Thank you to netgalley for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review. I really thought this would be a five star going into it but there were certain things that pushed it down for me. I hated the constant use of stuttering for one thing, and certain things like “um” were used hundreds of times. I enjoyed how this book had paranormal things in it and also how this book didnt contain a third act confilct

3.5 stars
I tore through Lyla Stage’s Rebel Blue Ranch series with five star ratings for every one and had high hopes for this book. Soul Searching fell a little flat for me. I couldn’t really see the point of the ghosts and the paranormal addition to this storyline. With the removal of the that, I still felt that I could not connect to any of the characters. My favorite character was Boone Ryder, the older brother to Amos Ryder the beloved patriarch from Rebel Blue Ranch. I enjoyed the cross over from him and Cam towards the end of the book and the occasional mention of Meadow Lark. I would continue on with the series to see the outcome of Clarke’s story and the resolution of the Sullivans involvement with the Cartwrights.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Very different vibe from her previous books, but I really enjoyed it! I’m glad this is coming out in the fall, because it will be a great fall read! The spooky vibes were not too intense, but they definitely gave a mood to the overall reading experience. Brady was the most precious golden retriever to Collins black cat vibe. Sweetwater Peak had all of the great characters that make up a small town, and I really enjoyed reading about all of the spooky places that they were going to together! I really think you have another hit on your hands Lyla Sage and it is wonderful to see you extend beyond western romance !

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest opinions.

A delight! I knew I was going to love this going in and I was right. Lyla Sage writes such good build ups for budding romances and I believe it. I loved the change from the ranch to the old haunted mountain town. This book is so fun to read in the summer especially in thunderstorm season! The only qualm I have with this book are the main characters names.. Collins and Clarke. I am sorry but those names are just terrible but otherwise this was super fun and sweet and I can’t wait to read more from this series!!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 I would have read this in a day, but parenting... and it is really hard to read a book on my phone!

It's a sweet romance with side stories about family and ghosts! The late spicy scenes were not for me, but to each their own.

As posted to GoodReads

I wanted to love this book, but I didn't. It wasn't the book for me, and that's okay. I'd still recommend it to people, but I won't be raving about it like I was Rebel Blue.

3.5 stars. Sage sets up a new series in the extremely haunted town of Sweetwater Peak, Wyoming. Prodigal daughter Collins has just returned to help her family battle a developer who wants to buy their home and business. She’s rooming with Brady, a new transplant with an upholstery shop and great abs. Collins has also lost her lifelong ability to talk to ghosts. And she’s trying to repair her relationship with her twin sister. So there’s a lot going on.

This book felt (forgive the pun) underdeveloped. I had a hard time getting invested in the plot or the romance. It’s definitely HFN and not HEA, and ended kind of abruptly. Hopefully the next book will answer some questions.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

There was this moment very early in where I said aloud “Oh. There are ghosts.” and I was pretty sure this book was not going to be my thing. But the author did two of my favorite things: let the love come easy, and make the conflict minimal. Smart book, really doing something different. Love the characters, and I’m excited for more in this series.

eARC from Netgalley

for sure different than lyla's usual type, but i still enjoyed it! very unique though I wish there would have been more supernatural stuff :,)

I always enjoy Lyla Sage's books and this is no different! I really enjoyed her making something totally new while also connecting it back to her previous series. The paranormal elements are also a huge plus!!

Lyla does it again folks. She just keeps getting better 👏 and 👏 better 👏
I adored Collins and Brady’s story, how these two lost souls found that home was with each other. I also (surprisingly) loved the addition of the ghosts! Usually I get spooked pretty easy by paranormal stuff but this ties into the story so well and enhanced the unsettled feelings that we get from our main characters as well.
Lastly, I was so happy for a little glimpse of Meadowlark. It gives me joy to see that series 🥰
I would recommend Lyla to anyone, she’s an auto buy author for me at this point!

A new perspective for a Lyla Sage romance! Ghost stories aren't always my favorite, but Sage did a great job pulling me into the world. I couldn't put it down! I cannot wait for her next one!

There is nothing I love more than a moody woman. Lyla Sage does it again! Clarke is my favorite moody tattooed woman who can talk to ghosts.

Lyla Sage's new series feels like you're jumping into a world you already know and feel nostalgic for, even without having ever visited before. The romance is on par with her previous series and the authentic bond between our heroine and hero was delicious to read. Cannot wait to continue with this series.

I wasn’t quite certain what to expect from this book after reading the Rebel Blue series and falling in love with Lyla’s cowboys, but it did not disappoint! This book follows Collins as she returns home to Sweetwater Peak and her family, not knowing what comes next with her life. Collins has one secret skill that is tied to home that she hopes to revive, she can speak to souls that stay on earth.

Coming back home, being surrounded by her family and past, her inability to connect with her gift, and meeting Brady (the MMC) unfolds in a beautiful story of growth, acceptance, and love. It wouldn’t be a Lyla story without toe curling spice, and she delivers on that too. I loved this start to a new series and how she connects Sweetwater Peak to Rebel Blue Ranch. I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here!

I had a so-so time with this. And trust me...I love a book by Lyla Sage. But I had a hard time getting into this paranormal, magical realism story. It was a great slow burn, but I felt like it could've given a little bit more. I am however excited to delve deeper into this new land we've unlocked in Lyla's world, the building and introduction to this town and new characters we get to follow was very sweet...it even included a few surprise appearances. ;)

I enjoyed this very much. The communication between Collins and Brady was top notch. Not every romance story needs the conflict to revolve around the couple. It was so nice to see their love story develop. This was my first Lyla Safe book and I now look forward to reading more from her. And I can't wait for book two, which I'm pretty sure it's gonna be about Clarke!

This was my introduction to Lyla Sage and I'm hooked! I loved Collins' return to her hometown and finding again her love of photography. The dual POV was great, especially when it came to Brady's relationship with Boone and him falling for Collins!

📚: @authorlylasage
📖: @netgalley @penguinrandomhouse

📖 Soul Searching by Lyla Sage
✍️ Sep 30, 2025
📚 Adult | Paranormal | Contemporary | Romance
⚠️ CW: Death, Supernatural, Sexual content

In Soul Searching, a struggling medium returns to her quirky hometown and finds herself rooming with a quiet upholsterer. With small-town secrets, second chances, and a supernatural spark, it’s a love story that’s anything but dead.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🛏️ Forced Proximity
👻 Haunted House Vibes
🧵 Small Town Setting
🔥 Grumpy x Sunshine
🧠 Woman with a Secret
💕 Slow Burn Romance
🪑 Unlikely Roommates
🌫️ Touch of Paranormal
🧑‍🔧 Black Cat x Cinnamon Roll Hero
🏠 Homecoming / Second Chance at Life

Soul Searching blends cozy romance and gentle paranormal vibes into a charming, small-town love story full of warmth and heart. With a badass heroine, a quiet man totally gone for her, and ghostly meddling that never gets too spooky, this first book in the Sweetwater Creek series is the perfect comforting read - even for non-paranormal fans like me! Loved all of Lyla Sage's books, this is my 5th and I will read anything she writes at this point!

Lyla Sage took my heart with cowboy romances. And she took it again with this paranormal one. So unexpected from her but so good! Sweet and sexy and mysterious and all the feels.