I went into this not knowing it was a sapphic retelling of The Selkie Wife, and I really enjoyed the story, even having no knowledge of the aforementioned tale. I loved a lot about this book, but especially how the author set the scene of the story. All the characters were so real to me and the town she lived in felt so real. The dialogue was a strong suit of this book, too. I loved the interactions between characters and especially between Jean and Muirin. You could really feel the animosity between Jean and certain other characters also.

I did feel like the story was a little predictable, and the big reveal at the end was only a reveal to the main character. I think the reader is meant to catch on fairly quickly as to what's actually going on. There was one part that surprised me, and I love when that happens. There were parts of the book that felt like they could've been shorter, and sometimes the descriptions or inner monologue of Jean felt longer than necessary.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for this ARC!

This was a sapphic retelling of the an old Gaelic folktale, The Selkie Wife.

Jean is the towns midwife. She lives a life of isolation due to the gossiping of the townsfolk regarding the nature of Jeans relationship with her best friend when she was younger. Years later while she is still whispered about, she is also respected in her profession after years of her proving herself to be a competent midwife. On a cold, dark night Jean hears a disturbance outside of her home. She finds a very distressed woman in labor and brings her into her home. Muirin is terrified, seems confused and there is a definite language barrier between her and Jean. Through Jeans patience and repeated attempts to communicate with Muirin, she learns she is the wife of Tobias, one of the townsmen that lives not too far from her property. Jean helps Muirin deliver her child who is a healthy boy but has webbed fingers and toes. Jean doesn’t think too much of this anomaly, she just figures he was born with some extra skin and doesn’t see the need to anything else about it. The next day she leaves Muirin and the baby at her cabin and goes to find Tobias at his property to inform him of where his wife and new child are. Tobias seems to be a concerned husband and comes back to Jeans home with her. It is here that Jean begins to wonder what type of relationship Muirin and Tobias have. Muirin barely speaks English and appears to be extremely tense and distraught around Tobias. Muirin has made it clear to Jean that she doesn’t want to return home with Tobias. Jean manages to convince Tobias that Muirin needs to stay with Jean for a week to recover and learn how to care for a new baby before returning home with him.

This is where the story really begins to develop. This is historical fiction blended with folklore, mystery and fantasy, LGTBQ+ theme along with a love story. The author writes well, I just found the pace of the book to be incredibly slow. It was difficult for me to stay invested in the story for the duration of time it took for me to finish it.

I received an advanced reader copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

A young midwife comes to the aid of her neighbor’s new, mysterious wife and becomes involved in something far more expansive than she could have anticipated in Rose Sutherland’s A Sweet Sting of Salt.
Out the outskirts of a Nova Scotian village along the sea, Jean is awoken in the middle of a night during a storm by a cry; venturing outside to investigate the origin, Jean is surprised to find a young woman in labor at the edge of the marsh and slowly coaxes her into her home to deliver the baby safely. With a barrier in language making their communication difficult, Jean pieces together that Muirin is the new wife of her neighbor, Tobias Silber. In reuniting the young family Jean begins thinking of a variety of questions and is uneasy with the Muirin’s behavior around Tobias. Though she knows it’d be best to stay out of it, she becomes convinced that there’s something amiss in the Silber marriage and becomes fixated on connecting with, and rescuing, Muirin from the unfortunate existence she imagines in their isolated home. The more details she learns of Tobias and Muirin’s relationship and the friction she witnesses within it the more Jean finds that not only might Muirin be in potential danger but herself as well as she endeavors to do what she thinks is right.
Written as a slowly unfolding retelling of The Selkie Wife, the portrayal of the distinctive characters and their dynamic with each other, as well as the small, repeatedly mentioned details peppered throughout about seals, the sea, and family add emphasis to easily convey the longing for connection, to both others and to the sea, that features strongly in the tale. With most of the story focused on the tension of the dynamic and situation between Jean and the Silbers there were also well-developed side characters, including Laurie, who provided some comic relief in otherwise serious scenarios as well as adding to a subplot that furthers the presentation of queerness and acceptance and explores the role of secrets in relationships. While there are hints related to the lore and existence of selkies and suspicions thereof strewn throughout the narrative, the more expansive elaboration on that aspect of the story was revealed in a rapid dump toward that end that was uneven with the pacing of the otherwise slow build and progression of the narrative that reflected a slower pace of life in the 1800s well. A sense of tension and fear are developed through Jean’s past with Jo obscured by a layer of suppressed secrecy and through Jean’s interactions with Tobias as he means to instill fear in her to warn her away from Muirin, but as with the elaboration on the selkie element of the story, so too do these reach a swift conclusion at a speed that seems too rushed to feel believable.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a debut novel for Rose Sutherland and she did it so very well. This is a sapphic retelling of “The Selkie Wife”. I thought the writing was great, I really enjoyed the plot and how she wrote all the characters. I do highly recommend checking the trigger warnings for this book as some of the content maybe very upsetting to some readers.
As for the love story it is definitely slow burn. I really enjoyed that it took place in the 1830s as it is my preferred historical time period to read in . I enjoy it overall and am eager to get my hands on a physical copy.

Trigger warnings: pregnancy, childbirth, parent death (off-page), suicide, sexual assault, gaslighting, animal death, murder

For those who don't know (which included me until after I finished the book... oops), A SWEET STING OF SALT is a sapphic retelling of "The Selkie's Wife." While I may have gotten more out of the story if I'd gone into it knowing that (and having read the original story), I still feel I got a lot out of this novel and really enjoyed it!

Particularly for a debut novel, Sutherland has an experienced grasp on worldbuilding and characterization. Jean's world was so vivid in my mind--it really brought the story to life. I adored almost all of the characters in this book (with a few obvious exceptions) and thought they were well-developed. Muirin was an adorable, cheerful foil to Jean's loner and hardheaded persona. Of all, though, I think my favorite character was Laurie.

I ultimately gave this novel 4 stars because, while the writing was immersive and I enjoyed the story overall, there were a number of plot points that were predictable, which took away from some of the suspense for me. The beginning of the book was pretty slow as well, and it takes some patience to get into. But once I was into it, I did enjoy it.

I highly recommend this story!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love anything to do with selkies, and this sapphic historical fantasy was so much fun to read! I thought the depiction of the time period was done very well, and quiet, bookish Jean was so relatable. I loved reading about Jean and Muirin's relationship, which grew despite the language barrier and despite Muirin's husband. For a quieter historical fantasy, there were several suspenseful scenes that had me on the edge of my seat.

Thank you to the publisher for the arc.

I really wanted to enjoy this but I don’t think the writing style agreed with me after reading so many books in first person. The story is still phenomenal! Just not for me.

I wanted so badly to give this book 5 stars. Everything about the story itself was excellent: the romantic dynamic between the characters, the companionship of friends, the exploration of queerness and othering through the lens of other ostracized groups being more welcoming, the inclusion and acknowledgement of Indigenous culture in a historical setting a way that just flowed, etc. However, there is one huge problem with this book:

From the synopsis, the reader knows this is a story about the legend of the Selkie Wife. You kind of get bashed over the head with all the clues to a reveal you go into the book knowing, but the main perspective character does not know and has no way of knowing. You can’t be upset with her, because it’s not her fault. But for me it is incredibly frustrating to read a book where you know the twist and the main characters doesn’t til truly 90%+ of the way through. Some people might like that, and will easily give this book five stars, but I have to dock a star because it really affected my enjoyment of the book.

Other than that I loved the setting and historical details, the inclusion of pregnancy/midwifery in a way that felt educational but not preachy, the day to day life the characters feeling so real and natural, and the way that the characters grew to understand each others language and were able to find happiness. I truly don’t know how to fix my problem with the book, but I hope others can look past that issue as well and enjoy it.

