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Sovereign Love #2

The One Who Loves Me

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IS GOD SOVEREIGN OVER LOVE STORIES?

Amara Ikezie is a new grad nurse who is thrilled to start her dream job in Atlanta’s biggest children’s hospital. But when her best friend gets engaged, Amara is faced with the looming pressure from her mom to find her own man. Determined to escape the pressure to marry, Amara takes on a task to find the ‘perfect’ man who ticks all the boxes on her list.

Raymond Aderinto is a pediatric cardiologist with a wall of accolades and a string of failed relationships. After his fourth girlfriend dumps him, Raymond vows to get confirmation from God first before entering into his next relationship—even though he’d love to find his bride before turning thirty.

When Raymond spills coffee on Amara’s scrubs, he becomes certain she’s the woman God wants to be his wife. But unfortunately for him, Raymond doesn’t tick Amara’s boxes, and worst of all, Amara is sure her Igbo mom would never approve of a marriage to a man from the Yoruba tribe.

Despite Amara’s efforts to stay away from Raymond and convince herself he is not the one for her, her growing attraction for his character, values, and vision gives her more reasons to wonder if she was wrong about her prejudices toward him. When another doctor walks into Amara’s life who ticks all her boxes and shows interest in her, she is caught between running into his ‘perfect’ arms, or going with Raymond who is turning out to be more perfect than she thought.

The One Who Loves Me, book two in the Sovereign Love series, is a beautiful standalone novel about surrender and learning to take comfort in the sovereign goodness of a loving God who writes the best love stories.

348 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2022

83 people are currently reading
2112 people want to read

About the author

Joan Embola

7 books434 followers
Joan Embola is a UK-based Cameroonian-Nigerian Christian author who aims to share God's love one word at a time. She writes books about diverse characters whose hope-filled stories point to the sovereign love and goodness of God in our broken world. She is a qualified Physician Associate and also the founder of Love Qualified, a ministry dedicated to encouraging others to experience the sovereign love of the one true God who has qualified us to be His beloved ones. She is a passionate lover and teacher of God’s word, and she shares this passion on her YouTube channel, blog, and podcast. When she’s not writing or curled up with a book, you’ll find her watching movies, YouTube videos, or making memories with her family and friends.

You can connect with her at www.joanembola.co.uk and on instagram, YouTube, her blog, and her podcast. Join her newsletter to stay up to date with new releases and more book news.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Profile Image for Joan Embola.
Author 7 books434 followers
July 28, 2023
This book has been in the works for the last 1.5 years and I'm so happy that you all will be able to read it it soon. I'm so excited for you to read Raymond and Amara's story. This story is very close to my heart and it has grown me in many ways. My prayer is that this book brings you nothing but hope and that it'll stir up joy in your heart as you continue to live out your life boldly for Christ.

Thank you so much for giving this book a chance.
Happy Reading ❤️
Profile Image for ♥Milica♥.
1,911 reviews748 followers
June 3, 2022
Hello operator? Yes, I need help with PUTTING MYSELF BACK TOGETHER BECAUSE OF THE MUSHY MESS THAT I HAVE BECOME AFTER READING THIS BOOK.

The One Who Loves Me is just as amazing as The One Who Knows Me, just like I knew it would be.

This time we're following Amara's journey, but Teeyana pops back in from time to time too. SHE AND JAYDEN ARE ENGAGED NOW, MY BABIES.

I loved Amara before, and now I love her even more. And Raymond too, he's as sweet as the hot chocolate he always brings to Amara.

As for Jamar, I knew he was no good when he decided to appear just when Amara and Ray were staring to get to know each other, so rude of him. But I'm happy it all worked out at the end.

AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HOW NIGERIAN CULTURE SHINES THROUGH! Some authors say their characters are this or that and then never go and show the culture when it's a perfect excuse to do it. BUT HERE EVERYTHING IS PERFECT!

From the food to the clothes to the languages, and even the attitudes. The attitudes remind me a bit of the Balkans if I'm being honest with you, it's so familiar but different at the same time.

Even before I started reading I saw that there was a "third book" section and I was like YESSSS, but I didn't want to read about book three until I was done with book two.

Then Heather made an appearance and I thought book three could be her book, and lo and behold IT WILL BE. I'm super excited for it. BUT, it won't arrive till 2023, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO SURVIVE TILL THEN HUH?!

On the bright side, there's a very good chance I'll be able to order these two books signed this month so fingers crossed it works out.

P.S. It goes without saying that this one made me cry like a baby too.
Profile Image for Stephanie’s Ninth Suitcase.
316 reviews63 followers
May 21, 2022
https://stephaniesninthsuitcase.com/2...
UPDATED FULL REVIEW

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. Opinions expressed are my own.
Author: Joan Embola
Publisher: Love Qualified Press
Pre-Order Here!
Synopsis: In the second installment of Embola’s powerful Sovereign Love series, Amara begins working in a hospital NICU unit, where she meets a doctor named Raymond.
Scripture Connection

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 1:18-19
Spiritual Themes / Content

I chose the verse from 1 Peter, because the novel’s central theme is identity in Christ. Amara eperiences considerable internal conflict with regard to her self-worth, as she constantly recalls the insults of a high-school bully. Throughout, she questions whether or not she is “enough.” Ultimately (and powerfully), Jesus teaches her that He is enough and is the One who imparts value to her.

Most of the main characters are Christians, and their faith actively informs their life decisions and actions. Additionally, the characters encourage each other in the Lord.

What I Liked

Friendship

In the first novel, I really enjoyed the friendship between Teeyana and Amara, which is one of the reasons I was so looking forward to reading book two. The One Who Loves Me maintains that beautiful friendship, and theirs is definitely one of my favorite fictional friendships.

The girls point each other to Jesus! They are a source of truth and encouragement to one another, as they “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). Rather than simply telling one another what the other person wants to hear, they state the facts.
The friendship feels so realistic! It was so fun to listen in on their “girl talk” and enjoy catching up with these two.
I liked getting Amara’s perspective. In The One Who Knows Me, she comes across as very confident as she supports Teeyana. In this book, we gain more insight into Amara’s own struggles with self-confidence.
Pacing

The novel’s pacing definitely contributed to my enjoyment. While many books take place over a relatively short period of time, and the reader is invited into each detail, The One who Loves Me is spread out over more than a year. Embola does this by quickly covering certain periods of time with brief, overarching summaries. I appreciated this style, because I didn’t feel bogged down waiting for interesting things to happen. This contributed to a fast-paced narration.

Message

The novel’s message is so good and points to the reality of Christ as bridegroom. I don’t want to give too much away, but the message is what makes this book so commendable. As with the first book, this is one that I really want young ladies to be reading! It goes beyond what most Christian romance novels portray, as there is a strong emphasis on calling, as well. Relationship with Christ is integral to Amara’s relationship with Ray.

The author includes a letter to readers, after the text. I considered this to be really powerful, just like the letter in the first book. This note concentrates the messages of the novel, articulating the themes in a clear and concise way. I really appreciate that she uses this note to discuss singleness and marriage, as well, emphasizing the fact that there is nothing incomplete about being single. This is such an important message for Christians, in general, and even more so in a book where parents are strongly encouraging their children to marry.

NICU

Amara is an NICU nurse and author Joan Embola is a qualified physician assistant. I like it when an author brings their own background knowledge to the text.

#OwnVoices Representation

Joan Embola is a Nigerian author, and the novel very much reflects that. There’s a lot of Nigerian dialect interspersed, throughout, plus a glossary at the end of the book. Additionally, the author includes a list of the names used in the text, as well as their meanings.

The book also portrays various aspects of the culture, including the strong emphasis on marriage, and the parents’ encouragement for their children to get married. There’s also a subplot involving tribalism, which is delved into more in the Author’s Note.

Content Considerations

Compared to the first book, there was considerably more in the way of kissing. Mutual kisses, however, are in the context of a committed relationship. There is also a line where the character stops because of a prompting by the Holy Spirit 🙂

There are maybe 1-2 uses of the Lord’s name outside of prayer.

In general, Amara is a realistic protagonist who learns from her mistakes (and she does make some wrong choices). However, there is one thing she does that she doesn’t seem to regret: she tells her date that she has a church event after their meeting. She narrates that this isn’t true, but it’s something she had to say, to see how he would react to the mention of church. This is a small moment in the text, and it definitely sounds believable, in terms of how someone might behave and justify herself.

Along this line, there seemed to be some conflation between being a Christian and attending church. While the novel definitely shows what it looks like to walk in active relationship with Jesus, I felt like there was a bit of emphasis on church attendance.

Recommendation Status

Despite the above mentioned concerns, this is a book I am willing to recommend. It combines the sweetness and fun of my favorite romcoms, but also packs in a powerful message that needs to be heard. This is a great book for teens and young women!

POST FROM COVER REVEAL DAY BELOW

Happy Cover Reveal Day! I will be posting a full review on my blog during book release week. For now, here is a shorter review :)

In the first novel, I really enjoyed the friendship between Teeyana and Amara, which is one of the reasons I was so looking forward to reading book two. The One Who Loves Me maintains that beautiful friendship, and theirs is definitely one of my favorite fictional friendships.

The girls point each other to Jesus! They are a source of truth and encouragement to one another, as they “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). Rather than simply telling one another what the other person wants to hear, they state the facts.
The friendship feels so realistic! It was so fun to listen in on their “girl talk” and enjoy catching up with these two.
I liked getting Amara’s perspective. In The One Who Knows Me, she comes across as very confident as she supports Teeyana. In this book, we gain more insight into Amara’s own struggles with self-confidence.
Message

The novel’s message is so good and points to the reality of Christ as bridegroom. I don’t want to give too much away, but the message is what makes this book so commendable. As with the first book, this is one that I really want young ladies to be reading! It goes beyond what most Christian romance novels portray, as there is a strong emphasis on calling, as well. Relationship with Christ is integral to Amara’s relationship with Ray.

The author includes a letter to readers, after the text. I considered this to be really powerful, just like the letter in the first book. This note concentrates the messages of the novel, articulating the themes in a clear and concise way. I really appreciate that she uses this note to discuss singleness and marriage, as well, emphasizing the fact that there is nothing incomplete about being single. This is such an important message for Christians, in general, and even more so in a book where parents are strongly encouraging their children to marry.

Despite some small content concerns (which I’ll mention in my full review), this is a book I am willing to recommend. It combines the sweetness and fun of my favorite romcoms, but also packs in a powerful message that needs to be heard. This is a great book for teens and young women!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. Opinions expressed are my own.
4 reviews1 follower
May 20, 2022
I loved every bit of this book and I mean it, every single bit of it...from Raymond's funny personality and how he talks to himself, commenting on issues in the typical Nigerian way, to his banter with his best friend Joe, to how the book explains the rich Nigerian culture and the typical African parent behavior 😅😅, gosh! I loved it.


The most amazing, and mind-blowing part for me, however, is how Joan teaches us about purpose and the importance of knowing what God will have us do and how that makes the choice of a life partner a lot easier. I mean, I learned so much about, commitment, forgiveness, and love.

Honestly, this is not just another romance novel. It is a manual for every young adult who wants to understand how to get God's best for his or her life.

God bless you for this Masterpiece, Joan.
Profile Image for Victoria.
18 reviews
June 5, 2022
Growing up there weren’t many novels available to me about Black people let alone Nigerians, so it’s very empowering to read about people who share the same culture as myself. I enjoyed the comedic banter between Joe and Ray, it was almost like I could hear the dialogue. I also loved seeing Amara’s journey with getting to know Christ more and realizing how we have to include Him in every part of our lives, especially in our relationships. In the first book, she always seemed like the friend who had everything together, so it was great to see a more in depth side to her. Like the she said, we’re not good enough, but Christ has and will always be.
Profile Image for Jess.bookrecs.
621 reviews55 followers
July 15, 2024
After reading the first one, balling me yes out and waking up with a headache and a red nose, I was apprehensive about picking up this one immediately after but as usual, I’m glad I did.

This story is so AFRICAN DAUGHTER CODED I was literally laughing out loud bc what is about African parents that is just so similar?🤣
They’re the same people fr and the Nigerian representation here is so broad, in depth and full, I almost forget the story was set abroad. It was like a safe space and before I knew it, I was almost done with the story.

The love for God here is so beautiful especially bc the author made sure to highlight the struggles that come with “season of singleness” in a society that is so hell bent on pushing women into marriage. As if to say a woman can’t be the best of herself without one.

The story teaches us how we can fulfill our purpose with or without a partner. There is no propaganda here that makes you believe you’re a half and need another person to make you whole.

I also loved that this story removed the toxicity associated with “God said you’re my wife” bc in no way did this MMC ever pressure the FMC with that statement. Because he got confirmation from God, it didn’t stop him from still pursuing her RIGHTEOUSLY
It didn’t stop him from admitting his faults, giving her space, seeking advice from mentors and elders.

Can we also talk about God in medicine aspect? LOVE.

I’m shaking to start the third story..
I love these books and I’m determined to give my copy to my daughter when I have one by God’s grace.
13 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2024
It's beautiful
I am sure the inner conflict is relatable for many women out there and I love how the character developed and learned the lesson God wanted to teach her. The way he was integrated in the story was beautiful and accurate. Raymond and Amara captured my heart instantly, they were honest and raw, not perfect and willing to learn and change their ways in order to fight for their love.
I enjoyed every second of it
Profile Image for Tiffany Goldman.
70 reviews
December 18, 2025
I love that moment when I read a Christian fiction novel and when I reach the end, I think “so, this is what a real Christian fiction novel should be like”

The One Who Loves Me is one such novel. Faith is so interwoven in this story, you couldn’t take it away and not have an unraveled and incoherent mess.

“Everything we do in this world matters, even if we don’t always see the impact we’re making.”

One of the many great themes that this book tackled was the power of words, how we speak to others, and how we speak to ourselves, even internally. And how our actions can leave an impact, negative or positive, on others.

TOWLM is about putting your pride aside and following God’s lead. It’s about seeking Him in all matters and finding out what your godly purpose is.

“Your single season is not a curse—it’s a beautiful gift from God, just like marriage is, so we need to learn to appreciate these gifts more. There is a time and season for everything under heaven, and God has made everything beautiful in its time. So your single season is beautiful; appreciate it, cherish it, and use it to draw closer to your Maker. If your reason for wanting to marry is to find your purpose, then you’ve got it all wrong. You can walk in your God-given purpose even in your single season.”

I would recommend this book to young people, especially if they’re single but really, any Christian woman could enjoy this book! There were many edifying moments in here, and the godly friendships between Amara and Teeyana and Ray and Joe—loved it! Especially Raymond and Joe, their conversations had me cracking up and grinning like nobody could see me staring at my phone 🤣 Very colorful characters, I enjoyed it! And oh, the spiritual mentor moments and parents who are involved in their children’s lives!

It’s also notable to say I appreciate how authentic this book felt when it came to Nigerian culture. I love reading about different cultures than mine, and I have to say that all the cuisine, slang/language, clothing, and mannerisms—the book isn’t set in Nigeria but I felt like I went on a mini trip, or at least I was hanging out with these people and learning what their life is like 😂

And the author’s note! I love it and am so thankful I got to read this wonderful book early (was given an Arc for review, but all opinions are my own). I cannot wait to hold the physical book! And I look forward to whatever Joan Embola writes next.
Profile Image for blessing :).
161 reviews3 followers
July 7, 2024
another banga!!! ms joan did her thing fr!
loved another reality depiction with our main girl, amara.
this book could not have come at a better time especially with the topic of self sufficiency in order to be enough for one’s self, God or someone else but 2 Cor 12:9-10 talks about Christ’s power through our weaknesses so what else can we do but delight in it.
ray, a man after God’s heart, a perfect example of the ups and downs faced but trusting in God and seeking His face
loved loved the nigerian culture showcased >>>
can’t for book 3!
Profile Image for Tolulope Soremekun.
174 reviews3 followers
August 6, 2022
The One Who Loves Me is the 2nd book the Sovereign Love series. After reading book 1, I immediately knew who I wanted the sequel to be about and the author didn't disappoint 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾 I was taken on a lovable dramatic rollercoaster journey and I wouldn't have it any other way. I particularly enjoyed the spotlight on Nigerian culture, it made imagining the scenes in my head extra pleasant. The highlight of the book for me was the takeaway, it's commendable that there's something for everyone who reads this no matter what stage they are in life. The book teaches on Godly friendships, purpose and seeking God's face while choosing a life partner. Asides the takeaway, the entertainment given is nothing short of premium. I love how each character was portrayed, no awkward switch in their behaviours and everyone's role worked together perfectly. In all, it is a beautiful book both in and out 😁

Add up both books in this series to your library, you'll be quite pleased 😊😊.

RECOMMENDED!!
Profile Image for Naomi A.
24 reviews1 follower
June 12, 2023
"All this time, I was focusing on my inadequacies instead of looking at the power of God."

The One Who Loves Me is book two in the Sovereign Love series. These books can be read as standalones but are also loosely linked with each other.

The One Who Loves Me is a lighthearted contemporary romance that still touches on serious topics such as low self esteem, the pressure to marry by a certain age and tribalism.

The romance was done very well and I absolutely loved Ray. The messages in this book were well written and did not feel out of place in any way. I learnt a lot about navigating relationships as a Christian. Also Amara's story really touched me as I could relate to her struggle with negative thoughts and the Lord really used her story to speak to me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and ended up finishing it a lot quicker than I thought I would.

Seeing as I am reading this series backwards, starting from book 3, I look forward to reading book 1. This was an absolutely delightful read and I am looking forward to book four.
158 reviews8 followers
April 21, 2022
Splendid!!

My sissy has done it again with this spectacular novel. If I don't rate it 5 stars, what do I gain?🤣. See, I've kind of been in a reading slump for some days before I got a complimentary copy from the author, after I started reading, I didn't want to put it down. This is a masterpiece, a reflection of a well thought in out and written Christian romance fiction.

First, I loved Teeyana and Amara's friendship, what!, They are friendship goals, they encouraged ,loved up on each other, always seeing positivity in every situation, correcting and realigning each other to become more like Jesus. I loved that Teeyana was able to call out Amara for doing something wrong( to get the gist, read the book)that for me was a plus. They were what I'll call Jesus babes😁😁.

Also, I learnt that there is nothing to trivial to pray about and that sometimes God's reality for us does not match the pictures we try to paint in our heads and all the time His own reality is always the best and though might seem difficult at first to access, He simplifies the process when we rely solely on Him.

It seems, I'm having many book boyfriends, because Raymond had it for me, ahnahn, fine, spirit filled gentle Bobo, even though he almost vexed me at some point, but he was it for me. I loved his love for Amara. He taught me that what is for you, is for you and that without seeking God's approval over a matter, you end up having a repeat cycle. God's leading is needed in every are of one's life.

THE ONE WHO LOVES ME was it for me and I'm about to go for a second read🤗🤗. Well done Joan♥️

I received an advanced readers copy from the author and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for IyanuOluwa Olorode.
Author 2 books48 followers
May 14, 2022
Is God sovereign over love stories?

This story seeks to answer that.

Cue in Raymond - good boy, Omoluabi, Christian, cardiologist, gentleman and good dancer - and Amara - an RN fresh out of college, Christian girl, natural hair goals and fashionista, the real Asampete Nwanyi Oma.

Raymond's been done dirty by the ladies of Atlanta and he's trusting God to give him the bone of his bones. Amara is not exactly searching till her bestie gets engaged and her typical Nigerian mother starts the lectures. She resolves to draw up the list to guide her as she goes Husband Hunting.

Amara gets caught in between the hot guy who ticks every box on her list and the guy who doesn't but he makes her heart sing and dance Sekem.

The story is beautiful, original and I loved the theme of Nigerians in the diaspora. The Boston Igbo Women Society got me real good. I don't know if that's a legit thing. If it's not, it's something I see Nigerian women doing. They'll probably have matching wrappers or coats😂😂😂.

The book also dealt with purpose and trusting God to find your purpose beautifully. I loved the progression and the Characters. Each character was unique and natural. Joan did an excellent job with her characterization.

The romance bit was also well done. This book is just *chef's kiss* too much.

I totally recommend it to every fan of Christian fiction.

Honestly, I can't rave about this book enough. The One Who Loves Me is book you experience, not one you get told about.


Profile Image for J.E. Grace.
Author 23 books140 followers
May 25, 2022
The One Who Loves Me took me on a ride into Nigerian culture. I enjoyed the characters of Amara & Raymond. 'The Christian aspect of the story went further than just stating their faith in God but had an in-depth relationship message as well. I enjoyed following their relationship as it grew and also the related to the everyday issues that arose.

God's love is what makes a relationship grow. The story spoke of praying for guidance while single and letting God lead you to that special someone. We are reminded to take things slow and embrace God's special plan for our life. The language phrases/slang were sometimes challenging but well worth the effort. A humorous rom-com and enlightening romp through a different culture. Couldn't put it down.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.
1 review
June 21, 2022
Love it!

This book! Every Christian (especially singles) and non Christian must read it. I've been able to learn alot as a growing Christian while reading this book. I made and destroyed a list with Amara.😂 The book teaches patients, love, waiting and trusting God even when you are most worried. This is the book I needed to read at this time in my life, it didn't solve all my problems but it reminded me of God's word and helped me understand better that God wants the best for me and he won't necessarily work with what I'm attracted to but make his plan attractive to me. Finish the book in 2.5 days and I love that as I go about my daily life I remember Ray and Amara asking God for help for the smallest things and I now do that so thank you to the author for letting God use you and your talent, well-done! May God continue to inspire you, Amen.
17 reviews4 followers
May 17, 2022
Seeing yourself in a character makes you connect more with the story. This beautiful story touched me. If you have ever struggled with doubts about yourself and abilities, this book is for you.

I really liked Amara in the first book. She is that lively, fun friend everyone needs to have. Amara is excited to start her new job at a leading hospital. This comes with pressure from her mom to find a man.
Enter Raymond who isn't her type and who is from a different tribe.

I loved how the author showed the Nigerian culture through the characters. Tribal differences still pose a threat to some relationships today. Confidence in Gods plan will help overcome such obstacles.

Trusting God is a major lesson in this book. Surrendering fully to God takes faith. God loves us and has great plans for us.æ
Do not shy away from things God has placed on your heart. If you do, then that would be disobedience
and then you would miss out on a chance for God to use you. God want to use us and he is not looking for the perfect person. He is looking for the obedient one.
This book really shed light on finding your purpose. It showed the importance of seeking God for direction. We have the privilege to talk to God about any and everything.

I also liked the Grey's Anatomy reference and the special friendship between Teeyana and Amara. All their hair talk, friendly banter, firm and honest advice is an example of what true friendship is.

I don't like rereading books, but I think I will definitely reread this one. I recommend this to everyone. The lessons here are timeless. The author did a wonderful job and knit the story together perfectly. I really enjoyed the book. I laughed, cried, and had the occasional 'awww'.
This story was a beautiful read. I really liked the first book, but The One Who Loves Me just raised the bar. I can't wait for the third book.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.
2 reviews
October 18, 2023
Excellent!

I am an avid reader and lifelong lover of the romance genre. Unfortunately, I’ve found that a lot of Christian romance novels (in my opinion) often fall flat. Well, this book did the exact opposite. It exceeded my expectations in the best possible way. It was modern, relatable, funny and I often found myself genuinely rooting for and against (eh- em Amara 👀 lol) the characters.
It had so much depth but most importantly it had JESUS. God wasn’t a vague theme somewhere in the background. He was the central focus of the book! I love that. Overall, it is a beautiful story that showcase how our steps are truly ordered by the One who loves us.
Well Done.
Profile Image for Tanya.
76 reviews1 follower
September 20, 2024
Yoh I really enjoyed this. I didn’t think I’d like it more than book 1 but 🤫. I think what initially had me questioning things was Rays heart posture towards marriage and finding a future wife . When I read the acknowledgments ,however,I feel that it made sense . I see it was purposeful. The author displayed how we as humans , despite claiming to trust God , often set our own deadlines and lists/ criteria for God to meet and fulfil. WHEN HE IS LITERALLY GOD.

So many times in my life I feel like I’ve been blessed with a goodness and love from God that I couldn’t have even conjured to ask for. So when we pray for His will to be done , I pray we may all have a posture of surrender because what He has planned surpasses our own desires and what we think we need. Bc come on now - look at Asmara. What she wanted vs what God was leading her to were completelyyy different things.

Anyway , loved the Nigerian culture , RAYYYY- I WANT WND NEED HIM!!!!, the intergration of work and also serving the Lord at church , the author explaining the importance of words of affirmation-
Everything ( except the one encounter with jamars friend and Amaras reaction to her nails ?😭 )

But oh my word I was even pondering over my own “list” , my own heart and posture towards a potential partner , what it means to desire someone equally yoked and also THE IMPORTANCE of friendships- especially Christ centred relationships in life yoh. The portrayal of friendships and relationships between children and parents were so heartwarming.

I literally MISSS THEM ALREADY. And everytime I felt iffy about a character or plot line , as time went on I would understand why it was written that way or why certain characters were written that way.

But yea. I need a ray in my life I think.

Okay I’m done now
244 reviews4 followers
June 2, 2022
I enjoyed how the characters were open about their faith journey and their Christian walk. It is an integral part of almost all the conversations. However, it does not seem "preachy," but natural. I enjoyed the references to Nigerian culture throughout the book. I highly recommend this book-it's a sweet love story!
Profile Image for Vee.
17 reviews1 follower
April 20, 2024
Joan!!!! We need more books like this!!! This author had made fall in love with Christian romance. I absolutely loved this story more than the first book. I’d love to know kore about Amara & Ray’s future life together. This book really forced me to evaluate how I navigate dating and I’ll forever hang on to the life lessons I’ve learned.
Profile Image for Joselle.
11 reviews
December 9, 2024
LOVE LOVE LOVE! I see a lot of myself in Amara, especially with how her relationships or lack there of have been all during her life. Also relate to Ray a lot with having an expectation for God to make do on a promise before a certain timeline. I felt very seen by these characters and it gives me hope to keep pressing on and trusting in Gods timing in my life. They are also so cute and as a Ghanaian, I LOVED all the west African references. This series is so good, omg Joan Embola! The Woman of God you are!
4 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. The author does a good job of applying godly principles to life lessons. Waiting on the next one.
30 reviews1 follower
November 29, 2023
Loved it!
And funny thing. The book ended up being an answered prayer, about a man in my life.
This book has really blessed my life
Profile Image for Emma.
5 reviews2 followers
August 11, 2024
Another really good book! 100 % recommend! I've loved reading that book from start to finish!
9 reviews
August 5, 2022
This was a very different reading experience for me. There were days I couldn't put it down, I was so interested in what was going to happen. Unfortunately, I wasn't really rooting for Amara because of her outlook on life :( The disrespect to her mom, the lying, and the cheating were some of the things that concerned me, especially for a Christian MC. However, the overall message was very good and I highlighted several pieces of dialogue about Christian dating. I just didn't agree with some of the other messages in the book.
Profile Image for DaiDreamer.
45 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2023
The One Who Loves Me is a Christian romance about a new grad nurse named Amara Ikezie, who after seeing her best friend engaged, wonders when a love story of her own will begin. In this mindset, she writes out a list of what a perfect husband would look like. Meanwhile, Raymond Aderinto, a pediatric cardiologist who will soon be thirty, has just lost his fourth girlfriend, who turned down his proposal. After his heartbreak, Raymond makes the decision to allow God to guide his next relationship.

When he spills coffee on Amara at the hospital one day, he's convinced that she is the one. But Raymond doesn't check off all the boxes on Amara's list. When the physical version of Amara's list appears, though, is he everything he's cracked up to be? Or has she loved Raymond all along?

I enjoyed this book a lot better than the first, because I prefer Amara's character to Teeyana's. I enjoyed getting to see a new culture represented; it's very rare to find Christian books about Black people--let alone Nigerian.

The voice in Amara's head was relatable, and I felt tears come to my eyes when those dark thoughts were replaced by God's voice.

Getting to see Teeyana again was great, and I wonder what Heather's been up to. Raymond was a great character-- I enjoyed seeing his character come to life and of course, I like food, so hearing about what he cooked was nice.

There was a little more content in this book though, several kisses, references to husbands cheating on their wives, even talk of an unhealthy crush. However, I am glad the author didn't try to shy away from heavy topics, because, in the end, it made for believable characters and a memorable lesson: Trust God with your love story. Look for the purpose in every relationship. Trust God's plan in your life.
Profile Image for Zarria Gaddie.
43 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2024
“The One who loves me has done this. He has opened my eyes to see that this was never about me. God’s love has fought for me and stood by me even in my stubbornness and disobedience. His love broke through my insecurities and brought me out of my comfort zone. It lifted me up and showed me the light.”

I don’t even have the words to describe how much I loved this book 🥹💙. Gods love is truly sufficient, and the plans He has for us is far beyond what we could ever imagine. Amara and Ray’s growth was beautiful to witness. It showed that despite our mistakes, God loves us enough to still qualify and use us for His perfect will. Don’t ever psych yourself out, as you are more than enough to Him. Also, wait for a love that mimics Christ…don’t get caught up on your “type”.
Profile Image for Akanksha Goud.
16 reviews
October 13, 2025
"Hey readers! 🌟 I just finished reading the 'Is God Sovereign' Over love Series by Joan Embola, and I'm still reeling from the experience! 📚❤️ These books are a game-changer, filled with God's love, hope, and reassurance. They helped me refocus on my faith and trust in God's plan, especially during tough times. 🌈 What struck me is how underrated these books are - not many reviews or discussions online! 🤔 So, I'm spreading the word: let's get this series trending! 💥 Let's make sure everyone gets to experience the love and hope that's pouring out of these pages. Share with friends, post about it, and let's get the conversation started! 💬 Who's with me? 🙌 #SovereignloveSeries #JoanEmbola #BookLovers #Faith"
Profile Image for Heather Mood Reads.
849 reviews29 followers
March 23, 2025
This book has a lot of messages and lessons built into the story. I enjoyed the Nigerian and Cameroonian culture as well. The food and the overall family oriented atmosphere were nice to read about. I love how close both Amara and Raymond were with their families. Amara standing up to her mom about Raymond was a huge turning point, and I felt like it helped strengthen Amara and her mother's relationship.

While I found Amara and Raymond both enduring, I didn't feel the overall romance between them. I wish we would have focused a little more on them getting to know each other instead of being told that they had gotten closer.
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