5 Star BookBub Review from Suzanne Hare, "Tabby has trouble at home. Her family has fallen apart. Her father disappeared, her sister has gone to her grandparents to live and her mother is working all the time. She find solace working with horses. She must overcome the stigma of her family situation, save her favourite horse and somehow continue to grow and develop with all the challenges she is facing. This book is meant for early teens and is a middle grade chapter book. Although I think the story is worth reading even as young adult or those who are young at heart. The characters are well developed and interesting. The storyline is excellently written and at a suitable level for the target audience. The main character grows and matures and provides inspiration to the readers. The life experiences are relatable to similar situations young people are going through. This book is well thought out and executed and I would recommend it to early teens and even young adults."

Grace, eleven years old, "Tabby's Big Year is a great follow on to the first sweetbriar book, which is perfect for children who love horses.This book follows Tabby and her friends through a time of highs and lows.Tabby relates to many horse loving kids, with her passion for horses and the time she dedicates to them. She always puts horses before herself and will do whatever it takes to keep them safe. My favourite part of the story was when Cate and Tabby got chosen for the British young-riders squad after months of preparation and work.This makes me want to see what happens next and I can't wait for a next book!"

Bron Family, "Sweetbriars author Hollie Anne Marsh has written a beautiful coming of age story celebrating a young girl's passion for horses, along with her best friends Tabby and Violet. Leaving the City tells of the trials and tribulations of leaving your life and friends in the city for a tree change, where a new life and adventures await. Although the transition is hard for Cate at first she soon finds that sharing her passion for horses with her friends helps her succeed. Cate and her best friends share in their love of horses as they develop their skills. Follow the adventure of Cate and her horse Odette whilst learning about horses at the same time. I highly recommend ‘Leaving The City’ for young and older readers alike as it is a very enjoyable read.”

5 Star Review from author and blogger, Lexi Rees, "This is a properly horsey book. Lovely, kind, hard-working characters (with the exception of the baddie, of course), an idyllic setting and a classic horsey plot. There is a lot of information about horse care and exercising so it may bore a non-horsey youngster, but it was so carefully and accurately written that I devoured it and I bet any pony-mad youngster would too."

5 Star Review, from book blogger, B.R. Maycock for Tabby's Big Year, "It’s been some time since I read a horsey book, or indeed was around horses and this book as the biggest breath of fresh air I could ever have received! It is the story of Tabby and how things have unravelled, but I read this as I would have back when I was a teen obsessed with horses, as a book about a yard, a group of friends that are there for each other and the everyday goings on around some fantabulous horses. And oh were the horses fantabulous!
I easily settled into the, um, settings, breathing in the horsey sights and smells of not only the yard, but of pony club meets and shows. I experienced every single second of this book, in particular Tabby setting out to save her favourite horse from destruction. The family issues were of course important, but I relished this book purely for the vividness, the beauty and the excitement and I look forward to buying it for someone for a gift. Very much recommended!"

5 Star Review, from award-winning children's author, Sherry Ellis, "A heart-warming coming-of-age story for horse lovers. Sweetbriars, Tabby's Big Year, is a story about overcoming challenges–both internal and external. Young Tabby lives with her single workaholic mom at a horse farm. Since her father left, the mom has had to work long hours, leaving Tabby alone most of the time. Tabby must come to terms with this and learn how to express her feelings in a constructive way. Tabby's Big Year is a well-written middle grade novel. The characters are realistic and likeable with issues kids can relate to. Those familiar with horses will recognise many of the terms and events in the story - young readers especially will enjoy this heart-warming story.​"

​5 Star Amazon Review from Isla, aged 9. "I really enjoyed Leaving The City. My favourite bit was when Tabby managed to convince Cate to ride in the dressage tests. I am now reading the book for the second time because I loved it so much. I can't wait until the second book is released. I like a lot of books because I like reading, but this one has to be one of my favourites."

5 Star Review from Jane Finch at Reader's Favorite. "The first of a series, Sweetbriars is the stuff of horse lovers' dreams. The author, Hollie Anne Marsh, has written a lovely story that is sure to appeal to horse lovers everywhere, and is ideal for the eight to twelve age range. Sweetbriars is well described in visual detail, leaving the reader feeling as if they have been there. It sounds like every young horse lover's dream home. Cate is a believable and likeable character who appeals to the reader, and her lovely palomino horse, Odette, will have horse enthusiasts drooling. A steady pace and a lovely and consistent story that will transport the horse devotee to a world surely every young equestrian enthusiast will crave."

