About the Book

Title: All That It Takes
Author: Nicole Deese
Publisher: Bethany House
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

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.

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Companion Novel

In My Opinion

First, even though All That It Takes by Nicole Deese is not in a series, it is a companion novel to All That Really Matters. While you do not have to read the first book, you will get a much richer understanding of Val if you read these books in order.

But if you don’t have time or don’t plan on reading both books, All That It Takes will still pack a punch. This is a story of sharing your story so others who are walking that same path don’t feel so alone. It’s a story of friendships—old and new, new directions, and the impact our lives can have whether out in the wilds of the mission field or in our own back yard. It’s a book about building your community and being courageous enough to share your struggles and scars.

Deese is fast becoming a favorite author of mine as she continues to deliver engaging and emotionally wrought stories of healing, forgiveness, faith, and hope. We could all use move of those things in our lives.

I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.