Rebel Blue Ranch series by Lyla Sage -> Restarting May 17th, 2025

[Alaina]

She’s off-limits, but he’s never been good at following the rules.

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?

[Laura]

Excited to finally start this, Megan!

[Laura]

Up to chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ I am enjoying getting into the story and learning about Emmy. I like that her brothers are so protective but I suspect that would be stifling (hide spoiler)]
Hard to put down once you start....it's fun

[Laura]

Up to chapter 11
(view spoiler)[I like the friendship that Emmy and Luke are building. She is realizing that there is more to Luke then she realizes. Just kiss her already!
It's a scary thing to face your fears and overcome them. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Up to chapter 20
(view spoiler)[
I hope the brothers are going to be okay with Luke and Emmy. Her dad will be...might take a few for the brothers to come around when they find out.
Hot and spicy!
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Finished
Sorry Megan, once I started this I couldn't stop! 4 stars for me; maybe a 4.5
(view spoiler)[
Such a sweet story. I loved this. I liked Emmy and Luke together. He was so sweet to Emmy and supported her and knew exactly what she needed. I liked Teddy and all the secondary characters. I was right about Gus finding out about Luke and Emmy but I knew he would come around. I can see Teddy and Gus together. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Ahh! I'll start reading it later I think maybe tomorrow.

[Jamie]

Can I jump on this one with ya'll?

[Megan]

Yes please do Jamie :-)

[Laura]

Absolutely!

[Jamie]

Perfect! I've been wanting to read it for forever, and my library loan just came in :)

[Jamie]

Ch 1 - 7 (view spoiler)[ I'm enjoying it so far. I really hope the author stops with the whole "my best friend's little sister" stuff. Luke says it WAY to much at this point. I got it the first time he mentioned it. I don't need her to keep repeating it. But if you take all of that out, I'm curious where this will all go. I'm guessing that Luke will figure out that Emmy is afraid to ride and will volunteer to help her get over her fear. We shall see... (hide spoiler)]

I got both the audio and book from the library at the same time, so I started listening to the audio while I was cleaning the bathrooms in my house and got farther than I wanted, lol. I'm definitely staying engaged at this point.

[Laura]

Such a fun read it was easy to just keep reading!

[Jamie]

Ch 8-13 (view spoiler)[ I'm loving Luke and Emmy's conversations. These two are so good for each other. I figured that Luke would help her get back into riding, so that wasn't too surprising. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Up to Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[
I actually own a physical copy of this so I might switch to that.
As an only child I can only imagine what a protective older sibling is like so I bet it is hard to get around with 2 protective older brothers.
So if hes her older brother's best friend I wonder how long until he can talk himself into making a move on her.
(hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Up to Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[
The almost kiss was sweet. I kinda like their back and forth theres so much chemistry between them.
That bit at the stables poor Emmy. To be a professional horse rider and be suddenly unable to do something you love must be awful.
Its good Luke is going to help her but the bit with Teddy I was expecting. Surely most people would think it odd her taking lessons from him so wasn't surprised Teddy called him out.
(hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Ch 14-20 (view spoiler)[I'm guessing that Dad and Wes know about Luke and Emmy since everything happened on the property. So I'm guessing Gus will be he one that has a problem with it. I'm really hoping there isn't a third-act breakup or anything. I wasn't expecting to have tears though when Emmy was talking with her dad at the coffee shop at the end of ch 20 though. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Up to Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[
I was enjoying this book but from chapter 11 to 20 I just got hooked.
I've never loved nicknames but I think I love Sugar. I can almost hear the voice that says Sugar. Wowie.
(hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Ch 21-Epilogue (view spoiler)[ While this was very predictable and I was expecting everything to happen with Gus, I still really enjoyed this one. The interaction with Luke and his mom made me mad. I don't think his mom should've gotten any pages, but I think the author did this because it gave Emmy a chance to be there for Luke. I loved how he calmed her down before the race as well. Overall, it was a good book and I'm impressed it was her debut. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
This was so good.
I didn't like his mum which I knew we wouldn't because it was obvious he grew up in a toxic environment but I didn't really know what to expect was she going to be nasty which she sort of was. It did give us a good opportunity to have Emmy stand up for Luke which was a nice for their relationship.
Yeah Gus was a jerk but it was expected. I'm glad there wasn't any real break up between Emmy & Luke.
(hide spoiler)]

Yeah this was nice I enjoyed this. Probably a solid 4. For a debut novel its really good.

[Jamie]

Megan wrote: "Finished

This was so good.
I didn't like his mum which I knew we wouldn't because it was obvious he grew up in a toxic environment but I didn't really know what to expect was she going to be nasty..."

I agree with all of those thoughts. (view spoiler)[I really wish his mom wouldn't have shown up at all in the pages, but it was really the only time Emmy was able to stand up for Luke so I'm guessing that's why she was there. I'm also glad there wasn't a breakup because I was a little worried she was going to throw that in with as much as she kept having Luke repeat "my best friends little sister". (hide spoiler)]

it was good for a debut though.

[Laura]

I'm so glad you suggested it, Megan. I really enjoyed it, despite being predictable at times.
I'm on a wait list for book 2. I may bite the bullet and buy it.
Do you both have access to book 2 or have to wait?

[Megan]

I have access! Its on KU here but the paperback was cheap from a shop so I've ordered it too hehe.

[Laura]

Okay I don't want to wait to read it so I will order it.
I'll let you know when I have it

[Laura]

I have the second book. Let me know when you want to start, preferably a few days away

[Megan]

Sunday work OK for you?

Looks like its been blirbed by Elsie Silver & B.K. Borison both authors I like. Have you read the lovelight series yet? Each book is set around seasons of the year.

[Laura]

No I haven't read the lovelight series yet
Yes Sunday works for me

[Laura]

I'll check out that series

[Megan]

Book 1 was just OK but think that was my mood but book 2 was great

[Laura]

I think sometimes that happens...our mood influences how much we like a book
Sometimes a second book is better then the first

[Megan]

Yeah I'm definitely someone that can ruin a good book with a bad mood. Which is currently how I'm feeling at the moment.
Think I'll try and make a start on book 2 tomorrow Laura. Jamie are you joining?

[Jamie]

I would love to. Let me make sure I can get the book and I'm there!

[Laura]

Megan wrote: "Yeah I'm definitely someone that can ruin a good book with a bad mood. Which is currently how I'm feeling at the moment.
Think I'll try and make a start on book 2 tomorrow Laura. Jamie are you joi..."

Sounds good, I'll try and start tomorrow before bed. Fingers crossed you can join us, Jamie

[Megan]

Up to Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[
Its been only a week since book 1 and I must admit it took me a second to remind myself what this book was.
I did also find myself smiling while reading this.
Kissing felt a little quick but it was kinda funny. Its going to make the next chapter I imagine very awkward.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Up to chapter 9
(view spoiler)[ I thought the bar scene was cute.
I really like some of these meet situations and then the person finds out the next day the person they are extremely attracted to is their boss
Sizzle...I can feel the attraction between these too
I like that Sage is going to tackle the subject of depression.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I haven't quite decided yet why..but I do like Sage's writing. Maybe the humor in her books. Like you I'm reading this with a smile on my face

[Jamie]

I just went ahead and bought the next book, so I'm starting this one soon to join ya'll!

[Laura]

Yay!

[Megan]

Yay Jamie! Glad you're going to join!

[Jamie]

I just started so I'll update tomorrow. :)

[Jamie]

Ch 1-6 (view spoiler)[This one started off good. I forgot who Teddy was for a sec but then remembered she's the best friend, and she's the one that has a book with Gus. So far it's flowing and I'm curious how she will play these two out. They both are clearly taken with one another. But she has an ex and I'm not sure what his deal is just yet. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Ch 7-12 (view spoiler)[I'm definitely feeling the tension with these two. I'm hoping we get more background with her ex. I'm starting to worry that it's going to be like the first book with Emmy's ex. The author mentions him and then it just disappears from the story. I'm also hoping that Ada gets over her 'all men suck' viewpoint sooner rather than later. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Ch 13-18 (view spoiler)[ This is definitely a slow burn. I don't normally like them, but this one is working so far. But I do find that this author likes to repeat things A LOT. The first book was 'best friends little sister'. This book is Ada constantly reminding us that 'she doesn't have any friends'. ugh....I'm at 54% of the way through, and I don't need the reminder anymore. The author is also setting up book 4 with Cam and Dusty for sure. Also we haven't really gotten anything more on Ada's ex. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Ch 19-24 (view spoiler)[ These two have a cute relationship. I wish we knew more of why Ada thinks everyone doesn't like her. Everyone in this book seems to like her a lot. And she met Teddy when she was in college, but I don't really get yet why she feels that way so deeply. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Ch 25-Epilogue (view spoiler)[I think I liked Wes more in this one than I did Ada. Something just really started to bug me about her. Maybe it was that she was still insecure through the whole book. Or maybe it's that she kept running. Even in the last chapter. I know she came back, but it bugged me. We didn't really get anything with Wes's mental illness either. I thought maybe she mentioned it because she was going to touch on it, but she didn't at all. I liked parts of this one more than the first one, but this one was just ok for me. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Up to chapter 15
(view spoiler)[
I like Wes and Ada...I think he's good for her. It was fun reading about him teaching her how to drive manual. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Up to Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[
I enjoy Wes teaching her to drive a manual. Not sure how common manuals are in other countries because it feels like American's drive a lot of automatics whereas I think in the UK its Manuals that are most common. Its sweet to see him helping her.
(hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Side note I've just got to a bit where she says she dislikes Taylor Swift... as I'm sat playing Taylor's Lover album hahahaa

[Laura]

Lol..I liked that scene! A great girls night scene

[Jamie]

That was a great girls night! I was happy to see her have a connection with them all.