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Author: Lauren Brooke

Rating: 4 stars

Genre: Contemporary

Series Synopsis (found on goodreads): This powerful series follows Amy Fleming through the loss of her mother and her struggle to continue the work at Heartland-a refuge for abused and abandoned horses.

The Short Version:

Twenty. Books.

TWENTY. BOOKS.

I don’t usually read series this long, but since I could read 2-3 books each day (one on the train ride TO uni, one on the train ride FROM uni and then sometimes another when I got home), I decided it would be worthwhile.

I was not mistaken.

I can definitely see why 12-year old Cassie loved these books.

The Long Version:

In January, I discovered that there was a TV series based on a book series that I’d read when I was younger.

In case it isn’t obvious, that series was Heartland.

Heartland

I immediately began watching the series, and I was loving it. However, I knew there were some differences between the show and the books…I was sure I could remember other characters that weren’t there, and certain storylines that happened that weren’t happening.

So, in order to prove to myself that I wasn’t crazy, I ordered my sister to make haste to her school library (which was the library I originally borrowed the books from) and borrow out the books for me, so that I could reread them.

I then proceeded to go on a very emotional ride through these 20 books. I knew it would be heart-breaking (the series does start with the death of Amy’s mother, after all), but I was not prepared for just how much this series would impact me emotionally.

I mean, when I was 12, sure. But I’m 22 now. And yet, there I was, reading the last book on the train ride home from uni, sobbing my eyes out.

And that was not the first time that had happened.

This all being said, as I was reading I could tell that it was meant for a younger audience. The writing and the characters made it obvious, but that didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the series.

The TV Show:

Despite the many, many differences the TV show has to the books, I have been loving it. Though I’m not 100% sure why they felt the need to change 75% of the names (mainly surnames).

In Conclusion:

A good series, aimed at younger readers, but still a very emotional experience for me.