Can I step right into this cover? The Wishing Bridge is Henrietta’s story. She works in mergers and acquisitions, a highly competitive, lucrative field. Her parents own an adorable Christmas shop in a small town in Michigan, and when Henri’s job is in jeopardy, she’s determined to convince her parents to sell the shop to a massive corporation.

Henri travels home to Frankenmuth to start her work. What she finds is entirely different than her previous plans…

Well, now I not only want to jump into the cover. I also want to visit Frankenmuth during the holidays? Wow. What a charming story of the magic of Christmas. There’s a little lost love spark, and all the small town dynamics with secrets of the past. I especially enjoyed the dynamics between the family members. There was so much love. Looking for a sweet holiday contemporary with a fantastic setting and a second chance story? Look no further.

I received a gifted copy.

The Wishing Bridge by Viola Shipman (Wade Rouse) is the perfect book to read under a warm blanket during a cold December snow. It has the plot of a Hallmark movie and the main character's attitude evolution towards the holidays is very Hallmark as well. If you are a lover of all things Christmas, this book is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Graydon House for the chance to read this novel.

Henrietta Wagner's job is on the line. As a last ditch effort, Henri promises her boss that she can get her parents to sell their iconic Christmas store in Michigan. Henri's father built his business up from scratch and hoped to one day leave the business to Henri and her brother. So, after years of only pop in visits with her family, Henri travels to the town of Frankenmuth. Now, to get her parents willing to sell and not break the hearts of everyone that has faith in her.

Her parents are thrilled that Henri is visiting during the holidays, but her brother doesn't trust Henri's motives and even the friends she grew up with have their suspicions. Staying away from the real reason for her extended visit, Henri must contend with difficult texts from her boss. What is happening? Will his company be able to buy her parents business, in effect stealing it right from under them?

Viola Shipman does it best. Tells a story that captivates the reader, makes one feel compassion for the primary protagonist. Relates an impossible situation and yet delivers a satisfying conclusion. Bravo!

Many thanks to Graydon House and to NetGalley for this book for review. This is my honest opinion.

Another heartwarming novel by Viola Shipman. The story is set in Frankenmuth, Michigan, which is a historic town with a year-round Christmas spirit. The main character, Henrietta, aka Henri, is a corporate acquisition executive. She needs to close a lucrative deal before the end of the year to keep her job. She impulsively tells her boss that she can convince her parents to sell their Frankenmuth Christmas store to a large corporation. Henri arrives home to orchestrate the deal in early December. As she reunites with her family and friends during the magical holiday season, Henri begins to doubt the choices of her cold corporate career. A touching story written with all the warmth and emotion that you come to expect in a Viola Shipman novel.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

Viola Shipman never disappoints! The story invites you in and the details make you feel as you are strolling the streets of Frankenmuth right along with the characters! Makes me want to jump in the car and drive there, it’s truly an experience everyone should have but this book is the next best thing. Absolutely recommend!

This was a beautiful novel about coming home to find yourself. Although there is a romantic interest, the main focus of the story is loving yourself, once again.

This is my fourth book by Viola Shipman and like the other books The Wishing Bridge is a heart warming story of family relationships. The main character ,Henri , is struggling in her career and makes a long awaited trip home at Christmas . She has to make a choice to save her career or her relationships with her family. A lovely Christmas read !
Thanks to Netgallet and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Henri is headed home for Christmas for the first time in many years. Her father is Mr. Christmas and has worked most of her life to build a Christmas empire that can celebrate Christmas year round. Henri’s boss wants her to talk him into selling. Will Henri be the town rat or will she find her true calling in the small Christmas town?

This book is a literally a Hallmark movie. Big city girl goes back to her small hometown where she finds her heart again and reconnects with her love of yesteryear. Even though I guess that can be cheesy, it doesn’t stop this from being a great book that is just a feel-good story to enjoy!

Wade Rouse writes wonderful books about hope and family but the main character is always Michigan. Frankenmuth, Michigan is a picturesque Barvarian setting and Wenger's Winter Wonderland is the family owned store that Henrietta (Henri) needs to convince her parents to sell to save her job. Coming back home to her parents, brother Finn, old friends and childhood sweetheart Shep and trying to make the decision to sell the store or save it with the help of her Grandmother's memories makes a heartwarming holiday read.

I had a hard time getting into this book, especially because I didn't really like the heroine all that much. Part of the reason I picked this one up was because it takes place in Frankenmuth, Michigan and as a Michigander, I couldn't really pass that up. Honestly, it was the best part of the story.

*I recieved an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review

The book The Wishing Bridge was an enjoyable read. I would recommend any book written by Viola Shipman. Happy Reading!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

I'll be honest, this just wasn't a book for me. I had a hard time connecting with "Henri". She is supposed to be in her 50s but she is written much younger. I almost felt like the character was originally supposed to be in her 30s maybe (?), but she was aged up for an unknown reason. I also had a big issue with the beginning where things like certain toys were mentioned as being in a 1975 toy catalogue that didn't exist until a couple of years later. If you are going to throw in name brands like Simon, Star Wars and Nerf, at least make sure the year fits the toys. This reads very much like a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie. I know there are a lot of people who l enjoyed this one, so it's probably a me thing. Give it a shot.

