Soul Searching by Lyla Sage

This was my first Lyla Sage book, and I’ll admit the gorgeous cover and premise hooked me right away. A small town in Wyoming, a heroine who can see ghosts, a new-to-town love interest, and a hint of the supernatural—I thought this would be right up my alley.

What I loved most was the setting. Sweetwater Peak feels alive on the page—quirky, eerie, and full of personality. Honestly, the town (along with the side characters and ghosts) felt like the main character to me. The imagery was fantastic, and I really enjoyed Collins’ complicated relationships—with her sister, with her parents, and with the spirits who’ve always been part of her life.

Where it didn’t fully click for me was the romance. I liked Collins and Brady as individuals, but I wasn’t particularly invested in them together. Their slow-burn connection didn’t quite land, and when things did finally happen, it felt abrupt. I also noticed a few inconsistencies with Brady’s character once their relationship shifted, which pulled me out of the story.

The paranormal thread and Collins’ photography were the most intriguing aspects, and while those pieces get resolution, it felt like everything wrapped up too quickly. I wanted more exploration of her inner turmoil, her ability with the ghosts, and the external conflicts swirling around the town and her family’s business. Those threads don’t really come together until late in the book, which left me a little underwhelmed.

That said, I didn’t dislike this—there’s a lot of potential here, especially with the setup for future books. The teaser at the end definitely caught my attention, and I’d be open to returning to Sweetwater Peak.