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Book Summary and Reviews of The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick

The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick

The Secrets of Love Story Bridge

by Phaedra Patrick

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  • Apr 2020, 352 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

A single father's act of bravery leads him to a surprise second chance at love in the heartwarming new novel from the author of The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper

It's summer in the city and passions are soaring along with the temperature—for everyone but Mitchell Fisher, who hates all things romance. He relishes his job cutting off the padlocks that couples fasten to the famous "love story" bridge. Only his young daughter, Poppy, knows that behind his prickly veneer, Mitchell still grieves the loss of her mother.

Then one hot day, everything changes when Mitchell courageously rescues a woman who falls from the bridge into the river. He's surprised to feel an unexpected connection to her, but she disappears before he can ask her name. Desperate to find out her identity, Mitchell is shocked to learn she's been missing for almost a year. He teams up with her spirited sister, Liza, on a quest to find her again. However, she's left only one clue behind—a message on the padlock she hung on the bridge.

Brimming with Phaedra Patrick's signature charm and a sparkling cast of characters, The Secrets of Love Story Bridge follows one man's journey to unlock his heart and discover new beginnings in the unlikeliest places.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Told in uncomplicated prose, this is a straightforward story that takes as fact that love is truly in the air. Fans of cozy fiction will enjoy this small escape from reality." - Kirkus Reviews

"Patrick blends romance, mystery, and quirkiness to highly entertaining effect." - Booklist

"The Secrets of Love Story Bridge is a wonderfully hope-filled story about how plunging into the unknown and allowing ourselves to be swept along by the currents of life can bring us to a place of unexpected happiness. Phaedra Patrick has a knack for creating memorable and touching characters, and Mitchell Fisher is no exception. A brave, compassionate man who has locked away his emotions following a tragic accident, Mitchell earns our affection as we follow his journey to truth and acceptance." - Sarah Haywood, New York Times bestselling author of The Cactus

This information about The Secrets of Love Story Bridge was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

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Julie O. (Roselle, IL)

Sweet story with likable characters!
While travelling in Europe, I've always been intrigued with "love padlock" bridges. Reading this story makes the bridges even more enjoyable! From the first chapter, I found myself rooting for Mitchel that he would find his way to happiness. Many times, I found myself laughing out loud while getting to know the book's characters and being part of their situations. Also, I found myself tearing up. Read THE SECRETS OF LOVE STORY BRIDGE if you're looking for a little mystery, likable characters and a special journey to find companionship!

Laura M.

The Secrets of Love Story Bridge
What a quirky read! I was hooked from the beginning and enjoyed meeting all the charming characters introduced in the story. Poppy was especially charming and endearing and my interest was held throughout the tale. I was so relieved to read Anita's final letter to Mitchell that I now feel inspired to dust off my stationary box, find my favorite pen and write a letter to someone special.

Wanda T. (The Villages, FL)

The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick
I was drawn to this book for two reasons: I read "The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper" and I've been to the Love Lock bridge in Vienna, Austria. I enjoy reading heartwarming stories with a little mystery thrown in. I also did not realize that there are Love Lock bridges all over the world. I tend to do a little research when I read a book and something peaks my interest. If you've been reading too many books or articles that have you frustrated, saddened, annoyed, please read "The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick. It will lift your spirits and actually make you want to visit one of these Love Lock bridges to read some of the locks.

Gayla M. (Frisco, TX)

Wonderful, feel good story
I love her previous books and this one is no exception. This is a story about love lost and a new love found and lost again. It is charming, hopeful and just leaves you feeling good and all warm inside. I loved it.

Elizabeth D. (Apple Valley, MN)

Another Charming Read from Phaedra Patrick
What a delightful read! I expected no less, though, from Phaedra Patrick, which is why I was so pleased to be selected for this First Impressions book. I've read several of her other books, starting with The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, and have found them to be uplifting without being saccharine or overly sentimental. This book fits that mold as well. I thought the characters were fairly well developed, and even though it was pretty apparent from the beginning where the story was headed, the enjoyment was in the getting there. I don't always like the depiction of children in stories, but Poppy was a terrific kid. Just the right amount of personality and spark without being precocious or overly wise. I would have liked a little more Barry as a comic foil for Mitchell, but I liked that Mitchell had more than one male friend without them dissolving into an indistinguishable group of "the boys". I especially liked the example Mitchell's childhood friend set about the acceptability of moving on - you can live what came before and still want life for yourself after things change. The one thing that puzzled me about the book was whether there would really be enough locks on the bride that their removal would keep two people employed full time - I can't imagine it! Ha! In all seriousness, life has been fairly grim lately, with a number of family members with serious health issues, work has been relentlessly busy, the news and weather is depressing, so I enjoyed this charming escape. Things aren't perfect in Mitchell's world, but he's making positive changes and engaging with people. This book will join The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper on the nightstand in my guest room as a recommended read for those looking for an enjoyable bonus to their stay.

Elizabeth P. (Lower Burrell, PA)

Another heartwarming, sweet read - Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews
Mitchell went from his job as an engineer to the job of removing padlocks placed by lovers on bridge railings and padlocks that were starting to weigh down the bridges.

Mitchell lived alone with his daughter since his wife died, and he had a difficult time making ends meet, keeping her entertained, and trying to not think about love since he still grieved for his wife.

One day as Mitchell was removing the padlocks, he saw a woman falling over the edge of the railing. He jumped in after her and rescued her.

Of course he didn't like the attention he received from his rescue, but he did keep thinking about this girl. His only regret was that he never got her name.

We follow Mitchell as he looks for this woman and finds out that her sister is his daughter's music teacher and that she had disappeared a year ago. He then becomes involved in the family's search for Yvette. He also finds out that there are some secrets in this family.

Besides helping the family search for Yvette, Mitchell is pulled into a journalist's story about his heroics when the journalist asked readers to write to him. His involvement is to read the hundreds of handwritten letters that have made their way to her desk.

Ms. Patrick has written another heartwarming book with characters you will fall in love with and a story line that will keep you turning the pages.

I always enjoy Ms. Patrick's books because they are uplifting and sweet.


THE SECRETS OF LOVE STORY BRIDGE will warm your heart just as all of her books.

A truly enjoyable read. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher and BookBrowse in exchange for an honest review.

...18 more reader reviews

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Author Information

Phaedra Patrick Author Biography

Phtot: Sam Ralph

Phaedra Patrick is the bestselling author of several novels, including The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, which has been translated into twenty-five languages worldwide. Her second novel, Rise and Shine Benedict Stone, was made into a Hallmark movie. An award-winning short story writer, she previously studied art and marketing and has worked as a stained glass artist, film festival organizer and communications manager. Phaedra lives in Saddleworth, UK, with her family.

Link to Phaedra Patrick's Website

Other books by Phaedra Patrick at BookBrowse
  • The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper jacket
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