4.5 Stars

I was looking for Miles and Val to get together from the first few precious moments they shared space in my brain while reading the first book in this series. My little romance-loving heart said YES PLEASE, so I was so excited when I found out they would be the main characters in this novel.

And Deese handled their story perfectly. Honestly, there's not a thing I would change about their growth, their development, or their pacing. It was all wonderfully done. And my goodness, the things they did to my heart. So, so very tender and precious.

This book does handle some heavier topics, so there was a weight on my heart while reading. However, that's just evidence of the great writing because I truly felt for these characters and their stories.

Overall, another job well done by Deese.

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

All That It Takes
by Nicole Deese
Bethany House |Bethany House Publishers
Christian| Romance



The ever-cautious Val Locklier moves across the country with her son for a secure job, but everything she planned unravels within the first week. Val reluctantly agrees to rent an apartment from her best friend's brother, but an unexpected opportunity at an elite filmmakers' mentorship ignites new hope for her 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. As Val's community grows, so do her insecurities, which are heightened by her growing attraction to a certain friendly landlord. 



After returning home from a short-term mission trip, Pastor Miles McKenzie finds a new tenant living upstairs and has been reassigned to a 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. The disillusioned and restless man throws his energy into a host of new projects, including pursuing Val, without considering the future. 



Authentic love and sacrifice go hand in hand as Val tries to stop hiding behind the camera and Miles faces shattered expectations.


I give All That It Takes five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

All That It Takes was a fine read. It took me a while to read, but that wasn't the book's fault - I just wasn't able to read for a good chunk of December.

I liked getting to read Val's story after getting introduced to her in the first book. The romance was okay, but not really a favorite of mine. My favorite character was probably her son - he was just adorable.

All in all, I liked this book, but it isn't one I see myself rereading.

*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/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and 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.*

Oh how this book spoke to me! As a mother who adopted, the issues of unexpected pregnancy, abortion, and adoption in All That It Takes are ones I feel passionately about, and I loved the way the author explored them with grace. I didn't get a complete read on Val's personality in the first book, so it was great to get to know the depth of her strengths and vulnerabilities in this story. Miles is a fun and all-around good guy who brings light and humor, but he is going through a rough transition with realistic fears and flaws. The attraction between them is there from the start, and I enjoyed their friendship's natural growth as it shifted to romance with a lovely sense of anticipation. Even with all the walls Val has had up, his genuine friendship and sincerity made it easier for them to come down, and I appreciated that she was low-drama in that regard. They support and encourage each other in their endeavors, yet it is the difficult self-realizations they must come to that create the conflict in the story. I felt connected to the characters and had tears a few different times while reading. Highly recommend!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Pastor Miles arrives home to find he has a new job at a local ministry and two new tenants living upstairs - Val and her son. After moving across the country for a job, Val also has the chance to be a part of an elite filmmakers' mentorship program. As Miles and Val work through their individual issues, they find themselves growing closer.

I love Nicole Deese's books - she is the best at Christian Romance! Although I read them out of order and it was fine, I definitely recommend reading All That Really Matters first. All That It Takes is a sweet romance, and you should definitely read it!

This was a great book. Love Nicole Deese. Can't wait to read more of her books. it was a great way to wrap up the series. She really makes the characters come alive and it doesn't matter whether they are quirky or conventional, you want to meet them.

It’s taken me a while to be ready to attempt to put into words what I thought of this book. Another book hangover kind of read – in a really good way.

The first book, All That Really Matters, was special right from the start, and Pastor Miles McKenzie’s story in All That it Takes is the PERFECT follow-on. I’m so happy we get to read more about Val’s backstory as she was a supporting character.

Molly McKenzie’s from All That Really Matters also features in All That it Takes. Yay! Miles is, of course, Molly’s sister. All That it Takes really brings everything to a more than satisfying conclusion.

The struggles Miles and Val face in their lives, and together, are relatable and relevant. Val’s son, Tucker almost steals the show…in a good way! He’s adorable and full of spunk. This book is a page-turner that I just could not put down. Nicole Deese’s books are like that. All of them. They always leave you thinking about the book long after you’ve finished it.

This one is no exception. Highly recommended.

The book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. My opinion is my own.

Single mother, Val, steps outside her comfort zone and moves to Washington State with her school-aged son. She was feeling stuck in a rut in Alaska, working at her parents' souvenir shop and running her own video production business. Her biggest client asked her to Washington to give more time on the account. The same client arranges for Val to rent an apartment from her brother, Miles.

The landlord, Pastor Miles McKenzie, is often gone to a church plant in Mexico. A change of commitment from the home church bring Miles's travel plans to a halt as he enters a new career phase.

Val has been toying with entering a filmmaker mentorship competition to further her career. And, she finds herself drawn to an unwed, pregnant teen whose circumstances cause Val to remember her own early motherhood years.

I have so many thoughts regarding this story, but one thing is for sure, I can see why this won a Christy Award in 2022.
The message is timely, the story is engaging, and the characters are beautifully crafted. It was almost as if I was reading more of a biography than a work of fiction, and maybe for some, this could have been more autobiographical.
I love that Val has physical challenges but she doesn’t let it stop her from living. Not saying she didn’t have doubts about her abilities but she just soldiered on in an effort to make a better life for herself and her son.
The tenderness Miles shows Val was a beautiful element. His inclusion of her son made him even more lovable. But I think it was humility and servitude that made him a “pastor”. We need more like this character.
Then, we have the running theme of Val’s project—Wow! “Our actions have a ripple effect on other lives.” The description of the video she creates reflects that quote wonderfully. If we are hiding from the ugliness of our lives, then God can’t use that to help others. Who better to help and encourage a young, unwed and alone mother than one who has been through it? Perfection!

The first book in this series, All That Really Matters, was a total home run for me. It was the first book I had ever read by Nicole Deese and I loved it. I couldn't wait for this book, the second in the series, to come out. Here are some things I really liked about this book:

The development of the main characters, Val and Miles, was great. They both started out as wounded people in several aspects, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. As the story went on, they found strength and growth through their relationship with each other, friends old and new, and their faith. This didn't come quickly or easily, but as a reader, I could relate to their struggles and appreciated how they worked through them. Their growth also encouraged me in different aspects of my own life.

I also liked the level of romantic tension in the book. As they share two floors of the same house, crossing paths, hearing each other walking around, help each other out, it builds up the connection between the characters as well as opportunities to experience conflict.

The only thing that I struggled with in this book was the bitterness Miles expresses about his ministry life, particularly in the beginning of the book. Maybe it's because it hit a little close to home (a story for another day), and I guess when you want to escape real life through fiction, you don't want to be faced with all of the hurt feelings and emotions that can sometimes come with ministry life. The author portrayed it well, it just kind of left a sour note with me and I struggled to shake it off as I was reading. By the end, there was a redemptive element to that part of the story, which I appreciated, but it was a bit hard won.

Overall, I did enjoy the book, but I would definitely say the first in the series is still a favorite.

All That It Takes
All That It Kes is a riveting story! Good writing, good background research. A story to be re-read.

In this sequel to All That Really Matters, Molly's assistant Val uproots her life and moves herself and her son across the country to make a go at becoming a film maker. Miles, her new landlord, finds himself in a career transition as well, but one not of his choosing. Can these two find their way to new purposes and the path that God has laid before them?

Wow! I loved All That Really Matters, and I would venture to say that this sequel is even better. Watching how these two characters worked out God's purposes for their lives, individually, when it seemed their paths may be forged separately was engaging, and for the most part, realistic feeling. The author did a great job teasing out their fears and what was holding them back. And the story that worked its way out of their seemingly separate projects was so good.

I give this book 5 stars. I love these characters and these stories, and if this author doesn't continue with them, I can only hope for new characters to love as much!


I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

I've enjoyed Nicole's books but this one didn't grab my attention like her previous books. Overall, a good read, and it's nice that the characters from her earlier books play small roles in this book also. Single mom Val uproots her son and leaves security and her family for a job across the country. I loved the scene where she meets her landlord but thought the rest of the book kinda dragged on. I should give it another chance, perhaps it will become a favourite like her other books.

I enjoy contemporary romance but there are a few authors who can weave beautiful thoughts into wonderful tales that reach deep into my soul. Nicole Deese is one of those authors, and she's truly outdone herself with All That It Takes. She's created characters with flaws that we all can understand and given them positive attributes that we all want to have. She allows us to grieve for their failures, and rejoice in their victories, and she balances all of it with humor and wit. I love Val Locklier and her son Tucker, but Pastor Miles McKenzie is a treasure! As he struggles with his desire to do major work for God, I am reminded that a person's daily witness is truly the best work of all! How wonderful to be reminded that all of us are capable of doing great work for Him!

Val and Miles meet under strained circumstances and a relationship that begins on such rocky ground turns into a promising friendship that left me longing for more. Will Val finally push her insecurities aside, and learn to believe in herself? Can Miles accept that God's plan has placed him exactly where he needs to be?

If you're looking for a lovely, contemporary romance, search no more. If you're wanting to be both encouraged and challenged, this book is definitely for you! All That It Takes is filled with faith, hope, and a strong reminder of God's provision for each one of us!

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

There is something magical about the way Nicole Deese writes. The second I start to read her words on the page I am immediately captivated and enthralled. She creates beauty out of the ordinary of her characters lives and I am so thankful she shares these stories with us.
I loved both Miles and Val when we met them in All That Really Matters and I could just tell there was potential between them! So when the author revealed that they would be getting their own book I was ecstatic!
Having just made my own move to a new city where I only knew a friend and her family I really related to Val with that experience and with the way she struggled to open up to people. Val had overcome a lot in her life, from living with a disability to raising her son as a single mom, but she still lived with a fear of rejection that kept her dreaming small and living isolated. I admired the way she started to step out throughout this book and how she let God redeem her story.
Nicole Deese always writes amazing heroes and Miles was no different! I loved the way he instantly connected with both Val and her son Tucker. I especially appreciated the way Miles could tell when to push Val and when to not, and how he genuinely enjoyed Tucker and spending time with him. Miles was still dealing with some hurts of the past and present that affected his ministry and seeing him battle through and ultimately finding healing and renewed purpose was beautiful.
I absolutely loved Val and Miles together, their re-meet cute was quite entertaining and from then on they just had a connection despite Val’s feeble attempts to keep her distance. They just so naturally fit together that it wasn’t any big to-do, just a gradual blending of lives, but definitely still romantic.
Throughout the story there was the beautiful message of how one person’s small act of kindness or listening ear has the power to change someone’s life and even cause a ripple effect. As well as the challenge of surrendering our dreams and plans for our lives to God and allowing Him to direct our next steps.
This book was completely amazing from start to finish and I cannot recommend it enough!

All That it Takes is a follow up to All that Really Matters which released last year. I enjoyed meeting Val and Miles in that book and looked forward to getting to know them better. Val, a single mom, upends her life by packing up and moving across the country to start a new chapter by working closer with Molly, her best friend. Little does she know, she will end up renting from Molly's brother, Miles and sparks will fly. This is my one warning for the book. If you are looking for a light and fluffy read, this is not it. Nicole Deese is a master at writing very complex characters facing some tough issues in their lives. I won't say much for fear of giving too much away, but this book deals with some pretty deep issues. They are handled well and the faith thread is always woven so beautifully through her books.

You can definitely read this as a standalone, but I believe you would be missing out if you don't also read All That Really Matters as well.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I'm obsessed with this series!!!! The romance, the humor, the characters love and relationships with God . It's almost like a Devotional Nivel which sounds odd but it's amazing. I'm entertained and shown WHO God is in each chapter of this book. Highly reccomend!!!

Both of the main characters, Miles, and Val, went through tremendous emotional and spiritual growth throughout this book. Two people who believe they have their lives planned out are suddenly thrust together to find that God may have other plans for them. Miles is a Pastor who is sure of his spiritual path until that path is suddenly removed from him. Val is a single mother and her story has some difficulties and bumps and has always taken a secure approach to life. The heartache was real. The stress and overwhelmingness, Her words are beautiful, and her writing style is impeccable.

Romance, sweet, contemporary; Christian faith; series, but stand alone read
Val moves away from her parents to a job that she was excited about, only to find her apartment unavailable, and her job gone in flames (literally) due to a warehouse fire. Molly gets Val and her son Tucker settled in her brother's upstairs apartment.
Miles comes home from a mission trip to see more of his church not functioning how he thinks it should, and he's a bit at odds with the Pastor and the ministry in his church.
Val and Miles both have to rethink what they think they need/want/ and should do as their circumstances unfold a bit, and as they take tentative steps to a different plan than they thought they had. As a couple, they compliment each other in so many good ways. Loved their fall!
Understanding God's purposes and will for them each, and for each other, gradually unfolds throughout the course of the novel. Disappointments, discouragement, moments of doubt and worry about the future, hang over them both. But this beautifully paced heartfelt novel, tells a sweet story of understanding, faith, and finding the place they each have for each other, their families, the stories they both need to tell, and the future. Masterful compelling portrait of life. This is a story that will linger in your heart and your head. Highly recommend.

I absolutely loved this book. This was my first from this author and it will NOT be my last. I found it authentically written with a strong voice. I loved all the characters. The plot was perfectly paced. This book felt fresh, contemporary in a way that is hard to pull off, and I am so so happy I read it. HIGHLY recommend.