A Reader’s Guide to the Grace Series

About the Series

The Grace Church Series is a connected set of stories following overlapping characters in a coastal Texas town. Each book can be read as a standalone, and you don’t need to read them in order to enjoy the story.

But if you love to read chronologically, here’s the timeline order:

Before We Begin (companion novella – optional)
Before Grace
Outside of Grace
Reaching for Grace
Breaking Grace (coming 2026)

If you’re new to my books, I’ve created this reader guide to help you choose based on your reading mood—romance, drama, faith themes, emotional weight, and more. Dive in below to find your next favorite story!

(Or skip to the end for the Quick Picks Mood Guide.)

Before Grace

Note: If you love Katie & Isaac's story, grab the prequel novella, Before We Begin when it launches this summer.

Faith Themes

How prominently is spiritual content woven in?

✝️✝️✝️✝️ 4/5

Strong redemption arc.

Pacing

Is it fast paced or slower growth?

🚗🚗🚗 3/5

A sweet middle ground

Setting & Characters

Present day on the Texas coast in the fall. Katie is a photographer and mother of twin toddlers. Isaac is a police officer.

Content Notes

Off-page loss of a spouse, off-page abortion and grief, child custody issues, past divorce/infidelity, one brief scene of police action.

Romantic Elements

How central is romance to the plot?

❤️❤️❤️❤️ 4/5

Clean/closed-door, slow-burn, second chance story about trusting again.

Drama/Conflict

How intense is the drama?

🔥🔥🔥 3/5

Brief scenes of tense action

Emotional Weight

Will I cry?

😢😢😢 3/5

Solid chance of tears.

Best for readers who...

love honest second-chance stories filled with spiritual healing, imperfect but tender heroes, and messy motherhood.

Outside of Grace

Faith Themes

How prominently is spiritual content woven in?

✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️ 5/5

Honest look at rebuilding faith after trauma.

Pacing

Is it fast paced or slower growth?

🚗🚗 2/5

Deep character growth and reflection.

Setting & Characters

Present day, in the spring, set between the Texas coast and Edinburgh, Scotland.

Ava and Jack are both college students.

Content Notes

Fade-to-black sexual assault, alcohol, and depression.

Romantic Elements

How central is romance to the plot?

❤️❤️❤️ 3/5

Sweet, friends-to-more subplot.

Drama/Conflict

How intense is the drama?

🔥🔥🔥🔥 4/5

Brief scenes of tense drama.

Emotional Weight

Will I cry?

😭😭😭😭😭 5/5

You will absolutely cry.

Best for readers who...

have struggled with shame, doubt, and church hurt—and want to see quiet love and lasting faith rise from the ashes.

Reaching for Grace

Faith Themes

How prominently is spiritual content woven in?

✝️✝️✝️ 3/5

Growing in faith and applying it to real-life situations

Pacing

Is it fast paced or slower growth?

🚗🚗🚗🚗 4/5

A faster-paced, tight read with action

Setting & Characters

Summer, present day, on the Texas coast.

Wren is a boho soul with a transient past. Hollis is a successful tech-geek hiding behind a smile.

Content Notes

Loss of a loved one, poverty, drug addiction, family boundaries

Romantic Elements

How central is romance to the plot?

❤️❤️ 2/5

Light enemies-to-more subplot about overcoming prejudice.

Drama/Conflict

How intense is the drama?

🔥🔥🔥🔥 4/5

Family drama that wreaks havoc on both characters

Emotional Weight

Will I cry?

😭😭😭😭 4/5

Keep the tissues handy.

Best for readers who...

enjoy stories about family tension, boundaries, and love that requires growth and, sometimes, admitting when you're wrong.

Quick Picks Guide

If you're in the mood for...

A second-chance romance with mature characters
Realistic motherhood representation
Grown-ups who actually talk things through (no miscommunication plots!)
Grief, healing, and learning to trust again
A redemption/salvation arc

A story of hope after church hurt and wrestling with faith
Gentle friends-to-more love story in a college setting
A strong faith arc & Biblical encouragement
Realistic trauma recovery
Scottish scenery & accents
A great book club read

A faster-paced read with emotional depth
A modern-day Pride & Prejudice
Complex family dynamics and learning to set boundaries
A vivid coastal hurricane and forced proximity
An enemies-to-more subplot built on respect & communication
Characters learning to ask for help & admit when their wrong