Before I Called You Mine

Starred review from April 1, 2020
Carol Award-winner, as well as a RITA and Inspy nominee for her inspirational romance novels, Deese is also an adoptive parent, which shapes her latest novel. First-grade teacher Lauren Bailey's pragmatic Idaho family doesn't seem to understand her or her new faith. Now that she's 31, they just want her to get married. Lauren has no interest in the men they set her up with, but she does feel that motherhood is her calling. She applies to an international adoption agency, and is now waiting to be matched with a child. According to the regulations, she can't change her single status for two years after adopting. She then meets Joshua Avery, an educational software engineer who is serving as a temporary substitute teacher at her school, and who shares her faith. Will Lauren's family be as negative about her adoption plans as she fears? Will Joshua wait for her? Do difficult circumstances and disappointments mean that God's plan for her has changed? As Lauren waits, she gains a deeper understanding of letting go and unconditional love. Deese's involving novel is full of genuine feeling and compelling challenges.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

June 26, 2020

First-grade teacher Lauren Bailey has been focused on one thing for years--being matched to a child through an overseas adoption agency and finally becoming a mother. With a heart full of love to share, Lauren is anxious and ready to begin the newest chapter of her life. After a litany of disastrous set-ups and even worse first dates, committing to the agency's requirement that she stay single seems easy. Lauren hadn't planned on Joshua Avery, however--the charming new coworker who is determined to steal her heart away. As she and Joshua grow closer, Lauren fears she may have to sacrifice one dream to realize another. VERDICT Deese's (A Season To Love) latest novel will touch readers' hearts, moving them near to tears on one page even as they laugh out loud on the next. Those who enjoy inspirational fiction and imperfect characters striving to find their own path to happiness will find this difficult to put down.--Rebecca Moe, Alden Ewell Free Lib., NY

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