The Bridge: A Novel By Karen Kingsbury

I received this book from Howard Books for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.


Book Description:

Number one New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury delivers an instant classic with this heartwarming Christmas story about a hundred-year flood, lost love, and the beauty of enduring friendships.

Molly Allen lives alone in Portland, but she left her heart back in Tennessee with a man she walked away from five years ago. They had a rare sort of love she hasn’t found since. Ryan Kelly lives in Nashville after a broken engagement and several years on the road touring with a country music duo. He can still hear Molly’s voice encouraging him to follow his dreams; Molly, whose memory stays with him. At least he can visit The Bridge—the oldest bookstore in historic downtown Franklin—and remember the hours he and Molly once spent there. For thirty years, Charlie and Donna Barton have run The Bridge, providing the people of middle Tennessee with coffee, conversation, and shelves of good books—even through dismal book sales and the rise of digital books. Then in May, the hundred-year flood swept through Franklin and destroyed nearly every book in the store.  Now the bank is pulling the lease on The Bridge. Despondent and without answers, Charlie considers the unthinkable. Then tragedy strikes, and suddenly, everything changes. In the face of desperate brokenness and lost opportunities, could the miracle of a second chance actually unfold? The Bridge is a love story set against the struggle of the American bookstore, a love story you will never forget.


My Thoughts:

The Bridge is the second book by Karen Kingsbury I have read and it did not disappoint.  I am not usually one to read romance novels but The Bridge really sounded like it was going to be different from other romance novels and it is.  This story is about love lost and found and the interesting ways God brings us all together in His time.  Though it is not a Christmas story, the plot takes place at Christmas time and makes the Christmas very special for the characters. It is also based upon a bookstore which is such a unique and cool setting. The story goes back and forth between the present and back to the times when Molly and Ryan were in college. It also switches between the different characters. The author made these transitions seamless and the story flows very smoothly. Also being able to see  the points of view of all 4 of the main characters really makes the story. Also The Bridge is a  story about keeping the faith when it seems all is lost.  Karen Kingsbury writes a wonderful story with fantastic characters that makes you feel like you are right there watching events unfold.  I couldn't but this book down.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction and Karen Kingsbury's other novels. You will not be disappointed.