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The Well
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Twenty years after prom queen Cassie Kennedy is brutally murdered, six teenagers break into the house where she was killed to hold a séance. Haven knows his cousin Elise only wants to scare the crap out of him and his friends, but he’s willing to put up with one of her pranks if it means a chance to spend a few hours with the new kid in town, Pierce Hunter.
But when morning comes, Elise has disappeared without a trace.
Twelve years later, Pierce and his twin brother Jordan are professional paranormal investigators, starring in their own ghost-hunting TV show. When Pierce calls Haven, insisting they return to the supposedly haunted building one last time, Haven reluctantly agrees. He’s nervous about seeing Pierce again, but he’s determined to get some answers. Did they really speak to Cassie’s ghost that night? What happened to Elise? And the biggest mystery of all – how did she know the secret of the well?
Twenty years after prom queen Cassie Kennedy is brutally murdered, six teenagers break into the house where she was killed to hold a séance. Haven knows his cousin Elise only wants to scare the crap out of him and his friends, but he’s willing to put up with one of her pranks if it means a chance to spend a few hours with the new kid in town, Pierce Hunter.
But when morning comes, Elise has disappeared without a trace.
Twelve years later, Pierce and his twin brother Jordan are professional paranormal investigators, starring in their own ghost-hunting TV show. When Pierce calls Haven, insisting they return to the supposedly haunted building one last time, Haven reluctantly agrees. He’s nervous about seeing Pierce again, but he’s determined to get some answers. Did they really speak to Cassie’s ghost that night? What happened to Elise? And the biggest mystery of all – how did she know the secret of the well?
ebook
First published May 22, 2017
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About the author
Marie Sexton
71 books2,224 followersMarie Sexton lives in Colorado. She’s a fan of just about anything that involves muscular young men piling on top of each other. In particular, she loves the Denver Broncos and enjoys going to the games with her husband. Her imaginary friends often tag along. Marie has one daughter, two cats, and one dog, all of whom seem bent on destroying what remains of her sanity. She loves them anyway.
The absolute best way to stay up-to-date on my books is by joining my FB group. You can view livestreams about Oestend, Coda, and the Heretic Doms Club. I also give away books on a regular basis. NO DRAMA ALLOWED!!
Or, you might want to check out these pages:
Coda: Which book do I read first?
Find a book by trope or heat level.
Visit my website/blog at http://www.MarieSexton.net
The absolute best way to stay up-to-date on my books is by joining my FB group. You can view livestreams about Oestend, Coda, and the Heretic Doms Club. I also give away books on a regular basis. NO DRAMA ALLOWED!!
Or, you might want to check out these pages:
Coda: Which book do I read first?
Find a book by trope or heat level.
Visit my website/blog at http://www.MarieSexton.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
September 19, 2017
What an intriguing spooky tale.
Paranormal? Yes. Mystery? Yes. Romance? Um, no.
The blurb is pretty truthful to what the book is about so I won't repeat it. What I will say is that this author weaved quite the interesting ghost story. I was sucked in from start to finish. I'm a sucker for a spooky tale. Although this one wasn't scary nor did it make me want to sleep with the lights on, (very few books have this power over me. I'm too jaded lol) it did have a great mystery surrounding the disappearance of Elise. I'm proud to say that I figured out who was responsible for Haven's cousins disappearance about half way through. I gave myself a little pat on the back for that since I am usually so bad at it. lol
A bit of the downside of the book is that you never really got to really know the characters. There wasn't a lot of development to get a real feel of who they are. We were just kind of dropped in the middle of a moment that was taking place in their lives.
The "romance" between Haven and Pierce was very subtle and barely there. I think the story could have done without it and would have still have been a solid read because even the one sexy time they did share was brief and anticlimactic. It might as well have been written off page for how non-descript it was.
But still even with all that I felt that was missing, the story worked. I had a good time reading it. I didn't miss the romance. I thought the paranormal part of the book was really fun. I hope the author writes more stories like this because I would read it.
If your in the mood for something a little creepy with a good mystery and that has a flare of paranormal included, than pick this one up. I have no doubt you will enjoy it!
Happy reading dolls!
***ARC kindly given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
Paranormal? Yes. Mystery? Yes. Romance? Um, no.
The blurb is pretty truthful to what the book is about so I won't repeat it. What I will say is that this author weaved quite the interesting ghost story. I was sucked in from start to finish. I'm a sucker for a spooky tale. Although this one wasn't scary nor did it make me want to sleep with the lights on, (very few books have this power over me. I'm too jaded lol) it did have a great mystery surrounding the disappearance of Elise. I'm proud to say that I figured out who was responsible for Haven's cousins disappearance about half way through. I gave myself a little pat on the back for that since I am usually so bad at it. lol
A bit of the downside of the book is that you never really got to really know the characters. There wasn't a lot of development to get a real feel of who they are. We were just kind of dropped in the middle of a moment that was taking place in their lives.
The "romance" between Haven and Pierce was very subtle and barely there. I think the story could have done without it and would have still have been a solid read because even the one sexy time they did share was brief and anticlimactic. It might as well have been written off page for how non-descript it was.
But still even with all that I felt that was missing, the story worked. I had a good time reading it. I didn't miss the romance. I thought the paranormal part of the book was really fun. I hope the author writes more stories like this because I would read it.
If your in the mood for something a little creepy with a good mystery and that has a flare of paranormal included, than pick this one up. I have no doubt you will enjoy it!
Happy reading dolls!
***ARC kindly given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
May 2, 2017
Read the blurb carefully. It's not misleading in the slightest. The Well is a mystery/suspense novel with a paranormal twist. The story alternates between the past in 2003 and the present twelve years later.
When Haven and Pierce were 17 and 18 respectively, they broke into a house rumored to be haunted with their friends Linsey and Elise (sisters and Haven's cousins), Jordan (Pierce's twin), and Craig (Linsey's boyfriend).
Elise, who loved to tell spooky stories and scare people, was the oldest and the ringleader. She wanted to hold a seance and spend the night at the house. The others went along with her plan.
The next morning, Elise was gone and their lives lay in tatters.
This is partly a ghost story, but more than that, it's a story of the evil that lurks around us. I was never properly creeped out, but I was interested in the investigation and didn't figure out the mystery (there's actually more than one, all knotted together) until the very end. Sexton does a good job subtly revealing bits and pieces of the puzzle and keeping the tension amped up.
Pierce and Haven kissed for the first time that fateful night Elise disappeared. I didn't expect much steam (there's almost none), but having the sweetness of a first kiss happen off page was just sad.
When the MCs reconnect in the present (Pierce and his brother are paranormal investigators with their own show), the focus is very much on unraveling the mystery by recreating the night at the house and interviewing those involved.
There's absolutely no relationship building. The ending is a HFN. The mystery comes together, but the romance never takes off.
This isn't a long book, and it's well written (it's Marie Sexton after all). I liked the way the paranormal aspect was handled. I'm not a believer per se, but I don't discount anything either.
I actually think I would have enjoyed this book more had the romance not been included at all. As a mystery, this book gets 4 stars; as a romance, it fails spectacularly.
When Haven and Pierce were 17 and 18 respectively, they broke into a house rumored to be haunted with their friends Linsey and Elise (sisters and Haven's cousins), Jordan (Pierce's twin), and Craig (Linsey's boyfriend).
Elise, who loved to tell spooky stories and scare people, was the oldest and the ringleader. She wanted to hold a seance and spend the night at the house. The others went along with her plan.
The next morning, Elise was gone and their lives lay in tatters.
This is partly a ghost story, but more than that, it's a story of the evil that lurks around us. I was never properly creeped out, but I was interested in the investigation and didn't figure out the mystery (there's actually more than one, all knotted together) until the very end. Sexton does a good job subtly revealing bits and pieces of the puzzle and keeping the tension amped up.
Pierce and Haven kissed for the first time that fateful night Elise disappeared. I didn't expect much steam (there's almost none), but having the sweetness of a first kiss happen off page was just sad.
"Well," Pierce said at last. "I can't kiss you if you're all the way over there."
Luckily, Pierce had no problem leaning across that chasm.
Sometime later, when they were both breathless and wonderfully tangled in each other's limbs, their clothes still on, but not quite the way they were supposed to be, Pierce whispered in Haven's ear.
When the MCs reconnect in the present (Pierce and his brother are paranormal investigators with their own show), the focus is very much on unraveling the mystery by recreating the night at the house and interviewing those involved.
There's absolutely no relationship building. The ending is a HFN. The mystery comes together, but the romance never takes off.
This isn't a long book, and it's well written (it's Marie Sexton after all). I liked the way the paranormal aspect was handled. I'm not a believer per se, but I don't discount anything either.
I actually think I would have enjoyed this book more had the romance not been included at all. As a mystery, this book gets 4 stars; as a romance, it fails spectacularly.
May 4, 2017
The Well is a ghost story... Or maybe it's a murder mystery... Or maybe it's just a bit of both. What it isn't, is a romance, not really, so just know that going in. There are romantic elements and an M/M pairing, but that is far from the focus of the story. That said, I really enjoyed it. Marie Sexton is a top notch writer, and when I get a hold of one of her books, I just want the world to go away so that I can devour her words.
The chapters of The Well alternate between present times and what happened 12 years ago. Our characters don't have the whole story of what went down back then, so as they find out more, the story evolves and we learn more, too.
And I loved it. The melding of past and present, the allusion of paranormal possibility, the never being sure what you believe or knowing what you really experienced. The mind is a powerful thing and so susceptible to suggestion and a need to find the pattern, even if one does not exist. It's utterly fascinating.
I'm not a believer, at all. To quote Tim Minchen, "Throughout history, every mystery EVER solved has turned out to be NOT magic." And as far as unsolved mysteries? I think it is more important to rely on what the scientific method tells us than I do wishful thinking. But I do enjoy a good story and that includes ghost stories and stories that just kind of fuck with your head. Yes, yes I do. I lose myself in them when they're written well, and this story was definitely written well.
And in the end, we still have some mystery. A bit of 'what if...'. And Haven and Pierce get an HFN, and while their relationship isn't completely resolved, their feelings for each other are pretty clear. So, yeah, this has been a good year for me and paranormal stories. I quite enjoyed The Well.
PS --> That cover is creepy awesome and perfect. Love it.
The chapters of The Well alternate between present times and what happened 12 years ago. Our characters don't have the whole story of what went down back then, so as they find out more, the story evolves and we learn more, too.
And I loved it. The melding of past and present, the allusion of paranormal possibility, the never being sure what you believe or knowing what you really experienced. The mind is a powerful thing and so susceptible to suggestion and a need to find the pattern, even if one does not exist. It's utterly fascinating.
I'm not a believer, at all. To quote Tim Minchen, "Throughout history, every mystery EVER solved has turned out to be NOT magic." And as far as unsolved mysteries? I think it is more important to rely on what the scientific method tells us than I do wishful thinking. But I do enjoy a good story and that includes ghost stories and stories that just kind of fuck with your head. Yes, yes I do. I lose myself in them when they're written well, and this story was definitely written well.
And in the end, we still have some mystery. A bit of 'what if...'. And Haven and Pierce get an HFN, and while their relationship isn't completely resolved, their feelings for each other are pretty clear. So, yeah, this has been a good year for me and paranormal stories. I quite enjoyed The Well.
PS --> That cover is creepy awesome and perfect. Love it.
August 17, 2017
The Well is a perfectly creepy, atmospheric little read for those of you who don’t like their horror all up in your face. I’m not going to say it scared me, because books rarely do, but it did build up a dastardly little mystery that did make my skin crawl a time or two.
