Nurse practitioner Mia Robinson had a quick jolt to adulthood when she took on raising her 10 year old sister at her own 20 years of age. Fast forward about 10 years to Lucy’s time to make her own life. Mia wants to make sure that Lucy is making wise decisions; she’s protective with good right. It’s also a time for Mia, though, to get her own God-directed path in line. Into the picture enters Jake with PTSD who is great friends with Lucy’s guy, Sam. Mia wrestles with the missionary plans she has had for years. There's also a storyline about Jake's mother with Alzheimer's disease. It is handled with care and reality.

I only discovered Victoria Bylin a few years ago but I have enjoyed each of her books since then. She writes real characters with real hurts and fears and draws me into those stories. Her latest release, The Two of Us, is no exception.

The meet cute with Jake and Mia is an original one. One that made me smile a bit as it was happening. And Mia’s knee-jerk decision that brings her more fully into Jake’s world doesn’t feel contrived at all. I also love that Jake isn’t afraid to go after what he wants but also puts Mia and what’s best for her first.

Readers have the added bonus of Lucy’s (Mia’s sister’s) point of view to give the story and well-rounded arc. As Lucy struggles with her relationship with God, and Mia and Jake their attraction to each other, they each must learn to release the grip they have on their own lives.

Add in a mother’s heart-breaking struggle with Alzheimer’s and a town up in arms about a youth camp, and there is plenty to keep this story moving along while tugging at your heartstrings. Another enjoyable read from Victoria Bylin, indeed.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review 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.

I really enjoyed this book and once I started I could not put it down. I loved the character of Mia and loved seeing her story play out throughout the book. Jake was someone who had clearly struggled and was questioning God with how his life was playing out. With both Jake and Mia they were convinced God wanted something completely different for them than what he had planned. The additions of Lucy and Sam were a nice touch and it was nice to see their story playout along side Jake and Mia's. I highly recommend reading this book if you love Christian fiction.

Mia and Jake meet randomly in a restaurant but what they don’t know is how life is going to bring them together. I really enjoyed following their story and getting to know them and the other characters. There was a lot addressed throughout the course of the book, finding oneself, learning to trust others and God, dealing with family health issues, and so much more. Both Jake & Mia have to decide if the dreams they are each pursuing is worth the cost or could God be leading them towards something better. I absolutely loved Jake, who can pass up a strong male who has overcome challenges and is willing to put his feelings aside for others. He was wonderful with Mia and I felt they fit well together, but will things work out for them to be together, or will their lives take them in separate directions?

Mia is used to being a responsible one, looking after her younger spontaneous sister and always has every step planned, but after two failed engagements she has a hard time trusting others and is determined to trust only God’s leading. She dedicates her life to her work and following God’s lead, but in the process she feels lead in two directions and struggles with the decision of what to do. Can she learn open her heart to others and follow God`s lead even if it might not be taking her in the direction she has planned?

Each character was dealing with their own struggles that tested their faith. The main focus might be on Mia and Jake but the side characters were also crucial to the story, without them the story would have lost some of the realness. Throughout the hard moments there were many wonderful moments that put a smile on my face while reading. There was so much love for others shown - romantic, family and friendship, that I finished the book feeling wonderful. I feel like I experienced all emotions possible; frustration, sadness, laughter, and happiness, over the course of this story. I absolutely loved this book; the characters were loveable and felt real, I couldn’t help but want them to find happiness. The epilogue at the end just made the story that much better for me. I highly recommend picking this book up.

I've been a fan of Ms. Bylin since her first book. I happily raised my hand to read The Two of Us. In Ms. Bylin's signature style, romance swirls in the midst of life-changing decisions. It's what makes her writing so good.

How can you sigh happy moments when you're waiting for the other shoe to drop? Personally, as a writer, I love the added tension. It moves the story along and of course, has me shouting at the characters when they don't do what I want them to.

The Two of Us was no exception. Jake is going on my favorite-heroes list. Seriously, he's a good man. And Mia, that girl needed a serious hug and a friend or two. :) Thankfully, she got those in Jake.

What I liked most about The Two of Us is the message that our dreams can change. They're not concrete. Sometimes, there is a better one waiting for us and it doesn't undermine the old one or make you a less of a person for choosing differently. That is pure gold, my friends.

PTSD, broken engagements, teen pregnancy, wounded warriors and hurt people, hurting other people seemed to be the theme of this novel. It was done very well.

The only complaint I would have was the childbirth scene needed a bit more research. But other than that, this was an amazing contemporary novel that handled the issues very well. I found the twists with the F-NP to really fun to see a different career path as well as the detective with hearing loss as the hero.

This book was given to me for review by Netgalley and the opinions contained herein are my own.

Mia, abandoned by her father, brought up in the depths of poverty by her mother, and then when her younger sister Lucy is only 10 years old, becomes her sole provider. In addition, Mia has had her heart broken twice by men she was engaged to. It's easy to see and feel her heartbreak and the complete destruction of her ability to trust. Thankfully, she does not seem to have lost her trust in a loving God, which, sometimes comes as a consequence when one faces and becomes overwhelmed with the trials of life. Approaching her 30th birthday, she naturally feels the sense of loss of direction for her life, and as does happen when we approach these milestone birthdays - we do these life reviews and analyze the results!

There is a beautiful story here of finding oneself and learning to trust again. Becoming like a little child and learning to trust in God's guiding hand in ways only kids do. Jake is just the right guy to cut a path into Mia's life. The agonizing over the decision to continue the application for the very worthy cause of nursing with Mission Medical. The reconnecting relationship we see developed here with younger sister Lucy, who Mia has regarded as young, and spontaneous. While this story is told from the views of Mia, Jake & Lucy - the main base here is Mia. This is her story, and her personal tale of learning & growth. While all of this in it's own right would make a great book, there is something much more here, that may have been just an insert into a novel in order to add some depth. It is the tale of early onset Alzheimer's on one of the minor characters, Jake's mother.

As my own mother had early onset Dementia, diagnosed in her 50s and gone by her 60s, I often struggle to read books where this is a part of the plot. I am not too sure why. Its too raw perhaps. Anyone who has endured something and then have to read about it probably feels the same way. I have read two other books previously that touched on the disease. First from Sarah Eden in 'The Sheriff's of Savage Wells' and the more intense and a little darker, Catherine West's 'The Things We Knew'. Sarah wrote sensitively and kept on the fringes. In 'The Two of Us', Bylin goes a lot deeper into the practicalities of normal every day life. You are given a good look into the tragedy this disease is. The struggle for those caring for a family member. I wondered as I read, given the accuracy of the details, if she had had a personal experience with it. When someone has researched something like this, yes they can write about it, but the emotion of the reality can only be retold by one who has lived it. I really felt this as I read. It took me back to some of the major milestones with it, in particular the moment when my mother no longer knew who I was, and the distressing experience it was for me & her. Although Bylin includes it, she doesn't go deeper, and I appreciated that. She keeps it as light as possible, while keeping enough of the details to ensure reality for the characters and the reader. Sure enough, the author notes dive right in and she shares her experience with her father in law. Thank you to Victoria Bylin for giving those who don't know, and inside look into the horror of this illness. It is so much more than someone loosing their memory, or as others will joke, and yes I've heard them, like its no big deal or something funny.

This book is titled the TWO of us, which some may say is "Mia & Jake". It could easily encompass "Sam & Lucy", "God & Mia", "Jake and Mr Hatcher", "Frank & Claire" etc. Its a clever title because although, yes, I have no doubts this is Jake & Mia's journey, there is healing and growth for almost every one of these relationships of two.

Tenderly written, this entire novel is unhurried, with the additional element of finding yourself again and learning to trust in those that will take that trust, treasure it and guard it well.

Thank you to Netgalley & Bethany House for the eARC. This is my honest review.

The Two of Us was the first book I've read by Bylin and I completely loved it! I couldn't read it fast enough, it was just that good!

After a failed engagement, nurse practitioner Mia Robinson is wanting a new start in life. Hoping to get a job with an international aid organization, Mission Medical, she'd be helping people and seeing the world at the same time. But when she gets a phone call from her teenage sister Lucy informing her that she's eloping in Las Vegas, Mia adjusts her plans a bit. After Jake Tanner's partner Connie Waters was killed in the line of duty, he dream is to open a camp for kids of fallen officers. Having helped and mentored Connie's adult son Sam, Jake finds himself in Vegas for Sam's hasty wedding. Coming together to be there for their loved ones, could Jake and Mia find their own chance at love?

Mia's reserved, organized, and always thoroughly thinks things through before making a decision which is the complete opposite of her younger sister Lucy. Lucy has a good heart, but is very impulsive. Mia's very protective of Lucy, having raised her since she was ten. Sam's a guy who takes his responsibilities seriously and though he's made mistakes, owns up to them. And Jake... oh... Jake! From the very first scene, he stole my heart! He has a lot that he's dealing with, but he's a wonderful guy who's doing his best to help others. Pirate, Jake's service dog, was awesome! It's amazing everything that service dogs can do and I loved reading about him!

This book deals with some tough but realistic issues. One of which was Alzheimer's Disease. Alzheimer's is a cruel and terrible disease. As someone who's watched a loved one (my Grandma) struggle with it, I could feel the character's heartache in dealing with the disease. It's gut-wrenching at times, but a sad reality many people face.

The Two of Us is a fantastic contemporary novel that I highly recommend! It left me with so many emotions. I laughed, I shed some tears. It was a special book that I hope many people will check out! I can't wait to read Bylin's other books!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own honest opinion.

In this heartwarming Christian romance, Mia and Jake have a lot working against them, but they must find a way to work together and trust God to work things out. Will their faith be enough to carry them? Could God’s plan bring them together as more than friends? If that is His plan, will they ever be able to move past their problems and trust each other enough to completely let the other in?

This story is packed with drama. Jake and Mia are brought together by the sudden marriage of Mia’s sister Lucy and Jake’s friend Sam after an unexpected pregnancy. Mia is more than sceptical and wants to help Lucy. She has been responsible for Lucy for years and has a hard time switching from mom-mode to sister and friend for Lucy after raising her. Mia is a planner. She has always been the responsible one and after two broken engagements, she finds it incredibly difficult to trust anyone other than God. She completely dedicates herself to her work as a nurse practitioner and is determined to follow God’s will in serving others. However, are you really trusting God if you close yourself off from the possibility of involving others in His plan for your life? What if God’s plan isn’t what you thought it was? How do you know when to change paths?

Jake shares a special connection with Sam after losing Sam’s mother (his former police partner) in an accident he feels responsible for. He vows to love and support him. Jake is determined to honor Connie’s memory by opening a camp for other children of fallen officers and looking out for Sam. But is it really God’s will to do a good thing when it harms others? How do you know when to give up? Because of their connection to the young couple, Jake and Mia are forced to work together. However, what happens when they can’t deny their connection?

I really enjoyed this book. It was full of drama and emotion with lovable characters I wanted to find happiness. All of the characters in this book faced believable struggles that tested their faith and left them full of questions for the future. While the main focus of the book was on Jake and Mia, we also got a wonderful side cast that was crucial to the story. Jake’s family along with Sam and Lucy made this book well rounded and a complete joy to read. While the drama was there the whole way through, there were also wonderful moments of joy. The whole story was wrapped in love - love for family, friends, and romantic love. The underlying theme was God’s love and the attempt to fully trust Him and follow His will. The characters brought the story to life and really forced me to examine my own life.

The only thing I would change is giving a bit more of Sam and Lucy. Possibly even making it two books or providing a companion novella. I felt like we dipped in on their relationship quite a bit, but we didn’t really see the part where they fell in love or the really good times that held them together. I felt for Lucy in her struggle to be a good wife, the wife Sam needed. I felt for Sam with his exhaustion in trying to hold everything together, but I would’ve liked to have experienced some of the moments that were mentioned where they spent time together, loving each other and connecting in a positive way. I felt like so much of Sam and Lucy’s relationship was included, and yet I was left wondering about them.

I did get a bit annoyed with Mia at times, but I understood why she made the choices she did given her history. Her struggle made sense and was believable as it was well developed. However, I did want to shout at her at times.

Overall, this was a great book. It had a wonderful message, fantastic characters, and a believable plot that drew me in. I’m looking forward to reading more by Ms. Bylin.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bethany House Publishers, and Victoria Bylin for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.

Mia Robinson flies to Las Vegas for her little sister’s last minute wedding. She regrets that her 19-year-old sister has gotten pregnant, quit school, and plans on marrying her young sweetheart. It seems as if Mia, a nurse practitioner in her 30s, always cleans up the messes Lucy gets in to. And maybe she’s a bit jealous that her sister will experience true love and motherhood before Mia has a chance.

She runs into an intriguing man at a diner the day of the wedding, and then runs into him again at the wedding chapel. What happens next changes the course of both Mia’s and Jake’s lives as they deal with their attraction for each other and a host of other problems.

Jake has to deal with guilt over a past decision that cost the life of his police force partner. Mia has to deal with learning to know God’s will—she knows she wants to serve him, and she can’t figure out how her budding relationship with Jake plays a part in the bargain she made with God about serving him.

Readers will enjoy this sweet romance that delves into all sorts of problems faced by modern day readers—chastity, Alzheimer’s, knowing God’s will, and relinquishing the desires of our heart to God.

When Mia Robinson and Jake Turner meet at a diner in Vegas little do they know how much they have in common and the things they will share, until they see other again at a wedding chapel.
Mia is at the wedding to support her little sister, Lucy, who is pregnant and marrying Sam. Sam is the son of Jake’s partner who died in a bomb blast that took part of Jake’s hearing and cost him his career. Jake has tried to help Sam by teaching him how to fix up cars, and also lessons of faith. Jake is proud of Sam for wanting to do the right thing and marry Lucy. Jakes also finds work for Lucy taking care of his mother Claire who is suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Mia is a nurse practitioner with a passion for international medical missions, during the interviews the agency is quick to point that her experience is largely in big city hospital settings. She knows that the doctor in Echo Falls wants to retire soon, so she takes the job so that she can also be close to Lucy. I liked her determination to reach her goals. And I related to her struggle with giving up control.
Jake is supportive of Mia’s dreams to pursue a career with Mission Medical, and he accepts that maybe friends is all that Mia is ready for right now. Jake is an observant and patient man, and a good friend to Sam. He lives his faith and has passion for helping other young people like Sam. Jake hasn’t let his hearing loss get him down and he has a great dog Pirate that helps to alert him of things that he can’t hear. I really admired him and his patient friendship with Mia and mentorship of Sam.
Jake’s dad, Frank, is a really great guy, he love his wife and wants to keep her at home as long as they can until they can go to a special home together.
I also really liked how the book follows Sam and Lucy too. Sam is a great guy he wants to do the best he can by Lucy and their child, and he is going to school and is in the ROTC. Lucy really learns to trust God with her worries, and she grows a lot in her faith over the course of the book.
I really liked the way that this book brings together multiple generations within a family, with great dialog and well-rounded characters. There are many surprises along the way as well. I liked the realness of the characters all in their different walks of life, and how they all came together for each other. I would definitely recommend this well done read.

With The Two Of Us Victoria Bylin has created a delightful novel that perfectly captures the tumultuous emotions of falling in love, following your dreams, and making the very hard choice between those dreams. This is a story of love, family, and human fragility.

Mia is on the cusp of fulfilling her dreams - well, her plan B dream, that is. She is about to interview for a leadership position with Mission Medical, which will enable her to travel, help people in need, and use her nursing skills, putting her far away from the heartbreak of a second broken engagement and her dreams of a family of her own. But her baby sister's sudden pregnancy announcement and impromptu wedding, has Mia worried. When the opportunity to move to Echo Falls to be near her sister and increase her chance of success in her upcoming interview arises, Mia takes it - even if it also puts her nearer to Jake Tanner. The handsome former detective has his own dreams to help people, particularly teens of police officers who have lost their lives in the face of duty. Mia's entrance into Jake's life offers him the chance to follow his other dream - love and a family, but Mia is scared of risking her heart again.

There is so much packed into this book. So much love and fear, so many big dreams, so much desire to help others and serve God. Jake and Mia both have big dreams - Mia to serve overseas and Jake to set up a camp for teens who have lost a parent. Their dreams challenge them and put many obstacles in their way. Both have to decide if following those dreams is worth the cost. I loved how Jake and Mia want to help and serve. Their dreams and goals are so important. Yes, we need people who can do amazing, scary things to help others, but serving can also be done at home in the little, everyday things, and I loved how this was recognised, valued, and celebrated in this book. Alongside Jake and Mia, are Sam, the son of Jake's former detective partner, and Lucy, Mia's sister. Lucy's struggles with faith and feeling worthwhile while she balances pregnancy and a new marriage provide another layer to this story.

The other thing I particularly enjoyed about this book was the time the characters take to asses their feelings and decide upon their future. This might just be a Mia thing, because she is someone who thinks before she speaks and carefully considers every action (unlike her sister), but this gave a book a measured feel, which I really enjoyed. Mia and Jake's relationship was heartwarming and very enjoyable. They connect from the start but have so many obstacles in their way. Jake is determined to let nothing deter him, but Mia is unsure about her future and what she should do. I thought their feelings translated so well onto the page and are so realistic of the complexity of life.

The other big story in this book that sits alongside Jake and Mia's romance is the heartbreaking reality of Alzheimer's disease. Jake's mother is battling early onset Alzheimer's and the way in which this disease is hurting her and her family is utterly heart wrenching - but it is, sadly, a story to which so many people will relate. Bylin draws upon her own experiences with the disease to make this a very important, realistic, and bittersweet part of the book.

Readers who like a firm happy-ever-after ending will adore the epilogue. In fact, readers who enjoy well-written, complex stories of love, belonging, faith, and the everyday magic of life are sure to enjoy The Two Of Us.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

The Two of Us is a beautifully written Christian Romance novel. Bylin creates a very realistic love story that will have you crying one minute and laughing the next. There are very sweet moments in this book that will warm your heart and leave you wanting more. This book is full of hope, sadness, love, faith, family and happiness. While this book did have me in tears a few times, I enjoyed and relished the moments that had be laughing. Overall, I highly recommend this book

The Two of Us is Victoria Bylin's best work. She has crafted a story that is engaging, entertaining, and encouraging. Mia, Jake, Sam, and Lucy are everyday people with real life struggles and flaws, the kind of people you can sit with over coffee and have a thoughtful conversation with about pretty much anything.

The Two of Us is a contemporary romance that goes deeper than the typical hearts and flowers, wrapped up in a nice and tidy package with a pretty bow. Bylin dives deep down to the soul, uncovering the purest sense of love and commitment. Claire and Frank are memorable characters and your heart breaks a little more with each page of their beautiful story.

I loved every page and my soul felt rich and satisfied as I turned the final page. Don't miss out on The Two of Us. This is the kind of contemporary fiction that carries a deep, much needed realism, and author Victoria Bylin at her best.