If you're planning to ask me for a book recommendation this spring, start here, because Swift and Saddled was absolute perfection. Lyla excels at writing the most perfectly imperfect characters and stories. Everyone in her books is hilarious, relatable (Ada's nervousness in making friends, Wes' depression), and feels like they could exist in real life. Her romance arcs are realistic and mature, which is so refreshing in a genre where miscommunication feels like the norm. I learn something from her characters/stories every time I read.

Wes and Ada stole my heart. They are so soft with each other (even when they turn up the heat...and boy do they ever!) and I just love how they made such an effort to be gentle with the other's heart. Wes is so tender and caring, my heart felt so warm when he'd show Ada these small acts of kindness (teaching her to drive stick, leaving her cozy socks) that slowly opened her eyes to how love should be. It always makes me so happy when the characters are honest with each other and work to make each other better through the relationship. Watching Wes' kindness and love teach Ada that she's worthy of good things was beautiful.

I simply adore every character in this universe and love when they all interact/make appearances. The little Luke/Emmy nuggets sprinkled in made me positively giddy! It makes me so happy to support such a sweet, warm, deserving author like Lyla. Will be patiently counting down the days until Lost and Lassoed!