Sofi's Bridge

I was very excited to have the chance to read this for review. I read a short story by this author back at Christmas and loved her style of writing. This story, thought not a lengthy book, has great depth and feeling to the story.

My favorite thing about this book...the characters. Neil and Sofi were such strong characters. The perfect use of words described how they felt in bad and good situations. Their desire to protect their family was endearing I loved how Trina came out of her shell through Neil's encouragement. I loved how his caring doctoring was shown, and his strength as a gardener.

The spiritual content isn't heavy, but I appreciated how it was intertwined with the story. I could have used a little bit more in Neil's personality, especially in the end when he softens toward faith.

The romance was sweet, but the two kisses were slightly disconcerting for me. I think especially because Sofi was a Christian and Neil wasn't. There are two detailed kisses and several thoughts dwelling on the kiss.

The last scenes kept me reading. Everything with the bridge and rush to stop the train kept me on the edge of my seat. The only thing I found slightly odd was how many sentences were one paragraph, making it seem more intense than most of the story was portrayed.

This was enjoyable and I definitely will be reading more by this author. She writes beautifully!

This was a great story! I enjoyed this book! It was a great read about people finding out the truth about who they are. The characters were real and I enjoyed learning about their secrets and hopes!

I was a little iffy on this book at first because of the cover, but the description reeled me in. Sofi's Bridge is a quick read if you're a fast reader like I am, but you're also not going to want to put it down! I had a really hard time putting the book down, especially in the last chapters because it got so exciting!

Sofi’s Bridge by Christine Lindsay is a novel of second chances. Sofi Andersson had the perfect life. A Seattle debutante from a well to do family, anyone looking at her would think she had it all. That “all” disappears with her father’s death. Her mother’s grief has her in a drug induced haze and Sofi’s younger sister, Trina, becomes nearly catatonic; unresponsive to those around her and needing constant care. Never is this more obvious than when the girl slips her minders and races to the sea which abets their property. If not for the quick work of Neil, their gardener, Trina would have drowned.

Convinced this proves it is impossible to keep the girl at home, Sofi’s mother signs the papers to have Trina admitted to an asylum. Sofi determines that will never happen and attempts to run off with Trina in the night. But Neil discovers them as they are running and demands to come along!

Neil Galloway is no gardener but a doctor on the run from the law. He needs to keep a low profile and getting mixed up with a family squabble is the last thing he should do. But the vulnerable Trina and resilient, determined Sofi pull at his heartstrings. Against his better judgment, Neil finds himself accompanying the ladies to the Cascade Mountains. Will any of them find peace for their souls in that distant place?

Set in the early 20th century this is a story that will quickly absorb readers looking for mystery, angst and redemption with their romance.

Great book!

Exquisite research into the era, and deftly written into the story. Character development was very good, albeit a little see-through in places. I got first annoyed and then lost patience with Sofi's sister and mother. But then, there really were women like that back then.

Very good storyline but with too many story fronts. Two main characters who have their stories, then the sister's story, and then the mother's story. Amazingly, they did not get tangled into a confusing mess. However, we have a delicious villain who you just keep screaming at Sofi to quit listening to.

Love the scenery descriptions. You can smell the must in the old cabin, see the dust motes dancing in the sunbeams, and hear the whispering trees as the breeze rustles the leaves.

The descriptions, the deft transitions into each story, the research into bridge building of the early 1900s, the quality character development make this a 5-star reading treat.

This is a well-written and exciting romance set in historical Seattle and the surrounding countryside. I loved the character of Sofi and how she was such a powerful mind for her era, pushing boundaries of what women were thought capable of doing. The romantic tale is heartfelt, a little rushed overall, but in general that didn't detract from the story.
I liked the family drama, the hidden secrets, and the interplay of faith. Lindsay is a skilled writer and the story is fast-paced and engaging. Christian fiction readers who enjoy adventure and romance will like this tale.

Overall, a very well written book. I thought it was slow paced the first half of the book, but it seemed to pick up steam in the 2nd half. The romance in the book was predictable but sweet. I really like how Sofi was portrayed as a strong, intelligent woman and engineer who can design bridges. Not a bad book.