Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

Harlequin, January 18, 2011
Read for 2011 Debut Author Challenge and A-Z Challenge

Summary from Goodreads:

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….

I was really looking forward to this book, but at the same time I was scared to read it. Not really sure why I was scared, but I think it's because I've read other books about a girl in between life and death that were absolutely amazing and heart-wrenching (If I Stay, Before I Fall), and even from the cover and the summary I felt this one was going to be so different, that it was going to take a light er approach. I've been putting off reading this book since before it was published. I have it listed for two challenges. I'd gotten an eGalley that I never got around to reading, and was waiting for my library to purchase it (they still haven't) when I actually won a contest and got my very own copy. So, no excuses, right?


I finally broke down and read it just recently. To be honest, I struggled with this book, although I can't really say that I disliked it. It was written quite well and it was a fresh take on what happens in between life and death. I just found Bridget to be an absolutely horrific character. I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in her, and that made it so very hard to feel any sympathy for her. Honestly, I didn't really care if she lived or died for a great percentage of the book.


I will say that the approach Paige Harbison used--letting Bridget revisit damning episodes through the eyes of the people she hurt--was unique and did allow me to see a teeny, tiny little bit of good in her. It's nice to think that people have the ability to change their ways, but it was still hard to read about the things that Bridget did, and with no thought to anyone but herself. 


It is a quick read, and if you're into contemporary life vs. death stories, you'll probably want to give this one a shot and form your own opinions!


Own book.


Enjoy your reading!
Christi