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The Half Moon
There are two sides to every story - and every marriage in crisis . . .
Malcolm, bartender at the Half Moon, has always dreamed of owning a bar, and when his boss finally retires, he seizes his chance.
His wife, Jess, has devoted herself to her law career, but after years of trying for a baby, she's struggling to accept the idea that motherhood might not be in her future. She finds herself slipping away from both her career and her marriage. The bar is Malcolm's dream, and as she feels her youth start to fade, she wonders how to reshape her own life.
When a blizzard hits their upstate New York town on the same day that Malcolm learns some shocking news about Jess, and a regular at the bar goes missing, everyone is frozen in place for a single, pivotal week, forcing Malcolm and Jess to confront their uncertain future.
The Half Moon carefully explores a marriage in crisis, what it takes to make a life with another person, and the true meaning of family.
Malcolm, bartender at the Half Moon, has always dreamed of owning a bar, and when his boss finally retires, he seizes his chance.
His wife, Jess, has devoted herself to her law career, but after years of trying for a baby, she's struggling to accept the idea that motherhood might not be in her future. She finds herself slipping away from both her career and her marriage. The bar is Malcolm's dream, and as she feels her youth start to fade, she wonders how to reshape her own life.
When a blizzard hits their upstate New York town on the same day that Malcolm learns some shocking news about Jess, and a regular at the bar goes missing, everyone is frozen in place for a single, pivotal week, forcing Malcolm and Jess to confront their uncertain future.
The Half Moon carefully explores a marriage in crisis, what it takes to make a life with another person, and the true meaning of family.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2023
1518 people are currently reading
101528 people want to read
About the author
Mary Beth Keane
5 books3,533 followersMary Beth Keane attended Barnard College and the University of Virginia, where she received an MFA. She was awarded a John S. Guggenheim fellowship for fiction writing, and has received citations from the National Book Foundation, PEN America, and the Hemingway Society. She is the author of five novels, including ASK AGAIN, YES, which was a New York Times Best Seller and was translated into twenty-two languages. Her new novel, WHALE HARBOR, is forthcoming September 29, 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 3,566 reviews
July 22, 2023
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.
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.
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.
As time passes, we find Jess and Malcolm estranged, their marriage strained by the weight of unfulfilled dreams and sacrifices made along the way. Jess seeks solace in the familiar embrace of her mother, who had reservations about Malcolm from the start. Meanwhile, Malcolm fights tooth and nail to keep his dream of owning the "Half Moon" bar alive. It was a dream that consumed him, passed down from his own father. But the price he paid for this ambition was steep, entangling him in a web of financial woes and threats from unscrupulous characters associated with the bar's previous owner.
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.
In the midst of a raging blizzard, a mysterious disappearance sends shockwaves through their already fragile existence. It becomes a catalyst for introspection, forcing Jess and Malcolm to confront the demons that haunt them. They delve into the depths of their souls, examining their desires, hopes, and the profound impact of their past actions. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, seeking redemption and the possibility of rebuilding what was lost.
The strength of this narrative lies not only in its gripping plot and thought-provoking themes but also in its masterful characterization. The complexities of Jess and Malcolm's emotions are laid bare, their struggles and vulnerabilities raw and palpable. As readers, we are drawn into their world, feeling their pain, their joy, and their yearning for something more.
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?"
The ending of this extraordinary tale leaves us with a sense of both closure and new beginnings. It is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the unyielding human spirit. I wholeheartedly recommend this captivating novel to all who seek a profound and emotionally resonant reading experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
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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.
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.
As time passes, we find Jess and Malcolm estranged, their marriage strained by the weight of unfulfilled dreams and sacrifices made along the way. Jess seeks solace in the familiar embrace of her mother, who had reservations about Malcolm from the start. Meanwhile, Malcolm fights tooth and nail to keep his dream of owning the "Half Moon" bar alive. It was a dream that consumed him, passed down from his own father. But the price he paid for this ambition was steep, entangling him in a web of financial woes and threats from unscrupulous characters associated with the bar's previous owner.
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.
In the midst of a raging blizzard, a mysterious disappearance sends shockwaves through their already fragile existence. It becomes a catalyst for introspection, forcing Jess and Malcolm to confront the demons that haunt them. They delve into the depths of their souls, examining their desires, hopes, and the profound impact of their past actions. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, seeking redemption and the possibility of rebuilding what was lost.
The strength of this narrative lies not only in its gripping plot and thought-provoking themes but also in its masterful characterization. The complexities of Jess and Malcolm's emotions are laid bare, their struggles and vulnerabilities raw and palpable. As readers, we are drawn into their world, feeling their pain, their joy, and their yearning for something more.
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?"
The ending of this extraordinary tale leaves us with a sense of both closure and new beginnings. It is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the unyielding human spirit. I wholeheartedly recommend this captivating novel to all who seek a profound and emotionally resonant reading experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
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October 28, 2023
This story doesn’t make any sense.
If you purchase a business, I am not sure how you cannot have a lawyer. You would need someone to incorporate for you, get all of your licenses, and you would also need someone to do your taxes for you, especially your sales tax and payroll deductions. Who manages your IP (intellectual property) like your trademark and logos?
Also, Jess is a lawyer. Half the Moon talks about her student loans. The standard repayment term is 10 years so how is she still making payments after 12 years? When you graduate, you can refinance your loans and usually secure a lower interest rate (at least back in 2011). Why pay 6.8% if you can pay 3.25%? Jess is also working in a large law firm, trying to make partner. The beginning salaries are usually $110,000 to $120,000 (and this is information from about 10 years ago). How in the world is she only making the minimums on her student loans? She would have to have an incredibly lavish lifestyle. At the time that Jess would have graduated, PAYE and REPAYE, the modern day income based repayment plans would not have existed. Jess might have been eligible for IBR; however, all loans were not eligible. In 2009, the average law school debt was $91,606. However, for kicks, let's just pretend that she graduated with $150,000 in debt. Under IBR, she would not have qualified for any loan forgiveness even if her loans qualified so a 20 or 25 year plan would not have made sense.
Malcolm gives off Ryle vibes from It Ends With Us. Hasn’t he ever heard the phrase, “Happy wife, happy life?”
The two main characters: Malcolm and Jess who are supposed to be mid-40’s and late-30’s respectively but act more in line with someone in their early 20’s.
For example, Jess was struggling with her suitcase, and Malcolm just watches her. What? Help the poor woman! In life, you get to decide who you are. You can either be a reactionary or you can already have a strong sense of self. If someone approaches you screaming, you get to decide to scream back (reactionary) or you can keep a low, gentle tone, deescalate the situation because you know that you are a kind, gentle person and no one can force you to act inconsistently with your inherent identity.
But all of that usually develops over time. Apparently, Malcolm and Jess did not get the memo.
At one point, Malcolm says that he deserves something because Jess spent money on medical expenses. Imagine if your partner had kidney stones and you spend $2,000, you wouldn’t just immediately demand a big-screen TV to even the score. The immaturity was astonishing.
The book is a bit bleak, and it would have been nice to cut through some of that with jokes, maybe a snarky character.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.
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If you purchase a business, I am not sure how you cannot have a lawyer. You would need someone to incorporate for you, get all of your licenses, and you would also need someone to do your taxes for you, especially your sales tax and payroll deductions. Who manages your IP (intellectual property) like your trademark and logos?
Also, Jess is a lawyer. Half the Moon talks about her student loans. The standard repayment term is 10 years so how is she still making payments after 12 years? When you graduate, you can refinance your loans and usually secure a lower interest rate (at least back in 2011). Why pay 6.8% if you can pay 3.25%? Jess is also working in a large law firm, trying to make partner. The beginning salaries are usually $110,000 to $120,000 (and this is information from about 10 years ago). How in the world is she only making the minimums on her student loans? She would have to have an incredibly lavish lifestyle. At the time that Jess would have graduated, PAYE and REPAYE, the modern day income based repayment plans would not have existed. Jess might have been eligible for IBR; however, all loans were not eligible. In 2009, the average law school debt was $91,606. However, for kicks, let's just pretend that she graduated with $150,000 in debt. Under IBR, she would not have qualified for any loan forgiveness even if her loans qualified so a 20 or 25 year plan would not have made sense.
Malcolm gives off Ryle vibes from It Ends With Us. Hasn’t he ever heard the phrase, “Happy wife, happy life?”
The two main characters: Malcolm and Jess who are supposed to be mid-40’s and late-30’s respectively but act more in line with someone in their early 20’s.
For example, Jess was struggling with her suitcase, and Malcolm just watches her. What? Help the poor woman! In life, you get to decide who you are. You can either be a reactionary or you can already have a strong sense of self. If someone approaches you screaming, you get to decide to scream back (reactionary) or you can keep a low, gentle tone, deescalate the situation because you know that you are a kind, gentle person and no one can force you to act inconsistently with your inherent identity.
But all of that usually develops over time. Apparently, Malcolm and Jess did not get the memo.
At one point, Malcolm says that he deserves something because Jess spent money on medical expenses. Imagine if your partner had kidney stones and you spend $2,000, you wouldn’t just immediately demand a big-screen TV to even the score. The immaturity was astonishing.
The book is a bit bleak, and it would have been nice to cut through some of that with jokes, maybe a snarky character.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.
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January 21, 2025
This is a slow burn spousal drama, the whole way through…
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.
Malcom finally owns the bar he’s dreamed of and worked years in. Struggling to keep his relationship and the bar afloat, life seems to unfurl regardless of his good intentions. His wife Jess is struggling with her own dream - she desperately wants to be a mother but her body has other plans. UCan they have both dreams fulfilled or are neither going to get what they want?
For me, this was interesting at times but unfulfilling overall. I didn’t feel there was a low, a middle or even a high, just small peaks of curiosity that came off the baseline. Sometimes the story seemed to deviate into their own thoughts or memories for so long it felt like it took away from the storyline. I finished the novel mostly unsatisfied with the ending, but I could see how people who enjoy slow burns that glimpse into the lives of others would enjoy this. It’s like taking a walk in the park, you’re just there for the scenery.
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.
Malcom finally owns the bar he’s dreamed of and worked years in. Struggling to keep his relationship and the bar afloat, life seems to unfurl regardless of his good intentions. His wife Jess is struggling with her own dream - she desperately wants to be a mother but her body has other plans. UCan they have both dreams fulfilled or are neither going to get what they want?
For me, this was interesting at times but unfulfilling overall. I didn’t feel there was a low, a middle or even a high, just small peaks of curiosity that came off the baseline. Sometimes the story seemed to deviate into their own thoughts or memories for so long it felt like it took away from the storyline. I finished the novel mostly unsatisfied with the ending, but I could see how people who enjoy slow burns that glimpse into the lives of others would enjoy this. It’s like taking a walk in the park, you’re just there for the scenery.
May 31, 2023
mary beth keane is the shakespeare of irish-american family dramas.
this was one book in a lineup of lit fic exploring motherhood i've accidentally been picking up, one after the other, and still i enjoyed it and it stood out.
which is saying a lot because i can't stress enough: i spent an entire month in a state of functional illiteracy to which the only exception was that one very narrow niche.
to be honest i am very confused to see this low average rating, because while these characters are definitely unlikable, i found myself liking them anyway.
and that's real, baby!
bottom line: family dramas forever!!!
3.5
this was one book in a lineup of lit fic exploring motherhood i've accidentally been picking up, one after the other, and still i enjoyed it and it stood out.
which is saying a lot because i can't stress enough: i spent an entire month in a state of functional illiteracy to which the only exception was that one very narrow niche.
to be honest i am very confused to see this low average rating, because while these characters are definitely unlikable, i found myself liking them anyway.
and that's real, baby!
bottom line: family dramas forever!!!
3.5
May 10, 2023
2 Stars
Oooof.
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.
I've read a lot of books about marriages on the rocks and I obviously love the ensuing angst and the relatability of the complex emotions involved. But this one just stressed me out.
Before I get into why though, I want to make one thing abundantly clear: I am childfree by choice and have never wanted children of my own. However, I intellectually understand that having children is a magical thing. And I cannot even begin to imagine how painful it must be to potentially be unable to have them, especially if you've always dreamed of being a parent.
That said, infertility treatments are VERY expensive as well as stressful and I think any involved parties need to 100% be on the same page when making joint decisions for each round of treatment and/or each procedure. And Malcom and Jess definitely were not.
Unless you are made of money, large purchases and expenditures are something partners should decide together. Failure to do so is simply another form of infidelity. Between the above issue and Malcom's decisions regarding the bar...ugh. My secondhand financial stress on behalf of these two was almost visceral.
The self-centeredness and complete lack of disregard both displayed for each other was astounding. And neither of them changed or grew at ALL, in my opinion. In fact, the story ends
In addition to the hot mess story and characters was what I consider hot mess writing. Aside from seemingly stream of consciousness sentence structure, the timelines and POVs were all over the place with no hallmarks.
In short, not my cuppa all around and I don't if I would try another book by this author unless it was rated highly by certain GR friends I trust.
Oooof.
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.
I've read a lot of books about marriages on the rocks and I obviously love the ensuing angst and the relatability of the complex emotions involved. But this one just stressed me out.
Before I get into why though, I want to make one thing abundantly clear: I am childfree by choice and have never wanted children of my own. However, I intellectually understand that having children is a magical thing. And I cannot even begin to imagine how painful it must be to potentially be unable to have them, especially if you've always dreamed of being a parent.
That said, infertility treatments are VERY expensive as well as stressful and I think any involved parties need to 100% be on the same page when making joint decisions for each round of treatment and/or each procedure. And Malcom and Jess definitely were not.
Unless you are made of money, large purchases and expenditures are something partners should decide together. Failure to do so is simply another form of infidelity. Between the above issue and Malcom's decisions regarding the bar...ugh. My secondhand financial stress on behalf of these two was almost visceral.
The self-centeredness and complete lack of disregard both displayed for each other was astounding. And neither of them changed or grew at ALL, in my opinion. In fact, the story ends
In addition to the hot mess story and characters was what I consider hot mess writing. Aside from seemingly stream of consciousness sentence structure, the timelines and POVs were all over the place with no hallmarks.
In short, not my cuppa all around and I don't if I would try another book by this author unless it was rated highly by certain GR friends I trust.
May 2, 2023
Remember Bruce Springsteen’s song “Glory Days”? Although this book does not take place in 1985, it had that kind of nostalgic feel to it-in the very BEST way! Think about a “slice of life” in a small town, loyal friends who grew up together, love and broken dreams.
Malcolm Gephardt is the guy that everyone loves! He had worked at the local, neighborhood bar, THE HALF MOON, for 26 years, with the intent of buying it, when the owner retired. Now that it’s his-he has tried to modernize the place, but what he didn’t realize is that the regulars just want what’s familiar-what feels like home.
And, business could be better.
His wife, Jess is dedicated to her law career, but what she wants more than anything else is to be a mother. Unfortunately, the Infertility treatments haven’t worked, and it’s taking a toll on their marriage. I didn’t always like her, but I understood that some of the choices she made came from pain.
Student Loans, failed medical treatments, and the cost of owning a bar that has been in disrepair for years-has caused their debt to pile up, and their dreams are crumbling fast.
When life hands you lemons, 🍋 make lemonade, is a lovely concept but it’s not always realistic!
When you are young and in love with your whole life ahead of you, nothing seems insurmountable. But, the reality is that we don’t all get everything that we want in life. Some couples find their way through their disappointments together and others must find their way, apart.
“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.
And, it earns 4.5 glowing stars! And, will probably make my 2023 favorites list!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌜
A buddy read with DeAnn-be sure to watch for her amazing review to see if she enjoyed it too!
NOW Available!
Thank You to Scribner for my gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Malcolm Gephardt is the guy that everyone loves! He had worked at the local, neighborhood bar, THE HALF MOON, for 26 years, with the intent of buying it, when the owner retired. Now that it’s his-he has tried to modernize the place, but what he didn’t realize is that the regulars just want what’s familiar-what feels like home.
And, business could be better.
His wife, Jess is dedicated to her law career, but what she wants more than anything else is to be a mother. Unfortunately, the Infertility treatments haven’t worked, and it’s taking a toll on their marriage. I didn’t always like her, but I understood that some of the choices she made came from pain.
Student Loans, failed medical treatments, and the cost of owning a bar that has been in disrepair for years-has caused their debt to pile up, and their dreams are crumbling fast.
When life hands you lemons, 🍋 make lemonade, is a lovely concept but it’s not always realistic!
When you are young and in love with your whole life ahead of you, nothing seems insurmountable. But, the reality is that we don’t all get everything that we want in life. Some couples find their way through their disappointments together and others must find their way, apart.
“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.
And, it earns 4.5 glowing stars! And, will probably make my 2023 favorites list!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌜
A buddy read with DeAnn-be sure to watch for her amazing review to see if she enjoyed it too!
NOW Available!
Thank You to Scribner for my gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
June 7, 2023
The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane is a Story About Perception and Perspective!
It's hard to hold onto a dream. It's even harder when you and your spouse have different dreams.
Malcolm's dream is to own his own bar. It has to be the "Half Moon" where he's tended bar for years. When this bar is offered for sale, he'll be the buyer, at all costs.
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.
As both dreams begin to falter and fade, it creates tension, sadness and blame between Malcolm, Jess, and their marriage. Living in the small community where they grew up, even the most well-meaning family members and friends cause unnecessary interference and complications.
How can this relationship between Malcolm and Jess, and their marriage, possibly end well?
The Half Moon is the first book I've read by this author and I'm completely convinced she knows how to write character driven stories that dive deeply into a relationship. The atmosphere is thick, dark, and tense and both Malcolm and Jess are broken and damaged just like their marriage. It's heart-wrenching to read and to witness their pain. It's palpable.
It feels like the reader hears mostly from Malcolm, however Jess voices her memories and perspective of their relationship, giving a balance to the backstory and current standing of their marriage. I love the depth of detail the author shows this relationship in her storytelling.
There are several surprises as the storyline wanders and begins to feel like a story within a story, but it always travels back to Malcolm and Jess's marriage. IMHO the addition of this second storyline is a genius move by the author and creates another layer to the story and a different perspective overall. Pretty clever, Ms. Keane!
I love character driven stories, especially one that's as well-written as The Half Moon. I have a hardcopy of Ask Again, Yes sitting on my desk that I'll definitely be reading soon.
I love and highly recommend The Half Moon! 4.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, Scribner, and Mary Beth Keane for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
It's hard to hold onto a dream. It's even harder when you and your spouse have different dreams.
Malcolm's dream is to own his own bar. It has to be the "Half Moon" where he's tended bar for years. When this bar is offered for sale, he'll be the buyer, at all costs.
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.
As both dreams begin to falter and fade, it creates tension, sadness and blame between Malcolm, Jess, and their marriage. Living in the small community where they grew up, even the most well-meaning family members and friends cause unnecessary interference and complications.
How can this relationship between Malcolm and Jess, and their marriage, possibly end well?
The Half Moon is the first book I've read by this author and I'm completely convinced she knows how to write character driven stories that dive deeply into a relationship. The atmosphere is thick, dark, and tense and both Malcolm and Jess are broken and damaged just like their marriage. It's heart-wrenching to read and to witness their pain. It's palpable.
It feels like the reader hears mostly from Malcolm, however Jess voices her memories and perspective of their relationship, giving a balance to the backstory and current standing of their marriage. I love the depth of detail the author shows this relationship in her storytelling.
There are several surprises as the storyline wanders and begins to feel like a story within a story, but it always travels back to Malcolm and Jess's marriage. IMHO the addition of this second storyline is a genius move by the author and creates another layer to the story and a different perspective overall. Pretty clever, Ms. Keane!
I love character driven stories, especially one that's as well-written as The Half Moon. I have a hardcopy of Ask Again, Yes sitting on my desk that I'll definitely be reading soon.
I love and highly recommend The Half Moon! 4.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, Scribner, and Mary Beth Keane for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
June 3, 2023
In a Nutshell: A story about a husband and a wife who feel sorry for themselves and ended up making me feel sorry for myself for having picked this up. Marriage melodrama masquerading as literary fiction. This is an outlier review.
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
✔ There’s one point where Malcolm remarks to Jessica about IVF, and how it can lead to false hope, and how long can they keep trying because of that hope if earlier IVF attempts haven’t worked. I loved that scene because I have seen the same happen to friends who opted for IVF. That hope is a killer.
✔ A couple of quotable quotes.
✔ The cover – with its dual reference to the bar as well as the marriage of Jessica and Malcolm. Real smart design.
Bookish Nays:
❌ Main characters who are in their forties but behave as if they are in their twenties. Jessica and Malcolm have many secrets from each other despite their long relationship. This should have made them realistic, but their baseless self-pity and shoddy decision-making made me loathe them instead of rooting for them. When I can’t feel sympathetic even towards a woman who is desperate to be a mother, the book is a lost cause.
❌ The secondary characters are as flat as a soda kept out for a day.
❌ Slow writing that is worsened by our lack of empathy with the characters.
❌ The narrative chronology, which, while limited to a week, goes meandering across past and present like nobody’s business.
❌ A missing person story in a novel about a couple struggling with their separation and its aftermath - What the heck! That track was relevant just to a minimal degree, and the book would have worked better without that distraction.
❌ The key ingredient in a marriage story is passion. Not the romantic kind, but strong feelings, whether in moments of love or during arguments. But Jessica and Malcolm have serious discussions with as much emotion as if they were talking about the grocery list. (Heck, I make my grocery list with more emotions!)
❌ 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 ending. Good God! Why, why, why? The whole character build-up went for a toss with that decision. I might still have rated this higher had the ending been realistic. But HFN and HEA endings make sense only when they proceed logically from the plot and not a pull-the-rug finale like this one.
