What do you think?
Rate this book
Saddlehill Academy #1
Sweet & Bitter Rivals
From the author of the Canterwood Crest series comes the first book in a middle grade series about an equestrian boarding school following a girl who struggles to keep her eyes on the prize while receiving anonymous threats.
Abby St. Clair can’t wait to start another season with her elite riding team at her boarding school. She has something to prove after literally falling on her face during the biggest competition of the year the previous season. And she could really use a win after her mom left her family, her dad remarried, and Abby’s new stepsister, Emery, proved to be a strong rider and stiff competition.
Abby wants to return to some semblance of normal but is hiding a she accidentally cost her biggest rival, Selly, a chance at team captain. Then Abby begins to receive anonymous messages, threatening to expose her unwitting sabotage and a video that makes it look like she’s trash-talking Emery. With an important competition on the horizon and the knowledge that someone in her circle knows way too much about her, the pressure is on.
Abby tries to put on blinders and have the perfect meet with her horse, Beau, but she’s about to find out the hard way that secrets don’t make friends at Saddlehill Academy.
Abby St. Clair can’t wait to start another season with her elite riding team at her boarding school. She has something to prove after literally falling on her face during the biggest competition of the year the previous season. And she could really use a win after her mom left her family, her dad remarried, and Abby’s new stepsister, Emery, proved to be a strong rider and stiff competition.
Abby wants to return to some semblance of normal but is hiding a she accidentally cost her biggest rival, Selly, a chance at team captain. Then Abby begins to receive anonymous messages, threatening to expose her unwitting sabotage and a video that makes it look like she’s trash-talking Emery. With an important competition on the horizon and the knowledge that someone in her circle knows way too much about her, the pressure is on.
Abby tries to put on blinders and have the perfect meet with her horse, Beau, but she’s about to find out the hard way that secrets don’t make friends at Saddlehill Academy.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published May 30, 2023
18 people are currently reading
2946 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Burkhart
138 books628 followersJessica Burkhart is the author of the best-selling Canterwood Crest series which has sold over 1.6 million copies in multiple languages. She has also written the Unicorn Magic series, the YA novel Wild Hearts, and edited a YA anthology--Life Inside My Mind.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 28, 2021
Hiii! I'm scurrying off this page now, but this is my new bb! After a break from writing to take care of my mental health, I'm back in publishing! I can't wait for 2023! We're gonna have so much fun with this Canterwood Crest crossover series . . . and who knows . . . maybe Sasha Silver will make an appearance. :) Thank you all so, so much for sticking with me. I adore you! xoxo
July 28, 2023
Self care for me now a days looks like sunshine, an iced beverage & middle grade horse fiction. 🏃🏼♀️ me running to request The Canterwood Crest series immediately!
I’m loving all the middle grade coming out that shows real kids, real situations. Making it relatable to todays generation. Burkhart set the perfect setting of an equestrian boarding school with a classic horse story mixed with teen drama. LOVED! Excited for book 2!
I’m loving all the middle grade coming out that shows real kids, real situations. Making it relatable to todays generation. Burkhart set the perfect setting of an equestrian boarding school with a classic horse story mixed with teen drama. LOVED! Excited for book 2!
June 30, 2024
🌟 🤩 ✨️
That ending...whoah boy. Reading the synopsis for the second one,I want to read it as soon as I can. Crossing fingers it goes on sale soon!
This was a fun read. I loved the setting 😍, the friendships between the girls..I wanted to hug the horses 🐎 🤗
It does deal with some kinda heavy topics but the story never feels bogged down.
Would recommend!
That ending...whoah boy. Reading the synopsis for the second one,I want to read it as soon as I can. Crossing fingers it goes on sale soon!
This was a fun read. I loved the setting 😍, the friendships between the girls..I wanted to hug the horses 🐎 🤗
It does deal with some kinda heavy topics but the story never feels bogged down.
Would recommend!
June 9, 2023
This author basically raised me and I’m so glad she’s back. Please excuse me while I self soothe with middle grade horse fiction.
And yes I will be re-reading my entire Canterwood Crest backlog now, so y’all just mind your business. 🫶🏻
And yes I will be re-reading my entire Canterwood Crest backlog now, so y’all just mind your business. 🫶🏻
February 3, 2023
After choking at the biggest competition of the year last season, Abby St.Clair has something to prove—to her team, to her dad, and to herself. Except this season, she's also dealing with a new stepsister (who may or may not be a better rider than her) and a string of mystery texts from someone trying to take her down.
