This book is a story of self-discovery, loss, and finding healing in unexpected ways. Deese always creates a cast of characters you can’t help but root for, and she weaves themes of faith and life lessons in such a way that you can’t miss it. I especially loved the physical disability rep/ASL presence in the story—it was one of my favorite aspects of the plot! This book is a beautiful story of finding healing and chasing dreams that feel impossible.

Favorite quote: “Nothing is ever random. God has a plan for everything, and we’re all a part of it… There is nothing outside His redemption because redemption is His plan.”

Nicole Deese is a master storyteller. Her ability to write characters with such depth—where everything they’re experiencing feels as if it’s your own—is truly remarkable. I’ve said it before in my reviews of the first two books in this series: her stories grab hold of your heart from the very beginning and remain with you long after the last page.

My words—my review—will never quite measure up to what this story deserves, but I’ll try. I am in awe—simply in awe—of how a life that seems just out of reach can suddenly feel so real and familiar. Like it’s within walking distance of your own.

There are so many layers to this story: grief, shame, fear, loss. And yet, there is also light. Hope. Joy. Love. Redemption. There is new life—where the old is washed away and the new has come. Where the arms of a faithful Savior are not just thought of, but walked into. Where the presence of a loving and ever-faithful God is not only felt, but known.

I loved the relationship dynamics, especially between August and his sister Gabby, and Sophie and Gabby. Nicole tells their stories with such humility and care, and her representation of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community was full of grace and compassion.

I’ve loved each story in this series, but this one took hold of my heart in a slightly different way—a way I still can’t quite put into words—but one that I know will stay with me for a long time.

🌿 “Nothing is ever random. God has a plan for everything, and we’re all a part of it… There is nothing outside His redemption because redemption is His plan.”

✨ Thank you for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

It takes a lot for a book to make me cry, but this book hit all the right notes. It would be difficult to pick which of the books in my series (the first or this one) are my favorite, but this one was really working overtime. I started reading it and almost couldn’t stop. I sped through it in a few days and loved every second of it. The romance between August and Sophie was dreamy, full of yearning, and kept me, the reader, on my toes. While it did have a romance, the book also dealt with difficult topics, such as coming back to Christ after time away, wounds from our family, and how to heal after heartbreak (many different kinds).

This book is part of a series but doesn’t have to be read in order, though I have enjoyed escaping to the world that Deese has created. I would definitely recommend at least reading book one first because there are some characters that show themselves in this book. I can’t wait to dive into more Fog Harbor stories!

This is book 3 in the Fog Harbor series and it just might be my favorite one yet!

Sophie has found herself back home after a moment on stage earns her some bad reviews. Unfortunately, her family isn't exactly welcoming, and she finds herself living in a pool house and actively avoiding her brother (who is also her boss). Then she finds her stage skills translate well to voice acting, and she finds herself recording audiobooks in a studio and belongs to August Tate.

August has left his dreams behind and moved back home to take care of his teenage sister after a tragedy hit their family. He's doing the best he can, and trying to adjust (and fix) her progressing deafness from an accident she was in. This means his best friend has convinced him to use his home studio for recording audiobooks, and while he's unsure about it (and the pretty girl that shows up to record), he just might change his attitude with a little time.

I loved everything about this book. Sophie's sweet spirit, and the way she really saw August. And the way she was with Gabby was just the sweetest! I loved the ASL representation, and as someone who once planned to go to school to be an ASL interpreter it had me itching to look for classes near me.

This story had so much personal growth, and growth in their faith. It made me laugh and cry and had me not wanting the story to end.

Such a beautiful story!

The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese is a standout in the Fog Harbor series, skillfully written with authentic voices and wonderful storytelling. I loved the romance between Sophie and August. It was tender and complex, with both characters having experienced trauma and finding healing in their art and nature. The story also beautifully explores themes of faith, identity, and acceptance, particularly through the character of Gabby, a deaf teenager. I appreciated how the heavier elements of the story were handled with sensitivity and care.

Overall, the book is a compelling and emotional read, with well-developed characters and a strong narrative. Loved it!

I received a copy from Baker Publishing Group via Net Galley, but a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Nicole Deese has done it again and added layers upon layers in this beautiful story. Sophie and August are navigating minefields—past and present. Neither is sure what the future holds, but rest assured, voices will be heard.
It’s charming and heartfelt. It has characters you won’t want to let go of. It has moments that seem impossible. It will make you think, and it will bless your soul 💞

Thanks so much for the review copy. I also bought a physical copy for my personal library. I really enjoyed this book and wish for more in this series.

