Sunny Gale takes readers deep into a world of family tensions and tender aspirations. Jamie Lisa Forbes captures rural life’s grit and quiet beauty with a gentle authenticity that feels both honest and familiar. The story centers around Sunny, a young girl caught in the turbulence of family dynamics and poverty in mid-century America who yearns for more than what life seems to offer.

Sunny’s voice is clear, hopeful, and grounded, qualities that make her a relatable protagonist. Through her eyes, we see the raw dreams and unspoken sacrifices that define her family and her fight to live life on her terms.

Sunny Gale doesn’t shy away from difficult truths and also gives room for growth, hope, and resilience in even the most challenging circumstances.

Jamie Lisa Forbes has written a quietly powerful novel that lingers long after the final page, offering readers a glimpse into lives that are as universal as they are deeply rooted in the specific soil of the American heartland.

Hannah's journey of horse riding starts with Zephira, next Atlas, and Helios to name a few. I could relate to Hannah's love of horses. As a little girl, I loved horses as well. I still do like horses.

You could tell she shared a great bond with the horses. Each one brought something to Hannah's life. She will never forget each of the horses. This is very apparent, unlike the men that came into Hannah's life. Not to say that they were bad but just that Hannah was meant to be free and not tied down to married life. It was this free spirit that I liked about Hannah aka Sunny Gale. She was not afraid to pursue her happiness.

I did like the historical time period that this story took place. This book reminded me of one of my favorite movies, Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken. It featured a young woman named Sonora, who became a diving horse girl at the fair. Readers who love horses or just looking for a really good story to read will want to check out this book.

Hannah develops a love for horseback riding and horses. Eventually changing her name to Sunny. Sunny goes on a adventure of perseverance, endurance and love. The writer has written a spellbinding story with no words wasted. The character of Hannah / Sunny is a strong female lead fighting for her rights against the times of how it was back then. I feel this book is inspiring especially for women and I found it to be highly entertaining. The author has well researched and written a historical book that I won't forget.

“In those visions, she saw Zephira running with them, galloping in long strides, her hoofprints behind theirs in the snow.”

If you asked me what I look for in a historical fiction book, 'Sunny Gale,' would be my answer. This novel contains multitudes in the form of lush atmosphere, beautiful historical detail and strong characters that leave the reader feeling as though they have just met a new friend.
'Sunny Gale,' is about a girl named Hannah and a promise that she makes to herself as a young woman. The setting is Nebraska and the year is 1895. Hannah Brandt's attempts to tame a wild horse that she named Zephira and ends in a short, sharp gunshot from the rifle of her step-father. The horse falls, and Hannah is forever changed by this moment.

Though many young girls might take this as a sign to lose hope, Hannah only uses it to build strength and add fire to her dream to learn to ride a horse. Fate puts a local young man named Luke Mangum into her path, and though their relationship begins with Luke teaching Hannah how to ride a horse, it continues down a romantic pathway until the two end up married.

But Luke and Hannah's marriage is not a happy one. Though they eventually have a child together, Luke wishes for Hannah to stay home and become a traditional mother, while all Hannah can think about is riding horses. Hannah begins riding at the rodeo, and what starts out as a way to earn money grows into a full-time career and love of her life. Hannah must decide if she loves her personal or professional life more during a time when women were not expected to have both.

'Sunny Gale' is a stunning, 5-star novel about love, womanhood and sacrifice against the backdrop of the rodeo.

An exciting, feminist take on the world of early rodeo in the United States, 'Sunny Gale,' is an atmospheric treasure of a novel. This book gave me so many different feelings as I was reading along, from intrigue, to joy, to despair and back around again! I was so wrapped up in it that I couldn't put it down all day!

The story of 'Sunny Gale' begins with a young girl living in the late 1800s in Nebraska. Hannah's family moved to the area to try to make their way as farmers, but they soon realize that surviving in mostly undeveloped Nebraska is not as easy as they had been made to think.
Restless and full of dreams, Hannah begins trying to tame a wild horse that shows up one day on their property. She never gets to ride it however, as her step-father shoots the animal after he discovers it. Hannah is distraught, and pushes this discontent into a drive to learn to ride a horse somewhere else.

Luckily, she makes a friend in the form of a local boy who offers to teach her. As time goes on, the local boy, Luke, and Hannah eventually marry and have a child together. Hannah's love of horses grows into a successful career as a rodeo star, which Luke detests.
He wants her to stay home and care for their child, but Hannah cannot give up her dream and the ensuing story makes for a very interesting look at early feminism in western America.

I think this book will go over very well with people who enjoy novels about empowered women in historical settings. Jaime Lisa Forbes is the kind of writer that only comes around every once in a long while, and I fully intend to read more of her novels to see what else she can do!

I learned so much reading this book that I walked away feeling smarter than I was when I started! Jaime Lisa Forbes writes about the pioneer days in 1800s Nebraska with the familiarity of someone who has done their research.

At the same time, 'Sunny Gale,' is a startlingly intimate look into the life and thoughts of a young woman just starting out her life and trying her best to find what she wants most. The main character of the book is Hannah Brandt, a young girl who grows into a woman before the reader's very eyes.

Hannah loves horses. She has ever since she first saw a wild filly on her parents property in rural Nebraska at the tender age of 14. That particular experience did not end well for her, as her attempts to befriend the horse ended in her step-father shooting it so that Hannah would stop wasting the family's limited food supply on the horse. But, as Hannah grows into a woman, she continues to express her love of horses through working with the rodeo.

Hannah's husband, Luke, and her mother both disapprove of her joining the rodeo, but Hannah knows that it is where her heart lies, and she will give up anything she has to in order to stay close to that world.

'Sunny Gale,' was, for me, a stunning look into the mind of an uncompromising woman, and a beautiful historical novel that left me with a warm feeling in my chest.

I have read Jaime Lisa Forbes' writing before in the form of her book, 'Eden' and I remember having the same warm feeling after that one. She is such a talented writer I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next! I recommend reading both that book and this one for a great historical fiction experience!

“Of the three, it was Hannah who was transformed, not by the rigors of pioneer life, but by passion. The passion that engulfed her that winter when she found the wild filly she called 'Zephira.'”

Set in the year 1895 in the brutal frontier of the untamed Nebraskan wilderness, 'Sunny Gale,' is a story about a young girl's journey into womanhood, and her quest to choose the right life for herself. Young Hannah Brandt is only fourteen years old when her family uproots itself and moves to Nebraska.

In those days, the American government was selling tracts of land to prospective farmers as a way to entice more people to move to the state. Hannah's step-father, Tremain chooses to buy one of the tracts and moves the whole family, but soon finds out that farming on this land is not as easy as he was promised.

The family faces hardships and it is during this time that Hannah befriends a wild horse by leaving food out for it to eat. But when Tremain discovers that she has been doing this, he is angry enough to shoot the horse dead. This action drives a permanent wedge in between Hannah and her step-father, and begins her on a quest to find a way to learn to ride a horse.

Luckily, Hannah meets a local young man named Luke who agrees to help her. As the years pass, Luke and Hannah grow closer and eventually marry, but Hannah's dream of riding horses eventually transforms into a dream of becoming a rodeo star. Against the wishes of her husband and her prudish mother, Hannah does become a rodeo star and changes her name to Sunny Gale, proving that she can achieve her dreams.
Jaime Lisa Forbes is a very talented author in the historical fiction genre. I have read one of her books before and found it to be a wonderful journey into the past!

'Sunny Gale' was even better!

If you are looking for an exciting and enchanting read to finish out your summer, look no further! 'Sunny Gale,' by Jaime Lisa Forbes has history, action, adventure and a strong female main character to round everything out.

I love when a historical fiction novel teaches me about a subject that I know nothing about, and this book did that in a way that was both clever and entertaining. Jaime Lisa Forbes clearly did her fair share of research in order to write this, and it shows!

'Sunny Gale,' is a story about a woman who pioneers gender equality in the world of rodeo. In the year 1895, Hannah Brandt moves to the mostly undeveloped state of Nebraska with her mother and step-father with the aim of starting a family farm. Hannah is only 14, but she is not sheltered, and she becomes fully aware of the hardships that her parents face as they try to scrape out a life in the harsh Nebraska wilderness.

Unfortunately, this begins to drive a wedge in between the whole family, and when Hannah's step-father discovers that she has been caring for a wild horse, he kills the animal himself. This would be a tough knock for anyone to endure, but Hannah only takes it as a sign that she must work harder to live out her dream of learning to ride a horse.

After enlisting the help of a local boy, she begins learning to ride and soon uses that knowledge to become a champion rodeo rider. But the road is not easy for Hannah to get everything that she wants out of life, and she soon finds that she will have to give up much of what she has always been taught to strive for as a woman in order to follow her career.

A wonderful read from a terrific writer! 'Sunny Gale,' is unmissable!

“Sunny Gale,” by Jaime Lisa Forbes is one of those books that, as you're reading it, you can see it playing out like a movie in your head. Forbes is just such a great writer; my brain needed no extra help to picture every single scene. I could see it perfectly: A young girl, moving to Nebraska with her family, riding in a horse-pulled cart in the bleak days of 1895.
Hannah Brant falls in love with a young horse that visits her family's new property, but when her step-father finds out that she has been feeding the animal, he shoots it dead. A terrible moment, and gut-wrenching to read, but Forbes writes it so well that I couldn't put the book down.
What Hannah's step-father does not know is that this action only makes the girl more determined to learn to ride. And soon, she does, appealing to a local teenage boy named Luke Mangum who has a rich family that owns many horses.
The second Hannah gets onto a horse for the first time, she knows that she has found her destiny, and she goes on to become a highly decorated rodeo rider in the state of Nebraska.
Although Hannah and Luke marry, their marriage is fraught, as he does not agree with her choice of profession. Hannah has to go against her husband and her strict mother in order to secure her position as one of the first female rodeo champions in history.
This novel is cleverly written and grips the reader right from the very first page. I have read one of Forbes books before and this matched up to my expectations of her writing very well!
I could see this being a big hit with book clubs, and leading to many interesting discussions about history and feminism. I highly recommend this fantastic read to everyone that enjoys historical fiction and western fiction. You won't want to miss 'Sunny Gale.'

'Sunny Gale,' by Jaime Lisa Forbes is a story that will send you on a wild adventure.

Hannah Brandt is only a child when her father passes away. At the age of 14, her mother and step-father move their family to the wilds of Nebraska. The year is 1895, and the state is selling tracts of land to farmers at a very low rate in order to entice new people to move there. Hannah's family gladly accepts, but soon find out that the undeveloped land is hard to farm and they begin to struggle to survive.

Though Hannah is concerned by this, she is also focused on her love for a wild horse that occasionally stops by their farm. Unfortunately, when Hannah's step-father finds out about the horse, he shoots it, devastating Hannah and emotionally separating her from her parents even farther.
Soon, Hannah meets a local rich boy named Luke who allows her to ride one of his horses and this begins a lifelong riding career for her. Hannah eventually ends up becoming a champion rodeo rider, changing her name to Sunny Gale and defying Luke, whom she eventually marries, to become one of the first female cowgirls.

'Sunny Gale' is a story of perseverance in the face of adversity, a feminist historical novel and a compelling adventure story all rolled into one neat little package.

I greatly enjoyed reading this novel, and I think anyone who enjoys historical novels will love it too! Jaime Lisa Forbes writes as if she were really there in the 1800's watching all of this happen. Her attention to detail is unmatched, and her skill at creating an atmosphere really took my breath away!

This novel is a great example of how far we have come as women in society, and a reminder of the women who sacrificed so much to bring us to this point.

Rodeo, a sport deeply rooted in American history, has long showcased grit and determination, traditionally dominated by men. However, women have carved out their own space, challenging societal norms. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these trailblazing women excelled, paving the way for future generations.
Set in this backdrop, "Sunny Gale" introduces fourteen-year-old Hannah Brandt, living on a harsh Nebraska homestead. Her mother and stepfather brought the family there, hoping for a better life. Hannah, not accustomed to this tough life, spends her days working the farm and dreaming of something more. When she finds a horse roaming the countryside, her love for animals changes her perspective. Naming the horse Zephira, this bond alters Hannah’s life.
Four years later, Hannah wins the relay race at the first Cheyenne Frontier Day rodeo, setting her on an uncharted path. Adopting the name Sunny Gale, she pursues a career in rodeo against her mother’s wishes. Transforming from an unwilling farm girl into an accomplished rider, she focuses on bronco riding, aiming to be the first successful woman in the sport.
Driven by an unyielding desire to compete, Sunny defies conventions, sacrificing personal relationships, including her marriages and connections with her children. The story takes readers through Sunny's life, filled with successes and many dangers. Despite the rough life, she craves the spotlight and refuses to bow to societal expectations for women of her time.
Author Jamie Lisa Forbes develops both the primary and secondary characters well, making readers feel immersed in the story. Her descriptive writing is also marvellous making the reader not just read but also feel the context and also the setting. "Sunny Gale" is an engaging read that explores societal norms and showcases the indomitable spirit of a woman determined to break free from them. It's a wonderful story with both highs and lows that will make readers laugh and cry. Surely deserving my five stars!!

An absolutely beautiful novel that made me feel empowered and seen as a woman, 'Sunny Gale,' by Jaime Lisa Forbes is the kind of story that only comes around every once is a very long while.

I have read only one other book by Forbes, and though I do remember loving that one, I think I found this one even more entertaining. 'Sunny Gale,' is about a young girl who grows into a woman and finds the strength within herself to achieve her dreams. But, more specifically, it is about a cowgirl.

Fourteen-year-old Hannah Brandt has suffered betrayal and loss before, but when her abusive step-father coldly murders a wild horse that she had been attempting to befriend, it becomes Hannah's last straw. This action sets off a domino effect that stays with Hannah for the rest of her life, and leads to her becoming one of the first female rodeo champions in history.

Persevering against hardships and many critics (one of whom is her own husband) Hannah eventually becomes one of the greatest rodeo riders of a generation and she is one of the first women to ever do so professionally. But, in chasing her dreams, she finds that she must put everything else aside in order to catch them.

Will it be worth it for Hannah to give up her personal life for a successful professional career? You'll have to read the book to find out, and I highly recommend it.

Forbes is a fantastic writer, capable of giving just enough description to keep the story going, and just enough action to keep things interesting. I loved the overall message of this story and the way that the ending wrapped everything up, while still leaving room for the readers imagination.

Five stars for this absolutely thrilling read!

A life-changing novel about a young woman's destiny, 'Sunny Gale,' by Jamie Lisa Forbes is one of my favorite books of the year so far!
After the loss of her father, Hannah Brandt and family move to the plains of rural Nebraska to buy cheap land and seek their fortune as farmers.
But as Hannah, her mother and her step-father fall on hard times, they begin to grow apart.

Hannah meets a boy named Luke, who comes from a wealthy family and agrees to teach her to ride a horse, something she has always wanted to do.

Hannah develops a love for horseback riding that will take her all the way to the Cheyenne Rodeo and beyond as a rodeo cowgirl.
Through lots of ups and downs in her career—and in her love life-- Hannah, who eventually changes her name to Sunny Gale, breaks new ground for women in rodeo over the course of her stunning career.

'Sunny Gale,' is a book that is bound to entrance any reader with it's beautiful, spell-binding atmosphere and strong characters.
I have read one of Jaime Lisa Forbes' books before and I gave that one 5 stars, but I found myself loving this one even more!
It's very clear that Forbes puts a lot of research into her books, but she doesn't weigh down the narrative with unnecessary details.
Believe me, that's a rare trait to find in a writer!

If, like me, you are a lover of historical fiction—especially female-led historical fiction—you will love this book just as much as I did!
This is a story of strength, perseverance and fortitude told from the perspective of an average woman who becomes extraordinary. 'Sunny Gale' is a very important read for anyone that is searching for a sense of belonging in themselves.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. It’s the story of a young woman who was brought to a remote ranch by her mother and step-father as a young girl. They were extremely poor but she really wanted to bring home a wild colt that she painstakingly lured back their property. Her stepfather shot the colt, saying they couldn’t afford to feed it. That colt haunted her all the rest of her days. She soon fell in with a neighbor several years older and ended up marrying him. He gave her a horse and taught her to ride. She went on to become a show rider and renamed herself Sunny Gale. He bore a couple of children with different men and always competed in dangerous rodeo competitions. I can’t say she had a happy life. In the Afterward, the author tells that she’d heard about women like this from the early part of the 1900s.

Hannah, AKA Sunny Gale, overcomes many trials to ride into a man's world in the wild west circa early 1900's. She is eager, exhilarated, and open to whatever possibilities await in the early days of rodeos. Sunny sacrifices tradition in search of her passion for riding, roping and buckarooing. An inspiring and compelling read.

This book for sure will take you through the ups and downs of the life of a determined and strong woman in the late 1800's in Nebraska. Get transported back in time as this vividly written book will take you for an adventure that will be full of highs and lows. I promise you will find yourself at the edge of your seat just like you would at a rodeo!

It's the late 1800's and we come upon a family living in Nebraska...an unforgiving land, hard on beast and human. Hannah is 14 years old, living with her step-father and mother. The winters are filled with cold that make it hard to breathe, blizzards that could leave snow up to the cabin's roof. There is no room in a young girl's life for dreams, only hard work that fills her days. Yet her imagination is captured when she comes upon a wild filly leading her to an obsession with horses. Three years later we find Hannah with a new name "Sunny Gale" and a destiny fulfilled with a rodeo career. This book was amazing, written in such a way that reading it was like looking at a painting, it's descriptions were vivid with a story that captured you from the first page to the last. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.