Book Review: Done And Dusted by Lyla Sage

Okay, I HAVE to tell you about this book because I am absolutely head over heels obsessed. I just finished "Done and Dusted" by Lyla Sage, and I'm not exaggerating when I say it has completely taken over my life.

You know that feeling when you pick up a book and, from the very first page, you’re like, “Oh, this is going to be something special”? That was me within five minutes of starting it. I swear I could practically smell the sweet, dusty scent of horses and hay as I flipped through the pages. The descriptions are so rich and vivid that I felt like I was standing in the middle of Rebel Blue Ranch, with the sun warming my skin and the sound of hooves in the distance. I could probably take up barrel racing tomorrow and win a championship (in my imagination, at least).

The story follows Clementine "Emmy" Ryder, this fierce, stubborn, but deeply vulnerable barrel racer who returns to her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming after a brutal accident. I immediately connected with Emmy—she’s that perfect mix of strong and soft, the kind of character who makes you want to both protect her and be her best friend. And oh my gosh, her relationship with Luke Brooks? I could write a whole separate love letter just about him. Luke is her older brother's best friend, the town’s bad boy turned ranch hand, and he has this quiet, brooding, "I'm-tough-but-would-literally-carry-you-through-a-fire" energy. The tension between them is electric. I was swooning so hard I almost fell off my couch.

But what really got me was the small-town atmosphere. It’s got that cozy, everyone-knows-everyone vibe that makes you want to pack your bags and move there immediately. The Rebel Blue Ranch felt so real to me—I could hear the creak of the barn doors, feel the rough texture of the reins in Emmy’s hands, and sense the quiet hum of life on the ranch. There’s something so comforting about the setting, like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket after a long day. Or, in my case, ignoring all adult responsibilities to keep reading.

And the horses. THE HORSES. I’m not even a horse person but by the end of this book, I was ready to adopt an entire stable. Lyla Sage describes them with such care and affection that you can practically hear the soft snorts and gentle stomps of hooves against the dirt. The scenes of Emmy riding again after her accident? Absolutely breathtaking. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins, the wind in her hair, and that rush of finally doing something you love after being too scared for so long. Honestly, it made me want to tackle my own fears... or at least finally clean out my closet.

One of the things I adored was how Sage wove Emmy’s struggles into the story. Emmy deals with ADHD, and the representation felt so genuine and nuanced. It wasn’t just mentioned once and forgotten; it was part of who she is and how she navigates the world. As someone who sometimes feels like their brain is running in ten different directions at once, I found that incredibly relatable.

And the romance. Oh, the romance. It’s this slow-burn, delicious kind of ache that builds and builds until you’re practically screaming at the characters to kiss already. There’s banter, there’s tension, and there are moments so sweet I had to set the book down and just... breathe. Luke and Emmy have this incredible push-and-pull dynamic that had me hooked. Every glance, every accidental touch felt like it held the weight of years of unspoken feelings. Honestly, if they didn’t end up together, I might have thrown the book across the room (lovingly, of course).

Honestly, if you love small-town romances with tough but tender heroes, strong heroines, and a whole lot of heart, you NEED to read "Done and Dusted." I promise it will leave you grinning like an idiot, maybe tearing up a little, and definitely wondering if ranch life is in your future.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go daydream about Rebel Blue Ranch and pretend I know how to ride a horse. And maybe Google some cowboy boots while I'm at it!