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If Wishes Were Horses: A Novel
In this unforgettable novel of love, hope, and second chances, a grieving man's personal plan for redemption is suddenly and unexpectedly turned upside down . . . .Wyatt Blaine desperately seeks a reason to continue. Devastated by the senseless deaths of his wife and son at the hands of a drunk driver, he remains unable to forgive, and to love again. S...more
If Wishes Were Horses
Hardcover, 400 pages
Published
February 15th 2011
by William Morrow
(first published October 1st 2010)
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Knew most of the plot from reading the first chapter. Really predictable. Author likes to throw in 'big' words now and then and it doesn't fit in with most of the writing. Had to read the "maybe I love too ardently.." bit a couple times. The story line is actually enjoyable, but I feel it's written to pull emotions from the reader, the emotions don't just come with the story. Sure can't figure out Ram's alzeheimer symptoms...seems like they appear when needed in the narrative. Otherwise, he's ne...more
Originally Reviewed at Novel Escapes
I don't want to do this, but I'm afraid I have no choice. The premise of If Wishes Were Horses intrigued me and it could have been great, but it fell flatter than a pancake for me.
This was a cheesy chick flick type novel that felt over the top with cariacture characters, forced plot and dialogue. On the cover it is compared to Nicholas Sparks, who I've never read before, so can't comment, but I hope they mean the story of love and redemption. I've seen The Not...more
I don't want to do this, but I'm afraid I have no choice. The premise of If Wishes Were Horses intrigued me and it could have been great, but it fell flatter than a pancake for me.
This was a cheesy chick flick type novel that felt over the top with cariacture characters, forced plot and dialogue. On the cover it is compared to Nicholas Sparks, who I've never read before, so can't comment, but I hope they mean the story of love and redemption. I've seen The Not...more
Jun 18, 2011
CoffeeTimeRomance andMore
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction
This book was difficult for me to fully enjoy. Once Trevor stepped foot on the horse ranch it was like he was magically transformed into a thoughtful, exuberant teen in practically the blink of an eye. There is plenty of conflict and excitement, but much of it stretched my capacity to suspend disbelief to the limit. There are moments of tenderness and moments of laughter, and honestly, the story-telling flowed smoothly, but, for me, the whole believability factor was just lacking. Conflicts, ang...more
I was first intrigued by the cover of this novel--there's something mysterious and enchanting about it, to my mind. While the novel is somewhat predictable and does read somewhat like a Nicholas Sparks novel (which is not a criticism, just an observation), I found myself loving the characters Barclay created for this novel. The way the main characters Wyatt and Gabby work through their painful shared history (each on opposite sides of the accident that took the lives of Wyatt's wife & son an...more
Apr 10, 2011
Charlotte
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nook,
advanced-readers-copy
If Wishes Were Horses is a story about love, redemption, forgiveness, family, and peace.
It has been five years since Jason Powers drove drunk and forever changed the lives of two families. Not only did he kill himself, but he killed the wife and daughter of business man, Wyatt Blaine.
It has been five years and Wyatt is ready to re-open the equine therapy program for troubled teens that was his late wife's pride and joy. When his Minister asks him a favor, let the teen son of Jason Power's into t...more
It has been five years since Jason Powers drove drunk and forever changed the lives of two families. Not only did he kill himself, but he killed the wife and daughter of business man, Wyatt Blaine.
It has been five years and Wyatt is ready to re-open the equine therapy program for troubled teens that was his late wife's pride and joy. When his Minister asks him a favor, let the teen son of Jason Power's into t...more
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The characters in the book were very well rounded, but I noticed that they had a lot of problems letting go of the past which bothered me, but when the Blaine family and Gabby and Trevor finally figure out how they think they were meant to live the rest of their lives since the incident in the beginning of the book, the book really gets tied together and everyone seems to recover from the ups and the downs.
I wish the book had just a little bit more background information to who the people were...more
I wish the book had just a little bit more background information to who the people were...more
This story could have been sooo much better! I ended up disappointed over and over, yet I loved the story line so much I had to keep reading. The plot was one hundred percent presented in the first chapter. There were no surprises, it was extremely predictable, and everything turned out a little too perfect. And yet, I loved the story and cared what happened to almost every one of the characters. This author has a lot of potential. I just wish the "good guys" weren't so perfect. This story was a...more
If Wishes Were Horses was very good and surprising! The poor guy lost his wife and young son from a car crash that happens to be from a woman's dead husband. She is asking for help from him because his wife used to do this thing for troubled kids so they can be happy and excited. They have to be in school to do this because she was trying to get kids to do their work in school. For me, this reminded me of when I had to get my brother interested in school so he can get good grades and do good in...more
if wishes were horses was a cute novel. not my favorite, but i'm more of a paranormal romance kinda girl. this was a very nice novel, well written, and it made the right kinds of sacrifices in the end. Ram we knew would die. and it was cruel to have Mercy living the way she was. the only deaths was i really disgruntled over were the three horses that died in the fire and Sadie's death. Especially because Trevor was the one who had to shoot her. i have no sympathy for the old man though, and no i...more
This was a great idea by a writer who isn't quite there yet. For me this book was a bit long and it felt like it didn't have to be. I really liked the concept and I love horses so it held my interest, but the love story aspect of it needed work. Some of the writing felt a bit juvenile to me; there was lots of dialogue, but it felt like the author was running out of ways to express that someone was talking. There was a lot of, "(so-and-so) answered," and, "(so-and-so) answered back," and that mad...more
I wanted to like this book, but I don't think I did. It tells the story of Wyatt, a widowed man whose wife and son were killed by a drunk driver. He runs a horse ranch, as well as a horse therapy program for troubled teens. Joining the program are the ex-wife and son of the drunk driver. The three of them show animosity at first but predictably all get along really well. I didn't think this was well-written; it definitely read like a first novel. There were unnecessary descriptions. The entire s...more
Once Trevor stepped foot on the horse ranch it was like he was magically transformed into a thoughtful, exuberant teen in practically the blink of an eye. There is plenty of conflict and excitement but much of it stretched my capacity to suspend disbelief to the limit. There are moments of tenderness and moments of laughter, and honestly, the story-telling flowed smoothly, but, for me, the whole believability factor was just lacking. read more
Wayatt Blaine's 35th birthday party was in full swing as his wife, Krista and young son Danny, left to get ice cream for Wyatt. A short time later the phone rang with the devastating news that Krista and Danny's car had been hit by a drunk driver and they both died on the way to the hospital. Wyatt would carry the guilt of their deaths with him for sending Krista and their son out that fateful night. Wyatt decided to leave his job as partner at his father's law firm, Blaine & Blaine to move...more
The blurb pronounces this book as "unforgettable" but I disagree. Not only is this book forgettable, but the lead characters are cardboard and the plot meanders along.
The opening chapter sets up the book's premise: Wyatt Blaine's adored wife and son, Krista and Danny, are injured in a drunk driving accident and subsequently die. The drunk driver, Jason Powers, also dies. Wyatt is unable to assuage his grief and decides to restart his late wife's equine therapy program in hopes of helping others...more
The opening chapter sets up the book's premise: Wyatt Blaine's adored wife and son, Krista and Danny, are injured in a drunk driving accident and subsequently die. The drunk driver, Jason Powers, also dies. Wyatt is unable to assuage his grief and decides to restart his late wife's equine therapy program in hopes of helping others...more
Apr 13, 2011
Grace
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Any wone who loves a good love story.
Recommended to Grace by:
Eve Cournoyer
Shelves:
secular-fiction
Great book... The characters are so real that you will fell like you were there walking the ranch grounds with them. I could not put it down I laughed a lot and shed a few tears but I am so glad that I read it.
A summery of the book....
In this unforgettable novel of love, hope, and second chances, a grieving man's personal plan for redemption is suddenly and unexpectedly turned upside down . . .
Devastated by the senseless deaths of his wife and son at the hands of a drunk driver, Wyatt Blaine r...more
A summery of the book....
In this unforgettable novel of love, hope, and second chances, a grieving man's personal plan for redemption is suddenly and unexpectedly turned upside down . . .
Devastated by the senseless deaths of his wife and son at the hands of a drunk driver, Wyatt Blaine r...more
I saw this book at my local Borders just before it closed. Because I had already picked up a couple of books and didn't have enough money to get anything else, I scanned the ISBN with my phone and put on my To Be Read list. I recently checked it out from the library, and I was not disappointed.
Much like I did with Nicholas Evans' Horse Whisperer in 1995, I was drawn to this book not by it's cover blurb, but because it had a horse on the cover. I know. A book shouldn't be judged by it's cover, bu...more
Much like I did with Nicholas Evans' Horse Whisperer in 1995, I was drawn to this book not by it's cover blurb, but because it had a horse on the cover. I know. A book shouldn't be judged by it's cover, bu...more
Gabrielle Powers is a school teacher and single parent in a small town where everybody knows everybody else’s business. She is concerned about her fourteen-year-old son, Trevor. Trevor is having trouble at school, his grades are falling, and he seems morose and sometimes belligerent. When Trevor gets in trouble for fighting at school he is almost expelled, but then the angry teen is given one last opportunity.
As a tribute to his deceased, beloved wife, Krista, wealthy landowner and lawyer, Wyatt...more
As a tribute to his deceased, beloved wife, Krista, wealthy landowner and lawyer, Wyatt...more
Per the book synopsis:
"Devastated by the senseless deaths of his wife and son at the hands of a drunk driver, Wyatt Blaine is searching for a reason to go on. Unable to find any sense of peace, he turns to one of his late wife Krista's passions, running an equine therapy program for troubled teens at the Blaine family ranch. As Wyatt prepares to restart the program, he hopes to put old wounds behind him, and to find new purpose in his shattered life.
But then Gabby Powers, the widow of the man re...more
"Devastated by the senseless deaths of his wife and son at the hands of a drunk driver, Wyatt Blaine is searching for a reason to go on. Unable to find any sense of peace, he turns to one of his late wife Krista's passions, running an equine therapy program for troubled teens at the Blaine family ranch. As Wyatt prepares to restart the program, he hopes to put old wounds behind him, and to find new purpose in his shattered life.
But then Gabby Powers, the widow of the man re...more
"Devastated by the senseless deaths of his wife and son at the hands of a drunk driver, Wyatt Blaine is searching for a reason to go on. Unable to find any sense of peace, he turns to one of his late wife Krista's passions, running an equine therapy program for troubled teens at the Blaine family ranch. As Wyatt prepares to restart the program, he hopes to put old wounds behind him, and to find new purpose in his shattered life.
But then Gabby Powers, the widow of the man responsible for Wyatt's...more
But then Gabby Powers, the widow of the man responsible for Wyatt's...more
The story line intrigued me but the writing wasn't what I had hoped for. The story was very predictable and failed to draw me in. I could have put it down but I kept hoping it would get better but alas it didn't. Angry teenage boy suddenly turns good once he gets to the horse ranch. Not enough growth in the characters. It feels like a promising first draft that could have used a lot of work before it was published.
Despite a few flaws (equine errors), I really liked this book. I have a signed copy from Barclay and I'm glad to have added it to my shelves. I could have done without the death of a beloved horse, and the detailed description of how it happened. I nearly skipped it, tempted to close the pages.
However, I did enjoy it and it had a few twists and turns that I didn't see coming but did like the results of them. Good writing, keeps your attention.
However, I did enjoy it and it had a few twists and turns that I didn't see coming but did like the results of them. Good writing, keeps your attention.
I enjoyed this book because it touched on a few issues that I have lived through, so I could relate to the characters well. The author could have gone deeper, but it would have dragged the story too much. I ride horses and it truly is wonderful therapy. It can turn a teen around quite rapidly because it takes the focus off of self and helps them realize the strength they have within. Nice story line.
I picked this book up over the weekend because the cover and story seemed intriguing and it was a Nicholas Sparks type novel. I read this story in two days and loved it!
Wyatt and Gabby are bound by tragedy when Gabby's husband drives drunk and kills Wyatt's wife and son. Five years after the accident, Wyatt decides to revive his late wife's program "New Beginnings" which helps troubled teens by combining therapy and horses. Gabby's rebellious fourteen year old son Trevor is accepted into the pro...more
Wyatt and Gabby are bound by tragedy when Gabby's husband drives drunk and kills Wyatt's wife and son. Five years after the accident, Wyatt decides to revive his late wife's program "New Beginnings" which helps troubled teens by combining therapy and horses. Gabby's rebellious fourteen year old son Trevor is accepted into the pro...more
Jan 07, 2012
Naomi
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
romance,
families-fiction
Powerful beginning like I have never read before. Wyatt Blane's wife and son are hit by a drunk driver when they went to get ice cream for his birtday cake. Wyatt isn't sure he can ever forgive the man or love someone else.
Great fiction about a family and the use of horse therapy to help troubled youth and also the horse provides comfort for his Father suffering from dementia which will lead to Alzheimer's.
Great fiction about a family and the use of horse therapy to help troubled youth and also the horse provides comfort for his Father suffering from dementia which will lead to Alzheimer's.
OK...guy's wife and child are killed by a drunk driver. That drunk driver, also killed, was husband to woman with son, who then becomes troubled son. Guy later decides to continue with equestrian program at his ranch for troubled teens and the local minister insists that woman enrolls troubled son...this is the story of forgiveness that follows...
Actually a pretty good story.
Actually a pretty good story.
CHEESY! The only reason I didn't give this one star is that it was easy to read and amusing to roll my eyes at all the cheese! The author obviously wanted to write a love story but had no idea how to do it. On page 10 the "lovers" have never met yet there is a strong attraction. Page 322 the "lovers" have never spent more than an hour together, yet they have never felt a stronger love. Just because the author wrote it doesn't make the reader feel it. I thought this story was going to be more abo...more
Writing style was expressive and focused pointedly on environment and the psychological perspective of each character.
Truly unique view on relationships, trust and forgiveness. There was a great amount of depth and understanding put into each and every line of the plot. Very well written from the perspective of human emotion.
Truly unique view on relationships, trust and forgiveness. There was a great amount of depth and understanding put into each and every line of the plot. Very well written from the perspective of human emotion.
I grabbed this off of the new release shelf at the library, mainly for the title. It was an easy read, not taxing to the brain. I finished it in about 2 hours. Decent read. Not very memorable, but if you're looking for something to read quickly, like in the time it takes to watch a movie, then this one fits the bill.
Not my normal kind of book. It actually took me quite a while to get through it. I never really connected to the main characters. Reading this was like watching a soap opera. Drama, Drama, Drama. I actually enjoyed the secondary characters much more. The book is well written, I just could not get into the plot.
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