What do you think?
Rate this book
Spencer's Cove
Successful mystery author Foster Owen hasn’t finished a manuscript in three years and her writer’s block shows no signs of retreating. When the bills start piling up, an unexpected offer to ghost write a memoir for an heiress on the west coast seems like too good an opportunity to ignore.
Painfully shy Abigail Spencer has just returned from studying abroad. The sprawling estate she inherited from her parents includes a crumbling mansion rumored to be haunted and a historic lighthouse nestled along the remote northern Pacific coast.
When the executor of the Spencer estate hires Foster to write the history of the family, Foster and Abby are drawn together as they peel back the layers of history and uncover a story of lives adrift, loves lost, and true love found. Can seeds from the past help love to blossom in the present?
Painfully shy Abigail Spencer has just returned from studying abroad. The sprawling estate she inherited from her parents includes a crumbling mansion rumored to be haunted and a historic lighthouse nestled along the remote northern Pacific coast.
When the executor of the Spencer estate hires Foster to write the history of the family, Foster and Abby are drawn together as they peel back the layers of history and uncover a story of lives adrift, loves lost, and true love found. Can seeds from the past help love to blossom in the present?
266 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2019
About the author
Missouri Vaun
23 books125 followersMissouri Vaun is a two-time Golden Crown Literary Society award-winning lesbian romance writer published by Bold Strokes Books. SLOW BURN is Vaun’s latest novel. Can a healing wildfire fighter and a not-lucky-in-love artist find love despite their inner doubts?
Vaun spent a large part of her childhood in southern Mississippi, before attending high school in North Carolina and college in Tennessee. Strong connections to her roots in the rural South have been a grounding force throughout her life. Vaun spent twelve years finding her voice working as a journalist in places as disparate as Chicago, Atlanta and Jackson, Miss., all along filing away characters and their stories. Her novels are heartfelt, earthy; speak of loyalty and our responsibility to others.
She and her wife live in Northern California.
Vaun spent a large part of her childhood in southern Mississippi, before attending high school in North Carolina and college in Tennessee. Strong connections to her roots in the rural South have been a grounding force throughout her life. Vaun spent twelve years finding her voice working as a journalist in places as disparate as Chicago, Atlanta and Jackson, Miss., all along filing away characters and their stories. Her novels are heartfelt, earthy; speak of loyalty and our responsibility to others.
She and her wife live in Northern California.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 31, 2019
3.5 Stars. I’m a fan of how Vaun writes so I grabbed this book without even realizing what it was about. I thought it was just a romance book but it is actually a romance with a paranormal twist. I’m not going to go into more details on the twist because I want to keep it a surprise for new readers. I’m a big paranormal fan so I did like the twist. However, I do have to admit this is not one of my favorites by Vaun. It’s a decent read, but I didn’t love it like I was hoping to.
The story is about Foster, a writer, who gets a job to write the memoirs of the Spencer family. Abigail Spencer, is painfully shy and doesn’t want a stranger staying in her house. But the more time they spend together the more a connection is undeniable. When strange occurrences start to happen, Abby and Spencer’s lives will never be the same.
This book was an average length but for some reason the paced seemed rushed to me. Everything felt a little on fast forward, including the romance, and I felt like I never really got caught up. The storyline was interesting and Vaun’s writing is always good, I just had trouble with the flow and some of the story choices.
While I liked both mains characters, I never felt like I truly got to know them. Maybe because so much ends up happening in the book, but I really needed more time with the mains to feel a really connection to them.
The romance was average for me. It wasn’t bad but even if there are paranormal reasons involved, I don’t want to see a romance go at super speed. I need that chemistry and time to believe that the characters are forming a real bond and possible romance. I liked the mains as a potential couple but it was too rushed for my personal preferences.
The storyline was very interesting. Besides Abby and Foster, there is one more POV in a character named Evan. Evan had a very interesting background and I found myself almost liking her more than the two mains. Really to me this book felt like a beginning. Like the story was far from over. I would definitely read a sequel if Evan was the star. If you are a fan of Vaun or are looking for a romance with an unusual twist, this book may be for you.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
The story is about Foster, a writer, who gets a job to write the memoirs of the Spencer family. Abigail Spencer, is painfully shy and doesn’t want a stranger staying in her house. But the more time they spend together the more a connection is undeniable. When strange occurrences start to happen, Abby and Spencer’s lives will never be the same.
This book was an average length but for some reason the paced seemed rushed to me. Everything felt a little on fast forward, including the romance, and I felt like I never really got caught up. The storyline was interesting and Vaun’s writing is always good, I just had trouble with the flow and some of the story choices.
While I liked both mains characters, I never felt like I truly got to know them. Maybe because so much ends up happening in the book, but I really needed more time with the mains to feel a really connection to them.
The romance was average for me. It wasn’t bad but even if there are paranormal reasons involved, I don’t want to see a romance go at super speed. I need that chemistry and time to believe that the characters are forming a real bond and possible romance. I liked the mains as a potential couple but it was too rushed for my personal preferences.
The storyline was very interesting. Besides Abby and Foster, there is one more POV in a character named Evan. Evan had a very interesting background and I found myself almost liking her more than the two mains. Really to me this book felt like a beginning. Like the story was far from over. I would definitely read a sequel if Evan was the star. If you are a fan of Vaun or are looking for a romance with an unusual twist, this book may be for you.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
January 21, 2019
Okay, I admit it. I loved the cover, saw it was by Misssouri Vaun, didn’t give the blurb much more than a passing glance and decided I’d probably enjoy it well enough, even if it didn’t wow me. What I expected from the story didn’t seem terribly complex. Writer struggling with writer’s block gets offered opportunity to write family history for reclusive heiress. They meet, delve into some family history, fall in love and live happily ever after. Right? Not a sausage!
I loved the surprise of this. I love it when the blurb doesn’t tell you everything and the story takes you on an unexpected journey. The writing is very atmospheric and the descriptions made me feel very present in the story. Often Vaun’s descriptions are of things that seem inconsequential until you realise you have an exact mental image of the environment.
She could have just said that they had stepped into the warm kitchen. I think that a large part of my enjoyment of Vaun’s books is the way she describes the mundane.
I was completely sucked in by the story and events but I wished a little more time had been spent on Foster and Abigail both individually and together. I got a bit more of a sense of Foster, her recalcitrant cat and her personality than I did of Abigail. Perhaps that was the intention but without a sense of who they are as individuals I find it harder to believe in an insta-love connection.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
I loved the surprise of this. I love it when the blurb doesn’t tell you everything and the story takes you on an unexpected journey. The writing is very atmospheric and the descriptions made me feel very present in the story. Often Vaun’s descriptions are of things that seem inconsequential until you realise you have an exact mental image of the environment.
“Her glasses had fogged up the second they’d stepped into the warmth of the cozy kitchen. She swiped at them with her sweater and held them away from her face as she waited for the glass to adjust to the room temperature.”
She could have just said that they had stepped into the warm kitchen. I think that a large part of my enjoyment of Vaun’s books is the way she describes the mundane.
I was completely sucked in by the story and events but I wished a little more time had been spent on Foster and Abigail both individually and together. I got a bit more of a sense of Foster, her recalcitrant cat and her personality than I did of Abigail. Perhaps that was the intention but without a sense of who they are as individuals I find it harder to believe in an insta-love connection.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
February 22, 2019
After Proxima Five author Missouri Vaun pens down another big production number with Spencer’s Cove. After having done sci-fi we now delve into the world of fantasy and the paranormal. It was entertaining but just like Proxima Five, this too fell a bit short. Missouri Vaun is a very capable writer who is looking to expand her repertoire and that’s a good thing. I just think that these overly ambitious plots don’t really suit her.
As others have pointed out the blurb is downright misleading but I know why she did it and I won’t spoil the fun. I found Foster an adorable nerdy soft butch who gets a lot on her plate. I liked how Vaun keeps Evan’s actions somewhat ambiguous, so we don’t know what her real agenda is yet. Abigail, the most important character in the book, is sweet but also the weakest in design. Maybe it is because she goes through so many changes she is never fully ‘there’.
There is a lot going on from beginning to end and the 266 pages don’t seem enough to really make the plot shine. A bit more back story would have been nice for example because the mythology was very sparse. All in all an entertaining read if you don’t look too deeply but it’s not Vaun’s best work.
f/f semi explicit
Themes: I want to be alone, East coast West coast, rescue horses, his role was small but perpetual eating machine William Faulkner was the star cat of the story, ‘are you the keymaster?’, "Are you the gatekeeper?'
3.4 stars
* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. for an honest review.
As others have pointed out the blurb is downright misleading but I know why she did it and I won’t spoil the fun. I found Foster an adorable nerdy soft butch who gets a lot on her plate. I liked how Vaun keeps Evan’s actions somewhat ambiguous, so we don’t know what her real agenda is yet. Abigail, the most important character in the book, is sweet but also the weakest in design. Maybe it is because she goes through so many changes she is never fully ‘there’.
There is a lot going on from beginning to end and the 266 pages don’t seem enough to really make the plot shine. A bit more back story would have been nice for example because the mythology was very sparse. All in all an entertaining read if you don’t look too deeply but it’s not Vaun’s best work.
f/f semi explicit
Themes: I want to be alone, East coast West coast, rescue horses, his role was small but perpetual eating machine William Faulkner was the star cat of the story, ‘are you the keymaster?’, "Are you the gatekeeper?'
3.4 stars
* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. for an honest review.
February 12, 2019
Ooook, I liked it. I enjoyed it but not as much when finding out, (what I did not know before,) that this book goes from a cute and interesting romance to some spooky paranormal twists and turns that in some cases, did bring a new level of interest.
The author writes well but in certain sections, I found he'd lost me. It wasn't a biggy but coupled with the way the story shifted, my initial enjoyment and intrigue slightly became eroded and I found myself reading for the sake of finishing the book.
I did like the fantasy element, sort of, and I liked the fact there are witches who fight and we see a brilliantly written fight scene at the end! I was so enthralled during that part.
Overall, I enjoyed this but I did not love it.
The author writes well but in certain sections, I found he'd lost me. It wasn't a biggy but coupled with the way the story shifted, my initial enjoyment and intrigue slightly became eroded and I found myself reading for the sake of finishing the book.
I did like the fantasy element, sort of, and I liked the fact there are witches who fight and we see a brilliantly written fight scene at the end! I was so enthralled during that part.
Overall, I enjoyed this but I did not love it.
August 10, 2019
Well, that was not what I was expecting!
What was the book about?
Abbie Spencer lives a secluded life. She is painfully shy and is in no way happy about the executor of her family's estate employing mystery writer Foster Owen to write their family history.
Foster needs the money before she loses her house so she agrees to the terms of the contract because writing a family history novel should be easy right? It might even help her writer's block. But it is far from easy, and as the story unfolds the biggest mystery to Spencer, is Abbie.
Their connection is undeniable and the more time they spend together, the stronger it gets. But other forces are at play. Can their love conquer all?
Missouri Vaun has this way of taking me into the word she has created and does not let me out until I'm finished the book. I read this book through the night and couldn't put it down. So unlike what I expected but then by the end, I knew the story couldn't have been told any other way. I just loved it from start to finish.
The run-up to the sex scene was so intense and alarmingly hot. Watch out for the library scene, and it was just the build-up... Wow! Missouri Vaun definitely knows how to write great sex scenes, but I think her major strength is the pre-sexual build-up that heightens the sex scene to a new level.
I'd really love more from this story and these characters. Evan, in particular, needs his own story. I am 100% behind this story being the first in a magical series. If one believed in magic, then one may think this story was true. It darn well felt like it.
Star Rating: 5 stars
What was the book about?
Abbie Spencer lives a secluded life. She is painfully shy and is in no way happy about the executor of her family's estate employing mystery writer Foster Owen to write their family history.
Foster needs the money before she loses her house so she agrees to the terms of the contract because writing a family history novel should be easy right? It might even help her writer's block. But it is far from easy, and as the story unfolds the biggest mystery to Spencer, is Abbie.
Their connection is undeniable and the more time they spend together, the stronger it gets. But other forces are at play. Can their love conquer all?
Missouri Vaun has this way of taking me into the word she has created and does not let me out until I'm finished the book. I read this book through the night and couldn't put it down. So unlike what I expected but then by the end, I knew the story couldn't have been told any other way. I just loved it from start to finish.
The run-up to the sex scene was so intense and alarmingly hot. Watch out for the library scene, and it was just the build-up... Wow! Missouri Vaun definitely knows how to write great sex scenes, but I think her major strength is the pre-sexual build-up that heightens the sex scene to a new level.
I'd really love more from this story and these characters. Evan, in particular, needs his own story. I am 100% behind this story being the first in a magical series. If one believed in magic, then one may think this story was true. It darn well felt like it.
Star Rating: 5 stars
February 17, 2019
Not what I was expecting at all. The only reason I stuck with it was the author and how she told the story with smooth language and vivid scenes. The character description was well written and I wanted to see them succeed. While reading I felt I was in the field with the horses and in the beautiful old house. Not my cuppa tea, but such as it is.
Read provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley.
Read provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley.
August 31, 2019
🏳️🌈👭📚👩❤️👩🏳️🌈
I received an ARC of « Spencer’s Cove » from BSB (Thank you for that !!!) in exchange of an honest review.
So, here it is !!
What I liked a lot or even loved :
° the cover : Ahhhhhhhhh !!! Cool, there’s no character on it … just the Pacific Ocean (I assume …) and a cove => perfect to let my imagination work by itself !!!
° some funny references to comic books
° the humor
° the animals
Here are the few things I want to say about this book. :
=> Supernatural / paranormal themed lesbian romances aren’t my favorites but I appreciate a good one from time to time ( with ghost whisperers, shape-shifters, vampires, werewolfes or even witches as MC) BUT I like to know what I’m going to read when I read the blurb and based of this plot reading, it’s my choice to pick up a novel (or not) ... What bothers me here, is that the story is not at all what I expected when I read the plot …
=> There’s a lot of confusing magic mumbo jumbo & actions (like if a little bit of each part was picked up in several different stories). Like it’s mentionned in the novel itself, I (sadly) had the feeling to watch a bad episode of the TV series « Charmed ». I think that anyone who has seen and enjoyed this TV show or the TV series « Supernatural » will probably be thrilled by this story but I’m not one of them.
=> The romance is not, for me, a real romance … I really believe that deep soul connexion or ghosts exist (I have absolutely no doubt about those 2 things actually) but here I don’t buy it .. in this case there’s nothing « romantic » in being linked with someone in the painful way the two MCs are bounded together .
=> All is happening too fast and not believable at all from my POV : why on earth everyone seems unafraid and to find « normal » that suddenly there are witch almost everywhere ?? « So, you’re a witch …OK ... someone wants some cake for dessert ?? », seriously ??
Don’t get me wrong, this is a well writen book but it took me a little bit to get into it. And, I tried, very hard, but I didn’t find any crush-worthy human characters in this books …
Maybe if we had more insights on every main and secondaries characters’s background (I would have appreciate knowning more about Foster’s aunt, was she really a witch or not ?? // Will Evan and Jai have a relationship or the flirty moments were just part of Jai’s job ?? etc …) I could have fallen for at least one but nope … I’m saddened about that fact ‘cause I like falling for the characters in the books I read …
You’ll probably make fun of me but the ones for whom I fell here are actually the horses & the seemingly very clever William Faulkner the Cat … LOL … More seriously, since she seems to have a gift with animals I think they all would have made some really interesting « real » secondary characters & maybe wonderful allies for the new born super Witch, sadly they are not really developped …
FYI, I hear about Missouri Vaun very regularly and some pieces of her work seem to be really great. But the curves of life and all kind of duties + my always bigger & never-ending « want to read »-list of novels , it’s actually the first time I’m able to read one of her books. Even if, like I mentionned above, .this one was not what I expected, nonetheless I liked a lot or even loved some things so I think that, without being my priority, I’ll give her work another try someday …and I hope that next time I’ll be able to rate the book higher than 2.5 stars …
If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review it’d be something like this :
Did I enjoy this book? => Not really
Is this book now included in my « must be re-read »-list? => Nope
Will I purchase the paperback? => Nope
Would I read another book by this author? => Yes, I want to give her another try …
Would I recommend this book => Yes, to all the « Charmed » & « Supernatural » fans
Guys and gals, since you shouldn’t decide to read a book only based on the others’s reviews, now it’s your turn => Grab your own copy and make your own opinion …
Enjoy (or not) your reading …
🏳️🌈👭📚👩❤️👩🏳️🌈
I received an ARC of « Spencer’s Cove » from BSB (Thank you for that !!!) in exchange of an honest review.
So, here it is !!
What I liked a lot or even loved :
° the cover : Ahhhhhhhhh !!! Cool, there’s no character on it … just the Pacific Ocean (I assume …) and a cove => perfect to let my imagination work by itself !!!
° some funny references to comic books
° the humor
° the animals
Here are the few things I want to say about this book. :
=> Supernatural / paranormal themed lesbian romances aren’t my favorites but I appreciate a good one from time to time ( with ghost whisperers, shape-shifters, vampires, werewolfes or even witches as MC) BUT I like to know what I’m going to read when I read the blurb and based of this plot reading, it’s my choice to pick up a novel (or not) ... What bothers me here, is that the story is not at all what I expected when I read the plot …
=> There’s a lot of confusing magic mumbo jumbo & actions (like if a little bit of each part was picked up in several different stories). Like it’s mentionned in the novel itself, I (sadly) had the feeling to watch a bad episode of the TV series « Charmed ». I think that anyone who has seen and enjoyed this TV show or the TV series « Supernatural » will probably be thrilled by this story but I’m not one of them.
=> The romance is not, for me, a real romance … I really believe that deep soul connexion or ghosts exist (I have absolutely no doubt about those 2 things actually) but here I don’t buy it .. in this case there’s nothing « romantic » in being linked with someone in the painful way the two MCs are bounded together .
=> All is happening too fast and not believable at all from my POV : why on earth everyone seems unafraid and to find « normal » that suddenly there are witch almost everywhere ?? « So, you’re a witch …OK ... someone wants some cake for dessert ?? », seriously ??
Don’t get me wrong, this is a well writen book but it took me a little bit to get into it. And, I tried, very hard, but I didn’t find any crush-worthy human characters in this books …
Maybe if we had more insights on every main and secondaries characters’s background (I would have appreciate knowning more about Foster’s aunt, was she really a witch or not ?? // Will Evan and Jai have a relationship or the flirty moments were just part of Jai’s job ?? etc …) I could have fallen for at least one but nope … I’m saddened about that fact ‘cause I like falling for the characters in the books I read …
You’ll probably make fun of me but the ones for whom I fell here are actually the horses & the seemingly very clever William Faulkner the Cat … LOL … More seriously, since she seems to have a gift with animals I think they all would have made some really interesting « real » secondary characters & maybe wonderful allies for the new born super Witch, sadly they are not really developped …
FYI, I hear about Missouri Vaun very regularly and some pieces of her work seem to be really great. But the curves of life and all kind of duties + my always bigger & never-ending « want to read »-list of novels , it’s actually the first time I’m able to read one of her books. Even if, like I mentionned above, .this one was not what I expected, nonetheless I liked a lot or even loved some things so I think that, without being my priority, I’ll give her work another try someday …and I hope that next time I’ll be able to rate the book higher than 2.5 stars …
If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review it’d be something like this :
Did I enjoy this book? => Not really
Is this book now included in my « must be re-read »-list? => Nope
Will I purchase the paperback? => Nope
Would I read another book by this author? => Yes, I want to give her another try …
Would I recommend this book => Yes, to all the « Charmed » & « Supernatural » fans
Guys and gals, since you shouldn’t decide to read a book only based on the others’s reviews, now it’s your turn => Grab your own copy and make your own opinion …
Enjoy (or not) your reading …
🏳️🌈👭📚👩❤️👩🏳️🌈
February 4, 2019
The blurb for Spencer’s Cove does not reflect but only hints at what Foster is in for when she agrees to research and write the family history for the heiress Abigail Owen. I came into this read expecting a simple romance in a beautiful setting and fell into an unexpected battle for power and control.
Missouri Vaun knows how to spin a tale, no question. I wasn’t overly thrilled when the story veered into something I normally avoid reading but she succeeded in pulling me in and keeping me interested. I loved the opening scenes with Foster and her vindictive cat William Faulkner and felt a little let down when Foster took a backseat to the troubled (for good reason) Abigail. I will say my opinion of Evan improved as the story progressed and the dramatic ending was entertaining if a little off the wall.
Not my cuppa but you can’t go wrong with any story penned by this author.
3.5 stars
ARC received with thanks from the publisher via NetGalley.
Missouri Vaun knows how to spin a tale, no question. I wasn’t overly thrilled when the story veered into something I normally avoid reading but she succeeded in pulling me in and keeping me interested. I loved the opening scenes with Foster and her vindictive cat William Faulkner and felt a little let down when Foster took a backseat to the troubled (for good reason) Abigail. I will say my opinion of Evan improved as the story progressed and the dramatic ending was entertaining if a little off the wall.
Not my cuppa but you can’t go wrong with any story penned by this author.
3.5 stars
ARC received with thanks from the publisher via NetGalley.
March 28, 2019
Combine romance, suspense and paranormal … that is what you will find in this novel. I have read all of Ms. Vaun’s books and I looked forward to reading this one. I was not disappointed!
Foster Owen is a mystery book author who is having writer’s block. She can’t get a handle on writing a new book while the financial and emotional pressure is mounting. Her agent calls and tells her that she has arranged a writing opportunity. Foster has been contracted to write the memoirs of a wealthy California heiress.
Abigail Spencer is the heiress to the California estate. She is beautiful, mysterious and very shy. In addition, she is starting to experience strange physical and emotional problems. Herein enters the paranormal element of this book.
Ms. Vaun writes a good story. After only reading a chapter or two, readers will find themselves wanting to turn each page to learn more about what is going to happen in the story. She has done a great job of developing Abigail and Foster’s characters. I also felt that the supporting characters added another dimension to the storyline.
The only complaint I had was that it ended too quickly. I was left with a few minor questions. However, this did not take away from the major plot.
I recommend this book and rate it 4-1/2 out of 5 stars. I look forward to her next book.
I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
Foster Owen is a mystery book author who is having writer’s block. She can’t get a handle on writing a new book while the financial and emotional pressure is mounting. Her agent calls and tells her that she has arranged a writing opportunity. Foster has been contracted to write the memoirs of a wealthy California heiress.
Abigail Spencer is the heiress to the California estate. She is beautiful, mysterious and very shy. In addition, she is starting to experience strange physical and emotional problems. Herein enters the paranormal element of this book.
Ms. Vaun writes a good story. After only reading a chapter or two, readers will find themselves wanting to turn each page to learn more about what is going to happen in the story. She has done a great job of developing Abigail and Foster’s characters. I also felt that the supporting characters added another dimension to the storyline.
The only complaint I had was that it ended too quickly. I was left with a few minor questions. However, this did not take away from the major plot.
I recommend this book and rate it 4-1/2 out of 5 stars. I look forward to her next book.
I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
January 31, 2019
Mystery writer Foster Owens has writer block so she agrees to write a book about Abigail Spencer’s family so she can at least pay her bills. Sounds good, right. I didn’t know when I started to read this book it would go from being a typical romance to something involving paranormal and fantasy. I was disappointed because I’ve gotten used to depending on Ms Vaun giving me books I really enjoyed. I could only read so much then I would have to take a break, hoping when I came back to read some more I would only have to turn the page and find something worth reading. If you follow my reviews you can see that usually I really enjoy Ms Vaun’s work. Unfortunately not this time. I hope Ms Vaun’s next book will be more to my liking.
ARC via NetGalley.
ARC via NetGalley.
February 20, 2019
So I am a big Missouri Vaun fan so I had no doubts about reading this no matter what it was about. It did, as others have mentioned, catch me off guard. The premise wasnt' new, but did have some interesting and different elements. Once again it was one book of average length that should have and could have easily been, a series. There was a lot to explore and could have been so much more. But instead, it was just average and rushed. It kept me interested til the end. The characters both main and secondary were interesting and quirky and added a lot of depth to the book.
I received and ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received and ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2019
I really didn't know what I was getting into when I read this one. The short blurb about the book doesn't really give you all that much information. I likely would have passed up on this one if I knew the subject matter, just because I tend to like light books. With that said, I am glad i read this book.
Foster Owen is hired to write a memoir about Abigail Spencer's family. Foster travels from Atlanta to Spencer's Cove (a few hours from San Francisco) and Abby is not interested in meeting with Foster because she doesn't want a book written nor does she want to meet any outsiders. After Foster arrives, they meet by chance in the middle of the night after they both decide they are hungry. Talk about these characters oozing chemistry.
With that said, I can't really go into detail here because it will give the story away. Just know it's a good read and I am glad i took the time to read it.
I will rate this 3.5
This ARC was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
Foster Owen is hired to write a memoir about Abigail Spencer's family. Foster travels from Atlanta to Spencer's Cove (a few hours from San Francisco) and Abby is not interested in meeting with Foster because she doesn't want a book written nor does she want to meet any outsiders. After Foster arrives, they meet by chance in the middle of the night after they both decide they are hungry. Talk about these characters oozing chemistry.
With that said, I can't really go into detail here because it will give the story away. Just know it's a good read and I am glad i took the time to read it.
I will rate this 3.5
This ARC was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
February 3, 2019
‘Spencer’s Cove’ is a fantastical tale of witches, good and evil and ultimately love. Foster Owen, a mystery novelist with a serious case of writer’s block, is given a lifeline when a job comes up to ghost write a family memoir for Abigail Spencer. Abby has inherited her family’s mansion on the Pacific Coast and on first meeting she is a shy, frightened rabbit of a woman. When Foster starts looking into the family’s past some very interesting stories emerge and she is intrigued. Just when I thought I knew where this story was going and who everyone was, Missouri Vaun took me on a ride that totally exceeded my expectations. Seeing changes in Abby was enlightening and Foster had a lot to do with that. She was a beautifully envisaged soft butch - and who could blame Abby for being attracted to her? The novel had some amazingly strong women and a feeling of camaraderie and power that appealed to me so much. I loved the mixture of the historical research Foster was undertaking and the present day story that stemmed from it. It was a magical tale and I absolutely adored it. Highly recommended.
I was given this ARC by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books to review.
I was given this ARC by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books to review.
February 17, 2019
Lesfic romance mixed with supernatural theme isn’t really my thing. I wasn’t expecting that this book is one of them. But I continued reading because I like the author since reading Death by Cocktail Straw. I like the fun vibe of her main characters just like the one in this book. The supernatural thingy was bearable in the beginning but when the fight scenes came, it kind of turned of me off. It was kinda cheesy and a bit silly I should say. The romance was nice though. Overall I enjoyed it so I’m giving this 3.75 stars.
February 2, 2019
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It’s hard to review this, because it’s not at all the book I was expecting to read. The blurb does not mention any kind of paranormal twist, which is the major plot line, and to be honest, I’d never have picked this if I’d known what it was actually about.
Other reviews contain spoilers, so I won’t bother. There’s a lot of story here, and not enough time to tell it, so everything felt like it was in fast-forward, all of the characters are superficial at best, and the main love story is neither compelling or believable. I didn’t warm to either main character, and my frustration with the plot and pacing didn’t help.
Lovers of paranormal fic might like this better than I did, but I cannot stress enough how annoyed I am that the author/publishers released such a misleading blurb. Had I paid for this, I’d have been even more annoyed. 2 stars.
It’s hard to review this, because it’s not at all the book I was expecting to read. The blurb does not mention any kind of paranormal twist, which is the major plot line, and to be honest, I’d never have picked this if I’d known what it was actually about.
Other reviews contain spoilers, so I won’t bother. There’s a lot of story here, and not enough time to tell it, so everything felt like it was in fast-forward, all of the characters are superficial at best, and the main love story is neither compelling or believable. I didn’t warm to either main character, and my frustration with the plot and pacing didn’t help.
Lovers of paranormal fic might like this better than I did, but I cannot stress enough how annoyed I am that the author/publishers released such a misleading blurb. Had I paid for this, I’d have been even more annoyed. 2 stars.
Read
February 4, 2019Spencer’s Cove by Missouri Vaun is a paranormal romance that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. When I first saw the cover and read the blurb, I thought I was getting a romance that maybe had a haunted house as the setting of the story. Boy was I surprised, in a good way. There is way more paranormal activity in the tale than just a haunted house, but I will let you read and find that out for yourself.
Ms. Vaun has created a world that feels real through her excellent descriptions. She makes you feel the damp fog rolling in or taste the salt of the ocean on your lips. She sucks you into the reality of her world with her words, and that is the highest praise anyone can give an author.
For the most part the characters are well developed. I really felt I knew Foster and connected with her. I wished that I could have known more about Abby, though that may have been something Vaun did on purpose since the character of Abby grew and changed through the book. Evan was probably the most interesting character of them all, and I would love to learn more about her life as well.
I was highly entertained with Spencer’s Cove and have no problem recommending it to anyone who loves a good paranormal romance.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
Ms. Vaun has created a world that feels real through her excellent descriptions. She makes you feel the damp fog rolling in or taste the salt of the ocean on your lips. She sucks you into the reality of her world with her words, and that is the highest praise anyone can give an author.
For the most part the characters are well developed. I really felt I knew Foster and connected with her. I wished that I could have known more about Abby, though that may have been something Vaun did on purpose since the character of Abby grew and changed through the book. Evan was probably the most interesting character of them all, and I would love to learn more about her life as well.
I was highly entertained with Spencer’s Cove and have no problem recommending it to anyone who loves a good paranormal romance.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
January 24, 2019
1.5 Stars. This book was nothing like what I expected it to be. This book is about Foster Owen, a mystery writer who is having writers block and gets offered to ghost write a memoir about Abigail Spencer and her family. When Abigail's parents die and she inherits an estate, she starts to raise horses. When Foster comes to her estate, she wants her gone at first, even though she is attracted to her. Foster starts to learn more about the Spencer family history and does not want to leave.
This book seems to be straightforward, but it is not. The main plot running through the book is that Abigail is a witch who is about to turn 30 and inherit her powers. Her helper, Evan, is sent to look after her and see if her powers progress. Most of this story is about how Foster becomes Abigail's handler due to an event when they touch. This book has a lot of confusing magic and mystery that I did not expect from the description. If you do not like Sci-Fi then this book is not for you. This book was a lot of science fiction and a lot of talk about this magical world Abigail is involved in. I would not recommend this book, I did not like the sci-fi or any of the magic talk. It was not a great book, it was confusing and the romance was so-so.
This book seems to be straightforward, but it is not. The main plot running through the book is that Abigail is a witch who is about to turn 30 and inherit her powers. Her helper, Evan, is sent to look after her and see if her powers progress. Most of this story is about how Foster becomes Abigail's handler due to an event when they touch. This book has a lot of confusing magic and mystery that I did not expect from the description. If you do not like Sci-Fi then this book is not for you. This book was a lot of science fiction and a lot of talk about this magical world Abigail is involved in. I would not recommend this book, I did not like the sci-fi or any of the magic talk. It was not a great book, it was confusing and the romance was so-so.
February 4, 2019
It took me a little bit to get into this book, which is to say more than 10 pages. But all of a sudden, it was as if Missouri Vaun set the hook and there was no way I could NOT read the book! I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I read 90% of this book in one night. I just had to see what was going to happen!
This was a perfect book to read at night. Curious, well paced with interesting characters, and enough mystery to keep you turning pages.
It was a wonderfully fun romp that I thoroughly enjoyed. And different enough from Vaun's previous work, that I forgot she had written it until the very end!
If you enjoy reading paranormal, lesbian fiction that's just a little bit different from what's already out there...get this one.
This was a perfect book to read at night. Curious, well paced with interesting characters, and enough mystery to keep you turning pages.
It was a wonderfully fun romp that I thoroughly enjoyed. And different enough from Vaun's previous work, that I forgot she had written it until the very end!
If you enjoy reading paranormal, lesbian fiction that's just a little bit different from what's already out there...get this one.
October 10, 2022
This book was disjointed, to say the least (I would know- I have a connective tissue disorder). Overall still an enjoyable read.
January 23, 2019
Whelp, I certainly wasn't expecting the awesome shift from a typical contemporary romance to a pretty decent paranormal fantasy. Foster is a writer stuck on a massive writer's block, so when her agent offers her a job as a ghost writer for the reclusive Abigail Spencer, she reluctantly accepts. When she arrives to Spencer's Cove, she's intrigued by the town and by the shy heiress. Soon, however, she's pulled into a world she never knew existed and into a relationship she wasn't looking for.
We get to see a inside the heads of three narrators here, Evan, the groundskeeper and mystical badass, Foster, and Abigail. I understand what the author was going for with this - the symbolism of the power of three, but in this case, I thought that there was too much head hopping. It was a bit of a minor thing, only because there were some scenes I had to reread because I was confused who was narrating at times. Most of the time it is extremely clear as to whose head we are in.
Other than that there's witches! and the romance which went from mostly one sided, at least outwardly, to hot and heavy in a matter of a chapter. Which was great, and I would have complained about it, especially since Abigail was so withdrawn at the beginning of the book, but Vaun did a great job at explaining why Abigail effectively transformed later in the book. The fight scene near the end of the book was epic, and as a fantasy geek, all I could think was 'Witches are fighting, with their powers, cooooll!'
Overall, I enjoyed this romantic romp through witchy California. There's a lot of stuff here that Missouri Vaun can play with, since she did a nice job building the universe around a world with witches who have super natural powers. I hope we see a little more of this universe.
I received an ARC from BSB and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
We get to see a inside the heads of three narrators here, Evan, the groundskeeper and mystical badass, Foster, and Abigail. I understand what the author was going for with this - the symbolism of the power of three, but in this case, I thought that there was too much head hopping. It was a bit of a minor thing, only because there were some scenes I had to reread because I was confused who was narrating at times. Most of the time it is extremely clear as to whose head we are in.
Other than that there's witches! and the romance which went from mostly one sided, at least outwardly, to hot and heavy in a matter of a chapter. Which was great, and I would have complained about it, especially since Abigail was so withdrawn at the beginning of the book, but Vaun did a great job at explaining why Abigail effectively transformed later in the book. The fight scene near the end of the book was epic, and as a fantasy geek, all I could think was 'Witches are fighting, with their powers, cooooll!'
Overall, I enjoyed this romantic romp through witchy California. There's a lot of stuff here that Missouri Vaun can play with, since she did a nice job building the universe around a world with witches who have super natural powers. I hope we see a little more of this universe.
I received an ARC from BSB and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 28, 2019
This book is interesting, but not one of the best in Missouri Vaun.
I'not a fan of fantasy and paranormal, so it took me a bit to get into the book.
But once past the first pages, I was attracted by this book.
The connivance between the two protagonists is remarkable.
When I read the blurb, I did not expect this type of book.
Although this is not what Ms Vaun usually does, it's a book that goes beyond my expectations.
The cover is remarkable, and makes you want to read it.
This book is therefore to read quickly.
I'not a fan of fantasy and paranormal, so it took me a bit to get into the book.
But once past the first pages, I was attracted by this book.
The connivance between the two protagonists is remarkable.
When I read the blurb, I did not expect this type of book.
Although this is not what Ms Vaun usually does, it's a book that goes beyond my expectations.
The cover is remarkable, and makes you want to read it.
This book is therefore to read quickly.
January 25, 2019
This is really a 2.5 star book. I did not quite understand what I was going to be reading from the description. The description seemed interesting, I was wondering how they would make the story of a writing moving to work on a memoir interesting. I find a lot of it to be really crazy paranormal nonsense, I thought the overall story was really hard to follow and it ended very quickly.
Background the story is about Foster who moves to Spencer's Cove to write a memoir about the reclusive and shy Abbigail Spencer. When she arrives a whole lot of crazy things happen and Foster and Abigail end up falling in love. This was really a romance, with very little sex, and the one sex scene was not very well written at all.
It was not a disappointing read, but I wish the author had been more forthcoming in he description. I really don't like paranormal romance books and would have stayed away if I had known. It was not a terrible book, it is just not my cup of tea. It was a little generic, had all of the tropes in it and the love story took place in all of three days. I find that fast even if it is a lesbian romance book. The characters all read the same and were very one-note. Even Abby seemed really boring. I liked the ancillary characters though Jai and Dena they were really cute and I wish they have featured more in the book. Hell even Cora was more interesting than the three leads. Evan was just the most one - note character of the bunch. She was supposed to be a total badass, but spent most of the book bumbling around. It was annoying. So not the best story, but well written and I like Missouri Vaun's writing, but this book did not do it for me.
This book was given to me as an ARC by NetGalley and Bold Strokes books in exchange for an honest review.
Background the story is about Foster who moves to Spencer's Cove to write a memoir about the reclusive and shy Abbigail Spencer. When she arrives a whole lot of crazy things happen and Foster and Abigail end up falling in love. This was really a romance, with very little sex, and the one sex scene was not very well written at all.
It was not a disappointing read, but I wish the author had been more forthcoming in he description. I really don't like paranormal romance books and would have stayed away if I had known. It was not a terrible book, it is just not my cup of tea. It was a little generic, had all of the tropes in it and the love story took place in all of three days. I find that fast even if it is a lesbian romance book. The characters all read the same and were very one-note. Even Abby seemed really boring. I liked the ancillary characters though Jai and Dena they were really cute and I wish they have featured more in the book. Hell even Cora was more interesting than the three leads. Evan was just the most one - note character of the bunch. She was supposed to be a total badass, but spent most of the book bumbling around. It was annoying. So not the best story, but well written and I like Missouri Vaun's writing, but this book did not do it for me.
This book was given to me as an ARC by NetGalley and Bold Strokes books in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2019
I ARC received via NetGalley and in exchange for an honest review.
Ok this took me by surprise because the blurb explain but really doesn't.
Foster Owen is a successful mystery writer who suffering writer block. Abigail Spencer was studying abroad and now has inherited a rundown mansion.
You think that where the story ends they meet instant love and even though it was what happen it was much more then that it has a supernatural element in the story that I love .
There were some history events that I wish we explore more but this was a solid written story that had me engage to the very end.
Ok this took me by surprise because the blurb explain but really doesn't.
Foster Owen is a successful mystery writer who suffering writer block. Abigail Spencer was studying abroad and now has inherited a rundown mansion.
You think that where the story ends they meet instant love and even though it was what happen it was much more then that it has a supernatural element in the story that I love .
There were some history events that I wish we explore more but this was a solid written story that had me engage to the very end.
May 8, 2019
Pretty fun paranormal romance novel. I was totally hooked.
April 29, 2020
One of those stories that had me guessing all the way. I knew there were secrets, but I had no idea the kind of secrets that hid in the depth of Spencer's Cove.
I was giddy in love with Foster, the slightly nerdy bookworm who was sent on a work mission to write a story about the history of Spencer's Cove and its resident, Abigail. I was wonderfully surprised at the turn of events just as I was starting to think this was just another love story. The scene in the cemetery took my breath away and I could see with my minds eye what was happening to Foster and Abigail. It was beautiful as it was terrifying. There were a few side characters with small roles all throughout the story just lingering in the background. Once the story edged its climax we soon understood why those background characters were there. For a lot of the story there was research being done by Foster and Abigail to try and find out the history of everything, and at one point I swear I was right there with Foster in the public library reading what she was reading. When she closed off a portion of her findings I was internally shouting, 'No, I wanna keep reading!'
I highly recommend this book if you love taking a journey down a path that reveals rich history of love, loss, and little bit of magic... or maybe a whole lot.
P.S. SpongeBob SquarePants boxers are hot on a cute, nerdy butch with glasses ;)
I was giddy in love with Foster, the slightly nerdy bookworm who was sent on a work mission to write a story about the history of Spencer's Cove and its resident, Abigail. I was wonderfully surprised at the turn of events just as I was starting to think this was just another love story. The scene in the cemetery took my breath away and I could see with my minds eye what was happening to Foster and Abigail. It was beautiful as it was terrifying. There were a few side characters with small roles all throughout the story just lingering in the background. Once the story edged its climax we soon understood why those background characters were there. For a lot of the story there was research being done by Foster and Abigail to try and find out the history of everything, and at one point I swear I was right there with Foster in the public library reading what she was reading. When she closed off a portion of her findings I was internally shouting, 'No, I wanna keep reading!'
I highly recommend this book if you love taking a journey down a path that reveals rich history of love, loss, and little bit of magic... or maybe a whole lot.
P.S. SpongeBob SquarePants boxers are hot on a cute, nerdy butch with glasses ;)
August 5, 2019
DNF
This was very far from the book I expected it to be, when I requested it.
To be honest, I didn't like that it contained a paranormal twist, and I wouldn't have picked it if I had known it before hand.
☛ I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and I'm voluntarily making this review.
This was very far from the book I expected it to be, when I requested it.
To be honest, I didn't like that it contained a paranormal twist, and I wouldn't have picked it if I had known it before hand.
☛ I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and I'm voluntarily making this review.
January 23, 2019
Foster has had writers block for three years and it shows no sign of stopping. Her publishers sends her to the west coast to ghost write a memoir for an heiress. She imagines someone older, with a handful of cats, but who she meets is the painfully shy and beautiful Abigail Spencer. Abigail Spencer has only recently returned home after many years away, she's cautious around people and prefers to spend her time with her rescued horses or reading. Foster's arrival changes everything and the two women grow close in ways neither could have imagined in a million years.
This is not at all what I expected from the blurb. It was brilliant because Missouri Vaun is brilliant. Let go of your expectations and just enjoy the ride!
I loved the characters in this book. On the cold pacific northwest coast, Vaun creates a cast of warm and welcoming. These women are badass and brilliant and inspiring. I loved every single one of them, each with their own little flaws and quirks, but with huge hearts and strong will, lends to dynamic and three-dimensional characters that jump off the page and into your heart.
The descriptions are so beautiful and so vivid, you really feel like you are part of the story. The cold and the mist of the coast seeps into your bones. The love of books the leading ladies have pours into every passage and makes you feel like you have kindred spirits in Foster and Abigail. Vaun is a truly gifted writer and grew to be one of my favourites over the last year.
I wouldn't mind if this got turned into a series and we got to read Evan's story next! I'm not ready to let this world or these characters go.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is not at all what I expected from the blurb. It was brilliant because Missouri Vaun is brilliant. Let go of your expectations and just enjoy the ride!
I loved the characters in this book. On the cold pacific northwest coast, Vaun creates a cast of warm and welcoming. These women are badass and brilliant and inspiring. I loved every single one of them, each with their own little flaws and quirks, but with huge hearts and strong will, lends to dynamic and three-dimensional characters that jump off the page and into your heart.
The descriptions are so beautiful and so vivid, you really feel like you are part of the story. The cold and the mist of the coast seeps into your bones. The love of books the leading ladies have pours into every passage and makes you feel like you have kindred spirits in Foster and Abigail. Vaun is a truly gifted writer and grew to be one of my favourites over the last year.
I wouldn't mind if this got turned into a series and we got to read Evan's story next! I'm not ready to let this world or these characters go.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2019
Ok, this book was not bad but also not what I expected. The synopsis is totally misleading, promising a ghost story in a haunted house when it is something totally different. Also it wasn’t easy for me to connect with the characters. They had a lot of potential but relationships were developing too fast (within two days from not knowing each other at all to full blown „I love you“ mode in some cases - not at all convincing). Mostly I enjoyed Foster being a writer of mystery novels while groundkeeper Evan turns out to be a badass warrior but it took a long time to get used to her and for Abby … well, she was sweet and pure and a bit boring. I don’t know… The Story was interesting but unable to grip me. Often things happened with no explanation and never solved mentionings of too many things that just seem irrelevant after finnishing the book. Why mention them at all if they have no impact or use on the story?
What I really did like was that this book centers on women caring for each other in their own unique ways. Also, Fosters cat is named „William Falkner“ and he is a total a**whole (as all cats are and of course I loved him).
So, well. Spencers Cove was an okayish read with a lot of questions left open. It could have been better if it didn’t feel so rushed. As it is I can’t really recommend this book even though there were things I enjoyed. On the other hand if you feel intrigued I would say just try, it is a nice enough story if you are looking for a light read.
What I really did like was that this book centers on women caring for each other in their own unique ways. Also, Fosters cat is named „William Falkner“ and he is a total a**whole (as all cats are and of course I loved him).
So, well. Spencers Cove was an okayish read with a lot of questions left open. It could have been better if it didn’t feel so rushed. As it is I can’t really recommend this book even though there were things I enjoyed. On the other hand if you feel intrigued I would say just try, it is a nice enough story if you are looking for a light read.
March 7, 2019
I received an advanced reading copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I somehow missed the memo that this is a paranormal romance O.O I was certainly surprised when that thing happened.
I find it hard to write a review for this book.
I have little bad things to say about it. The setting of the small coastal town in the middle of nowhere was beautiful and atmospheric, the initial mystery of Abby's heritage was intriguing and enjoyed uncovering it more and more. Abby, in general, was a character I very much liked reading about her, I loved her quiet side and her being more of a passive but still engaging protagonist. I was also pleasantly happy by how female-centric not just the main but also the side characters were. And horses! Everything is almost better with horses.
But in the end, the overall story just didn't grip me. I won't go into spoilers but after the big reveal the second half passed way to fast for me. I thought the rules and magic were badly explained and often simply accepted without any further questions. The villain was lackluster at best, I never felt like she was an actual threat.
Foster was also not my favourite. She seemed to be our insert to simply follow the plot and have someone to indroduce us to everything; she added little else to the story.
So is this a bad book? Not at all. It simply didn't capture my interest as much as I had hoped. But if you interested in lesbians and witchy parananormal thieves, I would suggest it.
I somehow missed the memo that this is a paranormal romance O.O I was certainly surprised when that thing happened.
I find it hard to write a review for this book.
I have little bad things to say about it. The setting of the small coastal town in the middle of nowhere was beautiful and atmospheric, the initial mystery of Abby's heritage was intriguing and enjoyed uncovering it more and more. Abby, in general, was a character I very much liked reading about her, I loved her quiet side and her being more of a passive but still engaging protagonist. I was also pleasantly happy by how female-centric not just the main but also the side characters were. And horses! Everything is almost better with horses.
But in the end, the overall story just didn't grip me. I won't go into spoilers but after the big reveal the second half passed way to fast for me. I thought the rules and magic were badly explained and often simply accepted without any further questions. The villain was lackluster at best, I never felt like she was an actual threat.
Foster was also not my favourite. She seemed to be our insert to simply follow the plot and have someone to indroduce us to everything; she added little else to the story.
So is this a bad book? Not at all. It simply didn't capture my interest as much as I had hoped. But if you interested in lesbians and witchy parananormal thieves, I would suggest it.
January 29, 2019
I was in for the sapphic romance and stayed for basically all the rest. Unravelling an old family mystery? Check. Witches? Check. Soul bonds? CHECK.
I got attached to all the characters so fast, especially Abby, it's like I've known her all my life, and I felt so her so much? How she was so shy and afraid of being close to people but she became more confident about herself throughout the story, thank you Missouri Vaun for making me care that much about a character.
The romance was incredibly sweet, from their first meeting till the very end, Foster and Abby are really perfect for each other.
And the mystery and the fantasy stuff! I love it, it was so interesting, I didn't think it'd be that fantasy focused when I read the summary but I'm glad for it? It made such an amazing story and universe, wow.
I got attached to all the characters so fast, especially Abby, it's like I've known her all my life, and I felt so her so much? How she was so shy and afraid of being close to people but she became more confident about herself throughout the story, thank you Missouri Vaun for making me care that much about a character.
The romance was incredibly sweet, from their first meeting till the very end, Foster and Abby are really perfect for each other.
And the mystery and the fantasy stuff! I love it, it was so interesting, I didn't think it'd be that fantasy focused when I read the summary but I'm glad for it? It made such an amazing story and universe, wow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews