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Saving Grace: A Christian Romance Thriller

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From the moment Grace finds salvation at a revival meeting, she believes God is guiding her path. But when she joins New Beginnings Church, that path splits in two toward Minister James Clarke, whose polished exterior and spiritual authority make him seem like the perfect Christian man, and Mike Reed, whose street-smart demeanor masks a soul deeply rooted in faith.

As Grace navigates her newfound relationship with God, she finds herself entangled in a dangerous web of attraction and deceit. Beneath the church's pristine facade lies a darkness that will test not just her faith, but her very survival. Someone is watching. Someone is lying. And someone will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.

When unexplained events turn deadly, Grace must question everything she thought she knew about faith, love, and redemption. In a place where devils quote scripture and wolves wear shepherd's clothing, discerning truth from lies could mean the difference between being saved... and being silenced forever.

Faith led her here. Love blinded her. But will the truth save her... or destroy her?

A heart-pounding Christian romance thriller that blurs the lines between divine intervention and deadly obsession, "Saving Grace" will keep you guessing until the final prayer is answered.

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 28, 2026

2 people are currently reading
24 people want to read

About the author

Neesh Santiago

15 books22 followers
Neesh Santiago is an author, rapper, spoken word artist, Bible teacher, and faith-based entrepreneur. She was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. Neesh has been rapping and writing since her early teens and has participated in numerous open mics, competitions, and more, including winning the first place prize at her Alma Mater, American International College's talent show in 2008. Her debut album, Forever Changed, was released in 2022 with much more to come. Her debut novel series, "Better Late Than Never" is the first, but certainly not the last story that will demonstrate Neesh's mission of "Penning Truth To Power" through Christian fiction and nonfiction books.

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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Reading_Utopia!.
289 reviews12 followers
February 21, 2026
✨ARC REVIEW✨

Saving Grace

by: Neesh Santiago
Pub Date. Feb 28, 2026

Faith, dysfunction, stress, and excitement collide in the gripping Christian thriller, Saving Grace!! As a preacher’s kid, I was captivated by the authentic depiction of church life. Grace, a new follower of Christ, joins New Beginnings Church and quickly finds herself enamored with Minister James Clarke. Throughout the story, Grace kept me on edge! I wanted to shake her and give her a few gentle taps to the face, but despite her flaws, I couldn't help but root for her. For fans of faith-based thrills, get ready to dive into Saving Grace, A Christian Romance Thriller, and prepare to finish it in one exhilarating sitting!
Profile Image for K.
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 12, 2026
*****ARC REVIEW*****

This is the first book I’ve read all the way through this year without taking a single break. That’s not to say the other books haven’t been good, but Saving Grace had me completely hooked from the very first chapter and I mean hooked.

As a thriller girlie, I was intrigued by the title alone, especially seeing that it was a Christian thriller. I had never read one before, but knowing how clever the author is, I trusted she would find a way to merge faith with suspense, and she absolutely delivered. The blend of thriller elements with subtle horror kept me on edge the entire time.

We follow a young woman named Grace who is finding her way back to Christ and joins a new church home. There, she meets two men, a friendly church member and the new minister. From that point on, her life takes a turn she never expected, and the story becomes a complete rollercoaster.

I gave this story five stars because I would absolutely read it again. It is a quick but fulfilling read and I think it would make an excellent book club pick. I also appreciated that it was written in a way that feels accessible for young adults and teens.

Thank you for the ARC copy. I truly cannot say enough great things about this one. I look forward to reading more like it. Five stars.
Profile Image for ZaKiyyah.
131 reviews
February 15, 2026
Grace that Transformed Tragedy into Triumph

I had the pleasure of ARC reading Saving Grace, and let me just say… I was not prepared in the best way possible.

For a while, I thought I knew exactly where the story was headed. I felt confident I had it all figured out — but this author is the queen of plot twists for a reason! Just when I settled into my assumptions, the narrative shifted in a way that completely caught me off guard. The twists weren’t just for shock value either; they were purposeful, layered, and masterfully executed.

This novel gives you so much to unpack. It doesn’t just tell a story — it challenges you. It explores pain, redemption, and resilience while also touching on some of the deep, often unspoken secrets within the church. The author handles these sensitive themes with boldness and care, allowing readers to reflect without feeling preached to.

Saving Grace is ultimately a powerful journey of transformation — proof that even tragedy can be the soil where triumph grows. If you enjoy emotionally rich storytelling with depth, suspense, and substance, this book deserves a spot on your shelf.
Profile Image for GREEDY.
212 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 24, 2026
First time reading a Christian thriller, and it was so good. The way it was written had me literally laughing at some of the events that took place. I was shocked at one of the main characters' actions as it unfolded. I love a good book narrated by J.R. Mason. I love her ending. You're talking about a good time you shall have. Go DOWNLOAD this; you will not be disappointed! 😍🎧😍🥰
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
24 reviews3 followers
Read
February 26, 2026
ARC Review of Saving Grace by Neesh Santiago

When I signed up for the ARC of Saving Grace, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. Thrillers are not my natural habitat. I don’t like reading suspense-heavy stories. But the blurb intrigued me enough to step out of my comfort zone and I’m glad I did.
From the beginning, I loved Grace's character but at a point I found myself getting frustrated. The red flags were glaring. The signs were obvious. And yet I felt like she was just so stubborn.
But here’s the part that humbled me: by the end of the story, I realized I act like Grace more often than I would like to admit. Ignoring warning signs. Trying to “believe the best” even when wisdom is whispering otherwise. And as a believer, that realization hit deeply.

Mike, on the other hand, was solid. From beginning to end, I loved his presence in the story. There was a steadiness to him that felt reassuring in the middle of all the tension. He was the kind of character you hold on to when everything else feels unstable.

And then there’s Minister James. Whew. He embodies the Scripture, “Train up a child in the way he should go…” but this story shows how that training can shape a life in more than one direction. Whether for good or for something else entirely.
Well, you’ll have to read the book to know what part he went .
Overall, Saving Grace was an engaging, tension-filled read that pushed me to reflect on the consequences of the choices we make.
Thank you to the author for the ARC of this powerful and thought-provoking story.
Profile Image for Detra.honeyblonde.
41 reviews16 followers
February 28, 2026
Whew. Five stars. No hesitation.
My first 5-star review of the year and it earned that spot. Saving Grace came in strong and did not let up. From the very beginning, you’re thrown into a world where two men, missing women, and temptation collide in the most unsettling way. And let’s be real this book makes you question everything, especially the idea that you’re safe just because you’re sitting in a pew.

The way church secrets and systemic issues are woven into the story. The author doesn’t tiptoe around the darkness either. The main character’s untreated mental health struggles add a deeply disturbing layer that makes the story feel raw and painfully real. There’s something truly diabolical brewing beneath the surface, and you feel it long before everything starts unraveling.

The female main character, bless her heart. Grace is clueless in a way that will have you yelling at the pages. You see the red flags. You feel the tension. She does not. That gap builds suspense so well, you can’t stop reading.

This isn’t just drama, it’s psychological, layered, and thought-provoking. It challenges the idea of morality, faith, and appearances. If you love stories with church scandal, dark twists, and characters who make you uneasy in the best way, this is it.
Profile Image for Ieshia Shephard.
645 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 12, 2026
Saving Grace
Once you see the cover, you’re going to say: oh, this is a story about a woman seeking God and her battle through a hard life! NOPE! You’re going to be wrong! Neesh Santiago takes you to the sanctuary of New Beginnings! Here you have Grace seeking to start over and develop a better relationship with God! You will meet Minister James and Bro. Mike!
As churchgoers, we know that sometimes there’s something lingering that’s not of the kingdom. Here is where you see a lost girl being preyed on while also seeing how naive she chooses to be. You will have to look over your shoulder cause just when you thought it was simple fellowship, the wolf in sheep’s clothing begins to show themself! When God gives you discernment, use it! Know who you are and have the purest of intentions when seeking God! Ignoring him could have you in a life or death situation! You’re not going to be ready for the plot twists thrown your way! You are going to want to throw your Bible at people (yes I mean actually throw a book lol)! Come join this journey of Grace saving herself, but will she be the only one saved?!?!
Profile Image for Nicholas Mccane.
157 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 12, 2026
I pride myself on reading from all genres. With that being said, I didn’t know what to expect from my first Christian romance thriller. Now, having read Saving Grace, I can say without a doubt that their thrillers can be just as crazy as regular thrillers. Now let’s talk about the church, New Beginnings, where you can learn about the Lord, possibly find your soulmate, or get murdered.

We meet Grace, who is brand new to the church. Although her focus is on getting saved, she can’t help that a couple of attractive men have caught her eye. She ends up falling for Mike and James. One is an angel, while the other is a demon. Will she find love? God? Or a body bag?

The FMC had me screaming at my Kindle. The book was well written, with a beautiful ending, and it got me thinking about how these kinds of things (perhaps less extreme) can actually happen in churches today.

I enjoyed myself. The only reason I didn’t rate the book higher than a 4.25 was because of how annoying the FMC was. I always find it a little unrealistic that someone can make terrible decisions repeatedly. But this is America, so…

This was a good ass book. Oops, I meant a good butt book. Pardon me.
Profile Image for Maresha Braswell.
164 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 24, 2026
Thank you to the author for this ARC copy to read and review.

Listen and hear me good Grace will stress you out!

This story isn’t just about religion, it’s about discernment. The plot dives into the unsettling reality that not everyone who quotes scripture truly lives it, and that tension hums beneath every chapter like a quiet warning. The suspense builds steadily, blending spiritual themes with psychological twists that keep you questioning motives, intentions, and truth itself.

What stood out most was the atmosphere. It feels intense, eerie, and layered, especially with the way deception and faith are woven together. The message hits hard without feeling preachy, and the thriller elements make it impossible to just “read one chapter.”

Overall, Saving Grace is a gripping, thought-provoking read that explores faith, manipulation, and hidden darkness behind righteous appearances. Perfect for readers who enjoy Christian thrillers with suspense, drama, and a strong moral undertone.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A chilling reminder: everybody can quote the Word, but not everybody lives it.
Profile Image for Treasure.
444 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 7, 2026
**********ARC Review*****************

Overall thoughts: The book had me on edge, from the very first time, minister James was mentioned and described in the book.
It gave me bad vibes from the instant
I loved how the story, kept me engaged throughout. A good book club pick!

Book overview:
We follow Grace who has made a promise to herself to build a solid relationship with God. With this new promise, she finds a new church and joins it.
On the very first day attending the new
church , she encounters two men. one (Mike) who looks bad and looks like he struggling with his commitment to God and the second (James) who looks like, God on earth and is a minister in the church.
She falls for the obvious one and realises quickly that she made the decisions solely on feelings and looks rather than discernment and consulting God. This comes with traumatic consequences!

Read the story to find out what saving grace is all about.
You won’t be disappointed!
Profile Image for Jeanette H..
188 reviews16 followers
February 28, 2026
Saving Grace is my first Christian romantic thriller, and I truly didn’t know what to expect. I love thrillers, so I decided to give it a chance — and I’m so glad I did!

Grace stressed me out from the very beginning! She ignored every single gut instinct she had. Bless her heart! As the story unfolds, though, I could extend a little grace (pun intended). In the church, you want to believe people have the best intentions and good will. Unfortunately, in this case, she absolutely should have trusted those instincts about Minister James. Thank goodness she befriended Mike Reed — because he truly saved her.

This story was suspenseful, messy, and twisty across all 152 pages. I also had an advanced copy of the audiobook, and JR Mason delivered a phenomenal performance, as always. The added sound effects really enhanced the listening experience and pulled me deeper into the story.

Thank you, Neesh, for the eARC and ALC!
Profile Image for Jessica Womble.
61 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 20, 2026
I had the pleasure of reading Saving Grace by Neesh Santiago early and whew. Grace really took me THROUGH it.

This Christian-based thriller doesn’t just dip its toe into uncomfortable conversations… it dives all the way in. It explores how people can hide behind the pulpit, how power can be abused in sacred spaces, and how wrongdoing can be quietly swept under the rug in the name of “protecting the church.”

Grace walked into church searching for God.
She didn’t expect to walk straight into hell.

What hit me the most was how layered this story felt. Faith, manipulation, secrecy, survival, it’s unsettling in a way that lingers. It forces you to confront the reality that not everyone who speaks in God’s name moves with God’s heart.

This one had me frustrated, emotional, and turning pages fast. A solid 4 stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Eros Rose.
375 reviews11 followers
February 17, 2026
If you are looking for a fast paced Christian thriller then this may be the novella for you.

-FMC finding herself through religion
-strong villain
-dark secrets
-violence & murder
-believable church narratives
-“trust your gut” narrative
-found family
-entertaining predictability
-115 pages

Neesh Santiago gave us a full story that felt like an episode straight out of a crime tv show. This was my 1st Christian thriller & I wasn’t sure what to expect.
It was engaging, thrilling with a sprinkle of disturbing & just the right amount of stress for the FMC & her storyline.

If you are sensitive about the portrayal of Christian’s then, this may not be the novella for you. But, I suggest reading your trigger warnings & going into it with an open mind.
Profile Image for Ju Berrymore.
113 reviews20 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 21, 2026
ARC REVIEW

Saving Grace by Neesh Santiago is my first Christian romance thriller and whew...I was locked in from start to finish!

Grace’s journey begins with genuine salvation and a desire to grow closer to God, but New Beginnings Church has a couple of distractions: Minister James and Mike Reed. One is polished and powerful and the other is quiet but grounded, and both leave Grace's faith tested in ways she never expected. And when the secrets start surfacing? The tension does NOT let up.

This story perfectly balances spiritual growth, romantic temptation, and edge of your seat suspense. The church setting adds a chilling layer because when “wolves wear shepherd’s clothing,” discernment becomes a matter of survival. This high stakes, page turner deserves a spot on your TBR list.
Profile Image for Tiffani.
57 reviews
February 17, 2026
Grace wants a closer relationship to God so she finds a new church. New beginnings church that sounds like a good church right?

She’s there to get closer to God, but as soon as she walks in, she’s immediately attracted to Mike and Minister James. Minister James steals her attention from Mike and things starts to go left….First the lady in the red dress that wants to give her testimony, then that same lady following you home and then the mysterious QR code. Plus a break in. Not to mention deaths (yes, multiple) and the hot and cold emotions of Minister James…

What has Grace really gotten herself into?
Profile Image for Stephanie H..
27 reviews
February 11, 2026
Saving Grace ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I did not think a Christian thriller was going to be my thing… but baby, I was wrong.

This was a short, fast-paced read that had me hooked from the start. I finished it in just a few hours because I genuinely could not put it down. The faith-based elements were strong without taking away from the suspense. It definitely delivered both spiritually and thriller-wise.

While it’s fiction, it absolutely opens up conversations about secrets churches can keep that need to be talked about.

Five stars. 👏🏾
Profile Image for Ginny Davis.
50 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 15, 2026
Suspense and thrills in a Black Church? Save a seat on the pew for me!
MC Grace hopes to get closer to God when she starts attending a new church. She manages to meet two attractive God fearing men the first day she attends. But one of these men is dangerous and deadly dangerous. He has Grace in his sights and he will not go away.

Immediately worried for Grace. Something ominous is coming for her and although she is aware, she is not ready! I was screaming,"Run, Grace, run!" throughout this book and the twist at the end was unexpectedly delicious.
Profile Image for Ebony Essence.
564 reviews24 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 13, 2026
4.5 - Neesh Santiago you know how to stress your readers out. You would think a Christian thriller wouldn’t go that crazy. Well heck no. Neesh jumped in with both feet. Especially with characters like Grace and Minister James. Grace supposed to be looking to build a relationship with God instead she being fast and got in bed with the devil.

New Beginnings should change their name or at least get a cleanse. Grace was doing some dumb stuff. To the point I almost helped James take her out. LOL! The things James did were so foul. Thank God for Mike. He was a ray of hope.

This is a fast pace, stressful, twist & turn filled story.
Profile Image for Alicia J..
Author 12 books38 followers
February 26, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed the audio! I typically listen to audiobooks on 2-2.5 speed, but if you listen to this audiobook, I recommend 1.5 since there’s music and noises in the background.

The story dealt with a great flaw within the church. Growing up in the church, I wasn’t surprised by some characters reactions or lack there of. There’s a love interest, church drama, and family secrets all wrapped up in this one book.
Profile Image for Gabby Penn Farmer.
209 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 10, 2026
ARC reader review:
I love everything Tanisha writes.
This one right here! Of course there’s a crazy twist after you think it’s over.
She knows how to keep your attention.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a Christian romance thriller, being non-religious, but I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed this one.
Profile Image for CourtneyRenee.
166 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 28, 2026
Thank you Neesh for this ARC.

This was my first Christian thriller but it won't be my last. The book had me on the edge of my seat and completely pulled me in. I was yelling at my kindle and everything lol. It's short but packed with a message that did not go unnoticed and some suspense for the thriller lovers.
Profile Image for Anniee Bee.
Author 54 books18 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 9, 2026
Woah! I say and read this book in one sitting and when I say it was goodt.. it was goodt.

Grace had me nervous because she was being very naive but her instincts kicked in and yeah y'all just gotta read this one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Elonda.
177 reviews
February 21, 2026
Review of an advanced copy received from the author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I absolutely loved this book! Plot twists, and more. I was on the edge of my seat to the very end! I will definitely be reading more by Neesh Santiago! Release date 2/28!
Profile Image for Tisa Scott.
193 reviews
February 21, 2026
This was definitely a different read for me since it was a “Christian Thriller” good twist and turns as well, didn’t expect the ending, I thought I had it figured out! LOL
Profile Image for Demetrica Boling.
387 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy
February 24, 2026
*******ARC REVIEW*******
When you’re trying to get your life together the devil will always slither in some way to mess that up. Even if he has to sneak in church with you. This book was a heartfelt one. It grabbed me in from the beginning and didn’t let go. There was drama, edge balancing, heart drop moments, and a happily ever after. If you don’t read this book you’re missing out!
Profile Image for April.
686 reviews189 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 19, 2026
This book was perfectly titled because Grace definitely needed saving! Between her and Minister James, they completely stressed me out and absolutely made me take a couple of breaks! I mean.. I can’t afford to be throwing my kindle right? lol…

At New Beginnings Church, anything is possible and I do mean anything! A little ministry, a lot of foolishness and even a little m u r d e r! Graces decision making had me yelling at her as if she was in the room. I mean how many bad decisions can one woman make? Sadly, I don’t feel like this book was too far fetched, when it comes to the overall “wolf in sheep’s clothing” concept. The man of God (and I use that phrase loosely) was simply a menace!

And then we have Mike! We definitely needed a breath of fresh air in this story & between Mike & the ending — Neesh Santiago definitely delivered a great story! Overall well written, with of course some shocking twists that will leave you speechless! You definitely want to add this to your TBR!
Profile Image for LashayBee.
28 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 28, 2026
I enjoyed this short thriller . James was absolutely insane. I was so mad at Grace for ignoring that gut feeling and those red flags. Mike was my favorite character .
Profile Image for CT.
140 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 28, 2026
Saving Grace by Neesha Santiago is an absolute page-turner! I literally stayed up late just to finish it because I couldn’t put it down. The story is filled with romance and suspense, and it keeps you hooked from beginning to end. If you love a book that blends passion with edge-of-your-seat drama, this one is definitely worth the read!
29 reviews
February 28, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. It was such a powerful way to explore an issue that has been affecting the community for years. The story carries multiple meaningful lessons—especially the reminder that you can’t always judge a book by its cover, in both good and bad ways. Just because someone appears kind and sincere doesn’t mean they truly are. As the saying goes, the devil can be in the pulpit and the pews, and this story shows exactly why that warning matters.

Grace had me completely stressed—I was literally yelling at her like she could hear me 😩🤭—but I loved every moment of the journey. This is a must-read Christian thriller. Go pick it up ASAP!
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