Bridge to Haven | Francine Rivers

There’s books and then there’s Francine Rivers books. She is by far one of my all-time favorite authors (please refer to my blog header as evidence) and her stories have genuinely changed my life. I’d always feel so nervous releasing another book – how do you continue to produce such amazing pieces of work ready for the bestsellers list? I don’t know her secret, but Rivers has nothing to fear because her newest, Bridge to Haven, because it’s another great read.

To those who matter in 1950s Hollywood, Lena Scott is the hottest rising star to hit the silver screen since Marilyn Monroe. Few know her real name is Abra. Even fewer know the price she’s paid to finally feel like she’s somebody.

To Pastor Ezekiel Freeman, Abra will always be the little girl who stole his heart the night he found her, a wailing newborn abandoned under a bridge on the outskirts of Haven. Zeke and his son, Joshua—Abra’s closest friend—watch her grow into an exotic beauty. But Zeke knows the circumstances surrounding her birth etched scars deep in her heart, scars that leave her vulnerable to a fast-talking bad boy who proclaims his love and lures her to Tinseltown. Hollywood feels like a million miles from Haven, and naive Abra quickly learns what’s expected of an ambitious girl with stars in her eyes. But fame comes at an awful price. She has burned every bridge to get exactly what she thought she wanted. Now, all she wants is a way back home.

In this riveting and highly anticipated tale of temptation, grace, and unconditional love, New York Times best-selling author Francine Rivers delivers big-canvas storytelling at its very best.

I’ve never been more annoyed with life than while reading this book. Who has time to eat, sleep or do something as meaningless as laundry when Abra’s story needs to be finished? Ain’t no one got time for that folks. No really, it’s fabulous.

One idea it hits on quite well is a theme every person who breathes air deals with: wanting to be known. Some never acknowledge it and some seek for it in any way possible, but it can only come from on source – Jesus. It’s also a beautiful story of redemption and I love those!

I must know, how does Francine create such amazing men? Not perfect, unbelievable men, but quality-instant-fans-of type heroes. Because Joshua, Joshua, Joshua. FOR THE LOVE Joshua. Clearly his goal in life was to make this list.

I usually never do this, but I started reading some of the reviews (it already has hundreds on Amazon/Goodreads and just came out at the end of April!), especially the low star ratings and I thought it was interesting that what people thought was too graphic or unnecessary, I thought painted a real and accurate picture of humanity – whether showing depravity, the mistakes people make (even when they are Christian), the culture of that era, effects of war, how a person’s stubbornness will hold them back from a fulfilling life and beauty of love. Anyway, if you’ve read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Have you read any of Rivers’ stories? I’d love to know which ones!

Where to buy: Amazon | | Christian Books