When you read a Jilly Cooper you realise why there always seems to be so long between the publication of each novel.  Of course, it’s because the research that goes into her novels is immense and in turn that’s why they are so completely enjoyable.  You really can immerse yourself in another world; in Riders, there’s a world of loveable characters that are totally captivating , up to no good but excellent at it.  You cannot fail to laugh at them and crucially laugh with them.  This is one of her best.

A "Piece of Passion" from the publisher...

‘Horses, lust, handsome rogues, gorgeous females, and as much sex, romance and bad behaviour as anyone could wish for.  In this book Jilly Cooper invents the classic bonkbuster,  as we visit her ravishing world of Rutshire for the first time.' Linda Evans, Senior Editorial Director at Transworld

November 2009 Guest Editor Katie Agnew on JILLY COOPER

OK, I admit it, it was the sauciness I liked at sixteen. Well, it was just plain naughty to read about polo players cavorting in the hay with stable girls, wasn't it? And they were all so posh! I'd never met anyone with a double barreled name in 1988. But even as an adult I love Jilly Cooper's work. I can't bear literary snobbery. Her novels are sooo clever! She creates entire worlds and pulls you right in. When I finish one of her books I get that same feeling of grief that I used to get at seven when I finished an Enid Blyton.

Synopsis

Set against the glorious Cotswold countryside and the playgrounds of the world, Jilly Cooper's "Rutshire Chronicles", "Riders", "Rivals", "Polo", "The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous", "Appassionata" and "Score!", offer an intoxicating blend of skulduggery, swooning romance, sexual adventure and hilarious high jinks. "Riders", the first and steamiest in the series, takes the lid off international showjumping, a sport where the brave horses are almost human, but the humans behave like animals. The brooding hero, gypsy Jake Lovell, under whose magic hands the most difficult horse or woman becomes biddable, is driven to the top by his loathing of the beautiful bounder and darling of the show ring, Rupert Campbell-Black.

Having filched each other's horses, and fought and fornicated their way around the capitals of Europe, the feud between the two men finally erupts with devastating consequences during the Los Angeles Olympics.

Reviews

'Sex and horses: who could ask for more?' Sunday Telegraph

'Blockbusting fiction at its best' Mail on Sunday

'I defy anyone not to enjoy her book. It is a delight from start to finish'
Auberon Waugh, Daily Mail

'It's all here: swooning romance, skulduggery in the stables and, yes, bonking; all set in the Cotswold countryside. Tally ho!' Elle

About the Author

Jilly Cooper is a well-known journalist, writer and media superstar. The author of many number one bestselling novels, including Riders, Rivals, Polo, The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, Appassionata, Score! and Pandora, she and her husband live in Gloucestershire with several dogs and cats.   Fellow novelist SOPHIE KING on JILLY COOPER Another author whom I met as a journalist! Her breathy voice immediately casts you under a spell as does her writing. I loved her earlier books like Pandora, which concentrated on one heroine's life but I also loved Riders and – well, all of them!.   More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation