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The Gossip Chronicles of Gladys Ouellette: Every Love Story Could Use A Little Mystery
After a painful divorce, Abby moves to a small coastal Maine town determined to start over.
What she doesn't expect is to inherit a mystery.
Her new home once belonged to Gladys Ouellette, a beloved children's author whose eccentric habits and whispered secrets linger long after her death. When Abby begins uncovering hidden clues scattered throughout the property, she finds herself drawn into a puzzle that feels increasingly personal.
At the same time, she's struggling to ignore the guarded Army veteran living down the street. Seth is reserved, stubborn, and frustratingly difficult to read. Yet beneath his rough edges is a kindness she never expected, and the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to keep the protective walls around her heart intact.
As small-town gossip swirls and long-buried truths come to light, Abby must decide whether she's willing to trust again.
Because some mysteries lead to treasure.
Others lead you home.
A heartwarming coastal Maine romance filled with small-town charm, ghostly secrets, and a slow-burn love story
What she doesn't expect is to inherit a mystery.
Her new home once belonged to Gladys Ouellette, a beloved children's author whose eccentric habits and whispered secrets linger long after her death. When Abby begins uncovering hidden clues scattered throughout the property, she finds herself drawn into a puzzle that feels increasingly personal.
At the same time, she's struggling to ignore the guarded Army veteran living down the street. Seth is reserved, stubborn, and frustratingly difficult to read. Yet beneath his rough edges is a kindness she never expected, and the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to keep the protective walls around her heart intact.
As small-town gossip swirls and long-buried truths come to light, Abby must decide whether she's willing to trust again.
Because some mysteries lead to treasure.
Others lead you home.
A heartwarming coastal Maine romance filled with small-town charm, ghostly secrets, and a slow-burn love story
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 26, 2026
Awesome book!
Loved this book! The beginning led me to believe this was just another template of ," husband is sneaking around and wife has no clue. But the story changes when she fights back and works to solve a mystery and find love again. " Twists and turns keep you reading. Routing for her and the answers she seeks. The ending is great!
Loved this book! The beginning led me to believe this was just another template of ," husband is sneaking around and wife has no clue. But the story changes when she fights back and works to solve a mystery and find love again. " Twists and turns keep you reading. Routing for her and the answers she seeks. The ending is great!
June 27, 2026
FREE today (June 26, 2026) on Amazon.
June 23, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! Romance is not my usual genre, but this was romance elevated! It's actually a bit of a genre mashup with some treasure hunt and ghostly elements. If you enjoyed Nancy Drew as a kid, I think you'll appreciate the mystery elements in this book. The romance was well written and believable, and kept me interested all the way through. I enjoyed how the characters were complex and fully developed. The protagonist wasn't a early 20s woman, but was a bit older and had some things she needed to work out on her own. I appreciated that. Overall a great read!
July 7, 2026
very good book
Delightful book. I really enjoyed this book. It has suspense romance and read very quickly. I hope to read more books by Marie Shannon.
Delightful book. I really enjoyed this book. It has suspense romance and read very quickly. I hope to read more books by Marie Shannon.
June 28, 2026
This was a cute story. I really like Abby and Seth. I enjoyed learning about Gladys and her ties to Seth. The ending was nice but in my opinion abrupt compared to the way the story was written. But overall it was a really nice book that I truly enjoyed.
June 17, 2026
Was not sure what this book was going to be like and I was surprised.
Sometimes reading some gossip can be fun! Not only did the author write about a mysterious writer that kept notes on the gossip but love mysteries for others to solve.
Abby’s hurt, confusion and wanting that start over made this book even more. As you read, you want to keep going to know what’s the next thing happening.
This book is a page turner.
*I received this ARC Kindle book from BookSirens. Thank You!
Sometimes reading some gossip can be fun! Not only did the author write about a mysterious writer that kept notes on the gossip but love mysteries for others to solve.
Abby’s hurt, confusion and wanting that start over made this book even more. As you read, you want to keep going to know what’s the next thing happening.
This book is a page turner.
*I received this ARC Kindle book from BookSirens. Thank You!
Review of advance copy
This is a sweet story with a lot of sadness and unhappiness that slowly turns into joy and happiness.
It’s a romance, but more than that it’s a story of becoming the person you’re supposed to be and to embrace that.
Abby moves to this small town where her aunt lives after a devastatung divorce. She buys and renovates a house where a famous writer used to live. There is a rumor about a hidden treasure and Abby finds written clues to follow. The town people embraces her right away and there is some match making going on. However it’s the wounded veteran Seth who slowly sparks her interest.
The story is well written and I enjoyed reading it. The ghostly part is a bit vague (well, that’s to be expected I suppose…) and the ending a bit abrupt, but as a whole a good book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It’s a romance, but more than that it’s a story of becoming the person you’re supposed to be and to embrace that.
Abby moves to this small town where her aunt lives after a devastatung divorce. She buys and renovates a house where a famous writer used to live. There is a rumor about a hidden treasure and Abby finds written clues to follow. The town people embraces her right away and there is some match making going on. However it’s the wounded veteran Seth who slowly sparks her interest.
The story is well written and I enjoyed reading it. The ghostly part is a bit vague (well, that’s to be expected I suppose…) and the ending a bit abrupt, but as a whole a good book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Gossip Chronicles of Gladys Ouellette is the perfect blend of small-town charm, mystery, and self-discovery. This book had me captured from the start and I could not put it down.
After a tough divorce, Abby works to rebuild her life and moves to a small coastal town in Maine. Between new friendships, unexpected romance, and the mystery she’s trying to solve, she slowly learns to believe in herself again.
The romance between Abby and Seth was exactly the kind of slow burn I love. Both characters carry emotional scars, and their journey toward opening their hearts again felt authentic and rewarding.
What really kept me turning the pages, though, was the mystery surrounding Gladys Ouellette. Piece by piece, clues are uncovered, secrets are revealed, and I found myself constantly trying to connect the dots before Abby could.
I highly recommend adding this to your TBR! ❤️
After a tough divorce, Abby works to rebuild her life and moves to a small coastal town in Maine. Between new friendships, unexpected romance, and the mystery she’s trying to solve, she slowly learns to believe in herself again.
The romance between Abby and Seth was exactly the kind of slow burn I love. Both characters carry emotional scars, and their journey toward opening their hearts again felt authentic and rewarding.
What really kept me turning the pages, though, was the mystery surrounding Gladys Ouellette. Piece by piece, clues are uncovered, secrets are revealed, and I found myself constantly trying to connect the dots before Abby could.
I highly recommend adding this to your TBR! ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a 5‑star read. Once the story grabs you, it’s nearly impossible to put down. It’s packed with small‑town charm, slow‑building emotional tension, and a mystery wrapped in old rumors.
The FMC is trying to rebuild her life after a major turning point, and this little town does not make it easy. She’s met with twists, turns, flickering lights, and clues encrypted in the former owner’s writing; all pulling her deeper into a past that refuses to stay buried.
The FMC is trying to rebuild her life after a major turning point, and this little town does not make it easy. She’s met with twists, turns, flickering lights, and clues encrypted in the former owner’s writing; all pulling her deeper into a past that refuses to stay buried.
August 10, 2026
Love and a good mystery
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book…but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I don’t usually read mysteries, but the storyline kept my interest. The 2 main characters, Abby and Seth were so different, yet had shared commonalities that it kept you interested! The build up of their friendship and then love was well written. I will be reading more of this author.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book…but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I don’t usually read mysteries, but the storyline kept my interest. The 2 main characters, Abby and Seth were so different, yet had shared commonalities that it kept you interested! The build up of their friendship and then love was well written. I will be reading more of this author.
June 26, 2026
perfect, cozy escape.
Her New Home is a delightful slice of small-town coastal Maine that perfectly balances an atmospheric mystery with a beautifully tender, slow-burn romance. If you are looking for a story that wraps you up like a warm blanket on a foggy morning, this book is an absolute must-read.
Her New Home is a delightful slice of small-town coastal Maine that perfectly balances an atmospheric mystery with a beautifully tender, slow-burn romance. If you are looking for a story that wraps you up like a warm blanket on a foggy morning, this book is an absolute must-read.
August 3, 2026
Hard to put this story down!!
This writer weaves a wonderful second chance at life with a quirky mystery and a unplanned romance tale!! The characters were interesting, the atmosphere of the small town charming and the mystery of a treasure hunt exciting as I turned each page! A book I wanted to continue !!
This writer weaves a wonderful second chance at life with a quirky mystery and a unplanned romance tale!! The characters were interesting, the atmosphere of the small town charming and the mystery of a treasure hunt exciting as I turned each page! A book I wanted to continue !!
August 30, 2026
3.5 Easy read
August 1, 2026
I really enjoyed The Gossip Chronicles of Gladys Ouellette. Cozy mysteries aren't usually my go-to genre, but this book pulled me in right away. The mystery was fun and kept me guessing, and I loved following Abby as she tried to rebuild her life and uncover the secrets Gladys left behind.
The small-town setting and realistic characters made the story feel warm and inviting. There was also just the right amount of romance mixed in with the mystery. Overall, it was a fun, easy read that kept me turning the pages. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
The small-town setting and realistic characters made the story feel warm and inviting. There was also just the right amount of romance mixed in with the mystery. Overall, it was a fun, easy read that kept me turning the pages. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
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July 31, 2026What a cute book! It's got a slow-burn romance that you can't stop reading, and then at the same time there's a clever code-breaking mystery going on. I loved Abby and the rest of the characters. You really get to see how people all have their own private struggles they're dealing with, but friendship and family and humor go a long way in conquering pain. Loved the Maine setting. It comes through not just in the beautiful coastal scenery but also in the way of life, the town events, and the small-town gossip. This book leaves you feeling happy. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews