Beautiful writing with a lovely, mystical story. The middle dragged on some but stay for the lyrical prose and the wonderful characters.

I wanted to like this so bad, but I just couldn't get into it. I very quickly DNF'd this book, I just think the writing style wasn't for me. I am dedicated to giving this book a second chance eventually! I think the premise is so cool, I'd love to be wrong about my opinion.

What an incredible debut novel from Rose Sutherland. The prose drew me in immediately and the imagery kept me captivated. I’m unfamiliar with the original Selkie’s Wife folklore so I can’t speak to how good of a retelling this book is. I can, however, say that this story was beautiful and angsty with a gothic atmosphere. Jean is one of those characters that feels tangible, and I found it so easy to connect with her. Muirin was also a great character, I enjoyed the mystery surrounding her and the slow revealing of that mystery. The pacing was slow but not so much so that it bothered me. With a debut like this I’m very much looking forward to seeing what this author does next! Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While I'm sure this was a beautiful story, it just wasn't for me. I should learn to read the synopsis before I accept a book. It sounded like it was right up my alley, but it was more of a historical fiction.

This spooky atmosphere and beautiful writing I was hooked from the first pages. This haunting fairytale es que story follows Jean an ostracized midwife who enjoys her life of solitude her peaceful life is disrupted one evening when a pregnant woman mysteriously ends up outside her cabin. Murin the woman who appeared outside Jeans cabin seems to be more than she seems as the baby has some unique features. Murin confides in Jean that her husband Tobais is holding her there against her will. Jean makes it her mission to save her.

The writing in this book was so descriptive and beautiful I really enjoyed the fairy tale folk lore vibe to this book it was very atmospheric and was exactly what I was in the mood for. The story while a bit predictable was still entertaining and left me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I hope to read more from this author soon. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Incredibly atmospheric and moody. The setting alone had a chokehold on me. It embarks the reader on a chilling voyage setting sail from 19th century Nova Scotia that traverses through the mystical and foggy waters of Celtic folklore and ends with a discovery of love so deep it survives even the most harrowing circumstances and unforgiving environments.

I find atmospheric historical fiction to be a fascinating genre, when we focus more on the daily lives of characters and the impact the setting has on their lives. Jean lives on the edge of town, removed both by distance and her romantic inclinations. Her life separate from the rest of society plays a major role in this story and getting to experience it alongside her as a reader made Jean such a vivid character. Everything from her daily chores to her trek out to Muirin’s house to going into town to check on expectant mothers added to the visceral atmosphere of the novel.

A part of me wishes this was not advertised as a reimagining of The Selkie Wife simply because it’s treated as a mystery throughout the novel and it would have been super interesting as a reader to be in the dark as well. I found the beginning of this book to drag slightly because I already knew the outcome. It also would have been interesting to delve more into the local mythology/ folktales as a lead up to the reveal, rather than mere shallow mentions.

Adding Jean to my redhead lesbian collection!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to preview A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland in exchange for my honest review. This was such a lovely story. I am a sucker for retellings of folklore from around the world. I wasn't familiar with The Selkie Wife folktale, so I didn't know where the story was going from the start. I love that Sutherland added a queer love story within her adaptation of the tale. She did a wonderful job developing the characters and the setting in 19th century Nova Scotia. I will absolutely be picking up her works in the future.

Selkie stories have always intrigued me, and I was excited to read this new version. I enjoyed the writing style and the overall story, but the pacing dragged in the middle, and I wish it had some more substance outside just the main character, Jean.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell Publishing for a copy in exchange of a review.

A Sweet Sting of Salt is a lovely retelling of the selkie wife folk story. It follows the journey of Jean, the mid-wife of a small village, and Muirin, the new wife of a local fisherman. Jean and Muirin meet unexpectedly when Muirin is in labor and they have to navigate a language barrier during the birth and build trust with each other. Jean becomes suspicious when her husband arrives and Muirin’s demeanor changes- and she has to decide to trust her gut and help Muirin even when the situation becomes dangerous for everyone.

This sweet novel balances quick readability and lovely writing well. I felt like I knew all of the characters - including side characters. I understood the position that Jean found herself in and why she wanted to act. And it was lovely watching the love story develop between our heroines.

Would definitely recommend for cold winter nights when you need some warmth.

Good book interesting selkie story. I really liked the setting and time period but I had a hard time staying in the story, I can't exactly pinpoint what didn't work for me but it might have been the character development or just the voice.

When Jean, a midwife in Nova Scotia in the Early 1800's discovers Muirin in labor in her yard, she quickly goes into action and gets her indoors just in time to deliver the baby. Although Muirin speaks in an unknown language that Jean assumes to be Gaelic, the two women learn to communicate as Muirin recovers. Jean soon become suspicious that Muirin’s husband Tobias is holding her captive. Since Jean and Muirin have secretly become close, Jean begins to plan a way to free Muirin with the help of her friend, Laurie who has secrets of his own. And of course, Muirin is unlike anyone that Jean has ever met for a reason.
I really enjoyed this very different magical realism story. The characters were well developed and likable. I liked the strong females and the way the minor characters seemed to accept who they were. Muirin’s story was so good and magical. This is definitely not a typical silly romance book. Very engaging and entertaining. Highly recommend for readers who enjoy magical realism!

Sutherland's debut novel takes the classic myth of The Selkie Wife and reimagines it through a historical fiction lens, infusing the story with both richness and depth. The result is tense, dramatic, and very queer.

This book's shining star is Jean - she's fierce and intelligent, and really embodies the sapphic yearning that comes after just a few days of knowing someone. Her relationship with Muirin is gentle, and reading it feels like being wrapped up in a warm blanket. The plot felt circular at times; I found myself skimming a few parts because I felt like I had already read them, and there were some plot points that I wish had been expanded on more.

While not my personal favorite, I always have room in my heart for a queer romance, and the integration of Celtic folklore makes this a great choice for those looking for a vivid and hopeful historical fiction.

I love the lgbtq rep, but the setting just didn't interest me as much as I thought it would. I appreciate the advance copy!

Sweet, very slow burn. I was hoping for something that would really grab me but it never quite got there. The overly delayed reveal was kind of annoying because it’s a retelling, we already know…so why drag it out like a big mystery? But still, I did enjoy overall and think it was worth the read.

“A Sweet Sting of Salt” by Rose Sutherland - 4 stars (SPOILERS CONTAINED) (Pub Date: Out Now!) is an urgent and mystical queer love story, exploring what it means to find a soul mate in an unexpected place with an unexpected person, and the bravery required to take what you want from life.

Good things: “Salty” as the author refers to her work in the notes, is a fun story to read for the most part, recalling all the stories of mysteriousness from the Irish and Scottish folklore I grew up reading. The idea of an idyllic community where not one but two same-sex couples can live comfortably and openly in a community that still requires that women wear dresses and call for the midwife is a particularly pleasant one.

Opportunities: I spent a longer time than I wanted waiting to care about the characters… meaning that the supernatural surprise wasn’t very surprising based on the book jacket summary, and I would have preferred the pacing to move a little faster in the beginning. I also know quite a few variations of the silkie myth/story (google Ducktales Murder Ponies for the most recent one that made me laugh), but many people do not. More silky lead-up probably would have helped the less broadly informed reader.

Final Thoughts: This is an entertaining, quick read that allows for love, longing, mythology, and good old fashioned bad guy all in one story. The scenery is also gorgeously described, which is one of my least-secret favorite things. It’s nice to have another variation of the queer love story presented in a general-audience format as well. Fees like a good story that just so happens to have same-sex protagonists, rather than a same-sex love story about mythical shapeshifting seals. I appreciate the recent change I’m seeing in lit.

I appreciate the opportunity afforded me to have an early read of this story by netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell . The opinions in this review are expressly those of ButIDigressBookClub and are intended for use by my followers and friends when choosing their next book. #butidigress #butidigressbookclub #asweetstingofsalt #rosesutherland #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #arc #arcs

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Review Shared on Goodreads - www.goodreads.com/leah_cyphert_butidigressbookclub
Publishing Review 5/26/2024

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

A Sweet Sting of Salt is a queer historical romance with fantasy elements set in a coastal town in Nova Scotia. It is quiet in tone, although that is not to suggest nothing happens. In fact, quite a bit happens, but it never felt harried or rushed. It's a winter novel in a fishing village. The tone is quiet like winter is quiet, and deep like the sea is deep. Jean, our protagonist, is responsible and forthright. She works as a midwife for the people of the village and is respected for her skill even if she also feels she's on the outside of polite society. When she wakes in the middle of the night to screams and finds a woman about the give birth in the woods, she has to help. The characters and the world are knowable and compelling. I thought the ending sidestepped the issue of acceptance in the broader village a bit, which caught at my thoughts, but what a small critique. This is a fantastic debut.

As soon as I started reading this book I was pulled in and didn’t want to stop. It’s mysterious and familiar and reminds me so much of a folktale passed down through the family. The story is well told and has a happy ending; if you’re not expecting it, the ending can be weird but I already knew where the story was going and loved it!

Hooray to more stories featuring female main characters getting what they want/deserve and queer storylines!

3.5stars!
As much as I enjoyed this book, it was very slow going for me. However, I will always adore good girl power vibe story and this has it! The characters are both likable and hate worthy in a good kind of way!
A Sting of Salt is a story that for me is good up to the part I close the back cover and I will forget what its about unless I read it again.
Thank you Netgalley for the copy!