The Words We Lost

Title: The Words We Lost

Series: Fog Harbor #1

Author: Nicole Deese

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christian Fiction,

Publisher: Bethany House

Source: Bethany House

Challenge: Oceana's Christian Fiction Reading Challenge

My review:

Nicole Deese has written another beautiful novel, The Words We Lost. She has quickly become an author I will automatically read when I see her name. Her books are deep, gritty, and carefully crafted. While this novel deals with grief, it is not as heavy of a read as anticipated. I actually put off reading this novel because of that. 

Ingrid needs a miracle to keep her job. So, when Joel shows up with an envelope with their names, she wonders if she might have found what she was looking for. However, choosing to go back to her hometown leads her on an unexpected journey, with a discovery Ingrid and Joel never knew existed. Unfortunately for Ingrid's career, it is not what she expected. Will she find what she is looking for?

The Words We Lost is a powerful book of friendship, love, loss, and second chances. From the beginning, I was rooting for Joel and Ingrid to get back together. As the story progressed and I realized what tore them apart, I wanted it even more but wondered if it was possible. Prepare yourself because once the story hits its stride it is impossible to put down. I was mad at myself for not giving myself more time to read when I had to set it aside to sleep (it was HARD!). There are many layers to this story, and they are masterfully woven together. There is so much more I want to say about this story, but I don't want to give a hint of spoilers. The Words We Lost is a must-read. My copy will be staying on my "keeper" shelf.

On a side note, while this is labeled "Christian Fiction," it is more mentions of prayer and church. It is not heavy on the "Christian" side, which I know can be off-putting to some readers.

Thank you to Bethany House for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

★★★★★/5

Synopsis (Goodreads): 

Three friends. Two broken promises. One missing manuscript.

As a senior acquisitions editor for Fog Harbor Books in San Francisco, Ingrid Erikson has rejected many a manuscript for lack of defined conflict and dramatic irony--two elements her current life possesses in spades. In the months following the death of her childhood best friend and international bestselling author Cecelia Campbell, Ingrid has not only lost her ability to escape into fiction due to a rare trauma response, but she's also desperate to find the closure she's convinced will come with Cecelia's missing final manuscript.

After Ingrid jeopardizes her career, she fears her future will remain irrevocably broken. But then Joel Campbell--the man who shattered her belief in happily-ever-afters--offers her a sealed envelope from his late cousin, Cecelia, asking Joel and to put their differences aside and retrieve a mysterious package in their coastal Washington hometown.

Honoring Cecelia's last request will challenge their convictions and test their loyalties, but through it all, will Ingrid and Joel be brave enough to uncover a twice-in-a-lifetime love?