This is my second read-through of Tenderly I Am Devoured, now in audiobook (ALC) form. I’ve included my first review of the eARC below as well.

The audiobook was a magical way to reread Lyndall Clipstone’s 4th published novel! Emily Lawrence does a wonderful job capturing the ethereal and atmospheric tone of the story as well as the characters. It’s very fitting. The production quality was excellent.

Since I listen to a lot of audiobooks and finish them quickly, I did find the few areas of weaknesses in my first read through remained prevalent in my mind specifically Camille’s character. I did find romance and Therion’s part in the story rushed more in this listen as well as Lark’s expulsion from the school less detailed. I also wished a synonym for chthonic was used after a while.

Thank you Spotify Audiobooks, NetGalley, and Lyndall Clipstone for this ALC!

Initial eARC review: 4.5 Stars!

Did Lyndall write this with chthonic liquor, because I consumed this novel. 🦋

Thank you Lyndall Clipstone (Henry Holt and Co. and Fierce Reads) for gifting me with this digital ARC! All opinions are my own.

Lyndall’s poetic writing pulled me in like the ocean tide from the start of the story. I wanted to keep unraveling the mysteries presented once I put it down for the night. I was excited for the next day so I could return to Verse which is big since much of my reading has been audiobooks. There was a natural flow of tension, mystery, and reveals that gave a continuous pace to the story. Themes of idolization, the power of three, perspective/interpretation, expectations, and love are interlaced throughout. I liked the tender relationship between Lacrimosa “Lark” and Alastair (and Camille.) You can see the depth and emotion that entangle them. While reading I did want to learn more about Camille as I felt like I knew her the least. I think her and some of the other secondary character could have steeped more so we could get to know them. I think that could have made the ending even more impactful for me. In all, I hope Lark continues to peruse her love for art outside the pain it’s been associated with. 🖤

I think this a perfect book for fans of A Study in Drowning, Strange the Dreamer, or authors Rebecca Ross, Erin Morgenstern, Shea Ernshaw, or Allison Saft.

Maybe it is because of the narrator, but it really felt like it was connected to the Sisters of the Salt series by Erin A. Craig. I enjoyed it, however, I do think some plot points are a bit messy. It was still enjoyable though and It hit the gothic, queer vibe I needed.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a haunting, lyrical masterpiece and one of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever experienced. Lyndall Clipstone’s prose is so evocative and poetic, it feels like being pulled into a dark, enchanting dream.

At the heart of the story is Lacrimosa, an 18 year old who accepts a marriage proposal from the god Therion in order to save her family from a crushing debt they owe. When Lacrimosa is taken by Alastair on her wedding day, she unwittingly finds herself breaking her marriage vow to stay with Therion. She finds herself allied with siblings Alastair and Camilla, and they begin to uncover family secrets, while also exploring pent up tension and feelings that they have had since childhood. The story brims with longing, mythic tension, and a yearning that burns quietly beneath every word.

Emily Lawrence’s narration is mesmerizing. Her voice is perfectly suited to the gothic atmosphere and the emotional weight of Lacrimosa’s journey. She captures every ounce of yearning, dread, and beauty in the story, making this audiobook an unforgettable listening experience. Atmospheric, romantic, and devastating in the best way.

I am obsessed with this book. It’s gothic, it’s creepy, it’s beautiful, it’s visceral. This book encompasses everything I love about Clipstone’s writing, and the audio was fantastic. It’s going to be the way I recommend devouring it.

Like a fever dream, Tenderly, I Am Devoured invites readers into a world where ancient gods and the seemingly mundane intermingle. It's atmosphere is one to simply get lost in.

The story is woven of salty cliff side mansions and sinister sea caves. It's also a deft exploration into the terrifying moment when we kiss youth goodbye and plunge into the abyss of adulthood. It's ancient gods and human horrors. It's tender,compulsive, and positively transportive!

Clipstone had succeeded in writing characters that are nuances and complicated, characters that I felt true fear for as the story unravels. Readers who like there romances complicated and with some edge will be left swooning by the ultimate outcome!!
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The narration for the book only heightened my love for it, with a thoughtful and tender tone, the narrator breathes even more mood and mystery into these words!

A cottage-core, gothic horror drenched in rich atmosphere and foreboding.

“The worst hurt doesn’t always come with open violence. Instead, there is tenderness before you’re devoured.”

Lacrimosa (Lark) is expelled from her boarding school and returns home to the brothers who raised her to find the family home and business is in financial ruin. She discovers the only way to save them is to tie herself to the chthonic swan god. When the ceremony is interrupted and lives are at stake she seeks aid from the boy who broke her heart and his enticing sister.

“He touches me like I’m a pearlescent shell laid out on an alter.”

Clipstones lush prose lures the reader along like a sirens call and the pace is soft and languid but never slow or boring.

The ending is not one that can be predicted but also makes so much sense when resolving this story in this world. It involves a borderline taboo topic that in this context doesn’t feel taboo at all and just feels like exactly the correct solution.

“A dark strand crosses her cheek, striping her smile. Framed by the ocean and sky and darkness, she’s lucent as the moon.”

I’ve also never seen a more apt book cover, the way the cover looks is exactly how the book feels - perfect vibe match.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the ALC.

Audiobook review: The narrator, Emily Lawrence did a fantastic job bringing this book to life. She sets up the atmosphere of the book well, enhancing the vibes for a more immersive experience I don't think you'd get from reading the physical book on its own. A++ production quality.

As for the book, I'd never heard of the author before this book, but the cover and the title drew me in immediately. It reminds me a lot of A Study in Drowning with it's lyrical prose and folk-horror atmosphere. Only in Tenderly, I found myself rooting for the swan god instead of wanting he to go away. I wanted more of Therion. He was such an interesting character, but I don't think he was used to his full potential. The flashbacks of Lark at school with her toxic codependent ex-best friend was far more fleshed out. Which gave good backstory as to why Lark was back home, but what wasn't fleshed out? Camille's feelings for Lark. I wasn't convinced the relationship was genuine. Lark's feelings for Alastair were established; they had history. Other than Camille being Alastair's sister the relationship between her and Lark didn't feel organic. If that part of the story was not included, it would have still played out the same.

That being my biggest complaint, I really enjoyed the book overall. Definitely one I'll be recommending to others.

*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.

Happy pub day to Tenderly, I Am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone!🌿

This book is what happens when a girl marries a god, falls for two mortals, and accidentally invites something older and darker into the world. 😵‍💫🖤 One of my all time favorite books

✨ Polyamorous bisexual romance
✨ Chthonic gods & cursed pacts
✨ Gothic folk horror atmosphere
✨ Deadly rituals, sibling tension, and queer desire
✨ Flower-laced prose that aches

Lacrimosa (Lark) is expelled, disgraced, and desperate—so when salvation comes in the form of a marriage to a god, she says yes. But the god is fading, and so is she. To survive, she’ll need the help of her brilliant, infuriating ex and his dangerously magnetic sister. What begins as a mission turns into a ritual…and a love story that defies mortal rules. 🌺🩸🔥

Big thank you to @netgalley and @spotifybooks for the audiobook ARC—I absolutely devoured (pun intended) this one. & of course the narrator Emily Lawrence who totally nailed it 🙌🏼

Um... I always try not to DNF NetGalley books, and I am very appreciative to be approved for them, but I was met with something pretty out there, 66% in, and I would rather stop now.

Voice Actor/Narrator Emily Lawrence was super good. The atmospheric tension was perfect. Prose-wise, this was very nicely written, and the worldbuilding was quite interesting. (Though I will say the pacing was sluggish.) So why a 1?

How do I put this? I can tag spoilers on goodreads so I have, but for here I’m just going to say certain elements made me feel uncomfortable and felt pretty weird…

Thanks again, NetGalley and Spotify, for the ALC in exchange for my honest review... sorry it was a DNF...

Audiobook review: Narrator Emily Lawrence did a wonderful job. The vibes were enhanced by the way the book was read, and it really provided a more immersive experience. Great production quality.

Book review: The cover is stunning and drew me in immediately! The atmospheric writing is absolutely dripping with gothic, salty, achingly beautiful imagery. Vibe readers will absolutely devour this one!

That said, the gorgeous writing and vibes sometimes can distract from what all felt a bit underdeveloped to me. The flashbacks to school and Lark's toxic codependent relationship with ex-best friend were definitely the most well-fleshed out. I was missing more of the swan god throughout the entire story. I think the doomed childhood friends/crushes relationship always has potential to be powerful and poignant, but it really didn't work with BOTH siblings here for me. Camile wasn't developed enough as a character for a meaningful relationship with Lark, she was just the one who was there.

Overall, I enjoyed the writing and vibes, but some of the depth and development fell a bit flat for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the ALC.

Atmospheric and beautifully written, Tenderly, I am Devoured should have been a hit with me, but unfortunately was more of a miss.

Ethereal, languid, and…yes, tender. Reading this felt like waking from a fog-filled dream where nothing really happens—you feel content and light, but are left a bit wanting.

The atmosphere was the clear strong point, and I really enjoyed the (admittedly rare) moments where we saw the sea, the wind, the cave. The book then hops back and forth between this, the homes, and the school. The school was a far less interesting setting, and that whole storyline felt a bit disjointed and unnecessary.

I also didn’t feel very invested in the characters, and while we did see some interesting backstory, they just didn’t feel very fleshed out to me. The “husband” 😏was my favorite character, but we didn’t get to see him very much. I didn’t see much growth in any of them.

Overall, I felt that almost every aspect that I enjoyed wasn’t explored enough, while a lot of the focus went elsewhere. I kept putting the book down and having to push myself to pick it back up, but I felt pleasantly calmed each time I did this.

I’d recommend this for fans of both: literary fiction and YA. Don’t expect a lot of romance (yes, even at the YA level), though it is sapphic and the atmosphere itself feels romantic. There are some beautiful moments here. ❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Review for Tenderly, I Am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone

This was such a beautifully written and unique book, but ultimately, I don’t think it was for me. The prose is lush and atmospheric, and the audiobook narrator’s voice really helped bring the world and emotions to life. The story explores powerful themes like the transition from girlhood to adulthood, learning to trust after betrayal, and reclaiming self-worth after loss. The gothic horror elements were haunting and imaginative, and the world-building felt darkly enchanting.

However, I struggled to connect with the main character, Lark. While I don’t think protagonists need to be likable, I found many of her decisions confusing, and her flaws felt more like obstacles to the story’s pacing and emotional impact rather than adding meaningful depth. One particular plot point that didn’t quite work for me was the love story involving both siblings. I’m normally a fan of “why choose” narratives, but paired with the gothic horror tone, it edged into uncomfortable territory and felt more unsettling than romantic. It also made the eventual HEA feel a bit strange and hard to fully root for.

Also, a small but persistent gripe: some of the spelling and word choices for the folklore and world-specific language (chthonic for example) grated on me after a while and pulled me out of the story.

All that said, I think Tenderly, I Am Devoured will really resonate with readers who enjoy dark, lyrical gothic horror with deeply flawed characters and emotional ambiguity. This story falls more into the genre of gothic horror to me than it does as a a romantasy, so I hope it finds its audience!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lyndall Clipstone for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

No matter how often or in what way I immerse myself into the world of Tenderly, I Am Devoured, I am always in awe of this book. The dreamlike prose that flows through you like the most gentle of currents and tells you about characters so lovely it hurts.

I remain absolutely in love with this book. The narrator keeps everything that was already so lovely about this book and gives Lark a voice that just fits.

I cannot compare the experience of reading this to another book. The atmosphere, the worldbuilding, the character development was so meticulously executed, every word a caress on the soul.

The main characters were so lovely written, even when they were at their worst, you cannot help but love them. Lark in her bravery, Camille in her unending support and Alastair in all his hurt and devotion … I just love them all so much and their dynamic is truly beautiful. Lark’s brothers were also incredibly sweet. And then there’s Therion of course. The swan god and Lark’s husband, and I really don’t want to spoil anything so let me just say that everything surrounding him was heart wrenching but so incredibly well thought out.

The setting is mainly a small saltmine village at the coast. It’s incredibly atmospheric. I felt like I could taste the salt on my tongue and hear the waves crash.

Everything that happens in this book feels very dream-like. The prose is very lyrical and breathtakingly beautiful, even when it takes on a darker, more unsettling tone after the ceremony went wrong. It never drifted into the realm of “purple prose”, every sentence, every word had a purpose to create the world and shape the characters.

This unfortunately wasn't for me. I really wanted it to be for me but it wasn't. It wasn't what I expected it to be and frankly I didn't care for the characters. That being said I do think other people would like this book. This is definitely something that fits a lot of popular tropes.

ALC Review (The audiobook was chef's kiss)
4.5⭐️

🫠I’m running on no sleep, no thoughts, and what’s probably a god-given fever after finishing this book.My first dive into this author’s work, and it cracked open something in me. This is why I still cling to books like they’re oxygen.

🌸Tenderly, I Am Devoured – aka the book that softly broke me while whispering seafoam-soaked poetry into my ear – follows Lacrimosa Arriscane (yes, her name is extra, and yes, she earns it), a disgraced schoolgirl who’s basically thrown out of her boarding school and crash-lands back into her family’s dilapidated, tragic mess of a life. And what does one do when the vibes are cursed and the bank account is emptier than her soul?
Well.
🖤She binds herself to Therion – a dangerous, chthonic, swan god.
Obviously. 🦢💀

😱From there? Everything spirals. In the most beautiful, soul-devouring way. Because of course she ends up dragging into this delicious disaster her first heartbreak (hi, Alastair, you haunted stormcloud) and his dangerously charming sister (Camille, aka tenderness personified with a side of knives). The polycule is polycu—ling, and I was so here for it.
The cover? Award-worthy. Ethereal, eerie, everything. But the inside? Even better—lush, lyrical, and soaked in floral gothic prose, like Wuthering Heights, took a swim in a haunted lake and surfaced with seaweed and secrets.

