I really enjoyed this book. First of all, I love that Lyla took a big swing with this. The Paranormal aspect was a fun addition. I really liked Collins & Brady! They were so cute. I loved their awkward banter and the spicy scenes were excellent.
I am rating it a 4.25 because it took me awhile to really care about the characters but once I did, I was hooked. This is a great first start to the series and I can't wait to read more.
Big thanks to Random House and Net Galley for the ARC!



https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7586706299

I will speaking about this book on my podcast the week of release as well posting a reel on Instagram for it

We love a Lyla Sage love story.

I’m so impressed that Lyla made Sweetwater Peak so much moodier than Rebel Blue. The vibes were hitting.

I’m obsessed with Brady. I want ten of him. A man that goes to therapy to sort his shit out while doing manly handiwork? Hot.

Not quite a 5 stars because it took me longer to want to get to know these characters. Also, the burn was a little too slow in this one. The spice was spicy, but there wasn’t enough. Need more spice please!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️.5👻👻
Thanks netgalley for giving me early access to this!

Okay I love Lyla Sage. This one took me a bit longer to get into than her usual cowboy books, BUT once I was hooked I finished it in one go. There’s a bit of a witchy vibe here, which I really loved and think it would be an amazing fall read to cozy up with. Collins had great character development, her and Brady really complemented each other, and I liked how this all came together. Also, we tied in some rebel blue characters and connections, so I love that her first series will live on just a short distance from this one. Looking forward to the next one and more Sweetwater Peak!

Soul Searching is Lyla Sage's best novel to date. I adore the characters, relationship, setting, and resolution. I thought all the secondary characters were fleshed out, vivid, and loveable--even the ghosts! The supernatural element added an extra layer of plot and intrigue while not distracting from the story. The best comparison I'd have is Casper the Friendly Ghost.
In terms of spice level, while there were less scenes than her RBR series, the ones there were felt intimate, exploratory, and exciting. You can definitley see a maturity in her writing here.
Overall, I love these characters, this new series, and Lyla Sage!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
4⭐️

Fans of Lyla Sage’s Rebel Blue Ranch series will be thrilled to return to her writing—but this time with a paranormal twist. Sweetwater Peak takes a moodier, slightly eerie turn, blending small-town charm with a slow-burning romance and hints of the supernatural.

Collins’s journey of self-discovery and her rekindled love of photography make her a relatable, grounded protagonist. The romance unfolds with careful pacing, and the shift in tone from Sage’s earlier works brings a fresh new depth. While connected to her previous books, this one stands firmly on its own with a different, darker vibe that’s absolutely worth the read.

Perfect for readers who love a mystery edge with their contemporary paranormal romance—and who don’t mind a little wait for book two.

While this story is very heartwarming about a young woman finding her way back to her hometown and falling in love, the paranormal aspect felt out of place. I am a massive Lyla Sage fan and this book romantically felt like her words but the overall story was less than average.

Absolutely Loved This Book – A Must-Read!

This book was so much fun from beginning to end! I absolutely adored Collins Cartwright—her quirky charm, ghostly connections, and stubborn heart had me hooked. And don’t even get me started on Boone… I LOVED him. The entire Cartwright family brought such warmth, chaos, and humor to the story, and I felt like I was right there in Sweetwater Peak alongside them.

The chemistry between Collins and Brady was magnetic and full of tension in the best way, and the slow unraveling of their secrets gave the romance real depth. Plus, the ghosts were such a fun, original twist—they added layers of mystery and heart that made this story so unique.

I also loved how Rebel Ranch intertwined into the plot—fans of that series will be thrilled with how naturally it all connects. It felt like coming home to a world I didn’t want to leave. If you love small-town charm, slow-burn romance, and a little supernatural spice, this one’s for you!

As a fan of Lyla Sage and her Rebel Blue series, I was excited to dive into Soul Searching. This first book in her new Sweetwater Peak series blends small-town charm with a dash of the paranormal, and while there’s a lot to appreciate, it didn’t quite capture the magic I was hoping for.

The good: the ghosts were an unexpected delight—quirky, full of personality, and oddly endearing. I wanted more features of each of them. Their antics added a fun twist that reminded me that even spirits were once just people, flawed and funny in equal measure. For a first foray into the paranormal this was easily the best part of this book and it was done in such an endearing way. The setting of Sweetwater Peak is rich with hidden spots and local lore, and I enjoyed the charming touches that came with Collins' job and her connection to the supernatural. I also liked that this wasn’t your typical romance with a formulaic breakup; it was refreshing to see two characters working through things without an unnecessary third-act drama bomb.

The bad: The romance between Collins and Brady didn’t fully land for me. While they had chemistry, their emotional development felt a bit rushed. It went from zero romantic feeling to insta-love after a few good days at work. Some moments that could have been powerful were skimmed over, and certain plotlines wrapped up far too conveniently. I found myself wanting more depth from their journey, especially with how much internal conflict both characters carried. A slower burn could have elevated the stakes and made the payoff more satisfying. Speaking of wanting more, there was so much undeveloped between Collins and her twin sister to the point the plot relied heavily on sisters forgiving for the sake of sisters—genuine and real phenomenon but a missed opportunity for character development for both of them that would (I think) benefit the sequel and make me more invested in what comes next.

The ugly: Speaking of what comes next. The ending. I won’t spoil it but it felt like a very cheap way to wrap up a few plot lines and set up for the sequel with a big “Wait, WHAT?” but not in a good way. It was very out of leftfield.

Overall, Soul Searching is a good start to a new series with potential. It’s got humor, heart, and a unique blend of paranormal and emotional exploration. While it didn’t hit the same highs as Sage’s earlier works for me, I’ll most likely be reaching for the next book.

Look for this on shelves during Spooky Season—Sep 30 2025!

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the complimentary eARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

this was super cute! I loved the paranormal aspect of this story... the small town feel and the characters that Lyla sage is good at getting you attached too ! I loved the little shout outs to meadowlark and seeing some of the OG characters. this was a sweet fast paced book. loved it.

Lyla Sage delivers another lighthearted, no drama, easy-to-read, romance book. Love that there is no third-act breakup and that the characters are just great communicators. Sage likes to keep her romances simple and leave the drama to the background story, which is fine. I’m looking forward to reading more from this series.

Soul Searching has all the romance and small town vibes of Sage's Rebel Blue Ranch series, but add GHOSTS and so much angst. I'm down hard for these two, and you will be too!

This book had me in a chokehold from beginning to end. What do you mean it’s like Rebel Blue, but they’re both artists (I swear if you took me and split me in two you would get Collins and Brady) AND THERE ARE GHOSTS?!

Damn. Daaaaaaamn. I loved it. 8 million stars.

An effortless transition into paranormal (or paranormal-adjacent) romance for Sage, with her usual dose of feelings and heat and bonus cameos from our Meadowlark faves. I think this is a great niche for her and would love to see more beyond the contracted two!

Enjoyed so much! A perfect introduction for readers into paranormal romance. I enjoyed the chemistry between the love interests. The underlying mystery was also compelling.

Great read, would recommend!

Lyla Sage has done it again! I ate up her Done and Dusted series based in Meadowlark, Wyoming and I couldn't wait to venture 2 hours north to spooky Sweetwater Peak. Sage did an amazing job of introducing the reader to this new town that is perpetually foggy, steeped in local folklore, and teeming with ghosts. Collins is in a rut professionally and spiritually, after realizing that her lifelong gift of communicating with ghosts has somehow vanished. When she comes home to Sweetwater Peak for a reset and to help her family with their antique store in town, she finds herself and love along the way. The romance was a slow burn and once it started heating up, phew was it spicy! I would highly recommend to fans of Lyla Sage, people who enjoy a light, friendly ghost story, and anyone who might feel a little lost in their life.

I love a good romance with paranormal elements and this story had those with some great humour! I was hooked very quickly and had trouble putting down the book. Being a believer in fate, I really enjoyed the character's story, the realistic questioning of their own worth by comparing themselves to others, and the demonstration that avoiding things only makes them worse. When they start dealing with their pasts and opening themselves up to possibilities is when they start seeing they have a path that will take them in unexpected directions and interesting adventures.

The ghosts are hilarious in their antics and it is a great reminder that they were people with normal lives.

It's also really nice watching the two protagonist evolve as people and seeing how they make each other stronger. TBH I didn't want the story to end and really hope that there will be a continuation sometime soon.

2.5 ⭐️

This is a hard thing to do for me as I loooove Lyla Sage books- the Rebel Blue series is one of my favorites. This story, full of romance, some drama, and the paranormal, fell very flat for me. Collins and Brady felt immature at times and the story just felt disjointed. I’ll still read other books in the series because I am a Lyla STAN. And maybe I’ll come back to this and give it another try.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

This was so good! Genuinely some of Sage’s best work! I loved the realistic and tender romance between our two protagonists and I liked the whimsical paranormal elements woven throughout the story

This book was like a breath of fresh air. I loved the vibe of Sweetwater Peak so much; the secret spots Collins showed Brady, the underground historical archives, the stories behind the people who passed away that Collins was able to talk to. I found myself relating to both Collins and Brady with their struggles of finding friends and isolating themselves. Honestly, it's been awhile since I read a book where I actually saw myself in the characters. This is also one of the first books I've read where the couple didn't break up for some stupid reason and then get back together right before the book ends. It was so refreshing just reading two people fall in love without the expected breakup before they realize they are meant to be.
I also have to mention my sweet Cam making an appearance!!!!! I just finished Wild and Wrangled a few weeks ago and the little cameo from one of my favs was such a treat.
Solid four stars for Soul Searching. Lyla Sage is slowly, but surely, becoming an auto-read author for me.

Ghosts and Romance sign me up. I love a little bit of paranormal in my reads. I really enjoyed Brady and Collins relationship and how it was built on a friendship. You can definitely feel the love in this family. I love how Collins and Brady rediscovered the town that she loved together.
I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves Lyla Sage or just a small town moment.

This rating is a shocker to me. I absolutely adore Lyla Sage’s writing and the entire Rebel Blue Ranch series, so I was VERY excited to read the start of a new one from her.

This book took a while to get to feeling like previous Sage books, and once it did, it felt a bit rushed and everything wrapped up entirely too quickly. I could have easily read a book twice as long with the details more fleshed out.

I do recommend it to people who are interested, but keep your expectations tempered.