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Coffee and Kelpies: a Crescent Cove cozy romance novella
Marlowe Reilly comes from a long line of kelpies--wild, shape-shifting water horses with a taste for human flesh. She's been allowed to live in the magical town of Crescent Cove provisionally, as long as she can keep her bloodthirsty nature in check, which she manages in part thanks to the magical, mood-changing drinks served up at the Toast & Tide, a local diner.
Marlowe owns a riding stable where she provides a safe space for both rescued horses and traumatized humans. But her livelihood and her tenuous place in Crescent Cove are jeopardized when a member of the violent family she left behind comes looking for her. And when a grouchy, scruffily-handsome man takes over the diner, her usual coping mechanisms are disrupted.
Rick Thane considers himself an excellent brewer of emotive potions, and he's not sure why the beautiful owner of the riding stable won't trust his work. He starts trying to win her over, not realizing that the deeper he moves into her life, the more uncertain his fate becomes. Marlowe's human side might claim to hate him, but her kelpie side craves him in the most primal way, and giving in to that hunger even once could prove ruinous for them both.
This beachy paranormal romance novella is for fans of Gilmore Girls, Practical Magic, and Supernatural, all rolled into one, with a side of Celtic mythology.
Marlowe owns a riding stable where she provides a safe space for both rescued horses and traumatized humans. But her livelihood and her tenuous place in Crescent Cove are jeopardized when a member of the violent family she left behind comes looking for her. And when a grouchy, scruffily-handsome man takes over the diner, her usual coping mechanisms are disrupted.
Rick Thane considers himself an excellent brewer of emotive potions, and he's not sure why the beautiful owner of the riding stable won't trust his work. He starts trying to win her over, not realizing that the deeper he moves into her life, the more uncertain his fate becomes. Marlowe's human side might claim to hate him, but her kelpie side craves him in the most primal way, and giving in to that hunger even once could prove ruinous for them both.
This beachy paranormal romance novella is for fans of Gilmore Girls, Practical Magic, and Supernatural, all rolled into one, with a side of Celtic mythology.
163 pages, Paperback
Published May 11, 2026
About the author
Rebecca F. Kenney
75 books3,127 followersRebecca F. Kenney writes spicy fantasy romance about sassy, strong women and hot guys with tragic backstories... pirates, warlords, demons, Fae, and royals. Her main series are the "Wicked Darlings" series (spicy Fae retellings of the Nutcracker, Wonderland, and Oz), the "Dark Rulers" series (standalones in a shared world), and the "For the Love of the Villain" series of genderbent fairytales. Other books include a post-apocalyptic vampire romance trilogy ("The Vampires Will Save You"), a demon romance "Interior Design for Demons," a dark mermaid fantasy duet, and other spicy retellings.
Rebecca is represented by Eva Scalzo of Speilburg Literary. She lives in upstate South Carolina with her handsome blue-eyed husband and two smart, energetic kids.
For updates and information about upcoming novels, follow on Instagram @rebeccafkenneybooks, on Twitter @RebeccaFKenney1, and on TikTok @rebeccafkenney
Rebecca is represented by Eva Scalzo of Speilburg Literary. She lives in upstate South Carolina with her handsome blue-eyed husband and two smart, energetic kids.
For updates and information about upcoming novels, follow on Instagram @rebeccafkenneybooks, on Twitter @RebeccaFKenney1, and on TikTok @rebeccafkenney
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 13, 2026
Нууу було непогано. Смішно моментами та гаряче. Ну і про кеплі я ше точно не читала 😉
August 8, 2026
Все так бадьоро добре починалось. Келпі дійсно цікаві істоти. Не сподобалась надмірна жорстокість в затишній фентезі новелі
June 16, 2026
I just finished the novella, coffee and kelpies by Rebecca F. Kenney, and it is a delightfully quick, fun, and romantic read. It has a small town, beachy rom-com vibe with dangerous fantasy vibes woven through out, as we meet its many supernatural residents.
In this small coastal town, individuals of all magical backgrounds live together in relative peace, in a safe haven they've created together.
Amidst this back drop, we meet Marlowe Reilly, a kelpie shifter, magical beings who are really dangerous and feral water horses who have a taste for human flesh. Marlowe is an FMC that you can really have a lot of sympathy for. She is working really hard to claim a life for herself outside of her pack. She has been living away from her pack for almost 9 years and and runs a sanctuary where she takes in horses who have been traumatized, or abused and helps rehabilitate them and creates a space for others who can benefit from therapy with the animals.
I think there's something really beautiful in what Marlowe has chosen as her path because she is also healing from a lot of the trauma of being controlled. She is really struggling with aspects of her nature because kelpies are inherently very violent and crave indulging in the blood of the hunt. Marlowe she really wants to carve out a world where she doesn't have to give into that. Kenney strikes an insightful tension as Marlowe struggles to find the balance between finding a different path for life while not feeling like she has to be ashamed of her nature.
Just when Marlowe thinks things can't get more complicated, in walks Rick Thane or Maverick. Rick is a witch from a coven whose specialty is creating emotive potions that help kind of transmit different types of emotions that people are looking for. He has a couple of other special qualities and tricks up his sleeve but I won't spoil so you will just have to read to find out.
Marlowe and Rick meet when he takes over his uncles diner and she comes looking for her regular potion. Let's just say Marlowe does not deal well with change and it kicks off a bit of a bumpy path to getting to know one another. Rick is a lumberjack grump type with a heart of gold. You can't help but love the way that they interact. Kenney treats us to plenty of sharp dialogue and plenty of flirting. This is a novella, so the romance is quick and Marlowe and Rick feel things very intensely.
Rick and Marlowe are trying to navigate what it means to be in a relationship with each other while parts of Marlowe's past that she has tried to escape come to her doorstep and threaten to destroy all the things she's built for herself.
This was such a fun read. It's something you can read over a weekend. It delivers the coziness of a spicy, small town romance with the intensity of dark fantasy romance.
Amidst this back drop, we meet Marlowe Reilly, a kelpie shifter, magical beings who are really dangerous and feral water horses who have a taste for human flesh. Marlowe is an FMC that you can really have a lot of sympathy for. She is working really hard to claim a life for herself outside of her pack. She has been living away from her pack for almost 9 years and and runs a sanctuary where she takes in horses who have been traumatized, or abused and helps rehabilitate them and creates a space for others who can benefit from therapy with the animals.
I think there's something really beautiful in what Marlowe has chosen as her path because she is also healing from a lot of the trauma of being controlled. She is really struggling with aspects of her nature because kelpies are inherently very violent and crave indulging in the blood of the hunt. Marlowe she really wants to carve out a world where she doesn't have to give into that. Kenney strikes an insightful tension as Marlowe struggles to find the balance between finding a different path for life while not feeling like she has to be ashamed of her nature.
Just when Marlowe thinks things can't get more complicated, in walks Rick Thane or Maverick. Rick is a witch from a coven whose specialty is creating emotive potions that help kind of transmit different types of emotions that people are looking for. He has a couple of other special qualities and tricks up his sleeve but I won't spoil so you will just have to read to find out.
Marlowe and Rick meet when he takes over his uncles diner and she comes looking for her regular potion. Let's just say Marlowe does not deal well with change and it kicks off a bit of a bumpy path to getting to know one another. Rick is a lumberjack grump type with a heart of gold. You can't help but love the way that they interact. Kenney treats us to plenty of sharp dialogue and plenty of flirting. This is a novella, so the romance is quick and Marlowe and Rick feel things very intensely.
Rick and Marlowe are trying to navigate what it means to be in a relationship with each other while parts of Marlowe's past that she has tried to escape come to her doorstep and threaten to destroy all the things she's built for herself.
This was such a fun read. It's something you can read over a weekend. It delivers the coziness of a spicy, small town romance with the intensity of dark fantasy romance.
June 20, 2026
Досить затишна і мила історія, як на таку кровожерливу гг 😅
July 3, 2026
I jumped right in with reading Coffee and Kelpies this weekend by Rebecca Kenney to continue getting caught up with the Crescent Cove series! As with the others I’ve read so far, I really enjoy how each book is different while still connecting beautifully with the overall series!
For Kelpies and Coffee we have a spicy water horse with some very sharpe teeth, Marlowe as our FMC, and a smooth potion witch, Rick, as our MMC! Marlowe is constantly fighting against her nature which is fueled by emotions. She can be volatile, but is trying desperately not to be because she loves the life she’s built with her rescue stable. She relies on special potions from the diner owner, who has unfortunately passed away. The diner is now being run by one of his relatives who also happens to be a potion witch, Rick! Rick is really good at potions, but he does things a bit differently and Marlowe is NOT a fan of change!
Through some stomping around, rage running, and a near-fatal encounter with her Kelpie form, Marlowe and Rick are continuously drawn together. Marlowe can be herself around him and express all of her intense feelings- especially those about change (hence the meme loooool). Rick is the calm to Marlowe’s storm. Marlowe makes Rick feel alive, like he has a place to belong which is huge for him after his own experiences with his family. They can’t keep their hands off each other which was super cute, and also very hot 😌. However, Marlowe’s sister is determined to ruin everything and force Marlowe to return to their herd— which is something she absolutely does not want to do.
If you want to know how things play out- you should check out Coffee and Kelpies as well as the rest of the Crescent Cove series!
For Kelpies and Coffee we have a spicy water horse with some very sharpe teeth, Marlowe as our FMC, and a smooth potion witch, Rick, as our MMC! Marlowe is constantly fighting against her nature which is fueled by emotions. She can be volatile, but is trying desperately not to be because she loves the life she’s built with her rescue stable. She relies on special potions from the diner owner, who has unfortunately passed away. The diner is now being run by one of his relatives who also happens to be a potion witch, Rick! Rick is really good at potions, but he does things a bit differently and Marlowe is NOT a fan of change!
Through some stomping around, rage running, and a near-fatal encounter with her Kelpie form, Marlowe and Rick are continuously drawn together. Marlowe can be herself around him and express all of her intense feelings- especially those about change (hence the meme loooool). Rick is the calm to Marlowe’s storm. Marlowe makes Rick feel alive, like he has a place to belong which is huge for him after his own experiences with his family. They can’t keep their hands off each other which was super cute, and also very hot 😌. However, Marlowe’s sister is determined to ruin everything and force Marlowe to return to their herd— which is something she absolutely does not want to do.
If you want to know how things play out- you should check out Coffee and Kelpies as well as the rest of the Crescent Cove series!
July 2, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was such a fun summer read, with just the right amount of dark humor I was looking for at the moment. Marlowe is a kelpie allowed to come into city limits, but part of how she maintains her emotions to prevent unexpected transformations is with special coffee from the local diner. Rick recently took over the diner after the death of his uncle, the previous owner. The two initially butt heads, but sparks quickly fly.
I love how, while Marlowe is doing her best to distance herself from her family and the negative connotations that come with being a kelpie, Rick accepts those parts of her. He recognizes that she wants to do better than her family, and shows just how much he trusts her, even when she is in kelpie form. They make jokes about it, but those are coming from a place of trust, and it really solidifies that they’ve both found their person. Rick thinks it might be because they knew each other in a past life, and I think that’s a beautiful consideration.
The use of magic in this story is such a great touch. From the coffee to the barriers to a particular object that works wonders in more than one way, it was subtle and effective. When it helped in the third act, I was so wrapped up in the story and Rick and Marlowe’s journey that I forgot the magic was there to help. This story takes place in such a short period of time, and you just get swept away in them, and I love that.
This was such a fun summer read, with just the right amount of dark humor I was looking for at the moment. Marlowe is a kelpie allowed to come into city limits, but part of how she maintains her emotions to prevent unexpected transformations is with special coffee from the local diner. Rick recently took over the diner after the death of his uncle, the previous owner. The two initially butt heads, but sparks quickly fly.
I love how, while Marlowe is doing her best to distance herself from her family and the negative connotations that come with being a kelpie, Rick accepts those parts of her. He recognizes that she wants to do better than her family, and shows just how much he trusts her, even when she is in kelpie form. They make jokes about it, but those are coming from a place of trust, and it really solidifies that they’ve both found their person. Rick thinks it might be because they knew each other in a past life, and I think that’s a beautiful consideration.
The use of magic in this story is such a great touch. From the coffee to the barriers to a particular object that works wonders in more than one way, it was subtle and effective. When it helped in the third act, I was so wrapped up in the story and Rick and Marlowe’s journey that I forgot the magic was there to help. This story takes place in such a short period of time, and you just get swept away in them, and I love that.
July 20, 2026
Coffee and Kelpies is a fun and spicy paranormal romance novella, with a female kelpie and a male witch as the leads. It's part of the Crescent Cove series of novellas and novels, with each book written by a different author. This is the first one I've read in the series (all of the ones released so far are on Kindle Unlimited) and it's clear that every book will work completely as a standalone, but that we'll see the main characters from the other books appear as side characters.
It's fast-paced, and is a light and easy read. There's plot, romance and spice crammed into the novella page count and if you like fun, easy paranormal romances, this series is available on KU.
It's fast-paced, and is a light and easy read. There's plot, romance and spice crammed into the novella page count and if you like fun, easy paranormal romances, this series is available on KU.
June 17, 2026
Love, love, loved this cozy little beach read! By which of course I mean, a sweet little monster romance between a mildly cannibalistic water horse shifter with generational trauma and the new grumpy diner owner witch 😁.
It was short but not too short, sweet but definitely salty, and had enough drama to really pack in those pages. I ate this book up (no pun intended) and will definitely be reading more in the shared world. Crescent Cove seems to be just teeming with interesting characters!
It was short but not too short, sweet but definitely salty, and had enough drama to really pack in those pages. I ate this book up (no pun intended) and will definitely be reading more in the shared world. Crescent Cove seems to be just teeming with interesting characters!
April 25, 2026
This was an ARC read
This is a spicy monster romance story. Make sure you know what that means before reading
The first book I’ve read in the Crescent Cove Series and I am in love 🤩
The first Kelpie story I’ve read so far and it’s a female kelpie that is the FMC🤩 her name is Marlowe.
She’s got a horse stable that she runs with rescued horses and a family she’s cut contact with. For VERY good reason. Lots of familial drama in this story
Crescent Cove is a nonhuman town. You know how much we love those 🤤and this is also where we meet Maverick who goes by Rick. He’s a witch and I guess a potions witch
He makes a killer coffee. Well, he can make you an emotional coffee if you’d like. I mean, honestly, I’d start drinking coffee if it came with a sprinkle of joy in it or anti-anxiety 🤪
There is spice in this story and it’s hot. There is also some free usage in this story, so make sure that is something you are okay with.
The story is a novella and it does move fast. Rick and Marlow are like in-love after their first meeting and like 🍆on like day two.
The focus of the story is on Marlow. She’s gotta end it with her family and she has to find her confidence again to not give into her true Kelpie nature. At least not give into how she was raised to behave
She’s gotta learn to allow change and disruptions in routine to exists. She’s learning they can be okay and positive things.
The story is all her and she’s a real badass FMC. She’s strong and she’s used to carrying the burden of being a kelpie and all the negativity associated with that.
Her family is also a big part of her struggle because they’re just so awful and embody the stereotype of being Kelpies. Almost like they’re carrying the torch for an archaic cultural practice
She also learns through this experience and with Rick that she’s worthy of love and being loved. Rick and Marlow are perfect for each other because they share similar dark humors.
I loved it and thought it was a great story and a wonderful introduction to Crescent Cove 🤩I can’t wait to read more stories from this series
There was just one minor issue with language regarding description of mental disabilities. Anyone who’s sensitive to sanims language might take notice, so this is your TW for it.
This is a little darkish, but fast paced, has drama, spice, and romance. Totally worth a read
This is a spicy monster romance story. Make sure you know what that means before reading
The first book I’ve read in the Crescent Cove Series and I am in love 🤩
The first Kelpie story I’ve read so far and it’s a female kelpie that is the FMC🤩 her name is Marlowe.
She’s got a horse stable that she runs with rescued horses and a family she’s cut contact with. For VERY good reason. Lots of familial drama in this story
Crescent Cove is a nonhuman town. You know how much we love those 🤤and this is also where we meet Maverick who goes by Rick. He’s a witch and I guess a potions witch
He makes a killer coffee. Well, he can make you an emotional coffee if you’d like. I mean, honestly, I’d start drinking coffee if it came with a sprinkle of joy in it or anti-anxiety 🤪
There is spice in this story and it’s hot. There is also some free usage in this story, so make sure that is something you are okay with.
The story is a novella and it does move fast. Rick and Marlow are like in-love after their first meeting and like 🍆on like day two.
The focus of the story is on Marlow. She’s gotta end it with her family and she has to find her confidence again to not give into her true Kelpie nature. At least not give into how she was raised to behave
She’s gotta learn to allow change and disruptions in routine to exists. She’s learning they can be okay and positive things.
The story is all her and she’s a real badass FMC. She’s strong and she’s used to carrying the burden of being a kelpie and all the negativity associated with that.
Her family is also a big part of her struggle because they’re just so awful and embody the stereotype of being Kelpies. Almost like they’re carrying the torch for an archaic cultural practice
She also learns through this experience and with Rick that she’s worthy of love and being loved. Rick and Marlow are perfect for each other because they share similar dark humors.
I loved it and thought it was a great story and a wonderful introduction to Crescent Cove 🤩I can’t wait to read more stories from this series
There was just one minor issue with language regarding description of mental disabilities. Anyone who’s sensitive to sanims language might take notice, so this is your TW for it.
This is a little darkish, but fast paced, has drama, spice, and romance. Totally worth a read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2026
Coffee and Kelpies is a quick read, with lots of paranormals living in town. The kelpies were unique, or at least new for me, but I liked the danger that this supernatural creature brought to the story.
Marlow, the kelpie, is rough and grumpy and like I said I'd never read anything quite like Marlow before, and the kelpie aspect brought unique traits, and a level of danger that leveled up this short story. While Rick, short for Maverick, is the small shop owner who is new to town and his draw to Marlow, even though she is quite grouchy around him, is wanting to please her. He's also drawn to her dangerous kelpie side, which neither of them can understand, so this is a bit of a fated mate story too.
Marlow is pretty grumpy because she’s an outcast due to what she is and what her creature typically craves. There is a diner in town that makes a beverage that contains magical elements that starves off her darker needs, but when she enters the diner and finds out that the owner has changed, meaning her beverage has also changed, her mood only darkens. This is not good for a kelpie who needs to control her emotions.
Rick inherited Toast & Tide, a local diner in Cresent Cove, from his uncle. He has the ability to make emotive drinks, which is what brings Marlow into this place, but she leaves before even trying what he makes, which doesn't sit right with him. Rick is drawn to the grouchy woman and does everything to make sure she's a satisfied customer. It's something she's not used to. Marlow doesn't like change and there is a reason for that. And Rick's life may be on the line because of it.
Marlow, the kelpie, is rough and grumpy and like I said I'd never read anything quite like Marlow before, and the kelpie aspect brought unique traits, and a level of danger that leveled up this short story. While Rick, short for Maverick, is the small shop owner who is new to town and his draw to Marlow, even though she is quite grouchy around him, is wanting to please her. He's also drawn to her dangerous kelpie side, which neither of them can understand, so this is a bit of a fated mate story too.
Marlow is pretty grumpy because she’s an outcast due to what she is and what her creature typically craves. There is a diner in town that makes a beverage that contains magical elements that starves off her darker needs, but when she enters the diner and finds out that the owner has changed, meaning her beverage has also changed, her mood only darkens. This is not good for a kelpie who needs to control her emotions.
Rick inherited Toast & Tide, a local diner in Cresent Cove, from his uncle. He has the ability to make emotive drinks, which is what brings Marlow into this place, but she leaves before even trying what he makes, which doesn't sit right with him. Rick is drawn to the grouchy woman and does everything to make sure she's a satisfied customer. It's something she's not used to. Marlow doesn't like change and there is a reason for that. And Rick's life may be on the line because of it.
June 18, 2026
This was such a delight to read. Rebecca F. Kenney managed to blend cozy small-town charm, dark Celtic monster lore, emotional moments, and spicy romance into a novella that had me locked in from start to finish.
The Gilmore Girls vibe is definitely there. The banter between Marlowe and Rick had me smiling & kicking my feet, and their initial friction made their chemistry even more fun to watch. Once they get past that rough start, this is very much an instalove romance. I was completely invested in them as a couple.
One of my favorite things about this book was the role reversal. Marlowe is the big, powerful, scary monster while Rick is a diner-owning potions witch, and I absolutely loved that dynamic. Marlowe's struggle with her kelpie nature added depth to the story, and the kelpie lore itself was fascinating. The darker elements balanced the cozy smalltown atmosphere perfectly.
There were scenes that made me laugh, scenes that broke my heart, and at least one that had me tearing up. Fair warning for sensitive readers: there is animal death in this story. While it serves a purpose in the narrative, it was definitely one of the more emotional parts of the book for me.
And because this is Rebecca F. Kenney, the spice absolutely delivers. The chemistry between Marlowe and Rick is intense, and the steam level is exactly what I've come to expect from her books.
I finished this wishing I had another 200 pages with these characters. If you're someone who wishes Gilmore Girls had more magical creatures and significantly more spice, this is an easy recommendation.
The Gilmore Girls vibe is definitely there. The banter between Marlowe and Rick had me smiling & kicking my feet, and their initial friction made their chemistry even more fun to watch. Once they get past that rough start, this is very much an instalove romance. I was completely invested in them as a couple.
One of my favorite things about this book was the role reversal. Marlowe is the big, powerful, scary monster while Rick is a diner-owning potions witch, and I absolutely loved that dynamic. Marlowe's struggle with her kelpie nature added depth to the story, and the kelpie lore itself was fascinating. The darker elements balanced the cozy smalltown atmosphere perfectly.
There were scenes that made me laugh, scenes that broke my heart, and at least one that had me tearing up. Fair warning for sensitive readers: there is animal death in this story. While it serves a purpose in the narrative, it was definitely one of the more emotional parts of the book for me.
And because this is Rebecca F. Kenney, the spice absolutely delivers. The chemistry between Marlowe and Rick is intense, and the steam level is exactly what I've come to expect from her books.
I finished this wishing I had another 200 pages with these characters. If you're someone who wishes Gilmore Girls had more magical creatures and significantly more spice, this is an easy recommendation.
June 20, 2026
So you want a beach read, but you still want your monster twist? Well allow me to offer you a FL of a kelpie shifter paired with a diner owner who also makes VEEEEEEEEERY special cups of coffee because he happens to be a witch who specializes in emotive potions. Well at least he does NOW, because he just inherited his uncle’s diner while our FL was out of town. SO when she returns and finds not only has one of her favorite people sadly passed away, she can’t get her coffee cocktail anymore.
Yes you can, I know all his recipes.
NU-UH It won’t be the same!
*makes the coffee anyway*
*Takes it but throws it out because you know stubborn*
This is how it allllllll begins, and then they keep running into each other, because the town isn’t that big, and honestly these two are a lot more alike than they would like to admit.
Ultimately these two NEED each other for different reasons. They fill a space, they calm an ache, they ease unkind and angry thoughts for the other. I don’t recall it being stated outright in the story but I even believe they might even be a fated mate kind of situation. I really enjoyed it.
Yes you can, I know all his recipes.
NU-UH It won’t be the same!
*makes the coffee anyway*
*Takes it but throws it out because you know stubborn*
This is how it allllllll begins, and then they keep running into each other, because the town isn’t that big, and honestly these two are a lot more alike than they would like to admit.
Ultimately these two NEED each other for different reasons. They fill a space, they calm an ache, they ease unkind and angry thoughts for the other. I don’t recall it being stated outright in the story but I even believe they might even be a fated mate kind of situation. I really enjoyed it.
June 21, 2026
The love story being over less than 72 total hours is nuts and it wasn’t super compelling and any interesting moments weren’t really fleshed out and such but it was okay, definitely not the worst I’ve read even though the fmc was kinda wishy washy in her convictions and her main traits are pretty horse girl and doesn’t like change like that’s really all we get abt her for her actual personality wise everything else is chalked up to oh that’s just bc of her species and we don’t get her reasons and motivations for leaving and such and then random dad cult leader info drop???? Felt like it was just needed to explain away why the sister could calm down horses with singing which should have just been part of their powers bc there was an earlier scene of her calming a horse by singing to it with no mention of cult leader dad so just felt very out of left field. Wouldn’t reread but ig I don’t regret reading it. Read it in under 2 hours even with lots of distractions and being very tired
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2026
Sometimes change can bring something better.
~
This was the most fun little novella! I love Rebecca’s writing, and was all over this book when she posted about a little seaside town full of supernaturals! There was indeed coffee and there were indeed kelpies, what a combo! I adore the idea of different coffee drinks for emotions, and that was a fun and unique little twist on the meet cute. The conflict plot was really interesting and I was so invested in the kelpie lore we got from Marlowe, and the different emotions and thoughts running through Rick as a witch who had never really had contact with a kelpie. And the horses were a fantastic touch! Entertaining, unique, cute, suspenseful little small town romance novella that I highly recommend, and will now be diving into more Crescent Cove stories!
~
This was the most fun little novella! I love Rebecca’s writing, and was all over this book when she posted about a little seaside town full of supernaturals! There was indeed coffee and there were indeed kelpies, what a combo! I adore the idea of different coffee drinks for emotions, and that was a fun and unique little twist on the meet cute. The conflict plot was really interesting and I was so invested in the kelpie lore we got from Marlowe, and the different emotions and thoughts running through Rick as a witch who had never really had contact with a kelpie. And the horses were a fantastic touch! Entertaining, unique, cute, suspenseful little small town romance novella that I highly recommend, and will now be diving into more Crescent Cove stories!
June 15, 2026
Thank you so much to the author for the eARC!
This is just the perfect summer beach read, especially if you love supernatural novellas! It’s fun and very fast-paced. Welcome to Crescent Cove, a town where supernaturals can live freely and humans are not allowed, except for one day each year.
Marlowe is fierce, strong, and sassy. She’s a kelpie that swore off eating humans. She still has the urge, but she tries her hardest to not give into it. To help her with the cravings, she drinks a special coffee from the local diner. But when Lou passes away and his nephew Rick takes over, the coffee doesn’t taste the same, and Marlowe does not like changes.
Rick is determined to prove that his coffee is even better than Lou’s. He is caring, patient, and so very drawn to Marlowe. They have an instant chemistry, and Marlowe literally wanted to eat him up. She did like his taste.
I absolutely loved this novella. Marlowe and Rick were perfect for each other, and their story was such a fun read. There will be more novellas about Crescent Cove from other authors, and I can’t wait to read every single one of them.
This is just the perfect summer beach read, especially if you love supernatural novellas! It’s fun and very fast-paced. Welcome to Crescent Cove, a town where supernaturals can live freely and humans are not allowed, except for one day each year.
Marlowe is fierce, strong, and sassy. She’s a kelpie that swore off eating humans. She still has the urge, but she tries her hardest to not give into it. To help her with the cravings, she drinks a special coffee from the local diner. But when Lou passes away and his nephew Rick takes over, the coffee doesn’t taste the same, and Marlowe does not like changes.
Rick is determined to prove that his coffee is even better than Lou’s. He is caring, patient, and so very drawn to Marlowe. They have an instant chemistry, and Marlowe literally wanted to eat him up. She did like his taste.
I absolutely loved this novella. Marlowe and Rick were perfect for each other, and their story was such a fun read. There will be more novellas about Crescent Cove from other authors, and I can’t wait to read every single one of them.
June 27, 2026
I enjoyed the first book in the Crescent Cove series so much that I hurriedly finished the book I was reading so I could get to this. I believe the brother of the kelpie in Selkies and Spellcraft is the featured MMC here. It will be fun to see how a different author portrays him and his love interest.
Okay, so I’m wrong. This centers around a female flesh eating horse kelpie. The male owns a cafe and may be a bear shifter, although that hasn’t been established. Nope, he’s a witch with a talent for mixing up potions. He was just so growly that I thought he might be a bear. So much for jumping to conclusions.
I almost put this book down as it was so different from the first Crescent Cove and I had been looking forward to something light and airy, which this definitely isn’t. Once I got my head wrapped around the plot I liked it quite a bit. It also turns out that I have read many of this author’s books so I’m obviously a fan.
Marlowe is dismayed to find that her favorite barista had passed away while she was out of town and that his nephew, Rick. had inherited his restaurant. She is anal to the nth degree and refuses to even taste the concoction Rick makes because it wasn’t exactly like his uncle’s version.
Rick observes Marlowe and her evil sister fight in their kelpie forms. He manages to escape and later encounters Marlowe after a town council meeting. He discovers that Marlowe’s sister is blackmailing her to return to their herd and take over as head mare. Love blooms as they attempt to find a way for her to avoid this demand without dire results.
Okay, so I’m wrong. This centers around a female flesh eating horse kelpie. The male owns a cafe and may be a bear shifter, although that hasn’t been established. Nope, he’s a witch with a talent for mixing up potions. He was just so growly that I thought he might be a bear. So much for jumping to conclusions.
I almost put this book down as it was so different from the first Crescent Cove and I had been looking forward to something light and airy, which this definitely isn’t. Once I got my head wrapped around the plot I liked it quite a bit. It also turns out that I have read many of this author’s books so I’m obviously a fan.
Marlowe is dismayed to find that her favorite barista had passed away while she was out of town and that his nephew, Rick. had inherited his restaurant. She is anal to the nth degree and refuses to even taste the concoction Rick makes because it wasn’t exactly like his uncle’s version.
Rick observes Marlowe and her evil sister fight in their kelpie forms. He manages to escape and later encounters Marlowe after a town council meeting. He discovers that Marlowe’s sister is blackmailing her to return to their herd and take over as head mare. Love blooms as they attempt to find a way for her to avoid this demand without dire results.
June 20, 2026
I saw a comparison of Marlowe and Rick to Lorelei and Luke…. I definitely see it! Marlowe is very chaotic and talkative, Rick is the grumpy cafe owner. There’s definitely a scene that had me cracking up when Rick ran after Marlowe when she left the cafe. This one is so hard for me to review because I don’t want to spoil anything! This Crescent Cove Novella felt a little more serious compared to the others, however it had more spice I feel like and I’m not going to complain about that one bit! I also can’t say I knew too much about what a Kelpie was and I definitely appreciate the author giving a little more background on Kelpies. Overall, I enjoyed the characters and their connection! I love that Marlowe is a strong and independent woman but WANTS to lean on Rick. That to me is beautiful!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Absolutely DEVOURED this book!! I will literally read everything Rebecca writes and when this popped up I dropped everything to read it 🤣
Jumped straight into the action, I loved our FMC Marlowe 🙌 Strong, Fierce, Sassy and beautifully flawed like we all are. I appreciated her struggles in trying to be a better person and not fall into the true 'kelpie lifestyle'
I love how Rebecca writes, and for such a short book it had everything you needed to immerse yourself straight away. Im a huge fan of ancient creatures and beast mythology so I LOVE how in many of her stories there is such interesting lore and beasts added!
The romance in this one was insta lovey which I dont normally enjoy but for this book was just perfect!
👏👏 Another fabulous read from one of my fav authors!
Jumped straight into the action, I loved our FMC Marlowe 🙌 Strong, Fierce, Sassy and beautifully flawed like we all are. I appreciated her struggles in trying to be a better person and not fall into the true 'kelpie lifestyle'
I love how Rebecca writes, and for such a short book it had everything you needed to immerse yourself straight away. Im a huge fan of ancient creatures and beast mythology so I LOVE how in many of her stories there is such interesting lore and beasts added!
The romance in this one was insta lovey which I dont normally enjoy but for this book was just perfect!
👏👏 Another fabulous read from one of my fav authors!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Coffee and Kelpies is a quick, spicy and magical story. It's part of a series of standalones by different authors set in a secret, magical town.
Marlowe is a kelpie who left her herd. She's spend years fighting her baser nature with the help of coffee potions and sheer stubbornness. Rick is the nephew of her potion provider, who has taken over the diner after inheriting it from his uncle. Though their initial introduction is a bit rocky (because Marlowe HATES change) they quickly fall for each other as they navigate Rick's first Crescent Cove tourist season and threats from Marlowe's estranged (and unhinged) sister.
Rebecca Kenney packed a lot of lore, action and character development into this novella. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to advance read it.
Marlowe is a kelpie who left her herd. She's spend years fighting her baser nature with the help of coffee potions and sheer stubbornness. Rick is the nephew of her potion provider, who has taken over the diner after inheriting it from his uncle. Though their initial introduction is a bit rocky (because Marlowe HATES change) they quickly fall for each other as they navigate Rick's first Crescent Cove tourist season and threats from Marlowe's estranged (and unhinged) sister.
Rebecca Kenney packed a lot of lore, action and character development into this novella. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to advance read it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When I tell you that this book had me hooked…
I mean it…I could not put it down.
These characters had me in all my feels.
The FMC, how she battled her inner beast, she fought so hard because she wanted to be so much more than her cravings and species.
The MMC, even with his magic has never quite felt like he fit in, and inheriting his uncle’s diner in a small town was a perfect fresh start.
These two have a pretty intense first encounter and it sets the pace for their entire relationship .
Their insane chemistry…. lawd have mercy had me fanning myself.
The sweet little gestures had me swooning.
And the suspense had me on the edge of my seat!
This short story packed one heck of a punch and I absolutely loved every bit of it!
I mean it…I could not put it down.
These characters had me in all my feels.
The FMC, how she battled her inner beast, she fought so hard because she wanted to be so much more than her cravings and species.
The MMC, even with his magic has never quite felt like he fit in, and inheriting his uncle’s diner in a small town was a perfect fresh start.
These two have a pretty intense first encounter and it sets the pace for their entire relationship .
Their insane chemistry…. lawd have mercy had me fanning myself.
The sweet little gestures had me swooning.
And the suspense had me on the edge of my seat!
This short story packed one heck of a punch and I absolutely loved every bit of it!
July 14, 2026
Love, love, loved this cozy little beach read! By which of course I mean, a sweet little monster romance between a mildly cannibalistic water horse shifter with generational trauma and the new grumpy diner owner witch 😁.
It was short but not too short, sweet but definitely salty, and had enough drama to really pack in those pages. I ate this book up (no pun intended) and will definitely be reading more in the shared world. Crescent Cove seems to be just teeming with interesting characters!
Marlowe is a secret kelpie in Crescent Cove who trains horses. Rick Thane is the owner of the local coffee shop. Rick can make magical drinks to help with emotions. When Marlowe gets into town, she has to come to terms with changes.
It was short but not too short, sweet but definitely salty, and had enough drama to really pack in those pages. I ate this book up (no pun intended) and will definitely be reading more in the shared world. Crescent Cove seems to be just teeming with interesting characters!
Marlowe is a secret kelpie in Crescent Cove who trains horses. Rick Thane is the owner of the local coffee shop. Rick can make magical drinks to help with emotions. When Marlowe gets into town, she has to come to terms with changes.
June 15, 2026
This was such a fun and exhilarating novella set in the cutest supernatural town. It’s fast paced and surprisingly action packed. The darker elements were well balanced with humor and charm, and I loved the little details such as the mood changing coffee. There are some trigger warnings for the darker themes so be sure to check those before reading.
In typical novella fashion the spice and feelings come on quick but the characters owned it and it felt believable. This is part of a series of novellas all set in the same town and I can’t wait to see what the other authors have come up with!
Thank you to the author for the eARC!
In typical novella fashion the spice and feelings come on quick but the characters owned it and it felt believable. This is part of a series of novellas all set in the same town and I can’t wait to see what the other authors have come up with!
Thank you to the author for the eARC!
July 27, 2026
She needs her coffee and needs it just right
Loved this short read.
Not read a kelpie book before, and really enjoyed it.
She needs her special coffee to keep herself balanced, but after she returns from a recent trip she finds her coffee maker has died and his nephew taking on the cafe.
Can ahe manage the change with her monster nature.
Loved the banter in this book.
Book quote:
If I eat him, if he vanishes from the world, it will hurt like nothing else ever has. I want him so badly I can’t stand it, but if I devour him, I’ll miss him so fiercely it will be even worse than the hunger.
Loved this short read.
Not read a kelpie book before, and really enjoyed it.
She needs her special coffee to keep herself balanced, but after she returns from a recent trip she finds her coffee maker has died and his nephew taking on the cafe.
Can ahe manage the change with her monster nature.
Loved the banter in this book.
Book quote:
If I eat him, if he vanishes from the world, it will hurt like nothing else ever has. I want him so badly I can’t stand it, but if I devour him, I’ll miss him so fiercely it will be even worse than the hunger.
May 26, 2026
So much fun. A great summer paranormal read.
This is one of the reads in the Crescent Cove novella series all written by different authors.
Rebecca F. Kenney is my favorite author ever and I absolutely loved her dark and spicy contribution to the series.
I’ve read a good amount of shifter books, but never a Kelpie one and she did such a great job filling this less than 200 page story with enough plot that I felt totally immersed.
The little town is also so cute that I can’t wait to read the other novellas when they release in June!!
This is one of the reads in the Crescent Cove novella series all written by different authors.
Rebecca F. Kenney is my favorite author ever and I absolutely loved her dark and spicy contribution to the series.
I’ve read a good amount of shifter books, but never a Kelpie one and she did such a great job filling this less than 200 page story with enough plot that I felt totally immersed.
The little town is also so cute that I can’t wait to read the other novellas when they release in June!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Kelpie + Witch + horrible sister = one insta love story that was quite the fun ride.
Marlowe doesn't want to become a bloodthirsty kelpie and would prefer a quiet life rehabilitating horses. She doesn't do well with change but then meets Rick. They immediately click and when his life is threatened she goes all ass-kicker on the bad guys ass.
I love Rebecca's stories, and this was no exception.
Marlowe doesn't want to become a bloodthirsty kelpie and would prefer a quiet life rehabilitating horses. She doesn't do well with change but then meets Rick. They immediately click and when his life is threatened she goes all ass-kicker on the bad guys ass.
I love Rebecca's stories, and this was no exception.
June 11, 2026
Cozy beach vibes + murderous kelpie = yes please! This was a cozy spicy novella and I loved it. 🥰
Rick- I love how he’s so down bad for Marlowe- and him *running* back after spicy time for a kiss- yesssss 😍
Marlowe- love it that she’s the monster and her shifted form is a Kelpie, don’t think I’ve read about one as a main character so that was refreshing.
Rep for going no contact with toxic families!
Thanks to Rebecca for the advanced read!
Rick- I love how he’s so down bad for Marlowe- and him *running* back after spicy time for a kiss- yesssss 😍
Marlowe- love it that she’s the monster and her shifted form is a Kelpie, don’t think I’ve read about one as a main character so that was refreshing.
Rep for going no contact with toxic families!
Thanks to Rebecca for the advanced read!
June 17, 2026
I’m fully in the mood for summer romances and the entire Crescent Cove collection is perfect. I’ve never read a cozy paranormal romance with a kelpie before and I wondered how it was going to be handled because they’re not as domesticated as werewolves and vampires in fiction these days. While it got a little intense at times, I felt it was handled perfectly: true to the mythology but not straying into dark territory. A very cute summer romance with plenty of spice, just what I wanted.
July 11, 2026
This story was a cute quick read. It does have darker themes but it gave such a cozy vibe I was thoroughly impressed by it. I dont get to read Kelpie related stories very much but that's also probably because of the lore behind them which kinda grosses me out butttt this was pleasantly good.
I cant wait to read the other stories in the set!
Thank you to the author for this gift to read early.
I cant wait to read the other stories in the set!
Thank you to the author for this gift to read early.
July 15, 2026
Well in typical Rebecca F Kenney fashion I have a total book hangover and I’m not sure why cuz it was only 150 pages but here I am cozy happy still replaying the story in my head. Fabulous read. Our mmc was the ideal man in every way and hour fmc kicked butt. And of course lots and lots of 🌶️. Go read. I don’t care the season, read it. If your knew to Kenney this is a good short intro to her. But be warned her books are addicting.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A paranormal romance mixed with humor and action made for a bingeable read in one sitting!
This was such a fun read! I loved the romance mixed with humor and action all came together. I read it in one sitting! I loved the pacing of this book, the banter not to mention I loved how we got to see actual character growth through these short pages with the MCs.
This was such a fun read! I loved the romance mixed with humor and action all came together. I read it in one sitting! I loved the pacing of this book, the banter not to mention I loved how we got to see actual character growth through these short pages with the MCs.
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