The writing and overall atmosphere were the strongest parts of this book.

The comp titles for this were A Study in Drowning, Don't Let the Forest In, and Salt Burn. Did not see how Saltburn was a comp title for this at all. But the other two make sense so if you've read them and liked them, give this one a try.
I don't know why I requested this book because I personally did not enjoy any of the comp titles. I was in a specific mood when I requested it and once that mood passed, I didn't enjoy reading something like this as much as I could have. Overall, the story was fine.

It was nice to read such beautiful sentences but most of the time I found my thoughts wondering. So many sentences or paragraph worded in the most wordy way possible; and sometimes it left a more negative experience than just a neutral one which is where I prefer to be.

I never really clicked with the characters and found them lukewarm. I don't have much to say about them beyond that.

I dont really want to talk about the romance. That was my least favorite part. When I first read the description, I thought the poly was with a god and a boy. If I had known the boy's sister was involved in all that, I would not have requested this book. Any time romance popped up, I had that in the back of my head and couldn't get invested in any of that.

The dual timeline was extra meh. It just ruined whatever pacing the "now" parts could have had going. But then again, when I think about it, its still all very meh

Not a very useful review but I wish I could have liked it more. Bad timing on my part this time around.

I dont know, I dont have much to say. It was just fine. Lackluster, underwhelming, etc.

Obsessed! I'm here for this book! This was absolutely delicious.
Loved Larks journey to find herself. The m/f/f relationship was never awkward and flowed really well. Didn't feel messy which I didn't know was something I wanted for this story.

I have to thank you so much for the ARC opportunity!!

First things first, the cover is GORGEOUS and pulled me in right away. It captures the hauntingly soft dark academia vibes of the story SO well.

The overall prose in the story was so beautiful and pulled me deep into the story of Lark. She was such an enjoyable character and it was so interesting to see the relationship develop as the story progressed. The slow-burn had me yearning for more and I will definitely look into the author's other books as well!

I would have to give this books a 2.75 rating.

It definitely was an interesting read but there were moments when I was confused on what was happening in the story line. It’s jumps around a lot in time.

The premise of the book is about a girl named Lark who has just come home from school to a home that is basically empty. Her older brothers have been struggling with the salt mines that they own and work. The harvest hasn’t been very kind to them so they’ve been selling things off to pay on debts owed.
A childhood friend now turned enemy is coming to their home demanding they pay their debts. But, Lark isn’t having it. She forces Alister out and confide in her brothers that they can make this work by marrying her off to their God Therion. In return for her hand in marriage he will provide the mines with enough salt to pay off the debts. However she will have to live with him in his world.
Everything seems to go to plan until someone interrupts the marriage between them. Now Lark has to fix the misunderstanding and save her God and herself from being lost to the world forever.

I honestly wasn’t sure what I was reading because a lot of things didn’t make sense to me.
It’s a good dark academia type read that deals with the God’s world spilling into the human world.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to be an ARC reader.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and Lyndall Clipstone for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own!

Tenderly, I am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone is a 304-page descent into madness with gothic horror, creepy cults, and chthonic gods. Sexy and drugging, heart-breaking and hopeful, this why-choose LGBTQIA+ novel will leave you breathless and reeling at the end.

Told in chapters alternating between Then and Now. The Then chapters start out dreamlike and idyllic and transform into a nightmare, whereas the Now chapters start out as a kind of waking nightmare and get better. It is a thoroughly engrossing and effective narrative device that draws the reader in.

This book comes out on July 1st, 2025, and will be available in hardback for $19.99. Let’s show this author some love! 5/5 Stars

The reviews on gmpotter.com and Goodreads are live now. The review on YouTube will be live on 5/1/25 at noon CDT.

My thoughts on Tenderly, I am devoured 🦢



I’ve been really trying to find the words to talk about Tendely- and honestly? I’m still at a loss! It was truly just a magical read for me.

One of the reasons being is how powerful the atmospheric building is in this story, particularly the way we talk about where this story takes place. The location feeds the soul of the characters in many ways and to me that is something I find really heart warming. Tenderly feels like a dream in the most beautiful way possible. It clings to these dreamlike elements, that make the vivid imagery Lyndall writes so compelling and haunting to devour.

It’s atmospheric, moody, gothic, dreamy and wears it’s heart on it’s sleeve - yet it is also brimming full of angst, a complex quest in a search for identity, acceptance, and having your existence matter, alongside exploring .

Even in the jarring moments where you might want to shy away, the poetic-ness in the way everything is written has you feeling that ache in your heart. This book is charisma in a bottle, the mixture of ethereal whimsical-ness, with mental health representation and ominous undertones that explore love, sacrifice, sexuality, and what it means to be alive all intertwine together.

Lark's journey of self discovery, embracing who she is, and crafting her own identity for herself rather than others is a big development arc in her character. Alastairs broody-ness, and desire to become something other than he is and be true to the heart of himself is a challenge he faces throughout, he's the chronic 'people pleaser' when it comes to the family dynamic and I loved how that changed throughout, and how he became honest with his feelings. Camille brings the quiet strength between the too, the unconditional love she has for her brother, and how she sees Lark for who she really is through both the eyes of a lover and a friend. The story between all of them evolves in such a dreamlike, emotional, layered way. This is a slow burn all the way.

What I did love the most 

was this romantic relationship that was built around the sea, and how all the characters has a relationship with it in one way or another. As an avid sea lover, and ex swimmer I could understand the whole conversation about feeling ‘close’ to the sea. That weightless feeling it gives you, and how powerful that is.

 Tenderly, is a magical story brimming with family secrets and haunted legacies. Lacrimosa, Alastair, and Camille all fight their own battles in different ways. Each relationship has its own depth. There are some very emotionally turbulent moments, of self discovery and realisation, but there is also an immense amount of strength drawn from these moments.

 The LGBTQ+ representation in this was unravelled beautifully, I felt such a deep love for all the characters. To me this is an unforgettable gothically written fantasy, with the sea being the centre of the tale. The slow moments played out like a movie reel, and I could definitely imagine this become a film.

I can’t wait to see this book out in the world, and for others to experience this read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC!

The writing in this book is like reading poetry. It has that beautiful, lyrical feeling where you can image the story having a tinge of sepia effect to it as you’re learning about the world and characters.

While the writing is beautiful, some of the plot points feel disjointed and unresolved. I felt that there was not a deeper understanding of the gods of this world. There were also some unclear reasons why characters were motivated to act a certain way or to do something. But ultimately, I was able to overlook that because of how beautiful I felt the writing was.

Lyndall is an auto buy author for me, ever since Lakesedge. Her writing is so hauntingly beautiful. It draws you in, wraps you in a dreamy embrace, and the next thing you know, your kids are teenagers, your husband has a beer belly, and you've been missing in Clipstone's worlds for 10 years. Tenderly, I Am Devoured may be my FAVORITE book of hers yet! These characters are everything and this has flown to the top of my 2025 reads!

This was a gorgeous book. I’m not just talking about the cover. I was completely consumed but the gothic seaside atmosphere. I want to live at Saltswan. I loved that the romance was a touch taboo with the brother and sister second chance love triangle. Also, I never wanted to run off with a swan god before reading this but it’s going on my to-do list. I had a wonderful time with this book. I’ve already preordered a physical copy because writing this stunning deserves annotations and many rereads! I cannot wait to tell everyone I know to read this book.

Tropes:
LGBTQ
MFF(?) FMC love interests are siblings
Academia
Slow burn


Romance is a subplot in the overall story line. Lark’s relationship with Camille felt underdeveloped and forced compared to Alistair’s relationship. The contrast on the two relationships are very different. The were moments in the book where it felt repetitive and slow and it didn’t move the storyline anywhere.

Although I personally didn’t vibe with the book, I do like the authors writing style and hope I like her future books.

I feel honored to have read this book as an ARC.
This is the first book l've read by Lyndall Clipstone and she did not disappoint. Tenderly I am Devoured is pure perfection. The plot is well paced and the characters feel whole while still having space for development. I predicted one plot twist, but the rest were a complete surprise. I adore the yearning and the lgbqt+ romance so thoroughly. There isn't enough of it in modern books. This book is more than a story about a girl who has a god-husband. It's about learning to trust other people after you've been betrayed. About giving people second chances. About finding purpose and not being afraid to chase after it. 5/5 stars.
PLEASE read this book when it's released

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is poetically eerie! I really enjoyed the MFC Lark and her growth through this story. The atmosphere of the story and the writing of the story felt light with a hint of gothic/horror. This is definitely a slow burn book. Lots of art references. Youll get a smidge of academia. A unique system involving gods. There are NOW and THEN chapters, which I appreciate as a reader. The plot was very easy to follow and I felt it was easy to read. I enjoyed the MFC and MMC, but felt that their chemistry was a bit off due to other aspects of the story line. This poly relationship, just didnt do it for me. But I did enjoy the ending very much.. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC.

Lyndall Clipstone’s latest novel is a mesmerizing blend of gothic fantasy and romance, infused with poetic prose that brings its eerie, sea-drenched world to life. The story follows Lacrimosa (Lark) Arriscane, an aspiring artist who returns home after being expelled from school, only to find her family drowning in debt. With their fate tied to the ruthless Felimath family, Lark’s only way out is a marriage of convenience—not to a man, but to a sea god who demands she join him in another realm. When the ceremony goes terribly wrong, she finds herself entangled with the enigmatic Alastair Felimath and his compassionate sister, Camille, in a world where myths and nightmares collide.

The novel’s "floral gothic" aesthetic balances ethereal beauty with ominous undertones, crafting an atmosphere where love, sacrifice, and self-discovery intertwine. Lark’s journey from a lost soul to someone who reclaims her own power is deeply compelling, while Alastair’s brooding presence and Camille’s quiet strength add layers to the dynamic relationships at the heart of the story. The tension between them—both emotional and romantic—builds masterfully, creating a unique and unconventional sapphic romance wrapped in a slow-burning mystery. Though the pacing lingers in the first half, the final third delivers gripping revelations and a satisfying conclusion.

With its immersive world-building, haunting mythology, and striking LGBTQ representation, this novel stands out as a beautifully written, atmospheric romantasy. The sea gods, salt priests, and deeply personal stakes make for a fresh and unforgettable take on gothic fantasy. Despite its occasional slowness, the story’s originality and emotional depth make it a highly recommended read for those who love lush, poetic prose and romance that thrives in the shadows.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC!

I gave myself a whole day after finishing this to really think about it. I came to the conclusion that the writing is beautiful, but the book might not be for me. For maybe over half of the book, I was heavily debating if I should drop it, because it was so slow and honestly I kept saying "just sell the house". I guess the marriage reason is later revealed to be more serious, but the initial reason just didn't do it for me. I was also put off by the relationship with siblings, even without any incest.

If I could give half/quarter ratings, I think this book would be more like a 3.25 or 3.5/5 stars for me.

I want to start off with the positives for this book.

I obviously must mention how beautiful the cover is for this book along with the title. They’re both about as perfect as they could possibly be.
I loved the writing. I thought the prose was beautiful and the story concept was whimsical. I also really enjoyed the characters in this one. I felt like Camille could’ve used a bit more development as compared to Lark and Alastair but they were all pretty lovable characters. The visuals in this book drew me in along with the atmosphere and tone. I really loved the polyamorous relationship within this story. I don’t read many stories containing poly characters so this was a welcomed addition. I thought the sex scenes were also handled really well. The scenes were mostly just implied which is different from a lot of books I’ve read recently but I found that I enjoyed this switch. The writing allows the reader to understand exactly what is happening without explicit detail.

Ironically, I had some qualms with the polyamorous relationship between Lark and brother and sister (Camille and Alastair). There was never any incest between Camille and Alastair and they never all had relations together. It was always just a one-on-one between Camille and Lark or Alastair and Lark. But I still struggled with the idea of it. The other thing that I struggled with was the pacing. It felt slow to me until around 60% and it was hard for me to originally get engaged because of this. But once I got to that 60% mark, I whipped through the rest of the book.

I want to personally thank the author, Lyndall Clipstone for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.

Tenderly, I am devoured was the love child of any gothic romance and the sea, and the kind of soothing horror I wish I could read more often. The prose was beautiful, the scenery artistic and the atmosphere melancholic and I really wish I could give it five stars.

Unfortunately its length made it lack in depth and some of the writing felt a little repetitive. I could have easily read 300 more pages of Veste, its salted air, swan god and golden ratio.

It was both slow and fast paced, peaceful and nerve wracking, a little dark with no real plot twists, a touch of horror, lingering regrets and pining. Alastair was sad, Camille was brave and Lark was the lighthouse during a storm.

4.5⭐️The prose was so incredibly stunning! The writing is so atmospheric, every scene is so easy to picture and feel.. This was quite the immersive read and often felt like a salty, flower-strewn fever dream. I didn't want it to end!

Thank you to Lyndall Clipstone, Henry Holt and Co., Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. I loved it and know it must have been a special feeling to share with the masses.

This one wasn't for me.

Clipstone, time and time again, delivers beautiful gothic prose. What fell short for me on this was the relationship dynamic (brother/sister). It's an ick for me, personally.

As always, excellent writing.

I barely know what to say, I am completely obsessed with every single thing about this book. The writing was exquisite and poetic, the setting was atmospheric and stunning, and the relationships that blossomed were so heartfelt.

This was an incredible mix of gothic vibes, folklore, mythology, and romance. The writing was so descriptive I could practically smell the ocean and feel the salty breeze on my face. I found myself wanting to dance barefoot around a beach bonfire in a float dress with a flower crown on my head. I will definitely be re reading this, and reading more from this author.

Infinite thanks to NetGalley and Lyndall Clipstone for an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The cover is so misleading to the story. The cover and synopsis make it feel like it's going to go this romantic graceful romance and it just wasn't. Felt like she was trying to add some LGBT aspects, but it didn't make sense and the lover interests being brother and sister disturbed me.