Rodeo Romance: Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

Hi darlings, it's time to go and pour yourself a glass of wine and get cozy. I am obsessed. Like, completely, unapologetically head-over-heels obsessed. I just finished Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage, and I swear, it has taken over my entire brain, my heart, and probably my future imaginary life on a Wyoming ranch.

From page one, I knew I was in trouble. I could smell the hay, feel the sun on my skin, hear the rhythmic thud of hooves echoing across Rebel Blue Ranch. Lyla Sage doesn’t just write a setting—she breathes it into your soul. I was transported instantly, boots dusty in my imagination, hair whipping in the wind, adrenaline pumping like I was barreling around the arena myself. And honestly? I would have nailed barrel racing… in my head, anyway.

Meet Clementine “Emmy” Ryder: fiery, stubborn, fiercely independent, but with this quiet vulnerability that makes you want to shield her from the world while also high-fiving her every bold move. Emmy is back in her small hometown after a brutal accident, navigating the terrain of fear, bravery, and second chances. She’s the kind of heroine you root for so hard it’s painful—and swoon over, because, oh yes, the romance.

Enter Luke Brooks: tall, broody, dangerously handsome, and just that guy who gives off “I would literally carry you through a wildfire and never break a sweat” energy. He’s Emmy’s older brother’s best friend, the town’s resident bad boy turned rugged ranch hand, and he’s magnetic in the way that makes you ache. The sexual tension between these two? Electric, simmering, the kind that makes you clutch your book and mutter, “Ohhh, get on with it already.” Every glance, every accidental brush of skin feels like it could ignite a fire across the entire state of Wyoming.

And let me tell you, the slow burn is slow, and it’s burning—in the best possible way. Sage doesn’t rush it. She lets it linger, tease, and simmer, giving you all the delicious frustration of two people who shouldn’t be together… but can’t help being pulled toward each other anyway. The banter? Sharp, playful, and loaded with just enough tension to make you fidget in your chair. The moments of tenderness? Sweet enough to make your chest ache. And the near-misses, the push-and-pull, the longing-filled silences? Girl, I was living for every single one.

And then there’s the ranch life. Rebel Blue isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right. I could hear the creak of the barn doors, feel the rough leather of the reins in Emmy’s hands, smell the earthy warmth of hay and horse. Even if you’ve never set foot on a ranch, you’ll feel like you’ve arrived and are living every sun-drenched, dust-kicked moment with them. And the horses? Oh, the horses. By the end, I wanted to adopt the entire stable and learn how to ride like Emmy. The way Sage writes Emmy’s return to riding after her accident? Absolutely breathtaking. Every gallop, every tumble, every breathless moment had me feeling it—the freedom, the thrill, the fear, the joy.

But here’s the kicker: this book isn’t just about the swoon and the adrenaline. Emmy’s ADHD is part of who she is, and Sage handles it with nuance, warmth, and realism. It’s refreshing, relatable, and layered into the story seamlessly, making Emmy’s triumphs even more powerful.

And the romance. Ohhh, the romance. If you love slow-burn, simmering, “I can’t believe they’re this irresistible together” tension, prepare yourself. Luke and Emmy’s connection is magnetic, combustible, and completely addictive. That push-and-pull, the stolen touches, the lingering looks… I was literally gasping, swooning, and at one point, muttering at the book like it could hear me: “Just kiss already, you idiots!”

Honestly, if small-town charm, strong heroines, swoon-worthy heroes, and horses that feel like characters themselves are your thing—you need this book in your life. It’s romantic, it’s spicy, it’s emotional, and it will leave you dreaming of wide-open skies, dusty arenas, and barn kisses you’ll never forget.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to daydream about Rebel Blue Ranch, pretend I know how to ride a horse, and maybe invest in some cowboy boots while I’m at it.

Rating: 5/5