Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC copy of The Bench in exchange for an honest review.

The first couple of stories had me gripped but as they went on, I found myself getting easily distracted away from the plot.

I thought the idea for the Bench was great, and how in the final story, everything seemed to come together, but i felt disappointed in the route the author went.

The writing style was easy to follow, it definitely flowed and I will look forward to reading what the author writes next.

This slender volume explores the intersection of five lives through parables that address sorrow, grief, loss, guilt, generosity, compassion and, above all, Love. Love with a capital L…universal Love that is all encompassing and the source of all life.

The author describes her inspiration for this tome in the preface, explaining that it came in a series of dreams that would not be ignored until written down. I appreciated her dedication and her ability to weave together the separate stories into a cohesive whole. While the content explores many spiritual principles applied to human existence, it does not cover any new ground – lacking a fresh perspective. For someone just beginning to question the “why” of life events, this novella is a good entry point in a search for meaning.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

The Bench is a great little novella that left a lasting impression on me. Francesca Flood, Ed.D., masterfully weaves together the stories of five strangers whose lives intersect at a mysterious bench, exploring themes of fate, grief, and the search for meaning. What I appreciated most about this book is its ability to provoke deep reflection and introspection, encouraging readers to ponder the mysteries of life and the afterlife. Flood's prose is both lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into a world that feels both familiar and otherworldly. Overall, The Bench is a beautifully written parable that speaks to the universal human experience and the enduring power of hope.

Hey, you! Yeah, you with the curious mind and the hunger for something deeper! If you're tired of the same old cookie-cutter stories and craving a juicy read that'll make you question everything you thought you knew about life, The Bench: A Parable About Life, Death, and Beyond is your ticket to a mind-bending adventure! Imagine this: a mysterious bench, five strangers, and a whole lotta drama—you won't be able to put this book down, trust me! With its gripping plot and thought-provoking themes, this novella will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end. So grab a copy, buckle up, and get ready for a wild ride—you won't regret it!

I totally understand the motivation for writing this book expressed in the preface, having been similarly motivated some years ago. And I appreciate the wish to help people embrace all of life and to negotiate the difficulties it can throw at us in a constructively spiritual way, learning and understanding the connecting power of love. But this is a very saturated market and there are many outstanding books out there, and sadly this does not compare favourably. Though The Bench is fairly well written it comes at the topic from a more religiously based perspective (though I suspect the author would disagree), and is a little obvious. It seems directed at an American audience rather than a global one. It compares itself to The Alchemist, which is aiming rather higher than it reaches. But it is written with heart and insight. We each have our own message to bring, and I feel sure that if this reaches its target audience it will be of real value.
One very notable practical problem, which could be easily rectified, is that the copy I received (for Kindle) had numerous errors which all entailed several words being stuck together, especially a vast number of sentences beginning with ‘A’ being attached to the next word. This made it look unprofessional and didn’t aid engagement with the content.