Bridge to Destiny by April Marie Libs
Bridge to Destiny is April Marie Libs’ debut novel inspired on real life events. It is the story of Avery, a young woman who is living the dream. She is happily married to Mitchel, a wonderful man who adores her and their sweet four-year-old daughter, Hannah. But as in real life, tragedy struck her when she least expected. Her husband Mitchel dies in a tragic a car accident, an event that truly devastates Avery.
...the only she could register feeling was hallowed, empty, completely numb, as if her entire existence had depleted into an abyss of paralyzing nothingness.
Even though Avery felt alone and despaired, time heals all wounds. With the help of her wonderful parents, the support from her friends/neighbors and the magical personality of her little daughter, she recovers from her tragic loss only to be hit again by tragedy. Hannah becomes seriously injured in a household accident leaving Avery in a struggle to fight for her daughter’s life. During Hannah’s illness, Avery meets Nathan, a charming, single neurologist, who is instantly taken by Avery and so begins her journey to allow herself to fall in love with him.
I know what you’re thinking, what’s so great about this if it’s so predictable? Yes, it’s predictable but unlike many women fiction stories, this love story is not a conventional one. It is not an instant love story in which she falls for him, he falls for her, they have sex, a conflict happens and they live happily ever after. This love story like good wines, took time to develop. It was written in a way that even though you know they’ll end up together, you actually enjoy the wait. After all, good things come to those who wait, right? Also, it is not only about Avery falling in love again. It is about Avery being a mom, doing whatever it takes to get her daughter’s health back, while finding herself, bonding with and giving back to others.
Bridge to Destiny is written in third person narration, which was a great move from the author in my humble opinion, because it allows the reader to bond with each and every one of the characters in this story. More about this and the characters on the full review on my blog
Bridge to Destiny is a compelling story, filled with happy and sad events that feel right out of real life and to which many can relate to. My favorite scene of all was when Hannah sang for her daddy, impossible not to feel anything or get teary eyed with that one.
The title and the cover make total sense once you finish reading this story. I would change the title font, but then again, that’s just me being picky.
There’s a song by Alanis Morissette that says:
Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
when you think everything’s okay and everything’s going right
And life has a funny way of helping you out when
you think everything’s gone wrong and everything blows up
in your face
Avery’s life felt like that part of the song.
Bridge to Destiny is a story of love, friendship, family, and survival. A story that teaches you that there is life after grief and that it is OK to ask for help and reach out to others in your times of need. A story of hope. Read this book if you’re in the mood for a fast paced emotional roller coaster ride. You’ll fall in love, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you will feel everything in between, and in the end you will feel good. A good addition for your spring or summer reading lists.
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