Music producer August Tate is just keeping his financial head above water after relocating from LA to small-town beachfront Northern California to raise his adopted sister after their parents die in a train crash while on a mission trip.

Actress Sophie Wilder has reluctantly relocated from New York to her childhood home, a vineyard now managed by her older brother, the family golden child. She needs a job that doesn’t involve being onstage, so tries out as a voice actor for audiobooks. The two are brought together by Fog Harbor Books fiction editor Chip Stanton, who hires Sophie to narrate and August to produce audiobooks.

I will admit the first chapter confused me, because I thought the introductory line of “August” was when the story started, not the hero’s first name. It didn’t help that the story is written in first person, so it did take me a while to work out August was the character. Once I did, I was hooked.

The Voice We Find, like other books in the Fog Harbor series, has hidden depths. It’s an emotional story, a story about family and families (good and less good), and even has a small suspense element.

August’s sister is deaf, which allows us to see into the deaf community and experience some of their struggles. It’s great to see such positive and realistic portrayals of people with disabilities.

The story also has a strong faith component which was integral to the plot and character development, which I loved.
But the core of the story, the aspect that lifts it from good to great, is the way the character’s personal histories—especially Sophie’s—are woven together so they can each learn and grow … and find their voices.

I hope this isn’t the last of the Fog Harbor series, because Chip still hasn’t got his happy-ever-after ending …

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

This was my first read by this author and I loved it so much! I loved her writing style, it just flowed so smoothly. Sophie and August were such great characters. I loved that they each had flaws that they had to work on and things that happened in their past that affected them. August feels pressure with being guardian over his teen sister, Gabby, who is going deaf. He wants to help her get better but she seems to be accepting of her condition and is moving on with life and learning American Sign language. Sophie has some troubles with her brother as well. Sophie and August getting together was so beautiful. I loved how the author showed a fight between them and how realistic that was. This book tackles some tougher topics but is done so well. There was a lot of great Christian content through out the book as well. Overall, I just thought this was a fantastic read and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Content: kisses, parents death, some drinking

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“We may not know what comes next for us, but I do know I never want this song to end.”

This quote sums up perfectly how I feel about The Voice We Find & the entire Fog Harbor series! It’s profoundly moving, humorous at times, mysterious, & deeply romantic, with a beautiful faith thread everyone can see themselves in. This story in particular captured my heart & I instantly fell in love with August, Sophie, & Gabby.

Sophie Wilder returns home to her family’s winery after a heartbreaking failure on Broadway. Seen as the wayward child, she struggles to fit in with her family while trying to land back on her feet. When she’s offered an audiobook narrator audition, she finds instant success. But, the studio’s owner who hates her cat & seems aloof at times is a puzzle Sophie’s eager to solve. As they work together, their slow burn relationship turns to more as they share their deepest struggles. But, while Sophie’s rediscovering faith, August feels deeply resentful after his parents’ death & sister’s hearing loss.

August Tate is still grappling with being his teen sister’s guardian. After the accident damaged her hearing, he’s determined to find a cure whether Gabby wants it or not. He’s also struggling to keep his private recording studio afloat. When a friend offers him an audiobook gig, he agrees to do it part time. Meeting Sophie, he’s instantly attracted to not only her beauty & talent, but her sunny personality. When she meets his sister Gabby, they form a fast friendship & Gabby encourages Sophie to rediscover her faith. But, while Gabby’s faith only grew stronger after the accident, August’s has disappeared. As August’s relationship with Sophie grows, can she help him overcome his resentments & find faith again?

I absolutely adored this story of finding one’s voice after crushing challenges. August, Sophie, & Gabby were all such real, endearing characters. I was cheering for each of them to find happiness. The deaf community rep was so well done & I was moved by their struggles. I loved Sophie’s & August’s romance hashtag augie! The delightful humor, heartfelt romance, & deep faith along with a mystery twist near the end made this story unforgettable.

Highest of recommendations! I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a review, but also purchased the audiobook version. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily.

I’ve been looking forward to reading this book since I finished the other two in the series recently. They are all stand-alone books in the Fog Harbor series. And some of the best books I have read this year.

This book is so powerful and so amazing. What these characters have been through and the challenges they overcome is inspiring. There was one point where I was crying, reading the experiences of one particular character. And the way it was told, was even more emotional.

I thoroughly enjoyed how the author brought audiobooks into the story. Each book in this series is about books in some way and I loved that. This one has ASL! I appreciated the POV of Gabby, and how it was told through a creative way. I felt the representation of the deaf community was done well. There was another character in this book that shined, but I can’t mention the name for fear of spoilers.

August and Sophie, all the characters are wonderfully done, as always. Deese’s writing carries the story and how events and characters come together at the end were truly beautiful. There are also some surprises at the end that had me cheering for each character. The challenges and trauma each had gone through were hard, but so well written and represented.

I am looking forward to whatever Deese writes next!

I received a gifted eARC from the publisher. All views are my own.

I had a harder time settling into this book, unlike the other books in this series. I did listen to the audio for those though. And since this one was about audiobooks, I decided to wait and listen to it. Lol. I did enjoy the audio!

It was especially great to be reminded to "listen" to others - not the words, but the meaning and what they are trying to say. August wasn't really open to listening to his sister and it was beautiful to see how that evolved. I loved the deaf representation and the insight it gave me about how things work a little differently.

I love the message that our past choices don't and shouldn't affect our worth. Also, acceptance of tragedies and others' differing abilities. It was a beautiful story, with Christian faith elements. It didn't feel quite as organic to me in this book? Could be some bias on my part though as church the church attendance is different from my experiences.

There were also a lot of threads in the story that had to be all tied up at the end. Really hoping we get Chip's story at some point... :)

“August kisses me the way I imagine he’d compose an original song. Like he’s searching for each right note in a melody only he can hear.”

August and Sophie have such an intriguing, fascinating, and healing story and I’m team #augie all the way. There is so much to unpack in this breathtaking story full of hope and recovery, acceptance of the past and future, and all the complexities regarding relationships and love in its many facets. Nicole Deese is an amazing storyteller and portrays the most beautiful voices.

I was delighted to discover that August has perfect pitch and that Sophie is a former Broadway star. The way they worked together on audiobook narration had me wanting to actually listen to them, but it was their ability to connect through trauma that really solidified my love for them. The pieces of them that engaged with family and with religion anchored their characters to me and to the plot, and allowed for the heavier topics to serve as a bridge to growth and resolution. The romance was believable and the events that propelled them towards their wondrous ending were incredible. Natalie and Gabby were favorite side characters whose stories were woven in so well with our main characters–and I loved the deaf representation.

Although this is a poignant and sweet romance, full of forced proximity and caring for someone, there is so much more depth to the story than I first realized, and it’s even sprinkled with a dash of mystery that made this glittering book a dear favorite.

Content: talk of off-page death, hearing loss, trauma; mild romance; moderate religion

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given*

This trilogy is a beautiful collection of tender hearted romances full of redemption and healing.

I read the final book, The Voice We Find, last month. Sophie Wilder has just returned to California after suffering a panic attack onstage on Broadway, her career ruined and her family not pleased to see her. August Tate is still reeling from his parents’ death and taking guardianship of his sister, determined to find a cure for her degenerative hearing loss. The two come together on an audiobook narration project and find healing (and romance) together.

There’s a lot going on here:

🦻Deaf representation
🔎Unsolved crime
🎭Drama and stage performing
🏄‍♂️California surfing
🎧Audiobook love
🧠Trauma/PTSD
❤️‍🩹Healing and redemption
💞Found family
✝️Faith themes

I especially loved the handling of August’s sister’s hearing loss. I’m a big advocate for anti-ableism efforts, and I really appreciated the journey August went on to understand that deafness does not equal brokenness. (For more thoughts on disability justice I recommend “My Body Is Not A Prayer Request” by Amy Kenny.)

Each book in this series can be read as a standalone, but I loved the callbacks to characters from previous books.

