RACING SAVANNAH
Hundred Oaks Series #4
by Miranda Kenneally
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (Dec 3, 2013)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult
Format: eARC (304 pages)
Source: Free book from publisher (NetGalley) for honest review
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon Print | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 stars)
They’re from two different worlds.
He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.
With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…
At A Glance
I loved the concept and the horses, but the main characters weren’t so great.
The Good
This book was up and down for me, but the one thing that was consistent was my love for the horse aspect. I don’t know why but I have always had a kinship with horses. I never owned one, but I have been around them from time to time all my life and we just love each other. Some people like to say horses were a big part of my past life (if you believe in that stuff). But horses are my weak spot. I loved every minute of the horse riding, horse racing, and horsing around (hehehe).
Even with the things that bothered me about Savannah, I still felt for her throughout the whole book. So much pressure was put on her from almost everyone. I felt bad that Savannah could rarely relax and just be a teenager. But she found her pockets of fun while still staying responsible. What I liked most about Savannah was her love for horses. She is the sweetest and most caring person towards horses and they love her right back.
My favorite characters were Rory and Vanessa. They were Savannah’s best friends and they both were funny and caring. They also made the perfect couple. Rory was the poor, cute nerd and Vanessa was the beautiful and nice rich girl. They were so sweet together, and pretty hot too. Rory and Vanessa’s romance made this book worth reading.
The writing was well done as was the dialogue. The story was interesting and heartfelt. I wasn’t wowed by Racing Savannah, but I would still love to read the other books in the series. I haven’t read any of them except for this one, but each book has a new couple and story so they can be read separately.
The Bad
Savannah was okay for the most part, but she was so freaking judgmental against rich people. Sure, some of the rich people were pretty nasty or rude, but that doesn’t mean all rich people are like that. I just did not like the feel of this book with the whole poor vs. rich people vibe.
But what really bothered me was Jack. I couldn’t stand the guy. I in no way found him charming, sweet, or interesting. He acted charming but he didn’t fool me. He treated Savannah pretty badly, and he didn’t even know he was doing it. He just didn’t grow up with the right ideals, I think. But that didn’t give him the right to look down on people and treat them like an embarrassment. And he was so weak when it came to his father. I just didn’t respect his decisions. I would have felt a little better about him if he grew out of his narrow-minded thinking, but he didn’t. He literally was the same ass throughout the whole book until the last 8%, in which, miraculously, he grew a pair. Um, yeah, a little too late for me.
The Snuggly
Since I pretty much hated Jack, I wasn’t interested in the romance. I wanted Savannah to get a happy ending, but that’s about it. There is some sexual content. It’s more talked about than shown. It’s still YA, but not innocent in any way.
Final Thoughts
I was hoping for more with this book. I was disappointed with some of the characters, especially Jack, and with the romance, but I still enjoyed the story. The horse part was the best. I will still try out the other books in the series. Recommended.
“You are really pretty…” He drags a hand through his blond hair. “But you’re kind of like a great book…you know, you pick up a book at a bookstore because it has a beautiful cover…but it’s what’s inside that pulls you in.”
“I think you like me,” he says, grinning.
“You’re okay,” I tease.
“Just okay?” he murmurs, tickling me, making me squirm and laugh. “Just okay?’
“Fine,” I touch his cheek and return his gaze, feeling so many feelings. “I like you so much,” I say quietly.
Sarah Elizabeth
This one doesn’t appeal to me, I’m like the opposite of you – I’m not the biggest fan of horses, every time I’ve ever been around horses they’ve just wanted to lick me for some unknown reason. I must smell like a horse or something cause it gets really annoying! not sure if i’l bother with this one.
Jennifer Bielman
hahaha, I totally get that. Some animals just don’t appeal to me. I never liked cats, that is until a kitty made me adopt him. lol. Still like dogs better.
Ashley
Your review is pretty much insanely awesome, because I agree with it 100%! Literally. If each paragraph of your review was a checklist, I’d check them all off to mark them as “agreed”.
* Horses = YES YES YES!! I had no idea you were obsessed with horses too! This is aaaawesome.
* I totally felt bad for Savannah too, but mostly I just loved her love for horses.
* Rory and Vanessa – OMG YES! They stole the spotlight completely. I kind of wish the book was about them instead lol.
* Savannah was soooo freaking judgmental. God what was wrong with her. It annoyed the living shits out of me.
* Yeaaaah Jack definitely had room for improvement. I don’t quit eget why Savannah was so obsessed with him.
Awesome review! You completely nailed it. That’s awesome!
Let’s get rich off web design and buy horses. #newlifeplan
Ashley
Wow I said “awesome” way too much. My California-ness is starting to leak out.
Jennifer Bielman
Oh yeah, I am a horse girl. I totally watched Secretariat again after we talked, hehe.
And no worries, awesome is like the best word ever. 🙂
And I read your review again and yup, we pretty much said the same thing.
Braine TS
I think Ashley’s proposal is lucrative 😀
Anyway, as you obviously love horses, I’m thinking romances set around it isn’t really working well for you so far. Didn’t you just review another book with a similar theme a while back and also gave it a 3-star?
Jennifer Bielman
Umm, umm, thinking!!! I must have but I can’t remember. But you are right mixing love and horses is not quite working for me yet.
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I’m sorry the romance disappointed you. I own the first two books, but I can’t seem to find the time for them. I’m not overly fond of contemporary YA, so it’s no wonder I haven’t read them yet.
Great review.
Jennifer Bielman
I am a hit and miss with YA Contemp. I still enjoyed this book though.
Melanie
Ew judgemental people. Still happy you enjoyed this for most of the part!
Great review! <33
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, hate judgmental people. So over their attitude.
kimbacaffeinate
Great review, the horses appeal to me, and it sounds sweet, but I struggle connecting to YA contemp characters.
Jennifer Bielman
I kind of get that. I do find it harder to connect with YA characters too sometimes.