Leaping Hearts

By: J. R. Ward

Narrated by: Kate Rudd

Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Everyone thinks A.J. Sutherland is crazy to buy a rogue stallion that no rider or trainer has been able to tame. But if anybody has the hustle to make something out of that hell-raiser, it’s her. She can’t do it alone, however, and goes after the great Devlin McCloud, an equestrian legend with a bad leg - and a worse attitude.

Devlin recognizes a fighter when he sees one - and that horse isn’t a wallflower, either. Before he knows it, he’s got a wild stallion in his empty stable and a hot-headed, heavenly-bodied rider sleeping on his couch. But can he get all three of them through the championship in one piece?

This passion he’s found with his rider is compromising training - and at this level of competition, any distraction is not just unprofessional, but downright deadly…

©2012 J. R. Ward (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Fans of Nora Roberts...will savor every well-written page.” ( Booklist)

“Truly awesome.” ( Huntress Reviews)

great book from a great writer

I really enjoyed the whole story of how A.J. and Devalen meet and how their relationship just took off like alot of real life relationships happen. I hated to see it end. But I have to say I even liked the way it ended!

Light easy listen equestrian based romance

Firstly, let me say I'm a huge JRW fan, anything that gets written by her is an automatic download for me - especially after Black Dagger Brotherhood and Fallen Angels Series however, be warned this is nothing like them and that this 'new release' is deceiving in that it was actually her FIRST published book.

This is a 'turn your brain off and just listen' type book, it's an enjoyable lighthearted sweet romance about A.J. the daughter of a rich stable owner who buys a thoroughbred horse named Sabbath in the hope of training him for Show Jumping and takes on more than she bargains for. Devlin's, a mentally and physically tormented ex Show Jumping Champion who becomes involved and is forced to help her and their attraction is immediate. Their relationship is developed and established early on in the book so you are left with a lot of equestrian dialogue merging with a few white lies and bad decisions made by them that has disasterous effects on their relationship.

Worth a credit? No, I was expecting more from the writer of the BDB (not realising it was her first) but if you like the sound of the above then spend your $ rather than a credit 'cause it's cheap enough.

heartwarming

it was a heartwarming story. The characters were great. the love making was them making love not sex.

Horses and heat!

Very well written and surprisingly detailed equestrian story line. Great decision to use just a few relatable characters - kept the story close-knit. Loved this book!

Surprise, I liked it!

I bought this book more than 6 months ago, glad I finally listened to it! I am not a horse person, it's fair to say I am ANTI horse...and had I known at the time that is what this book was about it wouldn't have made it into my cart, even for the $5 I got it for, which is a shame because I would have missed out!

This is the first book JR Ward ever wrote, there is an awesome foreword on here from her too, which makes the book really special! This book is about a spoiled rich girl who is somehow salt of the earth. She doesn't think twice about spending 30k on a horse, but she will be the first to brush and care for it, many contradictions in that but in this story it works! The female lead is strong and smart, and the male lead is damaged but salvageable, and the two of them just work!

The best news about this story is that the drama was believable and the reactions were appropriate to the issues....I love it when an author gets that right!

I wouldn't have been sad if I had paid full price, used a credit or gotten it on sale! It was sweet, nice, dramatic, and you get to feel two people fall in love over time, not in a day, and isn't THAT a nice change....the one draw back is the hot scenes weren't actually there, one bad point to me, but others out there may be thrilled to have a romance without an ounce of erotica, so to those people, ENJOY!

Leaping Hearts

Just as good in audio as it was when I read it! Definitely worth the return to it.

Not her best work

Would you try another book from J. R. Ward and/or Kate Rudd?

If this had been my first J.R. Ward book I would not have been inclined to buy another.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

There were some very funny and touching moments in the relationship between the main characters. However, there was too much other in the story.

Would you be willing to try another one of Kate Rudd’s performances?

I liked Kate Rudd's performance fine.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

Less horse interaction and more interpersonal interaction.

Any additional comments?

I thought it was a good first effort. I am glad that I read her other books so I could see what she became.

Not JR Ward's best

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Facts were confusing. As a barn mom I was very confused were they show jumping? Or eventing? For a horse person it was very distracting the mixing of eventing and show jumping terms. Also who would spend all day working a horse???? I Love JR Ward other stories but this one was lacking facts.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Nothing I thought the narration was great!

Harlelquin

Would you consider the audio edition of Leaping Hearts to be better than the print version?

I probably read this book during my Harlequin days. It is a typiucak Harkequin bok, but I enjoyed it. I really like the author's forward to the book. It made it real....

What did you like best about this story?

Good characters.

What does Kate Rudd bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I am not crazy about her male voices, but otherwise, she is okay. Better than some.

Not BDB but still good...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to someone who likes traditional romance. You can tell this book was from her earlier years (before BDB). That's not a bad thing...it's just different.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked A.J. She is very spunky and she grows up throughout the book. The change looks good on her.

What does Kate Rudd bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She was able to individualize the characters which is hard for some narrators to do.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are a few.

Any additional comments?

When reading this book you have to separate this one from any BDB thoughts you may have. This is a good book but don't go into it thinking just because it's J.R. Ward it's like BDB. You will like it if you read out...just don't compare. It's a reply different ball game.