Coming Back

by K.L. Denman

Julie survived a horrific car accident, but she has no memory of the event or the boyfriend who was with her in the car. He disappeared, and she is diagnosed with PTSD. Her doctor recommends a therapy animal, and Julie chooses to get a horse. Julie's experience with horses is limited, but it's empowering to finally be involved in life again, and her symptoms abate. However, she has a lot to learn, and when the riding coach gives confusing lessons, Julie is thrown off balance, both emotionally and in the saddle. The improvement she'd begun to experience with PTSD symptoms is lost, and her nightmares return. Can Julie and the horse recover and heal their broken spirits?

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2019

Reviews

[Rhuddem Gwelin · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I reserve books from the library on the net I don't know how big they are. This one turned out to be a Rapid Read, which means it's very short. A pity. This was a good idea but the Rapid Read treatment skims too superficially over the story. I wish it had been a full-length book.

[Islam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story does have a affect on you if either you have not experience abuse or have experience it. This was a easy read, but it does give you a punch in the face at the twists and turns of events. What I did like about the book is how much research that was done to have a story about it. So, for someone like me to understand how the main character or anyone that has gone through and had PTSD to understand how that is like through fiction. What I did not like about the book is the fact that Julie was really entitled throughout the book and did not give the first ranch or trainer a try. She was not patient either. Also, the book could use a bigger size, but that's just a personal preference. This is was a fun book to try out of my usual comfort zone.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming Back by K. L. Denman is a novella about a young woman, Julie, who has been in a horrific car accident. She has no memory of the accident and has been in therapy for over a year. Julie has been diagnosed with PTSD. Her therapist suggests that she get an emotional support animal to help her.

Her therapist was thinking a dog or cat would be the ideal animal; but Julie decides she wants a horse. She had ridden some when she was a young girl and loved the connection she felt with a horse. She is hoping that she will have that again. Also, a horse will force her to leave her home and interact with people.

Julie lays out her plan to her therapist and after some consideration she agrees. She does her research and purchases a lovely young mare she names Scarlett. Julie finds a dressage show barn that she is able to board Scarlett at. She can even take lessons there. Unfortunately, it turns out a show barn is not the right fit for her. She looks for another barn and finds one that does “natural horsemanship”. Yet it turns out to be not as advertised and she soon realizes she has moved from the frying pan to fire.

This book had everything going for it. I especially love stories centered around horses since I have ridden my entire life. The plot was good and the horse related stuff was correct. I know the pace was good because I flew through this book in under a day. Yet, there was something missing for me.

I am struggling to put my feelings into words here. That in itself says something. I think it is because the story did not match the prose. Let me explain further. I felt the writing was too simplistic for an adult or young adult reader. The writing style was best suited for a middle grade reader yet the story, which billed as young adult, had a decided adult theme to it. Therefore, it left me wanting more.

I received a free copy from the publisher, via Library Thing’s Early Reviewer’s program, in exchange for my honest opinion. For more of my reviews, and author interviews, see my blog at www.thespineview.com.

[Celtic's Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, read-in-one-day, kind of book. I enjoy quick reads occasionally and I am always happy to read a book where horses are involved. Julie survived a horrific car crash only to have no memory of most things from before the accident. She knew she had a boyfriend but could not remember his face, did not have any photos of the front of him, and was left with a lot of questions. Suffering from PTSD, her therapist recommend an emotional support animal. Instead of the usual dog or cat, Julie decided to do something bigger and get an animal that reminded her of happier times. A horse was perfect for her, but she could not remember many things about riding in her past. She chose a Western trained horse and all the Western tack needed, only to board it at a facility where English style equestrian activities were the only way to go. Julie learned more about herself and grew as a person, and even started to remember parts of her missing past while on the journey of caring for her new horse friend. Together the two heal each other and make a good story that wraps up neatly at the end.

