A beautiful, mesmerizing tale inspired by Scottish folklore! A Sweet Sting of Salt tugged on my heartstrings in every way possible.

What a remarkable debut for author Rose Sutherland! Her writing flowed beautifully and was so enjoyable to read. This novel combines all of the best elements of suspense, historical fiction, folklore and romance to create an enchanting and heartwarming story. This book will surely stay with me for years to come.

This book was such a joy to read, and a page-turner! It's been a while since I was so determined to finish a book and see the characters get their happy ending.

I think this book will be popular with fans of Emily Wilde--although it has more of a suspenseful angle than an adventurous one. There was still an overwhelming sense of coziness in the peaceful moments between Jean and Muirin, despite their anxiety-inducing situation.

I wouldn't be surprised if I saw this on every sapphic book list going forward.

I can see why so many people have rated this highly, but unfortunately, this missed a few key beats for me that would have made it a higher rating. For a start, I will say that the writing was very evocative and lush. The scenery was very vivid and you could feel how isolated Jean was from the off-set. And, for the most part, I did like Jean as a character. Her guilt and struggles were very real and fleshed-out. Plus, I did love how the author twisted The Selkie Wife into a cautionary tale rather than a romantic one. She mentioned in her author's note that she did this because she'd always felt that the fisherman in the tale was not a hero and I have to agree. Tobias is a character who slowly unravels over the course of the story to reveal his true nature and the author does this well.

Now, though, onto my critiques. I feel like the relationship between Jean and Muirin wasn't as fleshed out as I would've liked. A lot of this was due to the fact that Muirin hardly seemed to have an agency of her own or, really, much character of her own outside of her interactions with Jean. I almost would've liked to see a POV from Muirin every once in awhile to really give both characters more depth. Especially because Muirin being a selkie is only a mystery to Jean, not the reader (unless you go into the novel without looking at any sort of description). Which brings me to the fact that Jean did some highly foolish and outright stupid things, which just didn't seem to make sense at times.

That being said, while this didn't entirely work for me, I'd still encourage people to read it because it IS very beautifully written and the ending is nice.

Quite the mastermind of historical fiction meets Sapphic romance; Rose Sutherland one hundred and ten percent fooled me for the length of this debut novel into thinking she had been writing and publishing such offerings for years. This Queer reimagining of the Selkie story absolutely lit my heart on fire. I was very pleased to have received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am eager to publish my full length review on my website when it drops to the public this Spring.

The descriptive nature of the author's writing is comfortable yet confident, which had me gripped from beginning to end. The period appropriate terminology and dialogue were delightful and the setting laid out wonderfully. It was as if I could feel the sting of the wind and the biting cold of a rural Nova Scotian coast. The deliberate pacing and well-written yearning between the story's main characters were only strengthened by a lingering air of suspense, one that had me riveted and very much rooting for a satisfactory end on both accounts.

The Queering of Gaelic folklore is now something that will live rent free in my head for a very, very long time... with this story in particular at its forefront.

S.C. Peregrine

A Sweet Sting of Salt is a beautifully written sapphic historical romance / retelling about a solitary midwife who, after being shunned by her small community in Canada, rebuilds her life one infant delivery at a time. One particular delivery sends her down a strange and terrifying path, and not just physically terrifying, but emotionally, as it brings her into contact with her closest neighbors, the handsome but tight-lipped Tobias, and his lovely, mysterious wife, Muirin, the latter of whom hardly speaks a word of English. I truly enjoyed reading about Jean's growth from someone who shies away from conflict to someone who stands her ground. Her romance with Muirin was sweet with just a touch of heat, and their ending was well-deserved. The fantasy elements in the story were minimal, and if I hadn't known about selkies and how they worked already (thanks, school teachers, for making me read A Stranger Came Ashore), I would've been just as slow and shocked and surprised as Jean. It was a thrilling ride that often made me wonder how Jean was going to save her love. My favorite aspect of the book, however, was the setting. Sutherland paints a vivid, lonely, and often-times anxious picture of Jean's existence--the beauty of the land and sea, the harsh cold and snow of winter, her symbiotic relationship with her goats and chickens. The midwifery, too. It'd be a tough life. I've been watching episodes of Alone, the survival reality TV show that takes place in Canada in the winter, so this book was a perfect companion read.

Disclaimer: I was gifted a copy of this book via netgalley (THANK YOU FOR GRANTING MY WISH RANDOMHOUSE, I WISH YALL APPROVED ME MORE THOUGH). As always my opinion is my own.
Idk anything about the selkie wife, so finding out this was a retelling didn't make much of a difference to me. But throw in the fact that it's queer and of course I'ma snatch it up. I'm fond of retellings of any kind. Modern authors always put their spin on it in ways I can't explain.
I loved this so much. I typically don't gravitate towards historical fiction in that it tends to bore me, but this is FAR FROM boring. Once I started reading I quickly got sucked in. Last night I fell asleep with my iPad in hand ✋ because I wanted to keep reading but was tired bc it was after midnight and I don't like staying up past 11 lmao.
I may or may not buy this upon release. (I def will).

A Sweet Sting of Salt is set in the 1800’s—an era filled with fears and suspicions—which serves effectively in building mood and establishing a backdrop of “believability“ for this tale. Sutherland’s writing style is both polished and skillful as characterizations are developed and the storyline is built. There are just enough “breadcrumbs” dropped that the story is balanced well—neither giving too much away too soon nor allowing interest to wane by holding things too long.. Such successful forward momentum compels the reader to absorb quickly and turn the pages immediately, determining to see for oneself if, indeed, the secret revealed is a selkie, even though it was noted in the overview. This book deserved 4 stars.

I’m partially Norwegian and love learning about Scandinavian folklore. I had never heard of a Selkie before and was delighted to come across this book. This was such a good book! The author does a great job of immersing you in the story from go. The characters are well developed and I love the LGBT+ representation. When I envision what life must have been like in these times, in my mind folks aren’t quite so accommodating - but books like this give me hope that I could be wrong. The love story is a slow burn and well worth the wait. I could definitely had more of those two! I would love to read more from this author and definitely more in this vein of reimagined folk lore. Such a great premise!

I received this arc from NetGalley. It does not affect my rating.

This is a stunning debut novel. The cover is what drew me in originally but once I read the description I knew I absolutely need to read this beauty. It’s hysterical fiction with aspects of fantasy, folklore, feminism and LGTBQ+.

The book is about Jean, a midwife, who lives in a small coastal town who discovers the Gaelic wife of a “nearby” neighbor outside her home during a bad storm. She helps the woman give birth even though they do not speak the same language. Jean being the caring women she is senses a disturbance in the force and is determined to figure out what is going on with this woman and her husband.

Rose Sutherland did an amazing job with her first novel and if you’re into folklore, mystery or historical fiction this book is absolutely for you. Give it a try

ARC Ebook Review

Jean is a midwife that lives outside of town by the sea. When she wakes to what sounds like a cry in the middle of the night outside, she convinces herself it’s a dream. However, when she hears the cry again, she goes out to find where it’s coming from. She stumbles upon a tall and handsome woman in labor who doesn’t speak a lick of English.

After getting the woman inside her home, she learns her name is Muirin. She is the mysterious wife of her neighbor, Tobias. She has many questions without answers. Like why was her pregnancy a secret when she was down the road from them.

This is such an amazing debut book for a promising author, Rose Sutherland. The story had me n the edge of my seat wanting to know more. Such a beautiful story of a friendship and love that progresses. Such a unique story that isn’t over told. Definitely worth a read!!

Book is scheduled to release April 2024.

Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group and Rose Sutherland for an opportunity to read this delightful novel.

I received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley.

I was so excited to get an eARC of this story, and I was not disappointed at all. Sutherland's writing is gorgeous and atmospheric, and I was quickly caught up in the story of Jean and her mysterious neighbor Muirin. The supporting cast of characters were rich and well fleshed out as well.

The story was surprisingly taut in places, and at one point I had to put my ereader down for a moment just to break the tension. Delicious!

I really appreciate that the trauma of queer folx wasn't leveraged for this book. Instead, joy and love are the backbone of this rather lovely tale.

A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland is a gorgeous sapphic retelling of The Selkie Wife. Jean lives alone along the shore of Nova Scotia, and works as the nearby village's midwife. One night, during a fierce winter storm, she finds Muirin, her only neighbor's new mysterious wife, out in her yard in active labor. After delivering the baby, Jean and Muirin get to know each other, and Jean begins to suspect there is something not right with her neighbors' marriage.
This was a beautifully written debut that seamlessly blends historical fiction and folk tale with a little bit of mystery and suspense. Jean was a strong, feminist character, and I loved watching the relationship grow between her and Muirin.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of The Sweet Sting of Salt in exchange for my honest review.

I had the distinct pleasure of delving into "A Sweet Sting of Salt" by Rose Sutherland, and I must say, it marked my inaugural experience with a queer retelling of the Selkie Wife – a venture I found to be truly enchanting.

The pacing and structure of the book deserve applause, seamlessly maintaining momentum without ever descending into sluggishness.

The portrayal of the characters' relationships was a standout. They evolved organically within the constraints of their circumstances, avoiding contrivance and staying true to their contextual realities. Tobias, a character who initially assumes the role of a concerned husband, gradually unveils his multifaceted personality beneath the façade. Even when on his best behavior, he exudes an unsettling air that lingers with the reader. Meanwhile, Jean's interactions with the central characters felt genuine and purposeful.

In sum, "A Sweet Sting of Salt" is a compelling recommendation, particularly for those seeking a poignant queer love story intertwined with the tapestry of selkie lore and set against breathtaking landscapes.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for granting my wish and offering the opportunity to delve into this ARC for an honest review.

Spoilers ahead. This is hands down the best selkie story I have ever read. The characters are fully formed and act like real people. The situation may be fantastic but the characters are fully themselves. Muirin is believable as a domestic abuse victim, wanting to leave but unable to do so. The book really feels like a family story, "Oh,let me tell you how we met and fell in love." I reccomend this book to anyone wants to read a real fairy tale. It's fantastic.

I just had a really hard time getting into this one. It was just a little bit too slow for me, but I’d still recommend

A Sweet Sting of Salt (Paperback)
by Rose Sutherland
A dynamic look at mythology of Scotland and the idea of social norms. The idea of selkie mythology of the British isle is an odd and remarkable twist of the mermaids The protagonists were tested in many ways with social conflict, religious idealism and rumors. . The historical struggle for women to be independent and not considered their father or husbands property has a long standing. This story shows a view of LTGBQ+ in this dynamic time. The struggles of these women show the personal struggle of women in the English society of the 1800's.

This book was fantastic. I loved every single second reading this the characters were phenomenal the story enchanting.

**📚 Book Review: "A Sweet Sting of Salt" by Rose Sutherland 🌊**

**Plot** 🌟

If you are familiar with the the folktale, The Selkie Wife, this queer reimagining will feel both deeply familiar and like coming home to the tale you always wished it could be.

From the beginning of our story, we see Jean, a village midwife, closed off due to past trauma. Despite taking care of all the mothers and babies in town, she’s emotionally shut off for her own protection. The heartbreaking story behind her past is unraveled as the book progresses—but similar to the folktale at the heart of the novel, the clues Sutherland scatters make you feel more like you are waiting for everything to come together rather than for a big reveal. You already know the story because it’s all an archetype of one kind or another, we are just seeing the pieces fall into place.

So when Muirin shows up, in labor, outside her door, we readers know with certainty who and what she will turn out to be. That does not in any way take away from the journey, folktales are meant to be repeated.

**Characters** 🌈

Taking the plot into consideration, it’s hard not to want to shake Jean senseless for what feels like unnecessary headstrong stupidity. We KNOW what she doesn’t and it’s difficult not to find her deeply frustrating! Fortunately, the full cast is so delightfully vulnerable and rich in their relationships. I ended up adoring Jeans tenacity and Muirin’s open heart, loved Laurie’s complex heartbreak. I loved that Sutherland made sure to include that Anneke was indigenous and in fact elaborated on her Mi’kmaq descent in the author’s notes.

**Vibes** 🌊🏳️‍🌈

I had a full “aha!” moment when I read the author’s notes and discovered she was raised in Nova Scotia. You can feel her roots woven into every page, wrapping the reader into a captivating and atmospheric experience that lingers, areminder that storytelling can be a journey into the very soul of a place..

And oh, the queerness! It is so deliciously, unabashedly queer. I was a bit frustrated with the fade-to-black love scene, because you KNOW based on this author’s skill it would have been just gorgeous. And why are the Sapphic ones always fade to black?!

Also, I couldn’t help but notice there were two delightful characters named Jo and Laurie and it felt like a little nod to the Little Women queer undertone vibes too, maybe?

**Pacing** ⏳

medium - definitely felt like it dragged a little in parts but this is a very minor complaint.

**Overall** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rutherford understood the assignment. This book was not complex or surprising, it hit the mark perfectly in every way it was supposed to. It fulfilled the modern romance novel contract, provided strong get-it-girl moments, and fundamentally rewrote a common folktale as an empowering queer romance. The atmosphere was dreamy, the plot was familiar and still kept me on the edge of my seat. I unabashedly give it 5 stars!

*Content Warnings* 🚨

murder, death of a parent, domestic abuse, LGBTQ bigotry

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing me an ARC so I could write this rambling review. Ruth Sutherland, you are officially an insta-read for me now.

DNF I did not like the layout of this book and I did not like the flow of the book at all. I wanted this to be good but I only got about 20 pages in

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Ballantine, for this ARC. This was a glorious and beautiful retelling of the Selkie Queen. Jean is a badass who I adored. There was suspense and tension throughout. The Nova Scotia descriptions were vibrant and transformative.