It’s told in two timelines. Twelve years ago Haven is goaded into staying the night at a rumored haunted house by his cousin Elise. It didn’t take a lot of goading though because Haven’s crush, Pierce, was also attending. He knew nothing was likely to happen either ghostly-wise or with Pierce but off he goes with Elise, Pierce and a few other teens for a night of spooky fun. When Elise decides to throw a séance things take a sinister turn and later Elise disappears.
The other timeline is set in the present day. Since that fateful night, Haven has been haunted by the loss of his favorite cousin Elise and spent most of his youth believing one of the teens present that night committed murder and has distanced himself from them. He’s become a horror writer to excise those demons but hasn’t kept in touch with his old group of friends – until now. Pierce, now a tv ghost hunter, has returned to town to do a segment on the vacant house and he wants Haven to participate. Old lusts are reignited as well as old suspicions . . .
There is a little romance here so if you don’t like that sort of thing invading your horror fiction you have been warned. Mostly this book is a slow burning murder-mystery with a side helping of ghostliness. I enjoyed watching it all unfold and especially loved the ghost-busting segment where scary sh*t actually happened! It kept me guessing and had just the right mix of thrills, atmosphere and engaging characters.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley courtesy of author Marie Sexton.
It’s told in two timelines. Twelve years ago Haven is goaded into staying the night at a rumored haunted house by his cousin Elise. It didn’t take a lot of goading though because Haven’s crush, Pierce, was also attending. He knew nothing was likely to happen either ghostly-wise or with Pierce but off he goes with Elise, Pierce and a few other teens for a night of spooky fun. When Elise decides to throw a séance things take a sinister turn and later Elise disappears.
The other timeline is set in the present day. Since that fateful night, Haven has been haunted by the loss of his favorite cousin Elise and spent most of his youth believing one of the teens present that night committed murder and has distanced himself from them. He’s become a horror writer to excise those demons but hasn’t kept in touch with his old group of friends – until now. Pierce, now a tv ghost hunter, has returned to town to do a segment on the vacant house and he wants Haven to participate. Old lusts are reignited as well as old suspicions . . .
There is a little romance here so if you don’t like that sort of thing invading your horror fiction you have been warned. Mostly this book is a slow burning murder-mystery with a side helping of ghostliness. I enjoyed watching it all unfold and especially loved the ghost-busting segment where scary sh*t actually happened! It kept me guessing and had just the right mix of thrills, atmosphere and engaging characters.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley courtesy of author Marie Sexton.
February 1, 2019
3.5 stars
When I first started reading this one, I started to freak out, just a little. I heard every creak and bump my house was making. In fact, I decided to wait to continue the story when the sun was up. Once I put my big girl panties on and settled in, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I realized that it wasn’t that creepy, I am just a scaredy cat.
Twelve years after an event that changed his life forever, Haven receives a phone call from Peirce, his teenage crush, asking him to return back to his hometown. Pierce and his twin brother, Jordan, are now on t.v., chasing the paranormal. Now they want to find out exactly what happened to them twelve years ago when Haven, Pierce, Jordan, Haven’s cousins Elise and Linsey, and their friend Craig, decided to hold a séance in a haunted house, and not everyone made it home. Accusations are made, but in the back of everyone’s mind--could it be the ghost of the prom queen or the ghost of her killer responsible for the disappearance of Haven’s cousin, Elise.
All in all, it was a more of a mystery story than anything else. But if you are looking for sexy times, this book didn’t have it. Yes, there was romance, but I just wanted more
When I first started reading this one, I started to freak out, just a little. I heard every creak and bump my house was making. In fact, I decided to wait to continue the story when the sun was up. Once I put my big girl panties on and settled in, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I realized that it wasn’t that creepy, I am just a scaredy cat.
Twelve years after an event that changed his life forever, Haven receives a phone call from Peirce, his teenage crush, asking him to return back to his hometown. Pierce and his twin brother, Jordan, are now on t.v., chasing the paranormal. Now they want to find out exactly what happened to them twelve years ago when Haven, Pierce, Jordan, Haven’s cousins Elise and Linsey, and their friend Craig, decided to hold a séance in a haunted house, and not everyone made it home. Accusations are made, but in the back of everyone’s mind--could it be the ghost of the prom queen or the ghost of her killer responsible for the disappearance of Haven’s cousin, Elise.
All in all, it was a more of a mystery story than anything else. But if you are looking for sexy times, this book didn’t have it. Yes, there was romance, but I just wanted more
May 22, 2017
When I read the blurb of this book, I got immediately excited. I mean paranormal investigators..ghosts....sounds all kinds of creepy and mysterious.
Which is exactly what I got. Mystery, suspense and ghosts. What I didn't get however was a romance story. There is a couple in this book, but that's not what this book is about. Now it doesn't say so in the blurb, that it is a romance and I myself am a sucker for mystery and suspense...but still. I want everyone to be aware of this fact before going in.
Now....I did enjoy this little mysterious story. I would have liked it better with a bit more romance, ...not gonna lie. But still it was very enjoyable.
This books skips between present and past which tends to annoy me, but in this case it didn't. It realy added to the mystery.
12 Years ago, a couple of teenagers, including Pierce and Haven, held a seance in a haunted house. The next day, one of them dissapeared. Now, 12 years later they are together again (Pierce now being a paranormal investigator), reenacting that night and trying to figure out what exactly happend.
I can't say too much about the plot, without spoilering the story, so I won't. I read and have read a lot of different genres in my life. Thrillers and mystery/suspence being one of them. I don't mind if a book lacks in the romance department. That said, I would have liked this one better I think if there wasn't any romance/pairing at all. Now I felt a bit bereft, since that part of the story never really developed.
I think readers who enjoy mystery and suspense with a hint of paranormal will definitely like this one. Readers who are into romance and mm....maybe not so much.
