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sariahsharp's review
2.0
I picked this up at a used book sale because it's by Sara Gruen and I loved Water For Elephants. I didn't realize that this was a sequel, although there were parts where I would read something and think, "Am I supposed to know this situation? Am I supposed to know this person? Why am I not being given information??" It can mostly stand alone. I feel like Gruen is a pretty good story teller overall, but there were so many inconsistencies in characters and so many banal tropes written in that didn't further the story or add depth in any way. I liked it enough that I will try to read the first book, but I won't go out of my way to read any further. If I come across more to this story, I'll give it a shot.
alisonfscofield's review
5.0
Loved this book, and I couldn't put it down. Perfect ending to the story.
ashley729's review
2.0
I actually struggled with the second book in this series… Annemarie and her daughter Eva are working on their relationship as Eva wants to pursue her olympic dreams of horseback riding. She is quite a brat… as much as I wanted to empathize with her situation, a daughter of divorce trying to find something of her own, she is blatantly rude to her mom multiple times and I honestly do not understand why her behavior was tolerated. Annemarie is also feeling out her continued relationship with Dan and is crushed when her birthday brings about a pair of diamond earrings as opposed to a diamond ring. ANYWAY, Eva goes away to horse camp and when tragedy strikes at her competition, the family must think quickly and reprioritize what is truly important to overcome the misfortune. The last third of the book was a LOT to process and moved pretty fast. There were still some loose ends and storylines that did not get finished which was frustrating as there was definitely potential.
tanja_alina_berg's review
3.0
Neurotic Annamarie Zimmer lives on her parent's horse farm with her mother and daughter. She is dating her highschool sweetheart Dan, whom she thinks she should have married instead of her ex-husband Roger who is the father of her willful daughter Eva. Annamarie had a devastating accident 20 years ago, where she broke her neck and lost her horse. The physical trauma has healed, but not the emotional one. Her daughter Eva is constantly testing her mother's nerves, who duly responds by overreacting. Eva is an excellent rider and would like to make a career out of it. Reluctantly Annamarie agrees. She changes her mind when the horse Eva gets by her trainer is one that doesn't let anyone ride him, but by then it is too late.
This is a perfectly okay read. A bit far-fetched at times - particularly the fate of the ex-husband and his family - but mostly a believable and fairly entartaining read. It's a bit rough around the edges - perhaps because of Annamarie's nerves - and not at all like the seductively smooth "water for elephants" by the same author. If you love horses it is likely you'll like this novel. If horses aren't your thing, this book probably isn't either.
This is a perfectly okay read. A bit far-fetched at times - particularly the fate of the ex-husband and his family - but mostly a believable and fairly entartaining read. It's a bit rough around the edges - perhaps because of Annamarie's nerves - and not at all like the seductively smooth "water for elephants" by the same author. If you love horses it is likely you'll like this novel. If horses aren't your thing, this book probably isn't either.
gracierie's review
4.0
I didn't realize this was part of a series - I don't think I missed anything for not having read the first book. I thought the book handled modern themes ... rather well. I could identify with the dating issues, the teenager issues, the "mom is right" issues. Love - always holds people together, but they don't always realize that until times are challenging. The climax was gripping, and I finished the book in one sitting at that point. I presume there's another book in the series that might tidy the loose ends...
javakiss's review
4.0
I was beginning to be a little disappointed, but then about five chapters from the end BOOM! the entire plot takes a turn for the better...or worse if you look at it from the character's perspective. Either way, it saved what would have otherwise been a disappointing end.
nicolem93's review
4.0
Another one I've read before but it's been a while. Annemarie is less insufferable in this one and as someone who typically hates sequels I didn't mind this one, the first time I read it or now, but I still wouldn't have enjoyed either book too much without the horse backdrop/setting. But the way the author describes the bond and connection we have with horses absolutely makes up for the rest of it.