Crossing the Bridge

Hugh Penders is back in Amber, CT for his first extended visit since his brother Chase's death because his father has had a heart attack. It isn't just that his parents need his moral support; his father Richard needs him to take over running the store--and hopes he will take it over permanently. Both parents are offended when he flatly refuses, and agrees only to run it until it can be sold.

Since he's been drifting for the ten years since Chase died, and has recently quit his latest job, there's no obstacle to his doing so except that he finds working in the card and gift shop incredibly dull. Eventually, though, he gets bored enough that he starts making changes in the store, changes he feels his father should have made years ago. show more He's also distracted by running into Iris, his brother's last and most serious girlfriend, a woman to whom Hugh was also attracted. As he and Iris renew their friendship, they both have a lot of emotional baggage to work through with regard to Chase, and it soon looms as an obstacle to any future they might have together.

I found it took me longer to get into this book than any previous work by Baron that I've read. Almost perversely, this was because he's very good at what he does: he very effectively captured Hugh's disconnected, drifting state, his failure to move on from the crippling shock of his brother's death ten years earlier. It was only as he started to engage again that I found it easier to connect with the story, and care what happened to Hugh, Iris, Richard, the store, and the staff who work there.

Once that happened, I couldn't put it down. It was, in the end, a wholly satisfying novel.

Recommended. show less

Crossing the Bridge by Lou Aronica
I have enjoyed many of this author's works and when I noticed Libboo was offering it for buzzing I applied and won a copy.
This is the story of Hugh, alternating chapters of past and present. His life and those in his life along the way. His younger brother Chase is now dead
and Hugh has been on the road since then. He has a thing for his brothers old girlfriend Lisa and they meet while she's in town. He had to return home to take care of his father's store after the heart attach.
His mother is still living and he stays with them temporarily. We find out the links they all share to the past over time.
Heartbreaking memories of his brother that he never got out of his system and he fears his father never show more finished grieving for him also. I was happy to learn of the games they play when Chase was the one who would play.
Loved hearing the wood shop and his strolls through the house when he's there by himself to help him remember Chase.
Like how the book got its title. Ten year anniversary is approaching and they are trying to deal with new information...
I received this book from Libboo.com in exchange for my honest review show less

Crossing the Bridge by Michael Baron
I have enjoyed many of this author's works and when I noticed Libboo was offering it for buzzing I applied and won a copy.
This is the story of Hugh, alternating chapters of past and present. His life and those in his life along the way. His younger brother Chase is now dead
and Hugh has been on the road since then. He has a thing for his brothers old girlfriend Lisa and they meet while she's in town. He had to return home to take care of his father's store after the heart attach.
His mother is still living and he stays with them temporarily. We find out the links they all share to the past over time.
Heartbreaking memories of his brother that he never got out of his system and he fears his father never show more finished grieving for him also. I was happy to learn of the games they play when Chase was the one who would play.
Loved hearing the wood shop and his strolls through the house when he's there by himself to help him remember Chase.
Like how the book got its title. Ten year anniversary is approaching and they are trying to deal with new information...
I received this book from Libboo.com in exchange for my honest review. show less