What do you think?
Rate this book
Die brug na Haven
Dis die 1950’s in Hollywood. Lena Scott is die blinkste opkomende ster op die silwerdoek sedert Marilyn Monroe. Min mense weet egter dat haar regte naam Abra is en van die prys wat sy moes betaal om uiteindelik te voel sy beteken iéts.
Vir pastoor Ezekiel Freeman sal Abra altyd die pasgebore babatjie wees wat hy onder ’n brug aan die buitewyke van Haven gevind het. Zeke en sy seun, Joshua – Abra se beste vriend – kyk hoe sy as ’n eksotiese skoonheid grootword. Maar Zeke weet dat die omstandighede rondom haar geboorte littekens op haar hart gelos het. Dít maak haar weerloos en vatbaar vir ’n gladdemond, twyfelagtige jong man wat haar voete onder haar uitslaan en haar na Hollywood se liggies lok. Abra leer vinnig wat word verwag van ’n ambisieuse jong meisie. Maar roem kom teen ’n verskriklike prys. Sy het elke brug verbrand om te kry presies wat sy gedínk het sy wil hê. Nou wil sy net huis toe gaan.
DIE BRUG NA HAVEN is die langverwagte nuwe roman deur Francine Rivers. Dit is ʼn meesleurende verhaal van versoekings, genade en onvoorwaardelike liefde.
Vir pastoor Ezekiel Freeman sal Abra altyd die pasgebore babatjie wees wat hy onder ’n brug aan die buitewyke van Haven gevind het. Zeke en sy seun, Joshua – Abra se beste vriend – kyk hoe sy as ’n eksotiese skoonheid grootword. Maar Zeke weet dat die omstandighede rondom haar geboorte littekens op haar hart gelos het. Dít maak haar weerloos en vatbaar vir ’n gladdemond, twyfelagtige jong man wat haar voete onder haar uitslaan en haar na Hollywood se liggies lok. Abra leer vinnig wat word verwag van ’n ambisieuse jong meisie. Maar roem kom teen ’n verskriklike prys. Sy het elke brug verbrand om te kry presies wat sy gedínk het sy wil hê. Nou wil sy net huis toe gaan.
DIE BRUG NA HAVEN is die langverwagte nuwe roman deur Francine Rivers. Dit is ʼn meesleurende verhaal van versoekings, genade en onvoorwaardelike liefde.
508 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2014
2481 people are currently reading
18936 people want to read
About the author
Francine Rivers
59 books21.2k followersNew York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers continues to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her numerous bestsellers include Redeeming Love, A Voice in the Wind, and Bridge to Haven, and her work has been translated into more than thirty different languages. She is a member of Romance Writers of America's coveted Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).
www.francinerivers.com
www.facebook.com/FrancineRivers
Twitter: @FrancineRivers
www.francinerivers.com
www.facebook.com/FrancineRivers
Twitter: @FrancineRivers
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,104 reviews
May 1, 2014
Wow...I am surprised by all the raving reviews.
I am a fan of Francine Rivers, but not of this book. It was riddled with tedious lists of characters activities. Pastor Zeke walked here, ate here, talked to this person, said a prayer for that person. Far too much telling for my taste. I wanted to just skim over these endless lists (almost every character had them) to get to the meet of the story.
Rivers did a nice job in making Abra a sympathetic character, even with all of her bad decisions. But from a Christian novel stand point, I almost found her too sympathetic. For all of the bad choices she made, it was easy for the reader to excuse the behavior because of her past. And that's okay, it was good to understand where she was coming from, why she would get taken in by the kind of men she did, but it also made her 'redemption' expected, even deserving. How different this story would be if she had come from a traditional, loving background and made those same decisions.
And although Pastor Zeke and Joshua talked about themselves as having flaws, it was hard to find them. These men were too perfect. Too patient. Too trusting. Too giving. Too self-sacrificing. I think I would have liked to see Joshua's PTSD a more pronounced. It was too easily solved with having one person who had similar experiences to talk to.
And as for the surprise plot twist?? Saw that one coming from the moment the character stepped into the story. It was simply a matter of waiting for the big reveal. Once it came (far too late in the book with little fanfare) it was resolved too easily, then explained away by simply saying that a sign of a Christian life is forgiveness. (another moment of telling rather than showing)
And this is the first time I have seen a Christian writer try to write a sex scene in a romantic but clean way. It was clean, but lacked any emotion. I found myself rolling my eyes. The entire seen was unnecessary. And quite honestly, unbelievable considering other events in the book.
I like Christian lit. I like reading about people who have strong belief in God and still struggle with the trials of life. I like when their faith is rewarded and they feel God's love and redemption. But I found the Christian element in this book for too heavy handed. Granted, Pastor Zeke, a main character, was a preacher. But it seemed that everyone except the villains (and they were painted with no redeeming qualities at all) spent every conversation proclaiming God's love.
Overall, I expected more and was left wanting.
I am a fan of Francine Rivers, but not of this book. It was riddled with tedious lists of characters activities. Pastor Zeke walked here, ate here, talked to this person, said a prayer for that person. Far too much telling for my taste. I wanted to just skim over these endless lists (almost every character had them) to get to the meet of the story.
Rivers did a nice job in making Abra a sympathetic character, even with all of her bad decisions. But from a Christian novel stand point, I almost found her too sympathetic. For all of the bad choices she made, it was easy for the reader to excuse the behavior because of her past. And that's okay, it was good to understand where she was coming from, why she would get taken in by the kind of men she did, but it also made her 'redemption' expected, even deserving. How different this story would be if she had come from a traditional, loving background and made those same decisions.
And although Pastor Zeke and Joshua talked about themselves as having flaws, it was hard to find them. These men were too perfect. Too patient. Too trusting. Too giving. Too self-sacrificing. I think I would have liked to see Joshua's PTSD a more pronounced. It was too easily solved with having one person who had similar experiences to talk to.
And as for the surprise plot twist?? Saw that one coming from the moment the character stepped into the story. It was simply a matter of waiting for the big reveal. Once it came (far too late in the book with little fanfare) it was resolved too easily, then explained away by simply saying that a sign of a Christian life is forgiveness. (another moment of telling rather than showing)
And this is the first time I have seen a Christian writer try to write a sex scene in a romantic but clean way. It was clean, but lacked any emotion. I found myself rolling my eyes. The entire seen was unnecessary. And quite honestly, unbelievable considering other events in the book.
I like Christian lit. I like reading about people who have strong belief in God and still struggle with the trials of life. I like when their faith is rewarded and they feel God's love and redemption. But I found the Christian element in this book for too heavy handed. Granted, Pastor Zeke, a main character, was a preacher. But it seemed that everyone except the villains (and they were painted with no redeeming qualities at all) spent every conversation proclaiming God's love.
Overall, I expected more and was left wanting.
February 16, 2014
Francine Rivers is perhaps the best novelist of our time. Her ability to tell a story is extraordinary. In Bridge to Haven, she quickly captured me with her characters and pulled me into the story of this prodigal daughter. It's a story you can't forget. I predict it will become a blockbuster like Redeeming Love. Novel Rocket and I give it our highest recommendation. It's a 5-star must read. Bridge to Haven has been added to my Top Ten for 2014 and My All Time Favorites List.
August 11, 2025
3.5 stars
Francine Rivers is a bit of a hit-or-miss author for me. She’s written some of my absolute favorites, as well as a few that just didn’t click. This one falls somewhere in the middle. It wasn’t a standout, but it wasn’t awful either. Some parts were just okay, while others I genuinely enjoyed.
The heroine was hard to connect with for a good portion of the book, though I did warm up to her by the end. The hero, on the other hand, I liked right away, though I have to admit… the age difference and the fact that they grew up together gave me a bit of the ick at first. That being said, their relationship did grow on me over time.
Overall, not my favorite from Rivers, but not a bad read either.
Francine Rivers is a bit of a hit-or-miss author for me. She’s written some of my absolute favorites, as well as a few that just didn’t click. This one falls somewhere in the middle. It wasn’t a standout, but it wasn’t awful either. Some parts were just okay, while others I genuinely enjoyed.
The heroine was hard to connect with for a good portion of the book, though I did warm up to her by the end. The hero, on the other hand, I liked right away, though I have to admit… the age difference and the fact that they grew up together gave me a bit of the ick at first. That being said, their relationship did grow on me over time.
Overall, not my favorite from Rivers, but not a bad read either.
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Kate Forbes
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Historical Fiction
Length: 17h 57m
November 24, 2015
*Heartfelt sigh* ... I have just finished an incredible book. -Riveting, heart-wrenching, breathtaking, glorious book. The amazingness of God and the power of prayer are so freely and deeply shown. The dear characters, so real and relatable. The tragedgies, the hurt, the rebellion, the redemption...
Abra is abandoned under a bridge as a newborn, and then given away by the man she knew to be her father. The hurt and anger follow her into her teen years, and she starts seeking love in the most dangerous of places. One thing leads to another, and soon she finds she's in a position she never thought she'd be... as a movie star. Her name is changed, bridges are burnt. She's been used, abused, heartbroken, tossed-out, and finally, controlled. She lives the "glamorous" life of a star; but inside, where the old Abra Matthew faintly lurks, she just longs to go home to Haven. But that's impossible, of course...
I fell in love with these characters' stories: Abra, Pastor Zeke, Joshua, Susan, Mitzi, Penny, Peter, Priscilla, and all the others, They were so real. I felt their pain, loss, joy, fear... So sad to leave them, wish there was more to read!!
Bridge to Haven really just touched my heart. Several times I almost cried with either pain or joy. The end of chapter 17 was a monumental turning point... yes, I almost cried there too; you'll see why! :)
There was definitely more sensuality and details than I usually expect in Christian-fiction, yet it was not like some books where sordid acts are glorified even as they're portrayed as wrong. Francine Rivers didn't glorify sinful acts... she made them out for what they really are: ugly and damaging. There was nothing exciting or fun about the young man who convinced a sixteen-year-old hurting girl to run away with him. In the end, he had the most basest of insticts, lust and rage. -And it was heart-breaking and awful to see him use an innocent, albeit confused, girl in such an ugly way. My heart broke for the girl as I watched her struggle through the consequences.
**Spoiler Alert!!** However, though there might have been more details than needed here too, I can only say that the marriage and brief wedding night sort-of scene between Joshua and Abra was stunningly beautiful. It was arranged by God, and as God intended. Broken things were mended. Shattered purity was made whole and clean. Yes, this was another part that almost brought me to tears. It just was SO amazing to see Abra restored... to realize that the relationship between a man and his wife as God intended it is a beautiful thing. But yeah, I think it could have been every bit as beautiful without that amount of "sensual detail" that it had. **Spoiler Alert**
Yeah... I still think Christian authors need to be really careful about how much detail/sensuality they add to their novels. It's a fine line. We do not need to experience romance to that level between characters. We'll experience our own romance when the time is right!! I'd rather read books with strictly clean/sweet romances... but this story was rather different. Details seemed needed, though definitely not as much as were added. I don't know. I guess you can see what you think. But definitely this book is for a mature audience.
But overall, Francine Rivers knows how to write a redemptive story that just tugs at your heart. At the end, I think, "God, You are awesome, glory be to Your name!"
So yes, heart-breaking, yet ultimately beautiful to watch this story unfold. A Bridge to Haven, unforgettable spiritual journey to hope, forgiveness, wholeness, and joy.
Simply beautiful.
Abra is abandoned under a bridge as a newborn, and then given away by the man she knew to be her father. The hurt and anger follow her into her teen years, and she starts seeking love in the most dangerous of places. One thing leads to another, and soon she finds she's in a position she never thought she'd be... as a movie star. Her name is changed, bridges are burnt. She's been used, abused, heartbroken, tossed-out, and finally, controlled. She lives the "glamorous" life of a star; but inside, where the old Abra Matthew faintly lurks, she just longs to go home to Haven. But that's impossible, of course...
I fell in love with these characters' stories: Abra, Pastor Zeke, Joshua, Susan, Mitzi, Penny, Peter, Priscilla, and all the others, They were so real. I felt their pain, loss, joy, fear... So sad to leave them, wish there was more to read!!
Bridge to Haven really just touched my heart. Several times I almost cried with either pain or joy. The end of chapter 17 was a monumental turning point... yes, I almost cried there too; you'll see why! :)
There was definitely more sensuality and details than I usually expect in Christian-fiction, yet it was not like some books where sordid acts are glorified even as they're portrayed as wrong. Francine Rivers didn't glorify sinful acts... she made them out for what they really are: ugly and damaging. There was nothing exciting or fun about the young man who convinced a sixteen-year-old hurting girl to run away with him. In the end, he had the most basest of insticts, lust and rage. -And it was heart-breaking and awful to see him use an innocent, albeit confused, girl in such an ugly way. My heart broke for the girl as I watched her struggle through the consequences.
**Spoiler Alert!!** However, though there might have been more details than needed here too, I can only say that the marriage and brief wedding night sort-of scene between Joshua and Abra was stunningly beautiful. It was arranged by God, and as God intended. Broken things were mended. Shattered purity was made whole and clean. Yes, this was another part that almost brought me to tears. It just was SO amazing to see Abra restored... to realize that the relationship between a man and his wife as God intended it is a beautiful thing. But yeah, I think it could have been every bit as beautiful without that amount of "sensual detail" that it had. **Spoiler Alert**
Yeah... I still think Christian authors need to be really careful about how much detail/sensuality they add to their novels. It's a fine line. We do not need to experience romance to that level between characters. We'll experience our own romance when the time is right!! I'd rather read books with strictly clean/sweet romances... but this story was rather different. Details seemed needed, though definitely not as much as were added. I don't know. I guess you can see what you think. But definitely this book is for a mature audience.
But overall, Francine Rivers knows how to write a redemptive story that just tugs at your heart. At the end, I think, "God, You are awesome, glory be to Your name!"
So yes, heart-breaking, yet ultimately beautiful to watch this story unfold. A Bridge to Haven, unforgettable spiritual journey to hope, forgiveness, wholeness, and joy.
Simply beautiful.
September 4, 2014
First, please, please, please, do not read this if you’re under 20! Please! I feel so horribly dirty writing this review! Also, I will not be marking spoilers. Please, do not dislike me (or this blog) for reviewing this book! I had very high expectations for this book after hearing so much good about Francine Rivers. It technically is consider a Christian book because it’s published by a Christian publisher. Had I known what was in the first 9 chapters (which is all I read and reviewed) I would not have picked up this book! Okay, I’m not holding back on this review, read at your own risk!
{ I feel so dirty typing all this! :( }
About this book:
“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.”
