Scrolling through Twitter recently, I was intrigued by the unusual cover of Rafferty Lincoln Loves. And when I saw author Emily Williams was looking for reviewers, I asked to join the Blog Tour straightaway. YA? Tick. Horses? Tick. How could I resist?
Rafferty Lincoln Loves
Blurb: Four teenagers. A missing racehorse. Rumours. Secrets. Lies. Rafferty Lincoln doesn’t like horses. Not one bit. But when the girl of his dreams, Liberty Ashburn, pulls him headfirst into a world of lead ropes and horse brushes, who is he to say no? Except this isn’t any old horse. This is the missing racehorse, Profits Red Ridge. The horse Rafferty and three of his friends are hiding from the world. And Liberty Ashburn isn’t just any ordinary high school girl. How far will Rafferty go to win her over?
Rafferty Lincoln Loves is on Goodreads. With a foreword from retired jockey, Frankie Dettori, the proceeds from the novel will be donated to the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre. The BTRC is the UK’s first charity dedicated to ex-racehorse welfare, retraining, rehoming and protection for life.
About the author: Emily Williams lives by the seaside in West Sussex with her family and a menagerie of small pets. After graduating from Sussex University with a BA in Psychology, Emily trained as a primary school teacher and teaches in a local school. Rafferty Lincoln Loves is her second novel. You can visit www.emilywilliamsauthor.blogspot.co.uk, or chat to her on Twitter @EmilyRMWilliams.
First impressions
I’m a big fan of YA books, as I think some of my previous reviews will bear testament. And I was raised on a diet of pony books (the Pullein-Thompson sisters’ novels being particular favourites, along with National Velvet and Fly-by-Night). So the plot revolving around the accidental discovery of an escaped racehorse and the teenage shenanigans that ensue was cosily familiar.
The themes of growing up, crushes, bullying, loyalties, insecurities, friendship groups, social standing, and the pressures of being a teenager are all explored. How far do you have to go to remain the cool girl or boy? Or to be accepted by them? And what happens to those children who are never accepted and always ostracised (at best) or assaulted (at worst)? Liberty’s payback on Rafferty was, I feel, deserved because he allowed people to believe something that wasn’t true. But Dexter’s treatment was on a wholly different and undeserved level.
The book was an easy read and ticked along nicely until the last 40 pages or so when it suddenly kicked up a gear and galloped (!) towards a denouement that I didn’t see coming. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but it certainly took me by surprise. “If only” certainly is a cruel thing, and the destructive power and speed of rumours are lessons that can never be learned often enough – especially in today’s social media-ruled world.
Would I recommend it?
I would have bought and read this book just to support the BTRC to be honest – but I loved it! It took me back to my teenage years and owning ponies. And stirred certain memories from my own school days that made me smile (skinny dipping and camping) and wince (bullying) in equal measure. Don’t forget to check out what my fellow Blog Tour reviewers thought of the book too – see below:
Big thanks to Emily for a copy of the book (and the gorgeous origami horse bookmark, which my daughter keeps trying to pinch!). I really enjoyed Rafferty Lincoln Loves. And I really hope it sells lots of copies and raises lots of money for the BTRC.
Sounds like a wonderful book! I’ve now bookmarked this post 😀
It’s really good, an easy read but with a lot going on – highly recommended! x
This book sounds interesting Lisa. I already have a series going on, but will check this one for later reads. Will also ask my son I think he will like it too. 🙂
I really enjoyed it – I think your son might like it too, it’s written from a teenage boy’s perspective so … 🙂 x
I keep seeing this title on my blog feed but this is the first review I have read and it sounds great! I love a YA book myself and this sounds like a fantastic one! Loving the bookmark too how cute it that! Thanks for a great review Lisa ?
Melanie | http://www.frasersfunhouse.com
I really loved this book, the ending took me completely by surprise! I also love that all profits are going to support ex racehorses too, I’d definitely recommend getting hold of a copy 🙂 xx
At first glance I thought this was a book on origami. The horse bookmark is such a lovely touch! I tried origami at the weekend and I know how hard it is ha ha. I like the sound of this book, especially as it takes you back to your teenage years. It would be a great one to bring back all those memories! Great review Lisa, thanks for sharing! xx
Oh, origami, it completely boggles my brain. Flora was given a set a couple of years ago and I just couldn’t crack half of them, which bearing in mind it was for kids…!!! Anyway, yes, this book did stir up plenty of memories, mostly good, but enough bad to make it resonate too. It’s a great book, I think, not just for YA 🙂 xx
This book sounds like something I would enjoy. I love books that take to back to certain time in your life. My reason I actually read a few YA books. Great review!
Thank you 🙂 I love YA books. I know they’re usually dismissed as easy reading but sometimes that’s what we need with hectic work and family lives. And I find many of them really absorbing and engaging too. Do let me know if you read this one and what you think! x
I’m not usually into YA but lately I’ve been looking for a few easy reads so naturally YA books keep cropping up. This actually sounds like something I’d enjoy. You have me intrigued about the ending now! x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
That’s the best kind of comment to hear about a review, thank you! I would really recommend this book though, YA writing is really good, just because most are easy reading for adults doesn’t mean their content is not worthwhile. I loved this one – let me know if you do read it and what you think! x
ooo I have never heard of this book before but it sounds good and the cover is stunning!
The cover is what drew me in in the first place, it’s so well designed! I know you shouldn’t judge blah, blah, but in this instance I’m glad I did, I loved this book! x
I wouldn’t mind taking a read of this book! I’ll definitely add this to my list! Great post❤️
Thank you – and yes, it’s definitely a recommended read! x
This was such a well written book review, it’s made me really want to pick this up. I can’t resist books in general but this one sounds very interesting! Your writing style is lovely, like chatting to a friend 🙂
Going to have a browse through the rest of your posts in the morning.
Laura x
Aw thank you, Laura, what a lovely compliment, how kind! I’m so pleased you liked the review – do let me know what you think of the book if you do pick it up! xx
I’ve seen this title pop up before but honestly the cover reminded me of a review I’ve read but can’t quite put my finger on it ? I really like the sound of the nostalgia brought on by this book. Sounds like you had a lovely time to reminisce about. The play on the issues of being a teenager sounds pretty intriguing, I love books that get real about that stuff and are still enjoyable with it. Thanks for sharing Lis! ? ?
xx Lena
Thank you, Lena. You’ve hit the nail on the head, this book deals with many issues (not just related to teenage traumas) but in a very accessible way. I’m glad you you like the review 🙂 xx
This book sounds like such a fantastic read, exploring some really interesting and thought-provoking themes! I really like the fact that the ending took you by surprise, I don’t think there’s anything worse than the book ending in a really predictable way! I absolutely love the cover art and the bookmark that came with this sounds wonderful too, no wonder Flora has her eye on it!
Abbey xx
I think YA is sometimes dismissed too easily as just light reading but this novel has a lot more going on – I’m so glad that came across in the review, thank you, Abbey! xx
This sounds like a great book, I’m also a fan of YA stuff, growing up I couldn’t get enough of it. This sounds right up my nieces alley, going to look into this for her.
It’s a fab book – especially if your niece is into horses – but even if she’s not it’s so well written and hard hitting. I loved it, I hope Emily writes another book soon, haha! x