Alicia, stricken by grief after the untimely passing of her fiancé, decides to return to the town she once lived in to visit the bridge that supposedly grants wishes.

The Noel Bridge was an alright read for me, but I didn't fully love it. Probably because I am not the intended audience. Going in I had expected a tale of magical realism, but instead the 'magic' in the book got attributed by its characters to a (Christian idea of) God. Since I myself have no connection to this idea this didn't really work for me. On top of that I like a bit more tension and less predictability than this story was giving me.

However I know many people read for comfort, and that is what you will surely find in this small town romance novel. If you enjoy the setting of Virgin River, but would like to read something with lower stakes I would recommend checking out The Noel Bridge.

What I enjoyed most about this novel is how Hale palpably captures the feeling of the first Christmas after a loved one passing.

“But that was how grief worked. It clouded her brain like a dense fog at times. Making her disregard the fact the world continued to go on.”

Over the course of the story we see Alicia realistically navigating and moving through her grief for her fiancé. Though I would have liked a bit more depth to the romance.

Now onto the narration for the audiobook. The narrator has a pleasant timbre with a Southern US accent. This matches the cozy vibes perfectly. The only gripes I have is that I would have preferred the voices to be a bit more distinct.

Attention Hallmark, this book needs to be made into a Christmas movie ASAP! It has all the ingredients, a small town romance, found family and a touch of magic.

Alicia is still reeling after her fiance died in a car accident 9 moths ago. She decides that she will visit the town that she grew up in Noel, Tennessee for Christmas. There is a covered bridge there that is said to grant wishes. What follows is heart warming romance. Alicia meets Leo and they help each other bring peace to each others lives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the advanced listener copy. Emma Love was a wonderful narrator, and had a touch of a southern accent which made listening to the audiobook such a pleasure. I highly recommend this audiobook. It gives you a the warm, Hallmark Christmas movie vibes.

Jenny Hale is one of my go-to holiday authors. I love how she packs Christmas coziness, heartfelt feelings and love into her books. The Noel Bridge was another great romance that plays out like a comfy Hallmark movie. Emma Love's narration is on point as always. Her voice portrays emotion and the story so well and I felt so connected to Alicia and Leo's story. If you're looking for a holiday romance to lift your heart - this is it!

WOW!!! I just LOVED this one!!!

Alicia is a nurse. She is looking for some answers after her fiance (Beau) dies...and she can't seem to find them anywhere. Her parents are in Florida, soaking up some of the sun's rays. And she just feels totally alone...
Hoping to connect with her love, she decides to go back to her small, hometown, with the fabled covered bridge, that has been known to grant wishes...among other things... But, what exactly can she wish for? She KNOWS that Beau is gone...

And so, she is told to take some time off from work, and she decides to go back to her hometown of Noel (How sweet is the name?? !!) But, the weather is awful. The snow is drifting. But she needs to get to the bridge. Maybe she'll be able to speak to him? Hear him? Maybe he can guide her as to how to get on with her life??? She doesn't know, but it's worth a shot.

She stops at a diner as she enters town, as she sees the lights are still on and she's starving. But, as she approaches the door, the lights go out...

OK...I'm stopping here! If you want to read more of this charming, Christmas-y, small town vibe, sweet book, you'll have to pick it up!

5++ big, beautiful, bright Christmas Stars ✨✨✨✨✨⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!!

#TheNoelBridge by #JennyHale and narrated beautifully by #EmmaLove.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #DreamscapeSelect and #HarpethRoadPress for an ARC of the audiobook which was just released yesterday, 10/15/24!! So, if it sounds like something you'd like, look 👀 for it now!

BTW...apparently, Ms Hale is the author of several of the Hallmark Christmas Movie books... NO WONDER I loved this one so much!

Thanks to #NetGalley, #RBMedia and #RecordedBooks for an ARC of the audiobook which was released yesterday, 10/15/24, so look for it on shelves now!

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I love covered bridges so when I saw the one featured on this cover and in this book, I knew I needed to read it! It is said that the bridge in Noel makes miracles and wishes come true. Jenny Hale offers a story of hope and inspiration set around the holiday season! Alicia returns to her childhood hometown after the passing of her fiance with plans to visit the bridge. This story navigates grief, self-discovery and the importance of friends. I immediately felt compelled to Alicia's story and enjoyed watching her journey unfold on the pages. The narrator and audio were also a great fit for this story! Thank you to Dreamscape for an advanced audio copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Title: The Noel Bridge
Author: Jenny Hale
Genre: Romance
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narrator: Emma Love
Publisher: Dreamscape Select/ Harpeth Road Press
Pub Date: October 15, 2024
Star Rating: 4.6 Stars
Pages: 258

Alicia Silver’s fiancé, Bo was in a terrible a car accident nine month ago that left him brain dead and he later died. He was so special to her and now with Christmas coming she is struggling and missing him as much as ever.
She is a nurse and loves her job. She is naturally a caring person and now is putting all her energy into her work.
Her supervisor knows she is having a difficult time; she is working long hours without much sleep and also knows it can cause mistakes. She suggests that Alicia take off time since Christmas. Additional since she will begin her new position the first of the year, she should start out fresh and not brunt-out!
At first Alicia isn’t sure however, one evening the local news was doing a segment on Christmas miracles. The narrator reported that Folklore has it that the Noel Bridge- a covered bridge in Noel, Tennessee is known for making or at least helping wishes coming true. The reporter has statements from children about finding lost pets and adults reporting missing items founds etc. One woman states her husband died of cancer and she heard his voice while she was on the bridge. Alicia would love to hear Bo’s voice. She decided to accept her supervisor’s suggestion and heads off to Tennessee.
Aww-What a wonderful inspirational story-Yes there is a Christmas theme but if you like a story with hope and love with wonderful characters, you will enjoy this any time of the year!
It definitely is satisfying on many levels!

Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for granting me this early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 15, 2024.

Sweet Christmas story of love and loss. After seeing a news story on her tv about the Nowl bridge and its miracle granting abilities. Overworking herself at her nursing job in Savannah her boss forces her to take a few days off. With her family celebrating Christmas in Florida she tells them she is returning to her hometown to catch up with old friends when she is really going to see if the magic of the bridge can bring her fiancé back. Arriving late to town and looking for something to eat she stops at the diner only to find it’s closed but the owner , Leo is inside and offers to share his meal. With have been to the bridge with no luck she runs into Leo again where she founds out he is living in her house she grew up in. This small town quickly pulls her in. Reuniting with her childhood friend, forming a bond with Leo as he looks for his missing father and helping out at the local hospital are all good reasons to stay. She feels obligated to head back to Savannah to a promotion in her nursing job to help pay her fiancée’s medical debts. Sometimes what you wish for isn’t necessarily granted at that time. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily

The Noel Bridge by Jenny Hale
Holiday Christian romance. Magical realism. Closed door.
Alicia Silver knows the old bridge in the Smoky Mountains is not magic but being back in Noel has changed her all the same.
Leo Whitaker’s father has wandered off into the woods with the beginning stages of Dementia. His father is an experienced outdoorsman, but the weather is getting worse and its been days. It’s snowing and searchers aren’t having any luck. Leo can only worry as the days slip by. He bumps into Alicia on the bridge, both knowing that a miracle wish is unlikely but it’s the Christmas season and hope and companionship is something they can hold onto.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook version of this story narrated by Emma Love. The reader can easily hear Alicia’s sadness and Leo’s desperation in the narration. The story flows smoothly from Emma’s feelings of loss to her looking deeper and then meeting Leo, a stranger, who allows her to think outside herself. We follow her renewed feelings of life and reengaging with old friends.
The performance is wonderfully engaging, romantic, hopeful and filled with faith.
I listened at a speed of 1.5 which more closely matches my reading and conversational comfort.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Dreamscape Select.

The Noel Bridge was my first Jenny Hale audiobook. The premise of the book was that the Noel Bridge granted wishes. The story was ok but seemed very predictable. The narrator's voice worked for the story. Thank you Net Galley, Jenny Hale and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to preview this title.

Jenny Hale, if I could sit down with you and just begin to describe how much I absolutely adore your Christmas books, it would be a few hours. You write such a beautiful story always, but this might be your best one yet! I devoured this sweet story. It was darling!

A heartfelt and entertaining read that brings out so many emotions, but leaves you feeling hopeful and happy in the end! It is delightfully cozy

Ah, Jenny Hale has done it again! Her newest book, The Noel Brigde will leave you wanting more holiday feels.

*The Noel Bridge* by Jenny Hale is a heartfelt holiday romance perfect for readers who love cozy, small-town settings and uplifting stories. Alicia Silver, mourning the loss of her fiancé, travels to the Smoky Mountains in hopes of finding peace at a legendary covered bridge said to work miracles. There, she meets Leo Whitaker, who’s searching for his missing father. As snow falls and holiday lights twinkle, Alicia and Leo discover unexpected connections that could heal their hearts in more ways than one.

With its themes of love, loss, and second chances, this book is a warm and comforting read, ideal for curling up with during the Christmas season. Emma Love’s narration in the audiobook version adds an extra layer of warmth, capturing the characters’ emotions beautifully. If you're a fan of Jenny Hale's previous holiday novels or enjoy authors like Debbie Macomber, this sweet and hopeful story is a must-read for the festive season!

Alicia Silver is facing her first Christmas without her fiancé, so she journeys to the Smoky Mountains to visit a covered bridge rumored to heal the sick, create miracles, and mend broken hearts. There, she meets Leo, who is desperately searching for his father, missing for five days. Will the bridge heal Alicia’s heart? Will Leo find his dad? You’ll have to read to discover the outcome!

Special thanks to NetGalley, Jenny Hale, and DreamscapeSelect for providing advance access to the audiobook. "The Noel Bridge" was narrated by Emma Love, whose soothing voice added a wonderful touch to the experience.

While I loved the book, Alicia's grief might make it a challenging read for some.

Publication Date Oct 15 2024
#TheNoelBridge #NetGalley

The Noel bridge. This book was such a depressing book. She was still grieving so much. This is definitely not a book to read. If you are sad in anyway