I received a free copy of, Windy Creek Stables: Harper and the Horse Show Sabotage, by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book two in the Windy Creek Stables series. Harper is excited and nervous to compete in a horse show with her new team, including her new friend Presley. Harpers horse Isolde becomes sick, then another horse on her team becomes sick, what is happening? Harper has a mystery to solve, and a horse show to win! This was a good read, overcoming nervous, and jealous people, are good skills to have.

A fun follow up in the Windy Creek series. The complaint about "wokeness" is ridiculous - the horse industry is more diverse than stereotypes would have people believe and that should be reflected on the page. Equestrians of color and young queer riders will find much to like in this series.

This is my second one from Kaitlyn Sage Patterson and I have already come to love her writing. As someone who loved horses growing up, I think Patterson got most of the horse details just right. The story has the perfect amount of suspense to keep middle school readers hooked- I know my middle school self would’ve devoured it. The mystery is fun, the characters are likable and the friendship between Harper and Presley is sweet and real.

I also appreciated the attempt at inclusion. It didn’t feel forced to me, even though I know some fellow colleagues in the book/media circle felt differently. For me, it fit naturally into the story.

Overall, this book is great for the age group it’s meant for, but I think even older kids will enjoy it too. A fun, well-written read with heart, horses, and a bit of detective work... What’s not to love?

Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for the ARC!

A modern but still gentle horse story. It would've been nice to have some more illustrations, but the chapters are nice and short and the story moves quickly.

Thank you for the ARC. I will purchase for my library.

Overall a cute horse story sure to please animal lovers. At times I felt like the book was a little too "woke" for my taste. I think a book doesn't have to include every single societal trope at once in order to be inclusive. I liked how the book felt like a modern-day version of the Saddle Club, and I'm sure parents who loved that series growing up will enjoy passing down that enthusiasm in a new way with the Windy Creek Stables series.