Headline:
Spoopy romance
Ghostly happenings
Finding home

Who even am I reading a ghostly-centric story, the genre made it easier to swallow but there were discomforting moments for this non-fan of ghosts. The story was full of quirky characters and Collins, the FMC, was the quirkiest of them all. She crept home with her tail between her legs, full of secrets and reluctance.

The whole family around Collins were oddities but endearing. The ghosts were supposed to be endearing in the main, but I didn't find them so.

My like but not love of this story wasn't to do with the paranormal element surprisingly, it was more to do with a lack of connection between me and Collins. I did like Brady, the love interest but that wasn't enough to win me fully over.

The writing didn't feel as easy and smooth as Sage's cowboy romances and so I'm not sure if I'll carry on with this series.

Thank you Quercus for the eARC.

if i could describe this book in five words it would be: melancholy, bittersweet, nostalgic, beautiful and haunting.

this was everything i wanted it to be and more. the plot, characters and the setting of the novel had me hooked and was very well developed. i really resonated with the FMC and way she felt during moments of the book hit home for me. i loved the family dynamics and the way their relationships were explored - it was very well thought out.

the ghost aspect of this novel was magical and i found myself begin swept away in their stories, especially earnest and addie's. there is something so beautiful about the way lyla wrote this and i can't wait for people to read it and experience everything i did!

Soul Searching was everything that I had hoped that it would be with its richly atmospheric and moody setting which instantly made me feel at home in Sweetwater Peak. I loved getting to explore the author’s interpretation on the paranormal world and the way that it seamlessly intertwines alongside the land of the living in a subtle yet impactful manner. I was thrilled to experience the lore surrounding the sleepy small town that consists of mostly locals and the rich history that is waiting to be uncovered by any who dare to take a step towards the dark. The writing style was an ease to follow with its steady pacing and distinctive narrative voice which left me unwilling to put the book down until I had consumed the contents in its entirety. This story is the perfect feel-good romance to cozy up with one in the upcoming colder months as it takes you on a compelling journey filled with hard truths and self-discovery. I’m very excited to learn more about the developing plot that began to take root in the second instalment in the Sweetwater Peak duet.

I have a lot of love for Collins as her journey in Soul Searching felt deeply emotional and vulnerable from beginning to end. I really enjoyed getting to see her reconnect with the hometown that she tried so hard to run away in an attempt to establish herself in her career. It was a beautiful realisation to understand just how closely tied her love for photography is connected to her gift and the way she has been trying to tell the story of those who have long since passed. Collins compassion and need for companionship reflects strongly through the page and I found myself continuously rooting for her success as she desperately tried to work past the mental block that prevented her from communicating with the paranormal. She is a deeply flawed individual who unfortunately has found herself making mistakes in the past but I loved getting to see her growth as Collins becomes self-aware enough to recognise her faults. Her commitment to being more present for her family was admirable, and I was thrilled to see her gain the steady love and devotion that Brady was readily willing to provide. I’m excited to see what part Collins will play in the next book as I’m unsure if she will remain the main protagonist of the story, or if she’ll become a side character to make way for a new narrative voice.

Brady is the ultimate green flag that can do no wrong and there’s no denying that he was a big highlight of the book for me. The way he embraced Collins gift wholeheartedly whilst also in disbelief and thinking that she was more than a little bit insane? Hilarious. There was definitely an instant attraction on his end and I have nothing but respect for the way he just embraced every opportunity that he had to impress her no matter how weird the circumstances became. His shy and quiet demeanour was such a sweet contrast to the typical love interests that I gravitate towards in a romantic development. I loved getting to see Brady slowly begin to embrace the spooky aspects to the small town that he had found a home and refuge in and the way that he began to build confidence within himself throughout the book. It was clear how unsettled and unsure he still felt about his place in the close-knit community so I was thrilled to see his efforts into becoming more present to those around him. Brady’s development was the quiet and steady type and it was amazing to see the fun and witty man that was just waiting for the right person to banter with. I loved getting to explore his character from start-to-finish and I’m hoping that we get to know a little more about his backstory and family circumstances in the next book.

Soul Searching was exactly the kind of story that I needed in the moment that I picked it up and I fear it may be my favourite book from Lyla thus far. It still feels reminiscent to her previous works whilst also managing to stand apart entirely on its own. Boone was my favourite side character by far and I loved his connection to a certain character from Rebel Blue Ranch which created the perfect opening for a fun cameo. I’m very intrigued to see what is left to be discovered as the plot continues to develop and unfurl. I can’t quite figure out if Collins and Brady will remain the main characters in the second instalment or if we’ll see a shift into Clarke’s story… but ultimately I will be happy with either outcome and I’m keen to see what will happen next.

I was so looking forward to a new Lyla Sage book but this one really missed the mark for me 😭

There was nothing explicitly “wrong” with this but it just did not grip me at all! The writing was really hard to read, whether it was the immature dialogue from Collins, or the constant stammering, it made it really difficult to get in to. I just didn’t have any connection to either the characters or the storyline and that made me so sad 😞

I feel like Lyla peaked with Done and Dusted (which I loved and have reread many times) but all of her books have slowly gone downhill for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Quercus for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

4.75 ⭐️
This was such a cute, ghostly, slow burn 🥰
I really enjoyed the setting of Sweetwater Peak, with the slight supernatural touch to the more typical “small town” trope. I loved how the sisters interacted with the ghosts and the impact it had on their personalities - it was specially interesting to see the correlation between Collins’ gifts and her photography.
It was hilarious how Brady was just thinking “well yeah she is nutty but I’ll just vibe with it” when he found out about her being able to talk to ghosts 😂
I loved the romance, with Collins and Brady slowly falling for each other as they spend more time together trying to figure out why Collins has been struggling with her gifts, and helping Brady find his fresh start.
They were both a bit lost when they found each other, and so their dynamic felt so natural. It was beautiful to see them figure out some of their own mental blocks while also accepting their growing feelings for each other - all with an never-ending amount of flirting obviously! 😂
I think this is a great read to add to your autumn-TBR, specially if you already read and loved Lyla’s previous books 🥰
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Not quite as captivating to me as Rebel Blue Ranch, but maybe it's just the start of a series and we need to settle into this new town! I'm not overly convinced on the ghost element but it does give perfect Summerween vibes, and I'm intrigued to see how this new paranormal side continues with the next book! I quite liked that this did feel very different from Rebel Blue Ranch because it's showing Lyla Sage's versatility. I think my main issue is the writing does feel a bit stilted in this one, maybe just because she's trying something so different? The romance I really liked, I thought Collins was a great main character and I enjoyed her journey of rediscovering herself and her passion, and Brady is a very sweet love interest. Not my favourite Lyla Sage, but I do love her and I'm excited for whatever's next to come!

I enjoyed the first visit to Sweetwater Peak and found the slightly supernatural element of this book really interesting. Collins and Brady were fun characters and I really enjoyed their interactions with each other - that 'meet cute' was simply hilarious. I did feel like some parts were a bit rushed or less developed then I would have liked. It unexpectedly read like the first book in a series and didn't feel as concluded as I expected. It did leave me feeling excited to return back to Sweetwater Peak.

If Lyla Sage is writing it, I'm reading it.

This was so different and I loved it! Small town romance with a paranormal twist, perfection!

I was hooked on this from the first page, which isn't surprising because I find Sage's writing so easy to read. I flew through this and found myself getting annoyed with life when it forced to me stop reading. I find her so good at introducing you to a large group of people and showing you who they are without it getting bogged down or taking away from our main characters.

I introduction of the paranormal was an element I didn't know I needed until I started to read this and I like how it just became totally normal and not this novelty. It has me really excited to see where it goes from here.

This was something new from Lyla Sage and it was exciting to read a spooky, supernatural romance!
I really loved the setting of this book- something Lyla does well is immerse you into a place and I really liked Sweetwater Peak- it was intriguing and homely. I look forward to exploring this more in the rest of the series.
I liked the gentle romance as it felt more real- while I did feel like they loved each other very quickly (maybe that’s just expected in a romance novel), they both seemed genuine and grew to like each other while learning about each other.
I liked the hints of the supernatural, this could maybe have been explored further as it did feel a little like her issues surrounding the ghosts just seemed to be fixed suddenly.
Possibly my favourite bits were the little nods to the Rebel Blue series which holds a special place in my heart! I understand some people might feel they should be left behind, but I absolutely loved their little drop ins!
Overall, I finished this book feeling good and that is exactly what you want from a romance novel. Loved it!

Given that I was already a big fan of Lyla Sage’s Rebel Blue series I was excited when she announced Soul Searching, her first book in the new Sweetwater Peak series. Soul Searching moves away from the cowboys and ranchers we’ve grown to love from Sage and instead embraces the paranormal, all whilst being in the same world, and only really a town over!

Soul Searching is Collins and Brady’s story. Collins finds herself back on her hometown when her parents’ business is threatened and whilst she herself is down on her luck. Worst still the ghosts she’s always been able to talk to are alarmingly quiet. Brady meanwhile found himself settling in Meadowlark in the hope of a fresh start. Brady offers Collins a place to stay and somewhere to work whilst she’s back in town. He’s confused, at first, as to why she’s forever talking to thin air, and not a little taken aback by just how attractive he finds her. The pair grow to become friends, opening up to one another in ways they haven’t before, but as things between them develop the threat to Collins home still looms large.

I really enjoyed this one. There was so much of what made the Rebel Blue series so good and added to that a whole new dimension with the paranormal element. Also no third act break! I loved the small town setting, which this time was the perfect blend of cosy and creepy. The shadows and darkness loom large over Meadowlark but with Collins we’re able to embrace them. The paranormal elements worked brilliant but I think they’re better left for the reader to discover as I wouldn’t want to spoil them.

The duel POV worked perfectly to allow us to get closer to Collins and Brady, both of whom were great MCs. Their slow burn relationship from disastrous meet cute, to friends to lovers worked really well and I particularly liked how Brady helped and encouraged Collins to find herself again. As you’d expect there is a great cast of supporting characters, with Boone being my favourite and he just so happens to be Amos Ryder’s elder brother! The crumb trail has also been left for us to look forward to Clark’s story in book two.

This was a great read and a really enjoyable shift in direction from Sage. I can’t wait for the next one.

Having loved Lyla Sage’s Rebel Blue Ranch series, with its warm small-town charm and lingering emotional arcs, I came into Soul Searching (Book 1 of the new Sweetwater Peak series) with both excitement and high expectations. The biggest shift here is the genre: Sage trades cowboys and ranches for contemporary paranormal romance, complete with ghosts. It’s an ambitious pivot, and a fascinating chance to see her strengths — banter, chemistry, and humour — play out in a supernatural setting.

For the most part, Sage manages to retain her signatures: the zingy banter and an ensemble of endearing characters; the set-up is inviting, the voice is warm and wry, and the world-building explains the ghosts as cozy-spooky rather than horror, which is a relief. I’d much rather have Casper than Annabelle.

The opening chapter sets us up nicely with an introduction into our major characters: Collins Cartwright as a carefree bolter, Clarke Cartwright as the responsible twin, and Brady as the dependable male lead. Each of them are coming into the story with deep histories, the repression of some emotions and an escape from the painful parts of their lives. All of them, however, finding some respite in Sweetwater Peak.

“That’s a long time to hold a grudge.”
“This town is held together by grudges—grudges and chewed-up gum, Brady. It’s part of our weird little ecosystem.”

It has all the charms of a small, ghost-town down. The first time Collins meets Brady, she greets him with a generous macing of pepper spray right in his eyes. Talk about a meet-cute with plenty of opportunities for callbacks. We also get a good glimpse into the sisterly dynamic between the twins, and soon enough, the entire Cartwright family, and much else of Sweetwater Peak.

Collins is returning to her hometown under the pretext of saving her family’s business and properties from a sordid developer. But really, Collins has hit a plateau in her career. She’s scared that she might have peaked, and that everything is downhill from here. While she’s unclear if she’s back to recalibrate or recuperate, her lack of future plans leaves a wide-open window of decisions.

Meanwhile, she is lodging with Brady in exchange for working for his relatively new upholstery business, and she takes to the work like a natural. The Cartwrights are a typical small-town family, with quirks, traditions, and an extension of goodwill to honorary members of their family, like Boone Ryder.

The dialogue and humour are where the book really shines — it’s punchy, sharp, and genuinely funny. That’s always been a strong part of Sage’s writing, so it’s not much of a surprise. But since the balance of banter and supernatural metaphors is a big part of the plot tension, let’s look at the new territory Sage has ventured into.

Sage clearly thought through believability in the supernatural reveal. Instead of info-dumping that the heroine can communicate with ghosts, she frames the revelation in a fun, realistic way: when Collins tells Brady about her powers, they are high, which lowers the stakes and makes the confession feel organic, both hilarious and oddly plausible.

If you look back at the Rebel Blue Ranch series, characters like Cam, Dusty, Wes, Ada, naturally shine on their own. But when it comes to their interpersonal dynamics, it sometimes feels like the legwork wasn’t fully done. Instead, their chemistry leans on an air of inevitability, as though we’re meant to accept that of course they’ll end up together, without watching the pieces truly click into place.

In Soul Searching, we see a bit more promise. The characters arrive likeable and legible, with hints of deeper knots you want to tug at. You can feel the scaffolding of a series being raised: a place you’ll want to revisit, not just a plot to be solved once. But even here, the interpersonal dynamics can still feel more obvious than earned.

It’s a fun romp, a true “popcorn read.” What BookTok and Bookstagram would happily call a palate cleanser. You don’t pick it up for literary succinctness — though sure, a little trimming of fluff words and filler spaces could have made it crisper. At times, the narration labels beats and underlining tropes that would land better as subtext. The best romances let the reveal sneak up on you; here, a few moments point and tell (“this is X, that is Y”), which can flatten the magic.

Still, when Sage eases off the signposting, the chemistry hums and the pages fly. This is the kind of story that works best when you don’t overanalyze it under a harsh literary lens. It’s a light, playful read. Making it a great pick for all the reasons that readers gravitate toward these books.

Worth mentioning is also the author helping crossover characters from other books in the same universe, so seeing an old familiar name (a couple of beloved Rebel Blue Ranch characters) was a delight. A great book to pick up if you’re in the mood for something multi-genre — part romance, part supernatural, part small-town drama.

“I liked the way he looked at me like I was a puzzle he was dying to solve instead of one he wished he could put back in the box.”

If you enjoyed the whole shtick of an accomplished photographer going jaded on her career, you should also check out One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune, another hot favourite book from 2025. These books feel like the summer and autumn counterparts of similar stories, each made unique by a parallel tangent.

With Soul Searching, Sage tried on a new silhouette, and she looks different. And it’s a good kind of different.

I adored the Rebel Blue Ranch series, and in my heart I’m a horror girlie so when this was announced I was so excited for my 2 worlds to collide. A heartfelt Lyla Sage Romance with a Paranormal spooky edge to it, say no more.

Collins and Brady are both feeling a bit adrift from who they are, and this close proximity relationship manages to bring them together and back to themselves. I really enjoyed the meadowlark crossover and getting to know the grumpy brother of Amos Ryder. I cannot wait for the second book in this series as it leaves on a bit of a cliffhanger which means we are in uncharted territories with Lyla.

The Ghosts really stole the show for me, I wanted a little bit more from Collins as she is the badass that she is but I really loved this first instalment. A perfect spooky season read for sure.

I adored the Rebel Blue Ranch series, and in my heart I’m a horror girlie so when this was announced I was so excited for my 2 worlds to collide. A heartfelt Lyla Sage Romance with a Paranormal spooky edge to it, say no more.

Collins and Brady are both feeling a bit adrift from who they are, and this close proximity relationship manages to bring them together and back to themselves. I really enjoyed the meadowlark crossover and getting to know the grumpy brother of Amos Ryder. I cannot wait for the second book in this series as it leaves on a bit of a cliffhanger which means we are in uncharted territories with Lyla.

The Ghosts really stole the show for me, I wanted a little bit more from Collins as she is the badass that she is but I really loved this first instalment. A perfect spooky season read for sure.

Lyla Sage has captured the essence of a small-town romance with mystery elements seamlessly in Soul Searching. The slow-burn Sweetwater Peak tale is full of yearning. Collins slowly gains her photography confidence back throughout, while Brady learns Sweetwater Peak folklore from her. There were moments where the sister story-line of the twins felt slightly lacking, but overall it was great. Dog-lovers and ghost-lovers alike will enjoy Sage's Sweetwater Peak town. Soul Searching is the perfect read for a crisp autumn's day.

Soul Searching is a perfect blend of romance and the supernatural. Lyla Sage has once again written a book filled with the romance and amazing characters that we have all come to expect from her, but this new ghostly twist added a really fun and unique element to the story. Not only was it a really fun read, but it was also very meaningful and explored the complicated relationship we have with where we grew up and how that fits into our adult lives. Would definitely recommend !

I'm rating this at 4 stars - that's quite high I think - but I will note that my rating is almost entirely on *vibes* rather than plot or characterisation.

On vibes - excellent! I LOVED Sweetwater Peak. I love that it's a small town, practically dying, little tourism, kinda spooky, people leaving but not too many people moving in. It's perfect for an autumnal read, when the nights are drawing in and the wind is howling. My favourite parts of the book were wondering round Sweetwater - abandoned buildings, spooky forests.

The romance was ok, but not stand-out. Collins and Brady were a little two dimensional. I liked their back-stories, and the way they were both looking for a fresh start, but I felt a lot like I didn't really know the characters. For a romance book, there wasn't a lot of feeling or emotion for the reader - the characters might have been crying, or confused, but I never felt particularly invested in them.

I enjoyed the ghostly aspects of the book - the little snippets of their stories we got, and I particularly loved the way they were a part of Collins' photography subjects. This was a premise I loved, that her art had lost a bit of meaning because she could no longer hear the spirits she wanted to capture on film. I thought that was great, and there was more emotion around this than there was in the romance.

On the whole, I enjoyed it. It didn't get too heavy emotionally, and allowed me to stay pretty surface level, which was ok for a quick afternoon read. I'll keep an eye out for more Sweetwater Peak books, to find out more about the town, but I do think this will let down romance readers that are looking for an emotional connection.

Thanks to Sage, NetGalley and Quercus for the chance to read ahead of release.

This was a charming blend of small-town drama, a moody paranormal thread, and a touch of slow-burn romance. Sweetwater Peak makes for a wonderfully atmospheric backdrop, with just the right mix of cozy and eerie. There are moments where the setting really shines, pulling you straight into the foggy streets and whispered town secrets.

Collins and Brady’s romance is gentle and gradual, a pairing of two characters still finding their place in the world. Collins brings an intriguing, layered energy, while Brady’s quiet nature and love of books give him an understated appeal. I also really enjoyed Boone, a side character who felt especially grounded and memorable.

The story weaves in a ghostly mystery alongside several personal and interpersonal conflicts, giving readers a variety of threads to follow. While there’s a lot happening, it adds a sense of a full, lived-in community where every character has their own challenges and history.

The writing is clear and easy to follow, with plenty of description to keep the reader oriented in each scene. There’s a deliberate, steady pace to the plot, which suits the slow-burn nature of the romance and allows space for the small-town atmosphere to settle in.

Overall, this is an enjoyable read for those who like their paranormal stories on the softer, more intimate side, with an emphasis on character relationships and a touch of mystery. It’s an inviting escape to a place where secrets linger, connections grow, and the air always feels just a little haunted.

Oh wow! I think this might be my favourite Lyla Sage book. I really enjoyed her Rebel Blue Ranch series, I found the found family aspect comforting and her characters so loveable, I really wanted to be sat there at the table with them all but Soul Searching is something else!

I was a little hesitant when the book was announced as I was wondering how the supernatural would fit in with a small town romance but it was honestly perfect. The supernatural elements were dotted throughout the book enough not to take focus away from the romance plot but also not to take away the importance of Collins rediscovering who she is. I do want to know more about the ghosts who live in Sweetwater Peak in the next book though!

Once again Lyla Sage has written a man that will be hard to find in the real world. I do love an MMC who is confident and knows what he's doing behind closed doors but it was so nice and refreshing to see Brady get flustered and blush frequently, I think it made me fall a little more for him. I also loved the slow burn, the two of them falling for each other happened so casually until it was blatantly obvious that they loved each other.

I'm so thankful to have been chosen to have the E-ARC of this book, it's one that I'm already looking forward to revisiting in the next month or so, particularly as the leaves start to change colour and fall.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book but for some reason didn’t gel with the 2nd half. I love Lylas books and will be continuing this series when the next book comes out but for me I wished the plot had more to do with the ghosts as well !
Overall I enjoyed it but not as much as her others

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.25 stars.

I’m definitely a Lyla Sage fan and there’s not a book I wouldn’t read or recommend. This book is no different, I love that the author has written a very different story in comparison to her cowboy romance series. This book has a small town setting like her other books, but this particular romance is supernatural.

Our FMC and MMC seem to be polar opposites, but both are running away from something. They have this electricity when interacting that felt really genuine and special, although they are in town for very different reasons they seem to be drawn together in cosmic ways.

The familial and community tones throughout the plot are quite a nice touch especially because one of our characters doesn’t quite feel like they fit in, so seeing the connections and growth from multiple characters was lovely.

The mix of the supernatural, romance and small town setting was a complete win for me and I hope this becomes a series.