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.

Reading this felt like retribution because I read a book earlier this year that promised to be this and failed in every way. This was perfection and exactly what I wanted. A well-balanced mix of beauty and horror, with so many secrets and curious motives that kept me absolutely hooked from start to finish.

I had the absolute pleasure of reading an early copy of this book already, and loved it so much. The audio made it even better!

This is already a haunting, ethereal story but the audio truly immerses you in this dreamy world. Lyndall has written such a gorgeous story that feels even more like a fever dream when Emily is reading it to you. For me, it solidified my love of the story and the characters while also adding this extra layer of joy that I did not expect.

I’ve already recommended this story several times, but I think if you’re skeptical about picking it up, you should try the audio! The world building, the atmosphere, the absolute poetry that is Lyndall’s prose, were all made infinitely better through Emily’s narration.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured releases on July 1st and you do not want to miss it!

Thank you so much to Spotify Audiobooks and Lyndall for access to this early listening copy! I am forever grateful for being trusted to early review such amazing books. 💕

Thank you Lyndall‘s team, Spotify Audiobooks, & NetGalley for the eARC & ALC of Tenderly, I Am Devoured! It was such an honor to read and listen to this whimsical dark academia story and never knowing really where the story was going!

The audio actor was amazing, the way she spoke and spun words, it felt so fluid, whimsical, and carefree. I would highly recommend listening and reading because the way this actor speaks was breathtaking. I was able to understand which character was which and there may have been a couple moments were Camille and lark sounded similar but that’s to be expected.

She truly brought the story to life! The romance, the plot, and just the general world was such a beautiful story, I truly felt as if I was in the world. The way the polycule was written was as breathing, so nature, never forced and always with gentleness. Yes we don’t see the Swan God often but we had to get a few more things out of the way before we delved solely into the issues.

There was so many things I never knew was gonna come, especially how lark is, wow that was a great twist! The ending though, my heart! I cannot explain well enough how this story was, but I so much enjoyed the delicateness, honesty, and pain was written with such great depth.

PSA the true villain is Damson that’s all I say

“I let the heat unspool between us and pretend there is nothing else—only myself and Alastair and Camille, and that we’ll be safe from gods and fate and the whole world.”

I got the chance to read Tenderly, I Am Devoured in both its ebook and audio versions. I loved both. The narrator’s voice is a perfect fit to the prose, and adds a new layer to the ambiance woven in the book (the immersive reading with both text and audio, which I’ve done for my second read, is top tier!).
I adored this story. First, because it’s the first time I felt (and fell) for a poly story. It was, IMO, perfectly done. I loved the characters, how they felt like stained-glass: pretty, luminous, dreamy, mysterious, woven with shadows, ready to shatter. The love story(ies) is(are) beautiful, as all the characters learn to free themselves from toxic bonds and destructive revelations. They jump into adulthood, their fingers interwoven, together –and even a bit more than that, as the relationships come in waves crashing on the shore but soothing –all at once.
The narrative choices are great, and once again, this book makes an exception to my usual (dis)likes. I loved the change in tense and choice of POV depending on the timeline, it made perfect sense here and added another layer.
With her lyrical –and gorgeous– prose, Lyndall Clipstone created an awakened dream, ready to turn into a nightmare at any second. The ambiance is ethereal, completely out of time, lingering, and beautiful. This novel is a graceful and poetic story about growing up, choosing life over survival –and all the pain that can come from it. It’s about discovering the past, the present and the future, about the choices and sacrifices we make for the people we love, no matter the cost for ourselves.
But this story is also an incredible and aesthetic experience. It is immersive, poetic, and gives the impression to the reader they slip into a romantic piece of art, as soft as cotton, as sharp as a broken mirror, as flowing as water. Just Gorgeous.

Thank you to the author and both publishers for both the eARC and ALC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

This one felt pretty atmospheric. I enjoyed the writing and dual timeline. The gothic vibes are exactly what I love and I definitely felt emersed in the setting. Unfortunately, I didn't love this as much as I hoped I would. The plot seemed a little disjointed, with Thereon not taking up much time on the page. Then everything with Hugo seemed a little forced for what was meant to be shocking. The climax with Damsen is when I had the most emotional reaction.

This book felt weird, but not in a bad way. The twist with Lark was interesting. I didn't really love her or Camille or Alistair, though. Every time someone called her Lacrimosa, all I could think of was Lake Lachrymose from A Series of Unfortunate Events....

