Soul Searching was a reflective, spooky, and supernatural love story about two people coming together to find themselves. It is the perfect cozy Fall romance novel for anyone wanting to feel the spooky vibes of the upcoming Halloween season. The characters were likable and their love story, although a bit sad at times, was sweet. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys loves stories with a little something extra sprinkled in (ghosts and spooky settings).

The absolute most perfect book for fall and spooky season in general!!!! Spooky western romance was not something I knew existed before this book but let it be known it is such a fun twist to the general western romances I love so much

The vibes of this book was so warm. This is my first Lyla Sage book and I will definitely be going back and reading all of her other books.

This wasn't my favorite Lyla Sage book but not bad. I don't feel like Brady's point of view really did much for the book. Also, Sweetwater Peak was mentioned one too many times.

Sage’s charm comes through in this new series as she experiments with something new, yet familiar. It’s cozy and the perfect low stakes read when you crave something romantic with just a hint of spooks.

Ethel Cain is on the book playlist and that’s all it took to sell me. LYLA SAGE ily girl. This one was a bit of a slow burner but the payoff is so worth it. I can’t ever tell if I want to be Lyla Sage’s fmc or be in love with them… not a bad problem to have tbh. Can’t wait to buy my trophy copy when this comes out.

🤍 THANK YOU NETGALLEY FOR MY ARC 🤍

I will be publishing my review on my Instagram account (@madelinewiththeglasses) on September 30th (the book’s publication date). Here’s a link to my account: https://www.instagram.com/madelinewiththeglasses/

Here’s my review:

I was so excited to score an arc of Soul Searching by @lylasage 🔮 I absolutely love Lyla’s Rebel Blue Ranch series and I live for spooky season, so this book is perfect for me. Soul Searching follows a woman named Collins as she returns home to Sweetwater Peak to fight off real estate developers, reconnect with her twin sister, and try to get her ghost communication abilities back on track. Shacking up with a handsome newcomer doesn’t hurt either. I loved the ghostly aspect and the connections to Meadowlark. Boone (the town’s crotchety old farmer) and Chicken (his ferociously protective chihuahua) were my favorite characters. I also really liked the upholstery aspect of Brady’s character. I’m guessing (and hoping!!) the next book will be about Clarke. Also, I have to commend Lyla’s brilliant use of “haunting” language without being corny. The way the ghosts were anchored and how they choose to appear was really cool as well. I’m glad it wasn’t too scary!! Overall, I enjoyed this read! 👻 I would give it four stars!

Collins Cartwright reluctantly returns to her hometown of Sweetwater Peak, Wyoming, under the pretense of helping her family's antique shop. In reality, she is broke and out of work, hiding her struggles from her supportive family. Haunted by silence from the ghosts she once spoke to, Collins finds herself in need of a fresh start. She rents a room above an upholstery shop owned by Brady Cooper, who is also seeking a new beginning. Their budding romance is complicated by the presence of more ghosts and personal challenges. As they grow closer, the barriers between their lives blur, leading both to wonder if their connection could become something lasting.

This book is a fun blend of romance and paranormal elements that captivated me from the start. Lyla Sage’s ability to create an atmospheric setting in Sweetwater Peak, combined with relatable characters, made the story immersive. The gentle romance between Collins and Brady felt genuine, enhanced by their shared struggles and the unique twist of ghostly interactions. The incorporation of supernatural elements added depth without overshadowing the emotional growth of the characters. Readers who appreciate heartfelt connections and a touch of the paranormal will find this book appealing. The slow-burn romance, combined with the charming small-town vibe, creates a warm and engaging reading experience. There are connections to the author's previous books (which I LOVE). I always notice how the author writes consent in her spicy scenes. This was just an overall fun read. I enjoyed it! Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for a ARC of this book. It will be published September 20, 2025. A definite add to your TBR pile.

Romance with a side of paranormal? YES, PLEASE! This book was so much fun to read! I love Lyla's ability to tell a romantic story that feels like real-life. Her stories are so believable, and this was no exception - even with the paranormal theme! I was fully immersed in Soul Searching from page 1, and was invested in the plot and outcome of each character throughout the whole book! I cannot wait to read more from Sweetwater Peak!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! I really enjoyed this story, especially the relationship between Brady and Collins and the unique ghostly twist. The paranormal elements added a new level to the romance and Lyla's books. That said, the family dynamics felt a bit underdeveloped, and I struggled with the FMCs constant “woe is me” attitude, especially considering she had a supportive family she chose not to open up to. Overall, it was a compelling and emotional read, and I’m going to continue to pick up every book from this author.

“Soul Searching” by Lyla Sage is a sweet small town paranormal romance that cures the need for a cozy fall read. Although the plot can get a bit repetitive at times, the last 25% of the book made up for the slow beginning. Warning! This is cheesy, but we all need a cheesy romance sometimes.

I really wanted to like this one. It has all the ingredients I usually enjoy: a small town setting, a moody paranormal twist, a slow burn romance. But despite the setup, this just didn’t work for me. I didn’t dislike it enough to rate it poorly, but I also didn’t enjoy myself.

Let’s start with the writing. Technically, there’s nothing wrong with it. The story moves, the characters speak, things happen. But everything felt oddly over-explained. The prose had a habit of walking the reader through every breath, blink, and movement as if we couldn’t be trusted to follow what was happening. At times, it read more like stage directions than a novel.

The dialogue was packed with filler words and stammering. “Um,” “though,” “sigh,” and the town name were all repeated so often that it started to feel more like white noise than meaningful language. Every character seemed on edge or nervous, constantly trailing off or stumbling through their sentences. I just wanted them all to take a deep breath and talk like real people.

As for the characters, I had a hard time connecting to either of the leads. Collins is portrayed as complicated and edgy, but she didn’t feel like a fully formed person. Brady was quiet and sweet, but mostly a blank slate. He likes furniture and fantasy books, and that’s about all we really get. Their romance didn’t have much spark for me. It was slow, but without the tension that makes a slow burn satisfying. Their conversations stayed shallow, and I never really felt like they got to know each other in a meaningful way.

The ghost storyline had potential, but it didn’t go anywhere interesting. It felt more like a plot device than something integral to the characters or their growth. There were also too many other subplots competing for space. We had sibling conflict, identity issues, career doubts, land disputes, and grief. But none of them were explored deeply enough to have real impact.

The setting, to its credit, was atmospheric. Sweetwater Peak did have a certain charm, and there were moments where I could see glimpses of the cozy, spooky tone the book was aiming for. I also liked Boone, one of the side characters. He felt more grounded and distinct than most of the cast.

In the end, this book wasn’t terrible. It was just shallow and overstuffed. I respect the attempt to try something different, especially blending genres, but the execution didn’t quite land. It felt rushed and underdeveloped. I don’t regret reading it, but I doubt I’ll be thinking about it again anytime soon.

I absolutely loved this as I love all Lyla Sage books and I can’t wait to add to our library collection! The chemistry was incredible and the banter was top tier. I loved the setting and I could visualize it so easily. One of my favorite Lyla Sage books for sure.

Sad to say this didn't work for me. I enjoyed so much of the Rebel Blue Ranch series and was thrilled to get access to this book. I just couldn't connect with these characters and was not at all invested in the plot. I'm surprised the paranormal element didn't hit for me--I found it more of a nuisance than a fun sub-plot. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

Lyla Sage does it again! This was perfect, it was cheesy in all the right ways and sweet and fun! Brady is my favorite man she’s has ever written and the dual POV was so nice to see from her! This is going to be perfect for fall when it comes out - can’t wait to recommend it!

As I have enjoyed Lylas Sages contemporary romance series, I was excited to see her take on a romance with a supernatural element. That being said, unfortunately the book didn't quite land for me.

Soul Searching follows our main character Collins, a photographer who can see ghosts who is returning to her hometown in a rough patch of her life. She is there under the guise of helping her families antique store but in reality she is broke and needs a job. Her sister sets her up to work at an upholstery shop with Brady, our mmc. Brady came to SweetWater Peak for a fresh start and Collins is returning to her roots, a romance between the two blooms.

