We got the chance to kick back with #1 New York Times bestseller Lyla Sage and chat about redefining cowboys, writing magical fictional worlds, and why she’d never survive a fantasy novel. With her latest release, Wild and Wrangled, out now, she is on the cutting edge of the Western romance scene and a top summer read you need on your TBR.

She Reads: What’s your favorite summer reading setup—on the beach, at the lake, or inside with air conditioning?

Lyla Sage: I like to lizard! I love basking in the sun, so my ideal setup is by a lake on a warm rock—not a beach. I don’t like sand. If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll understand—Anakin Skywalker and I have that in common. So yeah, lakeside sunning like a lizard is definitely my vibe.

SR: If you could live in the world of one book for a year, which would it be and why?

Lyla: Oof, that’s such a good and hard question. I can’t pick a fantasy world because, realistically, I’d be dead within three seconds. So I have to go contemporary… but in those, the guy always ends up with the heroine, and I’m just left with nothing—as it should be!

Maybe Bride by Ali Hazelwood, or I’d love to hang out in the small town Hannah Bonam-Young created in her upcoming release People Watching (out in September—you’re welcome for the plug, Hannah). Really, anywhere there are mountains and no monsters works for me.

SR: Do you have a favorite book-to-screen adaptation?

Lyla: The Hunger Games, hands down. I watch it all the time, especially when I’m feeling stressed.

It’s either The Hunger Games trilogy or the Captain America trilogy—those are my comfort watches.

Also, fun fact: someone once told me I looked like Jennifer Lawrence with brown hair. I’ve clung to that compliment ever since. (Feel free to tell me I look like her, too.)

SR: How have authors redefined the cowboy archetype for today’s readers?

Lyla: I think we’re seeing a broader effort—especially in romance—to present more emotionally intelligent, self-aware men. And that’s definitely affecting how we write cowboys. They’re still rugged and capable, but they’re more in tune with their feelings, more vulnerable, and more supportive. I love that shift.

Westerns have historically centered men. How are authors reclaiming or reshaping the genre for women today?

Lyla: That’s such a good question. I think it starts with awareness—recognizing that even romance has historically centered men in a lot of ways. Think about how much we talk about “book boyfriends,” right?

But the truth is, women are the story. Romance gives us a chance to decenter men and explore joy, complexity, and growth through women’s eyes. It’s a genre that’s increasingly diverse and emotionally rich—and I think it’s the perfect space to challenge old tropes and celebrate new voices. I feel lucky to be writing in romance right now.

SR: What role does setting play in your books, and how do you make your fictional towns feel so real?

Lyla: Setting is everything to me. I love atmosphere, and I love when a place feels like a character in the story.

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The Devil’s Boot, Rebel Blue, Baby Blue—those towns each have their own soul. When I’m writing, I put myself in those scenes with all five senses. What do I see, hear, smell, feel, taste? I want readers to feel like they’re watching a movie in their head.

That’s one thing I will confidently say I’m good at—I care so deeply about setting and crafting that immersive vibe.

SR: Western romance seems to be having a moment. Why do you think that is?

Lyla: A few reasons, honestly. There’s something inherently romantic and a little wild about the West—big skies, big emotions, wide open spaces. I think people are craving authenticity, and the Western setting taps into that.

Also, trends come in waves. We’re seeing Western fashion blow up, shows like Yellowstone get huge, and platforms like TikTok are pushing cowboy-core into the spotlight. The genre’s been around for over a century—it’s just having another well-deserved surge. And it’s really exciting to be part of it.