This is the first Jessica Burkhart book I've read, and it was *wonderful*. It was so easy to become fully immersed in Abby's life at Saddlehill Academy. This first book in the series has mean girls, a friend group you can't help but fall for, boarding school drama mixed with *competition*, and complicated family dynamics—and a dash of mystery! I adored it!! Highly, highly recommend!
This is the first Jessica Burkhart book I've read, and it was *wonderful*. It was so easy to become fully immersed in Abby's life at Saddlehill Academy. This first book in the series has mean girls, a friend group you can't help but fall for, boarding school drama mixed with *competition*, and complicated family dynamics—and a dash of mystery! I adored it!! Highly, highly recommend!
September 24, 2023
2.5/5 stars - review to come
September 26, 2025
I had a feeling I was going to absolutely adore this book and I was absolutely right. It is such a sweet, cute, fun horse book and reminds me of falling in love with Canterwood Crest. I love how much I can see the growth in the author's writing. The girls feel like 6th graders, occasionally a little older than say my 6th grader acts, but not as much as the girls in CC who often behaved more like seniors. Most of all I love the horses, the stable, & the instructors who value teamwork, kindness, & respect over winning blue. I love that the classroom has changed with the times, having more technology, different dynamics than the standard lecture hall style. I can't wait to dive into book two.
May 19, 2025
Stars: 5 Stars
Format: Print
Series: Saddlehill Academy Book 1
Steam Level: Not Steamy
I read this for the I Heart Sapphic 2025 Reading Challenge for the prompt Mystery.
I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did considering I only picked it up to fill a prompt. Once I stopped being distracted by other books and buckled down to read it, I flew through this story so quickly.
Quick Thoughts:
- I did not realize it until the end when reading the author’s note that this is a spin off series from this writer’s other riding academy series. I can safely say that I didn’t feel like I was missing anything super important to understand this book but apparently there are Easter eggs sprinkled it for fans of the Canterwood series
- Something I absolutely adored about this book is that characters talk about having crushes on people of the same sex and NO ONE bats an eye and encourages them to go for it. Also, roll call lists have each student’s pronouns and the students are encouraged to speak up if they changed so that the roll call sheets can be corrected
- One thing that drew me out of the story a little bit was how wealthy the school and its students seemed to be. The protagonist didn’t have any money worries and the adult in me was boggled. But I can see that not being a concern for this age group because, again, this is an adult worry not a kid one
- The fact technology is used in the classrooms was fantastic to read. It makes perfect sense for a school like this for it to be the norm
- I know diddly squat about horses and riding so I found those parts infinitely fascinating. It felt Ike the author did know a great deal though which made those parts even better (though honestly they could have gotten everything wrong and I wouldn’t know)
- The drama and family issues in the book was very appropriate for this age group. Their reasonings and reactions didn’t have me rolling my eyes
- Can I just say how wonderful it was that they talked like they are sixth graders and not short adults
- Oh I was not expecting that ending. My only grip is with myself for not bringing book two with me to work so I could immediately dive into it
- Which brings me to a warning, make sure to NOT do what I did and have the next book with you to read right away
Overall I was surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did. Too many books set in this age group around a niche interest, are either written like the characters are five or like adults and not their actual age. I am so glad I bought all four books before starting this; definitely picking up book two as soon as I get home from work.
Format: Print
Series: Saddlehill Academy Book 1
Steam Level: Not Steamy
I read this for the I Heart Sapphic 2025 Reading Challenge for the prompt Mystery.
I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did considering I only picked it up to fill a prompt. Once I stopped being distracted by other books and buckled down to read it, I flew through this story so quickly.
