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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I so enjoyed this novel! Ms. Deese beautifully expresses the Lord’s heart toward His children. He loves us perfectly. Although His timing is different than ours, it’s worth the wait for His best for us.
Love is a powerful force that we can’t keep to ourselves. Lauren Bailey’s desire to be a mother is evidence of this truth. Her journey is one of courage and determination. I enjoyed following along as friends and family embraced and supported her along the way. This novel is a must read!
Recommend to readers who enjoy inspirational, contemporary fiction.
I borrowed a copy from my local library. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
A delightful read that is also realistically painful at times. I would read this author again.
Wow! The first couple of chapters I wasn’t sure I’d like this book but ended up pulling an all nighter to finish it! Lauren Bailey is a first grade teacher who loves children and feels led to adopt a child from China. Lauren knows the first year with her child will require all of her time and attention and has agreed to remain single. Lauren is the first Christian in her dysfunctional family and does not have their support. Everything is going great until substitute teacher Joshua Avery shows up! Lauren has to make tough decisions! Before I Called You Mine is a story of real enduring love! Your heart will go out to Lauren and Joshua. I recommend this book by Nicole Deese to others! I received my copy of Before I Called You Mine from Inkwell Inspirations. This is my honest opinion.
Lauren story touched my heart so much that I chose it to be my Book Club read to honor mothers. Her choice to be a single mother is bold and courageous. Readers will have a bird’s eye view to the ups and downs of adopting a child. There is more to adoption that we realize. This is a story that needs to be discussed in our churches because so many single women are thinking of going this route. Also it will teach people to be sensitive about asking women ( married and unmarried) about their plans for children.
I received this book from the publisher and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Before I Called You Mine
by Nicole Deese
Lauren Bailey wants to be a mother and for the last year-and-a-half, she has been waiting for the call that will make her dream of motherhood come true. Being a teacher to a classroom full of first-graders is satisfying but she wants to give more. At 31 years it seems that romance and finding the one has passed her by. She is now committed to remaining single for the foreseeable future – she’s signed the paperwork saying that she’ll be adopting as a single woman.
Joshua Avery isn’t a teacher but he has the necessary background to allow him to fill in as a substitute when one of Brighton’s first-grade teachers has a medical situation take her off the day-to-day roster. Joshua Avery couldn’t be more different than Mrs. Walker and dinos are high on his list of teaching tools as his first day quickly proves. But he soon manages to make a spot for himself in the school becoming a favorite. And unfortunately, for Lauren, they seem to click, which won’t work with her chance at adoption now so close.
Before I Called You Mine is an emotional read as Lauren works through the current situation that she finds herself in as she works through all the legalities of international adoption and the endless waiting. And there are most definitely moments of heartbreak and of joy that will most certainly touch the heart of most readers (not going to go into detail so as to not spoil anything) but very moving! Having friends who have gone through adoption this book is very realistic in the emotional ups-and-downs that they went through. I highly recommend this book – it is good for your free weekend hours or for a virtual book club meeting.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Have you ever adopted or thought of adoption? This book is a sweet novel about the journey of Lauren Bailey as she goes about the process of adopting a child from China. You will go through the ups and downs of the process with her as you read “Before I Called You Mine”. It is also a novel that shows you sometimes the plans you have and the way you think things should go are not always what God has planned. Sometimes God goes about things in a far different but better way then you would have come up with. He does not always take you the easy route because He wants you to rely on Him and not yourself. If you are looking for a stereotypical happy ending then this book may not be for you. However, if you want to read a book that represents real life and is a really awesome tale of how God can use all things for good then this book is perfect for you.
Before I Called You Mine is the story of Lauren, a single elementary school teacher who wants to adopt an orphan from China. This means staying single, because the adoption agency only allows children to go to single mothers or to couples who have been married more than two years. Single hasn’t been a problem until she meets the substitute teacher across the hall …
In some respects, Before I Called You Mind is a typical contemporary romance novel with a unique application of the “decides to remain single, then meets Mr Perfect” trope. But setting the novel against a backdrop of international adoption introduced a whole bunch of questions, many of them uncomfortable. One of the characters says of a child adopted internationally:
“Leaving the only place she’s ever called home, and the only people who’ve ever cared for her, is a traumatic event. That’s a fact, not an opinion … She won’t know the language, the food, the sounds, the smells.”
International adoption rips a child from everything familiar—their country, their culture, their language, even their name (yes, the main character planned to change her child’s name). That bugged me (and is the main reason for my rating). What psychological message does that send to a child, that not even their name is theirs and has value? It smacks of a nineteenth-century white saviour complex, where the missionaries converted the natives and changed their names to “Christian” names. I’d hoped we’d got beyond that, but comments about “dark chocolate, almond-shaped eyes” suggested we haven’t.
When I started the novel, I was in two minds about international adoption. I read plenty of stories about how the US foster care system is crying out for qualified carers. Why choose international adoption when there are thousands of disadvantaged and needy children in the US?
The author herself has adopted internationally, but says the purpose of the novel isn’t to persuade readers to adopt a child from overseas. Rather, it’s to challenge us to find the hard thing that God’s asking us to partner with Him in. Do I think it met that objective? No. But was it a good story? Mostly.
Lauren is torn between her desire to adopt internationally, and her attraction to Joshua … who also happens to be the son of the education expert who inspired many of Lauren’s most successful teaching methods. The family is everything Lauren’s family isn’t—friendly, loving, Christian.
There were times when I didn’t have a lot of sympathy for Lauren and her predicament. She complains about her family, then insults her mother and wonders why they don’t have a great relationship. She has been working towards adopting an orphan from China for two years, and had been considering it for three years before that, yet had never bothered to learn any Mandarin, or anything about Chinese food or culture.
At the same time, I could empathise with Lauren. She’d been earnestly seeking God and was convinced He placed the idea for international adoption on her heart and brought her into contact with people who could encourage and support her in that journey. Then God throws Joshua in her path, and she starts second-guessing herself. It made fascinating and compelling reading.
Overall, this is a well-written story with great characters and plenty of conflict. It’s memorable, and will definitely make you think.
Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Before I Called You Mine is a heartwarming story of one woman’s determination to adopt a child from China. On her own. A single woman. The process was rigorous and it would be quite an experience for a married couple united in love and support for each other. I admired her determination but she didn’t even have the support of her family, which would have lightened her burden somewhat.
Joshua was my favorite character. His personality and sincerity was the right balance for Lauren. I cheered him on as Lauren strived to remain true to the guidelines of the adoption requirements. His patience was incredible and his love stronger enough to let her be.
Before I Called You Mine is a book of firsts for me. My first Nicole Deese book and the first book I have read with such an up close and personal experience with adoption. It is an engaging story of resilience, courage and love. Lauen and Joshusa’s faith is intertwined in this book, and it is part of the determination both have as their love grows. It is a funny, serious book and will have you laughing and crying on the same page. I received my copy from #BethanyHouse to review but my opinions are most definitely mine.
I absolutely loved this book! It was so much more than a romance novel. It’s a beautifully written story about trusting in God and being willing to sacrifice everything to surrender to His will.
Lauren felt a strong calling toward international adoption and started the process over a year ago. As she waits to be matched with a child, she meets Joshua and they have an immediate connection. Joshua is sweet, kind and makes her laugh. The problem is, she applied to adopt as a single mother and can’t pursue a serious relationship. Lauren struggles to figure out which path God wants her to choose.
There are so many heartfelt moments and there are moments that make you laugh. I loved the secondary characters as well. Everyone needs a best friend like Jenna! It was my first by this author, but it won’t be the last. I highly recommend this book!
**I received an advanced copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.**I
What an absolutely amazing story! This one is both inspirational and thought provoking.
It inspires me to reach out in a ways that might look impossible and just trust.
Lauren is such a special heroine. Her heart for children, her desire to follow God. I just loved her.
I also adored Joshua. He was the perfect hero. He was a complete and goofy geek. (what a fun person to have in this story!) He definitely wasn’t what I’d normally consider a hero, but in this particular story, his fun-loving personality made the entire story so much better. I loved seeing their realness, their humanness and imperfections. I enjoyed seeing how their relationship worked (or how it didn’t).
And then, there’s of course the main thread, the main quest of this book, the journey that Lauren was on, the journey of international adoption. It is easy to tell that this is a journey that is very close to the author’s heart. Nicole Deese has written about this journey in a way that made me long to adopt a little girl from China.
This book also deals with other issues that are all-to-real in our lives, in addition to the challenges of international adoption. Lauren faces family difficulties, opposition to her Christian beliefs, opposition to her adoption, and other things that are difficult to process. These issues are written in a way that will challenge your way of thinking, help you to see God in a very real way.
Back to the hero. Joshua is an amazing friend. he is sympathetic, caring, and an all around good guy. I couldn’t help but love him from the minute I met him.
This entire story is just beautiful. The author shows how God can take those difficult things in our lives and turn out something that is just beautiful, all we have to do is learn to trust in Him.
This is one of those books that is so very beautiful. I found myself struggling, to really put into words what all this book did for me, struggling to write a review that really does justice to it. I’m fairly certain it will be one of my top reads for 2020.
This is absolutely a Five Star Read!
Before I Called You Mine, by Nicole Deese, is a stunning work of contemporary fiction. Abounding with heart, authenticity, and true vulnerability, this novel is nearly flawless. With an emotionally-stirring plot and compelling characters, this book is thoroughly engaging from the first page to the last.
Though not a typical love story, this book is most certainly an unforgettable tale of love. The love God holds for every human soul, the love that is shared in families, the love that blooms between a man and a woman, the love that nurtures friendships, and the love that connects the heart of a mother with that of her child are all various threads of love that Ms. Deese intricately weaves throughout this novel. With boldness softened by grace, the author reveals her extraordinary writing talent as she thoughtfully develops a storyline that explores the commitment, sacrifices, set-backs, blessings, and joys that are the very framework of international adoption. Utterly immersive in its style and profoundly moving in its scope, this novel envelops the reader in a relevant story that is wholly life-changing.
Achingly beautiful, uplifting, and truly memorable, Before I Called You Mine, is a meaningful novel that inspires even as it entertains. With genuine hope, it beckons the reader to venture into the difficult spaces of obedience, purpose, and calling that yield the greatest rewards. From beginning to end, it is everything a great novel should be. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.
This was a new author to me, and I was pleasantly surprised. This book had great spiritual messages and a lot of humor, too. And the theme of international adoption is close to my heart.
Sometimes you can only take one step at a time…
Women’s fiction has never been my thing. Just a little bit too much emotion and estrogen for me. But, once in awhile I step outside of that generalization and try one. While billed as contemporary romance I do think that Before I Called You Mine also straddles the women’s fiction genre. Nicole Deese is a new to me author but I liked the cover with it’s simple yet pretty design so I decided to try it.
If there’s one thing that I took away from this story it’s that family is messy and relationships are complicated but God will see us through if we let Him. Oh, and dinosaurs are totally cool. As expected there was a lot of emotional upheaval in Before I Called You Mine but I found myself unexpectedly relating to at least some of it. Some aspects of my life, including age, are fairly similar to Lauren’s so I kinda got where she was coming from.
Nicole Deese takes her characters on a rollercoaster of a ride. And I’m not just talking about the romance thread either. No, I’m also talking about Lauren’s adoption journey. From elation to heartbreak, from pain to celebration, all of it is brought to life on the printed page.
While not my usual choice in reading I’m glad I picked up Before I Called You Mine. It was sweet, poignant, thought-provoking, and tugged at the heartstrings. The story was well-written and I will be looking for more from author Nicole Deese in the future.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
I saw the beauty of the cover. The adorable name. The pretty flowers. Then I scrolled down to the blurb… My, oh, my!
I was in love! The sweetness of the story drew me in and that was just from the description.
Starting to read Before I Called You Mine I was pulled into the bound up bit of heartbreak and love, being my first book from Nicole Deese I was not sure what I would find. I fell in love with the way she showed a character who was not perfect and she wasn’t boring, I was somewhat worried that Lauren would be a dull and maybe cliche character but I couldn’t have been more wrong!
With so many feelings, so many emotions, and just so much heart clinching love, I adored every minute reading Before I Called You Mine, and the adoption journey! I have not gone through anything like what Lauren went through but that didn’t stop me from feeling like I was right there beside her, the imagery was incredible, the way Deese pulled you into her carefully woven literary artwork was a delight to behold.
Joshua … He is a sweetheart! He reminded me of my brother, really, the dinosaur love, the care of others, and just his sweetheartness. I loved his character, I did at times wish we saw his thoughts but it was all right.
The arc of Lauren and Joshua’s relationship and characters were done in a slow, subtle way that made them feel even more real.
Now, Jenna, she was interesting! I loved how she was like another part of our heroine and they were so hilarious at times. She and Brian were such a cute addition, I loved their support of Lauren and how they added to the story.
I am not saying that this book wasn’t painful at times … It was! And though I can’t say what happened it nearly had me in tears, so saddening and yet it made the story even more real and raw!
The whole of this book was wonderful and I loved how everything made a good plotline, everything Lauren did somehow reflecting the love she had for her future child and how she loved them already.
I cannot wait to see what Nicole Deese writes next, I am so glad she wrote this book, and that I read it!
Nicole Deese’s passion for adoption shone through every word, giving readers a bit of passion too.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
The Choice!
Lauren has wanted to adopt for years. When the paperwork was first filled out, she had listed herself as single. If that changed, she would be penalized, and would have to start the long process all over again. Since Lauren had years of no luck with dating, the thought that her marital status could differ never entered her mind.
