Soul Searching

Sweetwater Peak #1

by Lyla Sage

Home is where the heart is—and this one is haunted.

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Rebel Blue Ranch series returns with a brand-new story, featuring a small-town upholsterer in need of a fresh start, a photographer whose life has come to a screeching halt . . . and the supernatural forces that bring them together.

Collins Cartwright does not want to go home. Sweetwater Peak, Wyoming, was supposed to be in her rearview mirror, but when she finds out a developer is trying to buy her parents’ antiques shop out from under them, she doesn’t have a choice—at least, that’s what she tells her family. They don’t need to know she’s lost her job and is out of money. Or that the ghosts who have always been her companions have recently gone silent.

But just because she’s returned home doesn’t mean she has to stay with her parents or crash on her twin sister’s couch. Lucky for her, the new-to-town upholsterer has a room for rent above his store. Unluckily, it is absolutely crawling with more ghosts who are freezing her out. And Collins hates being ignored.

Brady Cooper is absolutely and totally fine. Seriously, there’s no secret reason why he decided to uproot his life and suddenly move to Sweetwater Peak. He just needed a change of pace. At least that’s what he tells himself. And everyone else.

When he agrees to let the elusive Collins Cartwright stay in his spare room, he doesn’t know that she’s absolutely bonkers—constantly talking to herself and having conversations with no one—or that she looked like that. But as they begin to get closer, the lines between them start to blur, leaving both of them—and the ghosts who have been pushing them together—wondering whether their temporary arrangement could be something more permanent.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Audiobook, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

8 pages, Audible Audio

First published September 30, 2025

About the author

Lyla Sage lives in the Wild West with her loyal companion, a sweet, old, blind rescue pitbull. She writes romance that feels like her favorite things: sunshine and big blue skies. She is also the author of Done and Dusted. When she’s not writing, she’s reading.

Instagram: @authorlylasage
TikTok: @authorlylasage
Threads: @authorlylasage

https://linktr.ee/authorlylasage

Reviews

[Sara Carrolli · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

The vibes of this book were perfect for spooky season!!!!

We follow Collins who can see ghosts - she comes back to her small town and ends up living with Brady who’s new to this town. I really liked Collins, I think she was fun and I completely understood her as a character. As for Brady, I didn’t love him 😕 He felt a tad bland & I just didn’t connect with him until later in the book

I had a fun time being in this town & Lyla Sage’s writing is just so incredibly fast paced. Highly recommend for a quick paranormal romance before the season ends! (I can’t wait for her sister’s book)

[Krisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only soul trapped in this book is mine, and I want it back.

No because tell me why did the ghosts in this book have more personality than the main characters!?? 🤷🏻‍♀️ This book was so boring, I had more fun staring at the wall.

There were so many things in this book that should've been explored in depth, but weren't. Namely, Collins’ strained relation with her sister, her inability to bond with her family as openly as her sister does, her mixed feelings about the sweetwater peak, her relationship development with brady, lack of depth in the backstory, issues relating to her parents' antique shop and many more things that should've been the main focus, but weren't. These topics should've been addressed in depth rather than summarising it in brief and focusing solely on the ghosts.

Another major issue was, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗡𝗢 𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸. Literally. And what bothered me even more is the overly descriptive writing, especially when it came to describing the sweetwater peak town. I'm not even exaggerating when I say, a huge portion of the book was simply spent on describing the towns’ scenery. I've lost track of how many times I've been told there are trees, church and rivers there. Hell even those were described in detail. However, let's get an insight about our characters now.

𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘄𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 - Her entire personality revolves around the fact that she can see and talk to ghosts. I was intrigued in the start but as I went further, I wanted more of her than just her ability to see ghosts. Take away her power to see spirits and tell me what else is interesting about her? No, tell me. She was so mean and unreasonable even to her own sister. We are told that she's a photographer who stopped clicking pictures because she can't hear the voices of spirits anymore. I'm sorry but this sounds dumb and makes no sense. Ain't no way she left her passion for I don't know, dead people she couldn't hear or see anymore? And we were never told in detail about why she isn't close to her family or why she hasn't been on best terms with her sister for years.

𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 - He's an upholsterer who came to sweetwater peak for a fresh start, in order to move on from his past relationship. Apart from that, he's super bland. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗺𝗰 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴. There was nothing about his personality that allured me, it was pretty much like he didn't have one apart from the fact that he's so shy and stammers a lot. I still don't get it, what is so appealing about him? He came to know his roommate talks to ghosts and he's not even the least bit concerned to see if she's not crazy or something? Rather he was chill about it even though he feared ghosts. That sounded way too unrealistic, like brother, be real please?

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, was it even in the room with us? I felt no spark nor any chemistry between the protagonists. It seemed like they somehow had to end up together so they did, since they spent everyday together, considering she's his roommate and also works for him during the day.

Though I still can't understand how can they spend everyday together and still not talk about anything else apart from ghosts? There were barely a few scenes where they talked about something else. They got along pretty well as friends and they should've stayed that way. The romance between them simply felt forced. There was no tension, no spark, or anything at all.

[ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ oh I loved this one!!
This was such a cozy, cutesy, ghosty, autumnal read. I feel like it had the perfect mix of heart, humour, and a reaaaally endearing romance (with the sweetest MMC).

As always with Lyla Sage, the writing was so addictive. I read this in pretty much one sitting and found myself wanting to be back into the world at any point that I had to put it down.
Lyla Sage also does such a good job capturing such a gorgeous autumnal atmosphere. The ghost backstory in this was SO fun - I didn’t know if we were going to lean spooky or cutesy and I feel like we got the perfect balance between the two.
Brady, our MMC, absolutely stole my heart. I think he has shot up the list of some of my favourite book boyfriends. He’s nerdy, flustered, awkward in the cutest way, and so endearing. Every time he tripped over his words I found myself smiling at my kindle (lol). The romance is adorable - sweet, a little awkward, and felt really genuine to me. There’s such nice chemistry between them without it ever feeling forced/lustful.
Overall, if you’re looking for something cozy and romantic with a super fun ghosty element, I would highly recommend this one. Perfect for the autumn season, especially if you want a super quick read to settle down with!! Loved this

[manas (suffering) · Rating 2 out of 5]

how do you make GHOSTS boring…

[Clace]

THE COVER REMINDS ME SO MUCH OF PULP FICTION!

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I give props to Lyla Sage for trying something different. It’s a challenging thing to do and I admire her for taking a leap into paranormal western romance—a frankly underrated sub-genre.

I just wish she was good at it, so I didn’t have to write this review.

Even though this is Lyla’s fifth book, I feel like her writing has somehow gotten worse. It’s overly descriptive on simple, innocuous movements and reads like a screenplay rather than a novel.

To me, it reads like if someone was trying to describe every movement to a blind person, lest they miss a single twist of the wrist, sigh, blink, or step.

This is an example sentence (not in the book, but what her writing is like)

“Yes,” I audibly exhale. I take two steps to the door and put my hand on the doorknob. I twist my wrist and the knob doesn’t move. I blink and then swallow my frustration. Using my strength, I continue to hold the doorknob and twist harder. I take two steps back and stare at the door. “Why aren’t you opening,” I sigh and say out loud to no one in particular.

This type of writing is lazy and a tad insulting because it means Sage doesn’t trust her audience to infer on their own. There would be lines of dialogue followed up with a nonsensical paragraph of exposition where Sage tells you exactly what the character meant and how you, the reader, should feel about it.

Like when our mmc, Brady, spoke to her a grand total of two times and can automatically tell when she sighs (one of the 9000 times she did it in this book) that she feels “lost and uncertain of herself. Like she’s searching for something that she just can’t quite find.”

Bruh, you heard her sigh and got all that??

Aside from that, Lyla tends to overuse em-dashes like they’re going out of style (nothing new) as well as these common word choices:

“Um” was used 38 times
“Though” was used 106 times
“sighed” was used 68 times
“Sweetwater Peak” was used 127 times - LEST YOU FORGET WHERE THEY ARE

I didn’t count exactly how many times one of the characters stuttered, but trust me when I say it had to be more than 50 times.

Writing issues aside, this book was very, very shallow and had way too many elements shoved in, with little-to-no effort done to flesh them out.

We have ghosts, a romance, sister issues, identity issues, childhood hometown feelings, family money/property problems, and career issues.

All were in there and none were layered, complex, or fleshed out.

Our main character (who is just physically and personality-wise Ada from Swift & Saddled with Emmy from Done & Dusted’s career/identity issues) is a black cat, tatted, pierced, sassy, sarcastic, complicated girl with an ability to see ghosts.

Our male main character, Brady? I still do not know who this man is. He’s shy—sometimes? He likes upholstering furniture so much that he opened a shop in a dying, economically poor town, and he’s a nerd because he can quote Lord of the Rings.

There is no depth to these characters, so watching them “find their identities” both with and without each other feels like watching two animations get together in an old-fashioned flip book because we never go beyond the shallow, caricature-ish features they’re force fed to us.

Collins Cartwright, our photographer fmc—which don’t get me started on that name, is supposedly lost because she can’t take pictures anymore due to her inability to see ghosts. She comes back to her hometown in hopes it will bring her ghost friends back and she can take pictures again? I think anyways, it’s not 100% clear.

Cool, but I don’t know how she makes money without a job? She lives with white bread Brady above his furniture shop and works for him, but is it stated if he pays her? I can’t remember. I also don’t know how mans is making money if he starts a new business in a town that, stated by Collins, sometimes doesn’t even show up on maps??

There’s really only so much money a town can make selling their one export, saltwater taffy.

Her parents also aren’t rich, so I’m very confused at the financial situations with everyone in this book.

Boone, I will say, is the only character I liked and found remotely interesting. I could have read an entire book that was just chapter 10 because Lyla Sage can write grumpy old men. I wish she’d leave behind contemporary romance and write a novel about an old man who lives with his daughter on a ranch in the middle of nowhere Wyoming. I would read that.

To wrap this up, the plot was almost non-existent (which, to me, is normally fine—I’m a character-driven reader anyways) however, there was no characterization in this beyond “I wear black because I’m moody and I like to disappear. My sister is silly goofy and she wears bright colors.”

Also, the complicated sister dynamic was essentially we had a fight and miscommunication over one particular thing and then after one conversation, we got over it?

Huhhh? That’s it? This is what I’m saying. There are too many “conflicts” and not enough done to give them the time and attention they need in order to make an impact.

I wish she removed two of the elements in this book, like the romance and the weird ending with the property situation and kept this a book about two sisters and eerie ghosts in a small, hidden western town.

Lyla Sage also needs to take a writing class. I’m sorry, you’re five books in, you’re no longer a debut author. I don’t care that it’s “just a romance,” the genre deserves better than a second grade reading level novel. It has smut it in. Quit using dialogue tags after each statement or question when there are only two people talking in the scene!

I can decipher who has spoken. I am not in second grade. Let me think for myself, I beg you.

Thank you to Edelweiss for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new Lyla Sage world? With GHOSTS to boot? Oh you *know* it was the best time ever. I love seeing authors spread their wings into different subgenres, and Lyla's love for this storyline leaps off the page. Funny, sexy, moody, and mysterious—I'm ready for book 2 NOW.

P.S. I would claim Brady, but I fear Collins would step on me.

[April (s.i. work is busy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ★

“But it sounds like we could both use a little soul searching.”


I was falling into a slump, and this was exactly what I needed. The vibes were perfect to pull me out.

Soul Searching is the first book in the Sweetwater Peak series. Lyla gives us her usual small-town romance, but this time she throws in some ghosts, and I was honestly here for it. She gave us the normal tension and banter along with the paranormal activity that was a perfect twist for the spooky season.

We follow Collins who has returned to her hometown Sweetwater Peak, Wyoming to try to help save her families antique shop but that's not the only reason she is back. She has lost herself, her job and is running out of money. Brady is new to town and happens to have a spare room that he agrees to rent to her.


Collins Cartwright was unique to Lylas’ other FMC’s as in she can talk to ghosts. Somewhere along the way she had lost herself and needed to return to Sweetwater to find that piece of hers that was missing. She had me giggling with some of the things that he said and did. She is secretive and doesn't tell many about her problems or confide in them, aside from her twin until she meets Brady.

“It never felt worth it to me to share more pieces of myself with other people than I had to.”



Brady Cooper is kind and sweet, I don't think he has a mean bone in his body. He’s also a gentleman in the way that he opens doors for Collins. He's laid back and goes along with whatever. I thought it was cute that he's shy and blushes. Love when an mmc blushes it has me swooning.

