The Wishing Bridge A Sparkling Christmas Novel by Viola Shipman

 Book Excerpt:

"With unabashed winter charm, The Wishing Bridge sparkles with the humor and heart fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey, Nancy Thayer, and Jenny Colgan love most.

Once the hottest mergers and acquisitions executive in the company, Henrietta Wegner can see the ambitious and impossibly young up-and-comers gunning for her job. When Henri's boss makes it clear she'll be starting the New Year unemployed unless she can close a big deal before the holidays, Henri impulsively tells him that she can convince her aging parents to sell Wegner's—their iconic Frankenmuth, Michigan, Christmas store—to a massive, soulless corporation. It's the kind of deal cool corporate Henri has built her career on.

Home for the holidays typically means a perfunctory twenty-four-hour visit for Henri, then back to Detroit as fast as her car will drive her. So turning up at the Wegner's offices in early December raises some eyebrows: from her delighted, if puzzled, parents to her suspicious brother and curious childhood friends. But as Henri fields impatient texts from her boss while reconnecting with the magic of the store and warmth of her hometown, what sounded great in the boardroom begins to lose its luster in real life. She's running out of time to pull the trigger on what could be the most tremendous success of her career…or the most awkward family holiday of her life."

Title:  The Wishing Bridge

Author:  Viola Shipman

Publisher:  Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"The Wishing Bridge" by Viola Shipman

My Sentiments:

'The Wishing Bridge' was a good story with well-developed characters...from Bea, Sofie, Shep, Mouse, Finn, Clare, Ethan, the mom, dad, Hannah, and others l may have left out. This was a beautiful story of 'many decisions that may be changed, along with a father/daughter relationship with Christmas miracles and, among all, being able to learn essential things about how life can go for you.' Be ready for a beautiful storyline and romantic possibilities [old flame] in this sentimental Christmas read.  

What decision will Henrietta make that will affect her family this Christmas, and why is she doing this?  

We find Henri has left her hometown to take a corporate job after graduation. Now, her new boss is threatening to fire her, and that's when she promises him that she could get her dad to sell their iconic Christmas store to him or be fired. Wow, what a betrayal this will be to her parents! How will this turn out?   Be ready for a little bit of it all from 'Christmas, family traditions, dreams, decisions, childhood memories, aging parents, family business, corporate buyouts, best friends, family strength, forgiving oneself, secrets, second chances, dreams, self-worth, and so much more' that will give the readers a pretty exciting and intriguing read all the way to the end of this perfect Christmas read. The reader will get a good read that Henri will learn much more when she goes home and learns what family and friends are all about in this nostalgic Michigan town. By the way, what will be learned about 'The Wishing Bridge.'

This is where you will pick up this sound, heartwarming story to see how this author brings it out to the readers with an absolutely perfect ending.  

Also, there is a bonus novella...Christmas Angels which was a very heartful and beautiful story.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Grayson House for the opportunity to read this book.