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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
In this novel we follow the connected story of four characters – Molly Allen, Ryan Kelly and Charlie & Donna Barton. Charlie and Donna own and run a bookstore called The Bridge, where Molly and Ryan spent a lot of their free time at during their first two years of college. They were inseparable, to the point where Charlie and Donna were convinced they’d be married someday.
But then Molly left.
Ryan never knew why.
Now it’s years later. Molly is running a successful branch of her father’s business, Ryan has toured the country as the lead guitarist of a famous country singer, and Charlie and Donna are trying to keep The Bridge alive after a flood completely wipes out the inside of their store.
The story of Molly and Ryan was one that is going to stay on my heart for some time. Call me a sucker, but I love a good story of two long-lost soul mates reuniting after a number of years have passed. I also enjoyed reading from the perspectives of Charlie and Donna and learning about their backgrounds and connection to Molly and Ryan. Like me, they were rooting for the two to get together when they were in college.
This was my first ever Karen Kingsbury book that I’ve read. My mom had told me she’s a great Christian-fiction writer and I can see why. This book brought tears to my eyes a number of times and at the same time warmed my heart. It was refreshing to read a book that focuses on the faith of the characters and their relationship with God as well as each other. I’m actually currently reading another book of hers and I can tell you I will continue to read more books by her. She’s definitely becoming one of my favorite authors.
One last note is that I fell in love with the bookstore their story revolves around, to the point that it makes me wish there was a small, homey bookstore just like The Bridge in my town. I guess I’ll just have to settle for opening one with my mom someday.
Anyway, I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a heartwarming story.
But then Molly left.
Ryan never knew why.
Now it’s years later. Molly is running a successful branch of her father’s business, Ryan has toured the country as the lead guitarist of a famous country singer, and Charlie and Donna are trying to keep The Bridge alive after a flood completely wipes out the inside of their store.
The story of Molly and Ryan was one that is going to stay on my heart for some time. Call me a sucker, but I love a good story of two long-lost soul mates reuniting after a number of years have passed. I also enjoyed reading from the perspectives of Charlie and Donna and learning about their backgrounds and connection to Molly and Ryan. Like me, they were rooting for the two to get together when they were in college.
This was my first ever Karen Kingsbury book that I’ve read. My mom had told me she’s a great Christian-fiction writer and I can see why. This book brought tears to my eyes a number of times and at the same time warmed my heart. It was refreshing to read a book that focuses on the faith of the characters and their relationship with God as well as each other. I’m actually currently reading another book of hers and I can tell you I will continue to read more books by her. She’s definitely becoming one of my favorite authors.
One last note is that I fell in love with the bookstore their story revolves around, to the point that it makes me wish there was a small, homey bookstore just like The Bridge in my town. I guess I’ll just have to settle for opening one with my mom someday.
Anyway, I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a heartwarming story.
(maybe like 3.75**)
So, this was not entirely what I suspected. I did not know this would be a Christian book. I'm not religious, so I do not typically read religious books. This, for a portion of the book, had "God" on almost every single page. I kept going and kind of skimmed over those parts, because I thought the story was really sweet and endearing. A man whose love for his bookstore and helping others experience the warmth and adventure he received from books for themselves was so heartfelt.
I love a book about books and about the magic of books bringing community together, and this was exactly that. This also featured a love story that I didn't quite care about; and also the fact that it was Christian knocked some of the enjoyment for me. Nevertheless, I loved the 2 hours I spent reading this book. It was enjoyable and heartwarming. Makes me more eager to read stories centered around communities.
So, this was not entirely what I suspected. I did not know this would be a Christian book. I'm not religious, so I do not typically read religious books. This, for a portion of the book, had "God" on almost every single page. I kept going and kind of skimmed over those parts, because I thought the story was really sweet and endearing. A man whose love for his bookstore and helping others experience the warmth and adventure he received from books for themselves was so heartfelt.
I love a book about books and about the magic of books bringing community together, and this was exactly that. This also featured a love story that I didn't quite care about; and also the fact that it was Christian knocked some of the enjoyment for me. Nevertheless, I loved the 2 hours I spent reading this book. It was enjoyable and heartwarming. Makes me more eager to read stories centered around communities.
The publisher's promo for this during BEA mentioned that this was a great cross-over book from Christian fiction - my guess is that's because this is all about saving a bookstore. To be honest, the amount of prayer and faith in it was not overwhelming, so I don't know how representative of the genre it is.
