2.5!

I loved troyden and the found family aspect of this, and really enjoyed reading about a sport different to the usual football/hockey/baseball.

I didn’t really vibe with the book as a whole though-I hate mentions of religion in books so the whole mum side plot wasn’t for me.

Jed’s furniture side hustle could have been explored further I feel, and I think the fraudster side plot went from so important to just fixed too quickly.

Jed and Eden seemed like they could be good and the chemistry was building nicely and then they came together so abruptly it was a bit jarring.

I’m putting this couple in the “I give it a year” category.

I ended up DNFing this book despite thinking it is a good book overall, so I wanted to briefly go into that. There are a few reasons, one not relating to the book is that my 16 year old cat was put down. This meant I wasn’t able to concentrate as I usually would. Hence, one of the reasons for DNFing being that it was just a bit too slow at the start for me to engage with at the moment. I am going to try again with reading it in the next month or so, and if I do better I will read and review appropriately. I just didn’t want you to be waiting.

I love a sports romance but this is the first time I've read one about polo!

Eden Ellis visits Elmsleigh House estate in search of Troyden, who she recently found out is biologically related to her on her father's side. In order to blend in, she attends a polo match and becomes quite taken with one of the players - Jed.

Troyden is a rich man with a plethora of ex-wives and has created a found family of sorts with his ex-wive's children who are now all grown up, one of those being Jed.

I enjoyed this book, especially the dynamic between the siblings and accepting Eden into the family. You also have the drama aspect with regards to Eden's previous job which does relate to the family, and also Jed's parentage.

Eden has not had an easy life and a complex relationship with her mother so it was beautiful to read about her not only being accepted but also opening up and trusting others.

I liked this book. I loved all the step siblings that became a real family. If Wood writes the story of Mick and Henry, I'd be interested in reading that. It was a fun read, but nothing too exceptional.

The publisher summary of Riding High sounded very interesting, but the story never really drew me in. Eden is isolated from her family, and wants to meet her uncle Troyden, who is very rich and powerful. She heads to a polo match at his estate to scout the territory. While there, she has an allergy attack, meets a handsome if enigmatic polo player, and gets to know her uncle and the rest of the family.

This is a romance, but the characters lack chemistry and I didn’t feel their connection. Jed falls instantly in love with Eden, but their love story didn’t really work for me. The relationship progression throughout the book was uneven and didn’t always make sense: for example, they would ignore each other followed by a love scene.

I had a hard time getting invested in any of the characters. Eden’s search for her family was well-intentioned, but her fixation on Korean culture was annoying. Jed was selfish and immature, with mood swings typical of an adolescent, not a 35 year old successful athlete. The rest of the characters and the plot fell flat for me. The plot was too predictable, with little depth.

The pacing felt slow to me, and the writing style overall didn’t click with me. There were too many pop culture references, and the events of the story didn’t always make sense. I hoped for a sports romance full of flirty banter, chemistry, and polo matches, but the book fell short.

Thank you to Joss Wood, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

If you don't mind reading a book in the 3rd person this is a fun, quick read. While it didn't blow me away, the story was fun and easy to follow. This would be a good summer vacation read.

I just couldn't finish the book because it was written in third person. I find it really hard to get into the story because of it. But this is just a personal matter.

I love a sports romance and was super excited to read something different from the normal hockey/f1 romances I tend to gravitate too and I love that this is focusing on polo as one of my all time loves are also horses.

Riding High was a bit of a mixed bag for me! I had a fun time but struggled with the insta-lust and cringed an awful lot at the spicy scenes but if you can get past that it's quite a charming story of two characters who are both searching for belonging and I loved the family dynamics within Elmsleigh House.
I adored Eden's uncle Troyden. He's a good egg all round, and tbh he made this book for me.

I also think having Eden fall in love with Jed, a Polo player whilst she's allergic to horses, offered a fun, different take on typical romance.

There's scandal galore in this one, and tbh I enjoyed this and Eden and Jed's backgrounds and their messy family history more than the romance.

Overall, this had great potential and fell slightly flat for me in some places, but I think if you're looking for an easy read that is a little different, then you might enjoy this one.

Riding High
by Joss Wood

I have read several books by Joss Wood over the last few months, and I must say I really enjoy them. Each story offers a delightful escape with vibrant characters that truly shine throughout the story. The latest addition, "Riding High," is a lighthearted romantic comedy set against the backdrop of a sprawling British estate owned by a charming billionaire, intertwining the thrills of polo with a heartfelt journey of self-discovery.

Eden Ennis has always felt like a bit of a loner. Growing up in an emotionally neglected household, where her mother’s treatment of her was the same as that of the foster children she would take in, differences left deep scars. Eden yearns for a family that embraces her, providing the warmth and love she has always sought. Driven by a desire to connect with her roots, she embarks on a quest to find her uncle Troyden, someone she has only learned about through a surprising DNA test that revealed familial ties she never knew existed. To her astonishment, she discovers that he uncle had a very close bond with his stepchildren, who have formed a tight-knit family despite their unconventional circumstances.

Jed Harris, a ruggedly handsome man with a complicated past, is one of Troyden Castle’s many former stepchildren, a product of his uncle's numerous marriages. When Eden first encounters him at the estate, her nerves get the best of her; she sneezes unexpectedly and immediately faints, causing quite the stir. Jed, known for his loyalty to his uncle and his protective nature over the family dynamic, is initially suspicious of this new arrival. He questions her intentions and wonders what role this mysterious woman will play in the already intricate tapestry of their lives.

As the story unfolds, the chemistry between Eden and Jed ignites, blending humour, tension, and the exploration of what it truly means to feel loved and accepted in a family. With themes of belonging and the complexities of relationships, "Riding High" promises an engaging read that will keep readers laughing and rooting for these characters as they navigate the highs and lows of love and family.

Eden feels like she doesn't belong. When she has the chance to meet part of her paternal family, she takes it, which is how she meets Jed. I enjoyed this escapist read in the glamorous world of billionaires and polo. It's an easy read that immerses you in the characters and setting, making it a perfect beach read. It explores family and what this means, identity and love in all its forms. It has an eclectic cast of characters, a conflicted romance and family drama. Both protagonists have identity and trust issues, and their relationship helps them to work through these. I like the characters, the humour, and the romance.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Riding High had all the ingredients for a fun, jet-set romance—luxury ranch setting, broody hero, and a bold, career-driven heroine. I liked the dynamic between the two leads, and there was a decent amount of chemistry between them, especially in the flirty banter and tension-filled moments.

That said, I found myself wanting a bit more emotional depth. While the setup was promising, the characters felt a little underdeveloped at times, and I didn’t feel fully invested in their relationship or growth. The pacing was also a bit uneven—some parts dragged while others wrapped up too quickly.

If you enjoy category romances with glamorous backdrops and alpha heroes, this might hit the spot. But for me, it was a solid but not standout read.

Riding High by Joss Wood is pure escapist joy—think posh estates, swoony polo players, secret inheritances, and just the right dash of drama. Eden is totally out of her element when she shows up at Elmsleigh House claiming to be the long-lost niece of a billionaire, and I loved watching her navigate the world of high society. And Jed Harris? Swoon. He’s the broody, horse-riding, emotionally guarded stepson who definitely wasn’t ready for Eden—or her accidental charm. Their banter, the slow burn, the tension—so good!

Riding High by Joss Wood is a glamorous, emotionally layered romance set in the English countryside. Eden Ennis arrives at Elmsleigh House claiming family ties, only to clash—and spark—with polo star Jed Harris. Their chemistry sizzles amid secrets, trust issues, and family drama. Wood balances passion with heartfelt character growth, making the story both fun and meaningful. It’s a compelling escape filled with charm, heat, and high society intrigue.

Here's what I liked - it was a rich horse rider book but with Polo riders versus rodeo. I liked that there was a found family trope and some banter with enemies to lovers vibes. It was interesting that our main character found herself allergic to horses in a world surrounding the equestrian lifestyle.

The plot was decent but at times felt a little slower paced. There were also a few side stories that I would've liked to have either been cut out or told more in depth. I don't always love the miscommunication type trope in the 3rd act and this one felt a bit more like an over-reaction.

I'd say this is a 3.25-3.5 ⭐ read - some might love it more though!

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Riding High by Joss Wood is a fun and engaging romance that delivers plenty of charm and heart. The story has a great mix of humor, chemistry, and emotional moments that kept me turning the pages.

The characters are lively and well-drawn, with believable flaws that made their connection feel genuine. The setting adds a nice backdrop that complements the story without overwhelming it.

While the plot is fairly straightforward, the author’s warm writing style and strong character dynamics make it an enjoyable read. It’s a perfect pick if you’re looking for a light yet satisfying romance.

A solid 4 stars from me!



❤️shaye.readss

As a huge fan of sports romances, I was genuinely excited to read something a bit different from the usual football/hockey tropes. A story with depth, a unique setting, and two characters searching for belonging? It had potential.

Unfortunately, the book didn’t quite work for me. Despite a promising premise and a few charmingly flirty scenes in the beginning, the pacing felt flat, and I struggled to stay engaged. The chapters were long, and while I usually don’t mind that, the story didn’t hold enough emotional tension or momentum to keep me invested.

The dual POVs and the third-person narration were well-handled, and I did appreciate Troyden’s character – his presence brought warmth and added something meaningful to both protagonists’ journeys. However, the chemistry between the leads felt underdeveloped, the story might’ve worked just as well as a spice clean romance.

Both main characters had complex relationships with their families, which could have been a strong emotional anchor, but I found myself wanting more depth!

Riding High by Joss Wood was a very enjoyable read. The author’s writing style was great—easy to follow and engaging—and their storytelling ability was impressive. The pacing of the plot was straightforward yet captivating. I really liked the characters and found myself invested in their journeys from early on in the book. The characters faced real-world issues, such as family problems and struggles to find one's place in the world, and the author handled these with great care.

While the book revolves around horses and the sport of polo, readers unfamiliar with either of these will find that it doesn't hinder the enjoyment of the story. I loved this book from start to finish and will definitely be looking out for more of Joss Wood's work.

Thank you to the publishers, author and Netgallery for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. Check out @brydzandherbooks for more bookish content and reviews.

Riding High is a romance set on the estate of a British billionaire polo player. It involves family secrets, mismanagement of funds from a charitable foundation, and two characters with enough emotional baggage to fill an airplane.
Eden Ennis is a young lady who was emotionally neglected by her mother, who took in foster kids. Eden never knew her father and is surprised when she learns that her uncle is billionaire Troyden Castle. She gets a job with a charitable foundation which is primarily funded by Mr. Castle and works very hard for six years. Eventually she realizes that the couple who run the foundation are embezzling money, so she reports them to the authorities. While they investigate, she cannot discuss the situation and is unemployed. She decides to finally visit the Elmsleigh House estate that her uncle owns, hoping to get a glimpse of him in person. Unfortunately she sees her former employers, so she hides in the stable, where is discovered by a handsome man.
Jed Harris is one of Troyden Castle’s many former stepchildren, from his many failed marriages. While Troyden was a bad husband and ruthless businessman, he is a pushover to his kids and maintains strong relationships with all of them. Jed is a professional polo player and is participating in a preseason match for fun. When he’s in the stables, he spots a beautiful woman hiding in there. When she sees him, she sneezes and then immediately faints. Jed is suspicious of this woman, and his first loyalty is to Troyden, who all of the stepchildren are protective of.
Jed and Eden begin a relationship, but neither trusts the other because of past emotional hurts. Eden is afraid to reveal her true identity as Troyden’s niece, and then information leaks about the investigation into her former employer and the embezzled funds. Jed has to decide who he believes, and Eden has to let others in.
Riding High isn’t the lighthearted romantic comedy that I expected. There’s a lot of heavy subject matter, and both Jed and Eden have a lot of emotional baggage. The story is more character development with themes of self-love and family love than romantic love. The descriptions were so clear that it was like watching a movie, and the characters’ emotions were very authentic. I especially liked the camaraderie between Troyden’s many stepchildren. Overall I enjoyed Riding High , even if it wasn’t a lighthearted romp.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
* Found family
* Grumpy x Sunshine
* Slow burn
* Forced proximity

Thank you to NetGalley, Joss Wood, and One More Chapter for this eARC!

Their first kiss is so fiery and steamy! He couldn’t deny her anymore and I LOVED that he initiated it so suddenly (even if it was brutally ended 🤦🏻‍♀️). They’re passionate and lustful at first, but as the story progresses, so does their connection. They both have emotional trauma and while it causes tension for them, it also brings them closer as they understand each other better. It helps them open up and eventually trust each other and the feelings they have for one another. His declaration was perfect and I absolutely swooned! 🥰

I teared up with Eden as she described her feelings of never being first for someone. Troyden especially made me so happy because he truly cared about her, even with years of not knowing her. That kind of unconditional care was very sweet and I enjoyed the found family Eden finds at Elmsleigh. ❤️

this book was a brilliant read. The plot was emotional. Eden was struggling to find her place in the world, she just wanted to be seen. I loved the meeting between Jed and Eden, it was so well written. I enjoyed the development of the relationships between the different characters. the ending was so enjoyable and i loved the found family vibes of this book.