My book review of 'The Bench' by Saskia Sarginson

by Saskia Sarginson
The Bench
by Saskia Sarginson

It's the 1980s. Cat works in a funeral parlour in Atlantic City and meets Sam, a musician who's on a gap year from London.

Their romance is shortlived but, as Sam prepares to fly home, they realise they have something special and are determined to keep in touch.

A series of events conspire against them getting together again, even as Cat moves to London. Despite everything, they both hold the knowledge that there is a bench on a hill where they might meet one day.

It's many years later when they do. Is it too late for them to rekindle what they once had, and to live the life they once hoped for?

This is a beautiful romance with likeable characters you invest in wholeheartedly. The succession of misunderstandings, miscommunications and missed meetings stack up but never seem contrived, and the story is perfectly paced. It's an intriguing, thought-provoking, uplifting tale of love, loss, deceit, and destiny. A very enjoyable read!

Date of this review: July 2020
Book publication date: 3rd September 2020