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.
Review
"Popular inspirational novelist Kingsbury goes mainstream in her newest, which mixes a love story with a seasonal one that borrows from the Christmas favorite
It's A Wonderful Life. . . . Kingsbury fans may acquire a new holiday favorite read in this sugary tale of second chances." (
Publishers Weekly )
Reader Praise for The Bridge:
“The Bridge is a reminder that all things aren’t as they seem. That things really do work together for the good! That God IS in control even when we can’t see it. Karen’s books make you laugh, cry, and leave you wanting more! Her characters are so real you feel like you know them, and want to be friends with them. Once I read the first page of The Bridge I couldn’t put it down. I read the entire book in one day!!” (Hellen (Annette) H. )
“Karen Kingsbury once again uses her beautiful talent to illustrate God’s awesome love and grace for us! Each new story speaks to so many hearts across the world. Karen’s gift is certainly a loving legacy that I share with others!” (Cyndi A. )
“Gripping from the beginning, The Bridge is an amazing story where we learn even in tragedy or loss God is the God of second chances and we should learn to treasure the miracles He sends our way.” (Chris V. )
“Karen Kingsbury’s newest book, The Bridge, will tug at the heart-strings of old time bookstore lovers everywhere! Blend in a little romance with the timeless principle of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, and you have a classic story built around classic books!” (Annette W. )
“The Bridge is a story of friendship, love, forgiveness, and God's amazing grace. Join Charlie, Donna, Molly, and Ryan on an adventure of never-ending friendship in this wonderful story that God will never leave us and always protect us.” (Hope P. )
“Karen Kingsbury has done it again with The Bridge. She is more than an author. She’s a vessel that God has used to minister to myself, as well as her other readers. She is a passionate and inspirational woman of God. I am grateful for her faithfulness and obedience to write when God gives her a story. Thank you, Karen, for your faithfulness. Your stories have touched my life more than you could ever know.” (Tami D. )
“Once again Karen writes such strong characters that draw deep emotions, you feel like you are right there, a part of the story. The Bridge is a beautiful love story intertwined with many types of love. You will be truly moved and inspired by this story. Have the tissues ready!!!” (Renette S. )
“The Bridge is an incredibly heart-warming collection of love stories—the story of a young couple in love, the story of an older couple who love each other and their fledgling business, and the love of a community coming together for one of its own. I could not put The Bridge down, because I was captivated by the events and anxious to read ‘the rest of the story!’ Inspirational! A beautiful story about second chances!” (Lisa H. )
“The Bridge will be a bridge to your heart. It is a heart-warming story of second chances that you will not want to put down until you finish it. You will fall in love with the Barton’s and their wonderful store & ministry as well as Molly and Ryan. This is a must read. God does give second chances and answer our prayers.” (Marnie M. )
About the Author
Dubbed the “Queen of Christian Fiction” by Time magazine, Karen Kingsbury is America’s favorite inspirational novelist, with a dozen bestsellers and more than 20 million copies of her award-winning books in print. Karen has written more than fifty novels, ten of which have hit #1 on national lists. She lives in Tennessee with her husband Don and their five sons, three of whom are adopted from Haiti. Their daughter Kelsey is married to Christian artist Kyle Kupecky.