When Lark is expelled from school, she returns to find her family’s estate crumbling, with her brothers on the brink of losing their salt mines to her former friend-turned-enemy in order to cover their debt. Faced with a desperate situation, Lark is offered a chance to change her fate: marry a God. But when the wedding is abruptly interrupted, Lark must rely on those closest to her to restore balance and preserve everything she holds dear.

This book had the potential to be a gothic horror novel of my dreams, with all the right elements—mystery, mythology, and dark twists. Unfortunately, it never quite reached the heights I was hoping for. Moments that should have been intense and unsettling fell flat, and situations begging for a sense of urgency or ferocity instead seemed to fizzle out. I was never pulled in, never gripped, as I had expected to be.

While I appreciate a protagonist who embarks on a journey of self-discovery, Lark’s character left me cold. She begins the story timid and uncertain, and despite the events that unfold, she ends the book unchanged—still meek, still helpless, and still someone who is tossed aside by everyone around her. There was no transformative moment for her; no spark of strength or agency. Instead of growing into a character I could root for, Lark remained as delicate and passive as when we first meet her—like a fragile doll who can be easily discarded with no lasting impact.

The romance also felt awkward, to say the least. While I’ve read books featuring multiple lovers for a single character, the sibling dynamic here cast a shadow over the entire story. The tension surrounding this love triangle made the interactions uncomfortable rather than enticing. I found myself disconnected from the romance entirely, unable to see why either sibling would want Lark let alone both plus a few more as we complete the story. This element didn’t feel compelling or passionate—it was more of an unsettling arrangement that I couldn’t quite get behind.

The plot itself, while rooted in mythology and hints at a fairy-tale retelling, never fully delivers. There are tantalizing glimpses of mythological depth—moments involving an unreliable narrator, failed rituals, and the whispers of a darker underworld—but they feel like distractions, never developed enough to draw the reader in. Instead of diving into the rich lore and stakes of the story, those elements remain on the periphery. I found myself wanting more exploration of the mythological aspects, especially with the faint echoes of the Hades and Persephone myth, which felt underwhelming and undeveloped.

In the end, this book didn’t fulfill the promise it held. While I’m sure it may resonate with some readers, I found it lacking in both character development and plot depth. Lark’s journey didn’t capture me, and I’m left with a sense of missed potential. I do hope others find something to enjoy here, but for me, it simply wasn’t the gripping, gothic tale I had hoped for.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did but wow! A very refreshing read with an original story and an interesting world, unique system of gods, and intimate character relationships. The feel of the book immediately reminded me of Ava Reid's A Study in Drowning, with its dark, moody house on the hill in the setting of a salty, brackish, pastoral town. However, we deviate here, as amidst the gritty, salty backdrop, here there is a lovely, bohemian motif of colorful wildflowers, flowy linens, and running barefoot through fields of grass. I love when books are able to communicate a mood so vividly through setting and this book did it very well.

In terms of plot, the first third of the book did feel a little slow but went quickly from then on. I do think Camille was a little underdeveloped as a character. Ultimately, the relationship between Lark, Alastair, and Camille was really the highlight of this book for me. The romance was unconventional but sweet and endearing and vulnerable in a way that was very fitting for a coming-of-age story. I love that this story celebrated the softer elements of the characters, with kindness, sensitivity, and love at the center. I like that no one had to be a hero.

Overall, I loved this book, and I can't wait to get ahold of a print copy when it gets published. Thanks to the lovely author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
First things first, this is a gorgeous book. The prose was a joy to read and the atmosphere was vivid. It was a good length, and felt in many ways like an older fairy tale. I did struggle to care about the plot - there is little to no urgency throughout most of the book, and the flashbacks do not contribute meaningfully - nothing that happened at the school is interesting enough to justify a second plotline. I wish the whole story had been tighter, the characters a little more defined, but it was an enjoyable quick read.

I really wanted to like this book but didn't.

It was well written and an interesting story. But.. I like gothic, but this was really dark feeling - too much for my taste. I also found it a slog to read through. It was work to get through this - and thats not what I want in a book. I am giving it three stars because although i didn't enjoy it, I did finish it all and it wasn't a dnf. Would I recommend it? Not to anyone I know..

I want to thank #netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book. I just wish I had better news.

I loved this book. It's so nice to read a book with interesting new magic systems, tropes that aren't overdone, and characters that are both relatable and uncomfortable. I think the dark academia label is inaccurately applied to this book, and hopefully will fade from use before publication. But otherwise I throughly enjoyed this book and flew through it.

I enjoyed the prose and imagery the most. It’s dark, moody, gothic and intense. The cover of the book is beautiful but doesn’t really convey the sea-heavy content.

I wanted the relationships and plot to be more fleshed out, for sure. At times it was a struggle to find the will to keep reading.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I think the author did a great job of quite literally plunging us into a fast paced, dark, hopeful story.

I really enjoyed how fast paced it was, but I do think that some of the pacing was off just a bit. The flashbacks were some of my favorite moments and I wish we would have gotten more from that.

There were a few twists that I enjoyed as well. The bi representation was done well, though I did find it interesting it was between 2 of the 3 main characters and that’s all I can say without spoiling lol.

Overall, I liked this book, but didn’t love it.

I love the cover of this book! I unfortunately found the story to be slow and uncomfortable. I didn’t feel any connections to the characters. I would definitely check out the trigger warnings before reading this book.

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

Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Publication date : July 1 2025

Tenderly, I am Devoured
By Lyndall Clipstone

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian for a eARC for and honest review.

Overall review 4⭐️

Tropes:
🪽Folklore
🪽New Deity system
🪽Art Appreciation
🪽Family legacy
🪽Enemies to lovers


I went into this one thinking one thing and being blown away by what was really happening. Clipstone builds a beautiful world full of folklore, messy relationships and a haunting perspective of Gods and how humans expect things from them. Lark returns home disgraced from boarding school just to find that her family home is in more financial ruin than ever before. By some strange twist to save her family she finds herself betrothed to the chthonic god, Therion, that her family worships. When the wedding does not go as planned she finds herself getting help with the least unlikely of people.

My favorite thing about this book is the lore. It was the one thing that drew me in the most. I felt like the pacing was slightly off with the flashbacks; the second the story started to feel like it was moving forward we are pulled away. I tend to dislike these nonlinear plot lines making this my only dislike with the book. I loved the twists this book took and it kept me on edge from knowing what was actually the truth until it was fully reviled. The relationships a raw, confusing and messy making a wonderfully different love shape.

Endearing story with lore deep background. I enjoyed how detailed she writes and following Lacrimosa.
Truly beautiful prose that captivates you into the world. Alastair is strange and alluring from the beginning. This book is about a good as descriptive writing can get. Beautiful and picturesque.

I was surprised to actually see Therion in the story as some folklore refers to the Gods and don’t even have them appear beyond their shrine being present.

I felt Camille wasn’t present in the plot much, but enjoyed Alastair having a more dominant presence.

Lacrimosa’s family ties, problems, brothers, and debts were well conveyed and enabled the reader to be in her shoes.

The romantic moments of Lacrimosa and relationships worked out better than I anticipated. I wondered how she was going to execute that. Camille seemed to have more tender moments and reflect with Lacrimosa in the beginning and generally Alastair wears down and can’t handle being around Lacrimosa anymore. It is like he was putting up a front and didn’t want to like her, yet always did.

Thank you so much to the author for an advanced copy of Tenderly, I am Devoured!

I lowkey cringe when people say this… but dare I say… I devoured this novel….

I don’t even really know how to put how much I loved this book into words. The world, the characters, the plot, the writing, the connections… it was all just so beautiful.

While the characters and prose were light and lovely, there were so many dark issues and themes woven into it that created this wonderful romantic gothic dark academia vibe. The atmospheric world that Lyndall created was truly breathtaking, and set so far apart from anything else I’ve ever read.

True to the title, the relationships between the fmc, Lark, and the other characters were so tender that it made my heart feel so full. The love expressed to and from her brothers and her childhood friends, Alastair and Camille, left me yearning for more. Every character was well developed, as well as their struggles.

What to expect:
🎀 childhood heartbreak to lovers
🦢 dark academia vibes
🎀 a m/f/f poly romance
🦢 family secrets and haunted legacies
🎀 a swan god
🦢 flower-threaded horror

I'm going to start this review by saying I fell in love with the cover for "Tenderly, I am Devoured" immediately. It could've been a book about porcupines having adventures in potholes & I'd have still read it because JUST LOOK AT THAT COVER. Luckily, Tenderly was so much better than that (maybe, I don't know how porcupines get down).

I'm not gonna lie, Tenderly was a rough start for me. The first few pages read very "I'm 14 & this is deep" until I got used to Clipstone's writing style. And the "Then" chapters weren't as interesting at the "Now" ones but once it hit its stride, I was captivated. It's gothic asf, angsty asf, sexy asf (can you call a YA book "sexy"?) & amazingly queer asf. Lark, Alistair & Camille were the perfect trio (or "golden ratio", as Lark calls it). Those three plus the "devouring" presence of Therion had me staying up late to finish this book. At first glance, you'd think this book was a romance by the cover & the blurb & there IS romance in it, don't get me wrong, but it was so so much more. The love of friendship & family, all those pieces & people & moments in your life that make you whole. What I'm saying is this book surpassed my expectations. I enjoyed "Tenderly, I Am Devoured" immensely & I hope you do as well.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

This was beautiful, haunting, and so richly atmospheric that I felt fully transported into the world.

I was so ready to throw hands in defense of Lark, Alastair, and Camille. (๑•̀ᗝ•́)૭

My only gripe was that I wanted more of Therion. He was so interesting and captivating. He needed more page time. (੭ ˊ^ˋ)੭ ♡

Spooky and steamy in the best way. Color me OBSESSED with this woman’s writing and story telling! I was shocked and captivated from the first chapter and I couldn’t put it down. So good!!

Rating: 4.5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: dreamlike, haunting, ethereal prose; this story digs its claws into you and refuses to let go; not your average happy ending; bewitching characters

Huge thanks to Lyndall Clipstone, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Netgalley for access to this ARC! My review is voluntarily written and in no way altered or impacted by this gesture.

This publishing season must be about the darkness of mirrors, the secrets of academia, the creatures that lurk just out of sight... and the balance of finding (a) love(s) you are willing to risk everything to keep hold of. The prose in this title is fiercely sharp and devastatingly haunting, a blazing you will rush headlong into to find the woven secrets that await.

These characters will seep into your every thought and demand you give them solace. This world will ricochet within the spaces of your blinking, a promise to keep you captivated. There's a slithering, snickering breathlessness of this read's atmosphere, as if the author not only penned it but LIVED it. There is a sinking sense of familiarity in these words that calls, so subtly, to those who might find reflections of themselves waiting. I found myself aloft, adrift, and utterly unable to put this book down until the ending.

I highly recommend this read to those who long for poetry in their prose, those who look for dark shadows lurking just out of sight, and those who seek a world of words both taunting and transporting. This read will leave you changed and burning, Penguins.... awaiting the next salt season with fresh- honed eyes.

Thank-you NetGalley for opportunity to arc read this book!

Such a beautifully written book. The words make feel like you are on this journey with lark, can hear the sound of the waves, can smell the brine of the air all while fighting through identities , old and new.

The gothic nature of it adds to the emotion of this adventure. With heart racing and eyes prickling I enjoyed being an observer to the transformations that took place. And seeing bonds form between gods, lovers, friends in ways that could not have been guessed.

Something about this just didn't click with me. It didn't feel particularly Gothic and the romance was definitely NOT it for me. I feel like there wasn't a lot of tension and I could see where the plot was going. I also feel like there were several points that would have been better endings, especially since it seems this might turn into a series? If it doesn't, Hugo's acceptance of the situation feels far too easy to wrap the story up so well.

ooookay this was really good and addictive and sad and aghhh!!!
this book is a character-driven one. we see the evolution of them through the chapters and, lemme tell you, it was really impressive since there were several moments where I though, this character can’t get any worse, and THEY DID.

the FMC sometimes was a little overwhelming with all her doubts and changes of mind, but to the end I empathised with her.

Tenderly, I am devoured is beautifully written and pretty captivating!

(also, the COVER!!!!! *chef’s kiss*)

RATING: 3 stars

TROPES: Why choose, LGBTQ love interests, promised to a God

Spice: YA, slight spice

TRIGGERS: mentioned child abuse, child emotional abuse.

First and foremost, the cover of this book is absolutely beautiful! The inclusion of art as a focus was also incredibly beautiful. The book was gothic, and the imagery was well done and beautiful.

The book itself was an easy read, however I did feel as though more could be said. I did feel a little lost in the decisions leading towards the ending. I also felt there was more to be desired in terms of the romance. As a reminder, this book is slated to be YA, so I knew going into it that the spice level would be low. HOWEVER, even in YA, you can still have romance and intimacy, such as developing a relationship. It did feel as though we were thrown in to the romance, because at one point, the main character and love interests were estranged friends, borderline betrayed by them, and then at another point, in the throws of a why choose relationship.

The book also includes significant chapter flashbacks, however, I didn't see why the throwbacks were necessary to the overall plot. Yes *spoiler* she was kicked out of the school, but does the past relationship/friendship necessary to mention if the focus was saving a God?

I could not believe how beautiful the prose was in this book, given the horror genre. I really enjoyed the fantastical worldbuilding and the tension. Seriously a master class is voice.