Book Summary from the Publisher:
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 has typically meant 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 greatest success of her career...or the most awkward family holiday of her life.
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.
Includes the bonus novella Christmas Angels.
"A beautifully written story about second chances. Fans of women's fiction won't be able to put this down." --Publishers Weekly on The Secret of Snow
"Viola Shipman knows relationships. The Clover Girls will sometimes make you smile and other times cry, but like a true friendship, it is a novel you will forever savor and treasure." --Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author
"The perfect winter warmer!" --USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan on The Secret of Snow
My Review
This year, Christmas is going to be a difficult one. So, Henrietta “Henri” Wegner finds a way to make it a happier holiday. She’s currently working in the corporate world, but her parents have a successful Christmas store in the small town of Frankenmuth, Michigan. Henri learns she’s about to be let go. To save her job, Henri must convince her aging parents to sell out to her boss. If this happens, all the small town, good feelings of the store will be gone and it will become part of the big corporate world. Henri feels guilty, but she has to do whatever she can to keep her job.
This story had overtones of the Grinch that Stole Christmas with quite a bit of emotions. It’s an emotional roller-coaster ride that keeps you engaged in this heartwarming, touching tale that pulls on all the heartstrings. I went from being disappointed in Henri to loving and cheering for her.
The cast is strong and well-written and filled with character growth. This book has it all - betrayal, romance and family relationships all rolled into one poignant story. Beautifully written. The perfect book for this time of year. I’ll be adding this author to my “must read” list.
For reading challenges:
Literary Escapes Reading Challenge 2023 (Michigan)
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Author Bio:
VIOLA SHIPMAN is the pen name for internationally bestselling LGBTQIA author Wade Rouse. Wade is the author of fifteen books, which have been translated into 21 languages and sold over a million copies around the world. Wade writes under his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman, to honor the working poor Ozarks seamstress whose sacrifices changed his family’s life and whose memory inspires his fiction.
Wade’s books have been selected multiple times as Must-Reads by NBC’s Today Show, Michigan Notable Books of the Year and Indie Next Picks. He lives in Michigan and California, and hosts Wine & Words with Wade, A Literary Happy Hour, every Thursday.
Social Links:
I absolutely adored this book and will be recommending it to everyone! Nice review Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to reading this one. I've only read one book by this author but I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDelete