Andi's Book Reviews: Review of A Bridge Home by Virginia McCullough

Welcome to the book tour for A Bridge Home by Virginia McCullough. This is the third book in her Back to Bluestone River series that I have been greatly enjoying. Read on for my full book review and check out the tour for even more!

A Bridge Home

(Back to Bluestone River #3)

By Virginia McCullough

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages

August 1, 2020 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Will a new beginning…

Lead to forever?

What good is a home without a family? School principal Eric Wells finally has the house he’s always wanted, but a painful childhood makes him question his ability to be a father. So when his high school crush Amy Morgan returns to Bluestone River with her troubled daughter, he’s surprised to find he wants to be there for both of them. Will Amy finally give him a chance?

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**My thoughts**

This is the third book in this series, and I have been enjoying every single one of them. While it is a part of the series, it is very easily read as a standalone book. Characters from the previous books do make an appearance, but their backstory is not essential to this one. But you will want to definitely go back and read their stories anyway.

This series is definitely one about second chances. As people are returning to the town of Bluestone River, they are seeking to touch home base to start their lives over again after having a great deal of difficulty in life after they left. For these two characters, their lives growing up were difficult, thanks to poor relationships with their parents, but being home is so very important. Eric's father was basically worthless and Amy's parents abandoned her with her grandparents before perishing in an accident. They both have a desire to help the next generation in their lives not have to suffer the same way that they did, and while facilitating this to happen, find some healing in their own lives.

Eric and Amy actually were friends back in high school. Eric had a huge crush on her, but Amy only had eyes for Scott, the man she ended up marrying and divorcing after having their daughter. Eric has just moved back to be the school principal and finds himself encountering Amy more frequently while navigating issues that Amy's daughter Cassie is having at school. I really like Eric and how he handles children who are having problems. I felt a sort of kinship with him, because that was one of my specialties when I was teaching.

Amy is so sweet and so caring, yet protective of her heart, and especially protective of her daughter's heart. She is also very smart and business savvy and is able to make a splash in this small town. She also has an innate desire to help others, particularly Kyra and her foster daughter Lottie, with whom Amy has a special understanding of the roller coaster of feelings.

Amy and Eric are just a natural fit with each other. They really do want the same things in life and I enjoyed watching their bond grow.

And then there is the whole substory about the town's beloved covered bridge being damaged in a storm and the debate about what to do with it and how do you balance maintaining the essence of the small town while also trying to survive and have some progress. I am partial to covered bridges because they were one of my father's favorite things to visit and paint. And I am also sensitive to that balance of preserving a way of life while also making some progress. It will be interesting to keep watching this town work through this and develop if the series continues.

The only weird thing for me with this book was Amy's ex Scott. He wasn't much a part of Cassie's life, and then suddenly started coming around a lot more. I was expecting there to be more going on with him as the story unfolded. It felt like his presence was a bit of an afterthought and then he kind of disappeared. And this one did resolve a little faster than I expected, almost as if the word count limit was imminent and it had to end.

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this story. It was a perfect escape while sitting on the deck on a lovely summer morning with a latte in hand. I really hope there is more to this series, because you can be sure I will be picking it up as well!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and to Prism Book Tours for providing me with a requested review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to Amazon affiliate links.)

Read my review of A Family for Jason

Read my review of The Christmas Kiss

About the Author

Born and raised in Chicago, Virginia McCullough has been lucky enough to develop her writing career in many locations, including the coast of Maine, the mountains of North Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and currently, Northeast Wisconsin. She started her career in nonfiction, first writing articles and then books as a ghostwriter and coauthor. She’s written more than 100 books for physicians, business owners, professional speakers and many others with information to share or a story to tell.

Virginia’s books feature characters who could be your neighbors and friends. They come in all ages and struggle with everyday life issues in small-town environments that almost always include water—oceans, lakes, or rivers. The mother of two grown children, you’ll find Virginia with her nose a book, walking on trails or her neighborhood street, or she may be packing her bag to take off for her next adventure. And she’s always working on another story about hope, healing, and second chances.