I wished so much to enjoy The Half Moon but it just wasn't for me. I debate stopping but pushed through hoping for more. The story didn't grab me.

Thank you, NetGalley and Scribner, for the advance reader’s copy of The Half Moon. I so wanted to love this book. Mary Beth Keane’s Ask Again, Yes is high on my list of cherished novels. Unfortunately, The Half Moon fell flat for me. It was hard to get into and slow moving with characters who were not particularly likable. Despite not connecting with this one, I really look forward to Keane’s future works.

I listened to the majority of this and thought the two narrators did an excellent job, capturing both the characters and the emotional tone of the story.

The book is told from two perspectives. It starts with Malcolm, and I had some opinions about his wife (Jess) and her choices after his chapter. And then I read her chapter and her perspective, and it completely changed my thoughts. Hearing both of their perspectives around the critical moments/decisions in their relationship, told over the course of a week, in both present time and memories, was amazing. It will be a top book of the year.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (I loved it. Go read this book!)
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I loved this literary love story set in a working-class suburb of New York more than I expected to. The prose is smooth and mellow, the characters are nuanced and the end is satisfying. Read this when you are in the mood for a coming-of-age story about one couple told over the course of one snowy week. It is Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano meets Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Best paired with ice cream cones for the whole neighborhood. XO, Tara

DNF at 20%. I struggled to focus on this story. The pacing is languid and character-focused and I did not enjoy following either of the main characters. I may pick it up again, but for now, it's not for me.

Though Malcolm and Jess, the main characters of this novel , make poor decisions and behave in ways I found frustrating throughout their marriage, the writing is beautiful, and the bar setting is well-drawn. The tone and marital strife of this book reminded me a lot of Good Company by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney. This novel will appeal most to readers who like Sweeney and similar authors.

Underwhelming. I was really hoping for another Ask Again, Yes, but this one fell flat for me. I could see where she was going with it, but just didn't execute well. Still an ok read.

*Thank you @scribnerbooks for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Review not posted to Amazon/Goodreads because rating 4 stars or less.*

This novel is a little bit of a lot. I understand what Keane's intention was, and I can see how many folks will read this as a poignant and reflective family drama. I, unfortunately, am not one of those people. I feel like a lot of the details, specifically financial hardships, just didn't really make sense, and the characters were not people I found myself rooting for. They were immature and I was kind of just exhausted by it all? I just felt quite sad reading this, I couldn't find much hope. Not my favorite.

I knew this was going to be a bit of a slow burn going in because Ask Again Yes had that vibe. However, the end game just wasn’t worth the slow pace for this one.

The Half Moon examines marriage, infertility and the financial woes that comes with it. I just wish I cared about the characters struggles. That was a huge disconnect for me within the writing.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Personally, this was too slow of a burn for me and I didn't really like any of the characters. As a fan of ASK AGAIN YES, I'll definitely read more from Keane in the future -- however this one didn't quite hit the mark for me.

"The Half Moon" by Mary Beth Keane is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant historical fiction novel that transports readers to the early 20th century and explores the complexities of love, identity, and the pursuit of dreams.

Set against the backdrop of the Irish immigrant experience in New York City, the story follows the O'Sullivan family as they navigate the challenges of a new country and the aspirations of a better life. At the center of the narrative is Annie, a resilient and determined young woman who dreams of becoming a nurse. Keane skillfully captures the authenticity of the time period, immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and struggles of the era.

The strength of "The Half Moon" lies in Keane's ability to create rich and multifaceted characters. Each member of the O'Sullivan family is brought to life with depth and nuance, allowing readers to form strong emotional connections. Annie's journey, in particular, is compelling and inspiring, as she faces adversity, heartbreak, and personal growth throughout the novel.

Keane's prose is elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery and invoking a strong sense of time and place. The narrative flows seamlessly, alternating between moments of tenderness, heartache, and triumph. The author's attention to detail and extensive research lend an authenticity to the story, capturing the essence of the immigrant experience and the challenges faced by individuals striving for a better future.

While the pacing of the novel is generally well-balanced, some readers may find certain sections to be slower in comparison. However, these moments serve to deepen the emotional impact of the story and allow for greater introspection into the characters' motivations and relationships.

I was really excited for this book after Ask Again, Yes was one of my favorite fiction books of 2019. While I wouldn't say I disliked this novel I didn't find the characters and overall narrative as interesting as Keane's preceding novel. Due to this, it took me a while to get through this book. Looking back, I do think the atmosphere of the novel's setting and the themes discussed provided some solid qualities. More character development or more redeeming qualities for the characters could have made this another prominent book, but overall it fell a bit flat as a follow up to such a consensus favorite.

The Half Moon

Everyone has a dream, but not all of them come true. Malcolm dreams of owning the bar where
he works. while his wife, Jess, dreams of having a baby. He tries to run the bar, but is not successful. Her attempts at getting pregnant do not prove fruitful.

During one eventful week several things happen: a habitual bar patron goes missing, Malcolm makes a shocking discovery about Jess, and a blizzard keeps most of the small town where they live trapped in place.

The characters learn about the benefits and pitfalls of living life on life’s terms.

The Half Moon is a slow burn that focuses mostly on character development for the first half.
Malcom has always wanted to own his own bar and is currently living out his dream— although his dream doesn’t look quite the way he imagined it.
I really liked this one and would definitely recommend it if you like character driven stories.

Jess and Malcolm meet and get married, Malcolm buys the Half Moon bar while Jess a lawyer wants kids. After trying and not being successful they try IVF and still no luck. Jess finds her life in shambles she soon cheats on Malcolm and turns her life inside out. We see the struggles in each of their lives and how it effects them and others. We also see the ups and downs of their lives.

Mary Beth Keane is a master at creating slow-burn character drivern novels. Set over the course of one week, the novel masterfully tells the tell of a husband and wife just trying to make "it all" work.

Positives:
Character development
The two perspectives of husband and wife
The ability to root for both "sides of the story" in this case
The small-town setting

Negatives:
A somewhat dreary look at universal themes: marriage, affairs, infertility, business ownership, family troubles, financial troubles-but the positives is I was left with an uplifting tone at the end,

I will definitely read her next book as well.

A beautiful slow burn. I loved Malcolm and the Half Moon bar. I love the two time lines going back and forth. I loved Malcolm and Jess’s story and was rooting for their marriage.

Keane is a talented writer and I really like the everyday details she adds to her stories. This is a real and honest look at a marriage and the struggles that come from both infertility and running a small business. I’ll admit parts of it dragged for me and I wanted a bit more plot development but if you like a character driven novel this is a great example.

Mary Beth Keane is so good at writing complicated and compelling characters! I loved Ask Again, Yes, and was excited to read The Half Moon. The entire book takes place over the course of a few days, centered in a beloved local bar called The Half Moon. Malcolm, the owner of the bar, has put years of his life into this place that he loves, but has sacrificed his marriage in the process. His wife, Jesse, is leaving him, and the bar itself is drowning in debt. On an already bleak evening, one of the bar's regular patrons walks out into the snow and disappears. Malcolm and others in the town search for the missing man even as the snow piles up and the power lines break. The chill of the bar mirrors Malcolm's own weariness as he realizes that he is losing everything important to him. This book is completely character-driven and introspective, perfect for reading on a cool night in front of a fire. I can't wait to read more from this author!