A Bridge Across the Ocean
Susan Meissner


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A trio of young women figure out just what it means to let go of what lies behind and anticipate what lies ahead in A Bridge Across the Ocean, a tale of love, death and new beginnings. The story enthralled me so much that immediately upon finishing it I went to the computer to check the author’s backlist and was delighted to find she had written several other novels. There’s nothing quite like that feeling of having finished a good book and knowing that several more await you in the days to come.

World War II is over but its effects – both good and bad – linger. For French resistance fighter Simone Deveraux the end of the fighting means a new shot at life. Boarding a ship taking her from England to the American husband eagerly awaiting her in New York, she feels a stirring of hope for the first time in years. She longs for a fresh beginning away from the horrors that befell her during the last year of the war as the angry, desperate Germans took everything she held dear away from her. But her excitement about the journey changes to trepidation and then anger as the young woman with whom she shares a cabin greets her with a strong German accent that reminds Simone of the enemy she longed to leave behind.

Annaliese Lange is desperate to escape. Her budding career in ballet had been cut ruthlessly short when a well-connected Nazi officer fell in love with her while watching her perform in Sleeping Beauty. Frightened of repercussions if she said no and overwhelmed with his obsession, she soon finds herself the bride of a cruel, dictatorial monster. The allied invasion of Germany provides the perfect cover for her to make her escape and a series of unfortunate events gives her the opportunity to board the Queen Mary impersonating a war bride. If she can just survive the five day journey without discovery, she will finally have the freedom and safety she craves. However, her distinctive German accent has her fellow passengers eyeing her with suspicion and dread.

No good deed ever goes unpunished. Decades after Simone and Annaliese make their journey, ghost whisperer Brette Caslake visits the Queen Mary at the request of a desperate acquaintance. Brette’s friend has a young daughter who is convinced her recently deceased mother is haunting the ship. However, it is not the mother’s ghost who makes contact with Brette but the spectre of a young war bride who committed suicide just before the ship docked in America back in February of 1946. Brette’s determination to figure out what drove the young woman to such a shocking decision and help her spirit find rest will lead her on a course that will ultimately put a strain on her supernatural powers and her mortal relationships.

While the book gets off to a slow and mildly confusing start, the story takes off by the quarter point and really grabs the reader’s attention. Simone, Annaliese and Brette are all fascinating women who manage to be a surprising mix of ordinary, relatable and exceptional and I found myself liking and rooting for all of them. Each rises to meet the circumstances they are forced to deal with and overcomes tremendous odds not because they are superwomen but because they contain great strength of character. This shared depth makes our heroines seem almost like three sides of the same triangle – they have unique characteristics but the connecting thread of their stories is that inner fire, that drive to survive and excel.

I got caught up in the mystery portion of the tale as well. What exactly had happened on the Queen Mary? Who had done what to whom? Those questions began to consume me and while the big reveal of ghost’s identity contained a bit of a cheesiness factor, overall I was really pleased with how the puzzle was handled. I was also pleased that the stories mostly ended on very positive notes. I don’t want to give away what happens but the book has a happy ending overall.

Combining past and present, mystery and romance A Bridge Across the Ocean is composed of all the elements I love most in a book. The author’s excellent writing and world building make it a complete treat to read and the story is a wonderful tribute to the resilience of women everywhere. The slow start keeps it from being a DIK but the tale redeems itself many times over before it is done. I am happy to give it a whole hearted recommendation.

This is a wonderful heartwarming book about three women. The author has finely crafted the three stories weaving them together between WWII and present day. This is a outstanding depiction of life for young women in WWII and how the war changed the landscape of their lives. I was mesmerized how well crafted the stories are as they intertwine for the reader. It truly captures the sacrifice and hope for the future after the war., the losses and the feel of the country.
The author has a charming writing style that enthralled this reader from page one. You feel as if your in the time and living their experiences. I loved this book and highly recommend it for your reading delight.

When I started reading A Bridge Across the Ocean I really wanted to love it. When I read the first few pages, I thought I was going to hate it. But the more I read, the more I loved it, and eventually couldn't put it down. It's a truly captivating novel that will always keep you guessing. Even though you see the story from nearly every point of view, you still can't quite be sure you know what's going on, and when you think you've figured it out, you're wrong!

When I first started reading and reviewing books several years ago, Meissner's Girl in the Glass was one of my first ones. It was a very compelling story, but it left me feeling disappointed for reasons I won't go into here. Because of that, I wouldn't read any more of her books for a long time. I recently saw a rave review of another of her novels, and decided maybe I was missing out on something, so I decided to try another one. When A Bridge Across the Ocean opened with Brette seeing a ghost at a baby shower, I very nearly gave it up. I kept going a little longer, and I am so glad I did! This is easily one of my favorite books I've read so far this year. Once I got past the women who saw ghosts, I found a wonderful historical novel about World War II, which is my favorite period for fiction!

Ms. Meissner seamlessly weaves together multiples stores, told in bits and pieces, going backwards and forwards in time. Brette Caslake is a woman living in modern-day Los Angeles. She has an ability that she doesn't share with many people. She can see souls who have died who drift between this world and the next. (Side note: As a Christian I believe that every soul leaves their body when they die and goes to Heaven or Hell. I don't believe they "drift" so I don't believe anyone who claims they see them or speak to them. However, since is this a fictional story, I didn't let that keep me form enjoying it.) She has long tried to ignore her gift, but an encounter with a drifter on board the ship RMS Queen Mary has her rethinking that strategy. Brette discovers that the ship was used to bring war brides home from Europe after World War II. Annalise Lange traveled on the Queen Mary under an assumed name, desperate to escape a cruel husband and start over. Simone Deveraux escaped France with nothing but her life, expecting a child with her new American husband. How there stories are related, and how they are intertwined with Brette's discoveries, isn't clear for a very long time, but when you start to realize what happened, you won't want to put this book down for a second! I was so surprised by the conclusion, and in a good way! I loved reading about these two women--and so many more besides--who were so brave during such hard times.

I found out that I was right. I have been missing out on some great books over the years while I avoided Susan Meissner. I will warn you that, while this book is pretty clean, and does make references to God and using the gifts He gives us, it's not a Christian book. I thought that the lessons, though, went far beyond just reading about some war brides. There were some very thought-provoking scenes, especially during Brette's conversation with her mother about having children. I actually finished reading this book on International Women's Day, which I thought was very appropriate, as it was a portrait of strong women, who overcame unspeakable horrors, and made new lives for themselves. No woman should be celebrated more than them.



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A Bridge Across the Ocean, Susan Meissner, Berkeley/Penguin Random House Publishing, Kindle Edition
Note: I was privileged to have the opportunity read this book through NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review of the book.
A Bridge Across the Ocean is told in two alternating time periods – a style I particularly like. The present day (which we will assume is current to now) and then alternates with time starting in Chapter 3 in France in 1944, in the middle of World War II.
When I first started reading the book, I had no idea how the author would bridge the two times together. The connection was really brilliant. The primary present day character, Brette, is gifted with the ability to see ghosts. Ghosts, or drifters, as they are called in the book, who linger in the thin place between death and where the soul goes after death. She can hear them and see them and they her. Brette has struggled with this “gift”, fearing it more than embracing it; but finalize realizes she can use it to be helpful.
In the historic chapters, there are several primary characters – Simone, Phoebe, AnnaLiese and Katrina. All of their lives become intertwined as a result of the war. Without revealing all of their fates and creating a spoiler; the way the present day merges with the past through Brette’s abilities and her learning of their stories is well done.
You feel the angst for Simone, who lost so much at the hands of the German soldiers but ultimately found purpose, new life and love. She will surprise the reader with her strength and ultimate loyalty. Phoebe, we meet later and she is not central to the earlier chapters, but her important role on the Queen Mary is essential to the story. AnnaLiese and Katrina, childhood friends who were as close as sisters, depended on one another in the most difficult of times. AnnaLiese was a very brave young woman who risked everything to save herself.
What I liked best about this book: The interesting twist that came with Brette’s paranormal psychic abilities and how it impacted the storyline. Great way to link the past and present.
What I didn’t like: Not much really – I thoroughly enjoyed it, looked forward to getting back to it. The “mother” metaphor was a little stretch for me, but the rest I loved.

The Bridge Across the Ocean by Susan Meissner is an interesting novel with a gorgeous cover. It was well researched and clearly shows Ms. Meissner's unique style of writing. While this book is interesting and very well written, the subject matter that the book was based on kept me thinking "Ghost Whisperer" throughout the whole story.

Don't get me wrong, this is a good book and very interesting but for some reason, the ghostly subject matter for the main theme of the book just didn't float my boat (forgive the poorly chosen pun). Maybe I just wasn't in the right space to fully enjoy all that The Bridge Across the Ocean has to offer.

I'm rating this book 3.5 Stars as it is my own personal preferences that affected this review. Read this book and make your own impressions; Ms. Meissner really is a wonderful author.

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Berkley Publishing, Ms. Meissner and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

There are three narratives in play in this book. The first is Brette Caslake, a woman living in modern-day San Diego. Brette can see and talk with ghosts, though she has been trying to supress this aspect of herself since she was a little girl. The second is Simone Deveraux, a French Resistance fighter. The third is Annaliese Lange,a former ballerina fleeing from her Nazi husband.

Simone and Annaliese are thrown together on the RMS Queen Mary as it steams across the Atlantic in 1946 to reunite European war brides with their American husbands. But the secrets both women must keep simmer under the surface, and only one woman will get off the ship in New York. Meanwhile in the present day, Brette is investigating the Queen Mary as a favor to an old friend. She encounters a spirit on the ship which points her towards the half-century-old mystery . . .

I’m of two minds regarding this book. The stories of Simone and Annaliese are very well done. Each woman is given a unique voice, and their histories are compelling; the mystery surrounding their fatal voyage is engaging. You wind up caring deeply about the fate of both these women.

In contrast, Brette’s modern day storyline feels flat and tacked on. Her story feels like it exists solely as a tool to push the 1940s narrative along, and even then it feels unnecessary; Simone and Annaliese’s story could have been told entirely without the present-day narrative. The idea of a woman who can speak with ghosts is intriguing, but the end result here is unsatisfying. Brette allows herself to be bullied into investigating the haunted ship, all the while dealing with a husband who may or may not think she’s insane, but is trying to push her into having children anyway. Brette’s fears about motherhood, and passing on her unwanted ability onto her children are summarily brushed aside by her husband, and his acceptance (or lack thereof) of her abilities are never really resolved. I found the entire thing to be aggravating, and I found myself flipping past the chapters which featured Brette in favor of finding out what happened to the women in 1946.

In all, this is not a bad book, but I can’t help feel that the modern day narrative detracts from the overall story. Still, the book is worth checking out for Simone and Annaliese’s stories, and other readers may not find Brette’s storyline so off-putting.

An advance ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. A Bridge Across the Ocean will be available for purchase on March 7th, 2017.

Present Day

Brette Caslake, 34, is attending a friend’s baby shower when she senses a ghost. She has the ability to see ghosts but tries to ignore them. However, the soul is persistent. As she leaves the shower with her mother, she tries to reassure her mother that she does not fear the ghosts. Brett inherited the Sight through her mother although her mother does have have it. Only random female members of the family have inherited the ability through the generations. Brette has told very few people about her ability as she was instructed by her aunt many years ago. Her husband knows about it and tries to understand. He wants them to start a family but Brette is reluctant because she fears they will have a daughter who may be burdened with the Sight.

1940’s - Europe

Annaliese is a Belgian girl who grew up loving ballet. Along with her friend, Katrine, they spent many hours at ballet class. When WWII came along, a German Nazi official fell in love with Annaliese's dancing and immediately married her. She feared the man but he acted very smooth with her parents. But life with him was terrible. She was a prisoner in her home. She was not allowed to leave unless it was with him and she learned quickly to never tell him “no” or she would be beaten. All she wanted to do was to escape him.

Simone is a French girl who was raped by a member of the Gestapo. She enacted her revenge on him and went on the run. She was friended by some members of Resistance and there she met an injured American also being cared for. After some time together, they fell in love.

Phoebe is an young English woman who met and married an American soldier. She has a son and is heading on the ship The Queen Mary to the U.S. to meet her husband. The ship is called the Bride ship as it is filled with brides heading to their new lives in the U.S. Everyone is so thankful that the war is over.

Phoebe and Simone are looking forward to seeing their American husbands again. Annaliese, posing as her friend, Katrine, joins them in their room. She tells them she is heading to meet her husband too.

What happened to Katrine and why has Annaliese taken her identity? How will Brette come to terms with her ability? Can it help or hinder her?

I have tried to give a brief overview of this book without giving away too many details. I found this story to be absolutely fascinating. The author had to have done an enormous amount of research to bring this plot together like she has. One usually thinks of ghosts with fear, but after reading this book, I had a lot of questions answered which takes away any fear of ghosts. I highly recommend this book and hope that readers will delve into this magnificent story.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Told in three voices, A Bridge Across the Ocean is a novel that truly surprised me. ..as in, this very well could be a top contender for a top read of the year. Yeah. It was THAT good.

Annaliese grew up with a love of dance. That love, however, soon caught the eye of a Nazi officer. Forced into a marriage she never wanted, Annaliese dreams of escaping, running back to her beloved best friend, and never returning to the horrible, abusive man that is her husband. Simone’s papa and brother were part of the French Resistance before being brutally gunned down in the middle of the street while Simone watched. While fleeing, Simone does something that immediately has the Gestapo tracking her down. Her father always told her of a place where she would be safe – will she be able to make it there in time? Brette comes from a long line of women born with an otherworldly ability, an ability to see spirits (Brette calls them Drifters). Though she has always tried her best to ignore these ghosts, a high school acquaintance calls out of the blue one day desperately needing her help and pulls Brette into a mystery she can’t shake.

A Bridge Across the Ocean stretches from World War II to the present day as it follows each of these women and I was immediately hooked. There are thousands of war brides travelling across the Atlantic on their way to their soldier husbands back in America…and one of those women is carrying a terrible secret. To the reader it’s known from the very beginning, but watching it play out over the course of the book was captivating. The famous Queen Mary ties the past and present together and its even more famous ghosts lie at the very heart of the story.

Brette’s high school friend who needed help? His wife recently passed and his little girl insists she saw her mother on the ship. Inconsolable and refusing to believe otherwise, she demands they keep returning to the ship, to her mother, and Trevor hopes Brette can say for certain his wife’s spirit is not there. Begrudgingly Brette accepts, but the moment she steps foot onto the Queen Mary, she’s instantly embroiled in a mystery that had me flipping the pages. Could it be possible the war bride who is said to have committed suicide didn’t? Could she have been pushed? Oh, I was SO there.

I will say there was a twist that was revealed that, while I understand why it played out the way it did, in my mind I had imagined something far different and – for a time – was disappointed the book didn’t go that direction. However, looking back, I realize there was no other way it could have possibly gone; Meissner knew exactly what she was doing and the book proves it.

The entire time I was reading, A Bridge Across the Ocean was firmly planted in the really good, 4.5 stars category. It wasn’t until the end when another reveal happened – this one involving a spirit – that I was floored and instantly knew this book was something truly special. One tiny a-ha moment of Brette’s and a subsequent chapter from the spirit’s perspective completely took this book to a new level for me, though I have a feeling this reveal will either make or break the novel for readers. Either you’ll love it just as I did, or you’ll find it so outlandish that the book is ruined. I’m hoping it’s the former, because I thought it was excellent and tied everything together beautifully – AND reminded me of some of my favorite novels, so!

A Bridge Across the Ocean was a total surprise. I went in expecting a fun WWII/present day back-and-forth and got that and so much more. Please don’t let the supernatural element turn you off – not for a second does this ever stray into Sookie Stackhouse or Patricia Briggs territory. I’m slightly appalled that this is my first time reading Meissner’s work but am absolutely delighted to have found such a fantastic author to devour! Luckily for me, she has quite a hefty backlist and looking at 2015’s Secrets of a Charmed Life it looks as though her publisher found its groove with her covers and I’m positive her next release will also feature a similar design (I like it!). I highly, highly recommend this one – I was enchanted, I gasped, I laughed, I even teared up at the end, and – best of all – it caused me to spend an entire night reading up on war brides. I’m the kind of reader that loves to go off and do my own research on whatever interesting and intriguing topic I’m reading and A Bridge Across the Ocean had that in spades.

A trio of young women figure out just what it means to let go of what lies behind and anticipate what lies ahead in A Bridge Across the Ocean, a tale of love, death and new beginnings. The story enthralled me so much that immediately upon finishing it I went to the computer to check the author’s backlist and was delighted to find she had written several other novels. There’s nothing quite like that feeling of having finished a good book and knowing that several more await you in the days to come.

World War II is over but its effects – both good and bad – linger. For French resistance fighter Simone Deveraux the end of the fighting means a new shot at life. Boarding a ship taking her from England to the American husband eagerly awaiting her in New York, she feels a stirring of hope for the first time in years. She longs for a fresh beginning away from the horrors that befell her during the last year of the war as the angry, desperate Germans took everything she held dear away from her. But her excitement about the journey changes to trepidation and then anger as the young woman with whom she shares a cabin greets her with a strong German accent that reminds Simone of the enemy she longed to leave behind.

Annaliese Lange is desperate to escape. Her budding career in ballet had been cut ruthlessly short when a well-connected Nazi officer fell in love with her while watching her perform in Sleeping Beauty. Frightened of repercussions if she said no and overwhelmed with his obsession, she soon finds herself the bride of a cruel, dictatorial monster. The allied invasion of Germany provides the perfect cover for her to make her escape and a series of unfortunate events gives her the opportunity to board the Queen Mary impersonating a war bride. If she can just survive the five day journey without discovery, she will finally have the freedom and safety she craves. However, her distinctive German accent has her fellow passengers eyeing her with suspicion and dread.

No good deed ever goes unpunished. Decades after Simone and Annaliese make their journey, ghost whisperer Brette Caslake visits the Queen Mary at the request of a desperate acquaintance. Brette’s friend has a young daughter who is convinced her recently deceased mother is haunting the ship. However, it is not the mother’s ghost who makes contact with Brette but the spectre of a young war bride who committed suicide just before the ship docked in America back in February of 1946. Brette’s determination to figure out what drove the young woman to such a shocking decision and help her spirit find rest will lead her on a course that will ultimately put a strain on her supernatural powers and her mortal relationships.

While the book gets off to a slow and mildly confusing start, the story takes off by the quarter point and really grabs the reader’s attention. Simone, Annaliese and Brette are all fascinating women who manage to be a surprising mix of ordinary, relatable and exceptional and I found myself liking and rooting for all of them. Each rises to meet the circumstances they are forced to deal with and overcomes tremendous odds not because they are superwomen but because they contain great strength of character. This shared depth makes our heroines seem almost like three sides of the same triangle – they have unique characteristics but the connecting thread of their stories is that inner fire, that drive to survive and excel.

I got caught up in the mystery portion of the tale as well. What exactly had happened on the Queen Mary? Who had done what to whom? Those questions began to consume me and while the big reveal of ghost’s identity contained a bit of a cheesiness factor, overall I was really pleased with how the puzzle was handled. I was also pleased that the stories mostly ended on very positive notes. I don’t want to give away what happens but the book has a happy ending overall.

Combining past and present, mystery and romance A Bridge Across the Ocean is composed of all the elements I love most in a book. The author’s excellent writing and world building make it a complete treat to read and the story is a wonderful tribute to the resilience of women everywhere. The slow start keeps it from being a DIK but the tale redeems itself many times over before it is done. I am happy to give it a wholehearted recommendation.

Wonderful! Couldn't put it down. Great book club selection.

The descriptive blurb for this book is what got me going with this book but it was the author’s unique writing style that made it all come together!

The beginning chapters can be a little confusing so I would recommend setting aside a good amount of time to get into the characters and the flow of the book. We are introduced to several women who endured terrible hardships, emotional and physical, as a result of the Nazi’s occupation in France.

Simone Robinson fled her home after seeing her father and brother killed by the Gestapo and found shelter in the cellar of a vineyard. Her father had told her the name and address of the place she should go if anything were to happen to them. Until the few days before the unthinkable happens Simone wasn’t really aware that they were part of the Resistance. While in shelter she comes to care for an American pilot shot down while photographing the topography of the area for the incoming Allied troops. She eventually grows to love and marry him and they make plans for their reconnection in the US when the war is over.

Annaliese is a young German girl forced to marry a sadistic Nazi when her parents feel there is no other option. She tries to comply with whatever he wants but she is still badly abused by her husband. She finally makes her escape because an accident claims the life of her best friend who was already documented to leave the country and sail to the US on the Queen Mary. At that time the ocean liner was being called the ship of brides because it was taking many war brides to be united with their husbands. The book stated there were as many as 20,000 that traveled to the US and England during it’s many voyages.

The third major character in the book is Brette Caslake who has the gift of being able to sense and sometimes hear and see “ghosts”. She has been trying to deal with her “gift” since she was very young and has recently been contacted by an old high school friend who is asking for her help. The friend’s wife has died and his young daughter is sure that she felt the presence of her mother on the Queen Mary when they were touring the boat. Brette has been denying her gift for so long that she isn’t sure that she wants to get involved but eventually she is persuaded.

The novel takes a while to get going but by the end of the first third I had a good idea of what was going on and was enjoying the read.

I’ve read many WWII books but this one was unique with the added mystery of what is going on with the spirits on the ship and exactly how everyone is connected to each other. The connection with the present day story of Brette and the idea of the Queen Mary itself as a character is what made the book interesting to me.

(will post to Amazon upon publication)

Susan Meissner excels at creating two stories into one and she has done it again in A Bridge Across the Ocean. Her modern day character, Brette, seeks, against her famille’s wishes the truth behind the unique, ultra-sense both she and an aunt share. In her quest, she uncovers a hidden secret on the RMS Queen Mary that transported European war brides to the New York harbor. That mystery begins with a chilling and mesmerizing account of two women in the midst of World War II.
I had a hard time putting this book down until I completed it.

I received a copy of A Bridge Across the Ocean from NetGalley for my honest review which I have given.

Europe in the 1940s and 3 women in different countries are struggling to survive. Flash forward to the United States and a woman struggling to live with her ability to see ghosts, or as she calls them “Drifters.” Add in the spirit of the ship the Queen Mary and you have this book. The story of the European woman was interesting and engaging but I was a bit put off by the drifters and the present day story.

This book of Susan's reminded me a lot of her book A Sound Among the Trees, it had the same kind of poignant feeling.
Susan isn't afraid to go against the norm and write a book with a ghost in it. Her research is impeccable and realistic. The story shows that it is okay to be different. An enjoyable read from beginning to end.
Recommended

Ever since I read Secrets of a Charmed Life Susan Meissner has been a must read author for me. I was immediately drawn into the lives of Brette, Simone, and Annaleise from page one of A Bridge Across the Ocean. I loved the way the chapters alternated between their stories and how the common thread between the three of them was slowly revealed. I did not want to put this book down; it kept me reading when I should have been doing other things (like cooking my kids dinner, ha!). I love a story like this, one that shows the resilience of women and all that they can achieve when they work together.

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

My eye was drawn to the cover of this one, so I read the synopsis and was pulled in immediately! One thing that this the synopsis did not mention was that this is a story involving ghosts. I’m pretty sure had I known that I would not have been so quick to pick it up. Stories involving the supernatural do not always work for me. I’m glad this wasn’t mentioned because I’m happy to say this one worked very well for me!

The story centers around three war brides who are traveling to the US after WWII to rejoin their American husbands, and Brette Caslake, a contemporary young woman who has inherited ‘the sight’ and struggles with her unusual ability. The story is told from different viewpoints, alternating between current day and the wartime experiences of two of the war brides. I found the background story of these women to be the most interesting part of the story, but I also enjoyed the mystery of what happened to the woman who did not get off the ship.

While I found the realistic events of the war years most interesting, I also enjoyed the current day ghost story much more than I expected I might when I found out ghosts were involved.. I often struggle with stories about the supernatural because I get distracted as I read and I try to figure how events could have happened. The ghost story in this book was so well written that I didn’t even stop to think about whether or not this was realistic! My only complaint about the story is that I felt like it ended a little abruptly. Whether or not you are normally a reader of supernatural fiction, I think you will enjoy this one!

The book comes with a ‘conversation guide’ but this was not present in my ARC. You can visit the author’s website or Facebook page to learn more.

I use to be a huge fan of this authors books but they last few books have failed to engage me as the characters were not as endearing and the story line seemed to drag. This one had the added element of ghost which I was not crazy about, it just made it a bit odd. Overall it fell short of what I expected from this author and I am deeply disappointed.

I enjoyed this title very much. Interesting characters, good story line with a great twist.

Susan Meissner has a beautiful style of storytelling. I simply adore her use of dual timelines. Her books are set in such unique settings that are gripping and engaging. However, this particular book wasn't for me. I will tell you upfront that I was unable to finish this book. I read far enough to know that I still think Susan is an incredible author, but there were aspects to this story that I just couldn't handle. Namely, there are ghosts. I do not consider this a spoiler, because you find out on the first page. However, it is not listed in the description very well. They talk about the ship being haunted, but not that the main character actually sees ghosts and talks with them. I tried picking it up a few times, but every time left me disappointed and quite frankly, creeped out. I don't do creepy. If you do enjoy stories with supernatural aspects like ghosts, I am sure you will enjoy this book immensely. I look forward to reading more books by Susan Meissner in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of A Bridge Across the Ocean from the publishers through NetGalley. This is my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Since I did not finish the book, I do not intend to publish a review.