Grace's Secret Chapter

by Regan Black

93 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 29, 2026

About the author

Regan Black, a USA Today bestselling author, writes award-winning, action-packed romantic novels featuring kick-butt heroines and the sexy heroes who fall in love with them. She and her husband currently enjoy the empty-nest life in the South Carolina Lowcountry where the rich blend of legend, romance, and history fuels her imagination.

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Reviews

[Karon Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

First in this new series (although the author offers a free prequel) set in the same world as Brookwell Island, this is a second chance at romance book. Grace had dropped out of college when her mother was ill and dropped her ex, Calvin soon after. When he ends up renting the apartment over her shop, the old flame is reignited. But neither of them are exactly like they were back then and these two have to navigate this new reality. There are some trust issues to overcome and I feel as if these two could communicate better if they really want to make it work this second time around. I liked how these two had to overcome some misconceptions on both sides to get to their HEA.

[Nikki Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely series this is, I love how we get to see another aspect of Brookwell Island and it's inhabitants by looking at the Silent Book Club. This one concentrates on Grace and how she deals with her ex college sweetheart, Calvin, coming into Brookwell, working for Levi but hoping to reconnect and rekindle what they had. Unfortunately it doesn't go according plan when incorrect assumptions are made and Calvin finds himself at odds with Grace. Beautiful, romantic and with all that you would expect from Brookwell Island and more.

[JigsawGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had my doubts about Cal and the way he seemed to want to change Grace. Then I realized that the way Grace left him, he didn't understand who she had become. I also recognized that Cal had his own vulnerabilities and hurt from the decisions Grace made in the past. Luckily, he was able to let go of his assumptions about her. He at least realized that she was different and how she changed.

I also had my doubts about Grace. I felt like she misjudged and mistreated Cal based on her past decisions. Cal wasn't given much of a choice. There was a big issue with lack of communications mostly on Grace's part. Grace could not seem to let go of her assumptions about Cal. Her anger at him seemed unfounded to me.

I did like the small town environment, the closeness and support Grace received from her book club ladies, and Grace's feeling of success about her business. I hate to have to say it. I did not like Grace. I understood some of the things she endured from her past. I could not reconcile how I felt about the way she treated Cal. She wouldn't even consider trying to have a relationship when he was attempting to talk to her. Yet as soon as he made the grand gesture, all if her defenses were gone.

Cal made some big changes to prove how important Grace was to him. What did Grace do for Cal? Doesn't seem like much of a partnership to me. Levi and Willow felt like there was more of a partnership involved with that relationship.

I could see where some people may have found the"grand gesture" romantic. I can even see where some might see this as a sweet romance. That was my initial reaction.
I'm just not that person. The sweet romance only came into play toward the very end. Rating: 3.5 Stars.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Laura R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace is the second member of the Beach Readers Silent Book Club to find her HEA. But the road there isn't easy. Grace and Cal had dated in college, until she had to drop out to return home to Brookwell. Now she's a successful business owner, carrying on the family tradition at their downtown boutique.

Cal is a successful marketing executive and has come to town to help out his largest client, but also to try and reconnect with Grace. He thinks he's coming to save her without realizing that she is successful. And he almost blows it. However, since there's still a spark between them, he has hope and gets some timely advice from his client, Levi.

I love the small town of Brookwell and the community of women who look out for and support each other.

[Catlou · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ Stars ⭐⭐⭐🌟 GRACE'S SECRET CHAPTER is filled with charm and a touch of heartache. Grace has made a good life for herself in Brookwell. She has a good family business, plenty of close friends, and she’s an important member of the community. She believes she has everything she could want until Calvin Lynwood comes to town. Things are about to get very interesting between these two. Grace has become a strong, independent businesswoman whose dreams have changed over the years. Calvin is a problem solver who excels at fixing things. You see where the conflicts lie with the potential for a 2nd chance. Add in a past love, broken hearts, and present misconceptions, and you have a delightfully entertaining tale that will captivate you from start to finish.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace went home to Brookwell to care for her mom and their legacy store. She once had bigger dreams, but she folded them into her love of her home, the people, the place . . . and she was happy. Cal, the man she left behind, moves into the apartment above her store, with the misguided notion that she needs him and his income, ideas, help to achieve more out of her life. I love that she sets him straight and that he comes to understand that Grace is home. She doesn't need his rescue, but will she welcome his love? A love he has never forgotten. Can he adjust his thinking and welcome the Grace she has become and embrace the island as a place that could become his home? Learn all about Grace's Secret chapter in the new series by Regan Black. It is well worth the read.

[Shari Jahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace and Calvin were a couple in college but when her mother’s health starts failing she leaves everything about college behind for good. She moves back home to her small town to take over the family business and caregiver needs for her mother. Once her mom is gone she buries herself in all the responsibilities of business owner and she advocates for the town she loves. Everything is going along just fine for her until she finds out that the new renter for her apartment above her shop is her ex from college.

This book has some great new characters for a familiar location! I love the new storyline and the Silent Book Club! I want to have a club like that here!

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace‘s Secret Chapter is book 1 of the Breach Readers Silent Book Club readers series by Regan Black, 4.5 stars

Grace and Cal were college sweethearts and planning for a future when Grace receives news from home her mother has cancer and doesn’t have long so she heads back home and cuts all ties with Cal . Now years later, Cal comes to Brookwell Island to work and hopefully reconnecting with Grace, wanting to rekindle their romance, in order to build a future together… Friends, grief, community, and more…

I voluntarily read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Romance for all ages, strong women and, just as important, supportive women. Small town dynamics and second chances. The men and women in this series are well written, colorful and neighbors I want to have next door. I look forward to the stories of the ladies making up the Beach Readers Silent Book Club. Bravo!!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teresa Reitnauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

She left college for a family emergency. He graduated and made a name for himself. Mr. Big City comes to Brookwell for several reasons. The most important one is for a second chance with the woman who pushed him away. Ms. Small Town doesn't regret her life, except for pushing the man she loved away. Can Mr. Big City be happy in Brookwell? Can she open her heart again to give him a second chance? Check out Grace's Secret Chapter to find out.

[MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Grace came back to Brookwell Island when her mom was sick. She was taking over the family boutique. Now she was home. The last person she expected to see was Cal Lynwood was her college boyfriend, and he was also renting the room above the store.
He was on Brookwell for a reason. She learned other reasons, and she couldn’t put her heart out there with him. He did the unthinkable. He went to her book club meeting.

Very sweet ending.

[janelle beaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read that takes us back to Brookwell Island and the ladies of the Beach Readers Silent Book Club. This book is about second chances and learning that some people are happy the way things are and don't need to be changed. It's small town with great characters that make you want to get to know them with a visit or maybe just move there.

[GMW · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Grace's mother got sick she broke up with her boyfriend, dropped out of college, returned home to take care of mother. After her mother passed away Grace stayed in Brookwell to run the family boutique. Now, many years later the man she left behind is her new tenant & he wants to be a part of her life.
Sweet & tender romance novella with a bit of angst before the happy ending.

[NanaX8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ stars
Can Brookwell work its magic for Grace and Calvin in this second chance, all of the feels romance? Will Grace let her walls down to get another chance at the love she left behind? Will Calvin be able to convince her that he wants what she wants? Don’t miss their journey as Grace, Calvin and friends from Brookwell rally around routing for them both. ❤️❤️❤️

[Flo Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chance for a lifetime commitment together

This was definitely a chance for Calvin to win back Grace. They had been close once and then due to family obligations Grace had to leave Calvin behind. Now Calvin put his whole heart and future into making sure that Grace realised he wanted to spend the rest of his life together forever.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

a mystery stranger, starts out this story giving off creepy vibes,

this story has everything you could ask for
past lovers romance best friends
grace has her boutique life is simply sweet.
then the past shows up.

im just a fan of Regan Black
her books are fabulous in my books.

some secrets are best kept.

[Ronnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
this one annoyed me a bit at times. Cal kept going back to needing to 'fix' things for Grace instead of accepting that she'd changed. And she kept making her own erroneous assumptions regarding him. I'm not a fan of assumptions and a lack of communication. But the last two chapters were a solid 5 stars!

[Karen Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella. I especially like Levi’s relationship coaching to Cal and Cal’s eventual understanding that Grace didn’t need saving. This is a light sweet story in the familiar Brookwell island setting. Definitely worth the couple of hours to read.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a shorter story, but it doesn't feel too short. This series is feel-good and happy stories. The interconnectedness from Brookwell makes it one big, happy family.

[Angela Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet contemporary romance, second chances, found family, beach setting. Just what you need to make your heart happy.