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 … 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.
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This book was soooo good. Seriously, you do not want to miss out on this read. It needs to be on the top of your TBR pile. In fact, you can go ahead and put that book you reading now down and pick this one up. It’s that good.
I fully expect this book to hit all the awards as a finalist because the emotion in this story, the impact it has on your heart and your walk with God cannot be denied. This book had me from page one and didn’t let go. I’m talking major book hangover. There were so many scenes in here that either made me laugh, cry, or sigh.
Joshua Avery may be my favorite hero yet, which says a lot because I’ve been keeping my hero list pretty short. But this guy is so genuine and so funny that he convinced me he was a good guy before the heroine agreed with my assessment.
All in all, this book gets all the stars and deserves a place on every bookshelf known to man.
*I received an ARC copy from the publisher. My review was not required nor influenced.
A story about tough sacrifices, impossible choices, and the love that makes it all worthwhile, Before I Called You Mine is a captivating adventure of the heart that will stay with you—and maybe even change you—long after the final page.
This was a great choice for me to read on Mother’s Day last weekend. Joshua and Lauren are extremely likeable characters, and Lauren is realistically flawed in ways that make it easy to relate to her. Joshua is just plain charming. I appreciated the inside look into how the international adoption process works, with all its uncertainties, suspense, sorrows and joys. Faith is front and center in this novel, so if you love a book in which the characters take Jesus seriously, and are actively looking for His guidance, this is for you. I enjoyed it.
I do not have adequate words to do this book justice. Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Desse is absolutely amazing. I loved every minute with Lauren and Joshua and I am so sad my time with these characters is over. I can say with great sincerity, this is a story I will never forget.
There is SO much to love and appreciate about this story, but here are my top three reasons this book should be read immediately (if you haven’t read it yet):
Lauren and Joshua’s relationship — I love everything about these two characters and their path to love. How they meet is super cute and super hilarious. Joshua is an excellent hero and I love how instantly attracted he is to Lauren. I love how he truly sees who she is right from the very beginning. Because of her standing with the international adoption agency, Lauren is not able to date. Joshua accepts and respects this, so he and Lauren become good friends. I’m talking really good friends. This may actually be my favorite aspect of their relationship. Yes, the chemistry between the two is fierce, but the foundation they create as friends is everything. It’s what gets them through some really tough moments and eventually allows them to get to their happily ever after. Lauren and Joshua’s relationship makes my heart so, so happy.
Motherhood (in God’s time) — Being a mom is hard. I mean really hard. The mom-guilt, the sleepless nights, the worry and anxiety, the constant second-guessing — and that’s just the emotional aspect. There’s also the physical aspect — working a full-time job all day then coming home to make dinner, checking homework, chauffeuring to practices, doctor appointments, and/or school events, and the whole bedtime routine. A 24-hour day can sometimes feel endless. But, it is all 100% worth it. I have wanted to be a mom since I was four-years-old. It took me a long time to be a mom, and I often struggled in the waiting. There were many nights where I wrestled with God begging Him to make my dreams come true. Years would go by and still no husband and still no baby. I got to the point where I was ready to give up. Clearly, God didn’t want me to be a mom. Wouldn’t you know it, when I stopped trying to force the matter God put my husband into my life, and then my daughter came several years later. What I appreciated, perhaps the most, about this story is Lauren’s impatience. I appreciate this because her impatience is SO relatable. Lauren wants to be a mom but it’s just not working out. The men she has been on dates with are NOT husband material. It’s been years and years of awful first dates that lead to nowhere. So, she applies for international adoption thinking that maybe she is meant to be a single mom, but even that is taking forever and seems to lead to a whole lot of nothing. In all the waiting — the constant waiting — Lauren sees moms everywhere and it hurts. Why can’t she have her dreams? Lauren wrestles with God (and His timing) and gets to a point where she kind of wants to give up. And then life happens BIG time and she has to make hard choices. What Lauren goes through is SO realistic it makes her a very life-like character who is super easy to root for and love. And, Lauren’s story proves that God’s timing truly is perfect.
