Five years ago, Molly Allen left her heart in Tennessee when she walked away from the man she can’t forget. Ryan Kelly spends much of his time in Franklin’s bookstore, remembering the hours he and Molly once spent there. But when tragedy and trouble threaten to close the shop for good, what miracles will unfold?
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Karen Kingsbury is America’s #1 inspirational novelist and a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She has written more than thirty books, with over ten million copies in print. In the past year alone, she has sold more than two million copies.
After graduating with a degree in journalism in 1986, Karen worked for the Los Angeles Times and LA Daily News as a sports writer, eventually becoming a front-page writer for the Daily News. Her first book spawned from a murder story she covered as a journalist and she became an inspirational novelist in 1998. Many of her books have won the yearly Gold Medallion and Retailer Choice awards. Her award-winning books include Ever After, Found, Oceans Apart, and the Redemption Series. Many of her novels have and will be developed into full-length motion pictures such as, Deadly Pretender, Like Dandelion Dust, A Thousand Tomorrows, Ever After, and Gideon’s Gift.
Karen and her husband life in the Pacific Northwest with five of their six children.
My Impressions:
My book club, By The Book, chose Karen Kingsbury’s Christmas novella, The Bridge, as our December discussion selection. Many of our members count Kingsbury as one of their favorite authors. I, however, do not. I have only read 2 of her previous books, books that her fans readily agree are not her finest offerings. So, being the good sport that I am, I began reading The Bridge with without preconceived notions. And what I found was a touching Christmas romance with endearing characters. Although the story was predictable, I found myself still anticipating the resolution of the story.
The Bridge, a bookstore in downtown Franklin, Tennessee, has been the hub of the community for decades. But a devastating flood has destroyed the historic icon, and its owners, Charlie and Donna, see no way short of a miracle to reopen. Molly and Ryan spent every afternoon of 2 years at The Bridge when students at nearby Belmont College. Their friendship deepened and their love grew amid the classics in the bookstore. But misunderstandings and circumstances separated them 7 years ago. Maybe The Bridge can once again bring them together.
I found the story to be a combination of It’s A Wonderful Life and You’ve Got Mail. Charlie and his bookstore have touched so many people over the years, yet he keeps hearing his father’s saying voice that he will end up a failure. His story is the one that kept me reading. I also loved the way books were important to so many people in the community with their ability to inform and transform. This was indeed a book lover’s book.
All in all I have to say I liked this book. So if you like romance, Christmas stories, or Karen Kingsbury, try The Bridge. If you have read The Bridge. I would love to share your thoughts with my group (we meet Thursday night). Please leave me a comment.
Recommended.
(I purchased The Bridge for my Kindle.)
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