Taking over from her famous racehorse trainer father was something young Emma Williams never anticipated, but when he suddenly falls ill, she has no option but to desperately work to keep the historic Yorkshire yard going.
As pressure from owner Lord Daventhorpe intensifies, her world begins to collapse around her and jockey boyfriend Robert James promptly dumps her, leaving her with nothing. With her father Richard in a care home, barely able to communicate, Emma has to make some important decisions to keep the yard afloat. However, when it looks like all is lost, mysterious Irish jockey Tom Doyle walks into her life.
Together they start to rebuild the once thriving yard, placing all their hopes in the beautifully bred two-year-old Flashdance who was discarded at birth by Daventhorpe after being considered physically incapable of ever becoming a racehorse. When he discovers the pair’s plan to race the colt it soon becomes clear that he will stop at nothing to protect the web of lies he has so painstakingly woven in a bid to cover up the truth.
In a race against time, Emma and Tom search to discover the answer to a mystery that could save her, rescue the yard and turn her life around forever.
Beth moved with her parents to North Yorkshire at the age of 4yo and considers herself to be a true Yorkshire girl. Having been brought up in the world of horseracing as the daughter of Group 1 winning trainer Bryan Smart, she has experienced the immense highs and inevitable lows that are part of the life of a racehorse trainer. Inspired by her world around her Beth started writing Racing Hearts in 2017 and has completed the novel whilst studying for a University degree and competing her showjumpers. When not writing or riding, Beth enjoys walking over the Yorkshire moors with her dogs Rosie and Toffee.
Came across this by chance. I love the Dick Francis novels so u thought I'd give it a go. I was completely hooked. Gripping from the start. Can't wait for the next novel from this author.
Sorry Beth ......you need to get on and write the next one! Great page turner of a book and such a joy to read a racing based romance that still manages to feed us with rich racing context. This would make a cracking drama series.
The perfect read for our current times. This book was captivating from the first page, I couldn’t put it down. Horses, romance, humour and triumph over adversity. A brilliant first novel from a new young author. The new Dick Francis!!
A good first novel packed with drama and intrigue, with the magic of horseracing running throughout. Once you have started to read you will find it hard to put down.
Really enjoyable story that captures the heart of horse racing. A few editing issues in the copy I bought but that’s not Beth’s fault and it didn’t detract from the enjoyment! 5 stars