Thanks so much to @nicoledeeseauthor and @bethanyhousefiction for a complimentary review copy. All thoughts are my own.

this was such a heartfelt, redemptive story that surprised me in all the right ways. i was especially drawn to the beautiful found family dynamic — those quiet, steady connections that form when people choose to show up for each other. both august and sophie had such meaningful redemption arcs. i loved watching august slowly reconnect with his sister gabby, and how sophie played such a gentle, pivotal role in helping bridge that gap. and sophie, in turn, found a family with both gabby and august. it was one one that felt earned and deeply emotional. the deaf representation was so beautifully written. i loved how sophie really made an effort to learn ASL, and how she helped gabby tell her story — MY HEART!!

i loved that august and sophie found connection through audiobook narration. there were some forced proximity moments that made my romantic heart flutter. sophie’s family was the worst, but there were twists and emotional moments i didn’t see coming. i especially loved how things worked out with sophie’s sister-in-law, natalie. that resolution was so full of grace. i also appreciated how well-rounded the story was overall. it balanced depth, heart, and a touch of intrigue while never losing sight of its characters’ journeys. this is such a beautiful addition to a wonderful series. fingers crossed that chip gets a book of his own!

content: kisses

thanks to bethany house for a gifted copy. my thoughts are my own.

Wow! Just wow! The Voice We Find was absolutely incredible. I have been truly impressed which each novel in the Fog Harbor series, but my words are inadequate as I write this review. This book, these characters, those messages; they all just filled me up and touched my heart leaving a lasting impression. I am going to remember this story for years to come. It’s the kind of book I feel blessed and grateful to have read. It is truly beautiful. I felt so much reading this story and I can only say how much I recommend it.
August, Sophie, and Gabby were so vulnerable and real. I wanted to hug each of their characters and hold their hands as they went on this journey. I loved the balance between grief, hope, friendship, love, healing, forgiveness, and faith. The representation for the deaf community was powerful and meaningful in every way. Everything was so poetically written and the prose stunning. I was absorbed from the start to the very end and for being a nearly 400 page book, I was so invested, I never wanted it to end since I didn’t want to leave these characters.
I also loved the insights into audiobooks and that part of the publishing world and both stage and voice acting. There were unexpected twists and moments and each new revelation in the story had me even more invested than the last. Deese has some serious skills when it comes to writing and this book reached right where I needed it. I fully recommend this story!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

More than a love story, The Voice We Find takes readers on a journey of discovery, both internal and relational, as we follow August and Sophie through their stories. The reader will love getting to know them and a cast of supporting characters. Faith is woven into the story in a gentle, natural way, enhancing the reader's experience.

The Voice We Find tackles complex topics with grace and dignity. Instead of looking at things like deafness, trauma, and PTSD with shame, Deese focuses on the beauty that can be found in each when we let the light of God in. But this book isn't all serious. There is plenty of humor, lightheartedness, and romance intertwined in the family stories of these dynamic characters.

From the start, we find both main characters struggling with their purpose and their relationship with God. Sophie has arrived home to fulfill the stipulations set forth by her grandmother’s will in order to receive her trust payout. Her family dynamics are difficult to say the least, and only made worse by her recent humiliation on Broadway. August gave up his music career to raise his orphaned younger sister, Gabby. Gabby lost most of her hearing in the accident that killed her parents, and she and August have very different perspectives on deafness, grief, and God.

I’ve struggled writing this review because I know I cannot adequately convey how profoundly this book touched my heart. The Voice We Find is packed with sweet romance, personal growth, mysteries, and deep character development. All ingredients for a heartwarming story. Even still, it was the stunning portrayal of God’s patient, consistent pursuit of his children that absolutely pierced my heart. I could not keep from crying throughout the second half of this book. It wrecked me in the best way possible and completely ministered to my soul. Reading through both August and Sophie's journeys in their relationship with God was absolutely relatable and so encouraging.

The first book in the series, The Words We Lost, was in my top 3 favorite books of 2024, and The Voice We Find will absolutely top the list for 2025. I absolutely encourage you to grab this one, and the first two in the series as well. Keep your tissues nearby when reading!

Intimacy: Kisses only
Language: None
Content Considerations: Toxic family, death of a loved one (past), implied abuse

I just loved this story so much and for a while it was hard to pinpoint what exactly about it I loved. But I think it’s the reality of the relationships. I love how Nicole writes characters and their conflicts. It feels so real and it never gives off cheesy vibes. I loved August’s character development throughout the story and it was really unique to read from the point of view of a young adult taking on the responsibility of parenting a younger sibling.
The incorporation of ASL, theater, and the behind the scenes look into how audiobooks are made was really interesting. I loved the dynamic between August and Sophie working together. They both had lives outside their relationship but the story telling the weaved it all together was just stunning. I really love the Fog Harbor series and there is not a single one that will disappoint. A must read, easy 5 stars!

Nicole Deese is becoming one of my favorite authors. I couldn’t put this book down. The story is much more than a romance because it has so much depth. I loved August and Sophie’s story.