Selkies are something I'd heard of, though I've never read the <i>The Selkie Wife</i>. Still, when I saw the description for this book, it more than piqued my interest.

The start was a little slow, but I found myself drawn into the storytelling and writing. If you're looking for a fast-paced, thrilling book, this is not the one for you. The story has good pacing and moves along in a way that draws you in, though it stays on the slower side. The story builds, and I found myself drawn to the environment and characters.

I've read a few books with midwife characters, most notably <i>Birthmarked</i> by Caragh M. O'Brien, and I think it's interesting how these women who are such a crucial part of the community can still find themselves outside of it. Jean especially, in the fallout of rumors spread by the mother of her best friend Jo, finds herself unwelcome. So she works to become invaluable, but always stays conscious to never get too close, always refusing to stay after her role in a birth has been fulfilled, doing her job and nothing more. Her perspective and that of the town may not match up though.

When Jean hear's a woman's cry on a stormy night, she can't help but go to investigate. Stunned, she finds a woman about to give birth, who speaks hardly a word of English. It's a struggle to make this woman feel safe as Jean brings her into her home, and tries to get her comfortable. The birth is fast and safe, but there's something unsettling about the way everything went about.

Jean's heard of Tobias' mystery wife, who showed up one day but hasn't been seen around town. Tobias is her closest neighbor, and the woman - Muirin - couldn't have made it far in her condition. The next day Jean goes to him, to let him know both Muirin and his new son are safe. However, Muirin's whole demeanor shifts when Tobias appears, and Jean worries about Muirin's mental state. She insists that Muirin stay with her for a week, to make sure both she and her son are healthy, and that Muirin is up for the task of a newborn.

Jean's own mother committed suicide shortly after Jean's birth, something that has haunted Jean her whole life. She hopes to stop Muirin from meeting the same fate. However, as she spends the week with Muirin, and sees her state of mind and her eagerness to learn English and communicate, Jean begins to suspect something more may be going on at home.

One thing I really enjoyed about this was that when a big event happens toward the end of the book, that wasn't the ending. We were able to see how the characters moved on from this, and how their lives continued. It gave me a closure that I don't always get from books. I wasn't left wanting more, needing to see where these characters would end up, if they'd be happy.

The friendships and community were also a shining point. You felt a sense of being welcomed inside this world, and sharing in it.

Thank you to the publishers through NetGalley for an ARC!

A beautifully unusual story, historical allure, and lots of lovely scenery! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review.

I finalllllllly finished this book! Yeesh almost a month later I stopped and started so many times. This was a hard no for me I couldn’t seem to get into it, it also started incredibly slow I’m sorry but it was a pass for me. I appreciate NetGalley allowing me a copy of this to read!

Thank you to the publisher for granting this book to me!

I absolutely enjoyed reading about Jean and her life with those around her and Muirin.

This is a selkie story with a lovely change in which the selkie falls in love with a human woman, who then goes all-out to rescue the selkie from her cruel husband. A lot of selkie stories hinge on the moment someone figures out what they are, and it's true that I felt like I was being needlessly burdened by knowing all along what the selkie was before her lover sussed it out, but that's a traditional part of selkie stories. While I was waiting a little impatiently for this reveal, though, I was charmed by the variety of characters and their intertwined lives, and especially the resilience of all of the women. For any woman who's been in a controlling relationship and has survived, this book may be difficult to read, but at the same time it also offers a wonderful happy ending, the kind we all deserve.

Let me start by saying that everything I know about selkies comes directly from the animated movie, Song of the Sea.

If you’ve never seen it I highly suggest you watch it! Especially if you loved this book. Also, I suggest you listen to the movie soundtrack while reading this book!

I was so excited to read A Sweet Sting of Salt as soon as I read the synopsis. I’m happy to say the book held up to my high expectations! I love books like this with cozy environments and a hint of magic.

I immediately liked Jean and her little chosen family of Anneke, Laurie and the little vixen. I love that this book had a queer storyline because we need more books that tell love stories that don’t just involve a man and a woman.

My favorite author is Alice Hoffman and this book reminded me so much of the books she writes. I would definitely read more books by Rose Sutherland.

Thanks to NetGalley, Rose Sutherland, and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read A Sweet Sting of Salt. I have written this review voluntarily.

This is a seaside historical mystery with hints of folklore and romance.

There's something about historical mysteries that take place in remote areas that keeps me glued to the pages as the remoteness adds to the danger and tension. The setting of a small town by the seaside added nice atmosphere to the mystery and evolving relationships and dangers faced. The setting also kept the story grounded. The hints of folklore added magic to the romance, but otherwise this is very much more historical than fantasy.

if you like historical mysteries mixed with folklore, romance, and danger, then this might be up your alley. Also if you enjoy stories set by the seaside and midwives.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Sweet Sting of Salt is a queer retelling of the Selkie Wife folktale. What more could you want?! This story had the perfect blend of fantasy, mystery, and suspense all while being a love story. If you enjoy folklore or queer stories, then this is the book for you. Sutherland has done a great job writing a really interesting and intriguing story.

