This is a love story that is told over multiple perspectives
The story is very engaging and sweet.
Lovely storytelling with good characters

I really wanted to love this because the synopsis sounds so good but honestly it fell kind of flat for me. I could not really connect with the characters or the relationship. I think the overall plot was interesting and it definitely kept me entertained at times but I did find myself having to make myself keep reading in order to finish this book. The cover is super cute though.

Such a beautiful love story, this made me completely switch off from the world, which was exactly what I needed when I was reading it.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

What a thoroughly lovely read. Something easy, joyful, and leaving me with a warm fuzzy feeling.

The Bench tells the story of Sam and Cat, who first meet in Atlanta and then spend years finding each other. It's advertised as similar to The One, which is appropriate given the storyline, although I do think The One is better written.

I really enjoyed that the story started in Atlanta. That's not a obvious choice, and didn't go with more cliched cities such as NYC. I also appreciated it started in the 1980s - it many ways it had to be a story before mobile phones and social media. I also liked that Cat had an usual job, but then was quite colourful outside of work. Again it managed to avoid clichés. Sam was also complex, and it stared away from numerous stereotypes that could have been employed.

Not quite a 4 star read for me though. There were one too many missed opportunities to be together for me. I also felt that Cat changed quite a lot when she moved to London, which I didn't entirely agree was in keeping with the original character presentation. This niggles though are based on me being picky, as overall it was a good read.

One for the beach, or a quick Sunday read.

Really enjoyed this and although it seemed a little predictable in some places, it was still enjoyable. Loved the characters and the storyline. Everyone loves a love story!

A recommended read.

Thank you Netgalley.

The bench
By Saskia sarginson
Pub date 3 sep 2020
I loved this book it was funny romantic every page a turn over I was hooked from page one. The characters are easy to connect with the cover beautiful. The writing style is easy to understand such a good read you enjoy. There so many twist and turn you enjoy this book is compelling read.

This is the first book I've read by Saskia Sarginson and I was really looking forward to it following rave advance reviews. The Bench begins on a bench and tells a love story which spans three decades. I loved the premise of this and I do enjoy books that move across the decades. I warmed to the characters and I did find this a heartwarming read , although at times rather cliched and slow paced.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC

I liked this book but couldn't say I loved it or would remember it in a few months time. It spent such a long time in the middle section feeling repetitive and just retelling the same points over and over again that it was easy to glaze over on occasion. Really expected more from the ending too - we had grown to want the two main characters to find each other and try to make it work again that I felt my heart drop over what did actually happen.

Cat lives in America, works at a funeral parlour, being the sole earner in her home, with her father being a gambler and mother not being able to work. Sam is an English musician, travelling with his guitar through the U.S. What are the chances of those two to meet? Almost none, but they met, and there is an instant attraction between them. They get each other, both on the same wavelength and they quickly fell in love. They promise to always tell each other the truth and while Cat didn’t keep any secrets from Sam, he kept something for himself – but he was determined to be honest with Cat and tell her the truth at the airport, when he was flying home and she was there to tell him goodbye. But Sam is not there. Why? They’ve made so many plans, they planned their future together – what has happened? Will they find each other again even if the circumstances are against them, and the distance, secrets and other people keep them apart?

The story is told in chapters alternating between Cat and Sam and 1983 and 2004, letting us to really get to know them, what they think and feel, seeing both points of view. They were both interesting characters but I couldn’t completely get into their heads, and as much as their journey to find each other was dramatic and heart – breaking I didn’t have it in me to keep my fingers crossed for them. It was interesting to see how different those two were, both coming from very different backgrounds, however they both had big dreams and I liked it in them, but altogether they felt a bit… meh. Weak.

I’ve seen benches like the ones described in the book, with plaques and inscriptions on them, but to be honest I’ve never paid them much attention. Next time, when I see one, with someone sitting on it, I’ll look at them differently – who knows what secrets and stories do they hide?

I was expecting something different to be honest. For me the book felt too slow and much too much gloomy and dark and sad and repetitive. It was somehow simply too negative on the whole and I couldn’t warm to the story itself and to the characters as well and the plot felt too old for my liking and too predictable. Sure, the author added many twists and surprises on the way to make the story more interesting and yes, I appreciated them, but the story simply didn’t work form e – it’s not the book, it must be me then.

