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 … Will Amy finally give him a chance?
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If you’ve read either of the previous books in McCullough’s Back to Bluestone River series, you know how important the bridge is to the memories of those who’ve grown up in this charming small town. It’s fairly significant in both books before A Bridge Home, and as you might expect from the title of book 3, it plays an important role here too. I think especially in this newest book, it becomes a symbol of the deeper things at play in the lives of Eric, Amy, and Cassie and I really liked the poignancy of that.
Let’s talk about Eric for a minute. He is such a great principal, particularly for kids who are struggling with tough life stuff. He relates to Cassie on a level that most can’t and the respect he gives to her emotions, while also teaching her how to make better choices in how she reacts to those feelings, is truly heartwarming. Eric seems especially sensitive to what other people need, and I loved seeing that manifest in his interactions with his mom, Cassie (as already stated), Amy’s grandparents, and of course Amy.
The writing flows smoothly and engages you right from the beginning. It’s both witty and emotional, and the romance is approached from characters who’ve lived a little life with all its mountains and valleys. They bring those experiences to their relationships, which of course lends some depth to the story and to the characters’ journeys. It’s rewarding as readers to walk through a book with characters like this, and you’ll appreciate the extra layers that McCullough includes.
Bottom Line: A Bridge Home is another great installment in this series. You will be invested in the town’s bridge, in the town itself, and in the characters who take center stage this time around. McCullough seamlessly weaves in witty dialogue, emotional dimension, and swoony romance, making this a book you won’t easily put down until you’ve turned the last page.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Thank you in advance to the author, Virginia McCullough, for providing an advanced review copy through Prism Book Tours. A positive review was not required or requested, and all words are my own.
This is the third of the “Back to Bluestone River” novels of the Harlequin Heartwarming series. And, this is the second one I’ve read through Prism – “The Christmas Kiss”. As a result I did purchase “A Family for Jason”, but have not yet had time to read it.
While the series are connected and the characters from previous novels mentioned, the story relies more on what is going on between Eric and Amy; as well as the other stories. Thus the reader doesn’t have to read the previous two novels to understand what is going on or to understand who the characters are.
Eric and Amy were great high school friends. Amy ended up marrying Scott, the high school athlete and is now divorced. As adults, Eric and Amy’s relationship gets started on an awkward level. Eric is now the principal at the school Amy’s daughter Cassie attends. And, Amy’s job as a single mom isn’t easy. Amy is also helping with the grandparents who raised her.
Eric and Amy have to meet over Cassie’s “issues” which stem from Amy and her ex-husband, Scott’s, divorce. And, Scott isn’t the best dad there is.
I understood Cassie’s issues to a point. My father left just after my fourth (4th) birthday. He would make promises and never fulfill them, forgot birthdays, forgot Christmas – so it’s safe to say that he was never around. Incidentally, haven’t seen him in 40 years. However, I didn’t act out like Cassie, so I found it a bit hard on that note to fully identify with her.
However, the author also does a great job of highlighting what trauma can do to some kids – not only Cassie, but her friend and a foster child – Lottie who desperately wants to stay with Kyra. Cassie and Lottie have a rough road, but become inseparable friends. So much so that Cassie even goes after a boy who is taunting her.
I loved how Eric was not just a dedicated principal, but also a friend to Amy and Cassie. He took an active role in his students in an untraditional way – he gave them choices, asked questions, and didn’t admonish as much as some would. It was easy to see why he was as good with kids as he was shown the same mercy as well. And, it is through meetings and talks that he guides kids into making better decisions. Such as teaching Cassie that sticking up for Lottie is good, but getting physical isn’t the way to go about it.
Georgia is another hero in this story – she also helps and supports Cassie in her job, encouragement in life, as well as career success. It didn’t surprise me what Georgia ended up doing.
The back or side story is about the bridge that gets damaged in a snow storm. That sets of a “somewhat” political issue for Mike Abbott (from A Family for Jason) in that he has to determine whether or not to save the bridge or to spend resources elsewhere. Also, Emma from The Christmas Kiss returns. And, it is through this back story the characters at first turn on each other regarding the bridge, but learn to compromise when/where needed. There are tense moments, but readers will be glad to see the town come together to get everything accomplished.
The cover is darling, yet the guy depicted to be Eric looks far too young to be a principal. Still, I’m sure he’s cute 😉 I just tend to a different kind of guy, lol.
The plot is equally darling and gives the reader so much in this story. And, these are huge books – while larger print, they’re also larger in content.
There were a few typos, one on page 57 should have read “Unfortunately, Scott is the present. Or he’s supposed to be, for Cassie” as opposed to “Unfortunately, Scott is the present. Or he’s supposed to be, for Amy” when Amy was talking with Eric. There was also a teensy problem with the font size on page 99. None of these take away from the message of the book or story.
