Publication Date: March 31, 2020
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Christian Fiction
Pages: 368
Dates Read: April 10-17, 2020
Format: Paperback provided by Publisher
GoodReads Synopsis
Lauren Bailey may be a romantic at heart, but after a decade of matchmaking schemes gone wrong, there’s only one match she’s committed to now–the one that will make her a mother. Lauren is a dedicated first grade teacher in Idaho, and her love for children has led her to the path of international adoption. To satisfy her adoption agency’s requirements, she gladly agreed to remain single for the foreseeable future; however, just as her long wait comes to an end, Lauren is blindsided by a complication she never saw coming: Joshua Avery.
Joshua may be a substitute teacher by day, but Lauren finds his passion for creating educational technology as fascinating as his antics in the classroom. Though she does her best to downplay the undeniable connection between them, his relentless pursuit of her heart puts her commitment to stay unattached to the test and causes her once-firm conviction to waver.
With an impossible decision looming, Lauren might very well find herself choosing between the two deepest desires of her heart . . . even if saying yes to one means letting go of the other.
My Review
5 STARS
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely LOVED this book! Such an amazing story of faith, family and finding love when you least expect it. Deese brilliantly delivered a heartwarming story tackling of motherhood, international adoption, tough family circumstances, sacrifice, and impossible choices that is so captivating to read.
I loved our Main Characters Lauren and Joshua. They go through quite a lot of challenges, but both are written so well that they feel real and I wanted to reach out and hug them multiple times while reading.
This book is one that stays with you for a long time after the final page. I laughed, I cried, I smiled a lot. You definitely don’t want to skip this read!
**Much thanks to the Bethany House and Nicole Deese for providing a paperback copy in exchange only for my thoughts and review.
About the Author
Nicole Deese’s eight humorous, heartfelt, and hope-filled novels include the 2017 Carol Award-winning A Season to Love. Her 2018 release, A New Shade of Summer, was a finalist in the RITA Awards, Carol Awards, and INSPY Awards. Both of these books are from her bestselling Love in Lenox series. When she’s not working on her next contemporary romance, she can usually be found reading one by a window overlooking the inspiring beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She lives in small-town Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two rambunctious sons, and princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.
To learn more, visit www.nicoledeese.com.
Advanced Praise for Before I Called You Mine:
“A Carol Award-winner, as well as a RITA and Inspy nominee for her inspirational romance novels, Deese is also an adoptive parent, which shapes her latest novel. . . . Deese’s involving novel is full of genuine feeling and compelling challenges.”–Booklist
Alicia Reads It 