5 Star Review from award winning blogger, Susan Hampson. "This is a really sweet book aimed at 9 – 12 year olds. The descriptions are not overly long with the writing focused more on the horses, friendship of the girls and an adventure. I could have seen myself reading this sort of book in my childhood and dreaming of being one of them myself. The girls are middle class but the problems of moving and having to make new friends is the same for anyone. Cate’s family have moved from just outside London down south and bought Sweetbriars a very large farm that they convert into an equestrian centre. Cate does at first struggle with the changes but finds a couple of nice friends although there are some mean girls too. She does have her constant companion throughout the story, her Palomino pony Odette. The girls work hard to be selected for a competition but will everyone play fair? I loved how the author tells the story through the girls rather than the adults, which is a different line of thinking all together. Cate appears confident to the outside world but she is a little worrier that cares about the horses tremendously and takes it to heart what happens to her friends. There is a lovely glossary in the back of the book to help children and adults with some of the terms used in the book relating to the horses. Lovely idea to help young readers. Any horse mad girl would love this story, the first of a series."

5 Star Review from Children's Author, Deanie Humphrys-Dunne. "I certainly enjoyed Hollie Anne Marsh's first book; Sweetbriars, Leaving The City. It shares vivid descriptions of the characters and their horses. Readers will feel like they are taking the journey along with the author. It is a must-have for horse lovers, who will not only love the story, but also learn a great deal about horses, and competitions. Beginner readers will be pleased to know there is a glossary at the end, explaining some of the terms that may be unfamiliar to them. I think this is a delightful story, so I'm pleased to give it a high rating. I look forward to the next book in the series. Congratulations on a job well done."  Review taken from Amazon & Goodreads

Feature from Horse & Hound, reviewed by eleven year old Scarlett Owen. "The new book every horsey child needs to read. I found this book very good, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a fantastic story and I recommend it to all horse lovers. Packed with a mixture of friendship, horses and a love of the countryside, the book really is a must read. I hope Hollie Anne Marsh continues the series."

5 Star Review from Author Brittney Joy. "I enjoyed this romp through the British countryside and would recommend Sweetbriars for any pre-teen (9-12 years) horse-crazy reader! Sweetbriars is a good, wholesome story filled with lessons for any horse-lover — for beginner or advanced riders. I really liked how Marsh was very detailed in the barn and riding scenes and explained horse terminology, movements, etc. The main character, Cate, is very knowledgeable concerning horses and her two friends, Tabby & Violet, are as well. However, there is a Sophia character that doesn’t know anything about horses and I really enjoyed seeing Cate teach her things - like how horses shed in summer and get thicker coats in winter and how you don’t need to brush a horse’s teeth, but they do need dental work because their teeth keep growing. This book also shows how riding isn’t easy and it takes hard work and commitment to get better. I also love that this book features dressage. I don’t run across many fictional books that feature a dressage rider (Cate) and the author did an amazing job of describing her lessons and tests (at the horse show). This is a wonderful start to a middle grade series and I’m curious if the next book will continue to follow Cate or if the sequel will follow Tabby or Violet — two of the other girls in the friend group." Review taken from Amazon & Goodreads

5 Star Review from The Library at Lilac Cottage, Susan Marie Molloy. "What an absolutely sweet and engaging story!   I am weak for anything about horses, and I had a feeling this novel would feed my “affliction,”  and it did, in fact.  This story swept me away. I can’t say enough good about “Leaving the City.”  The masterful writing skills of the author impressed me greatly.  I was reading a story, yet I felt completely immersed in the tale, the environments, the conversations, and the understanding of different personalities and cultures.  At the end of this wonderful, wonderful story is a chapter on all the horse lingo—“from ears to tail”—that the reader should know to help round the understand of everything equestrian. This book brought back some good memories for me, in the days of my childhood where I sometimes rode horses at the stable just eight blocks from my house, to the mornings after breakfast when I would ride my bicycle to that stable, sit on the fence, and watch and dream while I watched older kids take lessons.  It was a rare occasion when I would have the three dollars saved so I could ride a horse for one hour in the ring, or venture across the street to the forest preserve and pretend I was Joan of Arc or Dale Evans (It didn’t matter who, as long as I was riding a horse!).  “Leaving the City” has a lot of scenarios that are reminiscent of events I personally went through:  Changing towns and schools at “that awkward pre-teen age” stage, my love of horses and riding, and the politics of making new friends and navigating a new type of life. I highly recommend “Leaving the City.”  This is a good book for those who love horses and enjoy stories of growing up.  I give it ten out of ten horseshoes.  It would make a dandy, thoughtful gift for a young person who loves to read, and who wants to get lost in the equestrian world."  Review taken from Amazon & Goodreads

