I was browsing the LGBTQIA section on NetGalley a while ago and the second I saw this (a sapphic books with riders, yay!) I knew I needed to read it. So, a huge thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the chance to read this ARC and provide my thoughts about it!

On NetGalley this is marketed as romance, which I was fully aware of when I started it. However, I wasn’t prepared for how explicit it was going to be. I personally wasn’t a fan of the sex scenes, but that’s because I’m not a fan of them in general. Other people will probably love those bits though!

My absolute favourite thing about this book was Lauren’s “author brain”. Sometimes I feel meh about reading about authors and readers, but this was a refreshing take on it. The moments where she started thinking “Hm, if I was writing this scene, what would I do?”, and the way she got carried away with the Marsh “case” - loved it!

However, I have some issues with a couple of comments in the book. (Slight spoiler warning?)

1. Jules has an androgynous look, and when Lauren first meets her she feels the need to “determine” her gender. She switches between using he and she pronouns in her head for a moment, until she decides that Jules must be a girl and go by she/her pronouns without any explanation.

2. In chapter 8 when they’re at the vet Lauren makes a comment to herself about BDSM. It felt very out of place.

3. When describing Dorine, a black woman, the phrasing is a bit odd. In chapter 20 she is described as “An African American”, which sounds very strange in its context. Now, since I’m Swedish, English isn’t my first language (just want to point that out) but the phrasing still caught me off guard.

4. Kate makes a comment about Maggie being mentally ill in chapter 23, as if that explains why she did what she did. This feeds into the stigma surrounding mental illness, that it’s something “evil” and makes you a bad person (which isn’t true). It was an unnecessary comment.

5. Not a specific comment, but still: as someone who loves horses and has ridden (in the past) for over 10 years, I was a bit uncomfortable at how aroused Lauren was by Marsh during riding lessons. Especially during her niece’s, where there were children present.

Let’s end this on a more positive note!

I loved how it weaved mystery and romance together. The mystery was genuinely interesting, and I wish there would’ve been more of it in the book. I also found the topic of control and letting go interesting, and how it connected to both of their pasts (also that they are both aware of their issues and actively try to get better).

2.5 stars rounded down. Not precisely my thing, but I’m certain that a lot of people are going to love it!

Holy hotness Batman! This book is sexy and hot from page one and never lets up until the end.
Marsh and Lauren have killer chemistry that will leave you feeling flushed with every encounter.

Lauren Everhart is a successful mystery thriller writer. She takes her visiting niece for horse back riding lessons at a local stable and meets Marsh Langston. Lauren is instantly infatuated with the aloof and in control Marsh and she signs up for private riding lessons. Marsh has an aura of mystery. As their attraction grows Lauren learns of a scandal in Marsh's past. It all becomes an inspiration for the next Everhart mystery.

I found this book very interesting to read. Another author could take the basic storyline and turn it into typical contemporary romance. Instead Leigh writes everything tightly from Lauren's POV. Her issues with control bring a darker edge or feel to the story. And the brooding overtones combining with a slightly predictable mystery turns it into a page tuner. I couldn't sleep till I finished the book. And if you are a horse person (I'm not) you will enjoy it on a whole other level.

I might have personally preferred a lighter book but the story is compelling. The heat factor is high. It takes a while to warm up and like both MC's. I did like that the characters themselves are self aware of their issues with trust and control. I was frustrated, much like Lauren, at the slowness in getting to know the real Marsh. (3.5 stars) Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books, Inc. for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.