Before We Belong

Discerning God's Best #0.1

by Heidi Gray McGill

In 1851 South Carolina, childhood friends Mary and Melvin discover a love neither expected. A simple Christmas Nativity and an accidental engagement force them to choose obedience to God over expectations. A heartwarming, faith-driven holiday romance about finding where you truly belong.

If you love childhood-friends-to-lovers romances, accidental engagements, and faith-driven love stories where obedience to God changes everything, you’ll treasure this heartwarming Christmas short story. This book is free when you subscribe to Heidi Gray McGill's newsletter on her website.

Fans of Karen Witemeyer, Julie Klassen, and Michelle Griep will enjoy Heidi Gray McGill’s tender storytelling—where humor, hope, and heartfelt conviction intertwine to show that true belonging begins in God’s hands.

Genres: Christmas, Inspirational

100 pages, Unknown Binding

Published November 1, 2025

About the author

Selah Award finalist Heidi Gray McGill writes award-winning Christian fiction that draws readers into stories of hope, grace, and redemption. Her Discerning God’s Best series brings the American frontier to life with historical richness and biblical truth, while her contemporary novels explore modern struggles with the same heartfelt honesty. Blindness has not limited Heidi’s vision but refined her focus, shaping the way she writes about resilience and faith. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband of more than thirty years and treasures her role as Grammie to three energetic grandsons. Connect with Heidi and receive a free prequel at HeidiGrayMcGill.com.

Reviews

[Heidi McGill]

FROM THE AUTHOR

Before We Belong is a special story for me—not just because it launches Mary and Melvin’s journey, but because it marks the beginning of the entire Discerning God’s Best series. It’s the moment when two young hearts learn that true belonging begins with remembering Whose they are.

This Christmas short story is available exclusively to my newsletter subscribers. Why?
Because my deepest joy as an author isn’t only in writing stories… it’s in walking alongside the people who read them. My newsletter gives us a space to connect—where you can share what touched your heart, ask questions, and help me know the direction God may be leading the next book.

When you sign up, you’ll receive:
✨ Before We Belong — this exclusive Christmas short
✨ Deep in My Heart — the prequel that officially begins the series
✨ Updates on new books and audiobooks, special bonuses, and early access opportunities

If you love faith-filled romance, where redemption shines through the ordinary and God’s love brings every story home, I’d love for you to join me there.

Together, we’ll continue the journey through Shumard Oak Bend—one heart at a time.

💛 — Heidi Gray McGill

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella that helps put pieces into place from the beginning of the series. I had hoped to learn more about Melvin’s first wife, Mary, and it gave me great joy to read about her and grieve her. Yes, grieve this character who was deeply loved by many. Learning more of Delphina’s friendship with Mary and her own relationships was wonderful, too. Melvin was a happier man, deeply devoted to his faith, but convicted by the way his family treated those who worked for them. Reading more of his story was helpful in understanding him. It’s important to take the time to learn about people so we can understand them better and this novella shows us that. God works in each of us to draw us closer to Him and make us more like Him; Heidi helps us see this in her characters and realize our need to allow Him to work in our own lives. I received a complimentary copy and these opinions are my own.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short Christmas romance is utterly wonderful! I loved watching God move in Mary and Melvin's lives. I highly recommend this sweet story.

[Carol Kaylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet story.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I do think it is odd the cover for this book is just Deep in my Heart's cover, reversed and colorized in parts. I would have liked a more original cover. That's really the only issue I have with this book (so it is minor).

This book is another backstory about Melvin and Mary, but further than Deep in my Heart, which was really great to learn about.

Melvin had pressure from his parents to do what was best for their estate and family name, and that meant in who he should or shouldn't marry. Melvin had grown up around Mary and I really liked the cute little story about when they were kids and how Melvin in a way, always held a candle for Mary. His parents don't approve of them being together at all. Circumstances do bring them together. Both Melvin and Mary are happy about that, even with the gossip it produces.

I loved how much Delphina is in this too, so we can learn even more about her story (I still have to read her backstory - my plan for the next couple of days, which will be the last one I get to, as odd as it is to be all out of order with it). You get to witness more about the story of friendship between Mary and Delphina.

I thought the end was very adorable.
This was a sweet Christmas tale, even if brief.

Make sure you get the author Heidi Gray McGill's newsletter so you can read or listen to this book for free! What a kind Christmas present to us all.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Mary and Melvin were childhood friends, but their families had differing views of slavery. Mary’s parents considered them as equals and taught them to read and provided Christmas celebrations for them while Melvin’s parents treated them as fully slaves and beneath them. Mary and Melvin discover their ideals are the same and announce their coming marriage. A touching Christmas story about life in the south before the Civil War.

[D'anah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. So clear when juxtaposed this way, what truly matters! Loved Delphina, so wise, so "with it", such a great heart and faith. A book that hit "just the right spot" for me on a dull, cold and difficult day. A ray of sunshine and encouragement when needed😋

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more by this author.