Flight: A Novel

Eventing #8

by Natalie Keller Reinert

The eighth book in Natalie Keller Reinert’s beloved Eventing Series, set in the high-stakes world of three-day eventing, now reimagined and repackaged!

Ten months after giving birth to her son, Jules is back on top. Or, she’s ready to be. She and Pete have traveled to Maryland in prep for the Chesapeake Three-Day Event, one of America’s toughest events, for the first time. A big win could be the perfect cap to her comeback season. Jules is where she belongs competition-wise, but there’s one she’s in the wrong state. Because the fact is, Jules just hates Maryland.

With Lindsay and Lacey holding down the fort back in Florida, Jules knows her farm is in safe hands, but that doesn’t stop her from feeling homesick. And life on the road with a baby and his nanny is difficult and distracting. Jules has six weeks to prove that she can survive at the top of her sport, while being the wife and mother she wants to be. Can she put up with snooty Hunt Country eventers, an old-school trainer who isn’t ready to give up her horses to Jules and Pete, and way too little sunshine? And what will Jules’ future look like, now that horses are no longer the most important thing in her life?

In Natalie Keller Reinert’s beloved eight-book Eventing Series, we follow Jules and her friends through the joys and heartbreaks of the competitive eventing circuit, as they work their way into elite echelons—and into one another’s lives and hearts. Utterly immersive and propulsive, this series is an unforgettable journey for anyone who has ever fallen in love with horses, or humans.

Genres: Horses, Fiction

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 20, 2025

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

[Mary Pagones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed having a Jules-exclusive POV book again, with a focus on the challenges of a single competition. Of course, there are always the various horse personalities (and horse people) to bring out the best and worst of her character. A really fun book that makes you feel immersed in the world of eventing in the best possible way.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, like all of Natalie's novels! An exciting and happy conclusion to the eventing series.

[Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying conclusion th the Eventing Series!

[Dale Leatherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flight is a feel good story. I don’t think I need a “spoiler alert” to say that, but this is a story about Pete and Jules, which tends to put readers on guard. Those of us who have followed the firebrand of an event rider and her saintly event rider/show jumper/dressage author husband through eight books in the Eventing Series know that Jules attracts trouble and never backs down.

She and Pete have been through some really, really bad times—which have often kept me up past my bedtime to find out if everyone comes out of the latest crisis okay. After all, they did lose their farm (Pete’s family farm, to be precise) and lived in their horse trailer’s sparse living quarters for a while. And they’ve endured some of Florida’s nasty weather events, which tend to topple major trees and rip off barn roofs.

So, when I say this is a feel good story, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t trouble for the couple. There is—and sharing a motel room in Maryland with their son Jack and his nanny is just for starters. They’re in Maryland for the fall season, leaving their Florida farm and Alachua students in the hands of trusted folks who are also characters readers have come to know.

But it’s for good reasons. Pete has been offered two good horses to add to his string, but the owner wants them to compete in a couple of high-level Maryland events they were entered in before their rider/trainer was injured. The couple are also trying to expand their competition footprint beyond Florida in order to gain national attention. The “good reasons” do not keep Jules from constantly complaining about being in Maryland, which is too cold, too hilly, too wet, too . . . everything.

Predictably, Mimi, the injured former rider/trainer, doesn’t want to lose the horses to Pete, but her ire is oddly directed at Jules rather than Pete. Of course, Jules has always left a trail of insulted horse people in her wake, but this one is a mystery—and a cause for more than a little anxiety. (Yep, late night reading.)

Concerns also arise about the owner of the two horses who has been with Mimi (who really doesn’t want to retire) a long time. Is she going to be a blessing or curse to Pete? He needs more horses to campaign, and his wife has a habit of poaching his prospects.

That said, Jules does it again, calling dibs over Pete on an unlikely prospect—a mare that jumps out of every enclosure she’s put in. Jules bonds with the freaky horse, who is at a rescue farm in Catoctin, Maryland.

By now, devoted Reinert readers are familiar with another of the author’s series, a romance set in the rural Catoctin region of Western Maryland—with equestrian overtones. Readers of Flight meet Nadine and Sean, who run the horse rescue, and other members of the community. The descriptions of fried chicken at the diner and pastries at the bakery are enough to send me looking for something to nosh on as I read into the night.

Reinert has seven or eight series going at once—Eventing (Flight is the latest), Briar Hill, Ocala Horse Girls, Catoctin Creek, Sea Horse Ranch, Show Barn Blues, Grabbing Mane--and Alex and Alexander, which is the racing series that first attracted me to the writer. And she has a couple of stand-alone books that are excellent, including Hidden Horses of New York. I worked with horses in New York but this aspect of the local horse scene was an eye-opener for me.

Reinert has experience in many different disciplines (as have I), and it shows in every series she writes. She is unfailingly accurate in what goes on in the various sports—and what drives the riders.
Over the years she has also become a master of the crossover, in which characters from one series have roles in another series. What can I say? It works. The result is an ever-widening family in which readers get updates on all of the “cousins” from different disciplines and parts of the country. My hat is off to this prolific, knowledgeable and skilled writer.

While any of her books are good stand alone stories, I advise new readers to start at the beginning of a series and enjoy the characters as they grow and cope (or not) with whatever life with horses throws at them.

I received an advance reader copy of Flight, which does not influence my opinions. I have read all of Natalie’s books and bought 90% of them.

[W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superlative equestrian novel

I am beginning to think that it is impossible for Ms.Reinert to write a horse story that is NOT top-notch! That is not something I ever say lightly.

Jules & Pete are back, on a visit to Maryland for the highest ranked event we have read about so far. We get to visit with their equine family and see them working hard at what they love to do.

Jules gets a new heart horse to mold into a competitive athlete. Pete gets two new horses to train. One that needs evaluated for the best discipline for him; the other with a quirk that will set Pete a challenging puzzle to solve as both a trainer and a rider. As a bonus we also get a visit with friends from the Catoctin series, which was delightful.

I loved seeing Jules and Pete acknowledged for their expertise in their field, especially by the eventing community outside of north Florida. They are moving from being local celebrities to becoming a part of the larger national eventing scene.

I sincerely hope we see Jules, Pete, their family -- human and equine -- and friends in another book soon. Where will the next adventure in the Eventing world take them?

I received an ARC copy of this story from the author via BookFunnel and voluntarily chose to share my review.

[Michelle Stine · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I do absolutely love this series, I found several writing errors in this book. Almost like it was written by someone else! At one point they said they were hauling 3 horses each to the show, but then when they were done at the show they got stuck in the mud with a trailer full of 4 horses (what?! what happened to the other 2 they had brought?!). Then another time Jules commented that the new mare had gotten out and jumped in the paddock with Mickey and Dynamo, at no other point in the story has Dynamo been in Maryland with them and there would be no reason for them to have brought him, so I think the author meant Mickey and Flyer or Mickey & Barsuk? I'm also confused on how there's enough room to bring this new mare home when they had commented earlier they had a trailer full with 6 horses. Now they have to bring home Mickey, Flyer, Barsuk, Rogue, Prince, & India. Where's Fling going to go? I never noticed discrepancies in the other books before... Bugged me in this book, I kept going back and looking to see if I had misread earlier.

[Firetruckmama · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the eighth book in the "Eventing Series" by Natalie Keller Reinert. In this book, Jules and Pete are in Maryland (Jules willingly left Florida???!!!) with their horses doing another Eventing/Dressage event. Once again, things are never quite calm for Jules - there's juggling being a Mom (to Jack, who doesn't get enough page time!) and a horsewoman and businesswoman. There's Pete's British cousin, who is Jack's nanny, to get used to - there's the owner of horses Pete's riding, and there's the weather, new town, and new folks added to the story - oh, and keeping tabs on the happenings back in Florida. While I really thought that the previous book was a great ending point for this series, I can understand why Ms. Reinert decided to write this book - it's another fine story to add to Jules's story, with another satisfying ending. Strong recommend if you've liked the other books in this series.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my All-time Favorite Series

What a wonderful series! This is a story of Jules and her growth as a friend, life partner, rider and just a good person. There are so many challenges along the way. She is incredibly strong and though enduring much heartache she always moves forward. I loved that she and Pete were able to discover themselves and each other.
There were so many horse characters and each contributed much to the storyline. Dynamo was a firebrand and so dedicated to Jules. The author really understands the meaning of a “heart horse”.
Ms. Reinert has a particularly picturesque style of writing that puts you right into every scene. The dialogue of the characters really gives you great insight into the sometimes crazy mind of each person. You can also envision North Florida’s landscape with the evening sounds of frogs and the morning birds.
Highly recommended!! I’m a big fan!