The polyamorous relationship was... not for me (don't get me wrong, I've read them in adult novels). I got the ick from siblings being involved (even if they were never really INVOLVED with each other). It seemed like an interesting choice to include this in a Young Adult novel...

Reminiscent of Hades and Persephone, Tenderly, I am Devoured is a languid, sweet, nostalgic story of Lark, whose destiny is determined before she is even brought into the world. Fans of queer, poly love stories will swoon at the sweet, descriptive prose.

Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Thank you so much to Netgalley for this audio-ARC but it didn’t end up being my vibe.

Thank you so much for the audio-ARC. But I DNF’ed the book at about 10%.

The language was overly-wordy in a way that sometimes is seen as “flowery” but mostly is annoying and overdone. There is pretty-flowing-writing and then there is too-many-words-and-comparisons-in-one-sentence-to-find-the-punctuation. Good examples are “The River has Roots” by Amal El-Mohtar (fantasy, very lyrical beautiful writing) or “House of Hollow” by Krystal Sutherland (absolutely luscious folk horror).

Plus I read a handful of comments that said the polyamory was going to be exactly what I thought it was and I’m sorry, I cannot. It’s not inclusive lgbtq+ identities, it’s just incest.

Oh how I love these briny, salty, coastal, atmospheric fantasies. I can taste the ocean air with every word on the page. Lyndall Clipstone has this uncanny ability to just PUT you in her books.

The pacing of this book is on the slower side but it fits in with the vibe of this book which is a slow, creeping unfolding of events. I found this book to be incredibly disturbing at times. The enmeshment of our characters made me uncomfortable and at no point did I predict where they would go with their relationships.

My biggest gripe with this book, however, is the ending. Things tied up too nicely and far too quickly at the end. I was left with this “is that it??” feeling. I suppose it’s satisfying if you want everything wrapped up with a neat bow. I, personally, did not.

3.25/5 ⭐️ for this disturbing read. The audiobook performance was done incredibly well and helped sell the eeriness of the book. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would read more by this author.

Audio 5★
Story 4★

This book was a darkly unique blend of gothic horror, folkloric mysticism, and romantasy, what stood out most was its eerie, immersive atmosphere. The horror elements simmered beneath the surface, creeping in through lush prose and unsettling moments.

Lark’s transformation was what I really enjoyed, watching her evolve, caught in webs of tension, desire, and fer, she navigated the dangers around her. The sapphic entanglements added depth to the emotional stakes and made the relationships feel raw and real.

While there is romance, this story leaned heavily into folklore and psychological horror. The slow-build tension, layered dynamics, and ultimately satisfying conclusion made this a standout read. Perfect for fans of gothic tales with teeth.

Emily Lawrence was a great narrator, She was engaging, I could clearly differentiate each character and her tone matched the gothic vibe perfectly.

Thank You NetGalley, Lyndall Clipstone and Spotify Audiobooks for this Advance Reader Copy.

I have mixed feelings when it comes to Lyndall Clipstone's books -- I was disappointed with Lakesedge, but absolutely loved Unholy Terrors. I was hoping Tenderly, I Am Devoured would skew towards the latter but alas here we are.

If you love long, languid descriptive passages and purple prose, then you will love this book. I personally am not a fan, and found this to be a rather tedious read, my attention constantly battling between staying focused on the book and getting distracted by literally anything else. I decided to request the audiobook, hoping that would help. And it did, a little. I switched at the 39% read mark and finished the audiobook within a few days. The audio is also quite dramatic which I wasn't super fond of, but it matched the writing style of the book so I can't fault the narrator for that.

The gothic aesthetic was done very well, and the cthonic gods mythology was really interesting and definitely needed more of a focus. The main character Lark was quite reserved and weepy for a lot of the novel, which I personally found quite grating. Her relationship with her brothers was really nice though. The relationship between the rest of the characters I found a bit odd, but won't go into detail due to spoilers.

Unfortunately Tenderly, I Am Devoured seemed more focused on creating detailed imagery and descriptions, over plot-depth, and is one I would only recommend for readers who prefer beautiful imagery to actual story development.

Great audiobook. The narrator was perfect and really brought the story to life. I will definitely be recommending the audio to friends.

I loved this book when I read it. And I love this audiobook. The narration is PERFECT. MWAH. I wouldn’t change a thing. Justice done.