Chloe Beckett has her life all planned out. Ivy League education, check. Working her way up the corporate ladder, check. A suitable marriage with two perfect kids…maybe someday. She’s a city girl at heart, but if she survives the next six months working in a Vermont ski town for the local branch of the family business empire, she’ll be one step closer to everything she ever wanted.

Enter Quinn Kennedy, a fun-loving snowboarder looking for her next good time. When she sets her sights on Chloe, the attraction is immediate and mutual. Casual is the word of the day, but that won’t be a problem. After all, their lives don’t fit together. But hearts have a way of aligning even when nothing else does. The clock is ticking, secrets from Quinn’s past threaten to overwhelm them, and when tragedy strikes, casual might not be enough.

I enjoyed most of this book. (I don't think the blurb does it justice, though.) I enjoyed getting to know Chloe and Quinn. I felt like the ending was a little rushed. I don't feel like it really resolved their issues. Overall, I enjoyed much of this book, but the romance and ending didn't work well for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Crossing Bridges by Chelsey Lynford is a wonderful romance book that weaves together friendship, love, pain, trauma, sex, and grief together. I was a bit wary reading this book based on the synposis. However, I read reviews that said to not judge the synposis too harshly, and I am so glad I listened. This book is very wonderfully written. The character development is very fleshed out and the characters are extremely three dimensional. There was a significant plot twist. This book truly had me shocked and surprised, which RARELY happens for me in a romance book. This was a 5 star read for me. Wonderful book and I will be waiting for more books by Chelsey Lynford.

Unfortunately I got about 10% in and I couldn’t finish reading this book. It just didn’t pull me in as much as I thought it would. I honestly thought I would enjoy this book but sadly I didn’t.

This is a story about Quinn Kennedy who is a snowboard instructor in Vermont. She comes from a wealthy family and lives a carefree life on the surface. She’s a player and loves to chase beautiful women. She meets Chloe Bennet at the ski resort she works for and they have a one night fling. Chloe comes from a wealthy family as well and has planned to someday run her family business. Chloe is a very organized person who has her whole life planned out. And her plans don’t include falling for a ski bum.

As the story progresses and the women start to fall in love with each other, they both fight their attraction. We learn about Quinn’s tragic past and her dysfunctional family. There is a lot of angst and deep feelings explored., along with many hot sex scenes.

I couldn’t put this book down and finished it in one day. This was a great debut book by Chelsey Lynfiord.

There were two things that took place in the story that stopped me from giving this 5 stars. I thought the ending and epilogue were rushed after all the emotions that took place throughout the book. And a few of Quinn’s aggressive sex scenes didn’t seem realistic to me after her own traumatic past.

I highly recommend this book to all my sapphic book friends.

Thanks to BSB and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I love a good rom-com that has more emotional depth hidden in it. I enjoy the first half of the book. both Chloe and Quinn are charming enough. There are a few scenarios that I feel are unnecessary, but I am enjoying the book enough to overlook them. As the story progresses, though, the plot seems to become more and more convoluted, as if too many elements are being thrown in all at once and some of them are really not necessary in my opinion. Overall, I'd say I enjoy this book, this is Chelsey Lynford's debut and I'm looking forward to reading her next work!

Great romance!

Chloe is working temporarily in the local branch of her family business empire when she meets snowboarder, Quinn. They are instantly attracted to one another, and they know their lives aren’t compatible but Quinn’s past is creeping up on her and Chloe’s life isn’t quite going to plan, so when their hearts have other plans for them both, they are challenged with what to do.

A great story about changing expectations, going with the flow, and embracing the now to find happiness. Chelsey really explored everything when telling us the story of Chloe and Quinn. In so many ways they were opposites, with Chloe being one for plans and Quinn being more, happy go lucky, but they taught each other so much as their paths kept crossing and forcing them to address what their hearts wanted rather than what their minds told them. There were many ups and downs, and as the title of the story suggests bridges to cross to find happiness.

A whole cast of vibrant and unique characters also helped to elevate the story, offering both Chloe and Quinn guidance and support throughout their moral and emotional contemplations of what they shared. A romance like the one they shared only works so well because of the ups and downs, they shared moments of passion that sealed their connection and fate, and then ones alone when realisation kicked in at what they might be losing or missing if they didn’t take chances and risks. Their emotions pushed boundaries they both had in place to make sure fate got its way in keeping these two together. I don’t think Chloe and Quinn will ever have plain sailing in their relationship, but it will last forever because of the way they complement one another and just make things work.

The story had everything a great romance needs, kept me on the edge of my seat, and at times had me worrying about the outcome of the relationship at play, but it had all the wonderful moments of a passionate and exciting romance that meant I knew it would all be okay in the end.

I always have an issue with romances where the characters fuck in the first chapter. I feel like there's no way to build that sexual tension back up, and I have a hard time rooting for the characters to end up together. Other than that, the book was a fun read, but starting off on that note but me off a little.

This review will be posted on GoodReads and Storygraph.

Chloe Beckett and Quinn Kennedy could not be more opposite. Chloe, an Ivy League graduate, has her whole life planned out while working for her family’s successful business empire. Fun loving and carefree Quinn, on the other hand, doesn’t have a thing planned for the future, other than when she will next be able to go boarding or hiking. One thing they do have in common though? They are both hot for each other. After meeting briefly and choosing to have a no strings attached hookup, Chloe and Quinn assumed they would never see each other again. But, when their paths do cross again, they decide their physical attraction to one another just can’t be denied and choose to continue their casual fling. Feelings don’t need to get involved, right? But when past traumas and hidden struggles start to come to light, both Quinn and Chloe have to decide what they really mean to one another and whether or not “casual” has ever been the best way to describe their relationship.

I absolutely loved this book. Don’t let the cover or premise mislead you. This book is actually pretty deep and covers some fairly serious topics (check trigger warnings if you are sensitive to certain topics). But that was a big part of what I loved so much about this book. This book is not just fluff. It has depth and really pulls at your heartstrings. It is rare that I come across a book that I really don’t want to end and yet this book definitely falls into that category for me. I absolutely loved Quinn and wish I could give her the world. The author does such a wonderful job really helping the reader understand why Quinn and Chloe are both the way they are and it was rewarding to see the growth they both went through by the end of the book. My only slight criticism was the epilogue. I will not give anything away, but I just wish the epilogue covered a different time period in Quinn and Chloe's story than it did. But that is a personal preference and super minor compared to how much I loved the rest of the book. I will most definitely be reading more from Chelsey Lynford!

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC of Crossing Bridges in return for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It had such a good storyline which touched on some very sensitive subjects. This made the book so much more than a romance type book. Two brilliant main characters and more.

A very enjoyable read. Thank you Netgalley.

This story has everything a romance should and more.
Quinn is a snowboarder whose family has a long history in the local town.
Chloe is working her way along the family business and her current stop is in Quinn’s backyard.
Their attraction is instant but Chloe has made it clear she’s only going to be there a short time. The fireworks between them is fierce and you can’t help but want them together.
But this story also has some very deep subject matter that is addressed and discussed well, included Quinn’s bouts of extreme depression.
But what happens when Chloe does leave? How will Quinn function? What other secrets does Quinn have and can Chloe break through?
This is a wonderfully written story that I definitely recommend .

Thank you #NetGalley #BoldStrokesBooks #CrossingBridges for this ARC

The cute cover does not do justice to the depths found in this story. I’m impressed by this seemingly debut novel. The author has created two characters who on the surface seem like water and oil. Chloe Bennett (27) is ivy league educated and working through rotations in her father’s conglomerate business. Her life has been planned for her to eventually run the empire with her two siblings. Quinn Kennedy (24) first meets Chloe while she is teaching skiing at the local ski resort. After a one night fling they don’t expect to run into each other again but their paths cross. The attraction and chemistry is off the charts for them.

But both have a hard time committing to anything beyond the moment. Chloe feels the pressure of knowing she will be moving on to whatever assignment her dad has for her next. And although she is working hard her dad and older brother aren’t there to mentor or encourage her. Quinn is even more of a mess. She has serious family issues, battles depression and her past affects her present life. It is so easy as an outsider to see they are better together than apart. And I love the story takes time (months and months) for them to find their path. Both characters make choices along the way that I didn’t like but it just made me enjoy seeing the author bring them back together. I was emotionally drained by the time I finished reading this story. But I can’t recommend it enough if you enjoy romances with more weight and angst. (4.5 Stars)

Thanks to Netgalley I got a chance to read this book.
It is a book about the love story between to the outside player Quinn and the very serious workaholic Chloe. Initially supposed to be a casual fling and easy going but it all flips and is so much more. It is a book about physical health issues, demands from their families and for them to realize they are intended for each other. Lots of hot scenes between the more serious topics. After a lot of struggle they finally get together and can start a much better life since they really complement and bring out the best in each other. A recommended read.

4.5⭐️
This is a surprisingly deep and exciting book, don't let the cover and blurb fool you. The beginning feels like a light, sexy romance, but then the beautiful façade begins to crumble and there are some twists and turns that I wasn't expecting.

Quinn, 24, the youngest daughter of a wealthy family is a free-spirited snowboard teacher, loves beautiful women, and won't commit to anything. But the carefree life is more about self-protection and repressing a traumatic past, experiences you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. And Quinn is running from them.

Chloe, 27, is a rules follower, but not a big talker, especially about feelings. She loves numbers and fulfills her family's expectations in return for climbing the corporate ladder in the family business. She only needs to survive the six months in the small ski resort in Vermont to get closer to her goal of running the business together with her brother and sister. Her life is straightforward and always according to plan. Nothing lets her deviate from it.

At first glance, lives that don't seem to fit together.

Meeting for the first time, sparks fly immediately, and for once Cloe doesn't stick to her script. She gives in to a one-night stand with the attractive and charming Quinn. They have no idea how this little fling will change their lives. After a chance reunion, the one-night stand turns into a casual relationship - with an expiration date, as Chloe will return to Boston. But hearts don't play along and soon there are far more feelings at play than desired. And love doesn't stick to any plan or rule, and doesn’t like secrets.

Chloe struggles to bring everything under control when feelings and life plans collide. She has to ask herself what is more important, her heart or career? I can imagine it's not easy to change your life when you've followed the same plan for years. But she is also stubborn and I didn’t like some of her actions. At times, I wanted to shake her so she would finally start pursuing her wishes.

Quinn runs away from her trauma, but sometimes depression catches up with her and she falls into a black hole. The closer she and Chloe get, the less she can hide her problems from her. It's heartwarming to see that Chloe doesn't let this put her off, but rather strengthens her bond with Quinn and brings them closer together. I have no idea how difficult it is to come to terms with such a horrible experience. I also loved how they were helping each other when tragedy strikes, in any situation.

Chloe and Quinn's story is anything but straightforward, with lots of stones thrown in their way. There is drama, tragedy, unhealthy family dynamics, but also friendships, loving relatives, good dialogues, and steamy hot scenes. I was quickly drawn into the story, especially Quinn's story got to me. I wanted to take away her pain and see her happy again. A very emotional story for me.

The many secondary characters are well integrated and developed and bring a lot of dynamic and depth to the story. An impressive debut novel from Chelsey Lynford.

Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC for an honest review.

It was my first time reading an FxF book and also a book written in third person. Honestly, it was great. It was cute but also spicy with the right amount. What I loved the most, is that it was also deep. It had plot, and both main characters had problems, they weren’t perfect and it was so great to read, I could connect to them. I’d definitely recommend it!

This was so not what I expected. never judge a book by its cover! I was hooked from the first chapter. What a beautiful story well written story. It has depth and is a bit heartbreaking. It's much deeper than what meets the eye. Well, done Chelsey Lynford. I recommend.

Thank You NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for this ARC copy.

This sentence will be repeated quite a bit in the reviews of this book: don't judge it by its cover. And I'll even say more, don't judge it by the synopsis. It is not a romantic comedy with two protagonists acting impulsively, without thinking about consequences, without substance. Quite the contrary, both Quinn and Chloe are much more than crazy young women, as women from wealthy families are usually portrayed in romances.

Because of how the story begins, one does not expect what is going to happen later, to be honest. And it was surprising and pleasant to delve into this story that has many nuances and complex elements that have built the two women to the point where they meet to help each other, although they are not aware of it.

At some point in the book it seemed to me that there could be nothing more to uncover, but oh, surprise! And I'm sorry to say that Chloe, the older of the two, 24 Quinn - 27 Chloe, the apparently more focused one and this was how she appeared in the first part of the story, has acted incomprehensibly badly at the crucial moment. Incoherent and insensitive for no reason. That's why I don't give it the highest rating.

I encourage you to discover what is behind Chloe Beckett, who has her life all planned out: Ivy League education, check, working her way up the corporate ladder, check and Quinn Kennedy, a fun-loving snowboarder looking for her next good time. Which is a lot.

I finally managed ro make my way to the end of this book, It was a bit of a slog, but I wanted to finish it. My main disappointment with the story is that I chose the book because I wanted to read a light story about a fun-loving snowboarder, Quinn Kennedy, and a city girl corporate climber, Chloe Beckett, who develop a relationship. But the story veered so far off the path of the book's light-hearted description that it left me feeling disappointed and untrusting. I am rating the book at 2.5 stars and will round up the rating above.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a turbulent story of one-night-to-forever and second-chance romance all rolled into one. It’s euphoric and heartbreaking at the same time.
Trigger warning: this book contains subjects of rape (not actually described) and depression, as well as distorted family dynamics.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Quinn Kennedy spends a her time teaching snowboarding to kids, hanging out with friends and having fun with beautiful women. She lives on the surface because if she lets her painful past into the light, she will crumble. When one night she meets a gorgeous, intriguing woman at a party, she can’t help herself. She has to have her. And she does. It was meant to be a casual fling, but Chloe Beckett slowly immerses herself into Quinn’s life and most terrifyingly, her heart.

Chloe Beckett has a plan. She is working her way to the top of her family’s business, she’ll marry someone that understands her straining work life and above all, she will live up to her family’s expectations. Her latest job is auditing one of the business branches in small town Vermont. She is meant to get in, work her ass off for six months and move on to her next assignment. When she meets the alluring Quinn, Chloe decides to have some fun for a few months. Since she’ll be leaving, it can’t be more. Her heart didn’t didn’t get the message, even though her mind and plans dictate otherwise. What part of her will win?

This story is a lot. Quinn seems to be the happy-go-lucky girl that wants to do nothing but play and have fun. She has deep rooted trauma that she is actually running away from. There are also bouts of depression that leave her abandoning the world for darkness. Meanwhile Quinn’s relationship with Chloe evolves and it is so beautiful to see that Chloe embraces all of Quinn. Not just her sunny side.

Chloe struggles with her own belief system. She has to follow the family plan for her life and career. She has to move on to the next assignment, so she can take over the business together with her brother and sister. Quinn is an unexpected development, to say the least. Chloe’s feelings for Quinn drop her in a tailspin. She has to do what’s right. For the family. For the business. But is that the right path for her?

I loved the way Linford writes about the difficult things in life. Mental illness, trauma, family dynamics, expectations, they are all part of the story. But so are connection, friendship, understanding, caring and love. There’s room for all of that in life and it all fits into this story. For me, every aspect gets the attention it deserves. Chloe and Quinn’s relationship is wonderful and sexy and messy and painful and everything in between. As a reader you get the feeling of having connected with real people instead of just book characters. And I think that is the ultimate goal for any book.

As this book handles some very difficult topics, it might not be for everyone. That being said, this is an excellent, gripping read.

Unbelievably beautiful! Heartbreaking and HOT! Quinn and Chloe have amazing chemistry and the struggle these two women go through to end up where they did was perfection. Full of dysfunctional family dynamics and healing and honestly a twist I didn’t see coming!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!! I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Quinn and Chloe meet and hit it off one kinda wants a relationship the other doesn’t. They decided to be causal but that easier said and done when feelings starts to merge and they both keeping them close they gets support from Zoey who Quinn best friend and Abby who is Chloe sister who helps the story we there along wether they wanted or not because Chloe and Quinn have issues that’s challenges them to wonder what they want out of life. Ok read.


I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.