The Bridge Back to You
by Riss M. Neilson
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: March 31, 2026
Reviewed by PJ
Olivia owes everything to Celia's Place. It’s where she learned how to be a great chef. It’s also where she first fell in love. But at nineteen, Olivia had a wanderlust she couldn’t deny. And Carmello, whose mother owned the restaurant, couldn’t leave Celia's Place behind any more than he could force Olivia to stay.
Now, ten years later, Olivia is a successful personal chef. Her job allows her to travel the world, and she has never stayed in the same place for too long. When Carmello learns that his mother left shares of her beloved restaurant to both him and Olivia, he plans to buy her portion of the shares back quickly and painlessly.
That is until Olivia shows up at the restaurant, ready to help run it. Carmello sees an opportunity: drive Olivia away from his restaurant so that she will want to sign over her shares. But Olivia sees things a bit differently. She finally has the chance to stay in one place and build a home after years on the move, and perhaps now is the right time to explore whether that home can be with the one who got away.
Soon enough, sparks begin to fly, but can Olivia and Carmello avoid the mistakes of the past?
PJ's Thoughts:
I love a book with layers and this book has them in abundance. The characters are layered, the relationships are layered, and the unexpected second chance that lands in the laps of Carmello and Olivia is most definitely layered. Lots of messy, messy layers.
The pace of the book isn't fast but that works for me. These characters need the time to rebuild trust, to discover what path they are meant to follow, to forgive, and to choose the future that's right for them. There's a lot of push and pull along the way, as well as self-discovery and character growth, which only makes them - and their second chance - more realistic and relatable. It's a journey filled with emotion, longing, and a hard-won happy ending. I especially enjoyed the periodic flashbacks that allow readers to experience their teenage relationship while also following along with them as reunited adults.
Neilson surrounds the main couple with a supporting cast that shines. I adore Carmello's young son. His relationships with his father, his mother, the restaurant staff, and Olivia are so endearing and feel authentic to his age and personality. Speaking of his mother, kudos to the author for showing admirable friendship and co-parenting between Carmello and his son's mother, two people who care about one another but not romantically.
There's also realistic depiction of mental health and chronic health issues, with one character's OCD, another's ADHD and endometriosis, and Carmello and Olivia each grieving the death of Carmello's mother, a woman who was instrumental in both of their lives. The self realization of how each of those conditions impacts past and present decisions plays a significant role in their individual growth as well as the evolution of their second-chance romantic journey. Again, more layers that enhance this story and engage readers on new and different levels.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the food. Much of the book is set at Celia's Place where Carmello creates mouth watering Dominican and Filipino foods that represent his cultural heritage...and kept me drooling pretty much through the entire book. Be ready to be hungry. :)
If you're looking for a slow-burn romance with emotional depth, complex characters, complicated relationships, cultural representation, and second chances (at romance and life), give this one a try. And, if you haven't yet discovered Neilson's adult debut, A Love Like the Sun, check out my review here.
Have you read Riss M. Neilson yet?
Do you enjoy trying food from other cultures? What are your favorites?
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, April 2 will receive a print copy of The Bridge Back to You.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