An arc was kindly provided to me via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession
July 1, 2017
THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT.
the mystery was genuinely baffling, and when the murderer was revealed, it didn't seem contrived, but made sense. the plot twists were so unexpected, and the paranormal aspect was really well done. the relationship between haven and pierce was also realistic, and super cute. the writing was fantastic, and the alternating chapters between present day and twelve years ago fit seamlessly together rather than seeming like a tangent.
i don't think i have any complaints!
the mystery was genuinely baffling, and when the murderer was revealed, it didn't seem contrived, but made sense. the plot twists were so unexpected, and the paranormal aspect was really well done. the relationship between haven and pierce was also realistic, and super cute. the writing was fantastic, and the alternating chapters between present day and twelve years ago fit seamlessly together rather than seeming like a tangent.
i don't think i have any complaints!
May 29, 2017
3.75 stars rounded up
The Well combined mystery of missing teenagers and murders alongside a paranormal element about haunted house. Haven and his cousins alongside their friends, including Pierce, whom Haven had crush on, held a séance at a house where it said that prom queen Cassie was murdered 20-years previously.
But that night become a nightmare when Elise, Haven's cousin disappeared. Haven always thinks that Jordan, Pierce's twin, to be the one responsible since he is the last person who sees Elise. Twelve years later, Haven is invited by Pierce to return to the house as part of the paranormal hunter TV series, in hopes that maybe they can get answer this time...
-----
The structure of this story, one chapter in the past and one chapter in the present, helps retain the edge, because I, as a reader, will discover what happens in timely fashion. Both the bad things that happened last time and at present with Haven, Pierce and Jordan slowly gathering information that they didn't get when they were teenagers.
While the romance is barely there -- and it's probably helped that Haven and Pierce knew each other before -- but I was really taken with the paranormal mystery in this book. Especially because it involves ghosts and a serial killer on the loose. Both are a couple of of my favorite things and this satisfied the mystery/paranormal fan in me.
AND... I can guess the villain before it was revealed! Because of that, I'm not at all disappointed with the afterthought romance.
The Well combined mystery of missing teenagers and murders alongside a paranormal element about haunted house. Haven and his cousins alongside their friends, including Pierce, whom Haven had crush on, held a séance at a house where it said that prom queen Cassie was murdered 20-years previously.
But that night become a nightmare when Elise, Haven's cousin disappeared. Haven always thinks that Jordan, Pierce's twin, to be the one responsible since he is the last person who sees Elise. Twelve years later, Haven is invited by Pierce to return to the house as part of the paranormal hunter TV series, in hopes that maybe they can get answer this time...
-----
The structure of this story, one chapter in the past and one chapter in the present, helps retain the edge, because I, as a reader, will discover what happens in timely fashion. Both the bad things that happened last time and at present with Haven, Pierce and Jordan slowly gathering information that they didn't get when they were teenagers.
While the romance is barely there -- and it's probably helped that Haven and Pierce knew each other before -- but I was really taken with the paranormal mystery in this book. Especially because it involves ghosts and a serial killer on the loose. Both are a couple of of my favorite things and this satisfied the mystery/paranormal fan in me.
AND... I can guess the villain before it was revealed! Because of that, I'm not at all disappointed with the afterthought romance.
June 11, 2017
This book.
If I was able to describe the kind of story I would love to read and read again, this book would be it.
This story is so reminiscent of the books I chased when I was a kid. The perfect mix of what is real and what is just my imagination, good and bad, scary and safe. Believe me when I tell you, I loved every single page of this story.
The back and forth between the past and the present was done seamlessly and I never fell out of the story, if anything, I fell even more into the story.
Probably my most favorite thing about this story was the one character that isn't really. The house. One of my favorite things about any scary story is the authors ability to make an inanimate object feel like a main character. I love when a house is part of a story. I love old houses and I love all their history. This story not only achieved this it went one better. Don't read this part because it is a spoiler for sure and will ruin the ending...
Now let's talk about the romance or lack there of. I will agree with some of the reviews out there that the blurb does not lie and pretty much sets you up for what the story will be about, and no, it is not a romance. But, I do feel like there was romance to this story. Most definitely not your conventional romance but to me the whole book felt a bit romantic. Folklore sometimes can do that to a story so I imagine that is why I felt it overall, but I still also felt there was a romance happening it just didn't take center stage. I love romance stories, the majority of what I read is romance, but I don't always need it to be the focus. I love stories for what they are sharing and it doesn't always have to be just two people falling in love. It was enough for me in this book because the story itself was better than any romance could have been. I wanted to know all the answers more than I wanted them to fall into bed. But, if you need romance to be 80% of your book, you probably won't like this one. If you can deal with it being 20% (but not really if you ask me) you may end up loving this one as much as I did.
I am terrible at reviews when I feel like this. I can never find the words. So, I'll just reiterate. I loved this book. I feel like it was written just for me and if anyone knows any other books like this let me know!
**ARC courtesy of the Author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
If I was able to describe the kind of story I would love to read and read again, this book would be it.
This story is so reminiscent of the books I chased when I was a kid. The perfect mix of what is real and what is just my imagination, good and bad, scary and safe. Believe me when I tell you, I loved every single page of this story.
The back and forth between the past and the present was done seamlessly and I never fell out of the story, if anything, I fell even more into the story.
Probably my most favorite thing about this story was the one character that isn't really. The house. One of my favorite things about any scary story is the authors ability to make an inanimate object feel like a main character. I love when a house is part of a story. I love old houses and I love all their history. This story not only achieved this it went one better. Don't read this part because it is a spoiler for sure and will ruin the ending...
Now let's talk about the romance or lack there of. I will agree with some of the reviews out there that the blurb does not lie and pretty much sets you up for what the story will be about, and no, it is not a romance. But, I do feel like there was romance to this story. Most definitely not your conventional romance but to me the whole book felt a bit romantic. Folklore sometimes can do that to a story so I imagine that is why I felt it overall, but I still also felt there was a romance happening it just didn't take center stage. I love romance stories, the majority of what I read is romance, but I don't always need it to be the focus. I love stories for what they are sharing and it doesn't always have to be just two people falling in love. It was enough for me in this book because the story itself was better than any romance could have been. I wanted to know all the answers more than I wanted them to fall into bed. But, if you need romance to be 80% of your book, you probably won't like this one. If you can deal with it being 20% (but not really if you ask me) you may end up loving this one as much as I did.
I am terrible at reviews when I feel like this. I can never find the words. So, I'll just reiterate. I loved this book. I feel like it was written just for me and if anyone knows any other books like this let me know!
**ARC courtesy of the Author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
May 9, 2017
Release Date: May 22, 2017
Genre: Paranormal. Horror. Murder Mystery.
I liked this book well enough although I didn't find it truly spectacular or captivating. It's just an easy little ghost story and murder mystery to get lost in. There is also an element of romance to the story although it certainly isn't the focus only a small added bonus (it's M/M too).
For the most part, as I mentioned, I did like the story. The author mixes a ghost story in with a murder mystery and readers will be stumped when it comes to the killer. Is it really a ghost? Or is it a person? You'll have to read to find out. I also like how the author weaves between the past (when the murder/disappearance takes place) and the present (where they are hosting a paranormal investigation as adults to figure out what happened to their missing friend). This is the perfect way to tell this type of story because it adds to the overall creepiness to the story as well as gives us readers some background information so that we can find clues for ourselves.
The ending of the book is satisfying enough, although I was hoping for something with a bit more of a bang especially considering the atmosphere of the whole story. But it works fine the way it is and doesn't leave anything open for interpretation for us readers. Its packaged in a tight little bow which is how many prefer their endings.
All in all, I think this story would work well for both young adult AND adult readers. Personally I feel like it is geared towards the younger crowed but adults can enjoy it just as much. This book would also be perfect for those who like a short and haunting read with added creepiness (it has a seance and it scared me a bit), and those who like a quick little mystery.
Genre: Paranormal. Horror. Murder Mystery.
I liked this book well enough although I didn't find it truly spectacular or captivating. It's just an easy little ghost story and murder mystery to get lost in. There is also an element of romance to the story although it certainly isn't the focus only a small added bonus (it's M/M too).
For the most part, as I mentioned, I did like the story. The author mixes a ghost story in with a murder mystery and readers will be stumped when it comes to the killer. Is it really a ghost? Or is it a person? You'll have to read to find out. I also like how the author weaves between the past (when the murder/disappearance takes place) and the present (where they are hosting a paranormal investigation as adults to figure out what happened to their missing friend). This is the perfect way to tell this type of story because it adds to the overall creepiness to the story as well as gives us readers some background information so that we can find clues for ourselves.
The ending of the book is satisfying enough, although I was hoping for something with a bit more of a bang especially considering the atmosphere of the whole story. But it works fine the way it is and doesn't leave anything open for interpretation for us readers. Its packaged in a tight little bow which is how many prefer their endings.
All in all, I think this story would work well for both young adult AND adult readers. Personally I feel like it is geared towards the younger crowed but adults can enjoy it just as much. This book would also be perfect for those who like a short and haunting read with added creepiness (it has a seance and it scared me a bit), and those who like a quick little mystery.
June 11, 2025
A touch of mystery wrapped in a ghost story (or maybe the other way around), with an attempt at romance that was barely a scratch of the surface. Although there was nothing exceptional regarding the mystery, the story was entertaining and the choice to have alternating chapters set in the present and past timelines worked instead of being confusing and dispersive as I’ve seen it happen in other books.
It was a pleasant way to pass the time, just don’t pick this if you want an in-depth romance and/or relationship development. I’m not sure how realistic is it that , but you shouldn’t expect much realism from a ghost story anyway.
It was a pleasant way to pass the time, just don’t pick this if you want an in-depth romance and/or relationship development. I’m not sure how realistic is it that , but you shouldn’t expect much realism from a ghost story anyway.
June 12, 2017
I've heard so much about this author - I even have quite a few of her books on my TBR shelf - but this was the first I actually got around to reading. Way to make a first impression!
The writing was excellent and very atmospheric, setting the perfect mood for an intriguing ghost story.
And that is exactly what this was. A paranormal mystery with only just a side of romance, so anyone looking for an epic love story won't get their money's worth. Sorry.
If you're content with a well-spun but slow-paced crime story though, along with spooky paranormal elements and a bunch of amiable characters, this might really work for you.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2017
A decent mystery/paranormal. It was easy to read and kept my interest, even though it was full of holes. Okay, when I think about those holes, I feel like rolling my eyes and saying "really?" But in the process of reading it I enjoyed it a lot. It being m/m also helped; the m/m romance wasn't the focus of the story but still, it was there and it made the story more agreeable.
September 30, 2025
Interesting combination of YA and adult horror tropes in a dual timeline story.
We have a classic set-up: teens daring each other to spend the night in a supposedly-haunted house where a girl was murdered, and do a seance. One vanishes that night, a mystery never solved.
So a decade later, we have the characters having not seen each other in ages (excepting the MC Haven and his cousin, and two who are brothers, but no one stayed friends) and although they have successful careers the shadow of this night hangs over them. Was it something supernatural, or murder? What about other women who may have gone missing in the area?
A lot of this plot worked well. The character development was adequate, if not outstanding. Some of their choices seemed unlikely to me, especially adult Haven agreeing to revisit the site where he lost his cousin *with the person he's convinced murdered her* but you know real people do crazy nonsense all the time.
Enjoyable, not too scary or intense as horror goes.
We have a classic set-up: teens daring each other to spend the night in a supposedly-haunted house where a girl was murdered, and do a seance. One vanishes that night, a mystery never solved.
So a decade later, we have the characters having not seen each other in ages (excepting the MC Haven and his cousin, and two who are brothers, but no one stayed friends) and although they have successful careers the shadow of this night hangs over them. Was it something supernatural, or murder? What about other women who may have gone missing in the area?
A lot of this plot worked well. The character development was adequate, if not outstanding. Some of their choices seemed unlikely to me, especially adult Haven agreeing to revisit the site where he lost his cousin *with the person he's convinced murdered her* but you know real people do crazy nonsense all the time.
Enjoyable, not too scary or intense as horror goes.
January 5, 2018
The lack of romance was a little off putting. The ghost story was delightful.
January 18, 2021
An enjoyable read. Not too complicated, just a bit spooky with a paranormal dash. I didn't feel the romance and I'm not sure I buy the mystery resolution... it was predictable, but I don't think realistic but... still, I had a good time.
February 13, 2021
3.5 stars
First, this isn't really a Romance™, so don't expect a lot on that aspect going into this (though there is one). On the mystery/paranormal aspect, it's engaging and interesting, though I did peg the whodunit early on. This also goes back and forth between the past and present timelines, which works for the story and keeps elements of the mystery clouded - or at least the what happened when and how aspects of it.
The narration by John Solo was good, but a bit rough with some character voices. I was surprised, because I remember his narration for Between Sinners and Saints being much better than this.
First, this isn't really a Romance™, so don't expect a lot on that aspect going into this (though there is one). On the mystery/paranormal aspect, it's engaging and interesting, though I did peg the whodunit early on. This also goes back and forth between the past and present timelines, which works for the story and keeps elements of the mystery clouded - or at least the what happened when and how aspects of it.
The narration by John Solo was good, but a bit rough with some character voices. I was surprised, because I remember his narration for Between Sinners and Saints being much better than this.
January 17, 2018
I really enjoyed this! Almost passed it up, but sometimes a girl just needs a compelling mystery...and I couldn't put this one down. Sure, there's a lack of romance, but that didn't bother me much at all. I think Marie Sexton is a solid writer, and I'll check out anything she puts out for her readers.
July 17, 2017
It took me way to long to review this book even though I really loved it. Twenty years ago a popular high school student and 5 of her friends decide to spend the night in a supposedly haunted house. Although Cassie loves to play jokes and her cousin, Haven expects a night of twists and turns, things go horribly wrong and Cassie ends up dying. Haven has never really gotten over the death of his cousin and now, two of the twins that were originally there have a "ghost hunting" show and contact Haven because they want to go back to the scene of the crime. Haven used to have a secret crush on one of the twins, Pierce, so he agrees to go back home.
I really liked the way the book is told in dual timelines. The author makes it easy for the reader to understand what is going on now and what has happened in the past. As the take unravels, I really started connecting with Haven and really wanted him to find out once and for all what happened to his cousin and how it ties it to a mysterious well on the abandoned property. I also really enjoyed that Haven and Pierce's budding relationship wasn't "in your face" and instead complimented this tale of horror - not take it over.
This is a really good thriller/mystery. There is just enough horror for it to be considered a horror novel, but not a whole lot. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to give horror a try but doesn't want to go all out and gruesome. Also, it's a really fast paced read and did a wonderful job of getting me through a potential slump. I really glad I picked up "The Well" and hope more people give it a chance.
I really liked the way the book is told in dual timelines. The author makes it easy for the reader to understand what is going on now and what has happened in the past. As the take unravels, I really started connecting with Haven and really wanted him to find out once and for all what happened to his cousin and how it ties it to a mysterious well on the abandoned property. I also really enjoyed that Haven and Pierce's budding relationship wasn't "in your face" and instead complimented this tale of horror - not take it over.
This is a really good thriller/mystery. There is just enough horror for it to be considered a horror novel, but not a whole lot. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to give horror a try but doesn't want to go all out and gruesome. Also, it's a really fast paced read and did a wonderful job of getting me through a potential slump. I really glad I picked up "The Well" and hope more people give it a chance.
March 19, 2018
Non sono un'amante delle storie horror e dalle tinte macabre, di spettri o apparizioni con strani riti, ma questa autrice é tra le mie preferite e ho voluto rischiare.
Il risultato è, dal mio punto di vista, una storia coinvolgente, terrificante, che fa venire i brividi e che tiene incollati allo schermo fino alla fine. La parte romance c'è, e ha il suo spazio, ma fa più da substrato agli eventi che da padrona.
Mi é piaciuta l'idea di alternare presente e passato, così come lo scetticismo misto alla suggestione, aggiunto al dubbio che ci sia un fondo di verità. Lascio a voi il piacere del brivido, di risolvere il giallo e di trovare soddisfazione. A me é piaciuto, sia per la buona trama che per la resa italiana gradevole, e ve lo consiglio.
Il risultato è, dal mio punto di vista, una storia coinvolgente, terrificante, che fa venire i brividi e che tiene incollati allo schermo fino alla fine. La parte romance c'è, e ha il suo spazio, ma fa più da substrato agli eventi che da padrona.
Mi é piaciuta l'idea di alternare presente e passato, così come lo scetticismo misto alla suggestione, aggiunto al dubbio che ci sia un fondo di verità. Lascio a voi il piacere del brivido, di risolvere il giallo e di trovare soddisfazione. A me é piaciuto, sia per la buona trama che per la resa italiana gradevole, e ve lo consiglio.
June 29, 2018
4 spooky stars!
I don’t know what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t a truly spooky crime/mystery/paranormal story. Why doesn’t Marie Sexton write more stories of this genre?? It’s really well done. The whodunnit mystery kept me guessing up until the end! Even then, I didn’t even manage to guess who the killer was!
The storyline aside, I’d echo most of the other reviewers in that the romance here truly took the back seat. Like, maybe the backseat of an 18 wheeler truck, way at the other end from the cab. Lol!
But that aside, the HFN did satisfy me somewhat maybe because the mystery/paranormal/crime bend was so well done. 🤷🏻♀️
I don’t know what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t a truly spooky crime/mystery/paranormal story. Why doesn’t Marie Sexton write more stories of this genre?? It’s really well done. The whodunnit mystery kept me guessing up until the end! Even then, I didn’t even manage to guess who the killer was!
The storyline aside, I’d echo most of the other reviewers in that the romance here truly took the back seat. Like, maybe the backseat of an 18 wheeler truck, way at the other end from the cab. Lol!
But that aside, the HFN did satisfy me somewhat maybe because the mystery/paranormal/crime bend was so well done. 🤷🏻♀️
own-but-not-read-yet
October 26, 2018Currently FREE on Amazon US & Amazon AU (possibly more locations). I've had this on the "maybe" pile for a while and am so excited to finally try it!
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWVMH7H
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Well-Marie-...
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWVMH7H
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Well-Marie-...
April 25, 2018
Mi esprimerò più dettagliatamente nella recensione per il blog, ma qui non posso non dire che due cose: Eccellente e meraviglioso.
March 16, 2018
The Well
The Well is a great mix of mystery, ghosts, and suspense. A group of teenagers camp out overnight in a haunted house in their town and they hold a seance. This then leads to other events and the next day one girl( Elise) is missing and is never seen again.
Twelve years later Haven, the cousin of the missing girl is a successful horror author. He blames his cousin's disappearance on Jordan Hunter. Jordan's twin brother Pierce was also there the night that Elise went missing but he believes his brother is innocent. Pierce and Jordan have a successful ghost hunting TV show and they decide to re-visit the supposedly haunted house and broadcast a programme from there. They invite Haven who they haven't seen during the last twelve years.
Haven had a big crush on Pierce as a teenager but their feelings for each other were never given a chance to develop because Haven has always blamed Jordan for his cousin's death but so much remains unexplained. Haven also wants some answers about Elise's disappearance so he agrees to meet the twins only to find that his attraction for Pierce hasn't waned despite them being apart for the last twelve years.
But the bigger issue is not their attraction for each other. Each man needs to know what happened to Elise. Other young women have also gone missing from the area over the years. Pierce and Jordan decide that they will hold a seance. When they did this twelve years ago inexplicable things happened but they have never been sure if what they saw and heard was due to ghosts or due to trickery. They now have a chance to trace their steps and this time they might find out what happened to Elise twelve years ago.
I thought this was a good book. It had just the right amount of romance, mystery, suspense and hauntings. I read a lot of mysteries and I thought the story was a bit predictable but it was still a very satisfying read. I thought it was well written too. Usually I am not a fan of stories which switch between the past and the present but the author did this really well and it made the story seamless.
It isnt a scary story but the ghostly parts provide a nice edgy feel of suspense. The book gradually gains momentum and even though I could see the end coming I still enjoyed the 'big reveal'. If you like a mystery along with some ghosts and suspense then this will be a good book for you.
Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
The Well is a great mix of mystery, ghosts, and suspense. A group of teenagers camp out overnight in a haunted house in their town and they hold a seance. This then leads to other events and the next day one girl( Elise) is missing and is never seen again.
Twelve years later Haven, the cousin of the missing girl is a successful horror author. He blames his cousin's disappearance on Jordan Hunter. Jordan's twin brother Pierce was also there the night that Elise went missing but he believes his brother is innocent. Pierce and Jordan have a successful ghost hunting TV show and they decide to re-visit the supposedly haunted house and broadcast a programme from there. They invite Haven who they haven't seen during the last twelve years.
Haven had a big crush on Pierce as a teenager but their feelings for each other were never given a chance to develop because Haven has always blamed Jordan for his cousin's death but so much remains unexplained. Haven also wants some answers about Elise's disappearance so he agrees to meet the twins only to find that his attraction for Pierce hasn't waned despite them being apart for the last twelve years.
But the bigger issue is not their attraction for each other. Each man needs to know what happened to Elise. Other young women have also gone missing from the area over the years. Pierce and Jordan decide that they will hold a seance. When they did this twelve years ago inexplicable things happened but they have never been sure if what they saw and heard was due to ghosts or due to trickery. They now have a chance to trace their steps and this time they might find out what happened to Elise twelve years ago.
I thought this was a good book. It had just the right amount of romance, mystery, suspense and hauntings. I read a lot of mysteries and I thought the story was a bit predictable but it was still a very satisfying read. I thought it was well written too. Usually I am not a fan of stories which switch between the past and the present but the author did this really well and it made the story seamless.
It isnt a scary story but the ghostly parts provide a nice edgy feel of suspense. The book gradually gains momentum and even though I could see the end coming I still enjoyed the 'big reveal'. If you like a mystery along with some ghosts and suspense then this will be a good book for you.
Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
May 30, 2018
Audiobook reviewI enjoyed this book, I was captivated from the first to the last word wanting to know what happened next, always wanting to know more.
The Well is a two part story, one part mystery and one part ghost story. 12 years ago Haven, his cousin Elise along with a few friends, including the twins Jordan and Pierce, broke into the town’s most infamous house. It's been rumoured to be haunted by the girl that was murdered there years earlier. A séance and a few scares later it's time to go to sleep. Only the next day, Elise is nowhere to be found, and 12 years later her disappearance is still a mystery.
This book is told from Haven's POV and one question has been plaguing him for the last 12 years: What really happened that night Elise disappeared? He is convinced that Jordan, the last person that saw her alive killed her, so in order to bring him to justice he agrees to go on the show, re-living and remembering what happened so long ago.
Jordan and Piece was also deeply affected by that night. Today, they have a paranormal investigators TV show where they travel around to haunted places to search for the unknown. A tip has brought them back to where it all started, investigating the haunted house and maybe talk to a ghost or two in the process.
Don't go into this book expecting an epic romance story, because that's not what you get. There is barely any romance near it. Now don't get me wrong, I don't need my romance books to be hot and heavy, far from it, but I do want some kind of connection, something that shows why the characters fall for each other. I want to feel the emotions between them, but it was lacking in this book. We were never there for the first kiss between Haven and Pierce. We were told what happened after the fact and mostly in passing. It was a bit anticlimactic to tell you the truth.
And the paranormal aspect you ask. Well. I guess that will depend on you - are you a sceptic or a believer, because this book could go either way. Either there were ghosts communicating with the living or it was all in their - and your imagination, making the whole thing up because you expect it to be there. I loved this approach. It was refreshing and also just right. You question along with the characters, waver and stand firm in your beliefs and in the end it is all left up to you to decide - where there ghosts - or was it only our imaginations?
