During the middle of the night in a terrible storm, Jean a midwife hears a cry outside her home. She is shocked to discover a beautiful young woman, who doesn't appear to speak English, going into labor. Despite a rough start, she delivers a healthy baby and sets out to find out more about this mysterious woman. She soon learns that she is the new wife of a fisherman, Tobias, who lives across the woods. Attempting to do the right thing, she notifies him of her and the baby’s whereabouts quickly realizing that this woman might be in danger. Despite learning early on to stay out of peoples business, Jean is determined to help her new friend even if it means putting herself in harm’s way.

A Sweet Sting of Salt is a fantastic debut novel and queer reimagining of the classic folktale The Selkie Wife. I don't see many novels written about Selkie's, and the cover art for this one was beautiful, so of course I had to read it. I was quite surprised by how well written this novel was as well as how they incorporated the queer romance. This novel follows Jean, the midwife and town pariah, whose only crime was to love someone she wasn't allowed. She quickly learns to keep her head down and do the job she is given to stay out of harm’s way. When she befriends the mysterious new fisherman's wife, rumors begin to spread and the jealous husband will do anything to keep his wife a secret. A fun, historical romance with a folktale twist...a must read for 2024!

A combination of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance, A Sweet Sting of Salt is a sapphic reimagining of the classic folktale The Selkie Wife, filled with high stakes and irresistible chemistry. Set in 19th-century Nova Scotia, Rose Sutherland beautifully depicts the budding relationship between Jean and Muirin with tenderness and care. Whether or not you are familiar with the original folktale, the elements of suspense and tension make the book a page turner. This has instantly become one of my favorite books.

A Sweet Sting of Salt comes out April 9th, 2024. I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet historical fiction retelling of The Selkie Wife tale. The imagery, setting and atmosphere in this book did so well for the story. It helped keep up the suspense and mystery within the tale. I loved how well the characters were developed and how their interactions were natural feeling, not forced to move the plot along.

Rating: 4/5
TW: Violence, Abusive/Controlling Relationships, Homophobia
(Gifted a copy by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

“A Sweet Sting of Salt” is a thrilling romance with a mythical twist from Rose Sutherland.

When loner midwife Jean encounters her neighbor’s heavily pregnant wife (who she didn’t even realize existed), she’s thrust into a relationship and mystery. While Jean and Murin (said wife) grow their friendship and Muirin’s English proficiency, Jean struggles to figure out what is up with Murin’s marriage and if there’s anything she needs, or even can, do.

This was a lovely and quick read. Jean and the other character’s swelled with life. The world felt lived in and the background we uncover on Jean was revealed in a steady fashion. I was pleasantly surprised how developed Muirin felt, given how easily the trap of her failure to speak Jean’s language could have led to her feeling underdeveloped. I would also note that while this is a historical fantasy romance, I read it much more as a thriller romance. We (the reader) know the twist and what’s happening with Muirin and are waiting on pins and needles not just for Jean to realize the truth, but also make a plan to get Muirin to safety.

And speaking of the twist, given how obvious it is to the reader’s, the very delayed nature of it did wear on me a bit. While the reveal is nice, I spent so long knowing it was coming that it felt anticlimactic. That and some minor plot issues kept this from being a five star for me.

That said, I really did enjoy “A Sweet Sting of Salt”, especially for a debut novel. I would definitely try something from Sutherland again. I think if you’re even remotely intrigued by a sapphic, selkie tale then this will satisfy and delight you.

Selkies are something I'd heard of, though I've never read the <i>The Selkie Wife</i>. Still, when I saw the description for this book, it more than piqued my interest.

The start was a little slow, but I found myself drawn into the storytelling and writing. If you're looking for a fast-paced, thrilling book, this is not the one for you. The story has good pacing and moves along in a way that draws you in, though it stays on the slower side. The story builds, and I found myself drawn to the environment and characters.

I've read a few books with midwife characters, most notably <i>Birthmarked</i> by Caragh M. O'Brien, and I think it's interesting how these women who are such a crucial part of the community can still find themselves outside of it. Jean especially, in the fallout of rumors spread by the mother of her best friend Jo, finds herself unwelcome. So she works to become invaluable, but always stays conscious to never get too close, always refusing to stay after her role in a birth has been fulfilled, doing her job and nothing more. Her perspective and that of the town may not match up though.

When Jean hear's a woman's cry on a stormy night, she can't help but go to investigate. Stunned, she finds a woman about to give birth, who speaks hardly a word of English. It's a struggle to make this woman feel safe as Jean brings her into her home, and tries to get her comfortable. The birth is fast and safe, but there's something unsettling about the way everything went about.

