The Noel Bridge by Jenny Hale

They say there’s a covered bridge that heals the sick and mends the broken. Actual miracles have happened within its green clapboard protective shell. When Alicia Silver faces spending her first Christmas without her fiancé, she knows that the only way she can manage through the season is if she has a little divine intervention. So she heads to the snowy Smoky Mountains to visit that bridge, hoping to reach her fiancé somehow.

But she isn’t expecting to encounter Leo Whitaker when she gets there. He, too, is looking for answers. His father is missing. He hasn’t seen even a trace of him in five days, and with the snowstorm, every day he can’t find him the situation becomes more dire.

Under the sparkle of holiday lights and swags of greenery, the two must face the answers they’re given. Will the bridge be their Christmas miracle? Or will it uncover more than it covers this holiday?

There’s something magical about the way Jenny Hale writes – a combination of heart, warmth, and just the right touch of holiday sparkle. The Noel Bridge drew me in from the first page. Obviously, I loved the dynamics between the heroine and her love interest (Alicia Silver and Leo Whitaker), but what truly resonated with me in this one was the character of Leo’s father, Dean.

As someone with a grandfather suffering from Alzheimer's, I found Dean's journey incredibly moving. His portrayal felt authentic and tender, capturing the bittersweet moments that come with loving someone through their memory loss. Hale doesn’t shy away from the hard realities, but she balances them with hope, reminding us that even in the hardest seasons, love and faith can build bridges.

The story unfolds in a picturesque small town setting, complete with snow-dusted streets, festive decorations, and old traditions, but what sets it apart is how it intertwines romance and emotional depth. The story explores themes of faith, second chances, and finding joy even when life is complicated. And of course, amidst all of that there is still a beautiful love story between Alicia and Leo.

This book hit close to home for me, but it wasn’t simply a sad story – it was warm and comforting, like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket. I’ll definitely be recommending it to anyone looking for a heartfelt holiday romance.

Get your copy of The Noel Bridge here. Bonus points if you’re a KU member because you can read it for free!