A Winter's Gift

Heartland Special Edition

by Lauren Brooke

A Heartland holiday special edition!

Since breaking up with Ty and throwing herself into her college work, Amy is more independent and confident than ever. But when she returns to Heartland for her winter break she learns that a lot of things have changed. A pregnant mare will need both Amy and Ty's help to save her. But will the two of them be able to work together again? Amy never realized that coming home for the holidays would be so complicated.

Genres: Horses, Young Adult, Animals, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Realistic Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Lauren Brooke grew up in a ranch in Virginia and now lives in Leicestershire, England. Her husband is a veterinarian who specializes in horses. Her books have been published by Scholastic since Mid-2000, starting with the first book of the Heartland book series. The first book of her popular Chestnut Hill series was published in 2005.

According to an interview on scholastics' website, Lauren Brooke has been riding since before she could walk. She also said she competes in a few local-level horse shows and events.

There may be some other people in books and movies named Lauren Brooke:
Amazon lists the author of "Book of spiritual regeneration" (1995) as Lauren Brooke.
IMDB.com has a record for an Actress named Lauren Brooke. Her only movie is "Wiseguys vs. Zombies" (2003) as Goat Man's Wife.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amy, in her second year of veterinary school, is back for winter break. She expects everything to be the same, but things have changed. Lou's daughter is now a toddler, her grandfather and Nancy seem to be having trouble in their relationship, and of course there's Ty. Amy and Ty broke up last spring, and at first Amy is pleased that they seem to be less awkward around each other. Then she meets Heather, Ty's new girlfriend.

When Amy finds a pregnant mare out in a field, nearly ready to give birth, with a storm on the way, Amy is concerned. It takes Amy's love of horses to realize that although some things change, horses will always give her a way to make it through.

I find it interesting that the specials seem to skip over some periods of time. Amy's summer break didn't seem to involve her being at Heartland at all, and in Beyond the Horizon, Amy didn't seem to have gone home during Thanksgiving break or winter break.

What is also interesting is that Amy finds out that Ty and Heather are dating because she sees them kissing. I think, over the course of 12 or so books where Ty and Amy were dating, they shared approximately one kiss. Personally, I think Ty and Heather seem to have more chemistry, and it only reinforces how businesslike Amy and Ty's relationship was.

[Tibbara's Den · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lower rating again for inconsistencies. In the main series, it was mentioned that the other four horses other than Spindle had been rehomed. In this one, they are suddenly back as permanent residents (making this the second time Bear is back despite what the author previously wrote, plus what about the rule of all horses being rehomed except Sundance and Jasmine). Also, what happened to Sugarfoot? The last we saw him, he was being treated but was alive and on the mend. The author references him but doesn't recap anything like she does with the other horses, and he is just mysteriously gone. The author also exaggerates the events of the spring break special edition. While Will was interested in Amy, they certainly never came close to dating. Also, the tradition of having a Christmas Eve open house? That wasn't in any of the books. It's fine to have the party, but since it never happened in the rest of the books, make it the first annual instead of acting like this was a thing all along. I did like that we saw Matt and Soraya and got a nod to Ben. The Ty and Amy situation was a little dramatic, but not too angsty, and overall, it worked for the characters. I liked the foaling/snowed in aspect of the story, but that is literally the last few pages. I still really love the main series despite all the flaws, but the special editions are aggravating. I hope the last one won't be so inconsistent, and we can end on some what of a positive.

[David Burnworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amy is in college and she has broken up with Ty and it's been nine months since she has been home. She heads home on a college break and ends up working closely with Ty and then those old feelings start to creep back up to her surface. Another girl is working at Heartland very closely with Ty. Nothing seems to be going on between them until Ty invites Amy to attend a party with him after they are working together with a problem horse. Amy seems to think they might get back together and bang the new girl who is kissing Ty and Amy sees they are a couple.
By the end of this one, Amy befriends Heather, the new girl, and then the three of them (Amy, Heather, and Ty are forced to work together and save a pregnant horse who delivers twins. There is so much more that goes on in this one but for me, it ruined the entire series with the break up just as Ty dying in the show did.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amy is still attending college for her degree in veterinary medicine. Her studies are going well. Her gift with horses is still intact. The only thing that is not intact is her relationship with Ty. A new horse arrives at Heartland that requires both Amy and Ty for treatment and healing. Their relationship is on the rocks, making this task seem insurmountable. This is why you should never date a coworker. I like these little special edition books for this series.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to maintain the essence of the Heartland books then I’d probably stop reading with the last book in the main series. These specials are nice add ons for fans but step away from the heart of the series. It seems weird to break up Amy and Ty at this point but I can see why the choice was made as these specials are clearly trying to mature Amy, it just feels a little forced to me. A nice enough storyline set around the Christmas period though.

[KazOfBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy is home for Christmas and as much as she wants to ignore Ty’s new relationship, she needs him.

While more mature, this story is still young and sad, while being an easy and quick read. Amy and Ty are book trying to grow up and move on from their previous relationship in order to be friends. It’s not easy but the story shows how they still have to work together despite the difficulties and awkwardness.

[Alex Apostol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the more depressing books in the series, but it was still really good. I like how as Amy grows up and gets further into college, the tone of the story and the events mature along with her.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this when I was young and loved horses. It felt really awkward to be working around your ex and his current girlfriend.

[Geiosh A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't that bad

[Olivia H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it a lot, but I’m mad Ty kept his and Heather’s relationship a secret. Otherwise, I’m very happy with the turnout, and very glad Nancy and Jack are engaged!

[Amanda Schell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore the heartland series!!! All of them! And in case you were wondering the TV series is pretty good too <3

[Madura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it is really great. Good describing words and all. No bad bits

[Eraya Coutston]

Very good book, I'll be reading it again!

[Suzy Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

read as a child.

A good series about a girl working with horses and dealing with grief.