Thanks to Bethany House for the free book.
Deese has a way of capturing the nuances of everyday life and decisions, and she makes a beautiful story out of them. I love how her use of faith in the book is genuine. She shows the struggles of her characters in a way that is so relatable to her readers. Miles was a character I could relate to because of his tendency to never stop and be still. I could also relate with Val's struggles with wanting to keep to herself because it feels safe. I love romances with a single parent if it's well done, and Deese captured the complexities of this relationship in a way that I appreciated. I found myself tearing up throughout reading this book because of the hardships and the beauty that is shown that can come after suffering. Her books are beautiful and always show the loving, patient side of God to her readers. I highly recommend her books.

#AllThatItTakes #NetGalley

This is the second book in the series, don't miss the first book, There was so much to love in this second book,, All That It Takes. I connected with the characters. Val is a single mom of a ten year old named Tucker, moving to a new city, trying to make ends meet, is hard enough withoutalso, joining a film contest, even while, knowing that she doesn't have much time to devote to something that has been a hobby. I loved how Val stood up for herself and was so strong. Miles, is Val's landlord, and is trying to transition into a new job, but is distracted by his new neighbors, and finding his niche in his new job. What a great book, I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me this ARC of All That It Takes. My thoughts are my own.

Introduction
I remember reading my first Nicole Deese novel. All the feels you want in a good novel…you’ll find in a Nicole Deese: high-quality writing, rich characters, compelling plotline and satisfying ending.

A writer of Cristian fiction, Deese creates characters that feel true to life. They face real life problems, and they don’t read as perfect people. Instead, they must deal with crises and weaknesses that show their reliance on God. Her novels are definitely character-driven, with arcs that show not only the providence of God but also wisdom, understanding and growth.

About All That It Takes
All About Val
In All That It Takes, Val, a single mom, moves to Washington from Alaska with her son. With a physical impediment, she has relied heavily on her parents but wants to break out of their shadow. Dreams of becoming a filmmaker lead her out into the great unknown. Val must come to the realization that in order to be good at her craft, she has to know who she is and where she comes from.

There is so much that happens in this story that impacts Val. I have to admit, there were times that I felt very close to Val. I understood her need to move beyond her ordinary into God’s extraordinary. That change in and of itself can be terrifying and horribly hard; yet out of those moments of difficulty, God can create something new, something you could not create on your own.

All About Miles
Her love interest Miles, a pastor who has traveled far and wide to work with people around the world, must come to terms with his missions-oriented position being consolidated and a new job being forced upon him. Prejudice and pride make him assume that his boss is trying to force him out. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Only after he learns the truth does he understand why God put him in this new position.

As was the case Val, Miles is forced to change throughout the book, to accept the closing of one door and the opening of the proverbial window.

All About the Storyline

Since I don't like to give away details, and I've already provided the publisher's synopsis above, I won't go into any further details here.

Just know that All That It Takes is more than a simple love story. It's a life story, one that shows God can use us if we'll allow him to.

Does the Author Lead the Reader in All That It Takes?
To answer the question simply: no. Her main characters are stubborn, however, and are forced to let go of their need to control and their resistance to being used by God. It might feel like the author purposely creates situations for them to wade through, but it’s not the case.

I’ve spoken on this before. I don’t like when writers force situations and lead their characters (and by definition their readers) a certain direction. It feels forced, unnatural and untrue to real life.

Never once does Deese’s writing feel unnatural or forced. She doesn’t create hypothetical or unrealistic situations that are unsurmountable. As I reader, I could totally relate to everything they experienced.

Triggers in All That It Takes
All That It Takes talks about pregnancy outside of marriage and abortion.

Why Talk about Difficult Subjects?
I remember when Christian fiction was purely inspirational. Character crises were innocuous, bearing few repercussions. But that's not true to life.

The very fact that we are human means we will face difficulties. Even as Christians, we face difficulties. If writers refuse to deal with or discuss these subjects, it's no longer true to life. And what's the point of reading contemporary fiction that's not true to life?

Bottom Line
I finished reading All That It Takes last night. All I could think was, Oh my, in between bouts of crying.
Let me just say that I was profoundly affected by All That It Takes. It hits you in the heart and soul with moving life lessons. After you read it, you walk away a changed person. There’s no going back to a place of complacency after reading All That It Takes.

I think the title is so fitting: All That It Takes. And Deese expertly leads the reader to a point of understanding that we all influence others around us. We are someone’s “one”: the one person to lend a helping hand, the one person with a shoulder to cry on, the one person to turn a life around.

This is fiction—Christian fiction—at its best. Not just a happy and inspirational story but one that forces you to look at your own life and change.

I'll just go ahead and say it: this book deserves to be turned into a movie; it's that good!

So, who is your one? Who has changed your life? Whose life have you changed?

All That It Takes released April 5. Head back up to the link above, and get your copy now!

5-Star

Bookworms have a habit of jumping from one book to the next, devouring stories the way most binge tv shows, but there comes a time when you finish an incredible book and need to take a step back, breathe, and reflect. All That It Takes is that kind of book!

Val Locklier is a fighter. Relocating across the country with her nine-year-old son, she is hopeful about their future; however, Val must reevaluate her options when her plans go up in flames during the first week of their new lives. After moving into her best friend’s brother’s upstairs apartment, Val takes a leap of faith and accepts the invitation to participate in an exclusive filmmaker mentorship. Will she stand out among the more qualified candidates? Hating nothing more than showing weakness, Val will have to confront her past and cling to her newfound faith as she embarks on this journey and explores the possibility of love. Will Val be able to let her guard down, or will the wounds of rejection continue to hold her back?

Miles McKenzie feels defeated after returning from his possibly last mission trip. Full of bitterness and uncertainty, his despair only increases after being reassigned to a rundown community center. Unable to fathom a future away from the mission field, Miles distracts himself, finding solace in his unexpected upstairs tenants, but is he only stalling for time, or is God about to open a door he bolted shut years ago?

"Sometimes all that it takes is one person being willing to step out in love for the betterment of another to change the trajectory of an entire life. All that it takes is one." ~ Nicole Deese

All That It Takes is not only a beautiful romance novel; it’s a love letter to anyone who has felt like their lives were over, only to have someone help them stand again. Exploring the fear of failure, the importance of being still, the courage of choosing life, the love of community, and the hope of second chances, Nicole Deese captures the hearts of her readers in this profound story. Touched by God, His presence is on every page, inspiring Val and Miles’ journey as they grow and humble themselves before Him.

I LOVED this book!! A continuation from All That Really Matters (though it’s a stand-alone story), Nicole Deese delivers another phenomenal showstopper! Reading this book was like receiving a warm hug. Whether you feel like your world is falling apart or that God is far away, All That It Takes is an excellent reminder that we’re never alone. God will always send people to help us in our time of need. Don’t give up hope or be afraid to fall in love!

"You might not be able to make sense of God’s plan or timing, but I can promise you that He isn’t confused." ~ Nicole Deese

*Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!*

“. . . sometimes all that it takes is one person being willing to step out in love for the betterment of another to change the trajectory of an entire life.”

Deep, thoughtful, and beautifully written, Nicole Deese’s book, All That It Takes, showcases her great talent for crafting exquisite stories with unforgettable characters. Miles McKenzie and Val Locklier are realistically-flawed and emotionally-layered main characters who are both faced with major life changes. When their lives collide, with help from Miles’ twin sister Molly, they find their futures may look differently than they had planned. I enjoyed seeing them grow and change in their relationship and outlooks.

With Deese’s signature sense of humor, vivid imagery, and emotional depth, this story kept my interest from the first page. Powerful themes of faith in God, service to others, and the impact our actions can have on others are seamlessly incorporated into the tale without being preachy. When I pick up a book by Nicole Deese, I’m guaranteed a thought-provoking, touching read, and this one certainly delivered. It’s headed right to my keeper shelf.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own.

Nicole Deese has done it again. I have loved every single one of her books, but her latest, All That it Takes, tops them all. This book tugged at my heartstrings and immersed me in story of romance, healing, and restoration.

Taking up where Deese’s previous book, All That Really Matters, left off, this book focuses on Val and Miles. Here we not only encounter a tender romance, but also the struggle to live in truth and to allow our failures to bring life to others. It is this honesty and vulnerability that breathes life into every page. My emotions were fully engaged as the story unfolded before me.

I cannot recommend this book, nor any of Deese’s previous novels, highly enough. They top a Hallmark movie any day!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars

The first 30% or so of this was a little slow and hard to keep my attention, but as things progressed it really grabbed me! It was raw and emotional about subjects that I am really passionate about, so I am really pleased. This was a great sequel to All That Really Matters.

The two MCs are super like-able while also being real. I loved the physical disability representation through Val. Rarely do you see a MC with a disability and a love interest, and it wasn't even a main aspect of the story. Loved that! I also loved that we see Miles as a pastor still working through his faith in God. Sometimes movies/TV like to portray pastors as perfect, when they are human like the rest of us. Val was a really relatable character to me which I appreciated.

The romance was slow burn, my favoriteeeee. I loved that there was some backstory and not just insta-love. They are perfect for each other!

The ending redeemed this from being a 3.5 star book. So emotionally packed and moving. I loved it! Highly recommend this story. I will put a disclaimer that my feelings about the beginning of the book may be due to the fact that right now I am in a reading slump and am seeking a fast-paced action packed story to help me out of it.

I received this book as an e-arc through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book has touches me in so many ways. It might be fiction but the whole way through it is you can see God's hand working.
"....all that it takes is one person being willing to step out in love for the betterment of another to change the trajectory of an entire life. All that it takes is one."
God has been speaking this into my life in so many ways from church, pod casts, a book study and this book. It is truly a touching book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

This book is an early contender for my top books of the year. I loved this story so much. There were times I had tears rolling down my cheeks. It was clean, funny, sweet, realistic, and beautiful. I will think about this book for a long time. Nicole Deese is a pro when it comes to Christian fiction and I will be reading everything she writes!

There are no words to describe how exceptionally good this story is. The romance, the faith, the life lessons and God’s grace were perfectly balanced. I loved everything about the characters and their stories. The dialogue and humor were fantastic! I thoroughly enjoyed it and absolutely recommend it.

I'm the author of this novel :) I hope my readers enjoy Miles and Val's journey as much as I enjoyed writing it.

All That It Takes by Nicole Deese is a phenomenal journey story that grabbed my heart from page one and refused to let go. I know that I’ve said this before in previous reviews for other fantastic novels, but this really, truly is a story that’s going to stick with me for a long, long time. I love that this story took me a while to read. I mentioned that All That It Takes is a journey story and the slower pace plays so nicely into Val and Miles’s narratives. I liked that I needed to slow down and really invest time into these characters and all they go through. And I really love that this story is as much a spiritual journey as it is a romantic one.

About a decade ago I decided to actually sit down and read the Bible in its entirety. I had attended Catholic school from 1st to 12th grades, went to church every Sunday since birth, and declared Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior early in my life, but until about ten years ago I had never read all of the Bible. I just took my pastor’s word that what he was telling me about Jesus was true. One of the ideas that became crystal clear to me as I read and studied all of God’s Word for the first time is that God really, really cares about the most vulnerable populations — widows and orphans, and those who are too sick or physically broken to care for themselves. All throughout God’s Word are commands to protect these people groups or illustrative examples of how to do so. And it all boils down to this one concept — compassion. That is what struck me the most about All That It Takes — the call to care for the most vulnerable and under-recognized humans, the call to compassion. We must recognize that sometimes, “all it takes is one person being willing to step out in love for the betterment of another to change the trajectory of an entire life” (loc. 4528). All that it takes is choosing to see someone other than ourselves. When we do this, we allow God to work through us and, man, can He move mountains.

There’s no way I could do this book justice in a single review. All That It Takes must be personally experienced because it is a story full of depth and meaning. This is a story that will make you feel all the feels. It’s a story that will make you think, re-evaluate your heart, and remind you that all it really takes is stepping out in love.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Bethany House Publishers, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

All That It Takes is the companion novel to All That Really Matters. It is a beautiful story about heartbreak, falling in love when you least expect it, supportive communities and finding your place in the world. It is so full of delightful moments, I was smiling 99% of the time while reading. It’s just so incredibly sweet, but at a deep, heartwarming and powerful level.

Val Locklier and her son Tucker have just moved from Alaska to join Val’s friend Molly (who featured in All That Really Matters). Val has taken a leap of newly-forming faith, and when her apartment plans fall through, Molly helps her to relocate to Miles’ top floor apartment. But when Miles returns from his latest mission trip, weary and worn down by the church leadership that is grinding his ministry and outreach into nothing, he is shocked to find Val in the apartment upstairs. It turns into a blessing, when helping Val and her son become the only bright spots in Miles’ day and Val finds support and encouragement to follow her dreams through a filmmaking internship. Both Miles and Val are challenged to face their pasts as they decide what their future holds.

As in All That Really Matters, All That It Takes centres itself around a story of romance and a good cause. Miles finds himself removed from outreach ministry and demoted to overseeing the local family resource centre. He’s just biding his time until he can find another pastor position and return to Mexico. When he asks Val to help him update the website, she is drawn into the centre’s work and reaches out to a young girl in need of love and support. It raises so many memories for Val, memories she’d rather stay hidden. All That It Takes talks about teen and unexpected pregnancy, single mothers and a community of women who are there for and support each other. Themes around suicide and abortion are referenced, but only ever in a supportive, non-judgemental way, and it brings a power to the story and Val and Miles’ connection.

Watching Miles and Val connect in such a comfortable, easy way was simply pure pleasure. The deeper themes and watching them share with each other the stories of their past and their dreams for their future, give this story depth, but is was the simple moments, shared smiles, easy conversations around the fire and of course delightful kisses that I loved so much about this book.

A beautiful companion novel, All That It Takes is as delightful as it’s predecessor and it’s cover.

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

This book is great in all the ways! It is perfectly paced, has great nuanced characters including some adorable kids, and has a fresh and unique plot. But what made it the best book I've read so far this year is the spiritual depths it contains without once feeling preachy. It made me love God more and want to love people better.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley, but I've already purchased my own paperback because this is one I will read again and again and loan to anyone I can convince to read it!

There are no words that I could string together in a review to do this gorgeous book justice. Nicole Deese is a master storyteller, making me slack-jawed in awe of her prowess in less than a single page. This book is moving, inspiring, and make you feel all the feels. Read it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book "All That It Takes" and all opinions expressed are my own. I did read "All That Really Matters" before this one and I loved that book. This book is the follow up or sequel and it follows Val and Miles on their journey. I enjoyed reading this book. The words flowed so nicely and the characters are great, you can really connect to them. There are messages throughout the book. Trusting in God. Prayers are answered but in different ways, might not be the exact answer you were looking for. All that it takes is... one person to make the difference in our lives at a time when we need them most. A very touching story.

All That It Takes by Nicole Deese
Another amazing, heartwarming, captivating book written by author Nicole Deese. I've read all of Nicole books and she never disappoints me. This book has it all! There's sections where you might cry and laugh because I did.

Synopsis - When the every cautions Val Locklier moves cross-country with her son for a secure job, everything she'd planned unravels within a week. After Val agrees to rent an apartment from Miles, her best friend Molly's brother. Val was offered an elite filmmakers mentorship which beings hope that things are turning around. Miles is a pastor that takes small missionary trip and when he returns his is resigned to a new position. It is to a rundown community center. What is going to happen next in the lives of Val and Miles?

My thoughts - This story pulled me in at the very beginning. It is such s page-turner. The characters are real and likable. You see how God was working in the characters lives. How they are able to overcome their fears by leaning on each other and God.

Favorite quote - God is the only one who can trade our fear for peace. That’s one of His promises to us.”

Recommend - I will recommend this book to family and friends and others through social media and book site reviews.

Rating - I give this book 5 out of 5 stars

I received this complimentary copy of this book from author and publisher. All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone

5 ⭐️

It’s rare for me to say that I loved contemporary fiction. In fact, out of all the books on my bookshelf, not one of them is contemporary fiction (unless it’s a split timeline between the present-day/past). Why? Mainly because contemporary fiction storylines tend to be a bit cliché for me. However, this wasn’t the case with All That it Takes. 

This book surprised me in the best of ways—and I’m so floored to say that there wasn’t anything I didn’t like, which, again, is almost unheard of for me when reading contemporary fiction. 

Here are some things I loved/appreciated about this book.

One is Val’s journey of discovering the importance of storytelling. Not because of getting the perfect angles, shots, or lighting. In fact, it’s not even about us; it’s about the Great Storyteller working through our lives to impact others for His kingdom. This really hit close to home for me because it’s the real-life journey I’ve been on as an author—God showing me how it isn’t about writing the most intricate plot, getting the greatest reviews, or rising in fame. No, it’s about His kingdom, His glory, and His story. 

Two, I loved the faith elements in this story. A lot of books tend to make faith seem cliche in some ways, but this book presents it in its raw, vulnerable, and powerful form. Not only was it presented in the lines and the dialogue of the story, but also in the choices the characters made—having boundaries put in place, taking time to really pray about decisions and seek God’s will, working through fears that try to hold us back from what God has for us. Wow. The faith aspect of this book was incredibly refreshing to read.

Three, the romance. Of course, I knew going into this book there was going to be some romance. Sadly a lot of contemporary fiction is too focused on the other person’s looks or has too many “almost-kiss” scenes or too many descriptive ones. However, All That it Takes really took a new approach to contemporary fiction. Sure, there was romance, but I was absolutely rooting for Miles when he looked at Val and yes, admitted she was beautiful, but there was something deeper than her beauty that attracted him to her—her heart for God. This is what should be in Christian fiction—an attraction to someone because of their relationship with God, not just for his “bulging muscles” or her “attractive form.” 

As I said, I really only have good things to say about this book. All That it Takes is refreshing, faith-filled, touching, and just a total five-star read. 

I can’t end this review without sharing three of my favorite quotes. You’ll want to read/highlight these for yourself! 

“Because perhaps the first real step in being seen by those you loved was lowering your guard enough to risk being honest.” 

“There was something so achingly beautiful about the words I was wrong, perhaps even more so than the words I love you. Because a man who could admit wrongdoing, a man who could break through the layers of his own pride, was a man who could love with humility.”

“I’d much rather my life be defined by a thousand little moments of faithfulness than by one big moment of fame.”

“ 'It’s easy to feel so overwhelmed by our own life circumstances that the idea of changing the world seems downright impossible . . . sometimes all that it takes is one person being willing to step out in love for the betterment of another to change the trajectory of an entire life.' All that it takes is one.”
These are powerful words from a powerful, touching story. A story of finding one’s place in life, overcoming obstacles, valuing life, and following God’s direction.
I loved this story for how real and raw it was. It touched my heart in a deep way. How one person can truly make a difference in another person’s life just by sitting alongside and listening to their story. WOW!
Nicole Deese has put so much of her heart into this book. We feel the pain and struggles of each of the characters. We also feel the joy they receive. What an amazingly written tale that reflects true events in our society even to this day. The whole community of women who are hurting and needing love is a very real thing. This is a wonderful example of how a community/church can reach these individuals.
It’s a story that will tug at your heart, showing the blessings God can give.
I highly recommend you pick this book up and read it. It just might change your way of looking at things.
I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really liked this book. It put forth a beautiful vision for ministry, one person at a time. I found that encouraging and convicting. It was a story of looking past limitations to the real person within...even if that person is yourself. It showed the power of community, of having people around you who are open and vulnerable and ready to listen. It was beautiful.

The characters were real. I understood them and their motivations. I liked seeing them grow in their interactions with others. I liked seeing them face their fears.

Having supported a crisis pregnancy center for 25 years, I appreciated the storyline of the Riverside Community Outreach. There was a lot to appreciate in this book. It had depth without feeling preachy. I'd highly recommend it.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.