Then she met Joshua, and everything changed. He was everything she wanted, the guy she had been hoping to meet all her life. Most of all, he was crazy about her. But she had to make an impossibly hard choice.
If she picked adoption, she knew it would take months for her child to adjust to a new life, country and mom. For all those reasons and more, Lauren couldn’t consider a new love relationship at the same time. Or she could pick easy-to-love Joshua, and give up the dream of being an adoptive mom.
This is a tender tale that will grab your heart, the story of two loves, and having to give one up—which will it be? You may think you know how it will end. But the author does a good job of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very last page.
I highly recommend this 5-plus star book. It will be enjoyed by those who like tales of people facing real-life situations with a Christian point of view.
Bethany House Publishing has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, Before I Called You Mine, for the purpose of review.
Author Nicole Deese and her husband have gone through their own adoption story and their emotional experiences have enabled her to write a book that you won’t soon forget. You will smile. you will laugh, you will certainly cry, but you will not forget this beautiful story. This is a book that has all of the elements of great contemporary fiction: a young woman who has never truly felt loved or supported by her family, her yearning to be a mother even if she isn’t a wife, and an unexpected opportunity for love that she is convinced she must deny. I loved the romantic chemistry between Lauren Bailey and Joshua Avery but their Christian beliefs and her absolute determination to adopt prevent her from allowing anything further to develop. Joshua tells her “Our story is an original, Lauren. And I’m more than okay waiting on the next chapters to be written.” All I could think was, who could deny a man who uttered these beautiful words?
Before I Called You Mine is filled with realistic characters and heart-felt emotions and I believe that it would be a wonderful movie. I also feel certain that it will be named as a book award winner. It is that good!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Bethany House but I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.
I so adored this book! Walking the adoption journey with Lauren (main character) as she struggles with the emotional ups and downs brought back so many memories of adopting our daughter from China. I enjoyed the characters Lauren and Joshua and how they met and developed their relationship. I laughed, cried and shed more tears as the adoption progressed and Lauren learned a lesson from God that I needed reminding of at this very moment. Can’t wait to read more of Nicole Deese!
“He tilted my face up to his, kissing me with a tenderness that begged for tears. Because I’d fallen in love with him. There was no other way to spin it. No other way to write this story. I was in love with Joshua Avery, and everything in me wanted that to be enough.”
From Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese
Lauren Bailey has been matched up with various men over the past decade but one thing or another leads to these relationships to not work out.
She’s satisfied with life, being an elementary school teacher she has plenty of children though certain ones hold a special place in her heart and memory.
Her heart years for a child to call her own though and she’s been on an adoption list for several years through a foreign adoption agency.
Enter Joshua Avery substitute teacher at the school where she teaches. He’s not just another man though , he has such a passion for teaching the children and creating educational technology that Lauren’s heart can’t help but to come alive in his presence.
She must fight the awakening of her heart for the first time in a long time though, this is not the times for loves blossoming to awaken.
The adoption agency has strict rules about marriage and adoption and she must follow them or be disqualified from adopting.
He relentlessly pursues her heart though and her resolve is weakening . Can she stay unattached as she’s put to the test as never before?
The love of a man or the love of a child? Is it fair to have to make this heart wrenching choice? Will she be able to choose between the two deepest desires of her heart?
Excellent book, this one will really make you pause to appreciate all you have in your life, all of God’s blessings that shine down upon you!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
This was my first Nicole Deese read. It WON’T be my last! This book was fantabulous! This story captured my heart from the first page. I loved the way Nicole wove the story threads together. I really felt invested and part of the story. It’s a quick, easy read that packs so much into just shy of 350 pages. I cheered and cried with Lauren as I read and I adored Joshua(I will be adding him to my list of book boyfriends!). I was sorry to see the story end. I need more with Lauren, Aria and Joshua. I would be thrilled if Nicole continues their story…I am hoping for that!!
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I have read all of this authors books and have enjoyed them all so I expected it to be a page turner. It did not disappoint! I was hooked immediately, and all other things in life had to wait until I finished reading. I think this is now my favorite book from her. Her characters have such depth and are so relatable that they could be people I know – dealing with real life struggles, joys, decisions, family, friends, love, faith, and work. As soon as we were introduced to Lauren I was instantly rooting for her. I loved that she is a teacher who works hard to invest into her students’ lives, making a difference – it reminded me of the amazing teachers that have invested in my life. The twists and turns in the storyline had me dying to know how things would end up for Lauren, Joshua, and her family. I laughed, cried, hoped for a great ending and genuinely enjoyed every minute of this sweet story. Beautiful story of love!