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Kentucky #1
Kentucky Rich
New York Times bestelling author Fern Michaels took readers on an emotionally rewarding journey when she created the Colemans and Thorntons, the unforgettable American families of her TEXAS and VEGAS series. Now, the next generation of Colemans and Thorntons are back in an exciting new trilogy that combines the heady thrills of Kentucky horse racing with strong, accomplished women who fight for their dreams. Kentucky Rich
Josh Coleman left behind the unfinished family business when he took to his deathbed at SunStar, the thoroughbred horse farm he'd built from nothing. But now that unfinished business cannot be ignored--because his long-lost daughter has come back to settle an old score.
Nealy Coleman no longer resembles the teenaged waif who slipped away the middle of the night with her illegitimate child, Emmie, thirty years ago. This Nealy is rich, sophisticated, and renowned in the racing world--a woman to be reckoned with.
Nealy's shocking return will change everything for her two brothers, Pyne and Rhy; for her daughter, Emmie; and for all the Thorntons and Colemans, who have strong connections with SunStar. And when the truth about her father and a family's troubled past is revealed, Nealy will find herself faced with the greatest challenges of her life--challenges that will test her courage in unexpected ways and reveal what is truly important.
In Kentucky Rich, Fern Michaels surpasses herself once again, with a novel as rich and lush as the Kentucky bluegrass country itself. . .a story of stunning power that ushers in an extraordinary new trilogy.
Josh Coleman left behind the unfinished family business when he took to his deathbed at SunStar, the thoroughbred horse farm he'd built from nothing. But now that unfinished business cannot be ignored--because his long-lost daughter has come back to settle an old score.
Nealy Coleman no longer resembles the teenaged waif who slipped away the middle of the night with her illegitimate child, Emmie, thirty years ago. This Nealy is rich, sophisticated, and renowned in the racing world--a woman to be reckoned with.
Nealy's shocking return will change everything for her two brothers, Pyne and Rhy; for her daughter, Emmie; and for all the Thorntons and Colemans, who have strong connections with SunStar. And when the truth about her father and a family's troubled past is revealed, Nealy will find herself faced with the greatest challenges of her life--challenges that will test her courage in unexpected ways and reveal what is truly important.
In Kentucky Rich, Fern Michaels surpasses herself once again, with a novel as rich and lush as the Kentucky bluegrass country itself. . .a story of stunning power that ushers in an extraordinary new trilogy.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
1492 people are currently reading
1681 people want to read
About the author
Fern Michaels
431 books6,585 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
August 18, 2018
I was really enjoying this and it was on its way to being a 4 star read but about three quarters of the way through, things went downhill fast. All the additional family drama was just too much and Nealy became such an unlikeable character so quickly. I so enjoyed the beginning of her story and seeing her fight and overcome the obstacles in her path and then it’s like a switch was flipped and she became totally different. I really didn’t like where this story went and I’m quite disappointed!
November 23, 2020
Well. The best I can say is that there were horses in this story; Not much was realistic about the horse aspect. The book started off heavy in the drama department and carried along until the ridiculous horse chatter bogged down in the addition of the Texas family. It left off in a pleasent scene set at Christmas, the time of peace and new beginnings. There are 2 more books to follow. I dont know whether or not I will live long enough to follow this series to the end.
October 28, 2016
I did not realize that this book was the first in a triology when I started it. Now I am not sure if I will actively seek the remaining two books or just let fate take its course. If I happen upon the other two, I will read them, but if I don't come across them, it will not be a huge loss.
I am not a huge Fern Michaels fan. He stories are interesting but she has a rather distracting way of changing topics in the middle of a dialog that is irritating.
This book was one of her best that I have read. I liked the main character right up to the end. Then I read the first chapter of the second book, and my thoughts were completely changed. A mother just does not do that to her children. Out of character.
As I read this book, I kept thinking that it was being drug out way too far. There was a place where it could have, should have, peaceful ended. I would have been fine with that. But, no. It went on and on and on. In a direction that was unnatural for the storyline.
I am not a huge Fern Michaels fan. He stories are interesting but she has a rather distracting way of changing topics in the middle of a dialog that is irritating.
This book was one of her best that I have read. I liked the main character right up to the end. Then I read the first chapter of the second book, and my thoughts were completely changed. A mother just does not do that to her children. Out of character.
As I read this book, I kept thinking that it was being drug out way too far. There was a place where it could have, should have, peaceful ended. I would have been fine with that. But, no. It went on and on and on. In a direction that was unnatural for the storyline.
March 1, 2010
Loved the setting, the horses and most of the people. Seemed repetitive with old "myway or the highway" Nealy having fits of rage when she didn't get her way. Also a little too much hypocritcal lecturing by Nealy.
Kind of reminded me of "National Velvet".
If you like stories of weath, thin women with lots of clothes who are supposed to be the brains and beauty type, then this is for you
Kind of reminded me of "National Velvet".
If you like stories of weath, thin women with lots of clothes who are supposed to be the brains and beauty type, then this is for you
November 28, 2014
I seriously tried to really love this book because I love the setting and theme. I even went so far as purchasing the next two books in the series. NOW I regret those purchases! This book was boring, inaccurate and a strain to read. I love the horse, show and racing, world and I frequently read horse themed books and love them. However, this book was just plain old boring. the inaccuracies I know can come with books but the character building was either too much or not enough. I could go on... now I have the hard decision as to whether I will try to complete the series. sigh!
October 27, 2017
I liked about 3/4 of this book. It was never a 4- or 5-star for me because the dialogue seemed forced and very unnatural from the beginning. However, for the first 75%-ish, I really did enjoy the story and feel connected to the plot. If the book had ended after the first 300 or so pages, I would have considered it very worthwhile. At that point, a very natural end to the book seemed to take place. But then, all of a sudden, a bunch of new characters were introduced whom we never really got to know or understand, and the story just kept going on and on and on. I realized only later that this book is part of a series, so perhaps if I had read the books in order, I'd know more about these characters. But it just seemed like it should have ended, and when it didn't, I couldn't really understand why. Finally, the book was coming to an end, and there were a lot of loose ends that never got tied up. Again, I realize this is part of a series, but I find it really irritating when authors purposely leave you hanging so you will go buy the next book. Finish this particular story, ya know? That's all I ask! Not a bad book, in general, but just didn't do it for me. I don't think I'm going to read the rest of the series. However, next time I pick up a Fern Michaels, I will make sure I'm reading the books in order.
August 25, 2021
Study conversation, Fern
People don't talk for 20 minutes at a time. I did not finish the book out of frustration dealing with unrealistic conversation and cookie-cutter characters. Sorry.
People don't talk for 20 minutes at a time. I did not finish the book out of frustration dealing with unrealistic conversation and cookie-cutter characters. Sorry.
Read
July 16, 2015Full of intrigue
I was sad to finish this book. Wow it held my interest from beginning to end. Can't wait to read the next one!!!!
I was sad to finish this book. Wow it held my interest from beginning to end. Can't wait to read the next one!!!!
March 23, 2022
It's been awhile since I read this book but I remember it was a ok book.
January 31, 2025
Good Plot - Poorly Edited
I liked the premise of this book, but there were too many missteps. Fern Michaels should invest in a good developmental editor. There is too much narrative, too many long-winded conversations with no movements or body expressions, or pauses of any kind, and too many repeats by the characters. Ruby's dialogue with her dead brother could have been told to her husband through dialogue rather than switch point of view.
The ending was a surprise and left me totally unsatisfied.
Fern Michael's also uses more words than necessary to convey her meaning. Too many phrases could have been summed up in one strong verb.
Though the plot was good, the writing needs to improve. I was sorely disappointed in this book.
I liked the premise of this book, but there were too many missteps. Fern Michaels should invest in a good developmental editor. There is too much narrative, too many long-winded conversations with no movements or body expressions, or pauses of any kind, and too many repeats by the characters. Ruby's dialogue with her dead brother could have been told to her husband through dialogue rather than switch point of view.
The ending was a surprise and left me totally unsatisfied.
Fern Michael's also uses more words than necessary to convey her meaning. Too many phrases could have been summed up in one strong verb.
Though the plot was good, the writing needs to improve. I was sorely disappointed in this book.
