If Wishes Were Horses
Robert Barclay

William Morrow / HarperCollins
February 2011/ ISBN 9780061966880
Fiction
Amazon

Reviewed by Barbara Buhrer

On his 35th birthday party Wyatt Blaine's wife and son, out to buy more ice cream for the party, were killed by a drunken driver. Now five years later Wyatt is still not recovered from the tragedy. He decides to take a sabbatical leave from the family law firm and reinstate his wife's pet project, New Beginnings, a horse therapy program for troubled teens at the family ranch. He is shocked and angry to find Trevor McPherson enrolled in the program. Trevor is the fourteen-year-old son of the man who killed Wyatt's family. Trevor is in trouble at school and will avoid being expelled by participating in the program. Trevor is not happy with this. Wyatt is persuaded to allow him to remain. Wyatt meets Trevor's mother, Gabriella, a teacher. He finds her the most attractive and interesting woman he has met since his wife died. They are mutually attracted but must overcome the common tragedy barrier.

This is a story of love, loss, hope and forgiveness. It is a perfect scenario for Hallmark TV: a handsome, wealthy, lawyer rancher, a lovely widow with a troubled son... the inevitable outcome. The characters are well drawn. especially likeable is Wyatt's father, Ram, who is suffering from Alzheimers. He brings a welcome relief to the otherwise emotional situations.

Reviewer's Note: