Sawyer has been battling cancer for years and is ready to move on and live a normal life. She spent her childhood in Louisiana, her family forced to leave after Katrina, and now she wants to go back, so she enrolled in LSU, where she meets her new neighbor, Banks. But Banks isn't jus Banks, he is Paxton, the boy she used to be best friends with before Katrina hit.
This is so much more than a romance. It's about heartbreak, illness, addiction and abuse. I would've liked to see the romance take more space in the story. I felt like the story was way too much disjointed and hard to follow and really get into. I've read many other amazing books by this author, but this one was not for me.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book…. Man. Love. Loss. Grief. Growth. Sawyer and Paxton had so much depth to their relationship. I don’t think this was strictly a romance as just beautiful fiction.

An Unforgettable, Emotional Journey.

This book was absolutely stunning—beautifully written, deeply emotional, and truly unforgettable. The story of Sawyer and Banks is one that lingers in your heart long after you close the book. Their journey from childhood friends to something more, set against the backdrop of loss, resilience, and self-discovery, is tattooed on my heart.

The emotions in this book are raw and real. Sawyer’s struggles, her determination to embrace life after everything she’s been through, and the aching connection between her and Banks made this story impossible to put down. The slow unraveling of their past and the weight of their secrets kept me completely invested, even if a bit frustrated because I just wanted all the information.

This is more than just a romance, if a romance at all—it's a story of healing, second chances, and the power of love to bring people back together. I loved every moment of it. Highly recommend!

This book wrecked my entire being. This is 6 stars and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ one of my top reads of the. I wish you well reading this book. I wish you healing.

I wanted to love this book. There were moments that pulled at my heart strings, but they were grossly overshadowed by the disjointed actions of the characters. By the time the final plot twist came, I just shook my head. This was my first book by B. Celeste, and I want to give her books another chance in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for this ARC.

Realistic Rating: 4.5⭐️

<I>”Life wasn’t perfect, but the days I spent in the shade eating fruit snacks under the tree with Sawyer the redheaded adventurer were close.”<I>

THIS BOOK IS SO SAD. I ALSO WANT TO SAY IT’S NOT A ROMANCE AS GOODREADS CATEGORIZES IT.

I received this book as an arc and honestly I barely read the blurb, I just knew B. Celeste is a very loved author and I wanted to apply for this arc and got lucky to receive it.

“Past the Broken Bridges” follows the story of Sawyer Hawkins and her childhood friend Paxton. Thirteen years ago, the two of them shared snacks and hung out on their favourite wooden bridge. When Hurricane Katrina hit town, Sawyer’s family headed north. Now in her early 20s and after a long battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Sawyer returns to Louisiana for university to live a normal college life and complete her “living life” list which includes; making friends, going to parties, and finding her favourite bridge.

Sawyer’s neighbour Banks becomes her friend and he tries to help her complete the list. NOT A SPOILER, but Sawyer eventually realizes that Banks is Paxton Banks, and he realizes that Sawyer is his friend from years ago.

Side note: <spoiler>DAWSON’S DEATH WAS SO UNEXPECTED FOR ME and SO PAINFUL. BUT ALSO SAWYER PULLING THE TRIGGER WAS ALSO UNEXPECTED FOR ME AND IT HURT SO MUCH.</spoiler>

This book is overall just a beautiful, yet heartbreaking love story and friendship development.

<u>Tropes:</u>
🌁 Found family
🌁 Heartbreak
🌁 Cancer patient
🌁 DUAL POV
🌁 College setting

<u>Characters:</u>

<b>Sawyer Hawkins</b> is the FMC and she is such a sweet, caring young girl, struggling with her long battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and dealing with the guilt of her family suffering because of her. Sawyer is so strong and it was wonderful to see her go to college and get to experience that school life since she became homeschooled in high school after being diagnosed with cancer.

<b>Paxton Banks</b> is the MMC and he is also a caring and sweet character. He is always putting others first, before himself and all he ever wants to do is try to impress his father who treats him poorly.

Pros:
- When the readers find out that Banks is Paxton before Sawyer realizes
- DUAL POV
- Whenever Banks calls Sawyer “Birdie”
- Sawyer’s supportive family

Cons:
- The ending

<b>・₊✧ Quotes ・₊✧</b>

<blockquote><I>”Why do you call me Birdie instead of my name?”
It feels like it goes beyond the shorts he saw m in, even though he clearly liked them based on how long his eyes locked with them the first night.
“It’s fitting. You’re adventurous, even if I didn’t know it the first time we met. You’re unafraid, which not a lot of people can say they are. Hell, I’m not. You moved from New York on a whim to experience new things. I admire that about you. Birds learn how to fly by jumping out of the nest not knowing if they’ll make it—not knowing where the flight will take them. Seems like you.”</blockquote></I>

<I>”But Banks is the type of boy girls fall for.” - Sawyer<I>

<blockquote><I>”My biggest risk was coming here. Leaving my family behind. And you know what I discovered?”
He stares at me.
“You.”
His jaw ticks.
“Dixie.”
He swallows again.
“Dawson,” I whisper.
His eyes close.
“I discovered what it’s like to be part of something outside me,” I tell him, hugging my legs to my chest. “I learned what it’s like to have friends. To have…more.”</blockquote></I>

Past the Broken Bridges by B. Celeste is a poignant tale of love, loss, and resilience. The story follows Sawyer Hawkins, a 21-year-old college student returning to Louisiana after battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Eager to reclaim her life, she reconnects with her childhood friend, Paxton Banks, whom she lost touch with after Hurricane Katrina. As they navigate their rekindled friendship, both must confront past traumas and present challenges, learning that healing often requires confronting the very things they’ve tried to forget.

Celeste masterfully crafts relatable characters, making their struggles and triumphs deeply personal. The narrative delves into heavy themes, reflecting the author’s commitment to portraying raw and real emotions. Readers have praised the book for its emotional depth, with one noting it as a “phenomenal tale of friendship, romance, resiliency, and sacrifice.”  However, due to its intense subject matter, potential readers should be aware of the emotional journey they are about to undertake.

In summary, Past the Broken Bridges offers a heart-wrenching yet hopeful exploration of life’s unpredictability, the enduring power of love, and the strength found in second chances.

THIS is the type of story I totally associate with B. Celeste. She brought it and it hit me in all the feels. I haven't ugly cried in a long time and I didn't realize how much I needed it. Despite knowing (or thinking you know because I didn't really see that ending - pre epilogue - coming) what is happening and how it will end, the story grabbed me by the throat and held on for dear life. Are the characters all loving and perfect? Not even close because they are human and humans can be selfish and unforgiving. But there was also so much love - that of a parent and child, that of a friend, that of a person who could be more. This was so reminiscent of Under the Sycamore Tree for me (and the reason I started reading this author) and I loved every minute of it. And yes, it is NOT a romance but it IS a great love story.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:
💙forced proximity
💚emotional
💙chronic illness Rep
💚friends to lovers
💙college romance
💚addiction
💙grief
💚dual pov

B Celeste has delivered. This is not gonna be your typical romance. She has delivered a story that is going to hurt your heart and if you have never read her books... well prepare your heart and have the tissues handy.

Sawyer was originally from Louisiana, but her family was forced to leave after Katrina. This in turn made her lose contact with the childhood boy she befriended.

Fast forward

Sawyer is now a 21 year old attending LSU. She's been working on her living list, things she wants to do before she runs out of time. Banks is the neighbor, who is kinda a nerd. But Banks deserves a better family and cards that he's been dealt.

While there is a light romance this story is just so much more. It deals with a lot of tough topics so please read the TW. These characters felt raw and dealt with some real issues and how they affected them and how the story was about having to make choices in love and life.

If you're a fan of under the sycamore tree by her you won't wanna miss this one

oh this book had my heart. from the very beginning i was in and emotionally involved and invested. it reminded me of my teenage self a one of my teenage films of a similar storyline. but i new how that film ended. and when i thought this was going to go the same way it had me in preemptive unshed tears all over again.
the character were written with such tender depth. they were so grown up but so young all at once. there backstories were all you could think about as you read more and more and more. and how even going through all they had they still carried so much. and yet still managed between them to see hope. to feel hope. and were just so woven together i just needed these two to be each others little nugget of sunshine in all theyd been through and still going through.
Banks and Sawyer both had their pasts. and both had their present to contend with. Sawyer was shining light of inspiration. and Banks i just wanted him to heal.
not a moment in this book leaves you emotional ok! i joke( kind of). but it was just a beautiful read. and i didnt expect it to hit me like it did. particularly when i read it was a new adult read. but it had everything. everything youd want from picking up this book and diving in. and i was definitely fangirling this author afterwards.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
This book made me cry. Past the Broken Bridges by B. Celeste is an emotionally charged and poignant romance novel that explores themes of healing, forgiveness, and personal growth. The story follows two characters, each dealing with their own pasts, as they navigate the complexities of love and loss. B. Celeste’s writing is heartfelt, drawing readers into the characters’ emotional journeys. The book beautifully portrays the ups and downs of relationships while highlighting the importance of self-discovery. With its relatable characters and compelling narrative, Past the Broken Bridges is a touching read for fans of contemporary romance.

This is a heartbreaking story that I don’t think I was prepared for. Sawyer has battled cancer the last five years. Now she wants to go to college and be normal. Banks is attending the college that his father teaches at. When Banks and his friend Dawson see Sawyer moving in Dawson shows his interest in her. Banks isnt going to let a girl get between them, so he tries to avoid Sawyer. Who happens to be his new neighbor. Despite obstacles they slowly become friends. And the attraction between them grows. But they both have skeletons that they are hiding from each other. This is an emotional heartbreaking story. Be sure to have your tissue ready.

If you are a fan of Nichols Sparks or Hannah Bonam-Young this heartberkaing and beautifully written story of self discovery and love is for you!

HUGE shoutout to NetGalley, B. Celeste and My favorites at Bloom Books for the eARC! It was an absolute honor to read this!

What to Expect:
⭐ Childhood Friends to lovers
⭐ Neighbors to lovers
⭐ Second chance love
⭐ College Romance
⭐ You will need tissues
⭐ Very Walk To Remember Vibes

TW:
⭐ Physical Abuse from a parent
⭐ Cancer + illness
⭐ Discussion of drug use and overdose
⭐ Mental Health struggles

My Thoughts:

WOW.... I am crying as I write this review because this book moved me so deeply. This story is heartbreaking, moving and beautiful all at once. If ONLY we all looked at life as Sawyer.... She is written so beautifully. Who she is personally, the depth of her character and all she carries with her through this story.

This story had me reminiscing on my long love of "A Walk To Remember" and how there is just so much depth in the main characters as well as the secondary. They both share this genuinely deep connection the main characters have and their journeys of falling in love. This has some darkness but you truly see how much light Sawyers character brings to the whole story.

I will say this is a romance but behind that the story is truly about the journey of a young woman finding herself in a new apartment, in a new stage of life, trying to live it all to the MOST! Her journey is heartbreaking and delightful! Her growth and the adventure she takes a long the way is what I hope ALL young women get to enjoy before life gets too serious!


Synopsis:
"When you find things that you love, it's not always easy letting them go, because they become a part of you."

Thirteen years ago, Sawyer Hawkins and her childhood friend Paxton shared secrets and snacks at their favorite wooden footbridge…until Hurricane Katrina forced Sawyer's family to head north. But after the long battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that kept her away, twenty-one-year-old Sawyer is finally heading back to Louisiana for university.

Now with a new lease on life, Sawyer wants to be a normal college girl. Check items off her list—make friends, go to parties, fall in love, and find her favorite bridge again. Even if Paxton is no longer there.

And her mysterious, gorgeous neighbor Banks might just be able to help her with that list.

But as their friendship grows, so do the secrets between them. Sawyer's future is more complicated than she lets on, and there's a reason Banks doesn't talk about his home life. The closer they get to one another, the more their bruised hearts are in danger of falling—or breaking. And when Sawyer learns Banks is Paxton Banks, and Banks realizes she's the same Sawyer from long ago, they'll find that while their footbridge may still be standing, it's up to them to cross the distance to each other.

Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebook Bloom Books and B. Celeste for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There was a point I took a break from the book because I knew where it was going and I just didn’t want it to. Tears were shed. A few times.

This book is about grief, cancer, abuse, addiction, friendship and family. There are lots of sweet moments and some ugly ones as well.

Sawyer and Banks had flaws, trauma and insecurities and were doing what they could to get through and involve others in their struggles.

I’m a romance reader so I love a typical HEA but I was satisfied with how this ended although I wouldn’t consider it a traditional romance.

Thank you to B. Celeste, Bloom Books, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of Past the Broken Bridges in exchange for my honest review.

Past the Broken Bridges is a love story to life itself. I would not consider it a romance novel, but rather, a love story. A love story to life, to friends, and to those who you might have deeply loved if you had the chance. This is a book where you absolutely must look up trigger warnings as there are several potential triggers that are not always prominent in a "romance" book (again not really a romance but a love story). This is a sad book, let me be clear I was crying at many different points. Throughout the book I was enwrapped in Sawyer's story as she tried to live her life to the fullest while she still could. I could feel Sawyer's joy, her sorrow, her grief, and her frustration. I could also feel Bank's joy, grief, pain, and anger. His desire to change but not wanting to disappoint or let down those he loves. You can see Banks really develop as a person throughout the book as he realizes that he deserves more because he has the ability to continue to live life. This is an outstanding book and I don't want to say to much because I think people should really go in not knowing much. While this book is devastating at points, it really is a love story to life. It's motivational in many ways because it reminded me how fragile life is and that you never know what is going to happen so you need to life you life to the fullest while you can, and live without regrets.

What a beautiful story. I felt so many emotions while reading this book. This is my first read by B. Celeste but now I want to read everything. Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc.

5⭐️ 1🌶️

Heartache? Anxiety? Sitting here, days later, staring into the abyss and pondering the fragility of life? Yes, yes, and yes. Past the Broken Bridges may not be a romance novel but it’s a love story worth reading and a heartache worth crying over. This will be living rent free in my head for the foreseeable future.

I love a second chance romance and this childhood friends to lovers spin was so heartwarming and gut wrenching at the same time. The beautiful tangle of safety, secrets, loss, and hope between Sawyer and Paxton spoke to my soul and I could not get enough.

B. Celeste is a new to me author but this certainly won’t be my last read and I’ll be heading straight toward Underneath the Sycamore Tree asap because I think I’ve found a new sad girl favorite.

This book will strip your emotions and knit them slowly back together.

Reminiscent of "Underneath the Sycamore Tree", the 'skeletons' in both ' Sawyer and Banks' pasts are ones that have never been left behind. Their journey back to each other unearths them.

Where this author's talent lies is in evoking strong emotions in her readers to the point you forgot that they are fictional characters, not real ones. Dawson was irritating but also necessary. Sawyer’s determination to live on her own terms was inspiring. Paxton’s misguided loyalty was heart wrenching.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books | Bloom Books, in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley & B. Celeste for letting me read an ARC of this beautiful book!

“Somebody told me recently that we all have skeletons in our closets. I guess we just have to decide if those skeletons are worth sacrificing the people in our lives for.”

This book made me bawl my eyes out! It was written so beautifully and made me fall in love with Sawyer, Paxton & Dixie! Seeing how these characters came together. Especially at the end

B. Celeste's Past the Broken Bridges tells a moving story of love, resilience, and second chances. It follows Sawyer and Paxton, childhood friends separated by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Their bond, once so strong, is fractured as life pulls them in different directions.

Years later, Sawyer returns to Louisiana to attend college after surviving Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. As they navigate their shared past and present struggles, the story delves into themes of healing, forgiveness, and rediscovering lost connections. Their journey highlights the strength required to rebuild not just relationships, but oneself, in the aftermath of life's challenges.

The novel beautifully illustrates how bonds, even when tested, can mend and grow stronger in the face of adversity.

This is definitely a book you do not want to miss, as it seamlessly blends heartfelt emotions with a richly layered narrative that stays with you long after the final page. From the beautifully written characters of Sawyer and Paxton to the vivid and atmospheric setting of Louisiana, every aspect of this story captivates and pulls you in. B. Celeste's storytelling is an emotional journey—a testament to resilience, love, and the courage to rebuild after loss. Whether you're drawn to tales of personal growth, powerful relationships, or the healing power of hope, Past the Broken Bridges is a story that promises to leave an unforgettable mark on your heart and soul.

4 Stars

I liked this! I didn’t love it, but it was still really good. If there is one thing about a B. Celeste book is she is going to masterfully handle tough subjects, while weaving a beautiful romance throughout her books, and this book was no different.