Flying Changes

I ordered the hardcover, signed version of this book. I received a hardcover book but it definitely isn’t signed lol. Not receiving what is listed seems to be a reoccurring theme.

This is a great story of a modern woman struggling to redefine herself after several life-changing events. Gruen manages to bring her characters - in sharp detail and with a complete lack of sentimentality - to a hard and inevitable denouement. She is also horsewoman enough to accurately describe the loving and respectful connection that can happen between horse and rider.

Sara's first novel and its sequel. I enjoyed both of them thoroughly. In fact, it was hard to put them down and I finished them both in record time. Annemarie, the main character, is an almost-40-year-old divorcee with a tempermental, yet adorable, teenage daughter. They move back to her parents' horse boarding stable out east (from Minnesota) where Annemarie rekindles an old romance. Dan is also in the horse business, but at a different level. His organization, Day Break, is a horse-rescue mission for abused and at-risk animals. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the transition to a different, yet familiar, living situation, being a single mom, Annemarie's parents, her new boyfriend, and especially her daughter, Eva, take its toll on her emotions and she is her own worst enemy with little effort. But, her biggest challenge is battling old demons concerning her relationship with the true love-of-her-life, her horse Harry, and the new charge that appears later to take his place. And when Eva shows signs of having the same passion for riding and competing as Annemarie did, her motherly instincts to protect her only child from possible physical and emotional injury continue to get in the way. What happens in the short couple of years since her husband left her grabs at your heartstrings, yet pushes your cheerleading buttons to the extent that all you want to do is see her come to terms with her life choices and be happy. As much as I loved Water for Elephants, I have to say I really liked this story even better. Perhaps because of the gender of the MC, I don't know. In any case, I highly recommend the read.

I have nothing but praise for Sara Gruen's work. Although there do seem to be some minor equestrian-related inaccuracies (cleverly explained in this sequel), both Riding Lessons and Flying Changes are really great reads that focus on realistic, character driven storylines and avoid the much-overused cliches found in most contemporary horsey fiction. While these books will not win awards for ground-breaking fiction, they are entertaining and absorbing tales of real-life situations. The romantic subplots are true to life, as is the protagonist's relationship with her daughter. Other reviewers have noted that the main character's choices and behavior are often questionable, but this is precisely what makes these books an entertaining (and sometimes enlightening) read. We can relate to the characters because they are not infallible - they show errors in judgement and emotional reactions, but continue to learn and persevere throughout. I'm eagerly awaiting a third book.

Love it, love it, love it! I have gotten into quine fiction and have read the entire Laura Crum series as well as Julie Singers book and have enjoyed them very much as well. If you like books with strong female leads and plot twists that really suck you in, you'll enjoy these books. She is also portraying the emotion of a divorced women in her late 30's, early 40's and her teenage daughter with an honest feel and a quality that I think is very true to life. The book is fun and dramatic while still offering a happy (but not sugar coated) ending.

I just got my copy of FLYING CHANGES Today! I have been waiting to read the sequel since I heard there was one coming out! Once again, I could not put it down! I read this novel very quickly and that is not because it was a fast read per se, but because I got lost in the storyline and could not put it down! The cover was great too! I loved the horse in a flying change! FLYING CHANGES has picked up exactly where RIDING LESSONS had left off. I was happy to see that the same characters were in the story, in addition to the introduction of a new breed of horse I had never heard of before, The Nokota! The brindled horse "Hurrah" has also continued into the sequel as well! Annemarie still has many issues to deal with in this novel, but she has grown as a character and her relationship with her daughter is better as well! Eva, the daughter has come a long way too and is starting to follow in her mother's foot steps! But again, when things seem to get better, there is another tragedy for the family to surmount! And once again, Sara Gruen has realistically written the characters reactions to this tragedy and has had them deal with it in a way, I think I would, if faced with the same decisions. It makes you feel for them all, I went from happy and laughing to crying. When I read both these novels, they played like movies in my head, they were so well written! Sara Gruen has really outdone herself with the sequel. Being a NH Native, it was great to see some quirks from our State included in the novel. It seemed to have more specific descriptions about the area and some of our history, like our old houses and barns and our symbol....The Old Man of the Mountain. I just finished the novel and went to the author's website and she has continued to support horse rescues and that coupled with her awesome writing and storylines, will keep me coming back for more! I plan on reading all her novels! Sara has written another gritty and emotional novel, with realistic plotlines and accurate details, she has done her research well. This novel will appeal to anyone who loves horses, or who has had tough times and wants to read a great novel with a strong female character, who will grow on you and keep you wanting more! I was so excited that the story was continued as I was left with many unanswered questions from RIDING LESSONS! And I am happy to say, most of my questions were answered in the sequel! I hope there will be a third novel...as once again I have more questions left unanswered. If you have not read FLYING CHANGES or RIDING LESSONS, I suggest you get one quick! This is also a great novel for a pre-teen or teenager. I plan on letting my 13 year old daughter read it next!