Weekend Writing: Reviewing Karen Kingsbury's "The Bridge"

"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 would not otherwise experience." - Karen Kingsbury, "The Bridge"

My sister and I with our copies of "The Bridge"
(photo/Kasy Long).

I received my copy of Karen Kingsbury's The Bridge in July from the New York Times bestselling novelist herself as a reward for a social media contest. It is an autographed copy and when I received another copy in the mail for winning another contest, I immediately gave the duplicate to my sister, who is also a fan of Kingsbury.

My sister and I recently read the novel together in our book club. We read one chapter at a time, which is effective because there are four pivotal characters in the novel. The story doesn't just center on one character, but a cluster of important individuals.

It all begins with The Bridge, a beautiful bookstore in Franklin, Tennessee. It's where Molly Allen and Ryan Kelly--two college students destined to be together--meet and gradually fall in love. It's the place Charlie and Donna Barton, who run the bookstore, call home. For 30 years, The Bridge has provided the people of Franklin with coffee, conversation, and shelves of books. Through the rise of digital books, The Bridge has continued to prosper.

That is, until the hundred-year flood sweeps through Franklin and destroys nearly everything in its sight, including every book at The Bridge. 

How can The Bridge possibly survive now without a steady income? The bank is pulling the lease on the store, causing Charlie to feel like a failure. Without answers, Charlie considers the unthinkable, and that's when tragedy strikes.

A photo from the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries film version of "The Bridge"
(photo/Hallmark Movies and Mysteries).

But that tragedy reunites Molly and Ryan, who had seven years apart from each other due to misunderstandings. They reunite to help The Bridge and the Bartons, but they find themselves reuniting their hearts.

The Bridge is told from multiple points of view in alternating chapters, allowing readers to hear from Molly, Ryan, Charlie and Donna. I enjoyed Kingsbury's organization of the alternating chapters because I was able to connect to each character. I didn't just love Molly and Ryan's story, but I loved Charlie and Donna's story with The Bridge, as well.

The Bridge is an easy read, meaning that it's a relaxing book. You can curl up on the sofa during one winter evening and read the book from cover to cover. You are immediately drawn into the characters' stories, their interactions with each other, and the tragedy that strikes (but I'm not going to spoil what that tragedy is...because you need to read it yourself).

Karen Kingsbury on the set of "The Bridge"
(photo/Hallmark Movies and Mysteries). 

Now, I won't spoil the ending, but every character receives the gift of a second chance. Molly and Ryan receive a second chance at their love story through their reunion. Charlie receives a very important second chance. At the same time, Donna receives a second chance by realizing the importance The Bridge has had on their customers throughout the years.

The Bridge even receives a second chance.

Kingsbury's The Bridge is a love story set during the holiday season (which is why I read it during this time of the year, but I think you could read the book at any time). The novel revolves around the struggle of the American bookstore and a community that comes together--a love story you will never forget.

Now, if someone could point me in the direction of the nearest bookstore that resembles the quaint, comfortable The Bridge, I'd really appreciate that.

-KJL-