Rebel Blue Ranch, Book 2
From the publisher:
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • She’s the city girl who refuses to be saddled with a man. He’s the cowboy who wants her anyway.
From the author of the BookTok sensation Done and Dusted comes the next book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, a small town romance featuring opposites attract and forced proximity.
The last thing Ada Hart needs is a man to take care of her. Not anymore. After failing out of her interior design program and the disaster that was her short-lived marriage, Ada clawed her way up from her rock bottom. Now, the only person she trusts is herself, and that has gotten her further than ever before. She has her own business, and one of the largest ranches in Wyoming just hired her for the most important project of her career.
When Ada arrives in Meadowlark, she finds herself in a dive bar where she can’t seem to shake the eyes of a handsome cowboy. When she leads him to the back of the bar, he leaves her with a kiss that most people can only fantasize about. She almost regrets that she’ll never see him again . . . except it turns out he’s her new boss.
Weston Ryder is a happy guy. Even happier now that the mystery woman from the bar is the interior designer for his dream project on his family’s ranch. He feels like he hit the jackpot. It’s too bad she wants absolutely nothing to do with him outside of work. Ada is convinced the pull she feels toward Wes will go away, but Wes can’t stop thinking about her. Even though walls are coming down around Rebel Blue, Ada’s walls are firmly in place.
Can they make it through this project without giving in? Or will they both put their dreams on the line for a chance at love?
This is the second book in the Rebel Blue series, and I absolutely loved the “city girl meets country boy” dynamic. It blends several beloved romance tropes—opposites attract, workplace romance, cowboy charm, forced proximity—and balances them beautifully with equal parts fun, banter, angst, and emotional depth. It’s fast-paced, engaging, and genuinely hard to put down.
Ada Hart arrives in Meadowlark, Wyoming, thrilled to be working on the biggest project of her interior-design career. On her first night in town, she stops by the local bar and meets a ridiculously handsome cowboy. One impulsive, steamy moment later, she leaves alone—reminding herself she’s here for work, not distractions. But the next morning, when she walks into Rebel Blue Ranch, she discovers that her new boss is none other than the man from the bar: Weston Ryder. Not exactly the smoothest start to a professional relationship.
Ada is a talented designer eager to grow her business and build a new life far from a toxic marriage. She’s stubborn, a bit shy, and—like so many of us—carries some insecurities. She believes she’s “unlikable,” but as she slowly lets people in, especially the women at the ranch and Wes himself, she begins to realize that isn’t true. Watching her form genuine friendships for the first time is one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
Wes Ryder is the quintessential cowboy hero: kind, gentle, and deeply loyal. As the middle child, he’s long felt overlooked, so when his dream of opening a guest ranch within Rebel Blue Ranch is finally approved by his father and brothers, it feels like a turning point—his chance to create something that’s truly his own.
One of the things I appreciated most about Wes’s character is how thoughtfully the author handled his depression. It’s not a dramatic plot twist or a hurdle to overcome—it’s simply part of who he is. Too often, people expect depression to look like constant sadness, but in reality, many people manage it while leading full, joyful lives. That rang true for me personally, having family and friends who live with depression. Wes is lighthearted, funny, and warm, but that doesn’t make his depression any less real. It was refreshing to see him open up to Ada about it, and I’m grateful Sage chose to portray it with honesty and care.
While Ada and Wes begin with insta-lust, their relationship evolves into something deeper and more meaningful. The pacing allows readers to watch them truly get to know each other, working through communication challenges and personal obstacles on their path to happiness. The emotional tension throughout this journey makes their eventual triumph all the more rewarding. Their journey to a happily-ever-after felt earned, layered, and incredibly satisfying.
I loved this story. It’s heartfelt, smart, and full of warmth—and it left me eager for more from the Rebel Blue series.
The series in order:
8/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
SWIFT AND SADDLED by Lyla Sage. Dial Press Trade Paperback ( March 5, 2024). ISBN: 978-0593732434. 320p.
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