The Bridge Club

by Patricia Sands

A re-release with added content to celebrate the tenth anniversary of The Bridge Club!

• 2010 Foreword Reviews Book Of The Year (General Fiction)
• 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards (First Novel)
• 2012 Indie Excellence Book Awards – Womens Fiction

2010 ~ What starts as a monthly card game, turns into forty years that span a woman’s journey from youthful optimism to the challenges and opportunities presented as the years pass. The complexities of women’s friendships are played out through a maze of inevitable scenarios. Laughter and tears lead to a crisis that challenges principles and proves the power of friendship.

2020 ~ The Bridge Club Tenth Anniversary edition has not changed the main story but now the original Epilogue is built into the final chapter. A new Epilogue brings the women together ten years later to celebrate their 75th birthdays and reflect on how the decision at the end of the original story impacted the next decade.

The Bridge Club is a story for anyone who cares about friendship. Not simply the “Hi, how are you?” type, but the kind that weathers all storms, unselfishly celebrates triumphs, and hums along year after year with never an unkind word. It does exist.

If you already share a friendship like this, you will relate to the women of The Bridge Club. If you don’t, perhaps the story will inspire you to find it.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Womens Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Womens, Friendship

444 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Bestselling author Patricia Sands lives two hours north of Toronto, Canada, in The Blue Mountains, when she isn't somewhere else, and calls the south of France her second home. An admitted travel fanatic, she can pack a bag in a flash and be ready to go anywhere … particularly the south of France. With a focus on travel, women’s issues and aging, her stories celebrate the feminine spirit and the power of friendship.

Her award-winning 2010 debut novel, The Bridge Club, is a book-group favorite, and The Promise of Provence, which launched her three-part Love in Provence series (followed by Promises to Keep and I Promise You This), was a finalist for a 2013 USA Best Book Award and a 2014 National Indie Excellence Award, an Amazon Hot New Release in April 2013, and a 2015 nominee for a #RBRT Golden Rose award in the category of romance. Her fifth novel, Drawing Lessons, was released by Lake Union Publishing on October 1, 2017.
Lavender, Loss & Love, ~A Season of Surprises ~and The First Noel make up the the Villa de Violettes series, based on the Love in Provence characters.
The Bridge Club ~ Tenth Anniversary edition ~ was released in September 2021 and is now in Kindle Unlimited.

On August 25, 2022, her novel THE SECRETS WE HIDE will be released.

Sands also contributes to such Francophile websites as The Good Life France and Perfectly Provence and loves to visit Book Clubs either live or on ZOOM! Info on her website.

Find out more at Patricia’s Facebook Author Page, Amazon Author Page or her website. There are links to her books, social media, and a monthly newsletter that has special giveaways, photography from France, and sneak peeks at her next book. She loves hearing from readers.

Patricia has led six 10-day tours of the French Riviera and the countryside of Provence. She will be co-hosting another 'Sold Out' women's tour of Provence in September 2021 with her good friend Deborah Bine aka The Barefoot Blogger.

Find out more at Patricia’s Facebook Author Page, Amazon Author Page, Goodreads or her blog where you will find links to her books, social media, and monthly newsletter. She loves hearing from readers, so don’t hesitate to email her.

Follow her on Instagram @psands.stories

Reviews

[Patricia Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author, I'm just leaving a few words - not a review! But trust me, this is a book for all ages. Good friendships that begin early in life should be nurtured - they mature like fine wine (and often wine, fine or not, is a big part of those early years). Stuff happens and there's nothing like a support group you can count on. The controversial issue faced in the final chapter is something that will touch most of us in one way or another. What would you do?
Although fiction, the story is based on the foundation of my ongoing 45-year friendship with my real-live "bridge club". Separated now by distance for some of us, we just spent a week together and the bond is as strong as ever. To have a good friend you must be a good friend, and nothing brings you more rewards.

[Larry H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

If you like stories of strong female friendships, Patricia Sands' The Bridge Club is one for you!

