A gorgeously written mix of folklore and historical fiction with a dash of suspense, and a great sort of creepy gothic vibe running through it.
A Sweet Sting of Salt is a perfect mix of a retelling and new and exciting storytelling. Was very pleased to see a sapphic bent to the retelling.
This book had me in its grip from page one and it was almost impossible to put down. Jean and Muirin were such great characters and the love story between them was so satisfying and just a perfect slow burn.

Tobias was just the right mix of horrible villain, truly awful and so well written.

The fact that this was a debut novel on top of everything was astonishing. Can’t wait to see what this author does next.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

4.5 ⭐️

I was originally approved for this when I was deep in pregnancy and my brain was not in a state to review.

The Sapphic yearning between Jean and Muirun was tender and beautiful. Jean is the type of character I enjoy to read about, I just wish there was more dialog to feel more connected to her and Muirun.
I did absolutely love the way Rose Sutherland writes and describes scenery and basic mundane things, like weather.
I will be looking out for more by her.

Thank you to NetGalley for an E-arc
3.25 stars

I adored this lovely historical novel set in Nova Scotia. Steeped in folklore and fantasy, this sapphic retelling of The Selkie Wife is fast-paced while still devoting beautiful details to the setting and characters. I sped through it to get to the ending of the unconventional love story, and then went back and reread the lush prose and gentle moments between characters. I will now read anything Rose Sutherland writes!

* I received an e- arc from NetGalley*

This was a very slow start for me and I really struggled to get to the finish line. There was a lot of unmediated descriptions and explanations. I skimmed over a lot of pages and didn’t feel like I missed anything.

It is an interesting story with the potential to be really great but it kinda fell flat and predictable for me.

Goodreads

Enjoyed the magical realism and friendship between the main character and her visitor.
It's nice to see more books written in a Canadian setting.
I would purchase or reread this book in the future.

What a good book. The characters were captivating, and I loved this take on the folktale. And I always love seeing Canadian elements in literature.

This was a such a good sapphic fantasy! I liked that it was a folklore retelling, especially one I'm unfamiliar with. The pace was slow but I think it aided the plot to have it move like that.

The blend of folklore and fantasy and romance was really really well done here! I almost never see books about selkies, so it felt completely fresh and new, not just another story on a list of similar fae/fairy/vampire etc lists (not that I don't absolutely LOVE those stories as well). Also the inclusion of the FMC being a midwife added another fresh feeling to this tale. It was incredibly well written, and I was honestly shocked that this was a debut novel.

Review: 4/5 Stars.

The novel skillfully blends elements of folklore and romance, with the selkie mythology adding a layer of magic and mystery that keeps the pages turning. The tension between Jean’s practical nature and her deepening feelings for Muirin creates a compelling emotional core, and the stakes rise as the darker truths of Muirin’s marriage are revealed.

While the story’s pacing is occasionally uneven, with some plot points feeling rushed near the climax, the rich character development and evocative prose make up for it. The exploration of love, freedom, and the courage to fight for what’s right resonates deeply, leaving readers both heartbroken and hopeful..

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc. I loved this, it was so fun. I've been on a historical fiction kick and this one was excellent. Jean was such an excellent character and I enjoyed seeing her relationship with Muirin grow. I loved how everything interconnected and as I didn't read the summary prior to starting I knew Muirin was something but not what until the reveal which was a fun wya to experience it. It was also nice to read a historical set in the maritimes. I don't read enough set in Canada, but I started the year off strong with this. If you like queer folktale retellings I highly recommend this.

A very authentic Nova Scotian setting, and a great sapphic story. This was a really quick read for me, and had lots of emotions and great celtic folklore.

While it is historical fiction, this story really resonated with me as an unfortunately still-relatable experience.

Thank you to Net Galley for a copy of this book!

It was a good book but I was expecting more of the selkie story. I did enjoy reading it as I’m from Nova Scotia and enjoyed the references.

I received a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review. It's an interesting read, especially for someone like me who enjoys history and tall tales. The ending though felt a bit rushed and predictable, which was a tad disappointing for me.

This is a beautifully written book! It was unique and captivating, though a bit slow for me to initially get into. I loved the WLW romance. And the cover is so beautiful, I purchased a personal copy for myself when the book was published.

In a small Canadian seaside town, Jean (the local midwife) is awoken by the sounds of a woman in labor. She goes outside to find a woman, almost in the throes of giving birth, on her doorstep.

In the midst of Jean and Muirin becoming friends, a mystery develops about how Muirin met, then married, Tobias when she doesn’t even speak the same language. Who is this mysterious woman and where did she come from?

What sounded like a possible mystery, maybe even a thriller, turned into something more tame than was described in the synopsis. This book was middle of the road in regard to characters, setting, and plot. While the background of Jean was explained and described consistently (mainly due to her growing up in the town and knowing its inhabitants), Muirin’s was nonexistent. The mystery of how she came to marry Tobias and become Jean’s neighbour was described with bare minimum effort. The most interesting aspect of the book was the last chapter with a version of The Selkie Wife story. Additionally, while this book was supposed to be a sapphic romance, it was but very much behind the curtain; the only inkling of a life together for the two women was depicted in the epilogue, a needless chapter in and of itself.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars from me.

I'm really enjoying the (small, but... growing?) trend of queer Canadian historical fiction novels. This was middling for me all things considered. It struggled to keep me through the middle while fewer big things were happening in the plot, but I liked the characters and was invested in how the story turned out. I'm not sure that I was wholly convinced by the romance element, but I'm glad it was included if only to have more interesting representation out there.

I enjoyed this book. While not in the genre that I focus on typically, it was an enjoyable and relaxing read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"A Sweet Sting of Salt" by Rose Sutherland transports us to a 19th century Nova Scotian village, where Jean, the town’s midwife, encounters a mysterious woman during a storm. This meeting pulls Jean into a web of secrets that slowly begin to unravel as their connection deepens. The book blends elements of mystery and romance, set against a vividly crafted backdrop. While the pacing can be slow, the evolving relationship and setting make it a rewarding read for fans of historical fiction with a queer focus.

Breathtaking and tender, visceral and real, this book had my heart in a vice grip from page one. I loved it so dearly and I will sing its praises til my dying days.

I absolutely loved this. My family is from Nova Scotia so I couldn’t pass the opportunity to request this book. And I’m so glad that I did. It was so fantastical, the folklore in this was beautifully portrayed. There really aren’t enough stories of Selkies out there!