The Bridge: A Novel

I loved this and every book I've read so far by Karen Kingsbury! I am a 75 yo mostly retired psychologist Who became a believer around a year and a half ago. I found out about Karen after watching The Bridge movie on Hallmark Channel. Her grasp of human beings and faith is incredibly profound. I continue to be informed and encouraged with everything I read by her. I honor and admire her brilliance and love and wisdom and compassion and insights. I recommend her unconditionally!

I purchased "The Bridge" from an online source, one we all know of. It wasn't Charlie Barton, but it's one of the books I read and re-read every year! It's that good! I can't help but wonder what "message" Charlie and Donna might have had for me that I might have used in my life. I've been very fortunate in my life...God has always driven my life and I've seen some things that could have only be classified as a another miracle from God! This was a fabulous read!!! One that leaves you wishing you could stick around just a little longer, to see what else happened! Read this, you love it just as I have!!!Trust me!! I can only hope she writes a sequel !!!

This story follows two main set of people. Molly and Ryan and Donna and Charlie. Donna and Charlie own a book store, the Bridge, where Molly and Ryan spent most afternoons while in college. Unfortunately a great flood has completely ruined the bookstore and Charlie and Donna are on the verge of losing everything. Molly and Ryan now living separate lives are brought back in the common goal of helping save the Bridge. This novel leaves you with the "It's a Wonderful Life" feeling as everything gets tied-up nicely just in time for Christmas.This book was a short book, probably bordering a novella versus a novel. This makes it an easy introduction to Christian novels. It's nice for the beginner Christian novel reader since its not overwhelming with Bible verses and references. I personally felt it could've used more but its good to not have the reader feel "preached" at or overwhelmed. The characters are very connectable. I believe most people can connect to the "one that got away" feeling or the feeling of loss.Unfortunately even the best novels have some downfalls. One for me was it could've been longer. I felt like I was just connecting with the characters and then it abruptly got tied up in a neat little bow and was over. I did miss how she in the other book read had one verse that was the focus of the book. I wish she would have done something like that in this book.Its a very short, sweet novel which captures the Christmas season. I also felt this was slightly overpriced for the length of the book. I bought it from the Kindle for 7.99. Its short enough that this busy mom of 2 small children read it in 3 short settings...maybe a total of 4 hours. In fact approximately the last 15% of my Kindle addition is acknowledgements and group discussion questions. I felt a bit cheated.I do think this one is worth a quick read, especially if you're wanting to try out Christian novels or want a quick read. Its short and sweet and leaves you believing in love and miracles.

Kingsbury has written a heartwarming holiday story of faith, love, and second chances. The Bridge is a bookstore in Franklin, Tennessee run by Charlie and Donna Barton. Charlie is struggling to save his store after a flood destroys all of his books. After he gets turned down for any financial assistance Charlie feels like he has nowhere to turn. Molly Allen, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, lives alone in Portland, Oregon. Five years ago Molly spent the best two years of her life at Belmont University, where she met fellow student Ryan Kelly. The two had fallen in love over books and music, but misunderstandings and unspoken words resulted in them both walking away. When they hear of Charlie's struggle they both go to Franklin to discover if God does offer second chances. This short and sweet holiday read starts on Black Friday and ends on Christmas day brining the spirit of holiday to life with family and community coming together in generosity. I would recommend this story to anyone looking for a heartwarming story this holiday season."He called it The Bridge because that was how he felt about books. They connected the past and the present, the present and the future. Books brought people together and gave them a path to worlds they wouldn't otherwise experience."Appeal Notes (May contain spoilers):Pacing: Medium/FastCharacter: The perspective rotates between the four major characters, Megan Allan, Ryan Kelly, Charlie Barton, and Donna Barton. There is a nice balance between these characters, though Charlie and Donna are minor characters compare to Megan and Ryan.Language: Easy to follow, filled with desperation and drama.Location: Franklin, Tennessee, Portland Oregon.Comments: In The Bridge, Kingsbury provides a wonderful holiday inspired story. There was one scene involving Charlie and his "family" that had me crying right along with the characters. This story is unlike many of her other novels in that God and faith are a footnote to the story, which some fans may not like. The end of the novel has a reading group guide and an expert from Kingsbury's next book "The Chance".For more reviews visit my blog [...]

Karen is one of my favorite authors but this was not one of my favorite books. It wasn’t one I had to keep reading to find out what happened. One of my least favorite that she’s written.

If you are looking for mindless 'switch off' fodder then this might be the book for you. Linear unformed characters, quick fill-ins of what has happened in their lives, seven years airbrushed over, little substance, poor medical research/descriptions, and totally predictable endings to the two story lines. This is story writing at it's most basic. It's substantially shorter than it could have been, if some substance had been added, running to only about 200 pages of very large text - I read it pretty much in one sitting. The writer says she is inspired by God and following his pathway in her writing and I really wanted to believe that there would be some twist, some magic, something to inspire, but unfortunately for me this just did not work.

I really enjoyed this book. Love karen Kingsley books they hold you captive. Me and the boyfriend read her books to each other , taking a chapter each. I dont have a television so its a great way to spend some quality time together.Money well spent.

A beautiful story that thrills and teaches that truth and honesty are the basis for a successful relationship. Love it. Thank you.

Karen Kinsbury's name came to my attention as 'an author who knows how to please her audience.' If you are looking for Christian romance with a straight forward plot, it will not disappoint. The story setting appealed to me and I enjoy romantic fiction, but this was the first Christian fiction I've ever read and I admit to finding the religious aspect a little irksome at times. That's not to detract from the writing or the story in any way, but perhaps it proves that books marketed as Christian fiction are geared towards a very specific audience and to win over a non-Christian reader would need to be exceptional writing or an outstanding and complex plot that gripped the imagination beyond the characters need to have faith.

I was transported from a world of Coronavirus to a time of restored love and second chances! A reminder of what's really important in this lifetime.

Karen is such a fabulous author. I get completely lost in her books and can't put them down. This is another book that completely touches you heart.

The book ended too quickly, I was in love from the first page to the last line. It’s amazing how God is never late and always ready to give us the best in life. Thank you Karen Kingsbury for being a vessel unto honour for God.

After reading the prequel to this I was impatient to read this. Karen Kingsbury never disappoints and this book along with her other novels always has the reader gripped until the reader gripped until the very end. There is always a wonderful moral message with all of her books. Waiting impatiently for her next novel now.

A tender and heart-warming story which ended happily. Watched the recent 2 part film on Movies 24 and totally loved it. The music score was amazing.

Never read any books by this author so did not know what to expect but this is a brilliant story of how people come together even in hard times. Really touching and makes you want to finish the book in one sitting to see what happens.

Another exceptional work of art. Although a story, I choose to believe that people will pull together in time of great need. I also believe in miracles! Thank you once again.

I was expecting something a lot longer but I think it was a good preparation to the sequel "the chance"... I really love this author's style.

Was diapponted with the book iv seen film but it's nothing like the film.

Lovely book

good book to read