“The Bridge Club: eight women, close to hitting their sixty-five-year speed bump. They were never anything remotely resembling Desperate Housewives or Ya-Ya candidates but simply great friends since their footloose days of finding the way through their early twenties.”

Eight women—Bonnie, Cass, Danielle, Dee, Jane, Lynn, Marti, and Pam—have been friends for more than five decades. What started out as a monthly bridge game turned into something much deeper. They’ve celebrated momentous occasions in each other’s lives, and have provided comfort and even more substantial help in times of crisis.

In the story each character recounts their “SOS”—the moment when each felt they could only rely on the Bridge Club to help them. These stories range from marital troubles and divorce, illness, addiction, and many others, and each chapter reinforces the intense bond they have. (For those of you who actually play bridge, there are even bridge hands at the end of each chapter.)

The Bridge Club was originally written in 2010, and marked the celebration of everyone’s 65th birthdays, as well as one sad note in an epilogue. In this 10th anniversary edition, Sands includes the epilogue as part of the book and writes an updated final chapter that takes place in 2020. It's a very interesting decision which really works.

This was a really well-told story. I love books about strong relationships and these friendships truly weathered some storms. It made me grateful for the friends in my life!

I was grateful to be part of the blog tour for this book. Kate Rock Book Tours and Patricia Sands provided me a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks so much for making it available!

Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.

Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.

See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.

Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I've been on a very long road trip listening to an incredible narration which at times made me feel as if I was there living what was happening while at other times I was content to listen to what happened, marking the passage of Time.

They say everyone has a story in them and I know that is one of Patricia's mantra's, here she tells the story of 8 women who have an almost otherworldly connection and just as well, because this is all leading them towards the ultimate test of their friendship, to support and assist each other in dealing with a situation completely out of this world.

Stunned. What a journey.

[Sue Uden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The nugget at the centre of The Bridge Club is in Patricia's last sentence of her Afterword, 'To have a good friend, you must be a good friend.' By learning about an individual hurdle in the lives of each of the eight members of the Bridge Club, and how they were supported by the other seven in their journey over that hurdle and landing on the other side, the reader absorbs a true feeling of the bond that has developed between these women over their forty plus years of friendship. As a reader of a similar age, and one who has experienced more than one, or two, of the hurdles covered, my guess is that this novel will hold plenty of interest for women of any age.
The poignant and controversial hurdle covered in the last chapter is the one I think we all, man or woman, most dread and yet here it is covered with such compassion and friendship amongst these friends that it somehow diminishes that fear. Everyone needs friends like these.
My little missing star is because for me, and completely subjectively and probably because I am impatient, some of the chapters could have had less small detail without losing impact. Otherwise a highly recommended read.

[Annie Mondesir · Rating 5 out of 5]

The “Bridge Club 10 year Anniversary” is a love letter to the bonds of friendship! Dives deep into all of the facets of friendship and their other relationships!
Once again, Patricia Sands had given us characters that we never want to say goodbye to, so it was wonderful picking up where we left off! Catching up was so satisfying, I found myself fully invested again!
When I closed the book, I wished I’d had my own Bridge Club!
These Bridge Games breed love and friendship!
Patricia Sands proves she is a leader in female friendship storytelling.
Best Cover 2020.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It was my first time reading a Patricia Sands book and I'm looking forward to reading more.  THE BRIDGE CLUB is the story of a group of women that takes place over more than four decades.  Each chapter is told by one of the women and as you get to know them you can't help but get all caught up in their lives and friendship.      The end of the book was different for me.  One of the women is going through something very traumatic but Patricia doesn't tell you the name of who it is.  She drops hints but never actually tells you who it is.   


