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Show Barn Blues #1
Show Barn Blues
Saddle up and ride with a mature woman who is willing to fight for what she loves.After dedicating decades of her life to training horses and riders, Grace Carter is facing the greatest challenge of her career. Her beautiful farm, Seabreeze Equestrian Center, used to sit in the heart of horse country. But now, the last of her neighbors is selling up . . . and developers are knocking on her door, eager to turn her slice of old Florida into a tourist haven.
To make matters worse, her newest boarder is stirring up trouble in the barn. Kennedy Phillips is everything Grace doesn't want in a client - a wide-eyed young woman who would rather wander with her horse in the woods than tackle a show-jumping course. And her carefree spirit is finding an eager audience amongst Grace's dedicated students. When they start canceling riding lessons to hit the trails, Grace's confidence begins to waver. Could this really be the end of Seabreeze Equestrian Center?
But Grace didn't make it this far in the horse business to give up now. She's not going down without a fight. Grace is determined to save Seabreeze, her family home, and the business she's built for herself - even when the wilderness itself seems to fight back.
With unlikely friendships, late in life challenges, and a lead character with grit and enduring spirit, Show Barn Blues invites readers to discover the Florida they never knew existed.
Readers "Delightfully addictive barn drama." - HorseNation.com
"Having worked in the horse industry over twenty years I absolutely feel like I’ve known several women like Grace." - Amazon review
"I loved the storyline, showing the drive to hold on to your dream in spite of all adversity, with nothing but sheer determination. Great read for a relaxing weekend." - Amazon review
Show Barn Blues is part of the Florida Equestrian Collection, which
The Eventing SeriesThe Alex & Alexander SeriesThe Grabbing Mane SeriesOcala Horse GirlsThe Sea Horse Ranch SeriesThe Briar Hill Farm SeriesThese novels include overlapping characters, events, and locales which create a community of equestrians you'll love recognizing and catching up with in each book!
To make matters worse, her newest boarder is stirring up trouble in the barn. Kennedy Phillips is everything Grace doesn't want in a client - a wide-eyed young woman who would rather wander with her horse in the woods than tackle a show-jumping course. And her carefree spirit is finding an eager audience amongst Grace's dedicated students. When they start canceling riding lessons to hit the trails, Grace's confidence begins to waver. Could this really be the end of Seabreeze Equestrian Center?
But Grace didn't make it this far in the horse business to give up now. She's not going down without a fight. Grace is determined to save Seabreeze, her family home, and the business she's built for herself - even when the wilderness itself seems to fight back.
With unlikely friendships, late in life challenges, and a lead character with grit and enduring spirit, Show Barn Blues invites readers to discover the Florida they never knew existed.
Readers "Delightfully addictive barn drama." - HorseNation.com
"Having worked in the horse industry over twenty years I absolutely feel like I’ve known several women like Grace." - Amazon review
"I loved the storyline, showing the drive to hold on to your dream in spite of all adversity, with nothing but sheer determination. Great read for a relaxing weekend." - Amazon review
Show Barn Blues is part of the Florida Equestrian Collection, which
The Eventing SeriesThe Alex & Alexander SeriesThe Grabbing Mane SeriesOcala Horse GirlsThe Sea Horse Ranch SeriesThe Briar Hill Farm SeriesThese novels include overlapping characters, events, and locales which create a community of equestrians you'll love recognizing and catching up with in each book!
- GenresHorsesYoung Adult
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2015
171 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Keller Reinert
53 books537 followersNatalie 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.
Natalie lives in north Florida with her family, horses, and cat.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 28, 2017
Loved this book! What an interesting, behind-the-scenes look at a high end show barn. Grace was such a strong leading character I felt very much invested in her story arc. Fun too that she was an older lady instead of the often more typical "young, beautiful heroine" - her complete acceptance of her age and her comfortable-in-her-own skin demeanor was a breath of fresh air. Also love how this book ultimately line up with the Eventing series.
July 14, 2021
When I first started this book, Grace struck me as so negative and cranky I wondered if I'd keep going. But then I realized this was her challenge, that she had every reason to feel this way. She had the bad experiences and the struggles to deal with, and she needed to learn to enjoy life and people more.
Grace lives on what remains of her grandfather's ranch/farm in a rustic old house, but with a world-class show barn. The clients are wealthy women with expensive horses. While they're at work as corporate attorneys, etc., Grace is training their horses to compete at the highest levels. She also does classes. It's very sophisticated, but kind of cold.
But as Grace fights developers and inept employees, she grows. She lightens up a bit, although she's always going to be hard-nosed, and some readers may not care for that. I enjoyed the rich descriptions of the weather and the land in her part of Florida, as well as the world of show horses, enough to buy the next book in the series, Horses in Wonderland. Reinert is a good writer.
Grace lives on what remains of her grandfather's ranch/farm in a rustic old house, but with a world-class show barn. The clients are wealthy women with expensive horses. While they're at work as corporate attorneys, etc., Grace is training their horses to compete at the highest levels. She also does classes. It's very sophisticated, but kind of cold.
But as Grace fights developers and inept employees, she grows. She lightens up a bit, although she's always going to be hard-nosed, and some readers may not care for that. I enjoyed the rich descriptions of the weather and the land in her part of Florida, as well as the world of show horses, enough to buy the next book in the series, Horses in Wonderland. Reinert is a good writer.
December 5, 2021
2.75/3 stars 🌟
I've loved every other book by Natalie so much and while this book was okay, it wasn't as good as her others. Grace is a very unlikeable character which I found made this book not great to read. I still finished, not sure if I'll read the sequel at some point but yeah, only alright for me. The second half was easier to get into as you get to know Grace a bit more and why she is the way she is though. Loved all her other books that I've read though but I think this one didn't hit the mark for me just because of how unlikeable the main character is 🤔
I've loved every other book by Natalie so much and while this book was okay, it wasn't as good as her others. Grace is a very unlikeable character which I found made this book not great to read. I still finished, not sure if I'll read the sequel at some point but yeah, only alright for me. The second half was easier to get into as you get to know Grace a bit more and why she is the way she is though. Loved all her other books that I've read though but I think this one didn't hit the mark for me just because of how unlikeable the main character is 🤔
September 12, 2015
Show Barn Blues brilliantly captures the bizarre social dynamic present at so many show barns: on one hand, on some level most professionals who work with horses are passionate about riding, otherwise they wouldn’t put up with the long hours, danger, and financial instability that is an inevitable part of the horse industry. On the other hand, staying in business means showing almost constantly and the decision to show is seldom a reflection of the amateur rider’s competence or the horse’s welfare—it means that the barn owner needs to make money off of the training fees, braiding fees, and pro rides that showing at a high level entails.
Grace, the heroine of the novel, is a veteran rider, trainer, and barn owner who is struggling to stay afloat in a suburban world where horses increasingly seem irrelevant. Her shaky finances (and control freak nature) occasionally blind her to making the best decisions for her horses, including their need for some downtime and to just be horses riding around on a trail. Kennedy, a boarder Grace takes in only reluctantly out of desperation at the beginning of the book helps remind Grace why she loved riding so much in the first place while Grace teaches Kennedy some needed firmness about being a professional in the horse world.
What I love so much about this book and all of Natalie Keller Reinert’s books is that there is no black and white when it comes to horses: it’s not like the people who show are bad and the people who trail ride are good. There are clearly strengths to both and a need for both freedom and discipline when it comes to horses. Making money is a part of life but focusing on winning blue ribbons alone can limit a rider’s development as a horsewoman.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves horse fiction that is willing to tackle serious themes with a sense of humor but particularly to hunter-jumper riders who will likely find themselves nodding and laughing as they recognize so many of the characters from their own ‘real life’ barns!
Grace, the heroine of the novel, is a veteran rider, trainer, and barn owner who is struggling to stay afloat in a suburban world where horses increasingly seem irrelevant. Her shaky finances (and control freak nature) occasionally blind her to making the best decisions for her horses, including their need for some downtime and to just be horses riding around on a trail. Kennedy, a boarder Grace takes in only reluctantly out of desperation at the beginning of the book helps remind Grace why she loved riding so much in the first place while Grace teaches Kennedy some needed firmness about being a professional in the horse world.
What I love so much about this book and all of Natalie Keller Reinert’s books is that there is no black and white when it comes to horses: it’s not like the people who show are bad and the people who trail ride are good. There are clearly strengths to both and a need for both freedom and discipline when it comes to horses. Making money is a part of life but focusing on winning blue ribbons alone can limit a rider’s development as a horsewoman.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves horse fiction that is willing to tackle serious themes with a sense of humor but particularly to hunter-jumper riders who will likely find themselves nodding and laughing as they recognize so many of the characters from their own ‘real life’ barns!
October 21, 2015
This was pretty entertaining! I'd love a sequel :)
November 16, 2020
Show Barn Blues by Natalie Keller Reinert is a realistic fiction book based in Orlando, Florida at a show barn called Seabreeze Equestrian Center and is set around the main character Grace. Grace faces many problems throughout the book including financial hardships and industrialization of the sacred land surrounding her. As Grace struggles to come to terms with the fact that Orlando isn’t what is used to be as it I being built up. , she must figure out a way to keep the barn she loves alive as the condos and apartment builders try to take her land whether that be moving the entire operation or diversifying the platform she presents herself on by creating more disciplines coming out of her barn. This book would be good for a reader who likes realistic fiction books that are easy to follow. Show Barn Blues is a part of a series, so characters from other book can be found in this one and most of the time those characters will also have their own series or book. This book does contain some stronger language but is overall suited for readers intermediate level and above. I have really enjoyed reading this book and the series surrounding it, for me personally books can tend to get dry and I lose interest, but this book kept my interest throughout. Show Barn Blues teaches readers that sometimes you have to be uncomfortable to make change, because that’s what’s in the best interest for yourself and others I liked this book and would read it again.
August 3, 2020
some spoilers. I started out liking the book but by the middle I finished it only out of curiousity. Grace, the owner let a boarder walk all over her, insult her, because she needed the boarder money. No pride? Then when the boarder endangered the entire farm either directly or indirectly, She STILL let her stay. The boarder ended up selling her horse but it was by no means because of the trouble she caused, and her daughter was still taking lessons there. I also didn't like the way Grace treated and talked to her working student. Grace couldn't even pick up a bridle that had fallen to the floor, she told her working student to do it.
By the end of the book I did not like Grace and had no respect for her. This was enough to keep me from wanting to read any the other books in the series.
By the end of the book I did not like Grace and had no respect for her. This was enough to keep me from wanting to read any the other books in the series.
November 11, 2024
Excellent Author
I have been reading a lot of Natalie Reinert’s books and I’ve got to say that they are awesome! She is a wonderful writer who really engages her readers in remarkable stories about amazing people and horses.
I love that her stories are so different in that the main characters change so much from each other. I was getting a little tired of the endless teen love stories with some horses thrown in that seem to prevail in series by other authors.
Natalie makes characters that you would like to meet. She writes about real riding and training situations that you can actually learn from. The people are so varied in experiences and personalities. The horses are just as complicated as the people! I can’t wait for much more to come. I love that I am able to read many in Amazon Kindle Unlimited.
I have been reading a lot of Natalie Reinert’s books and I’ve got to say that they are awesome! She is a wonderful writer who really engages her readers in remarkable stories about amazing people and horses.
I love that her stories are so different in that the main characters change so much from each other. I was getting a little tired of the endless teen love stories with some horses thrown in that seem to prevail in series by other authors.
Natalie makes characters that you would like to meet. She writes about real riding and training situations that you can actually learn from. The people are so varied in experiences and personalities. The horses are just as complicated as the people! I can’t wait for much more to come. I love that I am able to read many in Amazon Kindle Unlimited.
December 31, 2018
This book left me cold. I am sorry but it was not written from a good perspective- the characters were shallow and insipid and there was not enough detail in the horse training/ showing. Some of us are not familiar with American ways of Equitation- so I was disapointed to say the least.
Unfortunately I got very bored reading this and the most exciting part was the fire - the gallop home was much better, but then there was too much dialog before you found out the fire brigade has been called and that there was no finish as to whom (though we know) had given the orders to set fire to the land. What is with the new rider coming? Very little detail, what happens next- well I won't be following up, sorry.
Unfortunately I got very bored reading this and the most exciting part was the fire - the gallop home was much better, but then there was too much dialog before you found out the fire brigade has been called and that there was no finish as to whom (though we know) had given the orders to set fire to the land. What is with the new rider coming? Very little detail, what happens next- well I won't be following up, sorry.
December 11, 2024
2.5-3 stars. As a hunter/jumper rider myself I enjoyed the equestrian side of things - there aren’t many horse books out there about hunter/jumper show barns. I really didn’t like Grace and I got tired of hearing about all of her money woes and poor financial/barn management decisions. I felt like it really dragged and was repetitive at times but then the ending seemed rushed and didn’t really tie up the loose ends. The random certified letter she received from some stranger up north saying they wanted to pay her to run a training facility was quite the stretch and just made me roll my eyes. Seemed like the author wasn’t sure how to wrap things up and fix Grace’s money problems. Relatively entertaining but not especially well written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2024
This book was geared more toward teens and pre-teens than an old cowgirl like me. The first few chapters were enjoyable and then I kind of lost interest. I liked the horses, but none of the human characters. I probably wouldn't have finished this except I was out of library books.
The one thing it really reminded me of was that there is no amount of money in the world that would ever entice me to manage a boarding stable again.
The one thing it really reminded me of was that there is no amount of money in the world that would ever entice me to manage a boarding stable again.
February 27, 2023
This is by far the best book by this writer I have read. Plenty about horses, riding them, their personalities, and barn life. Plus the protagonist of this book is a grown-up woman and acts (mostly) like one. Also, very interesting insights about what Florida used to be like before it was ruined by development. Looking forward to the next one.
February 29, 2020
Bought this Kindle edition on the back of the Jules Thornton series, I didn’t enjoy it as much as that Pre mentioned series. The story of Grace, a hardnosed horse trainer who is trying to keep her horse barn and land from being taken over by land developers.
October 20, 2020
I love these books -as a horse girl. Might not be everyones cup of tea. Very light but engaging, brings you into the fantasy of working with horses every day , without all the work of working with horses every day.
March 8, 2018
Sequel it needs one, I was so not ready for Graces story to end!
October 17, 2018
Really enjoyed that this story is about a horse trainer holding onto her land against the evil land developers!
June 19, 2021
SHOW BARN BLUES
A very good book, if you can get past the typos and bad grammar. You need a better proof reader.
A very good book, if you can get past the typos and bad grammar. You need a better proof reader.
July 25, 2022
I love the character development in this story
October 28, 2024
Everyone in this book is such a snob lol
October 30, 2024
Adult fiction horse books will always be my guilty (not guilty) pleasure.
I love the tie-in to the other equine series by this author!
I love the tie-in to the other equine series by this author!
March 21, 2017
The writing here isn't the best I've seen, but it was certainly fun to spend a few days in a 'horsey' world. Horse people will enjoy this.
November 17, 2019
4 stars for normal people. 5 stars if you're a crazy horse person like me. If you're looking for a realistic portrayal of barn life, this is it. The ending felt a bit open ended so hopefully a sequel is in the works but overall loved it and couldnt put it down.
January 2, 2017
This was a fun read because of the characters involved and the typical attitude that my daughter and I used to call "as the barn turns". The descriptions of Florida were quite a bit different in "Blues"than in many of my previous horsy type books. Look forward toa few more of these quick reads.
January 27, 2019
I love Natalie's books!
September 8, 2016
Satisfying, enjoyable, fun. Learned a lot about Florida. Nice how the story intertwines with Jules's story.
April 26, 2017
Really enjoyed this one. Having grown up watching my riding country shrink through ever-encroaching development, I totally related to the main character and her feelings of despair as the land around her changes rapidly. Memorable characters, both human and equine, shine in this book. A very good read!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews