Tenderly, I Am Devoured is poetically eerie! I really enjoyed the MFC Lark and her growth through this story. The atmosphere of the story and the writing of the story felt light with a hint of gothic/horror. This is definitely a slow burn book. Lots of art references. Youll get a smidge of academia. A unique system involving gods. There are NOW and THEN chapters, which I appreciate as a reader. The plot was very easy to follow and I felt it was easy to read. I enjoyed the MFC and MMC, but felt that their chemistry was a bit off due to other aspects of the story line. This poly relationship, just didnt do it for me. But I did enjoy the ending very much.. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC.

Lyndall Clipstone’s latest novel is a mesmerizing blend of gothic fantasy and romance, infused with poetic prose that brings its eerie, sea-drenched world to life. The story follows Lacrimosa (Lark) Arriscane, an aspiring artist who returns home after being expelled from school, only to find her family drowning in debt. With their fate tied to the ruthless Felimath family, Lark’s only way out is a marriage of convenience—not to a man, but to a sea god who demands she join him in another realm. When the ceremony goes terribly wrong, she finds herself entangled with the enigmatic Alastair Felimath and his compassionate sister, Camille, in a world where myths and nightmares collide.

The novel’s "floral gothic" aesthetic balances ethereal beauty with ominous undertones, crafting an atmosphere where love, sacrifice, and self-discovery intertwine. Lark’s journey from a lost soul to someone who reclaims her own power is deeply compelling, while Alastair’s brooding presence and Camille’s quiet strength add layers to the dynamic relationships at the heart of the story. The tension between them—both emotional and romantic—builds masterfully, creating a unique and unconventional sapphic romance wrapped in a slow-burning mystery. Though the pacing lingers in the first half, the final third delivers gripping revelations and a satisfying conclusion.

With its immersive world-building, haunting mythology, and striking LGBTQ representation, this novel stands out as a beautifully written, atmospheric romantasy. The sea gods, salt priests, and deeply personal stakes make for a fresh and unforgettable take on gothic fantasy. Despite its occasional slowness, the story’s originality and emotional depth make it a highly recommended read for those who love lush, poetic prose and romance that thrives in the shadows.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC!

I gave myself a whole day after finishing this to really think about it. I came to the conclusion that the writing is beautiful, but the book might not be for me. For maybe over half of the book, I was heavily debating if I should drop it, because it was so slow and honestly I kept saying "just sell the house". I guess the marriage reason is later revealed to be more serious, but the initial reason just didn't do it for me. I was also put off by the relationship with siblings, even without any incest.

If I could give half/quarter ratings, I think this book would be more like a 3.25 or 3.5/5 stars for me.

I want to start off with the positives for this book.

I obviously must mention how beautiful the cover is for this book along with the title. They’re both about as perfect as they could possibly be.
I loved the writing. I thought the prose was beautiful and the story concept was whimsical. I also really enjoyed the characters in this one. I felt like Camille could’ve used a bit more development as compared to Lark and Alastair but they were all pretty lovable characters. The visuals in this book drew me in along with the atmosphere and tone. I really loved the polyamorous relationship within this story. I don’t read many stories containing poly characters so this was a welcomed addition. I thought the sex scenes were also handled really well. The scenes were mostly just implied which is different from a lot of books I’ve read recently but I found that I enjoyed this switch. The writing allows the reader to understand exactly what is happening without explicit detail.

Ironically, I had some qualms with the polyamorous relationship between Lark and brother and sister (Camille and Alastair). There was never any incest between Camille and Alastair and they never all had relations together. It was always just a one-on-one between Camille and Lark or Alastair and Lark. But I still struggled with the idea of it. The other thing that I struggled with was the pacing. It felt slow to me until around 60% and it was hard for me to originally get engaged because of this. But once I got to that 60% mark, I whipped through the rest of the book.

I want to personally thank the author, Lyndall Clipstone for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.

Tenderly, I am devoured was the love child of any gothic romance and the sea, and the kind of soothing horror I wish I could read more often. The prose was beautiful, the scenery artistic and the atmosphere melancholic and I really wish I could give it five stars.

Unfortunately its length made it lack in depth and some of the writing felt a little repetitive. I could have easily read 300 more pages of Veste, its salted air, swan god and golden ratio.

It was both slow and fast paced, peaceful and nerve wracking, a little dark with no real plot twists, a touch of horror, lingering regrets and pining. Alastair was sad, Camille was brave and Lark was the lighthouse during a storm.

4.5⭐️The prose was so incredibly stunning! The writing is so atmospheric, every scene is so easy to picture and feel.. This was quite the immersive read and often felt like a salty, flower-strewn fever dream. I didn't want it to end!

Thank you to Lyndall Clipstone, Henry Holt and Co., Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. I loved it and know it must have been a special feeling to share with the masses.

This one wasn't for me.

Clipstone, time and time again, delivers beautiful gothic prose. What fell short for me on this was the relationship dynamic (brother/sister). It's an ick for me, personally.

As always, excellent writing.

I barely know what to say, I am completely obsessed with every single thing about this book. The writing was exquisite and poetic, the setting was atmospheric and stunning, and the relationships that blossomed were so heartfelt.

This was an incredible mix of gothic vibes, folklore, mythology, and romance. The writing was so descriptive I could practically smell the ocean and feel the salty breeze on my face. I found myself wanting to dance barefoot around a beach bonfire in a float dress with a flower crown on my head. I will definitely be re reading this, and reading more from this author.

Infinite thanks to NetGalley and Lyndall Clipstone for an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The cover is so misleading to the story. The cover and synopsis make it feel like it's going to go this romantic graceful romance and it just wasn't. Felt like she was trying to add some LGBT aspects, but it didn't make sense and the lover interests being brother and sister disturbed me.

"I've seen the cruelty of the mortal world; I have no fear of gods or monsters."

Tenderly, I am Devoured is one of the most beautiful books I have read in the last year. Don’t Let the Forest in meets Saltburn in this stunning gothic YA poly romance.

Lyndall Clipstone’s prose blushes violet through the pages, tugging you into her world and refusing to release a piece of your soul to the sea.

The story centers around Lacrimosa, “Lark”, after she is expelled from her boarding school and she returns home to find her family destitute. Lark bravely agrees to marry the swan god her family worships but all goes awry and her world is further shattered on the night of her betrothal.
Clipstone has worked in a fascinating timeline, playing point of view through then and now chapters in order to weave Lark’s motivations throughout the story, and reveal her past with her mysterious neighbors, the Felimath’s.

This book hooked me on vibe alone, rolling out cottagecore and academia on a velvet carpet, teasing a romance that channels Hades and Persephone through the betrothal to an underworld god with wings of swan feathers, and wrapping it all with the aspects we all crave from Saltburn: that deep yearning for the forbidden, bloody kisses, and friendless betrayal.

"I know how it feels to love someone who is like poison. To want so desperately to please them, even though it wounds you."

If the vibes won’t get you alone, know that there is a true happily ever after, which feels so rare nowadays. This is an incredibly fast read as it will hook you and you won’t want to put it down, but it’s also a thrilling ride. The stakes are low, as long as you don’t think being trapped between worlds is a terrible fate, and the plot twist will surely make you gasp.

Clipstone truly amazes with her newest title, bringing a stunning and unique story to life, and I cannot wait to see what she reveals next.

I requested this ARC because I was drawn to the title and the comparison to Saltburn, and it really didn't disappoint.

I have never read this author, but her prose is absolutely stunning. Her descriptive writing feels like you're admiring a painting that is right in front of you.

The gothic, melancholic setting will always work for me, so I was drawn in right away. It felt a bit like the story of Hades and Persephone mixed with the uneasy horror of Saltburn.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

This author has a lovely prose style. The vivid descriptions are chef’s kiss. The deep love and sorrow of this tale drips off the page. I felt it in my bones, and I am enamored by this story.

Lacrimosa (Lark) is expelled from her dream art school and returns home to her older brothers who raised her after their parents died. Drowning in sorrow she longs to find comfort in her childhood home but is met with horror instead.

The family salt mine has run dry, and the man responsible for her first heartbreak - Alastair - calls in her family’s debt. Unable to pay, Lark finds a marriage of convenience to resolve the debt. But on the night of her wedding, it all goes horribly wrong.

Lark is thrown into the dangerous folklore of the gods, her heartbreak with Alastair, her attraction to his older sister Camille, the shame of her art school failures, and the tragic history of her family. She is fast slipping away from the mortal world, unsure if anyone can save her.

We delve into love in a way that highlights its poisons and abuse. Mourning those who take advantage by gaslighting and purposely inflicting trauma. These examples being balanced by the wonderful representation of polyamorous and bisexual relationships. The author writes with an open mind and her characters love in the same way.

