Sweetbriars: Tabby’s Big Year by Hollie Anne Marsh

I was recently contacted by Hollie Anne Marsh to see if I would be interested in reading and reviewing the next book in the Sweetbriars series.  You can read the review of the first book on Equus Education.  Tabby’s Big Year focuses on the life of twelve year old Tabitha alongside her close friends Cate and Violet.

Tabby’s life appears to be an incredible roller coaster for such a young person.  She is keen to see her beloved horse Bliss come back to full health – and able to be ridden – after an injury.  She feels guilt for Bliss having hurt himself and is anxious to know what the vet will say in regards to his future as a riding horse able to compete.

On top of this, Tabby is battling a sense of isolation with her father not around, her sister distant and living elsewhere and her mother more often than not missing in her life.  As she tries to juggle work, studies, horse riding and also keeping her dysfunctional family a secret, she is dismayed to find something else thrown into the mix.

A mare that she used to ride is to be sent off for slaughter.  And to make things even worse, it is at no fault of the horse in question.  Tabby passionately seeks out a solution and finds that in doing so, extra pressure is piled on top of her young shoulders.

Sweetbriars: Tabby’s Big Year

Tabby’s Big Year looks at family dynamics, the incredible joy – and pressure – of trying out for the British Young Rider’s Squad as well as nursing horses back to health from different ailments.  It is an enjoyable read and full of horses.  I have no doubt it will be enjoyable for pre teens as well as other age readers.

Author – Hollie Anne Marsh
Fiction – middle grade / teen
In my library – as an eBook it is.