Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage

5/5 stars

SPOILERS AHEAD

Listen, if you know me, you know that I am absolutely not a kid person. I've never liked them, I've never cared much for them, and I've never wanted them. My sister recently told me she was pregnant, so I've been making a conscious effort to not dislike kids as much because I'm quite certain that I will love my sister's kid(s). None of my general feelings towards kids have necessarily changed despite that, and I thought that I would very much dislike this book because I knew it would be more centered around a child, but I actually enjoyed it. It's my least favorite of the series so far, but I still loved Gus and Teddy, and somehow I found Riley pretty adorable too.

I think that the relationship between Gus and Teddy switched up pretty quickly, but I guess that's to be expected when you're literally living in someone's house, watching their kid for a majority of the week. I love a forced proximity situation, and I love a grumpy/sunshine trope. I also love the reflections on how you can be one way to the world, and keep certain parts of yourself for just one person. The respect that Gus slowly gain over the book for Teddy was so unbelievably sweet; how he understood that her personality was so bright that people and men would naturally be drawn to her, and instead of getting possessive or jealous, he wanted to let her shine because he knew she was leaving with him. Every girl deserves a man who wants her to shine and not try to bring her down because they're insecure. Especially those of us who have been told their whole lives that they're too loud or too flirty or too much in general.

Finally getting the story of what happened seven years before gave so much insight into why Teddy is the way she is towards Gus. He embarrassed her and flipped the switch on her so abruptly, all she could do was hide her hurt behind snarky jabs and humor.

The only thing I didn't really like was the epilogue. I think having them get engaged and start trying to have kids like, right off the bat, was too much. I think they both deserve a little time to be happy together and enjoy the life they have and wait on some of those huge life decisions. But maybe people who like kids are just really ready to get there. Can't relate.

I am foaming at the mouth for Dusty's book, I just know that man is going to have me on my KNEES.