With her expert characterization, accessible and enchanting way of coating deeply felt issues in winning, page-turning prose and resonant themes of faith and acceptance, Deese is one of the all-stars in Contemporary Christian fiction.

I loved this book. I don't think I have enough time or enough words to tell you how much I loved this book.

It wasn't at all what I expected. I thought I'd struggle to relate to Molly, but I actually truly enjoyed her journey of growth throughout the book. The kiddos of the youth program *stole my heart*, or what was left of it once Silas moved in. Because let me tell you . . . I was not prepared for Silas Whittaker. I want one for Christmas, please.

This is my second Nicole Deese novel and both experiences have straight up taken me to church. This is Christian fiction and I am grateful. I highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. All expressed opinions belong to me.

All That Really Matters is the first book I have read by Nicole Deese. I liked it and an giving it four and a half stars.

Wow just wow. When I think I can’t fall in love with another book by Nicole Deese....here I am swept off my feet again! I shouldn’t be surprised by how powerful and amazing every story she writes captivates me yet I am! That’s just what pulls me into her books! That’s how an amazing writer does it! All That Really Matters is everything I thought it would be and more! I never ever am disappointed. You won’t be either with this next off the charts book! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy for my honest review 🎉

*Warnings*
#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You’ll be here awhile. #2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which may mean some spoilers, so watch out.


Stars: 4.5

Synopsis: Breakthrough is about to come for popular social media influencer Molly McKenzie and all that she needs to make it big is—a charity case? So says her talent manager/adoring boyfriend, which means Molly is set on getting a volunteer position with The Bridge, a transitional home for kids aging out of the foster system. One thing: they won’t hire her. Correction, Zorro-lookalike/home director Silas Whitaker won’t hire her.

Favorite Quotes: “There’s nothing you can sacrifice that is worthy of what God gives us freely.”

“You don’t honor God with your life by changing your personality and tossing out everything that unique about who you are. You honor Him by giving those very gifts back to Him.”


I’ve been noticing a trend in contemporary Christian fiction lately—kindhearted and lovable heroines...who aren’t Christians. Maybe it’s breaking away from the stereotypical bad girl, or it’s entirely unintentional, or it could even be a jab at Christians. I don’t know—all I can say is that, whatever the case, Nicole Deese pulled it off.

After reading Before I Called You Mine, I wanted to read more by Deese. BICYM wasn’t my favorite book by far and, to be honest, I didn’t really connect with the characters or the story or any of it, really. But, Deese proved to be an amazing writer, so I knew I could enjoy her writing in a different story.

Even still, my expectations for All That Really Matters weren’t all that high.

That could be why it exceeded them. Or, ATRM could simply be an exemplary novel.

I’m leaning toward the latter.

First of all, I really liked Molly. She wasn’t my favorite heroine ever, no, but her character was unique and energetic and...I don’t know. She just wasn’t the type of girl to cause problems and get into petty arguments and be annoying. I liked that. She had a strong personality, ambition, and a purpose in the story.

This would be the moment where you look at me with your eyebrows raised and say “Well, of course she had a purpose, Grace. She was the heroine of the story, for crying out loud.” And then I would go on to say that just because she was the heroine didn’t necessary mean her character automatically had a purpose—let alone a good one.

Most heroines nowadays are simply there—to whine about their circumstances, to get into trouble, to make snarky comments. Never to actually do anything worth doing or have a definable arc.

But not Molly. Nope, Molly did something with her life, did something for other people, made people’s lives better, had a lovely arc, and made me come to appreciate and respect her. Which I rarely do, so that’s a major accomplishment in and of itself.

Anyway, let’s move on to the rest of the story, shall we?

I’ve already mentioned that Deese is a great writer. I love her style—it flows well, while still being personable and unique. Of course, the quality is top notch, and there’s a clarity to her writing but not a bluntness—something I really like. As far as contemporary authors go, Nicole Deese is one of my favorites (of which there are few, so that means something).

Because of that, I breezed through this story. Coming off of an unsatisfactory read, All That Really Matters started out as a breath of fresh air...then it morphed into a story I was sucked into and enjoyed in almost every way.

What’s funny to me is that I actually felt more drawn to and connected with Molly than I did Silas. Which is really weird. He was a good character, don’t get me wrong, but he just wasn’t as vibrant as Molly and the supporting cast.

Speaking of the supporting cast...I wanted more of the kids!!! Wren was so precious, and I LOVED watching Molly interact with the girls at The Bridge, and with Glo and Clara! And...yeah. Basically all of the secondary characters were amazing! I can’t wait to read more about Val and Miles in the next book, too!

All in all, the cast of All That Really Matters was amazing. I do wish I’d had more interactions with everyone, simply because I loved them so much.

