Librarian Brenda Kato has always felt safe in idyllic Chapel Bay, California, despite being a lesbian of Japanese American descent. When a book banning threat arrives in her work email, Brenda's sense of security slips away. The anniversary of her mother's death sharpens the need to find the father she's never known. To make matters worse, her heart still aches over the loss of her one true love. As Brenda struggles with these painful assaults on her psyche, several retirees—Harriet Conley and Joe West—insert themselves into her life uninvited. When a nefarious local author appears, the three find their fates intertwined.

Lonely and confused, Brenda joins a group that is planning a presentation in honor of Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II. Meanwhile, she's becoming increasingly distracted by the beautiful blonde woman who seems to appear every time she goes for a run.

Will the power of love be enough to heal wounds of the past?

In Chapel Bay Secrets, the tension builds as bigotry, book bans, and the ache for community collide. Perfect for book clubs!


“Chapel Bay Secrets features an engaging plot and complex characters against the backdrop of thought-provoking issues. And there’s a little mystery also! A very satisfying read that feels cozy, but takes on weighty issues under the surface. Well done.”

—Lisa Montanaro, author of award-winning Everything We Thought Was True



"Don't let Chapel Bay Secrets' sweet coastal facade fool you--the novel brims with depth and complexity. Snider's protagonists face off with the small minded bigotry that so easily co-exist in a small community, uncover past secrets, embrace their truths, and find that sometimes connection is closer than you think. An uplifting, optimistic novel perfect for these times."

--Jordan Rosenfeld, author of Fallout and The Sound of Story: Developing Voice & Tone in Writing