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Me and Mom Fall for Spencer
The house next door to Sarah and her mother Marie has been vacant since the murder that happened there when Sarah was ten. Their neighbor, Frieda, was like a second mother to Sarah and she died brutally and the neighborhood never recovered. No one has lived in Frieda’s house for seventeen years. Imagine Sarah’s surprise when it finally sells to an on-line buyer. She looks through the thick growth separating her house from the other and a wild man looks back. He’s not exactly wild. He’s thirty-seven year old Spencer Gundry. Once he shaves the beard and gets a haircut, he’s not hard to look at. Well Sarah’s mom doesn’t think so, and neither does she. Problem is, Spencer has a few a secrets of his own.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2015
About the author
Diane Munier
13 books84 followersLiving comfortably in the heart of America with the people I love. I live an extroverted life, but I'm a genuine introvert. An urban kid, I spent much of my youth running in various neighborhood establishments. There I met many colorful characters and I learned to love them and be fascinated by them. My love of story comes from them. I learned to sit on a bar stool or a kitchen chair or in a pew and hear story. There is no greater honor than to hear someone's story. If you feel that way about the tales I tell...what more could I ask.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 1, 2015
"Me and Mom Fall for Spencer" is written by a skilled storyteller, Diane Munier. The story is about quirky Sarah and her new neighbor Spencer. There is humor, drama, and romance, but there is also a mystery running in the background that unfolds throughout the story. The colorful writing and endearing characters will make the reader laugh and cry. This story grabbed me from the beginning and moved at a great pace. This is a wonderful story and a joy to read. I recommend it to EVERYONE!
March 6, 2015
I loved this when it was free and I think I love it more now, published.
A protagonist who is thoroughly quirky and original, her observations and streams of consciousness are at times laugh-out-loud hilarious. The story itself is heart-warming, charming and deals with some dark issues regarding tragedy, grief and methods of coping. Oh, and most of all, completely and unapologetically romantic.
Brava, Diana. "She's a girl, she's a girl, she's a storytelling girl."
A protagonist who is thoroughly quirky and original, her observations and streams of consciousness are at times laugh-out-loud hilarious. The story itself is heart-warming, charming and deals with some dark issues regarding tragedy, grief and methods of coping. Oh, and most of all, completely and unapologetically romantic.
Brava, Diana. "She's a girl, she's a girl, she's a storytelling girl."
March 27, 2015
This just confused the crap out of me to be honest
April 9, 2015
Diane Munier has written a story full of drama, romance, and mystery. It is told in first person narration, stream of consciousness. We read the story through Sarah’s eyes and get all of her thoughts and observations. I appreciated the narration of a regular person dealing with their feelings, even though her thoughts were all over the place and the book moved extremely quickly. While I felt like the narration was an honest voice, I was confused throughout much of the book.
I was confused; confused about Sarah, confused about her mother, confused about their relationship, confused about Spencer, confused about the town. And it wasn’t the type of confused that is fun because the mystery will be solved in the end. The whole book felt like it was building up to some big reveal. There is the mystery of Frieda and how she was murdered and who is Spencer and what is his background? There was such an underlying mystery and I felt like it ended very abruptly and was wrapped up very quickly and nicely in the end. I hated the fact that their relationship moved so quickly. Sarah told Spencer all about her life and past and he still didn’t feel like he should tell her about himself. And as a reader, the fact that when the truth about him came out about him and it wasn’t a big deal it was a huge let-down for me.
That’s not to say there weren’t moments I liked, because there were. Some of the scenes between the characters seemed genuine and I felt myself getting drawn into their life a bit. However, my confusion won over in the end. I liked it well enough to read the entire book, however it was just an average book that was a bit strange to read.
I received a free copy of this book through Word Slinger Publicity in exchange for an honest review.
I was confused; confused about Sarah, confused about her mother, confused about their relationship, confused about Spencer, confused about the town. And it wasn’t the type of confused that is fun because the mystery will be solved in the end. The whole book felt like it was building up to some big reveal. There is the mystery of Frieda and how she was murdered and who is Spencer and what is his background? There was such an underlying mystery and I felt like it ended very abruptly and was wrapped up very quickly and nicely in the end. I hated the fact that their relationship moved so quickly. Sarah told Spencer all about her life and past and he still didn’t feel like he should tell her about himself. And as a reader, the fact that when the truth about him came out about him and it wasn’t a big deal it was a huge let-down for me.
That’s not to say there weren’t moments I liked, because there were. Some of the scenes between the characters seemed genuine and I felt myself getting drawn into their life a bit. However, my confusion won over in the end. I liked it well enough to read the entire book, however it was just an average book that was a bit strange to read.
I received a free copy of this book through Word Slinger Publicity in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2015
Diane Munier has a unique voice; the kind of voice you hope no editor ever dares to influence because it immediately bonds the reader to the characters. Her leads get in your head and you hope they move in forever. I find that when I read a Diane Munier story, there are so many complex threads that I pick up something new every time I reread.
Expect great things from this author. She’s going to give you plenty of book hangovers. Five stars.
Read my full review here:
http://jessmollybrownauthor.com/2015/...
Expect great things from this author. She’s going to give you plenty of book hangovers. Five stars.
Read my full review here:
http://jessmollybrownauthor.com/2015/...
March 2, 2015
A wonderfully spun tale of a daughter wanting to spread her wings, a mother trying to hold on to her youth and the good looking new neighbor who is caught in between. Diane does not disappoint. Looking forward to reading more of her work.
October 1, 2016
The writing style was just too hard for me to read and make much sense of. Sorry.
March 26, 2017
Sarah's perfectly content living her quiet, uneventful life, so she isn't at all prepared when a stranger moves into the house next door and into her everyday existence. When her mother starts inviting him to parties and church, it's even worse, in part because Sarah's so intrigued by him. But the man with the guitar is unlike anyone she's ever met, and as much as she wants things to stay the way they've always been, there's no denying how she feels when she's around him.
But... While the story was pretty much amazing, the Kindle format was a mess. All the chapter titles, along with some seemingly random sentences throughout the book, were arranged vertically, which meant page after page of trying to figure out where one word ended and the next one began. Or just skipping that part and hoping it wasn't anything important.
I deleted my copy and redownloaded from Amazon, but the problem remained, even when I switched to the Kindle for PC app. Oddly enough, it did not have any problems on the Kindle Cloud Reader, so it seems there is some discrepancy in the way the different Kindle apps and devices display things. Perhaps we'll have better luck when/if this title is released through other retailers, and we're not stuck with only the Kindle option.
Judging Covers: I can't seem to word this part without sounding awful, but suffice it to say, I'm not a fan of this cover. It's just… It looks like an early attempt by someone who hasn't quite built up their design skills, and while we've all been there, it sucks that such a great story doesn't have a better cover. I think it's the lighting issue, the shadows not appearing where they should, making it look pasted together despite the clean cuts. I was really surprised to find that it'd been done by a book cover designer, not just some friend with the best of intentions.
The Verdict: I never read this one in its fanfic form, so I had no idea what to expect going in. To be honest, I was a little thrown by the title, but I figured it was worth a shot. And it soooooooooo was.
Sarah's more than just a homebody; she's a trauma or two away from being agoraphobic, and while the story simply presents her as she is, it later becomes clear that there's a reason she's never really branched out. At the far end of her 20s, she's still living at home with her mother, in part because she doesn't necessarily equate independence with moving out on her own, but mostly because someone has to pay the bills. Her mother, though employed, could never be called ambitious, and in fact seems to have a bit of Peter Pan syndrome going on. Actually, now that I think about it, their quiet little street is a bit of a study in psychiatric concerns, but that just made it all that much more interesting.
Spencer is the man who moves in next door, disrupting Sarah's introverted little world. He's too old for her and too young for her mother, at least by some people's estimations, but that doesn't stop him from catching both their attention. Sarah's mostly just curious and cautious, but Spencer won't let her brush him off. His silly ways of getting and keeping her attention are cute as all get out, and when it's obvious she's a bit on the shy and flighty side, he's incredibly open and patient with her. Sarah's juvenile mother, on the other hand, clearly has eyes for Spencer, doing whatever she can to catch his attention without truly crossing any lines. Sarah is generally mortified by her mother's behavior, but Spencer just seems to let it slide.
