How do I even begin to write a review for this book? Reading it made my heart smile. I wept through portions of it and nearly prayed for characters are points. I have long enjoyed Nicole Deese's work, but this was so stunningly profound. God's hand at work is all over this book.

'I'm not sure I can say what feeling close to God feels like exactly.....'

I will readily admit that the character of Mollie was not my favorite at first. She seemed a little self absorbed. But sometimes you have to delve below the surface to what lies beneath. She learned some very important lessons in this book and her growth astounded me.

'I suppose that's something we all want in life, no matter how old we get, to find that special place where we fit.'

And Silas....well, Silas was just off the page amazing. His love for these kids and for God deeply touched me. I want to be like him. But still, even with his integrity, he could still learn from the Lord.

Ah...how I wanted to be standing there during this book at times! These kids, their mentors, their lives. Deese has written a winner here in every way. This one is destined for the keeper shelf and to be read again and again. I am actually getting teary eyed writing this review. Not to be missed, folks. Powerful and heart moving. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. I received no compensation and the opinion in this review is expressly my own.

This book!!!!!! First off, I loved that it shined a light on what happens to kids that age out of the system and the great need there is for homes and places for them to learn how to be an adult and have people on their side.. Some dear friends of mine just started working at a home just like this book so it was really neat to get a small glimpse of what they do day to day! Second, the end of this book had me questioning whether my chills were from a fever or the goosebumps of the amazing last few chapters! Thankfully it was the latter. Highly, highly recommend this book!!!!!

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese is fun, deep, and enjoyable to read. The book seems to have the classic formula of an out-of-touch-with-the-plight-of-regular-humans rich girl who finds herself forced to mingle with those who have significantly less than she. Enter the dream guy who clearly is baffled by the perceived shallowness and you can imagine where things go from there. Yet, somehow Deese manages to put a fresh voice to the formula and endears the reader to her heroine, Molly McKenzie.

The best part of this story was that the author takes a person that is stereotyped as shallow and self-centered and shows there is a lot going on beneath the surface. There is so much story to be told, and Deese does so in ways that keep readers interested and wanting to learn what happens to Molly McKenzie. This book manages to captivate and reveal a great deal about the human condition.

Readers will find all sorts of swoon-worthy moments and won't know whether the next page will bring laughter, disgust, or tears. This story really hits all of the points that one wants to see in a transformational romantic piece. Settle in and enjoy the ride as Molly McKenzie takes Silas Whittaker by storm.

Nicole Deese is quickly becoming one of my auto buy authors. I absolutely loved A New Shade of Summer and Before I called You Mine. Both of these novels have a place on my keeper shelf. I love that the storyline for All That Really Matters is so different and that it addresses a topic that definitely needs more attention.

I was quickly drawn into this story. Molly’s personality is bright and engaging and I liked her immediately. Her growth throughout this story was so good and believable. Silas...sigh....Silas is definitely my favorite character! I really loved him. I loved watching his feelings for Molly grow. And I loved his heart for these new adults that have aged out of the foster system.

I really loved that this book was from both Silas and Molly’s POV. It really made me feel like I knew both characters equally. I also enjoyed the secondary characters and I’m hoping there will be a book 2 about Molly’s brother! My one tiny complaint about this story is that I felt like the very end had a bit of an infomercial feeling to it. Don’t miss this one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Nicole Deese has written her best novel yet in my humble opinion. I couldn't put it down. Why? I loved everything about it! Being in the jewelry fashion industry for 30 years and loving missions, this book was right up my alley. The heroine was authentic and adorable. She is the kind of gal you'd want as your bestie. And the hero, well he may be my new book boyfriend. In fact, he is my new book boyfriend. My emotions were all over the place. This book has lots of fun humor and it also had some sweet heartwarming scenes that made me tear up. And, of course romance. Ahh! Sweet romance.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Nicole Deese is incapable of penning a bad book. That's all there is to it. She is one of my favorite authors and this book just solidifies that spot. While this book is lighter on the romance than some of her others, I still fell in love with the hero (and yay for a Hispanic hero!!!!). The message within the pages is so poignant and the development of the character of the heroine (from a bit self-absorbed to seeing how she could use her position for others) from cover-to-cover is a journey you want to be along for the ride on. A book you'll be thinking about after you turn the last page.

After how much I had adored Nicole Deese's last book, Before I Called You Mine, I literally couldn't wait to read this one. I've come to expect great things from this author, and she's definitely one of my favorite contemporary Christian fiction authors.

I have to say though, that this one did take me quite awhile to get into it. Molly's character drove me up the wall for the first half of the book, and I had a hard time wanting to read through the many chapters where she comes across as selfish, vapid, shallow and superficial. While I did think her character definitely is redeemed by the end, I still wouldn't say she was a character I really ended up enjoying. I did enjoy Silas as a character, but I have to be honest and say that my favorite part of this one ended up being the focus on the group home and not the romance. I love how Nicole Deese isn't scared to tackle controversial subjects, and I love how much attention was brought to youth aging out of the foster care system through this heartwarming story.

I've lately found the whole social media influencer thing kind of on the annoying side, and I ended up loving how Molly's character comes to learn the truth: happiness is not found in material things, but only through a true relationship with Christ. I loved how the reader sees a transformation in her when she begins to truly understand this, and I adored her relationship with Miles and her friendship with Val. I'd truly love to see the author write Miles and Val's story next, as I could definitely get behind that.

I truly think Nicole Deese is an amazingly talented storyteller, and I always appreciate the extra tidbits she throws in; like the text conversations between Silas and Molly. However, I did have one other complaint with this one that I feel I need to mention. I personally thought this story seemed a bit too long, and I thought there were many chapters through the first half of the story that were hard to get through as they didn't seem to add too much to the actual story in my opinion.

Overall though, I think this is another beautiful tale by one of my favorite author's and I will be recommending it. I do still prefer Before I Called You Mine, but this was a pretty great story in its own right.

Final Rating: 4/5.

Thanks so much to Bethany House for allowing me to advance read this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Bethany House) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to give a positive review.

This is a perfect book to get lost in, I absolutely loved All That Matters by Nicole Deese! I discovered this author a few months ago and have been working on her backlist of highly addictive stories ever since!

Molly McKenzie, a mega personality social media influencer, and Silas who started The Bridge as a home for 18+-year-olds who age out of the foster care system meet when she wants to volunteer. They are complete opposites in every way. Loved every minute of this journey of self-discovery, and sweet romance, funny banter, and surprising depth. Loved the purpose of The Bridge, and how after many twists and turns the story takes as Molly discovers what is really important.


"The youth in our program don't need more grit. They need more grace to be seen, heard, known. To be real."
"I hadn't intentionally withheld information from him, but Silas wasn't the type who would willingly stand under a waterfall of details, either."
"About The only thing you have control over is your attitude and your heart."

I highly recommend All That Really Matters. I thank the publisher and net galley for reading an early copy. All opinions are my own.

All That Really Matters has to be one of the best books I’ve read in ages. It was exactly what I needed, totally addictive - I literally couldn’t put it down - and just so good!!! I really must go back and ensure I have read all of Nicole Deere’s books because she is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.

All That Really Matters is an uplifting story that had be smiling right from the start. It is a book with so much heart. It is a wonderful romance and the relationship that builds between the two main character is genuine and caring and full of trust and patience, which is so lovely. Be still be beating heart. I loved, loved, loved this book.

Molly Mackenzie is an Influencer. She has built a very successful career and successful business for herself. When her manager suggests taking on a good cause to help boost her followers she asks her brother to pass her the name of something suitable. She doesn’t expect what she finds at the The Bridge Youth Home. The first surprise is Silas - young, good looking, very formal and unimpressed with her interview. She doesn’t expect to get turned away. Molly is also surprised by how her quick glimpse of The Bridge intrigues her. When her determination finally impresses Silas, Molly is surprised by how quickly she comes to care for the program and the special young people it helps.

This is such a genuinely lovely story. Firstly, I loved Molly. She is utterly authentic. She is vibrant and enthusiastic. It’s no wonder that the team and residents come to love her and it is easy to love her as a reader. Then there is Silas. Dear reserved, formal, careful Silas. He too is incredibly caring and patience. What he does for the people in his life is amazing and it is no wonder Molly becomes intrigued by him and then falls for him.

I adored all of the side characters. Okay, there is one I don’t like, but we are not meant to like him. None of residents at The Bridge, the mentors, Molly’s friend and brother feel like side characters. They are all a very important part of the story and bring so much to it. They are all well developed, so it felt like their story equally. There are a couple that I am really hoping feature in their own book. That would mean we get to return to this fantastic setting and wonderful cast of characters.


I just wish I could read this book for the first time again. I’ll content myself with rereading it and waiting for what Deese gifts us readers next. I can’t wait.

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

Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog <a href="https://madisonslibrary.com">Madison's Library</a>

I'm pretty sure I have read all of Nicole Deese's books....and I know that I have enjoyed them all. But this one...this one is special, and it is by far my favorite!

Molly McCormick is a successful influencer of "Makeup Matters with Molly." She is on the verge of a next-level breakthrough in her career, and is encouraged by her agent/boyfriend to find a human interest cause to partner with....all to demonstrate why she should become the host of a new Netflix show. After a series of (amusing) missteps, Molly eventually becomes a mentor at The Bridge, a program that assists young adults in successfully transitioning to adulthood.

Silas Whittaker, Director of The Bridge, has some deep seated reasons that drive his passion that the program be not only successful, but duplicated. And he's not sure if Molly is a distraction, or just what the program - and he - needs.

The author bounces back and forth between Silas and Molly's POV, and they are both compelling. The combination of witty repartee along with serious life issues are powerful. The journey and solutions to the conflicts are fresh and interesting. I am PASSIONATE about recommending this book. :)

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

In our world filled with perfectly curated Instagram feeds and internet celebrities showing us everything we need to have the perfect life, All That Really Matters but Nicole Deese is a very timely story. Molly McKenzie is a successful Instagram sensation with hundreds of thousands of followers and a seemingly picture perfect life. However, Molly never has time to actually live and have real relationships with anyone. Molly’s journey is very relatable as she begins to volunteer with kids that have aged out of foster care and begins to discover what really matters in life.
I really enjoyed reading this book and thought Nicole Deese did a well thought out and accurate portrayal of the influencing world. I also learned more about foster care and the problems children face as they aren’t yet adults but also are too old to stay in the system. The romance between Silas and Molly is funny, sweet and everything I hoped for. As for the ending, it is nothing short of surprising and absolutely perfect!

Goodness gracious! I loved this book! The characters here are relevant to today as the main characters are a social media influencer and a director of a home for aged out foster kids.
Silas or 'Super Silas" couldn't have been more of a perfectionist and a by-the-rules guy. And Molly with her impressive online presence could not have been more about her image. Molly becomes a volunteer out of necessity with the kids but soon comes to love and care for them. And as Molly and Silas work together, God works in Molly's life to show her 'all that really matters'.
This book is written in first person with dual perspectives. I so loved hearing both voices.
I loved the humor, particularly the texts Silas and Molly sent each other.
And there is plenty of emotion in this book, serious issues and faith issues.
This is a book I will read again. I recommend it highly!
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

#AllThatReallyMatters #NetGalley

I read this one quick, I loved it. Molly McKenzie loves social media and has a following, her manager/boyfriend has a plan for Molly to increase the amount of followers she has, it will not only jumpstart her career but possibly get her noticed by Hollywood. Molly finds a home that helps underprivileged young adults, but she has an ulterior motive for trying to be a mentor. The director of the home is Silias Whittaker and he is against social media. A great book that I would read again.

This book really surprised me. My first impression is that the characters were vapid and didn't have much substance. Molly McKenzie is a social media influencer for make-up and fashion. She has a talent manager/boyfriend who encourages her to find a worthy cause to help her image and put her in the running for a NetFlix series on helping underprivileged youth. Through her twin brother, she finds a group home for young adults who have aged out of foster care. When she gets involved with the girls during the summer, she learns more about herself than she ever thought possible.

Like I said, I thought the book was shallow and it was hard for me to plow through far enough to begin to see the growth of Molly and the other characters. There is quite a bit of conflict that make the plot move, after a slow start. I was pleasantly surprised and gratified at how the book ended up. Nicole Deese left enough clues to make sure that readers would be looking for a sequel.

Three and a half stars, but I'll round up to four.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Molly McKenzie is a fashion influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers. In order to snag a sweet gig as a program host for Netflix, she needs to find a good cause to add some volunteer credibility to her resume. Silas Whittaker runs an organization that supports young people who have aged out of the foster care system. What will happen when their two worlds collide? Find out in this excellent, inspirational novel about second chances, hope, and believing in miracles.

I loved this book! It's the first book I've read by Nicole Deese, but I already looked up her other books.
I really liked the characters. They were well developed and unique. The romance was sweet. But, the best part is the plot centered around a transitional home for young people aging out of foster care. Their stories made this story stand out as the best romance novel I've read in a while.
Overall, fantastic read. What I thought would be a fun, easy read was deep and thought-provoking..
Must read for fans of Christian fiction!

YouTube influencer Moly McKenzie has a shot at a new TV show, but her manager tells her she needs to add youth-oriented volunteer work to catch the producer’s attention. Enter The Bridge House, where teens who have aged out of foster care have housing and support to start school or training for a year or two. Unfortunately for Molly, the director denies her application after seeing her film an Insta in the lobby. Molly is determined to change his mind, with a resulting eye-opening and life-changing experience for all concerned. Deese keeps it real - nothing and no one is without challenges - but wraps the real-life problems with humor, faith and deceptively easy reading. I will be looking for more by this author. Recommended!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks NetGalley Publisher and author for this ebook copy.

This is a different genre type I usually tend to not get into. But this was not the case with All That Really Matters.
This book touched real stuff and read topics. The characters showed real emotion and I loved that. The story is just simply great. I hope yall enjoy this read also.

ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS by NICOLE DEESE is a well written novel which is equal parts amusing and serious, as top trending influencer, Molly McKenzie of Makeup Matters with Molly, meets Silas Whittaker, his staff and the underprivileged and hurting young adults at The Bridge Youth Home. Her life will never be the same.
I love the way the author shows us this self-focused young woman, whose only friends are on line, excepting for her even more self-focused boyfriend/agent, learning what really matters in life.
It is a very real book with very real characters and in which the author addresses very real issues. The Christian message is also very real.
I cannot recommend All That Really Matters highly enough. It is a most enjoyable and lovely read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Another winner from Deese. This tackles serious, timely issues and takes faith seriously, but offers romance too.

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