July was apparently the month I decided to pack my bags, move to a fictional small town, and surround myself with cowboys.

Honestly? I’m okay with it.

I only finished three books this month, which isn’t exactly a record-breaking reading month, but considering how busy life has been lately, I’m counting three finished books as a win. And thankfully, two of those three ended up being five-star reads.

The other one…

Well.

We’ll get there. 😂

So grab your coffee, get cozy, and let’s talk about everything I read in July.

🌾 Wild Love by Elsie Silver

⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 3 Stars

I really wanted to love this one.

And for a while, I kept telling myself that I was going to love it.

Any minute now.

Just one more chapter.

…aaaaany minute.

Unfortunately, Wild Love took me way too long to get into. I kept reading and waiting for that moment where everything would click and I’d suddenly become completely invested in the characters and romance.

It never really happened.

That doesn’t mean I hated it! Once I finished, my overall feeling was basically:

“Yeah…that was okay.”

And sometimes that’s just how reading goes.

There wasn’t anything glaringly wrong with it, but it also didn’t give me that feeling where I wanted to kick my feet, scream into a pillow, or immediately hunt down the next book.

So, three stars feels right.

Not bad. Not amazing. Just…fine.

And somehow “fine” is harder to write about than a book you absolutely hated. 😂

Final verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
☕ Would I reread it? Probably not.
📚 Would I try another Elsie Silver book? Absolutely. One book isn’t enough to scare me away!

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🐎 Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 5 Stars

And THIS is where July turned around.

I love, love, LOVE this series.

I wrapped up June by jumping into this series and, boy, did I dive deep.

There is just something about Lyla Sage’s books that works for me. The small-town atmosphere. The romance. The characters. The cowboy vibes.

Give me all of it.

Swift and Saddled reminded me exactly why I’ve fallen so hard for this series. It’s cozy and romantic without feeling boring, and I genuinely enjoy spending time with these characters.

At this point, I’m not even pretending I’m casually reading this series.

I’m invested.

I’m emotionally involved.

I basically have fictional property in Rebel Blue Ranch.

Final verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🐎 Cowboy romance? Yes.
❤️ Characters I actually care about? Yes.
📚 Will I continue the series? Please. You couldn’t stop me.

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❤️ Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 5 Stars

Okay.

THIS ONE.

If I thought I loved the series before, Lost and Lassoed officially sealed the deal.

This is easily my favorite book in the series so far.

And somehow, Lyla Sage’s writing just keeps getting better with every book.

But the real reason I loved this one?

Gus and Teddy.

Their relationship was so good.

The chemistry. The banter. The tension. The way their relationship developed.

I ate it up.

There are romances where you’re reading because you know the characters are eventually going to get together…

…and then there are romances where you’re practically leaning into the book whispering,

“JUST KISS ALREADY.”

Gus and Teddy were definitely the second kind for me.

I loved watching their relationship evolve, and by the end I was completely sold.

No notes.

Okay, maybe one note:

I need more.

Final verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
❤️ Favorite romance of the month
🐎 Favorite Rebel Blue Ranch book so far
✨ Would absolutely read again

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☕ July Reading Stats

Books Read: 3
Average Rating: ⭐️ 4.3
Five-Star Reads: 2
Three-Star Reads: 1
Cowboys Encountered: Apparently not enough.

🏆 Favorite Book of July:

Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage

No contest.

Gus and Teddy took the crown this month.

What July Taught Me About My Reading Taste

Apparently the answer is cowboys.

Who knew?

But really, July reminded me why I’m trying to make reading part of my everyday life again. I didn’t read ten books. I didn’t fly through my TBR. I didn’t have some wildly productive reading month.

I read three books.

Two made me ridiculously happy.

One made me go, “Eh.”

And that’s kind of the whole point, isn’t it?

Finding the stories that make you excited to pick up another book.

And after finishing Lost and Lassoed, I’m definitely excited to see what August brings.

Preferably with more five-star reads.

And, apparently…

more cowboys. 🤠

What was your favorite book you read in July? And more importantly—do you have any recommendations I need to add to my TBR? Because clearly I have a problem now.

☕🐉 See you in the next chapter.