✨ HEA
✨ TW: struggles of a primary caretaker, sick family member
My Thoughts:
Hot damn! I don't know what Lyla Sage is putting into her books, but whatever it is, it's pure magic. Every time I pick one up, I’m hooked from the first page, and every time I finish, I can't help but dream of Rebel Blue Ranch. 🫶 I've enjoyed each and every one of these stories, but Lost and Lassoed truly is her best work yet.
Guy and Teddy are everything! I think I've said this about every couple in this series so far, but I truly mean it with these two! They are my absolute favorites! I love Teddy's fierce attitude and Gus' grumpy ass, and how they are both extremely loyal. Their love burns hot and the banter is hysterical. And the spicy scene had me fanning myself. When he calls her "Teddy baby" . . . I died and went to heaven. These two were clearly made for each other and watching them fall in love brought me so much joy.
And while Geddy's romance is fun and entertaining, what really tugged at my heart were the father-daughter relationships between Gus and Riley and Teddy and Hank. 💕 There are a lot of mirrors between these two relationships, and while Gus and Hank are not necessarily the most affectionate of men, they love their daughters with their whole hearts. I legitimately cried a few times during some of their interactions.
Lost and Lassoed is a phenomenal addition to the Rebel Blue Ranch series, and once again, I'm so damn proud of Lyla Sage putting her heart and soul into this story. Cannot wait for Cam and Dusty's story in Wild and Wrangled!
Thank you so much Lyla Sage for sending me an eARC and Dial Press for a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
-
Rebel Blue Ranch Series:
1. Done and Dusted: 4⭐️
2. Swift and Saddled: 4.25⭐️
3. Lost and Lassoed: 5⭐️
4. Wild and Wrangled: 4⭐️
-
Favorite Quotes: *Possible Spoilers* - read at your own risk
"Sometimes things just run their course, and you have to let them go. That doesn't mean that it wasn't worthwhile and wonderful, it just means that maybe we should try something new."
_______
"Nothing says love like suffocation."
_______
Rebel Blue was the only place where I felt like I could be grounded and steady while also having my head in the clouds."
_______
Just because he's a good dad and sometimes looks at you like you're the only person in the room doesn't mean that he isn't a dick.
_______
My little lunatic.
_______
I got an urge to do something I hadn't done in a long time. I wanted to kiss her.
_______
I didn't want things very often. I didn't have the time, but seeing Teddy tonight - touching her, being alone with her, seeing how she looked in the moonlight - caught me off guard.
_______
I didn't know what I was doing, but I liked doing it with Teddy.
_______
"The flirting means something to me, Theodora!"
"Get a grip, August."
"I can't get a fucking grip. You literally make me insane!"
"Likewise, asshole."
_______
"I like you," he responded.
I let out a laugh. "No, you don't." When I said it, he held me tighter.
"I do," he kissed the top of my head. "But I'm not sure I get it yet."
"Me either," she whispered.
_______
"Hank Andersen, if you die on me, I will fucking kill you."
"The devil will have to drag me kicking and screaming, Theodora."
_______
I watched his chest rise and fall, and I listened to his heartbeat - the kick drum that I couldn't live without.
_______
"I've got you, Teddy baby."
_______
"It's okay to love her, Gus. It's okay to want her. It's okay to want. You have so much love to give, Gus."
_______
"Luke is my fiance, my partner, my everything. But you're my soulmate, Teddy Anderson, and I'm the luckiest girl in the world because of it."
_______
"Wanting used to scare me so much, because I didn't think I had the space to want anything more than what I've got. But wanting a future with you is the easiest thing in the world. And I want it all, with you."
_______
I'd rather fight with Teddy than be happy with anyone else.
WHAT TO EXCEPT:
✨ cowboy romance
✨ Wyoming ranch setting
✨ sister’s best friend / best friend’s brother
✨ enemies to lovers
✨ hate to love
✨ single dad
✨ slight age gap (8 years)
✨ nanny x boss
✨ grumpy x sunshine
✨ sass and banter
✨ "baby"
✨ 3/5 🌶️
✨ mild angst
✨ Ryder family cameos
✨ dual POV
✨ HEA
✨ TW: struggles of a primary caretaker, sick family member
My Thoughts:
Hot damn! I don't know what Lyla Sage is putting into her books, but whatever it is, it's pure magic. Every time I pick one up, I’m hooked from the first page, and every time I finish, I can't help but dream of Rebel Blue Ranch. 🫶 I've enjoyed each and every one of these stories, but Lost and Lassoed truly is her best work yet.
Guy and Teddy are everything! I think I've said this about every couple in this series so far, but I truly mean it with these two! They are my absolute favorites! I love Teddy's fierce attitude and Gus' grumpy ass, and how they are both extremely loyal. Their love burns hot and the banter is hysterical. And the spicy scene had me fanning myself. When he calls her "Teddy baby" . . . I died and went to heaven. These two were clearly made for each other and watching them fall in love brought me so much joy.
And while Geddy's romance is fun and entertaining, what really tugged at my heart were the father-daughter relationships between Gus and Riley and Teddy and Hank. 💕 There are a lot of mirrors between these two relationships, and while Gus and Hank are not necessarily the most affectionate of men, they love their daughters with their whole hearts. I legitimately cried a few times during some of their interactions.
Lost and Lassoed is a phenomenal addition to the Rebel Blue Ranch series, and once again, I'm so damn proud of Lyla Sage putting her heart and soul into this story. Cannot wait for Cam and Dusty's story in Wild and Wrangled!
Thank you so much Lyla Sage for sending me an eARC and Dial Press for a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
-
Rebel Blue Ranch Series:
1. Done and Dusted: 4⭐️
2. Swift and Saddled: 4.25⭐️
3. Lost and Lassoed: 5⭐️
4. Wild and Wrangled: 4⭐️
-
Favorite Quotes: *Possible Spoilers* - read at your own risk
"Sometimes things just run their course, and you have to let them go. That doesn't mean that it wasn't worthwhile and wonderful, it just means that maybe we should try something new."
_______
"Nothing says love like suffocation."
_______
Rebel Blue was the only place where I felt like I could be grounded and steady while also having my head in the clouds."
_______
Just because he's a good dad and sometimes looks at you like you're the only person in the room doesn't mean that he isn't a dick.
_______
My little lunatic.
_______
I got an urge to do something I hadn't done in a long time. I wanted to kiss her.
_______
I didn't want things very often. I didn't have the time, but seeing Teddy tonight - touching her, being alone with her, seeing how she looked in the moonlight - caught me off guard.
_______
I didn't know what I was doing, but I liked doing it with Teddy.
_______
"The flirting means something to me, Theodora!"
"Get a grip, August."
"I can't get a fucking grip. You literally make me insane!"
"Likewise, asshole."
_______
"I like you," he responded.
I let out a laugh. "No, you don't." When I said it, he held me tighter.
"I do," he kissed the top of my head. "But I'm not sure I get it yet."
"Me either," she whispered.
_______
"Hank Andersen, if you die on me, I will fucking kill you."
"The devil will have to drag me kicking and screaming, Theodora."
_______
I watched his chest rise and fall, and I listened to his heartbeat - the kick drum that I couldn't live without.
_______
"I've got you, Teddy baby."
_______
"It's okay to love her, Gus. It's okay to want her. It's okay to want. You have so much love to give, Gus."
_______
"Luke is my fiance, my partner, my everything. But you're my soulmate, Teddy Anderson, and I'm the luckiest girl in the world because of it."
_______
"Wanting used to scare me so much, because I didn't think I had the space to want anything more than what I've got. But wanting a future with you is the easiest thing in the world. And I want it all, with you."
_______
June 4, 2024
TEDDY AND GUS DELIVERED. This, my friends, is how you do enemies to lovers. Lyla gave us such a satisfying journey for these two, from spectacularly spicy, snarky hate to deliciously hot for each other horniness to hearts in their eyes romantic love. And what really knocked this one out of the park for me was that throughout their fiery, feisty journey, we witnessed such a beautiful slow-blooming emotional tenderness that unfurled in the soil of Teddy and Gus facing their fears, opening up to each other in trust, and recognizing the many ways they made each other feel seen and safe and supported, like no one else did. Rebel Blue Ranch fans, you will not be disappointed: LOST AND LASSOED is Lyla's best yet.
November 11, 2024
I love them your honour!!! (and the moustache!!!)
May 1, 2025
This was giving Heartless by Elsie Silver so naturally it’s 5 stars! 🙂↕️ Favorite one in the series so far!!
July 26, 2024
thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for gifting me with an e-arc to review (after harassing you all via email stating I would give you my vital organs in return) NOW GIVE ME WILD AND WRANGLED.
January 14, 2025
2.75 stars
this review contains no spoilers!
tropes:
➳ cowboy romance
➳ enemies to lovers
➳ single dad
➳ grumpy sunshine
➳ best friend's brother
⤹ tbh this book was a bit of a disappointment. i thought that this would be my favorite in the series, but unfortunately i was mistaken 🥲🥲. this book follows august (gus) ryder and theodora (teddy) andersen. at the beginning they're "enemies" (for something that happened 7 years ago and honestly wasn't a big deal) but suddenly they start liking each other 50-55% through? there was no slow burn, no yearning, they just immediately started getting attracted to each other at the 50% mark. there were also some other problems with this book such as:
🐴┊gus ryders. in every single scene up to the point where they started getting attracted to each other, he was mad and/or frowning for no reason. i love me a good grumpy mmc but this was to the point where it got annoying and honestly, not fun to read about 🤷♀️🤷♀️. not to mention he threw the adult version of a tantrum when he saw teddy talking to another man, and honestly it just gave me the ick 😭😭. he got better at the end and actually started smiling, but overall i wasn't really fond of him.
however, someone that made this book much better was:
🌼┊teddy andersen. i loved her so much 🥹💗. she stood up for herself, she knew what she wanted, and she was brave and the sweetest person ever. i loved her relationship with gus' daughter riley and all their cute little moments together made me smile 🫶🫶. she's the definition of a sunshine fmc and she somehow made gus smile, so props to her for that.
overall, i did have some issues with the pacing, as i said before. it felt like nothing was happening in the first half of the book (honestly i had to push myself through because literally NOTHING was going on), but then suddenly they just kissed out of nowhere and started making out after that?? however, it did get a lot more interesting after that and i flew through the second half pretty quickly. read this if you want a light cowboy romance and a fun time 💚💚!
👢┊some quotes! 𓏲 ࣪₊♡𓂃
ˏˋ°•*⁶➷ “when i curled into his side, i felt his lips in my hair. “you can cry, teddy,” he said. and so
i cried. and cried. and august ryder held me the whole time.”
ˏˋ°•*⁶➷ “this idea that i could shed my skin, that i could—god, this is so stupid—let my hair down, made me crave him."
ˏˋ°•*⁶➷ “we balanced each other out in a weird way. and the truth was, i’d rather fight with teddy than be happy with anyone else.”
this review contains no spoilers!
tropes:
➳ cowboy romance
➳ enemies to lovers
➳ single dad
➳ grumpy sunshine
➳ best friend's brother
⤹ tbh this book was a bit of a disappointment. i thought that this would be my favorite in the series, but unfortunately i was mistaken 🥲🥲. this book follows august (gus) ryder and theodora (teddy) andersen. at the beginning they're "enemies" (for something that happened 7 years ago and honestly wasn't a big deal) but suddenly they start liking each other 50-55% through? there was no slow burn, no yearning, they just immediately started getting attracted to each other at the 50% mark. there were also some other problems with this book such as:
🐴┊gus ryders. in every single scene up to the point where they started getting attracted to each other, he was mad and/or frowning for no reason. i love me a good grumpy mmc but this was to the point where it got annoying and honestly, not fun to read about 🤷♀️🤷♀️. not to mention he threw the adult version of a tantrum when he saw teddy talking to another man, and honestly it just gave me the ick 😭😭. he got better at the end and actually started smiling, but overall i wasn't really fond of him.
however, someone that made this book much better was:
🌼┊teddy andersen. i loved her so much 🥹💗. she stood up for herself, she knew what she wanted, and she was brave and the sweetest person ever. i loved her relationship with gus' daughter riley and all their cute little moments together made me smile 🫶🫶. she's the definition of a sunshine fmc and she somehow made gus smile, so props to her for that.
overall, i did have some issues with the pacing, as i said before. it felt like nothing was happening in the first half of the book (honestly i had to push myself through because literally NOTHING was going on), but then suddenly they just kissed out of nowhere and started making out after that?? however, it did get a lot more interesting after that and i flew through the second half pretty quickly. read this if you want a light cowboy romance and a fun time 💚💚!
👢┊some quotes! 𓏲 ࣪₊♡𓂃
ˏˋ°•*⁶➷ “when i curled into his side, i felt his lips in my hair. “you can cry, teddy,” he said. and so
i cried. and cried. and august ryder held me the whole time.”
ˏˋ°•*⁶➷ “this idea that i could shed my skin, that i could—god, this is so stupid—let my hair down, made me crave him."
ˏˋ°•*⁶➷ “we balanced each other out in a weird way. and the truth was, i’d rather fight with teddy than be happy with anyone else.”
November 9, 2024
2.5 stars
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage is a small-town romance that follows Teddy Andersen, who’s suddenly feeling a little lost after a series of frustrating setbacks. As she starts questioning her contentment with her quiet life, she’s pulled into helping Gus Ryder, who’s struggling to balance managing his family’s massive ranch and caring for his young daughter. Their history is complicated, and working together brings up old tensions—and some undeniable chemistry. The growing attraction between them adds a fun spark to the story as they navigate how to keep things professional while exploring new feelings.
➸ In the first two books of the series, Done and Dusted and Swift and Saddled, Teddy and Gus are basically enemies who can’t stand each other. Their constant bickering had me hooked, and I was especially excited to pick up this book because I’m a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope.
Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. I was expecting a slow burn with their relationship, but they only really hated each other for a short part of the book. Then, out of nowhere, they started seeing each other differently, and by around the 40% mark, they were already admitting their attraction.
I really wish this book had gone for a slower burn or given more details about how their relationship developed. As it is, it was hard to connect with the characters, and the story felt pretty surface-level.
However, I did find empathy with ձ’s struggles the way she worried about her dad’s health was so relatable, and their heartfelt moments together really tugged at my heartstrings. It was clear that Teddy had a lot of love for him, but also a lot of fear and uncertainty about what might be coming.
I also connected with the emotional shift in her friendship with Emmy. As Emmy’s relationship with her fiancé deepened, Teddy felt like she was being left behind, and I think a lot of people can relate to that feeling of losing touch with a close friend as their life changes.
I feel like Lyla Sage did a good job of showing how romantic relationships can sometimes affect long-time friendships, and I appreciated how ձ’s feelings of sadness and frustration were portrayed. It made the story feel more real and added some depth to her character.
Gus was fine—hot, but fine. Honestly, he didn’t really stand out to me that much. He was just your typical single-dad cowboy, and with his six-year-old daughter, Riley, he hit all the familiar notes, but nothing about him felt particularly memorable.
I liked how Gus and Riley’s mother, Cam, have a friendly and respectful relationship. I’m especially thankful for it because it meant there was no unnecessary OW drama, which was a relief.
One thing that really disappointed me was the random flashback chapter that popped up out of nowhere. We’d been getting little hints about something that happened between Teddy and Gus, and then suddenly, we’re thrown into this entire chapter of the flashback. Honestly, it didn’t add much to the story or help explain the tension between them—it felt completely unnecessary. I really don’t get why the book didn’t just give us a more detailed conversation or a deeper explanation between the two about why they had such long-standing hostility. Instead, we got this flashback that just felt out of place and kind of threw off the flow of the whole story.
Overall, I feel like Lyla Sage’s books tend to stay pretty surface level for me. Lost and Lassoed is a quick, fun read, but it just didn’t capture my heart like I hoped it would. I feel as though there are so many other books with cowboy MMCs, small-town settings, forced proximity, and the single-dad trope that are way more engaging and exciting (like Heartless by Elsie Silver). It’s kind of disappointing because I was really looking forward to Teddy and Gus’s story for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for the ARC.
“Wanting used to scare me so much, because I didn’t think I had the space to want anything more than what I’ve got. But wanting a future with you is the easiest thing in the world. And I want it all, with you.”
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage is a small-town romance that follows Teddy Andersen, who’s suddenly feeling a little lost after a series of frustrating setbacks. As she starts questioning her contentment with her quiet life, she’s pulled into helping Gus Ryder, who’s struggling to balance managing his family’s massive ranch and caring for his young daughter. Their history is complicated, and working together brings up old tensions—and some undeniable chemistry. The growing attraction between them adds a fun spark to the story as they navigate how to keep things professional while exploring new feelings.
➸ In the first two books of the series, Done and Dusted and Swift and Saddled, Teddy and Gus are basically enemies who can’t stand each other. Their constant bickering had me hooked, and I was especially excited to pick up this book because I’m a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope.
Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. I was expecting a slow burn with their relationship, but they only really hated each other for a short part of the book. Then, out of nowhere, they started seeing each other differently, and by around the 40% mark, they were already admitting their attraction.
I really wish this book had gone for a slower burn or given more details about how their relationship developed. As it is, it was hard to connect with the characters, and the story felt pretty surface-level.
However, I did find empathy with ձ’s struggles the way she worried about her dad’s health was so relatable, and their heartfelt moments together really tugged at my heartstrings. It was clear that Teddy had a lot of love for him, but also a lot of fear and uncertainty about what might be coming.
I also connected with the emotional shift in her friendship with Emmy. As Emmy’s relationship with her fiancé deepened, Teddy felt like she was being left behind, and I think a lot of people can relate to that feeling of losing touch with a close friend as their life changes.
I feel like Lyla Sage did a good job of showing how romantic relationships can sometimes affect long-time friendships, and I appreciated how ձ’s feelings of sadness and frustration were portrayed. It made the story feel more real and added some depth to her character.
Gus was fine—hot, but fine. Honestly, he didn’t really stand out to me that much. He was just your typical single-dad cowboy, and with his six-year-old daughter, Riley, he hit all the familiar notes, but nothing about him felt particularly memorable.
I liked how Gus and Riley’s mother, Cam, have a friendly and respectful relationship. I’m especially thankful for it because it meant there was no unnecessary OW drama, which was a relief.
