Advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. Despite low reviews, I found this book to be very heart wrenching and tragic, perfect for the winter season. Setting frigid setting of a snow storm on the east coast was the perfect backdrop for grappling with marital problems. I think the twist this book took made it interesting and unexpected, and actually has me thinking about how real this solution might be. It wasn't a perfect story and the characters were a bit whiney and annoying at times, but for the most part, I enjoyed the slow pace and the way the author drew the characters dealing with intense adulting struggles.

I thought this was a thought-provoking book that kept me interested and capitative the entire time. The characters were well done, and I really enjoyed the plot. I thought at times there were moments I said omg, but it was definitely different good book I enjoyed. This author is a very good writer and really knows how to captivate her audience.

I was super captivated by the first half of this book — Malcolm and Jess’s marital issues felt very real and raw, and I felt wholeheartedly for Jess and her struggle with fertility and wanting so badly to be a mother. I was rooting for her for getting herself out of a relationship that didn’t feel right, where she didn’t feel supported by Malcolm. I thought I understood where the story was going, figuring the two would find peace in their differences and go their separate ways.

The second half really threw me for a loop, and not in a good way. The out-of-nowhere drama with the bar, Jess’s grand idea to deal with it, and the way everything ended just felt so awkward, unnatural, and honestly just random. There was no communication between Malcolm and Jess, no resolution to their problems, just an avoidance as they dealt with completely different issues.

I don’t know, I was really expecting to love this after the first half, but was left disappointed overall.

I absolutely adored ASK AGAIN, YES when I first read it years ago, so I was equally excited to pick up THE HALF MOON. Needless to say, Mary Beth Keane never disappoints!

Sometimes you love a book so much that you are scared to read anything else by the author for fear it might not be as good. But sometimes the new book is just as good as the previous one! Ask Again Yes was an easy 5 star book for me, and it haunted me for months and years after reading it. The Half Moon had that same feel, weaving together past and present. The mood the author set was unmatched, and I cared so much about the characters and the way their past was affecting their present with complicated histories and continuing hopes and dreams. I will be much less afraid to try more books by this author in the future since she's proven herself once again with this wonderful book.

REVIEW: The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane

I have mixed feelings about this one. It's not bad, but it's not knocking my socks off either.

The story revolves around Malcolm and Jackie, a married couple who run an old-school bar called The Half Moon. Keane dives into their relationship, the bar's history, and the small-town vibe. It sounds promising. Keane's writing is solid. She has a knack for vividly portraying small-town life and its characters. You can almost smell the beer and hear the jukebox playing in the background. Points for atmosphere, for sure. The character development is decent. Malcolm and Jackie feel like real people with real problems. Their struggles with keeping the bar afloat and dealing with personal issues are relatable. There's some good exploration of themes like marriage, community, and the weight of family legacy.

But here's where things get a bit meh for me. The pacing is slow. I found myself waiting for something big to happen, and it just... didn't. The book is simmering but never entirely comes to a boil. Also, while the characters are well-drawn, I could have been more invested in their stories. It was like eavesdropping on strangers at a bar - interesting for a bit, but not enough to keep me hooked for hours. Some subplots feel underdeveloped, like they're there to add drama, but don't go anywhere. This left me feeling unsatisfied.

"The Half Moon" isn't a bad book by any means. You might dig this if you're into slow-burn, character-driven stories about small-town life. Keane's writing chops are evident, with moments of real insight. It's a solid three-star read - suitable for a quiet weekend but not something I'll be shouting about from the rooftops.

Thank you, Netgalley and Scribner, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

This may be one of the best books that matches my experience with infertility that I've ever read. This novel centers around a marriage, a bar, and infertility. Neither person in the marriage is particularly good and neither make decisions that you root for or are very much likeable, but it was just such a real book. Ask Again, Yes was one of my favorite reads in 2023, and this solidified Mary Beth Keane as one of my favorite authors. She handled the absolute agony of infertility with perfection and as someone who has never been pregnant despite years of trying, I deeply loved how she handled infertility. Too many authors employ magical fixes but Keane keeps it real. It's refreshing to see characters like myself in books who can't "win" infertility. How it impacts the marriage in this novel and the life of the characters was so good and so real.

Thank you Mary Beth Keane for writing a novel I could resonate with.

Malcom's dream of owning the bar he grew up working at has finally come true. But at what cost? His wife Jess has been struggling with infertility, he's making decisions that aren't in his family's best interest, and their marriage is at a crossroads. When a patron of the bar disappears, he's forced to come to terms with the situation he is in, and reconcile his past actions.

This was a slow burn of a book, but I didn't love it. I could have enjoyed more of the mystery, and that felt a little packed into the back quarter of the book. Malcom and Jess were two characters stuck in their own worlds, and it was hard to like either of them.I loved MBK's last novel so excited to see what the author comes out with next.

Mary Beth Keane's "The Half Moon" is a deeply compelling novel that explores the complexities of relationships and personal redemption. Set in a small town, the story revolves around a bar owner struggling with his past and his present as he navigates love, loss, and the quest for meaning. Keane’s writing is rich and nuanced, delving into the intricacies of human connections and the impact of personal choices. The characters are well-developed and their journeys are portrayed with empathy and insight. A thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read, offering a powerful examination of life's challenges and the potential for change. If you liked her last novel you will like this one as well.

Ask Again Yes is one of my favorite books of all time, so I was super excited for this book. It didn't resonate with me as much, but I still thought that this was a solid story. I think Mary Beth Keane has a real talent for writing characters in a way that makes them feel like they could be people you know. Jess's perspective was really interesting, and I loved the twist at the end!

"The Half Moon" by Mary Beth Keane is a captivating exploration of marriage and midlife crises. Set in a small town, it follows Malcolm and Jess as they navigate personal and professional challenges during a blizzard. Keane's empathetic storytelling and rich character development make this a deeply engaging read.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

I loved this look into marriage. Keane does a great job of showing how a good relationship evolves over time, how mistakes are made, and how forgiveness is given. I enjoyed the storyline and the setting as well. Themes of communication, temptation, honesty, finances, and friendship gave the story depth, rather than being a simple plot driven book.

This was one of my most anticipated reads, and I hate to say I didn't like it. It's a quiet novel about a marriage and a small town, and while I often like quiet, character-driven novels, this one was just too much of a slog. After some reviews said they had regretted not DNF'ing, making me think I wasn't going to like it any more if I continued, I decided to put it down. It failed to deliver the depth or charm that would have made it just my kind of story.

Marriage drama, failing business, and more nonsense that honestly felt unreasonable and unrealistic. This story was okay., but I was definitely not invested in the characters or the storyline in the slightest.

A character-driven, quiet, somber drama, where the realities of reckoning with decisions and grappling with a marriage and a life that doesn't go as planned require the reader's thoughtful attention. Stay for the realistic, imperfect characters and atmospheric small-town setting, skip if you're looking for something more plot-driven.

I had a little bit of a difficulty getting into the book for the first few chapters but the story was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. Once I got into the story, it was an enjoyable read.

"Half Moon" by Mary Beth Keane is a poignant exploration of dreams, disappointments, and the complexities of marriage set against the backdrop of a small town and its beloved bar. Malcolm Gephardt, the charismatic bartender turned owner of the Half Moon, grapples with the challenges of running a business while his wife, Jess, confronts the heartbreak of infertility. Keane skillfully navigates their intertwined narratives over the course of a week filled with shocking revelations, a missing patron, and a crippling blizzard.

With lyrical prose and keen insight, Keane delves into the intricacies of midlife, forgiveness, and the bonds of family. While some may find the characters unlikable, Keane's ability to evoke empathy for their struggles is undeniable. Despite its slow pace, "Half Moon" captivates with its intimate portrayal of ordinary lives touched by extraordinary circumstances.

For readers who appreciate nuanced storytelling and introspective narratives, "Half Moon" offers a compelling journey through the highs and lows of human experience. Though not without its flaws, this novel resonates with authenticity and emotional depth, earning it a solid four stars.

Does anyone write more complex and heartbreaking characters better than Mary Beth Keane? The relationship between Malcom and Jess felt genuine and raw as they dealt with the growing divide in their marriage. Deeply-felt emotions sit at the heart of their story as it moves from their original meeting to their evolving relationship. Reading how real their relationship felt and how vulnerable the two main characters are written prompts some introspection into your own relationships and self as a whole. While the book seems to move slowly and doesn’t contain major action plot points, it isn’t missing anything. Keane is clearly a character-driven writer and does a phenomenal job at it.

The chapters were so insufferable. I thought the idea behind the story was great, but it was so dragged out I couldn’t get into it, no matter how hard I tried.