The Book Was Better

Aspiring jockey Gracyn Lane has moved from one foster home to the next, and by 20 she's had enough. When she discovers that her birth mother may actually be the respected Anna Shaw, a stable owner a few towns over, she sees an opportunity to reap revenge on the mother who abandoned her, while also giving her a new job and place to live. What she doesn't expect is for Anna and her friends to be so kind and welcoming to a stranger -- and filled with secrets of their own.  This was a great read and a stunning debut! I love Foxe's skill with showing rather than telling -- though I did occasionally feel like there was a secret I wasn't being let in on; a presumption of knowledge I didn't have. The relationships were complicated and dynamic, with unforgettable characters and a stunning Australian backdrop. The "shop talk" was immersive and didn't feel overdone. I did feel like Gracyn was a bit too easily swayed by a stranger, but the emotional depth made up ...