One thing that really disappointed me was the random flashback chapter that popped up out of nowhere. We’d been getting little hints about something that happened between Teddy and Gus, and then suddenly, we’re thrown into this entire chapter of the flashback. Honestly, it didn’t add much to the story or help explain the tension between them—it felt completely unnecessary. I really don’t get why the book didn’t just give us a more detailed conversation or a deeper explanation between the two about why they had such long-standing hostility. Instead, we got this flashback that just felt out of place and kind of threw off the flow of the whole story.
Overall, I feel like Lyla Sage’s books tend to stay pretty surface level for me. Lost and Lassoed is a quick, fun read, but it just didn’t capture my heart like I hoped it would. I feel as though there are so many other books with cowboy MMCs, small-town settings, forced proximity, and the single-dad trope that are way more engaging and exciting (like Heartless by Elsie Silver). It’s kind of disappointing because I was really looking forward to Teddy and Gus’s story for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for the ARC.
November 19, 2024
– 4 stars ★
I watched my daughter collide with the woman I loved, and I watched the woman I loved catch her. I watched them laugh and smile at each other, and then I watched them clasp hands and start walking toward me—the luckiest man alive.
This was so heartwarming and wholesome to read. I’ve been eagerly waiting for this since March, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. That said, I do wish we could’ve had more of them openly expressing their love for each other. I was really hoping for more moments of them together, sharing their affection in front of the world, instead of having so many of their most intimate moments hidden behind closed doors. And of course I liked those, but i just wished they would’ve screamed to the world that they were each other’s for the taking and things like that.
⤷Teddy & Gus
Teddy and Gus were both hilarious and so adorable; their banter and bickering kept me smiling the whole time. I really appreciated how the story highlighted the struggles of caretakers, showing that they often suffer in silence, fearing they'll fail their loved ones if something goes wrong. Both Teddy and Gus embody this, so seeing them be gentle and caring with each other, free from all the worry and pressure, was incredibly heartwarming. They truly complement each other perfectly 🥹.
Tropes 🌸 Enemies to lovers 🌸 Small town romance 🌸 Best friend's brother 🌸 Forced proximity 🌸 Grumpy x sunshine
⤷ Teddy, Gus and their sunshine Riley
Oh this was so cuteeee, and heart warming. It was really tearing to see how gentle, loving and patient Teddy and Gus were when it came to Riley and her needs🥹🩷
I’m going to miss this world so much! I can't wait for the next one. I'm really curious to see what Cam and Dusty have in store for me! 🤭
“I don’t have much to offer,” he went on softly. “Just a quiet life with a grumpy man from a small town, but I can promise to love you every day.”
I watched my daughter collide with the woman I loved, and I watched the woman I loved catch her. I watched them laugh and smile at each other, and then I watched them clasp hands and start walking toward me—the luckiest man alive.
This was so heartwarming and wholesome to read. I’ve been eagerly waiting for this since March, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. That said, I do wish we could’ve had more of them openly expressing their love for each other. I was really hoping for more moments of them together, sharing their affection in front of the world, instead of having so many of their most intimate moments hidden behind closed doors. And of course I liked those, but i just wished they would’ve screamed to the world that they were each other’s for the taking and things like that.
⤷Teddy & Gus
Teddy and Gus were both hilarious and so adorable; their banter and bickering kept me smiling the whole time. I really appreciated how the story highlighted the struggles of caretakers, showing that they often suffer in silence, fearing they'll fail their loved ones if something goes wrong. Both Teddy and Gus embody this, so seeing them be gentle and caring with each other, free from all the worry and pressure, was incredibly heartwarming. They truly complement each other perfectly 🥹.
Tropes 🌸 Enemies to lovers 🌸 Small town romance 🌸 Best friend's brother 🌸 Forced proximity 🌸 Grumpy x sunshine
⤷ Teddy, Gus and their sunshine Riley
Oh this was so cuteeee, and heart warming. It was really tearing to see how gentle, loving and patient Teddy and Gus were when it came to Riley and her needs🥹🩷
I’m going to miss this world so much! I can't wait for the next one. I'm really curious to see what Cam and Dusty have in store for me! 🤭
“I don’t have much to offer,” he went on softly. “Just a quiet life with a grumpy man from a small town, but I can promise to love you every day.”
December 20, 2024
Nothing screams a 5 star book than having a single dad x nanny trope. 🌟
Theodora has lost her job and needs something for the summer, and while she 'despises' August, she can't say no when offered the chance to babysit his daughter, Riley. THE BANTER between them is exquisite! I was already obsessed with Teddy from Done & Dusted, so I’m screaming in joy that we finally have her book!
What’s funny is that you’d think Teddy and Gus are enemies to lovers, but they’re actually more alike than you’d expect. The forced proximity allows them to truly get to know each other, and when that last wall crumbles AGH. PERFECTION💖
“𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐲𝐝𝐞𝐫.”
“𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞?”
“𝐒𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐮𝐩, 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲.”
Lyla Sage is ✨freaking amazing ✨when she writes in 1st POV! I love how she captures every thought without detracting from the story. 👇
“𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘎𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺. 𝘜𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯—𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥.”
Having two characters who care deeply for others, often more than themselves, and who start to develop feelings while learning to loosen up and work on their own insecurities, is just beautiful. I recommend this book to anyone that loves a confident woman and a grumpy cowboy. The combo is perfection and the spice is givin'!
Tropes:
🌾cowboy romance
🌾small town romance
🌾hate to love
🌾single dad x nanny
🌾forced proximity
🌾grumpy x sunshine
🌾best friend's brother
Thank you The Dial Press & Lyla Sage for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆. ⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱: *adds cowboy romance into CR rotation*
FINALLY TEDDY & GUS IS IN MY HANDS 😭🥹‼️
Theodora has lost her job and needs something for the summer, and while she 'despises' August, she can't say no when offered the chance to babysit his daughter, Riley. THE BANTER between them is exquisite! I was already obsessed with Teddy from Done & Dusted, so I’m screaming in joy that we finally have her book!
What’s funny is that you’d think Teddy and Gus are enemies to lovers, but they’re actually more alike than you’d expect. The forced proximity allows them to truly get to know each other, and when that last wall crumbles AGH. PERFECTION💖
“𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐲𝐝𝐞𝐫.”
“𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞?”
“𝐒𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐮𝐩, 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲.”
Lyla Sage is ✨freaking amazing ✨when she writes in 1st POV! I love how she captures every thought without detracting from the story. 👇
“𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘎𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺. 𝘜𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯—𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥.”
Having two characters who care deeply for others, often more than themselves, and who start to develop feelings while learning to loosen up and work on their own insecurities, is just beautiful. I recommend this book to anyone that loves a confident woman and a grumpy cowboy. The combo is perfection and the spice is givin'!
Tropes:
🌾cowboy romance
🌾small town romance
🌾hate to love
🌾single dad x nanny
🌾forced proximity
🌾grumpy x sunshine
🌾best friend's brother
Thank you The Dial Press & Lyla Sage for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆. ⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱: *adds cowboy romance into CR rotation*
FINALLY TEDDY & GUS IS IN MY HANDS 😭🥹‼️
December 31, 2024
teddy hamilton this, jacob morgan this, joe arden this.... ok, but jason clarke's vocalussy being this good was not on my 2024 bingo card. i apologize for not knowing your game.
December 22, 2024
5 STARS, BABY!!! ✨ OMG, the wait for Gus and ձ’s story felt like forever, but let me just say—it was worth EVERY. SINGLE. SECOND. 💖✨ Hands down my FAVE in the Rebel Blue Ranch series. Lyla Sage is truly the queen of swoon-worthy romances—like, how does she keep outdoing herself?! And the pacing? Chef’s kiss. No drawn-out 500-page saga here, just perfection from start to finish. 🙌
✨ Tropes Galore! ✨
✧ Enemies to Lovers 💋
✧ Single Dad 💘
✧ Sister’s Best Friend 💕
✧ Forced Proximity 💖
✧ Grumpy x Sunshine 💓
✧ Nanny x Boss 💗
✧ Sassy Banter 💬
✧ Slight Age Gap (8 Years) ⏳
✧ Western Ranch Setting 🤠
Let’s talk Gus and Teddy because WOW. Their chemistry? OFF-THE-CHARTS. 🔥 From their snarky banter to those tender, heart-melting moments, I was GLUED to their every interaction. And Gus calling her "Teddy baby"? Goodbye world, I’m deceased. ✨ ձ’s sass and fire were the perfect match for Gus’s broody cowboy vibes. Watching their walls crumble bit by bit? Chef’s kiss. Their love story was everything I wanted and more.
Also, can we just appreciate Riley for a second? Gus’s little girl was the CUTEST! 👧 She was the secret ingredient that tied everything together, giving us some of the most heartwarming moments between Gus and Teddy. Their little family dynamic? 🥹💞 Someone hand me a tissue.
And Lyla Sage didn’t just give us romance; she delivered EMOTIONS. The parallels between Gus & Riley’s bond and Teddy & her dad’s relationship were so beautifully raw. 😭 It made the story hit deeper in the best way possible.
🔥 SPICE ALERT: 3/5 🌶️
Balanced to perfection. That first kiss? OMG. When things heat up? Prepare for your heart to combust. 😍
FAVE QUOTES:
“Sometimes things just run their course, and you have to let them go. That doesn't mean it wasn't worthwhile—it just means it's time to try something new.”
"I've got you, Teddy baby." (Excuse me while I SOB 😭).
"I'd rather fight with Teddy than be happy with anyone else." 💘
Final Verdict: THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING. 💖 If you’re into cowboys, brooding men with secret soft sides, sassy heroines, and swoony romance, Lost and Lassoed is for YOU. Now excuse me while I count down the days until Cam and Dusty’s book because this series is giving me LIFE. 😍
✨ Tropes Galore! ✨
✧ Enemies to Lovers 💋
✧ Single Dad 💘
✧ Sister’s Best Friend 💕
✧ Forced Proximity 💖
✧ Grumpy x Sunshine 💓
✧ Nanny x Boss 💗
✧ Sassy Banter 💬
✧ Slight Age Gap (8 Years) ⏳
✧ Western Ranch Setting 🤠
Let’s talk Gus and Teddy because WOW. Their chemistry? OFF-THE-CHARTS. 🔥 From their snarky banter to those tender, heart-melting moments, I was GLUED to their every interaction. And Gus calling her "Teddy baby"? Goodbye world, I’m deceased. ✨ ձ’s sass and fire were the perfect match for Gus’s broody cowboy vibes. Watching their walls crumble bit by bit? Chef’s kiss. Their love story was everything I wanted and more.
Also, can we just appreciate Riley for a second? Gus’s little girl was the CUTEST! 👧 She was the secret ingredient that tied everything together, giving us some of the most heartwarming moments between Gus and Teddy. Their little family dynamic? 🥹💞 Someone hand me a tissue.
And Lyla Sage didn’t just give us romance; she delivered EMOTIONS. The parallels between Gus & Riley’s bond and Teddy & her dad’s relationship were so beautifully raw. 😭 It made the story hit deeper in the best way possible.
🔥 SPICE ALERT: 3/5 🌶️
Balanced to perfection. That first kiss? OMG. When things heat up? Prepare for your heart to combust. 😍
FAVE QUOTES:
“Sometimes things just run their course, and you have to let them go. That doesn't mean it wasn't worthwhile—it just means it's time to try something new.”
"I've got you, Teddy baby." (Excuse me while I SOB 😭).
"I'd rather fight with Teddy than be happy with anyone else." 💘
Final Verdict: THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING. 💖 If you’re into cowboys, brooding men with secret soft sides, sassy heroines, and swoony romance, Lost and Lassoed is for YOU. Now excuse me while I count down the days until Cam and Dusty’s book because this series is giving me LIFE. 😍
March 18, 2025
╰➤ 5 stars!
oooookay, this might just be my favorite book in the series—though that could always change, especially with one more book on the way! but this one? oh my goodness, i truly have no words
౨ৎ theodora. who doesn’t love a confident woman? i absolutely adored how she thrived in the spotlight, as if she was meant to be there all along! in the first book, we didn’t really get a deeper look into her struggles—as a daughter, a friend, and just as a person in general. in fact, she was portrayed as reckless, which is exactly why gus didn’t like her. but in this book, she felt like one of the most relatable characters ever. that feeling of being left behind while everyone else seems to be moving forward? it’s tough. but reading about her journey to realizing that she’s actually moving at her own pace—and that it’s perfectly okay—was so comforting and beautifully written.
౨ৎ august. if “protector” was a person, it would definitely be him. and if “workaholic” was a person? yeah, that would be him too. he carries so much responsibility, putting immense pressure on himself to manage everything at the ranch while also being a father, a brother, and a son. adjusting to change after being stuck in a set routine is hard, and the way this book portrayed that struggle felt so realistic. it really showed how overwhelming it can be—especially when you refuse to admit that you need help. but watching august slowly come to terms with the fact that there’s nothing wrong with letting others do their jobs without him constantly overseeing everything was such a satisfying character development.
overall, i adored the dynamic between theodora and august. their banter in the first book was already entertaining, and i never got tired of it—but seeing them go beyond that and truly get to know each other on a deeper level? that was the best part. they’re exactly what the other needed. i’d highly recommend this book to anyone who feels like they’re falling behind in life, as well as to those who struggle with accepting help. this story will make you feel so seen.
・ɡɡɡɡɡɡɡɡɡɡɡɡ
pre-read:
it’s timeeeee! so excited to read teddy and gus’s story
oooookay, this might just be my favorite book in the series—though that could always change, especially with one more book on the way! but this one? oh my goodness, i truly have no words
౨ৎ theodora. who doesn’t love a confident woman? i absolutely adored how she thrived in the spotlight, as if she was meant to be there all along! in the first book, we didn’t really get a deeper look into her struggles—as a daughter, a friend, and just as a person in general. in fact, she was portrayed as reckless, which is exactly why gus didn’t like her. but in this book, she felt like one of the most relatable characters ever. that feeling of being left behind while everyone else seems to be moving forward? it’s tough. but reading about her journey to realizing that she’s actually moving at her own pace—and that it’s perfectly okay—was so comforting and beautifully written.
౨ৎ august. if “protector” was a person, it would definitely be him. and if “workaholic” was a person? yeah, that would be him too. he carries so much responsibility, putting immense pressure on himself to manage everything at the ranch while also being a father, a brother, and a son. adjusting to change after being stuck in a set routine is hard, and the way this book portrayed that struggle felt so realistic. it really showed how overwhelming it can be—especially when you refuse to admit that you need help. but watching august slowly come to terms with the fact that there’s nothing wrong with letting others do their jobs without him constantly overseeing everything was such a satisfying character development.
overall, i adored the dynamic between theodora and august. their banter in the first book was already entertaining, and i never got tired of it—but seeing them go beyond that and truly get to know each other on a deeper level? that was the best part. they’re exactly what the other needed. i’d highly recommend this book to anyone who feels like they’re falling behind in life, as well as to those who struggle with accepting help. this story will make you feel so seen.
・ɡɡɡɡɡɡɡɡɡɡɡɡ
pre-read:
it’s timeeeee! so excited to read teddy and gus’s story
December 14, 2024
✩ 4 stars ✩
“I don’t have much to offer,” he went on softly. “Just a quiet life with a grumpy man from a small town, but I can promise to love you every day.”
What to Expect:
➼ Enemies-to-Lovers
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Single Dad
➼ Family, Both Found & Blood
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Small Town
➼ Summer Romance
➼ Opposites Attract
➼ Best Friend’s Brother
➼ Cowboy Romance
➼ Temporary Live-In Nanny x Boss
➼ 8 Year Age Gap
➼ Dual POV
Book two is still my favorite, but this was a solid four star read! I think we were all impatiently waiting for Teddy and Gus’s story since they came on the scene in book one, and as a result I think I may have written their story a bit in my head prior to reading this. If I’m honest, I wasn’t 100% satisfied with the reasoning behind the animosity they held towards each other, but other than that I thought Lyla did a great job writing their love story!
This book contained so many of my favorite tropes, but the single dad trope is the one that really stood out. My very favorite thing about Gus is how much he loves his little girl! Sunshine has to be the sweetest nickname to call your daughter. ☀️💖 I melted a little every time he said it. ☺️ I can’t say that I was quite as taken with him calling the FMC “Teddy baby,” but it grew on me as the book progressed.
There were a few grumpy moments where they got in their feelings and didn’t talk things out, but for the most part they had great communication throughout the book which I really appreciated. They were both direct with how they felt and what they wanted from almost the instant that things began to change between them. I’m rarely a fan of the miscommunication trope, but I think it’s extra important that it not be present when there is a child in the mix.
I do think the spice could have been written a little better. I think there was maybe too much talking for how quickly they came together? Either keep the dirty talk and slow it down or cut the talking so it feels more like a passionate whirlwind decision. Not sure if that makes sense, but I felt like they would have talked themselves out of it with that much talking if it were a real life situation. 😅 Loved the scenes where he took care of her though! I’d love to see more of this in romance books!
“When I curled into his side, I felt his lips in my hair. “You can cry, Teddy,” he said. And so I cried. And cried. And August Ryder held me the whole time.”
Lyla claims the next book will be the last, but I need Amos to find love again too! I really hope she works his happy ending into the next book at least!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: The other books I’m reading are gonna need to move over because this book just dropped into my Libby account! 🤠 Rebel Blue Ranch, here I come! 🫶🏻
“I don’t have much to offer,” he went on softly. “Just a quiet life with a grumpy man from a small town, but I can promise to love you every day.”
What to Expect:
➼ Enemies-to-Lovers
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Single Dad
➼ Family, Both Found & Blood
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Small Town
➼ Summer Romance
➼ Opposites Attract
➼ Best Friend’s Brother
➼ Cowboy Romance
➼ Temporary Live-In Nanny x Boss
➼ 8 Year Age Gap
➼ Dual POV
Book two is still my favorite, but this was a solid four star read! I think we were all impatiently waiting for Teddy and Gus’s story since they came on the scene in book one, and as a result I think I may have written their story a bit in my head prior to reading this. If I’m honest, I wasn’t 100% satisfied with the reasoning behind the animosity they held towards each other, but other than that I thought Lyla did a great job writing their love story!
This book contained so many of my favorite tropes, but the single dad trope is the one that really stood out. My very favorite thing about Gus is how much he loves his little girl! Sunshine has to be the sweetest nickname to call your daughter. ☀️💖 I melted a little every time he said it. ☺️ I can’t say that I was quite as taken with him calling the FMC “Teddy baby,” but it grew on me as the book progressed.
There were a few grumpy moments where they got in their feelings and didn’t talk things out, but for the most part they had great communication throughout the book which I really appreciated. They were both direct with how they felt and what they wanted from almost the instant that things began to change between them. I’m rarely a fan of the miscommunication trope, but I think it’s extra important that it not be present when there is a child in the mix.
I do think the spice could have been written a little better. I think there was maybe too much talking for how quickly they came together? Either keep the dirty talk and slow it down or cut the talking so it feels more like a passionate whirlwind decision. Not sure if that makes sense, but I felt like they would have talked themselves out of it with that much talking if it were a real life situation. 😅 Loved the scenes where he took care of her though! I’d love to see more of this in romance books!
“When I curled into his side, I felt his lips in my hair. “You can cry, Teddy,” he said. And so I cried. And cried. And August Ryder held me the whole time.”
Lyla claims the next book will be the last, but I need Amos to find love again too! I really hope she works his happy ending into the next book at least!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: The other books I’m reading are gonna need to move over because this book just dropped into my Libby account! 🤠 Rebel Blue Ranch, here I come! 🫶🏻
November 14, 2024
5⭐️
This is one of the easiest 5 stars I've read in a long time. Words cannot describe the love I had from this book, even from the very beginning.
I was excited but scared to read Teddy's book mainly because we all see her in the previous books and I was thinking maybe she wouldn't be portrayed the same. However, I was SO wrong. Teddy was everything and more. I have never related to a character on a level as deep as I did with her. The fact that she's worried that she's "stuck" in her 20's while everyone is getting married and having kids...dude me to a fucking T!!!!
Her and Gus were as good as I hoped they'd be. Their banter was amazing and their chemistry was so good. Gus is so special in my heart; he's definitely up there with the greatest book boyfriends. The way he cares for Teddy was so special.
I am kinda on the fence when it comes to single-dad x "nanny" tropes cause it has to be done right, and this was done right!!! The relationship between Teddy and Riley was beautiful. Sometimes I can kind kids annoying in books especially when they're written poorly. This was not that!
I could go on and on and on about my love for the Blue Rebel Ranch series, and this is by far my favorite in the series!! The long awaited Teddy x Gus came, delivered, and ATE. I already dread reading the last book cause I really don't want it to be over. 😭💚
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EEEEEE SO EXCITED one of my most anticipated of this year 🤩💚
This is one of the easiest 5 stars I've read in a long time. Words cannot describe the love I had from this book, even from the very beginning.
I was excited but scared to read Teddy's book mainly because we all see her in the previous books and I was thinking maybe she wouldn't be portrayed the same. However, I was SO wrong. Teddy was everything and more. I have never related to a character on a level as deep as I did with her. The fact that she's worried that she's "stuck" in her 20's while everyone is getting married and having kids...dude me to a fucking T!!!!
Her and Gus were as good as I hoped they'd be. Their banter was amazing and their chemistry was so good. Gus is so special in my heart; he's definitely up there with the greatest book boyfriends. The way he cares for Teddy was so special.
I am kinda on the fence when it comes to single-dad x "nanny" tropes cause it has to be done right, and this was done right!!! The relationship between Teddy and Riley was beautiful. Sometimes I can kind kids annoying in books especially when they're written poorly. This was not that!
I could go on and on and on about my love for the Blue Rebel Ranch series, and this is by far my favorite in the series!! The long awaited Teddy x Gus came, delivered, and ATE. I already dread reading the last book cause I really don't want it to be over. 😭💚
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EEEEEE SO EXCITED one of my most anticipated of this year 🤩💚
November 7, 2024
➼ 4.25★
she’s so relatable in many ways. one of these is about her friendship with emmy. they’ve always been together and teddy is afraid that emmy doesn’t need her bsf now that she’s about to get married. it’s a feeling we most likely have at least once in our lifetime. seeing your best friend settle and start a new life with their love of their life. it’s hard to watch and it pained me to read about teddy’s feelings about this situation.
i love their friendship. they’re so special and funny and relatable and cute AAAAA🤧
also, she’s loved by everyone in meadowlark, expect for gussy; but when she finds herself jobless, and her bsf propose as a solution for teddy to be his enemy’s daughter’s babysitter, she accepts this new job. she loves riley and that little girl is smart and cunning. soon they become inseparable and gus can’t help but start to appreciate and look at teddy with different eyes.
gus is a single dad, but not a single parent because he has a beautiful friendship with riley’s mom—cam. he’s grumpy asf. he’s a workaholic and when his family corners him, he’s forced to accept teddy as his new nanny.
gus is at that point in life where he finds it hard to want something for himself, due to being always the caretaker and not the one who’s taken care of.
basically, he was having a midlife crisis LOL.
anyway, this new arrangement works perfectly for them because finally they start to appreciate another side of their personalities, the one they’ve always refused to see. the chemistry between them is inevitable. they somehow make sense together, despite being so different. you can totally see their icy hearts melt for each other. and it’s freaking cute!!!!
overall, this book is a light and funny but also beautiful read, that will give you a sense of home and family. but it also will help you empathize with adults problematics that many people experience first hand. (it also comes with some hot scenes😏!!)
to my girl ri:
tysm for reading this with me! we always have so much fun together, can’t wait to br again!! (next time a fantasy i know) 💋🩶
happy release day for those who celebrate🤸🏻♀️
ri and i are super excited to start this br together🤠 yeehaw
“Wanting used to scare me so much, because I didn’t think I had the space to want anything more than what I’ve got. But wanting a future with you is the easiest thing in the world. And I want it all, with you.”
╰➤ read this if you like:
★ single dad x nanny
★ enemies to lovers
★ small town romance
★ forced proximity
★ best friend’s brother
★ grumpy x sunshine
★ spicy spice
i’d been waiting for this moment for so long and i can’t wait to get my hands on dusty and cam’s story. but let’s talk about gussy and teddy🤠
the book starts really great, lots of funny scenes thanks to our mcs bunter! however—and it pains me to say it—, in the middle something was missing. i can’t pinpoint WHAT exactly was missing, but i would’ve loved more of their banters, more of them with riley, more Ryder family moments—which i adore. it also reminds me too much of heartless by elsie silver.
ˏˋ°•*⁶➷ teddy & gussy
teddy is funny as hell, istg i love that woman. she makes me laugh so much, i had tears in my eyes. she’s creative and smart, she loves clothing and painting. she’s loud and fearless. but i loved to see a different side from the funny one. her character portrays perfectly the feeling of being stuck in life, while watching others growing and chasing their new dreams.
”And in Meadowlark, I shone. People loved me, and I loved to be loved. There was only one Teddy Andersen. Here, I was ahead of the game. So how did I get so behind? I’d always been happy in Meadowlark, but over the past few months, I had begun to wonder if I had started to resent it at the same time. It felt as if Meadowlark was taking care of everyone but me. Everyone I loved in Meadowlark seemed to be doing big things—getting married, renovating houses, having babies, falling in love. It was a silly thing to feel—like the place I lived didn’t care about me, even though I loved it so deeply—but I felt it anyway.”
she’s so relatable in many ways. one of these is about her friendship with emmy. they’ve always been together and teddy is afraid that emmy doesn’t need her bsf now that she’s about to get married. it’s a feeling we most likely have at least once in our lifetime. seeing your best friend settle and start a new life with their love of their life. it’s hard to watch and it pained me to read about teddy’s feelings about this situation.
i love their friendship. they’re so special and funny and relatable and cute AAAAA🤧
“Clementine Ryder and Theodora Andersen are written in the stars,” I said with a chuckle. “Doesn’t get more cosmic than that.”
also, she’s loved by everyone in meadowlark, expect for gussy; but when she finds herself jobless, and her bsf propose as a solution for teddy to be his enemy’s daughter’s babysitter, she accepts this new job. she loves riley and that little girl is smart and cunning. soon they become inseparable and gus can’t help but start to appreciate and look at teddy with different eyes.
gus is a single dad, but not a single parent because he has a beautiful friendship with riley’s mom—cam. he’s grumpy asf. he’s a workaholic and when his family corners him, he’s forced to accept teddy as his new nanny.
gus is at that point in life where he finds it hard to want something for himself, due to being always the caretaker and not the one who’s taken care of.
basically, he was having a midlife crisis LOL.
”I didn’t regret any of the decisions I had made in my life so far, but I couldn’t help but worry that I’d missed my shot at something bigger because I had always been so content with what I had. Those pieces that I always thought would eventually fall into place when I was ready—a partner of my own to share my life with, the family we’d build—were no longer waiting for me on the horizon.”
anyway, this new arrangement works perfectly for them because finally they start to appreciate another side of their personalities, the one they’ve always refused to see. the chemistry between them is inevitable. they somehow make sense together, despite being so different. you can totally see their icy hearts melt for each other. and it’s freaking cute!!!!
“Riley slipped her hand into ձ’s, and they walked hand in hand up to ձ’s front door, and I thought I might collapse. I wanted to see that sight over and over again for the rest of my life.”
overall, this book is a light and funny but also beautiful read, that will give you a sense of home and family. but it also will help you empathize with adults problematics that many people experience first hand. (it also comes with some hot scenes😏!!)
to my girl ri:
tysm for reading this with me! we always have so much fun together, can’t wait to br again!! (next time a fantasy i know) 💋🩶
He was just so… grumpy. Men who are that good-looking should not be allowed to be such assholes. It was false advertising.
Last year, he had started sporting a mustache instead of the short, neatly trimmed beard he’d adopted in his twenties. The mustache was still going strong, and even though I thought it looked good on him, the first thing out of my mouth was “Hey, pornstache. Nice of you to join us.”
“Fuck off, Theodora,” he said without even glancing my way.
The point is that I know Teddy is pretty. Beautiful, even. But beautiful like a lion or an elk or any other large and dangerous animal. Beautiful to look at, but you didn’t want to get too close because it’d rip your throat out or trample you or spear you to death with its giant horns. So yeah. Teddy was beautiful or whatever. But I wasn’t looking to get eaten alive.
Before I could think about it, I put my hand on his back and rubbed it up and down a few times. “You are many things, August Ryder, and some of those things aren’t great, I’ll be honest,” I said. “But a bad father isn’t one of them.”
She started digging through her purse for something, I couldn’t tell what. She pulled out pepper spray, a pocketknife, a lighter, a small sewing kit, a half-empty plastic water bottle, a protein bar, a bunch of gum wrappers, and Jesus Christ, it didn’t look like the inventory was going to end any time soon. “Do you live in there or something?” I asked. Why did she have so much stuff? And why was she throwing it all over my clean kitchen table? “What the fuck are you looking for?” I asked.
“A pen and some paper,” she responded.
She kept digging—now elbow-deep in her purse. She pulled out a small pink rectangle that looked like—“Are you carrying a taser?” I asked. Teddy gave me a terrifying smile and pushed a button on the side of the hot pink rectangle, and two electric currents zapped between the metal points on the end. I wiped my hand over my face.
This is the woman I was trusting with my child?
Seeing them like that—already so comfortable—almost convinced me that this was a good idea. But as I was walking out, I heard Teddy say, “So when’s the last time you were arrested?”
“Never?” Riley said.
“Well, tomorrow you’re going to say yesterday,” Teddy said. “Lucky your mom’s a lawyer.”
Jesus Christ, what had I done?
“Hey,” I said.
Gus looked up. He looked surprised to see me, and then concerned. “Are you okay?” he asked. “You look like shit.”
“Thank you,” I said sarcastically. “It’s so hard to believe you’re single.”
I was focused on ձ’s freckles and her laugh that sounded like wind chimes on a summer day.
I’d been a little preoccupied with, what, realizing my enemy is maybe actually the thing I’ve wanted in my life this whole time?
Teddy was sitting cross-legged in front of the sheet and Riley was sitting on her lap. They were both wide-eyed and smiley. My girls, I thought.
“I think you are miraculous, Teddy. I think that your existence—the way you care and fight and love and live—is a miracle. There is no one else like you, and I am so sorry for making you feel like I didn’t know that—that I didn’t see that. I’m sorry for treating you like I didn’t know you the way that I do. I know that you feel things deeply, that you would do anything for the people you care about, and that you love hard.” Emmy hugged me again.
It was Teddy who saw them first. “Wait,” I heard her say. “Is that…? Riley, look!”
And then Riley shouted, loud enough for all of Meadowlark to hear: “It’s rock fucking jasmine!”
And I had no one to blame but myself for her impeccable use of the F word.
“I don’t have much to offer,” he went on softly. “Just a quiet life with a grumpy man from a small town, but I can promise to love you every day.”
happy release day for those who celebrate🤸🏻♀️
ri and i are super excited to start this br together🤠 yeehaw
May 14, 2025
for starters, I want to give the biggest smooch to the person who designed these covers because I have never been this in love with covers before now. Perfection.
I went into this book super cautious because, honestly, the first two didn’t do it for me. but nothing could have prepared me for how much I absolutely loved this one.
teddy and gus were pure perfection. I can’t think of a single complaint about them. not one. their chemistry was just that good. the way they matched each other’s energy was so insane. they had this push-and-pull dynamic that felt effortless, like they just got each other on a level they didn’t even realize. the way she went toe-to-toe with him, teasing this grumpy man at every turn? gold. 😭
I was living for every second of it.
what made them even better was that, for years, they thought they were total opposites. enemies, even. but deep down? they were the same. both of them were always the strong ones, always taking care of everyone else, never asking for help. but underneath all that, they wanted help. they wanted someone who would see through their tough exteriors and just be there for them. and that’s exactly what they became for each other and my heart is ugh so so full.
another thing I absolutely adored was Riley’s parenting. the co-parenting dynamic was so healthy and mature, and it made my heart so happy. no unnecessary drama, no petty arguments—just four people showing up for their kid in the best way possible. It’s so rare to see that done well, and it added such a refreshing layer to the story.
ੈ✩‧₊˚ pre-review:
this was so good omg 😭 mini rtc!!
┶┶┶
single daddy 🤭 I’m finally here! I flew through the books fast so I can get to teddy and gus, pls pls pls be good!!!
I went into this book super cautious because, honestly, the first two didn’t do it for me. but nothing could have prepared me for how much I absolutely loved this one.
teddy and gus were pure perfection. I can’t think of a single complaint about them. not one. their chemistry was just that good. the way they matched each other’s energy was so insane. they had this push-and-pull dynamic that felt effortless, like they just got each other on a level they didn’t even realize. the way she went toe-to-toe with him, teasing this grumpy man at every turn? gold. 😭
I was living for every second of it.
what made them even better was that, for years, they thought they were total opposites. enemies, even. but deep down? they were the same. both of them were always the strong ones, always taking care of everyone else, never asking for help. but underneath all that, they wanted help. they wanted someone who would see through their tough exteriors and just be there for them. and that’s exactly what they became for each other and my heart is ugh so so full.
another thing I absolutely adored was Riley’s parenting. the co-parenting dynamic was so healthy and mature, and it made my heart so happy. no unnecessary drama, no petty arguments—just four people showing up for their kid in the best way possible. It’s so rare to see that done well, and it added such a refreshing layer to the story.
ੈ✩‧₊˚ pre-review:
this was so good omg 😭 mini rtc!!
┶┶┶
single daddy 🤭 I’m finally here! I flew through the books fast so I can get to teddy and gus, pls pls pls be good!!!
November 11, 2024
The enemies to friends to lovers, single father romance that I did not know I needed but fell first and hard for...
My addiction for any single father romance runs wild and does not ever stop. So when introduced Augustus in her first book , I knew I would be falling hard and fast. And I was not wrong. And when you combine the fire spirited that is Teddy, my insides melted for them both. Two characters that from a mile away you can spot and know will end up together and combust every page you turn. Their initial chemistry was brief and their back story went straight to the point. Miss Sage was not here to waste anyone's time and I appreciate that in a story of this caliper.
Besides having a grumpy, cowboy, single father who would do anything for his little girl, with the most delicious ride inducing mustache in this story; it was such a fresh of breath air to read about Teddy and her internal struggles. Inner struggles that any woman, (including myself) would be having at her time and stage. My emotions got the best of me because of Teddy, in better of ways. Lyla has written a story that I never thought I would be able to find compassion and understanding towards a female character in such an in depth way.
And when Gus opens himself up to truly understanding and getting to know Teddy in a deeper level, he falls for her hard;
Teddy and Gus came to deliver, and delivered they did! This has to be my favorite book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series. And with the small preview we get of her next novel in the series, I am truly excited to see how Lyla will be playing with my emotions because I can already tell that Cam & Dusty will be stumping on my heart fragile heart.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review...
Follow Me On:
❶ ❶ ❶
My addiction for any single father romance runs wild and does not ever stop. So when introduced Augustus in her first book , I knew I would be falling hard and fast. And I was not wrong. And when you combine the fire spirited that is Teddy, my insides melted for them both. Two characters that from a mile away you can spot and know will end up together and combust every page you turn. Their initial chemistry was brief and their back story went straight to the point. Miss Sage was not here to waste anyone's time and I appreciate that in a story of this caliper.
Besides having a grumpy, cowboy, single father who would do anything for his little girl, with the most delicious ride inducing mustache in this story; it was such a fresh of breath air to read about Teddy and her internal struggles. Inner struggles that any woman, (including myself) would be having at her time and stage. My emotions got the best of me because of Teddy, in better of ways. Lyla has written a story that I never thought I would be able to find compassion and understanding towards a female character in such an in depth way.
And when Gus opens himself up to truly understanding and getting to know Teddy in a deeper level, he falls for her hard;
"Teddy shone in this dingy bar. She said hi to everyone as they moved out of her way, making them feel special that they got back in her light for however long they were talking to her...
There were parts of Teddy that would always belong to the world around her, but that didn't matter because there were also parts of her that were all mine... Mine."
Teddy and Gus came to deliver, and delivered they did! This has to be my favorite book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series. And with the small preview we get of her next novel in the series, I am truly excited to see how Lyla will be playing with my emotions because I can already tell that Cam & Dusty will be stumping on my heart fragile heart.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review...
Follow Me On:
❶ ❶ ❶
November 12, 2024
audio: 5 stars (Jason Clarke made me feel things)
plot: 4.25 stars
This was so cute and wholesome I love them so much😭😭😭😭 This series is such a fun time! I swear I listened to this whole audiobook with a smile on my face because it's JUST SO CUTE! Also the spice? DAMN LYLA!
I loved Teddy and Gus together, I thought they complemented each other well. Gus was so sweet and attentive (with a filthy mouth) He took care of her when she was on her period, showered her, massaged her after a long day😭 Did I forget to mention he has dimples and wears glasses?
Cowboys man.. they just do it for me😅
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pre-review
I'm gonna absolutely inhale this book today 🎧
plot: 4.25 stars
This was so cute and wholesome I love them so much😭😭😭😭 This series is such a fun time! I swear I listened to this whole audiobook with a smile on my face because it's JUST SO CUTE! Also the spice? DAMN LYLA!
I loved Teddy and Gus together, I thought they complemented each other well. Gus was so sweet and attentive (
Cowboys man.. they just do it for me😅
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pre-review
I'm gonna absolutely inhale this book today 🎧
April 4, 2025
[3.9⭐] 𝙇𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙚𝙙 es la tercera entrega de la saga 𝙍𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙡 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙍𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙝, escrita por Lyla Sage y publicada en 2024. En esta ocasión, nos sumergimos en la historia de Teddy Andersen y Gus Ryder, dos personajes que no pueden ni verse, pero a los que el destino decide forzar a convivir bajo el mismo techo. Entre discusiones, miradas y una tensión que se puede cortar con cuchillo, nos encontramos con una historia donde el caos de Teddy y la estructura de Gus se enfrentan, se sacan chispas y, poco a poco, comienzan a encontrar una armonía completamente inesperada.
De momento, 𝙇𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙚𝙙 es mi libro favorito de toda la saga. Ya había disfrutado muchísimo de 𝘿𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘿𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 y 𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙙, pero este tiene algo especial. Puede que sea porque Teddy es mi personaje favorito de todos: su actitud coqueta, su humor tan característico, su manera de responder con chispa y de tomar la vida con esa mezcla de ligereza y coraje me resultan completamente encantadores. Además, no puedo evitar sentirme reflejada en ella: soy pelirroja también, tengo ese sarcasmo agudo y, como Teddy, soy buena para bromear y para devolver el golpe si me provocan.
En cuanto a Gus, es todo lo que está bien tanto físicamente como psicológicamente. Es un vaquero sexy con bigote y que usa anteojos para leer. ¿Qué más puedo pedir? No hay nada más perfecto. Estoy completamente enamorada de los cowboys y Gus llegó para arrasar con todo. Me encanta que sea gruñón, estructurado, que siempre quiera tener todo bajo control, pero que al mismo tiempo sea tierno, preocupado y caballeroso hasta la médula. Hay una escena donde lleva a Teddy en brazos a su cama y esa imagen quedó grabada a fuego en mi memoria. También, cuando estaba muy deprimida, él se encargó de bañarla de manera tierna. Incluso, llega a preocuparse por Teddy cuando tiene cólicos y la ayuda a disminuir su dolor siendo que en ese momento se odiaban a muerte (es el hombre de mis sueños). Sin duda, Gus es el tipo de hombre que se hace cargo, que sabe estar, que te cubre cuando estás vulnerable.
La relación entre Teddy y Gus es de las más divertidas, intensas y llenas de química que he leído en mucho tiempo. Ya los había visto interactuar en los libros anteriores y me encantaba esa tensión, ese “te odio, pero no te puedo dejar de mirar” y esos comentarios sarcásticos que cruzaban como si fueran cuchillas. En esta entrega, todo eso se potencia. Me reí muchísimo con sus discusiones, con los ataques que se lanzan, con la forma en que se provocan incluso cuando intentan mantenerse serios. Eso sí, lo que más me gusta es que su historia se siente construida con cuidado, con esmero, con evolución y con cariño. Ambos tienen facetas que ya se venían desarrollando desde antes y ver cómo se abren, cómo bajan la guardia el uno con el otro, es tremendamente satisfactorio.
También me gusta que Gus siempre se preocupe por todos. Es ese tipo de persona que está atenta a lo que los demás necesitan, incluso cuando él mismo está cargando con el mundo sobre los hombros. Eso hace que uno no solo se enamore de él como interés romántico, sino que lo quiera como ser humano, como hermano, como padre. Sí, ya sé, no me gustan los papás solteros, no me agrada la idea de criar hijos ajenos, pero por Gus haría una excepción sin dudarlo.
Un punto a favor de Lyla Sage, que valoro muchísimo como lectora, es que no da nada por sentado. Se toma el tiempo de refrescarte la memoria, de recordarte quién es quién, cuáles fueron las historias anteriores, los vínculos previos. No es como esas autoras que tiran nombres como si uno tuviera una enciclopedia interna perfectamente actualizada. Acá no: Sage cuida a su lector, lo acompaña, lo ayuda a ubicarse de nuevo en ese pequeño universo del Rebel Blue Ranch.
Ahora bien, no todo fue perfecto. La autora tiene una debilidad que ya he notado en sus libros anteriores y es que exagera con los apodos. En este caso, el apodo "bebé" fue DEMASIADO. Hubo un capítulo en el que Gus le dice "bebé" doce veces a Teddy (sí, las conté). No podía concentrarme con ese nivel de repetición. Se volvió agobiante, forzado, como si el cariño se midiera por cantidad de apodos y no por la intención detrás de las palabras.
Y hay algo que no puedo perdonarle del todo a Gus: cuando Teddy atraviesa un momento realmente duro, un golpe emocional profundo, él no supo estar a la altura. En lugar de consolarla con palabras, abrazarla, contenerla… se quedó corto y me dolió. Porque justo él, que parecía tan consciente de todo, no logró ver que ella necesitaba más que silencio o espacio, necesitaba presencia y eso me dejó una espinita.
También, tengo que mencionar que Emmy me decepcionó, no solo en este libro, sino también en el anterior. Ha tenido actitudes muy crueles, ha soltado frases durísimas que no se justifican ni siquiera desde el dolor. Sí, luego pide perdón, intenta redimirse, pero esas recaídas siguen apareciendo y ya me está costando empatizar con ella. A pesar de ello, me gustó mucho cuando Teddy y Emmy dicen que son almas gemelas. A veces tu alma gemela es tu mejor amiga, no tu pareja, y esa idea me pareció preciosa y necesaria.
Y si bien me encantó el epílogo —realmente es de esos que te dejan con el corazón latiendo fuerte, con ganas de abrazar el libro y llorar un poquito—, me hubiese gustado que se hablara de Teddy con su emprendimiento de confeccionar ropa. Me parecía un cierre importante para su historia, un broche bonito para todo lo que fue construyendo a lo largo del libro. Pero bueno, eso no le quita fuerza al epílogo, que fue sencillamente BRUTAL.
Cierro esta reseña con el que probablemente sea el párrafo más hermoso de todo el libro, uno que me hizo pausar la lectura y suspirar como una tonta enamorada porque si esto no es amor del bueno, no sé qué lo sea:
"Lo hago —dijo—, y quiero mostrarte cuánto te amo cada día. Quiero hacer todo contigo. Quiero que seas parte de la vida de mi hija. Quiero que estés en cada partido de fútbol, carrera de barriles y exposición de arte. Quiero que estés ahí cuando se meta en mi cama por las mañanas —me besó en una mejilla entonces—. Quiero casarme contigo. Quiero tener bebés contigo, pequeños demonios de cabello cobrizo corriendo por ahí causando estragos —un beso en la otra mejilla—. Quiero sentarme en este porche contigo dentro de treinta años y mirar al cielo y preguntarme qué hice para merecer una vida tan buena. Solía asustarme mucho, porque no pensaba que tuviera espacio para querer algo más de lo que tengo, pero querer un futuro contigo es la cosa más fácil del mundo, y lo quiero todo, contigo. —Un beso en la frente."
Finalmente, puedo decir que 𝙇𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙚𝙙 se queda conmigo como una buena lectura. Vaqueros, sarcasmo, química y un amor que se cuece a fuego lento durante tres libros. ¿Qué más se puede pedir?
Necesito ya la traducción del siguiente libro. No estoy exagerando cuando digo que es una necesidad vital. No me pueden dejar así. Me dejaron con el corazón en las manos y una tristeza tremenda.
De momento, 𝙇𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙚𝙙 es mi libro favorito de toda la saga. Ya había disfrutado muchísimo de 𝘿𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘿𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 y 𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙙, pero este tiene algo especial. Puede que sea porque Teddy es mi personaje favorito de todos: su actitud coqueta, su humor tan característico, su manera de responder con chispa y de tomar la vida con esa mezcla de ligereza y coraje me resultan completamente encantadores. Además, no puedo evitar sentirme reflejada en ella: soy pelirroja también, tengo ese sarcasmo agudo y, como Teddy, soy buena para bromear y para devolver el golpe si me provocan.
