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abidavisf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
Fate brought me to Swift and Saddled. I started another book the same day that I was going to continue with, but something told me it was time to return to Rebel Blue. I’ve had a terrible week/month/year, I won’t lie. On a day in which my depression was really taking over, and the black clouds loomed above me with no light in sight, I was welcomed by two of the most relatable characters I’ve had the privilege of reading.
Ada and Wes are clear soulmates. From their physical attraction to the way they bounce off of each other mentally, it’s obvious. I love a romance, and the romance in this book was great, but it isn’t what drew me to these characters. What drew me to Ada and Wes, and to Swift and Saddled as a whole, is how accurately it portrays depression, anxiety, self-esteem, trauma, abandonment, and more. I felt seen by both Ada and Wes, and, on a day when I really felt like giving up, that was just what I needed.
Swift and Saddled portrays depression so realistically. We don’t see the ins and outs of a low day, but we do see the constant torment, dread and unease that comes with knowing when your next Big Low is coming or when your coping mechanisms are eventually going to give out on you. It’s a when, not an if. Not a lot of people get that. Wes gets it. Lyla Sage gets it. I get it.
Wes’ description of depression was perfect: “depression wasn’t a logical disease … it was impossible to predict … not if, but when I would sink into another dark hole and have to decide to claw my way out.” Living with a depression requires you to make choices every day, to take your meds, go to therapy, take a walk, whatever works for you. I really appreciated seeing the choice and the genuine hard work and effort it takes into just living reflected so accurately in this book.
I am a depressed person, but I am also a lonely person. Both Ada and Wes speak to me in so many ways. Ada’s loneliness and, frankly, complete lack of self worth are engrained in me. They are a huge part of who I am. Some days, I can’t figure out if they contribute to my depression or are caused by it. Either way, Ada not remembering a time when she wasn’t lonely registered with me so completely. Everybody has someone or something, but not me and, at the start of this book, not Ada. Having a character like Wes read her so well and want to show her that she has so much value was lovely. It made me feel bad for my friends who so badly want to do that for me and tell me so. Maybe, one day, I’ll be as brave as Ada and let someone in. I hope so.
Swift and Saddled wasn’t as horse-y as I’d have liked, but it makes sense based on Ada and Wes’ day to day. I’d love to see more of their lives in the future to see how their days work with their own animals, so hopefully they’ll be popping up a lot during the rest of the series.
I don’t think this review, if we can call it that, was coherent, so I’ll summarise:
- Depression is portrayed so accurately in this book, and I am truly grateful for that
- I understand Ada on a spiritual level. I want her happy ever after. She deserves it. I wish we’d gotten some more context around her ex (how they met, where he went etc), but I feel like I know her all the same.
- Wes chooses every day to keep on keeping on and I am so proud of him
I’m going to have to come back to this for a proper read and review when I’m less emotional but, for now, I’ll say: thank you, Lyla Sage. You don’t know me and you didn’t know I needed your words but you gave them to me anyway.
Ada and Wes are clear soulmates. From their physical attraction to the way they bounce off of each other mentally, it’s obvious. I love a romance, and the romance in this book was great, but it isn’t what drew me to these characters. What drew me to Ada and Wes, and to Swift and Saddled as a whole, is how accurately it portrays depression, anxiety, self-esteem, trauma, abandonment, and more. I felt seen by both Ada and Wes, and, on a day when I really felt like giving up, that was just what I needed.
Swift and Saddled portrays depression so realistically. We don’t see the ins and outs of a low day, but we do see the constant torment, dread and unease that comes with knowing when your next Big Low is coming or when your coping mechanisms are eventually going to give out on you. It’s a when, not an if. Not a lot of people get that. Wes gets it. Lyla Sage gets it. I get it.
Wes’ description of depression was perfect: “depression wasn’t a logical disease … it was impossible to predict … not if, but when I would sink into another dark hole and have to decide to claw my way out.” Living with a depression requires you to make choices every day, to take your meds, go to therapy, take a walk, whatever works for you. I really appreciated seeing the choice and the genuine hard work and effort it takes into just living reflected so accurately in this book.
I am a depressed person, but I am also a lonely person. Both Ada and Wes speak to me in so many ways. Ada’s loneliness and, frankly, complete lack of self worth are engrained in me. They are a huge part of who I am. Some days, I can’t figure out if they contribute to my depression or are caused by it. Either way, Ada not remembering a time when she wasn’t lonely registered with me so completely. Everybody has someone or something, but not me and, at the start of this book, not Ada. Having a character like Wes read her so well and want to show her that she has so much value was lovely. It made me feel bad for my friends who so badly want to do that for me and tell me so. Maybe, one day, I’ll be as brave as Ada and let someone in. I hope so.
Swift and Saddled wasn’t as horse-y as I’d have liked, but it makes sense based on Ada and Wes’ day to day. I’d love to see more of their lives in the future to see how their days work with their own animals, so hopefully they’ll be popping up a lot during the rest of the series.
I don’t think this review, if we can call it that, was coherent, so I’ll summarise:
- Depression is portrayed so accurately in this book, and I am truly grateful for that
- I understand Ada on a spiritual level. I want her happy ever after. She deserves it. I wish we’d gotten some more context around her ex (how they met, where he went etc), but I feel like I know her all the same.
- Wes chooses every day to keep on keeping on and I am so proud of him
I’m going to have to come back to this for a proper read and review when I’m less emotional but, for now, I’ll say: thank you, Lyla Sage. You don’t know me and you didn’t know I needed your words but you gave them to me anyway.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
Minor: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Abandonment