It is a story about love, melancholy, longing, lost hopes and second chances. Told over various periods of time it is a real love tribute, a lyrical love story without mythicization of love at all, oh no, it shows all the ups and downs of this feeling. A read with a difference, clever and with interesting premise.

The Bench is a story about fate and destiny. Cat and Sam meet in Atlantic City. It’s Cat’s hometown and Sam’s final destination after travelling around the USA. They experience a strong connection and make a pact that will help each of them break free from the expectations of others. Things don’t work out as they planned and despite forging ahead with their own lives, destiny forces their paths to cross again and again.
This is a heartwarming book that highlights the importance of trying to live your best life. Getting what we desire doesn’t always bring the happiness we expect, but being true to yourself is crucial.
Although I thought the storyline was interesting, it wasn’t original and did seem frustratingly slow paced at times. The book raises many issues and as it covered several decades, uses important global events as part of the backdrop which I did enjoy.

I finished this lovely story last night and was just sobbing at the end! I adored the writing and Sam & Cat whose love carried them through the decades. What a story and one that I shall be recommending to friends and family.

Thank you to NetGalley & publisher for the copy in exchange for a honest review.

What an epic love story, I loved this so much. This draws you in from the very first page and doesn’t let you go, even after you’ve finished reading. I thought it was such an interesting premise for a story and such a beautiful idea. You are drawn constantly to the ‘will they or won’t they’ and constantly willing them on, hoping for the outcome you want and hoping the author won’t break your heart (no spoilers) It’s simply a beautiful story, well written and absolutely genuine characters to relate to. A stunning read full of genuine heartwarming romance

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Unfortunately, I was slow in downloading this story and it was archived before I had the chance. I'm sure it is a wonderful read.

Good. Interesting characters and concept but it didn't draw me in as books like this usually do I just couldn't connect to the characters.

I greatly enjoyed this book, thank you for giving me a preview copy. The plot was interesting and fast paced and I sympathised with the characters. This is the first novel I have read by this author but I hope it will not be the last!

This has to be the consummate love story. Told over a span of 70 years it tells the story of Cat and Sam who meet in Atlantic city, fall in love but due to circumstances are seperated again and again. Beautifully written and a well deserved 4 stars.

Good read, enjoyable and engaging. This has been missing something but unsure what it is.
Love the characters and how well written this one is.

Wow this was emotional! In alternating chapters, we hear Sam and Cat's love story, one that spans over 30 years. Over the years they are pulled apart and brought back together but with completely different lives, is it ever going to be the right time for them? The concept reminded me a lot of books like Five Years From Now by Paige Toon and One Day In December by Josie Silver so I knew I would like it and as the book went on I found myself just rooting so much for them both. It did take me a little while at first to warm up to the characters but by the end I was in tears. A really lovely read.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book it was a brilliant book with great characters and story line.I really enjoyed the time line from 1983 to 2004 and remembering events that happened during that time. I will be recommending this book to my friends.

If you've ever had that special someone, you've had that special place.

I wanted to review this as soon as I saw the synopsis mentioned One Day— I loved One Day (the book and movie). The novel sounded romantic and heartwrenching. It was.

Cat and Sam made a pact in 1983. They ended a 30 year love affair because of a lie that shattered the life they'd built. If they met again would they be able to forgive the past? Can they ignite the flame that was there? The book is set in 2004 and has chapters alternating between Cat and Sam's point of view. I found this structure simple but all the more effective to really get into their minds and experience what they did. It was easy to follow this way too.

The Bench was my first novel by Saskia Sarginson and what a novel it was— romantic, atmospheric yet full of a sense of "will they won't they?" and also "what now?" "where do we go from here?". I was mesmerised, both happy and sad at different parts and always eager to know more.

The writing is romantic and heartfelt and there are dilemmas as well as more laid-back times. Saskia Sarginson started the book by placing us where the bench was and I could feel the anticipation of waiting for someone you haven't seen for so long immediately. The plot was an emotional rollercoaster ride.

Thanks to Saskia Sarginson and Piatkus/ Little Brown Book Group for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars