Guest post by The Grump Whisperer author Katy James
Katy James writes contemporary romance books that get to the heart of falling in love while finding one’s place in today’s world. When not writing, she works as an archivist and rare book librarian. Her free time is spent being a single mom, wrangling an ever-fluctuating number of pets, fixing up her old house, reading, knitting, cooking, gardening and generally making all kinds of stuff.
About The Grump Whisperer: The Grump Whisperer is a charming grumpy-sunshine romantic comedy about tumbling down, falling in love, and getting back into the saddle when it counts. Perfect for fans of Western romances, witty dialogue, and of course, horses!
I was born a horse girl. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t love horses, dream of horses, wish for horses, and generally obsess about horses. My mother was flummoxed—no one in our family was a horse person, and the idea of wrangling her kid’s riding lessons, trips to a barn, and purchasing horse-related accoutrements… well, it was understandably overwhelming. But I persevered and began riding at a local barn at age nine. And then through middle and high school, and college, and, and, and…
And I never, ever stopped being a horse girl.
I was also a reader, so of course a big part of my horse obsession involved reading “horse girl books.” If you’ve ever encountered any of these books, you know exactly what I’m talking about. A girl (or occasionally a boy, à la Walter Farley’s The Black Stallion) finds or buys or meets a horse, adventures ensue, and throughout all of their trials and tribulations the bond between horse and girl remains unassailable. My favorites (and I’m definitely divulging my age here) were Summer Pony, Winter Pony, and Can I Get There by Candlelight? by Jean Slaughter Doty, The Pony Seekers and A Foal For Candy by Diana Pullein-Thompson, the Eventers trilogy by Caroline Akrill, and above all, the Jinny at Finmory series by Patricia Leitch.
Check them out, even if you’re not of horse girl age.
The problem with horse girl books, however, is that they are written for children. As an adult, I yearned for books that featured an immersive equestrian experience the way those children’s books did, but included adult characters, themes, romance, and perspectives. And it turns out that while there aren’t as many of these books as I’d like, there are some! Here are a few favorites.
Remember Summer by Elizabeth Lowell
Okay, this one’s a true old school romance. First published in 1984 as Summer Games and then expanded and republished in 1999, there’s a damaged, brooding hero bodyguard named Cord, and a beautiful, free-spirited heroine named Raine. Because of course there is. There’s also plenty of equestrian content, since Raine is an eventer competing in the Olympics. If you love a stoic, protective hero chasing after an innocent-yet-wild heroine, the way romances did it up back in the 1980s, you absolutely won’t be disappointed. This book installed many of my horse book AND romance reader buttons.
Ambition by Natalie Keller Reinert
Reinert’s Eventing Series was originally published from 2014 forward, but starting in December of this year the entire series is being reedited and released with new covers. The books follow eventer Jules and her rider boyfriend Pete as they try to survive and thrive in the tough world of competing and making a living with horses. If you want extremely accurate, immersive, and delightful horse world content in a whole series, this is for you!
Remedy by Alex Hall
If there’s anything better than adult horse book with romance, it’s an adult horse book with queer romance. And if there’s anything I like better than that, it’s a grumpy, damaged hero brought out of his shell by a meddlesome newcomer—in this case, nonbinary Reed Androku. The horse content is on point, the romance is delightful, and the sex is hot. I’m just hoping the author will write more in this universe!
The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews
Historical romance! Sure, there are lots of horses doing normal horse things in 19th century romances. Because there weren’t cars. But Mimi Matthews brings those horses front and center in the entire Belles of London Series. A bluestocking needs to make a good match and decides that wowing the ton with her dressage skills is the perfect plan (which obviously it is). But she falls for the tailor who make her dazzling, rich-nobleman-attracting riding habits, which was… not part of the plan. It’s as delicious as it sounds.
Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch
Listen. Sometimes you read a book and you just know that it will stay with you forever. Pony Confidential is not a romance. No, it’s a murder mystery told in dual POV. The POVs in question being that of a woman accused of murder, and… her childhood pony. And not just any pony, but a pony so furious about the way he’s been treated that he only wants one thing: revenge. This book is both a love letter to former horse girls and their beloved ponies, and a clear-eyed, heart-wrenching examination of animal—and human—welfare. I cried at least twice, and laughed out loud more times than I can count. You’re welcome.