Their story sounds like your typical romance. The guy moves in, the girl notices, they spend time together, and it turns into something so much sweeter. But it's also a coming of age story, late as Sarah may be to the game, and a study in friendship and relationships in general. The secondary characters, all eccentric neighbors on their street, provide lots of questions and laughs throughout, and as time goes by and things change, Sarah begins to take those first few steps to really growing up. That's not to say she's immature by any means; she's just missed out on some standard life experiences and holed herself up in the bubble that is her street.
There's something about the style of writing that I can't explain but certainly bears mentioning. It's not your run-of-the-mill storytelling, not just a run down of everything that's happening. In Me and Mom Fall for Spencer, the smallest details of everyday life are part of the brilliance, a real and gritty look at simply existing. From Sarah's utilitarian underwear to Spencer's ridiculous songs, I was more and more hooked with every page I turned. I loved Sarah's way of observing the world around her, her fierce individuality and refusal to pretend to be anything different than she truly was inside. And I loved the way Spencer simply gravitated to her and patiently waited for her to come around.
Me and Mom Fall for Spencer is not the simplistic romance the title hints at; it's captivating and different and the kind of story that sticks with you long after you've hit the dreaded End. If you're looking for something more than just another romance, Diane Munier certainly knows how to deliver.
March 10, 2015
When recently asked what she thinks of the [Twilight fanfiction] world, author Diane Munier said, “What [Twilight author] SM achieved in my opinion was the ability to make women feel first love….That woman took us into the ache.” I hope Ms. Munier will pardon me for appropriating her words, but that statement perfectly encapsulates the magic of her own writing: this woman takes us into ourselves, moving us with a deeply satisfying story in the process.
Through the eyes of her beautifully flawed characters, Munier takes us to the bottom of our souls, revealing everything we are and everything we wish we weren’t. We confront our pasts, unearthing treasures we never knew were there, and baby-step our way toward a future we didn’t know we could have. Munier has been doing it for years under the apt pseudonym “Counselor” in the Twilight fanfiction world, and she does it this time for the masses with her first fanfic-turned-novel, Me and Mom Fall for Spencer.
In this poignant story, Sarah Sullivan is a mid-twenties loner with a small life just big enough to handle. Her mother, boss, and neighbors all need a little piece of Sarah to make it through the day, and that’s just fine with her.
Until Spencer Gundry moves in next door and upsets her vegetable cart.
He has no business living in Frieda’s old house, no business peeking over the gate into her garden, and definitely no business making up sweet and silly songs about Sarah’s comings and goings.
Not that he ever listens.
Despite her attempts to ignore the intriguing interloper, Sarah can’t stop their paths from crossing. His affability annoys her as does his curiosity about her life. And his being handsome doesn’t help.
Read the full review at http://www.deniseleoramadre.com/2015/...
Through the eyes of her beautifully flawed characters, Munier takes us to the bottom of our souls, revealing everything we are and everything we wish we weren’t. We confront our pasts, unearthing treasures we never knew were there, and baby-step our way toward a future we didn’t know we could have. Munier has been doing it for years under the apt pseudonym “Counselor” in the Twilight fanfiction world, and she does it this time for the masses with her first fanfic-turned-novel, Me and Mom Fall for Spencer.
In this poignant story, Sarah Sullivan is a mid-twenties loner with a small life just big enough to handle. Her mother, boss, and neighbors all need a little piece of Sarah to make it through the day, and that’s just fine with her.
Until Spencer Gundry moves in next door and upsets her vegetable cart.
He has no business living in Frieda’s old house, no business peeking over the gate into her garden, and definitely no business making up sweet and silly songs about Sarah’s comings and goings.
Not that he ever listens.
Despite her attempts to ignore the intriguing interloper, Sarah can’t stop their paths from crossing. His affability annoys her as does his curiosity about her life. And his being handsome doesn’t help.
Read the full review at http://www.deniseleoramadre.com/2015/...
August 12, 2015
In her debut publication, Me and Mom Fall for Spencer, author Diane Munier introduces us to her principal characters - the quirky Sarah Sullivan and her mysterious neighbor, Spencer Gundry. Both world weary, these two captivating people charmingly begin their journey together while negotiating the vegetative state of Sarah's beloved garden.
It's a love story abundant with delightful characters who are graced with witty and meaningful dialogue that gifts the reader with profound and brilliant insight into our own human condition. We see Sarah and Spencer's relationship evolve from an uncertain flirtation into a deep abiding love that ultimately allows both of them to shine the healing light of that love upon the darkest events of their lives. And with that act their garden grows.
A master storyteller, Diane Munier slowly reveals to us, using powerful imagery and words of wisdom and fellowship, the undeniable healing power of love.
A must read - you will not be disappointed.
It's a love story abundant with delightful characters who are graced with witty and meaningful dialogue that gifts the reader with profound and brilliant insight into our own human condition. We see Sarah and Spencer's relationship evolve from an uncertain flirtation into a deep abiding love that ultimately allows both of them to shine the healing light of that love upon the darkest events of their lives. And with that act their garden grows.
A master storyteller, Diane Munier slowly reveals to us, using powerful imagery and words of wisdom and fellowship, the undeniable healing power of love.
A must read - you will not be disappointed.
June 14, 2015
I love books that combine mystery and romance. That is what this book does. This is not a boy meets girl and they fall in love immediately type of book. They both are carrying some baggage with them that makes their relationship take time to develop. I really didn't like Sarah's mom too much. She just seemed over the top dramatic. The old man who lived across the street from Sarah had a son. He moved out leaving the old man living in the chaos and filth he'd been living in for quite some time. I loved the way that Sarah took charge and "told" him what was going to happen and then ignored him and did it anyway. Sarah was one of those people who had to fix and care for everyone else when she herself needed fixing. This was a strange but interesting book. I've enjoyed reading books by this author.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
June 30, 2016
Another one of Diane Munier's stories I fell in love with. Don't let the title fool you. Mom thinks Spencer is handsome but that's about all it leads to. As for Sarah, who also thinks he's handsome, it goes much further. Sarah is a caretaker of not only mom but some neighbors as well. Sarah believes it serves a great purpose to do dark time walk about to keep her neighborhood somewhat safe because of the murder years ago. Spencer eventually walks with her. A coming of age sort for Sarah who falls for her handsome neighbor and how he helps her 'find' herself, esp. separate from mom. A++
March 9, 2015
Just a lovely story
I can't remember how I came across this story, and it's not my typical kind, but I'm so glad I found it.
I didn't even read what it was about, I read some of the reviews and saw 5 stars and bought it.
It grabbed me straight away and when I wasn't reading it I couldn't stop thinking about it. It's very sweet read and not in a overly romantic kind of way, it's just real and nice and worth your time.
I can't remember how I came across this story, and it's not my typical kind, but I'm so glad I found it.
I didn't even read what it was about, I read some of the reviews and saw 5 stars and bought it.
It grabbed me straight away and when I wasn't reading it I couldn't stop thinking about it. It's very sweet read and not in a overly romantic kind of way, it's just real and nice and worth your time.
March 30, 2015
I loved this story when it was free and am so happy it's published. I would pay two or three times what I paid for it. The feelings the author makes the reader experience are genuine and startling. Please do yourself a favor and be introduced to Diane Munier.
August 14, 2016
Sweet read
Cute, authentic love story that I loved reading. There were a few confusing parts relating to the physical relationship between the two main characters. The pacing was a little slow and the plot was subtle but the ending was a great pay off. Well worth reading.
Cute, authentic love story that I loved reading. There were a few confusing parts relating to the physical relationship between the two main characters. The pacing was a little slow and the plot was subtle but the ending was a great pay off. Well worth reading.
June 5, 2015
so I tried not to read this too fast.sooooooooooo good.I am in love with Spencer too.
April 26, 2015
Good book
Different but great storyline! Spencer was adorable and charming. I felt bad for Sarah but admire her loyalty. Enjoyed seeing diversity in the characters
Different but great storyline! Spencer was adorable and charming. I felt bad for Sarah but admire her loyalty. Enjoyed seeing diversity in the characters
April 24, 2015
So happy to see this author is publishing her work! she will be on my automatic buy list.
April 18, 2017
Sorry I could not get through 15% of the book. Sarah's character was very very annoying. And I was just lost. I felt all over the place. I had to quit. Which I hate doing.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews