Chapel Bay Secrets: A novel of small-town secrets, Japanese American history, and unexpected love Summary
A book ban threatens her library. A blackmail scheme threatens her town. And Brenda Kato's heart is the one thing she never expected to be in danger again.Librarian Brenda Kato has always felt safe in idyllic Chapel Bay, California, despite being a lesbian of Japanese American descent. That safety dissolves when a book banning threat lands in her inbox, just as the anniversary of her mother's death reopens three deep wounds: the legacy of her mother's wartime incarceration, a father Brenda's never known, and the lost lover for whom she still pines.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. Can she find the truth about herself and support her community while keeping her heart open to love? A small-town mystery with a lesbian protagonist navigating family secrets, fighting a book ban, and exploring the legacy of Japanese American incarceration in a Coastal California community. T Tropes: *Small-Town Secrets *Low Heat Lesbian Romance* *Found Family *Reluctant Hero *Censorship *Enemies to Allies *Redemption Arc *Town as CharacterFor readers who love: History, Mystery, with a Touch of Romance! Book 1 in the Chapel Bay series.Heat Level: Closed DoorSeries Type: Book 1 of 2 Interconnected Standalones POV: Multiple, 3rd Person. Content Notes: Mild profanity, no explicit content©2026 Julie Snider (P)2026 Julie Snider
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Chapel Bay Secrets: A novel of small-town secrets, Japanese American history, and unexpected love
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