En cuanto a Gus, es todo lo que está bien tanto físicamente como psicológicamente. Es un vaquero sexy con bigote y que usa anteojos para leer. ¿Qué más puedo pedir? No hay nada más perfecto. Estoy completamente enamorada de los cowboys y Gus llegó para arrasar con todo. Me encanta que sea gruñón, estructurado, que siempre quiera tener todo bajo control, pero que al mismo tiempo sea tierno, preocupado y caballeroso hasta la médula. Hay una escena donde lleva a Teddy en brazos a su cama y esa imagen quedó grabada a fuego en mi memoria. También, cuando estaba muy deprimida, él se encargó de bañarla de manera tierna. Incluso, llega a preocuparse por Teddy cuando tiene cólicos y la ayuda a disminuir su dolor siendo que en ese momento se odiaban a muerte (es el hombre de mis sueños). Sin duda, Gus es el tipo de hombre que se hace cargo, que sabe estar, que te cubre cuando estás vulnerable.
La relación entre Teddy y Gus es de las más divertidas, intensas y llenas de química que he leído en mucho tiempo. Ya los había visto interactuar en los libros anteriores y me encantaba esa tensión, ese “te odio, pero no te puedo dejar de mirar” y esos comentarios sarcásticos que cruzaban como si fueran cuchillas. En esta entrega, todo eso se potencia. Me reí muchísimo con sus discusiones, con los ataques que se lanzan, con la forma en que se provocan incluso cuando intentan mantenerse serios. Eso sí, lo que más me gusta es que su historia se siente construida con cuidado, con esmero, con evolución y con cariño. Ambos tienen facetas que ya se venían desarrollando desde antes y ver cómo se abren, cómo bajan la guardia el uno con el otro, es tremendamente satisfactorio.
También me gusta que Gus siempre se preocupe por todos. Es ese tipo de persona que está atenta a lo que los demás necesitan, incluso cuando él mismo está cargando con el mundo sobre los hombros. Eso hace que uno no solo se enamore de él como interés romántico, sino que lo quiera como ser humano, como hermano, como padre. Sí, ya sé, no me gustan los papás solteros, no me agrada la idea de criar hijos ajenos, pero por Gus haría una excepción sin dudarlo.
Un punto a favor de Lyla Sage, que valoro muchísimo como lectora, es que no da nada por sentado. Se toma el tiempo de refrescarte la memoria, de recordarte quién es quién, cuáles fueron las historias anteriores, los vínculos previos. No es como esas autoras que tiran nombres como si uno tuviera una enciclopedia interna perfectamente actualizada. Acá no: Sage cuida a su lector, lo acompaña, lo ayuda a ubicarse de nuevo en ese pequeño universo del Rebel Blue Ranch.
Ahora bien, no todo fue perfecto. La autora tiene una debilidad que ya he notado en sus libros anteriores y es que exagera con los apodos. En este caso, el apodo "bebé" fue DEMASIADO. Hubo un capítulo en el que Gus le dice "bebé" doce veces a Teddy (sí, las conté). No podía concentrarme con ese nivel de repetición. Se volvió agobiante, forzado, como si el cariño se midiera por cantidad de apodos y no por la intención detrás de las palabras.
Y hay algo que no puedo perdonarle del todo a Gus: cuando Teddy atraviesa un momento realmente duro, un golpe emocional profundo, él no supo estar a la altura. En lugar de consolarla con palabras, abrazarla, contenerla… se quedó corto y me dolió. Porque justo él, que parecía tan consciente de todo, no logró ver que ella necesitaba más que silencio o espacio, necesitaba presencia y eso me dejó una espinita.
También, tengo que mencionar que Emmy me decepcionó, no solo en este libro, sino también en el anterior. Ha tenido actitudes muy crueles, ha soltado frases durísimas que no se justifican ni siquiera desde el dolor. Sí, luego pide perdón, intenta redimirse, pero esas recaídas siguen apareciendo y ya me está costando empatizar con ella. A pesar de ello, me gustó mucho cuando Teddy y Emmy dicen que son almas gemelas. A veces tu alma gemela es tu mejor amiga, no tu pareja, y esa idea me pareció preciosa y necesaria.
Y si bien me encantó el epílogo —realmente es de esos que te dejan con el corazón latiendo fuerte, con ganas de abrazar el libro y llorar un poquito—, me hubiese gustado que se hablara de Teddy con su emprendimiento de confeccionar ropa. Me parecía un cierre importante para su historia, un broche bonito para todo lo que fue construyendo a lo largo del libro. Pero bueno, eso no le quita fuerza al epílogo, que fue sencillamente BRUTAL.
Cierro esta reseña con el que probablemente sea el párrafo más hermoso de todo el libro, uno que me hizo pausar la lectura y suspirar como una tonta enamorada porque si esto no es amor del bueno, no sé qué lo sea:
"Lo hago —dijo—, y quiero mostrarte cuánto te amo cada día. Quiero hacer todo contigo. Quiero que seas parte de la vida de mi hija. Quiero que estés en cada partido de fútbol, carrera de barriles y exposición de arte. Quiero que estés ahí cuando se meta en mi cama por las mañanas —me besó en una mejilla entonces—. Quiero casarme contigo. Quiero tener bebés contigo, pequeños demonios de cabello cobrizo corriendo por ahí causando estragos —un beso en la otra mejilla—. Quiero sentarme en este porche contigo dentro de treinta años y mirar al cielo y preguntarme qué hice para merecer una vida tan buena. Solía asustarme mucho, porque no pensaba que tuviera espacio para querer algo más de lo que tengo, pero querer un futuro contigo es la cosa más fácil del mundo, y lo quiero todo, contigo. —Un beso en la frente."
Finalmente, puedo decir que 𝙇𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙚𝙙 se queda conmigo como una buena lectura. Vaqueros, sarcasmo, química y un amor que se cuece a fuego lento durante tres libros. ¿Qué más se puede pedir?
Necesito ya la traducción del siguiente libro. No estoy exagerando cuando digo que es una necesidad vital. No me pueden dejar así. Me dejaron con el corazón en las manos y una tristeza tremenda.
November 19, 2024
it’s cowboy summer
thank you to edelweiss for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review
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thank you to edelweiss for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review
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April 13, 2025
3.5 stars ⭐️
This was better than the others but still on the cringy side 😅 I could have done without the multiple baby and daddy mentions but they were cute.
—ĔĔ
I just know these two are going to be my fave! I need to get a move on because I have the arc for book 4 🥳
This was better than the others but still on the cringy side 😅 I could have done without the multiple baby and daddy mentions but they were cute.
—ĔĔ
I just know these two are going to be my fave! I need to get a move on because I have the arc for book 4 🥳
November 15, 2024
The love that radiated from this book was so insanely well written. Lyla is a mastermind when it comes to writing family dynamics, she’s been so loved at home and it shows from the way she writes.
I’ve been looking forward to Gus and Teddy since the days i read Done and Dusted back when it was still self pub. I NEEDED that book, like many others. Now we have it. Most of the times a highly anticipated book falls into the disappointment category but that’s certainly not the case with this one.
It’s fast, witty, full of banter. The characters are incredibly loveable. The dynamics are worked out well. The scenery is like a live movie in my brain.
Lyla was already an auto-buy author cemented into my bankaccount but this book, my favourite out of the three so far, just really made it official.
Gus and Teddy can do no wrong. And I can’t wait for Cam’s book. For sure now that ended left us hanging lol.
—ĔĔ���——
i will actually tattoo this cover on my face rn
I’ve been looking forward to Gus and Teddy since the days i read Done and Dusted back when it was still self pub. I NEEDED that book, like many others. Now we have it. Most of the times a highly anticipated book falls into the disappointment category but that’s certainly not the case with this one.
It’s fast, witty, full of banter. The characters are incredibly loveable. The dynamics are worked out well. The scenery is like a live movie in my brain.
Lyla was already an auto-buy author cemented into my bankaccount but this book, my favourite out of the three so far, just really made it official.
Gus and Teddy can do no wrong. And I can’t wait for Cam’s book. For sure now that ended left us hanging lol.
—ĔĔ���——
i will actually tattoo this cover on my face rn
November 8, 2024
In one line: Pure brain candy
In a little more:
This was so cute! A single dad hates the woman who is temporarily helping with his kid (the hating is mutual). I also had some great heart-tugging moments that made me wish I had the Kindle version so I could highlight them, but I really enjoyed the audio so it's all good.
It was not a 5 because:
*I wanted more about the mmc being dyslexic. Like if you mention it, it should have more than one scene, or just don't use it at all...
*I wanted a little more about what happened in the past.
*The start of the 'romantic' part felt a tiny bit random.
*I really wish we would have gotten a scene with the mmc and his kid talking about his relationship with the fmc.
Give me book 4 please and thank you.
-------------
EEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
I'M SO EXCIEDDDDDD
(and yes I have a book waiting for me, but I need to clear some brain space before I can follow that one)
In a little more:
This was so cute! A single dad hates the woman who is temporarily helping with his kid (the hating is mutual). I also had some great heart-tugging moments that made me wish I had the Kindle version so I could highlight them, but I really enjoyed the audio so it's all good.
It was not a 5 because:
*I wanted more about the mmc being dyslexic. Like if you mention it, it should have more than one scene, or just don't use it at all...
*I wanted a little more about what happened in the past.
*The start of the 'romantic' part felt a tiny bit random.
*I really wish we would have gotten a scene with the mmc and his kid talking about his relationship with the fmc.
Give me book 4 please and thank you.
-------------
EEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
I'M SO EXCIEDDDDDD
(and yes I have a book waiting for me, but I need to clear some brain space before I can follow that one)
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