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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
The Sureness of Horses by Kevin Arnold begins with Wade Middleton, who connects with seatmate Diana Buchanan on a flight. Diana and Wade begin to meet socially, but Diana is married and unwilling to leave. Meanwhile, Wade learns about layoffs at his workplace, which adds to his feelings of responsibility for his friend Jorge, who is married to Marita and facing job insecurity. Wade and Diana's relationship escalates to romance over New Year. Diana shares that she has ceased attending retreats with her husband, Rob. Wade and Diana come up against growing pains as their obvious differences start to amplify. This is further complicated by Wade's turmoil over his attraction to Jorge's wife. Jorge confides in Wade about his finances, and later, Marita expresses worries about Jorge's drinking. Wade's conflict over two women, who are both technically unavailable to him, comes to a head when cataclysmic trauma strikes.
Kevin Arnold’s The Sureness of Horses presents a refreshingly unique take on romance, juggling a somewhat taboo love triangle involving Wade, a relatable divorcee caught between two married women. The novel bravely deep dives into infidelity without judgment, which is unusual and, frankly, humanizes Wade, while ensuring each character—Wade, Diana, and the irresistibly alluring Marita—are well-developed. Wade’s likeability lies in his authenticity. I admit that I found myself less connected to Diana due to her differing values, which conflicted with my own. The equestrian elements are the tie that binds a shared passion in Wade and Diana’s relationship, and as a horse lover myself, I enjoyed it. The writing is solid and with its massive twist toward the end that is unexpected, there are plenty of other surprises in between. Overall, this book will do well with readers who lean more toward literary fiction than hard-baked romance. Recommended.
