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The Woman on the Bridge
A stranger in need - would you invite them into your home? The electrifying new thriller from Holly Seddon.
On the worst night of her life, in the middle of nowhere, lonely Charlotte Wilderwood saves a runaway bride from falling to her death.
Soon Maggie is staying in Charlotte's home, safely hidden from the man that she was so desperate to escape. The immediate bond between the two women eclipses anything they've ever known and before long they will go to extreme lengths to protect each other.
But is Maggie the best friend Charlotte has always dreamed about, or the nightmare she never saw coming...
On the worst night of her life, in the middle of nowhere, lonely Charlotte Wilderwood saves a runaway bride from falling to her death.
Soon Maggie is staying in Charlotte's home, safely hidden from the man that she was so desperate to escape. The immediate bond between the two women eclipses anything they've ever known and before long they will go to extreme lengths to protect each other.
But is Maggie the best friend Charlotte has always dreamed about, or the nightmare she never saw coming...
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2022
179 people are currently reading
1061 people want to read
About the author
Holly Seddon
8 books886 followersHolly Seddon is the international bestselling author of TRY NOT TO BREATHE, DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES, LOVE WILL TEAR US APART, THE HIT LIST, THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE and THE SHORT STRAW.
After a childhood spent moving around the English countryside and obsessing over books and music, she later became a journalist and editor. She has lived in London and Amsterdam and now lives in Kent with her family. She has an MA in Creative Writing.
Alongside fellow author Gillian McAllister, Holly co-hosts the popular Honest Authors Podcast. You can find her on Twitter @hollyseddon, Instagram and Facebook @hollyseddonauthor.
After a childhood spent moving around the English countryside and obsessing over books and music, she later became a journalist and editor. She has lived in London and Amsterdam and now lives in Kent with her family. She has an MA in Creative Writing.
Alongside fellow author Gillian McAllister, Holly co-hosts the popular Honest Authors Podcast. You can find her on Twitter @hollyseddon, Instagram and Facebook @hollyseddonauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
March 31, 2022
Charlotte drives her Tesla through the countryside, so angry with her oldest friend Anne. As she rapidly approaches a bridge, standing on the edge is a woman, dressed in white and about to plunge into the fast waters below. The Woman on the Bridge is Maggie and thus begins an unusual friendship wrapped around toxicity that blows your mind. How much can life change overnight? Quite a lot it would seem.
This is a sort of take on Strangers on a Train but as this is Holly Seddon you know it's never going to be that straightforward. Right from the stunning imagery of Maggie on the bridge and their tense first encounter this book has me gripped in it's thrall. You just recover from the first shock then wham, you're socked with another and another.... What starts as a gesture of kindness becomes a mess of ginormous proportions, the plot twisting and turning in a highly entertaining addictive read. There are several clever plot threads both in the present and in the past, we go from mesmerising and jarring oddities to things that simply don't add up to situations that make your hair stand on end. The characterisation is excellent, you see Charlotte and Maggie go through several changes from vulnerability to strengths in turn and all the other characters that make up the whole are well fleshed out. The ending is excellent, there's an encounter where I can scarcely breathe and I so enjoy the ultimate end as it makes your mind race with all the possibilities.
Overall, I knew I'd love this as I've loved all the authors previous books. It's well written, the premise is excellent and the plot is a fast paced, never a dull moment, exhilarating read in my opinion. It's an easy 5 stars for me!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Orion Publishing Group for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
This is a sort of take on Strangers on a Train but as this is Holly Seddon you know it's never going to be that straightforward. Right from the stunning imagery of Maggie on the bridge and their tense first encounter this book has me gripped in it's thrall. You just recover from the first shock then wham, you're socked with another and another.... What starts as a gesture of kindness becomes a mess of ginormous proportions, the plot twisting and turning in a highly entertaining addictive read. There are several clever plot threads both in the present and in the past, we go from mesmerising and jarring oddities to things that simply don't add up to situations that make your hair stand on end. The characterisation is excellent, you see Charlotte and Maggie go through several changes from vulnerability to strengths in turn and all the other characters that make up the whole are well fleshed out. The ending is excellent, there's an encounter where I can scarcely breathe and I so enjoy the ultimate end as it makes your mind race with all the possibilities.
Overall, I knew I'd love this as I've loved all the authors previous books. It's well written, the premise is excellent and the plot is a fast paced, never a dull moment, exhilarating read in my opinion. It's an easy 5 stars for me!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Orion Publishing Group for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
April 5, 2022
Creating a storm within a storm......
Torrential rain can make you do crazy things. Charlotte Wilderwood keeps pressing harder on the gas pedal as her little Tesla tries to hug the wet and slippery road. Charlotte has "loss" front and center in her mind. Both of her parents died recently and Charlotte has not been dealing well. She's just been in an automatic sensory mode as of late.
And even though the visibility is poor, Charlotte can't help but see the flash of white on the bridge. She believes that her eyes are deceiving her. There's a young woman in a bridal gown clinging to the steel girders. She looks like she's about to jump. Within seconds, Charlotte pulls over and begins to climb with no regard for her own safety. She extends her hand and the frantic woman grabs it just in time.
Here's when Charlotte will literally open the door of her life to Maggie. Maggie sobs that her wedding has been cancelled. She had been stalked by a man named David who ruined her ceremony before it even began. David claimed that Maggie loved him and he had proof. Mike stormed out without even an attempted explanation from Maggie. With no where to go, Maggie chose that bridge.
Seriously speaking, The Woman on the Bridge is a whopper of a crazy tale. Holly Seddon doesn't ease you into this storyline with small baby steps. That storm in the first chapter will be pelting us with rain throughout. Seddon is a master at covering all bases. There are no weak spots or eye-rolling scenarios to rush through. It's a solid read with well-developed characters who keep trying to get a leg up on life. We'll wade through messes left in remnants by others with dastardly mindsets. Just who is straightforward and just who is manipulative and darkly lined?
I highly recommend The Woman on the Bridge. I've recently settled for several books in a row that traveled the mediocre highway. This one is a guaranteed winner in the hands of the talented Holly Seddon. Bravo....just bravo.
Torrential rain can make you do crazy things. Charlotte Wilderwood keeps pressing harder on the gas pedal as her little Tesla tries to hug the wet and slippery road. Charlotte has "loss" front and center in her mind. Both of her parents died recently and Charlotte has not been dealing well. She's just been in an automatic sensory mode as of late.
And even though the visibility is poor, Charlotte can't help but see the flash of white on the bridge. She believes that her eyes are deceiving her. There's a young woman in a bridal gown clinging to the steel girders. She looks like she's about to jump. Within seconds, Charlotte pulls over and begins to climb with no regard for her own safety. She extends her hand and the frantic woman grabs it just in time.
Here's when Charlotte will literally open the door of her life to Maggie. Maggie sobs that her wedding has been cancelled. She had been stalked by a man named David who ruined her ceremony before it even began. David claimed that Maggie loved him and he had proof. Mike stormed out without even an attempted explanation from Maggie. With no where to go, Maggie chose that bridge.
Seriously speaking, The Woman on the Bridge is a whopper of a crazy tale. Holly Seddon doesn't ease you into this storyline with small baby steps. That storm in the first chapter will be pelting us with rain throughout. Seddon is a master at covering all bases. There are no weak spots or eye-rolling scenarios to rush through. It's a solid read with well-developed characters who keep trying to get a leg up on life. We'll wade through messes left in remnants by others with dastardly mindsets. Just who is straightforward and just who is manipulative and darkly lined?
I highly recommend The Woman on the Bridge. I've recently settled for several books in a row that traveled the mediocre highway. This one is a guaranteed winner in the hands of the talented Holly Seddon. Bravo....just bravo.
April 10, 2022
Writing: 2/5 | Plot: 1/5 | Ending: 1/5
THE PLOT
Charlotte is getting her Toyko Drift on when she sees Maggie in a wedding dress standing on the edge of a bridge. After rescuing her, the two become instant besties... but their friendship comes at a price.
MY OPINION
screams into the abyss WHAT IN THE FRESH HELL WAS THIS???? After absolutely loving The Hit List (shameless plug, read my review here) which was complex, layered, and beautifully written, I was super excited to pick up her latest read. This, on the other hand, was a vapid, poorly written, weakly plotted book that left me wanting to drop kick my Kindle out the window.
Where to start? How about the fact that every single character was a raging POS. Not one individual had a redeeming quality.
- Charlotte: immature 35-year-old with the critical thinking skills of a carbdoard box (also don't appreciate how the author made her "plump" to show she's a sad case)
- Rob: dumber than a box of rocks and gullible too
- Anne: I won't speak on her because she was groomed but the author didn't acknowledge this fact and made her out to be a conniving villain
- Maggie: Another groomed girl but once again the author failed to make her a sympathetic character and her actions in the end were whack
- Charlotte's mom: her motto was "dignity always" but in reality it should've been "bitter always" or "misdirected anger, always"
- Charlotte's dad: also stupid, risked his whole business for some pucci, and did I mention stupid?
Next, we have the predictable plot. While The Hit List was like peeling back an onion, this was like diving into an ocean only to realize it's 10cm deep. There was NOTHING beneath the surface. Predictable, cliche, and commercial to its core. YAWN.
And lastly... I'm praying to the great sky daddy that Tesla paid the author to be mentioned in this book. There were TWENTY mentions of Tesla in a 300 pg book... So every 10-ish pgs you're reminded that Charlotte drives a Tesla with a silent engine. Oh and it's sleek. And silent. Did you know it's silent?? It drove me up the wall. And in the end, the "reason" for its repeated mention was that it tracks your movements. Have you heard of a cell phone? Lawd even my leased Honda Civic does this.
All in all: do not waste your time. Holly Seddon has better books than this and I know she can write better too. This was really disappointing from an author who has showed she can take on serious subjects. I can see this being very popular and having commercial success, but I don't think it's a fair representation of her skill. Oh well, I guess get the bag? And the free Tesla I hope. If I start getting targeted ads from Tesla, I know why.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: there was some decently written chapter in here
Cons: vapid and predictable plot, deeply unlikeable characters, constant mention of Tesla and its silent engine, ending that made me roll my eyes so hard they almost fell out of my skull
THE PLOT
Charlotte is getting her Toyko Drift on when she sees Maggie in a wedding dress standing on the edge of a bridge. After rescuing her, the two become instant besties... but their friendship comes at a price.
MY OPINION
screams into the abyss WHAT IN THE FRESH HELL WAS THIS???? After absolutely loving The Hit List (shameless plug, read my review here) which was complex, layered, and beautifully written, I was super excited to pick up her latest read. This, on the other hand, was a vapid, poorly written, weakly plotted book that left me wanting to drop kick my Kindle out the window.
Where to start? How about the fact that every single character was a raging POS. Not one individual had a redeeming quality.
- Charlotte: immature 35-year-old with the critical thinking skills of a carbdoard box (also don't appreciate how the author made her "plump" to show she's a sad case)
- Rob: dumber than a box of rocks and gullible too
- Anne: I won't speak on her because she was groomed but the author didn't acknowledge this fact and made her out to be a conniving villain
- Maggie: Another groomed girl but once again the author failed to make her a sympathetic character and her actions in the end were whack
- Charlotte's mom: her motto was "dignity always" but in reality it should've been "bitter always" or "misdirected anger, always"
- Charlotte's dad: also stupid, risked his whole business for some pucci, and did I mention stupid?
Next, we have the predictable plot. While The Hit List was like peeling back an onion, this was like diving into an ocean only to realize it's 10cm deep. There was NOTHING beneath the surface. Predictable, cliche, and commercial to its core. YAWN.
And lastly... I'm praying to the great sky daddy that Tesla paid the author to be mentioned in this book. There were TWENTY mentions of Tesla in a 300 pg book... So every 10-ish pgs you're reminded that Charlotte drives a Tesla with a silent engine. Oh and it's sleek. And silent. Did you know it's silent?? It drove me up the wall. And in the end, the "reason" for its repeated mention was that it tracks your movements. Have you heard of a cell phone? Lawd even my leased Honda Civic does this.
All in all: do not waste your time. Holly Seddon has better books than this and I know she can write better too. This was really disappointing from an author who has showed she can take on serious subjects. I can see this being very popular and having commercial success, but I don't think it's a fair representation of her skill. Oh well, I guess get the bag? And the free Tesla I hope. If I start getting targeted ads from Tesla, I know why.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: there was some decently written chapter in here
Cons: vapid and predictable plot, deeply unlikeable characters, constant mention of Tesla and its silent engine, ending that made me roll my eyes so hard they almost fell out of my skull
July 5, 2022
If IF you can forget that in 2022 ( probably ) all of us would stop to see if we could help or at least call for help if we suddenly saw a woman in a wedding dress crying and about to jump off a bridge from our car window BUT few if any of us would actually take the distressed lady home and let them wheedle their way into our lives overnight, then you are in for a great story, I struggled with the idea for a few chapters then threw caution to the wind as the writing was so pleasing and from then on in loved it.
Awful but great characters, superb descriptive writing, at times darkly comical almost farcical and yet a real insight into human beings and how magical a new ‘friendship’ can be ( even when based on a tale so tall you cant see over it )
The premise is silly, yet the story reader grabbing and electrifying and the writing beyond superb, the ending shiveringly callous and nasty…… it’s a difficult review to write but I would say give it a go and you might just enjoy it as much as I did in the end
8/10
4 Stars
Awful but great characters, superb descriptive writing, at times darkly comical almost farcical and yet a real insight into human beings and how magical a new ‘friendship’ can be ( even when based on a tale so tall you cant see over it )
The premise is silly, yet the story reader grabbing and electrifying and the writing beyond superb, the ending shiveringly callous and nasty…… it’s a difficult review to write but I would say give it a go and you might just enjoy it as much as I did in the end
8/10
4 Stars
August 16, 2022
Indeed an electrifying thriller, starting with the scene from the title and then not letting up till the very unexpected ending.
Charlotte feels she must save Maggie by preventing her to jump off the bridge. If only she could save herself from the horrible things that are happening to herself.
A book you can hardly put down, full of very unreliably characters - except one and I won't tell who it is because that would be spoiling. There is so much going on in this story that it is in fact very difficult to write about what's happening without spoilers. I can only say that I really felt for some of the characters and almost hated others.
I can highly recommend this book and would love to read more of this author.
Charlotte feels she must save Maggie by preventing her to jump off the bridge. If only she could save herself from the horrible things that are happening to herself.
A book you can hardly put down, full of very unreliably characters - except one and I won't tell who it is because that would be spoiling. There is so much going on in this story that it is in fact very difficult to write about what's happening without spoilers. I can only say that I really felt for some of the characters and almost hated others.
I can highly recommend this book and would love to read more of this author.
June 27, 2022
On the worst night of ger life, in the middle of nowhere, lonely Charlotte Wilderwood saves a runaway bride from from falling to her death. Soon Maggie is staying at her home safely hidden from the man she was desperate to escape. The immediate bond between the women eclipses anything they've ever known and before long they will go to extreme lengths to protect each other. But is Maggie the best friend Charlotte had always dreamed about, or the nightmare she never saw coming....
This is a beautifully written story about that's filled with shocking twists. I was quickly pulled into the storyline that's pace was steady throughout. The characters were interesting and relatable, but not everyone is quite what they seem. Most chapters end on a cliff hanger so you just have to keep reading to find out what had happened. The story is told from multiple perspectives. This is a descriptively and well written book about friendship, relationships, suspense and murder.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #OrionPublishingGroup and the author #HollySeddon for my ARC of #TheWomanOnTheBridge in exchange for an honest review.
This is a beautifully written story about that's filled with shocking twists. I was quickly pulled into the storyline that's pace was steady throughout. The characters were interesting and relatable, but not everyone is quite what they seem. Most chapters end on a cliff hanger so you just have to keep reading to find out what had happened. The story is told from multiple perspectives. This is a descriptively and well written book about friendship, relationships, suspense and murder.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #OrionPublishingGroup and the author #HollySeddon for my ARC of #TheWomanOnTheBridge in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2022
On a dark cold evening Charlotte spots a woman perched atop a bridge, ready to fall. Maggie is trapped, dumped on her wedding day and desperate to end it all.
Will Charlotte save her? She’s going through enough misery of her own, the company she’s inherited from her late parents is struggling and now she’s getting stabbed in the back from her so called best friend. She doesn’t need this extra hassle. But can she walk away from an innocent woman who clearly needs her help?
Well this was definitely a dramatic opening scene! I was instantly intrigued with Maggie and couldn’t wait to discover her story. This is certainly a slow burner if a plot and it took me a while to get used to the characters, but it’s definitely worth the wait as the action really picks up in the second part of the book and all starts to make sense.
It’s a very cleverly crafted story, quite complex in its twists. It’s a tale of duplicity and cunning - people are not who they seem but who you can you trust? I ended up being suspicious of everyone, doubting their motives and wondering just how trust worthy they were. I definitely didn’t see the end coming.
A dramatic start with a slow burning middle which lulled me into a false sense of security before, wham! Everything was tipped upside down & shook around to culminate in an explosive and very fitting finale - just how I like it!
Will Charlotte save her? She’s going through enough misery of her own, the company she’s inherited from her late parents is struggling and now she’s getting stabbed in the back from her so called best friend. She doesn’t need this extra hassle. But can she walk away from an innocent woman who clearly needs her help?
Well this was definitely a dramatic opening scene! I was instantly intrigued with Maggie and couldn’t wait to discover her story. This is certainly a slow burner if a plot and it took me a while to get used to the characters, but it’s definitely worth the wait as the action really picks up in the second part of the book and all starts to make sense.
It’s a very cleverly crafted story, quite complex in its twists. It’s a tale of duplicity and cunning - people are not who they seem but who you can you trust? I ended up being suspicious of everyone, doubting their motives and wondering just how trust worthy they were. I definitely didn’t see the end coming.
A dramatic start with a slow burning middle which lulled me into a false sense of security before, wham! Everything was tipped upside down & shook around to culminate in an explosive and very fitting finale - just how I like it!
March 10, 2022
Another twisty thriller from Holly Seddon which is basically a cautionary tale about trust and taking people at face value which can often go horribly wrong.
It is a page turner with intriguing characters and an unpredictable feel to it, I raced through to find out what was going on and it was a terrific, fun read from first page to last.
It is a page turner with intriguing characters and an unpredictable feel to it, I raced through to find out what was going on and it was a terrific, fun read from first page to last.
July 14, 2022
so, let me start by saying I am unsure how I feel about this book.
the storyline, the plot, it's crazy! like, totally bonkers.
I don't know if I'm buying it, but do I have to? I just don't know!
The characters I enjoyed, the slow unravelling of the relatively complex story and backgrounds, it was delightful.
The ending, oh, it really left me angry at one of the characters and it told a LOT about how complex people are and not they not only can be unreliable narrators, but they also can be something else than what you expected after all the muck is removed.
That is as much as I'm going to give away!
Enjoyed the book, and had fun reading it, so probably 3.5 stars rounded up, because why not!
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!
the storyline, the plot, it's crazy! like, totally bonkers.
I don't know if I'm buying it, but do I have to? I just don't know!
The characters I enjoyed, the slow unravelling of the relatively complex story and backgrounds, it was delightful.
The ending, oh, it really left me angry at one of the characters and it told a LOT about how complex people are and not they not only can be unreliable narrators, but they also can be something else than what you expected after all the muck is removed.
That is as much as I'm going to give away!
Enjoyed the book, and had fun reading it, so probably 3.5 stars rounded up, because why not!
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!
July 13, 2022
Charlotte and Maggie are both having an incredibly bad night when they meet on a bridge. But when Charlotte saves Maggie from falling to her death, an immediate bond is created. Charlotte has always pretty much just had the one good friend and she has just betrayed her. She sees something in Maggie. Could she possibly be the best friend Charlotte has always dreamed of? So Charlotte decides to take Maggie home with her, a decision which will impact both of their lives.
See, now this would never happen to me because trust issues like you wouldn’t believe but I mean, really, have these people never heard of Stranger Danger?! Anyway!
There’s quite a bit of back and forth throughout this story. Not only is the tale told via Maggie and Charlotte, but there are also flashbacks. I have to admit that it took me a minute to get to grips with that, but it was definitely worth that extra level of concentration. As soon as I picked up Holly Seddon’s latest book, I knew I was going to have a hard time putting it back down again. It’s so immensely intriguing that even when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about it and trying to figure things out.
Yeah, good luck with that. Needless to say things happen and the bond between Charlotte and Maggie only intensifies. But things are rarely what they seem and ‘The Woman on the Bridge‘ has to be one of the most unpredictable books I’ve ever read. I have undoubtedly added years of wrinkles to my forehead from all the frowning I did while reading, but I loved every second of it. There are so many vibes to pick up on. Something like a sense of doom, a kind of malice, this feeling that whatever is going on will not end well and danger lurks around the corner. You know, deep down, that something is off. But you also know you’re missing some pieces to complete the puzzle. On any other day, that would drive me batshit crazy but here, I gladly let the author guide me wherever she wanted me to go.
There’s a central theme to ‘The Woman on the Bridge‘ by way of toxic relationships in various shapes and forms. From the married couple to the life-long friends, to children and their parents. After all there is a reason why Maggie is on that bridge. Her story in particular often filled me with sadness. And Charlotte may not know it yet but there are quite a few events that led her to be where she is now. Both of their lives not entirely shaped by their own choices, but by choices made by others.
I thoroughly enjoyed this character-driven psychological thriller. It’s full of suspense, immensely intriguing like I said earlier, and it held my attention from start to finish. It is so cleverly plotted, addictive, offering fantastic psychological insight and, I also said this before but it bears repeating, unpredictable. The tension builds up as the story goes on and I was utterly unable to work out how things would end. Speaking of the end, holy fudge, … so brutally chilling, it sent shivers down my spine!
I loved everything about ‘The Woman on the Bridge‘. It’s as simple as that. Recommended!
See, now this would never happen to me because trust issues like you wouldn’t believe but I mean, really, have these people never heard of Stranger Danger?! Anyway!
There’s quite a bit of back and forth throughout this story. Not only is the tale told via Maggie and Charlotte, but there are also flashbacks. I have to admit that it took me a minute to get to grips with that, but it was definitely worth that extra level of concentration. As soon as I picked up Holly Seddon’s latest book, I knew I was going to have a hard time putting it back down again. It’s so immensely intriguing that even when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about it and trying to figure things out.
Yeah, good luck with that. Needless to say things happen and the bond between Charlotte and Maggie only intensifies. But things are rarely what they seem and ‘The Woman on the Bridge‘ has to be one of the most unpredictable books I’ve ever read. I have undoubtedly added years of wrinkles to my forehead from all the frowning I did while reading, but I loved every second of it. There are so many vibes to pick up on. Something like a sense of doom, a kind of malice, this feeling that whatever is going on will not end well and danger lurks around the corner. You know, deep down, that something is off. But you also know you’re missing some pieces to complete the puzzle. On any other day, that would drive me batshit crazy but here, I gladly let the author guide me wherever she wanted me to go.
There’s a central theme to ‘The Woman on the Bridge‘ by way of toxic relationships in various shapes and forms. From the married couple to the life-long friends, to children and their parents. After all there is a reason why Maggie is on that bridge. Her story in particular often filled me with sadness. And Charlotte may not know it yet but there are quite a few events that led her to be where she is now. Both of their lives not entirely shaped by their own choices, but by choices made by others.
I thoroughly enjoyed this character-driven psychological thriller. It’s full of suspense, immensely intriguing like I said earlier, and it held my attention from start to finish. It is so cleverly plotted, addictive, offering fantastic psychological insight and, I also said this before but it bears repeating, unpredictable. The tension builds up as the story goes on and I was utterly unable to work out how things would end. Speaking of the end, holy fudge, … so brutally chilling, it sent shivers down my spine!
I loved everything about ‘The Woman on the Bridge‘. It’s as simple as that. Recommended!
September 4, 2023
On a cold dark night Charlotte spots a woman on a bridge in her wedding dress about to jump. She goes over and persuades the woman (Maggie) to come into the warmth of her car.
Maggie reveals that she is trying to escape a man that keeps harassing her and has ruined her wedding day. Charlotte takes her to her place where she will be safe. The two women have an immediate bond declaring to protect each other.
The alarm bells are already starting to ring for me!! Is Maggie the best friend Charlotte has always dreamed about or the nightmare she never saw coming.
A great read that had me well and truly hooked.
Thank you to Netgalley fir my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Maggie reveals that she is trying to escape a man that keeps harassing her and has ruined her wedding day. Charlotte takes her to her place where she will be safe. The two women have an immediate bond declaring to protect each other.
The alarm bells are already starting to ring for me!! Is Maggie the best friend Charlotte has always dreamed about or the nightmare she never saw coming.
A great read that had me well and truly hooked.
Thank you to Netgalley fir my copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2022
This is a great psychological thriller.
Charlotte approaches the bridge and sees a woman standing on the railings about to jump.
She goes over and persuades her not to do it and to come into the warmth of her car.
Maggie tells Charlotte that she has run away from a stalker who has just ruined her wedding and now has nowhere to go.
Charlotte takes her home and tells her of her own problems with her friend Anne and the family business.
The next part happens quickly and has ramifications for both women.
I won’t say what happens as this will be a major spoiler but it will definitely have you racing through the pages to see what happens next.
A great read that well and truly had me hooked.
Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Charlotte approaches the bridge and sees a woman standing on the railings about to jump.
She goes over and persuades her not to do it and to come into the warmth of her car.
Maggie tells Charlotte that she has run away from a stalker who has just ruined her wedding and now has nowhere to go.
Charlotte takes her home and tells her of her own problems with her friend Anne and the family business.
The next part happens quickly and has ramifications for both women.
I won’t say what happens as this will be a major spoiler but it will definitely have you racing through the pages to see what happens next.
A great read that well and truly had me hooked.
Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
dnf
June 15, 2022Thanks to NetGalley and Orion for the arc.
I had to DNF this about a third of the way through, it was so unbelievable. (I had to choose a star rating for NetGalley even though it's DNF.) I'm a fan of this author's other books but I just couldn't get into this. I didn't like any of the characters, and the way the main character, Charlotte, let Maggie, a complete stranger, into her life so easily made me want to yell at her. Like when you yell at the screen during a horror movie - don't open the door! Don't go outside by yourself! Charlotte, don't pick up a complete stranger then leave her alone in your home! It frustrated me to the point that I couldn't continue reading. It won't put me off reading future books by this author but it just wasn't for me this time.
I had to DNF this about a third of the way through, it was so unbelievable. (I had to choose a star rating for NetGalley even though it's DNF.) I'm a fan of this author's other books but I just couldn't get into this. I didn't like any of the characters, and the way the main character, Charlotte, let Maggie, a complete stranger, into her life so easily made me want to yell at her. Like when you yell at the screen during a horror movie - don't open the door! Don't go outside by yourself! Charlotte, don't pick up a complete stranger then leave her alone in your home! It frustrated me to the point that I couldn't continue reading. It won't put me off reading future books by this author but it just wasn't for me this time.
March 1, 2022
I've been on a run of great reads recently, and based on Holly Seddon's previous books, had high expectations for this one. I'm not sure it's my favourite of hers - but I enjoyed it very much nevertheless.
Charlotte recently lost both parents in a car accident and has inherited her father's antiques business. While driving far from home and late at night, Charlotte intervenes to help a woman in trouble and quickly forms a bond with the vulnerable young woman, Maggie. Charlotte's never found friendships particularly easy, but feels an immediate connection with Maggie.
Of course, there's more to the situation than meets the eye, and danger isn't far away. Before long, Charlotte's life is spiralling way out of control.
It kept me engaged throughout with plenty of twists and turns - my only reservation is that I didn't really like the ending. It made sense, but I wish it had ended differently.
A great read nonetheless.
Charlotte recently lost both parents in a car accident and has inherited her father's antiques business. While driving far from home and late at night, Charlotte intervenes to help a woman in trouble and quickly forms a bond with the vulnerable young woman, Maggie. Charlotte's never found friendships particularly easy, but feels an immediate connection with Maggie.
Of course, there's more to the situation than meets the eye, and danger isn't far away. Before long, Charlotte's life is spiralling way out of control.
It kept me engaged throughout with plenty of twists and turns - my only reservation is that I didn't really like the ending. It made sense, but I wish it had ended differently.
A great read nonetheless.
January 28, 2025
this took way too long than it should’ve
September 24, 2022
A solid 3.5 to 4⭐️ Read. Well written with good characterisation. Plenty of suspense and a few twists. At first I thought the coincidences were a bit far fetched and too convenient but that is ironed out through the book. The ending was satisfying, though not as I had predicted and all ends were tied up. I’d be happy to read another book by this author.
Thank you Net Galley and the publisher of this book for allowing me to read an advance copy.
Thank you Net Galley and the publisher of this book for allowing me to read an advance copy.
April 7, 2022
Fantastic. Full review coming soon.
August 23, 2022
5 stars
Even though this book is far from a slow starter, it just didn't grab me to the point that I almost gave up on it but I'm so glad I didn't.
This book was so cleverly written and I went from almost giving up to not being able to put it down.
The story seemed very far fetched at one point but now it's clear why and all makes sense.
I absolutely loved this book.
Even though this book is far from a slow starter, it just didn't grab me to the point that I almost gave up on it but I'm so glad I didn't.
This book was so cleverly written and I went from almost giving up to not being able to put it down.
The story seemed very far fetched at one point but now it's clear why and all makes sense.
I absolutely loved this book.
April 1, 2022
The Woman On The Bridge by @hollyseddonauthor is a 5 star 🌟 fantastic read 📚
Charlotte Is a woman who's been Double-crossed by her childhood friend and will do whatever it takes to stay afloat.
Maggie Is a woman on the edge abandoned by her family and dumped on her wedding day.
Now these two women are brought together in tragic circumstances they will make a decision that will alter their lives forever!
Oh how I loved this book, what I loved about this book, infact all Holly Seddon books is that there’s always a heart at the center of the story and like a heart there’s many different emotions attached, the story was brilliantly written with characters that are totally relatable, I loved how the story was told and then came together like a puzzle until the shocking conclusion and the fantastic twist that I was shocked about, this book is about friendship but its also about trust and control. Its all Secrets and lies that shatters lives.
I loved the character Charlotte she's trusting with a loving heart and the need to help
I loved Maggie who has a bruised heart and the need to please and be loved
I was hooked from the very first page & I think this is the author's best book yet its original, addictive and unputdownable the ending will knock your socks off I would highly recommend this book to all thriller lovers
Charlotte Is a woman who's been Double-crossed by her childhood friend and will do whatever it takes to stay afloat.
Maggie Is a woman on the edge abandoned by her family and dumped on her wedding day.
Now these two women are brought together in tragic circumstances they will make a decision that will alter their lives forever!
Oh how I loved this book, what I loved about this book, infact all Holly Seddon books is that there’s always a heart at the center of the story and like a heart there’s many different emotions attached, the story was brilliantly written with characters that are totally relatable, I loved how the story was told and then came together like a puzzle until the shocking conclusion and the fantastic twist that I was shocked about, this book is about friendship but its also about trust and control. Its all Secrets and lies that shatters lives.
I loved the character Charlotte she's trusting with a loving heart and the need to help
I loved Maggie who has a bruised heart and the need to please and be loved
I was hooked from the very first page & I think this is the author's best book yet its original, addictive and unputdownable the ending will knock your socks off I would highly recommend this book to all thriller lovers
January 24, 2023
I liked the Hit List much better than this. This had a lot of credibility issues right from the beginning.
March 22, 2022
A stranger in need - would you invite them into your home?
Charlotte Wilderwood is aimlessly driving, trying to mull over something she just learnt about her antiques business, when she spots a woman standing on a bridge, seemingly about to fall to her death in the river below. After coaxing her down, she discovers the woman, Maggie, is trying to escape a man that keeps harassing her. Charlotte takes her back to her house, declaring she will be safe there and an instant bond is formed between them, but little does Charlotte know what the implications of this rescue and the events that follow, will have on her life in the weeks and months ahead and will soon have her wishing she'd driven in the opposite direction on that fateful night.
The Woman on the Bridge is told across multiple timelines and from various perspectives. As with all of this authors previous books it draws the reader in from the start and keeps you suspended till the very end. There are many twists in this latest book by Seddon and, just when you think you've predicted what is going to come next, she throws in a curveball that sends you spinning in another direction, wondering what the hell just happened!! It's a well drawn plot, with believable characters depicting that we really need to be careful who we trust in this life, some people can be very naive in these situations, whilst others are very convincing in their actions, which Charlotte and Maggie proved on countless occasions. If you love an intriguing read that keeps you guessing throughout, then this one is for you.
I'd like to thank Orion and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
Charlotte Wilderwood is aimlessly driving, trying to mull over something she just learnt about her antiques business, when she spots a woman standing on a bridge, seemingly about to fall to her death in the river below. After coaxing her down, she discovers the woman, Maggie, is trying to escape a man that keeps harassing her. Charlotte takes her back to her house, declaring she will be safe there and an instant bond is formed between them, but little does Charlotte know what the implications of this rescue and the events that follow, will have on her life in the weeks and months ahead and will soon have her wishing she'd driven in the opposite direction on that fateful night.
The Woman on the Bridge is told across multiple timelines and from various perspectives. As with all of this authors previous books it draws the reader in from the start and keeps you suspended till the very end. There are many twists in this latest book by Seddon and, just when you think you've predicted what is going to come next, she throws in a curveball that sends you spinning in another direction, wondering what the hell just happened!! It's a well drawn plot, with believable characters depicting that we really need to be careful who we trust in this life, some people can be very naive in these situations, whilst others are very convincing in their actions, which Charlotte and Maggie proved on countless occasions. If you love an intriguing read that keeps you guessing throughout, then this one is for you.
I'd like to thank Orion and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
July 9, 2022
I have read and enjoyed all of Holly Seddon’s previous books but this one blows them all out of the water!!
There are two main female leads in this novel, Charlotte and Maggie. Charlotte is feeling lonely and betrayed by her best friend Anne who has accused her of dodgy dealings in her family’s antiques business. Maggie is a runaway bride, rejected by her family and stalked by the man who ruined her wedding day. Maggie is standing on a bridge seemingly about to jump when Charlotte spots her and manages to talk her down, offering her refuge overnight. The women immediately hit it off and seem to develop an instant bond declaring to protect each other. I felt uneasy at this fast friendship; Charlotte seems vulnerable, orphaned as an adult and reeling from her fall out with Anne. Maggie was super intense and while coming across as weak/broken to Charlotte I could tell there was cunning and desperation in her. Events soon escalate beyond anything you could imagine – Charlotte should really have remembered that old phrase Stranger Danger!
The story is told from multiple points of view and timelines giving you an insight into why each character behave as they do. Believe me when I say you still won’t predict the twists and turns this book contains.
A five star read!
There are two main female leads in this novel, Charlotte and Maggie. Charlotte is feeling lonely and betrayed by her best friend Anne who has accused her of dodgy dealings in her family’s antiques business. Maggie is a runaway bride, rejected by her family and stalked by the man who ruined her wedding day. Maggie is standing on a bridge seemingly about to jump when Charlotte spots her and manages to talk her down, offering her refuge overnight. The women immediately hit it off and seem to develop an instant bond declaring to protect each other. I felt uneasy at this fast friendship; Charlotte seems vulnerable, orphaned as an adult and reeling from her fall out with Anne. Maggie was super intense and while coming across as weak/broken to Charlotte I could tell there was cunning and desperation in her. Events soon escalate beyond anything you could imagine – Charlotte should really have remembered that old phrase Stranger Danger!
The story is told from multiple points of view and timelines giving you an insight into why each character behave as they do. Believe me when I say you still won’t predict the twists and turns this book contains.
A five star read!
April 12, 2022
An okay read, I enjoyed the first half of the book and there are some good twists. But I don’t particularly like all the characters and the way the brutal truth is revealed is not really that logical for me.
I feel like all the characters are a bit flat, I can’t really feel anything for them if even I really wanted to, and they are not that relatable. Some of the characters are the victims but I didn’t feel very sorry for them, and the ending is a bit disappointing too.
I feel like all the characters are a bit flat, I can’t really feel anything for them if even I really wanted to, and they are not that relatable. Some of the characters are the victims but I didn’t feel very sorry for them, and the ending is a bit disappointing too.
October 27, 2022
The Woman on the Bridge, I would definitely left her hanging. Enough said.
July 9, 2022
Time taken to read - 3 days
Pages - 320
Publisher - Orion
Source - Review copy
Blurb from Goodreads
A stranger in need - would you invite them into your home? The electrifying new thriller from Holly Seddon.
On the worst night of her life, in the middle of nowhere, lonely Charlotte Wilderwood saves a runaway bride from falling to her death.
Soon Maggie is staying in Charlotte's home, safely hidden from the man that she was so desperate to escape. The immediate bond between the two women eclipses anything they've ever known and before long they will go to extreme lengths to protect each other.
But is Maggie the best friend Charlotte has always dreamed about, or the nightmare she never saw coming...
My Review
Charlotte is heading home FURIOUS after an encounter with her friend and co worker when she clocks a woman in her wedding dress close to her own demise. When Charlotte talks her down and takes her home they strike up a friendship that will have consequences neither could have forsaw.
My reading mojo has been out the window, grieving, stress, loss and just a whole heap of emotive heartache has really mucked up my reading mojo. Concentration is out the window and something we all love reading for is we can escape our own lives/trauma to jump into someone elses. Seddon has weaved a world of chaos and drama that helped me escape my own and start sparking back the missing mojo!
A fast finding friendship, each woman lonely and needing what the other has to offer, an ear, a solution, friendship and trust. Sure don't they say the road to evil is paved with good intentions? Well with the ladies helping each other what could go wrong, the answer, just about everything. We follow Charlotte and Maggie (the damsel in distress) from one chaos to another, even hearing what brings them to their current predicaments, particularly Maggie, I gasped! Talk about bad luck and evil men, ooft. Then you think ok so all this has happened what can possibly happen next? The book gives and gives and I think the reader would be hard pushed to guess ahead the path any of the story line is taking. Well that was the case for me, I didn't know where we were headed next but for the first time in ages didn't want to put the book down and see what these two were about to get into next!
Some utterly shocking characters, skulduggery, shameful, shady, bad, I would even go as far as to say evil or certainly rotten (to their core) in some cases. A page turner that will keep you guessing to what is coming next, hoping this is my mojo back or at least going in the right direction. 4.5/5 for me this time, I have at least one more of Seddon on my tbrm I need to bump up and will see what I am missing from the back catalogue!
Pages - 320
Publisher - Orion
Source - Review copy
Blurb from Goodreads
A stranger in need - would you invite them into your home? The electrifying new thriller from Holly Seddon.
On the worst night of her life, in the middle of nowhere, lonely Charlotte Wilderwood saves a runaway bride from falling to her death.
Soon Maggie is staying in Charlotte's home, safely hidden from the man that she was so desperate to escape. The immediate bond between the two women eclipses anything they've ever known and before long they will go to extreme lengths to protect each other.
But is Maggie the best friend Charlotte has always dreamed about, or the nightmare she never saw coming...
My Review
Charlotte is heading home FURIOUS after an encounter with her friend and co worker when she clocks a woman in her wedding dress close to her own demise. When Charlotte talks her down and takes her home they strike up a friendship that will have consequences neither could have forsaw.
My reading mojo has been out the window, grieving, stress, loss and just a whole heap of emotive heartache has really mucked up my reading mojo. Concentration is out the window and something we all love reading for is we can escape our own lives/trauma to jump into someone elses. Seddon has weaved a world of chaos and drama that helped me escape my own and start sparking back the missing mojo!
A fast finding friendship, each woman lonely and needing what the other has to offer, an ear, a solution, friendship and trust. Sure don't they say the road to evil is paved with good intentions? Well with the ladies helping each other what could go wrong, the answer, just about everything. We follow Charlotte and Maggie (the damsel in distress) from one chaos to another, even hearing what brings them to their current predicaments, particularly Maggie, I gasped! Talk about bad luck and evil men, ooft. Then you think ok so all this has happened what can possibly happen next? The book gives and gives and I think the reader would be hard pushed to guess ahead the path any of the story line is taking. Well that was the case for me, I didn't know where we were headed next but for the first time in ages didn't want to put the book down and see what these two were about to get into next!
Some utterly shocking characters, skulduggery, shameful, shady, bad, I would even go as far as to say evil or certainly rotten (to their core) in some cases. A page turner that will keep you guessing to what is coming next, hoping this is my mojo back or at least going in the right direction. 4.5/5 for me this time, I have at least one more of Seddon on my tbrm I need to bump up and will see what I am missing from the back catalogue!
July 11, 2022
Charlotte and Maggie’s lives are about to change!
Picture a reader staring at page after page without blinking, jaw slack and breath held and you’ll picture how I read The Woman on the Bridge. Initially I was uncertain if I’d engage with the narrative as I didn’t warm to Charlotte but within a few pages Holly Seddon drew me in with her fast paced, devious plotting so that not only was I totally engrossed, but The Woman on the Bridge held me captive and resentful of anyone interrupting my reading.
Intricately plotted, The Woman on the Bridge might need a willing suspension of disbelief at times, but I genuinely had no idea what the outcome might be. I found it a brilliant, twisting story that took me by surprise on several occasions. Reading The Woman on the Bridge is akin to being on the Waltzers at a fairground. Just when you think you know which way you’re headed in, you’re spun round in the opposite direction. This makes for an exciting and compelling read.
The characters in The Woman on the Bridge are all devious, unreliable and duplicitous and the irony is, the one I suspected most transpired to be the most innocent, but I can’t say more without plot spoilers.
I loved the manner in which so many women in this narrative are both literally and metaphorically on the bridge. Obviously Charlotte finds Maggie on the bridge, but both women are on the bridge of a new phase in their lives, as are Anne and Pamela at different points. I loved, too, the intensity of relationship between Charlotte and Maggie because it adds a layer of depth and emotion that is so affecting. Holly Seddon shows us how closely and rapidly it is possible to become embroiled in the life of another person.
Weave in themes of loyalty and betrayal, family and relationships, guilt and innocence to the compelling characters and breath taking pace and The Woman on the Bridge is an outstanding thriller that entertains so wonderfully. I really loved it.
Picture a reader staring at page after page without blinking, jaw slack and breath held and you’ll picture how I read The Woman on the Bridge. Initially I was uncertain if I’d engage with the narrative as I didn’t warm to Charlotte but within a few pages Holly Seddon drew me in with her fast paced, devious plotting so that not only was I totally engrossed, but The Woman on the Bridge held me captive and resentful of anyone interrupting my reading.
Intricately plotted, The Woman on the Bridge might need a willing suspension of disbelief at times, but I genuinely had no idea what the outcome might be. I found it a brilliant, twisting story that took me by surprise on several occasions. Reading The Woman on the Bridge is akin to being on the Waltzers at a fairground. Just when you think you know which way you’re headed in, you’re spun round in the opposite direction. This makes for an exciting and compelling read.
The characters in The Woman on the Bridge are all devious, unreliable and duplicitous and the irony is, the one I suspected most transpired to be the most innocent, but I can’t say more without plot spoilers.
I loved the manner in which so many women in this narrative are both literally and metaphorically on the bridge. Obviously Charlotte finds Maggie on the bridge, but both women are on the bridge of a new phase in their lives, as are Anne and Pamela at different points. I loved, too, the intensity of relationship between Charlotte and Maggie because it adds a layer of depth and emotion that is so affecting. Holly Seddon shows us how closely and rapidly it is possible to become embroiled in the life of another person.
Weave in themes of loyalty and betrayal, family and relationships, guilt and innocence to the compelling characters and breath taking pace and The Woman on the Bridge is an outstanding thriller that entertains so wonderfully. I really loved it.
April 15, 2022
I've read nearly all of Seddon's books except for 1 that's been on my windowsill for quite some time. I really liked The Hit List. I'm a little rattled by what I just read, and don't think I can write a spoiler free review. [Minor spoilers ahead]
The only word that comes to mind is *hoodwinked*. Not so much as a reader, but many of the main characters. Are people really that naive??? Do they think people have honorable intentions?? Do you pick up strangers in need of help on a dark, rainy night? I definitely hope not.
Charlotte lost her parents in a car accident just after starting her dream job at a museum in London. All she ever wanted was to inherit and run her dad's antique shop. Except he wasn't keen on retiring and giving it to her. Dad Charles was carrying on a secret affair with [redacted]. It obviously colored his judgement, so when he got *hoodwinked* with some shady business dealing guess who was left with the debt?
Charlotte recently reacquainted herself with her high school sweetheart Rob and former best friend Anne, who is working for the antique business. That's when things go sideways because Anne manages to blackmail the former BFF. If you try to guess connections don't bother. It really won't matter.
Charlotte is driving angrily and sees a woman in a drenched wedding gown on a bridge. Her decision to stop and help her will be her fate. Maggie *seems* like a frightened victim.
Before we know it, Maggie is offering to "help" her situation with her so called best friend. Then things go from bad to worse with her so called stalker.
This is where as a reader, I was lost. You have to suspend disbelief. Do you ever shout at the tv, hoping the victim will wake up and figure out they're being conned? I was truly hoping Charlotte would save herself. There were little nuggets but in the end it didn't matter. There are also intentional red herrings and untied loose ends. The ending fell apart & it most definitely wasn't satisfying.
So many lost opportunities to end this book in a better way. I'd say that up until 3/4 through I was giving 4- 4.5 stars. But the truth is, once the hook is in the fish, it's too late. It's dead, it just doesn't know it yet. And how clever that Charlotte's dad would tell her mother he went fishing whenever he was carrying on the secret affair. The smartest person in the book was Pamela, Charlotte's mum. Of course, we find out in retrospect [redacted]. If only she had left more obvious clues for her daughter then this book could have had a very different conclusion.
TW for discussion of abuse, rape, stalking, blackmail, murder, grooming / sexual abuse.
Final rating: 3.5/5☆
The only word that comes to mind is *hoodwinked*. Not so much as a reader, but many of the main characters. Are people really that naive??? Do they think people have honorable intentions?? Do you pick up strangers in need of help on a dark, rainy night? I definitely hope not.
Charlotte lost her parents in a car accident just after starting her dream job at a museum in London. All she ever wanted was to inherit and run her dad's antique shop. Except he wasn't keen on retiring and giving it to her. Dad Charles was carrying on a secret affair with [redacted]. It obviously colored his judgement, so when he got *hoodwinked* with some shady business dealing guess who was left with the debt?
Charlotte recently reacquainted herself with her high school sweetheart Rob and former best friend Anne, who is working for the antique business. That's when things go sideways because Anne manages to blackmail the former BFF. If you try to guess connections don't bother. It really won't matter.
Charlotte is driving angrily and sees a woman in a drenched wedding gown on a bridge. Her decision to stop and help her will be her fate. Maggie *seems* like a frightened victim.
Before we know it, Maggie is offering to "help" her situation with her so called best friend. Then things go from bad to worse with her so called stalker.
This is where as a reader, I was lost. You have to suspend disbelief. Do you ever shout at the tv, hoping the victim will wake up and figure out they're being conned? I was truly hoping Charlotte would save herself. There were little nuggets but in the end it didn't matter. There are also intentional red herrings and untied loose ends. The ending fell apart & it most definitely wasn't satisfying.
So many lost opportunities to end this book in a better way. I'd say that up until 3/4 through I was giving 4- 4.5 stars. But the truth is, once the hook is in the fish, it's too late. It's dead, it just doesn't know it yet. And how clever that Charlotte's dad would tell her mother he went fishing whenever he was carrying on the secret affair. The smartest person in the book was Pamela, Charlotte's mum. Of course, we find out in retrospect [redacted]. If only she had left more obvious clues for her daughter then this book could have had a very different conclusion.
TW for discussion of abuse, rape, stalking, blackmail, murder, grooming / sexual abuse.
Final rating: 3.5/5☆
July 24, 2022
As the story opens Charlotte Wilderwood is driving what was her late mums Tesla like someone possessed. She is still trying to deal with the death of her parents. Her best friend Anne had just accused her of fiddling the books on the family antique’s business. Charlotte had inherited the business after her parents had died in a car accident. So for Anne to be accusing her of such a thing and asking her to leave, was the final straw. She had no idea what Anne was referring to, but the business was hers, she had inherited it not Anne. She had always wanted to work with her father, she had idolised him.
As she is driving despite the poor visibility she still spots a woman standing on a bridge she is approaching, the woman is clinging on to the steel girders wearing a wedding dress, drenched from the pouring rain, and barely hanging on. Charlotte abruptly stops her car and jumps out. Without any thoughts about her own safety she climbs onto the bridge extending her hand to coax the woman down. The woman grabs her hand just in time. This is the beginning of a new friendship with Maggie, who tells Charlotte of the events of that day, she was going to marry a man called Mike, but halfway through the ceremony a man known as David, who she claimed had been stalking her, had stopped the ceremony, he claimed that Maggie loved him and he had proof. The groom along with her mother had all abandoned Maggie, which is why she ended up on the bridge.
These beginning scenes draw you in, gripping you, Charlotte saving Maggie, taking her to her home, becoming a friend. But this is just the start, the author doesn’t give you time to breath before the next twist hits, which leads to Charlotte making some tough choices. Gradually as you get to know Charlotte and Maggie you begin to wonder how this is going to work. These two women have only known each other for a short time when a few things change dramatically.
The story is told from the points of view of Charlotte, Maggie and going back in time to Pamela, Charlotte’s mum. But how reliable are any of them as narrators. Most of the timeline is now, but occasionally goes back a few years in order to explain some things.
How one chance meeting, one act of kindness can lead to so much drama. I really felt for Charlotte, being an only child she had desperately wanted a sibling, I think this is what she saw in Maggie no matter how brief, she felt like a younger sister. All of the characters are believable, three dimensional and relatable. There were times I felt for Maggie, she hadn’t had an easy life, she really liked Charlotte, but she was trapped in her own situation, maybe if they had met years earlier things could have been different. I had no idea which way this story would go, and was completely shocked and thrown by the ending.
If you enjoy a good psychological thriller then this is one I would recommend it will definitely keep you on your toes, with twist after twist. There is no let up, just as one plot twist ends another one is thrown in, each time you start to relax something else comes from out of the blue. A book ideally read in one sitting. I look forward to what Holly Seddon writes next.
Thank you for my ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
As she is driving despite the poor visibility she still spots a woman standing on a bridge she is approaching, the woman is clinging on to the steel girders wearing a wedding dress, drenched from the pouring rain, and barely hanging on. Charlotte abruptly stops her car and jumps out. Without any thoughts about her own safety she climbs onto the bridge extending her hand to coax the woman down. The woman grabs her hand just in time. This is the beginning of a new friendship with Maggie, who tells Charlotte of the events of that day, she was going to marry a man called Mike, but halfway through the ceremony a man known as David, who she claimed had been stalking her, had stopped the ceremony, he claimed that Maggie loved him and he had proof. The groom along with her mother had all abandoned Maggie, which is why she ended up on the bridge.
These beginning scenes draw you in, gripping you, Charlotte saving Maggie, taking her to her home, becoming a friend. But this is just the start, the author doesn’t give you time to breath before the next twist hits, which leads to Charlotte making some tough choices. Gradually as you get to know Charlotte and Maggie you begin to wonder how this is going to work. These two women have only known each other for a short time when a few things change dramatically.
The story is told from the points of view of Charlotte, Maggie and going back in time to Pamela, Charlotte’s mum. But how reliable are any of them as narrators. Most of the timeline is now, but occasionally goes back a few years in order to explain some things.
How one chance meeting, one act of kindness can lead to so much drama. I really felt for Charlotte, being an only child she had desperately wanted a sibling, I think this is what she saw in Maggie no matter how brief, she felt like a younger sister. All of the characters are believable, three dimensional and relatable. There were times I felt for Maggie, she hadn’t had an easy life, she really liked Charlotte, but she was trapped in her own situation, maybe if they had met years earlier things could have been different. I had no idea which way this story would go, and was completely shocked and thrown by the ending.
If you enjoy a good psychological thriller then this is one I would recommend it will definitely keep you on your toes, with twist after twist. There is no let up, just as one plot twist ends another one is thrown in, each time you start to relax something else comes from out of the blue. A book ideally read in one sitting. I look forward to what Holly Seddon writes next.
Thank you for my ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
April 22, 2022
‘𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙜𝙚. 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣. 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧.’
•
I was looking forward to starting this one, sounded just like my type of story and it didn’t disappoint.
Whilst I have to admit it was a slow start for me, not the story or the plot as such, just for me getting into it. But once I did, I was hooked and devoured it!
The writing is gritty and exciting, constantly leaving you wondering what is going on and who these people really are! I said from the get go that I was trusting no one and I’m glad I didn’t 🤣
The story being told through multiple narratives definitely adds to the mystery and intrigue of the story. The characters were all well developed and had a lot of depth to them - some a lot darker than the others.
Some parts I did find myself thinking, why on earth would you do that?! And finding it did have a little bit of an unrealistic feel, I was too engrossed in the plot for it to effect my enjoyment.
Although I did question certain parts, overall I found it a thrilling and suspenseful read. This story definitely left you with one bit of valuable information - ‘𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨.’
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I was looking forward to starting this one, sounded just like my type of story and it didn’t disappoint.
Whilst I have to admit it was a slow start for me, not the story or the plot as such, just for me getting into it. But once I did, I was hooked and devoured it!
The writing is gritty and exciting, constantly leaving you wondering what is going on and who these people really are! I said from the get go that I was trusting no one and I’m glad I didn’t 🤣
The story being told through multiple narratives definitely adds to the mystery and intrigue of the story. The characters were all well developed and had a lot of depth to them - some a lot darker than the others.
Some parts I did find myself thinking, why on earth would you do that?! And finding it did have a little bit of an unrealistic feel, I was too engrossed in the plot for it to effect my enjoyment.
Although I did question certain parts, overall I found it a thrilling and suspenseful read. This story definitely left you with one bit of valuable information - ‘𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨.’
August 15, 2022
When Charlotte drives past a woman in a wedding dress standing on a bridge, she stops and tries to help. This, in turn, sets in place a chain of events that get increasingly bizarre as we learn more about the key players.
Maggie, the woman she rescued, was jilted at the altar when an obsessed colleague turns up to ruin the wedding. As the details Maggie gives Charlotte are revealed, I found myself wanting to shake her for her stupidity. I’m all for doing the right thing and trying to help someone in need, but her actions really made no sense.
If I were being charitable I’d put it down to the grief she clearly feels about the recent deaths of her parents, and the business problems she appears to be facing.
At the heart of the story is Charlotte’s childhood friend, Anne, who wants her out of the way. This made little sense…and as we uncover more details about Anne and her situation I felt it made even less sense.
Leaving aside the irritation I felt by the key characters, the revelations during the book were enough to put me off. The lack of action by the police was hard to understand, and the little details given to try and justify some of the later events just seemed a stretch too far. As for the ending…
Maggie, the woman she rescued, was jilted at the altar when an obsessed colleague turns up to ruin the wedding. As the details Maggie gives Charlotte are revealed, I found myself wanting to shake her for her stupidity. I’m all for doing the right thing and trying to help someone in need, but her actions really made no sense.
If I were being charitable I’d put it down to the grief she clearly feels about the recent deaths of her parents, and the business problems she appears to be facing.
At the heart of the story is Charlotte’s childhood friend, Anne, who wants her out of the way. This made little sense…and as we uncover more details about Anne and her situation I felt it made even less sense.
Leaving aside the irritation I felt by the key characters, the revelations during the book were enough to put me off. The lack of action by the police was hard to understand, and the little details given to try and justify some of the later events just seemed a stretch too far. As for the ending…
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