The Voice We Find

Author: Nicole Deese
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: A Fog Harbor Romance #3
Pages: 416
Release Date: April 15, 2025
Publisher: Bethany House

Two voices. One story. A chance to rewrite their future.

Sophie Wilder returns home to California with nothing more than a failed Broadway career and a geriatric cat. Stuck working at the family winery with her egotistical brother and desperate for a way to revive her acting dreams, she takes a side gig as an audiobook narrator with Fog Harbor Books. But getting mixed up in the life of her reluctant sound engineer was never a part of her plans.

August Tate is still reeling from taking on guardianship of his teen sister. Determined to find a solution to her degenerative hearing loss and to prevent his private recording studio from going under, he agrees to produce audiobooks part-time. When Sophie breathes new life into his creativity and forms an unexpected bond with his sister rooted in their common faith, he must confront the reasons he turned away from his own or risk losing the second chance he's only just started to believe in.

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

I knew I was going to love this book from the dedication and verse at the beginning. It was for everyone “who has ever prayed for a prodigal’s return.” And my life verse: Romans 8:38 & 39. 

Every time I read a book by this author, I know I am in for a beautiful story full of real-life problems with heavenly solutions. This was such a vital look at how we see ourselves and how others see us and accept us or not. The author gives a clear Gospel message that not only how Jesus saves us, but how He sees us and loves us unconditionally. How He has plans for our lives that use the gifts that He has given us. And how “God works in every circumstance in our lives. Even the hardest ones.” 

I appreciated Gabby and her hearing loss and the American Sign Language aspect of the story. The peek into voicing audio books was really interesting. 

Ms. Deese is not afraid to write about thorny family issues such as Sophie, August and Gabby were facing, and offering God as the remedy. 

This was another skillfully written book that offered realistic characters, a wonderful romance, family discord, supportive friends and even a little intrigue. 

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.

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Reviewer: Winnie Thomas

I always jump at the chance to read a Nicole Deese book, because I know I’m in for a deep and emotionally moving tale. Her stories are never predictable, always satisfying, and full of inspiration. I love the depth of the characters. They’re carefully crafted—each with their own problems, flaws, and strengths. 

The Voice We Find is one of my favorite books that Deese has written. She has obviously put much thought and careful research into the construction and development of the plot. It is full of creativity and imagination, which makes for a beautiful and memorable tale. The many twists and turns kept me turning pages. 

The main characters are relatable and engaging. Sophie Wilder is a musical actress with a dysfunctional family she is semi-estranged from. When her Broadway career ends in disgrace, she returns home to recuperate and regroup. 

August Tate owns a private recording studio who is offered a side gig as an audiobook producer. He is also guardian of his teenage sister Gabby, who has a degenerative hearing loss because of an accident which killed their parents. When Sophie is hired to narrate the audiobooks, their paths collide. I loved all the witty banter between them and the way their relationship changed and grew. 

Deese is a talented and gifted storyteller who obviously puts much thought into her stories. She tackles some hefty subjects with beauty and grace and emotion. Redemption, healing, forgiveness, family, faith, and hope all combine to give this story inspirational depth. It is part of her Fog Harbor series but can be read as a stand-alone book. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing via Interviews & Reviews. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

“But hope is a strange thing. It keeps right on living even when you feel like dying.”

It’s another tear-inducing, heart-warming, completely gratifying novel from Nicole Deese. The author has a gift for creating stories that start with regrets, grief, and heartache, but transform into beacons of hope, faith, redemption, and dreams realized. I love her emphasis on community and family, which shone extra brightly in this book.

Sophie and August’s first person voices were honest, down-to-earth, and relatable. Their banter was witty and clever and showed how resilient they were in the aftermath of loss and grief. 

I loved Sophie’s gift for theater and August’s gift for music. I learned quite a bit about music and audiobook production, deaf community in theater, and management of a winery which were all fascinating. 

Gabby’s first person voice through her voice memos were precious and allowed the reader to see into her heart. The faith thread was strong throughout the book and it was wonderful to see Sophie take baby steps and August to find forgiveness and mercy. The voices that each of the main and secondary characters finds are memorable and treasure-worthy. But I am still waiting for my story about Chip, the editor at Fog Harbor, and I’m hoping his story is next.

This is a must-read if you are looking for a contemporary romance that will make you laugh, cry, and burst with joy. It’s one of my top 2025 reads. 

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House via Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese is an emotional contemporary romance that immerses readers in the world of ASL (American Sign Language), the hearing-impaired and personal trauma that many people may relate to.

In this story, we have three different perspectives. August Tate is a recording engineer with his own studio. He is the guardian of his teenage hearing-impaired sister Gabby. After their parents died in a horrible train wreck, we slowly experience the aftermath and how it affected both August (who feels guilty for how he left things with his parents) and Gabby, who suffered a brain injury during the crash.

We also meet Sophie Wilder, an actress who suffered a traumatic event as a teenager, which came back to haunt her onstage. She also suffered verbal and emotional abuse from her family. The author brilliantly peels back the layers of Sophie’s life and the phobias she lived with. She does the same thing with August and Gabby and how the traumatic death of their parents affected them and their relationship with God.

This novel is beautiful in its prose. Its title is perfect as each character strives to find their voice amid the turmoil in their lives. The faith element was perfect and very realistic. The romance was genuine and sweet.

This was the first time I’ve read a novel by this author. It won’t be my last. I highly recommend it!

​I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley for my honest review.

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Reviewer: Diana Lea

Wow, what a read!

For those who are standing in the gap, believing in their loved ones, this book will reaffirm for you that God is surely putting the pieces of our lives together for good in a way that is more than we can ask or think or imagine.

The story comes alive quickly and moves along at a good pace. The characters relate well to one another. Sophie, August and his sister Gabby each have their own very interesting life events they are navigating. The way they were put together to create the whole story was absolutely wonderful!

I loved that the author shared the characters’ thoughts in addition to their dialogue. These provided great laughable moments.

Though there are multiple plot lines, it was easy to follow. I was able to glide from one revelation to the next secret and then revelation… so satisfying a read.

I really like reading stories where there is a spiritual crisis of sorts. The sureness and steadfastness of those characters who believe is the way that I would imagine God reveals himself to those who are hurting. This storyline and these characters have it all. Gladly, there are no cliffhangers here. We were given a satisfying ending that ties up the many loose ends.

As our characters found a place of healing, they also find their true voices. I whole heartedly recommend this book to anyone who has ever not been heard, those who have prayed for one who was hurt and thus became the silent one, and to those who believe in our God of Hope who sees and knows and has a plan to bring into existence His loving plans into our broken lives.

Those who love inspirational stories will find this one top on their list. Other areas of interest found here are the mission field, adoption, hearing loss and American Sign Language.

I received a complimentary copy of this book courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley via Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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