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menshevixen's review against another edition
5.0
A hugely enjoyable read! Readers who don't consider themselves "horse people," fear not: the author's latest has something for everyone, whether your particular cup of tea is later-in-life romances, complex female relationships, settings as powerful as any character, or Disney World. Readers who are horse people: immerse yourselves in detail-perfect show-barn worldbuilding, ponies with personality, and the true-to-life evolution of protagonist Grace's business as her barn triumphantly changes with the times, rather than retiring to pasture.
efcraig's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book after reading [b:Pride|30047716|Pride (The Eventing Series #2)|Natalie Keller Reinert|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1461818741s/30047716.jpg|50455983] (even though it was published before), and it didn't make a difference at all. It just read like extremely well-detailed backstory. I loved the struggle Grace faced on a daily basis with handling her students' every question or complaint, and the ever-looming development companies constantly drowning her in brochures and unwarranted visits. Add the usual stress of round-the-clock horse care and ever-piling bills, and it was a realistic (though not dream-crushing) peek into running a successful riding stable.
Okay, so I identify with Kennedy on a spiritual level. I was the "weirdo" at my barn who thought ponies were rad, and who just wanted to spend time grooming and loping around the arena or trails. I wanted my "special horse" that I didn't care about moving up levels or worrying about its fitness or value, who was just my buddy. (Thankfully, I had an instructor who did not mind one bit and fully accepted that. Thanks, Kathleen!) So I actually LOL'd at Grace's internalized thoughts on Kennedy's application and her fight not to cringe or twitch when Kennedy would just be like "Okay, everyone, trail-riding party!" Because that's totally something I would do.
As with Natalie's other books, the descriptions of the Florida environment was bar-none, which is especially helpful since it's an area of the U.S. that I'm completely unfamiliar with. The scenery, the differences in climate and location, the weather patterns...Natalie painted a complete picture in my mind of a place I've never been to before. Awesome.
Overall, Show Barn Blues a great companion to the Eventing series ([b:Ambition|22723693|Ambition (The Eventing Series #1)|Natalie Keller Reinert|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1405350177s/22723693.jpg|41589139] and [b:Pride|30047716|Pride (The Eventing Series #2)|Natalie Keller Reinert|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1461818741s/30047716.jpg|50455983], so far) and thankfully can be read either before, during, or after you've read the aforementioned books.
Okay, so I identify with Kennedy on a spiritual level. I was the "weirdo" at my barn who thought ponies were rad, and who just wanted to spend time grooming and loping around the arena or trails. I wanted my "special horse" that I didn't care about moving up levels or worrying about its fitness or value, who was just my buddy. (Thankfully, I had an instructor who did not mind one bit and fully accepted that. Thanks, Kathleen!) So I actually LOL'd at Grace's internalized thoughts on Kennedy's application and her fight not to cringe or twitch when Kennedy would just be like "Okay, everyone, trail-riding party!" Because that's totally something I would do.
As with Natalie's other books, the descriptions of the Florida environment was bar-none, which is especially helpful since it's an area of the U.S. that I'm completely unfamiliar with. The scenery, the differences in climate and location, the weather patterns...Natalie painted a complete picture in my mind of a place I've never been to before. Awesome.
Overall, Show Barn Blues a great companion to the Eventing series ([b:Ambition|22723693|Ambition (The Eventing Series #1)|Natalie Keller Reinert|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1405350177s/22723693.jpg|41589139] and [b:Pride|30047716|Pride (The Eventing Series #2)|Natalie Keller Reinert|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1461818741s/30047716.jpg|50455983], so far) and thankfully can be read either before, during, or after you've read the aforementioned books.
dockie's review against another edition
5.0
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Another wonderful book and more about Grace and even romance. Well written and thoughtful, was sorry when it ended so I want more.
Another wonderful book and more about Grace and even romance. Well written and thoughtful, was sorry when it ended so I want more.
seadaz's review against another edition
3.0
Bought this Kindle edition on the back of the Jules Thornton series, I didn’t enjoy it as much as that Pre mentioned series. The story of Grace, a hardnosed horse trainer who is trying to keep her horse barn and land from being taken over by land developers.
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