I was privileged to receive an ARC of this book - thank you NetGalley and Lyndall Clipstone - and have been honest in my review of it. I did not receive anything in exchange for my review.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is like looking at an oil painting that's being described to you. The beautiful, poetic writing pulls you in and wraps you in a serene atmosphere of coastal grasslands, dark forests, and tumultuous seas. One of the highlights for me was watching Lacrimosa navigate her way through the story and all its twists and turns alongside Alastair and Camille. I found them all to be flawed but very likable characters which made it easy to root for them.

To summarise the vibes, 'flower-threaded gothic horror' is the perfect way to describe this book. Definitely a must-read for anyone who enjoyed the movie Saltburn or Crimson Peak.

Thank you, Lyndall, NetGalley, and Macmillan Publishing Group for the eARC!

Let me start off by saying that the cover for this book is gorgeous!! It is very fitting for the story. Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a beautifully written gothic-esque novel, but it starts off slow and stays at that pace often throughout the book. That being said, it is still very good, but I did have a problem with one aspect of the story. Without giving any spoilers (I'll try my best not to), the relationships the FMC, Lacrimosa, or Lark for short, is cringe worthy. The two siblings, Alastair and Camille, end up being her lovers and they don't mind that she is with them both. It's incestuous and really damages the wonderful story that the author has written. I had a hard time finishing the book because of this. Had they not been siblings, I would have given this a higher rating. I loved the world building and I can't stress enough how lovely it was written.
I would like to thank NetGalley and MacMillan Children's Publishing Group for allowing me a chance to read a digital copy of the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I really appreciate the opportunity to do so!

I've been frothing at the mouth waiting to read this book, and it was everything I wanted it to be and more.
I devoured this book. I love this book with my entire being.
I only ever want to read books that are beautiful the way that this book is beautiful, romantic the way this book is romantic, terrible, and awful, full of salt and chthonic liquor and gods and blood.

Wow!!! Just WOW! This was everything my Saltburn loving heart was craving. Think dark academia, chthonic gods, bi fantasy masterpiece.

Tenderly, I am Devoured is a heartfelt ode to tender first feelings, soft kisses, broken promises, and broken dreams reforged anew. Clipstone manages to capture those almost fawn-like feelings of new adulthood, that liminal, painful space that is the threshold between childhood and adulthood. As a soft, queer girl that experienced her own shattered heartbreak, the fragile dance of friendship, and more, this book resonated with me and stirred long-forgotten feelings in me.
A whimsical world full of gods, wrathful loves, and flower-threaded horror, the world of Verse fills one with an aching sense of longing and nostalgia as you follow Lark and her tremulous steps into a new world.

This is a tale that spans from childhood to adulthood, trudging though the turmoils of love and heartbreak in adolescence, and finding one's path and self-worth in life. There is betrayal, forgiveness, and a loyalty that would rock any character. I picture the primary scenes on beachy cliffs with a forest close by, and the colors muted unless emotions are present. This book shares a lot of symbolism in objects and art along with the beautifully unimportant need to identify relationships and attractions as this-or-that (the characters in the book fall for a person, not a gender, quite often, and it is one of the BEST parts of this story). I would recommend this for anyone that loves a gothic element and a character with a relentless destiny as wild as the ocean, along with a touch of magic/fate.

A favorite:
<i>"... the worst hurt doesn't always come with open violence. Instead, there is a tenderness before you're devoured."</i>

The story sets out with Lacrimosa (Lark) returning back home after experiencing a betrayal and subsequent expulsion from their schooling. Lark and her brothers are experiencing difficulties repaying their family debt due to their empty salt mines. Having no other option, Lark agrees to be married to the chthonic God that they worship. After second-guessing this choice, Lark seeks the help of her childhood friends/romantic interests.


First, the cover is absolutely beautiful. Second, while the storyline itself was not my favorite, the writing style is something of poetry; it is ethereal in a way that portrays femininity as a subtle but powerful thing. Thirdly, questionable but intriguing romantic partner choices that while made for entertainment did not come across the paper well for me. The LGBT representation was also something that I really much enjoyed.

Overall, I would recommend this book looking for a dark, romantic, gothic, ethereal read!

4.5/5

I feel so much for Lacrimosa. My heart aches for her. I adore her relationships with Alastair, Camille, and even Therion. What would it be like to be loved and love so many? I did wish we could explore more of Therion though. What a whirlwind of a story, so beautifully written that it makes it seem like you can feel the salt breeze on your cheeks.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing a copy for an honest review.