Saving Grace: A Christian Romance Thriller

by Neesh Santiago

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

Published February 28, 2026

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Samyra Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audiobook didn’t disappoint. The narration is top tier. The story captured my attention because I didn’t know what would become of poor, Sister Grace. I expected drama to unfold, but when everything was revealed, I was shook. This Christian thriller is a must read.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****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.

[The Diva Den Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Chilling Tale of Betrayal and "Sanctified Chaos" ⛪⚖️

This story is a haunting look at what happens when the person you trust most with your soul is the most dangerous person to know. Grace’s journey is a high-stakes thriller ride as she navigates "sanctified chaos" and the terrifying realization that her leader isn't who he claims to be. The dilemma—choosing between her church family and the police—is heart-wrenching. Her determination to find her faith while uncovering the truth behind closed doors kept me on the edge of my seat. A must-read for thriller fans!

[Reading_Utopia! · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨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!

[ZaKiyyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[alissa a ᖭིᖫྀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

we need to talk about what’s happening ‘behind closed doors’ in these churches. ☕️ i just read my first Christian thriller and i’m shaking. that minister? CRAZY. that plot twist? ILLEGAL. my jaw is still on the floor.

❛❜…who work their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires.❛❜

𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸: first and foremost, i want to thank @neeshsantiago for this Arc. i never read a Christian thriller before,this book was crazy! i thought i was ready for this after finishing the Red Series, but once again she just proved she owns my heart AND my bookshelf. 😭 this book highlights exactly what happens behind closed doors. it’s a heavy reminder that you really can’t trust anyone not even your minister at your church. when the truth about the minister’s motives came out... my jaw dropped. it’s terrifying because it’s a story that happens all too often in the real world. those women deserved so much better. 💔 i still can’t get over that plot twist, that was crazy..only a psycho would do something like that 🧍🏽‍♀️this book was very easy to read, the chapters was short and you can literally finish it ok ONE sitting. also, if JR Mason is narrating, i am listening. period. the performance was top-tier as always! i always stay until the very end of the audio! the outtakes/commentary had me rolling. when she said, “is she even black?” i lost it, because no for real 😭💀

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace, Grace, Grace! Chile..... 👀 I admired your desire to gain a relationship with God. However, your women's intuition and discernment were lacking, and in need of some maturing, cause what??? 🤯 You weren't going to church to find a man but somehow caught the eye of two! 😜 You immediately dismiss Mike, as you assume he is too street by his outwardly appearance, without even giving him a chance. 😡 But a good pastah smiles in yo face, and you cheesin' like you won the lottery! 🙄 Sis, the minute that Pastor James was introduced the red flags came out! He was just too eager and aggressive that his whole vibe was off. But Grace ignored all that and surged forward.

She then became concerned with his behaviors, hot and cold, dismissive, and unavailable. When Rachael kept popping up trying to warn her, those spidey senses didn't start tingling as they should have, pulling her deeper into James' web.

When Grace finally gets her head out of the fog, and realizes that she may be in danger, she seeks out Mike for assistance. This thing quickly goes from zero to a thousand, and I could not believe what I was reading! The things that this man had done without any repercussions had me hot!!🔥
Then poor Sheba!! 💔🥹 That backstory!! Whew!!! First read by this author, and I enjoyed it! 👍🏿👍🏿

[Genevieve McCane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Christian romance thriller, and I really enjoyed it!

We follow Grace, who’s recently saved and joins New Beginnings Church. While at church, she’s drawn to two men, James, who seems like the perfect Christian, and Mike, who looks like he’s from the streets.

Grace is trying to grow closer to God, but she quickly gets caught up in messy, chaotic, and dangerous situations. She has to navigate lies, buried secrets, and figure out who is truly good and who is evil.

Grace was a frustrating character at times, and I found myself getting upset with most of her choices. This was a quick, page turning read that kept my attention. The audiobook, narrated by J. R. Mason, was excellent, and I loved the bloopers at the end.

This story was beautifully done, with a shockingly twisted plot and a satisfying ending that wrapped everything up perfectly.

