I wasn't sure about this story, glad I stuck with it. It is about people you know, your life, their life and everything that goes with it. Nothing happened the way I thought it would and I am glad about that. It wraps up nicely. I listened to this book on audio and the narrators did an amazing job. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I think I enjoyed this book so much because it was so realistic. I could easily put myself into the shoes of Malcolm & Jess. There were so many heartbreaking moments, but many others that helped to lift of the story and have you rooting for these two. Although this story takes place in the capacity of one week, it goes back in time to show glimpses of an earlier Mail & Jess to help you navigate to their current situation.

I have a feeling this book will stick with me long after I’m finished. It really made an impact on me.

***Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC copy in return for an honest review ***

Mary Beth Keene’s latest focuses on one of the most important relationships that we have in our lives: our spouse. How it is easy to get off track and how hard it is to get back on it. How it is work and what it takes to make it really work.

4.5⭐️
I love Mary Beth Keane writing. Her stories move me like no other. She really has a way with realistic fiction. Ask Again, Yes is one of my favorites. I thought this was surreal and gutting with a painful passion. MBK’s writing draws me in and I care and hurt and hope. This had so many layers and hard times. The stuff that’s real and hurts. Each chapter tried to win me over to its side and I just couldn’t be mad at the situation. It was complicated and blurry. I was satisfied with the ending and hope you check it out. It was brilliantly told.
Thanks Scribner via NetGalley.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review thanks to Netgalley.

I loved this book, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it to everyone. It’s a deep character study of two likable but flawed people in a very flawed marriage. Nothing much happens plot wise until about 75% in, but I couldn’t put it down. Keane’s writing is masterful and I was fully immersed in the character’s thoughts and motivations. I was also impressed by how well she shifted between the two points of view. As the book is about a very rocky marriage, I assumed at some point I would take a side. At various points I did, but much like real life, it was too messy and complicated for anyone to be a winner. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who enjoys character-driven novels. I really liked Keane’s first work, but I might like this even more.

I really struggled with this novel. The writing and story telling felt very muddled. Occasionally bright spots would shine through and then they would slip away. This is a slim novel but it felt so sluggish throughout. I really loved Keane's previous novel and this just didn't land in the same way for me.

This one sounded so good but ultimately was just way too slow for me. I adored her previous novel, and if you did too I would still give this one a try.

A beautiful survey of life and I found myself drawn to Mary Beth Keane's writing once more. She is a magician.

LOVED the author's first novel, As Again, Yes, and was excited to dive into her sophomore novel. This one was different and got off to a slower start, but eventually picked up and kept me turning the pages to see how it was all wrapped up. True-to-life characters with real stories in a cozy setting of fictional Gillam, NY. A great beach read for me this year!

I was excited to get a copy of The Half Moon since I really enjoyed Ask Again Yes by Mary Beth Keane but this one fell a bit flat for me and I didn't enjoy it like I hoped. It started out okay but was pretty slow overall. I didn't feel invested in the characters, Malcolm and Jess, or their story. I do think Keane does a really great job describing the intricacies of marriage and giving a realistic picture of how relationships can be complicated. While this didn't meet my expectations, I do look forward to reading Keane's next book.

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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!)
••••••
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.