erinarkin20's review against another edition
4.0
You all know of my love of all the things Melissa West writes so it won’t be a surprise for you to know that I loved the first book of the Racing Hearts series she has written. Now, I don’t tend to read a lot of straight romance books but I jumped at the chance to read this new one because I trust this author to write a fantastic story and build out some well-developed characters. You will not be surprised to know, I loved this one and can’t wait to read more of this series.
Emery has grown up in her father’s stables and she has always wanted to win. When something happens that throws her off course, Emery fights her way back only her father is not allowing her to get back on the track while he is in charge. Because of this, Emery knows the only other person who can help her achieve what she wants is the one person she isn’t sure will help her - Trip Hamilton.
Trip is the oldest Hamilton brother and runs the family stables. He is also considered the best horse trainer in the world and Emery needs his help. Being a top trainer, Trip is able to work with some of the best horses on the track and when Emery calls him up to ask for a meeting, Trip has mixed feelings. Add to that, when Emery finds out the new colt he has is the same one she had her eye on at the Carlisle stables, she almost forces him to see her because she knows that this horse is the one to get her back on the track.
Add to all of this the fact that these two had a prior relationship that didn’t necessarily end the way they wanted, and there is an added layer to this story that makes it more than just about the horse racing. I loved seeing these two make their way back to each other and the banter, the romance, and the horse racing all tie this story together and make it fantastic. There are some bumps along the way – both with Emery trusting herself and getting over her fear and crutch (literally) as well as the rift created with her father when he finds out that she went to Trip behind his back.
I really enjoyed the secondary characters West created in this book and as I mentioned, Trip is the oldest brother of three so we get at least two more swoony guys to read about. Nick and Alex are both interesting just based on the glimpses I got of them in Racing Hearts so I will be looking forward to the next books. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Kate, Emery’s best friend. She is a great friend to Kate and I am looking forward to reading more about her.
I have said this before and I will say it again, if you haven’t read anything by Melissa West – fix that problem right now. YA, NA, Adult Romance…you can choose almost anything and get a wonderful story, great characters, and definitely some swoony romance. Racing Hearts is the start of a great new series by West and I can’t wait to read more about the Hamiltons!
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy!
Emery has grown up in her father’s stables and she has always wanted to win. When something happens that throws her off course, Emery fights her way back only her father is not allowing her to get back on the track while he is in charge. Because of this, Emery knows the only other person who can help her achieve what she wants is the one person she isn’t sure will help her - Trip Hamilton.
Trip is the oldest Hamilton brother and runs the family stables. He is also considered the best horse trainer in the world and Emery needs his help. Being a top trainer, Trip is able to work with some of the best horses on the track and when Emery calls him up to ask for a meeting, Trip has mixed feelings. Add to that, when Emery finds out the new colt he has is the same one she had her eye on at the Carlisle stables, she almost forces him to see her because she knows that this horse is the one to get her back on the track.
Add to all of this the fact that these two had a prior relationship that didn’t necessarily end the way they wanted, and there is an added layer to this story that makes it more than just about the horse racing. I loved seeing these two make their way back to each other and the banter, the romance, and the horse racing all tie this story together and make it fantastic. There are some bumps along the way – both with Emery trusting herself and getting over her fear and crutch (literally) as well as the rift created with her father when he finds out that she went to Trip behind his back.
I really enjoyed the secondary characters West created in this book and as I mentioned, Trip is the oldest brother of three so we get at least two more swoony guys to read about. Nick and Alex are both interesting just based on the glimpses I got of them in Racing Hearts so I will be looking forward to the next books. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Kate, Emery’s best friend. She is a great friend to Kate and I am looking forward to reading more about her.
I have said this before and I will say it again, if you haven’t read anything by Melissa West – fix that problem right now. YA, NA, Adult Romance…you can choose almost anything and get a wonderful story, great characters, and definitely some swoony romance. Racing Hearts is the start of a great new series by West and I can’t wait to read more about the Hamiltons!
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy!
the_cover_contessa's review against another edition
4.0
I want to thank Lyrical Shine for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered my opinion or review.
I don't usually read books marked as adult, but I love Melissa West, so reading anything she writes is a must. And I was not disappointed in this book in the least. To say it gave me to feels is an understatement. I laughed, I cried, and my heart soared at the wonderful story West has penned.
Emery lost everything two years ago when she had a terrible riding accident. Since then, she hasn't been able to get back in the groove. It doesn't help that her father has become overprotective and won't let her ride the horses at their stable. So she takes matters into her own hands and turns to the one person she truly thinks can help, her long lost love Trip. He's the best trainer and she needs him to prove she can get up and ride again.
I love Emery. She's spunky; feisy, even. And of course she's got her eyes set on a prize she wants to win. When she puts her mind to it, things can't stop her. Of course things can get complicated, because what would life be without that. She doesn't expect to lose her head and her heart to the one man she's always loved but could never have. She also doesn't expect to be so forgiving of his transgression. And yet, Emery is s softy, and lets him into her life, knowing full well her heart (and spirit) just might get crushed. And, even though she doesn't feel she deserves him, she still wants him all the same. I love how she has all these conflicting emotions and you watch her grow as they war in her heart.
Trip, well, he's another story. He doesn't want to let Emery in. He walked away years ago, but not for reasons Emery even knows. And he's never gotten over her, but can't bring himself to let her see that because it will put his family business in jeopardy. His heart wars throughout this entire book. Jumping from needing her, wanting her, to convincing himself they need to remain professional and he must stay away. But the heart wants what it wants.
What I love about this book is that it's definitely a romance, but there's also a great underlying story of redemption and ultimate sacrifice. I love that we watch as Emery wars with being able to ride, with being able become her own person outside of who her father has shaped. And Trip certainly comes into his own in this book. Proving he has the skill to train one of the best jockey's of all time. And yet, the story doesn't delve deeply into the training and al the intricacies to confuse you. It touches much of the surface and gets across the point that you must overcome your fears to move on and shape your life the way you want it.
Overall the book has tension and romance and action scenes. But it also has scenes of tenderness that had my heart cinches up and tears rolling from my eyes. Especially the racing scenes (and I don't even know anything about horse racing). But my heart knows sports and I think every athlete understands what happens when you conquer your fear and go for it all. Any fan of romances with sports as the background will truly enjoy West's story!
I don't usually read books marked as adult, but I love Melissa West, so reading anything she writes is a must. And I was not disappointed in this book in the least. To say it gave me to feels is an understatement. I laughed, I cried, and my heart soared at the wonderful story West has penned.
Emery lost everything two years ago when she had a terrible riding accident. Since then, she hasn't been able to get back in the groove. It doesn't help that her father has become overprotective and won't let her ride the horses at their stable. So she takes matters into her own hands and turns to the one person she truly thinks can help, her long lost love Trip. He's the best trainer and she needs him to prove she can get up and ride again.
I love Emery. She's spunky; feisy, even. And of course she's got her eyes set on a prize she wants to win. When she puts her mind to it, things can't stop her. Of course things can get complicated, because what would life be without that. She doesn't expect to lose her head and her heart to the one man she's always loved but could never have. She also doesn't expect to be so forgiving of his transgression. And yet, Emery is s softy, and lets him into her life, knowing full well her heart (and spirit) just might get crushed. And, even though she doesn't feel she deserves him, she still wants him all the same. I love how she has all these conflicting emotions and you watch her grow as they war in her heart.
Trip, well, he's another story. He doesn't want to let Emery in. He walked away years ago, but not for reasons Emery even knows. And he's never gotten over her, but can't bring himself to let her see that because it will put his family business in jeopardy. His heart wars throughout this entire book. Jumping from needing her, wanting her, to convincing himself they need to remain professional and he must stay away. But the heart wants what it wants.
What I love about this book is that it's definitely a romance, but there's also a great underlying story of redemption and ultimate sacrifice. I love that we watch as Emery wars with being able to ride, with being able become her own person outside of who her father has shaped. And Trip certainly comes into his own in this book. Proving he has the skill to train one of the best jockey's of all time. And yet, the story doesn't delve deeply into the training and al the intricacies to confuse you. It touches much of the surface and gets across the point that you must overcome your fears to move on and shape your life the way you want it.
Overall the book has tension and romance and action scenes. But it also has scenes of tenderness that had my heart cinches up and tears rolling from my eyes. Especially the racing scenes (and I don't even know anything about horse racing). But my heart knows sports and I think every athlete understands what happens when you conquer your fear and go for it all. Any fan of romances with sports as the background will truly enjoy West's story!
siobhan27's review
5.0
I am so thrilled that I got to read this book so early(thanks Melissa!). I loved these characters, their families and their love for horses and racing! Also if you are looking for a swoon worthy leading man than look no further than Trip Hamilton! So much yum!!!
the_cover_contessa's review
4.0
I want to thank Lyrical Shine for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered my opinion or review.
I don't usually read books marked as adult, but I love Melissa West, so reading anything she writes is a must. And I was not disappointed in this book in the least. To say it gave me to feels is an understatement. I laughed, I cried, and my heart soared at the wonderful story West has penned.
Emery lost everything two years ago when she had a terrible riding accident. Since then, she hasn't been able to get back in the groove. It doesn't help that her father has become overprotective and won't let her ride the horses at their stable. So she takes matters into her own hands and turns to the one person she truly thinks can help, her long lost love Trip. He's the best trainer and she needs him to prove she can get up and ride again.
I love Emery. She's spunky; feisy, even. And of course she's got her eyes set on a prize she wants to win. When she puts her mind to it, things can't stop her. Of course things can get complicated, because what would life be without that. She doesn't expect to lose her head and her heart to the one man she's always loved but could never have. She also doesn't expect to be so forgiving of his transgression. And yet, Emery is s softy, and lets him into her life, knowing full well her heart (and spirit) just might get crushed. And, even though she doesn't feel she deserves him, she still wants him all the same. I love how she has all these conflicting emotions and you watch her grow as they war in her heart.
Trip, well, he's another story. He doesn't want to let Emery in. He walked away years ago, but not for reasons Emery even knows. And he's never gotten over her, but can't bring himself to let her see that because it will put his family business in jeopardy. His heart wars throughout this entire book. Jumping from needing her, wanting her, to convincing himself they need to remain professional and he must stay away. But the heart wants what it wants.
What I love about this book is that it's definitely a romance, but there's also a great underlying story of redemption and ultimate sacrifice. I love that we watch as Emery wars with being able to ride, with being able become her own person outside of who her father has shaped. And Trip certainly comes into his own in this book. Proving he has the skill to train one of the best jockey's of all time. And yet, the story doesn't delve deeply into the training and al the intricacies to confuse you. It touches much of the surface and gets across the point that you must overcome your fears to move on and shape your life the way you want it.
Overall the book has tension and romance and action scenes. But it also has scenes of tenderness that had my heart cinches up and tears rolling from my eyes. Especially the racing scenes (and I don't even know anything about horse racing). But my heart knows sports and I think every athlete understands what happens when you conquer your fear and go for it all. Any fan of romances with sports as the background will truly enjoy West's story!
I don't usually read books marked as adult, but I love Melissa West, so reading anything she writes is a must. And I was not disappointed in this book in the least. To say it gave me to feels is an understatement. I laughed, I cried, and my heart soared at the wonderful story West has penned.
Emery lost everything two years ago when she had a terrible riding accident. Since then, she hasn't been able to get back in the groove. It doesn't help that her father has become overprotective and won't let her ride the horses at their stable. So she takes matters into her own hands and turns to the one person she truly thinks can help, her long lost love Trip. He's the best trainer and she needs him to prove she can get up and ride again.
I love Emery. She's spunky; feisy, even. And of course she's got her eyes set on a prize she wants to win. When she puts her mind to it, things can't stop her. Of course things can get complicated, because what would life be without that. She doesn't expect to lose her head and her heart to the one man she's always loved but could never have. She also doesn't expect to be so forgiving of his transgression. And yet, Emery is s softy, and lets him into her life, knowing full well her heart (and spirit) just might get crushed. And, even though she doesn't feel she deserves him, she still wants him all the same. I love how she has all these conflicting emotions and you watch her grow as they war in her heart.
Trip, well, he's another story. He doesn't want to let Emery in. He walked away years ago, but not for reasons Emery even knows. And he's never gotten over her, but can't bring himself to let her see that because it will put his family business in jeopardy. His heart wars throughout this entire book. Jumping from needing her, wanting her, to convincing himself they need to remain professional and he must stay away. But the heart wants what it wants.
What I love about this book is that it's definitely a romance, but there's also a great underlying story of redemption and ultimate sacrifice. I love that we watch as Emery wars with being able to ride, with being able become her own person outside of who her father has shaped. And Trip certainly comes into his own in this book. Proving he has the skill to train one of the best jockey's of all time. And yet, the story doesn't delve deeply into the training and al the intricacies to confuse you. It touches much of the surface and gets across the point that you must overcome your fears to move on and shape your life the way you want it.
Overall the book has tension and romance and action scenes. But it also has scenes of tenderness that had my heart cinches up and tears rolling from my eyes. Especially the racing scenes (and I don't even know anything about horse racing). But my heart knows sports and I think every athlete understands what happens when you conquer your fear and go for it all. Any fan of romances with sports as the background will truly enjoy West's story!
ki4eva's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads.
This book has everything that a sweet/cute book needs: horses, racing, romance, humor. I liked how the book started off with Emery at a low point in her life and lets us watch as she regains her confidence, with help from Trip, through out the book. Love all the banter between the brothers.
Cannot wait to read more about the Hamilton brothers in her next book.
This book has everything that a sweet/cute book needs: horses, racing, romance, humor. I liked how the book started off with Emery at a low point in her life and lets us watch as she regains her confidence, with help from Trip, through out the book. Love all the banter between the brothers.
Cannot wait to read more about the Hamilton brothers in her next book.
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