From the author of If Wishes Were Horses comes a novel of long-buried secrets and self-discovery, showing us that sometimes what goes unsaid is more powerful than words. . . .
Chelsea Enright never expected to inherit her grandmother's lakeside cottage deep in the Adirondacks—a serene getaway that had been mysteriously closed up decades ago. This is no simple bequest, however, because when Chelsea finds her grandmother's WWII diaries, she's stunned to discover that they hold secrets she never suspected . . . and they have the power to turn her own life upside down.
Even more surprising is the compelling presence of local doctor Brandon ""Yale, and Chelsea soon finds her ""short stay"" has stretched into the entire summer. She cannot put this cottage and her family's past behind her easily—and the more she learns about the woman her grandmother truly was, the more Chelsea's own life begins to change . . . and nothing will ever be the same again.
Download and start listening now!
"What a great story and I felt it was excellent writing! It truly made me feel like part of the story and as if I was reading her grandmother's journal firsthand at the cottage by the lake."
— Elena (5 out of 5 stars)
“[If Wishes Were Horses] will satisfy fans of sweet romances and tender family sagas…Mr. Barclay weaves a quiet tale about people with hearts of gold, each barely coping with inner demons or tragic circumstances, who learn that they need one another in order to find redemption.”
— NY Journal of Books“If Wishes Were Horses is chock full of wonderful characters. The novel is a moving one, at turns poignant, sad, dramatic, amusing, and hopeful.”
— Roman Reviews Today" This book was ok. I wouldnt say its anything to get super excited about, Im a little disappointed I spent $12 on it. The story is good, the characters are well developed but this wasnt a big time page turner for me. "
— Lyndsay, 2/8/2014" I really enjoyed Brooke's journal. I kind of wish it was more about her story, it was very interesting. Perhaps it was the time era she was living through. Overall I really liked the book and I'm glad it included Brooke's World War II recipes. "
— Veronica, 2/8/2014" I was looking forward to reading a book set in the Adirondacks. However this was horrible. A good editor would have cut the duplication & overdrawn characters by half. "
— Deanna, 2/5/2014" I really enjoyed the first 1/2 of this book. The author weaved a captivating and beautifully described story. But the remaining half of the novel became rather corny (cheesy?) and a tad overly dramatic to my liking. At one point, I thought..."Yeah that's definitely a male author imposing how he thinks women think or act in an ideal world..." Hah. "
— Huong, 1/23/2014" This book is pretty awful. It remains to be seen if I'll bother to finish it. "
— Julie, 1/21/2014" Very good book! Loved it! The characters were great and the love story told was amazing. :) "
— Melissa, 1/20/2014" I love the WWII angle, but it was just too hallmark movie for me "
— Danielle, 1/1/2014" So bad I couldn't finish it. "
— Melanie, 12/25/2013" I like inter-generational books and I like this one, although it was pretty predictable. But a good story. "
— Melissa, 12/22/2013" I started out loving this book but as it went on it just got way TOO sappy. "
— Anne, 12/21/2013" Sappy, obvious, and predictable... I found the main character sympathetic, so kept reading it (plus, I was on a train and had finished my other book). Not recommended. "
— Aaron, 11/28/2013" Chelsea inherits a cottage in upstate New York after her Grandmother dies. she uncovers her grandmother's family secrets and meets her future husband. A feel good, happily ever after story. "
— Pat, 11/25/2013" I don't think I have ever read a Harlaquin Romance book but I think this is the closest to one that I've ever been! It was fluffy, mushy, predictable. "
— Mary, 6/17/2013" A love story which was predtciable and a fast read. "
— Alberta, 2/4/2013" This was a good summer romance, involving WWII and the present--very relaxing to read, but the plot was trite and I knew the secret very early in the book--still good for beach reading. "
— Barbara, 12/28/2012" The story is good but the writing is too obvious. The author writes all thoughts and actions out like the reader is stupid. "
— Paige, 12/15/2012" Predictable plot, two dimensional characters and flat writing saved by yummy recipes in the back matter. "
— Rebecca, 8/29/2012" Ridiculous prose. Predictable to nth degree. A male author who imposes his idea of female thoughts and feelings on his main character. Run away, even if it is on sale on audible for $4.95. "
— Leah, 5/26/2012Robert Barclay, author of If Wishes Were Horses, sold his successful consulting business and moved from upstate New York to south Florida, where he could devote his full attention to what he always wanted to do—write. He also enjoys weightlifting, Shotokan karate, and going to the beach to do absolutely nothing.
Cassandra Campbell has won multiple Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, and the prestigious Odyssey Award for narration. She was been named a “Best Voice” by AudioFile magazine and in 2018 was inducted in Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.