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Bittersweet Farm #1
Mounted
When a handsome new trainer arrives at Bittersweet Farm, the competition between half-sisters is no longer limited to the show ring. Talia Margolin's life has been marked by events completely beyond her control--her mother's death, her move to her father's horse farm, the retirement of her show horse. Now she faces the arrival of a new coach whose job is to get Talia's half-sister, Greer, qualified for the finals at the National Horse Show. Greer is brutal on trainers but Lockie Malone is different. Handsome, talented, and with a will of hardened steel, Lockie can be an immovable object. He also becomes the agent for change in the lives of everyone at Bittersweet Farm. For seventeen year old Talia, change has never meant anything but loss. Will this time be different?
- GenresHorsesYoung AdultRomance
212 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
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404 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 30, 2012
"Mounted" contains characters that I really enjoy reading about. I did have some issues with it though. Some of the dialogue is very confusing - to the point where I had to go back and re-read it to try and figure out what was going on. Part of this was due to extra words being added or words omitted throughout the entire book. I normally do not comment on editing imperfections because lord knows we all have them, but these were pretty numerous and made things really confusing quite a few times. That being said, it did not keep me from liking the story. This is probably in part because I grew up riding horses and I still love them. There is quite a bit of detail to riding so for those of you who do not care about such things, you might find yourself struggling through at times.
At the beginning of the story, it took me a bit to get into it because it took me awhile to figure out who people were. There are still characters in the story that were mentioned briefly that I have no idea who they were but I felt I should know - mostly around horse sales and things. I can only assume that maybe they will be presented in future installments. Once I figured out who was who, all went well after that.
The basics are that Talia and her half-sister Greer live with their very wealthy father somewhere in Connecticut. Greer is a spoiled brat who sleeps with any man that has a pulse and when she sleeps with their trainer, her father is forced to find a new one. Enter Lockie. Lockie is all that a country boy should be and he falls for good - girl Talia who seems to be quickly becoming her father's favorite because no one in the household can stand Greer's fits anymore. Unable to see her sister happy or getting something she doesn't have, Greer sets her sights on Lockie. I won't get into the specifics because I do not like to write reviews that spoil the story for the new reader.
I look forward to the next installment - especially thanks to the cliffhanger.
At the beginning of the story, it took me a bit to get into it because it took me awhile to figure out who people were. There are still characters in the story that were mentioned briefly that I have no idea who they were but I felt I should know - mostly around horse sales and things. I can only assume that maybe they will be presented in future installments. Once I figured out who was who, all went well after that.
The basics are that Talia and her half-sister Greer live with their very wealthy father somewhere in Connecticut. Greer is a spoiled brat who sleeps with any man that has a pulse and when she sleeps with their trainer, her father is forced to find a new one. Enter Lockie. Lockie is all that a country boy should be and he falls for good - girl Talia who seems to be quickly becoming her father's favorite because no one in the household can stand Greer's fits anymore. Unable to see her sister happy or getting something she doesn't have, Greer sets her sights on Lockie. I won't get into the specifics because I do not like to write reviews that spoil the story for the new reader.
I look forward to the next installment - especially thanks to the cliffhanger.
April 14, 2013
MOUNTED is a tantalizing name, but I was more interested in the equestrian interpretation of the word: Talia is suddenly without the horse she has been riding since her mother died, can't see how another horse could ever mean anything to her, and a trainer is on a mission to get her back in the saddle, mounted on the right horse.
There is romance to this book, of course, and it's a good time watching it unfold, but I'm just as excited to see Talia's equestrian experience change as she is finally mounted on the right horse, not Butch, but another horse that can take her further and help her understand more about the mechanics and emotions of horsemanship, as I am to see what happens with the sexual tension that builds steadily through the book.
And yes, there is sexual tension. The characters are teenage females on a horse farm. There are sexy horse trainers everywhere. Everyone's wearing tight pants and getting sweaty and emotions are running high over horses and placings and... well, sexual tension is the reality for a lot of horse show girls, I'm just sayin'. No less for Talia and Lockie, who are engaged in a very Victorian game of snappy retorts and double entendres while Greer just sort of rages around in Tailored Sportsmans and tight t-shirts.
The dialogue, characters, and equestrian detail are absolutely outstanding. Read this book.
There is romance to this book, of course, and it's a good time watching it unfold, but I'm just as excited to see Talia's equestrian experience change as she is finally mounted on the right horse, not Butch, but another horse that can take her further and help her understand more about the mechanics and emotions of horsemanship, as I am to see what happens with the sexual tension that builds steadily through the book.
And yes, there is sexual tension. The characters are teenage females on a horse farm. There are sexy horse trainers everywhere. Everyone's wearing tight pants and getting sweaty and emotions are running high over horses and placings and... well, sexual tension is the reality for a lot of horse show girls, I'm just sayin'. No less for Talia and Lockie, who are engaged in a very Victorian game of snappy retorts and double entendres while Greer just sort of rages around in Tailored Sportsmans and tight t-shirts.
The dialogue, characters, and equestrian detail are absolutely outstanding. Read this book.
July 1, 2018
I would call this short book New Adult, though the age of the girls isn't all that clear. Two half-sisters, Talia and Greer, in Connecticut break the normal mould of horse stories by having more money at their disposal than you could shake a stick at. Their dad is rich and they have stables, trainers and multiple horses on tap.
Talia has a favourite horse, but arthritis is starting to get to him and he's retired. Cue a parade of horses that might be bought to suit either girl, the differences between Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods explained. A new trainer arrives. Unlike previous trainers he expects the girls to use their legs and seat. A major show is coming up. But the trainer has a disabling condition caused by one too many falls on his head. He can't get up and train the horses very much; the girls will have to do it. I didn't get the impression that Talia cared about the show. The girls don't seem to like each other much and are very unlike in temperament.
I didn't see a clear goal in the story and it ends as the girls predictably start to compete for the trainer's affections; way to get the man fired. Younger readers will perhaps find some of the tale confusing or wish a sister would get on with picking a good horse and doing some training.
This is an unbiased review.
Talia has a favourite horse, but arthritis is starting to get to him and he's retired. Cue a parade of horses that might be bought to suit either girl, the differences between Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods explained. A new trainer arrives. Unlike previous trainers he expects the girls to use their legs and seat. A major show is coming up. But the trainer has a disabling condition caused by one too many falls on his head. He can't get up and train the horses very much; the girls will have to do it. I didn't get the impression that Talia cared about the show. The girls don't seem to like each other much and are very unlike in temperament.
I didn't see a clear goal in the story and it ends as the girls predictably start to compete for the trainer's affections; way to get the man fired. Younger readers will perhaps find some of the tale confusing or wish a sister would get on with picking a good horse and doing some training.
This is an unbiased review.
June 12, 2013
A quick read filled with characters the reader just starts to get to know when the story abruptly ends. Talia and her half-sister Greer share a father and live in the same house, but they basically hate each other, and besides being rivals over horses and their father's affection, they spit venom at each other whenever together.
I enjoyed the horse parts of this book very much. It's a bit of fantasy for every horse girl to have a rich father, who gives the new trainer free rein to bring in horse after horse until you find one who suits you perfectly. With so many horses to choose from, Talia does find one, as well as a new challenge in learning Dressage, an entirely new discipline for her. And along the way she finds herself falling for Lockie, the trainer, until Greer decides to step in.
Just as the story starts to get really interesting, it ends, with a link to buy the next book. For girls who love horse series with some mature situations, this one may suit you.
I enjoyed the horse parts of this book very much. It's a bit of fantasy for every horse girl to have a rich father, who gives the new trainer free rein to bring in horse after horse until you find one who suits you perfectly. With so many horses to choose from, Talia does find one, as well as a new challenge in learning Dressage, an entirely new discipline for her. And along the way she finds herself falling for Lockie, the trainer, until Greer decides to step in.
Just as the story starts to get really interesting, it ends, with a link to buy the next book. For girls who love horse series with some mature situations, this one may suit you.
February 2, 2015
This book was very poorly written. Grammar and sentence structure could have been handled better by a child. For me, that's a huge turn off in a book of any genre. This is a book based around horses, but there isn't enough about the horses. Far too much time is devoted to the tantrums of a spoiled brat, unfortunately. The story bounces around and characters remain under developed. I'll have to think long and hard as to whether or not I'll read any further books in the Bittersweet Farm series.
September 5, 2013
A very interesting read about dysfunctional rich girls and their horses. The author does a great job at character building, and has a fascinating ability to "paint" a characters personality. I can't wait to read the second book.
June 8, 2013
I love Barbara Morgenroth but this - oy. Ridiculous characters and horrible dialogue. And not enough horses.
December 20, 2013
Revolving around horse life for the well off Connecticut set, this book manages to avoid the usual YA interactions and still serves up a good love story and genuine conversation.
October 21, 2017
I was not impressed with this work at all. In fact I didn't even finish it, which is quite something for me as I am an avid reader. Lots of local slang/ dialect, which was hard to understand. Lots of switching of characters. Not an enjoyable read.
January 28, 2018
Nice change
Interesting characters and setting. I found this book to be a bit different than a lot of the horse related stories. Enjoyed the verbal sparring conversations and seeing the character development.
Interesting characters and setting. I found this book to be a bit different than a lot of the horse related stories. Enjoyed the verbal sparring conversations and seeing the character development.
July 14, 2017
Great Beginnimg
The first novel of the BITTERSWEET FARM series nicely written, with a good plot and well-developed characters. I look forward to the rest of the series.
The first novel of the BITTERSWEET FARM series nicely written, with a good plot and well-developed characters. I look forward to the rest of the series.
November 8, 2017
I really liked it. Was it a piece of literary genius? No. What it was was an easy read that I found entertaining.
December 3, 2017
"We would all a second chance at one time or an other..." Talia is a person who had a hard life. Her half sister is a brat who wants her way. She loses her best horse.
March 2, 2018
It was cute but very cliché.
January 17, 2019
Couldn't get interested in this story line at all.
February 4, 2021
classic horse girl novel/series, gotta love it!
March 16, 2017
This book wasn't a bad read, I just had a hard time at points telling apart who was talking or what was going on. What made this story great was the outrageous antagonist, Greer (the heroine's half sister). Her escapades and tantrums were like watching a wreck at Daytona. You just can't look away. She's a verifiable rampaging silverback gorilla! Delicious <3
I'm a sucker for villains, and I'm eager to see how this all pans out with the love interest, Lockie, and the heroine Talia.
The author leaves you with a cliffhanger that may or may not be Greer fooling around with Lockie, who's obviously in to Talia.
If anything, read it for the rampaging gorilla masquerading about as an equestrian princess.
I'm a sucker for villains, and I'm eager to see how this all pans out with the love interest, Lockie, and the heroine Talia.
The author leaves you with a cliffhanger that may or may not be Greer fooling around with Lockie, who's obviously in to Talia.
If anything, read it for the rampaging gorilla masquerading about as an equestrian princess.
March 14, 2017
I liked the book for the horse aspects of it, however it was a little hard to follow, and found myself going back to re-read something to gain a better understanding.
I've moved on to the next one in the series.
I've moved on to the next one in the series.
March 8, 2017
Wonderful Series
Having read multiple books in this series all I can say is wow. You get to watch the characters grow and mature as the series continues. You meet many outside characters that keep the books changing and being interesting. Though the books are written about riding and horses they are enjoyable and understandable for everyone. These books are geared towards adults who still have a little bit of a child in their hearts who grew up reading Black Beauty and the the Black Stallion books.
Having read multiple books in this series all I can say is wow. You get to watch the characters grow and mature as the series continues. You meet many outside characters that keep the books changing and being interesting. Though the books are written about riding and horses they are enjoyable and understandable for everyone. These books are geared towards adults who still have a little bit of a child in their hearts who grew up reading Black Beauty and the the Black Stallion books.
May 2, 2016
This book still has me wondering if I want to continue with the series. Editing mistakes really irk me when they're very present, and several times there were sentences I had to reread because of words that appeared to have been omitted. While I finished the book quickly, it really wasn't anything special. I love reading about horses, which would be the only reason I decide to read the other books in the series, if I ever make that choice. The love interest felt forced between Talia and Lockie. She latches on to taking care of him because of remembering the pain her mother felt, and now he has an interest in her; and their mutual interest is to make sure Talia's half-sister Greer doesn't sink her hooks into him. Thinking about how present the horses were in the book though, I'll probably just end up grabbing the next book in the series to read. It really doesn't take very much time at all to get it read, maybe we'll all be lucky and the editing will have improved in the future books. Which reminds me, there were times that Lockie referred to Talia as Tali, and I never could really tell if that was an error or a nickname. Never really made sense in the context it was used. Guess I'll see whenever I decided to pick up the next one!
December 3, 2024
This book is so intertwined with my heart that I don't think I have anything reasonable to say. I read it like eight years ago and barely registered it. Couldn't sleep one night years ago—it was a hateful summer—and I decided to try again. I adored it the second time and read the whole thing on my kindle at two am.
To try to explain the effect Talia and Lockie's quippy conversations had on me at the time would be absolutely futile, I still haven't recovered, even as I've gotten older and can't really stand Lockie anymore. Morgenroth's quick, witty style is one of my favorites ever. You can tell she worked in television!
Talia and Greer are the heart of this series and I love that they hate each other so unabashedly at the beginning. There are so many things that I love about them—that they share a father who doesn't seem to want to belong to either of them, that they share a house neither of them want to live in, that they share horses and lessons and competitions but can't stand them but for totally different reasons. It's all just so good and the development of their relationship as the series progresses is something I think about all the time, it keeps me up at night.
To try to explain the effect Talia and Lockie's quippy conversations had on me at the time would be absolutely futile, I still haven't recovered, even as I've gotten older and can't really stand Lockie anymore. Morgenroth's quick, witty style is one of my favorites ever. You can tell she worked in television!
Talia and Greer are the heart of this series and I love that they hate each other so unabashedly at the beginning. There are so many things that I love about them—that they share a father who doesn't seem to want to belong to either of them, that they share a house neither of them want to live in, that they share horses and lessons and competitions but can't stand them but for totally different reasons. It's all just so good and the development of their relationship as the series progresses is something I think about all the time, it keeps me up at night.
January 4, 2015
Talia Margolin lives what could be considered a fortunate life. She has a wealthy father who can buy her almost anything she wants; she lives on a large property that hires prestigious equestrian trainers to teach herself and her half sister so that they can excel in shows, and they have a live in chef.
In spite of this, the teenager is no stranger to loss. She grieves the death of her mother and struggles to live alongside her demanding half sister, Greer... more at http://equus-blog.com/mounted/
In spite of this, the teenager is no stranger to loss. She grieves the death of her mother and struggles to live alongside her demanding half sister, Greer... more at http://equus-blog.com/mounted/
September 2, 2016
I love this book, and I want to read the whole series immediately!
This book, the plot, the characters, the whole thing is amazing. Almost as good as Maggie Dana's Timber Ridge Riders series, and since I'm possibly Maggie's biggest fan, saying this series is almost as good is a huge endorsement.
I loved horse books when I was a horse crazy teen, and they are still my guilty pleasure. I only wish I had had books like these back then. Any age group can get a thrill out of this book, it's so well written that even if you are not horse crazy, you will enjoy the characters and the story.
This book, the plot, the characters, the whole thing is amazing. Almost as good as Maggie Dana's Timber Ridge Riders series, and since I'm possibly Maggie's biggest fan, saying this series is almost as good is a huge endorsement.
I loved horse books when I was a horse crazy teen, and they are still my guilty pleasure. I only wish I had had books like these back then. Any age group can get a thrill out of this book, it's so well written that even if you are not horse crazy, you will enjoy the characters and the story.
September 23, 2015
The first book of a great series and of many more to come. The Swope household was a mess before and it looks as if this new trainer can turn all that around. I love how unexpected some things are in this book it really keeps you wondering and guessing. A great start to a great series for Barbara Morgenroth. Let it be said that once you start it is hard to stop. Any horse person would enjoy this book.
January 1, 2015
4 stars
Disliked the non ending, but loved everything else about this book. It's all about barn drama drama DRAMA! Horsey details are accurate, and I love the chemistry between Lockie and Talia. Greer is a pain in the butt, but the chaos she causes sure is fun to read about.
Disliked the non ending, but loved everything else about this book. It's all about barn drama drama DRAMA! Horsey details are accurate, and I love the chemistry between Lockie and Talia. Greer is a pain in the butt, but the chaos she causes sure is fun to read about.
July 27, 2016
Ok wow. This book was all over the place. The translations and dialogue were awful. I am an equestrian and there wasn't enough horse things happening. It was more drama. Not what I expected. I won't be continuing this series
March 15, 2017
Terrible transitions.
Disjointed conversation
Difficult to follow
Not a lot of character development
Terrible writing
Disjointed conversation
Difficult to follow
Not a lot of character development
Terrible writing
September 30, 2014
I adore these books. And I'm not a teenager :)
June 25, 2016
There needs to be more about the horses. The dialogue is confusing.
April 19, 2017
I would've liked this a teenager probably but now I just can't believe that a father would hire another male trainer when his teenage daughter keeps on sleeping with them. He couldn't find one female trainer in a sport that's dominated by women?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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