Fangirling over a popular education guru — So this may be something only teachers get, but Lauren’s adoration for Joshua’s father (the educational guru) made me laugh out loud. There are several real-life education gurus I would love to meet, specifically Kelly Gallagher. How this man has informed my teaching over the years is incalculable. I know for a fact that if I ever met him I would be tongue-tied. I know cause I got to meet two of my FAVORITE poets — Billy Collins and Seamus Heaney — and it was like my mouth and brain stopped functioning. Anyway, I love how passionate a teacher Lauren is because of the strong teachers who came before her. I love how Deese illustrates the good-heartedness and nerdiness of teachers. It was fun to see a representation of myself and so many teachers I know and love through Lauren’s character.
I’m sorry it took me so long to get to this book, but I am seriously glad I did finally read this lovely story. Before I Called You Mine is an exceptional story that made me laugh and cry and cheer. I’m leaving this story filled with heartwarming hope. If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly recommend you do ASAP. Before I Called You Mine is a story you will not want to miss.
I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Bethany House Publishing, via NetGalley in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This sweet story is all about God’s perfect timing and His provision for our lives even when we can’t see the story He’s weaving for us.
Instantly enamored by her main characters, Lauren and Joshua, I was entranced by the plot of a single woman’s journey into international adoption and all of the uncertainty that surrounds it. My family is an adoptive family and there were so many poignant truths sprinkled among these pages it was as heartbreaking as it was heartwarming. Ms. Deese does a phenomenal job bringing humor to the story through Joshua (who’s a top ten hero for sure!) but also through her secondary characters who form a community of support through laughter, tears, truth, and encouragement.
The story and characters are well-rounded making this book a must-read and recommend!
I’ve started and restarted this review so many times. I just can’t put into words how great this book is. It’s beautiful. Just beautiful. It’s the perfect blend of heavy and lighthearted. It’s witty and sincere. The descriptions are perfect and the dialogue is interesting and natural.
I often shy away from serious books because I get emotionally involved. But I was able to give it my all in this book because of how well it is done. I loved Lauren and I loved Joshua. Obviously. 🙂 Adoption is dear to my heart, but even if it wasn’t, there are so many aspects of this novel that readers can really relate to. Give it a shot. Seriously.
I have been a big fan of Nicole’s work for years and years. She gets better and better with every book. I am a lifelong fan and expect this level of excellence with all her work.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.All thoughts below are my own.
This is my first book by author Nicole Deese, who has masterfully created an emotional, tender story that offers authentic, funny, lovable characters and presents the realistic challenges we face when we choose to surrender our heart’s desires to God’s perfect will and timing.
Before I Called You Mine is so much more than a fictional story. It is a beautiful tale that will wrap around your heart and stir the depths of your soul, captivating, and simultaneously, challenging you.
I have to preface my review by saying that I am an adoptive mother. Because of that, every single word in this story resonated deep in my soul and stirred my heart to the brimming of joyful tears. I identified with many of the challenges main character, Lauren Bailey, dealt with including sharing her adoption plan with a less than supportive family, setbacks, questioning the will of God when the plan did not go exactly as she hoped it would, and the agony of waiting, and waiting… and waiting.
Nicole Deese presented this story in such a deeply satisfying way. She had me laughing, crying, nodding and sighing with each turn of the page (I could not put the book down!). In the first few paragraphs alone, I was hooked.
Deese has a delightfully creative way of phrasing things that had me chuckling out loud. She includes text conversations that were some of my favorite conversations in the book and truly hilarious! As the story moves on, Lauren’s struggles are so real, so hard and so incredibly relatable. Joshua’ character and his relentless pursuit of Lauren’s heart is romantic, tangible and selfless. He is the perfect guy for Lauren and reminded me so much of my husband. There are threads of true friendship, struggles with a semi-dysfunctional family, the bond found among community with church family, and the wonderful freedom that comes from seeking God and His will. The message of total surrender to God’s will and timing, especially when it means self-sacrifice, is one I hope readers can absorb and one that I needed to be reminded of myself.
Overall, this is just a profound story with so many aspects that could be discussed. This book is an excellent choice for next month’s book club meetings!
I highly recommend Before I Called You Mine to all Christian fiction readers, especially those who enjoy contemporary romances. If you’re not a Christian but don’t mind reading faith-based books, I recommend this to you as well! For my adoptive community friends, this is a must read! This story is clean and appropriate for readers 14+.
Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese sports an eye-catching cover that reflects the lovely story in its pages. The story held my attention from the beginning and I enjoyed Lauren’s journey, even in the hard moments. Though the story deals with tough issues – difficult life choices, family dysfunction, etc. – it maintained a light feel and pointed to the Christian’s true source of hope — God.
Before I Called You Mine mixed women’s fiction with a contemporary romance. Both Lauren’s adoption journey and family relationships receive plenty of attention. The story explored various aspects of following God’s will for one’s life. However, on the romantic side, Joshua (Lauren’s romantic interest) stands as an amazing male lead. He’s supportive, respectful, and willing to do what’s best for others even if it hurts. In short, he reflects the character of the Jesus he follows.
Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese is a heartwarming novel that will appeal to inspirational fiction readers. It earned a permanent spot on my bookshelf.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
Before I Called You Mine is a compelling novel that will arrest your heart and take it to joyous highs, heartbreaking lows and bittersweet in-betweens. From the very first line on page one, I loved the voice of this book; it was so charismatic and original that it allowed Lauren to shine in a relatable and endearing way. I also liked the honesty of Lauren’s second guessing and confusion when her heart is pulled by two conflicting desires. Although she makes mistakes, her choices are easy to empathize with and ultimately highlight the beauty of grace and trusting God’s plan for our lives.
I absolutely adored Joshua Avery. I think he’s the most magnetic hero I’ve ever read: goofy, kind, smart, sincere and irresistibly charming. He was a constant source of endearing humor yet thoughtful and full of genuine understanding when the situation called for it. I really enjoyed the relationship between Joshua and Lauren. I couldn’t stop smiling at the effortless chemistry and banter between the two; their humorous text messages and lighthearted conversations were a definite highlight.
Moreover, I loved the other secondary characters featured in Lauren’s close circle, especially warm, motherly Gail and supportive Jenna. I also liked that this book featured a heroine who is the only Christian in her family – a situation that I haven’t stumbled across in Christian Fiction yet. I think this is more common than the opposite and I appreciated that the author portrayed realistic conflicts and struggles in this kind of situation.
Lastly, I appreciated the insight into how emotionally demanding adoption can be; the author did a wonderful job of portraying every emotion associated with each stage of the process – and I loved that I finished this book with a bit more understanding and empathy for people who go through it.
All in all, Before I Called You Mine is a beautiful novel filled with authentic emotion, humor and heart. I highly recommend this book!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
“But the two of us simply remained where we were, allowing the world to pass us by. No longer were we the ones barreling through the masses looking for the world to make space for us. We’d found it. Right here, beneath the branches of a Christmas tree.”
Nicole Deese has created a masterpiece where hopes and dreams dance intimately with disappointments and faith. Told in Lauren’s sweet, innocent, and tender first person voice, this beautiful story of international adoption explores the obstacles and rewards in adoption but also asks what the substance our faith is made of when unforseen circumstances roll our way. The author’s writing is fluid and melodious, the dialogue is incredibly clever and witty, and the characters are oh-so-amazing.
Lauren and Joshua are opposites in many ways but their friendship is enviable, their flirting over text super sweet and cute. I’m sure I swooned along with Lauren when he first approached her at the school. Joshua is everything Lauren has ever wanted (he’s definitely swoon-worthy with his intelligence, fun-loving personality, love of all things dinosaur, unwavering commitment to Lauren, and rock-solid faith) but he stands as a distracting obstacle in Lauren’s determination to adopt as a single woman. I loved Gail, Lauren’s friend and spiritual mother, who helped Lauren during her adoption journey as well as her faith journey.
This is a heart-tugging contemporary romance that will impact how you view the world. Be prepared with a box of tissues; Lauren’s journey will bring a lot of tears but it will be unforgettable. I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese takes readers on the difficult and rewarding journey to international adoption complete with the pain, heartbreak, and joy that adoptive parents often experience. The author’s own background of adopting her daughter internationally adds authenticity to the story.
Lauren Bailey, a single first grade teacher, has felt a calling toward international adoption for many years. She is finally matched with a young child from China just as she meets the man that she might be destined to spend her life with. However due to Chinese adoption laws, a couple must be married for two years before adopting. With the complications in her life, how can Lauren make the difficult decision to choose between the two?
As a teacher myself, I could completely relate to the parts of storyline taking place in the school, the day-to-day activities, and the personalities of the teachers. Nicole Deese described the school environment and the nuances of the various teachers perfectly.
Along with the developing romantic relationship in Before I Called You Mine, the novel focuses on Lauren’s desire to adopt and her strained relationship with her family who are not supportive of her decision. Readers who have experienced adoption in their families will find this novel extremely poignant and authentic. If you are looking for a book with a light romantic thread that focuses on real-life decisions that are often messy and difficult, then this is the book for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
I absolutely loved this book! The author tackled a tough topic but added so much humor, it helped soften the seriousness. The characters were relatable and authentic, and the romance was believable. It was such an enjoyable read. I didn’t want to end. I highly recommend this read!
I’m a former teacher, so I really enjoyed reading a romance about teachers. I also liked that the problems the characters faced were believable.
While this book is a romantic comedy, the Christian aspect is prevalent but not preachy. A story of heartbreak, hope, choices, and faith. The adoption journey was a beautiful tale by itself. Be ready to be touched deeply and emotionally.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Delightful book that I’ve recommended to many friends.
This book features the most charming hero I’ve met on the page in a long time. And yet, the heroine, first grade teacher Lauren Bailey, fights falling in love with him. Their meeting happens at the very worst possible time, potentially ruining a plan she feels called by God to pursue. I loved this book so much that one night at dinner I told my husband the plot, up to where I had read. The next night, my husband (an engineer who’s never read a romance except for mine) asked how it turned out! Now, that’s high praise for a story! I highly recommend this book!
Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese is a book about adoption. I found this book interesting and was excited to start reading it. But it totally blew me away in a way I never expected. This book is so deep with emotion and so much love. The depth of emotion was amazing and it made a beautiful story that made me want to read more by this author. Highly recommended! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.
This is a really good book!! Different from what I usually read, and I really couldn’t relate well to Lauren. Much as I always wanted children, my biological clock really didn’t bother me anywhere near what Lauren’s did. I never wanted to be a single parent, by choice or circumstances. I’m still crazy about Lauren, though I love Joshua. Joshua is definitely the type of man you’d want to meet, though Lauren comes across as immature and selfish, to me. As she comes to find out, Lauren’s biggest issue is trust, and not just trusting Joshua, but God, and others, too. By the end of the book, she’s getting better, though.
This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Deese. It won’t be the last!
I absolutely loved it! This is the first story I read by Author Nicole Deese. I can’t imagine how it could have been any better. If I could give Before I Called You Mine more than 5 stars, I would! I really enjoyed the many laugh-out-loud moments and witty banter between Lauren Bailey and Joshua Avery. I love their characters and personality, Author Nicole Deese does such a great job with Lauren and Joshua that I would swear they were real people. Even though they are perfect for one another, other factors are at play and maybe it’s not the right time yet. “In the same mixing bowl, we’re often heaping amounts of celebration and challenge, gratitude and grief, hope and heartache.” Lauren faces some difficult choices as she wrestles with trying to trust God for his plan for her life. Her mentor tells her “God doesn’t trick His children He loves us, and everything He asks of us or allows us to walk through, has a purpose.” One of my favorite quotes is “Love isn’t about instant gratification, it’s about showing up for the journey and riding out all the twists and turns along the way… Together.” Do yourself a favor and read this gem!
Oh my! This book was incredible! As much as I really wanted to read it, I put it off for a while because I was sure it was going to make me sob and I’m not a huge fan of sad books. Silly me for worrying. Yes, I cried, because it really was beautifully written and totally broke my heart, but it made me laugh just as much. The relationship between Lauren and Joshua and the situations they found themselves in were so much fun. Such a perfect balance of heart, depth, humor, family and hope. Absolutely loved it and know it’s a book I’ll read again and again.