What do you think?
Rate this book
Second Chance at the Water Jump
All Savannah wants is to qualify for the Eventing championships with her horse Tucker. They’ve been working hard and staying focused, but an early season fall really starts the year off wrong. Worse yet, it’s caught in all its water-soaked glory by the photographer Evan—who also happens to be the guy she ditched before their blind date even started.
Evan is tired of working in a studio and is taking his photography business into the horse world. There’s a lot to learn, but the daunting task is certainly more fun when Savannah ends up in front of his lens. That blind date of theirs wasn’t as blind as she thinks: he might have begged for the set-up.
Can she make it to the championships and through that dreaded water jump?
Can he get her to put aside her old relationship woes and give him a shot?
Evan is tired of working in a studio and is taking his photography business into the horse world. There’s a lot to learn, but the daunting task is certainly more fun when Savannah ends up in front of his lens. That blind date of theirs wasn’t as blind as she thinks: he might have begged for the set-up.
Can she make it to the championships and through that dreaded water jump?
Can he get her to put aside her old relationship woes and give him a shot?
- GenresHorses
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2023
32 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 7, 2023
Savannah has sworn off men. All her focus is on her horse, Tucker, and their bid to get into the Regionals. They’ve worked super hard for it, and she is determined that this will be the year. But at a clinic on Pine Mountain, she takes a tumble and it’s all captured for posterity by photographer Evan.
This meet-cute is 100% equestrian, and what transpires next makes for a rollicking good story that includes a slow-burn romance with just the right soupçon of heat. Savannah and Evan are engaging lead characters, well-drawn and relatable. The authentic horse-y details are a trademark of all Isla Ryder’s stories, and sure to delight both equestrians and non-equestrians alike.
I love to read about genuine, decent human beings who work hard for their dreams. That’s not to say it’s all smooth sailing though--there’s plenty of drama both on and off the eventing circuit. Oh, and a shout-out to Tucker, the big pinto who turns out to be a wing man. Love you, Tucker. More equestrian romance like this, please! The perfect read for everyone who loves horses.
This meet-cute is 100% equestrian, and what transpires next makes for a rollicking good story that includes a slow-burn romance with just the right soupçon of heat. Savannah and Evan are engaging lead characters, well-drawn and relatable. The authentic horse-y details are a trademark of all Isla Ryder’s stories, and sure to delight both equestrians and non-equestrians alike.
I love to read about genuine, decent human beings who work hard for their dreams. That’s not to say it’s all smooth sailing though--there’s plenty of drama both on and off the eventing circuit. Oh, and a shout-out to Tucker, the big pinto who turns out to be a wing man. Love you, Tucker. More equestrian romance like this, please! The perfect read for everyone who loves horses.
March 5, 2023
Second Chance at the Water Jump by Isla Ryder
Published: March 21, 2023
Isla Ryder
Genre: Romance
Pages: 193
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Isla Ryder grew up around horses but never owned one of her own, instead settling for riding lessons, 4H, and every horse book she could get her hands on. When those books stopped being enough, she began writing her own. Throughout school, she loved creative writing classes and earned a BDIC degree in Equine Business from UMass Amherst in 2011. Now she uses her equine expertise to bring realism to her writing, with sweet equestrian romance series written for horse lovers by a horse lover.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Savannah is passionate about taking her riding to the next level, and she feels like this season is her season. Her beloved horse, Tucker, is ready; she knows it. When a handsome photographer keeps popping up, Savannah doesn’t want to be distracted. Besides, she has sworn off dating. But there is a kindness in his eyes she can’t shake.
This was a sweet story. I liked the horse element, though I know nothing about competing.
Savannah was a great leading lady. She had some insecurities, but it was nice to see her work through them as the story progressed.
Evan was a genuinely good guy. And I liked how he wore his heart on his sleeve, even when Savannah tried to convince him nothing would come of them dating.
The slow burn aspect was well done. And I liked how the relationship grew. I found the support between the two characters well-developed, and I liked the balance between their respective adventures.
This was a charming read with a lighthearted vibe. I enjoyed the dynamic and the authentic way the relationship developed. The story flowed smoothly and was well written.
Published: March 21, 2023
Isla Ryder
Genre: Romance
Pages: 193
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Isla Ryder grew up around horses but never owned one of her own, instead settling for riding lessons, 4H, and every horse book she could get her hands on. When those books stopped being enough, she began writing her own. Throughout school, she loved creative writing classes and earned a BDIC degree in Equine Business from UMass Amherst in 2011. Now she uses her equine expertise to bring realism to her writing, with sweet equestrian romance series written for horse lovers by a horse lover.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Savannah is passionate about taking her riding to the next level, and she feels like this season is her season. Her beloved horse, Tucker, is ready; she knows it. When a handsome photographer keeps popping up, Savannah doesn’t want to be distracted. Besides, she has sworn off dating. But there is a kindness in his eyes she can’t shake.
This was a sweet story. I liked the horse element, though I know nothing about competing.
Savannah was a great leading lady. She had some insecurities, but it was nice to see her work through them as the story progressed.
Evan was a genuinely good guy. And I liked how he wore his heart on his sleeve, even when Savannah tried to convince him nothing would come of them dating.
The slow burn aspect was well done. And I liked how the relationship grew. I found the support between the two characters well-developed, and I liked the balance between their respective adventures.
This was a charming read with a lighthearted vibe. I enjoyed the dynamic and the authentic way the relationship developed. The story flowed smoothly and was well written.
March 3, 2023
I was lucky enough to receive this book from the author. I hope the prospective reader will read this review fully before making any prejudgments on the book. I will give the book my thoughts. These thoughts are completely my own and not swayed in any way by anyone else’s reviews or opinions.
Read my full review here: https://onreviewbysara.com/2023/03/02....
This is a feel-good book. I know that what I am going to get and there are no surprises. There is so much sweetness in this book it was as if I was taking in all the chocolate. Even better, it is Valentine’s Day in March. This book is a must-read tale. I am lucky that I received the book from the author before it is even out, and I was honored to read it.
Read my full review here: https://onreviewbysara.com/2023/03/02....
This is a feel-good book. I know that what I am going to get and there are no surprises. There is so much sweetness in this book it was as if I was taking in all the chocolate. Even better, it is Valentine’s Day in March. This book is a must-read tale. I am lucky that I received the book from the author before it is even out, and I was honored to read it.
March 23, 2023
Second Chance at the Water Jump by Isla Ryder is the first book in A Pine Mountain Horse Park series, and I’m glad to be one of the early readers and reviewers.
This is not the first book I read from Isla Ryder, but I was stunned by how the author enchanted me into the magical world of horses. I read this book in one go and was sad because it ended too soon.
The pacing of the story is great. It’s an easy read to enjoy after a hectic work week. The pacing is why I always love Isla’s books but this time, the author earned my love in a different way.
What resonated with me is the main character Savannah, who has some extra weight but wants to achieve her goal in horse sports where weight is like a curse for the rider.
I love that she doesn’t dwell on the weight issue. Instead, she focuses on improving her riding skills, casually breaking the standards, showing that we can achieve whatever we want as long as we don’t give up.
I also love Evan and how detailed the author was in showing a photographer's daily job.
Isla Ryder is very skillful at creating lovable characters and bringing the exact amount of riding details into her stories.
I am always up to read any of her books.
This is not the first book I read from Isla Ryder, but I was stunned by how the author enchanted me into the magical world of horses. I read this book in one go and was sad because it ended too soon.
The pacing of the story is great. It’s an easy read to enjoy after a hectic work week. The pacing is why I always love Isla’s books but this time, the author earned my love in a different way.
What resonated with me is the main character Savannah, who has some extra weight but wants to achieve her goal in horse sports where weight is like a curse for the rider.
I love that she doesn’t dwell on the weight issue. Instead, she focuses on improving her riding skills, casually breaking the standards, showing that we can achieve whatever we want as long as we don’t give up.
I also love Evan and how detailed the author was in showing a photographer's daily job.
Isla Ryder is very skillful at creating lovable characters and bringing the exact amount of riding details into her stories.
I am always up to read any of her books.
June 9, 2023
Second Chance at the Water Jump is a light romance perfect for a beach read.
The potential romance between Evan and Savannah keeps the reader turning pages but there are two other aspects of this novel that make it special. The first is the careful, detailing of a horse show circuit from the viewpoints of a competitor and a photographer. This is fun for anyone with an interest in horses.
The second is Savannah's insecurities. Evan makes mistakes as these two young people struggle to get together but most of the problems come from Savannah's self-image. At one point she tells her friend, Brad, “You know what I mean, he's like a ten, I...am not.”
There is also a comment about the way body type is handled by some circuit judges. Here Savannah explains a judge's remarks to Evan: “Very good condition is implying we are overweight.” There are also posts on some online pictures including this one: “Poor horse! Why would you show abuse? Ugh, that rider needs the gym.” Those wisecracks do not help Savannah's self-confidence. It's up to Evan and Savannah's other friends to do that.
The potential romance between Evan and Savannah keeps the reader turning pages but there are two other aspects of this novel that make it special. The first is the careful, detailing of a horse show circuit from the viewpoints of a competitor and a photographer. This is fun for anyone with an interest in horses.
The second is Savannah's insecurities. Evan makes mistakes as these two young people struggle to get together but most of the problems come from Savannah's self-image. At one point she tells her friend, Brad, “You know what I mean, he's like a ten, I...am not.”
There is also a comment about the way body type is handled by some circuit judges. Here Savannah explains a judge's remarks to Evan: “Very good condition is implying we are overweight.” There are also posts on some online pictures including this one: “Poor horse! Why would you show abuse? Ugh, that rider needs the gym.” Those wisecracks do not help Savannah's self-confidence. It's up to Evan and Savannah's other friends to do that.
August 7, 2023
This is a fun and cute romance that takes place in the Eventing world. The main characters are a rider, Savannah, and a horseshow photographer, Evan. Evan is starting his horseshow photography business and while practicing photographing horses and riders at a riding clinic, sees Savannah, a girl with whom he had previously had a disastrous blind date. Events progress from there in a fairly standard romance fashion to a happy ending. The author wrote about horses and horseshows in a knowledgeable manner - a delightful thing. Something I particularly liked was that the entire book did not revolve around the budding romance of the characters - there were parts about preparing and riding at an Event, some logistics regarding working with horses, and the business of photographing working horses as well as some interactions with other characters. I also thought that the main characters were fleshed out a bit more than usual in a romance. Definitely not a one-dimensional story. Would recommend to those that enjoy a clean romance (no heaving bosoms, etc. - always a good thing) and stories involving horses and the horse world.
July 29, 2023
Review
Horses galore? Check. Sweet romance? Check. The Trope 'she's/he's different then every other girl/guy I've met?' Unfortunately, check. Which honestly was my only complaint because it was overplayed (brought up multiple times and sometimes belittled others to achieve results...). That being said, this book is an easy romance read with all its charm and sweetness. The supporting characters added a good balance and didn't overplay the modern courtship between the two. I very much liked Savannah, even with her lack of confidence that needed to bloom, and Evan may not be perfect but he didn't seem perfect for her. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable time.
Rating
4 stars
If you need a sweet contemporary romance, this is a great choice!
Horses galore? Check. Sweet romance? Check. The Trope 'she's/he's different then every other girl/guy I've met?' Unfortunately, check. Which honestly was my only complaint because it was overplayed (brought up multiple times and sometimes belittled others to achieve results...). That being said, this book is an easy romance read with all its charm and sweetness. The supporting characters added a good balance and didn't overplay the modern courtship between the two. I very much liked Savannah, even with her lack of confidence that needed to bloom, and Evan may not be perfect but he didn't seem perfect for her. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable time.
Rating
4 stars
If you need a sweet contemporary romance, this is a great choice!
March 26, 2023
Savannah has ambitions of qualifying her horse for regionals and is determined not to be distracted from her goal. Evan is a professional photographer, sick of the shallow world of models, he’s branched out into horse event photography.
Through a mutual friend, they have a failed blind date and yet Evan is still keen to know Savannah better. The reluctance from Savannah was well handled – it could easily have become frustrating and made me put the book down – but both characters are likeable enough to start rooting for them to work things out.
The horse details were well written but easy to understand for anyone unfamiliar with eventing – though I’m sure the main audience for this book will be horse lovers.
The writing is straightforward and easy to read so it’s perfect for some relaxing escapism. It’s not a long read – roughly 40k words – and is good for not being overdetailed. So many authors now cram excessive amounts of detail into their work and forget to move the story forward so this made a nice change. I look forward to reading more of Isla’s work in the future.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Through a mutual friend, they have a failed blind date and yet Evan is still keen to know Savannah better. The reluctance from Savannah was well handled – it could easily have become frustrating and made me put the book down – but both characters are likeable enough to start rooting for them to work things out.
The horse details were well written but easy to understand for anyone unfamiliar with eventing – though I’m sure the main audience for this book will be horse lovers.
The writing is straightforward and easy to read so it’s perfect for some relaxing escapism. It’s not a long read – roughly 40k words – and is good for not being overdetailed. So many authors now cram excessive amounts of detail into their work and forget to move the story forward so this made a nice change. I look forward to reading more of Isla’s work in the future.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2023
Sweet read with lots of well-written horse details
This is a well-written romance that hits all the right spots.
I loved watching Savanah and Evan's relationship grow. Evan is thoroughly great guy, the kind we could all use more of, whilst Savannah is an untypical heroine and I loved how her confidence both on and off the horse-jumping circuit as the book progressed.
There was just enough detail about the horse competitions that anyone could read this book and understand it.
If you're looking for a great read with a strong heroine, a swoon-worthy hero, lots of beautiful horses and a happy-ever-after, this is the book for you.
This is a well-written romance that hits all the right spots.
I loved watching Savanah and Evan's relationship grow. Evan is thoroughly great guy, the kind we could all use more of, whilst Savannah is an untypical heroine and I loved how her confidence both on and off the horse-jumping circuit as the book progressed.
There was just enough detail about the horse competitions that anyone could read this book and understand it.
If you're looking for a great read with a strong heroine, a swoon-worthy hero, lots of beautiful horses and a happy-ever-after, this is the book for you.
April 11, 2023
Take a chance on this one!
This was a cute, sweet read with a nice balance of relationship to horse story. I loved that Tucker the horse was as much a character as the humans. As a horse person, I especially liked that the horse stuff was right. Thank you, dear author, for a horse girl who can administer her own Banamine! I only wished the author had gone a bit deeper with the story.
This was a cute, sweet read with a nice balance of relationship to horse story. I loved that Tucker the horse was as much a character as the humans. As a horse person, I especially liked that the horse stuff was right. Thank you, dear author, for a horse girl who can administer her own Banamine! I only wished the author had gone a bit deeper with the story.
March 20, 2023
This was my first horse competition book. I really enjoyed this authors storyline and the way she explained how the different aspects of the competition worked. I was actually able to understand exactly what goes on. I liked the story between Evan and Savannah and will gladly read more books by this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 11, 2023
Sweet Horsey Love
This is a sweet and heartwarming romance. Evan is drool-worthy, and we all should be as awesome as Savannah. Add in a little horse show action and you’ve got this great weekend read. Bonus points for unconventional riders and horses, and men who prefer substance to silicon.
This is a sweet and heartwarming romance. Evan is drool-worthy, and we all should be as awesome as Savannah. Add in a little horse show action and you’ve got this great weekend read. Bonus points for unconventional riders and horses, and men who prefer substance to silicon.
July 11, 2023
Second Chance at the Water Jump
This book was a breath of fresh air. A really good story that involved horses and a relationship, versus a string of sex scenes with a bare bones story in between. Everyone likes different genres, but this story has something for everyone.
I will definitely be reading everything this author has to write!
This book was a breath of fresh air. A really good story that involved horses and a relationship, versus a string of sex scenes with a bare bones story in between. Everyone likes different genres, but this story has something for everyone.
I will definitely be reading everything this author has to write!
May 12, 2023
Nice Read
This was a nice and wholesome read, and unlike some other romance books, there were no sex scenes. I gained some insight into the world of competitive horse riding, and a bit into the life of a photographer. Overall, A well written story.
This was a nice and wholesome read, and unlike some other romance books, there were no sex scenes. I gained some insight into the world of competitive horse riding, and a bit into the life of a photographer. Overall, A well written story.
January 13, 2025
Beautiful story!
Being a plus size most of my life I loved this story! I never tried getting myself in English attire though I did ride a lot with a jump saddle. Great storyline and description of the jumps!
Being a plus size most of my life I loved this story! I never tried getting myself in English attire though I did ride a lot with a jump saddle. Great storyline and description of the jumps!
May 3, 2023
What a great read! I won’t spoil it, so I’ll just say I love cheering on the underdog, and all guys aren’t jerks ;)
April 29, 2024
I very much enjoyed this book. I love reading well-written books about horses, and this one fit right in with me. I highly recommend it.
September 1, 2024
I loved this story. She brought horses to the romance so that they fit and are part of the story.
September 18, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Started it last night, finished it today and just bought the next two in the series. I always enjoy when an author knows horses and writes in "barn speak".
February 25, 2025
Equestrian romance
This was a cute little equestrian love story. I do love that it was eventing and not just dressage. It was a short easy read.
This was a cute little equestrian love story. I do love that it was eventing and not just dressage. It was a short easy read.
March 30, 2025
Nice sweet read
Loved this story. Quick read. Sweet comfy romance with plenty of equestrian touches. Can’t wait to read the next book.
Loved this story. Quick read. Sweet comfy romance with plenty of equestrian touches. Can’t wait to read the next book.
October 12, 2025
4.5⭐️ rounded up to 5. This is an equestrian eventing contemporary romance or I guess you could call it a sports romance. Predictable but satisfying. All the equestrian elements were factually correct and reasonable 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 can’t wait to read more in the series to scratch my horse girl itch.
September 26, 2023
Unique, intriguing, inspiring & beautiful.
This was nicely written and an enjoyable read. Once a story leaves me feeling inspired, give me ideas and can thoroughly make me laugh and wish for more then that's good.
The MCs were interesting from the start. Their POVs made me get a clear picture into their feelings and made me understand how they dealt with life and decisions - so realistic. They were entertaining and their conversations were just easy to follow.
Being comfortable in your own skin, and not letting the negative of others get you down is something we all need to face. Being a 1 isn't always perfect, and being a model doesn't mean you have to be thin you can be big and achieve so many things you wish to.
Beautiful story with a wonderful message. Just hope the Author can apply it to her life as well.
This was nicely written and an enjoyable read. Once a story leaves me feeling inspired, give me ideas and can thoroughly make me laugh and wish for more then that's good.
The MCs were interesting from the start. Their POVs made me get a clear picture into their feelings and made me understand how they dealt with life and decisions - so realistic. They were entertaining and their conversations were just easy to follow.
Being comfortable in your own skin, and not letting the negative of others get you down is something we all need to face. Being a 1 isn't always perfect, and being a model doesn't mean you have to be thin you can be big and achieve so many things you wish to.
Beautiful story with a wonderful message. Just hope the Author can apply it to her life as well.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews