I read Merindah Park (Book 1 Merindah Park) back in April and really enjoyed it, so I was keen to revisit the Bassett family and the world of horseracing. Book 2 Making Her Mark is Rachel's story, Rachel is a female jockey who has to fight for every ride due to ongoing sexism within the racing industry. This is an industry where things are improving and as Renee explains, one of the few where male and female riders are considered equal on the field, just not always with owners and trainers.

 Rachel has many emotional issues to deal with throughout this novel, some present issues and some from when she was 16 back in her hometown that she's never really dealt with, but to move forward, she will have to do just that. Rachel's sexuality is part of the issue she has never dealt with, and while she completely accepts who she is now, there's part of her that can't get over the way she was treated as a teenager by small-town minds.

Rachel reconnects with an old school friend Allira and her brother Jacob, and the sparks fly between Rachel and Jacob immediately. Jacob is an AFL player who is hot, strong and stubborn. Both fight the connection they feel towards each other until they can't fight it anymore. It is definitely not a smooth journey to happiness for these two and there are plenty of ups, downs, misunderstandings, and changing of minds (especially on Rachel's part). The journey may not be smooth, but it is most definitely hot and steamy.

There is an element of intrigue in this storyline with a potential punting scheme that Jacob asks Rachel to look into on behalf of his teammates. Once again Renee Dahlia does a great job of educating me about the ins and outs of the horse racing industry and I have great respect for the work that jockey's put into their career.

Thanks to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for providing me with a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

This was a fun read and a cute summer romance.
Great character development.  Enjoyed learning about the sport of horse racing.
Looking forward to more books by this author.
Thanks Escape Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

As posted on my blog: 

REVIEW

Making Her Mark by Renee Dahlia

Merindah Park #2


I remember reading horse stories when I was young and loved them. I have read a few as an adult but not nearly as many as I would like to. This is not REALLY a horse story but more a story of a young woman who is a jockey and how she has chosen to live her life. She is strong, aware, focused, complex and interesting. Rachel Bassett  is a woman in a profession that is predominately male and often feels passed over when jockeys are chosen based entirely on being a female.


When she and her girlfriend breakup publicly after a huge race in which she had a big win a friend from high school, Allira, steps in and offers her a place to stay. While there she meets Allira’s’ older brother, Jacob Mullagh, and there is instant attraction. Since both Rachel and Jacob are focused on their professional goals they do their best, for awhile, to avoid acting on the chemistry.


This book taught me more than I thought it would. I learned more about racing, jockeys, betting and how attraction works in a person who considers themselves bi. At the back of the book there was historical and other pertinent information related to the history of Australia, horses in racing, jockeys and other fascinating tidbits.


Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more by this author? Definitely

What would I like to see in future books of this series? Allira’s story, Rachel’s twin Serena’s story and a few others.


Thank you to Harper Collins Escapea Publishing Australia and NetGalley for the ARC – This is my honest review.


5 Stars


BUY LINKS

https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781489279354/making-her-mark-merindah-park-2/



About the Book

A brand-new Merindah Park story about second chances and risking it all for love.

Rachel Bassett

I left the family horse stud behind at 16 to pursue a career as a jockey. I've been killing it in a male-dominated industry, and now all my hard work has paid off-my first group one win, the biggest success of my career. But I'm not celebrating. My girlfriend just dumped me in front of a crowded pub, and now I don't even have a home to go to. The only saving grace is Allira, who I haven't seen since school, who has offered me a place to stay. If only her hot-as-hell brother would stop visiting-I'm swearing off relationships, with men and women alike, to focus on my career.

Jacob Mullagh

I might be a top AFL player, but what I really want to do when my footy career is over is open up my own law firm. My teammates call me 'Lawless', but I'm anything but. I work hard to keep my public image sparkling clean; for the sake of my football career and my long term future. But now my foolish friends, and that woman-that stunning, bold, brash, athletic, beautiful woman staying at my sister's house-are going to put it all in jeopardy. I can't risk my reputation for the sake of the ones I love ... can I?


READ A SAMPLE:


https://aerbook.com/books/Making_Her_Mark_Merindah_Park_2-221435.html?social=1&retail=1&emailcap=0&imprint=harpercollinsauz




Author Biography


Renee Dahlia is an unabashed romance reader who loves feisty women and strong, clever men. Her books reflect this, with a side-note of dark humour. Renee has a science degree in physics. When not distracted by the characters fighting for attention in her brain, she works in the horse racing industry doing data analysis. She writes for two racing publications, churning out feature articles, interviews and advertorials. When she isn't reading, Renee wrangles a husband, four children and volunteers at the local cricket club.

https://www.harpercollins.com.au/cr-149678/renee-dahlia/

twitter: @dekabat

http://www.reneedahlia.com/

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.   Thank you NetGalley.

Making Her Mark was an easy read.     This would make a great beachy/summer read for anyone that likes romance.          The characters were well-developed.    The book was easy to follow and read.  I'll definitely read more by this author.