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Paul Zietsman: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud is a heartfelt and beautifully written story about friendship, trust, and the quiet lessons that come from caring for animals. Set on a working ranch in Kentucky, it follows three best friends, Coral, Tilly, and Lexie, who spend their school break surrounded by horses and endless chores. When a spoiled show rider named Caitlyn abandons her gray Arabian gelding, Cloud, at the ranch, the girls find themselves drawn to the anxious horse and determined to help him settle in. What begins as an ordinary holiday quickly turns into an unforgettable experience filled with challenges, laughter, and self-discovery. Even when mistakes are made, there is always a sense of forgiveness and growth. Tilly’s mishap with Cloud brings home one of the book’s key messages: that respect, patience, and empathy are essential when working with animals. Alison Bellringer has a gift for writing stories that feel both real and comforting. The friendship between Coral, Tilly, and Lexie is genuine, with each girl’s personality shining through: Coral’s quiet sensitivity, Tilly’s impulsive energy, and Lexie’s level-headed calm. Through their adventures, the author captures the rhythm of ranch life and the bond that grows when trust is earned slowly and honestly. The story moves at a gentle pace, blending humor and emotion while showing the girls’ growing understanding of responsibility and compassion. Bellringer’s writing is clear and sincere, her love for animals evident on every page. The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud is a wholesome, uplifting read that will appeal to young readers and horse lovers alike; a reminder that kindness and care can heal even the deepest fears.
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Pikasho Deka: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud is a delightful children's book by Alison Bellringer. Tilly, Coral, and Lexie are best friends who bond over their deep love for horses on the Johnson family cattle ranch in Kentucky. The ranch belongs to Coral's parents. When a spirited Arab gelding arrives at the ranch with a girl named Caitlyn, it doesn't take long for the three friends to discover and appreciate his unique personality. Every day, Tilly, Coral, and Lexie ride their own horses. Tilly has a plan of her own, but will it unfold as she hopes? Or will it trigger something that can cause a rift between the friends? What's next for Tilly, Coral, and Lexie? The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud is a heartwarming tale that beautifully illustrates how a shared love for animals strengthens the bonds of friendship. Bellringer has crafted a captivating narrative that flows effortlessly, making it a delightful read for both children and young adults. What impressed me most about this book was its characters. Tilly, Coral, and Lexie all have distinct personalities, and so do their horses. Young readers are going to love Cloud. The setting of the story is also mesmerizing. It feels realistic, and you will find yourself fully immersed in the tale. The author masterfully captures the beauty of the ranch's surroundings. The narrative emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in recognizing the behavior and needs of horses, enriching the reader's connection to these magnificent animals. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and highly recommend it to young readers.
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Stewart Brian: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud by Alison Bellringer is a well written book that encourages readers, particularly children, to treat animals responsibly, with respect and compassion. Tilly, Coral, and Lexie, united by their love for horses, all attend Rushwater Academy High School. However, during the mid-term holiday, they have a week-long sleepover at Saddlers Ranch, which is owned by the Johnson family. Mr. Delaney gives his daughter’s Arab horse, named Cloud, to Mr. Johnson because he believes Cloud misbehaves… However, after a thorough inspection, the vet finally discovers the reason behind Cloud's behavior. As an avid animal lover, many things about this book appealed to me. I appreciated that the story, despite being a children's book, featured an appropriate number of well-developed characters. It also contains lessons that could positively impact kids, such as the value of meaningful friendships, caring for animals, and more. The writing is well-paced, organized, straightforward, and easy for kids to comprehend. The story features themes of teamwork, courage, compassion, animal care, and more. I found it both entertaining and enlightening. I believe this book is a means of introducing children to literature and also as a reminder of the importance of patience when handling animals, particularly horses, to better understand their behavior. I recommend The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud to all animal lovers, children, and adults who enjoy children’s books.
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Makeda Cummings: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
Alison Bellringer’s The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud is set in Kentucky and tells the story of three girls—Coral, Tilly, and Lexie—who spend time on Coral’s family ranch during their school break. They do chores, have fun, and learn new things. In due time, Cloud, a new horse, arrives, and this changes everything. Cloud is an Arab gelding who was treated poorly by his former owners, but Coral’s father steps in and chooses to provide Cloud with a safe temporary home. Cloud is an anxious but gifted horse… The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud is a warm and easy-to-read book that teaches children the importance of kindness to animals and responsibly caring for them. The prose is full of heart, making it simple for young readers to understand what empathy is. Coral, Tilly, and Lexie learn that caring for Cloud is not just about love alone—it also requires patience, attention to safety, and respect for the animal's well-being. What stood out the most was that even though the three friends all have unique personalities, they learn to work together as a team to do what's right for Cloud. Their journey with Cloud will remind readers that we can always learn from our mistakes, and genuine friendships help us grow along the way. Equestrians and animal lovers will fall in love with this moving and inspirational tale.
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Jamie Michele: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud, the first book in the titular series by Alison Bellringer, follows three girls, Tilly, Coral, and Lexie, during a school holiday at Saddlers Ranch in Kentucky. Their time revolves around managing horses and completing ranch chores as unexpected events arise with the animals. A newly arrived gelding, Cloud, proves difficult to handle… and the consequences impact everyone. Meanwhile, care for Cloud continues alongside herd checks, a trapped heifer, and horses reacting to environmental hazards… The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud tells an uplifting story, and both my daughter and I really loved the bond between the young riders and their horses, especially how they show everyday life on a ranch. Coral, Lexie, and Tilly come across with a natural friendship that feels authentic, and Cloud also has a wonderful personality! Bellringer includes plenty of everyday details that readers like myself, who are complete unknowns to ranch life, will appreciate, from grooming and tack care to noticing the horses’ habits. There are mishaps that shake the story up and give it some solid subplots, all of which are resolved through the gumption of the girls and in a believable way. Overall, this is a fantastically enjoyable read for anyone who likes stories about friendship, animals, responsibility, and life on a working ranch. Recommended.
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Independent Book Review, 2025
For best friends Coral, Tilly, and Lexie, school holidays mean a week-long stay at Saddlers Ranch, Coral’s family home. What none of them expect is for a snobby showjumping competitor to arrive unannounced and dump her high-strung Arabian gelding on their property. For three girls used to stock horses, Cloud is a dream. Exquisite, energetic, and graceful. None of them can see why his previous owner was adamant about him being unruly. With them, he seems the sweetest creature. Then the strong-willed Tilly decides that she’s going to test Cloud’s mettle, and the results shock the girls… Cloud is the first book in The Horses of Saddlers Ranch series. While the main characters are in their teens, this appeals primarily to Middle Grade readers. It is a terrific book for those who are just starting their horse-crazy era and a great introduction to all things horses… When I was younger, I would devour any horse book I could get. While the stories I found were diverse, there was a similar kind of charm to them. They all had the calming feeling of spending time with old friends. Cloud has the same appeal. This is very much a slice-of-life kind of novella… the focus is on friendship, fun, horses, and adventure… The characters make this series… Spending time with all of them is a lot of fun. As a story about three girls spending their holiday on a working ranch, this is a solid opening… This is a promising start to a laid-back, charming new series. With a strong setting, engaging cast of characters, and an enjoyable journey, this is a great read for any budding horse lovers. It has an old-fashioned kind of charm that works well with the ranch and horse-related setting, and there is a whole lot of room for the series to expand.
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Coral, Lexie, and Tilly are excited to spend the week of their school break together on Coral's family farm. Despite their very different personalities, the fifteen-year-old girls are great friends. Each has her own interests and hobbies. However, all three share a love of horses, and that is enough to create a strong bond of friendship. When a new horse named Cloud unexpectedly takes up residence at the farm, the girls are surprised to learn that the gelding has been known to buck its previous owner off for no apparent reason. With their farmhand under the weather, Coral's father asks the girls to complete his chores. Given the task of riding out to check the cattle while Mr. Johnson goes to town, the girls mount their horses only to face an unexpected and dangerous obstacle. Will their week together be ruined before it even begins? Bellringer has crafted a wonderful story centered around horses and three unique friends who, despite their differences, share a close bond due to their love of and interest in horses. The author is skilled at capturing the dialogue and nuances of fifteen-year-old girls. Suitable for middle school and high school students, the novel's fast-paced action will keep readers entertained. The plot has many unexpected twists and turns, which guarantees full engagement with the narrative. The book is a delightful, informative work that will appeal especially to young horse lovers as they follow the three friends who are intrigued by the beautiful, graceful Cloud. This enjoyable tale of friendship centered around the love of horses is sure to be treasured.
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The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud (Book One) opens a gentle, realistic middle-grade series set on a Kentucky cattle ranch. Fifteen-year-old Coral Johnson and her two close friends, Tilly Carpenter and Lexie Howard, begin their school-holiday visit expecting an easy week of chores and laughter. Instead, they witness the arrival of a frightened grey Arabian gelding named Cloud—an unwanted show horse delivered to the ranch after his former owner gives him up… Bellringer’s strength lies in her straightforward storytelling. She writes clear scenes of ranch life—dusty yards, stalls being swept, the clatter of supper in the Johnson kitchen—and lets character emerge through dialogue. Coral’s calm curiosity balances Tilly’s daring and Lexie’s caution. Their friendship feels genuine and good humoured, marked by small quarrels and quick forgiveness… By the final pages, the story folds back into calm after the week’s chaos. Cloud has found his footing and, with a new owner waiting, his place in the world feels secure. Yet Bellringer doesn’t end on farewell alone. As Cloud’s story draws to a close, Bellringer leaves readers with the sense that life on the ranch is far from finished. The final chapter hints at new arrivals and fresh challenges ahead, offering a quiet promise that Saddlers Ranch will continue to test both patience and compassion. It’s a graceful ending that widens the series’ horizon—closing one story while opening the gate to many more. Cloud (Book One) will resonate most with readers aged nine to thirteen who are drawn to animal-centred fiction grounded in realism rather than fantasy. It’s ideal for horse enthusiasts who enjoy the detail of grooming, feeding, and ranch work, as well as for parents and teachers seeking stories that model empathy, responsibility, and the consequences of impulsive choices. Fans of series such as Heartland, Canterwood Crest, or Chestnut Hill will recognise the same mix of friendship, moral lessons, and equine adventure told with warmth and restraint. A warm, sincere story about friendship, rules, and everyday ranch life. Bellringer avoids sentimentality and writes from a practical, compassionate viewpoint that young readers will understand. The result is a calm, rewarding opening to a new horse-centred series.
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