Courage

Eventing #3

by Natalie Keller Reinert

.Jules Thornton isn’t afraid of anything—except, maybe, riding racehorses. So she never imagined she would find herself at a racetrack at dawn. But her new home, Briar Hill Farm, is in trouble, and she and her boyfriend, Pete Morrison, are willing to do just about anything to save it. The one silver lining to Jules’s unexpected side job is Alex, her new boss. Easygoing and cheerful, Alex couldn’t be more different from Jules. But they share a passion for their horses and a fierce drive to succeed, and for the first time in her life, Jules has a true friend. She needs Alex right now, because Pete has been more distant than ever. Is he hiding something? And why is he spending so much time with a new friend down the street?

As Pete continues to flounder, Jules takes the reins. But is the right path for her the right path for Pete, too? And can she convince him that he will be okay without Briar Hill, if the legal case threatening their home doesn’t go their way? To move forward, Pete and Jules must learn that real courage means hanging on for dear life and knowing when to let go.

Genres: Horses, Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary

352 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 2017

About the author

Natalie Keller Reinert is the award-winning author of more than twenty books, including the Eventing series and Briar Hill Farm series. Drawing on her professional experience in three-day eventing, working with Thoroughbred racehorses and mounted patrol horses, therapeutic riding, and many other equine pursuits, Natalie brings her love of equestrian life into each of her titles. She also cohosts the award-winning equestrian humor podcast Adulting With Horses.

Natalie lives in north Florida with her family, horses, and cat.

Reviews

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review, and can I tell you I was *stoked* to get to continue Jules' journey! This book was intense -- the highs were high, the lows were low, but the characters changed SO MUCH you rooted for them every step of the way.

Jules and Pete are fighting tooth and nail to keep their lives together after their time apart... and the universe isn't making it easier. Competition heats up, and there are complications from a cast of new characters that round out Jules' and Pete's new world.

My favorite part about Natalie's books is that the horse stuff is *spot on*. As a professional barn manager and serious amateur rider (competing FEI dressage), these details are important. They make or break horse fiction... it's so refreshing to laugh alongside these consummate professionals as they go about their day. Jules knows about mucking stalls, and ripping breeches. We all know Amandas. We all dream about Petes. This book has it all, and no one will be disappointed in the newest installment. If you haven't read the first two in the series, do it. You'll read them overnight, I promise.

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courage: A Novel (The Eventing Series Book 3) by Natalie Keller Reinert did not disappoint. Each book in this series has brought me to understand and appreciate everything that Jules Thornton and Pete Morrison have worked towards, stumbled across and have found the courage to continue chasing their dreams, together and separately. I am not a horse person but these books have helped me understand how much hard work, discipline and commitment goes into taking care of and preparing horses for eventing. Even though Jules and Pete are struggling personally, financially and together in their relationship, I am still rooting for them. It became evident that it was going to be harder than ever to hold on to Briar Hill Farm but maybe Pete and Jules can find a way. In trying to find a way, Jules discovered race horses and made the acquaintance of Alex, who becomes a trusted and loyal friend. I am really enjoying this series and highly recommend it. I can’t wait to listen to the next book. This audiobook was narrated by Barrie Kreinik. She can make any book enjoyable to listen to but she did an excellent job with this one.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Courage by Natalie Keller Reinert through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Grace Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This called for a different kind of courage."

Hashtag TeamJules! I didn't think this series could get any better, but I honestly don't know which book I love most now. You know what working with horses is? It's stress, and fatigue, and more stress, and disappointment, and occasionally an odd moment that makes all the hassle seem worth it. Dinner mustn't involve real cooking, a few hours off on a Monday is the most heavenly thing in the world, insurance bills keep you up at night, and unless you were born into wealth, you ride horses in gear that cost five times as much as they did. These are things most people don't get, and what makes this book - and all the others - so great is that the author does.
I've been a fan of Jules from the start. She's never had anything handed to her, has fought, and still fights every day, to be where she is now. She's tough and independent, always having to prove herself, though recent events have forced her to show a softer and more humble side, and even put her own dreams aside to help Pete.

Anyone who loves eventing, Thoroughbreds, and knows the value of dreams and hard work should read this series.

I also just have to say how much I loved seeing Alex through Jules's eyes. Two strong, hard working characters whose lives both revolve around horses in different ways. (Would love to see Jules from Alex's perspective someday!)

I cannot wait to read more about these characters. Highly recommend this book.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Argh!! I need the next one, NOW!! I love this series!

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am YET AGAIN impressed by this book's attention to detail and accuracy when it comes to horses, the horse world and the sports within it.

I wouldn't recommend many horse-related books to the horse girlies, but I would recommend this one.

Although this series follows eventing and an event rider and her barn and life, we also get a bit of hunter drama in this book. And that was super fun (it really does seem like the hunter world always has the most drama in it).

Given this is the third book in the series, I don't what else I can say that wouldn't spoil something, but this is such a fun series for me. I really do recommend it to anyone who likes horses in books (this one is actually accurate) and to the horse girls that like to read.

You have no idea how happy this series existing makes me!

These books are also super easy to speed through (which I think also says a lot about a book).

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Allison ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a whole lot going on in this one but it's nice to see a bit of character growth with Jules, and some uneasiness between her and Pete got put to rest.

I love the addition of Alex, and I'm just now realizing she has her own series. Maybe I was supposed to read that one first, but no worries. I will check it out.

My main confusion is Jules' farm. What happened to it? Is it still just sitting there, tore up from the hurricane? Did she not have insurance? Can she not sell the land? Maybe I missed this explanation somewhere along the way.

[Jess Kerschbaumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is series is getting better and better as it goes! And I think training the super baby racehorses sounds like SO much fun!

[Lacy Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I’ve totally fallen in love with this series. I purchased 4,5, & 6 😂

[Bobbi Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Series

Please please please do not stop! So addicted to this series!!! I cannot wait to see what unfold next. It is like riding a Rolex Course!!!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you are not a previous fan of the world of Jules & Co., this book stands alone as a great peek into the world of eventing from the view of a professional. Courage is an honest look at the struggle of talent in a highly competitive sport, while adding in the complexity of relationships when life goes really and truly sideways. Based around a stubborn heroine and a deep understanding of racetrack and horse show life, this book will pull you through from cover to cover. Check your girth, it's a bumpy ride.

Without giving anything away, if you are a Keller Reinert fan, your favorite characters from other series collide here (and because the horse world is really sometimes that small)

Disclaimer #1 - I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Disclaimer #2 - I would have bought this book anyway!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best line ever..,

There was no perfume on earth so heady as the scent of a good saddle. Loved this book and keep looking forward to more.

Reread in June 2025

Looked back to see that I first read this Eventing series eight years ago. Wow.. time flew. Always love a book where it’s obvious that the writer knows their subject matter and Natalie knows horses, eventing and Florida. I love this entire series and got so caught up in reading and posting about it on TikTok that I forgot to do reviews on my favorite Goodreads.
As I am waiting for the last two books in the series to be rereleased I will do a general recap.

Jules.., she’s thorny and has a chip on her shoulder the size of a cross country log. She loves her horses and her dog and her little ten acre training barn and even her old trailer with the saggy floor and the even saggier couch. Anyone who had worked as hard as she has can feel that and forgive her the prickly way she treats people. The working for it vs the ones it’s handed to.
Becky.., oh we love to hate her.., dang I wanted her to have any other name but my own.
Lacey.., we cheer her on cause we love how scrappy and tough she is
Sweet Pete.., oh that eyebrow and that lazy smile.., in breeches and boots. ❤️

All the books in this series are wonderful.., don’t miss any of them.

[Liza Sibley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. And what a treat to have it to read on a day when an ice storm has pretty much shut me in. I have enjoyed every book in this series and this book was exactly what I was hoping for. I am more of a rider than a writer but as some one who has climbed on a racehorse (at the track--be still my heart) as well as having evented when we started at Preliminary (Ok, there was a first year Preliminary division and Jenny Camp) I felt right at home. I really liked that not only were the horses well developed characters, but also was the weather (as someone who spent parts of her youth in Florida). Everything fit just right. My only complaint is now I have to wait for the next in the series. I wish I could binge read them all at once but that would require them to be all written already.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to stop at this one, but hooked now.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading the continuation of Jules and Pete's story as they navigate the landscape of Briar Hill Farm in the aftermath of the ending of Pride (The Eventing Series #2).

Jules is resilient in the face of all the challenges that come her way, while trying to repair her and Pete's taxed relationship. The reader can really tell how much Jules has grown as she makes some selfless choices to support Pete and their struggles. I loved the addition of some new characters as well, Alex quickly became a favorite of mine.

Natalie Keller Reinert again does a phenomenal job depicting life with horses, while expanding the world around Jules to show another facet of the horse industry - Thoroughbred racing. As a fellow horse person, it is obvious that horses are a way of life for Natalie and it shines in her writing. I love it when an author gets horses "right" and Natalie knocked it out of the park once again. I also learned a lot about the ins and outs of the Thoroughbred industry from this book.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves horses - it is a great "ride".

Thank you to Natalie Keller Reinert, Flatiron Books, and NetGalley for an ARC of Courage (The Eventing Series #3) in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary Pagones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of Courage obviously refers to a quality that is needed in abundance a successful rider. But it also evokes the courage needed just to make it in the equestrian world in general. The breadth of Courage is so impressive, spanning not only the eventing world but Thoroughbred racing, showjumping, and even high performance hunters. The heroine Jules is desperately attempting to keep her career as an eventer afloat, not lose the farm she shares with her boyfriend Pete, and to ensure their horses are fit and healthy. Of course, all of these things require money, and Jules has to grit her teeth and sacrifice more and more over the course of her book to remain solvent—her safety, her privacy, her dignity, and even the ability to ride her own horses wherever and whenever she wants to ride them. Reinert always calls her fiction “horse books for grownups” and that is exactly what this book is—although it is very funny, it is bracingly realistic about what it means to work professionally in the horse world and the personal toll it takes upon human as well as human-equine relationships.

[Edel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in the latest addition to the series. Seemed very rushed and disjointed, a book in a series called "Eventing" really should have some eventing in it! Instead about 4 pages were dedicated to one event, the rest of book is pages and pages about weather and lack of money. The main character is insufferable, the relationship portrayed in the book is completely unhealthy and depressing and loose ends dont ever get explained. After all the character had her own property in book one, buildings were destroyed in a storm, she didn't get a big enough insurance pay out to rebuild, fair enough. But there must have been some money from insurance, selling the land itself, etc, so why has this never been mentioned? Seems ridiculous that the characters can go from 2 properties to no property in the timeframe of the books. Was hoping for at least a cheerful ending but that was a futile wish. Wouldnt recommend sadly.

[Elysa Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book more than I liked book 2, and I really enjoyed the moment Jules matured and allowed Pete to ride Dynamo when Regina got injured. I really hope Pete and jules can work through their differences as a couple before they break up. Alex and Jules make a great team, and I am excited to see where she goes with Tiger. Amanda would have been a good business venture had she not been so interested in Pete. Jules hopefully catches a break in the next book and receives some of these opportunities that Pete seems to be given Left and right, regardless of the work and progress Jules made. Mr.Rockwell seems quite sexist, so I'm not very interested in their sponsorship. I will say this series has me hooked. Onto book 4 I go

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought all three of the Eventing series at once. I read them all in just about ten days. I loved them.

As a horse person, reading books that do not glamourize the horse life at all. Instead it puts on the table the down and dirty monotony of daily horse life, but keeps it interesting.

As a reader, the character of Jules keeps me reading. I hate her, I love her, I cheer when she succeeds, and I cheer when her attitude gets knecked down a couple of pegs!

I'm also very intrigued to see how the author continues to intertwine Eventing and Alex and Alexander.

Natalie Keller Reinert, you've got me hooked. Keep them coming!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm hooked. Life is hard, the horse world is hard. Love can be complicated, and self-advocating can be both good and bad! learning that you still have a lot to learn is tough but having the courage to move on and work together, and with others is a gift! the progression that Jules is showing is awesome and the knowledge base this author has is fabulous. I'm already half way through the next and just can't get enough. when life gets tough and you are in the horse world. you must need to get tougher... maybe...

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seemed to be either the breaking point or the sticking point in the relationship between Jules and Pete. I loved the friendship Jules cultivated with Alex and the more mature viewpoint she is developing. It was interesting to read more about racing horses and what that entails. The author does a great job of making you feel like you're right there. The audiobook is a fantastic way to enjoy this series!

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl Chudleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing

This book was absolutely fantastic and I really look forward to reading the next book.
I think the suspense created in the story is a very good way of writing because it gets the reader thinking about what's going to happen next.
Overall this book was very good and recommend it to anyone who likes horses or suspense and adventure.

[Ellen Broadhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jules is evolving as a character and it is delightful to watch! As a adult who has been riding all of her life, I generally find this genre of book not terribly engaging. Reinert has done a terrific job of making the eventing world come to life with characters who feel like real people. Real, pain in the ass kind of people, honestly, but that’s horse people for you.

[Gail G · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

I was glad to see Jules finally grow up. I love the horse training and the friendships developed. The book is very realistic about the horse experience and life’s ups and downs.

[Caren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the horse-side of the story and the descriptions are real life. But I’m just not finding the characters likable. They’re unnervingly real, and I prefer a little more fiction and happy. Still, I have to know how it ends, so I’m looking forward to finishing the series.

[Haylee VanCuran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't stop reading!!!!!

I cannot get enough of this couple!! I have read the first three booms in three days!!! Eventing's up and coming power couple takes on many obstacles on their way to the top. Can they make it? Can their relationship?

[Michelle Stine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough good things about this series! I'm always sneaking in pages at work every chance I can get. Nothing is getting done at home for the past couple of weeks while I devour these books. As a horse person, this series is by far the best I've ever read.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, my second favorite book in the series (behind the 1st). I actually think Jules is starting to grow on me! But Pete, let’s figure it out. I love her new friend Alex and I can’t wait to see where the characters and their horses go next!

[Katie Chignell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ First book on my new Kindle! I really only picked this one up so I could hit 20 for the year but it was entertaining. Main character has gotten much more likable throughout the series and I liked the new characters in this one

[Sarah Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the series, loved this book! Was such a enjoyable read. The crossover with Alex & Alexander was the best! Really hopeful for another Jules book :)

[Linda Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining series

Enjoying this series. Author obviously knows horses as well as the central Florida horse scene. Looking forward to reading more by this author