The Secrets Of Wild Hill: A Pony's Promise - Olivia Tuffin

 

Lottie is back with her pony Patch and this time she is desperately trying to regain the bond they had after he is spooked.  To add to this, tensions are running high at Wild Hill with her parents determined to sell the place, and she feels very lonely since Felix, her best friend, betrayed her.  But when Felix asks for help, she knows she has to be there for him, especially when she learns that it could ruin Felix's family's farm, Highfield Acres.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Lottie's Dream a few months ago (you can read my review here), I was really keen to read A Pony's Promise.  It begins where Lottie's Dream left off and I absolutely loved that the first chapter serves as a recap of the previous book; Lottie lying on the grass thinking back over what's already happened is a great way to do this - I wish more sequels did this!

Lottie has a lot on her mind: she's worried about Wild Hill and the fact that her parents are desperate to sell it; she's missing Felix and she's also very worried about Patch.  All of these issues are worries that readers will have so it's important to see them in books.  It makes Lottie and her friends very relatable.  Then there's the issue of Highfields Acres: she knows that there is an ancient feud between the families and readers learn more of the background to this in A Pony's Promise.  We see Felix's bravery really come to the fore in this book, especially when he realises that he may end up being seen in the same light as his grandfather, despite being very different.  

With just the right amount of danger and adventure, this is a delightful sequel and one animal lovers will thoroughly enjoy.  I'm now looking forward to book 3, The Lost Horse.