Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a gothic, romantic fantasy with some horror elements. I absolutely love Lyndall Clipstone's writing. Her writing is very profound and poetic. I really enjoyed reading about Lacrimosa. She returns home to her bothers after spending years away to attend school. There are dark family secrets and she is reunited with her former childhood friends. I am obsessed with the story and I can’t wait to purchase a physical copy. The cover is absolutely stunning. One again thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC and this amazing opportunity.

Well that was interesting. Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
First of all, I love Lyndall Clipstone's writing- it is so beautiful and poetic.
I loved the creepy, dark, gothic vibe.
Also, I would probably read this author again.
***spoilers ahead***
Second, the FMC seemed to fall in love with literally everyone that she gets close to except her brothers. It just seemed a bit weird to me that this girl is unable to have a healthy friendship with literally ANYONE because she ends up loving them. Is that really love?
Third, I could not get down with the idea of siblings sharing a romantic partner. Maybe it's for some people, and that's great I guess, but it's not for me.
Overall, it was an okay read, not amazing.

The world of Tenderly, I Am Devoured is fascinating with a totally unique magic system and set of Gods. The writing is gorgeous, so much so that it is jealousy inspiring as a fellow author. Sometimes main characters can get a little annoying but I fully supported Lark the whole time. I adored Alastair, but while I liked Camille too I was not as emotionally connected to her. I struggled with what to rate this because with every high fantasy novel there’s a big learning curve to the world and it was a bit slow to get into it, so it took me a while to read but then I was completely sucked in. There were some aspects that weren’t my favorite. I felt some of the intimacy to be underdeveloped with not all of the love interests created equal, leaving it feeling dissonant with the tone. This is a book for yearning and it felt like a disservice to the beautiful tension that was otherwise building. I also do love a “Why Choose?” romance but it was a little much for me in the end. If you can have everybody then it kind of makes it feel like nobody is special. I also didn’t feel like some of the side characters were as well-rounded as they could have been, so I didn’t fully believe all the dialogue or motivations of a couple of them. Lastly, while the language was so beautiful, there was a ton of repeated language and imagery that seemed unintentional and sometimes I felt like the descriptions would have landed more if they were ended a bit earlier. With that all being said, this was a fabulous book and I greatly enjoyed reading it. I rarely knew what was coming next and found the tension of the conflict to be incredibly well-executed. I will be buying a physical copy as soon as possible!

Absolutely devoured this book—no pun intended! Like so many others, I was first drawn in by the stunning cover, but what really surprised me was how much I enjoyed the story itself. Romantasy isn't usually my thing, but this one completely held my attention.

Think: a little bit goth Aquaman meets a triple-threat love story—yes, please!

After being expelled from an elite boarding school for a violent incident, 18-year-old Lacrimosa Arriscane (aka Lark) returns home in disgrace, only to find her family teetering on the edge of financial collapse. In a desperate bid to save them, she agrees to a marriage of convenience—to Therion, the chthonic sea god worshipped in her eerie, coastal hometown.

But when the betrothal goes terribly wrong, Lark starts slipping out of the mortal world. Her only shot at survival? Teaming up with her sharp-tongued first love, Alastair Felimath, and his mysterious, magnetic sister Camille. As the three dive deeper into forgotten myth and ritual, Lark finds herself tangled not only in ancient magic but in a spellbinding, sensual connection with both siblings.

What starts as a ritual to save her turns into something far more dangerous—unleashing a force that threatens to consume Therion… and Lark herself.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is dripping with gothic atmosphere, flower-laced dread, and lush, lyrical prose. It’s a hauntingly beautiful blend of romantic folk horror and queer love—dark, seductive, and totally unforgettable.

I genuinely enjoyed this book and very much loved the world building. The magic in this world was unique with gods of the sea. I loved the development of our main character, Lark and her story of adventure and romance. Very dark academia vibes mixed with gods.

Please check the trigger warnings though!

I need to look up a stronger word than just gorgeous and amazing. This will pull you in and you won't want to let go ever. Beautiful and atmospheric but when you come and think about it you also see how much substance it has. A brilliant blend that will enchant you and not want to ever leave!

4,25/5 stars.

I really enjoyed this one. It was very fast and easy to read. And it think it helped me get back to reading again after one month of struggling with reading.

It was very fast paced and kept me hooked through the whole book. I also liked the horror elements in this very much.

It was very refreshing to read because it had FFM. I haven't seen that dynamic very often so that made it even more interesting. And they were all so cute together which made it even more fun to read.

Thank you to the author for the chance to read it early.

Thank you, Lyndall Clipstone and @fiercereads, for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The title is perfect for this YA fantasy story, which is full of gothic romance and folk horror. Love is often complicated in many ways, and this story effectively captures that complexity. There are complications with friends, family, lovers, and community. It explores the complexities of love, from its sweet to its painful aspects, with or without the best intentions. I truly enjoyed this story; it’s on my reread list. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys slow burn, cottagecore, salt burn vibes, flower threaded horror, magic, and swan gods.

I've been struggling a bit with horror lately, particularly with the wonderful weather, but this book pulled me in and kept me hostage until the end. Would be fantastic for a fall read!

I loved this book!! I haven't read a polycule romance like this BUT IT WAS SO GOOD! I loved the cthonic religion and the descriptions of the world. I loved all the characters and how they developed throughout the story. I am so excited for future books in this series/by Lyndall Clipstone.

i can see why some people absolutely adore this book. but i also see why i didn't. while there's incredible atmosphere and immersive writing throughout, the characters and pacing just didn't hit for me. it felt like a lot of slow buildup for a rushed ending leaving you without a true connection/development to some of the characters. also, just me, but i couldn't get behind a love triangle including siblings. i know it's a loved trope, but not for me. in all, gorgeous book that just missed a few marks w me.

I will never stop being in awe of the storytelling of Lyndall Clipstone. It’s lyrical, ethereal and deeply atmospheric. Completely and utterly captivating! Being in a world created by Lyndall Clipstone almost feels like existing somewhere between a fever dream and reality. You will recognise where you are, but there is a constant feeling of otherness.

The dual timeline was perfectly executed, giving glimpses into Lark’s history with Alastair and her life at boarding school and the agonising circumstances under which she was expelled. My heart broke for Lacrimosa so many times during this book! But although she had to face so many devastating encounters with people, she still prioritised putting others ahead of her own wants and needs.

What really shone for me in this book was the way the relationships were portrayed, be it the relationship between Lark and her brothers, or the romance. It was all so beautifully done and handled with such delicate tenderness. It was just such an absolute delight to read and I loved every single moment of this book.

Holy crap that was something else entirely! But of course not in a bad way. #LyndallClipstone creates an amazing atmosphere in #Tenderl,IAmDevoured.

This book is full of angst, has a major love quadruple I guess you could call it. Gods, evil Priests, abusive fathers, magic, sacrifice and of course the ocean. I loved every moment of reading this, I myself devoured it from start to finish and am sad to see it end. I am left feeling like I have said goodbye to people that are close to my heart.

I urge you to read #Tenderly,IAmDevoured by #LyndsllClipstone as soon as you can!

I'd like to say thankyou to #Netgalley and the publishers at #Macmillian for the chance to immerse myself in this world in return for a fair and truthful review

I have not finished the book yet but the ARC deadline is today so I will update review when finished. So far I am loving this story, going back and forth from past to present plus the POV changing from first to second person is very unique. Writing style is very beautiful and I love how she portrays each character. I cannot wait to finish this story and see how it all turns out. I have a few theories about Alatair I want to see if they come true.

3 stars

A big thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Expected Publication Date: July 1st, 2025

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a gothic fantasy with gorgeous world-building and endearing main characters. The plot is very intriguing, I enjoyed the use of gods and horror aspects to really ramp up the dark atmosphere. The romance was unusual, maybe even a little controversial, but I thought it matched the vibes of the story perfectly. Personally, this wasn't for me, but that speaks more to my tastes than to the quality of the book.

I recommend for rainy afternoons, you'll thank me later ;)

This book is like diving headfirst into a fever dream. It’s haunting, heady, and sometimes delightfully unhinged in the best romantasy way. Lark returns home in shame only to find herself tangled in divine politics, forbidden rituals, and a romance (or three?) that feels like it's rotting and blooming all at once.

This book doesn’t hold your hand. It seduces, confuses, and lures you deeper into its dark tangle of mythology and desire. The prose? Luxurious. The vibes? Immaculate. I docked a star because I occasionally had to reread passages to untangle what was actually happening, but honestly, confusion might be part of the point here.

Perfect for readers who like their romance Gothic, their gods ancient and dangerous, and their main characters toeing the line between ruin and rapture.

Lyndall has such a way of making us soft, melancholy girls feel seen. Her writing is proof that a main character doesn’t have to be a badass warrior princess to be worthy or to have a beautiful story.

And it really is such a beautiful story, easily 5 stars for me. I loved the pure tenderness and intense emotions of the characters, the evocative imagery and vivid details woven into the pages.

The horror was soft and gentle, yet all consuming. Flower-threaded, indeed.

*I received an e-arc and an audiobook via Netgalley and the publisher for review. Thank you for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

Lyndall Clipstone has a wonderous way with words, which I think is a beautiful gift. Tenderly, I Am Devoured is like a painting, with the vivid imagery that it evokes. I could picture Verse, the town in which the story takes place, and I could picture Lark's cottage, the neighboring Saltswan manor, and the sounds of the sea with the breezes blowing on the wind. I could also feel all the feels with this story, the love, the loss, the heartache, and the pain. I was fortunate to be able to listen to the audiobook as I read the story, and the narrator does a fantastic job of bringing everything to life, including both the imagery and the intense emotions. A beautiful and atmospheric story that you don't want to miss!

Lacrimosa "Lark" Arriscane returns home in disgrace from boarding school following a violent outburst. She discovers that her family is on the brink of bankruptcy. Desperate to save them, she pledges to marry Therion, the chthonic god worshipped by her isolated town on the coast.

When her betrothal goes awry, Lark begins to vanish from the mortal world. Her only hope is to seek help from Alastair Felimath, her first heartbreak, and his alluring older sister, Camille. As the trio spends more time together, their feelings for each other begin to bloom.

As they are in the depths of a fervent romance, they perform a ritual that they hope will repair the connection between Lark and her bridegroom. Instead, they draw the ire of something more sinister that seeks to destroy Therion and Lark as well. Will they be able to save them?

I highly recommend for fans of fantasy, romance, and beautiful prose.

4.5 ⭐️ and 1🌶️
🖤YA Gothic Romantasy
🖤Dark Academia & Cottage Core vibes
🖤 LGBTQIA+ Rep/Poly Rep
🖤Second chance romance
🖤Horror elements
🖤Borderline taboo moments

(Spoiler free as always) This book gave me the same aesthetic vibes as the films Crimson Peak, Pan’s Labyrinth, Sleepy Hollow, and The VVitch; Dark, spooky, with romantic elements and a sprinkling of folklore and family secrets. I will say I did have reserved feelings for one specific taboo… “situation” that happens within this book, the author did a fantastic job at keeping this Young Adult and without going too far as to make the situation over uncomfortable. (As comfortable as this situation could be honestly.) If you would like to know more about this situation, read the trigger warnings ahead of time.
This book felt like the compilation of an artist’s dream while in the thralls of college; growing up and learning how to create, learn, and grow while also dealing with some real life things.
The writing felt like the brushstrokes of this struggling, starving artist, creating art with syllables and prose. There were moments where I would stop and reread certain paragraphs because they just felt like a painting. Which I loved and appreciated.

Thank you to Lyndall Clipstone, NetGalley, and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co. For the Advanced Readers Copy.

Firstly, thank you Lyndall Clipstone and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for a copy of this arc!

Secondly, the vibes in this book were unmatched. Deliciously atmospheric and fantastic poetic prose!

I love anything and everything gothic romance and this definitely hit my sweet spot!