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are quoted; Hymns are played on a piano & sung; A man is mad at God & says he wants to spit in His face; Many Prayers & talking to God; Zeke is a Pastor; 13-year-old Abra wonders what God ever did for her; 13-yea-old Abra also says/yells/prays to God that if a certain person dies she’s hate Him forever; Talks about God, His Love, and His Will for us.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘h*llfire’, an unfinished ‘son of a—“, a ‘goddess’, a ‘foul name’ is said but not written, a ‘the devil’, a ‘like the dickens’, a ‘piece of trash’, a ‘tough!’, a ‘witch’, two ‘stupid’s, two curses are said but not written, three ‘shut up’s, four ‘idiot’s; “Mother” says she has to find a way to kill herself; Cigarette smoking; Wars, Blood, Bombs (all semi) and bugs coming out people’s skin (detailed—EWWW!); Joshua talks with the devil? (I don’t know how to explain this…); Lots of drinking, getting drunk and having a hangover; Dylan shakes, gives bruises and hints Abra; Fighting,
Sexual Content- a ‘hot’, a ‘stumpet’, sixteen ‘baby’s; Four Semi-kisses, not detailed kisses; s*x scenes (see below); “Mother” has a baby (Abra) it’s not very detailed, but we don’t know if it’s out of wedlock; A hint of what couples do in the back row at the Swan Theater; Abra wonders what a guy would look like in a bathing suit; Joshua tells Abra that Dylan is “it’s not about love, Abra. It’s about s*x, the basest kind”; Dylan says (to her face!) he wants to get his hands on Abra, that’s he’s going to “have fun with her”, that he can’t wait to get her in bed (Abra wonders if the “earth will move, like Penny’s hidden romance books said”) but Dylan has no plans to marry her (Yet, Abra stays with him!); Abra thinks/says she knows nothing about s*x besides that it is a mystery; A getting undressed for a s*x scene, Dylan takes Abra’s clothes off (This is when Abra at 16) thankfully it’s not very detailed but it is detailed and there; Dylan flirts & kisses other girls; Dylan takes Abra to a place where naked women dance for a room full of men, the waitress are topless and Dylan gives Abra a pill that makes her dance sexual; bikini wearing; at a party, a naked man and woman run out to the beach; Dylan says “when push came to shove, she lost her nerve” when talking about another girl, then another; Dylan’s mother calls Abra “this one” and tells him to take Abra to the doctor for protection and that if him creates another little problem he’ll have to make payments for the arrangements “this time around”; Dylan gives Abra a look (many times) and we get told they have s*x; Dylan wakes Abra up so he can have the bed for “one last hurrah” with another girl; Dylan watches Abra change; Abra gets asked why she stayed with Dylan “he is good in bed?” she does not reply; Franklin tells Abra that she has a “very nice, very nice indeed” body, but says he’s not after what she’s thinking; Affairs are mentioned loosely; Franklin says he won’t compromise Abra’s virtue, Abra wonders if she has any left; Abra says that Franklin says that her audition wasn’t about s*x, but she still wonders; Franklin said he met a woman at a drive-in, she leaned over to take his order, he saw “her assets”, lost his head had an affair with her that ruined his marriage (which he is not broken hearted about at all); Franklin looks at his bed then at Abra and asks “No?” and when she does not reply he says “Good girl”; Dylan asked how well Abra played for Franklin; a hairdresser tells Abra “Men will see your eyes first, then the rest of you” and fixes her hair over her breasts. {{{According to other reviews on Goodreads, there is a very, very detailed s*x scene at the end with two married people (I’ll let you guess who) on their wedding night.}}}
-Abra *enter one of her last names here*
-Ezekiel “Zeke” Freeman
-Joshua Freeman
P.O.V. of switches between them, Mitzi and Abra’s birth mother (once)
Starts in 1936 and goes past 1955
468 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- One Star
My personal Rating- One Star
Folks, that all was by chapter nine—and not even half way through the book!
First, let me just say one of my biggest pet peeves is when a guy (normally a jerk) calls a girl “baby”! I absolutely despise it! I honestly can’t tell you how disappointed I was with this book! Other reviews have said it was like a Harlequin Romance novel. Now, I’ve never read one of those (and I never will!) but those are some of those books you see in mainstream bookstores with half-naked people on the cover! The bedroom scenes were so much! (And apparently there’s more?!) I honestly can’t believe a Christian publisher would publish this! There was barely any Christian content and with all that sexual it could have been a mainstream book! And that is something no Christian author wants to come across as.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Tyndale ) for this review.
{ I feel so dirty typing all this! :( }
About this book:
“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.”
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are quoted; Hymns are played on a piano & sung; A man is mad at God & says he wants to spit in His face; Many Prayers & talking to God; Zeke is a Pastor; 13-year-old Abra wonders what God ever did for her; 13-yea-old Abra also says/yells/prays to God that if a certain person dies she’s hate Him forever; Talks about God, His Love, and His Will for us.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘h*llfire’, an unfinished ‘son of a—“, a ‘goddess’, a ‘foul name’ is said but not written, a ‘the devil’, a ‘like the dickens’, a ‘piece of trash’, a ‘tough!’, a ‘witch’, two ‘stupid’s, two curses are said but not written, three ‘shut up’s, four ‘idiot’s; “Mother” says she has to find a way to kill herself; Cigarette smoking; Wars, Blood, Bombs (all semi) and bugs coming out people’s skin (detailed—EWWW!); Joshua talks with the devil? (I don’t know how to explain this…); Lots of drinking, getting drunk and having a hangover; Dylan shakes, gives bruises and hints Abra; Fighting,
Sexual Content- a ‘hot’, a ‘stumpet’, sixteen ‘baby’s; Four Semi-kisses, not detailed kisses; s*x scenes (see below); “Mother” has a baby (Abra) it’s not very detailed, but we don’t know if it’s out of wedlock; A hint of what couples do in the back row at the Swan Theater; Abra wonders what a guy would look like in a bathing suit; Joshua tells Abra that Dylan is “it’s not about love, Abra. It’s about s*x, the basest kind”; Dylan says (to her face!) he wants to get his hands on Abra, that’s he’s going to “have fun with her”, that he can’t wait to get her in bed (Abra wonders if the “earth will move, like Penny’s hidden romance books said”) but Dylan has no plans to marry her (Yet, Abra stays with him!); Abra thinks/says she knows nothing about s*x besides that it is a mystery; A getting undressed for a s*x scene, Dylan takes Abra’s clothes off (This is when Abra at 16) thankfully it’s not very detailed but it is detailed and there; Dylan flirts & kisses other girls; Dylan takes Abra to a place where naked women dance for a room full of men, the waitress are topless and Dylan gives Abra a pill that makes her dance sexual; bikini wearing; at a party, a naked man and woman run out to the beach; Dylan says “when push came to shove, she lost her nerve” when talking about another girl, then another; Dylan’s mother calls Abra “this one” and tells him to take Abra to the doctor for protection and that if him creates another little problem he’ll have to make payments for the arrangements “this time around”; Dylan gives Abra a look (many times) and we get told they have s*x; Dylan wakes Abra up so he can have the bed for “one last hurrah” with another girl; Dylan watches Abra change; Abra gets asked why she stayed with Dylan “he is good in bed?” she does not reply; Franklin tells Abra that she has a “very nice, very nice indeed” body, but says he’s not after what she’s thinking; Affairs are mentioned loosely; Franklin says he won’t compromise Abra’s virtue, Abra wonders if she has any left; Abra says that Franklin says that her audition wasn’t about s*x, but she still wonders; Franklin said he met a woman at a drive-in, she leaned over to take his order, he saw “her assets”, lost his head had an affair with her that ruined his marriage (which he is not broken hearted about at all); Franklin looks at his bed then at Abra and asks “No?” and when she does not reply he says “Good girl”; Dylan asked how well Abra played for Franklin; a hairdresser tells Abra “Men will see your eyes first, then the rest of you” and fixes her hair over her breasts. {{{According to other reviews on Goodreads, there is a very, very detailed s*x scene at the end with two married people (I’ll let you guess who) on their wedding night.}}}
-Abra *enter one of her last names here*
-Ezekiel “Zeke” Freeman
-Joshua Freeman
P.O.V. of switches between them, Mitzi and Abra’s birth mother (once)
Starts in 1936 and goes past 1955
468 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- One Star
My personal Rating- One Star
Folks, that all was by chapter nine—and not even half way through the book!
First, let me just say one of my biggest pet peeves is when a guy (normally a jerk) calls a girl “baby”! I absolutely despise it! I honestly can’t tell you how disappointed I was with this book! Other reviews have said it was like a Harlequin Romance novel. Now, I’ve never read one of those (and I never will!) but those are some of those books you see in mainstream bookstores with half-naked people on the cover! The bedroom scenes were so much! (And apparently there’s more?!) I honestly can’t believe a Christian publisher would publish this! There was barely any Christian content and with all that sexual it could have been a mainstream book! And that is something no Christian author wants to come across as.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Tyndale ) for this review.
![Profile Image for Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1766269624i%2F169222098._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 3, 2024
I really did not like this book. It was not Christian at all and I felt disgusted after reading it.
April 7, 2018
You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.
(PROVERBS 19:21)
First Sentence: Filling his lungs with cool October air, Pastor Ezekiel Freeman started his morning vigil.
Rivers does not disappoint.
The message is as strong as ever! Unconditional Love
Even with the add-in of war and some parts that dragged on to long, this was still a magnificent story and real to life characters.
(PROVERBS 19:21)
First Sentence: Filling his lungs with cool October air, Pastor Ezekiel Freeman started his morning vigil.
Rivers does not disappoint.
The message is as strong as ever! Unconditional Love
Even with the add-in of war and some parts that dragged on to long, this was still a magnificent story and real to life characters.
