This has a lower rating on Goodreads but I really enjoyed it!

You meet Malcolm and Jess in the throes of a marriage crisis and I was very invested in seeing what happened. They are both such authentic and relatable characters and I also loved so many of the side characters including Malcolm’s mom.

This is a character driven story and while there is some mystery it really is about the choices we make and how we live with them.

“But in the end you can only have one life. One at a time, at least. You could turn, you could pause for a while, but you couldn't go down two streets at once. The things they didn't end up doing, the places and people they decided against, all defined them as much as anything else, in the way negative space defines a photo or a song. The lives they didn't lead were there, too, always with them. Only recently did he begin to see the shape those choices had made.”

If you like stories like The Connellys of County Down or We Are The Brennans, you’ll enjoy this one.

This was such an interesting story! I really enjoyed the unique plot and the characters. I look forward to the author’s next work!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

While this story started slow, I grew to love it. Mostly narrated by the owner of the bar, The Half Moon, Malcolm is socially magnetic, loved by many, but his dream bar suffers financially, and his wife has left him. Much of the early parts of his narrative are overly depressing making for a difficult read.

However, the story is thankfully a story of transformation of a man, a woman and of their marriage. The viewpoint of the wife I relished most, and wished there was more depth on her perspective.

There is also a mystery, but that part, while interesting, intrigued me less than the characters’ decisions and growth.

Those who enjoy literary fiction, dissection of a relationship and character development will enjoy this read.

This is an intimate look at two characters who are living life, dealing with struggles of business ownership, fertility, and marital issues. It is such a compelling and complex read yet so simple, relatable, and 'real life'. I was never bored with the storyline and it had nice story and character development. I really enjoyed this book!

Although I love Mary Beth Keene's writing this story wasn't for me. Sadly this one ended in a DNF. I still look forward to reading more from Keene in the future.

My expectations for this book were really high and while I liked it, I didn't love it the way I hoped. I will say the story grew on me as it went on and there are so many quotes I highlighted. It's a quiet and often depressing read but Keane does a fantastic job of exploring the nuances and intimacies of a marriage and how to decide whether to leave or fight to stay.

Thanks to Scribner for the coyp to review.

DNFd after four or five chapters. The story and writing is good, just not relatable to me specifically. Would still be interested in reading other books by this author

This book tells the story of Malcom and Jess. They got married young and now, in middle age a series of decisions have come between them. The author tells a story of dreams being actualized and failing, of love found and lost, of forgetting who you are and how you got here. Malcom is a well loved by his friends, but is far from perfect. Jess is empathized with but villianized at times by their social circle, which is understandable at times but also not really fair. The story is told mostly from Malcom's point of view, with Jess's point of view added at times. The characters are relatable and the story is heartfelt while capturing the mundane.

trigger warnings: discusses infertility and pregnancy loss

The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane examines essential components in a marriage, such as communication, trust and love, and it demonstrates how personal battles affect not only yourself but your partner as well. I didn't love it as much as I loved her previous book Ask Again, Yes, but I look forward to Mary Beth's next book. Thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Half Moon
Author: Mary Beth Keane
Pub Date: May 2nd, 2023
Rating: 4/5 Stars
TW: infertility and adultery

Review:
Malcom and Jess are a married couple both working on their dreams in their respective careers and building their family. Malcom owns a struggling bar and Jess is dealing with infertility and the struggle on their marriage is about to blow.

I enjoyed The Half Moon even though heavily character novels are not my cup of tea. I was invested in their lives and thought the author did a good job of not making them too unlikeable even when doing unlikable things. I think a lot of their issues are common for long time married people and the choices we make to keep it together even in the hard times.

Thank you Scribner for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review ❤️

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book moved kind of slowly. I ended up thinking it was only okay. I didn’t really get that attached to the characters. I thought they were sort of wishy washy.

Big dreams and the dreamers who hold them: that is the theme of this story. The likeable main characters are hard-working people that we can all relate to, which makes this a story well worth your time.

After reading and loving <b>Ask Again, Yes</b>, I eagerly jumped at the chance to read <b>The Half Moon</b>.

After working 20+ years as a bartender at The Half Moon, Malcolm decides to buy it when his boss retires. Unfortunately, while attempting to transform it into what he envisions it can be, he struggles to stay afloat and his marriage falls apart.

This is a highly character-driven novel that tackles the difficulties of marriage, financial issues, fertility, and life in a small town. Mary Beth Keane’s writing is insightful. Her characters and their interactions are intimately written. They are flawed and their lives are messy, but she writes simply and realistically which made it easy to connect to Jess and Malcolm.

While I really enjoyed this one, I have just 2 small critiques. 1) The resolution seemed so fast and easy which surprised me. 2) There was also a small mystery of a missing man thrown in which felt out of place and didn’t necessarily add to the story in my opinion.

I look forward to reading whatever Mary Beth Keane writes next. 4 stars.

“The growing sense that life was passing her by and if she didn't do something she'd leave nothing behind to prove she was even there.”

There are many stunning quotes in THE HALF MOON by Mary Beth Keane but wow, the honesty of those words hit hard.

As a big fan of the author’s first book ASK AGAIN, YES, I was very eager for this release and thrilled it was a BOTM pick!

The author stayed true to her beautiful, unique writing style of gorgeous details and descriptions with breadcrumbs throughout that take you right to the end and wrap up in the only way it possibly could.

At the heart, it is about the complexity of marriage, which is a topic Mary Beth has a true gift in bringing to life. While it centers around a quiet couple in a quiet town, the story is anything but and deserves a reread to truly appreciate its intricacies.

This book is for you if you are looking for something with depth and heart beyond your typical summer read.

After finishing, I learned that this book's setting was the same fictional town of Gillam, NY as in her first book ASK AGAIN, YES. Love that! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Malcolm Gephardt is a bartender and now the owner of The Half Moon bar which was his dream. Malcom bought it from his prior boss. Well, he made an arrangement with him and he pays him an amount every month. However, his dream is now a nightmare. His debt is piling up and his shady ex-boss wants to get paid ASAP.

Jess Gephardt is a lawyer. Yet, her dream has been to become a mother. Her infertility has been a long road of pain and loss. She feels like she has lost the support from Malcolm.

During a storm they both have to reconsider the choices they have made and get on with their lives but will it be alone or together?

Mary Beth Keane wrote characters that are believable. They are selfish and arrogant at times but also heartbroken and relatable. I liked Malcom more than I liked Jess. She made some choices that I didn't agree with. I did feel bad for her not being able to get pregnant. Malcolm also made huge decisions without getting much input from Jess.

Even though I enjoyed it, I did think the resolution was too easy.

Cliffhanger: No

3.5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Scribner via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure about this story, glad I stuck with it. It is about people you know, your life, their life and everything that goes with it. Nothing happened the way I thought it would and I am glad about that. It wraps up nicely. I listened to this book on audio and the narrators did an amazing job. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I think I enjoyed this book so much because it was so realistic. I could easily put myself into the shoes of Malcolm & Jess. There were so many heartbreaking moments, but many others that helped to lift of the story and have you rooting for these two. Although this story takes place in the capacity of one week, it goes back in time to show glimpses of an earlier Mail & Jess to help you navigate to their current situation.

I have a feeling this book will stick with me long after I’m finished. It really made an impact on me.

***Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC copy in return for an honest review ***

Mary Beth Keene’s latest focuses on one of the most important relationships that we have in our lives: our spouse. How it is easy to get off track and how hard it is to get back on it. How it is work and what it takes to make it really work.

4.5⭐️
I love Mary Beth Keane writing. Her stories move me like no other. She really has a way with realistic fiction. Ask Again, Yes is one of my favorites. I thought this was surreal and gutting with a painful passion. MBK’s writing draws me in and I care and hurt and hope. This had so many layers and hard times. The stuff that’s real and hurts. Each chapter tried to win me over to its side and I just couldn’t be mad at the situation. It was complicated and blurry. I was satisfied with the ending and hope you check it out. It was brilliantly told.
Thanks Scribner via NetGalley.