The Half Moon: The compelling new novel from the New York Times bestselling author

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I might have liked the small town depiction of this story (with its nosy characters who know everything about others and nothing about themselves) had I not been reading another novel set in a small town that has handled the same brilliantly. This felt staid in comparison.

The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane | Book of the Month The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane | Book of the Month

If you have issues surrounding infertility, this book is probably a skip for you. There's a lot of difficult talk about it. This is a rather melancholic look at a struggling marriage, a failing business, infertility, and the loss of a couple’s hopes and dreams. This book was about a marriage in crisis, which is one of my favorite contemporary fiction topics de jour; however, this didn't do it for me. Malcom and Jess were beyond crisis. They were leading - and had always led, in my opinion - very separate lives. They were also extremely immature with zero communication skills. The Half Moon” is that kind of story-sometimes melancholy and sometimes reflective, but always authentic, as Malcolm and Jess figure out which kind of couple they will be.Jess, a successful lawyer by day, has always wanted to be a mother. After many attempts and many miscarriages they turn to IVF with unsuccessful results. Year after year of crushing disappointment. Jess would like to consider a sperm donor or perhaps adoption but Malcolm is spent. He doesn't want to continue this journey of heartbreak anymore. Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

For Mary Beth Keane, the Pressure to Follow Up Her Best

This story takes place over the course of a week, is dual perspective between the husband and wife, and frequently falls into large sections of past memories of what happened in their lives along the way. This book is about the deterioration of a marriage after both partners develop problems with their individual lifelong dreams—Malcolm’s being to own and run a bar and wife Jess’s to have a baby. The bar is not doing well, and there is no baby after years of trying. The journey is arduous for both, with neither grasping why the other is reacting as they are to their failing dream. Friends and family become involved, making the situation more complex. There are also side tales of a mystery of sorts, an affair, and dirty dealings. There’s nothing I can do about that,” Keane adds, speaking on the pressure to compete with such a market hit. “You just have to write the book that you want to write at the moment.”

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This heart-wrenching and genuine story grips your heart and refuses to let go, weaving its way into the depths of your emotions. It provokes introspection, forcing you to reflect on your own life choices and contemplate the profound questions it raises. It pushes you to embrace your fears, confront your mistakes, and chase your dreams with unwavering determination, regardless of the risks that may lie ahead. Amidst a raging blizzard, one of the bar's regular patrons mysteriously goes missing. This event prompts both Jess and Malcolm to question their life choices. They wonder what they could have done differently to alter the course of their lives. Are they truly happy? Are they content with the individuals they have become? Most importantly, they ponder the question: "What is it they plan to do with their one wild and precious life?" Overall, this is a depthy tale of a marriage in trouble. I was impressed and will seek out Ms. Keane’s next book without any prodding. Highly recommended for those looking for something real.

The Half Moon | Iconic music venue and great pub in Putney The Half Moon | Iconic music venue and great pub in Putney

Then a blizzard descends on Gillam, paralyzing the lives of its residents and emphasizing the feelings of entrapment felt by not only Malcolm and Jess but also a host of other wonderfully portrayed characters who work in and frequent the bar. As the story unfolds, the many fascinating behind-the-scenes details about running a bar range from heartbreaking to humorous. It’s a masterful setup, laid out in a careful, intriguing way. The disappearance of one of the bar’s patrons during the storm, lends a sense of urgency to the plot and adds a layer of impending doom that plays out in both emotional and physical terms. Marriage, she adds, requires that you “keep trying to see each other, and not your idea of each other, but really seeing each other. … It’s constantly trying to find each other within all the crap.” The tale of Jess and Malcolm is a poignant and relatable one. Their struggles and triumphs mirror those of countless individuals we know or perhaps even our own journeys, each with its own unique set of consequences. It is this universality that makes the story so captivating and profoundly real.Malcolm Gephardt, handsome and gregarious longtime bartender at the Half Moon, has always dreamed of owning a bar. When his boss finally retires, Malcolm stretches to buy the place. He sees unquantifiable magic and potential in the Half Moon and hopes to transform it into a bigger success, but struggles to stay afloat. I’ve been searching for the next We Are The Brennans and dare I say I’ve found it? Readers who enjoy family drama or a second chance romance won’t want to miss this one. I have Keane’s previous novel, ASK AGAIN, YES, sitting unread on my TBR shelf, but mark my words, it won’t stay unread for long. The Half Moon has been rolling with the good times at Putney Bridge on the banks of the Thames for decades. Whether it’s the live music or a rumbling belly that brings you to our doors, we’re sure you’ll like what you find inside. From expertly poured pints & seasonal British pub food, to live entertainment and private parties, we do it all, and we do it well. From the bestselling author of Ask Again, Yes, a masterful and “absorbing” ( The New York Times) novel about a couple in a small town navigating the complexities of marriage, family, and longing.

The Half Moon: A Novel - Mary Beth Keane - Google Books The Half Moon: A Novel - Mary Beth Keane - Google Books

Mary Beth Keane wrote characters that are believable. They are selfish and arrogant at times but also heartbroken and relatable. I liked Malcom more than I liked Jess. She made some choices that I didn't agree with. I did feel bad for her not being able to get pregnant. Malcolm also made huge decisions without getting much input from Jess. Their paths crossed in the bloom of youth, their futures seemingly intertwined. Jess, with her aspirations of becoming a successful lawyer, and Malcolm, the charismatic and carefree bartender, found solace and love in each other's arms. However, their lives took unexpected turns when they faced the heartbreak of losing a child. Yet, they remained steadfast, finding solace in their connection and the strength they derived from one another. This book examines marriage in a way that really feels common and relatable. My husband and I struggled ourselves with infertility for 10 years. Also, finances are one of the leading causes of divorce, right? So I should understand and empathize with them and gosh I wanted to FEEL but alas I just didn’t. Instead these characters frustrated me with their dumb decisions.Jess's dream is to have a baby. For years she'll go from doctor to doctor for the newest procedures to become pregnant, no matter the cost. Over the course of the story we watch their relationship bud, blossom, and grow. We also watch as this same relationship withers and decays. Will their love prove strong enough or is it time for these two lost souls to find their own way without one another? You'll have to read this to find out. Jess, feeling neglected and resentful, mourns the loss of the shared dream they once held dear. Failed attempts at IVF treatments drained their savings, leaving Jess questioning Malcolm's priorities and the sacrifices she had made for their relationship. As their paths diverge, they both grapple with the weight of their choices and the haunting question of whether they are truly living the lives they had envisioned. I’m drawn to quiet, contemplative stories about ordinary people dealing with hard things. While this didn’t have quite the impact of the author’s novel, Ask Again, Yes, I did enjoy it. The story is a heavy one, but, thankfully, the ending had a hopeful tone.