Review of If Wishes Were Horses

[Asma Aisha Ansari]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "If Wishes Were Horses" by Wendy Pattinson.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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If Wishes Were Horses, Wendy Pattinson's debut novel, tells a moving story about resilience in the face of trauma and the search for belonging, set in beautiful Perth, Australia. The sunny beaches and green parks create a peaceful background that nicely balances the serious themes of the book.

The story follows Sam, the protagonist, who grows up with an abusive father, leading him to develop survival skills that both shield him and isolate him from society. Ana, a flower shop owner, on the other hand, finds resilience in her professional pursuits, creating a meaningful life despite her many losses. Sam feels very real as a character, and we follow his journey as he tries to build a better life and make meaningful connections with others. We also discover Sam's close relationship with Ana. If you wish to find out how they are connected, pick this book up as soon as possible.

The other characters add richness to the story. There's Patrick, Ana's charming boyfriend, who brings stability to her life. We also meet Danica, Ana's good friend, who helps her through tough times, and Kate, Patrick's former wife, who brings some interesting complications to the story. Then, there's Trent — Danica's boyfriend — who is important to the plot but eclipsed by his father, Glen, for good reasons.

The way Pattinson connects all these characters' lives is well done and believable. While the book deals with many intense issues, it also shows moments of joy and hope that kept me interested in everyone's personal growth.

The only weakness of this book is its editing. There are several spelling and grammar mistakes in the book that can interrupt the reading experience. While these don't ruin the story, they do make it less polished than it could be.

The story ends with a sad cliffhanger, which still works well for this kind of story. After all, real life doesn't always have neat endings. While I was a little upset about the climax, I'm glad that there's a chance to read another book by Wendy Pattinson.

Despite the editing problems, this is a strong debut novel that will stay with me for a long time. I'll gladly award this novel 4 out of 5 stars — it would have been perfect if not for the editing issues. I'll recommend it to readers interested in thoughtful fiction and novels that delve into the darker aspects of human relationships and the lasting impacts of abuse.

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If Wishes Were Horses
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[Oreoluwa Johnson]

Well...from my point of view, Sam's survival skill (which might seem ruthless) was brought brought up due to his father's behavior and Ana .....I loved the way both of them cane together, they were meant to be

[Oreoluwa Johnson]

Well...from my point of view, Sam's survival skill (which might seem ruthless) was brought brought up due to his father's behavior and Ana .....I loved the way both of them cane together, they were meant to be
So....in all conclusion... It think this story really sounds realistic and I love it

[Blueberry Dragon]

Well-crafted, lovable characters makes for interesting reading in fiction. Thanks for bringing this to our attention with your well-written review, @Asma Aisha Ansari.

[Mary John 10]

Wendy Pattinson's debut novel, If Wishes Were Horses, explores resilience and the search for belonging in beautiful Perth, Australia. The story follows Sam, who grows up with an abusive father, developing survival skills that isolate him. Ana, a flower shop owner, finds strength through her work despite personal losses. As Sam works to rebuild his life, his relationship with Ana deepens, and the book reveals their connection. A heartfelt journey of healing and connection, this novel is a must-read.