On that note, I read another review that stated the book focused mainly on reforming Molly rather than her romance with Silas or, in some aspects, her relationships with everyone else. Which was good in its own right, but I agree with that reviewer when they said they really wanted more between Silas and Molly. I didn’t realize it until now, but their moments together were kind of limited, and I, the obsessive romantic, wanted a little more…oomph in their relationship. Savvy?

But, then, Molly did have a really good character arc, so at least the sacrifice was worth it, eh?

Speaking of, though, I really did like seeing Molly’s transformation. It was amazingly well-done, and even though I felt like I didn’t get the reassurance that Molly gave her life to Christ, there was this beautiful message woven in about honoring God and living for Him that was lovely. Still wish I had some closure, though. I just can’t stand it when you don’t have the certainty that the character’s saved. Like, c’mon, authors, I really don’t want these guys going to hell, you know? Good works without true faith and commitment never saved a man...or a beauty influencer, for that matter.

But then, this is coming from the girl who is so obsessive about book characters that she does indeed dream about marrying some of them. (Seriously, y’all, don’t tell me I’m not the only one who wouldn’t mind taking Elizabeth Bennet’s place… Mr. Darcy and I would be perfect for each other, don’t you think? After all, I do read extensively.)

*reads back over her review* I think...that may just sum things up. I’m sure I had more thoughts when I first read it...several months back...but I’m so backlogged on books and reviews right now that I’ve not been able to jot down my reviews as soon as I finish reading. (Hence why I’ve started a reading journal...with bulleted lists!)

Long story short (this was actually one of the shorter ones...under 2k words this time), I loved breaking up the monotony with All That Really Matters and being able to read without looking for an excuse to stop reading. (Which is terrible, I know, but that goes to show the kind of literature I’ve been stuck with lately.) Molly was a pretty good character, as far as heroines go, and the story itself was spectacular! (Plus, it might have helped that I’d just watched Discarded Things before starting on ATRM, and so had the home-for-troubled-teens vibe down.)

Nicole Deese is definitely going on my top contemporary authors list!


Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was sent to me as an ARC on NetGalley. However all opinions are of my own.
This book is definitely worth the read with it’s range of diverse characters. It also brings humour and charm. As the story develops we learn more about Molly and Silas, who play fantastic parts throughout. It also touches on some sensitive topics - however, these are all dealt with in such a good way.

Classic Nicole Deese. Captivating cover art. Beautifully written. Well developed, memorable characters. Intriguing story line. Enjoyable read. Five stars.

Nicole Deese is the queen of funny banter, perfect romance and characters messed up enough that you can't help but relate to them. Great book!

Quite entertaining romance with spiritual message. A cosmetic influencer finds out what really matters as she volunteers at a residential facility for at risk kids transitioning to adulthood - and falls for the director

Oh. My. Goodness! This book was so good! This might just be my book of the year, but since it's only July, I'll hold off on that verdict. But this is definitely my favorite new-to-me author! I don't know how I've missed Nicole Deese's books in this past, but I won't make that mistake in the future. And I'll be quickly going back to read everything else she's ever written!

I honestly wasn't sure I was going to like this book for the first few chapters. I found Molly unrelateable and rather unlikeable because she seemed so shallow. But boy, was she in for a journey, and what a privilege for the reader to get to go on that journey with her! By the end, I wished I could jump in the book and be a ministry partner with her!

I laughed, I cried, I prayed, and I pondered how I could and should change my life in response to what I was reading. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I absolutely loved it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, but I will surely be buying a copy for my own library and several to give away as gifts! I highly recommend you do the same!

While the cover of All That Really Matters looked like a cute, girly romance book, the content was a lot deeper. It went behind the scenes of an influencer on social media and showed how social media can be used for things that are good as well as bad. It also showed the struggles that foster kids go through when they are too old to be foster kids. I really enjoyed this book and think you will too if you want a book that has a sweet romance, but also a much deeper story than just a fluffy girly romance book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Molly has made a career for herself as a fashion and beauty influencer. She has a manager and talent agency working with her and has a steady income from her many product promotions. Her manager also happens to be her boyfriend. Her not very attentive boyfriend, Ethan. He is out of town more than he is home and she only really sees him several times a month. He is always looking for opportunities for not just Molly but his other clients, wheeling and dealing on their behalf.

When Ethan tells her she could be in the running to audition for an upcoming show she is ready to do whatever it takes. He suggests she finds a charity work opportunity as it would look good on her CV. After reaching out to her brother Miles, she finds herself at The Bridge Youth Home. This amazing organisation offer support and accommodation for teeangers who have aged out of the foster system. They learn life skills to help them on the journey to adulthood.

'I suppose that's something we all want in life, no matter how old we get, to find that special place where we fit.'

At first Molly does not impress Silas, the manager. In fact, he fails to see anything that Molly can offer the residents. Her first impression on him was not what she expected it to be, however, she is a determined young woman and returns the next day with a thoroughly researched and thought out proposal. I think Silas knew he was going to accept it, regardless. There is something about Molly that draws people in and the residents seem to enjoy her company.

As Molly gets more immersed into the day to day life of Fir Crest Manor a shift is happening inside of her. She still enjoys her career as an influencer but is now looking at it with a different perspective. She can see how much good can be done with this group of young people who she is getting more attached to by the day. Can she use her platform and influence in a different way, one that truly makes a difference in young people’s lives?

‘For possibly the first time since I’d created a beauty brand from the meager beginnings of my social media platforms, I saw a bigger picture. A more purposeful connection to it all.’

Molly is devoting more time to her voluntary work than her paid work and her talent agency are getting frustrated with her lack of commitment. She is also falling in love with Silas. Don’t worry, no cheating here, she ends things with the boyfriend way before this happens. When everything starts to spiral out of control and Molly feels like her life is imploding, Silas is the calm in her storm, making her see that all that really matters was right here all the time.

'Love lives in the hard places with us because that’s what sets it apart. That’s what makes it love.'

This is such a feel good story, easy to read, low angst and really heart warming.

All That Really Matters is the third novel by Nicole Deese that I've read and is absolutely my favorite so far. I felt so deeply while reading this novel. That depth of emotion coupled with the stellar first-person narration, and the excellent characterization and development had me head over heels for this story. I did think that I might not have a lot in common with our main character Molly - she's into all things beauty, and I wear spit up on my shirt most days and have to think pretty hard about when I last washed my hair. I tend to have very little in common outwardly with most beauty influences. Well, my bad for judging the book by its character because it wasn’t long before I adored Molly. And don't even get me started on the Duke of Fir Crest Manor, I mean, Silas. Oh, he is just a dream of a male lead. It’s a lovely case of opposites attracting, with quiet, reserved Silas clashing with vivacious and outgoing Molly. The amount of grace that the characters show each other is beautiful and so authentic: “Love lives in the hard places with us because that’s what sets it apart. That’s what makes it love.”

And y’all, this is not a small book. It’s not quite a chunky read, but we are talking about solid book that comes in at 406 pages. I flew threw my Kindle galley copy like it was an easy, breezy 200-pages. However, that is not saying anything about the depth of the story and the weightier themes that the story embraces. There are some lifelike issues here, but it’s also one of the most uplifting stories I’ve had the pleasure to read in a long time. Talk about an organic faith element. I never felt it was too didactic or overly explained; it all flows so well throughout the course of the story in such a heart-tugging way. The secondary characters are vibrant and fully realized throughout the story, whether it’s the staff and residents of The Bridge, Molly’s brother, or her bestie, Val. The plot is engaging and flows with an impressive ease. Deese also gave perfect little hints about the upcoming story featuring Molly’s brother, Miles, and Val – I am so excited to read that come spring 2022.

If I had been reading the print copy, I would have hugged this book. And book hugs are saved for the reads that make my heart say “oh!” in the best way possible. All That Really Matters is one of my favorite reads of 2021. What a beautiful book inside and out!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher; this review is my honest opinion.

My achy, breaky heart! This story was different than I had imagined, but it was just as good. I’m not a fan of the cover, but what’s hidden beneath it was lovely and deep.

Molly’s journey was surprising and twisty and intriguing. My heart broke that she’d compromised certain morals, but it was good to see her standing up for herself and attempting to reclaim her solid footing with good morals. Obviously, the compromised things couldn’t be regained, but one could start fresh from where she was and find a better path to travel on.

Another great journey was the emotional one Silas was on. He might seem like he had things all pulled together, but dig a little deeper, and you find out he’s a hurting little soul that needs just as much support and assistance as the teens he helps through his charity. I loved that he had already healed some yet still had so far to go. That was completely relatable to me.

The teens – especially Wren – were amazing. Their personalities popped to life, and their troubles kept the leads hopping. Wren wriggled into my heart pretty much right away. I’m so glad that she had a good mentor to take her under their wing, because she clearly needed it. I so wanted the very best for her!

Okay, so, y’all, I have to admit, this book was only going to get four stars through 75% of it. But that final 25% was stunningly beautiful. I wept. I admired the way the author started this story as a surfacey trip through makeovers and makeup and clothing but shifted it into something rich and deep and faith-filled. I’m not even sure “faith-filled” defines it well enough. Perhaps “faith-overflowing” is a better term. There are still some things that made me uncomfortable (talk of skimpy undergarments, a crude gesture, etc.), but the faith that infused this story was amazing. That thread’s being written so exquisitely is what earned that fifth star.

Content: skimpy undergarments, alcohol, swearing by “holy heavens,” drugs and substance abuse, lost virginity mentioned, bar, crude gesture

I loved this novel that was unpredictable in the best possible ways! Within this stunning cover is a novel filled with humor, heart, hope, real world issues, and pop culture relevance.

Having a small Instagram account, I was very interested to read about Molly, a beauty/fashion influencer whose large follower count is quickly growing thanks to the connections of her business manager/long-distance boyfriend and contracts with big companies. While trying to do something good for the wrong reasons, Molly encounters Silas Whitaker and a group of young adults whose lives have already been filled with challenges. Through them, Molly discovers there's more important things in life than makeup, stylish clothing, and surface appearances.

I appreciated several aspects of this novel:
- addressed the challenges for young adults aging out of the foster care system. The real world needs transition programs like The Bridge!
- made the (inevitable) point of conflict an external source rather than an over-used trope often found in romances
- incorporated a social media fundraising campaign in the plot. (As a former fundraiser I could completely relate to this.)

Thank you Nicole Deese for creating this outstanding group of characters and amazing story! Thank you to Bethany House Publishers, JustRead Publicity Tours, and NetGalley for the review copy; all opinions are my own.

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese is a contemporary romance and so much more.

Molly McKenzie is a fashion influencer and a bright spot to anyone who comes within her circle. It’s hard not to fall in love with her, especially since we, as readers, get to hear her inner thoughts and heartaches. When she volunteers at a transitional home for foster youth, those inner thoughts take an even deeper turn.

I absolutely loved this story and plan to reread it when I want to revisit characters that feel like old friends. Honestly, there is so much I enjoyed about this book: the characters, the plot, the setting, the writing. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like. In fact, you know that part in romance where the couple faces their deepest struggle? The way this particular couple handled that part made me love the story even more.

If you haven’t gotten yourself a copy, whether from a bookstore, library, or online, please do! Struggling with social media and not sure your place in it? This story dives right into all those challenges. Have a heart for foster children (or don’t know enough about what happens after they age-out)? The author does a wonderful job weaving those facts into the story.

I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this book and truly hope you’ll take the time to read it, too.

—
I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustRead Tours, NetGalley, and Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

So to preface my review I need to share that I am a beauty Youtuber so this book personally resonated with me. While my channel is more than just beauty (foster/adoption/DIY/life etc), I could see how some Christians would feel that a social media career is superficial and not a good use of talents, much like Molly's parents felt in this book. I immediately fell in love with the characters and storyline and couldn't wait to see where it went! I was really impressed with this book and would definitely recommend!

Molly McKenzie is a Social Media star / blogger and has quite the following on Social Media. Her manager/ boyfriend wants her to do some public service work to attract a sponsor that is interested in such. So she gets her pastor brother to recommend her to Silas Whittaker who runs a halfway house for people that have aged out of foster care. She soon finds her passion for the cause and her loyalty to Silas transcend the stardom and fame. She is more interested in the mission at hand.

I loved this book. It is contemporary and fresh and deals with cultural issues of our times. It was also a really fun story.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Beautiful novel! The strong storyline of friendship, trust, and beauty within had me weepy. The author cleverly weaved the topic of social media sharing pros and cons that readers will get caught up in this cyber world and relate to in so many ways. Hands down, a great romance that will have you swooning as you root for Molly to navigate her setbacks in career and life. Breathtaking beautiful with humor laced throughout that made me burst out laughing and had a
satisfying ending. This was my first book by Nicole but definitely not my last. I need to go check out all she's got.

All That Really Matters, by Nicole Deese, is a beautifully written book. From beginning to end, it is everything a great novel should be. Authentic, vulnerable, and full of heart, this novel envelops the reader in a relevant story that is wholly thoughtful and meaningful. With a well-developed plot and compelling characters, this book is thoroughly engaging and memorable.

Utterly immersive in its style and profoundly moving in its scope, this novel perfectly showcases the irrefutable talent that Ms. Deese possesses as a writer and a storyteller. With humor and insight, she develops a storyline that graciously and effectively explores friendship, love, forgiveness, purpose, insecurity, trauma, restoration, sacrifice, and faith. With elements of sweet romance, a bit of drama, and even hints of mystery and suspense, the plot of this book is refreshingly original and engaging.

The first-person point of view of the main characters is dynamic and engrossing. Their emotional, personal, spiritual, and relational growth throughout the novel is real and touching. Furthermore, the secondary characters are so captivating and so likable, the reader cannot help but wish they will someday be the lead characters in their own novels.

Uplifting and truly moving, All That Really Matters, is a special book that entertains and inspires. With genuine hope and introspection, it welcomes the reader to step safely into the worthy spaces of compassion, obedience, purpose, and calling that yield true acceptance and contentment. This novel is an absolute pleasure to read, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.