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The Anchor House
Winner of the 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Award for Inspirational Fiction For Winnie Spade, leaving her old life behind is the only thing that makes sense. Left uprooted after a broken engagement and with no family to call on, she hitchhikes across to country and lands in the small Minnesotan town of Manitou Lake. Winnie is taken in by Eleanor Reader, the caring owner of an island on which she lives and runs her unconventional church. Winnie is allowed to heal from her scarred past, but when Eleanor’s ownership of the island is challenged, Winnie must break down the walls she’s built in order to protect the home that has taken her in. A story of love and loss, religion and science, philosophy and dogma, and addiction and freedom, The Anchor House is a look at healing and happiness in an imperfect life and how we love those who save us.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2019
7 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Spencer Margaret
4 books25 followersSpencer Margaret is a part-time writer and full-time reader. She was born and raised in Minnesota and writes novels to inspire and uplift, since the world always needs more happy stories. Her first novel The Anchor House won the 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Award for Inspirational Fiction.
Find her on Instagram at @spencermmargaret.
Find her on Instagram at @spencermmargaret.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 26, 2021
Winnie leaves during the night and hitchhikes for days and ends up at Manitou Lake in Minnesota and finds Margaret who helps her find her way. What an inspirational, sad, happy, emotional book
October 6, 2020
A heartwarming and wonderful read that tells you the story of three strong yet vulnerable women—and teaches you how to be strong and vulnerable yourself. This is the book to read if you're looking for something that challenges you AND leaves you feeling good. Plus, I'm so here for female characters who don't need men in order to grow.
November 16, 2019
An exploration of loss, happiness, and healing, Margaret’s brilliant debut digs into the private lives of three women.
After a broken relationship and with no family to call on, Winnie Spade leaves her old life behind, hitchhikes across country, and settle in the small Minnesotan town of Manitou Lake. As wounds from her scarred past start to heal, another threat arrives and jeopardizes her newly found sense of belonging.
Margaret keeps the tension high with plenty of conflicts created early in the story, and her elegantly simple narrative effortlessly pulls the reader into the minds of her characters along with their hidden fears and secret sorrows. The philosophical insights are plenty and pleasingly appealing without being preachy.
This perfect beach read (down to its charming island setting) has a strong emotional pull, readers will remain hooked until the heartening culmination.
Definitely recommended!
After a broken relationship and with no family to call on, Winnie Spade leaves her old life behind, hitchhikes across country, and settle in the small Minnesotan town of Manitou Lake. As wounds from her scarred past start to heal, another threat arrives and jeopardizes her newly found sense of belonging.
Margaret keeps the tension high with plenty of conflicts created early in the story, and her elegantly simple narrative effortlessly pulls the reader into the minds of her characters along with their hidden fears and secret sorrows. The philosophical insights are plenty and pleasingly appealing without being preachy.
This perfect beach read (down to its charming island setting) has a strong emotional pull, readers will remain hooked until the heartening culmination.
Definitely recommended!
January 6, 2020
I felt like I was stuck in a rut of reading depressing books that left me feeling more down and worn out after reading than anything. I was looking for a book that was thoughtful and deep but not 300 pages of a fucking bummer, and the Anchor House delivered this relief. It was refreshing to read about a group of women supporting each other through the good and the bad, as well as have refreshing takes on life and the bumps along the way. Spencer Margaret created a community and group of characters that were dynamic and engaging, and had me rooting for them the entire time. I was almost sad to have to leave them on their beautiful island while I was finished reading. I would truly recommend this book to anyone looking for something engaging, fun, but thought provoking and challenging to start the year. I may be biased because I grew up in Minnesota but I truly did love this book!
August 3, 2022
A story set with American community ideals at heart.
There was a few interesting characters: Eleanor and Winnie especially.
**Spoilers**
I felt that Eleanor shared similarities to Katherine Hepburn because, she also had an audacious personality. I think the downside to her character is that because she's managed to get her life on track, that expects everyone else to be at the same level.
She was a good character but her holier than thou attitude made her somewhat unlikeable. Eleanor seemed like she was putting on a show for everyone else, rather than actually following what she preached.
Winnie tends to wing it at life. It's inspiring but she's a little too carefree and ignores the dangers. I'm not sure if this is meant to highlight a young adult's naivety but personally I wouldn't get into a strangers car to hitch hike.
My one criticism is that, there could be more description during scenes. The characters seemed to have more focus, but they were entertaining. Overall, I enjoyed the story. I read it within 2 days.
There was a few interesting characters: Eleanor and Winnie especially.
**Spoilers**
I felt that Eleanor shared similarities to Katherine Hepburn because, she also had an audacious personality. I think the downside to her character is that because she's managed to get her life on track, that expects everyone else to be at the same level.
She was a good character but her holier than thou attitude made her somewhat unlikeable. Eleanor seemed like she was putting on a show for everyone else, rather than actually following what she preached.
Winnie tends to wing it at life. It's inspiring but she's a little too carefree and ignores the dangers. I'm not sure if this is meant to highlight a young adult's naivety but personally I wouldn't get into a strangers car to hitch hike.
My one criticism is that, there could be more description during scenes. The characters seemed to have more focus, but they were entertaining. Overall, I enjoyed the story. I read it within 2 days.
January 22, 2020
This book was not only well written, but very insightful. The telling of a complex story of self awakening during times of great struggle. I found myself crying and laughing while reading this book.
As a reader it was VERY easy to get lost among the pages of this story, to imagine yourself or someone that you love walking the path of any/many of the women in this book.
It fulfills the ideal that we as women have the strength that it takes to live the life that we want & at times need to be whole. It also lets us know that there is a certain strength in friendship and hardship.
Cannot wait to read another of her works.
As a reader it was VERY easy to get lost among the pages of this story, to imagine yourself or someone that you love walking the path of any/many of the women in this book.
It fulfills the ideal that we as women have the strength that it takes to live the life that we want & at times need to be whole. It also lets us know that there is a certain strength in friendship and hardship.
Cannot wait to read another of her works.
September 30, 2020
What an inspiring novel, written with such emotional force that it made me question everything about my own writing career.
The Anchor House was not only entertaining, but it also captured the essence of what it means to be human, and for that I thank Ms. Margaret.
I often let my own demons overwhelm my happiness, but Ms. Margaret reminds us that there is beauty in everyone, no matter how troubled our pasts may be.
The Anchor House was not only entertaining, but it also captured the essence of what it means to be human, and for that I thank Ms. Margaret.
I often let my own demons overwhelm my happiness, but Ms. Margaret reminds us that there is beauty in everyone, no matter how troubled our pasts may be.
October 20, 2019
You can feel love from those around you, but only once you've found your love within yourself. That's one of the many lessons that has stuck with me from reading this book. Everything about it is brilliant, and keeps you hooked with a compelling story and even more fascinating characters. One of the most wholesome reads I've ever had. I highly recommend it to anyone.
January 28, 2020
I whole heartily enjoyed reading this book. The trust and love between the characters touches the soul. While this book is written as fiction, the author touches on so many realities in life. I found myself laughing, crying and cheering for the characters in the book. I can hardly wait to read the sequel.
January 23, 2020
This is one of those books you sit down and end up reading in an afternoon. Most of the characters remind me of someone I know which made the book fun. Perfect mix of a fun story and a theme of self discovery and growth that made you think about your own life and happiness.
September 24, 2025
Went into this book totally blind and honestly what did I just read…
I mean it was deep and thought provoking for sure and I liked that Winnie was able to heal her wounds, find herself and become truly Happy buttttt not a fan of everything else 💀
I mean it was deep and thought provoking for sure and I liked that Winnie was able to heal her wounds, find herself and become truly Happy buttttt not a fan of everything else 💀
January 6, 2021
You know a book is great when you dog-ear basically every 10 pages to come back to for inspiration on a rainy (or MN snowy?) day. This was a lovely and inspiring read!
January 30, 2025
This had a bit of everything I love from many of my favorite books, obsessed with these characters and this island
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews