Bridge to Haven is another Christian fiction novel from the amazing Francine Rivers. Francine is known for her intensely engaging stories of heart wrenching experiences and how God’s love always comes to the rescue. I also like the fact that the experiences of her characters are mostly ones the average person can identify with.
Much of the book is built around the residents of the small town of Haven and narrows in on Abra Matthews, a baby girl who was discovered by Pastor Zeke abandoned somewhere along a deserted bridge at the beginning of the book. Pastor Zeke’s family (wife and son) immediately welcomed Abra as a part of the family, until the Pastor’s wife’s failing health caught up with her and she died.
This was the end of Abra’s fairy tale as she had to be adopted by the family of her best friend Penny. The little girl quickly grew into fear, resentment and anxiety as her realities began to change. All she wanted was to get out of that place and that town, so when a reckless and charming young man comes driving through town and seduces her with the idea of a new world, she packs up and follows him into the big city. Abra finds herself in Hollywood in the heart of deception, manipulation and pretentious lifestyles but she had already burned her bridges by walking out without informing her family and friends.
With the new name Lena Scott, Abra rose steadily to fame but the higher she goes, the greater her longing for normalcy and all that she used to despise. After years of being used for men’s selfish purposes and living each day being told what to do, Abra had had enough and was ready to walk away. The question is, where would she go and how does she get there? After all these time of running, could God possibly still know, love and have a plan for her?
The twists in this book are near predictable but still intriguing. A fantastic and enjoyable read I have to say.