What do readers think of The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick? Write your own review.

I loved The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick and will enjoy telling others about it. Mitchell and his daughter Poppy are trying to get over the loss of Anita, Poppy's mother. The first part of this story is so sad but realistic and the way these two lovely people move on had me cheering for them the whole way.
I think this is the perfect book to read while drinking tea (the author lives in the UK). I thank BookBrowse for the gift of this lovely book- it was so good!

This is a silly little love story, and sometimes a silly little love story is just the ticket! If you're looking for a distraction from the so-called real world, check out this quick-to-read ChickLit novel by Phaedra Patrick.

In the British town of Upchester, there are a lot of romantic souls. In tribute to the local boy band's international hit song, "Lock Me Up with Your Love," lovers begin putting padlocks, many of which are engraved with initials or messages, on the town's four bridges. But the cumulative weight of the padlocks could seriously damage the bridges, and it's Mitchell Fisher's job to remove them. As he is doing just that one early summer day, he sees a beautiful woman in a yellow dress attach a heart-shaped padlock to the bridge and then with a smile on her face, fall into the raging waters below. Mitchell jumps in after her to try to save her. He succeeds, but then she seemingly disappears. Mitchell becomes a hero, but he doesn't feel like one. He's a curmudgeonly young man, whose life partner died three years ago and left him with their nine-year-old daughter, Poppy. As he and the missing woman's vivacious and flashy sister try to solve the mystery of her disappearance based only on the clue of the heart-shaped padlock, Mitchell learns a lot about himself and the meaning of love.

Bonus: This novel is also a tribute to the lost art of handwritten letters. You know, the kind that need paper, pen, envelopes, and stamps.

Sappy in parts and mildly profound in others, this is a sweet, feel-good book to be read quickly and thoroughly enjoyed, but don't expect it to haunt your thoughts for long. It's not that profound.

The topic of love messages on love locks is inviting. The story is light, quick to get into and read. Topics covers is love lost, starting over alone, raising a child without a mother but underlying all is hope. A wonderful story to enjoy on a cruise or on a beach.

Every wondered about the locks on the Pont des Arts in Paris, or anyone of the other bridges with "love locks." Phaedra Patrick creates a lovely story about just such a bridge and how it is a part of Mitchell Fisher's life. Mitchell's recent past has regrets and wondering how to move forward. This book is an easy and enjoyable read, but there are themes and experiences which can be discussed as a group.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book with sympathetic lead characters who are striving to be better people. Having the story revolve around the tradition of lovers placing locks on bridges is a good device for telling Mitchell's emotional struggles. It would be a good book for young people and book clubs. I can imagine discussions about regret, the effect of kindness, redemption, and healing that would be illuminating.

I am a big fan of Phaedra Patrick, so was thrilled to receive a pre-pub of her latest.
Ms. Patrick's main character is a befuddled man. She often uses main characters who are befuddled because of events outside their control or understanding, and are endearing, though stalled in their life. The main character of this book, Mitchell, is just such a man. He has a daughter who he is single parenting and she is the target for all his energy, leaving him an excuse to not expend any on his himself. Poppy indulges him while encouraging him to move on from Poppy's mother's, and Mitchell's partner's, death.
Mitchell has a mind numbing job removing the love padlocks from the bridges of Upchester in England. The "love padlocks" are padlocks attached to the bridges by couples in love, or heartbroken, or remembering a past love.One day, while on the job, a singular incident propels Mitchell's life into a new surprising direction.
I enjoyed this book for it's quirky characters and ultimately sweet and satisfying story.

If you are ready for a light-hearted story that includes loss, mystery, heroism, and friendship that turns into more The Secrets of Love Story Bridge should be on your TBR list. I requested this book because I was intrigued by the title and I enjoyed Phaedra Patrick's book The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper. I enjoyed Secrets because it moved at a fast pace and it had a happy ending. I would liked to have had the author develop the characters a bit more but overall it was a happy, relaxing book that left you feeling good.

From an intriguing first sentence, the author grabs one's attention. Questions ensue: What did the violet envelope contain and why was it never opened? What is the cause of Mitchell's guilt? As the story unfolds, we glimpse the progression of a man thawing from a frozen state. Metaphors abound in the significance of bridges and padlocks. Humor is provided through the assembly of a vast assortment of characters (Barry, Carl, Graham, Rosie) who play vital roles in changing a buttoned-down, programmed man to ease into a new, happier life with his entrancing daughter, Poppy, who is wise beyond her young years. This is an easy, quick read --- much better than its title would indicate.