I thought the book blurb sounded like a book I'd be interested in reading. But I had a difficult time getting past the first third of the book. I'm not one to stop reading a book as I hope it will get better, but I wanted to stop the book several times at the beginning and even through the middle of the story. It felt like the book wasn't edited at all. In that first third, there were so many "ing" or "ly" words that I found myself re-reading to try to get through. I'm talking A LOT of them.

Through the middle, I began to skim pages and it was very slow. And the story seemed to park on most of the characters negative traits. And are we to guess which were the words that were lost? The manuscript? Words left unsaid?

My thoughts: The Words We Lost is the first book by this author that I read but it definitely will not be the last. I love her voice. I was sucked into the story and could not put the book down. It is a romance written in both first person and third person and it is set in a setting that I love. This is a must read this summer. If you like contemporary romance you will love The Words We Lost. Make sure you grab a copy today. A great Beach read. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own,.

My word, this book is just a beautiful work of art. I adored the characters and the growth. It's hard to even find the words to review this book because it's just sooooo good.

Much like Ingrid, real life has fogged my ability to read as often as I once did. But this book gripped my heart in such a way that I couldn't wait to get back to it. Once my mind was fully in the story, I was *invested*.

This is a story about grief, friendship, the families we have and the families we make, and the gray areas of loving others. Joel and Ingrid's tender romance is at the heart, and it is done so well, but this novel is much more than just a romance. It feels like life, with all of its nuances and heartbreak paired with victories.

Ugh. This book is just good, across the board. Read it.

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

“I can’t erase the darkness for you, but I can be the one to hold the light when you’re ready to come home.”

I’m not even sure where to start in expressing the depth of emotion The Words We Lost stirred in me. In equal turns profoundly moving and deliciously romantic, it fully immersed me in these layered memories of three best friends – the stories that connect them, the raw & complicated dynamic of grief that separated them, and the true treasure that will draw them back together in unexpected ways. The mystery involving the missing manuscript not only delivers pure bookish joy for readers, it also serves as a conduit for all of the above and a compelling reason to keep turning these pages on its own merit.

How much do I love Joel and Ingrid together? Let me count the ways… First, there’s something so delightfully swoony about Joel even when he’s just standing there – he exudes a steadiness that makes you want to lean into his strength and a ‘she’s it for me’ love for Ingrid from adolescence to adulthood that left me fanning more than once. There’s just something soooooo unbelievably romantic about loving someone unconditionally for so long, especially when it’s done from a distance. Along those lines, I love cheering on a hard-won victory and that’s what Joel & Ingrid’s relationship was for me throughout this book. Sometimes the win came as a couple of tiny steps forward… or as a long-overdue conversation about painful things… or (my personal favorite) a ‘finally’ kiss that expresses all the pent-up sorrow and longing and passion and love when words just won’t do it. Joel and Ingrid’s love story is all this and so much more because it’s part of a larger tapestry woven with threads of grief and faith and finding home.

Bottom Line: Nothing I can say about The Words We Lost will come close to doing it justice. It’s a story that needs to be experienced for yourself – just keep those tissues handy because I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to make it all the way through without finding tears in your eyes at least once. Nicole Deese is a master at perfectly placed words that speak to my soul, evoking a wealth of emotions that involve me completely in each new story – mind, heart, imagination, and spirit – and this one is my favorite so far. I connected so personally with Deese’s portrayal of grief and of learning how to live with it as a companion instead of a bully, but I also adored the well-timed humor, the sweet second chance romance, the endearing characters (Chip!!!), the inside look at the publishing industry, and the depth of love on these pages. This is truly a masterpiece of a story, and I highly recommend it!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

This book.. came around the time that my dad was in ICU and his health was declining. After he passed away I was unable to pick up this book and so for 1.5 years it sat and waited. I finally decided to read it and boy am I glad I did. I cried and grieved right along with CeCe's friends and family. Reading this book was healing and was just what I needed to help me through.

** I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

My friends and I interviewed Nicole Deese about this title at StoryChats podcast here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NITV5k3Lwc

The plot of this novel really intrigued me. I love stories set around the publishing industry, and found the idea of looking for clues in a late author's manuscript fascinating. This is a tender story, and the characters' grief flows on the page. The setting is endearing and really adds to the reading experience. A delightful, soulful story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House though NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

A very good Christian Romance. I really liked our main character Ingrid. I loved reading her journey of grief and self-discovery. She was such a flawed and broken person, and it was very intriguing to read what she was going through. There was also a very slight mysterious element to the story which I found very interesting. The only reason I bumped the rating down one star, was because the climax of the story fell a little bit flat to me. Otherwise I really enjoyed it and would recommend.

This is the first book I read of this author's. I received a ARC. It was a beautiful story about forgiveness and friendship and facing some ghosts in ones closet. I would recommend this book.

First book by Nicole Deese that I’ve read, and now I want to go to all of her backlist and read it. I enjoyed this book so much that I went and got it in paperback also!

Stories about loss and grief are hard to read, but The Words We Lost is much more than that. It's also about redemption and freedom from the guilt we can put on ourselves when a loved one passes.

This book had my emotions all over the place, but in a good way. I love Joel, Ingrid and CeCe. They are such great characters and their story touched my heart. I also LOVE that this has books and publishing within the story. I'm always a sucker for those types of reads.

I didn't realize this was a series until after I finished, and now I need to go grab the next book(s). Definitely worth the read. I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a tough read as the topic of loss and grief is very personal to me. But I did find the story uplifting and the romance lovely. A great read for those who are hoping to find love after loss and are faithful as it is a very Christian forward novel.

This was utterly beautiful, affecting and engrossing. There was so much emotion and character development and all three characters felt so real to me.

This book touched on grief, lost love, the power of storytelling, healing, and forgiveness. It was filled with truth and emotion and does not shy away from the rawness of life.

The love story was powerful, but I think the true power of this book comes from the representations of grief and loss.

This is a perfect summer read when you’re looking for something “more” or something to make you feel.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the gifted ecopy.

A beautifully written story of reconciliation and restoration.

I am a Deese fan and always will be. She creates such real characters and this novel is no different! I loved that the MC was in the book world (something I understand) and the Washington state setting was also marvelous.

Aside from that, this novel tackles tough topics of grief, difficult parent/child relationships, and what it looks like to achieve dreams but to also know yourself more honestly.

Highly recommend to fans of romance but also of a deeper story that takes centerstage in this book.

My rating: 4.8*

——
Thanks to the publisher for this gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

The Words We Lost, the first book in the Fog Harbor series, is a story about friendship, loss, love and second chances. I was not familiar with Deese's work so I was not sure what to expect.

Ingrid Erikson, still mourning the loss of her best friend, is scrambling to provide the book that she knows has to be out there. Ingrid's friend, Cecilia Campbell, an international best-selling author, was working on a sequel at the time of her death. Ingrid is feeling the pressure from her employer to find the manuscript and get it published. Despite her reservations, Ingrid has to ask Joel Campbell, Cecilia's cousin, for help. Joel is who broke Cecilia's heart so many years ago.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Possible triggers: Sudden loss, parental loss, alcoholism.

This was one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2023! And it did not disappoint. Nicole’s ability to suck you into this world and make you never want to leave is amazing. I always savor her books so I don’t have to leave too quickly.

This book is so richly layered. There’s present day. There’s the past. There’s another book written within the book. Nicole captures a book lover’s heart with her characters. She beautifully portrays the journey of grief and how that looks different for each of her characters. Heavier topics are handled with such care and the writing beautifully shines the light on the darkness. The descriptions of Port Townsend had me on Airbnb as soon as I finished while the tears were still drying on my face.

I’m so honored I got to read this book early so that I can scream at you all to ADD TO CART! ADD TO YOUR HOLD LIST! DO YOUR THING! Get your hands on this beautiful story.

And now I’ll just be here yearning for Spring 2024 when I get to return to Nicole’s Fog Harbor world!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

(P.S. I love you, Joel, forever. Book BF Status)

I loved how real and relatable this book was. I love when you don't just get a Happily Ever After, but some really ninty gritty life while still being deeply romantic.

dnf. Wow, this is not for me. The main character is, 10 months later, still essentially paralyzed with grief over the death of her best friend. I can't imagine, well, many things, I suppose, making this pretty unbelievable. Several chapters in, there's no improvement or much hope. She's also still sad 5 years after the break-up with her old sweetheart. These don't really seem realistic to me.

I read a few chapters beyond this, but I was ready to close the book for good when the main character is on the ferry from Seattle to Bremerton. (First, if you were taking the ferry on a trip to Port Townsend, you'd drive north of Seattle and take the Edmonds-Kingston ferry. Both terminals are quieter and it's a more direct route. Yes, you have to go from Sea-Tac/south Seattle to Edmonds north of Seattle, but you can avoid downtown Seattle traffic and stay on the freeway.) This character, who spent her high school years in Port Townsend and supposedly grew up on the sea, looked from the ferry at the water and called it "the Pacific." No one here would call it that. It's not the Pacific. It's the Sound, or "the water." At a stretch, "the sea." The Pacific is miles and miles away. The story-- and the author-- instantly lost all authenticity for me.

eARC from NetGalley.

I loved the uniqueness of this book, The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese.
Nicole Deese did an amazing job at balancing mystery, going back in time and romance. As you read, you join the search for the lost words and wonder whatever else is in store. I enjoyed getting a history of the characters in a unique way. Not only did you get a glimpse of the history, but you got it from someone else's perspective than the MC's. Somehow one of the MC's is no longer living, but you feel like they are a big part of the story. The romance was well done to not take complete control of the book, but a part of the story that drug you in wondering what was going to happen in the romance department.
Faith is brought up in the book, and done very tastefully. It was a part of the story and not just thrown in there to get a message across.
Nicole Deese is a writer that I look forward to reading all her books. They add depth and interest in all she writes.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts are my own.

A heartfelt novel of love, loss, faith, and friendship set on the Washington Coast.

A masterfully told story of frienship, that flips between the present day and the past. I loved how the memoir brought Cece's voice and impact on Joel and Ingrid's lives to life. Ms. Deese does an excellent job showing the impact of Cece's life and friendship, as well as the way that many are still grieving her loss.

An engaging read the pulled me in from the beginning, with compelling, complex characters, amazing emotional depth and rich multi-layered storytelling. I admired Joel's patience and how he was supportive of Ingrid even when she didn't know it, or want him to be involved. He was also an amazing cousin to Cece.

I can't think of a single reason why someone wouldn't want to read this compelling novel in the cutthroat world of the book industry as well as the Washington Coast. Beautifully written with solid enduring themes of faith, loss, love and friendship. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.