#23: The Kissing Bridge - Tricia Goyer

Caught between a stifling Amish community and an unnerving outside world, a devout young woman on the run is about to become the newest arrival to West Kootenai, Montana.
On the day of her sister's death, Rebecca Troyer took her first step away from the Amish.
Rebecca had always strayed a little outside the fold---a job at an Englisch bakery, long weekends with non-Amish friends---but nothing could have prepared her family for what she is about to do: Rebecca is abandoning the community to attend nursing school. She is headed to college, into “the world.”
But she has to make it across the country first.
When she stops in West Kootenai, at the home of a lapsed Amish friend from her youth, Rebecca finds a lot more in Montana than she had bargained for---namely a handsome working man named Caleb Hooley.
Caleb is at a crossroads of his own. A daredevil bachelor with high standards, he has decided he’ll never find an Amish woman who can quench his thirst for adventure. Needless to say, the pretty Amish girl who has fled her community in secret catches his attention immediately.
As hearts are opened and secrets are revealed, Rebecca and Caleb find they have much more in common than just their Amish background. But can this runaway find love with a risk-taker who has lost his faith in God? All it will take is one week in the wilderness to find out.

• Kindle: 2387 KB
• Print Length: 280 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (April 1, 2014)
• ASIN: B00DQUMDTC

AMAZON US   |   AMAZON CA

My review for book 1, The Memory Jar

My review for book 2, The Promise Box

USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series. She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. Tricia and her husband John live in Little Rock, Arkansas, where Tricia coordinates a Teen MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. They have six children.

Other reviews I have done of Tricia's Books:

My review for All Things Hidden

My review for Songbird Under a German Moon

My review for Life, In Spite of Me

My review for Love Finds You in Victory Heights

My review for Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska

My review for Remembering You

My review for Lead Your Family Like Jesus

My review for A Christmas Gift For Rose

My review for The One Year Book of Amish Peace

REVIEW:

Of the three books I have read in the series, this is by far my favorite one. The premise is unlike no other Amish story I have read.

Tricia's books always stir up emotions in me, and have me evaluating my own relationship wit God, but this story had me looking at compassion and judgement in a whole new way. The fact that we all judge people, even the Amish do it, mad me stop a think quite a bit. Rebecca's parents were so harsh and judged her for her wanting a nursing education. They see it as an act towards God. Even though what she was doing and doing it for was good. She also judged herself for her choices. It's automatic to question yourself and your decisions, especially if they are big ones. From the outside looking in, I couldn't see why they got so upset, but it's just their way. It had me question what I act like. Do I quickly judge or prejudge people. Sadly, yes. And probably more than I care to admit.

Then there is this love story. Rebecca and Caleb. The whole world, even the reader knows it is meant to be with them. Thankfully they know too and there is no cat-and-mouse game, just good ole romance. 

Another hit from Tricia, read in the series or stand alone. Though I urge you to read the series. They are each wonderful in their own way and carry different values in each.

5/5