Maria, Corinna & Gertie have met under the Brooklyn Bridge & discussed their lives while their friendship has developed over the years! They’re all strong women with minds of their own and I thought I’d love this book, but I struggled. The storyline was good although it seemed to get lost at times, as the characters moved on with their lives. I followed the characters lives, but didn’t really connect.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to Lake Union Publishing, David Biro and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Well, this was a disappointment. The beginning was so hard to get in. And I live a great beginning. So that was a negative point for me.

The plot about three older woman was quite strong but there was something lacking. Also I felt Corinne got sidetracked.

It git interesting after like 100 pages but by then I have already judged the book . So I can say I liked it but not as much as I thought. Also I love the cover.

Thanks to NetGalley, lake Union Publishing and David Biro for giving me an e-copy temporarily.

Three friends, two secrets, one love—and the journey of a lifetime.

Every week for twenty years, three friends meet in a leafy enclosure under the Verrazzano Bridge: Gertie, a feisty Norwegian divorcée and former athlete; Maria, a family-obsessed Italian American widow; and Corinna, a book-loving, hash-smoking eccentric. Together they sit and watch the sea as the ships—and the last years of their lives—sail by. On the eve of Gertie’s eightieth birthday, they realize that time is running out. Gertie decides she wants to travel the world. Maria secretly plots to reunite Gertie and Corinna with their estranged families. And Corinna falls in love.

As the three women strike out in different directions, a series of events unfolds that threatens to destroy the most precious thing of all: their friendship. Heartfelt and humorous, And the Bridge Is Love invites readers to travel alongside these dynamic women in this inspiring novel about love, family, and forgiveness. An inspiring read reminding us not to put off our hopes and dreams.

You know the feeling when you get a new book and can't wait to sit and spend some time with it? To looking forward to a great story that gives you hope, a bit of a smile, and calmness with the last page? Yes, me too. But this is not THIS book.

"And the Bridge is love" is such a disappointment... I have huge expectations after reading a description and that was a mistake. Cause this story is not the one that I would ever recommend.

At first, I felt that this a book about nothing in particular. Just a typical day of some older woman. But then, after few pages, it hits me, that women in their 70's are not usually focusing on such problems are written. Of course, there are many active older people and I admire them, but, let's be realistic - not all of them are dreaming to travel all over the world in one summer. Just keep it realistic.

These three friends have some challenges to face and history cards to unfold. And that was a nice one. Complicated relations with kids, consequences of the life choices... These are everyday problems and I like to see the alternative and solutions from their point of view. Especially, that they really can have the best of their lives even at this age.

You can say that it's just nit-picking but I felt sorry that Corinna's history is so short. It was a great idea and I was really curious about what happened next and to find more about these, but there are only a few chapters with little pieces of information. Shame, cause this one could be perfect even for a standalone novel.

Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me.

Emotional, inspirational and full of hope; a beautiful story about three mature, independent women.

Free-spirited Corinna, family-centred Maria and athletic Gertie are brought together after a choking incident where two of the women most likely saved the life of the third. They develop a strong friendship after the incident and share their lives in a way that only women can. They meet at least weekly in what they refer to as The Temple, a clearing with a bench, overlooking the Verrazzano bridge connecting Staten Island and Brooklyn in New York. During twenty years they meet and see the big ships coming and going sharing their lives stories.

There are things in all their pasts which they haven't yet shared with each other and other things they don't yet even know themselves. Preconceived ideas, misunderstandings and unspoken wishes cause tension between the women, but by accepting help from each other they are able to take some scary steps and move forward.

For me, this is a lovely story and one of the things I'll take away is to not put off doing things, to not be afraid, to dare take that first step and to enjoy life -- before it is too late.