I loved this book it had everything I wanted and more. I loved the setting, I loved the representation, it kept me guessing and the story line was better than I thought it would be. Possibly one on the best books I have read this year

Lynx, a grief nurse, works for the wealthy Aster family on Mount Sorscha. A grief nurse's role is to remove any grief, so that the family members can appear "Bright". When the eldest Aster son, Sculptor, passes away, the family hosts a wake on their private island. Lynx is a prized show pony, she must be dressed fancily, and shown as available to the best guests and family members to have their grief taken away. However, once the wake starts, things start to happen as people begin to die. Besides the death toll racking up, Sculptor's fiance shows up with her own grief nurse, causing quite the stir at the wake. Is someone out to get the family or is there something else going on?

The concept is interesting. The plot ending is predictable. Lynx was written very well, though - we got a great insight of how a grief nurse is, how they can struggle with how much is too much. Great queer representation in this book. I think what was lacking for me is that the plot seemed sort of cliche and there wasn't enough depth to some of the characters' thoughts - they seemed younger than they were. I wish this plot had more development in regards to other types of people in the story such as a Fader - we didn't know why they were so hated besides that they could give birth to grief nurses. It would have been interesting to learn more. I also think this book had way too many genres trying to occur - it should have been just focusing on the fantasy portion of the book.

This was such a unique and atmospheric read. The premise was marvelous, and the world created is dark, unnerving, and rich with detail. I really appreciated how the story explored themes like power, memory, and trauma—it definitely gave me a lot to think about.That said, I did find parts of the book a bit slow, and while the emotional depth was there, it didn’t hit me as hard as I hoped it would. I also felt like the characters could’ve used a little more development to really bring the story to life but I really loved the atmosphere. I’m definitely curious to see what Angie Spoto writes next.

Thank you to Independent Publishers Group and NetGalley for the ARC!

So, rich people are weird.

This the world of this book the wealthy can afford to ‘own’ a grief nurse, a person with the power to take their sadness, grief, sorrow, dread, etc. That was they never feel it and are always what is described as ‘Bright’ in the story.

Lynx is the grief nurse of the Aster family. She’s grown up with the youngest child, and isolated on the family’s island.

When the oldest son, who’d left the island, dies suddenly the family is thrown into chaos as their grief and ability to cope spiral out of control. Turns out part of that is due to external forces, which we learn as secrets are uncovered.

For me it was an interesting story, but not enough character growth to really be a win for me.

*The Grief Nurse* is a haunting, lyrical debut with a fresh and fascinating premise. Angie Spoto weaves grief, power, and identity into a dark, atmospheric tale that lingers long after the final page. The worldbuilding is rich and strange, and while the pacing occasionally slows, the emotional core stays strong throughout.

Thank you to Independent Publishers Group and NetGalley for the ARC!

The idea behind this was so good, but the execution was somewhat lacking, especially with regards to the characters. Every single one of them felt so flat and underdeveloped.

3.5 stars
This was a bit different from what I had imagined how it would be based on the blurb and the tags. It is a very character driven story where our protagonist, Lynx is able to use magic to experience other peoples memories or memories of her own which she rather forget. I really enjoyed how the author used this unique magic system to explore and understand characters better. The downside is that it felt a bit tedious at times and the story did not have that much of an emotional impact on me. Still it's a solid story and I would be interested in what the author does next.

I was able to read the ARC from Netgalley.

Lynx is a Grief Nurse, living a sheltered existence with the wealthy Aster family, whose negative emotions she absorbs and transforms. When the Asters' eldest son dies, Lynx is tasked with managing the ensuing Sorrow as guests arrive at their secluded island for the wake, each bringing their own hidden grief and secrets. As tensions escalate within the isolated estate, a series of deaths begins to occur, plunging Lynx into a dangerous mystery where the very emotions she manipulates may hold the key to the unfolding horrors.

This immersive gothic tale includes a fascinating lens through which to explore themes of sorrow, anxiety, and fear within a wealthy and influential family. As the mystery unfolds amidst a backdrop of heightened emotions and hidden secrets on a secluded island, Soto masterfully blends romance and intrigue with gothic atmosphere and world-building. It's quite in interesting read.

This was such a new and unique concept to me, and I found myself fascinated by it. I love gothic fantasy and the intrigue and mystery aspects of the plot really had me hooked. The imagery was gorgeous and the setting was so atmospheric, it all felt so colourfully rich yet foggy and eerie at the same time.

In a reimagined 1920s Scotland, wealthy and influential people use grief nurses to thrive by being unburdened of their grief, sorrow, dread, heartbreak, anxiety, fear, etc., and for other darker pursuits. Lynx, our fmc, is a grief nurse to the Aster family who keeps to their manor on their own island. When news arrives that the Asters' eldest son is dead, Lynx does what she can to alleviate their sorrow. But as guests flock to the island for the wake, bringing their own secrets, lies and grief, tensions rise and Lynx finds herself trapped at the center of a family tearing itself apart. But the son's death is not the last and the island soon becomes a vortex of jealousy, suspicion, hatred and tragedy. In a classist society who handles grief nurses like property, borderline trafficking and slavery, making the laws to benefit the rich, there’s of course also something darker going on, dealing nurses for their own perversions.

Every person has a token, through which a grief nurse can siphon these feelings. I loved how it felt as if Grief, Sorrow, Dread, Heartbreak, and all these ‘negative’ emotions felt like a character of their own each, and how they manifested as something different for every person, be it an animal, an element, a flower, a mirror, etc; a sort of allegory particular to each.

I loved the concept of this book but moreover I found it to be very thought provoking, and a question kept arising in me: who are we without our grief? Sorrow? Dread? Heartbreak? I’ve always believed it shapes us. As I kept reading I also reflected on how sometimes it’s like we are ashamed of our grief, or scared of it, when it gets dark, yet sometimes it’s like we revel in our own pain.

In the book there’s the concept of grief play, grief games and grief mixing, in what felt a more sexual connotation, and it felt…scandalous? Untoward? Then morbid? Intimate certainly but…deviant? Sinful? Sensual? There’s masochistic tendencies for sure, and doesn’t that in a twisted way mirror reality?...quite an evocative read indeed.

This book was not only an exploration of grief, but power too. The power in our emotions, and how repressing them ultimately does us no good, and how there’s strength in acknowledging them. Without our sorrow, we wouldn’t have the memories. What is grief if not love persevering?

4.5 Stars. The premise, prose, and pace were amazing but I do wish there had been more development on this magical system, about Faders, their relationship with grief nurses, the latter’s schooling, etc., I felt this concept just had so much more to give and potential.

Thanks NetGalley, Independent Publishers Group | Black & White Publishing, and Angie Spoto for the opportunity of reading this ARC.

A super unique story about how the upper class can get rid of grief or sorrow by simply allowing a grief nurse to take it. I found some parts of this story to be a little slow but over all an enjoyable read. A beautiful tale on the lesson of grief and the importance of it in life. Highly recommend!

Imagine you could be rid of your sadness and your fear. Imagine the power that would give you and how valuable you would be to others. A subtly reimagined world where magic runs through certain veins and death brings out it’s own secrets and lies. A novel steeped in romance, intrigue and gothic world building that will leave readers spellbound.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 | 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 & 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐨

This story plot was hopeful: wealthy families are able to own grief nurses to take away someone's grief, sadness, dread, fear, etc. Set in a remote island, large mansion, and dark gloomy days. This is a combination of light fantasy, mystery, and simplistic style.

The writer has an astonishing imagination. Yet, the mismatch of genres, somewhat worked against the writing style. At times the story was mildly confusing due to the description of flashbacks. Unique look into grief of all forms: sadness, sorrow, self loathing, and heartbreak.also has solid queer representation, and normalization of relationships in all forms. The ending felt unfinished, and rushed. Do pay attention to the TWs: death, grief, suicide, and murder.

"Imagine you could be rid of your sadness, your anxiety, your heartache, your fear. Imagine you could take those feelings from others and turn them into something beautiful. Imagine the power that would give you, how valuable you would be to others...

Lynx is a Grief Nurse. Kept by the Asters, a wealthy, influential family, to ensure they're never troubled by negative emotions. Kept at their manor house, limited to its walls, plush rooms and the elegant grounds on the family's Scottish island, she knows no other life.

When news arrives that the Asters' eldest son is dead, Lynx does what she can to alleviate their sorrow. But as guests flock to the island for the wake, bringing their own secrets, lies and grief, tensions rise and Lynx finds herself trapped at the center of a family tearing itself apart.

But the son's death is not the last and the island soon becomes a vortex of jealousy, suspicion, hatred and tragedy - with Lynx caught in the middle. With romance, intrigue and spectacular Gothic world-building, this spellbinding novel, set in a subtly reimagined 1920s Scotland, marks the debut of an extraordinary new voice in fiction."

Letting the rich remove emotions never goes well.

As a nurse that deals with death on a regular basis, I had to grab this book as soon as I saw it. What an interesting premise! It didn't disappoint. I enjoyed this book all the way through!

The imagery in this book is absolutely gorgeous - stained glass, bright colors framed by the starkness of the landscape, the white of the grief nurses in contrast to it all. It felt austere yet richly decorated in a way I can't quite articulate. I loved the queer-normative element of this book and found the mystery really engaging, even if I was confused at some parts. I agree with some of the other reviews on here that the plot / setting gets a little difficult to keep straight at moments, but honestly I didn't really mind. The magic system is fascinating, and I really wish we got more information about the relationship between grief nurses and Faders. I'm not usually one for fantasy, but something about this book really spoke to me. The aesthetics alone had me captivated from the start, but the locked-room mystery element kept me engaged. Really enjoyed this one!

The premise of this book is incredible and I really do love the ending. As someone who has experienced a lot of grief in her life, I was immediately drawn to the title and the cover. The magic system was really unique and the concept was so dystopian + intriguing. Unfortunately, it didn't land for me personally the way I'd hoped. I didn't quite get to a point of feeling connected to the characters like I feel I should have been and I did get confused along the way as to what was actually happening in the storyline. That being said, Angie's writing style is what I'd call very lyrical + poetic and perhaps that's just not a style of writing that lands for me. All in all, I found myself not wanting to put it down as I wanted to see what would happen next but I don't think I'd pick it up for a re-read.

The Grief Nurse has an interesting concept but don't go further into it and show us everything it could be. When reading the synopsis and the first few chapters I was engaged and wanted to keep reading to discover more about the world-building and the magic system, but as the story kept reading I had the impression that Spoto never showed more than simple things, it was more plain than I would have liked. For example, we don't hear much about grief nurses' history or more about what happens outside of the island.
I give it 3 stars because I see potential in this story, like Spoto's writing style and the story she wanted to tell us. I enjoyed how being in a homosexual relationship is just as common as being in a heterosexual one, the atmosphere of the island, and how we end up seeing each character's sensitivities.

This was fantastic! I really enjoyed, aside from one plot element that I'll get to a little later. Thank you so much to NetGalley for the copy!

The novel is well-crafted. The prose is good, rich without being overwritten. The characters were all intriguing and felt appropriately explored. The plot was perfectly paced; nothing ever felt boring or dragged out. The novel really shines thematically; Spoto does a great job of exploring the impacts that the grief nurses and the laws around them would have on a bunch of British aristocrats. The way that murders kept on happening but no one seemed to care because everyone was too focused on getting rid of grief? It resonated beautifully with Lynx's personal revelation of grief being a form of love.

The only real negative of the novel was its ending. I'm not thrilled with the reveal of the person behind all the deaths being a grief nurse who wants to take revenge on the family that abandoned her and her mother. It smacks of "oh, well, this revolutionary has good ideas, but took it too far :(((". I think this is mediated by what Lynx ends up doing, but I find it difficult to be against Karina, especially when most of the Asters are horrible people. That being said, why did Karina take out Andromeda before Crater or Cassiopeia (yeah, those names are a little on that nose)??? Come on queen???

Despite that, great read, and I've already added Spoto's next book to my want to read.

I was really intrigued by the concept here but somehow found the actual story unsatisfying. I think there needed to be more world-building - I wasn't really sure what the author was intending as far as everyone's role (particularly the eponymous grief nurse) and why things were happening as they were. ilIt made it difficult to connect with the characters and stay with the story long-term...

The Grief Nurse explores a sort of art deco alternate world, where the wealthy strive to be unburdened by grief, sorrow, and dread. Our protagonist Lynx is herself a grief nurse, someone born with the ability to siphon away others' grief. She is employed by the Asters, a formerly wealthy family now on the brink of ruin. Set over the course of one long party and winter storm, Lynx races to untangle the familial and emotional power plays that start to threaten the Aster household.

This book had so much potential for me, but left me wanting more. I enjoyed reading it, but was frustrated by the distance in the writing and plot. It almost felt at times as if I was learning this story through an intermediary, like the author told it to someone else who then told it to me. There were moments of vitality, but so much of the world and characters felt incomplete. I wanted more about Faders, more about Andromeda, and the ending was a let down. Uneven, but intriguing.