Eine süße Story für zwischendurch, man kam gut durch. 🤭

me ha durado un día y joder, gus y teddy me han enamorado

Done and Dusted is a sweet, easygoing romance that does exactly what it promises: it entertains without demanding too much emotional effort from the reader. It is one of those books you pick up “just for a bit” and suddenly realize you have finished it within a few hours. The prose flows smoothly, the pacing is light, and the chapters practically turn themselves. The story is engaging enough to keep you reading, yet not so gripping that it becomes impossible to put the book down. There is tension, yes, but a gentle kind. It invites you forward rather than pulling you by the throat. In that sense, it feels like a comfortable afternoon read: pleasant, warm, and uncomplicated. That said, the plot itself is rather basic. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, nor does it surprise you with bold twists or particularly original tropes. But it doesn’t need to. As a piece of escapist romance, it works very well. It’s familiar in the way comfort food is familiar, predictable, but satisfying when you’re in the mood for it. Short Summary The novel follows Emmy, who returns to her hometown and finds herself crossing paths with Luke, a reserved but grounded rancher. Luke is deeply rooted in his life on the farm, dedicated to his responsibilities and his horses. From the very beginning, there is an undeniable attraction between them; quiet, steady, and charged with unspoken emotion. As Emmy settles back into this rural world, old feelings, new desires, and unresolved tension begin to surface. Their relationship develops against the backdrop of small-town life, where proximity and familiarity make it increasingly difficult to ignore what has been there all along. Critique My main disappointment lies in the cowboy aspect of the story, which feels somewhat underdeveloped. While the book is marketed with a strong ranch and cowboy aesthetic, much of that atmosphere fades into the background. Instead of leaning into classic cowboy imagery, Luke is more often described wearing a baseball cap rather than a cowboy hat. I’m well aware that real cowboys don’t live in their hats, but even a single, intentional mention could have added texture, charm, and visual romance :) . Especially when it comes to flirting, the cowboy setting offers so many playful possibilities that remain largely unused. Similarly, the work on the farm feels strangely one-dimensional. Luke's role for example revolves almost exclusively around caring for the horses, which makes the farm itself feel oddly incomplete. Where are the everyday, gritty realities of farm life? Herding cattle, refilling water troughs, mowing fields, fixing fences, those details could have grounded the story more deeply in its setting and given Luke’s character additional layers of authenticity. I would have loved more of that, to get even more into that farm feeling. Another point worth mentioning is the “slow burn” label featured on the cover. By my definition, this is a bit misleading. The emotional and romantic connection happens fairly quickly, and Luke is clearly captivated by Emmy from the very first moment. While the relationship does take time to fully unfold, it lacks that prolonged restraint and aching delay that usually defines a true slow burn, in my opinion. As for the spice level: despite what many readers claim, this book is not particularly steamy- especially when compared to darker romance subgenres. There are two, maybe three intimate scenes, and they are relatively brief. This isn’t a flaw, merely something to be aware of for readers who go in expecting something much more explicit. Conclusion Done and Dusted is a charming, cozy romance that shines as a lighthearted time-filler. It may not push boundaries or fully capitalize on its cowboy premise, but it delivers a gentle love story with likable characters and an easy reading experience. Perfect for a quiet afternoon, a short break from heavier books, or anyone looking for a soft, comforting romance without too much emotional turbulence. :) 3/5 from me

Das kam unerwartet.. Ich wollte eine schöne Romance Story, ein no brainer, den man zwischendurch lesen kann. Das habe ich auch bekommen aber gleichzeitig auch wirklich ein richtiges Romance Highlight. "Done and Dusted" ist meine erste Cowboy-Romance und wow, ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass ich das mal heiß finden würde. Emmy Ryder kehrt nach einem Reitunfall unvermittelt zurück auf die Rebel Blue Ranch ihrer Familie. Der beste Freund ihres Bruders, Luke Brooks, geht ihr, wie sonst auch, sofort unter die Haut. Doch dieses Mal, scheint es völlig anders zu sein.. Und wie anders es war. Die Geschichte ist wahrscheinlich so alt wie die Zeit: die kleine Schwester verliebt sich in den besten Freund ihres Bruders. Und doch war dieses Buch kein bisschen langweilig. Die beiden verbringen Zeit, weil Luke Emmy dabei helfen will, wieder auf ein Pferd zu steigen und völlig natürlich entstehen Gespräche, die weit mehr sind, als Smalltalk. Alles wirkt authentisch. Sie vertrauen sich gegenseitig an, erzählen von ihren Ängsten, ihren Gefühlen und man lernt beide sehr gut kennen. Nach und nach entwickeln sich Gefühle und das nicht nur auf sexueller Ebene, was ich toll fand. Es gibt viel mehr, was die beiden gegenseitig anzieht und ich habe alles daran geliebt. Man verliebt sich nicht nur in die Ranch, die Familie, die Freunde drumherum, sondern man verliebt sich auch in die Liebe zwischen Emmy und Luke. Es war so schön. So cozy. So heiß. Eine klare Empfehlung!

I have no idea what to think about this book. It took me 200 pages to get into it. Don't get me wrong, I honestly loved the vibe that this book has given me but still I had difficulty picking it up and getting the desire to continue reading.