Today I’m sharing my book recommendation for The Words We Lost, the first book in Nicole Deese’s new Fog Harbor Romance contemporary Christian romance (CCR) series. Here’s the book description:
Three friends. Two broken promises. One missing manuscript.
As a senior acquisitions editor for Fog Harbor Books in San Francisco, Ingrid Erikson has rejected many a manuscript for lack of defined conflict and dramatic irony–two elements her current life possesses in spades. In the months following the death of her childhood best friend and international bestselling author Cecelia Campbell, Ingrid has not only lost her ability to escape into fiction due to a rare trauma response, but she’s also desperate to find the closure she’s convinced will come with Cecelia’s missing final manuscript.
After Ingrid jeopardizes her career, she fears her future will remain irrevocably broken. But then Joel Campbell–the man who shattered her belief in happily-ever-afters–offers her a sealed envelope from his late cousin, Cecelia, asking Joel and to put their differences aside and retrieve a mysterious package in their coastal Washington hometown.
Honoring Cecelia’s last request will challenge their convictions and test their loyalties, but through it all, will Ingrid and Joel be brave enough to uncover a twice-in-a-lifetime love?
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading The Words We Lost, the first book in Nicole Deese’s Fog Harbor Romance series that’s set in San Francisco and an island in Washington State. Ingrid is a fiction editor who’s working for a traditional publisher based in San Francisco. She’s devastated by the passing of her dear childhood friend, Cece, who was also her top selling author. Ingrid’s new boss is an awful person, and she’s threatening to fire Ingrid unless Cece’s missing manuscript, the last book under contract in Cece’s best selling fantasy series, is located.
Ingrid travels to Port Townsend to recover the missing manuscript and save her job. Joel grew up in Port Townsend, and he has history with Ingrid. He’s also Cece’s cousin, and circumstances force Joel and Ingrid to work together, and deal with the emotional baggage from their shared past, to solve the mystery of the missing manuscript.
I was intrigued by the story premise, and the reasons for why Ingrid struggled in her editorial job after she lost Cece. I loved seeing how the story mystery, combined with secret reveals, impacted the main characters. I recommend The Words We Lost to contemporary romance readers who like second chance romances with depth that explore how the past impacts the present, and include a relevant faith element in the story.
Many thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Learn more about Nicole Deese and her books at her website.
In Episode 118 at StoryChats@InspyRomance, Elizabeth, Valerie, and I talked with Nicole about The Words We Lost. I appreciated Nicole’s thoughtful answer to my question regarding Ingrid’s grief response to losing Cece and how that impacted her editorial role at the publishing house. Ingrid’s editorial assistant was one of my favorite side characters in the story.
Do you like reading CCR with bookish characters? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
Hi Narelle! This reader enjoys reading stories with bookish characters (authors, librarians, book store owners, editors and more) and book inspired settings (book store, library, book mobile). Personally reading emails, blogs, and posts I believe a bookish theme is the trend in 2023 – not just in CCR genre, but fiction in general. Best wishes.
Sounds great! I love characters in the book world!
I like bookish characters as I always feel I’d get on well with them. This sounds an intriguing read, thank you, I’ll add it to my TBR list .
I love books that have bookish characters!! I can see them as friends, and would love to visit some of the bookstores in the books I’ve read!
I have read several books with bookish characters, and they’re great. Sometimes, they seem more real than other characters. You can actually see them in real situations.
I do like reading Christian Fiction with bookish characters
Count me in for bookish characters. It is a great premise. I’m curious where the series would progress, whether it returns to the publishing house or remains in the town. Thanks
Yes, I do. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Thanks for this review. I’ve never read anything by Nicole Deese. Looks like it’s time to change that!!
nice review
It’s interesting Fog harbor probably is a good name for the not being able to read trauma. as the brain feels like its in a fog when trying to read. I do get this at times where no matter how much I want to read I just can’t read and it can be a few weeks to months. (just had a 2 weeks gap but back in January it was a month). Since the head pain started I have had years I have read 10 books in the year. not counting devotional or childrens books. this year I am up on the last several but I know there will be times when I will struggle. but to go years not being able to read would be hard.
Hi Renate, They are fun characters and settings to read. My recent reads include a few bookish-themed stories, and it does sound like a trend. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Laurie, I hope you’ll have a chance to read Nicole’s book. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Ruthie, yes, bookish characters are usually relatable. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Nicole’s book soon. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Trudy, yes, and I’d especially like to visit the fictional book stores with in-store cafes. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Bonnie, yes, they are usually fun characters who are in real-to-life in bookish settings. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lori, yes, I agree. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Dianne, yes, I loved the premise and the mystery in the story. We asked Nicole about future books in the series in the StoryChats episode, and she mentioned there will be character connections with this book. The editorial assistant side character, who’s currently based in San Francisco, will appear in future books. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Debra, You’re very welcome. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Becky, yes! This book is a great place to start reading Nicole’s books. It’s fun discovering new-to-us authors. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi bn100, thank you :)
Hi Jenny, I have difficulty reading when I’m struggling with recurring migraines. The brain fog is real and the words don’t sink in. I’m sorry you’re struggling with head pain that impacts on your reading. It would be hard to not be able to read for years. Thanks for commenting. 😊