4.5 Stars - I am entirely convinced that Miss Lyla Sage never misses her mark. I’m an enormous fan of Rebel Blue, and the moment I learned she was diving into a paranormal western romance, I immediately thought, “Sign me up!” I appreciate that Soul Searching can be enjoyed independently from *Rebel Blue*, yet still maintains a connection as Sweetwater Peak serves as the darker sister down the road from Meadowlark. This book unfolds as a slow burn, with the tension between the main characters reaching nearly explosive levels. Collins is a strong and spirited (in more than one way!) FMC, perfectly balancing the reserved demeanor of Brady. I am obsessed with Sage’s western twist on magical realism romance. Overall, it was an excellent read, serving as a delightful palate cleanser, and I eagerly anticipate the next adventure in Sweetwater Peak!

this was fun & cute! a great palate cleanser & a shy mmc w/ a dirty mouth is gonna do it for me every time😮‍💨 i looooved the ghosty aspect of this—it reminded me of the dead romantics by ashley poston. also the ending?? hello??? you can’t just drop that and dip lyla😩

I absolutely loved this book. The chemistry between the characters is undeniable. There was a perfect balance of humor and romance. I am excited for this new series and can't wait to read what's next.

After devouring Lyla Sage’s cowboy romance books and enjoying them enough to request Soul Searching, I had really high hopes. I expected something witty, funny, and emotionally engaging. Unfortunately, this one didn’t deliver on any of those fronts for me.

The first 85% of the book dragged, it was painfully slow and lacking the spark that made Sage’s earlier work so enjoyable. The chemistry between Collins and Brady felt almost nonexistent, as if they were thrown into the same room and told to fall in love, with no real buildup or connection. Their relationship just didn’t feel earned.

That said, there were a couple of redeeming elements. I really liked the unique paranormal twist, Collins being able to talk to ghosts added an interesting layer. And stylistically, Sage’s writing has noticeably improved. i
It’s more refined and lyrical compared to her cowboy romances. But sadly, great writing can’t carry a story that fell completely flat.

This book put me in a reading slump for most of the month, I truly wanted to love it, the premise had potential to be one of her best, but in the end, it just lacked emotional depth and momentum.

Rating: 2.5/5

Lyla Sage does it again in Soul Searching where the reader meets photographer Collins and upholsterer Brady in Sweetwater Peak, Wyoming where small town romance meets the supernatural.

Collins is a strong, free spirited FMC that is well rounded out with having to overcome the difficulties she had to face while away from home. She is made all the more interesting due to her ability to see and talk to ghost.

Brady is a quiet, reserved MMC who is trying to find his place in the world in a quiet town away from his corporate past. Brady proves to be the perfect landing for Collins as she gets back on her feet while pushing him out of his shell.

Overall, the characters are fleshed out and the supernatural theme throughout the book is captivating but does not overshadow the romance element of the book. The book is a fun, quick, cozy read. Looking forward to the next installment that follows her sister.

it took me 25 days to finish this book because i’m in the worst eyeball reading slump of my life😭 i was pretty bored with this and i think a lot of that is because of the slump but also i just don’t think i cared very much for the characters. i love lyla’s writing but i really just missed rebel blue throughout the entire book and don’t know if i’ll enjoy her future books as much without it. i hope to reread it shortly after it releases and be in a better mood for it so that i can like it more!!

thank you to the publisher & netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review!!

Collin’s and her twin has the special ability to talk to ghosts. Collin’s has lost the ability. This is when she decides to take a pause from photography and go back to her home to in hopes to hear the ghosts again. This is where she meets Brady the sweet upholstery man who she shares an apartment with and works with.

This was a cute romance very slow burn. It was unlike any book I’ve read. I enjoyed it .

Thank you NetGalley

This was different for a Lyla Sage novel. Very enjoyable though. Paranormal and cowboys is a combo I didn’t know I needed!

Overall, I thought this was an interesting story. Coming from Sage's other books, it was not what I expected, however. It got a little boring like 75% of the way through, but it picked back up.

Anther great book from Lyla Sage totally different from her las series but so much fun , a little sadness. I loved the two main characters Brady and Collin’s two opposite people but really kind of the same I loved the banter between the two of them . Don’t want to give anything way but I hope you not afraid of ghosts. I hope see plans on writing one about Collin’s sister.

This was my first read from Lyla Sage—and it definitely won’t be my last. I found myself intentionally taking my time with this book simply because I didn’t want it to end. Brady is absolute chef’s kiss, and watching him and Collins grow—not just as a couple, but as individuals—was genuinely beautiful. That said, Boone and Earnest completely stole my heart. They were unexpected favorites and left a lasting impression I won’t soon forget.

I will eat up anything Lyla Sage without question. This book was just fun & I loved every minute of it! The pacing was really quite well done and the plot itself was just a fun idea that turned into a fabulous read. It's definitely different from her other cowboy romance books, but still so much fun!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC!

This is Lyla Sage's best book yet. I adored every second of reading it. In this book, Lyla Sage keeps the same energy that makes Rebel Blue Ranch so loveable, while still giving Sweetwater Peak its own unique atmosphere. Collins and Brady were so fun to read (I very much loved their opposites attract, "everything in life has brought me to this moment with you" relationship). And while I really loved every character in the book, especially Boone Ryder, the Rebel Blue tie in (I NEED him in my life), my favorite part of the book was the aesthetic. Gothic Americana with a hint of cowboy western? I'm sold. I can't wait to reread this in the autumn. I'm already eager for Clarke's sequel. Lyla did a fantastic job of hinting at the plot and making me NEED it immediately.

“It’s crazy how alive you feel after coming in contact with the dead.” 🫡🫡🫡🫡 okay okay okay.

Lyla Sage is back with a western romance but this time with a paranormal element. Collins reluctantly comes home after getting down to her last dollar. Brady Cooper just wants to run and never be found. Together you have the perfect match.

Funny, spooky, and full of heart. This charming small-town romance comes with meddling ghosts, second chances, and two lovable messes trying (and failing) to stay away from each other. Total delight!

I loved her other series and while I enjoyed this one it's not my favorite. There is a lot of stammering, a lot. If there was a reason for it that would be one thing, but there's no explanation as to why they both stammer so much.

Thank you so much Dial Press for allowing me to preview this book early!

I LOVE LYLA SAGE. The first book of hers I ever read I chose it solely because I LOVED the cover. Yes, I did in fact judge Done and Dusted by its cover. To date, Done and Dusted wears one of my favorite covers and sits high on my list of favorite romance books of all time. And Soul Searching is no different.

I read this book in one sitting! I absolutely love small town romances and I truly believe that Lyla does them well while adding her own spin to them.

The story is about Collins, a photographer whose life took a sharp turn and landed her back on her small remote home town of Meadowlark, WY. Collin’s homecoming is anything but expected, both for her family and herself. Here she meets Brady a “city boy” who has been desperately trying to have a fresh start. Upon meeting, Brady and Collins have undeniable chemistry and although their relationship starts off with Brady doing Collins sister a favor, it slowly turns into something more. They are such a great example of what can happen if you chose to do the scary/hard thing and open yourself up to vulnerability.

I truly loved this book. I appreciate and align so well with Lyla’s writing style. My only critique is that at times the pacing felt a bit off. The progression of events didn’t always flow well for me. I almost felt like the book could’ve been a bit longer to give some of the larger moments room to breathe. This isn’t a deal breaker for me, especially considering I appreciated the characters, their stories, and their development over the course of the book. I look forward to her expanded universe (PLS READ THE EPILOGUE!!!!)

While I really like the premise of this book and adore the way Lyla Sage writes romances, in particular her MMC's being so down bad for her FMC's, this book felt a bit stilted to me. I don't know if the inclusion of the paranormal aspects was what was holding me back, but it took too long to get to the meat and potatoes of the plot and what was holding the characters back. Now I do appreciate that Lyla steers clear of the third act break up, but this one took me too long to get through. While I read all four of her first series in 3 days, it took me days to get through this one.

4.5*
If there is one thing I love in this world, it is a Lyla Sage book. Lyla can do no wrong.
This book definitely had a “darker” feel to it. I think Sweetwater Peak is a bit of a dreary place, especially compared to Meadowlark. Lyla has said time and again that her second favorite genre is horror, and I think you can really tell in this book. Especially with the less friendly ghosts.
I loved the MMC in this book, I felt like he was just along for the ride. He all but says “she’s crazy, but she’s hot, so I’m in!” He’s here for a good time.
The FMC was a bit more complex, to me. Her relationship with her twin sister was definitely strained, and much of that was her fault. Her lack of communication skills due to her own stubbornness got old. I’m glad that seemed to go away by the end of the book, it shows her growth.
I do wish I had felt a little more involved in their falling for each other. I’m just not sure I saw enough of them together to 100% believe they’re in love. They’re definitely in lust.
Overall, I enjoyed this, Lyla can do no wrong, and I will read everything she writes.

As a writer of my own Western series ("Hazeldine"), I picked up Lyla Sage's first book in her much-buzzed-about Rebel Blue Ranch series with high hopes. And while that one started pretty strong, I quickly lost interest in it and ended up DNF-ing the book or continuing on with the series. BUT, so many friends have talked about how much they enjoy Sage that I wanted to give her another chance -- perhaps it was just that particular set of characters/that setting that didn't click for me?

So when I saw the premise of Soul Searching, the first book in her new Sweetwater Peak series, it sounded like a promising second-chance -- I'm a sucker for "I-can-see-dead-people" characters, especially in a quirky small town. And I'm very happy to say that this Sage romance was FAR more enjoyable; in fact, I read the entire thing in one sitting over an afternoon.

This time around, I immediately connected with the moody, tattooed, goth leading lady Collins Cartwright; and the girl has plenty of valid reasons to be so emo, too. And pairing her with the sunshiny nerd Brady Cooper was a wise choice. Opposites attract stories are among my faves, with Collins and Brady balancing each other out nicely.

Sage also does a really good job of establishing an atmosphere and setting that is equal parts sweet/cozy and ominous/creepy -- there's always something a little off about Sweetwater Peak, no matter how picturesque it is -- and I looooved the way she handled Collins' preternatural ability and the ghosts themselves. (The scene with the Lady in White by the river was especially well done.)

Something about the general moodiness and pervading sense of barely-hidden-darkness really worked in this story, and kept me interested from start to finish. While the third act drama/conflict felt a teensy bit rushed, it was still deftly handled and satisfying (and I was SO GLAD it wasn't yet another "couple breaks up over some misunderstanding/hidden secret coming to light and has to hastily reconcile in the last twenty pages for a HEA"; I'm beyond tired of seeing those in my romances).

As to the romance itself: I really liked how Collins and Brady came together so naturally, getting to know one another while trying to find ways to restore Collins' full spectral abilities rather than immediately falling into bed together. I also appreciated that it took time/there were stages to their intimacy, given Brady's last relationship (sidenote: refreshing to see a genderswap in the usual "I was gaslighted/emotionally manipulated by my partner" scenario, because men can absolutely be mistreated like that in relationships). The sexy stuff doesn't happen until well past the halfway mark, which I honestly prefer (since it means we get real character development in first, which then lends itself to making the sexy stuff even more impactful and enjoyable), and when it does happen it's satisfyingly hot.

I also liked how Sage paralleled Collins' creative block with her photography with losing her ability to hear the ghosts. When you start to lose faith in yourself/your own abilities, and second-guess everything you do, the fallout of that can be multilayered, and the idea of a paranormal ability being intrinsically tied to creativity is one with serious legs.

In conclusion: Really glad I gave Sage a second chance, and I think I'm going to enjoy what she does with any future stories set around the very evocative (and very haunted) Sweetwater Peak. I think she's a far stronger paranormal-adjacent romance writer than a neo-Western one.