Trigger Warnings: SA, Spousal Abuse, Homophobia
Thank you NetGalley!
This book was beautifully written, a slow burn and, for the subject matter it does feel very cozy. A queer retelling of The Selkie Bride, A Sweet String of Salt follows the story of Jean, a midwife and outcast in a gossipy fishing village who falls for a mysterious woman after delivering her baby in the middle of a story night. This book is atmospheric, you can fell the dread building and building but even though I found the ending to be a bit rushed, this was one of those books where you can feel the love pouring out of every page, and Rose Sutherland, you ate this. I cannot wait to see what others think of this book and I need more queer selkie novels in my life. Well done.

A queer retelling of the selkie wife. I enjoyed this book. The romance was sweet and not overly lusty. There was tension and frustration from the Mc and antagonist as well as people from the small village. While predictable, it was a sweet, fun story.

Answering a piercing cry through a storm, Jean the village midwife not only stumbled upon a heavily pregnant woman, she unknowingly opened up a door that will cast her closely guarded world into disarray. The woman has prominent features that hinted at familiarity to Jean but try as she might, Jean could not place her in the village. With the baby delivered and the woman’s identity revealed, Jean’s observation of Muirin’s reticence to her husband and something about the baby made her do the unthinkable; she put them up temporarily in her cabin.

As each day progressed, Muirin appeared brighter, their exchanges grew livelier, smells and sounds started to fill her once empty home and Jean’s fascination grew. Even with as soft and incomprehensible Muirin’s words may be, she found a listening heart in Jean. As Muirin’s departure loomed, words became few and far between until silence reigned once again. With a determination to chase after the unspoken and unanswered, Jean set on a course to relive the sweet but might not survive the sting of truth.

Based off folktale The Selkie Wife, A Sweet Sting of Salt is a tantalising debut and a whetting of appetites for the things to come from the author. Readers who are in the market for fantasy with a LGBT twist, be prepared to not only get your suspense fix but be enchanted by a tale as old as it is new. The author wrote an endearing character right into the hearts of readers with Muirin’s desires that exposed her vulnerabilities, her inability to articulate but loving actions that spoke volumes and her touches of affection that was all encompassing. The book has a HEA ending, fitting for a connection that is so deep and dear, where the ladies fought and wrote their own destiny.

I just reviewed A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing House - Ballantine for the ARC.

This book was just very odd and I found myself unable to get into the story at all.

I received an ARC copy from Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

Thanks Random Publishing Ballantine and Netgalley for this eARC these opinions are my own. When I was sent this eARC I hadn’t heard of the “The Selkie Wife” tale nor did I know much about selkie’s in general so I got to go in with a pretty fresh mind! In a storm Jean finds a women in labor. Though they can’t seem to communicate Jean helps her give birth. Later she finds out that they woman is a wife of a nearby neighbor. Something doesn’t feel right to Jean and she’ll stop at nothing to figure out what. This one kept me guessing and the tension just kept building! The characters are so well written and the chemistry fits all the dynamics so well! I was intrigued until the very end! Highly recommend, can’t wait to read again!

This beautiful book is a sapphic retelling of The Selkie Wife, an Irish/Scottish folk-tale in which a man compels a Selkie (seal-person) to marry him, causing her to long for the sea and her true home. Although I knew generally what the story was about, the plot kept me guessing and I was genuinely desperate to know how this was going to shake out.

The take on the story is extremely compelling and drew me in with its foreboding, watery vibes and intriguing characters. There are some dark elements here and others have outlined the TWs. I found the beginning a bit slow, but by 20% in, I was hooked.

I am happy to admit that I requested this book due to the beautiful cover and title, and I am equally happy to report that it provided the moody vibes.

The book also includes an interview with the author and book club topics at the end, which I thought were interesting. This would be a good one to discuss.

A Sweet Sting of Salt
5/5 rating

Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. A huge thank you to Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley!!

As a queer woman who LOVES Gaelic folklore, I could not wait to get my hands on this one! And when I finally got the chance to read it, I was captivated from beginning to end.

Sutherland’s writing is lush and immersive, this fantastical historical fiction novel has a similar haunting nautical atmosphere to Erin A Craig's ‘House of Salt and Sorrows’. I’ve never read a retelling of The Selkie Wife before, but this one was incredibly well done-and I would absolutely recommend it if you are a fan of retellings and coastal settings.


Overall this was a very enjoyable read and I absolutely cannot wait to check out all of Sutherland’s future works :))

This novel was one of the best historical fictions I've ever read. I had high expectations, both as a fan of selkie lore and having roots in Nova Scotia, and this book exceeded my expectations. Sutherland has a wonderful skill of blending history and fantasy to form a story that is, at its core, about love.

A SWEET STING OF SALT is a gorgeous and bittersweet feminist retelling of a classic seafaring myth that finally gives the selkie wife the chance to shape her own tale. The 19th-century Canadian setting is artfully drawn down to the last chicken coop and flake of snow, and Sutherland's fearlessly kind midwife Jean is a triumph. Plus, there's seaside sapphic yearning for days, if that's your thing. (It's my thing.)

Overall, this was a very cozy, cottage-core, small town, seaside, tense, slow-burn fantasy romance. It is also a retelling of The Selkie Wife, but since I hadn’t actually known that story before going into this one, I won’t actually be able to comment on those aspects.

I had a really fun time reading this story. The main character, Jean, is a midwife who makes some very well-intentioned and increasingly questionable decisions following an absurd birth. Normally, the types of decisions made would infuriate me; however, I found that since the side-characters acknowledged how dumb a lot of the decisions were, so they added a lighthearted and silly mood to the overall plot. Otherwise, the plot was filled with tension, oscillating between the romantic and the suspenseful.

This book was more vibes than anything else, and honestly, I had a delightful time with those vibes!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sending me the arc!

SUCH. a good story, even though I did not know that it was a fairy tale retelling until checking goodreads. It's a book you can enjoy not knowing the fairy tale inspiration and I think that makes it all the better. Loved the setting, the characters, and the plot. Probably one of my books of the year.

I was incredibly lucky to have been gifted an eARC of this stunningly atmospheric and adorably pining love story, and I’m honestly so sad it’s over. 🐚

The story is set in 1830s Nova Scotia, and while I’ve never been up that far north and east, the beautiful story-telling made me feel like I was transported there. The coast, the town, the people, it all felt like I was watching a movie. . . In particular, the love story of the two farmer wives from the movie, The Word to Come (2020). 👒

I really enjoyed Jean as the MC, even though her stubbornness and desire to help others to the point of self-endangerment was a bit much for me. I feel like she’s one of those people who thinks they enjoy solitary lifestyles, but then realized they prefer the company of people they love (. . . *nervously coughs* me). I loved how inquisitive and lovely Muirin’s personality was. She was so gleeful and happy whenever she was with Jean it was rather contagious I thought. Their pining love story was what really sold it for me. Their need to be near each other started off as a beautiful friendship that turned into something more, and I couldn’t get enough of the two. ❤️

The Selkie Wife tale mixed with LGBTQ+ elements (both lesbian and gay love) was such a beautiful mesh of love and friendship. It also really shows just how delusional some men can be when they think trapping a woman in a gilded cage is equal to “love.” 😒

All in all, I would definitely recommend to those who are looking for a beautiful queer love story based on selkie lore and with beautiful sweeping landscapes. 🌊

Thank you again to Penguin Random House for reaching out and gifting me this eARC via NetGalley for an honest review. I loved every second of it and I hope there’s a spin-off or a prequel about Buchanan and his wife. 💙

Overall: 4.75/5 ⭐️