Jean's heard of Tobias' mystery wife, who showed up one day but hasn't been seen around town. Tobias is her closest neighbor, and the woman - Muirin - couldn't have made it far in her condition. The next day Jean goes to him, to let him know both Muirin and his new son are safe. However, Muirin's whole demeanor shifts when Tobias appears, and Jean worries about Muirin's mental state. She insists that Muirin stay with her for a week, to make sure both she and her son are healthy, and that Muirin is up for the task of a newborn.

Jean's own mother committed suicide shortly after Jean's birth, something that has haunted Jean her whole life. She hopes to stop Muirin from meeting the same fate. However, as she spends the week with Muirin, and sees her state of mind and her eagerness to learn English and communicate, Jean begins to suspect something more may be going on at home.

One thing I really enjoyed about this was that when a big event happens toward the end of the book, that wasn't the ending. We were able to see how the characters moved on from this, and how their lives continued. It gave me a closure that I don't always get from books. I wasn't left wanting more, needing to see where these characters would end up, if they'd be happy.

The friendships and community were also a shining point. You felt a sense of being welcomed inside this world, and sharing in it.

Thank you to the publishers through NetGalley for an ARC!

A beautifully unusual story, historical allure, and lots of lovely scenery! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review.

I finalllllllly finished this book! Yeesh almost a month later I stopped and started so many times. This was a hard no for me I couldn’t seem to get into it, it also started incredibly slow I’m sorry but it was a pass for me. I appreciate NetGalley allowing me a copy of this to read!

Thank you to the publisher for granting this book to me!

I absolutely enjoyed reading about Jean and her life with those around her and Muirin.

This is a selkie story with a lovely change in which the selkie falls in love with a human woman, who then goes all-out to rescue the selkie from her cruel husband. A lot of selkie stories hinge on the moment someone figures out what they are, and it's true that I felt like I was being needlessly burdened by knowing all along what the selkie was before her lover sussed it out, but that's a traditional part of selkie stories. While I was waiting a little impatiently for this reveal, though, I was charmed by the variety of characters and their intertwined lives, and especially the resilience of all of the women. For any woman who's been in a controlling relationship and has survived, this book may be difficult to read, but at the same time it also offers a wonderful happy ending, the kind we all deserve.

Let me start by saying that everything I know about selkies comes directly from the animated movie, Song of the Sea.

If you’ve never seen it I highly suggest you watch it! Especially if you loved this book. Also, I suggest you listen to the movie soundtrack while reading this book!

I was so excited to read A Sweet Sting of Salt as soon as I read the synopsis. I’m happy to say the book held up to my high expectations! I love books like this with cozy environments and a hint of magic.

I immediately liked Jean and her little chosen family of Anneke, Laurie and the little vixen. I love that this book had a queer storyline because we need more books that tell love stories that don’t just involve a man and a woman.

My favorite author is Alice Hoffman and this book reminded me so much of the books she writes. I would definitely read more books by Rose Sutherland.

Thanks to NetGalley, Rose Sutherland, and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read A Sweet Sting of Salt. I have written this review voluntarily.

This is a seaside historical mystery with hints of folklore and romance.

There's something about historical mysteries that take place in remote areas that keeps me glued to the pages as the remoteness adds to the danger and tension. The setting of a small town by the seaside added nice atmosphere to the mystery and evolving relationships and dangers faced. The setting also kept the story grounded. The hints of folklore added magic to the romance, but otherwise this is very much more historical than fantasy.

if you like historical mysteries mixed with folklore, romance, and danger, then this might be up your alley. Also if you enjoy stories set by the seaside and midwives.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Sweet Sting of Salt is a queer retelling of the Selkie Wife folktale. What more could you want?! This story had the perfect blend of fantasy, mystery, and suspense all while being a love story. If you enjoy folklore or queer stories, then this is the book for you. Sutherland has done a great job writing a really interesting and intriguing story.

I really wanted to like this book. The minute I got an email offering me an ARC, I was eager to read it. Any retelling of a selkie story is my kind of book. And don’t get me wrong. There is a whole lot to like about this book. The writing is strong and sure. There are some absolutely beautiful descriptions of the landscape and the people. The characters felt real. I loved the unfolding relationship between Jean and Muirin. Tobias was a complex character enough that I questioned whether he was going to be a villain, or if there would be a twist. The supporting characters were well developed and likeable (or appropriately dislikable). Even the animal characters moved the plot along and provided nice symbolism.

And yet. If the book had ended sooner, I would give it 5 stars. It moved surely along, with the stakes gradually getting higher and higher and the sparks between Jean and Muirin building. I had some confusion with the opening scenes, especially when Muirin gave birth. However, this was also very confusing for Jean, so I think it was meant to be that way. Once I got past that, I thought all would be smooth sailing.

Then I got to the ending. I can’t say much without giving away spoilers. The best I can say is that at a critical moment Jean acted in a way that did not ring true to me. It felt as if she made a decision purely to add tension and complications to the plot, without it being true to her character. That I was so disappointed is a testament to how involved I was with the world of this book.

I hope others give this book a try, because it most assuredly deserves to find its readers, and I really hope it works better for them.

I was drawn to the cover of this book. I didn't read anything about the book before starting to read, and I'm glad I went into the book without knowing the folklore associated with the story. I was able to guess some of the plot as I read, but there were several enjoyable surprises along the way, too! This was a beautifully written debut novel!

Okay, I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this book. I loved every bit of it from start to finish. This one is a historical fiction telling of the popular Gaelic myth of the selkie wife. Bonus points, its LGBTQIA+ friendly, which I love. I genuinely feel bad for everyone who has to wait until its publication date of 9 April 2024 to read it. I would read it again and again.

This is one of those books that folks who study literature would fawn over. I could seriously write a paper on all the symbolism and technique. The characters are all beautifully thought out and written, and each one is well developed within the story. There's Jean, the village midwife with a bit of a mixed reputation. They love her for what she does, but are quite skeptical of her on a personal level. There's Tobias, the picture perfect husband and fisherman. And then there's Muirin, the mysterious new wife of Tobias. I loved the heroine and I hated the villain. Even the secondary characters have so much depth to them. There's the Anneke, the elder, half-native midwife and mentor to our main character, and her son Laurie, who only comes around once in a while, but is a great friend to Jean. There's Mrs. Keddy, who's a right foul old bat of a woman, and more. I felt like I really got to know each of them.

This is the kind of book that really makes the reader feel something. I love that in a literary work. I wasn't just reading it for the entertainment, although it was entertaining. I genuinely felt a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the story. I couldn't detatch myself from the emotions of the characters. It's really so well written and engaging. I'd probably classify this as magical realism, as it takes place in 19th century Nova Scotia, and the story assumes that selkies, essentially merfolk, really exist. Everything about the story is so lifelike, including the animals. There's a pair of goats, a cunning fox, and, of course, seals. I'm honestly just so obsessed.

I absolutely could not put this down. I was reading it every moment I got while nursing or rocking my son to sleep. I probably even made excuses to hold him a little too long after he passed out just so that I could finish the chapter I was on. I looked forward to waking up to nurse at 2am because I could have more time to read. It was so engaging and suspensful. And the attention to detail was just beautiful. Sutherland's voice is fantastic. I will definitely be looking into more of her work.

Like I said, this one releases on 9 April 2024. Do yourself a favor and pre-order it now, preferable from your favorite local indie bookstore. If you're anything like me, you'll probably devour it in a handful of days. It's worth it.

TTFN

Anxious Housewife

This was a beautiful book. I love any historical fiction book with queer people at the forefront, and learning about the different ways people might have navigated those difficulties. The story was lovely, and the ending warmed my heart.

Jean is a midwife with a past that isolates her within her small town. So, she does her job to the best of her ability, while living in her small remote cabin. One night, cries awaken her. Upon investigating, she finds a drenched, pregnant woman, wearing only a nightgown to protect her from the bitter cold. In spite of the fact that Jean is the local midwife, she has never seen the woman before. Because the woman cannot speak English, it is difficult for Jean to learn more about her. When Tobias, her nearest neighbor, arrives at her cottage looking for his missing wife, Jean understands that she has helped deliver his son.

Because she is not popular with people in the town, Jean usually minds her own business. But when she discovers more about the mysterious woman’s situation, she finds it impossible not to do something. However, when she does intrude on her neighbors’ lives, she finds that her life, as well as that of the mother and baby, are now in danger.

This is an enjoyable tale, and the characters are realistic. I enjoyed the story until the end. That is where everything changes. I don’t want to include any spoilers in this review, because I found the ending shocking. I had hoped that the story would go in another direction, but the ending that the author wrote is definitely an unexpected one.

A wonderful tale of a sapphic and her selkie. I love selkies, and this book did not disappoint. I loved the characters and the plot held my attention well. And the ending was very satisfying! Definitely recommend.

I have always been intrigued by the Scottish lore around the Selkie Wife, and this sapphic retelling was fantastic. Sutherland's writing is ethereal and magnetic. The setting in Nova Scotia along the coast in a small town in the 1800s was so enchanting and immersive. I adored the characters and the sense of isolation and desperation Sutherland conjured. I was rooting for Jean and Muirin's love story while also fearing for the consequences and the escalating threat of Muirin's husband. The secondary cast was also lovely and I loved the aspect of found family and community in this story. And the way the Scottish lore was woven in so subtly over the course of the story was so well done and I was both wanting to rush to the end to find out what happened and also linger in the brilliant storytelling.

I devoured this in one sitting. The gothic seaside vibes are perfect for the changing season. It felt cozy and intense, blended with fast paced scenes and slower more dramatic spots.