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Leap of Faith
The highly anticipated new novel from beloved Australian writer Fiona McCallum.
Jessica Harrington is a promising horse-rider who dreams of representing her country. But the recent death of her father – her coach and mentor – has left her doubting her ability to continue in the sport. When she fails at the Adelaide International Horse Trials her fears are confirmed – and her world begins to fall apart.
Unable to bear seeing her well-bred, highly trained horses languishing in the paddock, she makes the snap decision to sell. She’s broken her own heart, but can’t see any other way – now she will just have to focus on a life without them. Her husband Steve and best friend Tiffany, however, can see through her bravado.
Jessica is dismayed when Steve brings home a horse from a clearing sale, a horse so skinny and forlorn he just couldn’t leave it behind. Unwilling to be drawn back into the world of horses, she's reluctant to get involved. But when a summer thunderstorm brings on a life-or-death emergency, she finds she underestimated the heart of one little horse. Can Jessica put her trust in Faith?
Jessica Harrington is a promising horse-rider who dreams of representing her country. But the recent death of her father – her coach and mentor – has left her doubting her ability to continue in the sport. When she fails at the Adelaide International Horse Trials her fears are confirmed – and her world begins to fall apart.
Unable to bear seeing her well-bred, highly trained horses languishing in the paddock, she makes the snap decision to sell. She’s broken her own heart, but can’t see any other way – now she will just have to focus on a life without them. Her husband Steve and best friend Tiffany, however, can see through her bravado.
Jessica is dismayed when Steve brings home a horse from a clearing sale, a horse so skinny and forlorn he just couldn’t leave it behind. Unwilling to be drawn back into the world of horses, she's reluctant to get involved. But when a summer thunderstorm brings on a life-or-death emergency, she finds she underestimated the heart of one little horse. Can Jessica put her trust in Faith?
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2015
15 people are currently reading
394 people want to read
About the author
Fiona McCallum
22 books274 followers** Please be aware Fiona is not active on this site. She can be best found on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fionamccallu... **
Fiona McCallum spent her childhood years on the family cereal and wool farm outside the small town of Cleve on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.
Fiona now lives in Adelaide and works full-time as a novelist. She writes "heart-warming journey of self-discovery stories" - often with a rural setting, sometimes with a romantic thread and sometimes without. Her tales tie together her love of animals and fascination with the journey people go on to find what really makes their heart sing and then follow their true passions to find happiness, even if it means taking risks and facing seemingly impossible obstacles. It's a storyline very close to Fiona's heart because it reflects her own life.
Fiona now has nine Australian bestsellers to her name: 'Paycheque', 'Nowhere Else', 'Wattle Creek', 'Saving Grace' (Book one of The Button Jar series), 'Time Will Tell' (Book two of The Button Jar series) and 'Meant To Be' (Book three (and at this stage final) in The Button Jar series), 'Leap of Faith', 'Standing Strong' (a sequel to Wattle Creek), and 'Finding Hannah'. Her tenth book, 'Making Peace' has just been released (late March 2018).
Fiona is proof dreams can come true...
Please note, Fiona isn't active here. She only signed up to try and get books by authors of the same name removed from her listing. (Note, this Fiona McCallum is not the clairvoyant and author of "Dear Fiona". Nor is she the Scottish academic who writes about Christianity in the Middle East.) She's too busy writing to be on multiple social media platforms and only does Facebook. She can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/fionamccallu...
Fiona McCallum spent her childhood years on the family cereal and wool farm outside the small town of Cleve on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.
Fiona now lives in Adelaide and works full-time as a novelist. She writes "heart-warming journey of self-discovery stories" - often with a rural setting, sometimes with a romantic thread and sometimes without. Her tales tie together her love of animals and fascination with the journey people go on to find what really makes their heart sing and then follow their true passions to find happiness, even if it means taking risks and facing seemingly impossible obstacles. It's a storyline very close to Fiona's heart because it reflects her own life.
Fiona now has nine Australian bestsellers to her name: 'Paycheque', 'Nowhere Else', 'Wattle Creek', 'Saving Grace' (Book one of The Button Jar series), 'Time Will Tell' (Book two of The Button Jar series) and 'Meant To Be' (Book three (and at this stage final) in The Button Jar series), 'Leap of Faith', 'Standing Strong' (a sequel to Wattle Creek), and 'Finding Hannah'. Her tenth book, 'Making Peace' has just been released (late March 2018).
Fiona is proof dreams can come true...
Please note, Fiona isn't active here. She only signed up to try and get books by authors of the same name removed from her listing. (Note, this Fiona McCallum is not the clairvoyant and author of "Dear Fiona". Nor is she the Scottish academic who writes about Christianity in the Middle East.) She's too busy writing to be on multiple social media platforms and only does Facebook. She can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/fionamccallu...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
February 25, 2023
I’ve read a few books by this author and I must say so far this one is my least favourite. I like many of the readers who have read this book didn’t like Jessica Harrington as I found her to be a very unlikable character even though I did enjoy the storyline and the other characters.
Sometimes you come across a character that gets on your nerves and your opinion of the book changes and you don’t enjoy it as much as you thought you might and that’s the joy of reading. I will continue to read books by this author and look forward to my next book by her.
Sometimes you come across a character that gets on your nerves and your opinion of the book changes and you don’t enjoy it as much as you thought you might and that’s the joy of reading. I will continue to read books by this author and look forward to my next book by her.
August 24, 2015
3.5 stars
It really was a shame that the main character, Jessica Harrington, was so unlikeable. Leap of Faith was a nice easy light read and I enjoyed the storyline.
The reader gets to know every one of Jessica’s thoughts, which was a bit overkill. We all have negative thoughts about ourselves, situations we are in, even about the ones we love. But we certainly wouldn’t want those thoughts known to everyone.
This is definitely a story for horse lovers and I would advise all readers to go into the story knowing that you see Jessica at her lowest.
I will be reading more from Fiona McCallum, a very capable Australian author.
It really was a shame that the main character, Jessica Harrington, was so unlikeable. Leap of Faith was a nice easy light read and I enjoyed the storyline.
The reader gets to know every one of Jessica’s thoughts, which was a bit overkill. We all have negative thoughts about ourselves, situations we are in, even about the ones we love. But we certainly wouldn’t want those thoughts known to everyone.
This is definitely a story for horse lovers and I would advise all readers to go into the story knowing that you see Jessica at her lowest.
I will be reading more from Fiona McCallum, a very capable Australian author.
November 23, 2023
It is my fault in this instance for shelving a book that is entirely not my genre. I didn't really pay much attention to the blurb, and it had been on my list for years. I added it in haste while driving along for my next audio read.
Initially I thought this woman had a spinal injury, such the drama. She had a broken ankle. I was waiting for terrible and serious news. This did not come.
The protag was wholly unlikeable, the discussion and minutiae about food unnecessary. To me this always smacks of an author 'telling' the reader as opposed to a story unfolding in a nice wholistic way.
I was a bit sneaky and sped up the speed to a ridiculous level, and finished in on my walk this afternoon after work. Even the epilogue was terribly mundane.
Not for me!
Initially I thought this woman had a spinal injury, such the drama. She had a broken ankle. I was waiting for terrible and serious news. This did not come.
The protag was wholly unlikeable, the discussion and minutiae about food unnecessary. To me this always smacks of an author 'telling' the reader as opposed to a story unfolding in a nice wholistic way.
I was a bit sneaky and sped up the speed to a ridiculous level, and finished in on my walk this afternoon after work. Even the epilogue was terribly mundane.
Not for me!
February 7, 2017
This is the third Fiona McCallum book I've read, and the second one I've rated two stars. There's one main reason this book tanked in my opinion.
Apologies in advance for the tirade below:
Jessica, the main character, is a self-centred, immature and selfish adult-child. The constant inane babbling of her inner thoughts drove me batty, and her complete inability to think about anyone outside of herself left me wanting to wring her scrawny neck.
Add to this continued form of abuse to the reader, Jessica's incapacity to put basic symptoms of pregnancy together after the reader was subjected to copious PG-rated coitus between Jessica and Steve, her rough-on-the-outside-but-soft-on-the-inside husband, and you're left wondering how this TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) character even made it to adulthood.
Considering the amount of inner dialogue the reader is subjected to, Jessica's character has very little character growth, the one tiny speck of change really didn't warrant the 220 pages of torment within the covers. What's with that?! Really? Are there people like this in the world?
This book gets added to my swear-tastic shelf, not because it has a lot of vulgar language in it (there is a little, it's fairly light on), but instead it's added because of the quantity of vulgar language it elicited from me as I read it.
The ONLY reasons this book gets 2 stars instead of 1, is Laurel and Hardy, the farm dogs who were adorable, and the Plain-Jane-but-not-really, Faith. The little filly, Faith, is a welcome piece of sunshine and amusement to the book. If only we'd spent more time in her mind and less in Jessica's.
I was left thinking:
Not Fiona McCallum's best, but still might appeal to horsey people who don't mind reading about characters that are annoying and downright unlikable.
**Note: I was provided a copy of this book from the Publisher in return for an honest review**
Apologies in advance for the tirade below:
Jessica, the main character, is a self-centred, immature and selfish adult-child. The constant inane babbling of her inner thoughts drove me batty, and her complete inability to think about anyone outside of herself left me wanting to wring her scrawny neck.
Add to this continued form of abuse to the reader, Jessica's incapacity to put basic symptoms of pregnancy together after the reader was subjected to copious PG-rated coitus between Jessica and Steve, her rough-on-the-outside-but-soft-on-the-inside husband, and you're left wondering how this TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) character even made it to adulthood.
Considering the amount of inner dialogue the reader is subjected to, Jessica's character has very little character growth, the one tiny speck of change really didn't warrant the 220 pages of torment within the covers. What's with that?! Really? Are there people like this in the world?
This book gets added to my swear-tastic shelf, not because it has a lot of vulgar language in it (there is a little, it's fairly light on), but instead it's added because of the quantity of vulgar language it elicited from me as I read it.
The ONLY reasons this book gets 2 stars instead of 1, is Laurel and Hardy, the farm dogs who were adorable, and the Plain-Jane-but-not-really, Faith. The little filly, Faith, is a welcome piece of sunshine and amusement to the book. If only we'd spent more time in her mind and less in Jessica's.
I was left thinking:
Not Fiona McCallum's best, but still might appeal to horsey people who don't mind reading about characters that are annoying and downright unlikable.
**Note: I was provided a copy of this book from the Publisher in return for an honest review**
October 9, 2015
I didn't like the main character Jessica and how she spent most of the book debating her feelings with herself. Not a lot actually happened.
November 29, 2025
2 ⭐️s
Well, I never… this book, goodness! It wasn’t what I expected; I was hoping for a more uplifting story, but it turned out to be rather dismal. I didn’t mind the horsey theme but the protagonist’s persistent negativity was a bit more than I was prepared for. Gosh, she was a miserable, whiny person throughout the entire book, yep, from beginning to end. The pacing was so slow and absolutely nothing happens. The story went nowhere.
Very disappointing.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Read by Miranda Nation
Duration: 9 hrs 29 min. 1.50x Speed
Well, I never… this book, goodness! It wasn’t what I expected; I was hoping for a more uplifting story, but it turned out to be rather dismal. I didn’t mind the horsey theme but the protagonist’s persistent negativity was a bit more than I was prepared for. Gosh, she was a miserable, whiny person throughout the entire book, yep, from beginning to end. The pacing was so slow and absolutely nothing happens. The story went nowhere.
Very disappointing.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Read by Miranda Nation
Duration: 9 hrs 29 min. 1.50x Speed
November 16, 2024
The main character is insufferable with her 'poor me' mentality.
August 26, 2015
100 pages in and I'm really struggling. As much as I've enjoyed Fiona McCallum's books in the past, so far this just seems a joke. I've broken my ankle twice - most of the things Jessica "can't" do are what normal people have to do regardless - I still had to cook, clean, feed horses, rug horses etc. etc. all whilst on crutches (my computer chair became my best friend as I scooted around the house "getting things done!").
As for her rash decision to sell her horses - weak and running away is all it is. If her father was as hard on her as is made out, there is no way she would give up so easily. I can't take to her character and unfortunately I can't make it through the rest of the book - life is too short to waste LOL
As for her rash decision to sell her horses - weak and running away is all it is. If her father was as hard on her as is made out, there is no way she would give up so easily. I can't take to her character and unfortunately I can't make it through the rest of the book - life is too short to waste LOL
December 10, 2017
A most boring first half! I couldn't believe just how slow it was to get to the point where Faith arrived on the scene. However, once Faith arrived, it all came to a head and then it's over. So, not sure at all whether it was worth it... just ok...
April 17, 2015
Jessica Harrington is a veteran of the horse circuit, having competed since she was a child. Spurred on and trained by her ambitious father, Jessica has traded up for better mounts constantly all in pursuit of one day representing her country. Now her father and instructor is gone and Jessica is left to prepare for events alone. She has talented horses but without his input and mentoring, she finds herself questioning her choices and preparation.
When a fall at the Adelaide International Horse Trials leads to Jessica breaking her ankle, she finds herself facing a crisis of confidence. She makes a snap decision to sell her two mounts, claiming that she is retiring from the sport forever. Without her dad, she just can’t make it.
Jessica is irritated when her farmer husband, who has never been into the horses brings home a malnourished and forlorn looking mare from a clearing sale. At first she wants nothing to do with the horse, who is named Faith but yet she doesn’t see the point of her just being a paddock ornament. For Jessica, horses have a purpose and that purpose is to get you higher up the grades of competition. When she is able to ride again, Jessica is tempted into working with Faith and now that she’s stronger, finds a well trained horse with lovely gaits. But it isn’t until a terrible thunderstorm threatens the stock on the farm that Jessica comes to truly appreciate how brave and special Faith really is, if Jessica can trust herself and Faith together as a team.
I’m not a competitive rider but I like horses and my high school years were spent being friends with horsey and pony clubber types and going to watch their various T-shirt days, gymkhanas, local shows, etc. I always enjoyed watching the events and I also really like watching the equestrian at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. A couple of years ago I discovered quite a few European circuit events are televised on ESPN and I watch them when I remember they’re on. To be honest, girls like Jessica were always kind of the worst.
Jessica is a product of what seems like an overly ambitious parent who didn’t realise his own potential due to circumstances outside of his control and has now taken that and shaped his daughter to be an efficiently obedient competitive machine. Jessica seems to hold little to no opinions that aren’t a reflection of her father’s and most of those tend to be pretty elitist. She’s derisive about her friend, who competes purely in dressage, mentally berating her for being gutless and a wimp, not having the get up and go to do cross country although she tries to temper it by claiming that she knows dressage has a point and is much more than making your horse go forward and backward. Jessica doesn’t have much respect for someone who is supposed to be her best friend, someone who competes for fun, who loves her horses and more importantly, someone who would do anything for her. In being an eventer, you’d think Jessica would be quite used to tumbles and falls – they happen at every level, the Olympics included. Instead she falls off after mistiming/judging a jump at the Horse Trials and lands in the water at the water jump. She breaks her ankle but her horse is fine. However within days she’s made the decision to sell both her horses and quit the sport forever. That seemed the reaction of a young girl having her first fall than a mature, experienced competitor. Yes her father is no longer around but if she hasn’t learned enough to make some of her own judgement and acknowledge and learn from the wrong ones then her father wasn’t all that good of a mentor. She’s so negative and down on everything, even when her husband Steve brings home a horse badly in need of TLC. She’s resentful of it – even though it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with her. He’s never been interested in her competition horses but he’s quite happy for Faith to recuperate on their farm and spend her days in leisure. Jessica doesn’t see the point of horses as pets, you buy them to get the best out of them and trade up to better ones when you’re ready.
The story does improve when Jessica begins to work with Faith and kind of pulls her head in and begins to realise that some things might be different to the way she’s always believed them to be but even her judgement about Faith after she learns a piece of information about her past does tend to read like she’s very inexperienced with horses. No one else is particularly bothered by it (most people are already aware of it) and it’s really only Jessica that freaks out about it although thankfully it’s rather short lived. I think it takes too long for Faith to arrive into the story and I would’ve liked more scenes with Jessica and her once Jessica begins to decide working with her. Instead everything almost pretty much falls into place with one lunging session and riding session even though Faith would probably have needed more work to build up her fitness again after being so emaciated when she arrived.
I think I’d have enjoyed this more if Jessica were less negative and there had been more of an emphasis on spending time establishing a bond between her and Faith, rehabilitating them both.
When a fall at the Adelaide International Horse Trials leads to Jessica breaking her ankle, she finds herself facing a crisis of confidence. She makes a snap decision to sell her two mounts, claiming that she is retiring from the sport forever. Without her dad, she just can’t make it.
Jessica is irritated when her farmer husband, who has never been into the horses brings home a malnourished and forlorn looking mare from a clearing sale. At first she wants nothing to do with the horse, who is named Faith but yet she doesn’t see the point of her just being a paddock ornament. For Jessica, horses have a purpose and that purpose is to get you higher up the grades of competition. When she is able to ride again, Jessica is tempted into working with Faith and now that she’s stronger, finds a well trained horse with lovely gaits. But it isn’t until a terrible thunderstorm threatens the stock on the farm that Jessica comes to truly appreciate how brave and special Faith really is, if Jessica can trust herself and Faith together as a team.
I’m not a competitive rider but I like horses and my high school years were spent being friends with horsey and pony clubber types and going to watch their various T-shirt days, gymkhanas, local shows, etc. I always enjoyed watching the events and I also really like watching the equestrian at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. A couple of years ago I discovered quite a few European circuit events are televised on ESPN and I watch them when I remember they’re on. To be honest, girls like Jessica were always kind of the worst.
Jessica is a product of what seems like an overly ambitious parent who didn’t realise his own potential due to circumstances outside of his control and has now taken that and shaped his daughter to be an efficiently obedient competitive machine. Jessica seems to hold little to no opinions that aren’t a reflection of her father’s and most of those tend to be pretty elitist. She’s derisive about her friend, who competes purely in dressage, mentally berating her for being gutless and a wimp, not having the get up and go to do cross country although she tries to temper it by claiming that she knows dressage has a point and is much more than making your horse go forward and backward. Jessica doesn’t have much respect for someone who is supposed to be her best friend, someone who competes for fun, who loves her horses and more importantly, someone who would do anything for her. In being an eventer, you’d think Jessica would be quite used to tumbles and falls – they happen at every level, the Olympics included. Instead she falls off after mistiming/judging a jump at the Horse Trials and lands in the water at the water jump. She breaks her ankle but her horse is fine. However within days she’s made the decision to sell both her horses and quit the sport forever. That seemed the reaction of a young girl having her first fall than a mature, experienced competitor. Yes her father is no longer around but if she hasn’t learned enough to make some of her own judgement and acknowledge and learn from the wrong ones then her father wasn’t all that good of a mentor. She’s so negative and down on everything, even when her husband Steve brings home a horse badly in need of TLC. She’s resentful of it – even though it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with her. He’s never been interested in her competition horses but he’s quite happy for Faith to recuperate on their farm and spend her days in leisure. Jessica doesn’t see the point of horses as pets, you buy them to get the best out of them and trade up to better ones when you’re ready.
The story does improve when Jessica begins to work with Faith and kind of pulls her head in and begins to realise that some things might be different to the way she’s always believed them to be but even her judgement about Faith after she learns a piece of information about her past does tend to read like she’s very inexperienced with horses. No one else is particularly bothered by it (most people are already aware of it) and it’s really only Jessica that freaks out about it although thankfully it’s rather short lived. I think it takes too long for Faith to arrive into the story and I would’ve liked more scenes with Jessica and her once Jessica begins to decide working with her. Instead everything almost pretty much falls into place with one lunging session and riding session even though Faith would probably have needed more work to build up her fitness again after being so emaciated when she arrived.
I think I’d have enjoyed this more if Jessica were less negative and there had been more of an emphasis on spending time establishing a bond between her and Faith, rehabilitating them both.
June 30, 2023
god I hate hate HATE books that throw in pregnancy as a plot point out of nowhere and this protagonist was the worst one thus far; most of the book was her moping around and saying "a baby will fix all my problems!"
unfortunately, because this book is trite and sickeningly sweet, a baby DOES fix all her problems, and they all get the happiest of happy ever afters that is just tacked on like a complete afterthought.
it's two stars instead of one because i liked the familiarity of the australianness, but otherwise, i really disliked this book
unfortunately, because this book is trite and sickeningly sweet, a baby DOES fix all her problems, and they all get the happiest of happy ever afters that is just tacked on like a complete afterthought.
it's two stars instead of one because i liked the familiarity of the australianness, but otherwise, i really disliked this book
January 20, 2016
***MINOR SPOILER***
Cliché, slow, boring and filled with one dimensional, unlikeable characters. Jessica spends the first half of the book whining, declaring her life practically over and being a pain in the ass. Oh, how I longed to put down this book. But still, I persevered, and found that the rest of the book was bland, dull and couldn't have been more predictable. Oh, you're getting weird cravings, crying and feeling odd after trying for a baby, I wonder what that could be?! Relieved to have finished this book.
Cliché, slow, boring and filled with one dimensional, unlikeable characters. Jessica spends the first half of the book whining, declaring her life practically over and being a pain in the ass. Oh, how I longed to put down this book. But still, I persevered, and found that the rest of the book was bland, dull and couldn't have been more predictable. Oh, you're getting weird cravings, crying and feeling odd after trying for a baby, I wonder what that could be?! Relieved to have finished this book.
June 18, 2015
Probably the most awful character in a book that I've ever come across
November 16, 2018
I always get drawn in by the setting and blurb on the back, forgetting that I don't have a fantastic track record with Fiona McCallum's books (of which my local library has a few).
Anyhow, a 2.5star read for me. It was a sweet little story line, however it was very badly let down by the (I felt) overly excessive time spent dithering inside Jessica's head. It wasn't a particularly compelling place to be, and I felt like I didn't get any particular insight into the character, nor did I see much character development, in spite of spending so much time there.
After reading the book, I can safely say that over 90% of the key points of the book are summarised by the blurb on the back of the book. The rest of the book is filled up with the aforementioned internal dithering of Jessica's thoughts.
So yes, it was a bit of a struggle to get through. This is a shame, because it was honestly a sweet story, but I feel that it was let down by being set in a novel form: I think it could have been better suited to a short-story format.
Anyhow, a 2.5star read for me. It was a sweet little story line, however it was very badly let down by the (I felt) overly excessive time spent dithering inside Jessica's head. It wasn't a particularly compelling place to be, and I felt like I didn't get any particular insight into the character, nor did I see much character development, in spite of spending so much time there.
After reading the book, I can safely say that over 90% of the key points of the book are summarised by the blurb on the back of the book. The rest of the book is filled up with the aforementioned internal dithering of Jessica's thoughts.
So yes, it was a bit of a struggle to get through. This is a shame, because it was honestly a sweet story, but I feel that it was let down by being set in a novel form: I think it could have been better suited to a short-story format.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2019
I thought I was just going to get a light hearted, mildly amusing horse rehabilitation story (complete with whiny protagonist based on the reviews)...What I got was a woman dealing with depression, imposter syndrome, and anxiety as she recovered from an emotionally abusive relationship with her father. I can't say for sure that's what McCallum intended, but that's certainly what it read like.
It wasn't was a deep and meaningful exploration, but even accidental it was well done. Character's reactions to Jessica's issues were realistic even when they were frustrating, and the ending being tied up neatly wasn't disappointing at all. Doesn't everyone dealing with mental health issues deserve a happy ending?
All that said, it wasn't the most well written or descriptive book ever. The writing was, at times, a bit flat, and there was a lot of back and forth dialogue that made even the most interesting moments a bit boring. The third person that McCallum used could have been swapped out for first at any moment, too, since so much of the narrative was internal monologue. There's only so much internal monologue one person can listen to/read before just thinking 'get on with it' themselves.
It wasn't was a deep and meaningful exploration, but even accidental it was well done. Character's reactions to Jessica's issues were realistic even when they were frustrating, and the ending being tied up neatly wasn't disappointing at all. Doesn't everyone dealing with mental health issues deserve a happy ending?
All that said, it wasn't the most well written or descriptive book ever. The writing was, at times, a bit flat, and there was a lot of back and forth dialogue that made even the most interesting moments a bit boring. The third person that McCallum used could have been swapped out for first at any moment, too, since so much of the narrative was internal monologue. There's only so much internal monologue one person can listen to/read before just thinking 'get on with it' themselves.
May 23, 2018
After some of the reviews I was a bit hesitant of rading this one in case I didn’t enjoy it. But glad I did.. I enjoyed this book, yes the main character wasn’t so nice, in that she only thought of herself. But I think she started to change by the end of the story. She definitely changed her outlook on horses and them not just being a tool to win first place on. She started to enjoy herself and the horses.
Was strange but as soon as the friend (widowed) was mentioned, I kept expecting Steve to be found having an affair with her.
Enjoyed the story, the farm life and the horse eventing.
Will buy her books again.
Was strange but as soon as the friend (widowed) was mentioned, I kept expecting Steve to be found having an affair with her.
Enjoyed the story, the farm life and the horse eventing.
Will buy her books again.
June 23, 2020
I originally read this book in 2018 after picking it up in a local op shop 📖 • ‘leap of faith’ is about an ambitious rider named Jessica who aimed to compete for Australia. However, Jessica encountered some major setbacks and devastation at quite a major competition which, on top of the recent death of her father, made her question her determination for the sport altogether. After the quick decision of selling her horses, Jessica was left heartbroken. This prompted her husband Steve bringing home a skinny and unwanted horse from the sale yards. • I won’t give any more of the storyline away but it was honestly a beautiful story with so many twists and turns, as well as a touching journey 🐎
September 3, 2021
Gawd, this book was nothing more than a great documentary on how to survive a broken ankle. Thrashed out long paragraphs of the same thoughts by the main character time and time again. Her father issues are not really ever dealt with. Her continual thinking patterns over and over and over again became tedious to the point of me wondering where the hell this book was leading?
It picked up a bit then fell flat again toward the end. Oh and don't forget to do the stereotypical pregnancy! Sheesh...Nope did not really enjoy this at all.
It picked up a bit then fell flat again toward the end. Oh and don't forget to do the stereotypical pregnancy! Sheesh...Nope did not really enjoy this at all.
December 13, 2018
I can't deny that this book was pretty good, but Jessica annoyed me.
As an equestrian myself, I know how much you can love a horse. I also know that breaking an ankle wouldn't make me sell up my bestfriends and along with it, all my dreams and goals. Jessica was highly dramatic and hasty to make stupid decisions.
At times I found her very self centred too, like how she wouldn't go care for the new horse because she didn't want other people to think SHE had made a mistake. She didn't care that the horse in her yard was sick, mistreated and lonely, it was all about her and she wanted to appear to others. That really annoyed me.
I guess the story line is kind of cute though, with the whole we-saved-each-other thing going on. It's a bit cliche but whatever, it was still a pretty good book that I found addictive.
As an equestrian myself, I know how much you can love a horse. I also know that breaking an ankle wouldn't make me sell up my bestfriends and along with it, all my dreams and goals. Jessica was highly dramatic and hasty to make stupid decisions.
At times I found her very self centred too, like how she wouldn't go care for the new horse because she didn't want other people to think SHE had made a mistake. She didn't care that the horse in her yard was sick, mistreated and lonely, it was all about her and she wanted to appear to others. That really annoyed me.
I guess the story line is kind of cute though, with the whole we-saved-each-other thing going on. It's a bit cliche but whatever, it was still a pretty good book that I found addictive.
May 7, 2021
The main character, Jessica was tiring. Her self pity was overwhelming. There are so many issues in her life that could have been the focus. Instead of trying to show that Faith the horse saved her, it could have focused on her father's bullying/ambition, the effect on Jessica and her relationships......but then it would have been a "deeper" read and maybe not Harlequin worthy. The good bit was I live in the book's setting, South Australia
July 15, 2022
My first attempt to read a novel by Fiona McCallum - an acclaimed Australian author. I say attempt because this book was atrocious and I didn't come close to finishing it.
The main character, Jessica Harrington, is portrayed as a self indulgent brat. No redeeming features, nothing to make her character likeable or interesting. She's 31 not 12.
Life on the farm - something written by someone with no real concept of how everyday people survive on the land.
The main character, Jessica Harrington, is portrayed as a self indulgent brat. No redeeming features, nothing to make her character likeable or interesting. She's 31 not 12.
Life on the farm - something written by someone with no real concept of how everyday people survive on the land.
October 17, 2022
Enjoyed this book. Involved a very accomplished rider loosing her nerve after an accident involving her horse falling, pinning her under it, in water. The story involves Jessica working through the trauma of the fall, a broken ankle and also the affects of this on her relationship with her husband & best friend. I found it a quite realistic story of working through the issues arising and coming to a satisfying conclusion.
June 26, 2019
I really enjoyed Jess's story as she recovered from a riding accident and learned to love horses again. I enjoy the deep emotions explored in Fiona's book as the characters set off on a personal journey of finding themselves again, in this case, Jess's love for horses and riding. And Faith was a lovely horse to spend time with.
A great book.
A great book.
October 9, 2023
Very disappointing. I enjoyed the first book I read by this author. But this is a monologue. The thoughts of the main character- there are only three characters - and she is not a likeable person. Actually very boring, negative, and uninteresting. Don’t bother. I listened at 1.5 times to get through it more quickly but it wasn’t worth getting to the end.
I’ll give the author another chance. 🤞
I’ll give the author another chance. 🤞
July 28, 2024
My first book by this author and it was very enjoyable. An Australian rural based novel around a rider (Jessica) who falls during a cross-country event and suffers an injury that impacts her riding and unsettles her whole life. Not my usual genre (no romance) but you couldn't help connect with Jessica and her plight, even though you also wanted to give her a slap and say 'get over it!'
May 20, 2018
This book was an easy read which is why I rated it 2 instead of 1. the main character is unlikeable: horrid to everyone and you just want to give her a shake and tell her to shut up. the continual self centred internal monologue is irritating and drags on. wouldn't recommend.
January 4, 2024
This book I honesty took as while to get into but I am really pleased I perservered. Loved the story of Jessica and her love for horses. Her little horse Faith saved her soul. A beautiful story between a horse and is owner. Loved it. ❤️❤️
July 1, 2017
yes yes good good. love horsy books so oversee all flaws. bit annoying at times.
cried
will try more from author and narrator.
(word didnt save my original, so stroppy and short you get).
cried
will try more from author and narrator.
(word didnt save my original, so stroppy and short you get).
July 23, 2017
I learnt a lot from this story even though I'm not into horses. I love kelpies and so relate to them in the story. it's about perspective and what's familiar to taking a risk.
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