This was really difficult to get through, I'm not sure if it was the way it was formatted made it hard to read or whether it just wasn't very exciting. I wanted to like it as soon as I read it was a spin on Strangers on a Train but it was quite slow and not very exciting at the start. Might read it again in future.

A solid 3.5 to 4⭐️ Read. Well written with good characterisation. Plenty of suspense and a few twists. At first I thought the coincidences were a bit far fetched and too convenient but that is ironed out through the book. The ending was satisfying, though not as I had predicted and all ends were tied up. I’d be happy to read another book by this author.

I really enjoyed this fast paced page turner. I raced through it as it had me totally gripped from the get go.. Really well written and the first I've read from Holly, so will certainly be reading more by this author.

Very good book. I did not see the not one but few twists that came along. When you recovered from one you then get another and another they just kept on coming.. I did not see the ending of this book coming it just grips you and won't let go.

The Woman on the Bridge requires some suspension of disbelief, but once you’ve accepted that, it is easy to slip into the story of toxic friendships, betrayals and the secrets that lie behind every façade that purports to be a happily family.

Charlotte Wilderwood is having a really, really rough day. It might be the worst day of her life. Everything she thought she knew about her friendship with her only real close friend Anne lies in tatters and she’s facing an uncertain future.

Only Maggie is having a worse day. She’s standing on a bridge wearing a tired and dirty wedding dress that has been trampled in the mud. She’s clearly planning to throw herself off the bridge and when Charlotte sees her, she risks her life to save Maggie from drowning.

A tearful Maggie tells Charlotte all about her wedding day turned nightmare day as a stalker ex stepped up to ruin her life using his lies to tarnish her forever in the eyes of her now ex-fiancée. Lonely and miserable, feeling she has nothing left to live for, Maggie is still grateful to Charlotte for rescuing her and allows Charlotte to take her home to Charlotte’s cottage and look after her.

Holly Seddon’s The Woman On The Bridge is a character driven psychological thriller that fairly rattles along uncovering lots of unsavoury secrets and providing a twisty, unpredictable journey all the way through. This is a cautionary tale that takes the reader back to Charlotte’s relationships with her family and provides us with a distinctly jaundiced view of how trusting can lead to having that trust thrown back right in your face.

If only, Seddon seems to be saying, if only you were not kind to strangers; if only you had looked twice at why your best friend turned on you; if only you had asked why your boyfriend shrugged you off- then maybe, just maybe, you wouldn’t be in this mess.

The milk of human kindness does not abound in this rather savage novel. There’s so much double dealing and dodgy behaviour that my head was spinning trying to work out exactly what was going on.

Though it can present a harsh portrait of what trusting too easily leads to, it is still a book in which you feel for both the main characters, for they are each suffering from a lack of love and care which has moulded them into becoming the characters they are today. And without the compassion that each has a chance to show, the book would indeed be bleak.

The novel spans a number of different timelines and it is not until you are able to put the whole picture together like a patchwork quilt that you can see what lies behind all the events in the book. It’s not a new technique but it is particularly effective here.

Verdict: An engaging tale of lies and betrayals with a sting in the tail, The Woman on the Bridge contains multiple surprises which Seddon lobs in like bombs right up until the end. Just when you think you know where you’re going, something disrupts your expectations. This makes this read entertaining, surprising and very twisty indeed.

so, let me start by saying I am unsure how I feel about this book.

the storyline, the plot, it's crazy! like, totally bonkers.
I don't know if I'm buying it, but do I have to? I just don't know!

The characters I enjoyed, the slow unravelling of the relatively complex story and backgrounds, it was delightful.

The ending, oh, it really left me angry at one of the characters and it told a LOT about how complex people are and not they not only can be unreliable narrators, but they also can be something else than what you expected after all the muck is removed.

That is as much as I'm going to give away!
Enjoyed the book, and had fun reading it, so probably 3.5 stars rounded up, because why not!
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!

If you want a fast paced, twisty, action packed thriller then look no further than Holly Seddon. This one kept me up late, lived in my head and had me racing back to my book. Thoroughly gripping.

Charlotte and Maggie are both having an incredibly bad night when they meet on a bridge. But when Charlotte saves Maggie from falling to her death, an immediate bond is created. Charlotte has always pretty much just had the one good friend and she has just betrayed her. She sees something in Maggie. Could she possibly be the best friend Charlotte has always dreamed of? So Charlotte decides to take Maggie home with her, a decision which will impact both of their lives.

See, now this would never happen to me because trust issues like you wouldn’t believe but I mean, really, have these people never heard of Stranger Danger?! Anyway!

There’s quite a bit of back and forth throughout this story. Not only is the tale told via Maggie and Charlotte, but there are also flashbacks. I have to admit that it took me a minute to get to grips with that, but it was definitely worth that extra level of concentration. As soon as I picked up Holly Seddon’s latest book, I knew I was going to have a hard time putting it back down again. It’s so immensely intriguing that even when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about it and trying to figure things out.

Yeah, good luck with that. Needless to say things happen and the bond between Charlotte and Maggie only intensifies. But things are rarely what they seem and ‘The Woman on the Bridge‘ has to be one of the most unpredictable books I’ve ever read. I have undoubtedly added years of wrinkles to my forehead from all the frowning I did while reading, but I loved every second of it. There are so many vibes to pick up on. Something like a sense of doom, a kind of malice, this feeling that whatever is going on will not end well and danger lurks around the corner. You know, deep down, that something is off. But you also know you’re missing some pieces to complete the puzzle. On any other day, that would drive me batshit crazy but here, I gladly let the author guide me wherever she wanted me to go.

There’s a central theme to ‘The Woman on the Bridge‘ by way of toxic relationships in various shapes and forms. From the married couple to the life-long friends, to children and their parents. After all there is a reason why Maggie is on that bridge. Her story in particular often filled me with sadness. And Charlotte may not know it yet but there are quite a few events that led her to be where she is now. Both of their lives not entirely shaped by their own choices, but by choices made by others.

I thoroughly enjoyed this character-driven psychological thriller. It’s full of suspense, immensely intriguing like I said earlier, and it held my attention from start to finish. It is so cleverly plotted, addictive, offering fantastic psychological insight and, I also said this before but it bears repeating, unpredictable. The tension builds up as the story goes on and I was utterly unable to work out how things would end. Speaking of the end, holy fudge, … so brutally chilling, it sent shivers down my spine!

I loved everything about ‘The Woman on the Bridge‘. It’s as simple as that. Recommended!

Charlotte has a lot going on in her life. Her parents have died, her best friend has turned against her and wants her business,and she needs to find out what the irregularities in the finances mean.
As she drives through the night, she spots Maggie, who she rescues from a bridge. The two become close until one action becomes a fatal error. How many more surprises can Charlotte take?
Edge of your seat read, it keeps turning out more twists! Addictive read,you can really feel for both women, and the situations they have found themselves in. The back story was intriguing too, and I was very surprised by the ending, a truly great thriller read!

With a vividly eerie opening scene, I was immediately drawn into this almost spooky setting as two characters meet under unexpected circumstances and form a bond through their current troubles.

When I saw this described as "Strangers On A Train meets The Pact", I was very excited! But of course, there had to be more to it than a Strangers On A Train premise, as that's one of my favourite films so a simple plan of mutual revenge would not have been enough.

So I was instantly intrigued to see what direction it would go in. And fortunately, there is a lot more to it. I had some ideas about what would happen, but there were plenty of original twists at the same time so I was still pleasantly surprised by how this mysterious thriller played out.

There's a lot going on in both the past and present and I wasn't sure of the relevance of a few things at first, but everything ties together well, with everything coming full circle to reveal a number of double-crosses and betrayals.

