The second book, Tabby's Big Year is out now!
After Tabby’s father vanishes, a deep rift develops in Tabby’s family. Tabby’s mother is focused on being a star performer in her pharmaceutical sales career, while Ava, Tabby’s older sister, is living with grandparents in Cornwall. Tabby feels neglected by her mother and jealous of Ava and although outwardly diligent and responsible, she’s like a kettle about to blow its top… bottling things up until it’s nearly impossible to keep a lid on her frustration and sadness. Tabby finds solace with her best friends Cate and Violet at Sweetbriars Farm where she is nursing her dream horse Bliss back to peak performance, to be able to participate in the try-outs for the British Young Riders Squad.Tabby also finds herself facing other challenges – saving her beloved horse Nancy from the knacker’s yard and finding the courage to tell her friends the truth about her family. Will Tabby be able to save the horses she loves and be brave enough to tell people how she really feels? |
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Some of Sweetbriar's Reviews
Horse & Hound's Review of Tabby's Big Year. "This book is charmingly written, a very engaging read, and I would recommend it to almost everyone!"
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 BookBub and Amazon 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."
"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 for giving me the book, I will tell all my friends about it."
5 Star Review from Reader's Favorite, "Leaving The City 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."
Do you like golden horses? If so, check out our Golden Horse Gallery
with the stunning dressage stallion Treliver Decanter!
Header photo is from the cover of Leaving The City, the first Sweetbriars book and courtesy of the Heppelthwaite family, photography by Paul Ruffle.
