A Lazy Reader's Review of "Swift and Saddled" by Lyla Sage
Synopsis
She's the city girl who refuses to be saddled with a man. He's the cowboy who wants her anyway.
The last thing Ada Hart needs is a man to take care of her. Not anymore. After failing out of her interior design program and the disaster that was her short-lived marriage, Ada clawed her way up from her rock bottom. Now, the only person she trusts is herself, and that has gotten her further than ever before. She has her own business, and one of the largest ranches in Wyoming just hired her for the most important project of her career.
When Ada arrives in Meadowlark, she finds herself in a dive bar where she can't seem to shake the eyes of a handsome cowboy. When she leads him to the back of the bar, he leaves her with a kiss that most people can only fantasize about. She almost regrets that she'll never see him again . . . except it turns out he's her new boss.
Weston Ryder is a happy guy. Even happier now that the mystery woman from the bar is the interior designer for his dream project on his family's ranch. He feels like he hit the jackpot. It's too bad she wants absolutely nothing to do with him outside of work. Ada is convinced the pull she feels toward Wes will go away, but Wes can't stop thinking about her. Even though walls are coming around Rebel Blue, Ada's walls are firmly in place.
Can they make it through this project without giving in? Or will they both put their dreams on the line for a chance at love?
Review
I went into Swift and Saddled with low expectations. I didn't expect it to be miles better than Done and Dusted. But, boy were my expectations lowered even more. I was hoping for a fun, heartfelt cowboy romance with a strong grumpy/sunshine dynamic, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to any of that. While there were a few enjoyable moments, the book ultimately felt underwhelming due to its weak pacing, lackluster character development, and a romance that never fully clicked.
One of the biggest issues I had with this book was the pacing. Some sections dragged on unnecessarily, while others, especially key emotional moments, felt rushed. The story lacked a natural flow, which made it hard to stay full engaged. I found myself skimming through part, waiting for something compelling to happen, only to be let down when the story failed to deliver any real emotional highs or lows.
The romance itself, which should have been the heart of the novel, felt more forced than natural. The chemistry between the main characters had potential, but it was never fully developed in a way that made me root for them. Their interactions often felt repetitive, and instead of a slow-burn build-up that made their relationship feel earned, it leaned too heavily on familiar romance tropes without adding anything new or exciting.
Character development was another weak spot. While I didn't outright dislike the leads, they lacked the depth needed to make them truly compelling. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic is usually a favorite of mine, but here, it felt surface-level. I wanted more insight into their personalities beyond the basic traits they were assigned. They had individual struggles, but those struggles weren't explored in a way that made them feel real or impactful. Their banter, which could have been a highlight, often fell flat, and their emotional connection never felt strong enough to carry the romance.
Additionally, the writing itself didn't do much to elevate the story. While it wasn't terrible, it felt very basic and at times repetitive. There were a few good moments, but overall, it lacked the depth, wit, and emotional nuance that could have made the book stand out. I wanted sharper dialogue, more engaging internal monologues, and richer descriptions that brought the small-town setting to life. Instead, everything felt a bit bland and uninspired.
What made this even more disappointing was that there was no improvement from the first book, Done and Dusted, in terms of writing, plotting, pacing, or character work. I had hoped this installment would refine some of the weaker elements from the first book, but instead, it felt like more of the same – just another romance that leaned on tropes without adding anything fresh or engaging.
I will say that if you're a fan of small-town romances and cowboy love stories, you might still find some enjoyment in Swift and Saddled. It does have a cozy atmosphere, and I can see why some readers might connect with it more than I did. However, for me, it lacked the emotional weight and engaging storytelling that I look for int his genre. Because I have summit fever, I will read Lost and Lassoed but I think after that I'm going to be done with this series.
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