In this enthralling queer reinterpretation of The Selkie Wife, a young woman uncovers a dark secret about her neighbor and his mysterious new wife, compelling her to fiercely protect herself and her beloved.

Captivated by the alluring cover and its historical fiction label, the story seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, mystery, suspense, and a compelling love story, interwoven with feminist and LGBTQ+ themes. It begins with Jean, a midwife in a secluded town, aiding a mysterious woman in labor during a storm. Despite language barriers, Jean discovers the woman is married to her nearest neighbor in the remote area. Jean's character, with her intuitive nature, resonated with me as she navigates initial communication challenges to unravel the mystery.

The author adeptly weaves an atmospheric retelling of the Gaelic folktale, The Selkie Wife, crafting a lush narrative.

The author has fashioned an enchanting and beautifully written debut—I eagerly anticipate delving into anything she creates in the future!

Heartfelt thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing for this arc. A Sweet Sting of Salt is a retelling of The Selkie Wife and follows Jean, queer midwife in a small coastal town in 1832. I was not familiar with The Selkie Wife before reading the blurb for this book, but I’m thrilled to have been introduced to this mythological tale, which I hope to see pop up in more books soon.

This book was incredibly immersive and atmospheric, as a result of the well researched writing and great pacing. The writing was lyrical and takes on a shimmering fairytale-esque quality after the brief initial introduction into the world, but manages to stay character focused and maintain a level of focus on the characters that I typically find to be lacking in fairytale or mythology inspired fiction.

Arguably, some of Jean’s decisions are reckless and a bit frustrating, but I still found myself endeared to her headstrong, loyal personality. I also loved all of the side characters and how well fleshed out they were. I can’t wait to see what Rose Sutherland does next.

This was a really good story, and I enjoyed it a lot! I haven't read as much about selkies, so it was really cool to delve into a myth that I don't know as much about. I will add this to my historical recs!

what a great book and i loved reading this author. . loved the romance and how the couple came to be. Loved that they worked through their issues and found love. Loved this mystery

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the ARC!

I went into this book knowing basically nothing about it. Imagine my delight to find a cozy, chilling setting of 19th century Nova Scotia, a compassionate no-nonsense midwife protagonist, and a sapphic love story.
If you are looking for something cozy to warm you up, look no further. The author constructs the frigid atmosphere of a lonely costal town just on the cusp of winter, and then immediately lights a fire to warm it right up. Based on the folktale The Selkie Wife, the relationship between Jean and Muirin is the heart of the story and the two form a beautiful bond as Jean unravels the mystery of her neighbor.
The writing is gorgeous, Sutherland sets the scene perfectly to take you along on Jean’s story. The pacing is more slow burn, but has plenty of exciting moments as well. Overall, it was a very sweet story and I look forward to more books from this author!

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley.

Wow no words. Fantastic story line and setting.

4.5 stars
The book is described as a "queer reimagining of the classic folktale The Selkie Wife." I wasn't familiar with the folktale so I had no idea what was coming (I did know what a selkie was). I loved how the author captured the atmosphere of the coastal town and its inhabitants. I also appreciated how the characters gradually developed and exposed their true selves. The book was also surprisingly suspenseful. I find it hard to believe this is a debut novel--I will be looking for more by this author.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

I wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't get into the characters.
I couldn't get myself to care about them nor what was happening to them. Which upsets me since this was a book I was really looking forward to!

I don’t know how I miss it, but this book wasn’t fantasy like the books that I usually read. I felt so confused why I read the few chapters in the beginning of the book. And as I kept reading the story, I felt more confused than I thought. I just don’t know what I read. Confuse girly over here.

This is an impressive and engaging debut from Sutherland. The story is atmospheric and draws you in from the beginning. It’s both slow paced, yet steeped with a tension that keeps you turning the page. The combination of the mystery of Muirin and the dread of what Tobias is capable of never lets up. I loved the development of the relationship between Jean and Muirin. I also adored Laurie and his care for Jean and his own mystery.
The climax of the book had me on the edge of my seat. And I absolutely loved the resolution of all the storylines. I finally feel I can breathe easily!
I would definitely recommend this book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

No quotes because ARC, set to be released April of 2024.

One Line Review: Midwife Jean learned long ago to mind her business, and when secrets come to light surrounding her neighbor and the wife, she didn’t know he had, she does everything in her power to keep herself and the person she now cares for deeply, safe.

Synopsis: Jean is awoken in the middle of the night to the sounds she knows well, but is in shock to discover a woman, Muirin, she has never seen before in active labor and unable to speak almost any English. She later learns that Muirin is Tobias’ wife… and that she doesn’t seem comfortable leaving with him to return home. Managing to convince Tobias that she needs additional care, Jean and Muirin evolve into a deeper and meaningful space, even within the circumstances. Seemingly the concerned husband, Tobias’ true nature gradually shows leaving a sense of unease into who he truly is.

My Thoughts: I came into the ARC having not read or known about the folktale origin of The Selkie Wife, and if anyone ever asks, this is how I will tell the tale. Poignant, tender, and yearning for something that couldn’t necessarily be hers, Jean navigates the realm of love and the dangers associated with her feelings. This moved at a slower pace than I think I would’ve liked, but such is life sometimes, when a deeper story is being built. Such an incredible debut and will be keeping Rose on my short list to reach for when another book is released!

I want to scream. If I could give this 10 stars I would. If I could erase my memory to read this for the first time again I would.

Jean, the only midwife in the village, awakens one cold stormy night to the sound of wailing. When she ventures outside she finds her neighbor’s new mysterious wife drenched in the freezing cold and… in labor. Turns out she doesn’t speak English either.
With her husband no where in sight and time running out Jean ushers her inside. Why has her husband kept her pregnancy a secret? And why at his arrival does the wife’s demeanor completely change?

This is a tale of YEARNING, sweet sweet sapphic yearning. A lovely slow burn kindling under such intense mysterious circumstances. You squeal at the romance but at the same time are panicking for whats to come.

If you love mystical folklore tales with courageous women please give this one a read. I also need more people to scream with about this book.

Also the fact that this is a debut novel!!! Hello!! I can’t wait to see what more Rose Sutherland will come up with. It will be an instant read from me.

When I first received the email from the publisher letting me know I was pre-approved to read this through NetGalley, I honestly hesitated to claim it. The premise didn't initially grab my attention; however I am glad I decided to go for it, and I enthusiastically endorse this updated take on the Selkie mythology.
Jean is a young midwife in a small harbor town in Nova Scotia, living alone after the recent death of her father. She is struggling to find her place in the town and acceptance from the other villagers after a nasty rumor circulated about her and her childhood best friend Josephine. One night, she is shocked to wake up and find her next closest neighbor's new wife in labor outside her door, inexplicably attempting to reach the sea. She comes to her aid, and helps to deliver the woman, Muirin's baby. From this one night, their lives become entwined as it quickly becomes clear that all is not as it appears between Muirin and her husband Tobias.
From the other reviews and summaries, I was able to gather that this book had a Sapphic premise and was an updated take on the Selkie mythology common to the Scots and Irish. Jean must rely on her own wits and instincts to try to help Muirin, but eventually is able to enlist the help of her mentor Anneke and Anneke's son Laurie. I enjoyed the character and world building presented in this novel, as well as the lyrical prose style of the author. Jean in particular developed and grew as a character, trusting herself and her friends and becoming stronger over the course of the novel. This book reads very quickly, and in fact I finished it from cover to cover in a single sitting, it so pulled me in.
Thank you to Random House Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

I was not expecting the feels! The vibes! That’s all I can say…. No notes, just love for this story, the world created, and the compassionate way we are taken through this journey of love and identity.

I loved the setting, characters, and queer retelling of a classic folktale. Aside from one twist that seemed just a little too engineered (spoiler: the timely appearance of Dal) the story was very tight and well-paced. I couldn't put it down!

Thank you Netgalley. I loved this book!! I love the selkie folklore and was intrigued by this description. The story was fantastic and the characters were very well done. I'm looking forward to more from this author.

Charming. I really enjoyed my time in this world with these richly developed characters. Thanks to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. I loved this book. It was beautiful. Wonderfully written and one of the best historical fiction books I've read in a while. Bravo to the author for such a well crafted story. I couldn't put it down. And while I had a vague idea of the selkie story, the author gave it new life. Just a fantastic book.

A Sweet Sting of Salt is a gripping, tension filled and enchanting reimaging of the folktale "The Selkie Wife." I was instantly swept away and found myself transported to a different time and place. This book combined many of the things that I enjoy in book - atmosphere, tension, longing, romance, a sense of danger, and strong female characters.

Jean hears a sharp cry coming from outside in the freezing cold and finds a young woman in labor. Luckily for the young woman, Jean is a midwife and jumps into action. When Tobias shows up and says the woman, Muirin, is his wife. Jean can't help but notice that the woman barely speaks English and her mood and body language changes when Tobias is near. Jean can't get the woman out of her mind. She worries for the woman and her infant. Plus, Jean can't deny her growing feelings for Muirin.

I enjoyed how the tension mounted in this book. It was equaled by the sense of longing of both Jean and Muirin. This book was a little bit of a slow burn and normally I would have an issue with this, but the author did a beautiful job setting the stage in this riveting work of historical fiction. I felt for the characters while booing and hissing at one.

This was a wonderful debut novel and I look forward to reading more of Rose Sutherland's books in the future. Speaking of the author, make sure to read the author's note at the end of the book as well.

3.5 that I'm rounding up to a 4.

The relationship between Jean and Muirin was developed so wonderfully and the steady build of tension as it became clear the Muirin's husband was abusing her beyond simply having stolen her coat in accordance with the legend kept the plot moving forward at a good pace once it got moving. Worth a read if historical folklore romance is your thing.

Though I'll be honest, I probably would have liked this better if I wasn't already familiar with the selkie legend and if I hadn't known that's what it was about from the beginning. Because knowing that the first chunk of the book was a bit of a slog as I waited for Jean to figure out what was up. Though I'll admit the joke was on me when Jean was like 'Muirin is speaking Scots and that's why no one understands her' and I simply assumed that Jean was being ridiculous and that Muirin was speaking seal - only for it to become clear much later on that it was very definitely actually Scots.