I loved John Solo's narration of this book. He captured the eerie and haunted feeling Sexton wrote with her words. He brought you into this book, and held you captive and I loved listening to him.
Recommended for the overall story, not so much the romance.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
June 26, 2017
3,5 Stars
Stephen King meets Mark Frost / and why not David Lynch /
"Welcome to the world of paranormal investigation. Even when you experience something first hand, you're left with more questions than answers and no proof whatsoever. "
This is a very good, dynamic story for all the fans of suspense and mystery.
There isn't much focus on the romantic side of Pierce and Haven's relationship, but I think that fit the story very well.
I liked how the action is composed with chapters set in present day and past. I will not spoil anything about the murder case from 12 years ago, the investigation of which brings back our main characters together,I'll only admit I couldn't really predict who the culprit was, so the book kept my interest to the very end.
And let's not forget we have a paranormal element.
I won't dwell on that, since I think my fellow readers have shared some great thoughts on that side of the story, let me just share my favorite example Pierce gives about human perception:
"Let's say I stand in front of a room full of people with a little vial of water. I tell them it's peppermint oil. Then I open the vial and spill it on the floor. I tell them to raise their hands the minute the smell of peppermint reaches them. Without fail, about half the people in the room will eventually raise their hands. Now, are they lying? Or is just the thought of peppermint oil enough to convince their brain they smell it? And if their brain thinks they smell it, and our brains create our reality, then how is thinking we smell something any different from actually smelling it?"
This was my first of Marie Sexton's stories and I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of her works.
**Copy kindly provided to me via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.**
Stephen King meets Mark Frost / and why not David Lynch /
"Welcome to the world of paranormal investigation. Even when you experience something first hand, you're left with more questions than answers and no proof whatsoever. "
This is a very good, dynamic story for all the fans of suspense and mystery.
There isn't much focus on the romantic side of Pierce and Haven's relationship, but I think that fit the story very well.
I liked how the action is composed with chapters set in present day and past. I will not spoil anything about the murder case from 12 years ago, the investigation of which brings back our main characters together,I'll only admit I couldn't really predict who the culprit was, so the book kept my interest to the very end.
And let's not forget we have a paranormal element.
I won't dwell on that, since I think my fellow readers have shared some great thoughts on that side of the story, let me just share my favorite example Pierce gives about human perception:
"Let's say I stand in front of a room full of people with a little vial of water. I tell them it's peppermint oil. Then I open the vial and spill it on the floor. I tell them to raise their hands the minute the smell of peppermint reaches them. Without fail, about half the people in the room will eventually raise their hands. Now, are they lying? Or is just the thought of peppermint oil enough to convince their brain they smell it? And if their brain thinks they smell it, and our brains create our reality, then how is thinking we smell something any different from actually smelling it?"
This was my first of Marie Sexton's stories and I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of her works.
**Copy kindly provided to me via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.**
May 8, 2017
3.75 Stars
Told in alternate flashback and present time chapters from a seventeen and twenty nine year old Haven Sage's POV, that showed the gap between youth's ingenuousness and later their better grasp on reality. I felt for Haven and his guilt, the mystery of his cousin's disappearance. In not so many words, I felt his loneliness as Elise's disappearance robbed him many things including chance at a budding love.
While not necessarily a sleuthing story - more like the character gripped by twelve long years grief and curiosity, trying to find answer - The Well gripped me from first page to the last. The paranormal aspect in it is enough for the characters to question things but not fully answered them. It's a pretty grounded paranormal mystery with likable characters that blend conflicting emotions. The romance side of the story was a nice bonus. :)
Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Even when you experience something first hand, you're left with more questions than answers and no proof whatsoever.You know there's moment in your life that bridge before and after, where the after turned your life upside down and changed everything. The Well brought that sort of scenario to life; a prank went awry, so to speak. A night that would change the life of three young men.
Told in alternate flashback and present time chapters from a seventeen and twenty nine year old Haven Sage's POV, that showed the gap between youth's ingenuousness and later their better grasp on reality. I felt for Haven and his guilt, the mystery of his cousin's disappearance. In not so many words, I felt his loneliness as Elise's disappearance robbed him many things including chance at a budding love.
While not necessarily a sleuthing story - more like the character gripped by twelve long years grief and curiosity, trying to find answer - The Well gripped me from first page to the last. The paranormal aspect in it is enough for the characters to question things but not fully answered them. It's a pretty grounded paranormal mystery with likable characters that blend conflicting emotions. The romance side of the story was a nice bonus. :)
Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2017
I am a fan of this author and have read several of her romances in the past. I would not class this book as a romance, more a mystery with paranormal elements. That does not mean that there isn't a romance just that it isn't the main focus of the story.
Six kids break into the local haunted house to hold a seance and talk to the spirit of the resident ghost, a teenage girl who was murdered there many years before. At the end of the night, one of the girls is missing and 12 years later the mystery of what happened is still unsolved.
The story alternates between the present and the events of 12 years ago and I am happy to report that I did not know whodunnit and I do love a book that can keep me guessing.
The writing, as expected, was excellent but do not expect a romance, that is very much secondary to the mystery.
*Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Six kids break into the local haunted house to hold a seance and talk to the spirit of the resident ghost, a teenage girl who was murdered there many years before. At the end of the night, one of the girls is missing and 12 years later the mystery of what happened is still unsolved.
The story alternates between the present and the events of 12 years ago and I am happy to report that I did not know whodunnit and I do love a book that can keep me guessing.
The writing, as expected, was excellent but do not expect a romance, that is very much secondary to the mystery.
*Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
September 2, 2017
"Четверка" с натяжкой, все-таки я ожидала более развернутой любовной линии. Но в остальном очень увлекательная, иногда жутковатая история. И я бы не называла книгу так очевидно, хоть интриги больше было бы...
June 13, 2017
4.5 stars. Murder-mystery with a paranormal twist, yes please! Note - there is a romance but it's not the sole focus of this book.
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