July 5, 2021
This would not have been a book I would have ever thought I would read, or a genre I would have gone for, but I am SO GLAD I did. I was hooked from the first chapter, really the first few pages which is a rarity. I found Michaels' ability to build all her characters so eloquently without you realizing--and telling a remarkable story that draws you in. I never felt like she over explained or under explained any part of this book, which again, is a hard thing for authors to do. I am so excited there are two more books to read.
One thing I appreciate about this real life story is that it covers those hard realities in life, shit that happens to us that just isn't fair. She didn't try to sugar coat the bad with a whole lot of fairytale ending, but told us the truth about life. It makes this book have that much more grit. Bravo, you have made me a Fern Michaels fan for sure. I am not sure what I will think at the end of the trilogy, but have an inkling I'll be revisiting her other series.
One thing I appreciate about this real life story is that it covers those hard realities in life, shit that happens to us that just isn't fair. She didn't try to sugar coat the bad with a whole lot of fairytale ending, but told us the truth about life. It makes this book have that much more grit. Bravo, you have made me a Fern Michaels fan for sure. I am not sure what I will think at the end of the trilogy, but have an inkling I'll be revisiting her other series.
August 2, 2013
Kentucky Rich is a wonderful story about this girl who has a two year old daughter, who loves her with all her heart. The girl is just 17 but she refuses to give up the child. When she is sick, the father says that he is going to take the baby to an orphanage. She decides that she is going to leave, her brothers help her and she drives as far as she can, then her truck dies. She gets out and walks and collapses, a nice man picks her up, takes her home and the man and his wife adopt her and her daughter and raise them as if they were their children. This was an excellent read and I can't wait to read the second book in this series.
July 28, 2017
After reading book two and finding out I started out of order, I went back and read this one, it was amazing finding out how it all started, and yet there was so much tragedy. Nealy is fascinating and has endured such tragedy, it is haunting. However her endurance rings true throughout. I can't wait to see how it all turns out in book three!
March 21, 2016
Fern Michaels writes books filled with characters that are well defined and made the main character, Nealy Diamond, a strong willed woman that no one can run over. The story line kept me wanting to read on to find out what happened next. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the other two in the series.
August 10, 2008
Read 100 pages had not empathy for the lead character, Nealy, so put the book down.
December 13, 2017
DNF at 70%. Didn’t care for story or writing.
January 29, 2024
The most blatant disregard for facts about horses & the racing world I've ever seen.
July 28, 2024
Nealy life changed for ever
Neily's father was a mean and nasty man. He worked his three children like animals. Never showing love or compassion. He was especially mean to Neily for getting pregnant and having a little girl. Emmie didn't speak. The doctors couldn't find anything medically wrong with her. Her father called her dimwitted.
One night, when Neily was burning up with a fever, she heard her father was going to send Emmie to an orphanage. Her brothers helped her pack some clothes for both of them and gave her money to run away. They gave her the old pick-up and told her not to stop until she was out of state. She was only seventeen with a two year old.
The truck broke down in a heavy rain storm. So, she took Emmie and walked until she collapsed on the road. All she remembers is an ugly man who picked her up and took her home. This is how she met Jess and Maude.
Two people that would forever change her life.
Two people that she would learn what's love meant. Maude owned a horse ranch with derby winning horses. Neily had a way with horses. She calmed down Stardancer, the horse that injured Maude. He's a magnificent horse. She has the special touch when it comes to this horse. They are kindred spirits. He's a derby winner, but no one has done anything with him since the accident.
Maude and Jess eventually adopt Neily and Emmie as their own. This way, no one can take them away.
Neily wants to breed Stardancer to create a triple crown winner. And she does with Flyby.
She becomes the first woman to be owner, trainer, and jockey. She does everything she wants to get done.
Horses she can surpass, but human connection is different. She feels she has a black heart because she has never known real love. Only from Maude and Jess. When they both passed away, she only had her horses and her two children.
She does get her triple crown with Flyby and helps her brothers to win at the Belmont stakes after her father dies.
A lot of family turmoil from family they didn't even know about. Many secrets come out and not all for the good.
Great story of a strong heroine with a terrible father and no love to show how to give back love.She is in her next chapter of her life. Let's see what happens next
Great story by Fern Michaels.
Neily's father was a mean and nasty man. He worked his three children like animals. Never showing love or compassion. He was especially mean to Neily for getting pregnant and having a little girl. Emmie didn't speak. The doctors couldn't find anything medically wrong with her. Her father called her dimwitted.
One night, when Neily was burning up with a fever, she heard her father was going to send Emmie to an orphanage. Her brothers helped her pack some clothes for both of them and gave her money to run away. They gave her the old pick-up and told her not to stop until she was out of state. She was only seventeen with a two year old.
The truck broke down in a heavy rain storm. So, she took Emmie and walked until she collapsed on the road. All she remembers is an ugly man who picked her up and took her home. This is how she met Jess and Maude.
Two people that would forever change her life.
Two people that she would learn what's love meant. Maude owned a horse ranch with derby winning horses. Neily had a way with horses. She calmed down Stardancer, the horse that injured Maude. He's a magnificent horse. She has the special touch when it comes to this horse. They are kindred spirits. He's a derby winner, but no one has done anything with him since the accident.
Maude and Jess eventually adopt Neily and Emmie as their own. This way, no one can take them away.
Neily wants to breed Stardancer to create a triple crown winner. And she does with Flyby.
She becomes the first woman to be owner, trainer, and jockey. She does everything she wants to get done.
Horses she can surpass, but human connection is different. She feels she has a black heart because she has never known real love. Only from Maude and Jess. When they both passed away, she only had her horses and her two children.
She does get her triple crown with Flyby and helps her brothers to win at the Belmont stakes after her father dies.
A lot of family turmoil from family they didn't even know about. Many secrets come out and not all for the good.
Great story of a strong heroine with a terrible father and no love to show how to give back love.She is in her next chapter of her life. Let's see what happens next
Great story by Fern Michaels.
December 19, 2024
Neily's father was a mean and nasty man. He worked his three children like animals. Never showing love or compassion. He was especially mean to Neily for getting pregnant and having a little girl. Emmie didn't speak. The doctors couldn't find anything medically wrong with her. Her father called her dimwitted.
One night, when Neily was burning up with a fever, she heard her father was going to send Emmie to an orphanage. Her brothers helped her pack some clothes for both of them and gave her money to run away. They gave her the old pick-up and told her not to stop until she was out of state. She was only seventeen with a two year old.
The truck broke down in a heavy rain storm. So, she took Emmie and walked until she collapsed on the road. All she remembers is an ugly man who picked her up and took her home. This is how she met Jess and Maude.
Two people that would forever change her life.
Two people that she would learn what's love meant. Maude owned a horse ranch with derby winning horses. Neily had a way with horses. She calmed down Stardancer, the horse that injured Maude. He's a magnificent horse. She has the special touch when it comes to this horse. They are kindred spirits. He's a derby winner, but no one has done anything with him since the accident.
Maude and Jess eventually adopt Neily and Emmie as their own. This way, no one can take them away.
Neily wants to breed Stardancer to create a triple crown winner. And she does with Flyby.
She becomes the first woman to be owner, trainer, and jockey. She does everything she wants to get done.
Horses she can surpass, but human connection is different. She feels she has a black heart because she has never known real love. Only from Maude and Jess. When they both passed away, she only had her horses and her two children.
She does get her triple crown with Flyby and helps her brothers to win at the Belmont stakes after her father dies.
A lot of family turmoil from family they didn't even know about. Many secrets come out and not all for the good.
Great story of a strong heroine with a terrible father and no love to show how to give back love.She is in her next chapter of her life. Let's see what happens next
Great story by Fern Michaels.
One night, when Neily was burning up with a fever, she heard her father was going to send Emmie to an orphanage. Her brothers helped her pack some clothes for both of them and gave her money to run away. They gave her the old pick-up and told her not to stop until she was out of state. She was only seventeen with a two year old.
The truck broke down in a heavy rain storm. So, she took Emmie and walked until she collapsed on the road. All she remembers is an ugly man who picked her up and took her home. This is how she met Jess and Maude.
Two people that would forever change her life.
Two people that she would learn what's love meant. Maude owned a horse ranch with derby winning horses. Neily had a way with horses. She calmed down Stardancer, the horse that injured Maude. He's a magnificent horse. She has the special touch when it comes to this horse. They are kindred spirits. He's a derby winner, but no one has done anything with him since the accident.
Maude and Jess eventually adopt Neily and Emmie as their own. This way, no one can take them away.
Neily wants to breed Stardancer to create a triple crown winner. And she does with Flyby.
She becomes the first woman to be owner, trainer, and jockey. She does everything she wants to get done.
Horses she can surpass, but human connection is different. She feels she has a black heart because she has never known real love. Only from Maude and Jess. When they both passed away, she only had her horses and her two children.
She does get her triple crown with Flyby and helps her brothers to win at the Belmont stakes after her father dies.
A lot of family turmoil from family they didn't even know about. Many secrets come out and not all for the good.
Great story of a strong heroine with a terrible father and no love to show how to give back love.She is in her next chapter of her life. Let's see what happens next
Great story by Fern Michaels.
May 13, 2025
It's over. That's the best thing I can say about Kentucky Rich. I was a big fan of the original Texas Rich series, and I desperately wanted that same magic in the follow-on Vegas and Kentucky series, but magic is not striking twice, that's for sure. This book was on fast-forward from the beginning. I had whip-lash the moment Nealy (awful name by the way), was kicked out, picked up, an instant expert on horses with "the touch", and then immediately adopted into a family, heiress, millionaire, farm owner. I mean, I can get on board with fast-paced, but in this case, there was no room to build a relationship with the characters, to feel a slow burn, a moment of sadness, a heck even a moment of meaningful thoughtful introspection. As the book wears on, Nealy becomes flat-out distasteful and the female empowerment theme that's overshadowing much of the story comes off as ludicrous and insulting.
I was almost uplifted when the story intertwines characters from the original Texas and Vegas series, but it became a tangled mess and further watered down and already flailing story.
I am so sad that I spent money on books two and three from this series. They'll be in a donation pile before too long.
I was almost uplifted when the story intertwines characters from the original Texas and Vegas series, but it became a tangled mess and further watered down and already flailing story.
I am so sad that I spent money on books two and three from this series. They'll be in a donation pile before too long.
October 27, 2023
3.5 stars for this novel, 2.5 stars for series. Nealy is sick with an infant and her father threatens to put the baby in an orphanage. Nealy, with the help of her mostly unhelpful brothers, takes her baby in the old pickup truck as far as the truck will take her until she passes out with the baby and is taken in by a horse rancher. The ranchers feed, clothe, give Nealy a job (since she won’t take charity) and eventually Nealy & her daughter inherit everything.
This read like a book from the 80’s. Drama, spunky, gritty woman in a man’s world, yadda yadda yadda, breaks boundaries by sheer determination and becomes wealthy as all get out. Some tired tropes that no longer fit modern readers. This was published in 2011, but if you think of it like a book in the 80s it’s alright. As a stand alone it’s okay, the series as a whole was unsatisfying.
What worked for me: 1) A stroll down 80s chick lit lane.
What didn’t work for me: 1) As stated earlier, the tired tropes. 2) The weird choices Nealy made. 3) The name Nealy. I know it’s short for Cornelia, but I honestly hate the name. Or perhaps this Nealy was just too unlikeable.
Read all three of my reviews to get an idea of the overarching theme of the series.
This read like a book from the 80’s. Drama, spunky, gritty woman in a man’s world, yadda yadda yadda, breaks boundaries by sheer determination and becomes wealthy as all get out. Some tired tropes that no longer fit modern readers. This was published in 2011, but if you think of it like a book in the 80s it’s alright. As a stand alone it’s okay, the series as a whole was unsatisfying.
What worked for me: 1) A stroll down 80s chick lit lane.
What didn’t work for me: 1) As stated earlier, the tired tropes. 2) The weird choices Nealy made. 3) The name Nealy. I know it’s short for Cornelia, but I honestly hate the name. Or perhaps this Nealy was just too unlikeable.
Read all three of my reviews to get an idea of the overarching theme of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2023
Kentucky Rich got my attention from the “get-go”…..with a father in Virginia running a thoroughbred-horse farm like a drill “Sargent “. His two older boys took a lot of verbal abuse, but surprisingly his really rude, cruel and dispicable behavior was taken out on his 17 yr old daughter and her illegitimate daughter. In a way it made no sense, as Nealy had a way with race horses like no one else, with the makings of a horse trainer of Triple Crown Caliber.
But his abuse & his threats were so real , that she ran off with her child and somehow ended up with the Kentucky Rich. How this happened…..why…..and the circumstances make for a slow revealing past while she works her magic on race horses in Kentucky. This is when the book gets good.
Nealy’s relationship with the older wealthy race horse family that “takes her and her daughter in “, spurs a story that will keep you anxious for the finish line.
I will warn you that “the talking to the dead relatives and friends “ was an area that is not Bible rich or right, but if you can overlook that portion it’s a good read.
But his abuse & his threats were so real , that she ran off with her child and somehow ended up with the Kentucky Rich. How this happened…..why…..and the circumstances make for a slow revealing past while she works her magic on race horses in Kentucky. This is when the book gets good.
Nealy’s relationship with the older wealthy race horse family that “takes her and her daughter in “, spurs a story that will keep you anxious for the finish line.
I will warn you that “the talking to the dead relatives and friends “ was an area that is not Bible rich or right, but if you can overlook that portion it’s a good read.
August 24, 2023
No! Just no! I am a huge fan of Fern Michael but this book just isn’t it. I don’t even know where to begin. First, this book would NEVER end. Just when you think there is closure to the book, nope! She goes off on a whole different storyline that has nothing to do with the first except the same characters. Second, the main character is not relatable at all, is sooooo annoying and I actually began to despise her. I think the author was trying to build a strong female character who could survive and make a name in a man’s world but all she created was a selfish, arrogant, narcissistic character that was annoying. And while she is trying to build this strong character, she is belittling and putting down other female characters in the book. You can’t have it both ways. Throw in the conversations with the dead, things appearing from heaven, a 17 year old girl stumbling upon millions, her daughter suddenly talking after 30 years, none of the storyline was believable, not even for fiction.
July 4, 2024
…. It had so much potential. The dialogue was trash. I don’t know how readers don’t see or comment on it. Imagine someone SAYING aloud the long rambling dialogue with the abrupt switch at the end to show the talker is a little dumb, ego-free and virtuous. :/
No one talks like the characters in this book, those words should’ve been saved for non dialogue ‘thoughts’. Also the characters all ended up flat. All of a sudden everyone is grown and there was NO depth to her relationship with her children. Ok, that’s fine, that happens, but it would’ve been something to be written about in a better book.
The og characters were left in the dust and all of a sudden a whole cavalry of new characters were ushered in with more backstory that we were supposed to be interested in.
Someone needed to have edited this into better shape.
No one talks like the characters in this book, those words should’ve been saved for non dialogue ‘thoughts’. Also the characters all ended up flat. All of a sudden everyone is grown and there was NO depth to her relationship with her children. Ok, that’s fine, that happens, but it would’ve been something to be written about in a better book.
The og characters were left in the dust and all of a sudden a whole cavalry of new characters were ushered in with more backstory that we were supposed to be interested in.
Someone needed to have edited this into better shape.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2026
I had hopes for this book, but at so many turns it went to the ridiculous instead of the believable. What a shame. I actually found it insulting to the reader that the author would present so many fantastic scenarios that could never be true.
Young unwed woman with a toddler girl is thrown out of there family horse ranch. She drives across several state lines and finds a horse farm owned by 2 of the nicest and wealthiest couples ever. She uses her horse skills to successfully contribute to the ranch, leading up to her training and becoming the jockey for a triple crown winner. Not to mention being adopted by the couple and inheriting their hundreds of millions.
And the lunacy continues throughout the book to amuse the reader. Thanks but I returned the next 2 in the series before wasting more of my brain cells.
Young unwed woman with a toddler girl is thrown out of there family horse ranch. She drives across several state lines and finds a horse farm owned by 2 of the nicest and wealthiest couples ever. She uses her horse skills to successfully contribute to the ranch, leading up to her training and becoming the jockey for a triple crown winner. Not to mention being adopted by the couple and inheriting their hundreds of millions.
And the lunacy continues throughout the book to amuse the reader. Thanks but I returned the next 2 in the series before wasting more of my brain cells.
July 17, 2019
I quite enjoyed this story about a miss treated young girl named Nealy who had a baby (named Emmy) at 12 or 13 and is so abused physically and psychologically by her father that she takes Emie and runs away. She is taken in by an elderly couple who own a horse farm. She stays with them and so Emmy and Nealy grow up in a loving family and learn to raise horses. The book is about her life on the farm, which Nealy inherits when her adoptive family dies and the difficulties with running the farm.
I started having difficulty following what was happening when Neally goes back to visit her brothers and there is another part of the family there.....there was no flow.... as if another parts of another book were just stuck into this one.
I started having difficulty following what was happening when Neally goes back to visit her brothers and there is another part of the family there.....there was no flow.... as if another parts of another book were just stuck into this one.
July 22, 2020
Josh Coleman, Seth Coleman’s brother from the Texas series, never has treated his 3 children well. Rhy, Pyne, and Cornelia “Nealy,” have never had a childhood, they have been worked from sun-up to sun-down to maintain SunStar Ranch. There are no exceptions, no holidays, no birthdays, no days off not even if they are sick.
When Nealy becomes a pregnant teen there is even less kindness toward her by Josh and her 2 brothers. Her daughter Emmie never speaks and whenNealy finds out Josh is determined to send Emmie to an orphanage, Nealy decides to leave. Sick with Pneumonia and unable to do her share of farm work Rhy tells her to take the run down truck and provides her with some cash from Josh’s pocket. In the dark of night Nealy leaves with Emmie and their lives change forever....
When Nealy becomes a pregnant teen there is even less kindness toward her by Josh and her 2 brothers. Her daughter Emmie never speaks and whenNealy finds out Josh is determined to send Emmie to an orphanage, Nealy decides to leave. Sick with Pneumonia and unable to do her share of farm work Rhy tells her to take the run down truck and provides her with some cash from Josh’s pocket. In the dark of night Nealy leaves with Emmie and their lives change forever....
April 21, 2025
Bis zu 70% war ich richtig in der Story drinnen. Nealy mochte ich sehr gerne und fand ihre Geschichte und die Arbeit mit den Pferden super interessant. Den letzten Teil mit der "neuen" Familie fand ich stattdessen echt langweilig und die Rennen haben auch nicht mehr Spannung dazugegeben, da ja eh klar war, wer gewinnt. Was mich echt gestört hat war, dass dem Leser zwar wichtige Ereignisse erzählt, aber nicht gezeigt werden, wie der Tod von Hunt. Wir haben darauf hingearbeitet, dass Nealy endlich jemanden findet und dann wird gefühlt auf der nächsten Seite erzählt, dass er gestorben ist und die Ehe auch nicht das Wahre war. Wie soll man da richtig in der Story drinnen bleiben. Fand ich nicht so gut gelöst.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2024
First in a trilogy. Nealy leaves her home with her child when she discovers that her father is going to place the child in an orphanage. Her brothers give her the farm truck and some money. The truck breaks down and she is found by a horse owner and his wife. The two of them embrace Nealy and her daughter and she eventually inherits their property. Thirty years later, Nealy returns to her home when her father is dying and the shocking discovery is made -- she and her brothers are not the children of her father, but of her uncle. The plot moves quickly and the characters are real, especially Nealy who is a strong woman. Looking forward to the other two in the series.
February 14, 2017
My hobby is genealogy so when I started reading that Josh Coleman was 100 years old it was a given to me that he could easily be located in the U.S. Census. Many questions about who was who and what was what with this dysfunctional family could be resolved - I had a hard time getting past all that. I can't say I enjoyed this book nor the sequel Kentucky Heat.
It made me sad that people treat other people so badly and don't even try to learn from their mistakes. I can't say that I'll pick up another Fern Michaels book again.
It made me sad that people treat other people so badly and don't even try to learn from their mistakes. I can't say that I'll pick up another Fern Michaels book again.
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