Good Things Come Series by Linda Shantz

Welcome to Triple Stripe Stables, a farm in the heart of Canadian Thoroughbred horse country…He’s racing cross-country, looking for a safe place to land.She’s dreading a future that was never her choice.They both want the same thing: to leave the past behind.September means school, but this year, Nate’s not going back. He’s heading east, and while everyone at home thinks he’s pursuing a career as a jockey, he’s really just running away... moreWelcome to Triple Stripe Stables, a farm in the heart of Canadian Thoroughbred horse country…He’s racing cross-country, looking for a safe place to land.She’s dreading a future that was never her choice.They both want the same thing: to leave the past behind.September means school, but this year, Nate’s not going back. He’s heading east, and while everyone at home thinks he’s pursuing a career as a jockey, he’s really just running away. After always being a student, he lands a job as a teacher — of young Thoroughbreds, starting yearlings on a small but classy farm in Ontario. It’s the perfect place to hide, until a jockey’s agent comes along promising to give him everything he thought he ever wanted. How can he say no to a fast track to the career of his dreams? But can he go back on his commitment to the farm that gave him a break when his world had fallen apart?Liv likes the new guy she hired to start the babies, but she kind of hates him too. He’s doing what she wants to do herself — dropping out to chase a future on the front lines of horse racing. She wishes she could be content, accepting the path vet school has firmly set her on. But a filly named Claire has captured her heart and ignited her real passion: riding racehorses. Does everyone get to follow their heart?Meanwhile, a cherished mare on the farm carries a foal that will change both their lives and remind them… good things come to those who wait. less

“There’s so much more to life than horses.” Was there, though?If Liv wasn’t such a control freak, it wouldn’t have rubbed her the wrong way when the farm’s new exercise rider stepped in to resuscitate Chique, the first foal out of her father’s favourite mare. But when she drops out of vet school to get her jockey’s license in New York, intent on coming back to Ontario to ride Chique in the Queen’s Plate in three years, he’s the obvious choice to keep an eye on the filly... more“There’s so much more to life than horses.” Was there, though?If Liv wasn’t such a control freak, it wouldn’t have rubbed her the wrong way when the farm’s new exercise rider stepped in to resuscitate Chique, the first foal out of her father’s favourite mare. But when she drops out of vet school to get her jockey’s license in New York, intent on coming back to Ontario to ride Chique in the Queen’s Plate in three years, he’s the obvious choice to keep an eye on the filly. Nate’s content to watch Liv go, even though he’s got similar aspirations – when he’s not talked out of them by voices from his past. His growing bond with Chique might earn him Liv’s approval and give him the fresh start he’s looking for, but that’s as involved as he’s getting with the boss’s daughter. Not that Liv’s been receptive to anything more. Liv’s determined to keep their relationship professional, no matter how much Chique draws them together. Because racetrack romances are messy…and nothing can interfere with getting Chique to the Plate.Set against the backdrop of North America’s greatest racetracks, Good Things Come is a story about the hearts of Thoroughbreds...thepeople who love them...and the allure of Canada’s most prestigious race. less

"A perfect balance between a horse story, romance and everyday life." – Amazon reviewer."A perfect summer read - it can stand alone well and yet fits in with Good Things Come beautifully." – Amazon reviewer.Faye Taylor grew up in the world of Thoroughbred horse racing, though she’s afraid of the animals herself. She stays in the background, balancing the cost of feed against the horses’ earnings (or lack thereof) and couldn’t handicap a race to save her life... more"A perfect balance between a horse story, romance and everyday life." – Amazon reviewer."A perfect summer read - it can stand alone well and yet fits in with Good Things Come beautifully." – Amazon reviewer.Faye Taylor grew up in the world of Thoroughbred horse racing, though she’s afraid of the animals herself. She stays in the background, balancing the cost of feed against the horses’ earnings (or lack thereof) and couldn’t handicap a race to save her life. It’s provided her with a home, albeit not the most stable one, and a steady supply of non-relationships — just the kind she likes.Now she’s trying to get over the jockey she made the mistake of falling for, she’s losing her biggest client, and possibly her best friend — and the Thoroughbred farm she and her brother inherited isn’t having a stellar year. The racing world that’s given her the life she’s come to know is looking even less stable than usual.When the opportunity to take over a local café presents itself, Faye sees a chance to start something new. Then along comes Will Callaghan, a complete outsider to the racing game. He’s both too tall and too nice — but he’ll make a fine reset button for the disaster that is currently her life. While she clues him into her strange world, he starts breaking off pieces of the shield she’s created to protect herself from her past.Faye is sure she can keep Will where she wants him. She’ll enjoy his part-time band, his part-time cat, and his baking skills might come in handy at the café. She’s not looking to get attached. But all the little things are starting to add up into something more.♥ Bonus — includes recipes for Butter Tarts and Butter Tart Squares, because that kind of Canadian goodness needs to be shared. ♥Read the whole series!Bright, Broken Things (Good Things Come Prequel Book 0.5)Good Things Come (Good Things Come Book 1)All The Little Things (Good Things Come Book 2)All Good Things (Good Things Come Book 3)This Good Thing (Good Things Come Book 4)Merry Little Things (Good Things Come Book 5)All The Best Things (Good Things Come Book 6)Horse of the Year (Good Things Come Book 7) less