This Christmas holiday, I’ve been reading novels from authors I haven’t read from before, a first read if you will.

Read Recently: A Cedar Cove Christmas

A Cedar Cove Christmas
ISBN 13: 9780778325918
Rating: ♣♣♣

This is about a pregnant girl, Mary Jo, whose baby father left her without any help. Her three brothers wanted to find the man and force him to marry their sister. The only way for them to find the man is to head to his home town called Cedar Cove. Mary Jo travelled to Cedar Cove ahead of time and alone to avoid her brother’s making the worse of things. When she arrived in Cedar Cove, it wasn’t what she was expecting. Cedar Cove was such a surprise. In this book, the Nativity story and the Grinch of Christmas is making an appearance.

It was an entertaining read. I was surprised how the Nativity story was incorporated in the book. I wasn’t a fan of Mary Jo. It started getting better when Mary Jo met fire department EMT, Mack. For Mary Jo’s brothers or the three Wyse men, the differences in their personalities were pointed out really well. I couldn’t relate having three brothers who are too controlling maybe because I am not the only girl in the family. The people of Cedar Cove, there's nothing quite like them. The hospitality, the trust and warmth they give a total stranger was just amazing. Lucky for Mary Jo to end up in Cedar Cove at such a delicate time. All in all, it was an okay read. I give it 2.5 stars.

Read Recently: The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury

The Bridge
ISBN 13: 9781451694376
Rating: ♣♣♣

The book is about a book store, The Bridge, that opened in a town in Franklin. The story is told in many different perspective, from the owner of the book store, Charlie and Donna Barton, to their loyal customers Molly, Ryan and more. Charlie and Donna opened the book store as a way for people who are in need of help to find comfort with them and the books they sell. The Bartons has kept special ties to the people they meet and helped. At the beginning of the book, Donna was gifted with a scrapbook from a girl they helped. The scrapbook remained with the Bartons throughout the years, up to the present time, and was an instrument in helping them after a crisis occurred.

This is one of those very few books that made me cry. I didn’t read any reviews on the novel that I was silently berating myself reading it after I shed a few tears in between pages. I swear I wouldn’t read weepy books. Since I already started reading it, I wanted to just get it done and over with. Most of the story revolve around the retelling of the lives of the Bartons and one of their favorite young customers Molly and Ryan whom they met when both kids were still studying in a nearby college. Molly and Ryan studied Music and has always been drawn to each other ever since they first laid eyes on each other. I can’t resist a really cute love story. The book store was more than a book store to the customers. It was where people come to experience relief from their struggles, whatever it maybe, through the books recommended to them by the Bartons. It’s a beautiful story. You’ll feel really proud with the Bartons despite their background. You’ll want to root for Molly and Ryan. It’s about family, relationships, love and books. I give it 3 stars.

Currently Reading: Twelve Days of Christmas by Trisha Ashley

Merry Christmas everyone!