Let me start this by saying, I have read the entire series and I was most excited for Gus and Teddy's story. We’ve had two books of buildup, so I was excited to see what Lyla Sage did with it.

This book was a forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, single dad/nanny, romance. I am very particular about forced proximity AND enemies-to-lovers, and there were a lot of things that were done right, but unfortunately there were some things that I didn’t love.

The forced proximity did actually work for me. It made sense and helped a lot with moving the plot along. Also, the relationship between Teddy and Emmy changing because of their new relationships was written very well and felt very realistic to me. Lyla Sage keeps Emmy and Teddy’s relationship very much involved in the story, which is so often not done in romance books anymore.

With that being said, the enemies-to-lovers weren’t really enemying-to-lovering. The book was a little too short and it was too fast paced because of it. We didn’t really see a slow burn that I felt was needed for Teddy and Gus. Also, the history between them wasn’t really a good reason for them to not get along.

Overall, I did enjoy it. It just felt a little rushed. In the author’s note, I know she discusses her writer’s block and I felt like it showed throughout the novel. I will continue to read the rest of the series, but I’m just hoping that she will take a little more time with the rest of the books.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eArc!

Link to review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6486792352

I love a good cowboy romance. I do love this series but I find myself comparing it to the Chestnut springs series pretty often. It’s a cute, fun read. I just wish there was something that set it apart a little more from general cowboy romance books.

the best book i’ve read all year(and it honestly might not even be close). this book made me laugh, cry, and get completely wrapped up in my feels. it was everything i could have ever dreamed teddy and gus’s love story would be. the only thing that would have made it any better for me would be if it never ended, it was that good.

Honestly, this one just didn't stick out to me. I really don't have any memory of it while coming back to write this review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!
Lost and Lassoed is the third installment in the Rebel Blue Ranch series by Lyla Sage. I’ve read the whole series and so far I think Teddy and Gus’ story has been my favorite! I loved the single dad storyline without being to cliche. Teddy and Gus’ characters were relatable and felt very realistic. Without providing any spoilers I loved watching them go from enemies to lovers and learning more about their backstory. If you’re looking for some spice with heart this is definitely the book for you. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

I was SO excited for this book. After two books of build-up, there was a lot of pressure on Gus and Teddy’s story! Overall, this was an adorable and quick read. Honestly, that’s what I love so much about this series. (And those covers!) I’d follow Teddy off a cliff, no wonder the whole town is in love with her. At the center of L&L, Teddy and Emmy’s story shines the brightest. The emotional maturity those two have had me choked up every time they were together. Give me a book of those two on a road trip and I’d die a happy woman!

Personally, I was a little let down with the romance. I felt the progression of Gus and Teddy’s relationship moved way too quickly. The enemies-to-friends-to-lovers track zoomed by, and I wish I could’ve enjoyed more time at each stop. With that much pressure on this book though, I feel like it would be hard to make everyone happy with the timeline. Also, some of the dirty talk had me cringing. I need a trigger warning for the phrase “mustache ride”.

I enjoyed the epilogue and, as usual, I EAGERLY anticipate the next book!

From beginning to end, I loved this book and devoured it in less than a day. As someone who reads romance often, I found this title very easy to read, but it was gripping enough through the plot to keep you hooked on the entire book. I felt the chemistry between the characters, and by the end of the book, I fell in love even more with the setting of this book. I would read another book by Lyla Sage in two seconds whenever it became available. I recommend this to anyone I come across who is looking for a good romance read that will get you deeply immersed in the plot.

I have been am wait I g for this since the beginning of Book 1! And it did not disappoint! I loved Teddy and Gus’s story. Two people with a deep sense of responsibility and need to care for those they love finally realize that the person who drives them the most crazy might be the person they need the most. Great sexual tension with a growing realization of who the other truly is. I love this series and can’t wait for Cam’s story next!

The enemy's to lovers addition to this series I've been anticipating since the moment I read about these two and thought " OH THEYRE FALLING IN LOVE!". All the cozy cowboy romance vibes you need. I appreciate how this series gives us low stakes drama that is solved quickly and smoothly by rational adults who can communicate effectively! The next book is set up amazingly at the end, can't wait to see where their story goes.

Review of "Lost and Lassoed" by Lyla Sage

**"Lost and Lassoed"** by Lyla Sage is a captivating and heartwarming romance novel set against the scenic backdrop of a small-town ranch. Sage's storytelling excels as she weaves a tale with endearing characters, undeniable chemistry, and a perfect mix of humor and heartfelt moments.

Plot Summary

The story centers on Lily Harper, a city girl who unexpectedly inherits a dilapidated ranch in the charming town of Willow Creek. Determined to restore the ranch and prove herself, Lily seeks the help of rugged cowboy Jack Lawson. Jack, grappling with his own past and the recent loss of his family's ranch, reluctantly agrees to assist her. As they work together, sparks fly, and both must face their pasts to embrace a possible future together.

Characters

**Lily Harper** is a strong yet vulnerable protagonist who navigates her new life in Willow Creek with determination and resilience. Her character is easy to root for. Jack Lawson, the quintessential cowboy, has a rough exterior that conceals a sensitive soul dealing with grief and loss. His journey toward healing and opening up to love is deeply moving.

Positives

- **Character Development:** Sage excels in creating well-rounded characters with depth and relatability. Lily and Jack are both distinct, with personalities that evolve naturally throughout the story.
- **Setting:** The vividly described small-town ranch setting immerses readers in the beauty and simplicity of rural life, providing a perfect backdrop for the romance.
- **Chemistry:** The chemistry between Lily and Jack is palpable and well-developed, with witty banter, emotional depth, and a slow-burning attraction that keeps readers hooked.
- **Themes:** The novel explores themes of resilience, forgiveness, and the importance of community, adding depth to the romance.

Negatives

- **Pacing:** The slow-burn romance is well-executed, but some readers might find the pacing a bit slow in the middle. However, the buildup leads to a satisfying climax and resolution.
- **Predictability:** Like many romance novels, some plot points are predictable. Nevertheless, Sage’s engaging writing style and character development make the journey enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

"Lost and Lassoed" is a delightful read for fans of contemporary romance and small-town settings. Lyla Sage’s charming characters, vivid setting, and heartfelt romance make this book a standout in the genre. Despite minor pacing issues, the novel delivers a satisfying and heartwarming love story. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good romance with depth and authenticity.

Rating

4.5 out of 5 stars.

This might be my favorite of this series, and Lyla Sage is quickly becoming one of my favorites. This was a perfect fit in the trio of books, and I loved getting to know Teddy and Gus, and getting more and more of this quirky-but-not-too-cheesy mountain community. Can’t wait to read Cam’s story!

Teddy (Theodora) Andersen, best friend to Emmy (Clementine) Ryder, finds herself stuck in a closet with her archenemy Gus (August) Ryder, Emmy’s older brother. The Devil’s Boot, the only local bar in Meadowlark, Montana, is getting a little makeover and a bull ride. A lot is happening this summer, Cam is in the city working at a law firm and studying for the LSAT with Gus wrangling little Riley at home also running the Rebel Blue Ranch. With Gus having a lot on his plate a reinforcements is issued in the form of Teddy. Teddy needs a job after getting laid off from the boutique she’s worked at since coming back from college. With the forced proximity of staying in the same house and babysitting Riley for the summer, what will happen to their relationship? Will grumpy Gus change his mind about wild and loud Teddy? Will the love they both have for Riley make them relate to each other in ways they would never had thought? Read this fantastic book to find out.

The banter in this book is *chef’s kiss*! I loved the heart that is projected into this book and the care Lyla Sage has with all the characters in this world she’s made. This is my favorite book in this series and I cannot wait to see what happens next in Meadowlark!

Lyla Sage is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! Despite being a little bit more "spicy" than I typically enjoy, I find her stories so heartwarming as well and enjoy them so much. Gus and Teddy were no exception! I loved the enemies to lovers dynamic!

I was really looking forward to this book! The whole series is cute, and a fun new romance series, and I was looking forward to reading about Gus and Teddy's story. The author's style of writing is enjoyable, but the plot feels too fast and too slow in certain spots. The "enemies to lovers" trope felt forced and that the characters just decided to move past lots of things very fast, just to enter the lovers era of their relationship. I like the characters and I loved Teddy, but I felt like I could relate to her a lot more if her character was explored more. I feel like in this series the characters have personalities or characteristics just to make them a member of a group, and it isn't mentioned much more than that. So in that sense, plot points feel convenient.

I still enjoyed the book, and I feel like it could easily be a five star read if characters were delved into a little more and the plot moved at a more realistic pace. Would recommend the series to someone who was looking for an easy read and a fun cowboy romance with enjoyable characters.

thank you so much to dial press, lyla sage, & netgalley for this advanced reader copy!

I just want to preface this review- I love lyla sage. She genuinely one of my favorite authors, her writing, characters, and storylines are to die for. I will be a lyla sage stan till the day I die.

That being said I think I went into this book with very high expectations. Lyla even mentions in her acknowledgments how much she felt the pressure while writing gus & teddys story. I think she did a really good job, i just think a lot of people are going to go in with the same expectations I had.

Let’s talk about the good in this book and the things that worked for me. Lyla is SO good at writing an interesting hook. Genuinely from the first chapter I was enthralled in this book and couldn’t put it down. I flew through this book and finished it in like three sittings.

The plot is really good. I love the single dad- nanny trope and this book definitely delivered! Gus is such a good dad, and I love his relationship with Riley. Honestly throughout the whole book the scenes surrounding healthy relationships with fathers was so touching and probably one of the most meaningful things I got out of the book. I’m looking at you Hank and teddy.

the ambience of her books are always top tier and I loved the descriptions and visuals this book gave. brb buying property in Wyoming

The smut in this book was so spicy!! lyla sage the woman that you are!! Gus is exactly the man you think he is and his dirty talk was next level. He’s definitely my favorite male main character out of this series and I looooove him. Truly the sex scenes in this book were a delight! Lyla, my husband thanks you for your service 🧎🏼‍♀️

Let’s talk about the things that didn’t work for me, and why this wasn’t a five star book.

For all my fans of chestnut springs, specifically heartless, you’re either going to love or hate this book. The similarities between the two books is very obvious and I just know some people are going to have something to say about it. I personally didn’t mind how similar they are, I just found myself comparing the two the whole time and it took some of the enjoyment out of it for me. Also grateful that L&L ended differently than heartless 🤍

I really wish that this would’ve been more of a slowburn. Considering how much the two characters can’t stand each other, they got together fairly quickly. I just think it would’ve been so affective if there was more of a tension build. I also think that the relationship between the Gus and teddy should’ve been expanded more. I don’t really feel like we know either of them and I almost feel like they don’t know each other either. There was just a little something missing.

Overall I really did like this book, and honestly I could write pages upon pages about this series. I think if you go into this expecting a fun steamy cowboy romance, that’s exactly what you’re going to get! It was a good addition the the rebel blue ranch series and I CANNOT wait for book four. lyla I love you and im cheering for you always

I am not surprised at how much I love the 3rd story in the Rebel Blue Ranch series! This story follows Teddy Anderson and Gus Ryder, a true enemies to lovers plot that is written very well.

This was my favorite book out of the rebel blue ranch series. Teddy and Gus are such lovable characters and their chemistry is off the rails!! I've been vouching for them since book one and it was just as good as I anticipated. The pacing was good and I loved the ending. Can't wait for Dusty and CAM.

Part of my disappointment stems from how excited I was for this book—I likely went into it with already high expectations. Overall, this was a fun read! The single-dad aspect didn’t bother me at all, and I loved everyone’s dynamics. However, the third act felt really lazy to me and I found myself wanting more. We already love Teddy and Gus which is likely why Sage didn’t feel the need to develop the relationship as naturally as she has in her last two books, but it meant that the pacing and the writing suffered.

I will ofc continue to read Sage’s releases, but this one was just missing that extra something that takes romances to a 5 ⭐️ read for me.

The ultimate dislike-to-lovers, single dad, cowboy romance. There was a lot of build up to these two characters and their story, and it did not disappoint. I loved the relationship between the FMC and the son, although I felt that we jumped quickly from dislike into a friends-to-lovers type situation, which was a bit of a letdown. Overall, this long-anticipated sequel was worth the wait!

A review will be posted to goodreads, amazon, and instagram within one week of release.

I'm not sure I've ever been so sad about a four star read LOL I had too high of hopes for this one.. and it bit me.

I still really enjoyed this! I just really thought it would be a 5/5 with no hesitation given the glimpses of these characters we had gotten and the tropes involved.. But there were a few issues for me. I felt like there was something missing once they finally started to warm to each other. Some characters felt like random toss ins that weren't necessary. Some parts felt unresolved or rushed at the end. Some of the time jumps between chapters were a bit jarring. HOWEVER. I could not give this less than a four so that says a lot.. it's still so good. Teddy was really fleshed out and well done. Gus was a little less so but still enjoyable heh I ate this up so fast too. I'm curious about the next one...