{Arc Review} The Boy on the Bridge by Natalie Standiford

Title: The Boy on the Bridge {Arc}
Author: Natalie Standiford
Pages: 256
Published: July 30th 2013 by Scholastic Press
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Notes: This book was given to me by Scholastic Press for a review courteously of NetGalley. Thank you.

Summary: A new breathtaking novel from Natalie Standiford about love and trust during the Cold War.

Laura Reid goes to Leningrad for a semester abroad as Cold War paranoia is peaking in 1982. She meets a young Russian artist named Alexei and soon, with Alexei as her guide, Laura immerses herself in the real Russia--a crazy world of wild parties, black-market books and music, and smuggled letters to dissidents. She must keep the relationship secret; associating with Americans is dangerous for Alexei, and if caught, Laura could be sent home and Alexei put under surveillance or worse. At the same time, she's been warned that Soviets often latch onto Americans in hopes of marrying them and thus escaping to the United States. But she knows Alexei loves her. Right?

As June approaches--when Laura must return to the United States--Alexei asks Laura to marry him. She's only nineteen and doesn't think she's ready to settle down. But what if Alexei is the love of her life? How can she leave him behind? If she has a chance to change his life, to rescue him from misery, shouldn't she take it?

MY REVIEW

Laura Reid is a college freshman who takes a semester abroad to Russia because Russia is one of her favorite countries.  It is in Russia that she meets Aloyisha. He shows her the streets of Russia and the two start to fall in love. However, Laura finds out quickly that Russian's tend to want only one thing. A ticket out. Does Aloyisha really love Laura or is he us using her as his ticket? 

I felt this novel fell flat. It was hard for me to enjoy any of the characters. I expected more. In the description it stated parties and under ground. However, this wasn't the case. It was just house parties with Aloyisha's friends. It wasn't a secret romance as well. All her friends knew of it and so did his. 

Even though the story fell flat for me, I can see it being a hit for those who enjoy romance in foreign countries. The author did do a great job describing different parts of Russia to the reader, and I did get a visual of where they were at all times. That is a good thing for someone who has never been. 

Read the novel at your own discretion. The plus side is I may pick up another Standiford novel in the future.