Here Lies Bridget - Book Review

Title ~ Here Lies Bridget
Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Paige Harbison
Release Date ~ January 18, 2011
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ Harlequin Teen
Source ~ The Teen {Book} Scene

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Bridget Duke is the uncontested ruler of her school. The meanest girl with the biggest secret insecurities. And when new girl Anna Judge arrives, things start to fall apart for Bridget: friends don't worship as attentively, teachers don't fall for her wide-eyed "who me?" look, expulsion looms ahead and the one boy she's always loved—Liam Ward—can barely even look at her anymore.

When a desperate Bridget drives too fast and crashes her car, she ends up in limbo, facing everyone she's wronged and walking a few uncomfortable miles in their shoes. Now she has only one chance to make a last impression. Though she might end up dead, she has one last shot at redemption and the chance to right the wrongs she's inflicted on the people who mean the most to her.

And Bridget's about to learn that, sometimes, saying you're sorry just isn't enough….

REVIEW

The story begins as Bridget is driving way too fast and picturing what would happen if she were to crash her car and die. Selfish Bridget pictures her family and friends being overly distraught at her young death. She hopes they will feel sad or guilty that they have caused her to crash. Even as she is approaching death, Bridget is most concerned about how others will worship her.

CRASH! Rewind.

The story goes back in time a bit to show what led up to the crash. Bridget was the meanest girl at her school and she took advantage of everyone. She was even mean to her family and her best friends. Bridget is a girl that will make you cringe based on her spiteful actions.

Now Bridget finds herself in a state of limbo between life and death where she faces those she has hurt the most. The story becomes a bit like “A Christmas Carol” and the three ghosts. In this case, Bridget must walk in the shoes of those she has wronged. It is not so much sweet revenge as a time for Bridget’s transformation.

While the first half of the book is filled with Bridget’s nasty behavior, it is necessary. There is no other way to really understand the depth of her internal despair. I loved everything that happened while Bridet was in limbo and the ending was just perfect.

Paige Harbison succeeds in making a very unlikeable main character someone I ultimately cared for.  I would not have thought it was possible.

RATING

4 Liked

COVER COMMENTS

Ha! It is just like Bridget to picture herself dead with pretty flowers. Laying in that meadow, it is as if she is just waiting for someone to find her and flip out that Queen Bridget is dead. Sweet cover.