MY REVIEW:
All That It Takes is one of those novels that a reader can savor. The plot develops slowly and touches on multiple tough subjects. Its characters are perfectly flawed, each with wonderful attributes alongside their less admirable traits. I loved that about them. Most of us can easily relate.
How often does one read a novel about a young woman with a disability? It seems that most heroines are slim, beautiful, and well nigh perfect. Val not only has a disability but is also not at her best socially and her insecurities try to rule her life. She is stronger than she thinks and has more to offer others than she can even imagine. Miles has great expectations for his ministry, probably for all the wrong reasons and has a few things to learn about serving God. Miles and Val make a powerful team but each of them has some growing to do in their faith.
With both humorous and deadly serious parts, All That It Takes was a perfectly satisfying read that left me wanting more. I look forward to future books by this amazing author.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nicole Deese’s (www.nicoledeese.com) 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 of these books are from her bestselling Love in Lenox series. When she’s not working on her next contemporary romance, she can usually be found reading one by a window overlooking the inspiring beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She lives in small-town Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two rambunctious sons, and princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.
