This definitely was a great read! I loved the characters and their interactions with each other. I also loved the location and learning a lot about living on the ranch. Great book and I definitely recommend reading this book!

In Jennifer Dugan's heartwarming novel, "The Ride of Her Life," readers embark on a journey of self-discovery and second chances alongside Molly McDaniel, a barista and aspiring wedding event planner. Molly's life takes an unexpected turn when she inherits a run-down horse barn from her estranged late aunt. Molly's initial reaction is one of dismay, as she lacks the resources and expertise to run the struggling barn. However, as she delves deeper into the world of horses and the tight-knit community surrounding the barn, she begins to see the potential for a new beginning. The barn could provide the seed money she needs to start her own business, but only if she can overcome the challenges and learn to appreciate the beauty and healing power of horses. One of the central conflicts in the story is Molly's relationship with Shani, the resident farrier and family friend. Shani is initially portrayed as judgmental and standoffish, but Molly gradually discovers her kind-hearted and loyal nature. As they work together to save the barn, their mutual attraction grows, creating a tender and nuanced romantic subplot. Dugan's writing is poignant and engaging, capturing the complexities of Molly's journey as she navigates her newfound responsibilities, her growing feelings for Shani, and the pressure to succeed. "The Ride of Her Life" is a celebration of second chances, the power of community, and the transformative nature of love. With its vivid descriptions, relatable characters, and heartwarming storyline, this novel is a compelling read that will resonate with readers long after they finish the last page.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were all so easily relatable, and I really enjoyed the character growth with Molly. I don't really know anything about horses, farming, or rodeos, so I thought this was a fun glimpse into that world The only thing I really would have liked to see more of was some closure with Molly and her mom, but as it stands I still think the book as a whole was great.

In general, I found this story to be charming. There were both endearing and quite disagreeable characters, and the plot was engaging. While the angst was well-presented, I felt that the main characters lacked a significant spark. It's not a negative story, but it didn't evoke a strong desire for a re-read.

This is a solid if extremely predictable sapphic romance. Definitely written for the horse girls out there and does have good farm vibes. The sunshine/grump and enemies to lovers are on point if on the nose. I struggled a bit to relate to the characters who were so bad at communication it was painful even for me, and the multiple instances of miscommunication in the plot were frustrating. But while Molly was a bit annoying at the beginning, I appreciated her arc and how she finally stood up to the toxic people in her life.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley who provided a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet and sapphic horse girl romance? Yes please! A recommended purchase for collections where contemporary romance is popular.

This was a very sweet read, overall. I definitely enjoy a grumpy/sunshine romance and being able to read a WLW romance is always a joy! If you like Hallmark-y small town romance stories and are up for a cute sapphic version with lots of horses, this one's for you.

That said...I could see the glaringly obvious solution to the main tension within the first few pages, yet it somehow took every character more than 200 more pages to think of it. It was incredibly frustrating as a reader to know that the endgame conclusion was Molly running events on the property so that she can A) keep the barn running and B) still follow her own dreams (and C) get the girl/not evict her lover from the only home she's ever known).

Additionally, there was a bit too much miscommunication for my taste. Between her best friend, her mother, the lawyer, and Shani, it felt a little ridiculous at times how determined EVERYONE in Molly's life was to keep her out of the loop instead of being clear and upfront with what's going on. I know miscommunication is a common driver in romance plots but it's not my favorite plot device.

However, despite my deep frustration with that aspect of the story, I did really enjoy Molly. A lot of the other characters either underestimate her or treat her like a child and she perseveres to find herself and follow her heart by the end of the book. I think her growth was the high point of this story for me! Shani was frustrating at times but I did enjoy her character - there were just some early moments where she seemed a bit too dedicated to allowing their miscommunication to flourish instead of actually listening to Molly and having a real conversation about the difficult position they're both in. I was disappointed that Shani almost never shows any empathy or understanding for Molly's realistic concerns about money and debt, both of which would have been VERY understandable reasons for Molly to need to sell the property.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

I actually ended up not finishing this. I’m not sure why yet and honestly I might pick it up again at a later date but this just didn’t click with me.

Thanks for the opportunity

Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions in this captivating romance! The level of angst and the intricate microtropes woven throughout this story create an intense and engaging read. There were moments when I found myself wanting to dive into the pages to shake some sense into the characters—communication, folks! But that's what makes this book so fantastic; it draws you in, making you root for these characters while simultaneously frustrating you.

The contrast between city and country life, along with the modern, sapphic romance, adds a unique flavor to the traditional rom-com narrative. The struggle between Molly's aspirations, the unexpected inheritance of a struggling horse barn, and the magnetic tension between her and Shani create a beautifully complex dynamic. Plus there's spice without it being overdone, over the top, or drawn out with aftercare, talks of consent, and more.

Hats off to the author for crafting such a compelling story. I couldn't put it down! Huge thanks to NetGally, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to delve into this modern yet timeless tale. If you're searching for a romance that's both heartfelt and exasperating, this one's for you!

the amount of feelssssss this book gave me omg. i wasn't expecting them at all. i'm not gonna lie - i thought this was gonna be just another cute lil rom-com that i'd like but forget about in a few days but god it wasn't that and i'm not complaining at all.

it was so emotional, so heart-wrenching, so realistic at its core. the relationships built were so nuanced that i couldn't help but fall for all of them. i absolutely loved the romance as well as friendships in this.

overall, this was lighthearted, yes, but also a searingly beautiful and stunning read.

DISCLAIMER A SIDE EFFECT OF READING THIS BOOK MAY INCLUDE: DAYDREAMING OF LEAVING YOUR CITY LIFE BEHIND TO RUN A QUAINT COZY QUEER HORSE-RANCH IN THE COUNTRY. Seriously by the time I finished this book my Google search history may have included things like “Farmland for Sale Near Me”, “Nearest Horse Riding Lessons”, “Queer Cowboy History”, “Pinterest Boards for Cozy Country Weddings”.

This book was a delight to read. The slow but steamy romance and friendship between Molly and Sauni kept me on my toes throughout the entire book. I may have both literally cheered for them and cursed at them through the pages more than I should admit. Also Molly’s developments and relationships to the rest of the characters was so wholesome. By the end it really felt like they were all part of their own little found family, perhaps that’s all the family they need anyway.

I did I feel like the ending was fairly sudden. There were some plot points that I think should been wrapped up more before the end, like the fate of Molly’s relationships her mother and to Nat. I was surprised there was no epilogue.

I would love to see more from characters and am hoping that Jennifer Dugan plans to continue this story with a Lochlin and Tyler sequel.

Thank you to Jennifer Dugan, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for sending me this book as an ARC. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

This book was adorable, fun, and I may have stayed up until 2 am reading it on a work night (don’t tell my boss).

Things I liked:
-The tension!!!!! So good.
-Molly’s character development throughout the book, and her realization that she does not have to sacrifice her dreams.
-As a horse girl (for 21 of 26 years of my life) I found the barn/riding/horse stuff to be super well written! Is Dugan a horse girl or does she just do excellent research? I always go in to books that include horses just waiting to roll my eyes, but my eyes were kept firmly unrolled.
-The mother daughter relationship is relatable (unfortunately!).

Things I think could be improved:
-Dialogue got a bit cheesy in some places, and the solutions were oftentimes right there in front of our characters! However, the cheese factor DID have the desired effect (I am in love with Shani).
-I wish we knew what happened with the mom. And maybe a small epilogue about the farm? Perhaps a wedding between two guys that are endgame coded?!?

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys small town romance books, or really any romance lovers! And, of course, all my fellow horse girls!

I started this book at the end of the year, thinking it was just going to be a super quick, silly, and a little stupid read. But I was pleasantly surprised when a sapphic country girl x city girl ended up being not just a fun read to finish of the year but also an emotional story about trying to find yourself, chasing your dreams, the struggles of growing up, and heartbreak and betrayal.

This book surprised in a way that i never expected. It made be really take time and think about my future and how hard it truly is to chase your own career goals while also trying to build a real relationship. I found both the main characters likeable and i always understood where each of them was coming from when they were telling their own side of the story.

The love and friendship the characters built throughout the story felt real and natural and not at all rushed, like i tend to see and other romance books. I also like how the characters went through real life struggles that you could face when trying to accomplish such goals like the main character.

Overall, I really enjoyed this boom and would recommend it to everyone!

F/F romances can be hit or miss with me. This one was cute. Not totally memorable for me but I did enjoy it. I believed the chemistry between the main characters. 2”3.5 stars

If you love Hallmark "small town" movies then you'll love this read! I enjoyed watching the sparks fly between the two leads, as well as watching Molly find her way. However, there are some "um, duh" moments that seemed obvious to the reader, so I'm not sure why Molly wouldn't think of it -- or why her friend would be the way that she is, either. But, I'm willing to suspend disbelief for the charm of the HEA in this book!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. This was my first F/F romance, and I was not disappointed. I think that Molly and Shani had really good chemistry and worked well together as a couple. The only thing I didn't like about the book was how Molly's relationship with her mother was left hanging in the air. I would have loved to know if Molly and her mom completely severed ties or decided to work through their issues. Overall, this was a good read. I felt satisfied at the end, and I'm glad Molly and Shani got their happily ever after.

The Ride of her Life by Jennifer Dugan was a fun romp of a romcom. I love the found family aspect of this book and that it takes place at barn as a former horse girl. It was sweet seeing how it played out and I didn’t want to put the book down.

I was (am) so invested in the MC of this book! I really admired her guts and her passion, and seeing her achieve her dreams (+ the way she adapted and modified them along the way, listening to her heart) and also stand up to the nay-saying people around her were all so inspiring!

Also, the horses! They were so cute 😭

Also, also! It's a sapphic romance! I loved it!

TWs - death of a relative, sports related injury (secondary character), sabotage/betrayal

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!