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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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FALCON REVIEW by Printed Word Reviews, 2025
The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud by Alison Bellringer is a young adult fiction novella that immediately immerses readers in its central conflict. The story opens with a vivid scene that sets the stage: a man struggling with a horse, met with disdain from a young girl who insists, "That kind of behavior is exactly why we can't keep it! I need a reliable horse who I can depend on at all times." This initial moment of frustration and misunderstanding establishes the central theme of the novella. The book challenges the notion of a "reliable" horse by introducing Cloud, a beautiful gelding whose unruly behavior leads to him being deemed a "beast". This compelling narrative explores the patience and empathy required to form a genuine connection with an animal. It's a tale that delves into the deeper side of horsemanship, moving beyond simple riding to examine the communication and trust that build a true partnership. Readers who have a passion for horses will be drawn into this story, as it promises to show that some of the most rewarding bonds are not always the easiest to form. It’s a heartfelt and memorable story about seeing the potential in a misunderstood animal and the transformative power of a little bit of trust.
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The Children’s Book Review, 2025
The latest in a long line of animal-themed stories from author Alison Bellringer, Cloud is the first book in a new series that centers around the unique relationships between young people and horses. When spoiled Caitlyn Delaney decides she doesn’t like her newest show horse, Cloud, she dumps him at the Johnsons’ ranch. Coral, Lexie, and Tilly are thrilled to be spending their holiday getting to know the beautiful new horse, even if they know he’ll soon need to be sold on… Coral, Lexie, and Tilly, although all very different in personality, are exemplary role models for young readers—conscientious, hardworking, and ready to learn from their mistakes. The story is filled with rich details about the horses, life on the ranch, and the work involved in caring for working animals, making it perfect for instilling ideas about responsibility and community while simultaneously feeding readers’ love for horses. For readers who love horses or just those who love a good school-holiday story, Cloud and the rest of the Saddlers Ranch series are sure to become fast favorites.
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Shawna Thompson: Reader Views, 2025
The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud is an exciting horse adventure that will captivate young kids’ attention from the first page. Join best friends Lexie, Tilly, and Coral as they spend every spare moment riding at Coral’s dad’s beautiful cattle ranch… Together they share trail rides, laughter, and plenty of ranch chores. When a mysterious new horse named Cloud arrives, one mistake sets off a chain of events that will test their friendship. Alison Bellringer’s book reminded me of the Heartland book series my daughter loved growing up. Creating three wonderful characters that girls can look up to, learn from, and connect with. It’s a fun and wholesome horse story featuring both geldings and fillies, and it gives readers a glimpse into life on a large cattle ranch in Kentucky. Growing up on a cattle ranch myself, I know firsthand the hard work it takes to keep things running. I loved how Bellringer weaves this into the story… When mistakes are made, this book doesn’t sugarcoat the consequences, whether it’s losing a chance to ride or risking the danger of falling off a horse… I loved getting to know Lexie, Tilly, and Coral, and I felt like I was right there with them. Smelling the hay, the leather of the saddles, and brushing down the horses after a long ride. Young readers will connect with the girls’ friendship, their love for animals, and the challenges they face. The story shows that making mistakes, learning from them, and growing stronger together is a valuable lesson for every young rider. I highly recommend Alison Bellringer’s The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud to any young reader who loves horses, adventure, and friendship stories. It kept me smiling, laughing, and cheering until the very end. I can’t wait to see what happens next at Saddlers Ranch!
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