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Canterwood Crest #3
Behind the Bit
In Chasing Blue, Sasha and her horse, Charm, have proven that they’re worthy competitors for the elite Canterwood Crest equestrian team. Things are definitely looking up . . . until Sasha finds out who her riding partner for the semester is: her archnemesis, Queen Bee Heather. Not. Good. And when Heather starts spending a little too much QT with Sasha’s almost-boyfriend, Jacob, the partnership is put to the ultimate test. The tension builds in Behind the Bit when Sasha and her team are accepted to a prestigious horse clinic. Can Sasha and Callie work together when it counts?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2009
73 people are currently reading
853 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Burkhart
131 books626 followersJessica Burkhart is the author of the best-selling Canterwood Crest series which has sold over 1.6 million copies in multiple languages. She has also written the Unicorn Magic series, the YA novel Wild Hearts, and edited a YA anthology--Life Inside My Mind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
November 6, 2012
Reviewed by Lauren Ashley for TeensReadToo.com
Sasha is in quite a predicament...friend and boy wise. Her BFF, Callie, thinks she's after her crush, Eric, but Sasha swears they are just friends. After all, she likes Jacob and wishes he was back at Canterwood Crest so they can talk about her outburst before he left.
Regardless, Callie won't talk to her, and that means Sasha really only has Eric and her horse, Charm, to turn to. In the process of trying to win back her friend, Sasha learns that mean girl Heather isn't all she appears to be, the older girls have a trick up their sleeve, and being in a clinic might be harder than she thought.
Jessica Burkhart has written a fun series that is sure to suck younger girls in! There is plenty of jealous yet realistic situations and actions. You get a wide variety of characters, from mean girls to mistaken mean girls and all the types in between. Everyone, for the most part, seems fleshed out and real, and Sasha is definitely one heroine to root for!
Eric is a swoon-worthy friend, ready and willing to do whatever he can to help another. He has his own feelings, though, and you'll definitely feel for him throughout the story, even when Sasha is too lost in her own problems to realize someone else's thoughts.
BEHIND THE BIT is just one book in the series, but it can stand alone quite well, and is sure to make readers most curious for the rest!
Sasha is in quite a predicament...friend and boy wise. Her BFF, Callie, thinks she's after her crush, Eric, but Sasha swears they are just friends. After all, she likes Jacob and wishes he was back at Canterwood Crest so they can talk about her outburst before he left.
Regardless, Callie won't talk to her, and that means Sasha really only has Eric and her horse, Charm, to turn to. In the process of trying to win back her friend, Sasha learns that mean girl Heather isn't all she appears to be, the older girls have a trick up their sleeve, and being in a clinic might be harder than she thought.
Jessica Burkhart has written a fun series that is sure to suck younger girls in! There is plenty of jealous yet realistic situations and actions. You get a wide variety of characters, from mean girls to mistaken mean girls and all the types in between. Everyone, for the most part, seems fleshed out and real, and Sasha is definitely one heroine to root for!
Eric is a swoon-worthy friend, ready and willing to do whatever he can to help another. He has his own feelings, though, and you'll definitely feel for him throughout the story, even when Sasha is too lost in her own problems to realize someone else's thoughts.
BEHIND THE BIT is just one book in the series, but it can stand alone quite well, and is sure to make readers most curious for the rest!
June 18, 2010
I luv jacob but he is such and idiot for dating callie - and just some advice, make sure u buy triple fault before you start reading behind the bit or, like me, you'll end up finishing it in one day and then wont have a book to read!!!lol
March 11, 2024
“I could have screamed. Our horses were smarter and more mature than we were!”
Another great throwback read! Loved loved loved the detail and how focused on riding it was, with the side order of drama and plot twists!
Another great throwback read! Loved loved loved the detail and how focused on riding it was, with the side order of drama and plot twists!
December 19, 2017
I love the suspension. The author could have done better explaining the whole secret meeting room and what it looked like but I still enjoyed it. I wish there was more on the subject of Jacob and Callie. I like that Burkhart keeps adding characters for the readers interest every book. I love the series so far. I can't wait to read the next one, even though I say that ever review; it's true. I wish I had more time to read. If there was a movie about this series I would definitely watch it. I love Charm and Jack, their so cute! I wish they were real horses.
June 9, 2022
the PLOT TWIST
March 26, 2023
2.5*
This book was fine. It’s my least favorite in the series so far, but it wasn’t terrible. Just kinda boring.
The whole story took place during a riding clinic, and I don’t think that was an interesting enough premise to keep me engaged. The subplots along the way weren’t great either. The whole thing with the Belles came out of nowhere and didn’t add much to the overall story. I did like the budding relationship between Eric and Sasha though.
I liked getting a bit of a redemption arc for Heather. She’s a pretty intriguing character, so it was nice to see a more human side to her. Alison and Julia still aren’t very fleshed out. Sasha reminds me a bit of Chloe Snow, so that’s fun. Of course, I love Eric. But you know who I don’t love? Callie and Jacob. It’s going to take a while before I’ll be cool with them again. Jasmine is another character I can’t stand. From how this book ended, I’m not really looking forward to her storyline in book 4. Also, the lack of Paige was very noticeable.
I’m going to continue with the series because I’m really not sure where it’s going to go. But for now, I need to take a bit of a break from Canterwood.
This book was fine. It’s my least favorite in the series so far, but it wasn’t terrible. Just kinda boring.
The whole story took place during a riding clinic, and I don’t think that was an interesting enough premise to keep me engaged. The subplots along the way weren’t great either. The whole thing with the Belles came out of nowhere and didn’t add much to the overall story. I did like the budding relationship between Eric and Sasha though.
I liked getting a bit of a redemption arc for Heather. She’s a pretty intriguing character, so it was nice to see a more human side to her. Alison and Julia still aren’t very fleshed out. Sasha reminds me a bit of Chloe Snow, so that’s fun. Of course, I love Eric. But you know who I don’t love? Callie and Jacob. It’s going to take a while before I’ll be cool with them again. Jasmine is another character I can’t stand. From how this book ended, I’m not really looking forward to her storyline in book 4. Also, the lack of Paige was very noticeable.
I’m going to continue with the series because I’m really not sure where it’s going to go. But for now, I need to take a bit of a break from Canterwood.
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June 7, 2022ah te dramy
July 24, 2025
3.75⭐️ Because, again, nostalgia… + I ate this up in elementary school.
September 26, 2017
These books are so good! They’re fast paced and always exciting. I ordered four more in the series and am dying for them to come 😝
September 20, 2011
I loved this book much more then the other CanterWood Crest I reviewed. I loved how the author put the difficulty of romance in this book. For example, the boy relationship that Sash had with Jacob and Eric showed how you can like someone, but then also be friends with someone else. This was a very big part of the book, but also there was a horse show that took place at Devon. Unlike the second Canterwood Crest book that I reviewed, this one did not tell all that much about the preparation for the horse show. Instead, this one also had friend relationships between girls and how mean girls can come into being nice girls.
I really liked the character of Eric. He acts a lot like my cousin, Austin. For example, I once fell off a 16.5 hand horse and Austin, who was watching me, came over and helped me get up. This is the kind of thing Eric did in the story. I would recommend this book to any girls who love, love, love romance and have friend relationships with boys. Even if you don't like horses, I recommend this book.
I really liked the character of Eric. He acts a lot like my cousin, Austin. For example, I once fell off a 16.5 hand horse and Austin, who was watching me, came over and helped me get up. This is the kind of thing Eric did in the story. I would recommend this book to any girls who love, love, love romance and have friend relationships with boys. Even if you don't like horses, I recommend this book.
July 25, 2010
I really enjoyed this one. It was a fun read.
May 10, 2013
I'm going to assume that Lip Smackers had some sort of sponsorship of this series, given the number of "lip gloss" conversations and mentions?
January 22, 2021
So good
So much drama!
When I’m in a bad mood or am feeling down I read it and it cheers me up
So much drama!
When I’m in a bad mood or am feeling down I read it and it cheers me up
March 15, 2017
Personal response:
I really liked this book because it had to deal with horses. I liked how Eric was there for Sasha when she need him there. I also kind of liked how it was full of girl drama.
Plot summary:
In the beginning of this book Eric is talking to Sasha in the common room about the horse he is riding and her name is Luna. Sasha got invited to this clinic at the stable that was going on over winter break. Sasha doesn’t really do too well during the first part of the clinic because she is no longer friends with Callie and she doesn’t know if Eric will be there or not. She figures out that Eric is helping Mr. Conner with papers throughout the clinic. Sasha and Eric have been bonding more and more as the days go on. One day Eric and Sasha decide to go trail riding and Sasha tells him how Callie likes him and he should start talking to her. After a couple of days Eric and Sasha go to study the workbook that Sasha got at the clinic. While they were studying Eric tells Sasha that he tried asking Callie out but she declined him. Eric said that he was happy that Callie turn him down because he liked someone else. Sasha got a little upset until he said that it was her that he had a crush on. Sasha tried multiple times to tell Callie that they she wasn't with Eric but she didn't listen. Every time Sasha was helping Eric Callie would appear and get all mad. Ja one of the girls at the clinic hates Heather Sasha and Callie for no reason. During the part of the clinic Jas puts molasses in Sasha's hair and claims it was an accident. One night Sasha's decides to try to send an email to Jacob but he never got it. During this clinic there is a group of girls called the Belles who try to get the younger girls do reckless things on horseback. They got dared to do something really stupid and reckless and three out of five girls agreed to do the dare until Mr. Conner came around the corner and caught them. They got suspended from riding and Callie and Sasha somewhat repair their friendship. The girls try their best to persuade Mr. Conner to let them ride by doing extra barn chores and writing a letter to him saying how sorry they really are for doing something so reckless, Mr. Conner accepted the apology and lets them ride in the YENT ( youth equestrian national team) show. While Callie is show jumping Sasha sees Jacob she gets excited but when it’s her turn to ride she doesn’t see him. After her ride Julia and Alison say to Callie here comes your boyfriend when Jacob walk over. Callie knew that Sasha liked him but she was dating him anyways.
Characterization:
Sasha is in 7th grade and she transferred from Union to Canterwood. She has her own horse and his name is Charm. Charm is a Thoroughbred Belgian mix. Sasha has 2 best friends on campus. They are Paige and Eric. Paige is Sasha’s roommate and Eric just moved to Canterwood a few months ago.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to anyone one who has read the first and second book in the series. Gave this book 5 stars because it always kept me wanting to read more. I would also recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about horses and likes reading about girl drama.
I really liked this book because it had to deal with horses. I liked how Eric was there for Sasha when she need him there. I also kind of liked how it was full of girl drama.
Plot summary:
In the beginning of this book Eric is talking to Sasha in the common room about the horse he is riding and her name is Luna. Sasha got invited to this clinic at the stable that was going on over winter break. Sasha doesn’t really do too well during the first part of the clinic because she is no longer friends with Callie and she doesn’t know if Eric will be there or not. She figures out that Eric is helping Mr. Conner with papers throughout the clinic. Sasha and Eric have been bonding more and more as the days go on. One day Eric and Sasha decide to go trail riding and Sasha tells him how Callie likes him and he should start talking to her. After a couple of days Eric and Sasha go to study the workbook that Sasha got at the clinic. While they were studying Eric tells Sasha that he tried asking Callie out but she declined him. Eric said that he was happy that Callie turn him down because he liked someone else. Sasha got a little upset until he said that it was her that he had a crush on. Sasha tried multiple times to tell Callie that they she wasn't with Eric but she didn't listen. Every time Sasha was helping Eric Callie would appear and get all mad. Ja one of the girls at the clinic hates Heather Sasha and Callie for no reason. During the part of the clinic Jas puts molasses in Sasha's hair and claims it was an accident. One night Sasha's decides to try to send an email to Jacob but he never got it. During this clinic there is a group of girls called the Belles who try to get the younger girls do reckless things on horseback. They got dared to do something really stupid and reckless and three out of five girls agreed to do the dare until Mr. Conner came around the corner and caught them. They got suspended from riding and Callie and Sasha somewhat repair their friendship. The girls try their best to persuade Mr. Conner to let them ride by doing extra barn chores and writing a letter to him saying how sorry they really are for doing something so reckless, Mr. Conner accepted the apology and lets them ride in the YENT ( youth equestrian national team) show. While Callie is show jumping Sasha sees Jacob she gets excited but when it’s her turn to ride she doesn’t see him. After her ride Julia and Alison say to Callie here comes your boyfriend when Jacob walk over. Callie knew that Sasha liked him but she was dating him anyways.
Characterization:
Sasha is in 7th grade and she transferred from Union to Canterwood. She has her own horse and his name is Charm. Charm is a Thoroughbred Belgian mix. Sasha has 2 best friends on campus. They are Paige and Eric. Paige is Sasha’s roommate and Eric just moved to Canterwood a few months ago.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to anyone one who has read the first and second book in the series. Gave this book 5 stars because it always kept me wanting to read more. I would also recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about horses and likes reading about girl drama.
May 8, 2024
This book was so good with drama, and the romance. Honestly the ending of the third book really helped with this book. The drama sucked me in and I basically read it in one day. This was so good and the ending like girl there is no way I just read that. I literally almost started crying like the ending was just something else. So excited for the next one. 4.25 stars.
April 1, 2025
Ja uważam że książka spoko może tak nawet na jeden raz to młodzieżówka ale dziewczyny w tym tomie mają jakieś 14 lat atak szczerze to myślałam że mają z 20-25 więc w niektórych momentach miałam wrażenie że są bardziej dojrzalsze niż myślałam a czasami trochę głupie więc polecam ale raczej nie oczekiwać jakiegoś łał😁❤️🌼
April 8, 2023
the amount of times i wanted to tear my hair out with pure rage this entire book. okay. sasha and heather duo is delightful. we all know they're gay. but oh my god the DRAMA it wasn't even fun this time. JUST COMMUNICATE. ALSO, YOU'RE TWELVE. WHAT'S WITH THE BOY DRAMA.
September 1, 2023
Although I'm not the target audience for this book, I loved it very much. I'm glad I finally found a book about horses that I love, and this one is a whole series!
If you love horses, this series is for you. There is drama and love, too. I recommend.
If you love horses, this series is for you. There is drama and love, too. I recommend.
March 11, 2019
It's good
It's good because it really has a nice way of painting a nice, depressing but romantic picture in the mind.
It's good because it really has a nice way of painting a nice, depressing but romantic picture in the mind.
April 14, 2020
This was one of my favourite series as a kid; drama, horses and a cool preppy school. Like Pretty Little Liars, but a lot tamer!
May 20, 2021
I thought that this was a really good book. The way that it ends is magnificent. I loved it.
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September 14, 2022Dramatic--cliffhanger--a perfect story for middle school, horse-loving girls.
January 27, 2023
After the first 2 books this is where it finally gets interesting
April 7, 2023
sasha is sssoooo stupid like girl you have an entire Horse and you're obsessing over Boys????? please.
June 1, 2023
All around an amazing book as well as the other books from this series so far! Cliff hanger on the last page killed me!
April 18, 2024
Another great read in the series.
My 7th grader loves this and anyone who loves horses would too.
My 7th grader loves this and anyone who loves horses would too.
May 8, 2024
Callie is kinda annoying in this book but Eric really saves it 💕☺️😳😍
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May 25, 20243 ⭐️
absolutely no memory but it was cool.
absolutely no memory but it was cool.
August 24, 2024
Nostalgia✨✨✨✨
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews