I loved Ask Again, Yes, by Mary Beth Keane, so no matter what, I was going to read her newest book... and that's just what I did! The Half Moon is about Malcolm and Jess, a husband and wife dealing with infertility and career challenges. The story follows as they work through the complexities of their marriage and the choices they've made along the way. They both make choices that may just take them in different directions. There's enough of an intriguing plot to keep you turning the pages, but this one didn't have me quite as invested as I'd hoped.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I see some critiques of this one, I think I'm just a rightreader for this book.

Malcolm and Jess overlook a handful of mismatches when they become hastily married. As the marriage continues, these issues continue to grow. Each spouse has a separate dream, one that they can't see past for the sake of their marriage, and one that they know their partner won't go to as great of lengths for. For Jess, it's to become a mother. For Malcolm, it's to own his own bar. Because they each know their partner is only in agreement to a point, they'll each find ways around involving the partner to hopefully get what they want.

When their individual dreams become a conflict, Malcolm and Jess have to decide if their dreams or their partners are more important.

Thank you to Scribner publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of the Half Moon in exchange for my honest review.

This one didn't work for me. I am a fan of complicated relationship stories, but this one dragged too much for me. I will admit I do like more of a narrative drive than character study, so it might be just me.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and Mary Beth Keane for an ARC of this book

Based on the cover, I wasn’t expecting “The Half Moon” to actually be a bar.
This story is boring and not realistic in my opinion. I’m not sure how or why someone would purchase a business and not have a lawyer involved.. especially when your significant other is a lawyer. Just outright stupid.
Malcolm can’t even make ends meet and can’t afford the bar he purchased. He has the ex owner sending people to the business and his house as a warning for not making payments on time or being behind.

Malcolm and Jess were experiencing infertility. Malcolm was mad about how much money it was costing them but then goes and purchases a business that they can’t afford. Makes sense.

This book was a slow burn for me. I didn’t enjoy either of the characters. They seemed very immature and it’s no wonder their marriage was failing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️a gut wrenching book that will literally make you contemplate the meaning of life. the second book I have read from this author that gave me this feeling. She has a gift. TY to the publisher for the advanced copy TW: infertility, pregnancy loss

Jess and Malcolm are navigating an extremely difficult and unfortunately all too common experience while trying to start a family. They love each other, that much is clear, but the stress and cost of the necessary steps is causing a lot of tension. Combine with that, Malcolm's passion to make his recently bought kind of rundown bar a success in a cold, snowy town. Oh right, and add in a massive snow storm that cuts all power and sets a concerning tone for the story.

I was conflicted with Jess and Malcolm as characters individually and as a couple. Initially, Malcolm didn't come off as likeable to me. It seemed like he was blaming a lot of his problems on his wife. I enjoyed reading about Jess' experience because I felt a little more sympathetic to her even though she was the one that left. She was clearly unhappy and the fact that it wasn't working with Malcolm made her even more unhappy because she really wanted it to work. But then she made some decisions that were hard to get behind and I began empathizing with Malcolm more. But that's what kind of made it interesting, it felt real. I think it's a sign of a good book when you can see both sides to the story and understand why they did what they did.

The interactions Malcolm and Jess had, the decisions they made, and their inner thoughts made me reflect on how everyone can be having a vastly different experience to the same set of circumstances or how two people can take away different things from the same conversation. It's so true to the human experience and also is a reflection on the lack of communication that often plagues relationships. I really felt for the characters in the story and while they both make their share of mistakes, they were doing their best to try and live a life that would make them happy. Ultimately, they discover what many people do when trying to achieve their dreams - what you think will make you happy may not be all it is cracked up to be.

One thing that was a little tiresome was the flashbacks. There were a LOT of flashbacks which I can appreciate and they really lend to character development. However, some of the story became hard to follow because it would cut in and out of the same flashback multiple times.

When reading this, you can take different approaches. Are you going to stay unbiased to the choices made or are you going to take sides like the rest of the town seems to do? Are you going to root for one character over the other in hopes they get their version of a happy ending? Maybe you read this hoping the characters stay messy because you want more drama? Either way I think this makes for an enjoyable read.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and Mary Beth Keane for an ARC of this book!**

Malcolm and Jess are a stunning couple on paper: he is a handsome bartender, and she's a successful lawyer. After years of marriage, however, financial woes have started to wear on the couple: student loan debt, and unsuccessful IVF treatments, to name a couple of sources of their collective strife. Malcolm has purchased the bar he works at, The Half Moon, despite its waning profitability and he is determined to somehow find a way to turn the tide.

While a big snowstorm holds the small town of Gillam in its clutches, however, Jess and Malcolm have plenty of time to think and reflect on the good and bad of their marriage...and their respective dreams. They each begin to wonder if their paths in life align, and cracks in their marriage threaten to bring the entire foundation down to the ground. Will Jess and Malcolm be able to cling to the memories and the dreams that brought them together? Or has life dealt them a "Dead Man's Hand?"

After middling success with Ask Again, Yes, I felt like Keane was a very strong writer, but that the aforementioned book just didn't have relatable characters...and that this was the sole reason I couldn't get into it fully. After reading The Half Moon, I've come to realize that it isn't just the characters: Keane's storytelling is simply too slow and meandering for me. I figured with different subject matter (marriage, for one!) at the forefront, that this would have that sort of small-town, charming feel despite the dramatic nature of Malcolm and Jess' failing relationship. However, Keane spent SO much time going over details that not only felt unnecessary, but weren't particularly interesting, that I lost focus and interest in the plot over and over again.

For instance, Jess' infertility troubles are a large part of the reason the couple is in financial trouble, and this is fine...but I didn't need to hear about it for what felt like forever. If you've ever struggled with infertility or have trouble reading about the topic, I would STRONGLY recommend skipping this one on that basis alone. The other problems in Malcolm and Jess' relationship were far from uncommon and I had no problem reading about them in theory....but these passages again seemed to go on and on with little emotional impact. The third act 'confrontation' between the two was also lackluster in my opinion and not worthy of the supposed turmoil the two had gone through together. The ending was even more bizarre and I won't get into it: suffice it to say, it actually made me wonder what the POINT of all of it even was and left me far from satisfied as a reader.

There's also a secondary 'mystery' plot that I wish had been left out entirely because I don't think it truly added anything to the narrative. I would have rather spent time getting to know the plethora of characters who were randomly mentioned every now and again, but were little more than character names on a page to me. What was hardest to swallow about all of this is that I KNOW Keane is a terrific writer: I just don't click with the finished product.

The cover of this book reminds me of the famous optical illusion, where the viewer sees either a vase or two faces. And much like an optical illusion, once my view of the picture flipped...I just couldn't see it any other way.

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed Ask Again Yes by Keane and looked forward to getting into this one. However, this one seemed much more depressing to me.

Malcolm & Jess almost seem like star crossed lovers. Jess is a successful lawyer and Malcolm is a bartender wanting to own his own in the town they grew up in. People would often comment that they didn't seem to fit together, but they didn't care because they loved each other.

For years, they try to have a child while Malcolm also buys a The Half Moon and make it a great success. He sadly cannot seem to turn a profit and they also have troubles conceiving both which put a strain on the relationship.

It's not that the story was told badly, but it was very down trodden. I know that that can be real life for sure, but I just had a hard time finding anything redeemable about not only the story, but the characters themselves.

Quietly told and atmospheric, The Half Moon is the heart wrenching story of a struggling business, infertility, and a failing marriage. Malcolm has always dreamed of owning a bar and stretches himself financially to take ownership of the Half Moon bar. Optimistically, he sees potential and risks everything to hold onto his dream. His wife, Jess, enjoys a successful law career but her loneliness in the marriage and her infertility cause personal distress. As Malcolm and Jess approach midlife, their individual unhappiness causes their marriage to fracture.

This is a reflective, character-driven story about what happens when two people who are very much in love don’t get when they want out of life. I appreciate complex, well drawn, multilayered, and realistic characters. As the pressures build, we hear from both perspectives and we gain insight into each of their actions. When we truly understand someone, our judgements fade quickly.

The Half Moon is a sad and reflective story. It’s also realistic in its portrayal of a broken marriage. All dreams don’t come true, and couples do grow apart and their marriages can fracture under stress. Is this brokenness always the end of the story?

Poignant themes include broken marriage, infertility, disappointments, betrayal, infidelity, chasing your dreams, making mistakes, friendship, forgiveness, fresh beginnings, and hope.

The Half Moon is the second book I’ve read by Mary Beth Keane (Ask Again, Yes is the other). As difficult as her content can be, Keane’s endings are satisfactory and infused with hope and hard earned reconciliation (not to be confused with HEA).

If you’re comfortable with the content, I can recommend The Half Moon for fans of Mary Beth Keane and for readers who appreciate character-driven, reflective literary fiction. Book clubs might find a great deal to discuss here.

Content consideration: infertility, infidelity, broken marriage

Thanks #NetGalley @ScribnerBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #TheHalfMoon upon my request. All opinions are my own.

This book was a little too slow for my liking but I can Definitely see how others will love it. Touches upon infertility and how a couple has to navigate it. Overall, an okay read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance reader's copy of this book.

I'm generally a fan of this kind of novel, which I call "gentle" literary fiction. Stories of people's lives, their choices, how they love each other and how they fail to love each other, etc. (My current favorite writer of these sorts of books is Ethan Joella). There was nothing particularly wrong with this book, and there was a lot right with it. I liked reading the story of Malcolm and Jess, their hopes and dreams, their bad choices and their difficult marriage, and how it all turned out in the end. I just wasn't all that excited about getting back to it each time, and had a hard time making myself finish. Keane is a great writer, but ultimately this felt like it could have been a short story.

I have enjoyed previous books by this author in the past, but this one was a miss for me. It was a slow burn, not just in the beginning, but for the entire book. There were a few parts here and there that caught my interest, but not enough to make me call the book enjoyable, overall. I didn't like either of the main characters. They had no chemistry, so I could see why their marriage was failing. He was just an inconsiderate jerk altogether, and she just wasn't likeable. There wasn't enough of a plot to keep my attention and make the book interesting. I can not in good conscience recommend this one.

It's a big pub day today and I know The Half Moon is going to be on a lot of people's radar after the bookstagram smash that was Ask Again, Yes by the author, Mary Beth Keane (which yes, is sitting unread on my shelves). Readers should be very aware that infertility is a main topic of the book.
That said, I was completely engrossed in this book from start to finish, and it was absolutely the kind of book that you look up from realizing more time has passed than seems possible. I was very much inhabiting Malcolm and Jess's world and relationship, immersed in these imperfect and complex characters. It is very much character driven, but felt very vivid and real. Maybe now it's time I get to the author's previous book?

This is the story of the marriage between Malcolm and Jess. As the book opens Malcolm informs us that Jess moved out of their home 17 weeks previous.

He is the owner and bartender of The Half Moon, a bar that is currently struggling to make ends meet, but this has always been his dream since he started there as a bar back when he was a teenager. When Hugh, the owner, offers to sell to Malcolm he thinks he's finally hit the bigtime. He accepts a less than above board offer that Jess is wary of and that's not even considering the fact she doesn't know the real deal he made with Hugh. One that will be nearly impossible to ever pay back.

Jess, a successful lawyer by day, has always wanted to be a mother. After many attempts and many miscarriages they turn to IVF with unsuccessful results. Year after year of crushing disappointment. Jess would like to consider a sperm donor or perhaps adoption but Malcolm is spent. He doesn't want to continue this journey of heartbreak anymore.

The mounting debt looming over them and their unsuccessful attempts at parenthood has caused a long standing resentment between the two. Why should one of them have to give up their dream for the other?

Over the course of the story we watch their relationship bud, blossom, and grow. We also watch as this same relationship withers and decays. Will their love prove strong enough or is it time for these two lost souls to find their own way without one another? You'll have to read this to find out.

This may be the most accurate portrayal of marriage I have ever read. Marriage can be messy. It can be all consuming and lonely at the same time. With marriage comes compromise but sometimes a person can only compromise so much. I loved both Malcolm and Jess. Neither one was perfect and both made mistakes but through it all they are still good people at their core. People you want to see happy and successful in their endeavors. My heart broke for their predicament. Keane took such care in crafting not only this story but the characters. Slow burn, quiet stories like these don't always work for me but I was completely invested in this couple and their outcome. For me, the ending was absolutely perfect. 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for my complimentary copy.

I love a happy ending! This book was not at all what I expected… And it held so much feeling. It was the story of living ones dreams, picking your self up when you fall, having the strength to go on despite disappointments. It was the story of true friendship and true love- love of parents, love of children and your one true love. I liked the descriptions of the half moon bar- it almost felt like I was there having a night out with friends. The struggles Jess and Mal went through were handled with sensitivity and honesty portrayed. The sheer emotion this book creates is amazing. I found myself rooting for the characters. It was definitely a slow burn for me, but by the end, I couldn’t stop turning pages to see where everything led. 4 solid stars! Thank you NetGalley for a digital copy!

This book was a total page turner for me. I got through the entire book in a weekend. I loved the rawness of Malcolm and Jess’ relationship. I could feel both of their pain in terms of their infertility, financial struggles, and seeing eye to eye with your partner. I felt as if Malcolm and Jess could be friends of mine going through some very real marriage struggles. Additionally, I loved that this story took place in the Hudson Valley area. I felt as if I could picture the streets and houses. I could even picture the Half Moon and where it would fit in close to home.

Mary Beth Keane's newest novel is another slow burn character-driven story. Malcolm Gepherdt has always dreamed of having his own bar. Malcolm's dreams appear to come true when the previous owner sells the Half Moon bar to him after he had spent over 20 years working there. Malcolm's wife Jess has a dream to be a mother. But after several years of failed fertility treatments, Jess is broken. When Malcolm makes an irresponsible decision about the bar, Jess finally questions what she needs from life. And then the snowstorm hits, Jess is gone and one of Malcolm's customers goes missing. The investigation begins, Jess flounders all while Malcolm tries to figure his way out of his mess.

I enjoyed this novel where the characters are the stars of the novel. Mary Beth Keane knows how to create complex and flawed characters that you can't help but root for, despite their poor decisions. Midway through the story dragged a bit but then picked up again as I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out how everything all panned out.

Thank you to Scribner Books for this advance readers copy.

3.5 - 4 ⭐️
I had a hard time getting into this but it clicked about 1/4 of the way in and then I didn’t want to put it down.

The Half Moon is a bar owned by Malcolm, whose wife, Jess, left 17 weeks ago. Their marriage suffers from the very common pitfalls of money and trying to conceive a child. The story is a melancholy one that ultimately offers a feeling of hope.

Thanks you to NetGalley for my review copy.

Malcolm Gephardt, longtime bartender at the Half Moon, has always dreamed of owning a bar as his father once did. So when his boss finally retires, Malcolm makes owning the bar a priority. He wants to renovate and remake the Half Moon into something amazing, but struggles to stay afloat financially. Especially, with the raw deal his former boss gave him.
His smart and confident wife, Jess, has devoted herself to her law career. After years of trying for a baby and going through every fertility treatment possible; she is struggling to accept that she may not ever be a mother. Mistakes and miscommunication follow.
This novel takes place over the course of one week when Malcolm learns shocking news about Jess, a patron of the bar goes missing, and a blizzard hits the town of Gillam, trapping everyone in place. The resolution is bittersweet and one you see coming. But that does not take away from the story in any way.

Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for this e-arc.*

The Half Moon takes place over one week of a bad snow storm in upstate New York and centers on Malcolm, an unlikely bar owner, and his wife Jess. It is clear their relationship is strained, likely from years of infertility woes and business stress after buying The Half Moon under terms that are certainly shady. The result is a deep look into how love and lives change over time and evolve especially, when life takes turns that you do not expect.

I truly enjoyed this book. The author did a fantastic job of fully developing the characters of Malcolm and Jess. The story is told through many flashbacks to happier times and some not so happy. I felt the struggle that Jess had to feel in dealing with such a trusting individual like Malcolm. As a reader I wanted Malcolm to just find some success because it seemed that he took so many hits during the book, so I was truly satisfied by the ending. The reader could feel the suffering when Jess was having difficulties with infertility, and it just hit home that desire to want to have kids so much that it becomes all consuming. I do feel like perhaps there should be a miscarriage and infertility trigger warning, as it could potentially upset some readers. Overall, I felt like Malcolm and Jess were friends in my small town neighborhood that I grew up with that I just wanted to see succeed, and love the ending of the book. I picture them both now with a drink in their hand on the beach, and that makes me smile.

Thanks to the author, the publishers, and NetGalley for an advanced copy book of this family drama. All opinions within this review are my own.