Title: Breaking Free
Author: Lauren Brooke
First published January 1, 2000
148 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780439130240 (ISBN10: 0439130247)
Rating: 4.11
Overview
Nestled in the beautiful hills of Virginia, Heartland is no ordinary horse farm. It’s a sanctuary where injured and mistreated horses come to heal and regain their trust in humans.
But for Amy, Heartland is her entire world, and Pegasus is her only link to her past. As Pegasus grows weaker, Amy finds herself struggling to keep the farm afloat and honor her mother’s legacy.
But as the pressure mounts, Amy realizes that she must break free from the past to move forward. Will she have the courage to let go and find her own path?
Breaking Free is a heartwarming tale of love, loss, and the healing power of horses.
About the Author
Lauren Brooke has had an interesting life. She grew up on a Virginia ranch, but now resides in Leicestershire, England with her husband, who’s a specialized veterinarian for horses.
Her literary career began in the mid-2000s, when Scholastic published the first book of her Heartland book series. In 2005, the first book of her Chestnut Hill series was also published and became quite popular.
In an interview on Scholastic’s website, Lauren Brooke revealed that she’s been riding horses since before she could even walk. She also mentioned that she takes part in a few local horse shows and events.
It’s worth noting that there may be other people with the name Lauren Brooke in books and movies. For instance, Amazon lists a Lauren Brooke as the author of “Book of Spiritual Regeneration” (1995).
Additionally, IMDB.com has a record for an actress named Lauren Brooke who played the role of Goat Man’s Wife in the movie “Wiseguys vs. Zombies” (2003).
Editoral Review
Breaking Free by Lauren Brooke is a gripping and emotional novel that explores the themes of love, loss, and freedom. Brooke is an experienced author who has worked in various genres, including young adult and romance.
She is best known for her work on the Heartland series, which was later adapted for TV. Breaking Free, published on January 1, 2000, is a standalone novel that showcases Brooke’s ability to craft engaging stories that capture the imagination of her readers.
The book follows the story of teenage twins Alex and Adam, who have lived their whole lives on their family’s farm. Torn apart by family secrets and betrayals, the boys are forced to make some difficult decisions that will determine their future.
The novel’s setting, a small town in the American Midwest, is a familiar and evocative backdrop that adds to the realism of the story. The conflicts in the novel are both external and internal, as the boys struggle to reconcile their relationships with their family and the community.
Breaking Free is a book that explores some important issues, such as family values, coming-of-age, and self-discovery. The book tackles some complex and sensitive topics, making it relevant to today’s readers.
Lauren Brooke addresses themes of mental health, parental pressures, suicide, and abuse with tact and sensitivity, offering readers a thought-provoking narrative that offers a glimmer of hope in difficult times. The novel’s message is clear: no matter how tough things get, one can always find the strength to break free and start anew.
One of the book’s strengths is its character development. Both Alex and Adam are complex characters with flaws and redeeming qualities.
The author does an excellent job of describing their personalities, thoughts, and emotions in a realistic and engaging way. The pacing of the book is also well-crafted, with just the right balance of action and introspection.
The plot is solid, with plenty of twists and turns that keep the reader on edge. However, the book is not without some limitations.
The prose can be overly simplistic at times, lacking the poetic flair that one might expect from a literary novel. The dialogues can also be a bit clichéd, detracting from the authenticity of the characters’ voices.
Some readers might also find the book to be too dark or depressing, as the novel’s themes are quite heavy. Overall, Breaking Free is a book that deserves to be read and appreciated for its strengths.
The novel’s themes, characters, and settings are all well-executed, making it a compelling read for young adults and adults alike. Fans of Lauren Brooke’s other works, as well as readers who enjoy novels that tackle complex social issues, will find much to love in this book.
With that being said, Breaking Free earns a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The book’s strengths, such as character development and pacing, make up for its flaws, such as simplistic prose and clichéd dialogues.
For those who crave an inspiring story of hope and self-discovery, Breaking Free is a novel that comes highly recommended.
