this was such a well-woven tale of the intertwining threads of many different lives, set in the early 1800's.
The main character is Jean, midwife to the local village. She meets up with Muirin one dark night, when she finds Muirin in labour and drenched, out in a storm.
These lovely ladies bond through the birth of Muirin's child, and the new mother seems to be trying to speak with Jean, but without knowing much of the language. Her husband, Tobias, comes looking for her the next day, and Muirin's demeanor changes drastically. Jean decides to tell Tobias that the new mother needs to stay with Jean so that she can learn how to care for her new baby .
As we progress through the story, the womens' bond becomes closer, Tobias becomes more possessive, we meet many villagers, and a delightful little red vixen (who I secretly hope is the star in the author's next book).
The finale is exciting, nerve-wracking, and frightening in parts. Over all, a fun book, and I learned how to make cheese!!

I love the idea of selkies, the ability to shapeshift at will. the sad part is the wicked men who steal their sealskins to capture them.

This is a story of Jean Langille, a young woman living alone on the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. As the village midwife, she is trusted and highly respected by her people in regards to her work. However, she has suffered loss in her life, and there are whispers and rumours about the type of woman she is, which isolate her from having any ties to the community. Therefore, when a very heavily pregnant Muirin appears not far from her house, distressed and in labour, Jean not only delivers her baby, but is happy to build a friendship with the woman. Muirin is mysterious and converses in Gaelic, a language foreign to Jean, as well as minimal broken English. Still, Jean quickly learns that Muirin has a secret about who she is and whom she is married to.
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While the first 20% of the book was interesting, I grew extremely bored not long afterwards. I have to say that it was beautifully written, but because there was very little dialogue, the majority of the book was focused on describing the weather, the different states of snow, seagulls, and Jean’s two goats, and vixen. I was expecting a lot of magic and folklore, just based on the synopsis of the book. The selkie content was almost non-existent, save for the last few chapters of the book. The rest of it was about Jean’s yearning (see: obsession of) for Muirin and the need to rescue her.

If scenery is your thing, and you enjoy a slow-paced book with sapphic romance, you will like this story. Unfortunately, I did not feel connected to this book nor its characters. In addition, I anticipated the ending from the very beginning, so there was no element of surprise, no climax, and a somewhat confusing epilogue. I do appreciate that the author highlighted the stories from both the queer and Mi’kmaq communities in 19th century Nova Scotia, Canada.

It’s a 2.5 ⭐️ from me.

Huge thanks to Netgalley, Rose Sutherland and the publishers for the ARC.

A Sweet Sting of Salt has everything you want in a great book. A fast paced folk story retelling with romance, intrigue and a few surprise twists culminating in a beautiful ending. Found family, queer representation, a hint if neurodivergent representation, The characters felt well rounded and familiar, like you could be sitting in the kitchen with them having a cup of tea.

Set in Nova Scotia in the 1800’s, "A Sweet Sting of Salt" is a sapphic take on the classic folktale, The Selkie Wife. Coastal, atmospheric and deeply character based, I adored this debut novel by Canadian author Rose Sutherland. I enjoyed getting to know Jean and Muirin and their Atlantic community. I felt the landscape was just as much of a character as the people through all the lush, beautiful descriptions. I wish there had been a tad more Selkie folklore woven through or that Jean might have done some research or something more to put the clues and secrets together but overall this was a slow-burn, aching love story and this it what we got! I very much look forward to reading more by this author in the future!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for sending me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An atmospheric historical fiction blended with Selkie folklore.

SInce watching the movie The Secret of Roan Inish in the '90s, i've been waiting for a literary Selkie tale. Then along came A Sweet Sting of Salt and it does a fairly good job of filling that niche.

Sutherland does a great job of creating the atmosphere of 1830s Nova Scotia. I could feel the wind, hear the crunch of the snow and smell the sea and I loved every description. I also really enjoyed the depiction of the daily life of a midwife in this setting. She also successfully conveyed the small-mindedness that can exist in small, isolated communities. However, she also captured the warmth and sense of community through her main character Jean's found family, Her mentor was one of my favourite characters.

Regarding the Selkie storyline, I wanted more Selkie folklore. Jean does not discover Murien's secret until late in the book. We the readers may have guessed Murien's secret but since Jean has not, there isn't a lot of Selkie in the book and I wanted more. I loved the moment when Murien is introduced in the book. It was dark, stormy and perfectly moody.

My only real issue is the appearance of a character near the end that conveniently resolves a critical point in the conflict.

Overall, an enjoyable book and I look forward to more from this author.

The writing is beautiful but the pace is super sonic slow and I couldn't handle that. I almost gave up on it because I literally felt like the book was going to take me ions to get to the end but it was worth it. If you love historical fiction with a slow melodic pace, this will win you. If you are like me and need the book to be faster than a sleeping snail, you will really need to make sure you have no distractions.

The story is lovely and I think would be enjoyed more via audio. That's a personal thing for me but hearing the words would have made up for the speed.

This is a 3.5 rounded up.

I thought the story had a very slow start, it was very telly and detailed and I just kept thinking please get on with it.

There was enough to keep me intrigued and I did enjoy the tale. The setting was cold and frigid (literally it's Nova Scotia winter) and there was a dark Gothic like element to the Selkie folklore.

I loved the Sapphic and Queer aspects, and the family and community, the loved the creepiness of the plot, and while I earlier complained about the author being very telly, in dune areas of the book it helped really set the scene, so there's that.

Thank you Net Galley for an advanced copy.

This was a slower read beautifully done. While the plot moved quickly the focus was less action based and more about the every day life of a very under appreciated niche. Reading about the daily life made the characters feel more real and close. Excellent foreshadowing that fed the plot perfectly. Imagery was so real that you could smell and feel it. Characters varied from good, bad and in between but all so well done you could understand where their actions were coming from. Romance/relationship building high with unfortunate fade to black.

Thank you Penguin Random House Books and NetGalley for the access of this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

This was a FANTASTIC historical fiction debut and queer reimagining of the Selkie wife fable!! I loved the setting, the atmospheric feel of this novel and the feminist slant on a classic tale. Great on audio with an absolutely GORGEOUS cover. I look forward to reading more from this debut Canadian author in the future!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. Recommended for fans of books like The cure for drowning by Loghan Paylor.

I really enjoyed this book - as a Nova Scotian — I feel the author did well with the descriptions of life , people and towns that can still resonate today . I loved the reimagining of the classic folktale The Selkie Wife. The characters had depth and developed nicely throughout the story . I feel really torn about allegiance to any character as I could see the story from Jean and Muirin`s POV but I also sympathised with and felt bad for Tobias — he holds on so tightly to Muirin it becomes abusive — but really he is so lonely and afraid to lose her —it is quite sad—he begins to become unbalanced— though I also feel for Mirin’s situation. This was a great debut novel — the author was able to make me intrigued with every character and their motivations as well as invested in the final outcome.

Thank-you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada | Random House Canada for this ARC. This is my honest review.

Jean is the only midwife in her small town. One night during the storm she hears a cry, and goes out to investigate. What she finds is a woman in labour calling out, by the water, and unable to speak any English. She takes her back to her cabin, and comes to realization she must be Muirin, the new wife of her neighbour, and helps her deliver the baby. The baby comes out a little unusual, and when the he husband comes asking strange questions she decides to keep Muirin with her for a few days. Teaching her english and how to care for the child.

The situation between Muirin and her husband raises a lot of questions for Jean, and even though she has been burned before she continues to help Muirin, despite her husband and his threats.

A queer retelling of The Selkie's Wife is not a story I knew I wanted or needed. This story was so beautifully written and told. Both female characters were so dynamic and their chemistry and love story were so well developed. Such a wonderful novel for anyone looking for a Historical fantastical queer novel.

A Sweet Sting of Salt is the Selkie folklore queer retelling we dreamed of. It’s riveting and tender, with grit to scrape yourself on the edges but soft in the middle. The beautiful writing captivated me from the start- the dialogue and banter, the domestic descriptions of daily life, the food, the storytelling of all the ups and downs of the book. The fondness for children and passionate rage at injustice. A love story and a fairy tale and an imagining of queer people in old fashioned Nova Scotia. I loved the honouring and respect for the Indigenous people in the area that was threaded throughout the book.
And, the ending is perfect.
ARC copy - thank you! I am thrilled to see what else this author will write one day!!

NOTE : I received this e-ARC from @netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

I discovered this book and was intrigued by:
- the retelling of an old folk tale
- the queer perspective on it
- the fact that it was written by a fellow Canadian
- the story is set in Nova Scotia in the 1800s.

It took me some time to get into the story, but once I did, I went through the book in no time.

I never read any book or stories on selkies though I knew what they are through other reads, so I was eager to see how the whole story would unfold.

A Sweet Sting of Salt is a solid debut novel from @suther_rose. The novel is well written, well thought out and is an easy read.

I got stressed when the husband becomes more threatening, though I could tell well in advance what would happen. The author's still able to depict it in an interesting way and she is able to keep the reader slightly on its toes.

On the topic of spice, it's almost non-existent. There is some kissing and one fade-to-black scene to keep the whole book in the Rated G category. You can feel the strong feelings the FMCs have for one another, but it stays very proper.

I did think it was on a slower side of things and it could have been avoided. The pace could and should have been a little faster: the plot wouldn't have been hurt with less pages and repetitions in the ideas. Unfortunately, there were still some mistakes in the book and that is a pet peeve to say the least.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for this ARC, and to Rose Sutherland for writing such a heartfelt story.

A Sweet Sting of Salt is a historical fiction novel with a hint of fantasy, set in 19th century Nova Scotia. It is a retelling of The Selfie Wife, but with a sapphic twist between Jean (a midwife) and Muirin (a new wife and mother).

Since this was set in the 1830s this read like a folktale or classic, but I think this non-contemporary style held me back from immersing myself fully in the story/characters. I could also appreciate the writing and detailed side characters in this, although the conflicts and slower pacing would probably have had a greater impact on a someone other than myself.

Overall, this story was very wholesome and sweet, and I would recommend it to those who love a historical fiction or retelling with a thread of romance sprinkled throughout.

I got the email for this one and I saw Nova Scotia, Norse mythology, and sapphic romance! I was sold off the bat so I will say I may have gone in a little biased. This was a mishmash of historical fiction, with some fantasy and romance, giving just the best vibes. This is a cozy coastal read, I loved the important role of nature, and how much this did feel like home. I think the author did a really great job at balancing all the feels in this book with the plot and world building. I really enjoyed. Thank you for this ARC

This one deserves all of the stars.
This book was absolutely gorgeous. Rooted in Scottish folklore and based on the tale of "The Selkie Wife" this debut was absolutely mesmerizing. There is beautiful scene setting, page-turning suspense, amazing romantic tension, wonderful dialogue and also lgbtq representation contained within the pages of this sapphic love story and folklore retelling.

Part historical fiction, part fantasy romance, the story follows Jean, a midwife who has worked hard to reinstate her value to the community after being slandered for her choices in love. Afraid of making connections in her community, everything changes when she comes upon a laboring mother in need on a stormy night. Sensing that there is something dubious occurring, she forms a friendship with the woman and takes her under her wing.

If you love historical fiction with a little bit of a fairytale story included, I'd highly recommend this book. I loved the coastal vibe and Nova Scotia setting. The descriptive scenes and Jean's relationship with her natural setting is beautiful. I also love how the author reflects on nature and ties what's happening in the natural world into the occurences in our protagonist's story.

I always rate a book highly if it invokes an emotional response, and this story absolutely does.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw this book come up in an email I saw that it took place in Nova Scotia and was sapphic, I knew I had to read it.

I'll be honest, I had no idea what to expect going into this. I wasn't sure if the genre really fell into historical fiction, with a tad of romance, or if it was all fantasy. I also hadn't read The Selkie Wife and really had only heard about selkies in passing.

I was pleasantly surprised with how this story went. I really enjoyed learning more about the Celtic lore of selkies as well as some more history about fishing villages in Nova Scotia, all while also enjoying a bit of romance intertwined in it. I loved the way that Sutherland kept true to Nova Scotia roots and the current state of the province during that time.
Jean is a fiery, strong character and I enjoyed how the story was written in a way that we were finding information out with her, rather than knowing ourselves and watching her be in the dark. Muririn was meek at first, but I liked seeing her slowly come into herself and grow into just as strong of a woman as Jean. I found myself rooting for the two of them, in more ways than one, throughout majority of the story.

I did find the story was a bit drawn out in the beginning, I found it was a bit of a chore to pick it up at times. By about halfway though I felt it really ramped up and I couldn't put it down. I really do look forward to seeing more of Sutherland's writing; especially if they plan to keep reviving old tales from my home province.

This atmospheric fairytale reimagining had me on the edge of my seat! I was familiar with the folkloric inspiration, and Sutherland told a tightly spun tale of isolation, queer longing, and danger that was enjoyable even knowing the inevitable twist. Set in 1830s Nova Scotia, the story follows young midwife Jean, who lives on the outskirts of her small fishing village to escape insidious gossip after a scandal with her best friend Josephine years ago. One stormy night, Jean hears a cry on the beach and discovers her neighbour’s new wife Muirin distraught, in labour, with barely any English. After delivering an unusual baby and witnessing the new mother’s strange behaviour around her concerned husband, events quickly escalate from there. All is not as it seems, and Jean soon finds herself caught in the middle of a maelstrom with an undeniable connection to the mysterious and lovely Muirin.

While there were elements of this story that were quite thrilling, I was struck by the overall emotional tone; the author took care to balance tense scenes with humour and warmth, so the hope of a happy ending felt possible. I felt utterly transported to Jean’s lonely shore, and while the plot was very single-minded, it was crafted beautifully. Part historical fiction, part queer love story, and part Celtic fairytale, “A Sweet Sting of Salt” was a treat to read!

Thanks to Random House Canada and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book intrigued me from the very beginning! I love the setting of this story because I live in New Brunswick, Canada which borders Nova Scotia and have visited many times. So for me, it was easy to envision the setting while reading.

I am glad I went into this book not knowing the folktale, because the yearning made me not able to put the book down!

This sapphic historical fiction is the perfect rainy day/coastal read!

This book was wonderful! I was not quite sure if it would be a thriller or a romance or something else. I had never read the folktale that it is inspired by.

The characters were enchanting and I love how the development of relationships grew throughout the book. Laurie and Anneke were two characters that we got more exposure to as the book went on, and I loved seeing their bond with Jean.

I was pretty tense during a few spots of the book and was very nervous for Jean. I like how the mystery unfolded and I really appreciate the reveal.

There were a couple slow spots in the book, but there were also very intense, heart-pumping spots as well. Everything in balance, I suppose!

Rose did a wonderful job with her writing! It was a beautiful retelling!

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Thank you so much to Rose, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley for this ARC!