Book Review: Done & Dusted

I have had Done & Dusted, the first book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series by Lyla Sage on my tbr for a while. I mean, I bought my copy from the Barnes & Noble in Union Square during the holidays and it was on my tbr even before that so you know it’s been a while. I finally read it earlier this week and I loved it!

The novel follows Clementine “Emmy” Ryder and Luke Brooks. Emmy is an champion barrel racer and she just abruptly moved back home to Meadowlark, Wyoming and to her family’s home, Rebel Blue Ranch, from Colorado without a heads up. No one knows why she’s back although they are happy to have her home. The only person she confides in is the last person she would’ve ever expected to confide in – Luke Brooks – her eldest brother’s best friend and the guy who’s been annoying her since she was a kid (even though she did have a crush on him as a pre-teen). But, Luke is all grown up now, and not the carefree, womanizer that she remembers or that he’s always been rumored to be. Luke is the only one she’s told about her riding accident after he helps her through a panic attack.

And for Luke, he’s never looked at Emmy as anything other than his best friend’s little sister, but all of a sudden he’s seeing her in a different light – as the grown up, beautiful, strong, woman she is. Their chemistry is undeniable and he really wants to help her start riding again, but she’s his best friend’s sister and the Ryders have been his family since he was a little kid when his own home life was really bad. Will the two be able to resist each other and if they do give in, will Emmy’s family, especially her brother Gus, be okay with it?

I loved this book and really loved Emmy and Luke. Their chemistry was so good and I really appreciated that they didn’t try to deny their feelings/attraction to one another for too long. The way Luke helped Emmy overcome her fears step by step was really special to see and Emmy’s support for Luke with his family issues was so important since he’s rarely had people stand up for him before. I also really grew attached to all the Ryder family members so I’m excited to continue reading the series! I think the book about Gus and Emmy’s best friend, Teddy, is going to be really good since the two of them supposedly can’t stand one another!

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