Carly Blosser rides a pink bicycle and keeps a pet rabbit, and she works at an assisted living home for seniors. But for all that, she comes from a Mennonite community, which inhabits a part of Oregon known for its COVERED BRIDGE CHARM. I admire the way she deals with the many issues at the home, from being stuck in a lift with some of the seniors, to persuading her boss -- they are short staffed of course -- to let her bring in some volunteers. Some suspense books I have read would show the seniors being conned out of money, but this is a gentler romantic story, quite an active one I must say.

Carly gets her idea stolen and appointed to someone else on staff. Many workers would say the same happened to them during their careers. But given her religious ideals, the others know they can get away with it. The young woman just has to make the volunteer idea work, or leave. Anyway, does it really matter, as long as the lonely residents get some cheerful company? We also find out what covered bridges are famous for -- a boy and a girl can stroll through innocently and snatch a kiss with no one the wiser.

I enjoyed the descriptive writing, the countryside adorned with trees and blackberry bushes, home to elks. Adam Lapp works on his family's Christmas tree farm, busy already in October, though the Mennonites don't sell ornaments. He quietly admires the hardworking Carly, but she doesn't seem interested in dating or marriage. Carly needs help to locate the family and friends of a care home resident, to plan a birthday party. Adam promptly volunteers to drive her around the area.

Snow and storms occur as the year progresses. One aspect I noticed was that the frail seniors, some with dementia, find comfort in the reassuring prayers and psalms they knew from youth. Carly always puts the residents first, but she's told that many in her community have lost interest in the home. This is a good reminder to us all to make time to be in touch with older relatives. It really does mean a lot to them to know they are not forgotten.

Author Dianne Christner, who lives in Phoenix, writes from her experience of being raised in the Mennonite Church. She has also written historical fiction. COVERED BRIDGE CHARM is an enjoyable light romance, just right for when you want a break from all the stress on television. I found the romance suitable for any age.

Book Summary

Carly Blosser may not match the typical description of a conservative Mennonite woman—unmarried at 27, living alone, and careening around her Oregon neighborhood on a pink bicycle—but she has a soft heart for the elderly Mennonite residents at the assisted living facility, where she works as a caregiver. Carly focuses on one lonely resident named Martha and decides to reunite her with an old flame by her 85th birthday. Soon, new clues sweep Carly in a harried race to the finish line where love is sure to be the ultimate prize.