"She opened the passenger door, but I reached over her shoulder and pushed it shut before grabbing the handle myself and pulling the door open."


Collins and Brady had me giggling from the start with their meet cute. I knew right then that I was going to enjoy them. They are opposite but it works for them. He's the shy guy while she's outgoing. She will ask him to go find some ghosts and he goes along. He will go along with anything because he genuinely likes her. They build a friendship quickly but then slowly fall into more. I was giggling with their witty back and forth banter. I loved how they showed their vulnerability and shared secrets with one another. They were cute all around. I do wish that we had more time with some scenes and that there was some more depth to them, especially towards the end.

“It’s not just one-sided.” I brought my hand to the side of her face and lowered my forehead to hers. “I know,” I whispered. “I know, Collins.”


I loved the connections that this had with Rebel Blue and getting to see some of the characters from there. I loved that series so seeing some of my favorites made me excited. This was perfect for the spooky season as it had just enough of the paranormal to keep me on my toes and wanting more. I can't wait for the next book in the series.


Favorite quotes and moments

“Usually, when someone says there’s not much to say about something, there’s a whole lot to say."

“I want you. I want you so fucking bad, but I’m just…I don’t know if I’m good at this with someone else, and really really want it to be good for you. I want to do it right.”

“Don’t rush me, Collins,” Brady whispered. “Because I’m powerless against you. I’ll do exactly what you want— I’ll go faster, and later wish I’d taken it slow because we only get it… like this… once.”

“I’ll go anywhere with you, Collins, to the ends of the earth and back again if you asked me to.”


---------------------


˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Pre-read

If Lyla writes it I'm going to read it! A small town romance that's haunted with ghosts, yes please! Sounds perfect for spooky season 🧡👻

[Alyssa Nieves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyla Sage is in her spooky era and I am here for it!!! 🖤

I already know I am going to love this series just as much as I loved Rebel Blue Ranch.

This book was such a fun time and so perfect for spooky szn! I was starting to feel a little slumpy with romance books because they were feeling so repetitive but, this one gave me what I needed!! The paranormal aspect had me so intrigued and felt so unique. The small town felt so similar to Rebel Blue Ranch but, had more of a gothic feel which I loved so much! I also love that we got some cameos of characters from Rebel Blue!!

The fmc was also so relatable too and I just loved her and the mmc together! This was verryyyy slow burn and I was here for it.

I cannot wait for the next book in the series now!! Especially after the ending!

[veerali · Rating 2 out of 5]

i’m sitting here trying to gather my thoughts on this book, and the main feeling i have is disappointment and boredom. this was my very first time reading a lyla sage book, and i had truly set my expectations high. i’ve seen this author everywhere, and this specific book was one of my most anticipated reads of the entire season. knowing all that hype, having the book finally in my hands, and then finishing it with a meh feeling? that’s a tough pill to swallow.

while the premise, a romance set in the familiar comfort of a small town setting, but with the added twist of supernatural elements, sounded amazing, the execution felt veryyyyy flat. the core idea had a lot of potential, but once you stripped away the surface level tropes, there wasn't much substance left. for me, this book ended up being a story that was just there.


── .✦ the characters

a great book can often survive a shaky plot if the characters are compelling, but sadly, this is where soul searching truly lost me. i wanted connection, depth, and real personality, and i walked away feeling like i barely knew the people i had just spent hours reading about.

𖣠 collins cartwright

on the surface, she’s cool. her character design, as they say, is very attractive, tattoos, a strong look, and a paranormal gift. she should have been fascinating. but for all her surface appeal, i found it impossible to actually connect with her.

my biggest issue was that her entire personality seemed to be defined by her ability to talk to ghosts. that was it. if she wasn't seeing a spirit or reacting to one, she didn't seem to have much else going on. she had the potential to be a complex character dealing with a heavy burden, but the story reduced her complexity. where was the depth? her fears, her dreams (outside of the ghost issues), her motivations, they were all muted. i felt the author created a cool aesthetic and a neat magical power but forgot to fill in the rest of the person underneath. i wanted to root for her, but i didn’t feel like i knew her.


𖣠 brady cooper

i'm so fucking disappointed in this character, because he was just so bland. he had almost no discernible personality traits beyond being kinda shy and fitting the mold of the rugged type.

a love interest is supposed to bring conflict, support, or a differing personality that makes the journey interesting. brady did none of that. he was simply present. he was like a necessary prop for collins to fall in love with. i didn't understand why collins was so drawn to him, and their chemistry, while leading quickly to insta-lust, lacked genuine emotional foundation. if you removed his name and replaced him with any other generic, slightly anxious handsome male lead from any other contemporary romance, the story wouldn't change at all. that’s a huge failing for a central character.


── .✦ writing and overview

the overall writing style was fine, but the structure of the story felt overly dependent on tropes that have been done to death in the romance genre.

this book screamed formulaic to me. it hit nearly every tired beat:

⊹ one character has clear emotional baggage/issues (collins and her ghosts/trauma).
⊹ the other character is slightly anxious or reserved (brady).
⊹ they meet, there is instant, overwhelming physical attraction (insta-lust).
⊹ there is a minor, easily resolved family related conflict.
⊹ everything wraps up neatly with a predictable happy-ever-after.

i was hoping for something original, especially given the ghost element, but instead, i got a standard small town romance packaged in a slightly spooky wrapper. there was no element of surprise, no deep emotional payoff, and absolutely nothing that distinguished this book from the mountain of other romances out there following the exact same blueprint. i was just bored my god.


── .✦ pre-read review

i’m so excited—it’s release day! i LOOOOVE paranormal romance, and this is my first lyla sage book. buddy reading with my best girl manas. 🧡

[lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars is generous i really didn’t enjoy this. there is nothing OBJECTIVELY wrong with this which made the whole experience very conflicting but i had no interest in either character or the plot…which is the whole point…there was also s-so much random stammering i needed everyone to pause, take a second to regroup, and try again because why are we all such nervous nelly’s???

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc

[chloé ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

cutesy October read! had low expectations but this was better than i expected :)

── .✦ pre-review

have i finished the Rebel Blue Ranch series? no. am i starting a new series because it's spooky season? absolutely.

this cover is STUNNING. crossing my fingers that the story gives what i need it to. 👻

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much obsessed with the fact that they will constantly have to tell people that they met when she maced him on accident

Collins Cartwright is running from ghosts of the strictly metaphorical kind. The real ones have gone quiet. When she left Sweetwater Peak, Wyoming, to pursue photography she never expected to return on a permanent basis, but after being fired from her photography job she's back in town, crashing in the resident upholsterer’s spare room until she figures things out. Yet with her constant companions gone quiet—the various ghosts that inhabit the town and its backwaters, her only company is the suspiciously uninteresting individual she’s currently renting from: Brady Cooper. Her solution: show him some adventure and maybe send her ghost block into the afterlife where it belongs.

Only Lyla Sage could put ghost sightings, small towns, and romancing the new to town upholsterer after accidentally macing him together in one whirlwind romance novel. But Soul Searching is so perfectly Lyla Sage, centering another forgotten gem of a town and its struggling inhabitants finding their footing and reaching for love without reservation. All with a side of occasional ghost sightings. Soul Searching’s main characters Collins and Brady are the definition of slow romance. At the beginning they don't even like each other, but intrigue wins out in the end. Soon they're confiding in their pasts and previously mentioned ghostly abilities all while taking in the hidden spots of Sweetwater Peak side by side. Get you a man that makes nonstop Lord of the Rings references, can reupholster furniture, and is constantly in awe of you. Oh and pays no mind that you are constantly talking to the ghosts that have been ignoring you. It's a romance with a side of paranormal the Lyla Sage way. Hot, spooky, and thrilling!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the advance review copy.

Bookstagram | Blog

[Liana Gold · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️ 2 ⭐️ Possibly the most boring, monotone, paranormal romance I’ve read this year. I was surprised how dull and underdeveloped the story was. This is so unlike Lyla Sage who previously gave us a series full of heart, wonderful characters and very upbeat stories that just made you excited to read further. With a small town western romance that promised to deliver a ghost infested town and paranormal feels this was minimal at best.

Collins is a photographer who returns back to Sweetwater Peak after a series of “dry spells”. She’s able to see and speak to ghosts just like her twin sister Clarke and her mom Joanie. She’s consumed by loneliness and is in need of soul searching to get back into her groove. She meets Brady, a new incomer who is also in many ways like Collins, struggling after a bad breakup. She begins working for him and as they get closer, she opens up about her struggles and reveals her ghost secret. While navigating through personal and family struggles, she’s learning how to step out of the shadows and set out on a new path of acceptance.

I respect authors who try to venture out into different worlds/directions. While this novel did have ghosts and paranormal elements, the incorporation of these elements didn’t hit the spot. The ghosts simply roamed around, knocking things down, moving things around. The town was “infested” with them, but there was truly nothing ‘paranormal’ in that town. For a promised spooky, ghost vibes story this was lackluster. It had so much potential to be bigger and intertwined better with the romance. Like how about adding the paranormal feels to the romance itself?

I went in thinking I was about to read a very exciting romance full of heart and spirit. There was zero life in these pages. No charm, no warmth. I wanted to be swept away but I feel asleep twice on my couch.

The characters had no depth to them. Brady was as boring as Collins described him to be in the first few pages—“Boring Brady”. Aside from the mention of his breakup and history with his ex girlfriend, there was nothing else on these pages about him. His POV chapters were full of inner monologue about how much he liked Collins, how she felt mysterious and that he wanted to be next to her. No character depth, no excitement. Ugh boring with zero swoon.

Collins was as depressing as you can imagine. She had no personality, no qualities that truly made her stand out and the aura about her was so mellow that it made everything around her appear insignificant. The energy that she gave off would have made any love interest look the other way. I guess like attracts like?

Will I be reading the second book? Yes, just because I’m a romantic who believes in giving second chances, even to books that are boring.

[Emma.catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

“C’mon, let’s go wake the dead.” 😈

I thought that I was done with spooky vibes for the season, but this book had my name written all over it 🙊 and there was nothing I didn’t LOVE about this story 💖✨

Quaint, quirky small town ✔️
Eerie vibes ✔️
Meddling ghosts ✔️
Black cat x Golden retriever personalities ✔️
Forced proximity ✔️
Slow burning romance ✔️
Soul searching/ Self-discovery ✔️
Dual First Person POV ✔️
No 3rd act break-up ✔️

Home is where the heart is-and this one is haunted 👻

“Takes one to know one, Brady.” Collins looked up at me. “But it sounds like we could both use a little soul searching.” 👀

I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this book, all I knew was that I LOVED Rebel Blue Ranch, and Lyla’s writing style. I wasn’t too sure how the paranormal side to the story would hold up against the cowboy ranching life of the previous series but thankfully, I was instantly hooked! Both the characters and the plot were intriguing and entertaining from the word go, and they didn’t let up for a minute…

This paranormal romance is nestled in the shadow of the tallest peak in the Elk Spine mountain range: Sweetwater Peak - a quiet, quirky, and quaint town; and a ghostly one at that.

Both of our MC’s were very likeable: Collins - FMC - is a highly independent, driven, black cat personality, and I LOVED her. I loved her confidence and passion, it made the story a joy to read. Even through her tougher times, she was relatable and genuine. Plus she could see ghosts so that was pretty cool 😎

"I liked that he believed me when I told him about the ghosts, even if my abilities were outside his realm of comprehension. And I liked that he subsequently decided to traipse all over this godforsaken town with me—even when trespassing was involved." 😍🥰💖

Brady - MMC - is a sweet, sweet golden retriever. I loved how caring and thoughtful he was. He came to the town to heal after a past relationship, and I loved how Lyla portrayed his growth throughout the book; he went from being anxious and guarded to loving fully and carefree with our FMC. But, what I really loved was how she was so patient with him and supported him through ever stage.

"In my experience, longing kept me going and sadness kept me still, but they were two sides of the same coin."

Brady and Collins really were two sides of the same coin. They balanced each other out perfectly. Collins had such a playful energy, whilst Brady was more considered. On their own, they both felt a missing piece to their soul, but together, they felt a little less lost. 2 lost souls that had beaten the odds to find each other. I loved how Lyla portrayed their relationship, it grew from the ground up and felt gentle and genuine; perfectly paced. AND, NO 3RD ACT BREAK-UP 🎉 That is always a major win in my book!

What made this book REALLY STAND OUT was the paranormal aspect to it. Lyla executed this side of the story perfectly - it wasn’t too spooky that it felt like Halloween or was scary, it was just really fun and intriguing. There was an added sense of mystery, and lots of fun quests, which Brady and Collins bonded over.

