Reviewed by Rich Follett for Readers' Favorite

The Rainbow Bridge by Alyson Sheldrake is a tender, hope-filled fantasy revealing, as the title suggests, the magical world of the rainbow bridge and those who experience its wonders. The foundation of this marvelous adventure is a single question: Is the Rainbow Bridge real? Talented painter Laura, faced with a great opportunity but overcome with grief after the passing of her beloved Labrador retriever Molly, finds herself in an emotional desert and attempts to ease her pain by painting a portrait of the two of them. In a fanciful twist, touching a butterfly in the portrait opens a portal to Rainbow Bridge Land, where bereaved owners can reunite with their departed animal companions. Thus begins a delightfully unpredictable chain of events tailor-made to infuse hope in even the most cynical reader and bring joy to sad hearts.

The author writes in an easy-to-read, conversational style, imbuing her characters (human, animal, and supernatural) with thoughts, feelings, and speech that ring true, rendering an air of authentic pathos that lingers long after the last page has been turned. She is also adept at applying time-honored literary traditions in inventive new ways. Through the magic of stories within the story, every chapter offers fresh notes. The author is also a gifted storyteller, deftly weaving a tapestry of mystery and discovery to keep readers riveted. In The Rainbow Bridge, Alyson Sheldrake has created a marvelous fantasy full of heart, art, and enchantment, sure to inspire anyone who has ever experienced the profound love and inevitable loss inherent in bonding with an animal companion.