X-Book

The Bridge to Always

Get in the xigxag app
Already purchased

Click to open directly in the xigxag app.

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book. Pre-order Buy Now £{{ price }} Send as a gift
How does xigxag pricing work?

Listen to a sample

What to expect

'I stayed up far too late reading this, I couldn't put it down . . . I didn't want it to end' - Vogue Williams

'I loved The Bridge To Always. Marron has created a vibrant world, peopled with appealing characters caught, as we all are, in the net of their circumstances but struggling to be free. At the book's heart is a love story, but not the one I was expecting; something richer, sweeter and entirely compelling' - Emily Hourican, author of The Glorious Guinness Girls

A story about identity and place, about finding out who you are, who your people are, and what it means to be a family.

Maeve Gaffney arrives in a small West Cork town in pursuit of a dream: to be reunited with Tim, the lad she fell for years ago and who, unbeknownst to him, fathered her daughter, Emer.
For Tim, now married and a pillar of the community, Emer's existence is a shock - but the chance to rekindle an old flame with her mother is tempting.
For Agnes, a lonely landowner, Maeve and Emer's arrival is an opportunity to make money - and maybe new friends.
For Malachi, a man of few words but deep emotions, it's . . . complicated.
For Emer, it's about growing up and finding her voice.

For all five, the arrival of this beautiful, wild mother and her silent, observant daughter sparks a devastating chain of events none of them could have predicted.

Critics Review

'Beautifully drawn characters, sharp dialogue and astutely observed small town machinations - Lynda Marron is an exhilarating new voice in women's fiction'
author of The Houseshare
'Lynda writes memorable characters with great warmth and compassion, and The Bridge to Always is a compelling story of life, love and what really matters'
author of The Honeymoon Affair
'A heartfelt tale, told with great warmth and confidence'
Roisin Meaney
'Decisive women, passive men and one watchful child, this has the strong characters and everyday hope and heartbreak we can all recognise: A close look at the difference between having strength and having power, told with a hopeful heart'
Winter People
'The Bridge To Always is a wonderful story of family, identity and the unexpected ways we find our place in the world. Lynda Marron has a true gift for bringing characters to vivid life, weaving their stories together with compassion and sharp wit. Her keen eye for human nature and the warmth of her storytelling evoke Maeve Binchy while establishing her own distinct voice. I loved this book, and these characters, and it now lives with me, a life of its own, as all great stories do'
author of Boys Don't Cry
'I loved The Bridge To Always. Marron has created a vibrant world, peopled with appealing characters caught, as we all are, in the net of their circumstances but struggling to be free. At the book's heart is a love story, but not the one I was expecting; something richer, sweeter and entirely compelling'
author of The Glorious Guinness Girls
'I stayed up far too late reading this, I couldn't put it down . . . I didn't want it
to end'
Vogue Williams
'Lynda Marron is such a gifted storyteller. She writes with empathy and humour, and her characters are complex and flawed, but always deeply human . . . She is Ireland's answer to Elizabeth Strout and her books are the balm we all need right now'
Aoife Cassidy McMenamin (@littlecassreads)
'Lynda seamlessly immerses her readers right into her stories with beautiful prose, vividly described settings and an emotional thread that weaves its way in and around every word right into your heart'
Mairead Hearne (Swirl and Thread)
'A pure decent read, in the most Corkonian of ways'
Georgina Ingham (@read_eats_explores)

More from the same

Author

Narrator

About xigxag and the x-book®

Discover the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed to simplify finding, purchasing, and enjoying your favourite books in audio format. Our flexible pricing model makes bestselling audiobooks affordable, offering the best audiobook deals without the need for a subscription. You can also give the perfect gift with our convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

A core differentiator of xigxag is our groundbreaking listen-and-read x-book® technology, which delivers a truly immersive digital book experience. This unique innovation seamlessly combines the audiobook, text, and images into a brilliant, integrated format, complete with exclusive audiobook features and a next-generation digital reading experience. Our growing x-book selection is easily discoverable by looking for the distinctive purple x-book® ribbon, or by simply filtering your search by ‘x-book’.

Beyond our technology, xigxag is committed to sustainability and ethical practices, ensuring a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we stand as a leader in audiobook innovation and a compelling alternative to big tech. Our commitment extends to delivering extraordinary customer service, provided by our friendly UK support team.

Effortlessly search audiobooks, gain insights from honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. You can download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere, guaranteeing the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.