Review of Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally + fun campaign from Raincoast

Title: Racing Savannah
Author: Miranda Kenneally

Publication date: December 3, 2013

Publisher: Raincoast 

Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)

Source: NetGalley
Format: eARC

Pages: 304

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Indigo 

They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…

Racing Savannah centers around Savannah, a character that we only see a glimpse of in the previous books. However this book isn't centered around the other previous characters, but is mostly set at Savannah's new home, the stables owned by Jack Goodwin's father. That is where we meet Jack himself, portrayed as a cocky, rich boy who sets his eye on Savannah herself. 

I really wasn't as big of a fan of the characters and plot line here as I was of Things I Can't Forget and the previous books. While the rich guy, poor girl plot line is something I am guilty of enjoyed (The Distance Between Us by Kasie West anyone?) but for some reason my heart wasn't 100% into it. While I liked how Savannah is set on accomplishing her dreams even with knowing how tough and unattainable it is at times, I just didn't like how she acted around Jack. I hated how he didn't think for himself but through his father's orders and demands. One second he says he likes Savannah but the next he says he can't date her because his father would be pissed.. yea very charming Jack. I tend to adore all of the love interests in Kenneally's Hundred Oaks series, but I just couldn't like this one all that much.  

I liked Savannah's family and how she looked out for her pregnant step-mom even if she resents her father and step mom for moving her to another place as well as getting pregnant with a child when they can barely financially support the three of them. Another thing I loved was how we got a glimpse of the old characters, now several years older and several milestones ahead. I was so happy to see them once again! Even though I wasn't a big fan of Jack, I do have to say that this book delivered when I needed a cute contemporary and that isn't surprising since I trust Kenneally to always write fabulous contemporaries. 

The rest of the Hundred Oaks series:

Catching Jordan (Hundred Oaks #1)

Stealing Parker (Hundred Oaks #2)
Things I Can't Forget (Hundred Oaks #3)

Raincoast has put together a fun campaign to thank readers for pre-ordering: send them your proof of pre-order and they’ll send you this fabulous horseshoe key chain!

This special offer is for U.S. and Canada YA fans for the release of RACING SAVANNAH by Miranda Kenneally out on December 3! If you pre-order the book, you will be sent an exclusive horseshoe key chain—perfect for any busy teen on the go! You have until December 2 or until quantities run out.

Here’s how to get your charm:
1. Pre-order the book (print or eBook) through any retailer (Barnes & Noble, Amazon, your local independent bookseller/Indiebound, Books-A-Million, Hastings, etc.)

2. Email your proof of purchase (receipt or picture of the receipt) to teenfire@sourcebooks.com. Put “Racing Savannah Pre-Order” in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your home address so they can send you the horseshoe key chain! If you’ve already pre-ordered this book—not a problem! Send them your receipt!

3. You will get an email back confirming when the items have been sent out. 

4. Enjoy Racing Savannah when it comes out in December!

Optional: take a pic of you and your horseshoe key chain and share it with Miranda Kenneally or Sourcebooks Fire on Twitter! You can find Miranda @mirandakennealy and Sourcebooks Fire @sourcebooksfire.