I really wanted to like this book. The minute I got an email offering me an ARC, I was eager to read it. Any retelling of a selkie story is my kind of book. And don’t get me wrong. There is a whole lot to like about this book. The writing is strong and sure. There are some absolutely beautiful descriptions of the landscape and the people. The characters felt real. I loved the unfolding relationship between Jean and Muirin. Tobias was a complex character enough that I questioned whether he was going to be a villain, or if there would be a twist. The supporting characters were well developed and likeable (or appropriately dislikable). Even the animal characters moved the plot along and provided nice symbolism.

And yet. If the book had ended sooner, I would give it 5 stars. It moved surely along, with the stakes gradually getting higher and higher and the sparks between Jean and Muirin building. I had some confusion with the opening scenes, especially when Muirin gave birth. However, this was also very confusing for Jean, so I think it was meant to be that way. Once I got past that, I thought all would be smooth sailing.

Then I got to the ending. I can’t say much without giving away spoilers. The best I can say is that at a critical moment Jean acted in a way that did not ring true to me. It felt as if she made a decision purely to add tension and complications to the plot, without it being true to her character. That I was so disappointed is a testament to how involved I was with the world of this book.

I hope others give this book a try, because it most assuredly deserves to find its readers, and I really hope it works better for them.

I was drawn to the cover of this book. I didn't read anything about the book before starting to read, and I'm glad I went into the book without knowing the folklore associated with the story. I was able to guess some of the plot as I read, but there were several enjoyable surprises along the way, too! This was a beautifully written debut novel!

Okay, I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this book. I loved every bit of it from start to finish. This one is a historical fiction telling of the popular Gaelic myth of the selkie wife. Bonus points, its LGBTQIA+ friendly, which I love. I genuinely feel bad for everyone who has to wait until its publication date of 9 April 2024 to read it. I would read it again and again.

This is one of those books that folks who study literature would fawn over. I could seriously write a paper on all the symbolism and technique. The characters are all beautifully thought out and written, and each one is well developed within the story. There's Jean, the village midwife with a bit of a mixed reputation. They love her for what she does, but are quite skeptical of her on a personal level. There's Tobias, the picture perfect husband and fisherman. And then there's Muirin, the mysterious new wife of Tobias. I loved the heroine and I hated the villain. Even the secondary characters have so much depth to them. There's the Anneke, the elder, half-native midwife and mentor to our main character, and her son Laurie, who only comes around once in a while, but is a great friend to Jean. There's Mrs. Keddy, who's a right foul old bat of a woman, and more. I felt like I really got to know each of them.

This is the kind of book that really makes the reader feel something. I love that in a literary work. I wasn't just reading it for the entertainment, although it was entertaining. I genuinely felt a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the story. I couldn't detatch myself from the emotions of the characters. It's really so well written and engaging. I'd probably classify this as magical realism, as it takes place in 19th century Nova Scotia, and the story assumes that selkies, essentially merfolk, really exist. Everything about the story is so lifelike, including the animals. There's a pair of goats, a cunning fox, and, of course, seals. I'm honestly just so obsessed.

I absolutely could not put this down. I was reading it every moment I got while nursing or rocking my son to sleep. I probably even made excuses to hold him a little too long after he passed out just so that I could finish the chapter I was on. I looked forward to waking up to nurse at 2am because I could have more time to read. It was so engaging and suspensful. And the attention to detail was just beautiful. Sutherland's voice is fantastic. I will definitely be looking into more of her work.

Like I said, this one releases on 9 April 2024. Do yourself a favor and pre-order it now, preferable from your favorite local indie bookstore. If you're anything like me, you'll probably devour it in a handful of days. It's worth it.

TTFN

Anxious Housewife

This was a beautiful book. I love any historical fiction book with queer people at the forefront, and learning about the different ways people might have navigated those difficulties. The story was lovely, and the ending warmed my heart.

Jean is a midwife with a past that isolates her within her small town. So, she does her job to the best of her ability, while living in her small remote cabin. One night, cries awaken her. Upon investigating, she finds a drenched, pregnant woman, wearing only a nightgown to protect her from the bitter cold. In spite of the fact that Jean is the local midwife, she has never seen the woman before. Because the woman cannot speak English, it is difficult for Jean to learn more about her. When Tobias, her nearest neighbor, arrives at her cottage looking for his missing wife, Jean understands that she has helped deliver his son.

Because she is not popular with people in the town, Jean usually minds her own business. But when she discovers more about the mysterious woman’s situation, she finds it impossible not to do something. However, when she does intrude on her neighbors’ lives, she finds that her life, as well as that of the mother and baby, are now in danger.

This is an enjoyable tale, and the characters are realistic. I enjoyed the story until the end. That is where everything changes. I don’t want to include any spoilers in this review, because I found the ending shocking. I had hoped that the story would go in another direction, but the ending that the author wrote is definitely an unexpected one.

A wonderful tale of a sapphic and her selkie. I love selkies, and this book did not disappoint. I loved the characters and the plot held my attention well. And the ending was very satisfying! Definitely recommend.

I have always been intrigued by the Scottish lore around the Selkie Wife, and this sapphic retelling was fantastic. Sutherland's writing is ethereal and magnetic. The setting in Nova Scotia along the coast in a small town in the 1800s was so enchanting and immersive. I adored the characters and the sense of isolation and desperation Sutherland conjured. I was rooting for Jean and Muirin's love story while also fearing for the consequences and the escalating threat of Muirin's husband. The secondary cast was also lovely and I loved the aspect of found family and community in this story. And the way the Scottish lore was woven in so subtly over the course of the story was so well done and I was both wanting to rush to the end to find out what happened and also linger in the brilliant storytelling.

I devoured this in one sitting. The gothic seaside vibes are perfect for the changing season. It felt cozy and intense, blended with fast paced scenes and slower more dramatic spots.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you, like me, have heard any variation of “The Selkie Wife” and were horrified by it and wished you could do something to save the “wife” - this book is for you. I’ve loved the idea of selkies for as long as I’ve loved fantasy and folklore, but that story has always struck me as cruel and violent - and it doesn’t seem to acknowledge it! In the story it’s shown as her being terrible for abandoning her husband and children, and the poor fisherman is left to wallow in his loneliness - as if you’re supposed to forget she was kidnapped and held captive! The selkie “wife” was never a wife - she was a prisoner - and this book absolutely lets you know it.

The tension building in this book is phenomenal - even when you (the reader) know what’s going on, while Jean (the character) doesn’t - it never drags or feels contrived. Like any character in a story - she doesn’t know she’s in one, and would you believe the beautiful woman who randomly showed up during a storm to give birth is actually a mythical creature? Of course not! Her issues with her husband stem from not knowing the language, being a new mother, and being more isolated than she should - all easily fixed and nothing to really concern yourself with. Why would you assume she’s a prisoner in her own home until all the dots start connecting in ways you never expected them to - and now you’re on a time limit to save her before the worst happens.

This book is great at slowly increasing the horror and stress as Jean goes about her day-to-day life. The slowly escalating horror is so well done it feels natural, and makes you anxious about what will happen next. At no point did I know exactly what would happen or how it would turn out, but I certainly hoped for one resolution and feared for the other. Once the horror aspect of the novel picked up I could NOT put this book down and had to finish it.

The characters and their relationships all feel natural and organic. Jean and Muirin have a natural chemistry that just makes them fit together - even through the language barrier. Tobias’ character is phenomenal for appearing like a worried husband - at first - and slowly showing you his true character behind his facade. Even on his best behavior, he brings a kind of uneasiness to the reader that you can’t shake. Jean’s relationships with the other main characters in the novel never feel contrived to move the plot along - it makes sense she’d be close to the midwife who birthed her and who wasn’t able to save her mother from herself, as well as forming a close friendship with her son. At no point when two characters were talking did I feel like I was reading words on a page instead of a conversation.

This book was everything I hoped for and more when I read the synopsis. There were multiple times near the end where I was crying and I had to quickly wipe my eyes so I could keep reading. This is the queer retelling of The Selkie Wife we have been hoping for, and I cannot recommend this book enough.

(For the publisher: Reviews on Instagram and Tumblr will be posted the week of March 25th, 2024.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story uses Norwegian folklore to tell the tale of the Selkie Wife. I was not familiar with this fantasy tale, but enjoyed reading about midwife Jean and her story. When she assisted the visitor with the birth of “Toby”, I knew there was something I was missing. Fantasy, folklore and feminism all wrapped up into one novel make Ms. Sutherland’s first novel a hit with that genre.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I love learning all different types of folklore and this was a perfect read for me.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Content warnings: past suicide, parental death, murder, reference to martial rape, animal death, violence

A sapphic retelling of the Gaelic folktale The Selkie Wife, A SWEET STING OF SALT is the absolutely breathtaking story of Jean and Muirin. Despite several years (and difficult births) as the local midwife, Jean still remains a partial pariah after the scandal between her and a local man's daughter. in a small Nova Scotia town. After working hard to recover her social standing, all Jean wants to do is live a quiet life and live in relative isolation on her family's land.

However, after coming home during a great storm, she discovers an obviously laboring woman trying to wade out into the choppy, and deadly, Atlantic ocean. After helping Muirin give birth, Jean begins to suspect things aren't exactly what they seem between the new mother and her husband, Tobias. Fearful for the first friend she's had in years, Jean begins to discover the murky truth hiding behind the pretty story Tobias has created.

A SWEET STING OF SALT is a beautiful and atmospheric story of love, betrayal, and community. Sutherland's debut has easily become one of my favorite reads of 2023 and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoy history, slow burn romances and enchanting story telling!