A closer look at Christian Romance novel: Grace In The Rearview. See Mint and Regret, here.

If divine inspiration hit for Grace In The Rearview, I have long sense forgotten how or why. However, tackling the less than desirable results of being a part of the Mormon church was always on my bucket list.

In the digital age, I’ve seen more and more people deconstructing their faith—particularly former members of the Mormon Church. Their experiences often lead to sweeping statements about rejecting God entirely, labeling faith as toxic, and closing the door on any spiritual journey. This has always surprised me. It feels like going from 0 to 60 in an instant—where’s the middle ground? Why is there rarely a pause at 30, a moment to seek God for themselves before deciding He isn’t real?

It’s easy for non-Christians to lump all denominations together, assuming we believe the same things. And while we are all connected as brothers, sisters, and cousins in Christ, the differences do matter. Some Christians see the use of an additional guidebook—like the Mormon texts—as a departure from biblical truth. For example, the idea that Jesus and Lucifer are brothers, a belief held by some in the LDS faith, does not exist in other denominations. However, this isn’t a critique of the church. It’s a call to action for those deconstructing. Before you buy every book on deconstruction because of how your church or family failed you, consider getting to know God for yourself—without a middleman.

Enter Thea Grace, the heroine of Grace in the Rearview. She is the living embodiment of “not my God.” Her faith isn’t just something she holds; it’s something she fiercely believes is available to everyone. And for Finley, the love of her life, she hopes he finds God, but wont force it on him. Finley has built a successful, isolated life, cutting ties where necessary but also following societal norms in ways that left him empty. His past relationships, his choices—they were what the world told him should make him happy, yet they never did. Through Thea, he’s nudged toward something real. A God who sees him. A faith that isn’t built on rules but on relationship.

If you’ve experienced church hurt, I hope you’ll consider meeting God again—without the interference of flawed people who have misrepresented Him. Keep praying. Try saying, Hi, I’m [insert name], and I hated [event] because it made me feel [feeling]. Read the Bible—not to confirm your doubts, but to rediscover what a relationship with Him really means.

Now, writing Thea’s best friend was one of my biggest challenges. She plays a small role in the narrative, but her presence sparks an important conversation. As someone who’s chronically online, I couldn’t ignore the common discourse surrounding billionaires and romance. I put those very words in her mouth—not to villainize her, but to show that not everyone will approve of your relationship, and that’s normal. Thea’s also young, idealistic, and struggling with the fact that she might actually like Finley despite everything she thinks she should believe. So, she’d hear those common talking points and flinch. But at the heart of her pushback, I wanted to show a deeper truth: It’s okay to follow your heart, even when it doesn’t align with the world’s expectations.

And that’s where discernment comes in. Of course, non-Christians can give good advice. But they don’t see the heart the way God does. That’s why we have to consider who we’re listening to, and whether their perspective is rooted in faith, fear, personal bias, or some combination.

But Thea was starting to feel too perfect, and that’s not the kind of heroine I wanted to write. So, I gave her one of my own thorns—fear. Specifically, the fear of failure. I once missed out on a life-changing scholarship through my own ineptitude. Unlike Thea, that experience didn’t bring me closer to God. But in my writing, I wanted to right that wrong. I gave Thea the wisdom to see her fear for what it was—something not rooted in faith. A challenge she could overcome, rather than something to bury and ignore.

At its core, Grace in the Rearview is about looking back only long enough to understand where you’ve been—and then having the courage to move forward, trusting God to guide the way. If you’re on that journey, I hope this book speaks to you. And if you’re still searching, I hope you give Him another chance.

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