2.5 stars
I sat on this for a bit and I just didn’t like this as much as I wanted to. This had all the makings of a book I would love. The world and prose is reminiscent of Ava Reid, Allison Saft, and Kelly Andrew. There are light fantasy aspects mixed with horror elements in a unique atmospheric world. Which is why I wanted to love this so much. The main problem with this book is how bored I was. This switches back and forth between flashbacks and current timelines, which didn’t feel necessary and the flashbacks were even explained in real time at some parts which felt repetitive. I almost feel like there wasn’t enough plot and the flashbacks were page fillers. The romance was ok but entirely too fast burn. One of the relationships is a second chance romance, which isn’t always my favorite trope and I didn’t feel connected to them enough to care once they got back together. The two siblings end up in a poly relationship with the main character which made me feel a little weird considering you could’ve just made them not siblings? I know the relationships are separate but I still got the ick every time they were romantic or affectionate in the same vicinity. This is a characters and vibes focused book but we didn’t get enough meaningful interactions with any of the characters for me to feel any way about them. I almost gaslit myself into thinking I liked this more than I did because I still feel like the potential is there. After writing this review and having a hard time finding things I actually liked, I realized this book just wasn’t for me. I might change my rating in the future if I think about it more.

To read Tenderly, I Am Devoured was to enter a dream—a gloomy, ominous, and evocative dream. I was drawn into the eerie world of Lacrimosa Arriscane from the very first page. I immediately identified with Lark's sense of desperation because her path is rife with gothic tension and familial strife. It's difficult to get expelled from school and come home to a family that is on the verge of financial collapse. The pressure Lark was under to not just save her family but also to deal with her own conflicted feelings and her past transgressions was what really captured my attention.

One of the more emotional aspects of the book was the betrothal to the chthonic god Therion. I couldn't get enough of the plot's magical and perilous element, which was the thought of marrying a genuine god, especially one that is so feared and revered. However, I really liked how the plot changed when things went wrong, focusing less on the marriage and more on Lark's personal journey. Her exploration into Therion folklore and the revelation of sinister truths was incredibly captivating. Given their respective complicated pasts and motivations, the interplay between her, Alastair, and Camille was particularly intriguing.

Like the plot itself, the romance in this book is unquestionably dark and alluring. It was particularly interesting to learn about Lark's relationship with Alastair, her past heartbreak. I was captivated by their conversations because they had a slow-burning quality. However, the story's exploration of power and control in relationships and the enchantment around Lark truly caught my attention. I was unable to turn the pages quickly enough because of the powerful, almost mesmerizing sense of the bacchanalia ritual they execute in an attempt to mend the relationship with Therion.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured will captivate you, as it captivated me, if you enjoy dark romances, gothic settings, and morally complicated people. It is the type of tale that lingers in your mind long after you have finished reading it, its sinister strands entangling themselves in your thoughts.

This book is not 5 stars. This book deserves way more than just 5 stars! I give it 1o stars! I had the time of my life reading it! Lyndall Clipstone is an fantastic author!

The cover is so beautiful, that it automatically caught my attention! I had the pleasure of reading about this gloomy magical world 🤍After this read, I think I need to move to Verse! The description of this world was perfect, I felt the sandy beach, and the salty breeze. The gothic horror this book gave was amazing!

4.25 stars! What a gorgeous gothic fantasy about the human experience. The main character endures so much loss, betrayal, and turmoil that it feels like I went through it with her. The love Lark gives and receives is boundless and full of passion. The writing is haunting and seductive; I found myself wanting to annotate because I had visceral reactions to so many of the beautifully written passages.

This book was so underwhelming, yet it still left me feeling a bit weirded out by the end. Not in a good way, either.

I will start with the positives, though. The prose and atmosphere of this novel is amazing. Clipstone really sets the mood of a mysterious little seaside town with the vast and vivid descriptions and pieces of lore sprinkled in. It made the world feel truly alive; it was one of the best aspects of the book in my eyes.

Unfortunately, everything else wasn't as good.

I did not feel anything for the characters (Except slight disgust, but we'll get to that). Lark is sympathetic in a vacuum, but I never found her a strong lead due to her otherwise stale personality. The side cast was even more so, particularly the sibling love interests. Camille literally has nothing interesting about her. The only two traits of hers I can identify is that she cares for her brother and Lark, and that she's bad at math. She felt so empty and hollow as a character; I feel like very little would change if she was taken out of the story. Alastair had more going for him, but only because of what laid at the heart of of his and Lark's heartbreak. Anyone who reads the book could probably vouch that they saw the twist from 10 miles away, and the fact Lark didn't even try to even guess at it shows how little character she possesses. Everyone else was just there, but some had some intrigue. Lark's brothers, and another guy Hugo, who has a lot of plot relevance, but both are just squandered. There's also an entire cult called the Salt Priests who are the background villains, but not once do they actually show up in person. We're only told about their evilness second-handedly, which really sucks.

As for the romance - I'll just be plain: Lark ends up with both siblings. Said siblings aren't together romantically, but they still agreed to "share" Lark. It's not exactly incest, which normally is a major theme/device in gothic literature, but I just - can't comprehend a relationship like that. Besides, I feel like the whole triangle could be thrown out entirely. Like I said, Camille could have been erased from the plot. I feel like Clipstone made it a love trio between two siblings only to for the story to pull more gothic themes from the roots. I dunno, maybe if there was more actual chemistry and character from these people I would be more forgiving, but as it is, I just can't.

All in all, I'd only recommend this to people who just want good vibes from atmospheric worldbuilding but don't really care much about plot or characters. As someone who strongly desires the latter from my books, it just wasn't for me.

The lyrical prose kept me enchanted and captivated from beginning to end. Lyndall continues to expertly craft unique storylines that are timeless.

“The worst hurt doesn’t always come with open violence. Instead, there is tenderness before you’re devoured.”

Lark must marry the god of salt and sea and wood in order to restore her family’s salt mines to pay off their debts, but something goes wrong, and now it’s up to her and her former childhood best friends to uncover the truth Lark didn’t even know she needed.

“And neither of us mention that the true danger isn’t out there, in the dark. It’s within me.”

*slow claps* Gothic, lush, enthralling, the very definition of atmospheric, Tenderly, I Am Devoured is an absolute must-read.

The author’s eloquent writing evoked deep feelings in me. I’m talking gasping out loud, near to tears, wanting to clutch my heart, throwing hands in the air…all on a treadmill at the gym. I could not stop reading this book! It is entirely magnetic!

“I’m drawn to Camille. I’m drawn to Alastair. I care for them both in equal measure. We were always a trio, and it feels impossible to divide that, to choose one part and set aside the other.”

I adored all the queer representation. The romance was so tender (pun not intended, but definitely fits)! I just wanted to wrap my golden trio in a bubble. And oh my gosh, I did not expect to get so attached to the god in this story, but my heart went out to him!

The setting was just…astounding. I want to book a train ticket to Verse, please, so I can live in a cottage by the sea and frolic around with Lark, Camille, and Alastair.

- childhood heartbreak to lovers
- saltburn vibes
- gothic fantasy
- dark academia meets cottage core
- polyamorous (mff)
- haunted legacies
- upper ya standalone with some steeeeam

This gothic tale follows Lark who recently was kicked out of school (for reasons that become clear later in the book) and returns home only to find that her brothers are about to lose her family property. To save their home, Lark agrees to an arranged marriage with a god and when things go awry must work with the boy down the road Alastair and his sister Camilla.

This is my second Clipstone novel and I've found that her worlds are so lushly described with tension developing in a way that is so wonderfully satisfying. However, I did feel that Camille's motivations were less clear than Alastair's which made rooting for her a bit difficult. But overall, not a ton to complain about. The third act goes fairly apeshit but not as apeshit as other books.

Mild spoiler: Lark gets with both Alistair and Camilla, (as well as a God but no one seems upset about that). I don't see this as a problem as the description on GR basically tells you this is going to happen and the comparisons also make that clear. If that's not for you then I probably wouldn't read this book.

Also, I just have to make a comment on the cover because holy shit is it beautiful.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a beautiful Gothic romantasy. At its heart is Lacrimosa Arriscane, an eighteen-year-old whose fate intertwines with a god, full of betrayal and romance, as she attempts to save her family from ruin.

This book is beautifully written, with prose that feels poetic and a world steeped in a dreamlike quality—a blend of lust, fear, and wonder. The story elegantly shifts between past and present, weaving in haunting details of Lark’s expulsion and the toll of betrayal. Every page reveals her heartbreak and devotion, even as it sometimes feels like she’s navigating through quicksand. However, it was like viewing a Cubist masterpiece when you prefer impressionist paintings - while I fully appreciate the beauty of this book, it wasn't exactly for me.

I loved the ethereal quality of the book, with its dark romance and haunted imagery that transported me to its eerie coastal town. Lark’s passion and yearning for Alistair were palpable; her ache, her vulnerability, and the betrayals she endures all felt raw and visceral. The story pulls readers into her feelings of desperation and sacrifice in the face of both the mortal and divine. Yet, while I appreciated this dark, captivating world, I found myself struggling to connect with Lark as a protagonist.

For me, Lark came across as too easily swayed by those around her—her love seemed to bloom quickly for anyone who offered her attention, and she often seemed more willing to adapt to others than to stand firm on her own terms. While those around her admired her strength, I couldn’t help but wish to see more of it in action, particularly as her struggles grew.

On a technical level, small continuity issues and some confusion on the world building occasionally pulled me from the experience, like details around actions that didn’t fully add up and my inability to grasp what era I could liken this world to. And though the plot initially hooked me, the story began to lose its grip toward the end, pulling minor characters back in that felt more like distractions than developments. I found myself wanting Therion to remain that alluring, untouchable god figure; instead, he became increasingly vulnerable and desperate, losing some of the mystique and power that had captivated me at the beginning.

In all, Tenderly, I Am Devoured is both poetic and darkly enchanting. The imagery, the dreamlike atmosphere, and the gothic tone are truly mesmerizing. Though I wished for a bit more cohesion and a stronger independence in the heroine, I can still admire the artful craft of this story. It’s a haunting and mysterious read even if you find yourself, like me, admiring it from a slight distance.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

I enjoyed this book very much. The atmosphere is immaculate, the prose appropriately flowery and full of yearning for adventure and once-in-a-lifetime romances. It grabs you and doesn't let go until the very end - and once it does release its hold, it feels like waking up from too vivid dream. The worldbuilding was just enough fantastical to feel like a folk-tale, but still remained grounded in reality. I was also happy to see some healthy sibling relationships. I really wish I hadn't read the synopsis.

That being said, this is the kind of book you will enjoy the more the less you know about it and unfortunately the synopsis betrayes about 70% of the book. Which only further pronounces how much the book struggles with pacing.

On one hand, I wish the book was about 100 pages longer and on the other one, I could easily see the author cutting most of the flashbacks - and by this I mean the flashbacks from Marchmain academy specifically, as besides delivering some exposition, they serve little to no purpose. Not only they don't ultimately add much to the plot, they aren't nowhere near as interesting as the present events, making you groan internally every time the narration jumps back. I would much rather spent those pages getting to know the characters that do matter and seeing their relationships progress.

It would give the author time to properly flesh out the characters and to SHOW us how they are developing rather than TELLING us. The author does establish romance with love interest #1 Alaistar through some of the flashbacks, but we don't even see the second one, Camille, talk before she is already kissing the MC.

But at least her character is consistent, unlike her brother's behavior. He rotates between verbally abusing the MC and going out of his way to help her so fast my head spun. Which would have made sense if he was only playing a role... but later he claims he meant it... even though he has no logical reason to dislike her... it felt like the author was trying to force these two characters into the "enemies" role, which in turn made their shift into lovers rocky. Not to mention the entire events of the book take place in the time frame of a... I believe month?

I would still reccomend it, if you're looking for an atmospheric experience that is more about the vibes than the plot. It's certainly a rare gem.

My thanks go to the author for allowing me to read an e-arc of this book.

this story follows Lark, a young woman who comes home to her seaside cottage after being expelled from her prestigious boarding school, only to find the cozy, comforting place she’s always known has changed. trying to help the financial downfall of her family, and feeling a lack of control in every other aspect of her life, Lark makes the decision to offer herself to their god in order for him to restore their family’s salt mine.

this was ᴍᴀɢɪᴄᴀʟ. i loved this so, so much. i loved the characters, Lark is a softhearted baby who just wants to be loved and connect with someone and we must protect her at all costs. we have the broody, tall, dark, and handsome aloof mmc who i ADORED. a flirty and caring ethereal sister to said mmc who i equally adored, and a really shitty friend, who i’m sure we can all relate to having a friendship with someone like that at least once in our lives.

i wish i could erase this from my memory and read it all over again, easily one of my top reads this year. 🥹🫶🏻

Tenderly, I am Devoured releases july 1st 2025. you ᴀʙꜱᴏʟᴜᴛᴇʟʏ need to read this! thank you so much for the arc!!

Tenderly, I Am Devoured managed to devour my heart, soul and being. I cannot compare the experience of reading this to another book. The atmosphere, the worldbuilding, the character development was so meticulously executed, every word a caress on the soul.

The main characters were so lovely written, even when they were at their worst, you cannot help but love them. Lark in her bravery, Camille in her unending support and Alastair in all his hurt and devotion … I just love them all so much and their dynamic is truly beautiful. Lark’s brothers were also incredibly sweet. And then there’s Therion of course. The swan god and Lark’s husband, and I really don’t want to spoil anything so let me just say that everything surrounding him was heart wrenching but so incredibly well thought out.

The setting is mainly a small saltmine village at the coast. It’s incredibly atmospheric. I felt like I could taste the salt on my tongue and hear the waves crash.

Everything that happens in this book feels very dream-like. The prose is very lyrical and breathtakingly beautiful, even when it takes on a darker, more unsettling tone after the ceremony went wrong. It never drifted into the realm of “purple prose”, every sentence, every word had a purpose to create the world and shape the characters.

I cannot recommend this book enough if you like Gothic Horror and Gothic Fantasy. Truly an incredible read.

Many many thanks to the writer and the publisher for the e-arc.

4/5✨

Tenderly, I Am Devoured

📖 via E Arc

I’d like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy before release.

I just want to start by saying Lyndal is one of my favorite writers. Her attention to detail and storytelling is lyrical and entrancing.

“Sometimes it feels like there’s a limit to all the good things in the world”

The vibes are emaculate in this book, it’s dreamy and I’d like to dive right in!!

Some tropes:
-Childhood heartbreak to lovers
-Dark academia
-M/f/f poly
-Family secrets & haunted legacies
-Sea gods

The world building is fantastic, with sea gods, salt priestesses, and a very unusual romance. It’s sapphic, it’s poly, it’s a little too close to acceptable… but it works!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lyndall Clipstone for this ARC!

If there was a book that could make you feel every feeling known to humankind, it is this book. Tenderly, I Am Devoured is whimsical, gothic, and magical. I intended to read this at the pace of the book club, but once I started I could not stop. Through Lark, I experienced love, hate, embarrassment, bravery, desperation, and so many more things. I also quickly fell in love with both Therion, Allistair, and then Camille. You will enjoy this book if you enjoy folklore, childhood friends to adult romances, and gothic tales.

This was so, so, so good. There were a couple plot points that fell flat, but generally Lyndall Clipstone is just so incredible with building a world and giving an intimate, yearning feel to her books. I'd read this again and again!

Tenderly, I am Devoured is an atmospheric romantasy that follows Lacrimosa Arriscane, who has just been expelled from school, and the disastrous consequences of her marriage to the local god.

The premise called to me, as I’d never really heard of anything quite like it before, and I adore the title. However after finishing the book, I believe this wasn’t for me. While intensely atmospheric and meticulously detailed, the plot itself moves glacially. The characters never truly tug at the heartstrings, either, and the romance falls flat as a consequence. If you prefer books that offer more vibes than plot, then this is for you.

This book felt like wrapping yourself up in your coziest blankets, sipping warm tea, while inhaling your favorite candle after your first heartbreak. It is so tender, aching, and beautiful. It is a lyrical and poetic story that provides a sense of nostalgia and longing, like watching a constellation of a purple bruise fade over time.

Lark is a young girl, who was orphaned and raised by her 2 older brothers who has a big heart and even bigger dreams of being an art curator. After returning home to her family's cottage after being unfairly expelled from her school, she finds that her family is on the verge of losing everything. Tired of being unable to choose her own path and forced into decisions not of her choosing, she decides to make a deal with the Swan God -- taking his hand in marriage to restore salt to her family's mines. Along the way, she is reluctantly forced to seek the help of those who have hurt her and uncover truths to protect the Swan God and herself.

This book was truly so delicate, it was a pleasure to read!

Song Recommendation to match the mood: First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes

While there is a lot I liked about this book, as the writing is gorgeous and the premise is so intriguing, I found that it just wasn't for me.

To save her family from ruin at the hands of a rival family whose son she once called her friend, a young woman must bind herself to a god but in doing so what she learns is beyond imagining in Lyndall Clipstone’s Tenderly, I Am Devoured.
Expelled from her boarding school and returning home to her brothers, Lacrimosa “Lark” Arriscane, arrives in disgrace and discovers her home bare of the furnishings she remembers as her brothers prepare to sell the property to repay the debt they owe to the Felimath family due to their dwindling salt harvests. Promised to their chthonic god Therion in a bargain as his bride, Lark agrees to be his betrothed in exchange for replenished salt mines but the ritual to bind them is interrupted, beginning the process of banishing Therion from the mortal world, and with him Lark, too. With help from the Felimath siblings, Alastair, her first heartbreak, and Camille, whose allure draws her in, the trio of reunited childhood friends torn apart by adolescent circumstance dig into the lore of the gods to set to right the connections that were tampered with only to find themselves in the middle of a deeper conspiracy for revenge; in order to save everyone, sacrifices will inevitably be required but the question becomes what is worth giving up for freedom.
Set in a richly atmospheric seaside town and filled with god-worshipping, hedonistic rituals as well as youthful, romantic-based angst that builds up tension, the narrative explores the attraction that can develop between people and how it can impact and morph relationships; there’s no judgment in it and, once certain resentments and actions are openly discussed, the dynamic between the main trio is oddly compelling, but the characters seem to punish themselves for some feelings they have, perhaps as residual trauma of the abuses, both emotional and physical, that they’ve suffered from those they love and/or who are meant to love them. In trying to provide context for the events leading to Lark’s arrival home and the fracture in her friendship with Alastair, the splitting of now and then in chapters contributed to a slowing to the pacing that resulted in an unevenness, especially as events escalated toward the end as assertions were made for a path forward. With the manifestations of Therion and the experiences that Lark has of the otherworldly bleeding into her vision and the world around her after the botched betrothal ritual, there’s an eerie supernatural horror presented that is simultaneously captivating and off-putting.
Overall, I’d give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

One of the most utterly gorgeous novels I've read in a long time. Lacrimosa pulls you into her world and keeps you there for every there for every heart-pounding, romantic moment. I loved this book.