Maybe it’s because of my stage in life but I felt like Jess and Malcolm were not a couple I was rooting for. The premise intrigued me but the writing felt choppy with lots of smaller story lines that didn’t matter in the end.

Mary Beth Keane has a knack for writing about really relatable issues in people’s marriages- in this novel the couple at hand faces financial and fertility issues. I probably would not have picked it up had I known that’s fertilities issues would be such a large part of the book, but that’s just a content area that I try to avoid. I know people will really connect with the characters and the problems faced in this novel.

A beautiful portrait of a marriage in crisis. At the heartof the crisis: thousands and thousands of dollars sunk into infertility, only for Jess to have to accept that motherhood may not be possible for her. and thousands of dollars sunk into buying a bar, only for Malcolm to realize that not everything about the deal is what it seems.
When they've been separated 4 months, a huge snowstorm hits, a bar patron goes missing, and the time comes for Jess and Malcolm to confront the pieces of their marriage and decide if the puzzle is fixable.
A beautiful, hard look at the toll infertility (and other things) takes on a marriage. Something not really talked about enough. Loved this one.

I have just finished “The half-moon” and I am confused; I really loved “Ask again, yes” and I was thrilled to get the ARC of Mary Beth Keane’s new novel but this novel left me disappointed; there are different points of view (Malcom and Jess); the timeline goes back and forth between past and present and get confusing sometimes. At the end I didn’t enjoy this new novel and I am a little sorry because I was so happy to have the opportunity to read it.
I want to thank Scribner and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Malcom and Jess Gephardt seem like an unlikely couple. He, a bartender in small town dive bar for decades. She, a well bred lawyer with a successful career. Their marriage, while spontaneous, stood the rest of time against the odds. Long term infertility struggles and near financial ruin due to some questionable business decisions on Malcolm's part begin to chip away at the seemingly solid structure of their bond. So much so that Jess leaves Malcolm. The Half Moon takes the struggling couple through a week of two brutal blizzards, power outages, a flailing business, and a mysterious missing bar patron to test the limits of their love. Is it enough to make two halves whole again?

I've always loved novels that explore unconventional relationships, especially when they are marred with challenges. Relationships, especially marriages, are never easy and I love the rawness found between these two characters. At multiple points, the question of WHY keeps arising - WHY stay together with so little to keep them that way? No kids, the inability to have kids (loss, grief, resentment that comes along with that), major financial difficulties, communication issues...and yet....and yet....

I adored this book. Everything to me fit perfectly, even the terrible decisions and their outcomes. I loved all these characters and felt so invested in their problems and history. I savored the last half of the book and know I'll hold this one dear.

I'd recommend for people who enjoyed Little Fires Everywhere, Normal People, Maame, Adelaide.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this beautiful novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the gifted copy of The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane. I read her debut, Ask Again, Yes, and immediately wanted to review this one.

Similar to her debut, this title is set in a northeast suburb and follows a family/marriage through every day tough times. What I love about her writing is how relatable her characters and how real they are. Each character is crafted so specifically that you can almost imagine is real people that you know from their habits, hopes, dreams, interests, dislikes, etc..

The Half Moon follows a couple, Malcolm and Jess, a married couple in their forties, over the course of a few days. Their marriage is in turmoil as they both had dreams for themselves that didn't really align with the others'. The first half was definitely a slow-burn. The chapters are LONG and very specific to what each character is doing every second and thinking at every moment. It is very descriptive and almost a little drawn out.

I am glad I stuck through it because the second half had a few fun surprises and seemed to package up nicely. I really loved the characters at the end of this and felt the story could be very relatable for a lot of readers. Ms. Keane has a way of bringing forth the whole spectrum of emotions in her books and it is worth a read.

Character driven, culminating in one week in the life of a family as Jess and Malcolm
and an intricate look at their marriage. Her focus is a baby for which they’ve wanted for years and spent countless dollars on unsuccessful fertility treatments. His is on a bar- THE HALF MOON-where he’s worked all his life and subsequently buys -and which turns out to be another major financial drain on the couple. Interwoven is midlife crisis, infidelity, worries about an elderly parent, and a police investigation into the disappearance of a gentleman last seen at the bar. The plot was good if at times plodding and slow, and at times overwritten.
The key insight is how difficulties can derail any marriage ,regardless of how much they care for one another.

Perhaps I was not the exact target for this book, but this fell a bit flat for me. A family drama is great, but this was too boring. The book was very much real life, but in a bad way with not enough drama. I almost gave the book up at 45%, but kept going. The last half did turn around a bit.

The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane is the story of Jess and Malcolm’s marriage told over the course of one week during a snowstorm in the Northeast.

What I liked: I’m drawn to stories about marriage, the everyday ordinariness of two people living together and the shifts, both big and small, that occur in relationships over time. The Half Moon delivered on that front. We see the current state of Jess and Malcolm’s marriage and the details about what got them to that point are provided in nonlinear memories, jumping from past to present here and there throughout. I loved the range of emotions from each character, from anger to hopelessness as they deal with infertility and owning a failing business among other things. 3.75 stars.

What I didn’t like: There was a side plot that didn’t contribute to the overall main plot or any character development and therefore felt like the book had an extra flavor that didn’t work with the rest of the ingredients. I didn’t feel as emotionally invested in the characters and their troubles as I’d been with Keane’s prior novel, Ask Again, Yes. Finally, a couple of plot points that felt like they’d have more of an impact on Jess or Malcolm were kind of shrugged off.

In The Half Moon, Malcolm and Jess each have their own personal dreams which they pursue, both together and separately. But things don’t work out quite as they’d hoped and now their marriage is in trouble. How each of them reacts and their failure to provide support for each other nearly tears them asunder. It is through the encouragement of their mothers and their friends that they realize that they must find a way to face their problems . . . or separate for good.

At times sad and at times buoyant, The Half Moon is a well-thought-out tale. The characters are realistic and believable and I found myself cheering them on in the hopes that they can work things out. This is the second book by Mary Beth Keane that I have read and enjoyed; I look forward to reading her future novels.

A story of a couple - Jess and Malcom - and the unraveling of their marriage. Malcolm is the owner of the bar, the Half Moon. After working there for years, he realized his dream of buying it. However, this stretched him beyond his means. Jess, while successful in her career, is missing the only thing she wants in her life - a baby. Malcolm's dream coming true coincides with Jess's falling apart. A snow storm in their town brings this issue to its peak.

I loved Ask Again, Yes so was expecting that same magic here. I still love the writing style, but I just hated Malcolm and didn't think I could get over that. The second half of the book was much more what I expected, so if you're struggling with Malcolm, just try to make it through. Part of the problem I think with the first half is the time shifts, where I didn't really know when in the timeline we were.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Half Moon
By: Mary Beth Keane

Genre:
Contemporary, Women’s Fiction

Red Flags:
Infidelity, Spousal Drama

Sensitive subjects:
Infertility

Summary:
Malcom and Jess are a middle aged married couple, going through a mid-life crisis. Malcom is a good ole boy, owns the local bar, and is loved by all who know him. Jess is a strong, determined lawyer who can stand her ground on any issue. Together, they are navigating the stress and complications of infertility, and insurmountable debt. Both Jess and Malcom are struggling to find direction and purpose. These marriage dynamics begin to wedge gaps in their relationship, where secrets and lies fester.

Review:
The Half Moon is my first read by Mary Beth Keane. This novel is a very heavy and, quite depressing. The plotlines has transitioning points of view between Malcom and Jess. The transitions are rough, some past tense and some in the present. I found myself struggling to keep with who, where and when…in the plotline. The characters are likeable and have depth a strength for this author. The reader understands the main idea, however, the supporting details began to wonder too far away from the plotline. Then the reader feels lost trying to get back to the real plot. I had high expectations for this novel, and overall, I was quite disappointed. For this reason, I am only giving this novel 2.5 stars.


Thank you to Mary Beth Keane, Simon and Schuster, and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#reluctantreaderreads
#MaryBethKeane
#TheHalfMoon
#Simonandschuster
#netgalley
#advancedreadereditions

Mary Beth Keane is an excellent writer who writes about the human experience with great care. The Half Moon is about a couple navigating marriage and life with its many struggles. They are dealing with infertility issues, money concerns and trying to keep a business afloat. The pacing of the story starts very slow and I had some worries about staying invested as a reader. The plot picks up pace about half way through and the connection that is made between the reader and characters keep you going. This book takes you through a roller coaster of emotions and family drama. I really enjoy this type of story so I really enjoyed the ride. I highly recommend The Half Moon to fans of literary fiction and specifically, family-driven stories.

Thank you to Mary Beth Keane, Scribner, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3 stars: a good, solid book. Not as interesting or engaging as "Ask Again, Yes," a 5-star book that was one of my favorite books of 2020. Having said that, I would recommend the book to a wide spectrum of readers.

Many thanks to #NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Scribner and the author for the advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What happens when the dreams you’ve had as a couple begin to diverge?

We meet Malcolm and Jess as they are at a crossroads in their marriage and in their lives. Malcolm has always dreamed of owning his own bar but now that it has come to fruition, he is struggling to stay afloat financially. Jess has always dreamed of being a mother but after years of failed fertility treatments and devastating miscarriages, she is finding it hard to accept that being a mother may not be in the cards for her. Recently separated, they are both trying to figure out what they want when a huge snowstorm hits town and a bar patron mysteriously goes missing.

This book had the small town setting that I love - I could just imagine hanging out at The Half Moon - and an infertility storyline that hit close to home. There were many relatable elements, yet it still fell a bit flat for me. The pacing was very slow until the last 25% and the point of view would shift confusingly at times. I found myself going back to reread parts to figure out what timeline we were in. Malcolm and Jess’ lack of communication was very frustrating. I wanted to clunk their heads together like the Stooges. I understand they are meant to be flawed but without empathy for the characters, I ultimately didn’t care about their fate. The subplot of the missing patron was also underwhelming. I was expecting this to be a much more emotional read than it turned out to be.

If you like slow burn character/family dramas, this may be your jam. Do be sure to check trigger warnings - specifically for pregnancy loss and IF - before you dive in.

2.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for gifting me an ARC of Mary Beth Keane’s newest novel The Half Moon. In exchange I offer my unbiased review.

I’m a long time fan of author Mary Beth Keene and was very excited to receive a copy of her latest novel. Once again she proves adept at writing contemporary fiction, especially messy, complicated, realistic families. The first half of this story felt so much like ordinary life that I found myself wanting to escape the monotony of the book but then a sudden surprise changes the tone and narrative. MBK is such a gifted writer and this book proves her skills.

A story of love, responsibility, marriage and the emotional and financial strain infertility can create on a couple. Add in a major snowstorm, a missing bar patron and some devastating news and you get the perfect storm facing Malcom Gephart, owner of The Half Moon bar and his estranged wife, Jessica. In the course of one week years of fissures will come to a head.

Poignant and genuine, reflective and refreshing this book will make you examine at what price are you willing to follow your dreams?

Publishes May 2, 2023💖

Malcolm and Jess have been married for several years when they really begin to struggle with their different priorities. Malcolm is finally the owner of The Half Moon, a local bar that he has worked at and cherished for years. Unfortunately, he bought the bar from a friend who selfishly pressures and threatens Malcolm for money that isn’t available. While Malcolm has big dreams for the bar, Jess is focused on her struggles with infertility and the money spent on her medical bills becomes a source of contention for the couple. The main story takes place over a week or so with frequent “flashbacks” that reveal the backstory of Jess and Malcolm’s relationship. During this week, a side story/mystery around one of the bar patrons is developed and intertwined with the couple’s struggles and decisions.
This book is well written, definitely leaning towards literary fiction with a deep look at a struggling marriage. The issues around money, priorities, infertility and infidelity are portrayed well by the author. The characters did seem flat to me and not all that likable - their decisions seemed to lack emotion but both of them were reactive and lost. I found the flashbacks confusing at times as there was no clear introduction to them and I often wondered which time frame the story was in and had to backtrack to see how the story got there. The book moved slowly at first but the mystery around the patron, Tripp seemed to pick things up. Other than being interesting, Tripp’s story appeared to be unnecessary but came together nicely in influencing Malcolm and Jess’s eventual mutual decision-making. Overall, I enjoyed the book and liked the ending.
#NetGalley, #Scribner Books

This is a story about a marriage in crisis. It takes place over the course of one week, during which a small town in upstate NY gets blanketed by a late spring snowstorm.

Malcolm the owner of the Half Moon. He worked there as a bartender for years and when his boss finally retires, he seizes his chance to make it his own. He’s one of those people who doesnt sweat the small stuff and believes things will always work out- but the pressures of being a business owner are getting to him.

His wife, Jess, has devoted herself to her law career, but after years of trying for a baby, she's struggling to accept the idea that motherhood might not be in her future. She finds herself slipping away from both her career and her marriage, and is beginning to wonder what the rest of her life holds.

The book opens right as the blizzard is about to hit. There’s a weird energy in the air and Malcolm’s two best friends fill him in on some shocking news about Jess. Not only that- there’s a bar fight involving one of his regulars - and then everything gets frozen in place when the storm hits.

I loved this book. MBK has such a unique writing style- it’s intimate, it’s a little meandering, but when I read her, i trust that she’s going to bring us something good. It’s worth mentioning that the plot centers pretty heavily around infertility, so if that’s not something you want to read about then I would pass. what worked particularly well for me was her descriptions of malcolm as a bar owner. My dad has owned restaurants my entire life, and i’m very familiar with the ups and downs that can go with this profession. I thought she nailed it- i was tense and i was rooting for him, even though many of his struggles were his own doing. I also appreciated jess as a character. She is very different from me but i felt for her, and i especially emphasized with her struggle to reconcile the difference between the life she thought she’d have at 20 vs the life she’s living now. This is VERY character driven and not much happens, particularly in the first half, but i didnt care. I was happy to spend time with these characters in their hometown

I was really excited to get this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. I just could not get into this story. It was good writing, maybe a bit overly detailed. I liked the characters, but I just could not relate because I am not in the situation of the characters. 3 stars because the writing was good, just be aware of trigger warnings before picking this up.

An ordinary couple trying to live a fulfilling life discover that even with their best efforts life is challenging. This seemingly ordinary premise in the hands of Mary Beth Keane, a master writing craftsman evolves into a vividly told story. Malcolm and Jess marry in their early twenties. Jess finishes law school and Malcolm works at his hometown bar. They buy a home, they try everything to have children. At age 39 Jess doesn’t make partner, and Malcolm makes a risky deal to buy the bar. Finally, all the pressures and disappointments lead to decision time for this meticulously drawn couple.

Written in third person omniscient, Keane pulls in the reader to the lives of this pair. Using a snow storm to represent the claustrophobic nature of their relationship adds a compelling aspect to the story. This is truly an outstanding novel.