😱The horror creeps—whispers, salt, and shadows. I got full Lovecraft chills (minus the racism, plus the romance). Lark and Alastair are raw and aching; Camille is soft like petals on a tombstone. It hurts. Beautifully.

🖤Lark is the blueprint for lost girls. Watching her break, bleed, and bloom into something divine—something god-touched—was pure magic.

If I had to label it?
🌸🖤Floral Gothic Romantasy with Saltwater in Its Veins.
It’s folk horror meets queer longing. Seafoam and shadows. Prose that feels like blooming bruises.

🫠Yes, the pacing slows down a bit in the middle—but it knows it’s doing it. It wants you to linger. To drown a little.

And I happily let it.

this gorgeous 🌷flower-threaded🌷 gothic fantasy full of yearning with dark academia vibes ✨

it follows lark, expelled from her prestigious boarding school, who ends up betrothed to a swan god to help her family 🤍

when something goes horribly wrong, she teams with her rival and his sister to try and save herself, and betrothed 👀

the narration of the audiobook was really enjoyable too!!

the vibes:
🌼 dark academia
🌻 gothic fantasy
🌸 steamy poly cule romance
🌺 betrothal to a swan god 🦢
🌹 young adult
🪻 folk horror

i thoroughly enjoyed this one 🫶

Tenderly I am devoured
5 stars ⭐️
Out 1st of July - pre order now
Gifted copy*
Marriage of convenience
Aqua mystical inspired
Sapphic
Who did this to you?
Past X present

Flower threaded horror
Dark academia x Cottagecore
Betrothal to a swan god
Saltburn x the secret history vibes

My Review:
An amazing stunning Folk horror YA sapphic folklore romantasy,

What can I say? this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and boy did it deliver. Beautifully written absolutely fell in love with @lyndallclipstone writing its poetic it’s captivating I literally felt like I was immersed in the book it’s written so well I can’t get over how good this book is!
I hybrid read it with the audio and it was chefs kiss. I devoured it ( no pun intended) this book in 2 sittings and I really didn’t want it to be over.

The story follows MFC Lark ( Lacrimosa) an orphan who is raised by her two brothers. She is expelled by her prestigious school following an incident.

On return to her home to discover her family on the point of financial ruin. Desperate to save them, she accepts a marriage of convenience... to Therion, the chthonic god worshipped by Lark's isolated coastal hometown.
But when her betrothal goes horribly wrong, Lark begins to vanish from the mortal realm. Her only hope is to seek help from Alastair Felimath: the brilliant, arrogant boy who was her first heartbreak, and his alluring older sister, Camille. As the trio delve into the folklore of gods, Lark falls under the spell of both Felimath siblings.
Ensnared by a fervent romance, they perform a bacchanalia with hopes the hedonistic ritual will repair the connection between Lark and her bridegroom. Instead, they draw the ire of something much darker, which seeks to destroy Therion--and Lark as well.


Add this to your TBR because it’s bloody beautiful and I can’t stop thinking about it.

I’m so glad I begged for the ARC now I need a special edition! Stunning lost for words! Off to make an olive leaf crown…

I'm conflicted about this book. The writing is beautiful. Clipstone created a really well developed atmosphere and setting. The descriptions brought the town to life and I felt immersed in that aspect of the story.

The same cannot be said for her characters unfortunately. Lacrimosa, or Lark, is fine as our FMC. Her most striking feature is her name though. I know it means 'weeping' but I still found it so beautiful. The only relationship that worked for me in this book was Lark and Alistair. Everything else felt really jumbled and haphazardly put together. You could take Camille out of the entire story and it wouldn't be altered one bit. Which means her relationship with Lark also doesn't matter. Hugo was nothing but a plot device and a poorly written one at that.

Not only would I not consider this any type of horror adjacent book, there was also a significant lack of bacchanalia in it. The entire description of the book doesn't match the actual story. The cover is so hauntingly beautiful, I want it as artwork for my house. But the tagline is "His salvation will be her demise." Who? Whose salvation? Therion? Because that's not true. If I were Clipstone, I would be very upset with my editor and my publisher at this point. I don't think the book was well edited or marketed and that's going to hurt the success of the book in the long run.