Quick Thoughts:
- I did not realize it until the end when reading the author’s note that this is a spin off series from this writer’s other riding academy series. I can safely say that I didn’t feel like I was missing anything super important to understand this book but apparently there are Easter eggs sprinkled it for fans of the Canterwood series
- Something I absolutely adored about this book is that characters talk about having crushes on people of the same sex and NO ONE bats an eye and encourages them to go for it. Also, roll call lists have each student’s pronouns and the students are encouraged to speak up if they changed so that the roll call sheets can be corrected
- One thing that drew me out of the story a little bit was how wealthy the school and its students seemed to be. The protagonist didn’t have any money worries and the adult in me was boggled. But I can see that not being a concern for this age group because, again, this is an adult worry not a kid one
- The fact technology is used in the classrooms was fantastic to read. It makes perfect sense for a school like this for it to be the norm
- I know diddly squat about horses and riding so I found those parts infinitely fascinating. It felt Ike the author did know a great deal though which made those parts even better (though honestly they could have gotten everything wrong and I wouldn’t know)
- The drama and family issues in the book was very appropriate for this age group. Their reasonings and reactions didn’t have me rolling my eyes
- Can I just say how wonderful it was that they talked like they are sixth graders and not short adults
- Oh I was not expecting that ending. My only grip is with myself for not bringing book two with me to work so I could immediately dive into it
- Which brings me to a warning, make sure to NOT do what I did and have the next book with you to read right away
Overall I was surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did. Too many books set in this age group around a niche interest, are either written like the characters are five or like adults and not their actual age. I am so glad I bought all four books before starting this; definitely picking up book two as soon as I get home from work.
November 7, 2023
Saddlehill Academy is ironically enough the second new horse girl series I have started this year.
While Pinehollow is for me a return to my love for the Saddle Club and a peek at their lives a bit down the road. I think SaddleHill Academy will be that same thing for people who enjoyed Canterwood Cress. Lots of allusions to characters and former riders of Jessica Burkhart’s first series mark the pages of this first Saddlehill book.
But the main characters are all new. Abby St. Clair has a lot going on for her. A new stepmom, a new stepsister, another riding season to make up for her burnout at the last show of the season. All of this backstory is a lot to swallow at the beginning. We jump right into Abby’s second year at Saddlehill, her friendships, her enemies, her riding team, with only the brief exposition about each one and are expected to feel as deeply for Abby as she does at the triumphs and betrayals she experiences. It takes awhile but I definitely got there at the end and the reveal of her stalker and how she finds out shocked me I must admit.
So if you feel like the beginning is a little dry or are having a hard time sinking in, you aren’t alone. That happened for me as well. But by the end I was invested! I need Abby and Beau to do well and for Shelly to fall on her stinky face.
Be warned, however, big time cliffhanger in bound! What is it with horse series and just. Boom that’s the end, nothing resolved big reveal? So rude. I’ve already got the sequel on hold haha.
While Pinehollow is for me a return to my love for the Saddle Club and a peek at their lives a bit down the road. I think SaddleHill Academy will be that same thing for people who enjoyed Canterwood Cress. Lots of allusions to characters and former riders of Jessica Burkhart’s first series mark the pages of this first Saddlehill book.
But the main characters are all new. Abby St. Clair has a lot going on for her. A new stepmom, a new stepsister, another riding season to make up for her burnout at the last show of the season. All of this backstory is a lot to swallow at the beginning. We jump right into Abby’s second year at Saddlehill, her friendships, her enemies, her riding team, with only the brief exposition about each one and are expected to feel as deeply for Abby as she does at the triumphs and betrayals she experiences. It takes awhile but I definitely got there at the end and the reveal of her stalker and how she finds out shocked me I must admit.
So if you feel like the beginning is a little dry or are having a hard time sinking in, you aren’t alone. That happened for me as well. But by the end I was invested! I need Abby and Beau to do well and for Shelly to fall on her stinky face.
Be warned, however, big time cliffhanger in bound! What is it with horse series and just. Boom that’s the end, nothing resolved big reveal? So rude. I’ve already got the sequel on hold haha.
August 28, 2023
DNF. Honestly more like 1.5 cause it was easy to read, but otherwise, can’t understand how it’s a horse book? As a fellow equestrian, this could’ve easily just been a basic boarding school story. She mentions her horse once, never goes into the intricacies of grooming or even riding, and just has her character strolling around campus. Also, why are there even non-riders at an equestrian boarding school?? It’s name is -SADDLEHILL-. Who would go there if they weren’t into horses?
I can’t speak for how the Canterwood series is, as I somehow missed that one growing up as an avid equestrian, but this one is just about how many times she can see the same 4 friends in different areas of campus, shout Hiiiiii, and then take forever to decide what they’ll eat next. There’s honestly no real plot at all? Let alone stakes.
This book also reads like it is the second or third in a series. Are we sure it is meant to be the first?? There are far too many characters mentioned without really introducing them, and she said it’s her second year. Why not start her as a 6th grader and show us that first year, so you can avoid all this exposition and explanation that doesn’t mean anything to us, cause we weren’t there with her? Like would’ve love to have seen this show where she choked, instead of just telling us here and skipping ahead. Would’ve absolutely loved to see more riding too. A no-go for me, though I may still check out Canterwood.
I can’t speak for how the Canterwood series is, as I somehow missed that one growing up as an avid equestrian, but this one is just about how many times she can see the same 4 friends in different areas of campus, shout Hiiiiii, and then take forever to decide what they’ll eat next. There’s honestly no real plot at all? Let alone stakes.
This book also reads like it is the second or third in a series. Are we sure it is meant to be the first?? There are far too many characters mentioned without really introducing them, and she said it’s her second year. Why not start her as a 6th grader and show us that first year, so you can avoid all this exposition and explanation that doesn’t mean anything to us, cause we weren’t there with her? Like would’ve love to have seen this show where she choked, instead of just telling us here and skipping ahead. Would’ve absolutely loved to see more riding too. A no-go for me, though I may still check out Canterwood.
March 9, 2024
Full disclosure; I did not grow up reading the Canterwood Crest series. I only discovered this author through a chance encounter at a thrift store landing me the CC series, looking her up, and finding this series. I promptly checked it out at my local library when I saw the words 'LGBT' in the same sentence as horses. This is also my first middle reader since 2013, so I'm fresh to the genre.
Right away we learn that Abby is experiencing some pretty tough things at her age. Her mom left, her dad has remarried, and she's forced to be 'sisters' with a girl who's better at riding than her. She has a bully targeting her and she's also being blackmailed.
The book where it's at feels more like teen drama with a side than horses with a side of teen drama, but I'm okay with that. I enjoy social-heavy books, so I don't mind the fact the horses seem to take a bit of a back seat. The LGBT representation in this book is refreshing after a lifetime of existing near plenty of homophobic horse fans. A casual mention of liking girls here, casually swapping pronouns in the common room... It certainly helped heal a younger version of myself that was questioning many things at that age.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I'm quite looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I'll most certainly read Canterwood Crest while waiting for the rest of the books to release, too. This is my first foray into horse fiction and I'm certainly enjoying myself with this.
Right away we learn that Abby is experiencing some pretty tough things at her age. Her mom left, her dad has remarried, and she's forced to be 'sisters' with a girl who's better at riding than her. She has a bully targeting her and she's also being blackmailed.
The book where it's at feels more like teen drama with a side than horses with a side of teen drama, but I'm okay with that. I enjoy social-heavy books, so I don't mind the fact the horses seem to take a bit of a back seat. The LGBT representation in this book is refreshing after a lifetime of existing near plenty of homophobic horse fans. A casual mention of liking girls here, casually swapping pronouns in the common room... It certainly helped heal a younger version of myself that was questioning many things at that age.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I'm quite looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I'll most certainly read Canterwood Crest while waiting for the rest of the books to release, too. This is my first foray into horse fiction and I'm certainly enjoying myself with this.
June 13, 2023
Characters (Human and Horse) Pop Off the Page!
The realism and relatable settings in this equestrian school story set the stage for a read that will strike chords with so many people. It’s not just that Abby is dealing with a new stepmom - it’s that her stepsister is an exquisite rider. It’s not just that Abby is facing teenage school rivalries, it’s that they’re high-tech and invasive. It’s not just that Abby wants to be a champion rider, it’s that she’s coming off a TERRIBLE finish to her last season.
Oh, and it’s the first week of the school year.
Savvy kids and adults will recognize the world Burkhart is building here: a classic horse story, but updated for a world that can be equally wonderfully accepting and woefully vindictive. Proudly writing about 21st century life in the stable and schoolyard, Burkhart takes a winning formula and makes it relatable for a new generation of smart, ambitious readers.
Oh, and that dressage test? Impeccable!
The realism and relatable settings in this equestrian school story set the stage for a read that will strike chords with so many people. It’s not just that Abby is dealing with a new stepmom - it’s that her stepsister is an exquisite rider. It’s not just that Abby is facing teenage school rivalries, it’s that they’re high-tech and invasive. It’s not just that Abby wants to be a champion rider, it’s that she’s coming off a TERRIBLE finish to her last season.
Oh, and it’s the first week of the school year.
Savvy kids and adults will recognize the world Burkhart is building here: a classic horse story, but updated for a world that can be equally wonderfully accepting and woefully vindictive. Proudly writing about 21st century life in the stable and schoolyard, Burkhart takes a winning formula and makes it relatable for a new generation of smart, ambitious readers.
Oh, and that dressage test? Impeccable!
June 13, 2023
I grew up reading the Canterwood crest series. I feverishly imbibed every single word as a young lover of horses.
Now, i’m 25 years old. My life is much different. I have New labels- im still an equestrian, but I’m also queer. It took me until college to realize that about myself.
I wonder what I would have realized about myself if books like this existed when I was 12. If I knew that you could love horses and also maybe have a crush on the girl next door. If I knew that it was normal and perfectly okay.
I’ve seen a couple reviews on here dragging this book. To them, I encourage you to sit with yourself. I don’t care about your review, but your children might read your words someday and hide the most important parts of themselves from you.
Jessica Burkhart, thank you. Im going to read this whole series and share it far and wide, because stories like this deserve to be read.
Now, i’m 25 years old. My life is much different. I have New labels- im still an equestrian, but I’m also queer. It took me until college to realize that about myself.
I wonder what I would have realized about myself if books like this existed when I was 12. If I knew that you could love horses and also maybe have a crush on the girl next door. If I knew that it was normal and perfectly okay.
I’ve seen a couple reviews on here dragging this book. To them, I encourage you to sit with yourself. I don’t care about your review, but your children might read your words someday and hide the most important parts of themselves from you.
Jessica Burkhart, thank you. Im going to read this whole series and share it far and wide, because stories like this deserve to be read.
June 14, 2023
And she’s back!
I have been a huge fan of the author since the very first Canterwood Crest book came out when I was a pre-teen. I adored that series and now into my mid-20s I still go back and reread them.
I never had any doubt that SaddleHill was going to be just as good, and I’m so happy that I was right.
This book is so fun and an excellent kickoff to what I’m sure will be a wonderful series. I love how Jessica has made a safe welcoming space out of SaddleHill and it was awesome to see the casual inclusion of pronouns and LGBTQIA+ characters and themes. It’s 100% age appropriate for a middle grade book and brought a smile to my face to see all the diversity inclusion.
SaddleHill is fun, filled with horses, and the classic Jessica Burkhart teen drama I’ve adored since 2009. Im eagerly awaiting book 2! (Luckily I only have to wait a month!)
I have been a huge fan of the author since the very first Canterwood Crest book came out when I was a pre-teen. I adored that series and now into my mid-20s I still go back and reread them.
I never had any doubt that SaddleHill was going to be just as good, and I’m so happy that I was right.
This book is so fun and an excellent kickoff to what I’m sure will be a wonderful series. I love how Jessica has made a safe welcoming space out of SaddleHill and it was awesome to see the casual inclusion of pronouns and LGBTQIA+ characters and themes. It’s 100% age appropriate for a middle grade book and brought a smile to my face to see all the diversity inclusion.
SaddleHill is fun, filled with horses, and the classic Jessica Burkhart teen drama I’ve adored since 2009. Im eagerly awaiting book 2! (Luckily I only have to wait a month!)
February 22, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Rising seventh grader Abby St. Clair has been through a lot of changes in the past year. Her mother has been gone for a while, abandoning the family without explanation when she was seven. Her father is always very busy at work, but has recently married Emery's mother. Emery, who is a year younger and has never had a father, is also going to be attending Saddlehill Academy, a boarding school that is outside Boston and has a lovely campus, strong academics, and an equestrian program that is superb. Abby has her own horse, Beau, (A Dutch Warmblood) on campus, and is excited to train and compete against rival Canterwood Crest. Abby is okay with all of the changes, but a tiny git apprehensive about how much time her father is spending with Emery. She's also not thrilled that she is in the same house with Selly and Nina, who are both incredibly mean to her ever since Abby made a mistake at a competition that caused Selly to do poorly. When Abby gets a video on her phone from a mysterious source that makes it look like Abby was saying terrible things about Emery, she's devastated. She reaches out to Emery right away to tell her it isn't true, and starts to investigate the sourse with her friend, Vivi. Emery is understanding, especially since she sees the effort that Abby is going to to try to figure out who made the video. Of course, there are also classes to attend, horses to ride, and the occasional cute boy around, so Abby is plenty busy. Selly continues to say mean things to her and tries to undermine her confidence by befriending Emery and telling Abby that Emery is a much better rider. When the true identity of the video poster comes to life, will Abby be able to remain friends with Emery? We'll have to wait until The Showdown comes out on July 25, 2023 to find out!
Strengths: There is a lot of appeal to vicariously attending a boarding school while living safely at home. And a boarding school where a decent amount of time is spend riding, and around other kids who ride? Perfect. Saddlehill is a very posh school, and students can have pizza delivered and hang out at the pool, so for my students, this is a great fantasy novel! I absolutely adored that Abby really wanted to be friends with Emery even though she had to fight with her feelings in order to do this, and I can't wait to see how they resolve their issues in the next book. There are plenty of details about riding and caring for horses along with the drama, making this an excellent choice for middle school readers who want the full vicarious boarding school experience!
Weaknesses: The very long Canterwood Crest series is available in paperback, which is why I didn't order it for my library. I would get the first five books if they were available in prebind or hardcover. While I feel like I missed a bit about Abby's background, things are recapped nicely and it's not essential to read that series.
What I really think: My horse fans were a bit disappointed to find out that this featured English riding but are still SUPER excited for it. I'll have to order the books over the summer so they can be checked out on the very first day back, along with Elliot's excellent Bea and the New Deal Horse. I do have Burkhart's Wild Hearts to keep my readers busy for a little bit!
Ms. Yingling
Rising seventh grader Abby St. Clair has been through a lot of changes in the past year. Her mother has been gone for a while, abandoning the family without explanation when she was seven. Her father is always very busy at work, but has recently married Emery's mother. Emery, who is a year younger and has never had a father, is also going to be attending Saddlehill Academy, a boarding school that is outside Boston and has a lovely campus, strong academics, and an equestrian program that is superb. Abby has her own horse, Beau, (A Dutch Warmblood) on campus, and is excited to train and compete against rival Canterwood Crest. Abby is okay with all of the changes, but a tiny git apprehensive about how much time her father is spending with Emery. She's also not thrilled that she is in the same house with Selly and Nina, who are both incredibly mean to her ever since Abby made a mistake at a competition that caused Selly to do poorly. When Abby gets a video on her phone from a mysterious source that makes it look like Abby was saying terrible things about Emery, she's devastated. She reaches out to Emery right away to tell her it isn't true, and starts to investigate the sourse with her friend, Vivi. Emery is understanding, especially since she sees the effort that Abby is going to to try to figure out who made the video. Of course, there are also classes to attend, horses to ride, and the occasional cute boy around, so Abby is plenty busy. Selly continues to say mean things to her and tries to undermine her confidence by befriending Emery and telling Abby that Emery is a much better rider. When the true identity of the video poster comes to life, will Abby be able to remain friends with Emery? We'll have to wait until The Showdown comes out on July 25, 2023 to find out!
Strengths: There is a lot of appeal to vicariously attending a boarding school while living safely at home. And a boarding school where a decent amount of time is spend riding, and around other kids who ride? Perfect. Saddlehill is a very posh school, and students can have pizza delivered and hang out at the pool, so for my students, this is a great fantasy novel! I absolutely adored that Abby really wanted to be friends with Emery even though she had to fight with her feelings in order to do this, and I can't wait to see how they resolve their issues in the next book. There are plenty of details about riding and caring for horses along with the drama, making this an excellent choice for middle school readers who want the full vicarious boarding school experience!
Weaknesses: The very long Canterwood Crest series is available in paperback, which is why I didn't order it for my library. I would get the first five books if they were available in prebind or hardcover. While I feel like I missed a bit about Abby's background, things are recapped nicely and it's not essential to read that series.
