I was really drawn in by the concept of this book. Unfortunately, I just don't think it was well executed. I only made it about 1/3 of the way through and simply could not get myself to read anymore of it. Since I did not finish it, I split the difference with my rating and am giving 3 stars.

"Grief was pain, but it was also love. Grief was love, and whoever said love didn't hurt? That it was always joy and happiness? Grief, love, it was a two-sided coin, a double-edged sword. One did not exist without the other."

Thank you NetGalley and Independent Publishers Group for the eARC!

The Grief Nurse was such an interesting novel, with lush and poetic writing and interesting characters. It's speculative fiction with a touch of dystopia, fantasy, and gothic romance, all in one fairly short book.

The main character, Lynx, is a grief nurse - a sort of live-in not-servant but not-quite-family, an almost luxury service set aside only for the very rich. She has the ability to "remove" grief from her employers and leave them "Bright" - worry-free, unburdened by the ugly emotion of grief and all the negative feelings it brings with it. By providing her services to the family, she is also protected by them. At the same time, she has no freedom of her own - and if she were to leave the service and the house, the story implies that awful things would happen to her in the "outside world". I wish the novel had expanded just a touch on the lore of the world, because it was so interesting any time a tiny tidbit was be dropped (like the concept of Faders, how grief nurses came to be in the first place, what exactly is their magic and its parameters).

Lynx herself is a complex character, unhappy in her current role and wishing to be more. She battles with her loyalty to the family, the protection their gilded cage provides, and the hunger for freedom that slowly builds over the course of the story. The family members are all very interesting and fleshed out, even if none of them are fully "good".

Grief is, of course, the central theme of the book, but also a character in itself. The author gives grief a personality and a kind of metaphysical presence. The process of extracting grief from others was so interesting and beautifully written, and the concept of grief tokens was a nice touch. I also loved how the book named and explored different kinds of grief, and almost gave distinct personalities to each.

The ending was surprisingly hopeful, and tied up the story without giving too happy, which I think would have felt a bit out of touch given the story. I hope that the author returns to this universe at some point, because it was a very interesting and memorable concept.

For the most part I really enjoyed this book. For me, the combination of genres was a big hit. I love reading things that take me on a journey intellectually. However, Lynx was constantly a hit or miss for me, I know this book is targeted for adults, but she almost felt very juvenile in her inner monologues, which kind of put me off the writing and plot just a bit. But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it,

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Please don't let some of the negative reviews of this book stop you from picking it up! While I agree with some criticisms of the book (i.e. slow pacing, character of Karina underdeveloped), I found this book to be a lovely melancholy exploration of grief, class differences, and finding your own power.

Lynx is a shy, but very quietly powerful main character. If her voice seems a little juvenile for her age, I believe it is only to reflect how inexperienced she is with the world beyond the Aster family island. I really enjoyed her journey to self-acceptance and learning more about her gifts.

I found the narrative to be a little slow, but it still kept me engaged through the intriguing premise and beautiful. melancholic imagery.

THE GRIEF NURSE by Angie Spoto

An ARC was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The paperback edition of THE GRIEF NURSE was published on 27 May 2025.

The death party for Sculptor Aster is not only meant to honor his unexpected passing but also to demonstrate his family's grief Nurse, Lynx, who makes sure the rest of the Asters shine as Bright as can be. But Lynx has her own past, her own desires and when Lady Aster's maid also dies under mysterious circumstances, grief games are the least of Lynx's worries.

Promises made...

Angie Spoto's debut novel was first published in 2023 by Sandstone Press and later picked up by Black&White Publishing. Though its marketing terms include romance, intrigue and gothic, it is those things only to a certain extent or, put differently, is not really any of those things. The setting certainly has lots of gothic elements with the wealthy family full of secrets and tragedies, a sprawling mansion in an isolated location built on corpses and grief. But the fashion choices of the, seemingly, deeply conservative and "proper" people who inhabit that world look like nods to the Capitol of Panem, utterly clashing with the dark and moody setting. Then there is the mystery aspect. In a scene where someone is found dead and a storm cuts off the connection to the mainland a character literally says "it seems we're trapped", thus bearing all the hallmarks of a classic crime novel but then noone investigates. There is an explanation for the death, eventually, but without hitting any of the typical mystery story beats. And the romance part is similar. There certainly is romance in The Grief Nurse. The beginning even seems to set it up as a capital R romance but that is not what readers should expect. And that is really the gist of it. The way certain elements are used to set up the story, the book makes promises it does not keep. This is not to say authors cannot or should not break with convention more that doing so has consequences regarding readers' trust and enjoyment.

That is particularily detrimental when it comes to the main character's motivation. In the beginning, Lynx doesn't really question the slave/sex-worker-adjacent role she was born into and for which she sees no better options. But her discomfort is there and she slowly admits that she would rather burn it all down. However, instead of the full-blown class war the story seems to build towards, Spoto has her do almost a U-turn kind of twist near the end which is really hard to swallow given everything that has happend and even more so because trusting the author has got that much harder at this point. There are a lot of good and interesting in ideas here, it's the execution that muddies it all up.

Rating

The idea is certainly what drew me to this book. Being able to take away people's grief, caring for them in a certain way and the implications thereof... But The Grief Nurse only partially deliveres on its premise and that made it disappointing. There is clearly a lot of potential here but it's like Spoto didn't know what kind of story she wanted to tell and just picked whatever appealed to her the most without thinking about the consequences. Still, I'm curious to see where she goes from there.

This book was not what I expected, in the best way. The story follows Lynx, a grief nurse working for the wealthy Aster family, and let me tell you, it’s as haunting as it sounds.

I loved Lynx (and most of the messy, complicated characters, though some were infuriating in that good way). The twists kept me guessing, and the eerie setting made it impossible to put down. That said, the pacing dragged a little in places, but honestly, the lush writing and creeping sense of doom made up for it.

If you’re into moody, thought-provoking books with a paranormal edge, or just something different from your usual reads, this is it. I’ll definitely be checking the author’s other book!

4/5 stars – weird, wonderful, and worth the read

What if you had the ability to take other people's grief away? And what if that ability determined the entire course of your life? Lynx is a Grief Nurse for the wealthy Asters and she is there to take their pain, to make them Bright. But what if she wants more? And what if people start dying and suddenly everything is in danger? I enjoyed The Grief Nurse but did find myself wanting it to go a little further, a little deeper. Thanks to Black & White and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I work with emotions in literature and I have found that the more I study them, the more I become aware of my own and what purpose they have. Our emotions are not just random physical experiences or mental imaginings, they have an active purpose in allowing us to live our lives, pursue our goals, and stand up for ourselves. Our emotions are key in also getting us to do the things we need to do. Because of my background in thinking about emotions, I was fascinated by what Spoto explores in The Grief Nurse. Who are we, without our grief? Is there something good to be found in the hardest of emotions? Would it not be better if we could all just have our grief taken from us, be it the small upsets over a dinner party or the enormous tide of pain at the loss of a child? Spoto works with these questions in intriguing ways and the novel definitely had me thinking on this in different ways. I would have loved perhaps a more thorough deep-dive, but that's because I love the topic anyway. I think for a reader not as obsessed as me, the way in which Spoto explores it will be very intriguing.

Lynx is a Grief Nurse, marked by her pale, white hair. She works for the Asters, a well-known family who aren't quite as wealthy as they used to be. Tragedy has struck the family, with the death of the eldest son, and so Lynx is busy keeping them Bright and as far from feeling anything bad as possible. But more deaths are coming and secrets are about to be revealed. I enjoyed a lot of aspects of The Grief Nurse and one of the main ones was just the idea of a grief nurse itself and how Spoto established this within the world. There is a lot of solid world-building here, as Spoto ties the existence of grief nurses in with her world's class system, gender expectations, and how it handles emotions in general. I especially enjoyed how Spoto described Lynx' own experience of this grief and how it feeds her. However, because being a grief nurse is like living in a gilded cage, I really wanted Spoto to take it a little further. The resolution of the plot felt, in some ways, too neat considering how messy, in a good way, Lynx' relationship with the Asters and with her own position is. There is a complexity there, which gets built up in the first half of the novel, which then fell a little flat for me.

This was my first read by Angie Spoto and I loved how descriptive her writing was. Whether she was describing the Asters' beautiful mansion, the island it is set on, the grief taken by Lynx, or Lynx' own memories, there was the perfect amount of detail. It all came down to these descriptions of light, texture, and smell that made reading The Grief Nurse a really sumptuous experience. I did also like Lnx herself as a protagonist, hitting the right kind of naivety for someone whose whole life has been quite limited in a way, but also someone who is developing thoughts about themselves and their society. As I mentioned above, I did feel like this development was undersold a little by the end of the novel, although the last few pages were beautiful. In a way The Grief Nurse felt less like an adult novel, which it is billed at, than a YA novel. There's nothing wrong with that, but the labeling did mean that I had slightly different expectations going in. I will absolutely be keeping an eye out for future novels by Angie Spoto because I loved how rich her writing felt.

3/5 stars (upped to 4)!

For what it is, The Grief Nurse was a good read. I enjoyed the world Spoto creates and Lynx is also a very intriguing main character. However, I just wish Spoto would have gone a little further with it, but it is still a lovely, beautifully written book.

Angie Spoto’s The Grief Nurse is a hypnotic and atmospheric debut that fuses gothic mystery with speculative fantasy in a story brimming with secrets, sorrow, and subtle power. Set on a reimagined 1920s Scottish island, the novel introduces readers to a richly imagined world where emotions can be harvested—and weaponized.

At the heart of the novel is Lynx, a Grief Nurse bound to the whims of the wealthy and enigmatic Aster family. Her role is as unusual as it is tragic: to absorb the family’s pain, fear, and heartbreak, and transmute it into beauty. Spoto brilliantly uses this premise to explore the commodification of emotions and the cost of living solely for the comfort of others. Lynx is both caregiver and captive, her gilded cage a symbol of emotional servitude disguised as privilege.

The story ignites when news arrives of the Asters’ eldest son’s death. As the family gathers for his wake, the island becomes a crucible of grief, secrets, and unraveling decorum. Each guest brings their own weighty emotional baggage, and Lynx, overwhelmed by the deluge of sorrows, begins to sense that the death was not as simple—or singular—as it seems.

Spoto’s prose is lyrical and haunting, evoking the windswept melancholy of classic gothic literature while imbuing it with a fresh, feminist edge. The world-building is immersive, from the eerie elegance of the manor to the undercurrents of class and power that ripple through every interaction. The Grief Nurse’s gift—both a blessing and a burden—raises compelling questions about emotional labor, autonomy, and the ethics of healing.

As the body count rises and tensions escalate, the novel becomes a moody, slow-burn thriller threaded with romance, betrayal, and a creeping sense of doom. Yet at its core, The Grief Nurse is a story of selfhood: of reclaiming identity, power, and choice in a world that sees you as a tool.

The Grief Nurse explores the complexities of grief and how different individuals cope with said grief. Having the Grief Nurse be a token of status shows us that rich will do anything to make themselves seem “the best” but that no amount of money can keep you happy.

This book has amazing plot lines and twists and turns that you don’t expect it to take, which keep you on your toes throughout.

Grief affects us all, and sometimes it can be unbearable. Imagine if you didn't have to deal with it. Imagine there was a way for it to disappear.
Working on an Island as a Grief Nurse for the Aster family Lynx does just that. During the wake of one of the Asters sons, Lynx is working overtime taking grief and keeping everyone 'bright'.
With two more deaths, it appears no one is safe. Who will be next? Will anyone including Lynx survive?


I did enjoy this book for the most part. I loved the the characters(well, maybe not all of them), and the twists and turns of the story. However, I did struggle with the pacing of the book. It felt drawn out in some places. The Queer representation was a nice bonus!

I really loved the concept of this book! I think the idea of a grief nurse is really relatable as a healthcare worker in the sense that you put your own needs on the back burner while helping others. I also enjoyed the diversity, different character personalities, and the setting. However, I do wish the book had some more depth to it. Most of the story was written about just one day, but I wish it included more scenarios. It also does have a very literary fiction feel to it which is personally is not my favorite.

‘So tell me truthfully: is there any good in grief?’ No, she thought. Nothing. ‘If there was, no one would need a grief nurse.’

The concept for The Grief Nurse is amazing and unique. Soto does a wonderful job at describing grief in detail. How it can consume a person plus specific concepts for various characters. The descriptions of the grief tree inside every grief nurse were gorgeous featuring vivid imagery. Soto's pleasant writing style makes for an easy reading experience.

‘Orion must endure his grief,’ said Mr Aster, taking a sip of tea. He looked regretful. ‘Grief is what separates them from us.’

This novel is slow-paced and while it is focused on the characters and setting it featured, I did have some trouble connecting to the characters. In the end I didn't feel like I actually got to know them and especially the relationships between them, so when danger lurked I wasn't as invested as I would have liked to be. The plot was meandering and the conclusion anti-climactic. The novel feels more like a collection of imaginative, atmospheric scenes than a cohesive story.

The Grief Nurse might be your next favourite read if you enjoy imaginative stories in a historical setting (1920s Scotland) featuring a queer-normative world. If plot isn't most important to you, and you like to lose yourself in magical vibes you could give this novel a try.

It's a great story and concept for a world, but it really got prorogued. I felt like the story dragged on more than I was hoping for, and the characters were not very developed. The world-building lacked some structure, but I still enjoyed the idea and the book.

Thank you to Black & White Publishing via Netgalley for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Imagine you could eliminate sadness, anxiety, heartbreak, and fear. Imagine you could take those feelings from others and transform them into something beautiful. Imagine the power that would empower you and the immense value you would bring to others…

This book caught my attention based on the description and it was really good. I wasn’t sure it was going to be my type of book, but it exceeded my expectations. I felt it blended a little greek mythology with gothic elements. It would have been pushed over to 5 stars if some parts were not so confusing on which character was speaking. I did enjoy the storyline and the
Characters were very interesting. I definitely want to read more by this author. Definitely worth a read.

Lynx' skills are called upon to alleviate the family's sorrows. As the Asters' guests arrive for the wake, including their dead son's fiancee, they bring their own secrets and lies and tensions rise, leading to disaster.

A fascinating premise for an alternative world which most people could potentially dream about - who wouldn't want their sadness or grief dissipated if they could? A creatively imagined world which might seem fantastic however would be quite disturbing. Can you really understand happiness if you've never experienced sadness? I enjoyed how grief is beautifully explored in great detail throughout the story, explaining how personal and individual the impact can be. Lynx, the Grief nurse at the core of this story, is sad but intriguing however I felt the other characters lacked depth and their motivations were difficult to understand. Overall, I felt the pace of the story was a little slow throughout however I enjoyed this unusual dark story with a surprising uplifting ending. I would be intrigued to read any future books written by this author and recommend it for those who enjoy a mystery set in an alternative world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Independent Publishers Group for the opportunity to read and review this book

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

The concept of this book was why I requested it. The idea of being able to take someone’s grief and reshape it, or absorb it, reminded me very much of the concept of medieval ‘sin eaters’ who would consume the food to represent the sins of the deceased. I was hopeful I’d be presented with something similar to this, that brought across the impact of the consumption of something so visceral and yet also symbolic.

Unfortunately, I don’t feel like this book made it there for me. I was left a bit high and dry- the story was disjointed, there was a lot of exposition for not too much happening, and I don’t feel it even read very much as a fantasy novel. The narrative structure was not the best, and I was just left feeling a bit disappointed by it. I didn’t connect with the characters either, which was a shame.

The grief consumption was also lacking in that we see so little of it and the impacts- it’s like the premise was disconnected from the action. I would love to read this book with some changes, but I’m not sure it would be quite the same thing if I did.

Lynx is known as a grief nurse, someone who alleviates your sorrow. I liked the idea of this book. I have recently lost both an aunt and an uncle, so I can completely understand not wanting to sit with your grief. I appreciated the unique plot and the vivid descriptions of the setting of an isolated Scottish island. I loved Lynx, she was a very complex character. You’d think it would be positive to remove your sorrow, but it was kind of disturbing to me…in a good way.

Grief is a character in and of itself. It’s dark and relentless, taking over your thought process, emotions and behaviour. It’s unpredictable and persistent. Where the book lost me is in the pacing. It was very slow going at times, and the plot seemed to drift. While I am a reader who appreciates the descriptions, the world-building felt like something was missing. I also found some of the lesser characters lacked development, and I didn’t feel invested in their stories. Grief is a very personal thing, so I wish the author had handled this a little differently.

Overall, this was a unique debut with a great premise and beautiful writing. It just fell a bit short because of the slow pace, underdeveloped characters and other missing elements. It's pretty good for a debut, and I would read this author again.

Thank you to netgalley and independent publishers group for the opportunity to read this arc.

This was kind of similar to Blood On Her Tongue but it wasn't executed nearly as well. Interesting premise though!

Rating: 4⭐️/5

Very unique with different magic where Lynx is a “grief nurse” and is a servant to the Aster family to take grief from them so they remain happy. This was very thought provoking about the necessity of grief and how letting grief fester can lead to detriments later on.

At times I was a bit confused with the memory flashbacks in the beginning until I knew what was going on, but otherwise I really enjoyed this one.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gothic/historical fantasy book playing with the premise that rich people never have to feel grief thanks to the service of a rare few "nurses" that can take away the cumbersome feeling.
I was very much looking forward to plunging into that book but sadly, this wasn't for me. The tone and vibe was very disturbing in its sensuality for grief. The characters weren't particularly engaging, and all other feelings were dulled or expressed in strange aloof ways. I didn't feel like finishing the book and I have too little time to spend it on things I'm not enjoying. This will probably fit others way better. This novel reminded me a lot of the gothic and disturbing feel of "Blood on Her Tongue", though not as literary, but I can imagine people who liked the latter will enjoy this one too.