Remember Not: A Suspenseful Equestrian Romance of Love, Courage, and High Stakes

by Barbara Ellin Fox

A traumatized horse. A determined woman. A former Army Ranger with something to prove.

Rylie Davis has one shot to build a future for herself and her daughter—by turning Eskador, a once-brutalized show jumping horse into a champion again.

Until someone tries to kill her horse.

Jason Hughes rebuilt his life the hard way—Army Rangers, discipline, and a ranch built from the ground up. Now a respected ranch owner and CEO, he has everything… except the trust of the guarded horse trainer who would rather face down a dangerous horse than rely on a man.
Their first meeting ends with him flat on his back and her boot print on his chest.

But when threats against Eskador escalate, Jason steps in—not just to protect the horse, but to prove that some men deserve a second chance.

As danger closes in, Rylie must
Can she trust Jason with her horse… and her heart?
Or will trusting him cost her everything?

A gripping blend of romance, suspense, and authentic equestrian adventure. Perfect for readers who
• protective heroes
• determined single-mom heroines
• slow-burn romance
• high-stakes equestrian drama

Book One in the For Love & Horses series.

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2023

About the author

Barbara Ellin Fox writes fiction and nonfiction centered around the equestrian world.

Her novels blend adventure, romance, and an authentic portrayal of the horse life, drawing from her vast experience as a lifelong horsewoman.

Her fiction includes clean, wholesome stories, like the For Love & Horses series and Hoof 'n Woof series, which appeal to horse lovers, especially women.

She also runs two blogs: BarbaraEllinFox.com, where she shares writing advice, horse stories, and advocacy for America’s wild horses, and TheRidingInstructor.net, which provides guidance and resources for riding instructors.

Reviews

[Rebecca Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!!

If you like horses, romance, suspense, Texas, kids - any or all of these - you must read this book! Excellent details, heart in your throat suspense. Lots of horses and romantic tension.

[Robin M Rosequist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing

Finally a book with horses not meant for teens! Just the right mix of humor, drama, suspense and romance. A great read!

[Susan Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riley Davis has a bad history with men, which she’d rather forget, but she has a love for horses. When Jason Hughes tries to “rescue her” from an agitated horse, she fights back. As much as she wants to be independent, she soon finds herself working with Jason, and the ex-Ranger cowboy works to earn her trust and, perhaps, her heart. The stakes are raised when someone threatens the lives of Riley, her horse, and her daughter. Though she thinks she can handle the threat, things quickly escalate.
You don’t have to be an equestrian to enjoy this book. The story pulled me in with its feisty heroine. I learned about horse shows, but the author didn’t overwhelm the story with those details.

[Myra Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Ellin Fox brings both her extensive equestrian experience and her talents as an author to this engaging romantic suspense novel. Rylie Davis, a single mom and talented horsewoman, is haunted by her past and fiercely independent as a result. Jason Hughes is the wealthy rancher who hires Rylie to train his prize horse. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start, and it will take every bit of patience Jason owns to convince Rylie to trust him.

Fox weaves a tale of romance, intrigue, and danger that kept me turning pages. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys inspiring horse stories with multifaceted plots and intriguing characters.

[Catherine Richmond]

Rylie's busy running her own business and raising her daughter. She doesn't need an overly-protective cowboy bossing her around.

Excellent look into life on the competitive riding circuit and ranching.

[Dana Sikes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equestrian & Suspenseful

One of my favorite types of books - equestrian with suspense. I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end.

[Linda Shantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance with a side of suspense

Well-written, and I love a female MC who isn’t a pushover. The happily ever after ending will satisfy the romance-lovers!
4.5/5 ⭐️

[♡Hannah♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. It is a romance story but I loved it. It was action packed, thrilling. horsey, and exciting!

[Book · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apparently I'm the only one that finds this author's writing confusing and cringe-worthy. I couldn't even finish the first two chapters. The initial action scene, or should I say the opening scene, where the FMC leads her horse to a round pen and is being followed by a cowboy .. I couldn't even get through that without scratching my head or rolling my eyes.
Eh prose, confusing sequence of events that omit important actions from that first scene, and a horse with a curling (arching, maybe??) neck.
I should have known it would be bad when I sawthe rider in the cover photo is holding the reins incorrectly.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Acceptance and trust, courage and forgiveness

Barbara Ellin Fox understands the psychology of people and horses with PTSD. They can't just 'get over it'. Isaiah said, 'Remember not' but that's not their decision to make. They have to work through it. And friends and time and God are essential.
This was such an engaging story about how Rylie worked through it with Eskador and the support of family and friends.
May all the people who need to 'remember not' find such support to escape from their memories and nightmares and self-recriminations.

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read

I really enjoyed this story. Yes, it was pretty predictable. I felt the author really understood horse shows and horse people, though. The plot of this book was very original. It was wonderful to finally read a love story about some truly nice people.

[Sarah Hickner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!!!
An independent heroine
Her spunky daughter
A sexy gentlemanly rich cowboy
An evil cartel leader
Fantastic horses
And lots of found and real family.
It’s got everything you could want in a book!

This story was also completely clean.
10/10 recommend.
Love 💕 💗💕💗💕💗

[Marilee Keim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

This is an easy read and hard to put down. The story is not just a romantic girly book but had a macho element for this old man to enjoy. Plus it had the romantic element to bring out the softer side. Please read and enjoy!

[Keri Schenter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a “horse” book

Good read, but if you’re wanting a good horse story this isn’t it. The horse(s) are merely a backdrop for the book.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book!

I never used to read this type of story, a good western was my go to. But I really enjoyed this one as there a lot of action and what a great ending!

[Rosalyn V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good dtory

Love this book, first one in the series, all of the characters were great, book number 2 here I come,

[Julia Glessner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Very well written. Good story line, humor, clean romance. Highly recommend!!

[Taylor Puckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok this book was such a fun read!! I was honestly hooked from the round pen scene and devoured the book. The longing and yearning on Jason’s side plus his protective soul was so satisfying to read in a mmc. The friendships 10/10. The action 10/10. The pining 10/10. Now my only thing with Rylie(and Kristi too in the second book) is her weird relationship with food and how it’s written. Like lady, you can eat a doughnut, literally, your horse won’t notice.
As an equestrian, the horses and things of that nature were really accurate and well written!!
Reading in 2025 was funny cause the fashion…..not in style anymore..made me chuckle. But for many other reasons I was kicking and giggling and smiling and laughing while reading this book.