What I really think: My horse fans were a bit disappointed to find out that this featured English riding but are still SUPER excited for it. I'll have to order the books over the summer so they can be checked out on the very first day back, along with Elliot's excellent Bea and the New Deal Horse. I do have Burkhart's Wild Hearts to keep my readers busy for a little bit!
Ms. Yingling
August 4, 2024
I read all of the first 4 books in this series and I’m obsessed. It feels like a more elevated version of Canterwood Crest, though it is a bit painful to see the author still tied to the same age group. Not because she doesn’t write middle-grade well, but because I think she would do great things with a young adult audience too. Really cool to see this series bring a little bit more seriousness into the characters, what with Abby’s mom abandoning her and blended family situations. The most we got of that nature in CC was Heather’s dad being a douche, but in this one I like that the trauma isn’t a way to humanize the antagonist, it’s a factor of our main character.
Yay horses! Neigh.
Yay horses! Neigh.
August 18, 2023
I won this book from Goodread's FirstReads.
It is a middle-grade novel set in a boarding school. The main character is on the school equestrian team. She is dealing with suddenly having a new family when her father gets married over the summer and they move into the home of her new step-mom and step-sister. Her new step-sister joins her school and her riding team. She is also dealing with harassment from an unknown person via text and email.
This is good story. I can see elementary girls that love horses really enjoying this.
It is a middle-grade novel set in a boarding school. The main character is on the school equestrian team. She is dealing with suddenly having a new family when her father gets married over the summer and they move into the home of her new step-mom and step-sister. Her new step-sister joins her school and her riding team. She is also dealing with harassment from an unknown person via text and email.
This is good story. I can see elementary girls that love horses really enjoying this.
May 18, 2024
I didn't realize this was a sort of sequel to another series when I picked it up. I heard "sapphic" and "horse girl" and wanted to read it. The first part of the book does read like the second in the series--there were so many characters and I got confused! It was a bit slow paced at first and it took me a while to get into it.
What I did like was how the story dealt with some serious topics. I also enjoyed all the strong female friendships.
I would have liked to see even more horse content.
What I did like was how the story dealt with some serious topics. I also enjoyed all the strong female friendships.
I would have liked to see even more horse content.
June 18, 2023
I was a huge fan of the canterwood crest series and was excited to find this in the bookstore! I enjoyed the new settings and characters, and was glad for some hints at the life of the canterwood characters lives post series. I also appreciated the normalization of pronouns and queer rep in this book! Can’t wait for the next one.
August 22, 2023
Full disclosure: Goodreads Giveaway winner
The book was ok, but then it seemed at the end the author thought, 'oh, I'm at x pages, need to wrap this up -' and so she did... in about three pages and ended in the middle of a scene. Too many arcs not completed (would it have killed her to let our heroine see her Dad after her show?)
The book was ok, but then it seemed at the end the author thought, 'oh, I'm at x pages, need to wrap this up -' and so she did... in about three pages and ended in the middle of a scene. Too many arcs not completed (would it have killed her to let our heroine see her Dad after her show?)
June 25, 2023
Yaaayyy, more horse girl drama! I just love the worlds that Jessica Burkhart builds. Fans of Canterwood Crest will enjoy this! It has all the horsey fun and juicy drama you love, as well as some deeper family topics that were missing from CC.
May 12, 2024
Very well written, but the drama was far higher than I expected to face going into it. It's hard to separate yourself from the character's misfortunes, especially with that ending, Woof, now we gotta wait for the next book to see how it goes XD
October 3, 2024
This is a really good read for the 10 to 13 year old set! I enjoyed it, the characters and situations are believable and the writing is pretty good. It gets slow in places but overall the story moves along and there's enough drama to go around.
June 17, 2023
Very interesting read for middle school readers in that the way deals with the very serious mistakes young people can make without realizing the damage it causes.
June 22, 2023
I was first drawn to this because of the cover, but this book didn’t disappoint it was so good! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book after that ending
Read
November 26, 2024DNF- pre-read for students but author has a clear liberal agenda with inclusion of pronouns and gender discussions. Not interested.
January 15, 2025
Oh this is getting a 4 star and SO WHAT. Horse girl boarding school drama for the reading slump wiiiiiiiin
July 3, 2025
I loved it! Refreshing and modern. Great story line for teens
October 9, 2025
I think it is really good i like how the secret person is TXP and I guessed the person half way through
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews