I was expecting this to be a contemporary romance, because all the other Robin Lee Hatcher novels I’ve read have been contemporary romances. So I was surprised when I started reading and found it’s a dual timeline story. Yes, the book description says this, but I guess I saw “Robin Lee Hatcher” and didn’t read the the book description properly. I knew I’d enjoy it.

And I did.
In the present story, Jessica Morgan is an artist who is expecting her dead husband’s baby while still recovering from his death, and the death of their daughter. Jessica has shut herself away from friends and life, but that changes when Ridley Chesterfield moves in next door. Ridley and his adopted stray dog challenge Jessica to come out of her shell.

I enjoyed watching Jessica grow past her grief and open up to live and love. However, if I had a criticism of Who I Am With You, it would be that she recovered from the lost of her daughter more quickly than seemed natural given the way she was portrayed at the beginning of the story. But I loved the way Ridley was able to bring Jessica out of her shell and back to church even while he was dealing with his own personal crisis.

In the past story, Andrew and Helen Henning are starting their perfect married life when Andrew loses his job. In the early weeks of what becomes the Great Depression. I didn’t enjoy the past story as much (hey, I’m a contemporary romance fan and the Great Depression is, well, somewhat depressing).

But the past story was compelling, and it set the scene for this contemporary story, and the next. And while I liked Ridley as a romance hero who faced internal and external challenges, his were minor in comparison to Andrew’s challenges. Overall, Who I Am With you is a great story filled with spiritual truth … and a couple of pointed comments on the current political climate.

Recommended for fans of dual timeline stories with a heart of faith.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Who I Am with You is the perfect title for this book. Rarely do I feel that a title expresses the feeling of the story as this one did. The main characters, Jessica and Ridley evolve through the story to become new people together. The reader sees this as they deal with past life events and move into a new season in their lives.
This is a dual story line between Jessica in the current day and her grandfather in the 1930s. Grandfather’s Bible has been given to Jessica. Typically this is not my favorite type of story but I felt the author dealt with it perfectly. The theme of forgiveness was strong in both stories. Having the courage to step out, let go of the past but learn from it and move on was central to both stories.
I was glad to know that this is a series and the next book will continue the journey of the Bible.
It was a wonderfully moving love story. I recommend it highly.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Jessica is struggling with the death in a car accident some months earlier of her husband and daughter - and with the fact that, though no one else knew it, her husband was planning to leave her. Ridley is struggling with the effects of being used as a scapegoat in a political scandal. Neither is looking for a relationship, but something seems to be growing between them anyway. Will they be able to move past their respective struggles and look to a shared future?

From the blurb I read of this story, I expected a lot more of Jessica reading and finding helpful notes from her great-grandfather's Bible. In actual fact, you get snippets of his story along the way (I would have liked more), and very little of her reading the Bible, let alone any notes. Overall, though I enjoyed both stories (past and present), the links between the two seemed to me conspicuously absent. It almost felt as if the author had intended to weave them together but Jessica refused to ever pick up the Bible and read it, so the links never quite made it into the story. I think I can only recall one case in which she opened and read it, and then she read only one note anyway.

Having said all that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially the great-grandfather's approach to dealing with his marital problems, and it would have been a five-star book for me had not the lack of linkage knocked off half a star. I hope to read more by the author in future.

Characters: Felt realistic, but would have liked to see more of the great-grandfather.
Storyline: A dual storyline, with the 'present' told from two points of view - but it was always clear what was what. Well done, though I would have liked more links between the two storylines.
Content and language: Clean, well written, no issues noted.
Message: The need for forgiveness of others came through strongly, but in a good way.
Rating: 4.5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Who I Am With You is a unique, touching story of forgiveness. I loved how Jessica and Ridley realized they had to forgive others before they could build a relationship. Robin Lee Hatcher shared with her readers how Jessica's great grandfather also had to give forgiveness and build a new relationship with God and with his wife. This book has two separate stories going on - one in the 1930s and one modern day. I recommend Who I Am With You to others. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

This is a sweet dual time line story that covers two generations many years apart. Jessica Mason is dealing with losses-her husband and daughter were killed in a wreck a year ago and then her grandmother Frani died a few months ago. Shortly after her husband and daughter died, she found out that she is pregnant. In addition to mourning their death, unknown to anyone else, she is also living with the knowledge that her husband was angry with he left that morning. He had asked for a divorce and they argued. Did she contribute to the wreck? She dearly misses her young daughter. After her grandmother's funeral, Jessica's mom gave her a Bible that her grandmother Frani had that had been her father's. Great grandfather Andrew Henning was a young college graduate when the Great Depression hit. Andrew had just been married and started a new job at a bank at the time but unfortunately lost his job. He and his wife had to move in with her parents on their farm while he continued looking for a job in a bank. During this time, his wife had a miscarriage that devastated the couple. Eventually, he found a job in another town as a teller but the separation caused problems in his marriage.
Ridley Chesterfield worked for a political candidate in Boise, Idaho as an IT specialist. When rumors started about the candidate, he was accused of leaking the rumors. To escape the media circus, he moved to his parents' newly purchased vacation/soon to be retirement home in a nearby small town for the summer and wound up living next door to Jessica.
There are similarities in the marriages of Jessica and her great grandfather. They both had to deal with hurt from the spouses and had to overcome pain and disappointment. Ridley is reeling from the unfair accusations and where to go from there. Who would hire him in the future? He is only at the vacation house for the summer. Ridley and Jessica develop a friendship that helps them both heal and move on. Jessica finds comfort in Andrew's Bible and his notes in the Bible. This is a sweet story of romance, forgiveness, healing, faith and courage to move forward from a painful past.
I received a complimentary ARC from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed are mine only.

I have read numerous Robin Lee Hatcher books and have found them all really well written and engaging. They are sweet stories with strong messages of faith, love, hope, forgiveness, etc. I love how Hatcher weaves these themes into her books so seamlessly. They don’t feel forced or hokey. Who I Am With You fell right in line with my expectations! From the moment I saw the cover I knew it was a book I wanted to add to my reading list. I fell in love with the characters from the very first pages. I was intrigued by their stories. There were some elements that were kind of obvious but then there were plenty of other elements that were complete surprises. I did wish I could see a little more deeper into the inner mind of the characters. I feel like a little more introspection would have helped me develop the characters in my mind further. I did feel like I could find things in each character that I could relate to. That definitely helped keep my interest. I found the story sweet throughout, even though the characters are dealing with some big issues. There wasn’t any huge cliff hanger type scenes. However, even without something huge happening in the plot I still felt like I was able to stay engaged with the story and never felt like I was bored. I did question the power of the 2nd storyline of Jessica’s great-grandfather. I felt like the connection between the 2 stories could have been stronger. They kind of felt disconnected in my mind a little bit. This is a great read. I love Robin Lee Hatcher’s stories and will continue to seek them out for lighthearted clean romance with great Christian themes.

I received a copy of this book from Robin Lee Hatcher as a member of her book launch team. I was in no way required to write a positive review. Being on the launch team has in no way impacted my review. All thoughts are my own.

I'm giving this book 5 stars because I like the author and she almost never disappoints!!
I liked the time duo but I thought Andrew's story kind of got cut short where Jessica and Ridley's story were a tad longer.
I wanted to wrap Jessica in my arms and tell her to take it to God and that it would work out in His time.
I liked how Ridley looked out for Jessica. Neighbors aren't like that anymore.
I liked how the author wove past with present except past was too short!!
I really admired Andrew for reasons that are unexplained.
I admired his courage through the hard times and I really admired him for always keeping the faith.
This book is about forgiveness too.
Sometimes it's hard to forgive others and I'm still struggling with this everyday.
There were some good quotes in there as well.
I love how Robin weaves those into her story. She writes with her heart on this book.
I strongly recommend this book. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and no compensation were received. All opinions are my own.

Wonderful way to begin a series of books. I loved the way it went from present to the past. The people in the past and the present were seeming to learn some of the same lessons. I did not want this book to end and I am so looking forward to the next book in the series. I loved Jessica and Ridley and Andrew. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Who I am With You is a sigh-worthy story that takes you through the highs and lows of life and love and comes out on the other side more sure of God and His goodness.
I loved this story because it didn’t shy away from the hard stuff. Robin Lee Hatcher took in the sorrows and struggles of real-life relationships, and it made this fiction love story feel more authentic.
I also loved the history woven into it. With time-lapse stories or contemporary novels with a historical thread, often the story is told from the viewpoint of two women. This story comes from both Jessica and Ridley’s viewpoints, but in the past it’s from Andrew Henning’s—Jessica’s great-grandfather—view. Which I loved more than I thought I would.

“God would always bring her through. He was there in the joy, and He was there in the sorrow. He was there in the sameness and the surprises. He was with her always, just as He’d promised.”

That’s probably my favorite quote from the book. There’s a lot of background that leads up to it, but I loved how simply it was put, but how all-encompassing it was.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Who I Am With You is the story of Andrew Henning who lived in Kuna, Idaho and married Helen Greyson in 1929. The Great Depression had a profound effect on the Hennings' lives, but together they recovered emotionally and spiritually. It is also the story of Andrew and Helen's great-granddaughter, Jessica Mason, who, pregnant and widowed, lived in Hope Springs, Idaho during current times. Jessica lived for a long time acting a part and pressing down true feelings, but through her great-grandfather's Bible and her new neighbor, Ridley Chesterfield, is ready to allow God to do a new work in her. Ridley, too, is seeking a new direction after being falsely accused of underhandedness, and having his integrity questioned. He felt that a time apart from society and alone with God would provide that direction, but was totally amazed at where God lead him, and with whom.

Who I Am With You is a tale about who we can be through God in spite of our mistakes and circumstances. It is about the person we can be aided by those whom God places in our lives, about deciding to love and to allow ourselves to be loved, and deciding to forgive and trust again. I recommend this book to those who love a sweet, heart-warming story, and especially to those who need hope in their lives.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the second read in this series.
With a theme of forgiveness resounding through decades, we see how hurt people go through their daily lives, and wonder if they will be able to find the peace that God offers?
A priceless bible from an unknown great grandfather given to her with the knowledge that she will know when to pass it on. Can you imagine holding this book in your hands and reading his remarks and the verses he underlined, what a treasure.
There is a bit of sweet romance here, but there is also some heartbreak, betrayal, and death of loved ones, but there is also Hope offered here, and we are there to witness it first had through the words of the author.
I loved going back and forth between the decades, but at times I didn’t want to leave where I was, but was always happy to go back. I highly recommend this read, one you won’t want to put down.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

This was my first Robin Lee Thatcher book and although I have never read a Christian romance, I found this a heart warming story about getting over loss and moving forward. It is about forgiveness. I loved the dual point of view but most of all I loved how she intertwined Jessica’s great grandfather’s story into the book. At parts it was a little too preachy for me, but that is probably because it wasn’t what I was expecting. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Romances and to anyone who would like to try a different genre.

I loved this love story and wish it didn't end! Robin can tell a page turning love story like no other. Jessica and Ridley's story is not to be missed and the forgiveness in this book was so refreshing. I was so excited to meet Hope too. What an inspirational story! I love the way the author used the tough subject of adultery and weave a beautiful story of forgiveness and hope. Can't wait for the next book!

5 stars
“Jessica Mason isn’t looking for love when she meets Ridley Chesterfield. Instead she is still reeling from the tragic, unexpected loss of her husband and daughter—and awaiting the arrival of her unborn child. Harboring the secret of her husband’s betrayal, her pain is deeper than anyone knows. Who I Am With You weaves together a modern-day romance with Jessica’s great-grandfather’s story from the 1930s, reminding us that some truths can cross generations and that faith has the power to transform families forever.”

I absolutely was drawn into this dual story from the very first page. I identified with the struggles of both Jessica and Ridley. This story just felt right. It just melted my heart. Jessica’s friends are so wonderful as they protect and love her through her grief. Ridley is a man running from a scandal he did not cause but is being blamed for causing.
I cannot say enough good things about the dual story-line of Andrew, Jessica’s grandfather. He is such a noble man who loves his family and is a man of tremendous faith who is dealing with and living through the great depression.
I was thrilled when I realized this is just the first book in a new series! I am so anxious to read the next part of this remarkable story. Robin Lee Hatcher is a phenomenal writer. She deftly shows the power of faith and prayer while writing characters who struggle and even fail at times but still love God.
I so highly recommend this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own. #WhoIAmWithYou #NetGalley #ThomasNelson

I was so incredibly delighted with this book! I’ve been reading Robin Lee Hatcher since before I knew Christian Romance was a genre, but I was truly touched by this story that begins when a Bible is passed down to Jessica that once belonged to her great grandfather.

While Jessica is holding onto pain & a secret betrayal after the death of her husband and daughter, Ridley is trying to escape from his own as personal nightmare. Yet somehow their faith turns their hurts into a beautiful gift that neither of them are prepared to receive. Once they let go of their pain & open their hearts to what God is speaking to them, they both find a way to both give and gracefully accept their blessings.

All the while that the reader witnesses their relationship blossoming, a separate story is being told about Jessica‘s great grandfather during the years of the Great Depression. I loved the back and forth tapestry that is woven between the present and the past, essentially providing two love stories. Four flawed, imperfect people finding their way through difficult times, and four hearts finding healing in their faith and in their chosen partners. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I didn't realize that this book is actually two stories woven together into one piece, but I really liked how that worked out. There is the story we see in the synopsis, with Jessica and Ridley, but there is also the story of Jessica's grandparents, during the Great Depression, which works as a nice parallel. All four main characters have their flaws, and are suffering through struggles and trials, but the book is about their journey through these hard times and emotions and into healing, together. It is also about their journey back to God after feeling that he has foresaken them. I look forward to the second book in this series, which will vacillate between modern day and World War II era.

Who I Am With You is a charming and touching story of forgiveness and recovering from great loss. It’s about love and family and commitment and finding a beautiful connection with someone. Thoroughly enjoyable, it’s guaranteed to bring a tender smile to your face.

It has only been a few months since the tragic death of her daughter and husband, but Jessica’s family was falling apart long before that fateful car accident. Now a few months pregnant, Jessica has isolated herself from her friends, running her art and design business from home, until Ridley Chesterfield moves into the house next door. Ridley, too, had has his life shaken when his reputation was tarnished across national media. Ridley and Jessica find common ground and they start to develop a sweet friendship that helps them each rebuild faith in themselves, God and the people around them. But as their feelings grow, neither is sure if the timing is right for something more than friendship.

I really enjoyed this first book in a new series by Robin Lee Hatcher. What the synopsis doesn’t allude to is the dual stories included within this book. At the start of Jessica’s story she receives a bible handed down from her great-grandfather to her grandmother to her. Interspersed with Jessica’s story are sections from Jessica’s great-grandfather, Andrew Henning, as he faced the challenges of the Great Depression, starting a family, loss, and family breakdown and how he kept his faith through all trials. While Jessica doesn’t learn of these stories, his bible gives her the same strength and support to rebuild her faith and continue on through everything she has to face.

I loved Jessica and Ridley’s relationship. What starts as a simple acquaintance slowly grows into a beautiful friendship, and, through shared understanding, patience and a little attraction, something more. The peaceful setting and charming small town of Hope Springs is the perfect backdrop for their story of renewal.

I am eagerly awaiting the second book in The Legacy of Faith series, I Cross My Heart, which continues the Henning family story as they face the looming Second World War and a new contemporary story as Jessica’s cousin takes the lead role in what is sure to be another charming and beautifully crafted story of love and faith.

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

There were a few years during which I read a lot of Christian fiction, mostly because the publishers were generous with review copies. When NetGalley started offering a variety of genres I started reading different things and often skipped the Christian fiction. This one caught my eye so I gave it a try. Unfortunately, though the basic storyline/romance was interesting, the book quickly became a sermon dressed up like a story and the characters became unrealistic. It is one of those too good to be true, find Jesus and all will be well type books.

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley. Grade: B-

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Robin Lee Hatcher writes Christian fiction that is always an enjoyable read. Her characters are welll developed and the story line is always interesting with out being too predictable or unrealistic. The main character has suffered some lossses and had distanced herself from God because of her life circumstances. The story tells how God uses our circumstances to teach us and draw us back into elation ship with him. Looking forward to reading the next book In This series.

'Some lessons a person had to learn for themselves and not from hearing the experiences of others.'

Jessica Mason is still suffering from the totally unexpected death of her husband and young daughter and now, a pregnant widow, who is also suffering from her husband's betrayal, she is trying to come to terms with the pain of the life she must now lead. Ridley Chesterfield has come to Hope Springs to get away from a political scandal and just wants to heal. He trusts God to get him through this. Jessica wonders where God is.

Interspersed throughout with snippets from the notes in her great grandfather's Bible, Jessica is feeling to pull on her heart to trust God again. Neither Jessica nor Ridley expects love at this point in their lives. But these two broken people, both having no reason to trust another person again, realize that putting their trust in God also means that He will give them the strength to trust others again.

I have been a Robin Lee Hatcher fan for many hears. I always will be. She writes deeply emotional stories that grab the reader's heart and draws them in completely. I highly recommend this one.

*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Net Galley. All opinions stated here are my own entirely.