Book Review: Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison
Release Date: January 18, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 224
Source: Netgalley
Rating:  
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

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… – Goodreads

Review:
I started this a few weeks ago but put it down because I disliked Bridget so much. I found myself picking it up again a day or so ago, hoping that there was a way to somehow save the story for me, but I found no change from my initial opinion.

Bridget Duke is simply a horrible character. It’s not just because she’s selfish and manipulative – I can deal with mean characters – but she just wasn’t written in a believable way. She’s unaware of what one of her best friends is dealing with, treats her sweet stepmother horribly, has no respect for her teacher, and she’s just…an all around unlikable person. She has no conscience whatsoever, making it impossible to empathize with her in any capacity.

I know the entire point of the story is to show how awful she is, and then see her grow into a better person, but her redemption wasn’t believable either. For me to accept it, I think it should have taken longer than it did because it’s difficult to take in the magical and instant transformation. Bridget’s actions still felt selfish, an attempt to fix things only for herself versus truly feeling remorse for her behavior and attitude.

Although it was a fast and easy read, it wasn’t much fun to dislike the main character so much. Perhaps other readers would find more redeeming qualities in the book, but I personally wouldn’t recommend it.

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