I think where Soul searching went wrong for me was that all parts of it felt quite flat. I didn't connect deeply with any of the characters and found it really hard to be very invested in the romance or Collins and the family business. It felt like I was being told a bunch of information about people and events yet no real emotion or depth to back it up. There wasn't necessarily anything wrong with the plot, I just felt like everything needed more. The romance was kind of a slow burn but didn't feel that slow and wasn't overly flushed out, the supernatural element felt very on the surface without a lot of thought having gone into how it works. The whole idea that ghosts have less rules then the living being the main explanation for everything just felt lazy in a way.

Although Soul Searching wasn't for me, I can see the appeal for a reader who wants a romance with a little bit of stakes outside of the relationship but nothing to heavy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc!

I love Lyla Sage. But this was not her best work. I felt like there was so much that was skimmed over. The beginning of the book felt a little quick getting into the paranormal aspect of the book. I just needed a little more. It might not have been for me but she is a popular enough author that I think this could find the right audience.

Lyla Sage has quickly become one of my favorite romance writers so I was excited to see a new book from her with a bit of a supernatural twist! The setting is in Sweetwater Peak, Wyoming, a tiny, slightly off town on the peak of the highest mountain in the state. Collins Cartwright is making her way back to town unsure of herself and her place in the world, including her family and Brady Cooper is trying to start anew in a small town away from all he knew. The two quickly become close and help each other in ways they want but neither knew they needed. It was sweet and and shadowy (like the town!) and the two main characters had good chemistry. Plus, a surprise cameo from Amos Ryder and Cam Ashwood!

This is my new favorite book from Lyla Sage. I loved everything about it. The characters, the plot, the pacing was perfect. It's so unique and it's the perfect read for fall. Lyla has a way of making you feel so connected to the characters almost like they're also your friends. This book was lighthearted, fun, steamy and memorable. I can't wait to handsell this in my bookstore.

4.5 - Being back in a Lyla Sage small town romance series just brings joy and comfort to my heart :) I loved how this was a “paranormal” romance not in the sense that the main character is falling in love with a ghost, but incorporating that Collins can see and speak to ghosts to add a spooky element. I really enjoyed the romance and especially how soft and sweet Brady was to Collins and her needs. and Lyla stepped it UP a level with the spice here!! most of all I just can’t wait to fall deeper in love with Sweetwater Peak, I love the gloomy cozy setting Lyla created here (and the mentions of Meadowlark). a great start to this series!!

Soul Searching follows Collins and Brady. Collins and her twin sister have been able to see and talk to ghosts their entire life. In the past year, Collins has been struggling with different things in her life and has lost her ability to see and speak to her ghosts. She feels lost and adrift without this part of herself and forces herself to return to Sweetwater Peaks, her hometown, to see if she can get her ability back. There, she meets Brady, an upholster, new to town and who she is sharing an apartment with for the time she is back home. Brady is very quiet, keeps to himself, but she is drawn to him from the second she meets him.

The way that Lyla Sage just paints such an atmospheric picture and creates the most cozy small towns should be studied, I felt like I was bunked up in the mountains in a little small town, in the fall, with the leaves falling, hanging out with Collins and the ghosts. AND THE MEADOWLARK REFERENCES?? AMOS RYDER YOU WILL ALWAYS BE FAMOUS!! I genuinely got so happy to see Lyla make the small references to Meadowlark and am hoping that she will maybe incorporate and have some cross overs between the series in the future.

I loved the romance in this book so much, mainly because of how soft and considerate Brady was with Collins. Collins has BITE and came to Sweetwater dealing with a lot and Brady was there to try and help her work through some of her issues and make her feel less alone. I loved the little adventures they went on and how Collins also helped expand Brady's life. Brady was someone also dealing with losses and feeling adrift after his relationship ended, but they brought so much to each others lives. I really am so excited for this series to continue and to see where it goes!! Thanks to The Dial Press for the free eARC!!