Book Review: The Bridge Back to You by Riss M. Neilson

Media: Physical, Audio, Kindle

Carmello and Olivia. Two kids thrown together by one set of parents' nomadic lifestyle and torn apart by another set's inability to see past their own fears.

As a parent with a dating teen, I understand somewhat. We move a lot so I'm constantly telling my daughter that these relationships are temporary. In the case of Carmello and Olivia, that line of thought is proven false.

They meet at Carmello's mom's restaurant after Olivia's family moves to Rhode Island to do more activist work after they lose everything in a house fire.

Carmello's mom provides Olivia with the stability she needs. A soft place to land after years of bouncing from one place to another. As a military spouse, this gave me some perspective on how my kids feel when it's time to move yet again. I'm a wildflower. I bloom wherever the wind blows me, but I'd be lying if I didn't say it takes a toll.

Anyway, back to the book:

The kids grow up and plan to travel the world together, but that doesn't happen. And after 10 years, a mother has to right some wrongs. Celia puts a plan in motion with the help of a longtime friend that brings the main characters back together. Not everyone is happy though because to be abandoned essentially did a number on Carmello. As someone who loves fiercely and is quick to write off people who fuck with mine...I get it!

The book dives into the traumas and mental health conditions that they both deal with, including endometriosis and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

As with most love stories, it works out in the end, but one of the things I love is how they are able to meld together Carmello's need for stability and Olivia's wanderlust to make their relationship work. That's love. Most books have required a person to change their plans or give up their lives entirely, but not this one. Their love is secure enough to know where home is.

Favorite quote: "I never really did fall out of love. I just learned to live without her." - Carmello coming to terms with the fact that Olivia has always been it for him.

Gotta be honest. The narrators killed this for me. This isn't the first book I've read by Riss Neilson. I adored A Love Like the Sun.

...but I had the physical copy. So, the emotions necessary for the words to stick were supplied by the voices in my head. These two felt disconnected from the material. The intimate scenes were hard to get through. All that to say, listen to the sample on Audible if narrators matter to you.