I fell in love with the title character of Christina Lynch's Pony Confidential and I bet you will, too!
Pony was once the beloved companion of a 12 year old girl, Penny! They shared trail rides and confidences and Pony knew what it was to be loved and card for. Until a fateful day when Penny was ripped away from Pony and he never saw her again.
He blames Penny for the way his life changes, never for the better. He is vengeful and filled with the injustices of his life all because Penny deserted him! Even though it was twenty five years ago, everything was Penny's fault!
Despite being a grumpy, rather selfish being, Pony is also good at self preservation. Being cute and prancing or being adorable when called for, while seething underneath at the hatefulness of humans.
Throughout the changes in his life, Pony meets a variety of other animals and creatures who sometimes help him. They are each endearing in their own ways from a rat to a sparrow, each have their own perspectives and voices.
Alternately narrated by Pony and Penny, whose own life has not gone the way she'd hoped and has ended up on trial for a murder committed when she was 12, and not by her, though no one believes her. She is extradited from California back to upstate NY where this murder took place.
Losing Pony also changed Penny's life. Will these two ever find one another?
You will have to read, or listen to this delightful, insightful, thrilling, and at times heartbreaking story.
In a way, it is a kind of modern Black Beauty as it makes us aware of how so many beautiful creatures are at the mercy of so many thoughtless, cruel and uncaring humans. You'll want to give your animal companion extra hugs while reading this.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio for the ARC! And to Edelweiss for the DRC!
