The Roads We Follow by Nicole Deese is a stellar odyssey of self-realization, truth-telling, and forgiveness. It’s a story of families discovering their pasts and realizing their legacies. This story made me laugh out loud and it made me sob. It made me cheer and it made me want to punch…hard. My emotions ran the gamut, and I loved every single beautiful moment. I truly adored every aspect of this story, but it’s the unique and endearing characters who steal the show. I truly grew to love each one. Adele and Hattie, Raegan’s older sisters, are both going through so much hard life. I wanted to dive into the narrative and hug them and help them find peace. I wanted to make the bad guys and bullies go away. Raegan, the heroine of this novel, had a lot of growing up to do, and I really enjoyed every mile of her tumultuous journey. I fully get what it feels like to be stuck by your family. Sometimes it is really, really hard to stand up for yourself as an individual when you’re such an integral part of your BIG family. I understand why Raegan feels she needs to hide everything from her family, but I also understand why this is such a destructive path to take. Then there is Micah, my absolute favorite character in this story. Aside from the fact that he is seriously handsome and swoony and so, so smart and uber protective, he is ultimately the voice of reason, the breath of fresh air, that Adele, Hattie, and Raegan need. I love how he comes into this family, sees their truths, and then isn’t afraid to confront all of the issues with each woman. He becomes the brother Adele and Hattie didn’t even know they needed, and he becomes the best friend and lover Raegan desperately wanted. The journeys these characters undergo, both individually and as a group, are touching and hard and lovely. Self-discovery and self-realization are not easy tasks. They are messy endeavors, but they are necessary. Ultimately, they allow for better — better relationships with God and better relationships with people. I loved this poignant message. It was a great reminder for me.

The Roads We Follow is an absolutely beautiful story. I will very much miss these characters, and I am so sad my time with them is up. If you’re a fan of expertly crafted Contemporary Romances with heart and depth, with characters you won’t soon forget, then purchase a copy of this story ASAP. You won’t be disappointed you did!