Nicole Deese is an excellent author and I have really enjoyed her other books. The Words We Lost takes a different route than her other novels, which are a little lighter and more along the lines of romance. The Words We Lost deals with the intense grief Ingrid feels following the death of her best friend. Everything changes one day when she discovers that her best friend left behind one last gift for her. I enjoyed the book and the unraveling of all the secrets at the end, but it was a heavier read dealing with the intense grief everyone was dealing with.

A lovely story about loss, grief, love, and the power of stories.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adore the stories Nicole Deese crafts and The Words We Lost was no different. Poignant and strongly emotional, this is a story of loss, grief, long-held grudges and pain and the things that bring people back together.

Ingrid left Port Townsend in her rear view mirror years ago, leaving behind the man she loved after she couldn’t forgive him for his part in her father’s death. The only connection she retained was her best friend and wildly successful author Cecelia. Now it’s been almost a year since Cecelia passed away and Ingrid is struggling. Struggling with grief and regrets and struggling at work. When her editor gives her an ultimatum to find Cecelia’s last, might-possibly-not-exist, manuscript or find a new job, Ingrid finds herself doing the unimaginable - returning to Port Townsend. There she comes face to face again with Cecelia’s family, so many memories, good and bad, and of course Joel. Reluctantly, Joel and Ingrid team up when they discover a manuscript from Cecelia. It’s just not the manuscript they were expecting or looking for and it might just change everything.

The way Nicole Deese creates powerful stories and hurting, loveable characters is amazing. The Words We Lost is deeply emotional, mixing the present day grief of losing Cecelia, with fond memories of the past and enough happy moments to make this an utterly satisfying read.

The romance is wonderful, as Ingrid and Joel rekindle what never really died, while also facing the ghosts of the past. Cecelia’s manuscript helps them to untangle the trust of the events of what tore them apart.

A really satisfying ending was the icing on the cake in this fantastic book. Loved it.

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

I really enjoyed reading this book, however I do wish we had gotten to see more chapters from the past because I think it would have made the reader feel closer to and more attached to Cece, and Ingrid & Joel's relationship. Overall very interesting, but not as much romance as I thought based on the synopsis. To me, to focus was on Cece and her story rather than the romance, and that's perfectly fine!! it should just be marketed less as a romance central book and more as a self discovery and growth book.

THE WORDS WE LOST by NICOLE DEESE is a beautifully written romance novel with very real characters and a strong Christian message. The plot is well laid out and kept me interested from beginning to end. It is a story about friendship, family dynamics, dealing with grief and unconditional love, set in the small town of Port Townsend where the Campbell family own the prestigious Campbell Hotel. This is an inspirational book that will stay with you, and it is one that I look forward to reading again.
Ingrid Erikson is an editor with Fog Harbor in Los Angeles. She has lost her ability to concentrate on what she is reading since suffering traumatic loss, and is leaning heavily on her intern, Chip, so as not to lose her job. She has only one chance of keeping it - she needs to find Cecelia Campbell’s unpublished novel that finishes off the popular Nocturnal Heart Series……
I like to see the friendship between Cece, her cousn Joel Campbell and Ingrid, who has found the family and friendship she has always longed for in the Campbell family.
I cannot recommend The Words We Lost highly enough
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

The Words We Lost is captivating, haunting, and beautiful all woven together. It’s an emotional journey that won’t easily leave you. It’s shows the heartache of grief, the redemption of forgiveness, and the way only God can fit so many messy pieces together to create a masterpiece.