There are two stories here: one of the bookstore, The Bridge, fallen on worse-than-hard times following a flood, the other of a couple who met in college, abruptly broke up and then reunite over the saving of The Bridge. The first story is the far more Christian one, with Charlie and Donna Barton praying and putting their faith in the Lord and Jesus to help them (they have no stock, no money to buy stock, aren't getting any loans and are about to be evicted). An accident puts Charlie in a coma, setting the other plot in motion. Back in college, Ryan and Molly met and fell heavily in "like" with each other but were from wildly different backgrounds. Their one safe space (safe from her determined, domineering father) was at The Bridge. One night, when the household staff Molly's father engaged to keep her safe and under his watch have gone out, they have dinner and... kiss. Someone sees, tells Dad, who steps in. Eight years later, they both still carry a torch but until the Barton's need them, they are fully apart.
This is a very slight story, no major lessons learned (except perhaps that kindness can be repaid several thousand-fold), no major romance, nothing that will really stick with the reader for a long time. It's gentle and a fast read, more like a novella than a full novel.
As I said, I don't know how this compares to other Christian fiction, but those who wander into this book won't be thrown off by the overt tone.
ARC provided by publisher.
There are two stories here: one of the bookstore, The Bridge, fallen on worse-than-hard times following a flood, the other of a couple who met in college, abruptly broke up and then reunite over the saving of The Bridge. The first story is the far more Christian one, with Charlie and Donna Barton praying and putting their faith in the Lord and Jesus to help them (they have no stock, no money to buy stock, aren't getting any loans and are about to be evicted). An accident puts Charlie in a coma, setting the other plot in motion. Back in college, Ryan and Molly met and fell heavily in "like" with each other but were from wildly different backgrounds. Their one safe space (safe from her determined, domineering father) was at The Bridge. One night, when the household staff Molly's father engaged to keep her safe and under his watch have gone out, they have dinner and... kiss. Someone sees, tells Dad, who steps in. Eight years later, they both still carry a torch but until the Barton's need them, they are fully apart.
This is a very slight story, no major lessons learned (except perhaps that kindness can be repaid several thousand-fold), no major romance, nothing that will really stick with the reader for a long time. It's gentle and a fast read, more like a novella than a full novel.
As I said, I don't know how this compares to other Christian fiction, but those who wander into this book won't be thrown off by the overt tone.
ARC provided by publisher.
Even though I had been disappointed with the ending of the Baxter Family and Bailey Flannigan series I was hoping this stand alone book (besides a separately sold prequel) would bring me back to the earlier days of Karen; this did not happen.
There was a strong storyline about people coming together to save the bookstore The Bridge which had been destroyed by a flood and was in danger of closing. Unfortunately Karen began to do what she has become known for in her recent books. Make the story unbelievable, tie it up with a bow and then just end the book. What make this worse in the book (compared to her previous works) is the book just kind of ends when the storyline should continue. I am on the waiting list for her next book (via the library) but she is no longer an author where I will rush out to buy her books. I will save that for authors like Sarah Pekkanen and Neta Jackson. I really think she should take time off before she pens her next book. Like the books I previously mentions, this one falls short of the greatness of previous books like Unlocked and the Fame Series.
There was a strong storyline about people coming together to save the bookstore The Bridge which had been destroyed by a flood and was in danger of closing. Unfortunately Karen began to do what she has become known for in her recent books. Make the story unbelievable, tie it up with a bow and then just end the book. What make this worse in the book (compared to her previous works) is the book just kind of ends when the storyline should continue. I am on the waiting list for her next book (via the library) but she is no longer an author where I will rush out to buy her books. I will save that for authors like Sarah Pekkanen and Neta Jackson. I really think she should take time off before she pens her next book. Like the books I previously mentions, this one falls short of the greatness of previous books like Unlocked and the Fame Series.
I am a dedicated Kingsbury fan. While the plot was predictable, it was a nice story overall.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It took a couple of chapters to get into and then it was pretty good but all of a sudden it comes to an end and all it all works out and everyone gets a happy ending and it just feels really rushed. I didn’t really enjoy it and not a book i would be in a rush to reread. I have read other books by Karen Kingsbury and loved them.
First time reading a book by Karen Kingsbury and I loved it! Wonderful story filled with hope, faith, and love. Predictable ending but sometimes those are the best quick reads because you know what is going to happen to the main character at the end just not how it happens. Definitely recommend this book and I will looking for more of her novels.
Love this quote from page 49: "New and used books-so everyone has a chance to see the world through the pages of a story."
Lovely story about a small town bookstore in TN, and the power of faith and compassion. A feelgood read.