Post by haffyfan on Dec 10, 2011 17:41:12 GMT 1
One for the Ladies, definitely chick lit with horses
I loved it, it was fast paced, quirky, bordering on downright weird in places but a real feel good romp all the same.
In a nutshell Judy is fed up of her life, after finding her husband is a serial cheat she decides to pack up the day job (teaching) and leaving a note on her pillow packs up and crosses state to work for an Olympic dressage rider. A German dressage rider with a penchant for Austrian and Swiss grooms who only add to the humour and wit this book exudes. Judy new goal in life is to ride well enough to earn her place in the barn, something her mount Ivan has very different ideas on most of the time.
Judy finds herself living above the barn with 3 other misfits (and a teenager from hell). The intricate relationship formed between these woman is heart warming, they compliment one another beautifully, and is Judy's life support system alongside the horses of course...and the Jack Russell's but i'll leave you to find out about those for yourself! If you love Jack Russell's you'll adore the two in this book.
A new love interest arrives on the scene pretty quickly, despite her new housemates warnings, but things don't quite work out how Judy had hoped which lead to a rather odd chapter where he turns out to be part of some secret society/Druidy cult thing but don't let that put you off as the rest is a riot. The demise of her Ex husband could also fall into the 'what the heck' category but is fairly integral to the storyline at the same point.
The characters are on the whole larger than life and in some cases simply hysterical, like the countess (whose accent changes everytime she speaks) who likes to read peoples tea leaves. There are also strong equine characters who teach Judy a great deal about both her self and life.
Lastly before you get worried it's a bit too chick lit the equine content is vast and very good, the Author being a keen horsewoman who has ridden up to grand prix level dressage and written for horsey publications in America.