Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    If Wishes Were Horses: A Novel
    If Wishes Were Horses: A Novel
    If Wishes Were Horses: A Novel
    Audiobook11 hours

    If Wishes Were Horses: A Novel

    Written by Robert Barclay

    Narrated by Mike Chamberlain

    3.5/5

    ()

    Switch to ebook

    About this audiobook

    In the spirit of Nicholas Sparks comes If Wishes Were Horses. Author Robert Barclay has crafted a deeply moving story of love, hope, and forgiveness, as two damaged souls torn apart by a common tragedy slowly find a way to heal. Destined to be a much-beloved classic on a par with Robert James Waller's The Bridges of Madison County, Barclay's If Wishes Were Horses is a story rich in emotion that will touch the heart of every reader who fervently believes in second chances at love.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateFeb 15, 2011
    ISBN9780062012968
    Author

    Robert Barclay

    After graduating from Colgate University with a B.A. in economics and a minor in art history, Robert Barclay enjoyed a successful career in business, also serving as chairman of his industry-related consulting group. After selling his business, he devoted his time to writing. His previous novels include If Wishes Were Horses and More Than Words Can Say. He lives with his wife in Florida.

    More audiobooks from Robert Barclay

    Related to If Wishes Were Horses

    Related audiobooks

    Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Top 10 Books

      Feb 5, 2021

      Top 10 Books
      1 min read

    • Article

      Katherine Heigl

      Jan 15, 2021

      Katherine Heigl
      1 min read

    • Article

      March Fiction

      Feb 15, 2022

      Run Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson (Century, £20) In 2018 the ever-prolific James Patterson got together with Bill Clinton to write the best-selling The President Is Missing: a novel that combined Clinton’s insider knowledge with Patter

      2 min read

    • Article

      Between Innocence And Experience

      Jun 7, 2019

      At the centre of Poomani's novel, Heat, is Chidambaram, a boy who, in an act of daring and planning beyond his years, strikes down his elder brother's killer, Vadakkuraan. A powerful land-grabber, Vadakkuraan is always surrounded by his own armed men

      1 min read

    • Article

      Best-sellers

      Feb 25, 2018

      Rankings for hard-cover books sold in Southern California, as reported by selected book stores: ___ Fiction 1."The Great Alone," by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin's: $28.99) A family discovers it is in peril after the father, a returning Vietnam War POW,

      1 min read

    • Article

      Unbridled Passion

      Mar 15, 2022

      “REAL PASSION—I’ve only seen it that once,” Laurence Olivier’s first wife Jill Esmond told their son Tarquin. “If you are ever hit by it, God help you.” The passion she referred to was the one that destroyed her marriage. In 1937, Olivier left her an

      3 min read

    • Article

      Dirty John: The Real Thing

      Oct 2, 2017

      LOS ANGELES - Their first date was at Houston's, a restaurant in Irvine where he opened the door for her and put her napkin on her lap. Candles flickered along the polished-mahogany bar; jazz drifted from speakers; conversation purred. Debra Newell h

      10 min read

    • Article

      In Love And War

      Jun 10, 2021

      April 1943 - Krakow, Poland Irena was bent over her needlework, stitching the frayed seam of her skirt when she heard a single gunshot ring out. She jerked and then scowled. After four years of war, she ought to be used to it. Why, the other night a

      11 min read

    • Article

      Summer Reading Guide

      Jan 2, 2022

      Summer Reading Guide
      6 min read

    • Article

      'Empire Of Wild' Tells A Small Story — But Not A Slight One

      Jul 29, 2020

      Cherie Dimaline's new novel seems small in scope — it's about a woman who loses her husband and is determined to bring him back, nothing more than that — but it's rich, tightly written and powerful.

