| Title | : | Lucys Chance (Red Rock Ranch, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published April 13, 2013 |
Lucy has never attracted much attention from boys, but she can’t seem to ignore her blue-eyed co-worker, Casey Parker. A true cowboy, Lucy becomes enthralled by his gentle way with the horses at the Red Rock Ranch. However, she is very aware that Taylor Johnson, rodeo queen extraordinaire and blonde bombshell, already has her spurs in him. And, there’s no crossing Taylor.
. . . Not until a mysterious horse appears on the ranch and pushes Lucy and Casey together. The two are willing to do anything to save the black gelding that doesn’t want a thing to do with them . . . or the human race. But, every step forward with the once-broken animal makes Lucy fall harder – for him and for Casey.
Lucys Chance (Red Rock Ranch, #1) Reviews
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I enjoyed this YA story. Sure, the plot is a little predictable but it still gets the job done. If you love horses, it’ll be easy to put yourself in Lucy’s shoes and you’ll want the horse saved. The author captured the emotions that come with it: the horse’s fear of humans and enclosures, the MC’s thrill of slowly overriding them, the doubts of the outcome and the worries for the horse’s future to name just a few. In addition, there’s the young cowboy who wants to help both Lucy and Chance and the ones who may get in their way. A light and quick read that I would recommend for all family members (from middle grade to their grandparents and beyond) who share their love of horses.
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I really loved this book the passion Lucy has for Chance is really beautiful. Recommend giving it a read.
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I really enjoyed this book. It was a little bit choppy in some places, but it was definitely a really fun summer read.
Lucy gets summer job at Red Rock Ranch. She meets Casey, a handsome and kind cowboy. Unfortunately, Taylor Johnson, rich and talented, has her claws in him. When a wild horse comes out of nowhere, Lucy makes it her mission to whip him up into a ranch horse.
Lucy and Casey were pretty sweet characters. Both were hard workers and great people. Both are determined to save the black horse.
Unfortunately I had a bit of a problem with Taylor for most of the book. Taylor is a talented rider who is very competitive. She’s really possessive of Casey and is just cruel to Lucy for no reason. I really didn’t see the reasoning behind her behaviour in this book. I actually grew to like Taylor in the second book, but that’s another story. I wish that we were given a little more insight into Taylor a little earlier in the book. We do get to explore her character a little more later on in the book, but I would prefer to do this a little earlier on. In my experience, usually mean people have a reason for the way that they behave. Very rarely do you find someone who is truly cruel to others for no reason (and then there are chronically stupid self-centred people, but those people are a different story). Despite Taylor’s bad attitude, I found that I couldn’t really hate her. Joy does a good job of introducing a little depth in her later on, and her relationship with her horse Star is really lovely.
I really enjoyed the horse content in the book. There is definitely some jargon used in this book, so it might be a bit more challenging for non horsey people to read, but it’s definitely not impossible. Each horse had their own personality and Lucy’s relationship with the black horse was nice. There are definitely ups and downs but I think that it was rather realistic.
I loved the atmosphere of the ranch, but wish that there was a little more description about some of the guests (you can meet some very colourful people working with the public...). I can tell that Joy has spent time on ranches in real life.
The climax of the book was really exciting. I was glued to the page! I think that this part was nicely written and fun to read about.
The ending of the book was a little bit abrupt and I did spot a few minor typos. I think that those things can be worked out with a little more editing.
All in all, I enjoyed Lucy’s Chance quite a lot. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good, middle grade horse book.
3.5/5 stars (haha, I waffled between 3.5 and 4 stars for this but decided on 3.5 in the end, but rounded it up to 4 in Goodreads. Hmm, I guess Taylor just frustrated me at times...)
A copy was provided free of charge by the author in exchange for an honest review -
This is a wonderful, clean book for anyone crazy about horses and the bond between horse and rider.
From the back cover: Sixteen year old Lucy Rose is spending her first summer away from home and she has two things on her mind: an abandoned, violent horse and a blue-eyed cowboy. Only neither is hers.