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable as always but still wishing the big event would be described instead of referred to in past tense. All the buildup up to a big life moment and then skipping ahead to after the fact is unsatisfying in a story. These stories are often all the thinking and internal processing and denouement in between plot points, while the plot points are left up to the reader to be imagined. It’s an inverted way of writing a story.

I had had hope that this time would be different. Alas, maybe next time.

Yay for more kit and vane though!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really going to miss Jules and Pete. I really enjoyed Flight, the 8th book of The Eventing Series by Natalie Keller Reinert. It was really great to get to see Jules be able to focus on riding and her horses rather than dealing with catastrophes and barn drama (okay, well, there was a little drama, thanks Mimi).

The end of this book nearly had me in happy tears. Thank you to Natalie Keller Reinert for writing horse books that really do represent life with horses.

Thank you to Flatiron Books, Netgalley, and Natalie Keller Reinert for this eARC of Flight.

[Ariana Feldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!! It’s nice to see Jules and Pete just being them; not having a catastrophic life altering disaster, of course making horses your life is kind of a wash rinse repeat of catastrophic life altering disasters- but you get my point ;). And super fun with the crossover to Catoctin Creek, one of my other favorite series.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, as usual!

I only have two problems with Natalie’s books - they keep me up WAY past my bedtime, and they eventually end. I love the way her series set in Florida are interconnected - she has created characters (human and equine - and one little Beagle) who j really enjoy visiting with.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 rounded up! A great finale to a wonderful series. I wanted Jules to be at home more, settling in to her new farm and family life, but I think the way NKR wrapped up the series with new characters, made this a worthwhile read. I got closure on a story line I didn’t know I needed, and the series feels satisfied and not needing any more. I’m so glad I read this series through! I loved it!

[Pauline Pedley · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

… as usual (like all Natalie’s books!
If you love horses and competing - you won’t be able to put the entire series down! It’s funny too in places, laugh out loud funny.
Please, dear Natalie - when is the next one?

[Taylor Ricks · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot wasn’t super prominent if that makes sense. There was a soft build, soft climax, soft resolution, and no character development. But! All of that aside, it was entertaining and educational! I learned so much about horse eventing. The book had good vibes and I now want to move to Maryland

[Lynda Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great catching up with Jules and Pete

Love all of Natalie Keller reinert 's books but seeing these 2 characters back eventing again was wonderful. More please!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book of the Eventing Series! Jules is back to her true form and I love it.

I also enjoyed the location change.

I’m a huge fan of this series. Thank you

[David Goldstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for the very enjoyable read. I do love these characters and their story. Never fails to fully satisfy my appetite for time well-spent.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series, great read.

[Chelsea Weigand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need more Jules!!!! I hope there is another book ❤️

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

🦀

[shannon rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series I’ve started in the middle I definitely need to go back to the beginning but such an easy read being a former horse girlie it’s so relatable and accurate I love it !

[A.M. Swink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot express how much I adored this updated version of Flight!

We get everything the original book offered, and so much more: more Catoctin Creek, more character development, more riding with Jules, more drama. I absolutely, positively, loved it! Mimi is far more complex here than she seemed in the original book and the story's greater depth means that the final payoff of the storyline hits all the sweeter.

I will say this, though: If you are an Eventing Series newbie, I highly recommend you read Briar Hill Farm 1 & 2 before picking this up. A LOT has taken place in Jules and Pete's world between Home and Flight, and you might find yourself a bit disoriented if you skip straight to Flight without reading Foaling Season and Friends With Horses first!

Natalie should be very proud of these new Eventing Series editions. She took a great story, with great characters, and made it even more spectacular. I have so enjoyed getting to re-read them all!

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never about spending time in Jules's head