Before I Called You Mine was an emotionally gripping novel. I liked the two main characters so much, even though I kept wanting Lauren to open herself up to Joshua more, to communicate the situation and all of the ramifications of her decisions better.
Joshua was an amazing main character. He realized early on that Lauren was someone he was interested in, and even when things didn’t go his way, he still provided amazing emotional support for Lauren.
This story had many highs and lows within its pages. It was quite a journey and the author beautifully showed the way God was there for every step of Lauren’s adoption journey. This book was written in first person, from Lauren’s point of view. There were quite a few times in the book that I really wanted to see things from Joshua’s perspective, however, I did recognize by the end of the story that not knowing his thoughts and only seeing things from Lauren’s viewpoint was important in this novel.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
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.
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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 these books are from her best-selling Love in Lenox Series. The first book in her upcoming contemporary romance series with Bethany House Publishers is set to release in early 2020.
When she’s not sorting out characters and plots of her own, she can usually be found reading near a window overlooking the inspiring beauty of the Pacific Northwest (most often while sipping a sparkling water). She lives in small-town, Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two towering-over-her pre-teen sons, and her princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.
Britt Reads Fiction 
Fantastic review, Britt! 🙂
Such a wonderful book.