      4 min read

    • Article

      Why the Choir Was Late

      Nov 25, 2023

      Why the Choir Was Late
      4 min read

    • Article

      The Conflict With No End

      May 24, 2021

      The Conflict With No End
      4 min read

    • Article

      Four Of A Kind

      May 3, 2023

      Four Of A Kind
      4 min read

    • Article

      After Life

      Jun 26, 2020

      After Life
      5 min read

    • Article

      Trent Dalton On Heroes And Hope

      Sep 13, 2020

      THE HEROES NEVER changed form. Always flesh and blood; arms and legs and beating hearts as wide as this country. It was the villains who kept morphing on me. I once thought the bad guys all dressed like Darth Vader. Then I learned that the villains i

      8 min read

    • Article

      On Good Authority

      May 10, 2022

      Eufala, Alabama 02/19/2053 “Dr. Totter, may I speak with you about the security measures for your trip?” Zane, bearded, muscular, was poised and looming over her, and she fought the urge to take a step backward. Vivian Totter looked over her shoulder

      25 min read

    • Article

      Where Ghosts Linger

      May 28, 2021

      Where Ghosts Linger
      10 min read

    • Article

      The Symmetry Of Ruby Margot

      Feb 6, 2020

      The Symmetry Of Ruby Margot
      10 min read

    • Article

      HOUSE OF horror

      Jan 21, 2020

      HOUSE OF horror
      4 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Oct 3, 2022

      Books
      6 min read

    • Article

      Dirty John: Newlyweds

      Oct 3, 2017

      Dirty John: Newlyweds
      10 min read

    • Article

      Feared For Her Life

      May 23, 2021

      Feared For Her Life
      5 min read

    • Article

      Saving Graces

      Mar 9, 2022

      Wemmick’s Aged Parent in Dickens’s Great Expectations, beaming by the fire and enjoying his son’s jovial banter despite being stone deaf, remains the template for a contented and cared-for old age. But we read few such scenarios today. We read only o

      5 min read

    • Article

      Loved Ones

      Oct 28, 2023

      Loved Ones
      12 min read

    • Article

      Excerpts From The Works Of The 2024 Whiting Award Winners

      Apr 10, 2024

      The 2024 Whiting Award winners were announced Wednesday night. Below are excerpts from their work.

      19 min read

    • Article

      Surviving The Straits Of Hell

      Dec 23, 2020

      NINETY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD MOSHE HA-ELION proudly ushers me forward to admire the view from his smart fourteenth-floor apartment overlooking the beach in Bat Yam, south of Jaffa. It is late January and the mist is rising over the Mediterranean as if shield

      9 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for If Wishes Were Horses

    3.5/5

    76 ratings22 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      A grieving, bitter widower is thrown by circumstance into contact with the widow of the drunk driver who killed his son and daughter.Gee, what in the world do you suppose will happen here? If you’ve ever watched a Hallmark Movie, you already know.Barclay’s romance novel is saved from utter sicky-sweetness by underlying plot lines dealing with the hero’s father – a still-powerful man facing the decline of his mental powers – and one centering on the widow’s troubled adolescent son. Along the way, secrets are revealed and tears are shed on the way to the foreordained happy ending.The writing is pedestrian, the two main characters are essentially one-dimensional, and the Florida setting seems to have been chosen because – hey, you gotta set it somewhere, and besides, that’s where Barclay lives.Unless you’re a fan of formulaic non-chick-lit romance, this one is about two notches above a Desperation Read.
    • 5/5
      This is a romance and so much more. It covers dealing with the loss of loved ones, riding programs for troubled teens, and the shattering results of dementia.
    • 3/5
      Sappy, predictable, but enjoyable escapist fiction.
    • 3/5
      Wyatt Blaine is a successful lawyer and rancher who lost his wife and son to a drunk driver. Gabby and her son Trevor were also affected by the tragedy because the drunk driver was Gabby's husband. Wyatt's wife ran a program called the New Beginnings program, for troubled teens. When Wyatt decides to reinstate the program one of the teens recommended for the program is Trevor. Trevor has been acting out at school and is just about to be expelled, so his mother Gabby wants him in the program.While hesitant Wyatt lets Trevor in, will the trio be able to work past their losses?This was one of those books that I wanted to like but just couldn't. I like to read a story that grips me from the beginning and just begs to be read. Not so with this book, I found myself reading a chapter and putting it down often for a week or two. While the premise of the story is good, it doesn't really seem plausible. The characters just didn't hold my attention, and I also thought the author could have gotten his point across without using curse words. While I couldn't get into this story, I would highly suggest that readers give it a try, what one reader dislikes may be a favorite read for someone else. 2.5/5
    • 5/5
      I love this book so much. It really makes you think about your life and people in it. You never know how much time you have with the people you love. This book was so amazing that I finished it all in one sitting. I told my friends about it and they read it to, and they loved it to. Each person represents a different part of people's lives. It is also very believable and it could really happen to anyone. This story also helped get me through some tough times with family.
    • 1/5
      This wasn't my favorite book..... very predictable.
    • 4/5
      This was an Early Reviewer book. It was an excellent book. It held my interest from the first page to the last. A rancher (Wyatt) had lost his wife and son in a car crash caused by a drunk driver. A woman with a teenage son had lost her husband. He was he drunk driver.Wyat revived a horse therapy program for problem teens and had been one of his wife's projects. Trever, one of the troubled teens, had been reccommended for the program. The thing was, he was the son of the drunk driver.Reluctantly Wyatt agreed to let him be part of the program. That involved Trevor's mother, Gabby, and it was uncomforable all the way around. Wyatt and Gabby did become friends, as did Trevor and Wyatt's father, but problems still existed. To tell more would be giving away too much. My only complaint was the frequent use of Jesus, Christ, and God, and cursing using God's name. That was uncalled for and did not add to the story at all - in fact it took away. The story would have been just fine without the blasphemy. That caused me to rate it 4 stars instead of 5.
    • 5/5
      Tragedy befalls upon 2 different familes, the loss of a father and husband in one family, and a wife and child in the other. Fate brings them together when Wyatt re-establishes his wife's equestrian therapy program for troubled teens, and Gabby and Trevor enroll thru the work of the local pastor. The story and flow is good it keeps the reader turning along. described and a Nicholas Sparks tpye of book, I can't really compare, my wife reads Sparks, I haven't yet. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and practially could not put it down. While a serious romance, it has a touch of humor written in as well, which makes all of the characters very likable. Wyatt's father, ram is one of those. Brusque, honest, and straightfoward to the point of being blunt, he speaks his mind, and shows some great values and attitude.
    • 4/5
      The Back cover of the book describes this as: In the spirit of Nicholas Sparks comes this deeply moving story of love, hope, forgiveness, and second chances. I would agree with: this is a story of love, hope, forgiveness, and second chances. It was a pleasant, easy read.
    • 3/5
      I enjoyed this book, it was predictable, but I enjoyed the few twists in the story line. A good read, but not a gripping page turner I couldn't put down. I liked the characters, they all had their own battles to deal with and I liked the way their issues all tied together to make the story flow. Did anyone else catch that Deadwood is in South Dakota, not Colorado?
    • 3/5
      I enjoyed reading this book. Unfortunetly, this is not one of my favorites. I could put it down and come back later. I am the type if it is a great book I will read till I can't keep my eyes open and then pick it back up as soon as I hop out of bed.
    • 4/5
      I received this book through the Early Reviewers. On the back cover, it says "In the spirit of Nicholas Sparks . . . . ." The book is written in that style, with themes similar to Nicholas Sparks. It doesn't go real in-depth with any of the characters and there were times when it seemed to jump without finishing the storyline. But, the story was a good one! It kept me involved, and wanting to continue. It's an easy read.
    • 3/5
      I am writing this review for the early reviewers. Because this is meant to be a review pre-publication I will be particularly honest.I just finished reading "If Wishes Were Horses" by Robert Barclay. Let me start out by saying that I did enjoy the book. I think with a little tweaking this book could revival even a Nickolas Sparks story that it is compared to .This book follow the life of Wyatt who lost his wife and son to a drunk driver; Gabby and Trevor, who lost their husband/father to a car accident; and Ram, the owner of the Flying B who is rapidly losing his mind to Ahlzeimers. These stories are well written and mix beautifully. This book will make you think about love, life, wisdom, and second chances in new ways!However, I feel that Mr. Barclay is very heavy handed with the exclamation points. There are points in the story that seem to rush when they would better savored slowly. In some points the dialogue doesn't seem quite smooth. However, I hope he writes again. If this is his first attempt I can only believe that future books will be wonderful.
    • 3/5
      I also received this book through Early Readers and really wanted to like it as I was drawn to it. I am not quite done and I find myself wishing I was. I keep hoping that something will happen so I will love it. There are many slow moving characters in the book, many not believable. The language going on in Trevor's head is so not that of a teen age boy. His character with all of his angst is dull, as is Gabby. The only one I had any connection with is Ram, the matriarch of the family...Please let this book do a turn around so I can find something nice to say.
    • 5/5
      This book is one of the most well-written books I've read in quite awhile. The story is heartwrenching, and never lets you go. The characters were believable and compassionate. The author held fast to the reader throughout and went right to your heart. Kudos to Robert Barclay!!
    • 5/5
      A wonderful story that grabbed me right off. Two families dealing with senseless death of loved ones and trying to find love and forgiveness through a program of horse therapy. It shows how we allow the pain we feel to overwhelm us and keeps us unhappy and distant from the ones we love, but gives us hope that we can turn that around.
    • 3/5
      I had horses growing up, so I've enjoyed this book , I liked the story and the characters.I've received this book as an LT early reviewers.
    • 3/5
      My feelings are mixed about this book. I really liked the idea of the story. I love stories about overcoming tragedy. I like to be drawn into the story and find myself pulling for the characters as they go through their highs and lows. This book, however, never really drew me in. It started out grabbing my interest, but as it went along I just could not connect to the characters even though I did want to know how it ended. Weeks, Months, and at the end years, were skipped as the story went along. I felt like I was missing out on some of the growth the characters should have been experiencing during that time. I also felt that the two heart wrenching events near the end were just too much. It was kind of like the author thought he needed to DO something dramatic at the end. Overall I didn't hate the book, but I didn't love it either. The story had potential, but it just fell short for me.
    • 2/5
      I think I will stick to thrillers/mysteries from now on...I am sure this book will appeal to many folks, but I am not one of them. I was just so uninterested in the fate of any of the characters and since I predicted the ending from about page 20, it was difficult to even get through to the end. I found the writing to lack emotion and more of a narrative. The plot had promise, but it needed more development and none of the pieces seemed to tie together neatly. Overall, it's a shell to what could be an interesting, touching, enjoyable story.The assumption is right that fans of Nicholas Sparks will enjoy this book (although I think Sparks' books have a bit more substance). The fan base is certainly out there for this book- I hope those readers are able to find it.
    • 2/5
      I expected to like this book....I really wanted to like this book......but in the end I was disappointed. All the elements were there but it was as if the author had a checklist...tragic loss, troubled teen, lonely single mom, good intentioned minister.... and he never really tied it all together . The story was very predictable and by the end I was skimming.
    • 2/5
      If Wishes Were Horses has a promising storyline, reminiscent of The Horse Whisperer. But it didn't grip me in the same way. The writing in this book falls flat much of the time. It read a lot like a dispassionate description of who said what, and who went where, and who felt what. It didn't make you FEEL it. Or SEE it.I expected this to be a romance novel, in a horsey setting. But it was much more "traditional romance", and less "horsey" than I'd anticipated. Many of the horsey details are not quite right. And it just didn't have that horse-passion that you find in books like The Horse Whisperer.Amazon's editorial blurb had recommended this book to fans of Nicholas Sparks. Having read several of Sparks' books, I would say that is a fairly good recommendation. I think Sparks writing has more depth, but this is the kind of storyline you'd find in a Sparks novel.
    • 4/5
      It took a couple of chapters for me to get into this book but then I could not put it down. It is an inspirational story about lost love and finding new love. It lets the reader know that there is always hope in life, even when you have been dealt a bad hand. Ram, along with the rest of the family, faced Ram's diagnosis of Alzheimer's with strength and dignity. I found myself wishing I could sit down and have Sunday dinner with the Blaine family. Robert Barclay’s novel left me laughing and crying. My mother had Alzheimer's and passed away in November. I could feel Wyatt's love for his father and his concern over the disease that would eventually take everything from them. I felt like sections of this book were written just for me. This touching and at times heart-rending book should be at the top of everyone's must read list.