About the Book

Book: Until I Knew You

Author: Tanya Eavenson

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release Date: April 21, 2026

Photographer Jacob Michaels has spent his life running, from foster homes, from emotional attachment, from anything that asks more of him than a fleeting moment through his camera lens, except for Clay Logan, his one true friend and the only person who ever saw past the walls.

Olivia Logan lives in a world of color and quiet, expressing through art what words cannot, and Clay understood her without explanation, offering a steady presence in a world that often feels overwhelming.

But when a hiking trip ends in tragedy and Jacob returns alone, everything changes, and Clay’s final request becomes Jacob’s new reality: take care of Olivia, protect her, don’t walk away.

Now her legal trustee, Jacob steps into a life he never intended. Bound by grief and a promise neither asked for, he and Olivia are drawn into a fragile closeness they don’t know how to navigate.

And perhaps God isn’t finished mending what was never meant to be broken.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

I was curious after seeing the beautiful cover and reading the blurb, and began to realize I needed to read this one as others started talking about it, but once I started reading, and finally met Olivia for myself…I knew I would walk away changed. I love when that happens, especially when it changes me in a way that reflects Christ and draws me closer to Him. This book is such a treasure. There are so many themes and elements that I loved along the way, and yet it’s hard to find the words to list them, because so many of them need to be seen, felt, and experienced as the reader watches the story unfold. I loved the art, and how they bonded over a shared love of art and photography. I loved Olivia’s strong yet sensitive nature, and how she needed to be protected and loved, and how she learned to grow and accept love in ways she thought impossible at first. I loved how much I related to her, her struggles, her hope and dreams, her conflicting nature as she tries to make sense of the world in her mind. I loved Jacob’s own personal struggles and seeing them both learn and grow as the story unfolds. I loved all the little things, and that they eventually became big things. I loved how this story made me feel seen in so many ways that I hadn’t realized I needed before, and I love how beautifully wholesome their journey is. I hope this makes sense when you read the book, and I pray that this story blesses others as it has so wonderfully blessed me.

Until I Knew You is unlike anything I’ve read before and surprised me in the best way! The cover first caught my attention, but the blurb and story it contains was just as beautiful. I loved the realistic and intentional approach as the story slowly unfolds. It’s not a slow read but rather takes time to introduce the characters, showing their quirks, strengths, weaknesses, and unique perspectives. I loved the style used and enjoyed meeting Jacob and Oliva. Both were wonderfully complex and added to the depth and richness of this beautiful story. While this is a story of grief, it’s also a story of healing and new beginnings.

I was given a copy by the author. This does not affect my review. This review is voluntary.

About the Author

Tanya Eavenson is an award-winning Christian romance novelist who writes heartfelt stories of love, faith, and second chances.  To date, she has written thirteen fictions novels and seven craft books for new writers. Her historical romance The Rescue, from the All Roads Lead to Texas series, won the 2018 Cascade Award, and the series has gone on to be a finalist for several awards.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with family or curling up on the couch with a cup of coffee, chocolate, and a good book.

More from Tanya

“If you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism.”

Some stories come from imagination . . . and others feel gently placed on your heart for a reason. Until I Knew You is one of those stories.

At its heart, this is a story about grief, love, and healing, but also about the quiet ways God works in our lives, even when we do not fully understand what He is doing. Jacob and Olivia’s journey was never meant to be easy, but it was always meant to lead somewhere meaningful.

Olivia was a character I approached with a lot of care. I truly wanted to do this right. Along the way, I had the privilege of speaking with several people who have worked closely with autistic children and adults. They were so generous with their time, answering my questions and sharing their experiences, and I am incredibly grateful.

“If you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism.” Patricia’s words stayed with me and shaped how I wrote Olivia. Every individual is unique, and it was important to me that Olivia reflect her own voice, her own experiences, and her own way of seeing the world.

There is a moment in this story where Olivia observes a black widow, something many would fear or turn away from, but she sees beyond that fear and recognizes that even it was created with purpose. Not random or a mistake. That realization reflects something deeper woven throughout this story, that each of us, no matter how we are seen or misunderstood, was created with intention and for a purpose.

I wrote this story to the best of my knowledge and ability, with respect, care, and a genuine desire to honor both the beauty and the challenges within it. My hope and my prayer is that you not only enjoy this story, but that you also find something meaningful within its pages.

Here’s a short excerpt.

Olivia

It happened so fast. … Clay didn’t make it. … Clay is dead.

I could still feel the heat of Jacob’s breath against my face, his nearness burning my skin. I wanted to scream, How dare you! Leave me be! But his words rushed through me, painfully churning their way through my heart, touching the deepest parts of my innermost being, and I felt them there for a moment, but it was the fear of being without Clay that clenched my throat.

I struggled to make sense of it all, to breathe, and by some miraculous power I’d been able to hold myself upright, but the moment Ellie made Jacob leave the house, my knees buckled, and I hit the floor so hard pain radiated up my right side.

I gasped. The air forced into my lungs caused my body to crave more. The pressure in my chest grew. Please, Lord. I can’t. Breathe.

It happened so fast.

Clay didn’t make it.

Clay is dead.

Interview:

1. What kind of stories do you most enjoy reading?

I enjoy reading stories that make me feel something: a soft brush against a cheek, a husband
on his knees in prayer, the raw emotion of being broken and finding God and His love in the
process. I love finding these types of stories whether they’re contemporary stories set in a small
Georgia town or historical romances set on a Texas ranch. It’s what I write, so it’s what I tend to
read.

2. How do you come up with character names?

Well, I don’t think I’m very original. I use names that I like, or I come up with something that just
“feels” right for them.

3. What is your favorite thing about being an author? 

My favorite thing about being an author is getting to “meet” my readers. Whether that’s online,
through my newsletter, or in person, it’s always pretty special.

4. Do you have any traditions or special treats you enjoy as a way to celebrate when you finish
a WIP or publish a new book?

Yes! I treat myself, for sure! For the last three stories, I’ve gone to Olive Garden and ordered
their Black Tie Mousse Cake. YUM!  

5. When a new reader picks up you book(s), what kind of story or themes will they find?

As I touched on above, I write Christian fiction with romance. I have stories that are
contemporary, historical, and western, and each book has different themes. For Until I Knew
You, the themes are enemies to lovers, forced proximity, autistic heroine, protective hero, found
family, hope, and redemption.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, September 2 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, September 3

Artistic Nobody, September 4 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, September 5

Guild Master, September 6 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, September 7

Fiction Book Lover, September 8 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 9

Pause for Tales, September 9

The Bookish Ledger, September 10 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, September 11

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 12 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, September 13

Books Less Travelled, September 14 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tanya is giving away the grand prize of a $45 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/TcQZ8/until-i-knew-you-celebration-tour-giveaway