Reviews of the Chestnut Hill series
"I could totally relate to the books..."
I was surprised at how good the Chestnut Hill books were. I had never read Lauren Brooke's books before, and that was what made me like her as an author so much. I could so totally relate to the books, because like some other people, I am in seventh grade and love horses. The drama, like when Dylan has battles with the catty Lynsey and her snooty friend, Patience, her style, judgements, and the way she lives her day-to-day life is similar to mine which drew me into the book so much more. Plus! There are horses, which makes the book, like, fifteen times better. I can't wait until the sixth one comes out this February. I don't want to go to a boarding school, but this book makes it sound better than it puts on. I love the Chestnut Hill series of books!!!!!!! -- horsez101
Lauren brooke is a genius! Please write more Chestnut Hill books we are all dying for them! Lydnesy and Lani have got to be my favourite characters, as they are so strong and close to the horses. As for the horses, well, I can't decide! The books have such a strong mould, that's why I like them so much! -- aqua4bubble
"...A great read..."
I think I speak for a lot of people out there when I say that we were a bit expectant of this series... Heartland is a lot to live up to. We were introduced to the school at the end of 'Always There', Book #20, and the school looked a bit intruiging. In this series, a character is taken for each book, with their own opinions and feelings, keeping to the third person narrative. I feel so far, that it is a fun series with rivalry, money/class diversity, friendship and horses (how could it be good without!), and there is stuff about families, boys etc. too. However, I still think that Heartland can not be out-run and the farm has a bigger place in my heart. A great read and guide, but SUNDANCE AND THE CREW all the way! -- Spirit 'Maddi'
"...I used to hate reading, but ever since the Heartland series, I've loved reading..."
I ADORE the Chestnut Hill Series! I've read them all and I hope that you will write more (mostly about Malory and Caleb, they are sooooooooo cute together!) I used to hate reading, but ever since the Heartland series, I've loved reading. But only books to do with horses of corse! The Heartland Series and the Chestnut hill series are some of the best books I've ever read. -- horselover21
I looooveee the series so far! Heartland is a hard act to follow, and even though I think Amy is the winning character all the way, Mal (Malory) is my fave CH character. Minnie is my fave pony, closely followed by Tybalt and Bluegrass, and then Colorado and Morello and Quince and Gent and Shamrock and the rest...luvin' the series! Can't wait for more books to come out. Lauren Brooke is an unbeatable writer. Looking forward to the next books - Honey and Minnie and Lani and Colorado! Woohoo for CH AND HL! -- PonymadEl
CHESTNUT HILL is widely-acclaimed (by girls of all ages) as one of the best horse/school series in the modern world. The school Chestnut Hill is in Virginia. The four most important girls in the series are Dylan Walsh, Felicity "Honey" Harper, Lani Hernandez, and Malory. These characters bind together and stick with each other in everything. -- elainemaine
After reading all of the Heartland books I was excited to read the new series Chestnut Hill. The series is good, the information accurate, and the characters nice. The only problem I had was with the constant referrals to brand names. Except for Malory all of these girls are amazingly wealthy and with so much space taken up by the girls Blackberrys and brand name jeans it takes away from an overall great series. But once you start to stand that you are taken into a world of friendship and the true to life world of school only with the added bonus of horses! -- kittencait
"...Lauren Brooke is an awesome writer..."
Chestnut Hill is a great book series! I think all girls in the preteen-early teen ages can definately relate to it, but I don't think that anyone who doesn't like horses could read it. It has all the real world things in it, like family problems, boys, arguments between friends, and things always come out okay when friends stick together. It's so much like the real world! I think that Lauren Brooke is an awesome writer, and can't wait for the other books to come out!! I can't come close to choosing favorite characters, but I think my favorite horse would have to be Morello. I think Lauren Brooke should definately write one of the next Chestnut Hill books about Lyndsey, with her feelings put into place. It might give us a better understanding of the real Lyndsey. I love reading about Malory and Caleb! All in all, Chestnut Hill is a GREAT book series for girls who love horses! -- hOrSeLoVeR
I think that Chestnut Hill is an amazing series of books. If you're not a horse freak, don't read them!! The books really relate to my life and they taught that when friends stick together you become stronger as a group. We don't have trouble with boys, but with other things. -- SponygirlW
"Rock on Chestnut Hill!!!"
I love the Chestnut Hill series!! I am also in 7th grade and I loove horses!! I read both series (Heartland and Chestnut Hill) by Lauren Brooke, and have to say that Chestnut Hill is my favorite because it's about a group of girls kind of like me (minus the boarding school). The first book really makes you want to read more of the books. I like the Chestnut Hill series because they are kind of like me in many ways, and not very different from my life too; if you can figure that one out! I also like that they ride english and learn western too! Lani is most like me so I like the fourth book the best!!! Rock on Chestnut Hill!!! -- mustangme
I was really sad when CH came out because Heartland was ending. But never the less I feel that it was a great series, and like all of Lauren Brooke's books it combines the right amount of horses, drama, and romance. Now I'm really looking forward for book number seven. I'm also looking forward for some more Heartland books (hint hint). This is an all around good series if you haven't yet read it. -- Jag's Chick 24
"...Chestnut Hill is the perfect series...
I absolutely love the Chestnut Hill series. I am 100% mad about horses and I think these books are class. I think the books would not be the same without Lynsey and Patience, even if they are horrible! I love most of the characters but my favourite has got to be Honey, and I love Moonlight Minuet as well! For those of you who love horses, Chestnut Hill is the perfect series and I can't wait until the 7th comes out in February! -- Jess
I really liked the Chestnut Hill books from the beginning. I got attracted by liking Heartland and finding more of the series. Like Lani, Honey, Dylan and Malory, I am in seventh grade and I love horses and riding. Where I ride I am also considered intermediate although what I do is less challenging than at Chestnut Hill's intermediate level. I have things in common with a lot of characters: I'm not too fond of my sister and want to have riding at my school like Lani. I have a temper and sometimes I argue as well as having people I really dislike, like Dylan. And I get different kinds of grades like her. I am secretive like Honey and Malory and tend to keep my feelings inside like them. I am sort of shy and quiet and don't have a load of friends like Razina. I'm serious like Alexandra. I love Chestnut Hill books!!!! -- Lauren
"...romance, friends, fun, sports, computers, games, parties..."
I absolutely love and adore the whole series so much! It is among my favourites. I have always been a bookworm but Chestnut Hill really jumped out at me. It's not as emotional as Heartland, which is a minus for me, but some of it is so realistic. I really like how all the characters are so different like in a real boarding school- mature, secretive, witty, quiet, romantic, serious, fun, humourous, etc, etc, etc. Lauren Brooke, I really love your writing! Friends, fun and solving personal problems are just as big in this series. It covers lots of topics youth girls like- romance, friends, fun, sports, computers, games, parties, cool fundraisers, and for me and all other horse lovers, HORSES, PONIES, and RIDING!!! Lauren Brooke, you rock! Please continue the series until they graduate, and make special editions, even if only to please fans like me who need your books so much!!! Thanks a lot for Chestnut Hill, as well as Heartland!!! -- horse_lover
I love the Chestnut Hill books -- they're so awesome!!!! I can't wait until the 7th one comes out. I have so far read all of them through, 1-6. I use to hate reading but now I love to read books about horses. My favorite characters would be all of them. Especially Malory and Caleb!! I can't wait until more of them come out!!!! -- Horselover08
A Summary of Friendship in the Chestnut Hill Series (and How the Heartland Series coincides with It) Content: The Chestnut Hill series has inspired children and teens of all ages since its first publication in 2005. It is beloved by educators and parents around the globe, specifically because of its intricate friendship and teamwork lessons. It portrays the lives of four girls who encounter many trials through school and riding horses. Another reason that Chestnut Hill is unique, is because of the fact that it co-incides with the Heartland series via Amy Fleming. This, in itself, is a defeated obstacle on the author's part. -- 8th grader elainemaine
"...I can't stop reading!"
I love Chestnut Hill! They rock! I think Lauren is a great author and I can't stop reading! I used to hate reading and horses, but when I got up on a horse and started to ride, I loved it! When I started to read Chestnut Hill I fell in love with the books! Horses rule! Lauren rocks! -- Wildponygal
I love this series! It rocks. Please write Chestnut Hill special editions so that we can get it from different point of view than usual. It's really neat how the books are all in different points of view. It is amazing how the girls can be so different and still be friends as well as rooming together. Lynsey and Patience are such snobs, but Malory, Honey, Dylan and Lani are really nice and they do really cool things. Chestnut Hill would be fun to attend if it was a real school. Having riding lessons every weekday, living with your friends, sharing cool clothes, and regular classes all in one for one price, and being able to see movies and play bowling, have coffees and shop at the mall with your friends every weekend if you like, that'd be awesome! -- Lauren
I love the Chestnut Hill series. Lauren Brooke is such a talented author. I loved the 5th book, I finished it in 1h30! I can't wait to read the 7th book! Rock on Chestnut Hill fans!! -- keeks11
I luv these books. I haven't read the Heartland series but I luv the Chestnut Hill books. A friend gave me one and I still can't put it down. We are low on money but my parents (mostly dad) try to get me more books. -- book craz
Wow! Brooke has done it again in this amazing series, Chestnut Hill. The books take place at a riding school called Chestnut Hill and each book is from the perspective of one of the main characters: Lani, Honey, Dylan or Malory. -- pony lover
"I love the awesome characters."
I love the Chestnut Hill and Heartland series. They are my favorite series. Heartland at times can make me cry in a good way. I love Chestnut Hill because it just is the trials of living at a boarding school focused on horses. I love the awesome characters. Amy is my total favorite. Hope there are more to come. -- horse estatic
I love Chestnut Hill books, I am in love with horses! I loved them, like, as long as I can think of. I love riding and stuff like that. My fav. characters would have to be Honey and Lnysey. I know what you're thinking: why her? But her horse is awsome! I am doing the 6th one for a book report. I don't want the books to stop! -- samantha
I absoluetly love the Chestnut Hill books. I had read a few of the Heartland books before, but I found Chestnut hill at Boarders one day and wanted to read it. After reading book one, The New Class, I was dying to get all the books in the series. I am currently reading book five now. Then on to six. I will be dying for the next two to come out. I love this series because it relates to me. I am an equestrian and jumper, that dreams of doing what these girls do. I am a intermediate rider, jumping and flat, but reading about the Chestnut Hill girls makes me want to go farther. All the drama is amazing as well! These books are amazing, I hope there are as many Chestnut Hill books as their are Heartland. Becuase I love them! -- equestrian_girl100
"Chestnut Hill is a masterpiece."
Chestnut Hill is a masterpiece. It is so fun to dive into a world of fun, friends, a chic boarding school, romance, shopping, rivalries, and a whole lot more. Lauren Brooke is a true genius to have created such a wonderful series! -- ponyluv8
I really liked the whole Chestnut Hill series so far. I found it intriguing at once and could easily connect to it. I love how there is a fine balance between horses and social events described in the books. The people seem true-to-life and realistic, also how there are so many types of people in one place, such as how different some of the people are. Lauren Brooke has made up characters with such a wide range of personalities--serious, kind, funny, optimistic, braniac, rich and spoiled, smart, beautiful, and of course, the horse-lover crews around campus. Even the horses are different with different talents--like Colorado, with his stubborness and Western background, sweet Moonlight Minuet with her eventing potential, Winter Wonderland with his dressage prospects, spunky, humorous Morello. As I read I could imagine the scene easily. At one point in book 6 I even felt like I was on a horse, it seemed so real! The only thing missing was a lack of emotion. This is one of the best series ever. -- horse_lover
I LOVE CHESTNUT HILL BOOKS!! I love the parts when they get together with Saint Kits' boys and go on dates and stuff. I'm not crazy about horses but this book definately made me more interested. Lauren Brooke is like one of my favorite authors. I totally can't wait for the next ones and hopefully many more!!! -- sarab
This series is all about a boarding school in Virginia. At the school there is a stable with loads of horses that the students can ride. Each book is about a different event in school life, each from a different characters' point of view. The main characters are Dylan, Malory, Honey and Lani. The "bad guys" are called Lynsey and Patience who are really mean. In the first book Patience does something to Dylan but I'm not telling ya' what so you have to read the book! I give this series ***** -- chestnut_hill_supa_fan
I think the my favourite books of the series has to be Malory's, Honey's and Lani's, and Dylan's! I just love them so much and have read them like a zillion times! I'm currently trying to write the 8th book on Chestnut Hill, but it wouldn't sell! Just doing it becuase it inspired me. I'd love to go to Chestnut Hill, but there is nowhere in the whole world as cool as Chestnut Hill. Yay honey! :D -- Vicki
"I have read all of Lauren's stories and I think they are all fantastic!"
I love the relationships beetween the characters from Chestnut Hill and the relationships beetween the boys at Saint Kits. I have read all of Lauren's stories and I think they are all fantastic! Please keep writing Chestnut Hill, we all love them so so so much! I love going to bed to read them PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep writing your amazing out of this world, sensational, blown away storys each character is so funny and amazing. We would all be so upset if you stopped writing please don't let us down! plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz! -- bex
Wow these books are just amazing, they rock. I have read all 6 and I am waiting for the 7th, I cant wait!! ha ha. LAUREN BROOKE U ARE THE BEST WRITER EVER!!!!!!!! I will buy every chestnut hill book she writes and it's my dream to actually meet her! She is my favorite writer ever. -- ana
Chestnut Hill is awesome. I'm counting the days till Feb and I am just like all of the characters. I'm up for FUN like Lani, I'm quiet & secretive like Malory, I'm blonde-blue like Honey and I'm jokey like Dylan. MAY & FEB: I'M COMIN' TO GET YA!!!!!! -- Chestnut Hill Forever __xX
I would really just like to say how much I love the Chestnut Hill book series. I have always hated reading and no book had ever caught my interest. I got the first two books of Chestnut Hill and I loved them. Soon I was at the book store getting the rest of the series. I have read the first book about six times and the rest about three times. I think it would be right to say that I'm obsessed. I can't wait until I can get my hands on the seventh book! -- Jamie
I totally love Chasing Dreams. I think Patience is a snob just like Lynsey. I can't believe what Patience did; she has to be one of the most annoying people in the entire school! Honey was heart broken and couldn't let Minnie go, NEVER! I think Honey is very brave and thoughtful. I have to admit my favourite girl is Lani. I love the name and she looks real pretty. Then it would be Honey then a tie between Malory and Dylan but all girls are nice. I like Lani because I love western and I love the accents. Seeya! -- ponies4me!
Chestnut Hill books are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, I really want to know if Lauren Brooke is coming out with a new one. READ THIS SERIES!!!!!! -- Lexa
"Lauren Booke is an amazing writer."
Chestnut Hill is the best series ever!!!! I can totally relate to the stories and cannot wait until the 7th book comes out!!!! Lauren Brooke is an amazing writer. -- ponyheidi
This book is awesome!!!!! I got it free with a magazine and have been hooked ever since! I love how Dylan is so into fashion and horses, but I also like the more catty side of her. She can stand up for herself and really wants to make the team. It has been a bumpy ride (including a midnight ride) but she gets quite a good part anyway. -- ponygalmaddy
The Chestnut Hill series is soooo cool! I have the books up to date and got the seventh a few days ago. Lauren Brooke is amazing and it's cool how she puts Amy (from the Heartland books) into Chestnut Hill sometimes. All in all, I love the CH books even though I don't ride. I wish CH was a real school because I'd love to go to it! It sounds great. Keep writing Lauren. -- kel2k8
I just love the Chestnut Hill series. I crave them like chocolate candybars lol :]. They are so amazing because I can relate to them from what I do with horses! :] I hope you are going to make many more books of Chestnut Hill because I would die without them. They actually make me want to go to a horse boarding school... too bad I can't afford to :[. Anyway you should definately recommend these to a friend because this is one of the best series I have ever read. I am really interested in the books because I love horses and they are around my age! Keep writing please Laura! I love your books! Can't wait until number eight is out!!!!!!!!!!11 :] -- HorseJumpa
I love Chestnut Hill!! Dylan has to be my favorite character and Morello/Tybalt my fave pony; Tybalt reminds me of my half pony Taz :P I loved Heartland but I think Chestnut Hill is even better! It's such a fun series--can't wait to read the new book coming out in May!! -- horsecrazii
I'm crazy over Chestnut Hill!! I love the characters and horses. The dances and formals with Chestnut Hill and Saint Kits are amazing!!! I love those parts. I can't wait to see if Malory will get a new mother and Nat a new father!!! Hmm, a match!! -- (Anonymous)
I think the Chestnut Hill books are my absolute Favorite books in the whole world!!!! I love how Lauren Brooke writes about Horses Boys' Party's makeup and how she makes the fights with Dylan and Lyndsey funny and really understands what girls are interested in and I hope she writes lots more Chestnut Hill books; I look forward to reading book 7 and 8 hope you write a book 20. -- horsegal96
I love the Chestnut Hill Books, because they are not just horse books, they relate to real life and include everything a horse mad girl wants to read about: horses(obv), boys, friendships... I cannot choose a particular book, or character who stands out the most. Like many others, I LOVE reading the Chestnut Hill & Saint Kits hook ups, like Malory & Caleb, and Honey & Josh. I cannot live without these books, they are great. Lauren Brooke is a top writer - I hope that there are many more Chestnut Hill books to come. x -- Chestnut.Hill.Mad--x
I am soo excited about reading Chasing Dreams book 7 of Chestnut Hill--I am looking everywhere for it. I also can't wait for A Time to Remember to come out, I was so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But what is with all the different cover titles for Chestnut Hill; like, Malory looks soo different in book 6 than in book 2. I have the Chestnut Hill books that have got a square picture and then a draw background. Lots of love to Chestnut Hill fans. -- horsegal96
"I never get into a series of books very often but I am definately getting into these!"
I never get into series of books very often but I am definately getting into these! They are the best group of friends with the best ponies in a school that sounds the best, what more could anyone possibly want in life??!!! My favorite character is probably Malory because she is so caring for the horses and has had a lot to deal with with her mother and all. My worst character is probably Patience; I know you're probably wondering why not Lyndsey, but Patience does what she wants and is willing to put others and ponies in danger--at least Lyndsey cares for the ponies even if she doesn't care for the others that much!! lol. Hope your enjoying the series as much as I am and I can't wait for the books to keep coming!!! -- -x-ponyluva95-x-
I love Chestnut Hill books. They are the best books I ever read. I sooooooooooooo wish I went to boarding school! I can't stop reading them. I can't wait 'til the next book comes out! So far the books are great! Lani is my favourite girl, my favourite boy is Caleb. My favourite horse is Tybalt. I love how sneaky Lani is, and funny! I think Caleb is really cute! I LOVE all of the books!!! -- Gabie4hubbrick
I HATED TO READ TILL I GOT A HOLD OF YOUR BOOKS LAUREN BROOKS YOU ARE A GREAT WRITER. I have never liked to read because no other books ever caught my interest but now I got a hold of one of your books at a horse show and I LOVE to read but ONLY your books. I don't have a fave character or horse out of your books because they are all great!!!!!!!!!!!! I can relate to your books because they all LOVE horses the same as me, especially Dylan. And the way you explain the looks and colors of the horses they sound BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! And I think YOU should continue to write these books as long as you can!!!!!!!!!!!! -- emily
I think that the Chestnut Hill books are really cool. My favorite characters are Honey, Dylan and Lani. My favorite hoses are Minnie, Morello, and Colorado of course. Even though I do not ride English I think the books are really cool and the best series I have ever read.[ P.S. I ride western that is why I like Lani a lot.] And I really hope that Lauren keeps on writing more and more Chestnut Hill books and eventually have as many as Heartland. So keep on writing Lauren. -- cow girl 101
I really loved Heartland!!! It was the best book series I have ever read. When I found more horse books by Lauren Brooke I couldn't open them fast enough!!!!! I love Chestnut Hill now!!!!!!!! I think it is sooooooo awesome how Brooke ties the two series together a little bit by bringing Amy into the picture from Heartland!! -- horseRiderxx
"...I Could Not Put The Books Down"
Chestnut Hill Is Soo Good I Could Not Put The Books Down--I'm Waiting To Get A Time To Remember, I Don't Cry At Anything, Not Even Films, but in A Few Parts Of The Books I did And Laughed As Well. I'm Soo Glad I Found CH And Can't Wait To Read Heartland Because I'm Sure They're Just As Good. Thank You Lauren For Writing Such Brilliant Books! ...<3 -- LOVECJANDCHESTNUTHILL..<3
I love the Chestnut Hill books! They are soooooo wonderful! They have the perfect mix of horses, friends, fashion, and so much more! I love learning about boarding schools. Before I read these books, I thought that boarding schools were horrible, but now I think that they sound fun! These books have things in them that real girls go through, and that made it easy to relate to them. Lauren Brooke, you are an excellent author, and please, please, never stop writing these books! -- Sierra1374
The Chestnut Hill series is a fantastic series to read! I could relate to it, as I ride and show horses as well. I was obviously disappointed when Lauren Brooke ended her Heartland series, but now I have Chestnut Hill to read! She is a great author. Her books are the kind I simply can't put down! I hope this series is as long as Heartland. -- DressageCrazy
I loooooooooove the Chestnut Hill books--it just makes me want to jump in the book and drag along behind them. My favorite horse is probably Tybalt, he was so scared and helpless at the start that I just wanted to go and hug him better. But I didn't have to because everything got better at the end. My favorite character by the way is Lani, she is very pretty. -- ponylover44ever
I love reading the Chestnut Hill series over and over again because I myself have a lovely red-bay called Nutty but when my pony lover cousin lent me the first book (The New Class), I just couldn't put it down. I think Lauren Brooke is an amazing writer who expresses her feelings with her readers and tells it how it really is! -- horseluver28
The Chestnut Hill series is the best series ever!! She writes the books so well and I can relate to all of her books. I've only read the first two books of the Heartland series and I just finished the 7th book on the Chestnut Hill books. (My library doesn't have the 8th one yet). Anyway, I have to stop talking because I will just keep going on. Overall these books ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -- WESTERN LUVER!!!!!!!
"one of the best series ever!"
I love Chestnut Hill!! Most of all, I Love Lani! She is such a great friend! She And Mallory are my FAVORITE! I love the series and I love to read. This is one of the best series ever! -- Lanilover
All the horses are sooooooo cute. I use to hate reading but thanks to all the horse books especially Chestnut Hill I luuuuuuuuv it!!!!!!!! My favourite character is Malory and my fave horse is Morello but I think I am most like Dylan. -- Brennababe
These books are so good that you can't put them down!!!!! She writes them so well and each character is different and they all have their own way of doing things. The details are so intricate and so well put together. LAUREN BROOKE YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -- WESTERN LUVER
The whole of the Chestnut Hill series is fab. Personally, I recommend "Playing For Keeps" and "The New Class" though I have not, unfortunately, read all of them. Each series is written in the views of a different character dealing not only with school life and horses but also with personal problems that most can relate to. Each character has a different personality--Dylan: Witty, outgoing, fun-loving; Honey: Sweet, gentle, great sense of humour; Lani: Hilarious, wacky, though at times can be focused; and Malory: quiet, kind, though still jokey. Not to mention the great horses, cool experiences and generally good to read. All of the books I have read have been intriguing as well as realistic. FANTASTIC WORK LAUREN. -- chestnut-hill-lover.x.
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