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The Head and Not The Heart (Alex and Alexander #1)
by
Natalie Keller Reinert (Goodreads Author)
Horses have always been Alex’s obsession. Their presence has defined her life: all her choices, from her love-life to her career, have been made with horses as her priority. But the horse business isn’t for the sentimental, and it’s growing harder for her to tamp down her emotions and think about the horses with her head and not her heart.
When their racing stable suffers a ...more
When their racing stable suffers a ...more
Nook, 1st Edition, 208 pages
Published
July 13th 2011
by Natalie Keller Reinert
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Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
While one can tell that the book was written by "a true horse person" (just a side note from a horse book snob- it's fairly easy to tell when somebody has spent time around horses and when they haven't, and the authentic books unfortunately are few and far between...) so I give Reinert credit for that.
Alex, the main character, was a bit two dimensional and a little bit boring, but the world in which she functions is rich and delightfully horsey. I read this one quickly, and while I was unimpress ...more
Alex, the main character, was a bit two dimensional and a little bit boring, but the world in which she functions is rich and delightfully horsey. I read this one quickly, and while I was unimpress ...more
A solid start to what will hopefully be a decent series. Well written by a horse person for horse people. I was hoping for a little bit more character development, and I didn't care for the abrupt jump ahead a year towards the end of the story (I guess instead of a brief synopsis of the characters' lives during that year, I'd have rather have had a few chapters dedicated to fleshing that out). Still, overall this was an enjoyable book and I'm looking forward to the second one in the series. 3 so
...more
Not much to the story. Woman bored of her horsey life, goes to New York for a night, wakes up, smells the coffee, returns home rejuvenated.... Not particularly inspiring, not at all offensive, just a bit, well - easy!
This is one of those books that stays with you, long after you've turned the last page. The images and word pictures the author paints are subtle and provide layers of insight into this compelling story.
The author's well-formed descriptions really caught my attention. I mean, who cannot love the way this house in Florida is portrayed: "This sprawling farmhouse looked like it had been dropped carelessly from a helicopter which had been en route to a more suitable location, like Vermont."
And here ...more
The author's well-formed descriptions really caught my attention. I mean, who cannot love the way this house in Florida is portrayed: "This sprawling farmhouse looked like it had been dropped carelessly from a helicopter which had been en route to a more suitable location, like Vermont."
And here ...more
An elegantly-written, spare, and delicate novel about the internal conflicts of a woman who has grown up around horses. This novel challenges many of the conventional clichés of how a racetrack novel is ‘supposed’ to evolve. Usually the plot revolves around a single horse and the challenges he must undergo to become a champion. In this novel, the central protagonist falls in love with several horses. Some break her heart, others nearly break her skull, some elicit her pity. The focus is on the r
...more
For any serious horse person who reads The Head and Not the Heart, it is clear that author Natalie Keller Reinert has walked the walk. Having worked with horses for a living and slunk back to my computer for a sitting-down-inside job, I had many of the same thoughts Alex did. You love the horses, but the work is exhausting. Horses are big, strong animals, and they hurt you without even trying. Yet, it is very rewarding to work with them, especially if you've loved them your whole life!
I did find ...more
I did find ...more
Mar 28, 2016
Kelsey
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
great-characters,
good-world-building,
well-written,
couldn-t-put-down,
m-f,
horses,
race-horses
This story started out great. The world is richly developed and believable. I completely identified with the MC and felt her struggles. And then I blinked, the story was over and it was suddenly a HEA. What??? It read as though half the book was missing. Alex struggles with her life choices and ends up in New York where she experiences a night out as the person she could have been. There is a deep melancholy to the writing and you can feel her lack of passion for the job she is doing. Then all o
...more
Natalie gets it 100% right on both the emotions and the details when it comes to horses and horse racing. The story is absolutely perfect. I felt the emotions right along with Alex as she struggled to decide if her life in Ocala, Fla. with horses is what she really should be doing. I've grown up around horses and do believe even those who have not will understand and fall in love with this story. It shows you the real deal the struggles of the world of horse racing. The details are spot on. The
...more
The first in the Alex and Alexander series, The Head and Not the Heart is told from the point of view of 25 year old Alex. Alex lives and breathes horses. As the second in charge on a racing and breeding thoroughbred establishment, she is devastated by the loss of a beloved horse at work.
This is not the first time Alex has grown attached to a promising young racehorse. It’s not the first time that she’s had to deal with its death, either. Although she knows she shouldn’t let her heart get involv ...more
This is not the first time Alex has grown attached to a promising young racehorse. It’s not the first time that she’s had to deal with its death, either. Although she knows she shouldn’t let her heart get involv ...more
Definitely a book for horsepeople and non-horsepeople alike. Horsepeople will like the overall accuracy of this book--we've all known critters like the ones Reinert describes. For non-horsepeople, Reinert clearly and accurately explains horse-specific terminology and techniques without breaking the narrative flow, which is a tough thing to do.
But the heart of this book and its sequel, Other Peoples' Horses lies in the classic professional horseperson's dilemma--do what is right for the horse and ...more
But the heart of this book and its sequel, Other Peoples' Horses lies in the classic professional horseperson's dilemma--do what is right for the horse and ...more
Natalie Reinert has that rare (and, to me, very valuable) talent of writing day-to-day stories (even if the day-to-day does take place in very interesting settings) that make you want to keep turning the pages.
This, after all, is real life - ups and downs in relationships and work - these are the dramas we gossip about with our friends and families, so there's no reason why they shouldn't be as interesting as any over-the-top action / thriller / cliff-hanger, when written well.
This author writes ...more
This, after all, is real life - ups and downs in relationships and work - these are the dramas we gossip about with our friends and families, so there's no reason why they shouldn't be as interesting as any over-the-top action / thriller / cliff-hanger, when written well.
This author writes ...more
This novella is a glimpse into the life on the racetrack and the emotions that only someone who loves horses could understand. I tend to shy away from first person POV, but it worked in this regard. I think it is probably the best way to tell the story. The protagonist clearly loves her life in Florida, but anyone that has wondered if they are living the life they are supposed to can relate to her struggles. I really enjoyed the read and will definitely check out Other People's Horses.
Really loved this book. As a show barn groom back in the 80's heyday on the Arabian circuit, it was fun to find a book that was as much about the grind of that life as the love for the horses themselves. Took me back to a time when I gave up that life but never the horses. Still have nine head to keep me humble every day. Enjoy this one if you want realism and love and adventure by someone else who has been there.
Great debut short novel about a young woman trying to find her place in life. Her passion has always been horses, but it that all there is? With lots of realistic details about training young racehorses from an author who knows her stuff, this story will especially appeal to horse lovers. Ms. Reinert has a great feel for language and words, and I look forward to reading more of her work!
I really enjoyed the voice, and certainly can relate to the whole overworked horse person thing (though I would take winters in Florida over winters in Ontario! I dream of the winters I spent in Florida when I'm night watching mares in February snowstorms!). Started out with great promise but came up a little short for me. Nice to read a reasonably authentic view of the TB world, though.
I've had this for awhile and kept not reading it because I am not a fan of horseracing. But I finally gave in, and it was quite wonderful, actually! Great characters!
This book did just what the first book in a series needs to do. It interested me enough to inspire me to purchase #2!
Not much of a story. Not very believable. Not much real insight into horsemanship. Disappointing. More like a blog or essay about a cathartic experience.
Solid horse racing book with intimate backstretch details that ring true to a horseman.
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Author of contemporary equestrian fiction and historical romance.
After twenty years of working with countless horses in half-a-dozen disciplines, Natalie Keller Reinert settled down to write about Thoroughbreds. From the short stirrup classes at dusty hunter/jumper shows in Florida to the inner dirt at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York City, it's always been about the Thoroughbreds. Natalie lives in ...more
More about Natalie Keller Reinert...
After twenty years of working with countless horses in half-a-dozen disciplines, Natalie Keller Reinert settled down to write about Thoroughbreds. From the short stirrup classes at dusty hunter/jumper shows in Florida to the inner dirt at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York City, it's always been about the Thoroughbreds. Natalie lives in ...more
Other Books in the Series
Alex and Alexander
(4 books)
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