Scan barcode
emilywemily6's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I adore Wes and Rebel Blue, and while this was a quick and flirty read I wanted to through the book multiple times because of Ada. She only defining features are her personal relationship trauma, low self-esteem, and her inability to think decisions through before acting. About 20% of the time I could relate to some of her internal thoughts, but the rest of the time she just frustrated me. And while the main characters had really good chemistry, the way the relationship jumped from Ada trying to hate Wes to Ada letting things happen didn’t really make sense and felt out of place. She tried hard to be mean and to push people away and would run away (literally) instead of just talking. And when she did talk, she put her foot in her mouth a lot. Kind of “pick me girl” energy without the confidence. Wes is amazing and honestly deserves better 😬 I could not get behind Ada.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, and Medical content
mklein319's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Abandonment
rhamil12's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Emotional abuse
rachhendricks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
schweibertsm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was definitely a top book for me this year. Wes is just the best character and the audiobook is amazing.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse
a_libra_library's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Perfect sequel to Done and Dusted! Better than DND if I may say.
I loved Ada and Wes so much that I read this book in a week!
Audiobook was stunning and I fell in love even more with the town of Meadowlark.
Ada is a big city gal looking for her big break to do more work in her field of interior design and working on a huge project for the Rebel Blue Ranch is the perfect opportunity to flex more of her talent. Only true obstacle is she didn't think her boss to be the charming cowboy she just meet in the local bar and can't stop day dreaming about.
Wes Ryder is the middle Ryder and has spent his entire life looking for his place in the families legacy, he decides that blazing his own path is the only way to do it which means no getting distracted by his heart or the painfully familiar tug Ada seems to have on it.
I think the character were even more fleshed out and brought to life in this book. I related to Ada so much I found myself annotating and crying at times.
Also Wes's relationship with his depression and how he treats and talks about it was BEAUTIFUL.
Tropes:
Small town
forced proximity
work place-ish romance
Big city girl small town boy
Black cat/ golden retriever
Anxiety rep
Depression rep
This is a 10/10 in my book
I loved Ada and Wes so much that I read this book in a week!
Audiobook was stunning and I fell in love even more with the town of Meadowlark.
Ada is a big city gal looking for her big break to do more work in her field of interior design and working on a huge project for the Rebel Blue Ranch is the perfect opportunity to flex more of her talent. Only true obstacle is she didn't think her boss to be the charming cowboy she just meet in the local bar and can't stop day dreaming about.
Wes Ryder is the middle Ryder and has spent his entire life looking for his place in the families legacy, he decides that blazing his own path is the only way to do it which means no getting distracted by his heart or the painfully familiar tug Ada seems to have on it.
I think the character were even more fleshed out and brought to life in this book. I related to Ada so much I found myself annotating and crying at times.
Also Wes's relationship with his depression and how he treats and talks about it was BEAUTIFUL.
Tropes:
Small town
forced proximity
work place-ish romance
Big city girl small town boy
Black cat/ golden retriever
Anxiety rep
Depression rep
This is a 10/10 in my book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
3readingcircus's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Mental illness
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent
carla20's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness and Toxic relationship
fivecatsinacoat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
While this is the second book in the series, it stands on its own well. I have not yet read Done and Dusted (but I'll be looking to read it now!), but it does feature the same characters and continues their story arcs, so if that is important to you, read Done and Dusted first.
It is so wonderful to see more accurate representations of mental health in romance books lately. As someone who struggles daily with anxiety and depression, I understand the toll it can have on your life. Including and discussing mental health issues as they relate to the characters really makes for a more authentic and honest narrative. I have never really felt more close to characters as I did in this book, and I honestly think the discussion and inclusion of anxiety, depression, and self-worth helped me to feel seen and respected.
In a way, I'm kind of mad that this book is fiction. I want to be at Rebel Blue Ranch. I want to spend the night in Baby Blue. I want to walk the trails and meet Waylon the dog and Loretta the calf. I want to feel the sunshine on my face.
Also, I will be purchasing physical copies of these books because that cover? Perfection. I need it on my shelves.
While this is the second book in the series, it stands on its own well. I have not yet read Done and Dusted (but I'll be looking to read it now!), but it does feature the same characters and continues their story arcs, so if that is important to you, read Done and Dusted first.
It is so wonderful to see more accurate representations of mental health in romance books lately. As someone who struggles daily with anxiety and depression, I understand the toll it can have on your life. Including and discussing mental health issues as they relate to the characters really makes for a more authentic and honest narrative. I have never really felt more close to characters as I did in this book, and I honestly think the discussion and inclusion of anxiety, depression, and self-worth helped me to feel seen and respected.
In a way, I'm kind of mad that this book is fiction. I want to be at Rebel Blue Ranch. I want to spend the night in Baby Blue. I want to walk the trails and meet Waylon the dog and Loretta the calf. I want to feel the sunshine on my face.
Also, I will be purchasing physical copies of these books because that cover? Perfection. I need it on my shelves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
aislinghelen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I absolutely love Wes. These two had me squealing while reading, it was so cute.
The only thing that dragged it down was a personal preference thing. I don’t love when one person is still healing from a past relationship while in the next one. I love that Wes is majorly supportive and patient and incredible. And I love that Ada is growing and caring about herself and is also amazing. But that is just something that I don’t love because of my own constant need to help others that I am trying to overcome. I am definitely Wes if he was a she and less perfect, and also not able to drive.
Favourite thingHe was teaching her how to drive a manual so she would never be trapped again!!! also the baby cow (yes I know it’s a calf but baby cow is cuter)
The only thing that dragged it down was a personal preference thing. I don’t love when one person is still healing from a past relationship while in the next one. I love that Wes is majorly supportive and patient and incredible. And I love that Ada is growing and caring about herself and is also amazing. But that is just something that I don’t love because of my own constant need to help others that I am trying to overcome. I am definitely Wes if he was a she and less perfect, and also not able to drive.
Favourite thing
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Ada’s ex was controlling and emotionally (and financially) abusive, there is also discussion of depression and medication for depression