Series Review: “Sweetwater Peak” by Lyla Sage

Soul Searching (#1) by Lyla Sage (2025)

Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Paranormal Romance

Page Length: 368 pages

Synopsis:

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.

Review:

Swoon-worthy/spicy romance, ghosts, and scenic landscapes. I have been reading the Rebel Blue Ranch Series and while this series is set in the same universe (in a different place), it still diverts a bit from cowboy romances. Sweetwater Peak feels like part small-town mixed with elements of a ghost town as well. I love that the paranormal aspects of this story feel cozy rather than spooky. Some of the ghosts appearances are eerie yes, but nothing too scary for readers who want a read that is spooky. Seeing the town through Collins and Brady’s eyes showcase the town’s charms in too different ways. It may be small, but their spirit is resilient. Readers see how the town is tested by mother nature and poaching realtors.

The romance is slow-burn in this novel which I really appreciated. Sage takes time for their relationship to develop into something more as Collins and Brady work alongside each other. Sweetwater acts a refuge for the world for the both of them to start over again and discover that their might be something more between the two of them. This novel felt autumnal, cozy, and I love the small mystery elements laced throughout the story. My only complaint is that I wanted more ghosts!

Final Verdict:

*3.7 rating

Free Falling (#2) by Lyla Sage (2026)

Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Paranormal Romance

Page Length: 336 pages (paperback edition)

Synopsis:

Clarke Cartwright probably needed to get out more. She just had a lot to do. Running Toade’s Antiques was no small feat, especially considering that the roof was in shambles and half her merchandise was unsellable. But dealing with that felt easier than her other two options: third-wheeling with her best friend…again, or chatting it up with the ghost of her childhood crush’s father, who just can’t seem to leave her alone.

Leith Wilkes has spent his life preparing to take over his family’s farm. Well, he’s actually spent most of his life flirting, but now he’s ready to buckle down, which has nothing to do with an oddly specific clause that his dad left in his inheritance. Leith is pretty sure he’s the only one who knows about it…until Clarke drunkenly spills that she knows, too, along with a bunch of other Wilkes family secrets.

Leith starts to wonder if there’s more to Clarke than she lets on…and if his dad has something to do with it. And if she is keeping secrets of her own, maybe she won’t mind helping him with his.

Review:

Free Falling picks up right where Soul Searching leaves off, but instead focuses on the other Carwright sister, Clarke (but the other characters still have a heavy presence in this story). While Collins embraces her her supernatural powers, Clarke shies away from it even though it becomes hard to ignore at times. The story follows a fake relationship trope that feels wholly authentic due to the fact that Clarke and Leith have known each other for years (and admit they had crushes on each other as a teen). This scheme to save Leith’s family farm allows them to rekindle mutual feelings of attraction and actually develop a real relationship. It’s sweet and as with most Sage novels, delivers some steamy scenes too.

Because the first novel sets up the landscape of Sweetwater Peak the world feels more lived in as reader. It’s like you’ve become a part of the town and all of its history. I really appreciate the attention to detail of how Sage crafts these small towns without shying away from the harsh realties and shortcomings they face due to having limited resources. It feels very real and picturesque at the same time.

My complaint about the first book is that there were not enough ghosts, and I still wanted more ghostly interactions in the sequel. However, I think the supernatural elements work better in this sequel because of reoccurring spirits and the ghost stories tie into the overall town history. I also appreciated how this novel discusses depression as Clarke struggles with her warring emotions that cause strain on her relationships and overall dissatisfaction with how she’s currently living. Being with Leith helps her to recognize to look within and her sister encourages her open up and seek help. The novel is a reminder it’s okay to not be okay, as the characters struggle with grief, change, and reckoning with the past.

Overall I think Free Falling delivers more than book one in many ways, but I still enjoyed them both. If you enjoy small-town stories, romance, and ghosts this is a perfect addition to your TBR.

Final Verdict: