Product Details
Title: Once Upon a Horse
Series: The Vets of Heavenbrooke County, Book #1
Published: November 15, 2024
ISBN-10: 979-8341357259
Purchase
- Amazon
Book Description
In the charming Heavenbrooke County, where country life meets big-city dreams, 28-year-old accountant Stella Barkley is about to learn that love often arrives when you least expect it.
After a flat tire leaves her stranded, a handsome stranger comes to her rescue—Dr. Jason Alba, a dedicated veterinarian with a heart as big as his ambitions. Their initial encounter sparks an undeniable connection, aided by Stella’s mischievous Jack Russell Terrier, Milkbone, who takes an immediate liking to Jason thanks to his pocket full of treats.
As Stella and Jason’s paths continue to cross, their budding romance faces unexpected challenges, especially when a mysterious missing horse from a local breeder complicates matters. Thanksgiving brings them closer, with Jason saving Stella from a kitchen disaster, but as their relationship deepens, secrets, misunderstandings, and a life-saving surgery on the missing mare threaten to pull them apart.
With her future in Heavenbrooke uncertain, Stella pens a heartfelt goodbye letter to Jason. But on Christmas morning, as she contemplates a life without him, the man who stole her heart reappears.
Can a simple letter and the magic of Christmas lead to a second chance at love?
Join Stella and Jason on a heartwarming journey of love, loyalty, and second chances in *Once Upon a Horse*. Perfect for fans of contemporary romance, this touching tale of unexpected connections will leave you believing in the wonder of love.
- 5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story. I highly recommend it! Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2025 Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase Helena Smrcek us a fabulous author. Her stories are filled with conflicts, resolutions, love and faith in God.Samthedog
- 5.0 out of 5 stars I can't wait for more in this series! Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2024 Format: Paperback Once Upon a Horse by Helen Smrcek is the first book in the Vets of Heavenbrook County series, and it’s completely wonderful! After working long hours in her stressful job as an accountant, Stella needs a major change. She moves into her late aunt and uncle’s country farmhouse and takes a job at a feed store. When she has a disaster of a flat tire, Dr. Jason Alba comes to her rescue like a knight on a white horse. They immediately hit it off, and thus begins this sweet romance. Smrcek has given us incredible characters in Once Upon a Horse. Stella’s actions fit with the things she’s been through. Jason’s integrity and kindness are evident throughout the book. These two have some misunderstandings that they work through, sometimes with the help of friends. Stella’s dog Milkbone often steals the show! Mrs. Good, the church lady, is a character that brings some quirkiness to the story, and I hope that she pops up in future books. The other characters are well-written as well. The country setting and Christmas-y feel made this romance really cozy and enjoyable. The themes of compassion and forgiveness are evident throughout. Sometimes we do what we think is the right thing without considering the consequences. What matters most is that we recognize our faults and seek forgiveness and reconciliation. We’ve also got to learn to forgive when others make those wrong choices for what they think is the right reason. The misunderstandings in Once Upon a Horse made this romance much more realistic. Everything isn’t always good in a relationship. I think the author excelled at portraying this. I highly recommend Once Upon a Horse for its country setting, well-written characters, cute animals, and sweet romance! 5 stars! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. Christy M.
- 5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Christmas Romance Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2024 Format: Paperback I really enjoy Contempory Romance books. Once Upon a Horse by Helena Smrcek is Book 1 in the The Vets of Heavenbrooke County series. I recently had the opportunity to read the book. WOW, this is such a sweet storyline that had me captivated from the very first chapter. The 2 main characters in this book are Stella Barkley and Dr. Jason Alba(Veternarian) and also Stella's Jack Russell Terrier, MilkBone. Stella and Jason meet when Stella is stranded on the side of the road with a Flat Tire. Stella has just relocated from the BIG City to small town Country Life in Heavenbrooke to live on her late Aunt and Uncle's farm. Dr. Jason is the town Veternarian and he enjoys Country Life. I really LOVE that Jason and Stella become friends and slowly begin to really get to know each other in a romantic level. The pair really come together when a local horse, Starling, goes missing . Dr. Jason LOVES the animals in the story and he really becomes a HERO when he saves Starling with a necessary surgery. Stella and Jason both have secrets that hinder their relationship, but I LOVE that they tackle those issues with honesty and grace. Jason is definetly a gentleman and helps Stella through a couple crisis situations and shows forgiveness to many. I truly was engaged in this storyline throughout the book as it was intriguing. The book is one of Second Chances, Life Decisions and Grace. The Small Town Country Christmas setting really had me excited. I am in AWE of this book and I am already excited to read the next books in this series. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Sweet Romance books! FANTASTIC BOOK!familymgrkendra
- 5.0 out of 5 stars Romance, Drama and Pure Fun to Read Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2024 Format: Kindle This is a charming and captivating retelling of fairy tales with happy endings and a horse that plays a big role in the romance. Stella is an accountant who has moved to the small village of Heavenbrook to get back to the roots of her grandparents who have passed away. She works at the local country store, has a darling dog named Milkbone and is basically a lonely young woman just trying to survive. Enter Prince Charming in the form of a local vet named Dr. Jason Alba. He wins Stella’s attention and affection right away by giving Milkbone a treat each time he sees him. The two seem destined for romance until the big secret that Stella does not want to tell Jason comes out during her Thanksgiving dinner celebration. Sparks fly, the explosive kind, not the romantic ones, and the two separate, both disillusioned with love and each other. This is a story that is fast-paced, easy to read and absolutely well told with characters that made me want to either cheer for them or slap them, depending on their current actions in the tale. With realism mixed with romance and a little magic of well-loved fairy tales, this book is an enchanting clean read that I enjoyed from beginning to end. I’m looking forward to more in the series! Vickie Watts
- 5.0 out of 5 stars Animals, Country & Sweet Romance! Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2024 Format: Paperback City world and country meet and there is more to the handsome veterinarian than Stella can imagine. I thoroughly enjoyed being introduced to part of the horse racing world. The author's knowledge of horses comes through in the story, and there is mystery and suspense as the story unfolds. It has everything you could want-animals, country living, and a budding romance. The characters are well developed with lots of layers that are revealed gradually, building lots of tension. I ran the gamut of emotions as I rooted for each one. I loved the references to God, who works everything out in his timing. This is a new to me author, with this being the first book I've read, but highly recommended it.J.E. Grace