Crossing the Bridge - Review

Synopsis via goodreads:

Hugh Penders has been stuck in neutral for nearly a decade since his brother Chase died in a car accident. He carries with him two secrets that he has never been able to share with anyone: that he believes he might have been able to prevent the accident, and that he was deeply in love with Chase's girlfriend, Iris.

When Hugh's father suffers a debilitating heart attack, Hugh must return to the New England home he's been running away from for the past ten years. One day, he encounters Iris - who has long since moved away - on the street. They begin a friendship and Hugh believes he's falling in love with Iris all over again.

But the ghost of Chase haunts both of them. And when each reveals a truth the other never knew, their lives, their vision of Chase, and their chances for a future together will change forever.

Charged by the power of desire and the impact of loss, Crossing the Bridge is a soulful, romantic novel that will speak to you deeply.

I received this novel via The Story Plant Publishing, and I have to admit, had I not, I might have missed this one. It's not my “normal” kind of book – but I am SO glad that they picked me for a review, I LOVED Crossing the Bridge and I really want to read Michael Baron's other book When You Went Away.

This novel is a slow, elegant glide; with a heart. I am pleased to say that it stole a place in my heart – as well as on my shelf. Being a single mom, I long to find someone with a heart as big as the one Hugh display’s within the pages of this novel. The setting’s, details and characters are beautiful created.

Crossing the Bridge is told via Hugh’s point of view, which I found refreshing, most romance novels I have read are written in a woman’s POV. I found Hugh, sweet, carrying, and loving – though extremely haunted by the loss of his brother – a loss he’s been running from for 10 years. I found myself rooting for Hugh, wanting him to get past his hurt and finally “find himself” and stop running. With that said, occasionally, I found Iris annoying, however after you have lost someone whom you loved dearly – it’s tough to trust yourself again.

All in all, I enjoyed Crossing the Bridge; Michael Baron really knows how to write an eloquent novel, with a plot that is extremely relatable, even having never lost a brother or a sister, I found myself able to put myself in Hugh’s shoes.

If you enjoy romantic novels, this is one for you!

I give Crossing the Bridge a 4 stars – and only because I found the ending a bit rushed.

Crossing the Bridge
Written by: Michael Baron
Published: January 5, 2010
352 Pages

This book was provided to Book Crazy via The Story Plant Publishing in return
for an honest review.