I didn't particularly like either of the female leads which I think is what restricted me from loving this one more, but they were also well-fleshed out and I got a strong understanding of both of their characters and emotions. Unfortunately, I just found them both quite weak-willed, which made it difficult for me to be more shocked by their predicaments.

Overall, I enjoyed this one and thought that it was really well written, so I'm definitely eager to read more by Seddon soon.

(I'm on the blog your for this on the 10th so my reviews will be live then!)

This book was full of twists and suspense and really kept me turning the pages.

The story starts when Charlie discovers Maggie on her way home, about to throw herself from a bridge wearing her wedding dress. Charlie intervenes, persuades her to come down and takes her back to her house to recover.

The two women develop a friendship and share their innermost secrets in an attempt to help each other out of their difficult circumstances. What follows is a series of disastrous and terrible events!

It is hard to say much more without spoiling the story. The book is written from the points of view of both women. It is an emotional rollercoaster with friendship and some very controlling relationships at the core.

I found both characters frustrating at times as the plot developed but I couldn't stop turning the pages to see how the events would unfold and what the conclusion would be.
I did have to suspend belief occasionally but overall this was a pacy and exciting story with quite a shocking ending!

Phew, this is one adrenalin fuelled ride. With absolutely no let up from start to finish. Twist after twist will keep you guessing as to what is going on. Told from the points of view of Charlotte, Maggie and Pamela, Charlotte’s late mother, but how reliable are the narrator’s?. The timeline is mostly in the present but occasionally goes back to fill the reader in on things pertaining to Charlotte and her mother. Or things that you need to know regarding Pamela and her marriage to Charlotte’s dad. Also when Charlotte first met her best friend Anne when they were young.

The story begins with a furious Charlotte driving her late mum’s Tesla in a reckless way, she is angry, Anne has accused her of fiddling the business books. The business that Charlotte now owns, that she had inherited from her parents. But Anne has told her to get out. The weather is abysmal rain pouring down, but despite this Charlotte still spots someone standing on the bridge she is approaching, a woman dressed in a white wedding dress, clinging on to the steel girders for her life. She stops the car abruptly and with no thoughts to her own safety she climbs on the bridge and holds her hand out to save the woman, just in time.

This is how Charlotte meets Maggie, she takes her back home with her after learning of Maggie’s story which led her to be standing on the bridge. The two women feel a connection, but what could have become the start of a good friendship is nothing but toxic. As one thing leads to another. Maggie is not who she says she is, and Charlotte gets drawn into something that could cost her dearly.

This is a book that is full of twist after twist, from the gripping opening to the final scenes that will shock you. Charlotte stops to do a good deed, despite Maggie really liking Charlotte it doesn’t stop what follows, but to an extent I felt sorry for Maggie as she was also being manipulated and probably had been from the age of 15. A book I couldn’t put down except to get some sleep, if I had started it in the morning I would have read it in one day, which is what I would recommend if you have a day to spare, then grab a copy of this. It will not disappoint.

The characters are all believable, well written, relatable. With a brilliant plot that will keep the reader guessing throughout this is a well written psychological thriller. I look forward to seeing what Holly Seddon comes up with next.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #Orion publishers for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.

This took me a while to get into and once I’d finished I’m not sure if I enjoyed it. The characters were extremely naive and I found it difficult to believe that it would be that easy to happen in a real life situation. Some parts jumped around which confused me slightly and the plot was predictable.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

If IF you can forget that in 2022 ( probably ) all of us would stop to see if we could help or at least call for help if we suddenly saw a woman in a wedding dress crying and about to jump off a bridge from our car window BUT few if any of us would actually take the distressed lady home and let them wheedle their way into our lives overnight, then you are in for a great story, I struggled with the idea for a few chapters then threw caution to the wind as the writing was so pleasing and from then on in loved it.
Awful but great characters, superb descriptive writing, at times darkly comical almost farcical and yet a real insight into human beings and how magical a new ‘friendship’ can be ( even when based on a tale so tall you cant see over it )
The premise is silly, yet the story reader grabbing and electrifying and the writing beyond superb, the ending shiveringly callous and nasty…… it’s a difficult review to write but I would say give it a go and you might just enjoy it as much as I did in the end

8/10
4 Stars

Picture a reader staring at page after page without blinking, jaw slack and breath held and you’ll picture how I read The Woman on the Bridge. Initially I was uncertain if I’d engage with the narrative as I didn’t warm to Charlotte but within a few pages Holly Seddon drew me in with her fast paced, devious plotting so that not only was I totally engrossed, but The Woman on the Bridge held me captive and resentful of anyone interrupting my reading.

Intricately plotted, The Woman on the Bridge might need a willing suspension of disbelief at times, but I genuinely had no idea what the outcome might be. I found it a brilliant, twisting story that took me by surprise on several occasions. Reading The Woman on the Bridge is akin to being on the Waltzers at a fairground. Just when you think you know which way you’re headed in, you’re spun round in the opposite direction.

The characters in The Woman on the Bridge are all devious, unreliable and duplicitous and the irony is, the one I suspected most transpired to be the most innocent, but I can’t say more without plot spoilers.

I loved the manner in which so many women in this narrative are literally and metaphorically on the bridge. Obviously Charlotte finds Maggie on the bridge, but both women are on the bridge of a new phase in their lives, as are Anne and Pamela at different points. I loved, too, the intensity of relationship between Charlotte and Maggie because it adds a layer of depth and emotion that is so affecting.

Weave in themes of loyalty and betrayal, family and relationships, guilt and innocence to the compelling characters and breath taking pace and The Woman on the Bridge is an outstanding thriller that entertains so wonderfully.

I've never read anything by Holly Seddon before but she's clearly a talented writer. She describes scenes really well so that I could see in my mind's eye exactly what was happening, which is so important in such a frantic novel!

The premise for The Woman On The Bridge really interested me and I was intrigued to know more about both Charlotte and Maggie. Most of the chapters alternate between their viewpoint, which creates quite a fast paced story. It is clear that there is lots to unravel and I had no idea how the novel would end.

Towards the end, I did have to suspend my disbelief slightly but there were lots of twists to keep me on my toes!

This is a fast-paced, complicated story full of unlikeable characters.
Charlotte, the main character is faced with a barrage of issues and I found myself wanting to shake some sense into her. Maggie a complicated character, was a sad result of her childhood. The tightly woven plot is clever, founded on secrets, lies and consequences of life choices. The ending came fast and whilst I found sadly, the conclusion was not what I was hoping for, it was still an enjoyable read.

Charlotte is driving away from an angry situation. She comes across a woman in a wedding gown on a bridge attempting to jump.
Not only is charlotte able to talk Maggie down but she also wants so offer help so she welcomes her into her home.
And so the nightmare begins.

Fast paced with like time to breathe. Enjoyed this one and will look for other by this author

On the worst night of her life, in the middle of nowhere, lonely Charlotte Wilderwood saves a runaway bride from falling to her death. Soon Maggie is staying at her home safely hidden from the man she was so desperate to escape. The immediate bond between the women eclipses everything they've ever known and before long they will go to extreme lengths to protect each other. But is Maggie the best friend Charlotte has always dreamed about, or the nightmare she never saw coming....

This is a beautifully written story that's filled with shocking twists. I was quickly pulled into the storyline that' pace was steady throughout. The characters were interesting and relatable, but not everyone is quite what they seem. Most chapters end on a cliff hanger so you just have to keep reading to find out what had happened. The story is told from multiple perspectives. This is a descriptively and written book. about friendship, relationships, suspense and murder.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #OrionPublishingGroup and the author #HollySeddon for my ARC of #TheWomanOnTheBrudge in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read.

When Charlotte Wilderwood meets Maggie on a bridge she thinks she is attempting to kill herself. Charlotte talks her down and takes her home. Little does she know not is all as it seems.

Didn’t really enjoy this book, took a long time to get into and then the story was unbelievable and had some in likeable characters.