The Showdown

Saddlehill Academy #2

by Jessica Burkhart

From the author of the Canterwood Crest series comes the second book in a middle grade series about an equestrian boarding school about Abby’s unmasking of her blackmailer only being the start of her problems.

Now that Abby knows which of her so-called friends is the one behind the video of her talking “trash” on Emery, she’d love to do something with that information—if only her blackmailer didn’t know Abby’s one real secret, the one she can’t risk getting out. So, Abby’s stuck. And, to make matters worse, she’s so rattled by the drama that it’s affecting her performance on Beau. Abby wants to be as great a rider as Sasha Silver, but how can she do that when she’s making rookie mistakes?

When tensions come to a head, Abby’s score at the shows isn’t the only thing in jeopardy—so is her place on the team.

Genres: Childrens, LGBT

269 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 25, 2023

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

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🌟

The constant drama was going on a bit too long, I wanted to put them all in a room with snacks and water then lock the door till everything was hashed out.

I understand Abbys anxiety over telling the truth about what happened, I would have been the same way 😕 .She should have told her friends sooner and the other person but can't fault her too much really.

It mad me squirm a bit that Nina didn't get in trouble for the blackmail . Sometimes I hate seeing all side of things as an empath so I understand Abby's reasons for this as well.

My heart broke 💔 for Emery too in this one.

That ending! Gah! And I have to wait till next year *pouts* The fact that that Selly is going after Abby... *shakes head* Being angry is one thing but the vibes I got...

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Abby St. Clair is back at Saddlehill Academy, but is still fighting with her step sister Emery over the incidents involving Selly and Nina. Abby steadfastly refuses to even discuss the incidents with the slightly younger Emery, and won't even talk to her. This causes problems with her team, and Thea and Vivi wish that Abby would at least discuss what happened. Abby is also still furious at her father, especially when he misses another of her Saturday competitions so he can work. Now that he is remarried, Abby is super protective of their time together. The team is doing okay, and Abby has hopes of getting to national competition. There are some students who have sponsorship deals for clothing or beauty products because they are doing so well. Abby is a little distracted by a cute rider from another school, Mila. The two get along, and Abby even invites Mila to a school dance. Her friends are all very supportive of the fact that she likes girls but may also like boys, and her father is supportive as well. No one expects her to have her identity completely figured out. After a screaming dispute in the stables during a competition, their coach Rebecca is very angry with Abby, Selly, and Nina, as well as Thea, who was trying to calm the group down. Will Abby be banned from competition? Will she ever make up with Abby? What does the future hold for her relationship with Mila? The book ends on a cliffhanger, so these questions may be answered in the next book, for which I have not seen a title.
Strengths: As in the first book, there are some fun things about Saddlehill Academy. The girls frequently go out to fancy dinners, there's a dance, and the whole idea of a boarding school appeals to many readers. There are plenty of equestrian details, and many students have to deal with blended families. Abby does finally come clean to Rebecca about the incident with Selly's race time, and Selly forgives her in front of Rebecca, but this is just an act. There's a little bit of progress made on this whole situation, but no conclusion yet. Rebecca is a steadying force who motivates the girls towards better behavior.
Weaknesses: The constant drama was wearing. I would have liked to see Abby get come conseling to deal with her anger, and the fact that Selly and Nina were never punished for the blackmailing was a bit concerning.
What I really think: Reading about Abby's attitude and actions got a bit wearing; by the end of the book, she still hasn't really made peace with Emery and is very nasty to the younger girl. My readers who enjoy horse books are not given to as much drama; they would rather have more details about the horses.

[Kate Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars: 5 Stars
Format: Print
Series: Saddlehill Academy Book 2
Steam Level: Not Steamy

I have no clue why I, a person who has never ridden a horse in their life, never watched a horse competition, and graduated from sixth grade in the mid nineties, is just absolutely obsessed with these books. I never even read these kinds of niche kids books when I was the appropriate age, that’s how much fun I’m having.

Quick Thoughts:
- I said it before and I’ll say it again, I love the fact these kids act and sound like sixth graders, not short adults
- It is refreshing to see how complex the feelings Abby is going through regarding Emery. This isn’t a back and white situation for an adult let alone a pre-teen, and I love that the author is writing it with that in mind
- Abby was so cute being so nervous about asking Mila to the dance. It also made me so, so happy I won’t ever have to do that again, I would be an even bigger disaster than she was
- I’ll happy that the competitions aren’t glossed over but at the same time the events aren’t tediously recounted. You get more of Abby’s headspace about what’s happening than the exact details and that helped me understand the intricacies of these competitions
- I don’t think I would have kept my cool any better than Abby did at the end of the competition
- Someone needs to rat out Nina
- While there definitely weren’t as many as “holy smokes!” moments in this book, it still has a drama filled storyline and sets up the next book to be just as bananas. If I hadn’t taken a sleeping pill and struggled to finish the last couple of pages, I absolutely would have started book three immediately
- At least this book didn’t end with a “holy moly!” like book one did though it did end with a “oh no….”

Overall I don’t understand how this author got me on the edge of my seat with the kid drama AND a horse riding competition, but I’m glad she did. I am enjoying this series a bunch.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this with the first book in the series through Goodreads' FirstReads. It was a nice sequel to the first book. They resolve some of the issues that weren't fixed in the first book.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real page turner. I ripped through it in one sitting right after finishing Book One. I loved the drama.

[Marissa Secreto · Rating 5 out of 5]

THAT ENDING THO

[Kendal · Rating 4 out of 5]

12 year old me would have EATEN this up

[Skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too much inner whining, not enough cutthroat horse girl drama (until the very end). Still a fun read !!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storyline felt a little old-kind of the same issues as the first book. Still a harmless read for upper elementary/middle school

[Nika Chapin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️