If you’ve been waiting for another Bridges of Madison County or The Horse Whisperer, The Passage comes darn close. The big difference is that in this story, the roles are reversed: the hero is a middle-aged (51) man at a crossroads in his marriage, while the heroine is a single free spirit.

David Thomas plans to take his wife Angie on a rafting trip for their 25th anniversary. Angie, a recovering agoraphobic, can’t bring herself to go but encourages David to take the trip. His guide is Sierra Stone. Sierra was a teenager when David and Angie took their honeymoon trip, and she saved David’s life when he fell in the river. She left the lodge for awhile, but after her marriage failed and her father became ill, she returned to take over the business. She’s led a fulfilling life there, but has never gotten involved with anyone else.

During the first leg of the trip, David and Sierra develop an attraction. They realize the potential for disaster and do their best to avoid it. After a series of mishaps leaves David injured and the two of them alone waiting for rescue, their bond gets stronger and their resolve weakens. Early in the story, I prepared for a sad ending. This kind of story spells sacrifice and heartache for someone. By the epilogue, things are tied up in a way that makes you believe that everyone is better off for the experience.

David and Sierra are completely open with each other from the beginning – no chance of miscommunication here. Sierra is a remarkable character, not only because she’s patient, kind, and good-natured, but she is also truly self-reliant. I consider myself an independent woman, but drop me in the wilderness without prepackaged food, and I’d be sunk. Sierra keeps her cool, catches fish, treats David’s injuries, and makes it seem easy. I had no idea what she saw in David. He’s a decent guy, but I never got an idea of who he was, just how other people affect him.

If this were strictly a survival story, it would be an Desert Isle Keeper read. Descriptions are vivid, I learned things, and the action sequences are brisk and exciting. Unfortunately, when the characters try to express themselves, it always comes with a generous side of melodrama. When David says, “I want to hold you, kiss you, feel our hearts beat as one,” I got the feeling that he was reciting Journey lyrics, not speaking from the heart.

The Passage aims to take your emotions on a wild ride. I sailed through with barely a ripple, skimming the emotional parts, hoping someone would build a fire or something. Still, I know there are people who will find the story a pleasant change from lustful twenty-somethings speaking constant innuendo. If you’re suffering from Survivor withdrawal and can stand soggy dialogue, you should find The Passage worthwhile.