Sundance by Laura Holt-Haslam, is a great book for young horse fans that love reading. I recently had the opportunity to read this story and really, really enjoyed it.

Malachi Adams is the main character in this novel. Mal has recently lost his best friend – Sunny – a golden retriever. Sunny was sick and needed to be put down. Whilst Mal understood that this was necessary, he is obviously distressed at the way the situation played out.

When his mother shares the news, the twelve-year-old runs outside, angry and hurt as he considers that he wasn’t there when his best friend passed away. In his eagerness to get out of the house, Mal soon finds himself lost. He ends up stumbling across a property that he hasn’t been to before. 

Sundance by Laura Holt-Haslam

At this property is a beautiful golden horse – the same colour as his retriever, Sunny. Mal instantly feels drawn to the horse, although he knows very little about horses. He can see that she is heavily pregnant and her behaviour seems frantic to him. Where is the owner? What is going on?

Mal soon discovers she is without water and works quickly to rectify that situation. After a little more investigating, he is keen to give her some hay, too. The barn where the hay is stored is run down and smelly. Something doesn’t seem right with this picture. Still, Mal does what he can for the horse and leaves, knowing his mother will be getting worried.

In time Mal shares about his ‘secret horse’ with someone at school – a girl named Amelia. This appears to be a big thing for him, as he doesn’t have any close friends at school. Mostly he is picked on because of his stutter. It is something he is very self-conscious about, but finds that animals don’t care about at all. That endeared Sunny to him even more, and even this new found horse that he has named in honour of his beloved retriever.

Amelia works with Malachi to help care for the mare. As she has horse riding lessons, Amelia is able to teach him a thing or two about the mare – a palomino Quarter Horse – how to put a head collar on and lead her. The two work hard to look after the horse, but tending to a pregnant mare’s needs is hard to keep a secret.

Sundance was an absolutely delightful read. It looked at how unlikely friendships can be created, focused on horses and their care and wove together a beautiful story. Highly recommended.

Author – Laura Holt-Haslam
Fiction – children
In my library – that it is, as an electronic copy.

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If you’d like to check out other horse fiction and non fiction that I’ve reviewed, visit Horse Book Reviews.

Not too long ago, my eight-year-old daughter pulled The Book of Unicorns off the shelf and started reading it. A couple of chapters into the book, she commented how the story didn’t seem to follow on and then realised, this book was a collection of stories about unicorns.

I have since read the book, although it has sat on my shelf for many, many years! The Book of Unicorns by Jackie French is a unique collection of short stories about the magic of unicorns.

Each tale features these magical creatures, but in very different ways. Some were quite short tales, spanning a few pages. They explored family dynamics and the way a unicorn can improve one’s life, in various unique ways.

The longest story within the book was last in the novel. It featured a young girl, chosen by a unicorn to lead the people of that town. I loved the Australian aspects within this story, and even when the young Lady commented on things being imaginary – like koalas. This made me chuckle.

I can’t help but wonder about ‘the T’manians’ potentially being a reference to Tasmanian’s from Australia, but who knows! The Book of Unicorns was a unique read, with a lovely focus on this mythical creature. This book would appeal for those looking for something a little different, that features unicorns in some unusual ways.

And if short horse stories appeal in general, then you may want to check out another of Jackie’s books, Ride the Wild Wind.

Author – Jackie French
Fiction – children
In my library – that it is, as a paperback.

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If you’d like to check out other horse fiction and non fiction that I’ve reviewed, visit Horse Book Reviews.



A number of years ago I was able to read and review Team Up by Elizabeth Alexander. It was great recently to be able to read the follow on story, Canter On.

This brought me back to the world of Hetta, JJ and Theo. In Canter On, the trio find themselves in the midst of a push for a Dressage Club, the potential demise of their Pony Club and a heap of horse floats (trailers) getting stolen.

As with Team Up, this story is a very horse focused on read. Theo is just a delight to read about and often had me laughing. His enthusiasm and wild ideas are great!

Hetta and JJ work well together and try hard to keep Theo in check. It works at times, others not so much!

The three love their Pony Club and riding instructor, James. The reader is introduced to him in the first chapter of the book. As the story continues. James’ character comes into question by the teens who appreciate him the most.

The story unfolds into a very interesting mystery. Some local horse floats have been taken and it appears to be an ongoing issue. Hetta, JJ and Theo are keen to work out who is taking the floats. It appears to be someone with inside information.

Alongside this, Savannah’s father appears to be taking over their horse world. The Pony Club and Hunt Club facilities suddenly change vastly, and it’s not something Hetta is enthusiastic about. When there is a new dressage club, she is excited by the sponsorship, but unimpressed with the riding lessons and the pressure that is put on her to perform so well with her riding.

Canter On highlights the importance of having fun whilst riding, and consistently learning. Hetta is reminded that this can happen outside of a pressure filled dressage lesson. The way the mystery builds is great in the story, and the horse information is conveyed well. The characters are great and Theo brings a lovely level of humour to the story. Recommended.

Author – Elizabeth Alexander
Fiction – young adults
In my library – as an eBook it is.

Whilst taking part in the Summer Reading Program with my kids, I was made aware of a few horse books free on Kindle. Lucy’s Chance by Brittney Joy was one of those free downloads. I was pleased to download a copy on kindle to read and review.

Lucy Rose is a sixteen-year-old in this novel and the main character. We are first introduced to her in an amusing scene that shows she has little experience with cattle! But she does know horses, and that’s why she’s at the ranch.

Spending her first summer away from home, she is determined to make a good impression. And this seems possible with her hard working attitude and eagerness to show it. But when an unusual trail ride results in a wild horse turning up on the ranch, Lucy soon finds she’s pushing boundaries for a horse she doesn’t know and possibly can’t trust.

Her desperation to see the black horse settled and trusting of humans, is very clear. Her determination to help the horse learn to trust humans is also obvious as the story progresses.

Lucy’s Chance is a lovely horse focused story to read. It features a good looking cowboy, a big focus on horses and a sweet romance. The story builds really nicely and is bound to capture the attention of teens who love horses. Highly recommended.

Author: Brittney Joy
Fiction – young adult
In My Library? Yes, on my Kindle library it is.

Getting a copy to read and review, I’m rapt to be able to offer a review of this New Adult horse story, The Cowgirl Jumped Over the Moon. I love being provided with copies to read and review! You never know what new horse author you may discover.

Gemcie is a talented and determined rider who has a great sponsor, an exceptional horse and a supportive husband at the young age of 19. It seems she is destined for great things in the equestrian world.

A freak accident and a battle to get back on the horse are enough hurdles to overcome, but these aren’t the only nasty surprises in store for Gemcie and her horse Marshal.

As her world falls down around her, she questions what’s true in life and what she really wants.

Finding some unexpected truths from her trainer, Gemcie embarks on an adventure to find herself and regain her strength. Her vision clear, she finds further obstacles to overcome in her path, but is determined to stay true to herself and Marshal. A great read – why not get yourself a copy?

Author: Linda Ballou
Fiction – new adult
In My Library? As an ebook it is!

“A horse is like a best friend. They`re always there to nuzzle you and make your life a better place.” – Author unknown