Home Sweet Drama

Canterwood Crest #8

by Jessica Burkhart

In Home Sweet Drama , if the girls have learned anything, it’s that only the strong survive at Canterwood Crest Academy. And Heather Fox is strong. After all, she’s the last Queen Bee left standing. But Sasha Silver has more than proven that she’s worthy competition—in and out of the arena. Is there a new Queen in the making?

Genres: Middle Grade, Horses, Young Adult, Contemporary, Childrens, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

230 pages, Paperback

First published April 6, 2010

About the author

Jessica 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.

Reviews

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book could have been so great, it could have been the best book in the series.

But sadly, even with the rejoicing of the removal of the most annoying character ever, there is still the drama between Sasha > Jacob > Callie > Eric and also Sasha's annoying : OMG I can't do anything rant, which is OK, and gave depth in the beginning, but by now I am doubting if she can ever do anything without worrying about a gazillion stuff. If she only let it be with doubts, and not let her be too influenced by this, but OH NO, of course not. Miss Sasha must stress so much it is also affecting her horse, and also her friendships with others. Which seriously frustrated the heck out of me, to the point I just wanted to shake Sasha and make her see that she shouldn't do all the shit she does. :|

But there were also good things in this book. A certain queen of bitchiness and bullying finally is gone, Heather is starting to become more human and starting to become my favourite character (which is a shock, I really hated her at the beginning of the series), the Trio has gotten their revenge (finally, it took ages), Paige is being slightly annoying, but also being a proper friend, and I love that she now has a certain someone to like.

Sadly, Jacob is still a freaking idiot, stupid and I just know what is going to happen between him and Sasha and I am not entirely looking forward to it. I think he is a dick with the way he treated Callie, and how he acted with Sasha. Bleh, bleh and bleh. He was such a fun character when we first met him, and he is totally ruined now.

The horse parts were really good, though I wish Sasha would stop worrying too much about stuff. She is doing OK, EVERYONE is saying this, but will she listen? Oh no.
Charm is so adorable and I love how he tried to comfort Sasha at times. Soooo cute. <3

All in all a mostly good book, but sadly I do worry that Sasha x Jacob x Callie x Eric and the Sasha worrying to death stuff will be popping up in the next book as well. And I am not looking forward to that. :|

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Meghan]

I remember being absolutely GOOPED at the ending of this one when I read it as a kid.

Also, can’t remember if I was team Eric or team Jacob when I was younger, but if it was team Jacob, I need to travel back to sixth grade and backhand myself.

I wanna strangle Sasha as she drones on about how Jacob spooned extra marshmallows into her hot chocolate that one time and how that is just the epitome of romance and now she needs to spend the rest of her days pining after him.

Meanwhile, Eric coordinated the first date to end all first dates, only ever treated her with kindness (even in the wake of that stupid ass breakup), respected her boundaries both when they were together and when they weren’t, I could go on and on!!!! Whereas Jacob literally blew up Sasha’s entire life on multiple occasions, yet she’s still got googly eyes for him. I could throw something. Get real, Sash.

I don’t remember how any of this wraps up, but I stg if she ends up with Jacob, I’m gonna shred all my books (kidding).

Anyways. I, a 25 year old, just wrote a scathing review about a series meant for 11 year olds. I’ll see myself out.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Did every sentence about Homecoming have to end in an exclamation point?”

It keeps getting better and better! I can see how some may interpret Sasha as being annoying, but she has good intentions and maybe tries a little too hard to make things perfect, which backfires onto herself. Seriously though, I can’t complain.

Only thing I’ll say is about the riding again. YENT but can’t really do leg yields? Sometimes the riding skills just doesn’t add up (please don’t grip in an English saddle with your knee for balance…)

[martyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

Kłótnia Sashy i Paige była bez sensu XD

[Sara I · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read 1-8 of this series a couple years ago as a tween. I really enjoyed them and had been looking forward to finishing the series. Well the library never got the rest of the series. Until now! (dun dun dun!) Even though I'm a little older than the characters in the book I still really enjoyed this series.

Sasha Silver goes to a great boarding school called Canterwood. There she rides and competes on her horse Charm. And has tons of homework and hangs out with friends. Sasha has just helped get the ultimate mean girl kicked out of Canterwood. She caught her on tape admitting that she'd framed two other riders for cheating on a test. Now she's gone and the two girls are able to try out again for and advance riders group called YENT.

However not all the drama is over. A while ago at Sasha's birthday party her best friend's boyfriend kissed her! Her best friend and then kinda boyfriend saw them and Sasha took the blame so her friend wouldn't be more hurt. See Jacob, the guy who kissed her, is Callie's first boyfriend! It just seemed like the right thing to do. But things are awkward as she tries to avoid the three of them and survive Homecoming week. Seriously, she's sick of everyone talking about it. She bonds with Heather, at first mean girl but now a sort of friend, over the pain of Homecoming. They both hate how everyone is talking about it. But will everything turn out alright as Sasha and the other three that she's been trying avoid all get nominated for Homecoming court?

Even though I'm a bit old for this series I still really like it and think that it's really fun. The books are a little short but full of lots of stuff. Girl drama to horse riding to lip gloss and fashion. It's all fun and great girly series. And the horses are a great addition and just add to the "elite boarding school" preppy attitude. The characters are nice and sweet. And the drama interesting :) It's also clean and great for girls tween to younger teens who like horses, romance, and some overall girly middle school/high school stuff with a bit more class adding in.

[Liv]

girl. heather is right there giving you riding advice and inviting you to sleepovers and lending u her expensive clothing and saying she knew your size 2 seconds after meeting u and inviting u to her home for fall break. jacob is trash. move on

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Not so good. I must say the books have gotten quite bad. It was really hard to finish, I set it down and stopped reading for a very long time.

[Lorelai Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was just like the title home sweet drama I love this series it makes me almost hyperventilate in a good way that is how good it is

[Cxntring · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am getting sick and tired of the Sasha
The massive issue in these books now is Sasha herself. She has turned so dull and into a doormat. Her emotional issues has ruined her riding, although she is still the 'perfect little rider.' The fact Sasha is obsessed with makeup and fashion really annoys me too. The books are more like a lipgloss and clothing catalouge! It even says on the blurb 'only the strong survive at Canterwood.' What makes you think an emotionally disturbed 12/13 year old like Sasha is strong? She doesn't have any opinions, is so weak, riding hardly matters in these books anymore and is just a fallback plot- I could go on and on. Sasha is such a bad friend and an even worse GF to Eric. The way these books are going is so obvious- Sasha and Jacob are gonna get back together. Honestly, there shouldn't even be romance in these books, all they do is break up or cheat on each other. Sasha is not the character I used to adore anymore.

Heather is the only good part of these books. She should be the protoganist of the series. Tbh, she is the only reason I actually read the books. She is so opinionated, sassy, doesn't talk about makeup all the time, and even is trying to be nicer to Sasha. Heather is known for conflicting Sasha, but tbh, I would too. Heather is the only non-idiot in this series and is actually quite relateable.

Nothing is horsey anymore. It's more of a fallback plot. Canterwood is known for its riding programme- the reason the girls applied- and now horses are hardly mentioned. I adore Charm and the way he tries to comfort Sasha. It seems like she only goes to him now for hugs. The training sessions are so repetitive and boring.

Overall, this series has completely gone downhill and everything is so predictable. Even the updated versions of Canterwood with Lauren Towers is rubbish. Burkhart describes Lauren as a smalltown Union girl, but the twelve year old has her 'dream horse' a mansion and a dad who buys whatever she wants! Everyone (except Heather) is emotionally disturbed and the series is terrible.

[Sonali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Sasha Silver and how shes dealing with losing her best friend and her boyfriend all in one night. Shes trying to get through homecoming week but instead gets sucked into it. It tells how she handles it and there is never a dull moment in the story. This book is filled with so much drama that it will make your head spin (in a good way). The genre of the book is a drama fiction.

I think that if you love horses and drama filled books then this is for you! I recommend this book for middle schoolers and up. This book is part of a very long series so if you want to read this book you have to be dedicated enough to read about 18+ books but they are very easy to read books.

[Saylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sasha's inside voice has ran it's course why is it that she worries over every little thing? Anyway it was only inevitable Callie, you stole Jacob from Sasha and now the same way that you got him is the same way that he went. How can she be so upset? Hypocrite! Anyway Heather Fox has now become the only likable and not annoying character. Sasha is annoying, Callie is annoying and Paige is top level cringe. Also look at the pair on Paige to imply that Sasha was jealous of her and Ryan. The one time she gets a boyfriend it went to her head. They should all forget about relationships since all they do is break up and cheat on each other.

[Suraya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the last book that they had in the library for this series. I am quite sad because the series is really good and the book ended on a cliffhanger! If you love horses, then this book is really good. I zoomed through them and will hopefully find a way to read more.

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sasha, what is wrong with u ? I mean I love this series so far, but this whole Eric-Jacob-Callie thing is rlly starting to annoy me. I mean First of all what type of 12/13 year old has a boyfriend? And I bet that Jacob and Sasha will eventually get back together. 🙄

[Zazie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much so far and can't wait to get to the next book. Sasha may be getting a bit annoying, but the books are great, and I'm just hoping that nothing happens to prevent me from getting to the last book in this long series. I'm not even halfway there yet!!

[Katie Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing book absolutely upsesed with the story plot ummm still annoyed sash is going on fall break with Heather but I'm loving that their friendship is growing and that Heather is there for sash

[emma-the-reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really good but Sasha was being annoying at parts. I don’t like how Sasha wanted so bad to protect Jacob that she wanted to lose her best friend. I get how she wanted to be a good person, but it was still annoying. But I did still love the book even though there was some annoying parts.

[Ruby Kilmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book not a lot of drama

[Macaylan · Rating 1 out of 5]

sasha is the worst friend and i can’t stand this book

[Erin Doolittle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Heather/Sasha friendship is getting interesting!!

[Zanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

the heather content in this one goes HARD!!! the inherent homoeroticism of your rival's horse trusting you to ride him hehe.

[ewa&#x1f43e; · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten tom był okej ( jak na ta serie) przeczytane na 1 posiedzenie mega się wkręciłam hahah ❤️ No i wreszcie Jasmine out teraz tylko czekam aż wyjaśni się sprawa z Callie !

[Elivia Kanatiquelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final truths, insecurities, and arguments. Welcome to homecoming.

[Yano · Rating 1 out of 5]

why did sasha choose to protect jacob’s reputation over callie’s friendship she’s so weird just admit u like him IM TIRED OF THIS (im actually extremely invested)

[ErinTurnsPages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homecoming week should be the most exciting part of fall. But it’s the last thing Sasha wants to deal with after losing her best friend, her boyfriend, and all of the tension between her and Paige. But when she’s nominated to be Princess, she’s forced to attend all events. And the one who helps her through it all is the biggest surprise yet.

I absolutely related to Heather and Sasha about having no desire to deal with homecoming stuff. I always avoided that kind of thing in school too. I really enjoyed Heather in this book and I started to really like Alison as well. Sasha I was really over, though I was glad to see her slightly less self destructive. I both understood where Paige was coming from and was annoyed with her at the same time, you can only put up with someone lying to you for so long before you need to distance yourself.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Shash Silver is living at a well known boarding school. Canterwood Crest Accadamy is known for it's riding, and accademic performance. She attends the school so she can activily improve her riding capabilities. Little did she know that the price for becoming a exceptional rider was an endless amount of homework, and high expectations. You will learn about how she is dealing with the stress of the Youth Equestrian National Team (YENT), her neverending schoolwork, and her "best friendz"/roomate Paige Parker. The problem with Paige is that she wont stop asking Sasha about what really happened between her and Jaccob a few weeks earlier at her birthday party.

Although a bit easy for my lexile, I enjoyed reading this book, it was a easy and carefree read great for summer reading. I was really glad when Sasha told Paige the truth, she should have never not told anyone when Jaccob kissed her at the begining of summer. Although I would have wanted her to tell the truth as soon as the incident at the party happened. The drama was also enthralling, although a little kiddish, by making me want to read faster than I physically could. It was extreamly nice to see that when Sasha had "no more friends" that Heather took her under her wing, even though they used to hate each other. I believe that Heather's reasoning for "taking in" Sasha was that she realized that if she wanted her riding team to succcede, she couldn't have her teammate competing with her on revenge schemes. Overall I thought that this book was very interesting and greatly enjoyed the relaxing summer read.

[Marin Ehrmantraut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canterwood Crest: Home Sweet Drama was a very good book. It is the eighth book in the Canterwood Crest series. The series is about a girl named Sasha who goes to a boarding school because she is a talented horse rider. There is always lots of drama. In this book, Sasha just broke up with her boyfriend, Eric. It is homecoming week and they are both nominated for Homecoming prince and princess along with six other boys and girls. Some of them also happen to be her other ex-boyfriend who wants to get back together with her, her ex-best friend who hates her, her best friend and roommate, and her previous enemy. Throughout the book, she tries to avoid all of them, but it is very hard. By the end she starts to become friends with what used to be her enemy.
I think the book was very good. The drama keeps you wanting to know what will happen next. I love that she is such a good equestrian and wish I was as good as her. I was kind of mad at the end because Sasha and her best friend/roommate got in a fight, and they were supposed to go to New York together for the week. Sasha ended up going with Heather. Sasha and Heather used to hate each other, but are starting to become friends. I am reading the ninth book right now, and they are on spring break at Heather's penthouse in New York City, and having a blast.I don't know how to react.

[Chloé · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

Home Sweet Drama was a fairly good installment of this series. Though it was more drama centered than horse centered, the book stayed true to the themes of the series and kept the plot going. I particularly enjoyed watching the budding friendship between Heather and Sasha. I also appreciated that this book wasn't a repeat of the last book in the series that was during Homecoming week. My only real complaint with this book is Sasha's straight up naivety and stubbornness surrounding the truth about her birthday party. I understand that the author wants the reader to still keep in mind that Sasha is still only in middle school, but this really isn't the way to do it. I do also find the Jade and Kiki scenes to be drawn out and overly descriptive, but that's really only because it seems like the exact same dialogue every single time it happens. But that may just be me. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It has everything a Canterwood Crest book needs, minus a few subplots.

[Tina Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished book #7. of the Canterwood Crest series. I just started book #8. today, and I already read 80 pages! It is very interesting, and it absorbs you into the book not wanting to put the book down. Jasmine got kicked out of the Academy because Sasha caught her on video confessing she made cheat sheets of Julia and Allison's writing, making it look like they cheating on a history exam, when they really didn't. Everyone is happy she is gone, but Homecoming is coming up. Sasha hates for it to come. She really doesn't want to go, and she is becoming friends with Julia, Allison, and Heather, which is a surprise. I can't wait to find out what happends next.

[Olivia Noack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sasha still thinks that lying won't mess up her relationship with Paige, and there's a ton of drama about homecoming (which I don't understand because I'm Canadian and we don't have that here). I finally understand all the times Heather tells Sasha that she needs therapy because she has issues. Like, she literally doesn't know how to have relationships with people or how to resolve conflict.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was also a very great book. Jacob and Sasha r still on and off about things and when she gets picked as Homecoming runner up along with Eric and they have 2 dance together! the drama is really off now