(4) YA Lily, the daughter of a groundskeeper at a British country estate, is inexplicably drawn to Antony, the aristocratic family's son, who challenges and emboldens her but is also consistently selfish. Starting in the 1920s, the story traces their friendship over decades. Peyton's writing successfully evokes the historical setting, but the relationship between the two main characters feels dated and one-sided.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by David Wyatt. A clever girl, a ghost pony, a bloody family history, a rich American, and a stormy Scottish landscape--the elements are all present for an exciting adventure. But in the rush to reach the action-packed climax, necessary background information is only sketchily mentioned. The engaging, detailed descriptions of the horses and riding scenes stand in sharp contrast. Attractive drawings illustrate the book.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(3) YA Although familiar ground--a high-strung girl, an ugly horse with a lot of heart, and England's most grueling steeplechase (the Grand National)--Peyton covers it with fiercely drawn sentiment and a great deal of passion. Tessa's troubles in her personal life (including stabbing her mean-spirited stepfather with a knife) and her unswerving devotion to a rangy underdog horse combine for a gripping tale.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) YA Set in Victorian England, the improbable story describes the adventures of sixteen-year-old Charlotte, who escapes an arranged marriage when she travels to Switzerland with her brother, Ben, and his Oxford friends for a mountain-climbing expedition. Romance novel fans will enjoy the melodramatic plot, which features love triangles, an adulterous affair, tragic deaths, and a teen pregnancy.

Reviewer: Anne St. John