[Janice Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the perfect book for a reluctant reader who loved horses and possibly for a teen who suffers with anxiety.
Julie was in a car accident and her boyfriend, who was driving, leaves her while she is recovering in the hospital. When she finally gets out, physically she is still healing and mentally she is a mess. She doesn't want to leave her apartment and she keeps having nightmares. Julie's insecurities and her wish to get better are well documented and the descriptions of the two horse trainers are bang on. I've encountered the snobby English riding coach who thinks Western riding is less, and I've encountered a terrible trainer who thought his job was to teach all horses to submit to his will, even when they were already docile. Denman does a great job painting a picture of the two less than perfect boarding stables.

[David W. Cofer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Coming Back," by K. L. Denman is a heartwarming little book with a nice story. The book revolves around Julie, who survived an horrific automobile accident, but is left with a severe case of PTSD. Her psychiatrist recommends a comfort animal, but instead of choosing a dog or a cat, she chooses a horse.

Julie has as much experience with training and care of a horse as I do, none! But she is determined and up for the challenge. She overcomes many obstacles in her quest.

This is a very short book, just over 100 pages, and a very quick read. It would be a great read for teenagers and young adults. My only issue with the book was the length and lack of more details. I know it is intentionally short, but some more fleshing out of the plot, especially at the end would have been nice.

I do highly recommend the book. It is a great read.

[Dana Trickett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fast reading book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I cared about the character of Julie, and Scarlett her therapy horse. Both Julie's and Scarlett's journey are intertwined, and totally absorbed me. Having a loved one who suffers with PTSD, this story of course hit home. An absolutely realistic portrayal of someone with PTSD. I highly recommend this book, and in fact already have. I received this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. "The horse is a mirror to your soul. Sometimes you might not like what you see. sometimes you will."-Buck Brannaman

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story of how to overcome abuse and trauma. Julie has survived a horrible car accident, and has little memory of what happened. In therapy, it was mentioned to get a pet, so she decides on a horse. Sweet watching how they both try to get to know one another, but then she makes the mistake of taking her mare to a stable for training, and finds her horse starting to shut down. When she catches the trainer abusing her horse, it brings back memories and nightmares of her own abuse. Well worth the read, but did find it troubling as well. Would recommend this book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quick easy read. Julie and Scarlet were easy characters to like. Seeing them overcome the abuse that they received was refreshing. For such a short book, it covered a great deal. Shirley was a nice addition to the story even though we didn't see her much. You were rooting for Julie to come back to herself. I enjoyed how Julie's pain was mirrored in Scarlet. I have heard that horses can tell a lot about a person and can react to them in good and bad way.

I receive an ARC of the this book from LibraryThing.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from an Early Reviewers giveaway. Orca books donated the copies.

This is the story of resiliency, perfect for a Rapid Read choice. Julie and Scarlett have been through difficult times, separately. Can they come together to heal?

The story is good, but a little too quick and not enough depth for me - but that was just me and I think others will enjoy this story. I would definitely recommend for YA (nothing under 16 unless an adult is going to talk with them because the subject matter)or a new reader.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short novel is a quick and enjoyable read. Julie is a young woman who is afflicted with PTSD after a horrific traffic accident about which she remembers nothing yet. Her psychologist suggests she get a comfort animal so she buys a horse and boards it at a training barn - which proves to be a less than suitable location. When she finds another barn, she discovers her horse is being mistreated, so Julie has to find a way for them both to "come back" from trauma.

[Linda Cousens · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read but a very meaningful story about Julie, a young woman involved in a horrendous car crash. After the crash she suffers from terrible nightmares and PTSD. Her therapist recommends she get a dog or a cat to help her through this, but Julie chooses a horse. She has a lot to learn about the care of horses, and finds herself in some very difficult predicaments. Will the equine therapy be the cure she is seeking?

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

TW: domestic abuse, abuse of animals

[Jesse Freedom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really good, until it just rushed past the healing at the end.