August 17, 2018
I have read many Francine Rivers books over the years. They have all been strong Christian based stories until this one. I see that it has many 4 and 5 star reviews, but I couldn't even finish it. Supposedly the main character is redeemed at the end, but I was not going to wade through pages and pages of trash to find that out. I honestly felt like I was reading a Harlequin rated book or something off the newsstand at the front of the grocery store. This book contains pre-marital sex, alcohol and drug abuse, as well as physical abuse and that was all before I quit not even halfway through the book. I guess that Rivers was trying to show that anyone can be redeemed, but I didn't need to read the detailed info to know that. Another author who apparently has slid the slippery slope into trying to straddle the secular as well as the Christian book market.
I would not recommend this book.
I would not recommend this book.
October 1, 2015
Lots of emotion through reading Bridge to Haven. At times, I was completely engaged and at other times found the detail about Abra's fall difficult to read.
Ultimately, as with other Francine River novels, I found Abra's story to be full of God's love for us despite the mistakes we make. Abra felt unloved and chased after what she thought would bring fulfillment.
I completely adored Joshua and Mitzi. They were steady lights of God's love.
Ultimately, as with other Francine River novels, I found Abra's story to be full of God's love for us despite the mistakes we make. Abra felt unloved and chased after what she thought would bring fulfillment.
I completely adored Joshua and Mitzi. They were steady lights of God's love.
August 5, 2016
Three and a half stars
This is only the second Francine Rivers book I have read. I enjoyed it and sympathized with the Abra, the baby rescued by Pastor Zeke. Despite the love shown to Abra by Pastor Zeke, his wife Marianne, and others in the community, Abra finds herself unable to believe anyone really loves her. As a result she goes looking for love in all the wrong places. The author does a good job of making Abra sympathetic, despite the choices she makes and the hurt she brings to those who love her.
Through the compromises and choices she ends up a movie star, with her name changed to Lena Scott. The novel recounts a lot of names of those she meets, including Elvis Presley and movie stars of the 1950s era like Susan Hayward, Elizabeth Taylor and many others. This is where I started to become less interested in the story. I’m not a fan of reading of the Hollywood lifestyle. It made me sad to see the choices anyone makes to become a ‘star’ or even sometimes to survive in the movie industry.
While I liked Pastor Zeke and his son Joshua and their unwavering love for Abra, it was almost like they were too perfect. They would have been more believable if we had seen their flaws. I enjoyed the book and it did involve emotions of anger and tears, I thought the change in Abra ended up being resolved a little too quickly. This is definitely written with the Christian market in mind and refers a lot to God, to prayer, bible verses and hymns, so I am not sure whether that would end up grating on those who did not believe so that they end up not reading the book. And that would be a shame as this is a story that clearly shows God’s grace and forgiveness.
This is only the second Francine Rivers book I have read. I enjoyed it and sympathized with the Abra, the baby rescued by Pastor Zeke. Despite the love shown to Abra by Pastor Zeke, his wife Marianne, and others in the community, Abra finds herself unable to believe anyone really loves her. As a result she goes looking for love in all the wrong places. The author does a good job of making Abra sympathetic, despite the choices she makes and the hurt she brings to those who love her.
Through the compromises and choices she ends up a movie star, with her name changed to Lena Scott. The novel recounts a lot of names of those she meets, including Elvis Presley and movie stars of the 1950s era like Susan Hayward, Elizabeth Taylor and many others. This is where I started to become less interested in the story. I’m not a fan of reading of the Hollywood lifestyle. It made me sad to see the choices anyone makes to become a ‘star’ or even sometimes to survive in the movie industry.
While I liked Pastor Zeke and his son Joshua and their unwavering love for Abra, it was almost like they were too perfect. They would have been more believable if we had seen their flaws. I enjoyed the book and it did involve emotions of anger and tears, I thought the change in Abra ended up being resolved a little too quickly. This is definitely written with the Christian market in mind and refers a lot to God, to prayer, bible verses and hymns, so I am not sure whether that would end up grating on those who did not believe so that they end up not reading the book. And that would be a shame as this is a story that clearly shows God’s grace and forgiveness.
July 23, 2017
Synopsis: Abandoned as a baby, Abra was adopted into a family that she never felt like she fit into, and longs for a way out of her small town home of Haven. Much to the chagrin of those who care about her, she travels to Hollywood and becomes known as film star Lena Scott. Though she is a natural at performing, the Tinseltown lifestyle makes her uncomfortable, and she questions the decision of abandoning her rural home...but, the bridges she has burned are ones she may never cross again.
From Francine Rivers, the author of the best-selling Mark of the Lion trilogy.
The Good: As evidenced by her best-selling Mark of the Lion trilogy, Francine Rivers is a very gifted writer. I'm a big entertainment fan, but, I know that what goes on behind the scenes in Hollywood often isn't pretty, and this book does a good job of portraying that. It also shows the undying love that families often have for their children, much like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Pretty much impressive all around, except...
The Bad: I wasn't a big fan of Abra's name. I have never known anyone with that name, and, when I read the book, I couldn't help but think of the teleporting psychic Pokémon named Abra, which evolves into Kadabra and then into Alakazam. (See the wordplay there?) Though the name of the protagonist of this book was explained, it was still a bit weird to me.
Content Concerns:
Sex: A guy taking advantage of women is described. A woman is looked at lustfully, and talked about by guys in crude terms, albeit ones at a "PG" level. The book starts out with a childbirth scene. 3.5/5
Nudity: A woman's immodest wardrobe is described. 4.5/5
Language: Plenty of implied profanity, and one usage of the term "d---ed". 3.5/5
Violence: Soldiers being injured during war is described. A guy commits suicide, though his wife is accused of murdering him. 3/5
Drugs: Alcohol is consumed, and a character gets drunk. 4/5
Frightening/Intense Scenes: A woman has an abortion. Plenty of arguing and dissension among the characters. 3/5
Conclusion: Francine Rivers is best known for her Biblical historical fiction, but, with this book--set in the 1950's--she proves she is not a one-trick pony. Fans of her other works should definitely check this one out!
Score: 4.5/5
From Francine Rivers, the author of the best-selling Mark of the Lion trilogy.
The Good: As evidenced by her best-selling Mark of the Lion trilogy, Francine Rivers is a very gifted writer. I'm a big entertainment fan, but, I know that what goes on behind the scenes in Hollywood often isn't pretty, and this book does a good job of portraying that. It also shows the undying love that families often have for their children, much like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Pretty much impressive all around, except...
The Bad: I wasn't a big fan of Abra's name. I have never known anyone with that name, and, when I read the book, I couldn't help but think of the teleporting psychic Pokémon named Abra, which evolves into Kadabra and then into Alakazam. (See the wordplay there?) Though the name of the protagonist of this book was explained, it was still a bit weird to me.
Content Concerns:
Sex: A guy taking advantage of women is described. A woman is looked at lustfully, and talked about by guys in crude terms, albeit ones at a "PG" level. The book starts out with a childbirth scene. 3.5/5
Nudity: A woman's immodest wardrobe is described. 4.5/5
Language: Plenty of implied profanity, and one usage of the term "d---ed". 3.5/5
Violence: Soldiers being injured during war is described. A guy commits suicide, though his wife is accused of murdering him. 3/5
Drugs: Alcohol is consumed, and a character gets drunk. 4/5
Frightening/Intense Scenes: A woman has an abortion. Plenty of arguing and dissension among the characters. 3/5
Conclusion: Francine Rivers is best known for her Biblical historical fiction, but, with this book--set in the 1950's--she proves she is not a one-trick pony. Fans of her other works should definitely check this one out!
Score: 4.5/5
May 14, 2014
I struggled with how I wanted to rate this book. On one hand, it's Francine Rivers, the writer of my beloved Redeeming Love and Mark of the Lion series, and I must admit, Mrs Rivers is not afraid to go there! Life events that most Christian writers would skim over or not even attempt to write about, Francine takes us to those dark subjects to make the redemption even more powerful. On the other hand, I can't compare this to Redeeming Love. I had a really hard time connecting with any of the characters. I confess a few times, I wanted to stop and move on to other books on my TBR pile. Yet something kept me pulled in to see how this story would complete, and in true Rivers style- I may not have connected with the characters, but you can bet the last 100 pages had me reaching for the tissues. She still has the gift to hit those emotional places. Unfortunately, I don't see Bridge to Haven making my re-read every few years shelf, but was worth the new release read.
August 11, 2025
Francine Rivers has a way of creating deeply flawed, sometimes unlikable, female characters and Abra from
Bridge to Haven
is no exception.
Abra reminds me of two other Rivers characters: Angel from Redeeming Love and Julia (secondary character) from the Mark of the Lion series . Like Angel, Abra is abandoned at a young age, struggles with feelings of being unwanted, and is forced into sexual situations far too early. Both women also reinvent themselves multiple times, adopting three different names throughout their stories in search of a new identity.
Abra also shares traits with Julia, as both are trapped in abusive relationships with men who manipulate and coerce them into choices that go against their values and desires.
While Bridge to Haven didn’t reach the same emotional depth for me as Redeeming Love or Mark of the Lion series , it was still a moving and worthwhile read that left me glad I picked it up.
Audiobook source: Libby
Narrator: Kate Forbes
Length: 17h 57m
Abra reminds me of two other Rivers characters: Angel from Redeeming Love and Julia (secondary character) from the Mark of the Lion series . Like Angel, Abra is abandoned at a young age, struggles with feelings of being unwanted, and is forced into sexual situations far too early. Both women also reinvent themselves multiple times, adopting three different names throughout their stories in search of a new identity.
Abra also shares traits with Julia, as both are trapped in abusive relationships with men who manipulate and coerce them into choices that go against their values and desires.
While Bridge to Haven didn’t reach the same emotional depth for me as Redeeming Love or Mark of the Lion series , it was still a moving and worthwhile read that left me glad I picked it up.
Audiobook source: Libby
Narrator: Kate Forbes
Length: 17h 57m
July 26, 2014
Francine Rivers has done it again--KEPT ME AWAKE AT NIGHT! Bridge to Haven is riveting reading--just as riveting as Redeeming Love and Leota's Garden my two favorite Francine Rivers' novels thusfar.
It's very easy to see why Francine has become a New York Times best-selling author. Her heroine Abra is orphaned and left under a bridge. Fortunately God leads Pastor Zeke to the spot where he quickly tucks Abra close to his heart where she stays the rest of her life.
But no life can be lived without pain and loss. Abra is no exception. Some parts of Bridge to Haven were hard for me to read, kind of like in my own childhood when I watched my brother do things, I knew were going to get him into all kinds of trouble.
I identified most with Joshua, Pastor Zeke's son, who is forced to do the same with Abra.
But don't worry, the ending won't make you wish you hadn't read the book. God's children always have hope and redemption just waiting for them.
It's very easy to see why Francine has become a New York Times best-selling author. Her heroine Abra is orphaned and left under a bridge. Fortunately God leads Pastor Zeke to the spot where he quickly tucks Abra close to his heart where she stays the rest of her life.
But no life can be lived without pain and loss. Abra is no exception. Some parts of Bridge to Haven were hard for me to read, kind of like in my own childhood when I watched my brother do things, I knew were going to get him into all kinds of trouble.
I identified most with Joshua, Pastor Zeke's son, who is forced to do the same with Abra.
But don't worry, the ending won't make you wish you hadn't read the book. God's children always have hope and redemption just waiting for them.
December 8, 2020
This book is amazing because of the journey it takes you through. I might be biased because I love Christian-fiction, but this message is profound. The author takes us through a broken path full of heart ache and unnecessary pain, all while keeping in perspective the "big picture". I loved how real everything seemed, all the bad choices and the unfailing love.
I actually know a few people like Zeke and Joshua, which made this book more real to me than people whom perhaps don't know people who love like this. I've been blessed in my life to walk along side people who really love Jesus and share his love with others and this book brought many of them to mind. All I can say is this is an awesome story that deserves to be read and I'm thankful for my amazing family and friends!
I actually know a few people like Zeke and Joshua, which made this book more real to me than people whom perhaps don't know people who love like this. I've been blessed in my life to walk along side people who really love Jesus and share his love with others and this book brought many of them to mind. All I can say is this is an awesome story that deserves to be read and I'm thankful for my amazing family and friends!
February 7, 2022
This. I'm still so raw and fresh from reading it, I will probably edit this review a thousand times. But where so many of Francine Rivers books leave me thinking, processing, uplifted (though not always), this one did not. Instead, I just feel blank. Void, maybe? Let me try to break down what went wrong.
As always, Rivers' characters are so deep. what they lack in passion or dialogue is made up in 'real'. I not only empathize with Abra Matthews, I know that if I were put in her shoes, I would think and feel as she does. Not to say that I relate to Abra, because I don't. But Rivers' writes in such a FULL way (rich might be the word? moving? deep?). I feel enveloped by the character. Not that I lose myself but just so that I know her in ways you don't even get to know your best friend. And I've moved into creepster territory, but Im just trying to communicate why I love her books.
The reason this one fell short is not because I wasn't drawn in, but because I was unconvinced. Now don't get me wrong. I believed her guilt and her aversion to never facing home. To never facing those she loved with her shame. What I don't understand is her redemption- which, is key. With Christ, our guilt is only part of the story. And I NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND HER REDEMPTION. It felt too easy. Too wash away. Too rainbow. Her scars were deep and her shame was monstrous. I know because I felt it- because I was made to understand her need for a saviour. And I did. I did so deeply. But when the prodigal returned home, she was embraced. Which is to be expected- no complaints there. I was pleased and happy with the love of Christ shown by those who follow him and I believe that he is faithful to forgive our sins.
But I have finally put my finger on what this story lacked. Abra never struggled to forgive herself. It is like it was enough for her to know she was loved by others and by Christ. For someone who became real in her guilt and baggage, she barely even struggled to uproot her shame- something that had taken over and kept her from home in the first place. And in Christ there is freedom (AMEN!) but there is also no insta-remedy for the consequences of sin.
Christians do not have it rainbows and butterflies. And a lot of times that is because we won't allow God to give us everything he wants. But for someone who walked to road Abra did, who walked tight-fisted for years and was young when she walked into heartache- she should have struggled thought it. I needed her to struggle through it so that I could have answers too. So that I can learn to forgive myself. Because like I said, Rivers pulls you in. And I have not recovered from the shame and pain that I experienced for the first 400 pages. While I believe Christ is Almighty and Good and capable of forgiving the worst, I am much less convinced I can do that for myself. So while I come out of the world of Abra, I still cannot let go of the darkness she pulled me into. But only the best writing could create such darkness.
As always, Rivers' characters are so deep. what they lack in passion or dialogue is made up in 'real'. I not only empathize with Abra Matthews, I know that if I were put in her shoes, I would think and feel as she does. Not to say that I relate to Abra, because I don't. But Rivers' writes in such a FULL way (rich might be the word? moving? deep?). I feel enveloped by the character. Not that I lose myself but just so that I know her in ways you don't even get to know your best friend. And I've moved into creepster territory, but Im just trying to communicate why I love her books.
The reason this one fell short is not because I wasn't drawn in, but because I was unconvinced. Now don't get me wrong. I believed her guilt and her aversion to never facing home. To never facing those she loved with her shame. What I don't understand is her redemption- which, is key. With Christ, our guilt is only part of the story. And I NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND HER REDEMPTION. It felt too easy. Too wash away. Too rainbow. Her scars were deep and her shame was monstrous. I know because I felt it- because I was made to understand her need for a saviour. And I did. I did so deeply. But when the prodigal returned home, she was embraced. Which is to be expected- no complaints there. I was pleased and happy with the love of Christ shown by those who follow him and I believe that he is faithful to forgive our sins.
But I have finally put my finger on what this story lacked. Abra never struggled to forgive herself. It is like it was enough for her to know she was loved by others and by Christ. For someone who became real in her guilt and baggage, she barely even struggled to uproot her shame- something that had taken over and kept her from home in the first place. And in Christ there is freedom (AMEN!) but there is also no insta-remedy for the consequences of sin.
Christians do not have it rainbows and butterflies. And a lot of times that is because we won't allow God to give us everything he wants. But for someone who walked to road Abra did, who walked tight-fisted for years and was young when she walked into heartache- she should have struggled thought it. I needed her to struggle through it so that I could have answers too. So that I can learn to forgive myself. Because like I said, Rivers pulls you in. And I have not recovered from the shame and pain that I experienced for the first 400 pages. While I believe Christ is Almighty and Good and capable of forgiving the worst, I am much less convinced I can do that for myself. So while I come out of the world of Abra, I still cannot let go of the darkness she pulled me into. But only the best writing could create such darkness.
April 27, 2018
Bridge to Haven 4.25⭐️
I will always fall hard for her characters. I want them in real life and i break and ache for them. I never want her stories to end.
Abra was an orphan but not for long. The pastors wife said she would foster but foster turned into what she had already wanted keeping her. As Abra grew she fell in love with music.
Then her mother died and her father thought it too much to handle so she was given to a new family. She hated them. They were rude and didnt really want her. She resented her father and her new ‘family’.
Have i told you yet that im going to marry a Joshua. As soon as Josh Hutcherson I knew Josh was for me so falling for this Joshua and his charming ways was oh too easy.
When josh goes to fight in the war Abra is devastated her friend her love left. As she writes letter back and froth with josh each time she is concerned that she will never see him again that something will go wrong in japan.
“If you let him die, God, i’ll hate you forever. I swear i will”
Abra grows up and moves out but she got involved with the wrong guy and her life went from freedom to a new kind of prison.
Abra is now Lena and Lena is a movie star. She on the top of the movie world. Every guy wants her and every girl wants to be her, her family just wants her back home.
I will always fall hard for her characters. I want them in real life and i break and ache for them. I never want her stories to end.
Abra was an orphan but not for long. The pastors wife said she would foster but foster turned into what she had already wanted keeping her. As Abra grew she fell in love with music.
Then her mother died and her father thought it too much to handle so she was given to a new family. She hated them. They were rude and didnt really want her. She resented her father and her new ‘family’.
Have i told you yet that im going to marry a Joshua. As soon as Josh Hutcherson I knew Josh was for me so falling for this Joshua and his charming ways was oh too easy.
When josh goes to fight in the war Abra is devastated her friend her love left. As she writes letter back and froth with josh each time she is concerned that she will never see him again that something will go wrong in japan.
“If you let him die, God, i’ll hate you forever. I swear i will”
Abra grows up and moves out but she got involved with the wrong guy and her life went from freedom to a new kind of prison.
Abra is now Lena and Lena is a movie star. She on the top of the movie world. Every guy wants her and every girl wants to be her, her family just wants her back home.
January 13, 2026
✨Spoiler-Free Book Review✨
Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bridge to Haven was a powerful and deeply emotional read for me. This story follows Abra Matthews, a girl shaped by abandonment from a very young age, whose life becomes a series of painful choices as she searches for love, identity, and belonging. Set in the 1950s, the novel takes readers from a small hometown to the heights of Hollywood, where Abra eventually becomes a movie star - but success doesn’t erase her brokenness. 💔
This is a very heavy book. I would say about 85% of it carries a somber, heartbreaking tone, so if you’re looking for something light or uplifting throughout, this may not be the right fit. There are also several graphic and emotionally intense moments that make this a difficult but impactful read.
The story is inspired by Ezekiel 16, and after revisiting that passage alongside the novel, I think Francine Rivers did an INCREDIBLE job weaving its themes into a modern historical narrative! Her writing is, as always, beautiful and immersive - she has a gift for pulling you fully into the emotional and spiritual depths of her characters.
I would recommend this book with strong caveats regarding content and trigger warnings!
That said, I truly loved this story. 🤍 I appreciated not only Abra’s journey, but also seeing the lives of those in her hometown and how her absence impacted them. The relationships and character dynamics were compelling, and the story kept me emotionally invested from beginning to end. While I can absolutely see why this book won’t be for everyone, it was a meaningful and unforgettable read for me!
‼️CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS‼️
- child abandonment
- loss of a parent
- grief
- child endangerment
- rape (written scene)
- sexual assault
- eating disorder
- abortion
- suicide
- self-harm
-fade-to-black sex scenes
- and a war scene.
If you are sensitive to these topics, this may be one to skip.
Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bridge to Haven was a powerful and deeply emotional read for me. This story follows Abra Matthews, a girl shaped by abandonment from a very young age, whose life becomes a series of painful choices as she searches for love, identity, and belonging. Set in the 1950s, the novel takes readers from a small hometown to the heights of Hollywood, where Abra eventually becomes a movie star - but success doesn’t erase her brokenness. 💔
This is a very heavy book. I would say about 85% of it carries a somber, heartbreaking tone, so if you’re looking for something light or uplifting throughout, this may not be the right fit. There are also several graphic and emotionally intense moments that make this a difficult but impactful read.
The story is inspired by Ezekiel 16, and after revisiting that passage alongside the novel, I think Francine Rivers did an INCREDIBLE job weaving its themes into a modern historical narrative! Her writing is, as always, beautiful and immersive - she has a gift for pulling you fully into the emotional and spiritual depths of her characters.
I would recommend this book with strong caveats regarding content and trigger warnings!
That said, I truly loved this story. 🤍 I appreciated not only Abra’s journey, but also seeing the lives of those in her hometown and how her absence impacted them. The relationships and character dynamics were compelling, and the story kept me emotionally invested from beginning to end. While I can absolutely see why this book won’t be for everyone, it was a meaningful and unforgettable read for me!
‼️CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS‼️
- child abandonment
- loss of a parent
- grief
- child endangerment
- rape (written scene)
- sexual assault
- eating disorder
- abortion
- suicide
- self-harm
-fade-to-black sex scenes
- and a war scene.
If you are sensitive to these topics, this may be one to skip.
April 12, 2017
I'm telling you now, this review will contain spoilers! Consider yourself warned.
Bridge To Haven was a sweeping novel, the story of Abra Matthews, who was left under a bridge as an infant and found by a pastor. Rivers knows how to keep you turning the pages, and overall, I enjoyed the actual reading of this novel. I felt like I became friends with the characters. In the end, it ends up being a story of redemption when Abra finally gives her life over to the Lord.
Still, I struggle to give it a better rating for the following reasons.
I forget how Rivers tends to take her main characters and rip their lives completely apart before they start to put things back together. That's what happened with Abra. She gets involved with a bad guy, and runs away with him, even though she knows he's only after her physically. He ends up practically using her as a semi-willing sex slave. This was hard for me to read, not just because it was a disturbing storyline, but also because I found it hard to believe in a way. Abra seemed over-the-top naive. I know that in real life some girls do go after guys who treat them like dirt, but I found this whole storyline hard to relate to.
After some more ripping apart of Abra's life, she finally loses everything and goes back home to Haven with Joshua. Joshua was another complaint for me. I think Rivers was trying to make him somehow representative of Jesus (based on the name and a couple symbolic things in the story), but Joshua was over-the-top perfect in this story. To me, no human written character should be portrayed as perfect. Only one man lived a perfect life, and that WAS Jesus. In the afterword Rivers even says something about how Joshua wasn't perfect, and I was thinking...how exactly was he not? He seriously didn't do one thing wrong in the entire story. I dislike stories where one character is a complete train wreck, and the other is completely perfect, and ladies...let's just all realize that this guy was totally a figment of River's imagination. There isn't a man who ever lived who treats his romantic love as perfectly as Josh treats Abra in this book. I think there is some danger in reading books where the male romantic interest has zero flaws.
Finally, Joshua and Abra eventually get married, and as I feared would happen, Rivers goes into detail about their wedding night. Not completely explicit detail, but explicit enough to make me frantically flip the pages with my cheeks burning. And I'm a married women. I think it's worth noting that I would NEVER let my teenage daughter read this book, for this scene alone. Three complaints here:
1) This much detail is totally inappropriate for a Christian book, in my opinion. Erotic literature is the equivalent of porn for women, and while Rivers avoids words that would technically make this "erotic"...well, there was enough to make me blush, feel embarrassed, and skip past a couple pages. Sometimes what isn't said explicitly is just as powerful as what is said explicitly.
2) Once again, Joshua is just too perfect in how he handles the whole situation! Abra is obviously nervous about the wedding night with all the trauma she has suffered in that area, and he somehow does all the right things to make her feel completely comfortable and "please" her (eek, I feel weird even typing that, because this whole scene was embarrassing, even though I just skimmed it). Which leads me to my final point...
3) Do you know how unrealistic this scene is? Real life couples often have to work for YEARS to overcome their sexual baggage and abusive pasts to have a healthy sexual relationship. The characters here just overcome all of Abra's issues in one passion-filled night, and it's completely absurd. I imagine this portrayal could be somewhat discouraging to people who are still working through sexual issues in their relationship.
So I took off a few stars because of Joshua's ridiculous perfection, and what was in my opinion inappropriate sexual content. The story was good, but I could have done without those things I listed above.
Bridge To Haven was a sweeping novel, the story of Abra Matthews, who was left under a bridge as an infant and found by a pastor. Rivers knows how to keep you turning the pages, and overall, I enjoyed the actual reading of this novel. I felt like I became friends with the characters. In the end, it ends up being a story of redemption when Abra finally gives her life over to the Lord.
Still, I struggle to give it a better rating for the following reasons.
I forget how Rivers tends to take her main characters and rip their lives completely apart before they start to put things back together. That's what happened with Abra. She gets involved with a bad guy, and runs away with him, even though she knows he's only after her physically. He ends up practically using her as a semi-willing sex slave. This was hard for me to read, not just because it was a disturbing storyline, but also because I found it hard to believe in a way. Abra seemed over-the-top naive. I know that in real life some girls do go after guys who treat them like dirt, but I found this whole storyline hard to relate to.
After some more ripping apart of Abra's life, she finally loses everything and goes back home to Haven with Joshua. Joshua was another complaint for me. I think Rivers was trying to make him somehow representative of Jesus (based on the name and a couple symbolic things in the story), but Joshua was over-the-top perfect in this story. To me, no human written character should be portrayed as perfect. Only one man lived a perfect life, and that WAS Jesus. In the afterword Rivers even says something about how Joshua wasn't perfect, and I was thinking...how exactly was he not? He seriously didn't do one thing wrong in the entire story. I dislike stories where one character is a complete train wreck, and the other is completely perfect, and ladies...let's just all realize that this guy was totally a figment of River's imagination. There isn't a man who ever lived who treats his romantic love as perfectly as Josh treats Abra in this book. I think there is some danger in reading books where the male romantic interest has zero flaws.
Finally, Joshua and Abra eventually get married, and as I feared would happen, Rivers goes into detail about their wedding night. Not completely explicit detail, but explicit enough to make me frantically flip the pages with my cheeks burning. And I'm a married women. I think it's worth noting that I would NEVER let my teenage daughter read this book, for this scene alone. Three complaints here:
1) This much detail is totally inappropriate for a Christian book, in my opinion. Erotic literature is the equivalent of porn for women, and while Rivers avoids words that would technically make this "erotic"...well, there was enough to make me blush, feel embarrassed, and skip past a couple pages. Sometimes what isn't said explicitly is just as powerful as what is said explicitly.
2) Once again, Joshua is just too perfect in how he handles the whole situation! Abra is obviously nervous about the wedding night with all the trauma she has suffered in that area, and he somehow does all the right things to make her feel completely comfortable and "please" her (eek, I feel weird even typing that, because this whole scene was embarrassing, even though I just skimmed it). Which leads me to my final point...
3) Do you know how unrealistic this scene is? Real life couples often have to work for YEARS to overcome their sexual baggage and abusive pasts to have a healthy sexual relationship. The characters here just overcome all of Abra's issues in one passion-filled night, and it's completely absurd. I imagine this portrayal could be somewhat discouraging to people who are still working through sexual issues in their relationship.
So I took off a few stars because of Joshua's ridiculous perfection, and what was in my opinion inappropriate sexual content. The story was good, but I could have done without those things I listed above.
January 30, 2025
I once again walk away from reading a Francine Rivers book completely floored and captivated by the raw, relatable characters; messages of Christian faith that bring me closer to God; and deep hope from seeing God's love for us in a gripping story that only this author could write.
Much like Redeeming Love, this a heavy, layered story full of graphic emotions and moments that we ourselves may or may not have personally experienced, but relatable all the same as we all struggle on our roads to redemption through grit, sin, and shame all to finally surrender at the feet of Jesus.
I cried a few times and felt the push and pull of the decisions that Abra, Joshua, and Pastor Zeke all had to make as they surrendered step by step. This is definitely a story to take your time with as it will cause you to ponder your own faith journey and how we are our truest selves when we give our lives to God and accept the grace and forgiveness Christ offers freely and calls us to give freely in return.
I look forward to continuing to read more by this beloved author as her character depth, depth of writing real life heartache, and her masterful ability to weave everything into a life-giving and believable story of God's perfect plans, providence, and mercy are unmatched.
Bridge to Haven will take you on a heavily emotional journey with gutting, but impactfully intentional detail that's all worth it in the end with great character arcs and breathtaking realism. God sees all of our struggles, scars, and heartbreaking moments, but He will always bring life and purpose from them as we surrender. ❤❤❤
Much like Redeeming Love, this a heavy, layered story full of graphic emotions and moments that we ourselves may or may not have personally experienced, but relatable all the same as we all struggle on our roads to redemption through grit, sin, and shame all to finally surrender at the feet of Jesus.
I cried a few times and felt the push and pull of the decisions that Abra, Joshua, and Pastor Zeke all had to make as they surrendered step by step. This is definitely a story to take your time with as it will cause you to ponder your own faith journey and how we are our truest selves when we give our lives to God and accept the grace and forgiveness Christ offers freely and calls us to give freely in return.
I look forward to continuing to read more by this beloved author as her character depth, depth of writing real life heartache, and her masterful ability to weave everything into a life-giving and believable story of God's perfect plans, providence, and mercy are unmatched.
Bridge to Haven will take you on a heavily emotional journey with gutting, but impactfully intentional detail that's all worth it in the end with great character arcs and breathtaking realism. God sees all of our struggles, scars, and heartbreaking moments, but He will always bring life and purpose from them as we surrender. ❤❤❤
November 24, 2022
Originally I rated this book 5 stars, but due to how I felt about Redeeming Love and the questionable content in this book, I've decided to bump this review to 3 stars. There is too much content I'm not comfortable reading, such as sexual and physical abuse, death, and a forced abortion. I also do not like the relationship between Abra and Joshua due to the fact that they were raised as siblings, even if they're not biologically related. I may reread this in the future but I have no desire to at the moment.
August 23, 2022
Bridge to Haven, by Francine Rivers, was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The story was a bit predictable at times, and the male lead a bit TOO good (a common problem in Christian literature), but Ms. Rivers writes so well that I wanted to stay glued to the book at all times.
A nice romance with a satisfying ending.
A nice romance with a satisfying ending.
May 29, 2014
This is probably one of the best books I've read so far this year, if not the BEST! Anyway. Moving on with my summary/review. :) There are slight spoilers to follow.
Summary (my words): Abra Matthews was abandoned as a baby under the bridge in Haven. Though she was soon placed into the home of a loving family and then later adopted, she grows up guarded and wary. When a handsome LA playboy arrives in town, she throws her upbringing aside and runs away. Soon Abra realizes that the price she's paid isn't worth the Hollywood glamour of the 1950's. Given a new identity, Lena Scott, she soon becomes the newest thing on the silver screen since Marilyn Monroe, and few know her real name or the price she's paid to be somebody. Those who love her back home have prayed for her everyday in the hopes that someday, someway, somehow, Abra will find her way home. With God on her tail, her life disillusioned, she doesn't know who she is anymore. Can Abra bring herself to return home to those who love her - her family, her pastor, the young man who has been the best friend she's ever known?
My thoughts: It has been a long time since I read a Francine Rivers book. I've read all of hers. While my personal favorite is (and still remains) Atonement Child, this one gripped me from the first page. I started this book late Monday night, brought it to work on Tuesday and finished it Tuesday night. Not since the times I read older Kingsbury novels, Joanne Bischoff's Cadence of Grace series, and Katie Ganshert's Broken Kind of Beautiful has a novel tore my heart out like this one did.
Rivers has written the characters in such a way to cause the reader to feel for them. I found myself wanting to shake Abra while at the same time I was weeping for her. And Joshua. Yes, he was honorable. Yes, he was "perfect." I loved his struggle in learning to trust. Pastor Zeke. I loved how he also struggled with letting go. For me, one of the most touching scenes was when Abra came home and runs into Pastor Zeke's waiting arms. Talk about a beautiful showing of forgiveness and redemption right there!
Other reviews are saying that this may not be Francine's best. That's their opinion. In mine, this is going to fast become a favorite. Still, don't just take my word on how much I loved this book, read the opinions of others and make your own decision.
I rented this book from the library and read it for pure pleasure (that and it's been on my reading list for ages and fit a Scattegories category on Goodreads). My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Francine Rivers, Joanne Bischoff, Katie Ganshert, Karen Kingsbury, Nora Roberts, Susan May Warren, Lynn Austin, Denise Hunter, women's fiction
Rating - 5 stars
Summary (my words): Abra Matthews was abandoned as a baby under the bridge in Haven. Though she was soon placed into the home of a loving family and then later adopted, she grows up guarded and wary. When a handsome LA playboy arrives in town, she throws her upbringing aside and runs away. Soon Abra realizes that the price she's paid isn't worth the Hollywood glamour of the 1950's. Given a new identity, Lena Scott, she soon becomes the newest thing on the silver screen since Marilyn Monroe, and few know her real name or the price she's paid to be somebody. Those who love her back home have prayed for her everyday in the hopes that someday, someway, somehow, Abra will find her way home. With God on her tail, her life disillusioned, she doesn't know who she is anymore. Can Abra bring herself to return home to those who love her - her family, her pastor, the young man who has been the best friend she's ever known?
My thoughts: It has been a long time since I read a Francine Rivers book. I've read all of hers. While my personal favorite is (and still remains) Atonement Child, this one gripped me from the first page. I started this book late Monday night, brought it to work on Tuesday and finished it Tuesday night. Not since the times I read older Kingsbury novels, Joanne Bischoff's Cadence of Grace series, and Katie Ganshert's Broken Kind of Beautiful has a novel tore my heart out like this one did.
Rivers has written the characters in such a way to cause the reader to feel for them. I found myself wanting to shake Abra while at the same time I was weeping for her. And Joshua. Yes, he was honorable. Yes, he was "perfect." I loved his struggle in learning to trust. Pastor Zeke. I loved how he also struggled with letting go. For me, one of the most touching scenes was when Abra came home and runs into Pastor Zeke's waiting arms. Talk about a beautiful showing of forgiveness and redemption right there!
Other reviews are saying that this may not be Francine's best. That's their opinion. In mine, this is going to fast become a favorite. Still, don't just take my word on how much I loved this book, read the opinions of others and make your own decision.
I rented this book from the library and read it for pure pleasure (that and it's been on my reading list for ages and fit a Scattegories category on Goodreads). My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Francine Rivers, Joanne Bischoff, Katie Ganshert, Karen Kingsbury, Nora Roberts, Susan May Warren, Lynn Austin, Denise Hunter, women's fiction
Rating - 5 stars
August 15, 2015
This was a good read, with some complex issues to consider. I generally enjoy Francine Rivers and this one was no exception. It was sad to read about the choices Abra felt she was forced to make and her resultant life, but Francine Rivers’ description of how she felt made Abra’s thought processes believable (if misguided).
February 8, 2022
I AM LIVIDDDDDD
qué lindo un romance de francine donde la mujer protagonista es la culpable de todos sus problemas creados por hombres y que por eso no puede conectarse con Dios y tiene que llegar a un pozo y ser abusada para entender que Dios la ama. AHHH pero los hombres protagonistas de francine son hombres perfectos de Dios, puros y conectados a Dios sin problemas.
qué lindo un romance de francine donde la mujer protagonista es la culpable de todos sus problemas creados por hombres y que por eso no puede conectarse con Dios y tiene que llegar a un pozo y ser abusada para entender que Dios la ama. AHHH pero los hombres protagonistas de francine son hombres perfectos de Dios, puros y conectados a Dios sin problemas.
June 20, 2014
I will say this up until this book of Francine Rivers I was a fan. The story of this book was good until she got explicit in bedroom scenes. I was not expecting that especially from a Christian author. So I will not recommend this book at all.
September 13, 2021
I can see Francine Rivers point in this story. However, I wish she wouldn't resort to the sewers of Hollywood to bring her message to us.
February 23, 2021
3.5/5
The story transports you to a quiet and tranquil
1950 town where everyone knows everyone and chocolate milkshakes and French fries are the order of the day 😆💗👌🏼. Abra is a spunky little girl that was abandoned as a baby when she was born. The story is about Abras journey to finding who she really is, her value, and place in this world. She decides to throw away the chance to belong to a loving family and taste everything the world has to offer her. Scared and alone as a 17 year old, she drowns her sorrows and doubts in the glamorous life Hollywood offers her as a naive girl- parties, movie offers, one night stands, acting clases, beautiful dresses, meeting celebrities- all this creating a fake identity, a mask, she learned to wear and embrace. Sometimes God allows us to loose ourselves to show us his light, truth, and care- and sometimes it starts with acknowledging we can’t control anything, not even our own happiness.
This book is def an adult book. It deals with suicide, prostitution, mental and sexual abuse, abortion, and stuff like that.
I like the plot very much as well as the characters. They were all very well developed and added to the complexity of the story so well. There are some aspects that I did see coming in the ending so the ending didn’t wow me as I think it was intended. What I didn’t like was that the sexual scenes, tho not graphically described, did feel a little too much. There were parts were I really I think the author could just have skipped some description and still get her point straight.
I will say, it did make my heart ache for all the girls that have been deceived by the shine of the world, only to find themselves more lost that when they begun. The entertainment industry is a very complex and dark place.
If you have someone that is still hesitant to the truth about this industry, then I would encourage you to share this book with them.
Approximate age for this book, in my opinion, is 18+
The story transports you to a quiet and tranquil
1950 town where everyone knows everyone and chocolate milkshakes and French fries are the order of the day 😆💗👌🏼. Abra is a spunky little girl that was abandoned as a baby when she was born. The story is about Abras journey to finding who she really is, her value, and place in this world. She decides to throw away the chance to belong to a loving family and taste everything the world has to offer her. Scared and alone as a 17 year old, she drowns her sorrows and doubts in the glamorous life Hollywood offers her as a naive girl- parties, movie offers, one night stands, acting clases, beautiful dresses, meeting celebrities- all this creating a fake identity, a mask, she learned to wear and embrace. Sometimes God allows us to loose ourselves to show us his light, truth, and care- and sometimes it starts with acknowledging we can’t control anything, not even our own happiness.
This book is def an adult book. It deals with suicide, prostitution, mental and sexual abuse, abortion, and stuff like that.
I like the plot very much as well as the characters. They were all very well developed and added to the complexity of the story so well. There are some aspects that I did see coming in the ending so the ending didn’t wow me as I think it was intended. What I didn’t like was that the sexual scenes, tho not graphically described, did feel a little too much. There were parts were I really I think the author could just have skipped some description and still get her point straight.
I will say, it did make my heart ache for all the girls that have been deceived by the shine of the world, only to find themselves more lost that when they begun. The entertainment industry is a very complex and dark place.
If you have someone that is still hesitant to the truth about this industry, then I would encourage you to share this book with them.
Approximate age for this book, in my opinion, is 18+
October 24, 2020
Fransīne Riversa laikam jau pieskaitāma manis iecienītākajiem autoriem. Viņa spēj uzrkastit kā ļoti interesantu sižetu, tā savu vēstījumu padarīt acīmredzamu, bet tai pat laikā neliekas, ka tas tiek ar varu bakstīts tev acīs. Laikam jau tas ir labi, kad reizēm gribētos galvenajai varonei uzkliegt, lai beidz darīt vai domāt muļķības - jo tik ļoti jūti viņai līdzi.
January 7, 2026
Stayed up way too late to finish this but I was invested 😂🙌 this was a reread for me and again, Francine Rivers writes about such deep topics that it just humbles you and deeply impacts you. The reminders of hope, love and forgiveness were strong in this book and a beautiful reminder that we are never too lost to return Home ❤️ the ending happened so fast, it felt a little rushed but I still loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,104 reviews