Covered Bridge Charm

he fact that I started and completed this book in one day speaks to what a compelling story Dianne Christner wrote. I am new to her books but look forward to reading more! Her characters feel very real and easy to identify with. And in this book, Carly's strong connection with the elderly residents of the assisted living facility is deeply touching. Also, the many relationships and concurrent stories in the background really make this a page turner. Carly and Adam's developing relationship keeps the reader guessing what will happen; also, I enjoyed seeing how Adam's uncle gave Carly the chance to prove her ideas for the residents at the assisted living facility. This was really a moving story.

Covered Bridge Charm by Dianne Christner is absolutely a must read for all. This exciting yet sweet Christian romance will entice readers from everywhere. The build up of tension on both of the protagonists' sides is intirguing. Readers won't know which way the wind will blown when it comes to Carly and Adam. This was my first read by Dianne Christner. After reading this perfectly well-written story, I am definitely on the look out for more of her novels. The ending will leave readers wondering...and wanting more by this talented writer.

Covered Bridge Charm is romantic, funny, and a mysterious. Readers will be left hanging in suspense, when Adam and Carly are around each other. At first it's like the two are dodging bullets but then something changes both of them...One moment is all it takes for for readers to fall in love with this amazing novel. I could see and hear every scene as if I were actually there. That is what I love about reading this brilliant heart melting and swoon worthy read. A real man that makes a woman blush and sweeps her off her feet is one to behold, maybe Adam is just that guy. As they say opposites attract and that's exactly what Adam and Carly are. However, Carly is plain looking, super sweet, and talks a lot. Plus, she's always in one scrape or another. Can a man like Adam handle a generous loving and independent woman like Carly or will they both lose out on a chance of a life time? Readers beware, once you open this up, you won't be putting it down until you finished reading the last page. Dianne Christner will lure readers in like a moth to a flame with her irresistible plot and charming characters. Overall, I highly recommend this romance to readers everywhere.

Carly is the kind of girl whose nickname should be Calamity Jane. Wherever she goes on her pink bicycle, disaster follows--not on purpose--NEVER on purpose. She's just full of ideas and energy. She works at Sweet Life--a Mennonite home for the elderly, especially those with some kind of dementia. She loves the residents and wants to help them all feel less lonely. Her friend, Adam, volunteers in the woodworking shop, helping the residents make things. He's been friends with Carly and her brother, Jimmy, since before Carly dated his cousin Dale, and he's in love with Carly.

That sets things up for this story to move forward. One of the residents, Martha, remembers an early love named James, that she met near a covered bridge when she was just a young girl. Carly goes looking for the bridge but gets mixed up with which bridge it is. She wants to find out what happened to James for Martha's upcoming birthday.

Dianne Christner has written a sweet novel about the bumps in the road to a love that conquers everything. Her characters are real and believable, and her settings are a delightful addition to the story. Her plot is not overly slow, but it does lag a time or two. That still does not detract from the overall story and the book is hard to put down for most of the tale. You get to know the residents of Sweet Life so well, they become friends.

This is a five-star, two thumbs up, and a pink bicycle for your travels.

My thanks to Barbour Press for allowing me to read and review this book

What a delightful book! Carly has such a good heart and loves working at the nursing home. She is a bit clumsy, very stubborn and things don't always go her way but not for the lack of trying. The characters are all so real and lovable. This was a joy to read.

Well written book. Fantastic story line and wonderful characters. Loved the story line.

Covered Bridge Charm was a wonderful introduction to the writing of Dianne Christner. I enjoyed the comical setting of the senior assisted living setting. The book was a solid five star rating for great writing that flowed quickly and smoothly. This book will be a stepping off point if you are new to this author like I was. I am adding her to my list of favorite writers in the Amish/Mennonite genre.

Covered Bridge takes place in an Oregon Mennonite community, and we are quickly absorbed in their lives. Our main character Carly is a spunky, caring, and a Mennonite that pushes her plain life to her limits. She drives a bright pink bicycle, her basket contains her pet rabbit, and she works in a nursing home.
I loved her compassion with the older folks, and we meet some very interesting characters, with pet names that fit their personality, Klepto, watch as she even tries to take the saltshakers.
Adam has been Carly’s friend and her brother’s best friend forever; her brother has even requested he look out for her when he was out of town. What neither expected was to have an attraction for one another, but his family does not want her, and especially his Dad, and a rumor about her that was spread by Adam’s cousin.
For pacifists you are going to be surprised how jealousy makes Adam’s temper flare. Carly also has her turn at jealousy, but will these two ever work out their difference, and family problems.
A covered bridge and initials play a sweet part in this story, with one of the elderly nursing home patients and an old love. I loved what Adam did with the initials that were carved many years ago on the old bridge. You will also chuckle when a kiss brings on Adam ends up taking his pants off, and of course someone was watching and rumors again fly.
In the end is their any hope of a committed relationship here, or will they each find new loves?
I received this book through Net Galley and Shiloh Run Press, and I was not required to give a positive review.

This charming book by Dianne Christner, indeed lives up to its name. The main character, Carley, is a Mennonite woman who works in a Mennonite Assisted Living facility, housing many special residents. She has a very special caregiver's heart and love for serving these people. This sweet Christian romance gives us the trials Carley and her long-time friend, Adam, endure as they learn more about their feelings for each other. Many mishaps along the way lead us to wonder if things will ever work out for them as they work together to achieve a very special birthday present for one of the residents that introduces us to the covered bridge. Anyone who has been on a covered bridge, know they are very charming and this one is very special.

My only criticism of this book would be that there are so many characters and storylines, that sometimes they are hard to follow. I would still recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the Amish, and now Mennonite genre of Christian romances. I was given a copy of this book by Barbour Publishing on Netgalley in exchange for my personal review.

Welcome back Dianne Christner to the writing world. So glad I got the opportunity to read your new book. You had me on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what was going to happen next! All the characters were great; the additional characters added special charm to the story for the three main characters. And yes the rabbit, too.

Dianne Christner setting for "Covered Bridge Charm" is in a small town of Oregon called Sweet Life. In this small town of Sweet Life is a conservative Mennonite church and Sweet Life Assisted Living Facility for elderly Mennonites, but not all of the residents are Mennonite.

We meet one of the caregivers at Sweet Life Assisted Living Facility, Carly Blosser. She is independently single Mennonite at the age of 27, but has a heart of gold for her residents and a passion for her work.

After her proposal at Sweet Life Assisted Living Facility lands in the hands of someone else, Carly embarks on a new mission during her free time, finding lonely widow Martha's long forgotten about English friend who when off to war.

Adam Lapp is friends with Carly's brother and has been getting Carly out of sticky situations since her brother has taken to the road. Adam agreed to take Carly on a covered bridge mission to find Martha's initials carved on a covered bridge. Will Adam and Carly find something else out about themselves, too?

I look forward to reading more books written by Dianne Christner. Hopefully, she doesn't take too long to write another one. Welcome back Dianne!

I received a free copy from NetGalley with the only request to write an honest review about the book. No money was exchanged. This is my review written in my own words.

This is such a fun story.....so many of the characters are so lovable and amusing! I love reading of the antics of the elderly and Carly Blosser works in a conservative Mennonite assisted living facility called Sweet Life Assisted Living Facility. They have nicknames for the residents and repeater, nines, klepto, and the other residents endeared themselves to me and I just fell in love with them, much as Carly loves them. She gets the idea to help dear Martha to find an old beau that she met at one of the local covered bridges and Adam Lapp agrees to help her. Adam and Carly have a definite spark between them as well. Will they discover more than old romance while helping Martha locate James? They have an obstacle though. Adam's dad does not like Carly and does not want them together in a romantic sense. Will they listen to their hearts or obey his father? Readers are sure to enjoy the funny and sometimes sad events that take place at Sweet Life Assisted Living Facility. There are quite a few furry and feathered friends in the story to peak the interest of animal lovers too. I rated this book 5 stars and highly recommend it to readers of Mennonite fiction and Christian fiction.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well thought out and the author has had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. I feel for Martha who has asthma because I have it and it's no fun. I'm also claustrophobic. I would not enjoy being stuck in an elevator. This will be a new favorite author for me and am hoping she will write another novel or sequel to this book Thank you for a wonderful story!

TThis was the sweet story of a Mennonite romance. This story takes places in Oregon where Carly and Adam live. Adam is the best friend of Carly's brother, Jimmy. Jimmy is away a lot and asks Adam to look out for his little sister.

Carly works at the Sweet Life Assisted Living center. She loves working with the elderly residents there. She spends a great deal of her time making sure they have what they need to be happy. Because Carly turned down the romantic intentions of her former beau, Dale, she has a reputation for being difficult and a troublemaker. Adam suddenly sees Carly for the kind and sweet woman she is and not just Jimmy's little sister. He wonders if there could be more to their relationship than just friendship.

There are obstacles put in the way of their budding romance but can they overcome these obstacles to make a life together or will they let outside forces determine how they will respond?

I really enjoyed this story. It was sweet and clean. There was romance and real feelings involved.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great Amish read and I really enjoyed reading it.

I was so excited to read another book from Diane Christner. It seems it has been to long since I had last read from this author.

Christner take you to a small town in Oregon called Sweet Life. In this Mennonite town you will meet Carly Blosser who is different and unique as they get. With a true heart for the elderly you will find Carly working at an assisted living home. It is there that she becomes touched by the residents. Carly develops a very close relation with each resident and is reminded of how much she misses her own parents. Carly goes out of her way to help one of the residents to find her long lost sweetheart with wood shop owner Adam Lapp could this bring Adam and Carly together? Find out in Christner's Covered Bridge Charm.

Christner never disappoints in her writings and I am always looking forward to her books. I encourage you to purchase this or one of Christner other books you won't be disappointed.

I received a copy of this book for my review.

This was a really great book...I had never read a book by this author...and I usually read mostly Amish Fiction/Romance...and decided to read it...because it was about a Mennonite woman...and they are very similar...I really enjoyed this authors style of writing...it was really good...and kept me wanting to read more...