5 Star Review from Author and Blogger, Heather Wallace, The Timid Rider. "Sweetbriars, Leaving the City is the debut novel by Hollie Anne Marsh and the first book of the Sweetbriars series. From the beginning, it is clear the author knows horses. Her detail of barn life, training, Pony Club, and more is apparent and easy to follow for horse lovers and equestrians alike no matter if they are experienced or not. This book sets the stage and while fun to read provides more of an overview and introduction to the characters, both human and horse. I look forward to reading the other books and learning more about the individual characters and relationships as they progress and grow. This series has the makings of a Saddle Club for young readers, and I look forward to the next instalment. More, I think my daughters would love it as well!"  Review taken from Amazon & Goodreads

The Booklife Prize. "Marsh's book is well-plotted and well-paced. The narrative is appropriate for the target audience, teaching lessons of discipline, patience, and perseverance. The prose is solid, smooth, effective, and enjoyable to read." 
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5 Star Review from Horse Book Reviews Blogspot. "A delightful story about a young horse lover in England. A coming-of-age story with lovely equine details."  ​

"Leaving The City is highly horse focused and has a lot of educational information.  The way it is provided is woven easily throughout the story and the reader gets to learn about many facets of horses.  There is showing, dressage, show jumping, horse care, nutrition and much more.  It’s an entertaining read whilst also highly educational. Sweetbriars Leaving The City is a great introduction to this series.  It moves at a good pace, is sure to enthral horse fans, whilst also teaching them a few things." www.equus-blog.com

5 Star Review from Author Gigi Sedelmayer. "A horse lover's dream read. It is a very positive read. Never give up. Pushing Forward."  Review taken from Amazon & Goodreads

5 Star Review from Author Sherry Ellis. "This first book in the series is one all young horse-lovers will want to add to their library."  Review taken from Amazon & Goodreads

"I give this book 5 stars all the way. It captures the magic of horses and friendship and blends them together in a way only a good author can do. I personally loved this book. I recommend it for readers between the ages of 9-15. I can't wait to read the next book in this series and I hope there will be lots of them to come!" Review taken from Amazon & Goodreads

​"My name is Grace and I am 11 years old. Sweetbriars is a wonderful place filled with exciting people, I love the characters because they have friendly and fun personalities.  Every character has a love for animals or finds their love for them. Sweetbriars is an exciting story it's perfect for horsey boys and girls, I found it easy to read and I am definitely excited to read the rest of the series. I loved the descriptions of the horses and characters and it is the type of book I would buy and I can't wait for the next book. Thank you, I will tell all my friends about it."

"My daughter and I both found reading this book enjoyable as we are both horse crazy. It also gave us some lovely together time while we chatted about how we found the book and what we would have done in in a similar situation to the story. It is a good read for young teenagers and horse loving adults to share!"
Friel Family

"My kids really enjoyed Leaving The City and didn't put it down until they read the whole book! Even my lad enjoyed it! And he loves his Tom gates books, but he put that down to read this! Really good work! I'd definitely buy your books!"
Poole Family

"Leaving The City is a very interesting story and I would like to read more about the Sullivan’s and their adventures. Frieda really enjoyed reading it and is very excited to see more. Thank you for the opportunity to preview your book!”
Sincerely, Malitsky Family

"It’s been a big hit! Thank you, I love seeing my kids read."
Bashman Family

"We found it easy to read and get into. The descriptions made us feel like we were there and it was a great introduction. Gently setting the scene. Olivia liked Cate and she reminded her of herself. We would like to read more. I think that there is still room in the market for this type of book."
Gleed Family

"Hi, what a lovely story idea and very easy to read. I think you are onto a winner. I really loved the story and could see it as a TV program like the saddle club."
Morton Family

"My sister loved the book! She wants to know whether there's anymore! X"
Watton Family

"It's very interesting and makes me want to read more. I love the characters. It made brilliant reading xx Thank you x"
Morphey Family

"My son has been reading and loves it. He said it was really interesting and easy to understand. He wants to read it all."
Hughes Family

"My daughter really enjoyed it… she loved everything about it, thank you for letting her read it."
Paramore Family

"My 12 year old daughter (Isabelle) has finished reading Leaving The City today. She said it was very interesting, strong characters and would definitely like to read more."
Nichols Family

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Permission kindly granted by Matthew Burnett to use the image of Treliver Decanter at the top of this page. Photography by Katie Amos.