A great new read from Hatcher! Her characters are chiseled wonderfully and her plot line is once again captivating. A definite 4 star read that is filled with wonderful messages.

I can always count on Robin Lee Hatcher to bring out the entire range of my emotions. Who I Am With You is no different. The spiritual arc of Jessica’s journey was beautiful. Having Ridley to lean on during a time of vulnerability gave her the chance to learn to trust again. Even though they both have people that they need to forgive, their journeys to that place of forgiveness take them on different paths.

I’ve said before that I love small-town romances. This was no exception, even though we really only see the town for a brief glimpse during a festival. Most of the book takes place between the two cabins that Ridley and Jessica call home. I think that scenario made things more intimate, it pulled you deeper into what each character was going through.

Hatcher always manages to pull the perfect Bible verses into the moment they are most needed. The use of Jessica’s great-great-grandfather’s Bible, along with his journey throughout the pages was a unique twist that I found enjoyable. It was interesting to see where the Bible started at so we can follow its journey through the series.

I won’t spoil the ending, but I will say it surprised me. There was a specific moment I was waiting for that never happened, and I was not disappointed at all. I was pleasantly surprised that Hatcher wrote it the way she did. The true change in Jessica’s faith, the choice to trust God, was highlighted by the detour.

Anyone who enjoys a prominent spiritual journey with a dash of romance, this is the book for you. Who I am With You offers hope when things seem hopeless. It is a reminder that all things are in God’s hands, even when we feel that He has given us burdens too heavy to bear.

Favorite moment: Jessica asks Ridley how he can still have faith in God. Ridley’s response: “I lost faith in people. God never lied to me, people did that.”

That’s what we have to remember. People will fail us but God never will.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to leave a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Okay, first of all, let me say that as a general rule I'm not a big fan of split time romances. Sometimes when I read from a certain author I find myself not following one story line let alone two. Thankfully, this isn't the case with this book.

Both Jessica and Ridley are hiding from the world. Jessica, pregnant and newly widowed, is still grieving the lost of her daughter along with hating her cheating husband. Though innocent, Ridley finds himself solely blamed for a political scandal that has driven him out of town and into the house next door to a very kindhearted pregnant neighbor.

Back in the past, Andrew is about to get the shock of his life. After the loss of their first baby, Andrew left to find better work. Now he's back only to find that his beloved wife Helen is in love with another man. Despite the betrayal, Andrew is determined to stay fiercely loyal to Helen and to show her that they were truly meant to be together despite all odds.

Sometimes I still need to pinch myself that I'm legit a book reviewer. Right now is one of those times.

Robin Lee Hatcher has been writing books since I was in high school. It's safe to say I've been reading them since then, too! So the fact that I'm on this team, promoting her new release, is just ... a dream moment, truly!

Who I Am With You is everything I would want and expect from a Hatcher book (and after 20 years reading her books, I should know 😊).

Romance and a delightful PNW setting combine in this sweet read. Jumping from the Great Depression to present day and back, you'll enjoy following dual story lines across both miles and time. The story presents an insightful look into the Depression, bringing it close to home for those of us too young to know what it was like.

I natch loved even the passing references to Seattle, though the action primarily took place in Idaho (and a bit in Portland).

So glad to see this is the first book in a series. I'm definitely ready for book 2 and beyond, and hope to see these characters appear again.

I received a copy of the book from Audra Jennings PR. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this Christian romance that combined a contemporary story with one from the Great Depression. Heritage and a Bible tie the two stories together. I like how Hatcher has woven the theme of forgiveness into both stories. Jessica and her great-grandfather had the opportunity to forgive unfaithfulness in marriage. Ridley faced forgiving the one who had ruined his career. The Christian message of forgiveness is strong and well presented in the novel.

I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy a good character driven Christian romance containing a clear message of forgiveness and trust. It is a gentle read with no suspense and no surprises.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Read With Audra. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Artist Jessica Mason is pregnant and still trying to come to terms with her late husband and daughter's deaths, she keeps to herself most days, working from home. Her mother gives her an old family Bible that was her great-grandfather's, as she reads she sees how her great-grandfather's faith held them fast through the Great Depression.



Ridley Chesterfield retreats to Hope Springs to hideout after a political scandal that has the media after his head. He moves into the house next door to Jessica, and when a stray dog shows up on the property it brings them together.



The last thing that Jessica and Ridley are looking for is love, but they appreciate the camaraderie and encouragement. Will God turn their tears to joy?



Two parallel storylines almost a hundred years apart, that of Jessica and Ridley, and her grandparents, Helen and Andrew. Their faith is challenged, as they weather the storms of life, through heartache and betrayals.



I loved the natural pace of the storytelling, there is a gentle flow to the story as all the pieces fall apart and into place in varying chapters of the story. I loved Andrew and Helen's story as they weather hardships and challenges of a new marriage during the 1930's, and how it connects to the present day.



Ridley is a strong Christian, he is determined to stick to his standards and turn the other cheek amidst the turmoil of the scandal. He is looking to disconnect from the outside world when he meets his hermit-ish neighbor, Jessica.



Jessica has gone through a lot in the last few months, but I liked her strength in her vulnerabilities, and turns to the Scriptures for comfort.



Overall, a beautiful story with excellent pacing and flow, nothing seems forced or unnatural in the timeline. I liked the realistic way that the book gave Jessica space and time to grieve, and how she and Ridley take their friendship one day at a time. A beautiful story about how God redeems the ashes, refining us through hardships, yet giving us the strength to see us through.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

This is the first book in a new series with a dual timeline story. It is the story of Jessica's great grandfather, Andrew, and the hurt, unhappiness, and lack of trust that was part of his life. Jessica receives his Bible after the death of her grandmother. She is reeling from the tragic death of her daughter and husband, as well as the betrayal of her husband. The story parallels her great grandfather's life during the Depression. Jessica must learn to let go of her fears and trust again, that is where the Bible comes into play.
I loved this story! It was so well written and detailed, it was like reading a biography of actual events. All of the characters came alive on the page. I can not wait until book two will be ready to read!

Though separated by a few generations, Jessica and Andrew face the same challenge—learning to trust again after a betrayal. Their stories are the same, yet different. Both face a crossroad in their marriages, both must learn to forgive, but while Andrew gets the opportunity for reconciliation, that option is stolen from Jessica.
While I enjoyed Andrew and Helen’s story—Andrew’s consistent love that allows for mistakes and Helen’s gradual acceptance of that love—it is Jessica and Ridley’s story that resonated most with me. Two people who have experienced loss form a friendship and slowly let go of the hurt, anger, and shame surrounding the situations and people who wronged them.
Jessica’s friends and mother support her, but it’s Ridley who pulls her out of her grief. And with Jessica’s listening ear and acceptance, Ridley finds purpose.
I admit I would have liked a little more connection between Andrew and Jessica. If Jessica would have known a little more of what her great-grandfather faced, it could have given her more insight. Despite that one wish, Hatcher delivers a book filled with friendship, forgiveness, and hope that should not be missed.
Disclosure statement:
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.

Jessica is reeling from the accidental death of her preschool daughter and unfaithful husband. She steels herself away in Hope Springs, living in the countryside. Soon after their deaths, she finds herself pregnant and new challenges crowd her ability to carry on. Ridley, son of the new next-door-neighbors, is escaping Boise, Idaho after being falsely accused of leaking confidential information about a political candidate.
In Hope Springs for healing and hiding out, both Jessica and Ridley enjoy their new friendship.
The story also follows Andrew, great-grandfather to Jessica, in a time leap in the book. We hear the story of Andrew’s marriage immediately before the Great Depression. He takes comfort in his faith and records notes in the family Bible. Jessica ends up with the Bible and that is the tie-in to the past.

This is a new series from Robin Lee Hatcher. I found it hard to believe that Jessica was as healed as she seemed over the death of her daughter. I understood that things were not in a good place with her spouse, but it seems she would have been more bereft at 7, 8 and 9 months over the loss of her preschool daughter.

Who I Am With You by Robin Lee Hatcher is a charming dual timeline Christian novel that will warm your heart and soothe your soul. It is the first book in the Legacy Of Faith series.
The novel is set in present day and during the depression caused by the stock market crash of 1929. There are similar themes and topics covered in both periods including the devastating loss of a child which produces many unanswered questions as well as a pulling away from God. “She didn’t want her Mom to know that she’d wandered. From God… From believing or even from hoping.” The loss consumes. It is a pit from which there feels like no return. “She’d felt abandoned by God long before she’d abandoned Him.” God never abandons us but in our pain, we are so focused on our loss that we do not look for God. Therefore we do not see or feel Him, but our lack of vision and emotional detachment does not mean God is far away.
God is the God of restoration. He will restore the years the locusts have eaten. The themes in the novel remind the reader of the story of Job who also lost everything.
The novel explores true riches. People suffered terribly in the depression. True riches are never about money and always about people. We see that like the widow’s mitre, people shared what little they had with those who had nothing. There is the theme of taking care of the widows and orphans in both time periods.
Dual themes of forgiveness and trust appear in both stories. Withholding forgiveness creates a burden that becomes heavier over time. Forgiveness is freeing. It is a process that we may need to repeat.
Love is a feeling, an emotion but it needs feeding and working at. “Lasting love was a decision.” If we do not work at keeping love alive in our marriages, they will fall into a state of disrepair. We need to treasure our spouses.
I loved Who I Am With You. It was not just a ‘nice’ story it was a powerful read and full of Godly wisdom. I would like to leave you with my favourite quote which is to be found 80% through:
“He [God] was there in the joy, and He was there in the sorrow… in the sameness and in the surprises… always, just as He promised.”
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Jessica Mason is shell shocked when her husband of discloses his affair and says he is going to leave her. A short time later, he and their six year old daughter, Angela, get into a fatal car accident while running an errand....and Jessica is not only heartbroken, but finds out she is pregnant shortly thereafter. She has been holed up at home; working, resting, and attempting to heal.

Ridley Chesterfield is in Hope Springs to escape. Staying in his parent's vacation home, he is healing from his own trauma. When Ridley meets his new neighbor Jessica, he is drawn to her, and their friendship develops slowly....but eventually, he will have to go back to the real world. Or can he make it work to see what develops with Jessica?

The book also bounces back and forth to tell the story of Jessica's Great Grandpa Andrew, set in the Depression. The author uses Andrew's numerous (and sometimes surprising) life experiences to draw some parallels and subtle conclusions that are very current.

Robin Lee Hatcher's books are always thought provoking and heart warming, and this one is no exception. I gladly recommend this book! If you haven't read any of her others please check them out as well.

I was given a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

A beautiful read of two different generations and what they had to overcome. Jessica is still trying to come to terms with her husband & daughter's death. She blames herself as they had a fight the night that they were killed. Joe decided that he was leaving her for another woman. Jessica begged him to stay as she didn't want to break up the family and she can't believe that she never saw this coming. But then again she is used to pretending. She has no choice but to carry on as she is pregnant and the baby is the most important thing right now. She is lucky that she works from home and that means she doesn't need to go into town to often as she is tired of seeing everyone's pity.
Ridley is new in town and he just wants to hide until the press decides that he isn't news anymore. He didn't do anything wrong but no one believes that he didn't leak the information that ended his boss's career. He knows that he needs this time to think about his next move. So when he finds a stray dog he knows that this is what he needs. When he meets his next door neighbour he feels something inside himself click but he knows that there is a painful story that she is hiding.
Andrew Henning loves his wife Helen dearly and he is so afraid that he can't ever keep the promises that he has made. He has lost his job as the great depression has hit and he knows that he is a big disappointment so when Helen falls pregnant they have no choice but to go live with her parents. Andrew knows that he has to find work so that he can care for his family but he needs to be here for Helen. So when she loses the baby he does the only thing that he can. He leaves to find a job but things start changing with their relationship and when he finds out the truth he knows that he has to fight to save his marriage but will she be willing to stay?
Jessica is scared to become to close to Ridley as she can't go through being hurt again but she knows that she needs to open up to someone again. Ridley knows that he mustn't push too hard as he doesn't want to scare her away. Will she give him time to prove that they can be together? Jessica knows that she needs to find her way back as she has lost her way but is she ready to forgive?
Do they have a future together or will it all end in heartbreak?
Can they all find the happiness that they deserve and will Jessica be able to gain insight from her great grandfather's bible can she find the solace that she has been looking for? Can they overcome all the obstacles that are in front of them?
A great read nice easy flow to the stories. Loved the two different stories and how they fit together. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

While I liked the characters I struggled with various parts of the story. One being I could not figure out how the dual-timeline connected and I got frustrated with the jumping between the two. The connection does come out near the very end of the book, but by that point I was done trying to figure out the connection. The second thing that bothered me with this story was that Jessica seemed to deal with her struggles really quickly and easily, it did not feel realistic. I enjoyed the interaction between her and Ridley but the relationship felt like it moved too fast for me, considering what Jessica was dealing with.

I enjoyed Andrew Henning’s story the best. I liked how he faced his challenges head on and took his marriage vows seriously. The way that he was determined to stick with his wife and work through their difficulties was inspiring.

This story is about love and commitment, learning to forgive and moving forward. There is a lot of emotion in this story, dealing with the loss of people, loss of jobs and heartache. I enjoyed seeing the characters turn to God and lean on him rather than others. The friendships and commitment are what kept me reading, I really wanted to know what happened in Andrew’s marriage, were they able to work things out? I was pleased with the way his story wrapped and my questions were answered.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have read a few of Ms. Hatcher's novels through the years and they never fail to disappoint. Who I Am With You was easy to read, a bit slow to start, but sweet and gentle in its storytelling. I quite enjoyed the glimpses of the family patriarch's story intertwined into the present, and the idea of a family Bible being passed down through the generations was appreciated. (It makes me wonder who has my Oma's well-worn copy, which she read daily without fail.)

With elements of human frailty, loss, heartache, faith, hope, forgiveness, and yes, romance, this title was a pleasant way to pass a Sunday afternoon. The characters could perhaps have been developed a little more fully for a deeper reading experience, but overall I enjoyed the book and the embedded theme of God's faithfulness throughout generations. I will be adding the next title to my TBR pile and look forward to discovering more about the Henning family.

This novel contains a dual time both contemporary and historical. Jessica, a pregnant widow, is the main character in the contemporary time line; and Andrew, her grandfather, is the star of the historical period. Both characters are strong, realistic people while caught in the midst of major problems with their spouses. This is definitely a character drive story filled with pain, difficulty, and heartache for each of them. It shows tremendous growth in each of their characters as their faith grows and they learn to trust God more. Both love stories are driven by faith. It is a journey to love, healing, and forgiveness for each of them. Ridley played the perfect role in the contemporary love story as he developed a friendship first with Jessica before ever moving further towards a relationship. I fell in love with "Kris" the adorable dog that brought Jessica and Ridley together. An enjoyable and uplifting story that makes me anxious to read the second book in this series.

** I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

4.5 stars

This story fully absorbed my attention and kept me flipping the pages all day long. It wasn’t hard to stay involved in the story even though it kept flipping back in each chapter to a section from Jessica’s great-grandfather in the Great Depression. The transitions were smooth and easy to follow, which is a big plus in a dual timeline story.

Ridley and Jessica are a fun couple, and it was a huge plus to me that they began as friends and neighbors before they got romantically interested in each other. This book also features one of the best treatments of infidelity that I’ve run across recently. Robin Lee Hatcher is quickly becoming a favorite contemporary-fiction author of mine because of her colorful characters, relevant spiritual truths, and solid storytelling. I can’t wait for the second book in this series, which will feature Jessica’s cousin and continue more of Andrew’s story from the 1930s.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a free ecopy. A favorable review was not required.

I loved this book!

Robin Lee Hatcher is one of my favorite authors. Her books are always good, this one is no exception.

This book has two timelines, the first is present day with Jessica Mason and Ridley Chesterfield. The second is about Jessica's great grandfather and his wife Helen who lived during the 1930's.

When Jessica's grandmother passes away Jessica is gifted her grandmother's Bible. She finds scripture underlined and notations written in the margins of the frail pages. She finds that both the underlined verses and the notes written by her great grandfather speak to her heart and lead her closer to God.

I think the theme of this book is forgiveness. Both Jessica and Ridley needed to forgive and let go of past hurts in order to embrace what God had planned for them.

This is truly a beautiful story,

I really enjoyed this book and loved the characters of Jessica and Ridley. It was a story about forgiveness and moving on beyond the past and focusing on the now.

I was expecting this to be a contemporary romance, because all the other Robin Lee Hatcher novels I’ve read have been contemporary romances. So I was surprised when I started reading and found it’s a dual timeline story. Yes, the book description says this, but I guess I saw “Robin Lee Hatcher” and didn’t read the the book description properly. I knew I’d enjoy it.

And I did.
In the present story, Jessica Morgan is an artist who is expecting her dead husband’s baby while still recovering from his death, and the death of their daughter. Jessica has shut herself away from friends and life, but that changes when Ridley Chesterfield moves in next door. Ridley and his adopted stray dog challenge Jessica to come out of her shell.

I enjoyed watching Jessica grow past her grief and open up to live and love. However, if I had a criticism of Who I Am With You, it would be that she recovered from the lost of her daughter more quickly than seemed natural given the way she was portrayed at the beginning of the story. But I loved the way Ridley was able to bring Jessica out of her shell and back to church even while he was dealing with his own personal crisis.

In the past story, Andrew and Helen Henning are starting their perfect married life when Andrew loses his job. In the early weeks of what becomes the Great Depression. I didn’t enjoy the past story as much (hey, I’m a contemporary romance fan and the Great Depression is, well, somewhat depressing).

But the past story was compelling, and it set the scene for this contemporary story, and the next. And while I liked Ridley as a romance hero who faced internal and external challenges, his were minor in comparison to Andrew’s challenges. Overall, Who I Am With you is a great story filled with spiritual truth … and a couple of pointed comments on the current political climate.

Recommended for fans of dual timeline stories with a heart of faith.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Who I Am with You is the perfect title for this book. Rarely do I feel that a title expresses the feeling of the story as this one did. The main characters, Jessica and Ridley evolve through the story to become new people together. The reader sees this as they deal with past life events and move into a new season in their lives.
This is a dual story line between Jessica in the current day and her grandfather in the 1930s. Grandfather’s Bible has been given to Jessica. Typically this is not my favorite type of story but I felt the author dealt with it perfectly. The theme of forgiveness was strong in both stories. Having the courage to step out, let go of the past but learn from it and move on was central to both stories.
I was glad to know that this is a series and the next book will continue the journey of the Bible.
It was a wonderfully moving love story. I recommend it highly.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.