Things have changed drastically for Alexandra Anderson in the past 12 months. This is shown in Yearling, the second book in the North Oak series. Alex is no longer an orphan struggling to do what is required of her in a home run by a tyrant of a woman.

Instead, she has found a home and a – slightly dysfunctional – family in the staff members at North Oak. But it’s the horses that Alex feels most at home with, not the parental figures or teenage girls slightly older than her.

Alex only wants to spend time with the horses and to learn to ride. If she can ride well, then she can run away – be free – on the back of a horse. But it seems that the family who are looking after her and offering her a home have other ideas.

As soon as Hillary discovers Alex’s lack of literacy, she vows to do something about it. Plus, she is insistent on Alex attending school, not staying on the farm and playing with horses.

As Alex battles with her lack of education and fitting in, she receives another blow. The yearling colt she has grown so fond of is being prepared for sale. Promenade, the one horse that she grew to love was being taken away from her and she could do nothing about it.

Yearling further develops the characters that were introduced in the first book. Alex grows and learns to lower some of her protective barriers. The reader is introduced to a fourth young woman who is fighting some battles of her own. As Carol is brought into the picture, Alex’s relationship with Ashley has light shed on it and it’s possible to see why Alex chooses to put up defences to avoid getting hurt. Yearling is a good follow on from Born to Run.

Author – Ann Hunter
Fiction – teen
In my library – Indeed it is as a Kindle version!
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

DJ Randall is having a ball riding her horse, Major in Letting Go. She is even taking classes that don’t interest her as much.  This is because she knows it will improve her jumping and give her more experience. She is saddened to learn at one of these shows that some complete strangers talk about her beloved horse, indicating he is holding her back from progressing in riding.

All DJ wants to do in life is compete in the Olympics on her horse. It seems that advice is coming from different avenues, indicating she can achieve her goal – but not with Major. When an injury to her gelding puts him out for the rest of the season, DJ questions if this is the end of her riding career.

When a surprise offer comes to her from her father and his new wife, DJ is torn. Should she accept this new horse that can help her go places? What about Major?

As she battles with this decision, DJ finds herself running out of time to sleep.  There is just too much to do! With art classes, school to keep up with and her horse cards business taking off, she doesn’t know which way is up.

As her father encourages her to focus on her Olympic dream, DJ questions how she can fit in everything that she wants to do. Alongside this, she is battling doubts of being a rider who is capable enough.  How can she make it without her beloved Major? Letting Go focuses on the tough decision DJ needs to make – and come to accept – if she wants to achieve her riding goals.

Author – Lauraine Snelling
Fiction – early teen
In my library – it is indeed! I’ll continue to aim for this whole series.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.