Neil Vincent is not what you might expect from a hardened war veteran. Working for an affluent family as a live-in chauffeur, he spends his ample free time reading, voraciously devouring books about philosophy, mystery, romance, or whatever he can get his hands on. During a time of transition at the Westfield Court estate, Vincent is called upon to retrieve Miss Mary Claire DeWinter from the train station. Her visit is one of doleful obligation, as her grandfather is nearing the end of his life. Unprepared for his impertinent and inquisitive passenger, the observant and contemplative chauffeur finds Mary Claire to be more complex than her eighteen years might suggest. Being two decades her senior, it would seem the pair has little in common, Mary Claire a blind girl scorned by her haughty family and Neil, a reclusive man who enjoys solitude. In a shocking turn of events, Mary Claire’s stay at Westfield Court is extended when she is granted a vast inheritance that comes with a severe stipulation: she must marry within the year. But the line of suitors waiting for a frail blind girl, scarred from a tragic accident, is not long. Having come to rely on Neil as a close friend and confidant, Mary Claire finds that her feelings for the family driver are evolving, shifting beyond respect and a shared love of books.
Bridges is a gentle romance novel that highlights how love can blossom in the most unexpected of places. Though the story is set in the early 1960s, readers will feel like they’ve been transported to an entirely different era. Mary Claire’s character could have come from any royal family of the 1800s, with her prim nature, her formal dialect, and her educated and intelligent mind. Clever banter between Neil and Mary Claire dominates the pages, giving readers an intimate glimpse into a beautiful but unlikely friendship that has been forged, not from closely shared life-experiences, but from shared views about how they approach the world. Their frequent conversations span many topics, ranging from local gossip to traumatic life experiences, yet the couple most often return to their disparate yet respectful opinions on religion. Neil and Mary Claire’s budding relationship is one to root for as they overcome countless obstacles in their search for happiness and peace. Graceful and endearing, Bridges is a steady friend-to-lovers tale that is sure to put a smile on your face.