This was an awesome read and very hard to put down.  THE BRIDGE CLUB isn't really about bridge, although the women play it all the time.  Its more about friendship and being there when a friend needs you.  Lifelong lessons that each of the women learn will leave you wanting more.  Great job Patricia and thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and review your book.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The eight women in this novel met in the 1960s. They were all from very different backgrounds but their friendships begin to solidify as they started playing bridge together Ultimately, it became more than just a bridge club and their friends became more than casual. They all relied on the women in their club to help them solve issues with husbands, children, lifestyles and life in general. We get a glimpse of each of the eight woman and their major life problems that were solved through the help of their friends. Their problems ranged from alcoholism, to abuse, to discovering their sexuality. The last chapter of the original novel deals with a difficult decision that they must all make to help one of their group members. The chapters that were added on in the new edition discuss the ramifications of this decision and how each of them dealt with it. It ends as the remaining members are celebrating their 75th birthdays and looking back on their friendships realizing again what an important part of their lives their friends were.

I thought it was very interesting to look at a long term friendship between women and the overall effect of that friendship on each of their lives. I strongly believe in women's friendship I have friends from over 60 years go who still are important parts of my life. I loved their book about the importance of women's friendships as they faced the highs and lows of their lives.

[Jamele (BookswithJams) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why I had not read this book before now, but I really enjoyed it. Women playing cards every month and it turns into forty years of friendship. I mean who doesn’t want that? Each chapter dives deeper into a specific character and their current struggle and how the bridge club comes together to help her. They have seen it all over the years, alcoholism, cancer, hot mess spouses, you name it. But it is the final chapter that just about broke me. I loved each of these women, how they supported each other over the years and also how they objectively gave advice when needed. This was such a heartwarming, endearing book and if you have read this before trust me when I say the new epilogue is not to be missed. I really enjoyed my time with these ladies and am now off to learn how to play bridge…(Speaking of, at the end of each chapter there is a small bridge lesson, I mean really, loved that.)

Thank you to @Katerockbooktours for the #gifted book to review.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bridge Club is a beautifully written story about the enduring bonds of friendship. The book spans forty years of laughter and tears, triumphs snd tragedies; a poignant story that felt personal, as if I were sitting in the room with this group of women. This is a perfect book to read with friends, and a perfect book to gift to them as well!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story of true friendship between eight women from different backgrounds who played bridge together. I was so drawn into the lives of these women as they matured and their friendships grew stronger. This story had me laughing, crying, and angry and all emotions in between.

[Barbara Conelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bridge Club is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Written with heartfelt compassion, understanding and feminine energy, it’s a book about real life, real love and real friendship – with all its ups and downs.

Once I started reading The Bridge Club, I couldn’t put it down. Thanks to Patricia’s colorful, vivid writing, I felt I was actually among the Bridge Club ladies, experiencing their laughter, their pain, their happiness and their sadness.

The Bridge Club shows you the real face of female friendship, and its changes and challenges throughout the years. It’s not another made-up story about pink cocktails and stilettos and perfect worlds. It’s a book about real women, with real emotions, who go through life doing the best they can and supporting each other along the way.

I was very deeply touched by The Bridge Club on a very personal level. I remembered my Grandma diagnosed with dementia and the last weeks and days of her life. I remembered my Mum when she told me about my Father’s death and her struggles after she had lost her husband at such a young age. I remembered my family members’ and friends’ battles with cancer. I also remembered those precious moments spent with my dear friends and the joy we shared. I remembered the hugs, the words of support, that special kind of love that only friends can give and receive.

The Bridge Club is a magical book: It’s authentic, gentle, nurturing and loving. A book that will help you revive your dreams, rediscover what really matters, and deal with the challenges of life, even if you don’t have your own Bridge Club girls in your life.

Last but not least, I would like to mention a very neat detail which complements the stories in a lovely way. If you don’t play bridge yet, this book will definitely encourage you to learn to play it. Every chapter ends with an example that connects the game to the real life and makes you think about how the game of life actually resembles a good game of cards. After all, it’s not about how we play the game; It’s about how much we enjoy it and what’s left behind when the lights above your bridge table get turned off.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads Description- For more than forty years, the mantra of the eight women in the Bridge Club has been "one for all and all for one." Beginning their monthly soiree in the psychedelic Sixties, unpredicted twists of fate weave through the good times and strong friendship they share as the years pass. The constant from one decade to the next is loyal and nonjudgmental support, even when agreeing to disagree is the final solution. From the exhilarating cultural changes of their early times together through the "zoomer" years, their connection never falters. As they celebrate turning sixty (give or take a year) at a group birthday weekend, each woman recalls a challenging time in her life when the Bridge Club came to the rescue. After tossing around ideas mixed with a generous helping of common sense and a large dose of laughter they decide to refer to that time as their "SOS." Eight chapters document each one's story.

Everything is put into perspective and the strength of their friendship is truly tested when one of these women faces a life-altering decision. Her choice profoundly affects all members of the group, pushing the limits of their beliefs and values. The unique alliance they share is confronted with a crisis none of them might have imagined.

Just to say a few things about this book. 1) I am wavering between a 3 and 4 stars because of a few factors. 2) I felt that at times there were times when just too much was said about each particular member's SOS moment. Some of them were just the right length and I felt like they were written perfectly but at other times I felt like the same things were repeated over and over again. I felt like the author was just beating a dead horse. 3) I loved how the book was divided up into a chapter for each member of the BC (Bridge Club). That enabled the reader to get to know each member in a more intimate way and allowed the author to develop the main characters fully.

I really have to think about what I feel about the ending. Not gonna say anymore than that on that subject. A full review is in progress.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight women have been through 40 years of ups and downs together. Coming together to play bridge and share their successes and turmoils. Each uniquely different to the other but brought together by a sisterhood that was years in the making. From the sixties to present day the women share the time in their lives that the Bridge club held them up when they could have easily fallen. In the end, can friendship be their in the most dire of needs or will the hurt, anger, love and pain pull them apart?

This was a wonderful book. It is so uniquely told. Each chapter is about one specific time in one of the characters lives. This truly illustrates how important friendship is to women. The different times and environments for each of the women telling their story about their biggest issue brought to the Bridge Club will truly bring tears to your eyes. The emotion and pain and love are felt through the pages and will touch the reader thoroughly. In the end, the reader will be left asking one question. I won’t share that but it ends in a mystery of both heartache and sadness. Overall, this book will bring tears to your eyes and love in your heart as you turn the pages. Patricia Sands does an outstanding job illustrating the trials and tribulations women and their friends go through. If you’re looking for a book that completely explains women and how important friendship is for them then you will want to pick this book up.

[Momma Leighellen’s Book Nook · Rating 3 out of 5]

"To have a good friend, you must BE a good friend.”

This is the heart of the story that follows a group of eight very different women that have been friends for over 45 years. Originally written in 2010, this book celebrates the 10th Anniversary of a decision that defines their friendship.

Are you ready for a good cry? This one needs all the hankies as you come to know and love this powerful group of friends. What started as a monthly gathering to play bridge became strong friendships that saw them through the toughest times in life. I love that each chapter provides a new perspective as each woman gets to share their unique story and what the friendships have meant to them. They’ve seen each other through every celebration and crisis, every joy and sorrow including addiction, illness, and divorce. It gave me a Steel Magnolia's vibe.

As someone who has moved several times throughout my life, I loved the idea of relationships strong enough to weather the storms and outlast the ripples in the waves of life. It made me wish for people that could know me this well! This book is a beautiful homage to the power of sisterhood and a wonderful escape.

Thank you to @PatriciaLSands and @KateRockBookTours for the ability to read and enjoy this book! 

#TheBridgeClub   #KateRockBookTours

[Susi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books ever. I immediately felt I was part of the group of friends and I cried, laughed and lived with them. I wanted the book to go on for longer as I wanted to continue with my new found friends.
The story takes you to a problem that we encounter more and more and deals sensibly with all the issues it creates. It does not tell you that there is a right or wrong solution and let's you make up your own mind. Even though the characters are fictional I wanted to hug each one of them at the end of the book.
Since the Bridge Club I got more of Patricia Sands' books and in all of them I made new friends. She is one of the few writers where the book draws you not only into their world but becomes part of your world. I greatly admire this talent and hope for many more books to come.

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

The power of female friendship

The Bridge Club follows the lives of a group of women who have known each other at least since university and some longer than that. The women bond over a love for bridge and each other's company. As they grow older, become employed and/or married, the group agrees to meet once a month at one of the member's homes. During all of their times together the Bridge Club helps one another through many crises such as searching for one's birth mother, dealing with the death of a spouse, divorce, a spouse's addiction to Internet porn, cosmetic surgery, and dealing with Alzheimer's disease.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full disclosure - I read about 100 pages of this book and then put an end to my misery. Possibly one of the worst books I have ever read. No plot, no character development, just a bunch of self-absorbed unrealistic stories strung together. The writing style is juvenile and the dialogue stilted. A waste of time

[Bonnie Tharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed feelings but mostly good

The story is a good one. There's something everyone can relate to. The characters are interesting but I don't want to use a crib sheet to keep them all straight. There were too many characters to really get attached to them. However, the concept of the support of sisters (friends) is great. It's definitely worth a read.

[Elena Aitken · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story of friendship through the ages. The author takes us along on the journey of these women as they go through the trials and tribulations of their lives. The glue that holds them together? Their strong relationships and love for each other.

[Diana Barnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it and make your own decision...

It went from slow, to better, to having you in tears. I was not sure if I should rate It a 1 or a 5 so I went for 3. I think this is a book that everyone will have different opinion on.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decades of friendship... and much more

Patricia Sands has written a heartwarming and moving novel about eight women who come together in one way or another in their twenties to form a bridge club. Quite quickly, the group becomes more of a sisterhood. One each of them can trust wholeheartedly. One they turn to for friendship, for support, for honesty, for problem solving, but most of all for the bond they have with one another.

They are a diverse group of women who provide multiple perspectives to any issue. Some have similarities in their beliefs, some in their life circumstances, while others have known some since childhood, and some have a slightly stronger bond with another, at the root of it all they are one. As they often say, "one for all and all for one."

The author brings together the long history of these eight women via their own stated most meaningful event where they needed the others moire than at other times in their lives. In telling their stories, the history and point where each character is in their life comes through in the telling. The reader never feels they don't get a full picture of the main characters SOS, as they call it, while also being provided with knowledge of the other women's role or life circumstance at the time.

You will come to love these women, empathize with them, relate to them, see yourself or your best friend or the woman next door in them. You will cherish their stories, the life lessons they pass along, and who each character really is at heart. But most of all, you will honor, respect, and cherish their deep seated sisterhood.

Rating: 4.7

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply touching story about the bonds of friendship, about finding our way, and the ability to dig deep to navigate the most challenging turning points in life. Patricia Sands captures readers from the atmospheric outset, drawing us in to this group of strong women. A poignant tale that left me truly grateful for my friends.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bridge Club: Oh, to be a fly on the wall!

A review by Ben Antao


The most rewarding outcome upon reading The Bridge Club was that I felt like a fly on the wall, listening to the chatter of women, their secrets and their social lives spread over 40 years in Toronto and Ontario. And the bonus is that these Caucasian women, middle-class and well-educated, come together once a month to play bridge and have a ball of a girls’ night out.

I congratulate Patricia Sands, a member of the Writers and Editors Network of Toronto, on writing and publishing this story involving eight women as a work of fiction that allowed her the freedom to crawl inside the heart and mind of each woman, and weave a story filled with humorous incidents that reflect and refract the character of each. It’s a commendable feat.

The range of personalities covered in this gem of a novel should give you an idea of what to expect. Here goes:

There is an intrepid woman named Cass, trained as a nurse, but whose dream is to sail around the world. So she ditches her husband, a doctor no less, and takes up with a marina deckhand, a much older man to boot, and they refurbish a boat and live on the high seas for five years. No fear of flying for Cass!

And then there is Jane who at age 32 discovers during a ski run in B.C. that she’s strongly attracted to her companion who is a lesbian. “Jane’s energy and zest for living was boundless,” writes Sands, and the Bridge Club referred to her as “fully caffeinated.” Jane’s shocking revelation to her bridge friends is handled sensitively, as well as the parents’ acceptance of their daughter’s gender orientation.

Then comes Bonnie, a fun-loving woman with a family farm in Halton Hills and a mansion in Toronto’s Rosedale, who just loves a cocktail or two. Her descent into alcoholism and eventual recovery through AA receive well-meaning support from the bridge club.

Next comes Lynn, a tree-hugger and an environmentalist, who was adopted as a child. Curiosity takes over, and when the Ontario government allows the adopted sons and daughters of the province to trace their birth parents, Lynn decides to get in touch with her mother. Their meeting is poignant, filled with understanding, but they decide not to take it any further.

Pam is a stay-at-home Mom, with a caring husband, and her response to any dilemma is “It’ll all work out.” Unfortunately, she loses her husband Peter to cancer at the age of 49. This event triggers a flood of sadness and loss, making her story rather melodramatic. The bridge club helps her to get over this sorrow and Pam learns to take one day at a time, one breath at a time, and it’ll all work out!

Then comes Marti. When she was a 20-year-old stewardess (flight attendant today), she had an affair with the pilot, a much older man. Eight years after the affair ended, she plunges into marriage with a twice-divorced father of two, a charming adventurer with a way with women. Marti who always had a great figure goes for plastic surgery for a facelift and to get her boobs reduced when she hits fifty. “How nice to have guys looking into my eyes when they talk to me instead of at my boobs,” she tells her bridge club friends.

Dee, a golf enthusiast, arrives at Pam’s cottage in the country for a party, and blurts out the news. “I’ve got a lump in my breast.” Her husband Ken is in China on business. As her breast cancer is diagnosed, her fear and self-pity are balanced by the strength and compassion of her husband. She recovers ands finds inspiration in these words: “Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.”

And finally comes Danielle, a staunch Catholic, who has to deal with her husband Bryce’s ED condition. “Goodness knows that when it comes to sins of the flesh, so to speak, the Catholic Church doesn’t exactly inspire confidence,” says Dani to her bridge friends.

Sands’ writing style is impressive, suggesting that she’s aware of the ways of the world, and what makes the world go round. The sixty something women in this novel came of age in the late 1960s and the reader gets a nostalgic playback of those psychedelic times, when drugs, LSD and grass left their ambient smell and taste everywhere, when hippies scorned tradition to live free as they liked in communities such as the U of T`s Rochdale College on Bloor Street in 1968.

The Chinese expression Ti-Ming for coincidence appears a lot in this book. I was a speaker at the recent Ontario Writers Conference in Ajax, and at lunch found myself seated at the table where Patricia Sands also sat. I didn`t know her for she joined the WEN only recently. She drew my attention to the silhouette of the Queen of Hearts on the back cover of her book, suggesting that I might want to mention the cover in my talk on book covers. And she promptly autographed a copy for me, and said goodbye saying she`s off to Europe and be back in October. T-Ming, indeed, I said after reading her book.

The Bridge Club is published by iUniverse, Bloomington, IN, a 388-page paperback priced at $21.95.

[Cindy Skiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's a great tribute to friendships that endure.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orleans Ladies Book Club, Orleans ON. chose the book, The Bridge Club by Patricia Sands for their November 2015 Book Club Read. It is very rare to find a book that everyone thoroughly enjoyed reading but this was the case with Patricia Sands’ book. We were so impressed by her book, The Bridge Club, that in the New Year we will be reading another one of her books - A Promise of Provence! Patricia, it is clear that your book touched each and every one of us. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Included below are our book club members’ reviews of The Bridge Club:

I must say Patricia how much I enjoyed your writing style. As someone who lived both in Toronto and Barrie, ON. I knew exactly where these locations were in your book. So much fun! Please keep up your wonderful writing as I look forward to reading more of your books.
~ Brenda

Thank you for a lovely experience. Your book transported me to places I had not known or experienced. The people I met through our writing were lovely & warm. I have known many ladies who all had part of their personalities embodied in your characters. Thank you again
~ Carmela

This is a book of substance, each ladies’ SOS (support of sisters) issue rang true. I made a connection to each of these lovely ladies, shared in their pain, and cheered them on in their victories. Patricia is truly a masterful storyteller, her words paint pictures and create the ambience so that the reader becomes immersed in “that moment”. As readers, we are left with the feelings and the sweet memories of having been there.
~ Dianne

A beautiful read of true friendships. Patricia has written a lovingly honest and humorous book and it was such a joy to read
~ Donna

This was a great read. Sometimes books take me awhile to get into but this book quickly drew me in and captured my fascination. The author has a unique sense of humour. The kind that makes you laugh because you can so identify or have experienced similar scenarios in your own life. In this way I found myself often pausing to reminisce over my own life's sojourn.

As with life there are good times and hard times and these eight women are always there to share and support each other. This is a well written book that easily transports into the lives of these eight women. With such good insight into human nature I felt like actually knew these women! The last woman’s SOS story is one that will catch you off guard and cause you to do some real soul searching. There aren't many good books out there about boomers so it was a treat to read The Bridge Club and I highly recommend this book.

~ Janine

Wonderful Story of Friendship and life events which shapes our personalities. Entertaining read filled with humour. A story of acceptance of others and life circumstances.

~ Joanne

I thoroughly enjoyed The Bridge Club. It is beautifully written and I identified with each character and felt their joy and pain. Having met Patricia Sands provided me with an even deeper appreciation for her characters, as well as a desire to read all of her books.

~ Kari
"Simply Fabulous". Certainly reminds us of the importance of nurturing our friendships, being able to listen, being there for each other, being empathetic and last but not least never losing our sense of humour.
~ Kathy

Thank you for sharing the experiences of your life-long friendships in your first book, The Bridge Club. I'm usually a murder mystery fan so did miss finding a dead boy – hee hee. The Bridge Club was pleasant and friendly, but I did find it a bit like a soap opera, thoroughly enjoyable. But next time I'd like a murder ~ at least one. Thank you again.

~ Kitty

Wonderful read of friendship and life. It reminded me that women need to build each other up and not tear each other down. I have recommended this book to friends and other book clubs.

~ Linda

[Candace Caine · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many laughs and so many tears

This book was a true life story, not a novel, for me. I was able to relieve almost all of the Bridge Club SOS stories-even if their early lives were not my own. I plan to buy a hard copy of this book soon can reflect on it more. Thank you for another wonderful, thought provoking read, Patricia Sands.

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bridge Club
by Patricia Sands

Patricia Sands is a Canadian writer residing in Toronto and The Bridge Club is her first book.
The novel is about a group of eight women that maintained a very close circle, united at first by their love to play bridge and who later developed such an intimate knowledge of each other, so much love that went beyond emotional support; that, when necessary, they shared practical life duties and responsibilities to sustain each other during times of need or distress. It starts in the 60's while they are hippies in college, approaching their twenties and extends into the two thousands, when they are more mature as they get close to their sixties. The characters are eight women, but there is also a subtle group "personality" that behaves like a quasi own-entity. Canadian traditions and family lifestyle; sometimes in the city of Toronto, some other times around more rural surroundings, are described in detail as a background to the story. The dialogue is amazingly youngish, entertaining, vivid, real and abundant (these women in particular are really good communicators). There is a chapter for each one of the group, focused on their particular SOS through the over-four-decades of their relationship. As their meetings happen, with a cup of wine in hand, good food on the table, followed by a bridge game, the conversations begin. They are uplifting, full of witty commentary, hilarious, intelligent and sometimes emotional; as each one of them, according to their personalities, express their points of view. The themes range from love, medical, ethical, travel, trivial, music, to the seriousness and sorrow of death; but all equally beautifully expressed. The final chapter reveals unequivocally the most challenging times for the group and will put their friendship and beliefs to the test and will have reader the questioning their own ethical choices.
Definitely a book to read by women and men and as the author says, "It was never about the cards" It will entertain you, inspire and motivate you to live and appreciate life!

[Louise Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bridge Club by Patricia Sands is a story about eight 60 something Women set over forty years. Brought together with their passion of Bridge and so the Club is established. Fate takes hold of each of the 8 ladies in different ways and their friendship is tested every time. They remain loyal, don’t judge each other and offer the ultimate support when needed.

The books starts at the end. You get a taste of what is to come and the ultimate test of friendship is brought to them. Eight chapters are dedicated in turn to each one of the 8 ladies where you are transported to their most important time in their life and they remember the feelings and support they gave each other. Their “one for all and all for one “ mantra uniting them in their individual struggles. Drinks, laughter and tears will help them work through their beliefs and values.

I wondered when I got this book if I would be able to connect with a group of ladies with a love of Bridge, not being able to play etc! Like it says on the front of the cover, ..it was never just about the cards. This book is so much more than a group playing bridge. This is a story of hope and sorrow. Friendships tested but always the first place each lady comes when in times of trouble/need or reassurance.

Beautifully written, Patricia introduces you to each Character dedicating a chapter to each one but still showing the closeness of the friendships through out. This book will have you laughing with them but also reaching for a tissue and the struggles they all endure. To me the ending was perfect and I totaly understood the direction that Patricia took and why. Loved the Bridge card display at the end of each chapter with a heading so fitting to what you have just read, lovely touch.

A thought provoking read for anyone, whatever age, who has close friendships that mean the world to them.

[Angieleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review.

The Bridge Club is about eight {nearly} lifelong friends who forge an amazing friendship that withstands the test of time. In addition to playing Bridge once a month - alternating whose home they play at each time - the women share a passion for cooking, drinking, music, dancing, etc.

When I first started to read this, I wasn't sure I was going to really like it. There is a lot of vagueness in the very beginning {you learn at the end that this was done on purpose}, then all of the sudden you're transported back in time to an important event that happened in each woman's life where the fellow members of the Bridge Club, in addition to family and friends, was there in that woman's particular time of need...or as they refer to it, their SOS.

Each woman's SOS is well written, if sometimes a little too wordy, and will strike a chord in each person who reads it. You either have gone through something similar or know someone who has.

The last two chapters are...interesting. In the interest of not spoiling the book, the final chapters are worded so carefully that no matter how much you try to figure out whose SOS you are reading, you will never figure it out. I read in the acknowledgments that she did this purposely because it could happen to any one of those eight women. While it aggravated me that there is no name supplied, I found the final two chapters to be the most empowering of the entire book. At times I struggled to get through, not sure if I wanted to finish it or not, but at the end of the day...I'm glad I did.

You walk away wanting to make sure that you're living your life to the fullest and that you have a core group of friends who will stand by you no matter what...even when your life ceases to be your own.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bridge Club, a novel by Patricia Sands, is a Finalist in the General Fiction category for ForeWord Reviews 2010 Book Of The Year and I can easily see why. The premise of this novel is: Eight women. Four decades of friendship. One unimaginable request. According to the author, the novel is based loosely on the author’s own bridge club, and the story weaves the reader through a maze of life's inevitable scenarios.

Any woman who has a lifelong, well connected friendship will love this book. The book introduces you to eight different women and takes you through the points in their life when they most needed the friendship of the bridge club. Each character has their own chapter to explain what they were going through and how they felt at that time. The first and last chapters explain to you why we're revisiting the women of the club.

The last chapters threw me for a curve-ball. I couldn't figure out which of the eight women it was talking about, who was going through the problem that had led them where they were to suffer through what could be the hardest thing a friend could suffer through. I think the author did this to show us, the readers, that it can happen to anyone, you won't know who.

This book was very well written. It was long enough (at approx 400pgs) for you to connect with and know each character. This is a thought provoking book that anyone who has a deep friendship will adore. Good luck to the author, Patricia Sands! I was not paid for this review. All the opinions expressed here are my own and were in no way swayed. Thank you for taking the time to read! -Melissa