[GREEDY · Rating 5 out of 5]

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! 😍🎧😍🥰
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[CourtneyRenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[TheBookOfMicah_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ ARC REVIEW 🩷

I love thrillers but will admit I didn’t know what I was getting myself into with a Christian thriller at first. To my pleasant surprise, this book had me engaged from beginning to end. Grace really had me angry at her during some parts of this book (I locked my kindle at one point like - this girl is just STUPID 😂). I especially loved the plot twist at the end because I was not expecting that to happen.

I did enjoy the ending because I’ll admit after all of that, they all needed that.

I loved this book and will be reading more by NS soon.

[Beloved Dorcas]

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.

[Detra.honeyblonde · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mr. Mccane · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Shauntelle (shauntellereads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely surprised me.

Saving Grace is one of those stories that pulls you in immediately and refuses to let go. From the moment Grace finds faith and joins New Beginnings Church, you can feel that something isn’t quite right beneath the surface. What starts as a story about redemption and love slowly turns into a tense, twisty thriller where trust becomes dangerous and everyone seems to be hiding something.

Grace is trying to rebuild her life and her faith, but the people around her make that journey anything but simple. Between the charismatic Minister James Clarke and the grounded but mysterious Mike Reed, Grace is caught in a web of attraction, manipulation, and secrets that grow darker the deeper she gets involved with the church.

What I loved most about this book is how it blends faith with suspense. It explores belief, vulnerability, and the way people can use religion as both a refuge and a weapon. The tension builds steadily and the twists land perfectly. By the time the story reaches its final moments, I was so invested.

Saving Grace is emotional, suspenseful, and surprisingly intense. If you enjoy thrillers with layered characters, messy relationships, and a story that keeps you questioning who to trust, this one absolutely delivers.

Definitely a five star read for me.

[Maresha Braswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Treasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

**********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!

[Jeanette H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Jessica Womble · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Eros Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Ju Berrymore · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[RaeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace goes to a revival and gets saved so she starts going to church, Bible study the whole 9. And just like any other church lady she gets the hots for the fine sexy assistant pastor. The fact that he’s a pastor is a red flag for me already. So he comes over for dinner and he puts something in the sweet tea. Like powdered something, he suggests they watch a lil movie and he starts touching and rubbing on her and she was like no Mr pastor man. Ion do that Then when she confronted him about it he blamed her for both instances talking about she was trying to seduce him. And you know her dumb behind believed him. Red flag number 2. Red flag number 3 this crazy bag lady comes to her and tells her stay away from him and leave QR Code. And what does she do? Tells him. Dumb like i said. After one Bible study the light bulb finally goes off but baby it might be too late to Save Grace. Ya see what i did there? Yall Saving Grace was soo good. The vibes are Christian romance, suspense, and the ending baby i wasn’t ready for that at all!

This book was sent to me by the author to review. All opinions are my own

[Tiffani · Rating 5 out of 5]

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?

[BookinWithJess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immersive Read 🎧📖: Grace is trying to return to church & build her faith but Minister James has his eyes on Grace for morning than just helping her return to church. Minister James has some secrets that would shock every pew member & preacher even though Grace got on rose colored glasses. Do you think anyone in the church knows James secrets or do you think they are just trying to cover up his secrets? Oh let me not forget about Mike (regular church member) who has his eyes on Grace too..Read/listen to this book to see how Grace, Mike, & Minister James all cross paths & what may or may not happen in the church!
I love the commentary at the end of the audiobook by the narrator!

[Stephanie H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. 👏🏾

[Ginny Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Keesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. Chile I was side eyeing Grace and the minister James from the beginning! But as soon they cut off that lady’s mic during testimony service, I knew it was gonna be some BS! Messy, messy, messy! Did I say messy?!

The FMC is one of the most dense FMC's I've ever read lol. She almost deserved to die, ok not really but yikes. Poor Sheba was the one I really felt for sorry for.

After all the craziness, I appreciated the overall message and the HEA for the surviving characters.

[Stephanie Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books entertain you… and some make you question everything. 👀📚

I just finished Saving Grace by Neesh Santiago, and let’s just say this story kept me guessing the whole time. Suspense, mystery, and twists that made me stop and think, “Wait… what just happened?”

It’s one of those books where the deeper you get into the story, the more secrets start to unfold. And just when you think you’ve figured it out… another twist shows up.

I won’t spoil anything, but if you love thrillers that keep your mind working and your curiosity going, this one definitely does that.

[Ebony Essence · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Alicia J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.