Have you ever read a book that you just needed right at that moment? Yeah, it happens to me too. I happened to read All That It Takes by Nicole Deese at a time when I really needed to hear the message that Nicole penned inside the pages of the novel. It’s almost like it was written for me at that very moment in time. I love it when books can speak to you like that! This is a book that will be reread for years to come, because the message inside is worth repeating. I highly encourage you to check it out if you haven’t already.
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about the book
All That It Takes Author Nicole Deese
Published by Baker Books
on April 5, 2022
Genres: Fiction / Christian / Contemporary, Fiction / Christian / Romance / General, Fiction / Romance / Clean & Wholesome
Pages: 416
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookbub | Goodreads | Baker Book House"[A] charming fish-out-of-water tale. . . . Fans of Rachel Hauck should take a look."--Publishers Weekly on All That Really Matters
When the ever-cautious Val Locklier moves cross-country with her son for a secure job, everything she'd planned unravels within the first week. After Val reluctantly agrees to rent an apartment from her best friend's brother, an unexpected chance at an elite filmmakers' mentorship ignites fresh hope for a dream career. But as Val's community begins to expand, so do her insecurities, especially those heightened by her growing attraction to a certain friendly landlord.Pastor Miles McKenzie returns home from a short-term mission trip to discover that not only does he have an intriguing new tenant living upstairs, he's also been reassigned to a local ministry on life support. Disillusioned and restless, he distracts himself by throwing his energy into a host of new projects--not the least of which is pursuing Val--without stopping to consider the future.
As Val struggles to stop hiding behind the camera and Miles wrestles with shattered expectations, they'll find that authentic love and sacrifice must go hand in hand.
"An exceptional inspirational love story."--Booklist
my perspective
My word this novel was extraordinary! There’s really no other way to describe it. Deese has penned a story that spoke to my heart and then some. The beautifully written characters, their growth, the romance, the difficulties, I could go on and on.
The first thing that stood out was the way Deese wrote Val’s character. I’m not sure if I would classify her as having a disability, however she definitely had some troubles. And while some people would sort of wallow in their sorrows, Val chose not to do so, although sometimes a bit stubborn about it in the wrong way. She was self conscious of course, but more so in an inspiring way. Her determination and dedication to her son were heart warming. And the courage she had not only in moving far away from her comfort zone, but reaching for her dream in the filmmaking world, all while raising a child and having some swoony chemistry with her landlord/neighbor. Um yeah, I was hooked.
Speaking of cute neighbors, Pastor Miles had his own character arc throughout the story, and I thought Deese did a wonderful job with it. He had so much to learn, mainly that we need to listen to where God wants us to be. It can be hard, and I sympathized with him several times. The thing is, sometimes we already have in our mind where God wants us, or what He wants us to be doing. And so we chase it. But here’s the thing, that both Miles learned, and myself while reading – sometimes the thing that God wants us to do is right in front of our eyes, and we’re missing it because we don’t think it’s enough, or it’s too close to home, or whatever. We’re trying to think big and grand and God says, hey – remember this little place over here? Yeah, that’s where I want you to minister. It was a hard lesson for Miles, and it’s a hard lesson for us. And Deese nailed it. Every single part.
I highly recommend this beautifully written, inspirational story. Not only will it lift your spirits, it will teach you something you never knew you needed! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When was the last time you read a novel that you felt God meant for you at that very moment?
This was such a great book.