Wait that ending though?!

I went in so hesitant and hopeful that I would like this. There were moments when I wasn’t sure but the CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT???? Literal tears.

We follow Reagan Farrow who comes from a famous family name in the music industry. She secretly just wants to be a fiction writer but her oldest sister insists that the family business needs Reagan’s undivided attention and writing cannot be in her future.

Reagan’s mom, the famous singer, wants to take the family on a road trip leading up to a big music event. She piles the family in an old RV and commissions a nice man named Micah to drive.

Micah happens to be the son of Reagan’s mom’s recently passed best friend. He wants to find answers about their relationship and his own questions about his parentage.

There’s family tension, tears, fights, and swoony looks that had me utterly captivated.

I definitely skimmed some of the journal entries detailing the moms’ friendship and history in music together. I wanted the here and now. Aka Micah and Reagan. Their meet cute had me laughing. Micah is the PERFECT new book boyfriend. What a fine young man.

I don’t usually like reading about family drama where the members are all just selfish and won’t set pride aside. Somehow, Nicole Deese was able to reel me in to care about them more than be frustrated. I think reading the family through Reagan’s eyes was what did it. She had such an innocent and sincere perspective that her love for each person came through in the writing. Very impressed.

We get Micah’s perspective too, which is a must with the romance developing. Ugh I loved his character.

Yeah there were some slow parts but truly the parts I loved elevated this book to 5 star status easily. Like the last 30% was PERFECT.

The faith content was lovely as well. Not cheesy, just practical and heartfelt.

I would highly recommend this and you don’t have to read The Words We Lost to read this one. A character or two show up from The Words but this is more like a true companion than sequel.

🛣️ The Roads We Follow by Nicole Deese
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pub Date: April 30

Nicole Deese, consider me obsessed.

I loved this book. The author has such a way with words and fleshing out characters. I've felt so engrossed with the struggles and strengths of both Micah and Raegan that by the time I finished the book, I felt like I was on the journey with them.

The story is tight, and the writing is brilliant. It's all about love, family, friendship and faith. It's about finding freedom and peace amidst life's difficulties, and fighting for that with the people you love.

The book starts with a barely functioning family going on a last-ditch effort roadtrip together, following their journey as they discover how to communicate better, and learn about giving and receiving forgiveness.

Just like in The Words We Lost, there is a past timeline that is told through journal entries. And although we never meet Lynn, her presence is strong throughout the entire book.

Micah is such a dream guy. Levelheaded, loving, patient and so, so prayerful. Do they still create such men these days? Dear God, I want one for myself please 🥹 His journey was one of acceptance and contentment, and leaving me with this: Some truths will not set you free.

Raegan found her voice, and her place within her family. Even though she's the youngest, she's the one who is most self-aware, and the only one brave enough to confront all the issues they've swept under the rug. She grew so much on this short journey, and I am so proud of her.

This book encouraged me in a lot of ways. I also love that faith had such a crucial role for this story. Faith brought Luella and Lynn together, and faith saw them through the trials of life.

Read if you like:
🚌 Road trips
💖 Full circle moments
👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏽 MCs who communicate!
💕 Family dramas, sisterhood
🤠 Country music

Other details and mild spoilers:
Closed door, just kissing
Dual first-person POV
CW: drugs, sexual harassment, falling outs, cheating, death of a parent

The Roads We Follow was an amazing sequel to The Words we Lost. Nicole Deese did an amazing job telling this story. Sure there is a little romance in it, but the important part is the redemption of the family. The Roads We Follow tells the story of a country singer, her best friend, and her 3 girls. While we only get an indepth look at one daughter's life, we are given enough information to connect to the other 2 as well. This story cut me to the core, in the best ways possible.
I'm hoping for a 3rd story about Chip!:
Thanks netgalley & bethany house for an early copy. All thoughts are my own.

“It’s then I hear Mama hum the first note of a hymn we’ve sung together a hundred times over, one fitting for a moment like this. By the fourth note of the melody, every sister has joined in, and by the chorus, Micah has, too. As our voices blend into one, I lift my eyes to the cross at the far end of the stage and thank God for the way he intervened in my mama’s life right here so many years ago. And then I thank Him, that He never, ever stopped.”

There’s just something so special about Nicole Deese’s writing. She can bring characters to life and give them real depth and unique qualities that just pop off the page. I was immediately reeled into this adventurous and heartwarming novel from the very first chapter. I went through all the emotions, laughing out loud, smiling from ear to ear, and was brought to tears.

The Roads We Follow is the second book in the Fog Harbor Romance series, but it can most assuredly be read as a standalone novel. It’s just even more fun if you’ve read The Words We Lost first. Be prepared for these characters to steal your heart and for Nicole’s beautiful words to stay with you long after you close the book. I heartily recommend this book and hope you love it just as much as I do!

Read if you love:
✝️Christian Fiction with Themes of Forgiveness, Grace, & Redemption
🎤Multiple POVs
💕Mother & Daughter Bonding
🩷🩷🩷Sisterhood Connections
🛣️Road Trip Adventures
🎶Behind the Scenes of the Music Industry
🫶🏻Clean Romance

Tremendous thanks to Nicole Deese and Bethany House for a gifted copy of this phenomenal book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Deese has quickly risen as a must-read author for me. Her characters are as near to real life as fiction can get; they have depth worth diving into. This story is no different. While reading, I experienced a range of emotions. The music aspect spoke to one of my love languages.

Some of the topics are tough, similar to her other books, such as domestic abuse, addiction, and marital problems. We see these worked through in healthy ways. The theme throughout each of her novels is that of being offered a grace we cannot fathom and His name is Jesus.

I received a copy for review purposes; all opinions are honest and mine alone.

Told between dual voices of the main characters, THE ROADS WE FOLLOW, is long and winding trip that features family, forgiveness and faith.

Raegan is the youngest daughter of a country music legend. Micah is the oldest son of her estranged partner; recently deceased. Both families are harboring pain, secrets and longing for what could or should be. Raegan and her 2 sisters , mom, the headliner, and Micah, the bus drivers cum counselor, spend 2 weeks road tripping cross country together on a restored antique tour bus.

Author, Nicole Deese, does a good job with the travelogue and constant changes of location. Even better are the secondary characters. I especially enjoyed the woman who ran the boarding house in Idaho. She’d make an excellent lead in a story. Character development is a strong aspect for all the players altho’ I’d like to have seen more from the other male characters besides Micah.

Faith is woven into the story in a natural way that doesn’t feel fake, forced or preachy. The plot has multiple arcs with questions being investigated by the various characters. The storyline gets burdensome in the middle, perhaps a bit unnecessarily complicated which bulks the book up to almost 400 pages. With some deft editing, this story could be more enjoyable at a trimmed down 275-300 pages.

Even considering the above, this is an appealing story. Country music, light & chaste romance, family dynamics explored, friendships restored and thoughtful recognition of the One to whom we rely on for help to negotiate THE ROADS WE FOLLOW 📚

Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this advanced copy. The roads we follow ended up not being a book I could finish sadly. I just couldn't get into the plot.

Nicole Deese does not disappoint. Her stories are heartwarming. Her romance is endearing. Her heroines are relatable & likable, while her male leads are practically perfect!
The second Fog Harbor Romance book may be within a series but it can certainly be enjoyed as a standalone. It’s for any lover of country music, American landmarks or family road-trips!

I enjoyed reading the dynamics of the family relationships, especially between the three unique sisters. Beyond just a wholesome story to enjoy, the characters model a way of working toward healthy relationships that was thought-provoking.
Parts in the middle felt a little drawn out, and I would’ve loved to get even more of Lynn & Luella’s story - but the end had me teary-eyed at the beauty of love that’s stronger than blood.

With no language and only sweet kisses , this is perfect for the reader who’s looking for a clean romance story that holds a bit of depth.

What a let down!!! After falling head over heels for book one, I reallllly wanted to love this story. But it just lacked emotional depth for me. The story was very surface level and the chemistry was lacking between our two main characters. This one was a miss

Time and time again, I find myself turning to Nicole Deese novels for many reasons. First, I know her books will be uplifting, heartwarming and sure to make me laugh or smile. Second, because I'm a feelings reader, in that, I love to feel deeply when I read and Deese has such a beautiful way of evoking emotion in both her characters, and me. And lastly, because I simply adore her delightful, relatable characters and her richly woven stories of redemption, hope, joy and sorrow.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Cross-Country Road Trip on a Bus · Sisterhood & A Search for Truth · Family Legacy & Country Music · Secrets, Novels and Old Journals · Wit, Charm and a Heartwarming Romance

In this newest release, Deese thoroughly entertained me from beginning to end with deep threads of sisterhood, faith and family, the brokenness found there, and the redemption that followed.

I absolutely loved the nostalgic idea of a modern-day road trip, touring the country on a bus, singing at local haunts and dives while recapturing memories along the way through past journal entries and relived moments. From the setting of Raegan's home in Nashville, TN to the mountains of Micah's Idaho home and all the states in between, I loved every moment of the throwback, late 1970's - early '80's music industry vibes that influenced this story.

I found the main characters, Raegan and Micah, to be well-crafted and loved watching their stories unfold as Raegan struggled with her place in her family, dreaming of making a name for herself as an author and the revelation of Micah's sought-after hidden truth. The broken, fragile bond between Raegan and her sisters, as well as the love and honor they held for their widowed, country music superstar mother was so touching. As the sisters navigate secrets, grief, loss and heartache, their bond changes, stretches, breaks and grows.

Lastly, but not least, I loved the romance thread in this story, finding Raegan and Micah's meeting and initial interactions witty, heartwarming and cute. Their bond strengthens and grows throughout the story as well, making their romance sweet and full of sparks. I loved Micah's gentle, yet firm, manner and thought it very appropriate that he was a bus-driver-therapist, who tenderly and carefully strengthened the familial bond between the Farrow women.

Oh, this story was simply so rewarding! This is a must-read and a solid five stars (I would give it ten, if I could) that will appeal to readers who enjoy books by Christina Suzann Nelson or Rachel Hauck, as well as reader's who enjoy women's fiction with a contemporary romance twist.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

Throw mom Luella Farrow, who is a Country Music Icon, her three daughters and the son of her deceased best friend onto a refurbished tour bus for a two week nostalgic road trip and you have unexpected consequences. Driver Micah: *I am not here by chance. And neither are any of my passengers.*
Youngest daughter Reagan, wants to be able to shine on her own, not in the shadow of her well-known mom. But her dream of becoming a writer of fiction stutters when someone threatens her family and its treasured history.
*Forgiveness. Both given and received. It is meant to come in a perfect pair, no matter how pride may tell us otherwise.* (Luella)
What struck me besides being a highly readable story about family, was how the characters were living out their faith and that God and scripture were their foundation. As in real life, the players were not without their mistakes and fears, but the author clearly showed the family working through obstacles thrown in their path. Long held secrets and old hurts surfaced to help the characters grow in ther faith.
But do not think this book is morose or solemn. There are wonderful descriptions of places visted and a liberal sprinkling of humor in the right places. I loved the old Inn where they stayed out in farm country. It was decorated in Wizard of Oz splendor. And romance is included as Micah and Reagan learn to trust eachother.
A well rounded womens fiction with a dash of romance.
*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

OH MY! What do I even say? Nicole is a new favorite author of mine. This book was fantastic and I’m so grateful that NetGalley gave me the chance to read this amazing book! I loved Raegan and her loyalty and love for her family. She’s was the peacemaker and I wanted to see her live out her dreams. I loved Micah and his journey to find the missing pieces of himself. The chemistry between them was my favorite! I adored that they were able to confide in each other and help one another. One thing I really enjoy about Nicole’s writing is that she brings in Christian aspects to her stories without them feeling overwhelming or preachy, yet they fill me with so much peace and hope! I honestly cannot wait to read more from her.

🏔️Contemporary Romance
🏔️Kissing Only
🏔️Book 2 (can stand alone)
🏔️No Swearing
🏔️CW: Death and Divorce

Nicole Deese has a way with her storytelling that stirs your emotions in a real and beautiful way. 

The Roads We Follow, is one you will not want to pass up. Full of faith, redemption, regret, forgiveness, and love, you will be drawn to these characters from the start. 

You follow Raegan and Micah, but through them, you get a perfect glimpse into the lives of the other characters.  You will grow to care about this family and long for the healing that is needed. The journey taken brings unexpected feelings for our two main characters, and I couldn't help but love Micah and Raegan and hope for their happy ending. Along the way, secrets are revealed that test our characters faith and their relationships with each other. 

For a beautiful story that will remind you of family and the legacy you leave, this is the book I would recommend.

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of this book, my thoughts and opinions are my own.

I DEVOURED this gem of a novel in one day - it was soooo good! Nicole Deese does an incredible job crafting beautiful Christian romance with lots of heart and chemistry.

"The Roads We Follow" is light and fun while also being complex and with enough twists and turns to keep you hooked!

As the last child of 3 girls, I felt like I identified with Reagan so much. Seeing the loss of their father, the brokenness caused by miscommunication and unmet expectations, the family dynamics - it felt like someone was speaking directly to my situation and shedding hope. And even if that's not your reality, there are so many other relatable themes regarding friendship, family, romance, identity and growth that this book will move you.

I also have to shout out the male main character. Micah's honesty and faithful support was a highlight in this book. He was so sweet and handled his own journey really well.

Christian themes are present throughout the novel, though not as blatant as other Christian romance novels, but overall this is a great read!

This book was one of the best I've read in a long while.

The Roads We Follow is full of redemption, love, family secrets, and something really special. I loved the couple in this book and thought that Micah's character was a refreshing break from the tough-guy love interests I so commonly read (and love). Micah was wise, patient, and such a friendly cinnamon-roll character that I couldn't help but love him. Raegan was just as fun. This book was more than a love story though. It was redeeming, it was enthralling, it was something special (as is the first book in this series).
I loved it very much and I have no doubt, you will too.

The Roads We Follow is a perfect blend of realistically flawed characters, a captivating plot, a budding romance, and an intriguing mystery. Talented author Nicole Deese has written an exquisitely-crafted story of the importance of family, the power of love, and the necessity of following your heart. She deals sensitively with some deep topics as she carefully unfolds the story layer by layer.

It was easy for me to relate to Raegan as she tried to deal with her sisters and their varied personalities and quirks, since I have several sisters myself. Micah was a trooper as he drove the bus for the three sisters and their mother Luella. That would be quite a daunting task for most people, and to do it while trying to solve his own mystery had me rooting for him. I enjoyed the trip across the United States visiting some interesting areas with the Farrow family as they recreate the road trip Luella took with Micah’s mother, Lynn, many years before.

Deese’s stories are always infused with plenty of deep meaning and brimming with wit and charm. This one is a beautifully written tale that takes the reader on a journey of healing, hope, and discovery. I recommend it to those who enjoy clean contemporary Christian fiction.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews. All opinions are my own.

In THE ROADS WE FOLLOW, NICOLE DEESE gives us an in depth study of family relationships. The novel is beautifully written, with unforgettable characters and a strong Christian message of forgiveness, redemption and following God’s lead rather than doing things in one’s own strength.
Micah Davenport is a therapist who feels betrayed when a DNA test shows he is not Frank Davenport’s son. When the opportunity arises to drive the famous singer Luella Farrow and her three daughters on a two week road trip to some of the places she and his recently deceased mother, Lynn, visited when they were inseparable, he takes it in both hands, wanting to find out if Luella knows who his biological father could be.
Reagan is the youngest Farrow daughter and is tired of being at Adele’s beck and call, always putting Farrow Music Productions, that is close to financial ruin largely due to the underhanded actions of her middle sister Hattie’s ex husband Peter. Reagan is a brilliant writer, having written a novel called The Sisters of Birch Grove, which she is afraid to publish under her own name. Adele sees Reagan’s writing as no more than a hobby…..
Micah shares his mother’s journals with Reagan and they become close, understanding and helping one another. Their mothers shared a history, going from best friends, writing music together and performing together, to not seeing one another for thirty years. The song Crossing Bridges that they wrote together is going viral which is helping Farrow Music. Will this road trip help to heal the fractured Farrow family?……
The characters’ stories are beautifully knit together and the rawness of their emotions, together with their faith in God is very well portrayed.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
I cannot recommend this most enjoyable and inspirational book 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.

Thank you @netgalley and @bethanyhouse for the opportunity to read this ARC.


📖 The roads we follow
📝 Nicole Deese

3.75⭐️

Road trip
Forced proximity
Dual POV
Family drama
Hidden secrets
Forgiveness

At first glance I loved how cosy the cover looked, it definitely looked like something I'd gravitate towards when buying a book. This was a first Nicole Deese read for me and it won't be the last. As a massive country fan (Luke combs is everything) I really enjoyed the country music vibes to this novel, such a sweet romance. This book is the sequal to the words we lost however can be read as a standalone.
🏕

What do you get when you put four female family members with unique personalities on a tour bus for two weeks? A great novel, that’s what!

This is my first book/series by Nicole Deese and I really loved it. While this is part of a series, it is very much a standalone. I’m a diehard “read the series in order” person, so when I got a copy of this book, I went back and read the first one. It didn’t enhance my enjoyment of this book. I liked the first book, but loved this book even more. I loved the dual POV, Micah and Raegan’s meet cute, and the sentimental journey. Raegan is a great female main character and Micah is who we wish all male main characters were like! Adele, Hattie, and Luella are a perfect blend of family personalities to add to the mix.

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

I actually enjoyed this book more than the previous one, The Words We Lost, which I found a little depressing. Although the themes of loss and figuring out one's life purpose were similar, the loss did not seem as heavy in this book as it did in the previous one. The characters of Reagan and Micah are captivating as well as the other major characters in the story. The family's brokenness is very real, and the way they find their path to healing feels just right. The complexity of unraveling both Micah's and the Farrow family's mysteries does not become in any way confusing, but lends heightened interest to the narrative. Deese, as usual, goes way beyond the usual romance story and tells a tale full of meaning and depth. This book was one of the best I have read so far in 2024 (and I have read almost 30).