Lucy has never attracted much attention from boys, but she can’t seem to ignore her blue-eyed co-worker, Casey Parker. A true cowboy, Lucy becomes enthralled by his gentle way with the horses at the Red Rock Ranch. However, she is very aware that Taylor Johnson, rodeo queen extraordinaire, already has her spurs in him. And, there’s no crossing Taylor.
. . . Not until a mysterious horse appears on the ranch and pushes Lucy and Casey together. The two are willing to do anything to save the black gelding that doesn’t want a thing to do with them . . . or the human race. But, every step forward with the broken animal makes Lucy fall harder – for him and for Casey.
When I started this book, I didn't realize is was more appropriate for teenagers, but the cute, courageous, and witty characters kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed it, in spite of the fact it was a book I would have read many, many years ago.
What I loved: The characters and the beautiful relationships between horse and rider.
What I didn't like: The plot was a little simple, and definitely predictable, but I enjoyed the story anyway. I would recommend it as an easy and fun read to anyone who loves horses and ranch living. -
16-year-old Lucy is working as a stable hand at Red Rock Ranch for the summer, which was definitely her dream job until she's facing down a loose baby steer. Baby cows are not as lovable and cuddly as they initially appear, and Lucy is left to ponder this after the steer knocks her on her butt and pretty cowboy Casey witnesses the whole thing. Welcome to Lucy's summer.
Never has a book successfully yanked me back to the days of Thoroughbred than Brittney Joy's Lucy's Chance. Lucy is a protagonist you want to root for as she starts settling into ranch life, learning what's expected of her and how to tentatively make new friends when you don't know anyone. Lucy's not exactly an extrovert, so when Casey catches a half-wild black horse during a trail ride, a perfect opportunity presents itself for Lucy. Get on the black horse's good side, start training it to be a ranch horse, and maybe she'll feel like she has a place here at Red Rock. Mix in some budding romance with Casey, an antagonist who can be redeemed, and Red Rock Ranch gets off to a strong start. I can't wait to see how the rest of the summer shakes out, so Brittney Joy better get busy writing.
This is a book I would happily recommend for the younger teen range, and will definitely call to fans of Heartland and the Phantom Stallion. -
Loved this book! Read it all in one sitting as I couldn't put it down. From the first few pages I was sixteen again, reliving those wonderful days when my whole world revolved around horses. Great pace, great characters, and plenty of fun plot twists to keep the story moving. Can't wait for the next book in the series!
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“Red Rock Ranch” is a beautiful love story between a girl and a horse.
Read full review in the
2014 March issue of InD’tale Magazine. -
Fun read with a likeable protagonist and supporting cast. I appreciated that the antagonist was not all bad - as characters in novels so often can be. A good page-turner and enjoyable read that I have added to my list of recommended horsy books.
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"A beautiful love story between a girl and a horse ... recommended to horse lovers and readers who have experienced the profound bond between an animal and a human being." - IND'TALE MAGAZINE
"Lucy is a very down to earth, genuine, and kind hearted young woman, learning not only about her beloved world of horses, but also the complexities of human relationships and how the bond she builds with Chance can help her to overcome the trials of transition from girl to young woman. A heart-warming tale of courage, rivalry and young love." - EVERYTHING HORSE UK MAGAZINE
This is the first book in my young adult series, Red Rock Ranch. I truly hope you enjoy!
XOXO, Brittney
Read here:
https://books2read.com/lucyschance
Add to GoodReads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... -
This is a perfect YA equestrian series which I really enjoyed. Well written, with a good pace and likeable main characters. This is the exact kind of book I loved to read when I was a teenager. The setting was beautiful and vividly described. The author built the connection with Lucy and the horse she saves Chance, in a lovely way, making a lively story and a page turner! Generally these books have a mean girl which in this case was Taylor. There were a few surprises in the book with Taylor which kept it interesting and I am interested to see where that dynamic goes in the future. The book is feel good and sweet, and I definitely recommend for teenagers or nostalgic horsey adults.
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Find this review and more at
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Final Grade: B+
Read Why below:
This read was a true summer beach book. It's a quick read about a sixteen-year-old girl finding her confidence and strengths. Lucy is a lover of horses and excited to be at the ranch for the summer working as a stable-hand. In the beginning she's trying to find her place among the people at the ranch--feeling a little alone and homesick. Until one day while out on a trail ride and a mysterious and dangerous horse appears. Casey is able to rope him down the mountain to the ranch where Lucy finds a connection with the black horse. After a few days she begins to gain his trust and Lucy finds a kindred-soul.
I really enjoyed seeing Lucy's struggle to gain the horse's trust and eventually have him riding in a race. Lucy's growth as a character came out really well as she worked with the black horse she perfectly named Chance. The novel seemed to focus more on Lucy and Chance then it really did with Lucy and Casey.
With Lucy and Casey's romance it was a little unclear at some parts. It really seemed like a one-sided affair from Lucy until close to the end. I never really saw any hints from Casey that he liked her. It was mostly him being nice to her and helping her out with Chance. The novel was written in first person so this could be a reason why Casey's interest in Lucy as more than a friend didn't come out as clear to the reader.
The only real problems I had with the novel were the ending and my overall interest. First, with the ending I felt it was cut very abruptly. I didn't find that the story actually closed. It was like 'oh wait it ended?' I had no idea the story was over until when I went to swipe to the next page nothing appeared. I was a little confused on why Joy would end the novel right at that moment. It seemed like something else needed to be said or shown to the reader.
Secondly, my overall interest in the novel was weak. Although it was a cute read, it isn't one I'd see myself rereading. I enjoyed the challenging-horse story line with a little romance thrown in, but it just didn't hold my interest in it to leave me wanting to revisit the story. It might be that the story just wasn't in my current genre or maybe that I've outgrown this type of story line. Either way it was a nice read that I would recommend to others. It just wasn't a comeback read for me. -
3.5 stars
I received this book via Goodread First Reads. This in no way affects my opinion.
This book was a fun 'summer' kind of read. It's happy, a bit predictable, with cute romance and horses.
I liked Lucy a lot. She was a relatable character; even thought I couldn't relate to some of her life experiences, her emotions were spot on. For example, her boy troubles with Chase. I'm sure a lot of girls will be able to relate to that.
Chance was a very interesting horse. I liked him, but at the same time, his storyline was a bit stereotypical. I knew what the outcome of the book would be before it came. It wasn't anything too new, though it was still enjoyable.
Taylor and Chase were okay secondary characters. I did like reading about them, but I felt that they were a bit stereotypical. Taylor was the mean girl we see so much of in YA stories; I thought that later, she got more of a personality beyond that, but it did start off that way. Chase was less of a cliche, but at times I felt he was a bit of the hot country boy character. The author fleshed them out enough that it wasn't a big annoyance as it normally would have been for me, though.
In spite of the predictablity, I still was turning page after page, and I think that says something. Even though I knew everything would turn out all right, I was still a little bit worried. The author managed to make everything very fun and exciting, despite the fact that the plot was a bit recycled.
I would recommend this; Red Rock Ranch: Lucy's Choice is a very fun story, and even though I had some problems with it, I still liked it a lot. Tween girls would probably like this book the most.
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Pre-read Thoughts (Not Part of Review)
I received this book via Goodreads First Reads and I can't wait to read it! Thanks very much to everyone who made this giveaway possible! :) -
An excellent horse story which made me laugh and get a little teary at time. I smiled on learning it's based in Oregon as I've a friend there, so it was a joy to read about the landscape as I could easily picture her there. Feeling familiar with the setting made me feel a bit familiar with the characters, even though it was the first time I'd met them. Taylor really got on my nerves, especially with how nice she wasn't to Lucy, who could have done with a bit more help on her first few days at the ranch. I felt sorry for her when things went badly, just because she was a hard worker and deserved a break. Chance keeps her busy, as do her feelings for Casey.
I focused more on Lucy learning the ropes on the ranch, as well as developing her relationship with Chance rather than her romance with Casey, which at times got a little bit annoying, but since I don't read specifically for romance that's ok. I've read a fair amount of horse books, and the equipment and activities involved in looking after horses and cattle were explained well in Lucy's story, so you can be a total newcomer and enjoy it. Lucy's love of animals is clear, and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner
http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co... -
This Young Adult book is a tremendous read! Lucy is thrilled to be helping out on a guest ranch when she turns sixteen, and summer stretches ahead of her. Can she cope with getting run over by cattle, and being called the help by a snobby young rodeo queen?
A black horse which is seemingly wild bursts out of the brush on a trail ride and another stablehand, Casey, manages to rope him and tug him down to the ranch buildings. If nobody claims the horse and he can't be trained, the ranch owner will sell him at auction. Lucy gets to know the strong black horse, calling him Chance, and she is convinced that he's just scared from ill-use and would make a great riding horse. But she has to prove it. And even when she has made progress, the outcome of a race might change everything.
I love the small horsey details which ring true; and the aspect of Lucy being made to feel inadequate by a young lady who has her eye on Casey. The text is in conversational language, just as Lucy thinks or speaks, so we get fully inside her head. The excitement of the race across the rugged countryside and staged obstacles makes for a spectacular finish. I can't wait to get started on the second book.
An ARC was sent to me for an unbiased review. -
A real feel good story of a girl and a wild mustang called Chance, that reminded me of the Black Stallion and Alec except in a cowboy environment. The imagery of the Oregon countryside was beautifully depicted and I now want to go have my own cowgirl adventure!
Written for a young teen to YA audience, the book has a sweet love story as a subplot and the final chapters had me gripping my Kindle in suspense. As far as characters go, Chance's personality really stood out and there was a nice parallel between him and Lucy both feeling out of place in the world, a theme which had me thinking of the Finmory series of Jinny and her wild Arab mare Shantih. And I thought Chance was really well named.
If I had to pick bones with the story it would be that I'd have liked to see more depth to the human characters, especially the villains (although having said that, I know from personal experience with ponies that there are people just like Taylor, mean and spoilt!) and there was sometimes confusion with past and present tense. But it didn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the book and I'd recommend it to any horse-loving girl. -
This is a must read for all horse-loving, nature orientated girls out there. From the first page on, the author pulls the reader into a very true to life ranch setting with vivid descriptions and a real ranch feeling.
Sixteen-year-old Lucy is thrilled to have a summer job on the ranch helping out with the animals and guests. Although she's been riding since she was ten, she quickly learns that there's more to ranch life than just riding horses. Not only is Lucy a very believable girl with realistic reactions, but everything surrounding her mirrors true to life animal behaviors and incidents fitting to such a rustic setting. She's not afraid to go hands on (something which at times brings her more than she bargained for) and has a nice pinch of spunk...never rude. The other characters weave nicely into the plot and are easy to love/hate as they enter the scene. This is the type of book a young teenage girl will refuse to set down until she's read it from beginning to end. I can only recommend this for younger YA girls (ages 11 to 16), who simply love horses and a terrific read.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. -
This YA novel is perfect for the young at heart horse lover. Lucy is 16 and working on a guest ranch as a stablehand, She is the type of girl more interested in spending time in the barn with horses than worrying about clothes or makeup. This summer job is a dream come true. The first day is a little shaky with an unexpected run-in with a steer. But things go smoothly until a seemingly wild black horse appears while on a trail ride. The horse is taken back to the ranch where he captures Lucy’s heart. She works to calm and eventually bond with him. It is a beautiful moment when the horse accepts her. This book is well written, enjoyable, and a quick read. It explores all the emotions and insecurities of a young girl on her own for the first time. There is even a young attractive cowboy that Lucy has a crush on and a rich talented cowgirl with her eye on the same cowboy. Everything wanted in a sto\ry is here especially action and most importantly, horses.
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Lucy is away from home for the first time, working a dream job at the Red Rock Ranch. There she becomes enraptured by an abandoned horse she rescues with the help of handsome blue-eyed cowboy, Casey. With his gentle ways he helps her tame the black horse, drawing the ire of the talented and rich Taylor who has her eyes set on the cowboy. Casey and Lucy will do anything to help the black horse, even teaming up with Taylor to do it.
This is a fun read with an enjoyable cast. I loved the introduction because it's quick and witty and really gives you a sense of the author's personality. The descriptions of the ranch and surrounding areas are phenomenal. The romance of the story is more surrounding Lucy and Chance rather than her and Casey. I found Lucy so relatable because of how she handles her attraction to Casey because she sees how Taylor feels about him. I also really loved the veiled references to popular horse book series throughout this and the following books. -
Lucy's Chance (Red Rock Ranch, Book 1) is a charming book that was a delight to read from cover to cover. Centered around horses and Lucy, the girl who loves them, the author thoroughly explores the bond, relationship and trust between horse and rider. Lucy's frustrations and joys are relatable and her crush on Casey is tender yet not smutty. Lucy's journey reminds me a bit of Wild Horse, Wild Ride (a documentary about training mustangs) and while reading the book, made me want to jump on my own horse and ride into the sunset.
Highly recommend this book to horse enthusiasts of all ages and riding disciplines. Looking forward to Lucy's next adventure!
-Rachael Eliker
Author of HEADED FOR THE WIN
Headed for the Win -
I LOVED Lucy's Chance. I can't believe how amazingly action packed the first few chapters were. I was instantly hooked on this horse book. Brittney Joy clearly knows the horse world and I enjoyed that the book went behind the scenes of what it would be like to work on a ranch. I felt connected to all the characters and appreciated that horses were just as important to the plot as the people. I galloped right out and bought the second book the minute I finished the first. I can't wait to find out what's next for Lucy. This fast and well-written read would make an excellent addition to any horse lover’s summer reading list!
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Great read for the summer! For all you horse lovers, this book won't disappoint. Lucy, is a lucky young gal who gets to work on a ranch for the summer. I can totally relate with the characters, they were well developed and interesting. There's an wily horse who needs a touch of love, cowboys, a dash of romance, and great adventure in terms of a horse race. I look forward to and hope there will be more adventures at Red Rock Ranch in the future!
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I enjoyed this book very much. As someone who used to work at a horse ranch, this book took me back to those summer days spent with the horses. For those who don't know much about horses, this book is a good read to get a peek into life on a ranch. I have a young daughter that already has an interest in horses, so I think I'll keep this one for her to read when she's older. Can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what else happens during Lucy's summer at Red Rock!
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Fun horsey read great for the teen and younger reader. Loved the heroine, Lucy, and her gorgeous black gelding, Chance. Loved the action scenes and tender moments between Lucy and Chance in the barn. Would have liked some more description of the ranch and it's buildings and land early on in the book as I've always dreamed of visiting a true American ranch. Also looking forward to learning more about Lucy's background in Joy's subsequent titles. A fun read by a very lovely author :)
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I really enjoyed this YA horse story. It was a quick read, well-written, and kept me engaged throughout. As a horse-lover myself, I appreciated Lucy's growing attachment to the rescued horse, Chance. While the storyline was a bit predictable at times, it did not prevent me from enjoying the story. This is a clean read that is appropriate for younger YA readers. I look forward to reading the next book in the Red Rock Ranch series.
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This was such a sweet book. It's targeted at the teenage age but I think it was a sweet story most between a girl and her horse. A descriptive word did confuse slightly however I really enjoyed it my only complaint was it ended. I wanted more especially of the love story that was only briefly touched. Good job!
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I really enjoyed this book. I wish the characters had been a little more developed, but for a novella, but the story line was excellent.
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It was great!
