Book review: "The Bridge" by Karen Kingsbury

Title: The Bridge
Author: Karen Kingsbury
Publisher: Howard Books, 2012

Molly Allen lives alone in Portland, living far below her means, as she is the heiress of an enormous corporation. Her job as head of a charitable organization is all she has, along with her cat; and every Black Friday, she has Ryan.

Ryan, once the guitarist for a famous country band, has found himself out of work since the band broke up. He has no idea what to do with his life now, but is sure he can find something. His father wants him to come back home to be the school's music teacher, but the memory of Molly keeps him from settling.

Both never forgot each other, and both thought the other married who they were expected to get married to. When the bookstore and its owner that brought them together is in dire trouble, they know they have to act. And it will bring them together again.

Okay, so if you're looking for a Christmas book that is pretty much exactly like a Lifetime Christmas special, this is it. I would classify it as religious fiction, since Christianity is a major theme. Personally, I enjoy that sort of thing, but I know it's not for everyone so if you don't like that, I'd skip this one.

There are really no surprises in this book, but I don't think anyone who reads this is looking for twists. It's predictable and comfortable, just like the Hallmark movies many of us watch during this time of year. There are misunderstandings that are spelled out for all of us readers, leading to major dramatic irony until the very end.

Oh, and there are also some Christmas miracles.

I don't know if I would have been able to finish this one if it hadn't been so short, but it was short. I was able to race through this in about a day or two, maybe 3 hours total of reading, so if you're looking for a safe, heartwarming, Christian story about the miracles of Christmas this is what you're looking for.

Disclosure: I received a e-book for review from the publisher via NetGalley.