Rebel Blue Ranch, Book 1
From the publisher:
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • She’s off-limits, but he’s never been good at following the rules.
Discover the sizzling, small-town brother’s best friend romance that went viral on TikTok—now a special edition with an exclusive sneak peek at the next book in the series and a Q&A with the author!
“A sweet slow burn . . . sunshine in written form.”—USA Today bestselling author Lana Ferguson
For the first time in her life, Clementine “Emmy” Ryder has no idea what she’s doing. She’s accomplished everything on her to-do list. She left her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming; went to college; and made a career for herself by doing her favorite thing: riding horses. But after an accident makes it impossible for her to get back into the saddle, she has no choice but to return to the hometown she always wanted to escape.
Luke Brooks is Meadowlark’s most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fifth member of the Ryder family. As Emmy’s older brother’s best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. It’s been years since he’s seen her, but when she walks into his bar and back into his life, he can’t take his eyes off her. Despite his better judgment, he wants to do a whole lot more than just look at her.
Emmy’s got too much on her mind to think about romance. And Luke knows he should stay away from his best friend’s younger sister. But what if Luke is just what Emmy needs to get her spark back? Or will they both go up in flames?
I started this series with the last book, Wild and Wrangled, and it was so good that I went back to read the first book in the series. I am planning on reading them all.
Twenty-seven-year-old Clementine “Emmy” Ryder has spent nearly ten years on the barrel racing* circuit, living her dream as a professional rider. Her world comes crashing down when a devastating fall leaves her with a head injury and something far worse—a paralyzing fear of getting back on her horse. Unable to ride without experiencing panic attacks, Emmy makes the difficult decision to return to her family’s Rebel Blue Ranch in Meadowlark, Wyoming, keeping the real reason for her homecoming to herself.
Emmy is surprised to discover that Luke Brooks, the 32-year-old former troublemaker,is working at the ranch, helping out with horseback riding lessons. After facing rejection from his father, stepfather, and biological family, he found acceptance and belonging with the Ryders, becoming best friends with Emmy’s older brother, Gus. Not only does he teach, but he is also the owner of The Devil’s Boot bar, the only fun place to hang out in this small town. Luke has transformed himself from the bad boy Emmy remembers, but despite his changed circumstances, Emmy refuses to believe he’s truly different from the boy who teased her years ago.
When Luke offers to help Emmy overcome her fear and prepare for the upcoming Women’s Professional Rodeo Association tour in Meadowlark, she reluctantly agrees. As they work together, Emmy begins to see past her childhood memories and recognize the man Luke has become. Their growing attraction is complicated by Gus’s longstanding rule that his little sister is off-limits.
As Emmy and Luke’s relationship deepens, real feelings develop between them. Emmy and Luke try to resist, but they end up keeping their relationship a secret. When the truth comes out in a dramatic showdown between Gus and Luke, feelings are laid bare, and everyone is forced to confront what really matters.
Sage brings Meadowlark vividly to life, making the setting feel like another character in the story. With angst, sparks, and strong community ties, this romance blends beloved tropes—small-town charm, brother’s best friend, and enemies-to-lovers—into a fun, emotional read.
*My only complaint about this book is that while Emmy is a professional barrel racer, after reading this book, it wasn’t really clear what that is. A tiny explanation of the sport would have been appreciated! So I Googled, and here is the AI on barrel racing:
Barrel racing is a rodeo event primarily, though not exclusively, for women, where riders race against the clock to complete a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. It’s known for its speed, skill, and precision, requiring a strong partnership between horse and rider. Women have a rich history in barrel racing, with the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) (originally the Girls Rodeo Association) founded in 1948 to provide a platform for women’s rodeo competition.
The series in order:
8/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
DONE AND DUSTED by Lyla Sage. Dial Press Trade Paperback (October 24, 2023). ISBN: 978-0593732427. 368p.
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