Done and Dusted Book Review - No Spoilers
My friend Sarah called me last week because she was struggling with something. She'd been avoiding an activity she used to love because of anxiety from a bad experience. I told her that sometimes we need help from people who care about us to find our way back to the things that make us happy. That's the heart of Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage. This spicy ranch romance is about healing, second chances, and finding love where you least expect it.
Plot Summary
Clementine Emmy Ryder has always had a plan. She left her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming to compete as a professional barrel racer. But a serious riding accident changes everything. She can't get back in the saddle. For the first time in her life, she has no idea what to do next. With nowhere else to go, Emmy returns to her family's ranch, Rebel Blue. She's trying to figure out her next steps while dealing with the trauma of her accident. Luke Brooks owns the local bar and has been like a fifth member of the Ryder family his whole life. He grew up alongside Emmy and her brothers. As her older brother's best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. They had that annoying dynamic where they got under each other's skin. It's been years since he's seen her. When Emmy walks into his bar, Luke can't take his eyes off her. She's not the girl he remembers. One day at the ranch stables, Luke sees Emmy having trouble with her horse. He realizes she hasn't been able to ride since her accident. Despite knowing he should stay away from his best friend's little sister, Luke offers to help her. He'll give her riding lessons to help her trust herself again. As they spend time together, the annoying tension between them shifts into something else entirely. The attraction is undeniable. Luke has always been off-limits, but Emmy finds herself falling for him. And Luke realizes Emmy is everything he's ever wanted. But they both know this could blow up their entire family dynamic.
Why I Love This Book
I love how Lyla Sage handles Emmy's journey back to riding. It's not rushed. The trauma from her accident is real and the book takes it seriously. Emmy has ADHD representation and deals with anxiety and panic attacks. I appreciate that Luke doesn't push her. He's patient and supportive. He helps her build confidence at her own pace. The ranch setting feels authentic and cozy. You can picture Rebel Blue Ranch and the small town of Meadowlark. The found family element is strong. Luke has been part of this family for so long even though they're not blood related. The chemistry between Emmy and Luke is excellent. They have this history of annoying each other that transitions beautifully into desire. The banter is fun and witty. When things get spicy, they really deliver. The intimate scenes are detailed and hot. There's plenty of dirty talk. The spice level is high. Luke is protective and supportive without being controlling. He falls for Emmy hard and isn't afraid to show it. Emmy is working through her trauma but she's not weak. She knows what she wants.
Who Will Like This Book
This book is perfect for readers who love cowboy romance set on actual working ranches. If you enjoy brother's best friend tropes with that forbidden element, this is for you. The small town setting has that cozy feel while still being realistic. Fans of he falls first romances will appreciate Luke's devotion to Emmy. The book has strong ADHD representation and deals with anxiety and trauma recovery in a respectful way. The spice level is high with explicit content throughout. If you like your cowboys protective and supportive, Luke fits that perfectly. The found family dynamic adds warmth to the story. There's minimal angst and no annoying miscommunication at the end. It's feel-good with plenty of heat. This is the first book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, so you'll want to continue with the other Ryder siblings.
Trigger Warnings: Explicit sexual content, anxiety and panic attacks (on-page), trauma after injury, alcohol consumption, discussions about ADHD, death of parent (past, off-page), parental abandonment and neglect (mentioned), references to toxic past relationship
Tagged As
Cowboy Romance, Ranch Setting, Brother's Best Friend, Forbidden Romance, He Falls First, Enemies to Lovers, Small Town Romance, Found Family, ADHD Representation, Contemporary Romance, Spicy Romance, Low Angst
