Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Review: Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally

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I received this book for free from Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Racing Savannah by Miranda KenneallyRacing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally
Series: Hundred Oaks #4
Published by Sourcebooks Fire on December 3rd 2013
Genres: Contemporary, YA
Source: Sourcebooks Fire
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four-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…

I’ve come to expect a super sweet, romantic, and character oriented read when I pick up a Kenneally book and this is, again, exactly what I got from Racing Savannah. This one has its own charm that separated it from the others as it’s kind of like the “new generation” of this series. We see glimpses of our beloved characters from the other books who have now gotten a bit older and their relationships are moving ahead which was very exciting to see, and bittersweet because it made me miss them! 🙂

This time our wonderful protagonist is Savannah. She has a passion for horse racing – well horses in general – and a take-no-crap attitude that I loved. As a girl, she unfortunately get the expected chuckles and odd looks from the other hose jockeys, thinking she’s not tough enough to be a part of this sport. Well, she surely shows them! You can’t help but root for this girl! As usual, the side cast provides great personality to the book as well. While the other novels focused on either a sports team or a whole camp personnel, Racing Savannah brings us into the lives of the elite, and the help who work for them. I’m always fascinated by this rich side of society that I don’t often – or ever – encounter where I’m from. Live-in maids and farm help who are barely making ends meat, working for – and living with – a family who could buy a million dollar farm at a moment’s notice. I especially loved the dynamic between the workers; the “stick together” bond they all seem to have.

With that said, Savannah and the love interest, Jack, are from quite opposite spectrums. Plus, Jack being her boss was given a rule to never mingle with the staff – but you and I both know this never stops young love, right? *dreamy sigh*. I wasn’t sure what to make of Jack at first, thinking he would sustain the stereotypical snotty attitude that’s often associated with his status and social standing. Instead he quickly grew on me. His hesitations stemming from his need to show his dad he’s got what it takes to run the farm, not his monetary ranking. He also learns he has to stand up for what he wants. The romance has that great forbidden fruit vibe with a ton of chemistry, but it’s not all flowers and butterflies either. They both have to overcome obstacles built from their differences in class and realistic expectations of their futures – theirs and their parents’.

Fans of the series are sure to find themselves swooning over this newest installment in the Hundred Oaks series. Like the others, it’s not necessary to have read the prior books to fully understand this one. Though, it’s so much fun to see our old beloved characters from new angles, to realize everyone in this small town is all interconnected somehow, that I truly recommend reading this series as a whole.

four-stars

4 Hot Espressos

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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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18 Responses to “Review: Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally”

  1. Sam @ Realm of Fiction

    I’m glad to hear that Jack quickly grew on you. I’m definitely looking forward to reading this! I have Catching Jordan on my TBR pile and hope to get around to it by the end of the year. Then I can tackle the rest of the series. Great review, Giselle! 🙂

  3. Pili

    Like Sam, I have Catching Jordan in the TBR pile after reading your review for it, so hopefully I’ll get to read it soon and then catch up with the rest of the series.

    Great review, Giselle!

  5. Savannah

    I’m so excited to read another character named Savannah. I know it’s weir but when I read characters with the same name as I, its like its me in the book. Anywho…I think I’m going to love it. Awesome review.

  6. Esty @ Boarding with Books

    Sounds like an amazing book! I’ve heard a lot about the series but have yet to try them, hopefully one day soon(: Glad to hear that you didn’t find the male protagonist stereotypical, it sometimes can ruin a book for me.

  10. Molli

    I definitely cannot wait for this one! I’ve liked all of MK’s other books so I’m really excited for Racing Savannah. I love that you mentioned we get to see the other characters a little bit. YAY! And you have me so curious to meet this Jack. Another swoon-worthy love interest from MK! 😀

  11. Siiri

    The work-aid and the rich people’s thing reminds me a little of Abbi Glines’ Breathe. I always find Miranda’s writing relatable and very.. it makes you feel young and inspired. So.. I can’t really wait for Racing Savannah:) I love star-crossed lovers of any sort and especially in contemporary lit so that’s another thig to look forward to. I still have to read Things I Can’t Forget, but hopefully soon so I can enjoy all the amazingness that is Racing Savannah. So happy you liked it, Giselle:)

  14. Emily

    PIES FLYING EVERYWHEREEEE
    Whoops, sorry for that outburst >< But this one, along with all of Miranda Kenneally's works is what I desperately want to read!! I mean horses! HORSES. I love them and I used to ride a lot xD And combine horses with a good romance and then, LET ME GET MY HANDS ON THIS BABY NOW. Okay, yeah, sort of like that 🙂 I'm definitely going to take your recommendation and read the whole series ^^ Fantastic review, Giselle! <3

  15. Aylee

    This is so not my genre so I have not read this series, but whenever I read a review praising it, my resolve always loosens a little bit more! It sounds like MIranda Kenneally KNOWS how to write good romance and characters and on the rare day that I am looking for a romance, I want it to be an especially good one so I think the Hundred Oaks series would be a good place to look! Great review, Giselle, and thanks for encouraging me to read this!

  16. April

    I really need to catch up on these books. I’ve only read the first one. I love how her yellow boots match the lettering in the title.

  17. Alexa Y.

    I am so, so excited to read Racing Savannah! I finally read all of the Hundred Oaks books that are out this year, and enjoyed them. I can’t wait to read about Savannah’s story and see what Kenneally has brought to the table this time. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it!

  18. Aman

    Ooh, he’s her boss! That kind of romance is really HOT! Especially when there are these extra rules against. I’m in love with this story already! I don’t even know why I haven’t started this series because everyone I follow praises about it. I’m so glad you enjoyed this lasted installment. Great review!