Ruth Logan Herne, the bestselling author of Welcome to Wishing Bridge, invites readers back to the small town where big dreams come true.After surviving the streets of South Philly, Thea Anastas never thought she’d wind up working in rural New York. But a call from a friend in need convinced the nurse practitioner to make the trip. Now her temporary position is making a difference in Wishing … difference in Wishing Bridge—though Thea can’t afford to make a difference, to fill a gaping hole in the sweet, small town. After all, the current medical practice is being dissolved in three months, and bigger opportunities are luring her away…
Her partner, Dr. Ethan Brandenburg, has his own struggles: caring for his orphaned niece and nephew and holding firm to his decision to leave Wishing Bridge for a prestigious job in Chicago. Though Thea’s no-nonsense advice in the office has been good for business, her compassion in Ethan’s personal life has been good for his heart. But how can he offer a commitment to a woman when they’re both about to say goodbye?
Wishing Bridge may be surrounded by forests and farms, but Thea is starting to realize that friendships and family form its heart—and that what she wants in life and love may be right in front of her eyes.
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For me this story wasn’t as engaging as the first book in the Wishing Bridge series, but still an entertaining story.
4.5 stars
Wishing Bridge, New York has become a place I want to visit in real life. The sad part? It’s a fictional town. The second book in the Wishing Bridge series by Ruth Logan Herne, At Home in Wishing Bridge continues to captivate me with it’s characters, story line and messages. Even though the focus is on Thea, one of three of the Soul Sisterhoods, we still get to check out how life’s going for the other two, Jazz and Kelsey. Add in the great townsfolk of Wishing Bridge, Jeb and Maggie, Jill, Max, Garrett, and the local doctor and Thea’s love interest, Ethan, Wishing Bridge comes to life.
The author is a master at presenting kids and tying their own stories into the intricacy of a well written novel. Her stories involving kids have always been my favorite and Keegan, Mara and Shannon’s involvement have pretty much glued my eyes to the page. What I find most appealing is giving these kids their own story and voice that presents several messages for readers that may not have the same effect if told differently.
“If you can’t make a difference to everyone, make a difference to the ones you can.”
Messages align left and right in the author’s stories, but the themes of kindness, resiliency and having faith and trust in yourself and the Lord tie in beautifully in a story of planning one’s future.
“We can’t change the past, but we have the future in our hands. Ours and the good Lord’s. We change what we can and work around the rest… It takes effort, child. Every single day.”
In all, a series well worth the few hours of reading, but if you let it, the messages will stay with you for a lifetime.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
The small town setting and vibe continues strongly in the second book in the Wishing Bridge series. Thea has a pragmatic personality and it really came across as she works as a nurse practitioner with the doctor who has his sights set on something more than a local practice. I appreciated the storyline of Ethan’s orphaned niece and nephew who need him, and Thea’s insights that help him realize and focus his priorities. The progress he sees when he follows her advice, especially with his prickly niece, softens his heart toward the town even though it’s not part of his long-term plans. Thea’s aloofness made it difficult for me to connect with her as a reader, and like with the first book, I felt like more of an observer than a participant in the emotion of the story.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
I like this book that takes place in a small town and how this town helped each other out in times of need and the lasting friendships that developed. This story deals with child abandonment, trafficking, and mental illnesses. It shows how faith helps them through hard times. Love the characters and found it a good read.
Liked it a lot.
3.5 stars
“You’re leaving. She’s leaving. Move on.”
Nurse practitioner Thea Anastas never thought that a small rural town like Wishing Bridge, New York could ooze with so much charm; she didn’t want to settle down, she had never considered settling down, but for once in her life she was dreaming of settling down. One of her best friends had invited her there to fill a temporary position in the local medical clinic, but it was a new friend who might keep her there, except . . . . he had no plans to stay.
Dr. Ethan Brandenburg is overwhelmed. Thrust into single parenthood upon the untimely death of his sister and brother-in-law, he is attempting to merge a busy medical career into the lives of two small children. Grieving over the loss of their parents and unsure of their move across country, Ethan’s niece and nephew have proven to be a unexpected blessing and an inescapable challenge. When a local emergency sheds new light on his business partner, he realizes that Thea Anastas has a boat load of tenderness underneath her brusque professional exterior; it might be just what his make shift family needs, except that his plans to leave Wishing Bridge are just around the corner.
Leave it up to the Lord Almighty to heal hearts and build homes. If only every reader would take a trip to Wishing Bridge!
I listened on audio and loved this story!