Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison Review

Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Teen Book Scene Blog Tours
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Goodreads: 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….

My take: This is pure, enjoyable entertainment. It's a nice cross between Cinderella, a twisted "It's a Wonderful Life," and "Mean Girls." Bridget's a b****, with a capital B. Problem is, she doesn't know it. She's been queen bee for the last few years. She rules her kingdom through manipulation, intimidation, and fear. What Bridget doesn't see is that her reign is about to end. Her serfs are starting to ignore her.

In a self-absorbed tizzy fit, Bridget drives off too fast in her (used) 2009 BMW while feeling sorry for herself. She's so sad. She crashes. In limbo she sees herself through the eyes of others. She is led to the shoes of different significant people and steps into them. As she does so, the past week is played through their eyes and she feels what they feel.

Will she live? Will she die? Will she change? Will she make a difference?

The story is fun and takes a few surprising turns, although nothing too extreme. Clean language besides a few high school name calling words that I wouldn't use but we heard when we were in high school. Dialogue is incredibly entertaining. Bridget is the most self-centered protagonist that you can't help but love. The other characters are also very well developed as Bridget sees herself through their eyes. Ending is cute and not too cheesy. Just kind of. Which I liked.

I haven't read this author before. I will DEFINITELY read her again. She has excellent insights and builds them into her characters and the story easily. Really loved it.