I found this book difficult to put it down. I had to as it is a bit big to hold, but I just had to know what was going to happen, which is of course the standard “HEA” – happily ever after. Most romance novels are not complete without them. And, like most, this had the sweet Hallmark movie vibe to it. I honestly could see it as a movie.
There were a few “plot holes” I would’ve liked to have seen filled in – one was the reason Cassie and Lottie ran off which added a bit of suspense in chapter 15. I’m hoping the author gives us an update in the next book. There was so much I wanted to see wrapped up in this – Scott, will he or won’t he return, the bridge repair or restoration, as well as Kyra and Lottie’s situation. I’ll definitely be interested in returning to Bluestone River as soon as I can!
Clean, wholesome, sweet read that tugs at the heartstrings and makes you want to get up and hug everyone! Messages of compromise, adjusting, and learning to trust are apparent; and McCullough creates a beautiful story that is realistic while being uplifting. While sometimes it is hard to change, we can slowly evolve, expand, and open up to new experiences that enrich our lives.
Those who’ve read the previous two novels and fans of the author will likely want to read this. Anyone who enjoys clean, wholesome, and a story with a beautiful ending will enjoy it as well.
Changes in life circumstances take a toll on anyone, and sometimes that toll can be much greater on a child. Amy Morgan has come back to her hometown to start life anew with her nine year old daughter, Cassie, after her divorce. Amy and Cassie are both adjusting to a new normal, Amy moving back in with her grandparents and being a help to them and Cassie having to start a new school. Unfortunately Cassie is not doing well and feels very isolated so begins getting in trouble.
In steps the principal Eric Wells who has long had a crush on Amy. Let me just say that Eric is a hero. He didn’t have the best of childhoods so he is determined to help as many kids as he can in his position that he can. I like that he wasn’t going to let his unfortunate childhood scar him, but make him stronger and help others. The way he takes to Cassie was sweet and shows he knows what he is doing.
This is a gentle love story of second chances of the sort. Amy letting go of past mistakes and Eric finally, maybe getting the chance with Amy he has always wanted. Throw in a little family drama and you have yourself a heartfelt read.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
I love this series. Full of make you televised stories. There is plenty of heart and feels. At times this book will hit you in the heart and get a little teary. Lottie is a character that does. I hope Kyra and Lottie get a book. I could relate Cassie. It remained me of my childhood and the feelings I had when my parents split. I loved Eric and Amy. Eric finally gets his chance, but he has to be patient and weather the little storms that come their way.
Thank you Prism and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
A Bridge Home: A Clean Romance
(Back To Bluestone River #3)
By: Virginia McCullough
REVIEW
Virginia McCullough wraps up her Back To Bluestone River series with A Bridge Home: A Clean Romance. This book is part of the Heartwarming collection from Harlequin. If you are a fan of books one and two, you will not be disappointed with book three. In this story, Amy is a single mom trying to make her way in the world. Of course, there is always a guy, and in this case, it’s Eric. In addition, the town, with its sense of community and cooperation, is a bit like a background atmospheric character. Amy and Eric are down to earth characters. They live in reality with problems, obstacles, etc. As they travel this path, it is interesting to see growth and change together and separately. I found the story charming, witty, entertaining and compelling enough to have substance without being heavy. It’s the right balance of serious and humorous together with likeable characters that make A Bridge Home an excellent read. And, it’s a clean story, which are hard to find these days. Romance readers will enjoy this book!
I liked this story from the sstart. But sometimes Amy was annoying because she couldn’t make up her mind when it came to Eric. She kept leading him on. And because he was crazy about her, he just let her. They both needed some adjustments. I like Eric. He was a good principle because of his life growing up. He had a mentor to help him so he passed this on to the school kids, and to Cassie. And he also passed this on to Amy’s grandparents, always seeming to think of their feelings.
This small town was special in the way they pulled together to save their heritage. A town I would love to live in. There were many disagreements, and they seemed to come to decisions to please most. There is so much more going on in this story and author Virginia McCullough does an amazing job of weaving it all together to make A Bridge Home the Heartwarming story it is. If you enjoy a good clean Romance, I am sure you will love this one. And check out the other books in this series by Virginia McCullough. They are the same Heartwarming romance as this one is.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
3.5 Stars
I enjoyed the first two books in Virginia McCullough’s Back to Bluestone series, so was excited when number three came out.
Eric and Amy went to high school together but never ended up together-together. Now they are both back in Bluestone and in such a small town (not to mention Amy’s daughter a student in Eric’s school), their paths cross—a lot.
There were several moments I had to roll my eyes at Amy. She was so wishy-washy where Eric was concerned. And, honestly, Eric came across almost too good to be true.
But, even with those complaints, the romance is engaging. What really makes this series enjoyable is the way the town is coming together to re-energize their home and bring visitors in. From the covered bridge to the charity bike ride to the Fourth of July parade, something is always being cooked up, and you can’t help but feel the excitement and energy.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.