The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese is a rich story that will capture your heart.

August, Sophie and Gabby are such deeply moving characters. Learning to trust after being wounded, both physically and emotionally, was so skillfully written. The romance between August and Sophie blossoms slowly. The theme of forgiveness, mercy and faith are woven throughout the book.

This sweet faith focused story touches some issues like hearing loss and fragmented family relationships. Nicole's dialogue, setting and characters are captivating and engaging. I have read Ms. Deese's other books, and like the others, this one is clean and will not disappoint. I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary ebook from the publisher through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Wow. Let's just say I have found another favorite book of 2025 and of ALL time. Nicole Deese tells powerful stories. Plain and simple. She is a top favorite of all time and I will forever recommend her books! Let's get into the review:

The Voice We Find is technically book 3 in the Fog Harbor Book Series, but you can read it as a standalone book. They do not connect in the storylines.

Book 1: The Words We Lost
Book 2: The Roads We Follow
Book 3: The Voice We Find

The Voice We Find doesn't just give you a good story....it gives you something much deeper: hope, healing and the beautiful reminder of the Gospel of Jesus. Sophie, August and Gabby's journey spoke right to my heart. There were laughs, tears and so many moments of reflection. Nicole Deese's writing truly breathes LIFE into a story!

We follow Sophie, August and Gabby. Sophie returns home to California with a failed Broadway career and her cat. She is working at the family winery with her egotistical brother and takes a job as an audiobook narrator with Fog Harbor Books. This is where she works with August.

August has guardianship of his adopted teenage sister. Their parents passed away in an accident a couple of years ago and his sister Gabby was left with degenerative hearing loss. He feels like he needs to fix this problem, yet Gabby has embraces her new life, learning ASL and forming new friendships.

Sophie and August develop a relationship along the way as they each process feelings, grief, trauma and allow the Lord to work in ways they least expect.

I have a full dedicated reading vlog coming for this book on Monday, April 28th, where you will see the reactions, tears and favorite quotes along the way.

Watching Sophie find her voice again and August rediscover his faith was so great. I loved their relationship and the added layer of Gabby's POV was so important and well needed. It added so much to the story. I learned so much about ASL and the deaf community. I also loved seeing our characters go to church and the community they had together.

This isn't just my favorite book of the year....it's a book I will carry with me for a LONG time. God is in the details and this book shows that. The prodigal son has come on home. Praise God for these moments.

Highly recommend. Thank you to Bethany House for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have yet to find a Nicole Deese novel I haven't loved! The Voice We Find is an emotionally rich story that swept me up right away. With her signature depth and tenderness, Deese delivers a romance full of heart, healing, and hope.

This book surprised me in the best ways, with a touch of mystery woven that kept me guessing and side characters that captured my heart. Deese masterfully explores themes of adoption, loss, fear and rediscovering purpose. Her characters are beautifully layered and I found myself rooting for them from beginning to end. I adored August, Sophie and Gabby for so many reasons, as well as enjoyed the elements of audiobook narration and community theater. Most of all, I loved that this was a story of redemption, found family, siblings and restorative second chances.

Threaded with faith, this well-written novel made me laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. If you love meaningful stories that stir the soul, offer hope and remind you that God is always at work, even when hope seems lost, this book is a must-read.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own. I was not required to post a positive review.

Ever since reading The Words We Lost when I first came to Bookstagram, I really look forward to reading anything Nicole has written! I’ve read several of her backlist now, and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to read this story before its release day: April 15!

This was another lovely story! Nicole takes a number of issues and beautifully weaves layers upon layers of emotion, faith, and healing into her storytelling.

What I loved:

✌️Dual POV
🎧Audiobook voice actors
🤟Learning about the Deaf and ASL community
👵🏻 Bonnie
❤️‍🩹Overcoming trauma
🐈‍⬛ Phantom
👨 Returning character from the previous stories in the series
💓Character growth
🧑‍🧒‍🧒Sibling Dynamics
✝️Coming back to the Faith/Lord
🙌🏻Strong, redemptive ending

What truly makes this story shine is the growing connection between Sophie and August—two wounded creatives learning to trust again. And while their slow-burn romance is tender and hopeful, it was August’s teenage sister who quietly stole the show for me. Her hearing loss, the result of a tragic accident, brought depth and authenticity to the story, and I learned so much about the deaf community through her journey.

⚠️ Content: Kisses only, no language. Fatal accident of family in the past, panic attack on page, toxic family.

🩷 Thank you greatly to @bethanyhousefiction & @nicoledeeseauthor & @netgalley for sending me an advanced copy of this beautiful story!

I've been reading Nicole Deese for a long time, and I finally got around to reading her, and what better way to do it than with this wonderful book.

Although it is a third part, I was able to read it without any problem, although I can't say if there is any point where it could be considered a spoiler.

We have the story of Sophie whose dream of being an actress has been frustrated and must return home to start again, but she doesn't give up and looks for a way to achieve her goals, that's why she accepts a job to narrate audiobooks, and that's where she meets August.

I must say that as promised, I loved Deese's writing, the balanced approach she takes to such deep and complex issues while navigating a sweet romance was a real treat.

You find themes related to the Deaf and ASL community, and it's been very interesting to soak it in during the read.

And they talk about audiobooks, so obviously I was going to be twice as interested.

I can only say that I am even more looking forward to reading the books before this saga and all the books written by the author.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for providing me with this ARC.

Just like when you read any of the author's other books you know you'll be in for an emotional roller coaster.
I liked that the book had ASL and deaf representation. This is a closed-door romance.
The book really had me experiencing a wide range of emotions. I was rooting for the ones who seemed to not be represented but fell into the background. Full of hope on every page these characters have found their voice and their strength by books end.
Every book I read by the author has me contemplating what the outcome will be. Hard hitting this is one you'll not be able to put down until you're done.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese is book number 3 in the Fog Harbor series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel. Sophie Wilder returns home to California to house she thought she would never return to. She is finding her way and tries audiobook narrating as a side hustle. August Tate is the guardian of his 16-year-old sister after their parent’s death. He is working through so many things when he meets Sophie recording an audio book in his studio.

This thoughtful romance is so beautifully written. Journeying through life with Sophie and August as they healed, grew as characters, and found love was wonderful. I enjoyed their romance and banter, getting to know each character better as the story progressed, and watching them both grow in their walks with God. August’s sister Sophie has a progressive hearing loss and the author did a great job sharing about the death community.

I appreciated the themes of redemption, found family, and prodigals coming home. I was deeply drawn into the story, and I highly recommend The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese. A highlight of 2025 for me.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

This is an excellent example of Christian fiction that is full of redemption, hope, and healing. I loved the characters, setting, and deaf/HoH representation. It hit all the boxes for me!

🌿BOOK REVIEW🌿

Happy Pub Day Nicole Deese!

The Voice We Find is Nicole's third installment in her Fog Harbor Romance series! This one follows an actress/vocalist and a recording studio owner as they navigate the audiobook world.

This story gives you the emotional pull- from the Christian themes and "prodigal son" plot, to ASL rep and a swoony romance.

ALL THE THINGS
-Audiobook Narrators
-found family
-ASL rep
-brother and sister relationship
-redemption arcs
-christian fiction
-surfing
-theatre/drama
-finding oneself again

Overall great read. Loved the romance and redemption arc. I struggled a little with the third act, but otherwise a lovely edition to this series.

Thank you to @bethanyhousefiction
For my #gifted copies!

Nothing has felt right for August Tate since his parents died in a train wreck in India, leaving him the guardian of his 14-year-old adopted sister. For two years, August has done all he could to get by and help Gabby recover from the traumatic injuries that left her partially deaf. He abandoned his high-powered sound engineer life in Hollywood for a quiet life of parenthood in northern California. He’s spent days researching the latest treatments, which might save what little hearing Gabby has left. If he does enough, maybe he can outrun the guilt that threatens to drown him like the waves he loves to surf.

But with bills piling up and business at his small recording studio slow, August doesn’t see much hope for his future. Until his best friend, Chip, shows up with an offer August can’t turn down—the opportunity to turn his recording studio into a place where audiobook talent can record. And when the first candidate shows up to record, August knows he’s lost.

Sophie Wilder returns to her family’s winery in the Napa Valley, hauling a load of other people’s expectations that threaten to squish the life out of her. Unlike her golden-boy older brother, businesslike mother, and Midas-touch father, Sophie loves the arts. Something no one in her family understands.

If she can stay at the winery and work part-time for the family, Sophie will receive a trust fund check that will help tide her over until she recovers from the stage fright that tanked her career on Broadway. If she ever recovers. Meanwhile, she needs to pay back her debts and set aside money to start over. Sophie applies for a gig recording audiobooks and makes it past the first round for the editor at Fog Harbor Audio. When she arrives at a local recording studio to record a second selection, she has no idea the handsome surfer who answers the door will answer her prayers for healing in ways she never expected.

What I Loved About This Book

Nicole Deese skillfully weaves together redemption stories for two young adults starting at opposite points. Sophie comes to faith as an adult and learns to navigate the nuances of life depending on a Savior. August grows up believing in God but rejects it all when life goes his way. His friends convince him he has nothing to lose by losing his faith, but now he isn’t so sure.

Secondary characters (Gabby and Sophie’s sister-in-law) provide insights into the worlds of those without a voice (deaf people) and women who must find their voice and take a moral stand. Told with beauty, grace, and humor, readers won’t want to put the book down as they discover many paths to finding one’s voice.

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 August Tate was never a part of her plans.

I loved the chemistry between Sophie and August as they worked in close quarters. They both had past mistakes and fears to overcome as well. It was beautiful to see them get to that point they could face it all head on.

I feel like the subplot involving Sophie's brother was incomplete. I needed more closure from that even though I appreciate it all worked out. I loved Chip, August's best friend. I hope he gets a book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4⭐
Steam level: 1🌶️ Kissing only

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 and Reviews via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

Oh my word, I devoured this book. It’s been a bit since every last page kept my attention like a good movie, and this read accomplished that.

I loved these characters from the very beginning. My heart went out to August, to the decisions he had made and the weight on his shoulders. I adored Gabby, with her strong faith and resilience. And I loved Sophie, with her courage and kindness. The pacing of the romance was perfect. The spiritual moments were spot on for me. And lest you think this read is all butterflies and happy rainbows, Deese does an excellent job of fleshing out these stories and characters with real issues that made my heart ache at times.

Ultimately, I loved this book. This is exactly what I want out of a Christian romance. And though I’ve loved this author for a few years now, I think she’s officially gained a place on my list of favorites. Do not miss this one, friends. In fact, go ahead and read the entire Fog Harbor series! It’s fantastic.

I finished this book and will have to come back and do a review later —- but this book is so so good!! I laughed, I cried, and much more!!
This is the third book in this series, but I think each of these books could be read quite well as a stand alone. However...knowing some of the characters from before made this read even more meaningful (is there going to be a story for Chip?!)
I really really loved the attention to detail that was present in this story! I learned so much about life from a perspective of someone who is deaf. I enjoyed learning more about ASL and various other aspects of this.
I also learned about the production of audio books, and found it quite fascinating.
Sophie is such a sweet character, and I laughed and cried with her as I made my way through this book.
August. A pretty great hero, but he definitely had his moments!! There was a time or two I'd have loved to give him a piece of my mind. ;)
All in all, this was an exceptional read, and it is definitely a book that I will remember for a long time.
I highly recommend it!!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
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In the third installment of the Fog Harbor series, Nicole Deese hits hard with emotional topics that will have you deep in your feels for all the characters. And yet there is so much hope written into every page.

While this is the tried installment, the books do not need to be read in order. They are all loosely related and there are not any spoilers for other books.

Nicole Deese has become a favorite author and I’m so glad to have been introduced to her through Bookstagram. Her backlist is deep and I’m looking forward to continuing my read through it.

Rating:
I really liked it

What you’ll find:
Deaf representation
Theatre
Audiobook narrating behind-the-scenes
Sweet romance
Difficult family dynamics
Grief

Thank you Bethany House for the digital copy. All opinions are my own

This is my first time reading a book by Nicole Deese and I can't wait to read her others. This book is the third in the Fog Harbor Romance series, but can be read as a stand alone (which is what I did). Faith is a prominent theme of this story and I love how the gospel is shared. The story includes a peek into how audiobooks are recorded, which was really fun. I'm a speech language pathologist, so l also really appreciated the storyline that included August's hard-of-hearing sister, characters learning ASL, etc. |loved Sophie and August's romance, it was so sweet and felt realistic! I was cheering for them so hard and thought their character development was excellent. This story was beautifully written and I could not put it down! I'm already reading the first in the series on my kindle and just ordered book 2 also. I highly recommend reading this lovely story, I really can't say enough good things about it!

My Rating: five stars
Read if you like:
Sweet/closed door romance
Theatre
ASL/Deaf community
Gospel presentation
Found family
Stories of hope and healing
Sibling relationships
Duel POV

Content to consider: death of family members, grief over losing a loved one, toxic/dysfunctional family, panic attacks due to past trauma, gaslighting

Kissing only romance
Swearing: none
Thank you to @revellfiction and @nicoledeeseauthor for sending me an ARC of this amazing book in exchange for my honest review!

“I have spoken the words of a hundred different characters on stage, but I’ve only recently found a voice of my own.”

With each book in this Fog Harbor Romance series by Nicole Deese, I have closed the final page and just sat with the lingering effects of the story for a few minutes. (Or, in the case of The Words We Lost, a few hours lol) These novels have truly taken up residence in my heart, and The Voice We Find quickly carved out its own place there. Sophie, August, his sister Gabby… they all felt like dear friends from the beginning, and my emotions were fully engaged in watching God bring beauty from the ashes of their respective stories. And then there’s Chip, who’s kinda like the fairy godfather of this series. (Though I don’t think he’d appreciate the comparison haha) I am still hoping for his story one day, but in the meantime he is pivotal in intersecting Sophie and August’s paths in The Voice We Find and I loved his steady (and sometimes amused) presence in this book.

The narrative moves effortlessly between Sophie’s perspective and August’s, with occasional glimpses at Gabby’s thoughts in the aftermath of the accident that changed everything for her and for August. And Deese infuses each perspective with so much heart that you can’t help but fall head over heels for all three of these characters. Sophie, whose Broadway career crashed in the most humiliating way, is instantly likable and engaging and it was very easy for me to root for her success professionally and personally. August, whose faith was deeply shaken by the death of his parents and Gabby’s injury, is all things swoony and sincere and oh my heart went out to him as he tries to do what’s best for his beloved little sister. And Gabby, whose hearing may be damaged but not her faith, is delightful and inspiring and full of personality, and I loved how her story allowed the author to explore the Deaf & hard of hearing community and represent them so beautifully.

And while, yes, The Voice We Find delves into deep emotions like grief and fear and trauma, it’s a healing story rather than a heavy one. The faith threads – from Gabby’s solid walk with Jesus to Sophie’s new beginning to August’s anger at God – allow most readers to see themselves in one or the other and find a tender dose of grace there for the taking. Additionally, Deese has perfected the art of blending the lighthearted with the profound without diminishing either one, and this latest book is a masterclass in the same. For starters, there’s the delicious romantic tension that builds breathlessly between Sophie and August over the course of the story. Watching their journey from coworkers on Chip’s audiobook brainchild(ren), to friends who stay in their respective times of need, to something deeper and far swoonier (involving some quite yummy kisses) was truly a pleasure. There’s also some really fun humor (August & Phantom!! #Augie!! Bonnie!!) and even a dash of suspense that all comes together to make this a well-balanced novel that’s a delight to read.

Bottom Line: Be prepared to experience a wide range of emotions when you read The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese. You’ll laugh. You’ll swoon. You’ll gasp in surprise. And yes, you’ll shed a few (or more) tears. Because Sophie, August, and Gabby will capture your heart and may even break it before all is said and done (because you’ll become so invested in their story), but the exquisitely touching portrayal of God’s love and restoration will bring healing with wide open arms. I loved the romance, the friendship, the humor, the faith, the positive and insightful representation of the Deaf community, and the plot twists that I wasn’t expecting too. This author’s warm and compassionate writing voice immediately engages you in the story, and I was torn between reading as fast as I could and savoring each word. The Voice We Find is beautiful in every way, and I highly recommend it for your next read!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

"I instruct Sophie to say the ABCs so I can get a baseline for her levels and adjust the controls accordingly. For a woman her age, the mature texture of her voice is unusual. It has the same velvety quality that a professionally trained singer might possess.
Chip taps me on the should, and I slip my left ear out of the headphones. "Did she tell you about her impressive resume?"
I shake my head once.
"She's an actress."
"As is most the population of southern California." I adjust the EQ.

Sophie always wanted to make a name for herself on the stage. But when she fails to live up to a performance, she knows she needs a fresh start. Returning home to California was not a part of her agenda. Neither was becoming a narrator for audio books.

When a family tragedy happens, Noah drops everything to help his sister. But this isn't the life he signed up for. And he still has to pay the bills. Using his expensive sound equipment for recording audio books is not what he had in mind. But at least it is something.

Sophie and Noah do learn to work together. But they both have areas of buried hurt. Can they find a way to voice their pain and find healing?

I absolutely loved this book about how to move forward when your life is not what you expected. The second chance element applied to so many areas. (And this one even had a bit of suspense!) As always with this author's books, the faith element is strong but not overpowering. The relational aspects are so well-written. This book is a perfect blend of so many elements!

I have really enjoyed the Fog Harbor series. Some of the characters are loosely connected, but this book could be read as a stand-alone. All three books moved my heart. Certain parts made me laugh and cry.

I am so glad that I read this book through NetGalley. I wanted to read and review it. All opinions are my own.

I laughed when I read this quote. "Is there really a market for people too lazy to read for themselves? I mean, I'm no expert here, but reading a book versus listening to one seem like two completely different experiences. Does it even count as reading?" (location 147). Though August was misguided when he said this, he soon gains familiarity with the audiobook market when he's forced to consider it for income to help his sister who is going deaf after a tragic accident. I love books that deal with writing or publishing or creating the products I love to read and listen to. It makes me appreciate them all the more as I learn what goes into their creation.

This book showed well the crisis that some families face when people treat the hard of hearing person as someone to be fixed instead of celebrated and accepted just as they are. It was interesting learning of Portia's desire to build deaf/hearing immersive theater. It made me wonder if such a thing exists. I hope so. It was beautiful.

There are a couple people who have trouble finding a voice. The people in their lives are so dominant and brutal in some cases that it's hard to stand up and demand to be heard. I applauded when these situations were rectified, some in good ways and some in harder ways.

I enjoyed this book. Sophie and August were delightful together. I appreciated how everyone grew. I learned more about the deaf community and some issues they face. It was hard to put down. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Nicole Deese, Bethany House, and NetGalley for this #gifted book!*
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Synopsis: “Miracles come in many forms, and mine came in the form of a rescue I didn’t deserve, and in a hope I never could have emulated…” When August Tate suddenly becomes the sole guardian of his teenage sister, the pressures of raising a teenager with hearing loss motivate his every decision. The guilt he faces drives him to do everything he can to heal her—including producing audiobooks, a field he never knew was a possibility. When this new endeavor lands a struggling actress right in his studio, the beautiful and talented Sophie Wilder rocks his world in ways he couldn’t have imagined. But he’s also changing hers. Sophie finds herself back in her childhood home and stuck under the toxic influences of her past. As the two struggle through guilt and shame, unlikely friendships lead them to seek more than just a secure job and physical healing. Is it really possible for their pasts to be redeemed? And what does a future look like that’s actually filled with hope?

Analysis: Nicole Deese’s Fog Harbor Romance series just keeps getting better and better, and this may be my favorite book of hers yet! Nicole weaves a seamless story with the perfect blend of character and plot. This book has so many layers and will spark conversations regarding hearing loss, prodigals, and where true healing is found. I love how the characters’ emotions are authentic, and I can’t forget the romance. It’s sweet, clean, and the perfect depth. Nicole definitely writes my favorite MMCs! With deaf representation, relatable characters, and rich faith, Nicole weaves a beautiful story of hope and redemption that you don’t want to miss!

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.