Book Review #7

In The Reins

Title: ​​In The Reins
Author: Carly Kade
Publication Date: December 10th, 2015
Publisher: Carly Kade Creative
​Category: Adult
Genre: Contemporary/Western/Horse
Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Synopsis:
A city-girl-gone-country, a handsome cowboy and a horse meet by fate on a southern farm. She's looking for a fresh start and unexpectedly falls for the mysterious cowboy. But can a man with a deeply guarded secret open himself up to the wannabe cowgirl in the saddle next to him? Deeply romantic and suspenseful, In The Reins captures the struggle between letting life move forward and shying away from taking the reins. Passionate, captivating, and full of equine epiphanies, this is a love story sure to touch your inner cowgirl.

From the Back Cover: 
McKennon Kelly. McKennon Kelly. McKennon Kelly.

Cowboy McKennon Kelly was the last thing Devon Brooke wanted to focus on after finding herself suddenly single. Looking for a fresh start to life, city girl and journalist Devon just wanted to go back to her country roots and focus on building a relationship with her newly acquired equine partner Faith. 

Devon finds companionship in handsome bull riding ranch hand JD and delicate Green Briar horse farm owner Sophia, both who advise Devon to keep her distance from McKennon and “mind her p’s and q’s” around the quiet and eerily peaceful stables. Devon thinks it shouldn’t be too difficult to avoid the Adonis cowboy, but after noticing his skills and expert ways with training horses, she figures it couldn’t hurt to get to know him a little bit … right?

Devon follows the guarded cowboy to a horse show, where she is unprepared to learn she may not be the cowgirl she thought she was. After a near-tragic incident, Devon begins to realize that the more time she spends with McKennon, the less she really knows about him (or horses, for that matter), and his mystery just keeps getting bigger. Who is he really, what is it that everyone doesn’t want her to know, and why is this tight-shirted, spur-jingling, weather-eyed cowboy all she can think about now?

My Thoughts:
Carly Kade is another author that I so happily found through Instagram. She is a fellow equestrian and when I saw that she wrote a horse book I knew I wanted to read it. Horses and swoon worthy cowboys? Um, yes please! The main character and I also have the same name just different spellings, I'd say that me being introduced to this book was fate! 

In The Reins takes us on a ride with Devon Brooke, a journalist unhappy living the city life. She wants to start anew and resort back to her country roots. Doing so means welcoming horses back into her life, after searching the web high and low for the perfect companion she finally find a young, green paint mare. As soon as she laid her eyes upon her, Devon knew it was fate calling to her. She finds a quiet secluded barn called Green Briar that's privately owned and only has a few individuals. She deems it the perfect place to begin training and bonding with her new mare, Faith.

Upon arrival, Devon is told to mind her p's and q's but she quickly befriends Sophia, the owner of Green Briar as well as JD one of the barn hands. Then there is McKennon whom seems to be mysteriously untouchable and off limits but she see's how well he does with his horses so it wouldn't hurt to acquire some training tips, would it? Devon spends a lot of time with JD but McKennon always seems to be coming to her rescue. After an accident with her and Faith, Devon begins spending more and more time with McKennon and feelings begin to develop. But every time they get close, McKennon pulls away. Devon wants to badly to get to know him and uncover the mysteries that he guards close to his heart.

"I sighed at the spectacular realization that I had never really allowed myself to believe that real cowboys might actually exist, especially not one with brains and killer blue eyes, alive and breathing in my barn."

It pleases me how McKennon explains the showing world to Devon because it's very true! Being and equestrian myself who shows I feel his struggle when it comes to judges to pick based on looks and judges who pick based on talent, movement, ect. It shouldn't matter what color your horse is, what your last name is, or how cute you're dressed. I highly recommend this book to all fellow equestrians, no matter your discipline! I ride english and jump and I still loved his western horsey themed novel. it has a great story line. I may primarily ride english but I have a cowgirl heart and this book definitely calls to it.

"Any real, beautiful thing in this world shouldn't be tamed or claimed or broken. It should be allowed to be, worked with, not against, appreciated. Don't be afraid of the wild she has left. It makes her special." 

Author, Carly Kade did a fantastic job creating vivid scenery and well-rounded characters. Green Briar sounds absolutely stunning and if there was a place around me that looked as great as that barn sounded, I would definitely love to have my horses there! I mean what's better then a big, beautiful, spacious barn that has an abundance of trails? You get the best of both worlds while a nice arena for serious training, a great barn stall to keep your horses cozy, a beautiful place to look at, and trails for when you want to relax and really enjoy the ride! That being said it was super easy to picture the wonders of Green Briar in my head. I enjoyed how very real Devon's personality was. It showed her making decisions and talking them out with herself in her head. I really liked that Carly showed that because I'm sure we all talk things out with ourselves, I know I do! She definitely struggles through somethings but stays composed despite them. She always remembers her place and is a strong-willed character who isn't afraid to stand-up for herself if needed. 

I can't wait until book number two! I can't wait until we have a title, cover, release date, and of course, the book itself! It's going to be amazing to read through the series and find out how Devon grows into herself as a cowgirl, how Faith's training progress, and how her relationship flourishes with Mckennon.