★★★★★ 4
There are some issues, but overall, this is a good book!
Format: Paperback
3.5 stars.
I have always enjoyed Jennifer Dugan's writing, so I was excited to read "The Ride of Her Life." This is a sapphic fish-out-of-water, angst-ridden romance between two polar opposite protagonists thrust together after tragedy strikes. Molly has just inherited a commercial horse barn from her estranged aunt (her mom's sister). It is the best thing that has happened to her in a while, and while she's sad about her aunt's passing, she sees this inheritance as a huge life change and a way to make her dreams a reality. Shani is the farrier who lives on the compound. She also helped take care of Molly's aunt in the last days of her life. Shani thought *she* was going to inherit the barn from Molly's aunt, especially since she worked there for years and is full of experience when it comes to running the place. The longer Molly stays at the property, the more she connects to the area, the animals, and the people her aunt loved, cared for, employed, and valued. At constant odds with one another, Molly and Shani are essentially rivals and enemies. Shani doesn't want Molly to sell the property, but Molly needs to pay off her student loans and get her business off the ground. Will they eventually see eye to eye? What you will find in this book is a relatively quick, fun read that is offset by its heavier themes. Unlike "Love at First Set," the balance between seriousness and levity didn't quite mesh as well for me. I liked the enemies-to-lovers vibes in this book, that aspect is handled really well! This leads to a lot of pining and tension between Molly and Shani early on, which sets the stage for some epic steaminess in the latter portion of the book. Unfortunately, what you will *also* find here is a *metric ton* of miscommunication, so if you're not into that trope, stay away from this book. I also wish I had known more about Shani. Her exposition and backstory feel very scant compared to Molly's. We know she has a lot of trauma from when she was younger, but that's about it. Nothing is expounded upon too tremendously. Another thing that stood out to me is how it is repeatedly mentioned that Molly has made it a habit of getting lost in her past relationships. Molly falls fast and jumps in head-first. There's no real indication that her dalliance/tryst/potential relationship with Shani is any different just because they shared some deep confessional moments. Molly's still just turning herself into a horse girl to satisfy Shani's career even though she loves everything antithetical to that lifestyle because..... love? S3x? Both? Finally, while I am satisfied with the ending where the two protagonists are concerned, it feels like there is little resolution between Molly and her best friend Nat, and between Molly and her mother. Still, there is a lot to like about this novel!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024
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