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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick was the third book by this author that I have read. I so adored both The Curious Charms by Arthur Pepper and The Library of the Lost and Found that I was very excited to pick up this one up as well.
At its heart, the novel is a very sweet story about a man who has lost his way following the death of his partner and his journey back into a whole-hearted life. Phaedra Patrick shows us love in this story from all different angles - father/daughter, childhood friends, sisters, co-workers, new love, and old love. We see dysfunction and grief, and even crazy speed dating. On the flip side, we also see the quiet sweet moments and the grand gestures.
There is a lot packed into this book - family drama, a mystery and romance too. My only compliant is that I wanted more. I wanted more letters from the padlock people. I wanted more time with the side characters. I wanted the story fleshed out with more details. The characters were well-drawn, but I felt like we didn't get a chance to get under the surface of most of them. Maybe even a little more messiness . . . the ending came a little too soon and a little too neatly.
I'd recommend this to anyone who wants a light, feel-good read - especially anyone looking for some secrets of love. Or perhaps anyone who is looking for a great wedding toast.
I requested and received a digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
At its heart, the novel is a very sweet story about a man who has lost his way following the death of his partner and his journey back into a whole-hearted life. Phaedra Patrick shows us love in this story from all different angles - father/daughter, childhood friends, sisters, co-workers, new love, and old love. We see dysfunction and grief, and even crazy speed dating. On the flip side, we also see the quiet sweet moments and the grand gestures.
There is a lot packed into this book - family drama, a mystery and romance too. My only compliant is that I wanted more. I wanted more letters from the padlock people. I wanted more time with the side characters. I wanted the story fleshed out with more details. The characters were well-drawn, but I felt like we didn't get a chance to get under the surface of most of them. Maybe even a little more messiness . . . the ending came a little too soon and a little too neatly.
I'd recommend this to anyone who wants a light, feel-good read - especially anyone looking for some secrets of love. Or perhaps anyone who is looking for a great wedding toast.
I requested and received a digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I am so in love with this book. I have to admit, though, it wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. Which is more than fine. I thought I was going to get a romance but it was so much more. I would definitely put this in the mystery genre though it easily does fit into romance. It also fits into loss and friendships, old and new. There is quite a bit going on but it unfolds so wonderfully that you aren’t overwhelmed in the least.
I love reading about someone’s journey and their growth. This does that with Mitchell. I ached at his love and loss for Anita. His relationship with Poppy is absolutely beautiful. He journey into fatherhood proves that it’s never too late to be a good parent. Then there are his relationships with Graham, Barry, Liza, Yvette and even Carl. I feel like this book could be in a genre called relationships. It is all about them. They all felt real; ordinary yet unique people. I already miss them. There is no dead body yet there is a mystery. I truly enjoyed it. This book has something for everyone.
I won an uncorrected proof of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Reviews are not required. I voluntarily reviewed this book. My review and love for this book is based upon the story. Thank you to Goodreads, the author and the publisher for making this book available in a giveaway.
I love reading about someone’s journey and their growth. This does that with Mitchell. I ached at his love and loss for Anita. His relationship with Poppy is absolutely beautiful. He journey into fatherhood proves that it’s never too late to be a good parent. Then there are his relationships with Graham, Barry, Liza, Yvette and even Carl. I feel like this book could be in a genre called relationships. It is all about them. They all felt real; ordinary yet unique people. I already miss them. There is no dead body yet there is a mystery. I truly enjoyed it. This book has something for everyone.
I won an uncorrected proof of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Reviews are not required. I voluntarily reviewed this book. My review and love for this book is based upon the story. Thank you to Goodreads, the author and the publisher for making this book available in a giveaway.
Well, it was a fast read, but really just an okay read. I just never really connected with any of the characters nor did I feel the writing was that great. It was just really average, in my opinion.
I have a soft spot for books about people who have separated themselves from others and community and find their way back to life again, and this one fits the bill. I loved reading about Mitchell and Poppy and their friends, and the town in England was fun to visit. It requires a little suspension of disbelief in the setup of the story, but it's heartwarming and uplifting and just lovely.
A heartwarming story with an eclectic ensemble of characters! I especially liked the letter component to this book, it added a delightful nod to a by-gone era. I'd you like Uplifting Lit you'll enjoy this one!
Sometimes sad things happen to good people, and they end up thinking it’s their fault that the sad things happen, and then they truly believe they’re not good people anymore. This is the story of one of those people, and a series of events that help him to overcome that sadness and realize his life can go on, and have good things in it, and that is okay. This is also the story of a family mystery. A woman has disappeared and it has caused great anguish for her sisters and mother. It was a great, contemplative read for me as I’m stuck in quarantine in Seattle. I loved the British setting and the warm, rich characters. Thank you so much to Harlequin/Park Row Books for giving me the chance to read this book ahead of time through NetGalley. Read on for a synopsis and my candid, unbiased review. This book released on April 28, so go check it out!
This book was such a sweet and thoughtful look at people and families, friendships and love, and guilt and forgiveness. Mitchell, the main character, is a total grump at the beginning but once I learned his backstory, I really felt for him. He definitely wormed his way into my heart. His daughter Poppy is absolutely adorable and so well-written. I could totally imagine her in real life. I also loved the women of the family that Mitchell ends up helping, especially Liza, who is so quirky and interesting.
One of the best things about this book is that is really written about everyday people living everyday life, and yet, there is almost a magical feeling to it all. The idea of all the locks weighing down the bridges and having to be cut off, and how futile that is, but how there is also a story behind each lock and if you think about it that way, it’s easy to get sentimental about it. I could just picture it!
I loved the bit of mystery in the story as well. I wasn’t certain what happened to Yvette, and with each new tidbit revealed, I had new theories. It kept me engrossed in the story for sure! And each character gets what they deserve, so to speak, which makes the ending satisfying. I especially enjoyed watching Mitchell’s journey as he learns to accept his past mistakes and stop beating himself up for them. I highly recommend this one as a soothing and engrossing escape!
This book was such a sweet and thoughtful look at people and families, friendships and love, and guilt and forgiveness. Mitchell, the main character, is a total grump at the beginning but once I learned his backstory, I really felt for him. He definitely wormed his way into my heart. His daughter Poppy is absolutely adorable and so well-written. I could totally imagine her in real life. I also loved the women of the family that Mitchell ends up helping, especially Liza, who is so quirky and interesting.
One of the best things about this book is that is really written about everyday people living everyday life, and yet, there is almost a magical feeling to it all. The idea of all the locks weighing down the bridges and having to be cut off, and how futile that is, but how there is also a story behind each lock and if you think about it that way, it’s easy to get sentimental about it. I could just picture it!
I loved the bit of mystery in the story as well. I wasn’t certain what happened to Yvette, and with each new tidbit revealed, I had new theories. It kept me engrossed in the story for sure! And each character gets what they deserve, so to speak, which makes the ending satisfying. I especially enjoyed watching Mitchell’s journey as he learns to accept his past mistakes and stop beating himself up for them. I highly recommend this one as a soothing and engrossing escape!
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last as I loved it.
It's not one of those book that make you fell in love after the first pages, it took a couple of chapter and when the story started going I was hooked.
This is a character driven story and I loved the great job the author did in making her character evolve and change.
The story is sweet, engrossing, heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time. There is a lot of grief and a path to overcome it, there are characters who were hurt and heal facing their sufferance and going on with their life.
It's a book that talks about life, family, friendship, love and how all of them help us to live and evolve.
It was an excellent read, I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to Park Row and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It's not one of those book that make you fell in love after the first pages, it took a couple of chapter and when the story started going I was hooked.
This is a character driven story and I loved the great job the author did in making her character evolve and change.
The story is sweet, engrossing, heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time. There is a lot of grief and a path to overcome it, there are characters who were hurt and heal facing their sufferance and going on with their life.
It's a book that talks about life, family, friendship, love and how all of them help us to live and evolve.
It was an excellent read, I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to Park Row and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The Secrets of Love Story Bridge follows the life of Mitchell, a grieving single parent of a nine year old girl. He still hasn't forgiven himself for the part he believes he played in his partner's death. When he saves a woman at Love Story Bridge he finds a way to forgive his past mistakes and live into a new future.
This book flows easily. I didn't like it as much as Arthur Trulov, but it was a satisfying story with a very tidy HEA.
This book flows easily. I didn't like it as much as Arthur Trulov, but it was a satisfying story with a very tidy HEA.
For fans of "The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper" by the same author, you will enjoy this novel as well. I read it in a few hours and found it heartwarming.
Loved this book from start to finish. Mitchell was a wonderful lead character. His journey from the moment he jumped in the river to save Yvette was engaging, touching and hopeful. I found myself hooked on the mystery surrounding her and how the author handled the resolution. It was wonderful how one act helped Mitchell find his way out of the emotional rut he was in and let him start living properly. I loved the supporting characters, Poppy, Barry, Carl, Graham and lovely pineapple Liza. The letter writing was especially lovely and made me want to write a few of my own. Really well written, highly recommended book.