“It feels like this is your quest.” “My quest?” “Yeah, because sure, a quest is about the destination, which in your case would be getting your weirdo ghost-talking abilities back—that’s your Mount Doom—but it’s also about all the stuff you come in contact with and learn along the way,” 👻 ✨

Brady was her quest, and she is. And together, they learnt, and had so much fun along the way. I loved how Lyla balanced out the deep emotional moments with fun, light-hearted scenes. The plot felt perfectly balanced, and everything felt just right in this charming, abandoned, ghost town 🙌🏽

I can NOT wait for the next book 👀

5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Flo Camus · Rating 1 out of 5]

[1.2⭐] 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙡 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 es una novela romántica paranormal escrita por Lyla Sage y publicada en 2025. La historia sigue a Collins Cartwright, una fotógrafa que regresa a su pueblo natal, Sweetwater Peak, tras perder su trabajo y quedarse sin dinero, bajo la excusa de ayudar a sus padres a mantener su tienda de antigüedades. Allí conoce a Brady Cooper, un tapicero que también busca empezar de nuevo. 


Lyla Sage logró lo impensado: logró que los fantasmas se me hicieran aburridos.
En su saga 𝙍𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙡 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙍𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙝, Sage me había conquistado con personajes entrañables, atmósferas vivas y una escritura grata que invitaba a seguir leyendo. Lamentablemente, acá no sé qué pasó. Su prosa en 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙡 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 es monótona, sin alma y, por momentos, hasta torpe. 

Todos los personajes son planos. Ninguno tiene una verdadera personalidad ni un arco de desarrollo creíble. 
Collins podría haber sido una protagonista interesante: una mujer que convive con fantasmas y que, a través de ellos, explora sus propios traumas y la pérdida de rumbo en su vida. Sin embargo, toda su identidad se reduce a que puede hablar con espíritus. Si se le quitara esa habilidad, literalmente no quedaría nada de ella. Es fría, distante, inexpresiva y, no por un motivo narrativo, sino por falta de construcción. 
Lo mismo ocurre con Brady: un hombre sin carácter, sin motivación y sin ningún rasgo distintivo más allá de ser el típico “chico callado” que está ahí solo porque el guion lo necesita. 
Los dos juntos son el equivalente literario a ver cómo se seca la pintura: lentos, planos y sin química.

Hasta el romance se siente extraño y forzado porque no hay tensión, no hay chispa y no hay emoción. Me llegaba a preguntar si realmente se suponía que debía sentir algo por esta pareja o si era un malentendido porque ni siquiera los momentos que deberían ser tiernos o íntimos logran generar una mínima conexión; todo se siente vacío, como si los personajes estuvieran cumpliendo un checklist de clichés románticos.

Retomando la idea de los clichés, tengo que decir que está lleno de ellos. Esta novela es el típico regreso al pueblo, reencuentro con la familia, chico nuevo misterioso y un supuesto elemento sobrenatural que nunca llega a tener peso real. Los fantasmas, que podrían haber sido un recurso potente e importante en la historia, no aportan nada. Están ahí, flotando de fondo, sin relevancia ni propósito, ni siquiera logran asustar o emocionar. Nunca creí que diría esto, pero los fantasmas en esta novela son más aburridos que los vivos.

La historia es plana, sin un verdadero conflicto ni un solo plot twist que sorprenda. Nada ocurre realmente en la novela y lo poco que pasa carece de impacto. Cada capítulo es más tedioso que el anterior y llega un punto en el que el libro parece no avanzar nunca. Fue una lectura eterna; sinceramente, la terminé solo porque la leía en el transporte público y no tenía otra cosa a mano. Si la hubiese empezado en casa, la habría abandonado sin dudarlo.

Es una pena porque había potencial; una historia con fantasmas, secretos familiares, heridas emocionales, y un romance en medio de todo eso podría haber sido maravillosa. Lamentablemente, Sage no aprovecha ninguna de esas ideas porque todo queda en la superficie, contado con desgano y sin alma. Hubiese sido mucho mejor si la autora hubiera apostado por algo más oscuro o emocionalmente intenso: que el protagonista fuera un asesino en serie que ve a sus víctimas, o que la prometida muerta lo persiguiera como fantasma, o algo que realmente moviera la historia. Pero no, lo paranormal acá no es más que un decorado sin peso narrativo.

Lo más triste de todo es que ni siquiera los cameos de Amos Ryder y Cam logran salvar el desastre. Verlos aparecer fue el único momento en que sentí un mínimo de emoción, pero hasta ellos parecen versiones descoloridas de quienes fueron. Ni su carisma ni su humor sobreviven en este libro, lo que solo acentúa la sensación de que 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙡 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 es una sombra de lo que Lyla Sage solía escribir.

En cuanto a la escritura, está lejos de ser la de una autora que lleva varias novelas publicadas; es repetitiva, innecesariamente descriptiva y, por momentos, muy infantil. Sage parece no confiar en que el lector pueda interpretar nada por sí mismo; explica todo, incluso lo obvio, y repite constantemente los mismos detalles. Hay párrafos enteros que describen movimientos irrelevantes o pensamientos banales, como si la autora temiera dejar un solo segundo de vacío. El resultado es un texto pesado, sin ritmo, que aburre y desespera.

La historia no causa ningún impacto; ni el final sorprende, ni los conflictos emocionales conmueven, ni las relaciones se sienten reales. Es una de esas lecturas que terminan y te dejan exactamente igual que antes, solo con la sensación de haber perdido el tiempo. Una decepción total y eso que me gustaba mucho su otra saga. Siento que Lyla Sage intentó innovar mezclando el romance con lo sobrenatural, pero fracasó en el intento.


Finalmente, puedo decir que 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙡 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 es una lectura interminable, sin chispa y sin vida. La novela nos cuenta una historia plana, fría y aburrida que no deja nada. Espero que este sea solo un tropiezo en su carrera porque, si sigue en esta dirección, no sé si volveré a leerla.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ A wonderful start to the Sweetwater Peak series!

✨ Release Date: September 30, 2025 ✨

-

Sweetwater Peak is a town built on chipped paint and cigarette butts and things that go bump in the night. It's also fluffy white clouds and saltwater taffy and mountain breezes.

And I love it.

I also hate it. It's complicated. It's simple. I don't really know how to explain it. It's just...Sweetwater Peak.

-

WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ (haunted) small town romance
✨ eerie western atmosphere
✨ photographer who can talk to ghosts
✨ upholster who thinks she's talking to herself
✨ black cat x golden retriever
✨ not so meet cute
✨ forced proximity (roommates and co-workers)
✨ insta-lust
✨ slow burn
✨ 2.5/5 spice
✨ he calls her 'Trouble'
✨ tattooed FMC
✨ MMC who went to therapy
✨ found family
✨ meddling ghosts
✨ a new Ryder + Rebel Blue Ranch cameos
✨ dual POV
✨ HEA with cliffhanger for next FMC


My Thoughts:

This was such a fun read! Soul Searching is a romance that’s both sweet and meaningful, and I loved getting lost in Lyla Sage’s Wyoming world again. This is her second series, set just two hours from the beloved Rebel Blue Ranch in Meadowlark. Instead of ranching and endless blue skies, this town brings a darker, spookier charm that adds a fresh twist to the world Sage has created. I really enjoyed how the story balanced lighthearted moments with deeper, more emotional beats without ever tipping into something overly heavy. The paranormal elements added intrigue, and the abandoned-town setting carried a unique atmosphere that was charming in its own haunting way.

Collins and Brady are both fantastic MCs! Collins has this playful, black cat energy, while Brady gives off total sweet golden retriever vibes - they really balance each other perfectly. On their own, they each feel a little lost and lonely, but together, they find comfort, trust, and a true sense of home in each other. Their relationship felt tender and healing, like two souls finally finding the place they were meant to be. PS: I also loved the little moments where she thought he was boring at first, and he thought she was a little crazy - but in a fun, intriguing way.

The only thing about them that didn't quite work for me was one particular sex scene. In it, Brady spits into Collin's mouth. This was fine for me in Done and Dusted when Brooks was spitting whiskey, not straight saliva, into Emmy's mouth. Then, after they have sex, Collins goes down on Brady, noting "his cock was covered in me". And then, when she's finished, he licks some of his cum off her lips. It was just one thing after the other that I'm not personally into. But this is all based on my own sexual preference.

Despite that moment, I really enjoyed the story, especially the sweet relationship at its core and the touch of supernatural intrigue.

One of my favorite scenes was when Collins and Brady go inside the dilapidated church. It was totally spooky and I 100% would have been scared just like Brady. But it was also beautiful because he decided to trust Collins and experience one of her most special places in Sweetwater Ranch, and it made the scene feel so intimate. The writing was cinematic, and I could clearly picture sitting with them in that church, looking up to see millions of stars against the dark sky. Definitely made me want to visit.

Thank you so much Lyla Sage and Dial Press for sending me a physical ARC. As always, all opinions are my own.

[Zeph rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

im just not gonna accept this was written by lyla

[✨Julie✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✩ 4 stars ✩

What to Expect:
➼ Haunted Small Town
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ She Can See Ghosts
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Upholsterer x Photographer
➼ Black Cat FMC
➼ He calls her “trouble”
➼ Narrated by Jason Clarke & Samantha Brentmoor
➼ Dual First Person POV

I wasn’t sure this author would pull off a shift to the paranormal romance genre, but I ate this up! The FMC is a highly independent black cat personality type who returns home after a long time away when she learns that her family’s business is in jeopardy. I’ve seen others say that the characters didn’t have enough personality, but I completely disagree. The FMC was sarcastic, caring and completely relatable which is a pretty impressive considering she also sees ghosts.

The MMC moved to town to try to heal after having his heart broken. He seemed grumpy at first, but he had an ooey gooey center and was just very cautious about letting people in. I really loved how the author portrayed his nerves and anxiety as their relationship progressed. The FMC was also so understanding and patient with him. I know she’s fictional, but I was so impressed by how she supported the MMC through his fears.

The ghosts weren’t overly compelling honestly, but I did appreciate how her abilities were portrayed. The author also included a lot of well crafted details that made it feel like fate had lead them to find one another which added more depth to their story arc. I expected this to be a frivolous palette cleanser, but I ended up enjoying it much more than I expected. I will definitely continue this series. Worth the read!

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

Pre-read: Ooh… I didn’t realize she sees ghosties! 👻 Now I’m even more excited! Starting this as I drink out of a Christmas mug and pack up my Halloween decor. Just your average November 1st activities. 😆

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

Connect with me on Instagram

[Nerlie౨ৎ🎧📚 · Rating 1 out of 5]

⋆˚࿔ review 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
1⭐️

I truly believed the last one was rock bottom… but clearly, there’s a basement 😑
All I asked for was to be entertained a little bit. Just a smidge. Instead, I was served the most flavorless, snooze-inducing mess imaginable.

This book dragged on like a flat line, I kept waiting for something, anything, to happen. By the time it ended, I was staring at my screen like, “That was it?” Plot? Nowhere to be found. Romance or chemistry? As real as a mirage in the desert.

The characters were so dull I couldn’t even hate them properly. They were like background extras in their own story. Even the ghosts, who should at least bring some drama or chills, were boring. BORING. How do you make ghosts boring? 💀

The pacing was nonexistent, the dialogue felt like a chore, and the story itself had less life than a haunted house in broad daylight. I thought maybe, just maybe, it would pick up somewhere… but no. It was just vibes. Dead ones.

⋆. 𐙚 ˚ pre read ⋆. 𐙚 ˚
My last Lyla Sage book was bottom of the barrel, so all I’m asking is to at least be entertained this time.

[vanessa ⋆.☕︎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2 stars.
The only things haunting this story were my expectations, and even they gave up halfway through.
No, like PLEASE, tell me why the ghosts in this book had me more Interested than the actual main characters!? Like be so for real right now. Every time a ghost showed up, I was like “finally, some life in this story!”, which is actually wild considering they’re literally dead. The MCs, on the other hand, were as bland as unsalted crackers. I kept waiting for some spark, some growth, some reason to care, but nope. Nothing. Just page after page of dull dialogue and flat chemistry.

At one point, I caught myself zoning out and staring at my wall… and honestly? The wall was serving more tension and plot development than this book and I was really bored from the book. It’s such a shame, too, because the premise had so much potential, but the execution fell completely flat. If the ghosts had narrated the story instead, maybe we’d actually have something worth screaming about.

Collins Cartwright:
hear me out, like, on paper she sounds like the kind of main character I’d love, tattoos, that edgy vibe, a paranormal twist that should’ve made her pop off the page, but she never actually did. There was just… nothing beneath the surface. Every part of her identity seemed to orbit around the fact that she could see ghosts, and when that wasn’t happening, she felt completely hollow.

Oh my god, the way she treated her sister had me screaming. Like, girl, calm down, your sister didn’t ruin your life. Collins was so unnecessarily mean every time they talked, acting like she was the only one grieving or struggling. And the worst part? She always played the victim after. Be so for real, girl. It made her even harder to root for.

It’s frustrating because there was so much potential there. She could’ve been layered, struggling with the weight of her gift, trying to balance normal life with something supernatural, maybe even exploring what it means to be haunted in more ways than one. But instead, she was just “the girl who sees ghosts,” and that’s it. No real fears, no meaningful drive, no spark that made her feel human.

I kept waiting for some depth, some emotional anchor to make me care a confession, a breakdown, a moment of vulnerability, but it never came. It’s like the author sketched her outline perfectly and then forgot to colour her in. I wanted to root for her, I really did, but how can you connect with a character who never lets you in?


Brady Cooper:
I went in hoping Brady would at least bring something new or interesting to the story, maybe a bit of tension, some emotional depth, even just a spark of personality, but nope. He was just… there. Existing. A human background prop with abs.

It’s so disappointing because he had the setup to be compelling, the quiet, rugged type with some hidden baggage? That should’ve worked! But the execution? Completely flat. He had no layers, no real internal struggle that pulled me in. His whole personality could be summed up as “slightly awkward man who fixes furniture and looks good doing it.”
A love interest should add something vital to the story, not just fill the space next to the heroine. He was the narrative equivalent of background noise, technically there, but adding absolutely nothing to the experience.

So you're telling me that you’re terrified of ghosts, can’t even handle a flickering light, yet you decide to move in with someone who literally chats with them on a daily basis?? Make it make sense! It’s giving “plot convenience,” not logic.
I’d be running out the door, not falling in love.


── .✦➤ let’s start with the Insta love but make it slow burn:

Like… how is this supposed to be a slow burn or even a romance when we barely know the guy and she’s already catching him half-naked by chapter WHAT?? Instant “I can’t stop thinking about you” but with ZERO emotional build-up?? No thanks. Where is the longing? The tension? The accidental brush of hands that leaves us SCREAMING into the pillow??

Instead, it’s all just: sees him shirtless once, BOOM I’m in love.
LIKE PLEASEEEE 😩💀 Let me EARN the butterflies before you drop the whole “fated soulmates but make it flirty” vibe in my face.

And don’t even get me started on the romance. The connection between him and Collins felt like it came out of nowhere. There was zero emotional buildup, no slow tension, no moment that made me believe they saw each other beyond the surface. Just instant attraction with no real chemistry to back it up.

── .✦➤ the drama but making it childish:
and oh my god! The whole “I stopped taking photos because I can’t hear ghosts anymore” line had me blinking at the page like… what? That’s your grand emotional arc? Girl, you didn’t lose your eyesight or your hands, you just can’t hear spooky whispers anymore, pick up the damn camera and move on!
It honestly made her feel so immature. Instead of coming off as this tortured, complex artist with a deep emotional block, she just sounded dramatic for the sake of it. Like, babes, not everything needs to be a metaphor for your ghost issues. You’re telling me your entire passion for photography was that tied to the paranormal? Be serious.

And the worst part? The book wanted me to feel bad for her, like it was this heart-wrenching tragedy. Meanwhile, I’m sitting there thinking, “Okay, but what does this have to do with literally anything?” It was such a weird, shallow choice for what could’ve been a powerful moment of grief or rediscovery. Instead, it made her seem detached from reality, and honestly, I felt more emotionally grounded than she did. Girl, get it together.

── .✦➤ the title is wrong but it's fine..I guess:
Let’s be honest, what even was that title supposed to mean?? Because by the time I finished the book, I was convinced it should’ve been called “Drama and Ghosts” or maybe even “Absolutely No Romance, Just Vibes.” The title promised something deep or symbolic, but the story delivered… endless emotional chaos, ghostly side plots that made zero sense, and characters who couldn’t decide whether they were grieving, flirting, or ghost-hunting. It’s like the book couldn’t pick a lane, half paranormal nonsense, half awkward small-town drama, and zero payoff.

I went into this one so sure I’d love it, especially since her Rebel Blue Ranch series completely stole my heart, but wow… this was such a letdown. I kept waiting for that spark, that emotional punch her books usually have, but it just never came. Everything felt flat, the story, the characters, the romance, like it was missing the soul that made her other work so special and maybe that’s the real meaning behind the title, she’s still searching for her soul because it definitely didn’t make it into this book.

── .✦

༉‧₊🕯️🖤❀༉ The way this book has been sitting on my TBR, just waving at me from the shelf like, “Read me bestie, I’m literally perfect”, and I just kept ignoring it like the clown I am!
BUT FINALLY!! The moment has come. The stars aligned. The vibes are right. And that COVER??? BABE. It’s giving “pick me up and ruin your life in the best way possible.” Like??? I cannot resist a cover that looks that stunning. It’s practically begging for a photo shoot and a dramatic reading session with hot cocoa and a playlist in the back.😌✨

I’m so ready to dive in, fall in love, spiral emotionally, and then come back here to scream about it together. Let the reading chaos begin!

P.S. I am just hyping myself cause I saw everyone hating this book, and me trying to be brave and generous.

[ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pre read: Buddy read with Kendall! We’re both so excited for this one 🤭

[Brittany Ferraro · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ I’m not gonna lie to you guys, I’m kind of side-eyeing the overall rating on this book because I thought it was such a treat. I fucking loved it.

It was refreshing, it was charming, and even though our FMC Collins can see and talk to ghosts, it was still such a feel-good story. You’d think with ghosts involved it would be spooky or dark, but it had so much heart.
I was honestly surprised that a paranormal story gave me warm and fuzzy feelings. Somehow, even with ghosts left and right, it was still endearing. I was super invested in why the FMC lost her gift, it was such a unique and fun storyline.


And I need to talk about this couple. They were so refreshing. I can’t tell you how many books I’ve read with a dominant, “burn the world for her” MMC, which don’t get me wrong, will always hit the spot, but Brady made me feel everything. He was so gentle, considerate, and completely different from most MMCs I read. He seemed so emotionally mature (okay therapy king!!) he just felt so safe and reliable, and he complemented Collins so well.

Their chemistry, their banter, the way they leaned into and onto each other, it all felt so natural. They were open, honest, and confided in each other. Just such a good couple.

Their first time together, HE was nervous, it was adorable. I loved how his character was written. He even admits he’s down bad, and let me tell you, he is. He’d crawl across broken glass for Collins, no questions asked.

And I loved how she just told him she could see and talk to ghosts, and instead of judging or thinking she was crazy, he was immediately in ready to go on all these wild adventures with her. He was honestly the perfect MMC. That’s husband material right there.

Collins is super spunky, a little rough around the edges, and so relatable. I just adored her

This book’s literally called Soul Searching, so they both have things to find, and they help each other do it in the cutest, flirty, romantic way. I loved the little full circle moment we got and I always love a touch of fate 🥹

The concept itself was SO GOOD. I’ve never read anything like it, and even though it could’ve easily been corny, it wasn’t. It was done so well. We even get a little forced proximity and an employee boss situation AND NO UNNECESSARY THIRD ACT BREAK UP👏🏻👏🏻

This one felt really different from her Rebel Blue Ranch series, in the best way. It tugged on my heartstrings, made me feel good had me cacklingggg (these two were hilarious together) and that slow burn was painfullyyyy slow. I was on my hands and knees by the end, begging, but it was worth it.

It’s the perfect fall read if you want something that’s not scary or spooky but still gives off immaculate cozy vibes.

[sabrina (on vacation🏝️) · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Rating: 4 ⭐️
🫧 Vibes: small-town charm and rediscovering yourself
🎶 Song: misguided ghosts - paramore
📖 Favourite Quote: "I’ll go anywhere with you, Collins. To the ends of the earth and back again if you asked me to."
📚 Would I recommend? yes!
💬 tldr thoughts: a perfect, heartwarming and spooky read for the fall!

In the package:
📦 small town
📦 forced proximity
📦 she talks to ghosts
📦 caring MMC

Plot: Collins has been fired from her photography job and she can no longer hear ghosts. She decides to go back home, to Sweetwater Peak where she stays with Brady, a newcomer who is looking for a fresh start. Their first meeting starts off a little rocky (😅) but they unexpectedly find a connection where they heal, rediscover and forgive themselves.

Thoughts: This is the perfect spooky book for the fall 👻 I think it may be my first paranormal read and it did not disappoint. I loved Collins and how witty and quick she was with her responses. She was a really fun and cool character and a good opposite to Brady, who was incredibly sweet, reserved and caring. She's a black cat and he's more of a golden retriever but it works so well. Their relationship and growth had some great emotional depth and I also loved learning about the ghost spirits and their stories. Overall, this was a cozy, spooky read and very heartwarming.

📚Read if you enjoyed: Ghost Whisperer

✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩

[lauren‎♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧ (semi-ia) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3💫

I really wanted to love this one and I thought i would because I really enjoyed her rebel blue ranch series, but this was such a let down.

I was so bored the whole time and couldn’t connect with either character. Collins had some spunk to her and she was pretty funny at times, but readinh Brady’s pov was like watching paint dry.

I’ll still continue the series probably but ugh this was such a let down

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t even put into words the hot, squeezing, mushy feeling that I have in my chest seeing an author I love DEEPLY branch out, try something new, and completely knock it out of the park. Reading this book, you could tell that Lyla was spreading her wings to fly and man did she SOAR. It’s everything you love in a Lyla Sage novel - banter for days, love given freely and unconditionally, hot people being hot, a community that shows up for each other, chemistry that will make you blush, flawed, lovable characters trying their best, a gorgeous backdrop you’ll want to drop everything and move to - but it’s also MORE. It’s gritty and it’s honest. It’s vulnerable and spooky. It’s tender. It’s raw and cozy and eerie and warm all at the same time. My heart beats for Brady and Collins. I love how they see the world and how they see each other. I love the way Collins is prickly but soft underneath. I love that Brady is so sweet it makes my teeth hurt, and cares so much about everything and everyone, including his crazy roommate who keeps talking to herself. I love their individual journeys, finding themselves and each other. I love the way they BURN and ACHE and YEARN. I love the way that Brady gets so flustered around Collins and the way Collins lets her walls down around Brady. I love that this book is unlike anything else Lyla has written yet is still so distinctly her. Lyla just astounds me - her brain and her heart, which is bleeding all over these pages.

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

i can easily count Lyla Sage’s works among my comfort reads. so naturally, before diving into soul searching, i had some expectations (not something extraordinary) just a feel-good romance with her signature charming western atmosphere.

little did i know… i honestly don’t have anything outrageous to point out about this book, nor something i outright disliked. it was simply dull, without substance; nothing memorable. there wasn’t a concrete overall plot structuring the book. i don’t mind character-driven stories, but here the characters themselves felt one-dimensional. apart from the supernatural “ghost whisperer”angle—basically a badly drawn remake— that resumes the fmc’s whole personage, there was little to hold onto, especially when their personalities weren’t even consistent.

every subplot was loosely sewed into the narrative and ended up underdeveloped. it seemed like the author wanted to add layers and nuances, but in the end dumped in too much, creating a patchwork that didn’t quite fit together.

still, i did appreciate the little cameos of characters from her previous series. it was a small bright spot in an otherwise forgettable read.

many thanks to PRH international for the free copy

[Lottie Smalley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars (rounding up!) ⭐️ this was such a fun & easy read. lyla sage’s writing always has that cozy small-town charm, and I loved the new setting of sweetwater peak. the whole cast is really sweet (boone especially!) and I really enjoyed the light spooky element woven in. but the writing did feel a little clunky and wordy at times, and I kinda wish we got more with the ghosts. there is a plot point toward the end that felt predictable to me, and I just found myself wanting more with the whole supernatural thread. overall it was definitely entertaining & a nice option if you want something fall-themed that mixes romance & light paranormal vibes without being scary! cute just not a new all time favorite 👻

[Kennedy Larson]

Yay book club

[⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ Kim ⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆]

⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: Time to see what the hype's all about! I've seen this book everywhere, so I obviously have to read this now to see if it's worth the hype or not. This is also my first Lyla Sage book, and I know a lot of people loved the Done and Dusted series, so maybe if I like this, I'll give that series a shot!💙🌙