It’s a piece of news Daphne never expected to hear: Her globe-trotting friend Skylar, who vowed never to get married, is engaged! Time to celebrate in Manhattan—Skylar’s treat, of course. After years scaling the corporate ladder, she can more than afford it.

Daphne arrives in NYC with news of her own—the novel she’s finally finished appears to be going nowhere but the trash bin of every publishing house around. She’s devastated but plans to keep her disappointment under wraps, something that becomes trickier when she sees Skylar’s spectacular apartment. Could her life have been like this if she’d chosen a different path?

What Daphne doesn’t know is she’s not the only one with a secret. Skylar and their friend KC are also holding something back, but what? As the trip unfolds, the truth about each woman emerges, along with tears.

And laughter. And love.

My Thoughts: Who doesn’t love a great friends’ weekend? I definitely couldn’t wait to curl up with these three college friends for a Manhattan getaway, to celebrate something special, and to reconnect.

Bridges was the kind of story that resonated with me, as I have always enjoyed the special connections that I’ve felt with college friends. Add in the perfect setting of Manhattan, and there is nothing better. Girl talk, sharing secrets, and even trying new things.

Daphne was my favorite character, primarily because she was a single mother and an aspiring author. I loved watching her experience her first trip to Manhattan. I could see Skylar’s world from her perspective, including visualizing the fabulous apartment that she shared with her fiancé James. I walked the streets with her and her friends. From the Brooklyn Bridge to the cute boutiques and flea markets, I felt as though I was along for the ride.

I was a little intimidated by Skylar, and even by her soon-to-be stepdaughter Sloane…until one night when Daphne lost her cool and let Skylar have it. It was inevitable that old feelings of envy might creep into their moments together, but those conflicts made them all feel very real. When envy reared its head, the air was cleared and they grew even closer.

Events unfolded in unexpected ways, and by the end of the weekend, I wanted more. More of the friends and their unique connection, and more about Daphne’s writing experiences. 5 stars.

***My e-ARC came to me from the author/publisher via NetGalley

This book is about three best friends, thick as thieves, in their mid-forties, meeting for a weekend together to celebrate on of their own’s engagement.

Daphne is divorced, mother of a high school teenager and a writer trying to publish her first novel. Skylar, her successful career oriented best friend is getting married finally in New York and Daphne is beyond thrilled to visit NYC to celebrate her engagement. KC, the third musketeer, who is happily married to Max and a fitness freak, is the step mother to Max’s kids and decides she will not have kids for herself. She is surprised by the fact she is pregnant at 40, when she is already a step-grandmother.

All three friends get together after their beach reunion years ago and each have their own share of news to tell. Daphne about her book and the number of rejections she has received from publishers, KC about her pregnancy and her absurd fear that her fitness regime will affect the baby, and Skylar on her impending marriage and the not-so bonding step daughter.

Daphne gets a little jealous of how Skylar’s life has turned out, but eventually they two make up and talk freely about it. The three of them help each other outgrow their fears and try to make light of every situation they are in.

This is an easy-breezy read, with no major plot twists. Everything goes good, a little too much good for everyone to believe, i guess. Other than that, there’s nothing wrong or right about it. There could have been some interesting elements or surprises to make one get hooked to the book. Maybe, the intended audience are the middle aged. Nevertheless, i rate it 3/5.

Favorite quote:

Love is random.. there’s no rhyme nor reason whatsoever to where we’ll find it or how. We’ll drive ourselves crazy if we keep trying to figure it out, because when it comes down to it, its all about timing, chemistry and luck – good or bad

Bridges: A Daphne White Novel by Maria Murnane is a women's fiction novel about three women who were college friends and are now in their early 40s, decide to catch up in New York City on the 4th of July to celebrate a surprise engagement, but each of them has a secret. Will all be revealed?

Daphne is a divorced mom working as a part-time florist in Ohio, decided it was time to realize her long-forgotten dream of being a journalist and finally penned her debut fictional novel. However, her self-doubt is dragging her down as the rejection emails continue to trickle in and she sees how successful Skylar is thinking that could've been her had she not devoted her entire adult life to taking care of her family. Skylar is a jet-setting corporate software salesperson in NYC who never slows down and always claimed she'd never marry, but now is engaged. KC is a happily married fitness junky and guru living in California who recently became a first-time grandmother. These women all lead distinctly different lives, but still make the time to support each other and get together for important milestones in each other's lives.

I really enjoyed learning about these three women's differing world's and strong bond as the plot unfolded. It was a well-written and enjoyable quick read with a twist of humour that will have you laughing out loud. I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars. This novel is a standalone work, however, it has the same characters as in the novel Wait for the Rain published in 2015 where the same three friends reunited to celebrate their 40th birthdays in the Caribbean. I would also recommend reading that novel as well.

Thank you to Maria Murnane for contacting me and providing a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review via NetGalley and Amazon Publishing. https://moesbookblog.wordpress.com/

Reviewed: March 22, 2017. Novel Publish Date: April 4, 2017.

I was so excited to read about this trio of ladies again! Bridges picks up about a year after Wait for the Rain ends, and this time, KC and Daphne are heading to New York City to celebrate Sklar’s engagement. Daphne has been submitting a manuscript to publishers and having a long-distance dating relationship with Derek, KC has been falling in love with her new granddaughter and Skylar has bought a new home with her fiance Jack, but struggling to connect with his college-aged daughter. Once again as they reconnect, they’re reluctant to share some things with one another, but still, have a wonderful time and enjoy their incredible friendship.

Daphne definitely started out much happier in Bridges versus in Wait for the Rain! After returning from the last girls’ vacation, she decided to write her first novel, as well as, has been keeping in touch with Derek. Unfortunately, her happiness seems to go down hill after arriving in New York, although I won’t go into that because of spoilers! Bubbly and energetic KC arrives in New York incredibly different than the last time we saw her – but again, I can’t tell why! Skylar is head over heels for her new fiance but thinks that her future stepdaughter Sloane hates her. She spends a lot of time trying to win Sloane over before finally understanding Sloane and her life. My favorite character in this novel is Skylar’s friend, Krissa. She’s single and dates all of the time, which leads to endless, hilarious tales of the men she meets. I loved everything about her, especially just her overall style of dialogue. I personally think that she deserves her own book – hint, hint! Oh – and don’t forget that Clay was from New York….

Once again I’m so impressed with Murnane’s writing style and dialogue that literally pulls you into the novel and into the moment. While reading you can feel the characters emotions whether embarrassment, anger, sadness, or joy. Some things were predictable in this novel and some were completely unexpected, but once again, Maria Murnane has written a realistic story about very relatable characters. I love this group of ladies and the silly things that they say and do, but this is not a picture-perfect story about a girls weekend in New York City. There are real emotions, celebrations, arguments, disappointments, and so on. I do have to say I’m not sure that I loved KC in this novel because she seemed so different than her personality in Wait for the Rain, but I still loved the novel and was disappointed when I realized I had reached the ending. I just recently discovered this author and after reading two of her novels over the weekend, I can proudly say I’m hooked!

*thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

Daphne had gotten together with her two best friends from college, Skylar and KC, last year on a Caribbean island to celebrate her fortieth birthday. Skylar has recently gotten engaged (something she said she'd never do) and wants Daphne and KC to come to New York to celebrate for a long weekend.

In college, Daphne had had dreams of being a successful journalist but ended up devoting her life to being a wife (she's now divorced) and mom and working part-time in a flower shop. In the last year, she gotten back her writing passion and has written a novel. She sent it to 36 agents and the rejection emails have been coming in. Her feelings of frustration and lack of confidence intensify when she stays at Skylar's new apartment and sees how successful Skylar is and perhaps how successful she could have been.

This is the third book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it ... it was a fun book. I liked the storyline and the writing style. It's written in third person perspective. I like Daphne, Skylar and KC. They each had very different personalities and lives but were able to joke and poke fun at each other ... and are there for each other when it matters. Though we met the three friends during their vacation "last year" in Wait for the Rain, you don't have to read that book to read this one as it works as a stand alone.

I look forward to reading other books by this author.