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.

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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 with the Author

Did you use a functional outline, or was it just chaos that somehow worked?

I consider myself a “Panster,” a person who writes by the seat of their pants. 😊 But it’s never chaos for me. My characters live in my mind for quite some time before they find themselves on the page, and sometimes while they’re waiting for their story, different characters will meet and get to know one another.

Is there a particular scene or passage you’re incredibly proud of?

Honestly, writing this story was difficult. Olivia, my heroine, is a character that I approached with a lot of care. I wanted to do her story right. Along the way, I had the privilege of speaking with several people who worked closely with autistic children and adults. They were so generous with their time! One of the ladies said something that has stayed with me and shaped how I wrote Olivia: “If you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism.” 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. So there wasn’t a certain scene, but rather an entire story.

How has writing this book changed you?

I learned a lot about autism. I’m very thankful for the people who agreed to sit with me for interviews, and for the years it took to write this story. It helped to bring the story to life. I’m so grateful the Lord put Olivia and Jacob’s story on my heart to write.

What are you working on next?

Right now I’m working on a multi-author series called Apron Strings Tea Tales, set during the Great Depression. It’s described as “a glimmer of fairy tale, a spoonful of history, and a teacup of hope,” which perfectly captures the heart of the series. My story is called “Goldilocks’ Choice” and is set to release at the end of December 2026 for the New Year.

I’m especially excited about this story because I’m using the Book of Ruth from the Bible as inspiration for it. There’s something beautiful about Ruth’s loyalty, faith, and quiet strength, and weaving those themes into a fairy tale inspired historical story will be a lot of fun. And alongside the novel, though not directly associated with the series, I’m also working on a Bible study inspired by the story. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out!

What is your favorite part of being a writer?

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.