Has a book ever made you cry? It’s a rare book that touches deep enough to bring out that emotion in me, make me forget to study the writer’s technique, endear the characters so strongly. Nicole Deese does all of that in her latest release Before I Called you Mine. I’ll warn you now: it’s a phenomenal story, but be prepared to feel all the feels.

Lauren Bailey is a first-grade teacher who loves children and desperately wants a child of her own. The problem: she’s not married. Actually, it isn’t a problem. Not any more. She’s made peace with staying single for the time being in order to pursue her real dream of raising a child of her own. A necessity in order to apply to adopt a child born in China.

Enter the substitute teacher in the first grade classroom across the hall. A dinosaur-loving techie named Joshua Avery. It’s easy to see how Lauren liked him right from the start. I did, too! Which made it all the more difficult to watch Lauren battle with her desire to adopt and the need to stay single.

With each up and down Lauren faces on the road to adoption, readers’ heartstrings will go right along with her. Nicole Deese is a master at weaving those emotions into the story. Happy, sad, angry… those aren’t the best words to describe the twists and turns. More like: elated, devastated, furious. Strong words for strong feelings.

So, yes, you need to read this book. But be sure to keep a tissue box close at hand because tears don’t come just because of heartache, they also sneak up when dreams come true.

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I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in order to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”