Sonora
A Novel
by Jenni L Walsh
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Pub Date Oct 28 2025 | Archive Date Nov 28 2025
HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse
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Description
"This one's for the horse girls, the girls who fell in love with Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken and hoped someday they'd be like the fearless, determined, strong Sonora Carver whose love and belief in her horses made her an icon." --Joy Callaway, international bestselling author
Inspired by a true story of one of the first female horse divers, Sonora explores a world of daring feats and extraordinary adventures set in the heyday of the American carnival scene.
Sonora Webster is penniless but plucky, and despite the looming Great Depression, she follows her wanderlust, answering an advert to dive with horses. Little does she know that she is about to be thrust into a world teeming with danger, excitement, and fierce competition.
As Sonora delves into the cutthroat world of show business, complete with trapeze aerial acts and juggling bears, her undeniable talent and unwavering dedication propel her into the limelight, making her a sensation, and after marrying the show runner, her entire life becomes their act and their horses. But she soon learns that a diver--and her horse--are only as good as their last show, a show some are hellbent on shutting down. When a tragic accident changes her life forever, can Sonora muster the courage to climb the forty-five-foot tower and dive again, risking her life to save the show and their horses from falling into the wrong hands?
In Sonora, Jenni L. Walsh vividly captures the spirit of a brave woman who defied societal norms to follow her dreams, diving into the unknown with courage and resilience.
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781400246779 |
PRICE | $18.99 (USD) |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

I loved the movie Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken but enjoyed Sonora's memoir even more. I went into this book hoping I would enjoy it just as much, and I'm happy to say that I did. I felt it captures Sonora Webster's spirit far better than the movie did. Also, Sonora's relationship with Al is much better developed here, making it feel more real and making it sweeter at the same time. And Arnette, barely mentioned in the movie, is here too. Not only was this book closer to real life than the movie, but this book also moved me more emotionally. I was in tears several times. The ending hit the perfect note. The author's comments at the end of the book were excellent too. Highly recommend. I will definitely be adding this to my library.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the early read.

This book gave me a massive hangover. Like many kids in the 90s I fell in love with the Disney version of this story Finding out the real story made this story even better Jennifer Walsh is a master at giving a voice to those who need to speak

Wow. This book was phenomenal. Jenni L. Walsh has a real talent for isolating strong women in history and telling their stories in a way they've never been told before. Sonora is no exception. For fans of Wild Hearts can't be Broken, or anyone who wants a story of passion, determination, and heart . . . this is it.