**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.
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.
Nicole Deese is a Carol Award winner and a RITA and INSPY Award finalist. 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. Find her online at www.nicoledeese.com.
Get your tissues handy, because when you read Before I Called You Mine, you are going to need them. This story was absolutely beautiful!
In this story, we meet Lauren- a teacher who had been waiting in the adoption process to adopt a child from China as a single mom. And when it seems like she's so close to that dream that she'd felt God leading her to, her world is turned around when she meets Joshua--- the sub across the hall and the perfect romance novel hero. Truly, I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with this amazing character (and his family too).
This story truly touched me to my very core. While I have absolutely zero experience with adoption... I felt this story very much like I was in Lauren's shoes. This was in large part of course to the beautiful storytelling. You could certainly tell that the author had personal experience with this topic and that shined through and really made it more genuine. She drew us in and made us think about what we might do in Lauren's shoes. Beyond that though, haven't we all faced similar scenarios. No, perhaps not adoption... but most of us have likely had the experience where the plans that we had for our lives- plans that we thought were part of God's plans- seem to fall completely apart leaving us confused and heartbroken. I am going through this type of experience right now in the aftermath of losing a baby, and perhaps that also is why I so strongly felt for Lauren's character and why I think so many will love her story too. It's a beautiful story of God's amazing plans for us...and in His perfect timing too... all wrapped up in a beautiful romance that I couldn't get enough of.
If you love Christian romance, this is one book that you'll want to add to your TBR right away. It will pull at your heartstrings, make you think...and yes, even make you laugh a little too. This as the first book I've read from this author... and wow, what an introduction! I will certainly be looking for more in the future!
In this story, we meet Lauren- a teacher who had been waiting in the adoption process to adopt a child from China as a single mom. And when it seems like she's so close to that dream that she'd felt God leading her to, her world is turned around when she meets Joshua--- the sub across the hall and the perfect romance novel hero. Truly, I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with this amazing character (and his family too).
This story truly touched me to my very core. While I have absolutely zero experience with adoption... I felt this story very much like I was in Lauren's shoes. This was in large part of course to the beautiful storytelling. You could certainly tell that the author had personal experience with this topic and that shined through and really made it more genuine. She drew us in and made us think about what we might do in Lauren's shoes. Beyond that though, haven't we all faced similar scenarios. No, perhaps not adoption... but most of us have likely had the experience where the plans that we had for our lives- plans that we thought were part of God's plans- seem to fall completely apart leaving us confused and heartbroken. I am going through this type of experience right now in the aftermath of losing a baby, and perhaps that also is why I so strongly felt for Lauren's character and why I think so many will love her story too. It's a beautiful story of God's amazing plans for us...and in His perfect timing too... all wrapped up in a beautiful romance that I couldn't get enough of.
If you love Christian romance, this is one book that you'll want to add to your TBR right away. It will pull at your heartstrings, make you think...and yes, even make you laugh a little too. This as the first book I've read from this author... and wow, what an introduction! I will certainly be looking for more in the future!
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