I love Viola Shipman's Christmas books. They read like a Hallmark Christmas movie. The plot of The Wishing Bridge was very similar to one of the early Christmas movies I watched this year so it was pretty predictable. I also watched the same movie last year, so I don't mind predictability in my Christmas entertainment.

The characters are great, and the small-town setting is wonderful. The novel is filled with all the things of the holidays - snow and Christmas lights, friends and family.

I don't often picture actors/actresses as the characters of a book. But I kept picturing Andrea Bang from A Million Little Things whenever Henri's assistant Bea appeared on the page.

I spent a lovely morning on the couch in my PJs, with a hot cup of tea, a fuzzy blanket, a cat (or three), and the Christmas tree lit while reading more than half of this book. It is the perfect story for a lazy day of reading. So if you are trying to fit in a day of self-care over the holidays, you should pick up this book.

My review will published at Girl Who Reads on Friday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2023/12/2-christmas-books-you-dont-want-to-miss.html

Are you looking for an easy read to finish before the New Year? Come celebrate this heartwarming story.

This was the perfect read to end 2023. It was a heartwarming Christmas story. If you’re looking for a sweet Christmas story this is the one.

Making choices, be it good or bad, are a part of life. In making those choices, bridges sometimes get burnt. However, healing, forgiveness and love makes it possible for the repair of these bridges; a fact that Henrietta Wegner will discover in The Wishing Bridge.

The Wishing Bridge is my second time reading a Viola Shipman book. Having enjoyed The Secret of Snow, I looked forward to experiencing Shipman's latest release. 

The story introduces Henrietta Wegner (Henri) a fiercely competitive Mergers and Acquisitions manager. Prior to an impressive career in the field of Mergers and Acquisitions, Henri helped out in the Wegner's Christmas store. A store owned and operated by her family. Despite her love for family and traditions, she didn't see herself dedicating the rest of her life to running the family owned store. Obtaining a college degree would be her passport to bigger things. After graduation, she left Frankenmuth, Michigan for Detroit.

Several years later, after making a name for herself in the field, she recognizes that her former assistant was seeking to take her job. So in order to preserve her job, she offered to convince her father to sell the family business to a company that had their sights set on acquiring the store. So after years of not returning home, she heads to Frankenmuth. She hopes to close what would be the biggest deal of her career. 

It took me some time to get into the story, not because it wasn't good but due to the actions of Henri. I had a difficult time warming up to her. Now, I am all for one pursuing their dreams, but not at the expense of family. Henri literally abandoned her family. She never returned home since her graduation from college. The fact she chose to do so now under false pretences made it hard for me to like her. Despite my struggles with Henri, the story kept me entertained. I kept waiting for the moment her lies would blow up in her face. Her struggles with guilt over the real reason for her return home aided in changing my view of her.  It made me glad to see that in the face of all her lies she re-discovered the true spirit of Christmas. 

The story portrayed on the pages of The Wishing Bridge is one of second chances. Not only did Henri get a second chance with her family, she got one with the guy she left behind. While the romance was not the main focus, it delivered sweet and heart-warming moments.

Overall, The Wishing Bridge delivered a story which portrayed the importance of family. A story about healing, forgiveness and second chances.

What a charming read! Make some hot cocoa and jump into Henri’s world. Ups and downs of a career girl who has family traditions in her heart.

For me, the characters, the place, and the story of The Wishing Bridge by Viola Shipman remain two-dimensional. The image I am left with is a rushed crowd of people with all things Christmas, but not one that is identifiable or unique. The sweetness, warmth, and personal touch of the author's other books just seems missing in this one. I walk away from this one and anticipate the next, hoping it reverts back to the author's earlier work.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/12/the-wishing-bridge.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

Shipman is known for heart-warming family tales that feature the best of Michigan's scenery, small towns, and strong people. THE WISHING BRIDGE is a Christmas story that feautures all that and more. While many holiday stories (and movies) are set in towns that would rival Dicken's settings what sets Shipman's apart is that it is based on the real Frankenmuth, Michigan - a town rich with Bavarian culture, architecture, and tradition. The town really comes alive during the Christmas season and Shipman portrays that vitality and magic throughout this new novel. Like many Christmas stories, the main character Henri (female) has lost her zest for her career-driven life in Detroit. Even worse, she has distanced herself from her family who run a magical Christmas store in Frankenmuth. When her job is threatened, Henri makes a drastic decision and heads home for the first time in years. Besides the setting filled with lights, ornaments, and candies, what I liked best was Henri's age -- she is not some young thing just turning 30, thinking life has past her by. Henri is actually in her fifties and has lived long enough with her decisions to be able to reflect on them. I've read other Shipman books and rank this as one of my favorites. I received an e-copy from Netgalley. All opinions are mine.

I always love reading Ms Shipman's books and this one is no exception. This book made me look back at what could have been if I would have stayed with the childhood sweetheart. Henri, goes home after a long period away to try to get her aging parents to sell the family business. Along the way she discovers that having a career and making it on her own isn't all it is cracked up to be.