Quick Synopsis – 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.”

Song This Reminds Me Of – Mantras by Ella Winter

Publication Date – April 09, 2024

Content Warnings – This book is historical fiction that takes place in the mid-1890s, and as such, there are mentions of homophobia and implied violence against queer people. The main character is a midwife, and there are mentions of blood, childbirth, child loss, off-page postpartum depression, and suicide. There is some mild language and off-page sexual assault.

Spicy Rating – 🌶

Overall Rating – 4 out of 5 ⭐

Review – I really liked this book. I thought it was a sweet, slow-burn sapphic love story, and none of the queer characters die! The one thing I don’t like is that, because of the blurb and synopsis, as the reader, you know the story has selkies in it, but any magical realism isn’t until the last bit of the book. I felt like the overall novel could have benefited from Jean understanding there was a bigger picture. I also felt like Jean was a little oblivious in general, but I quite enjoyed that. She was a little cinnamon roll that just wanted to protect people.

Jean meets Muirin while Muirin is in labor outside in a storm. Muirin basically ends up on Jean’s doorstep while fleeing. After Jean helps her deliver a healthy son, Jean can sense something isn’t right, but can’t get answers to her questions because Muirin doesn’t speak English. When Muirin’s husband, Tobias, shows up, Jean doubles down and insists Muirin stay with her while recovering from birth. Tobias relents, only wanting what’s best for his son and his wife. Over the course of a week, Jean watches Muirin blossom into motherhood and helps her learn English.

When Tobias comes to get Muirin and their son, Muirin closes up. Jean realizes Tobias is what’s wrong in the picture. From there, a beautiful gothic love story unfolds. The author did her research and included some historical events and included indigenous people in the story. I love when authors take care with their characters and history. This story is just so full of detail, I felt the longing and I felt the isolation.

This was a good story built on longing and the power of women; there could have been more awareness in the main character and a quicker reveal of magical elements. Overall, a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and Dell Books.