It’s time for another bookish deep dive! In today’s review, I’m unpacking my latest read—sharing what worked, what didn’t, and everything in between. Whether it made me stay up past midnight flipping pages or left me scratching my head, you’ll get the honest scoop right here. So grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s talk books!
Title: A Sweet Sting of Salt
By: Rose Sutherland
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 352
Release Date: April 9th, 2024
Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:
Once a young woman uncovers a dark secret about her neighbor and his mysterious new wife, she’ll have to fight to keep herself—and the woman she loves—safe in this stunning queer reimagining of the classic folktale The Selkie Wife.
When a sharp cry wakes Jean in the middle of the night during a terrible tempest, she’s convinced it must have been a dream. But when the cry comes again, Jean ventures outside and is shocked by what she discovers—a young woman in labor, already drenched to the bone in the freezing cold and barely able to speak a word of English.
Although Jean is the only midwife in the village and for miles around, she’s at a loss as to who this woman is or where she’s from; Jean can only assume she must be the new wife of the neighbor up the road, Tobias. And when Tobias does indeed arrive at her cabin in search of his wife, Muirin, Jean’s questions continue to grow. Why has he kept his wife’s pregnancy a secret? And why does Muirin’s open demeanor change completely the moment she’s in his presence?
Though Jean learned long ago that she should stay out of other people’s business, her growing concern—and growing feelings—for Muirin mean she can’t simply set her worries aside. But when the answers she finds are more harrowing than she ever could have imagined, she fears she may have endangered herself, Muirin, and the baby. Will she be able to put things right and save the woman she loves before it’s too late, or will someone have to pay for Jean’s actions with their life?
Review:
A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland is a beautifully written, atmospheric retelling that breathes new life into a story I grew up with. There’s something deeply nostalgic yet refreshingly original in the way Sutherland reimagines familiar elements while adding her own lyrical voice and emotional depth. The characters felt both timeless and newly complex, and the seaside setting was vivid and immersive. While a few pacing issues kept it from being a full five stars, this was a heartfelt and satisfying read that honored the original tale while standing confidently on its own.
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