This book ought to have worked for me as it had so many ingredients I relish in fiction: flawed characters, marital struggles, parenting problems. Heck, I even enjoy literary fiction for the way it brings depth to characters. But this time, nada! I felt nothing for anything and anyone during this read.
I can’t help recollect the song lyrics, ‘You say it best, when you say nothing at all.’ So I”ll just stop this rant here and hope that it’s for the best.
Kindly read other reviews before you make up your mind about this title because for me, this book stands as ‘Not recommended’, and as we all know, no two readers read the same book.
2 stars.
My thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Half Moon”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
Content warnings: Miscarriage, Infidelity.
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Story Synopsis:
Malcolm Gephardt, 45 – Owner of a bar named ‘The Half Moon’. Bar in losses. Malcolm desperate to get it back on its feet.
Jessica, 41 – Malcolm’s wife. Lawyer. Desperate for a child and willing to do anything to be a mother. Malcolm not in agreement.
Malcolm and Jessica separated four months ago.
This week, there’s news of a blizzard hitting their small town. The story takes place in the course of these seven days, where Malcolm has just heard an upsetting news about Jessica, and a regular patron of The Half Moon has gone missing.
The story comes to us in limited third person perspective mostly of Malcolm and some portions from Jessica.
Bookish Yays:
✔ There’s one point where Malcolm remarks to Jessica about IVF, and how it can lead to false hope, and how long can they keep trying because of that hope if earlier IVF attempts haven’t worked. I loved that scene because I have seen the same happen to friends who opted for IVF. That hope is a killer.
✔ A couple of quotable quotes.
✔ The cover – with its dual reference to the bar as well as the marriage of Jessica and Malcolm. Real smart design.
Bookish Nays:
❌ Main characters who are in their forties but behave as if they are in their twenties. Jessica and Malcolm have many secrets from each other despite their long relationship. This should have made them realistic, but their baseless self-pity and shoddy decision-making made me loathe them instead of rooting for them. When I can’t feel sympathetic even towards a woman who is desperate to be a mother, the book is a lost cause.
❌ The secondary characters are as flat as a soda kept out for a day.
❌ Slow writing that is worsened by our lack of empathy with the characters.
❌ The narrative chronology, which, while limited to a week, goes meandering across past and present like nobody’s business.
❌ A missing person story in a novel about a couple struggling with their separation and its aftermath - What the heck! That track was relevant just to a minimal degree, and the book would have worked better without that distraction.
❌ The key ingredient in a marriage story is passion. Not the romantic kind, but strong feelings, whether in moments of love or during arguments. But Jessica and Malcolm have serious discussions with as much emotion as if they were talking about the grocery list. (Heck, I make my grocery list with more emotions!)
❌ 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 ending. Good God! Why, why, why? The whole character build-up went for a toss with that decision. I might still have rated this higher had the ending been realistic. But HFN and HEA endings make sense only when they proceed logically from the plot and not a pull-the-rug finale like this one.
This book ought to have worked for me as it had so many ingredients I relish in fiction: flawed characters, marital struggles, parenting problems. Heck, I even enjoy literary fiction for the way it brings depth to characters. But this time, nada! I felt nothing for anything and anyone during this read.
I can’t help recollect the song lyrics, ‘You say it best, when you say nothing at all.’ So I”ll just stop this rant here and hope that it’s for the best.
Kindly read other reviews before you make up your mind about this title because for me, this book stands as ‘Not recommended’, and as we all know, no two readers read the same book.
2 stars.
My thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Half Moon”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
Content warnings: Miscarriage, Infidelity.
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June 20, 2023
3.5 stars
This is a rather melancholic look at a struggling marriage, a failing business, infertility, and the loss of a couple’s hopes and dreams.
A strong character-driven novel, there is no propulsive plot to keep you flipping the pages quickly. Instead, it’s one to read slowly and savor the writing and insights into the human heart when life doesn’t turn out as you’d hoped.
The characters are deeply flawed, and I admit I became annoyed at some of their choices. Malcolm is the owner of a struggling bar called The Half Moon and he and his lawyer wife, Jess, are dealing with financial and fertility issues along with infidelity. The story takes place over one week in the midst of a blizzard, utilizing flashbacks to gain an understanding of Malcolm and Jess’s past.
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.
• I received a digital copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
This is a rather melancholic look at a struggling marriage, a failing business, infertility, and the loss of a couple’s hopes and dreams.
A strong character-driven novel, there is no propulsive plot to keep you flipping the pages quickly. Instead, it’s one to read slowly and savor the writing and insights into the human heart when life doesn’t turn out as you’d hoped.
The characters are deeply flawed, and I admit I became annoyed at some of their choices. Malcolm is the owner of a struggling bar called The Half Moon and he and his lawyer wife, Jess, are dealing with financial and fertility issues along with infidelity. The story takes place over one week in the midst of a blizzard, utilizing flashbacks to gain an understanding of Malcolm and Jess’s past.
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.
• I received a digital copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
May 13, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and Mary Beth Keane for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 5.2!**
Malcolm and Jess are a stunning couple on paper: he is a handsome bartender, and she's a successful lawyer. After years of marriage, however, financial woes have started to wear on the couple: student loan debt, and unsuccessful IVF treatments, to name a couple of sources of their collective strife. Malcolm has purchased the bar he works at, The Half Moon, despite its waning profitability and he is determined to somehow find a way to turn the tide.
While a big snowstorm holds the small town of Gillam in its clutches, however, Jess and Malcolm have plenty of time to think and reflect on the good and bad of their marriage...and their respective dreams. They each begin to wonder if their paths in life align, and cracks in their marriage threaten to bring the entire foundation down to the ground. Will Jess and Malcolm be able to cling to the memories and the dreams that brought them together? Or has life dealt them a "Dead Man's Hand?"
After middling success with Ask Again, Yes, I felt like Keane was a very strong writer, but that the aforementioned book just didn't have relatable characters...and that this was the sole reason I couldn't get into it fully. After reading The Half Moon, I've come to realize that it isn't just the characters: Keane's storytelling is simply too slow and meandering for me. I figured with different subject matter (marriage, for one!) at the forefront, that this would have that sort of small-town, charming feel despite the dramatic nature of Malcolm and Jess' failing relationship. However, Keane spent SO much time going over details that not only felt unnecessary, but weren't particularly interesting, that I lost focus and interest in the plot over and over again.
For instance, Jess' infertility troubles are a large part of the reason the couple is in financial trouble, and this is fine...but I didn't need to hear about it for what felt like forever. If you've ever struggled with infertility or have trouble reading about the topic, I would STRONGLY recommend skipping this one on that basis alone. The other problems in Malcolm and Jess' relationship were far from uncommon and I had no problem reading about them in theory....but these passages again seemed to go on and on with little emotional impact. The third act 'confrontation' between the two was also lackluster in my opinion and not worthy of the supposed turmoil the two had gone through together. The ending was even more bizarre and I won't get into it: suffice it to say, it actually made me wonder what the POINT of all of it even was and left me far from satisfied as a reader.
There's also a secondary 'mystery' plot that I wish had been left out entirely because I don't think it truly added anything to the narrative. I would have rather spent time getting to know the plethora of characters who were randomly mentioned every now and again, but were little more than character names on a page to me. What was hardest to swallow about all of this is that I KNOW Keane is a terrific writer: I just didn't click with the finished product.
The cover of this book reminds me of the famous optical illusion, where the viewer sees either a vase or two faces. And much like an optical illusion, once my view of the picture flipped...I just couldn't see it any other way.
3.5 stars
Malcolm and Jess are a stunning couple on paper: he is a handsome bartender, and she's a successful lawyer. After years of marriage, however, financial woes have started to wear on the couple: student loan debt, and unsuccessful IVF treatments, to name a couple of sources of their collective strife. Malcolm has purchased the bar he works at, The Half Moon, despite its waning profitability and he is determined to somehow find a way to turn the tide.
While a big snowstorm holds the small town of Gillam in its clutches, however, Jess and Malcolm have plenty of time to think and reflect on the good and bad of their marriage...and their respective dreams. They each begin to wonder if their paths in life align, and cracks in their marriage threaten to bring the entire foundation down to the ground. Will Jess and Malcolm be able to cling to the memories and the dreams that brought them together? Or has life dealt them a "Dead Man's Hand?"
After middling success with Ask Again, Yes, I felt like Keane was a very strong writer, but that the aforementioned book just didn't have relatable characters...and that this was the sole reason I couldn't get into it fully. After reading The Half Moon, I've come to realize that it isn't just the characters: Keane's storytelling is simply too slow and meandering for me. I figured with different subject matter (marriage, for one!) at the forefront, that this would have that sort of small-town, charming feel despite the dramatic nature of Malcolm and Jess' failing relationship. However, Keane spent SO much time going over details that not only felt unnecessary, but weren't particularly interesting, that I lost focus and interest in the plot over and over again.
For instance, Jess' infertility troubles are a large part of the reason the couple is in financial trouble, and this is fine...but I didn't need to hear about it for what felt like forever. If you've ever struggled with infertility or have trouble reading about the topic, I would STRONGLY recommend skipping this one on that basis alone. The other problems in Malcolm and Jess' relationship were far from uncommon and I had no problem reading about them in theory....but these passages again seemed to go on and on with little emotional impact. The third act 'confrontation' between the two was also lackluster in my opinion and not worthy of the supposed turmoil the two had gone through together. The ending was even more bizarre and I won't get into it: suffice it to say, it actually made me wonder what the POINT of all of it even was and left me far from satisfied as a reader.
There's also a secondary 'mystery' plot that I wish had been left out entirely because I don't think it truly added anything to the narrative. I would have rather spent time getting to know the plethora of characters who were randomly mentioned every now and again, but were little more than character names on a page to me. What was hardest to swallow about all of this is that I KNOW Keane is a terrific writer: I just didn't click with the finished product.
The cover of this book reminds me of the famous optical illusion, where the viewer sees either a vase or two faces. And much like an optical illusion, once my view of the picture flipped...I just couldn't see it any other way.
3.5 stars
April 1, 2023
Following up on her success with Ask Again, Yes, Mary Beth Keane provides us with The Half Moon. The Half Moon is the bar that Malcolm owns. After 24 years of bartending there, he had finally been given the opportunity to buy it. But things aren’t going well. The bar isn’t profitable. Malcolm and his lawyer wife, Jess, have separated. They’ve spent years and over a hundred thousand dollars on trying to have a baby. But it was never in the cards and Jess is trying to decide what’s next.
The story takes place over a single week, during two major snowstorms, with flashbacks to what has brought them to this point. Told in the third person omniscient style, the story alternates between the two spouses. There’s an interesting side story which didn’t really add anything to the main plot but still worked in its own weird way.
These are two people with vastly different goals and desires. Keane totally gets the range of emotions that both feel toward the other - rage and anger, but also disappointment and regret, that feeling of just not knowing what the right decision is. I liked that I could totally feel for both of them, despite the wrong decisions each has made. As is so often the case, tunnel vision and selfishness get in the way of understanding and forgiveness. It’s a realistic look at not just marriage, but life in general; of knowing when to compromise or when to just walk away from something. The ending totally worked for me.
My thanks to Netgalley and Scribner for an advance copy of this book.
The story takes place over a single week, during two major snowstorms, with flashbacks to what has brought them to this point. Told in the third person omniscient style, the story alternates between the two spouses. There’s an interesting side story which didn’t really add anything to the main plot but still worked in its own weird way.
These are two people with vastly different goals and desires. Keane totally gets the range of emotions that both feel toward the other - rage and anger, but also disappointment and regret, that feeling of just not knowing what the right decision is. I liked that I could totally feel for both of them, despite the wrong decisions each has made. As is so often the case, tunnel vision and selfishness get in the way of understanding and forgiveness. It’s a realistic look at not just marriage, but life in general; of knowing when to compromise or when to just walk away from something. The ending totally worked for me.
My thanks to Netgalley and Scribner for an advance copy of this book.
May 21, 2023
The Half Moon is a quiet sort of novel. It’s a character-driven story of a crumbling marriage where the husband and the wife have both made mistakes. The kind of mistakes that are, for some, unforgivable.
Malcolm and Jess have dreams. The trouble is, their dreams are different. Malcolm wants to own a bar, and Jess wants a baby. And when their dreams prove difficult to obtain, their relationship cracks, forcing them to question not only what they want out of life but also what they want from their marriage.
Mary Beth Keane is such a great writer. She doesn’t use big words or a fancy style to tell Jess and Malcolm’s story, and she doesn’t toss in unnecessary twists for shock value. (Though there is a side story involving a missing person that could’ve been left out. Why it was included, I don’t know.) Rather, her tools of choice are excellent storytelling and an insightful eye into the inner workings of a once-solid marriage, now falling apart.
Marriage is hard. It’s messy, hurtful, yet rewarding. And Keane shows us this through two flawed characters who love each other despite life having broken their hearts.
The Half Moon is available now, and believe me, you shouldn't miss it. It's a good one.
My sincerest appreciation to Mary Beth Keane, Scribner, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
Malcolm and Jess have dreams. The trouble is, their dreams are different. Malcolm wants to own a bar, and Jess wants a baby. And when their dreams prove difficult to obtain, their relationship cracks, forcing them to question not only what they want out of life but also what they want from their marriage.
Mary Beth Keane is such a great writer. She doesn’t use big words or a fancy style to tell Jess and Malcolm’s story, and she doesn’t toss in unnecessary twists for shock value. (Though there is a side story involving a missing person that could’ve been left out. Why it was included, I don’t know.) Rather, her tools of choice are excellent storytelling and an insightful eye into the inner workings of a once-solid marriage, now falling apart.
Marriage is hard. It’s messy, hurtful, yet rewarding. And Keane shows us this through two flawed characters who love each other despite life having broken their hearts.
The Half Moon is available now, and believe me, you shouldn't miss it. It's a good one.
My sincerest appreciation to Mary Beth Keane, Scribner, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
May 11, 2023
Grew on me as the book progressed.
Malcom owns a bar, The Half Moon, in his hometown. He's the bartender, social director, and guy that everyone in town knows and likes. He's been married to Jessica, an attorney, ever since she got pregnant at 25. She subsequently lost that baby, as well as countless others. They have been through years of costly fertility treatments only to have their hearts broken over and over. Things come to a head and the two separate. The book is told through snippets of their lives in flashbacks leading up to the night of a huge snowstorm.
This novel is a very slow burn. The setup is way too long, which is why it took me SO long to get into the story. I was confused about the timeline, because we jump from present to past to recent past, back to present, then somewhere in between all of that again. We get both Jess's and Malcom's points of view, although it's weighted a bit more toward Malcom.
I am not always the biggest fan of tales focusing so heavily on a person's poor business decisions, and the purchase of the bar and the aftermath of that was my least favorite part of this book. What I did like was the dissection of their marriage from both of their perspectives, as well as their thoughts about both of their good and bad choices. However, it really doesn't go deep enough. We don't get a heated confrontation. We don't get any fighting for the relationship. I wanted to see their passion!
Yet there's something about the prose overall. I can't even put my finger on what I liked about the book in the end, but as I kept reading the book grew on me and I did mostly enjoy it in the end. There aren't enough real-life stories about marriages, so I do appreciate Keane's choice to make this a central plot point.
If you have issues surrounding infertility, this book is probably a skip for you. There's a lot of difficult talk about it.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Malcom owns a bar, The Half Moon, in his hometown. He's the bartender, social director, and guy that everyone in town knows and likes. He's been married to Jessica, an attorney, ever since she got pregnant at 25. She subsequently lost that baby, as well as countless others. They have been through years of costly fertility treatments only to have their hearts broken over and over. Things come to a head and the two separate. The book is told through snippets of their lives in flashbacks leading up to the night of a huge snowstorm.
This novel is a very slow burn. The setup is way too long, which is why it took me SO long to get into the story. I was confused about the timeline, because we jump from present to past to recent past, back to present, then somewhere in between all of that again. We get both Jess's and Malcom's points of view, although it's weighted a bit more toward Malcom.
I am not always the biggest fan of tales focusing so heavily on a person's poor business decisions, and the purchase of the bar and the aftermath of that was my least favorite part of this book. What I did like was the dissection of their marriage from both of their perspectives, as well as their thoughts about both of their good and bad choices. However, it really doesn't go deep enough. We don't get a heated confrontation. We don't get any fighting for the relationship. I wanted to see their passion!
Yet there's something about the prose overall. I can't even put my finger on what I liked about the book in the end, but as I kept reading the book grew on me and I did mostly enjoy it in the end. There aren't enough real-life stories about marriages, so I do appreciate Keane's choice to make this a central plot point.
If you have issues surrounding infertility, this book is probably a skip for you. There's a lot of difficult talk about it.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
May 3, 2023
This is the story of the marriage between Malcolm and Jess. As the book opens Malcolm informs us that Jess moved out of their home 17 weeks previous.
He is the owner and bartender of The Half Moon, a bar that is currently struggling to make ends meet, but this has always been his dream since he started there as a bar back when he was a teenager. When Hugh, the owner, offers to sell to Malcolm he thinks he's finally hit the bigtime. He accepts a less than above board offer that Jess is wary of and that's not even considering the fact she doesn't know the real deal he made with Hugh. One that will be nearly impossible to ever pay back.
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.
With their mounting debt looming over them and their unsuccessful attempts at parenthood a long standing resentment has begun to fracture the pair. Why should one of them have to give up their dream for the other?
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.
This may be the most accurate portrayal of marriage I have ever read. Marriage can be messy. It can be all consuming and lonely at the same time. With marriage comes compromise but sometimes a person can only compromise so much. I loved both Malcolm and Jess. Neither one was perfect and both made mistakes but through it all they were still good people at their core. People you want to see happy and successful in their endeavors. My heart broke for their predicament. Keane took such care in crafting not only this story but the characters. Slow burn, quiet stories like these don't always work for me but I was completely invested in this couple and their outcome. For me, the ending was absolutely perfect. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for my complimentary copy.
He is the owner and bartender of The Half Moon, a bar that is currently struggling to make ends meet, but this has always been his dream since he started there as a bar back when he was a teenager. When Hugh, the owner, offers to sell to Malcolm he thinks he's finally hit the bigtime. He accepts a less than above board offer that Jess is wary of and that's not even considering the fact she doesn't know the real deal he made with Hugh. One that will be nearly impossible to ever pay back.
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.
With their mounting debt looming over them and their unsuccessful attempts at parenthood a long standing resentment has begun to fracture the pair. Why should one of them have to give up their dream for the other?
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.
This may be the most accurate portrayal of marriage I have ever read. Marriage can be messy. It can be all consuming and lonely at the same time. With marriage comes compromise but sometimes a person can only compromise so much. I loved both Malcolm and Jess. Neither one was perfect and both made mistakes but through it all they were still good people at their core. People you want to see happy and successful in their endeavors. My heart broke for their predicament. Keane took such care in crafting not only this story but the characters. Slow burn, quiet stories like these don't always work for me but I was completely invested in this couple and their outcome. For me, the ending was absolutely perfect. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for my complimentary copy.
May 12, 2023
After having read and loved the author’s previous novel “Ask Again, Yes”, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this newest release. I will say that the writing was flawless and compelling, but “The Half Moon” just didn’t grab me like I thought it would. In this story I felt as if I personally knew our two main characters, Malcom and Jessica- but the story just kind of went nowhere for me. It had the trials and tribulations of marriage life, but unfortunately nothing special happened. Oh, and the chapters were super long, which made this book seem to go on forever…
In this story we have the married couple of Malcom and Jessica (Jess). Malcom owns a bar called The Half Moon. Malcom worked at The Half Moon 24 years prior to buying it. He made the purchase of the bar without a lawyer and without consulting his wife about some of the specifics. Things start to go downhill fast, and the bar is not doing well financially. I kept hoping things would work out for Malcom, because like him I worked in the bar business for many years in my 20’s. Therefore, I was able to resonate with his character more. I had been asked several times to go in business with some of the owners, and looking back maybe I should have?
We also have his wife Jess, who is a lawyer… Her and Malcom have been trying for many years to have a child. None of the fertility or IVF treatments have worked. All the losses and failed treatments seemed to have broken her down emotionally, physically, and financially. Jess wants to continue on with treatments, but Malcom feels that enough is enough. I feel bad as I know that has to be a heartbreaking experience to go through. However, they have tried countless times and they are out of money due to fertility treatments and the failing bar.
Jess decides that she needs a break, and spends 17 weeks away from Malcom. She seems to make an unwise choice, but Malcom still misses her dearly. Will their marriage last? Will The Half Moon make it? Is it safe to pick up where you left off?
I wish that I would have enjoyed this book more than I did. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for this, or maybe it’s a book better suited for younger married individuals? Either way, the writing is flawless and for that I’m rating it a solid three stars.
In this story we have the married couple of Malcom and Jessica (Jess). Malcom owns a bar called The Half Moon. Malcom worked at The Half Moon 24 years prior to buying it. He made the purchase of the bar without a lawyer and without consulting his wife about some of the specifics. Things start to go downhill fast, and the bar is not doing well financially. I kept hoping things would work out for Malcom, because like him I worked in the bar business for many years in my 20’s. Therefore, I was able to resonate with his character more. I had been asked several times to go in business with some of the owners, and looking back maybe I should have?
We also have his wife Jess, who is a lawyer… Her and Malcom have been trying for many years to have a child. None of the fertility or IVF treatments have worked. All the losses and failed treatments seemed to have broken her down emotionally, physically, and financially. Jess wants to continue on with treatments, but Malcom feels that enough is enough. I feel bad as I know that has to be a heartbreaking experience to go through. However, they have tried countless times and they are out of money due to fertility treatments and the failing bar.
Jess decides that she needs a break, and spends 17 weeks away from Malcom. She seems to make an unwise choice, but Malcom still misses her dearly. Will their marriage last? Will The Half Moon make it? Is it safe to pick up where you left off?
I wish that I would have enjoyed this book more than I did. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for this, or maybe it’s a book better suited for younger married individuals? Either way, the writing is flawless and for that I’m rating it a solid three stars.
May 19, 2023
I have a strong feeling that literary fiction isn’t for me. 🤷♀️
I will say that I’m an outlier on this one and I fully encourage you to check out other reviews for this book!
✅ Very character-driven and the characters are very important pieces to this story.
✅Good writing. Although the story is boring, the writing is good!
❌ Jumped around so much that I had a hard time telling which character I was reading about very frequently.
❌ Could not get into the story(ies) at all. There were so many. Instead of focusing on one, you have to focus on many but none were in-depth enough to hold my interest or I just didn’t find it interesting.
❌ This book just seemed way too unnecessarily long. It took me ages to read it and I even read books in-between to refrain from DNFing.
I seem to be unique in my opinions of this one as many of my GR friends enjoyed.
A big thank you to NetGalley for a complimentary early release copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
2.5 ⭐️ rounding up.
I will say that I’m an outlier on this one and I fully encourage you to check out other reviews for this book!
✅ Very character-driven and the characters are very important pieces to this story.
✅Good writing. Although the story is boring, the writing is good!
❌ Jumped around so much that I had a hard time telling which character I was reading about very frequently.
❌ Could not get into the story(ies) at all. There were so many. Instead of focusing on one, you have to focus on many but none were in-depth enough to hold my interest or I just didn’t find it interesting.
❌ This book just seemed way too unnecessarily long. It took me ages to read it and I even read books in-between to refrain from DNFing.
I seem to be unique in my opinions of this one as many of my GR friends enjoyed.
A big thank you to NetGalley for a complimentary early release copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
2.5 ⭐️ rounding up.
January 16, 2023
I initially hesitated when I was offered an advanced review copy of this one as I had awarded Ms. Keane’s first novel, Ask Again, Yes, only 3 stars, and I tend to grade high. In my opinion there were a lot of positives to that book but also several disappointing issues as well. In the end, I decided to go ahead and try The Half Moon, and I am glad I did! I admit the start was slow as it took me a while to warm up to the protagonist, Malcolm. Once I did, I became totally immersed in the story.
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.
I loved the masterful way Ms. Keane wrote the character of Malcolm. I felt I really got to know him by the end of the book. He is not perfect by any means, but I grew to understand him. I also really liked his wife, Jess. She is smart and knows when to change course in her life. She also cares deeply for Malcolm flaws and all.
I thought the storyline as well as the characters were realistic. The former however is depressing at times, and I wondered how anyone could come out of it okay, especially Malcolm.
I appreciated the way the ending was written. It was believable and not all tied up nice and neat, just like real life. But it was hopeful, which satisfied me. I do wish there had been an epilogue though.
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.
I would like to thank Ms. Ashley Gilliam of Scribner (Simon & Shuster) Books, Net Galley, and Ms. Mary Beth Keane for an advanced copy. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any 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.
I loved the masterful way Ms. Keane wrote the character of Malcolm. I felt I really got to know him by the end of the book. He is not perfect by any means, but I grew to understand him. I also really liked his wife, Jess. She is smart and knows when to change course in her life. She also cares deeply for Malcolm flaws and all.
I thought the storyline as well as the characters were realistic. The former however is depressing at times, and I wondered how anyone could come out of it okay, especially Malcolm.
I appreciated the way the ending was written. It was believable and not all tied up nice and neat, just like real life. But it was hopeful, which satisfied me. I do wish there had been an epilogue though.
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.
I would like to thank Ms. Ashley Gilliam of Scribner (Simon & Shuster) Books, Net Galley, and Ms. Mary Beth Keane for an advanced copy. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
May 12, 2024
This book. Wow. The writing is flawless. The raw emotions of a failing marriage captured in their purest form. When The Half Moon published in hardback last year, I desperately wanted to read it, but absolutely could not. At the time, I had way too far to go and could hardly breathe. It was too close. Now with some space, I could read this one, and wow, could I ever feel it. Right to the bone. Even if Malcolm and Jess’s story was not my story, there was more than enough there to tether me in close.
The book begins with Malcolm and Jess having separated. It dips back in time to their happy and hopeful beginnings and then springs forward to the melancholy and uncertain present. It delves into their journey to having a baby that did not end as expected, but instead, has torn them further apart. The story also involves the bar they own; really, it’s Malcolm’s baby. The bar is a passion but comes with a heavy weight and burden, something sinister lying underneath all the time. Also woven are a couple of light mysteries; one involving Malcolm’s father, and the other a patron at the bar. These were well done and kept my interest piqued with the suspense.
Overall, I absolutely loved The Half Moon. There was not a spare word. Some describe the story as slow, but I didn’t find it so. It’s a deep exploration of these characters’ lives, and especially their marriage. The side characters add a lot to the story as well. I felt like I lived in Gillam, like I could be invited over to a party at Patrick and Siobhan’s house, and like I witnessed the the falling apart of Jess and Malcolm. Huge kudos to the author for how she wrapped up their story with a realistic but hopeful resolution. One of my 2024 favorites.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
The book begins with Malcolm and Jess having separated. It dips back in time to their happy and hopeful beginnings and then springs forward to the melancholy and uncertain present. It delves into their journey to having a baby that did not end as expected, but instead, has torn them further apart. The story also involves the bar they own; really, it’s Malcolm’s baby. The bar is a passion but comes with a heavy weight and burden, something sinister lying underneath all the time. Also woven are a couple of light mysteries; one involving Malcolm’s father, and the other a patron at the bar. These were well done and kept my interest piqued with the suspense.
Overall, I absolutely loved The Half Moon. There was not a spare word. Some describe the story as slow, but I didn’t find it so. It’s a deep exploration of these characters’ lives, and especially their marriage. The side characters add a lot to the story as well. I felt like I lived in Gillam, like I could be invited over to a party at Patrick and Siobhan’s house, and like I witnessed the the falling apart of Jess and Malcolm. Huge kudos to the author for how she wrapped up their story with a realistic but hopeful resolution. One of my 2024 favorites.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
May 3, 2023
The Half Moon is an intimate portrait of a marriage in trouble. The story is told mostly over a week when a snowstorm shuts down the small commuter town of Gillam, New York. Malcolm is a bartender who recently purchased a bar called The Half Moon. He didn't consult with his lawyer wife, Jess when he decided to do an under-the-counter deal with the former owner. Jess had separated from Malcolm seven months earlier. After years of unsuccessful infertility treatments, Jess wanted to keep trying and Malcolm did not. The financial and emotional strain of the bar purchase and the infertility treatments had put them over the edge.
During the week, both Malcolm and Jess reflect on their marriage. Will they move on from each other or try to start anew? In addition, one of the bar patrons mysteriously disappears after getting into a fight there the night of the big snowstorm. That patron had often talked about starting anew in a different country. The weather and lack of power add a distinct iciness to the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the wonderful marketing department at Scribner for my advanced reader copy.
During the week, both Malcolm and Jess reflect on their marriage. Will they move on from each other or try to start anew? In addition, one of the bar patrons mysteriously disappears after getting into a fight there the night of the big snowstorm. That patron had often talked about starting anew in a different country. The weather and lack of power add a distinct iciness to the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the wonderful marketing department at Scribner for my advanced reader copy.
March 9, 2023
Malcolm and Jess have been married for several years.. he a bar owner, she a lawyer…problems with the debt of keeping up a rundown bar, student loans and also of many rounds of intervention because of miscarriages and infertility problems for Jess they are both maxed out… other avenues open up for Jess that threaten to end their marriage.. it all comes to a head during a major blizzard that keeps everyone trapped in place during power outages, etc..
The story of a midlife marriage in trouble.. in a small town ..and what it means to be a family.
By the author of Ask Again, Yes which was an amazing read for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Scribner for the ARC!
The story of a midlife marriage in trouble.. in a small town ..and what it means to be a family.
By the author of Ask Again, Yes which was an amazing read for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Scribner for the ARC!
April 6, 2023
I regret not dnf’ing.
This 300 page book was such a struggle to get through and I knew at 40% I should just abandon, but did I? I did not. I’m great at dnfing at 25% or less but anymore and I just feel like I should finish it. Shame on me for not trusting my gut.
This story is slooooooow and does not pick up in my opinion.
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.
My advice to you, try this one if it calls to you and if it works for you then woohoo!!. If it doesn’t then please set it aside and pick up something else.
This 300 page book was such a struggle to get through and I knew at 40% I should just abandon, but did I? I did not. I’m great at dnfing at 25% or less but anymore and I just feel like I should finish it. Shame on me for not trusting my gut.
This story is slooooooow and does not pick up in my opinion.
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.
My advice to you, try this one if it calls to you and if it works for you then woohoo!!. If it doesn’t then please set it aside and pick up something else.
Want to read
March 16, 2023Whatever this is, I want it 😭
January 31, 2023
This is a story of the dreams we have, the ones that come true, and those that don’t. The desires of a married couple whose visions seem blinded by their individual desires.
Malcolm Gephardt, is a bartender at one of those bars where it seems everyone there knows the lives of each other inside and out. Malcolm is married to Jess, a lawyer, who loves her life with Malcolm, and as much as she loves her career, what she really wants is to have a baby. And they try, over and over they try, spending money they really can’t afford to spend in order for Jess’s wish to come true, in addition to the therapist they’re seeing - who isn’t cheap - to deal with their struggles over if/when to stop trying to conceive.
Malcolm’s boss is retiring and Malcolm decides this is the time to make his dream of owning a bar a reality. He has years of ideas he’s collected to make it attractive to a broader clientele, and therefore more prosperous. The problem is that while he’s spent years there as a bartender, knows his side of the business inside and out, he knows very little about owning and running a business successfully.
Meanwhile, Jess is still focused on wanting to have a baby, even though all of their attempts to conceive had failed, and those bills are adding up, as well. She needs time to decide on what this means, what to do next, unwilling to let go of this desire, despite how much it is draining them both, physically and financially. She needs a break from their lives together.
And then everything seemingly collapses like dominoes. An epic blizzard changes everything, one of Malcolm’s regular customers appears to be missing, the power is out, there are people that need to be checked on, and decisions that need to be made.
A story of family, of love - who, how, and why we love, the decisions that follow when all seems lost, and learning to accept love for what it is.
Pub Date: 02 May 2023
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Scribner
May 19, 2023
the setup…
Malcolm and Jessica (Jess) Gephardt’s marriage is in trouble but he doesn’t seem to know it, that is until the day he comes home and her bags are packed. Jess describes it as a need for some time away to think on her own. And that’s part of their problem…neither of them able to communicate their true feelings very well, to each other or themselves. How did they get here and how can you fix something you don’t understand is even broken?
the heart of the story…
The story is told from Malcolm and Jess’s points of view, alternating between them and transitioning from past to present. Those transitions are tricky because the time jumps are all over the place but they were masterfully presented and interwoven into a compelling narrative. But the heart of this story centers around the Half Moon bar where Malcom and Jess met, located in a small suburban town in New York. He was a bartender at the time, perfectly suited in the time and place with his magnetic personality and imposing presence. She’s a lawyer beginning her career but never questioned her heart was forever connected here. That bar defines him and Jess was mesmerized by the man. They soon married but over the years their fertility issues, financial woes stemming from owning the bar and struggles to communicate take a toll. It all culminates during a momentous week in the midst of a blizzard and strange circumstances involving a missing patron.
the narration…
I’m glad two separate narrators were used to tell this story because of the complicated transitions. They both delivered subtle performances, which lacked unnecessary drama and over emoting, allowing the characters natures to shine through unimpeded. Loved it!
the bottom line…
To say the story is complex oversimplifies the magic of it all. Malcolm and Jess are a microcosm of what happens to a marriage when it’s not tended to, distracted by other serious issues and creating wedges that they don’t even realize are being created. The exploration was insightful and there were times I sympathized with Jess and then switched to Malcolm. Both behaved badly at times and my opinions of them also shifted. Their journey to resolution, however, required the pain and self examination the separation forced them to face. The secondary plot involving the missing patron seemed disconnected but I had an “aha” moment when I finally realized its significance. I’m not sure what I was expecting when I decided to listen to this story but it far surpassed what I’d imagined. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own).
Malcolm and Jessica (Jess) Gephardt’s marriage is in trouble but he doesn’t seem to know it, that is until the day he comes home and her bags are packed. Jess describes it as a need for some time away to think on her own. And that’s part of their problem…neither of them able to communicate their true feelings very well, to each other or themselves. How did they get here and how can you fix something you don’t understand is even broken?
the heart of the story…
The story is told from Malcolm and Jess’s points of view, alternating between them and transitioning from past to present. Those transitions are tricky because the time jumps are all over the place but they were masterfully presented and interwoven into a compelling narrative. But the heart of this story centers around the Half Moon bar where Malcom and Jess met, located in a small suburban town in New York. He was a bartender at the time, perfectly suited in the time and place with his magnetic personality and imposing presence. She’s a lawyer beginning her career but never questioned her heart was forever connected here. That bar defines him and Jess was mesmerized by the man. They soon married but over the years their fertility issues, financial woes stemming from owning the bar and struggles to communicate take a toll. It all culminates during a momentous week in the midst of a blizzard and strange circumstances involving a missing patron.
the narration…
I’m glad two separate narrators were used to tell this story because of the complicated transitions. They both delivered subtle performances, which lacked unnecessary drama and over emoting, allowing the characters natures to shine through unimpeded. Loved it!
the bottom line…
To say the story is complex oversimplifies the magic of it all. Malcolm and Jess are a microcosm of what happens to a marriage when it’s not tended to, distracted by other serious issues and creating wedges that they don’t even realize are being created. The exploration was insightful and there were times I sympathized with Jess and then switched to Malcolm. Both behaved badly at times and my opinions of them also shifted. Their journey to resolution, however, required the pain and self examination the separation forced them to face. The secondary plot involving the missing patron seemed disconnected but I had an “aha” moment when I finally realized its significance. I’m not sure what I was expecting when I decided to listen to this story but it far surpassed what I’d imagined. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own).
October 21, 2023
Malcolm and Jen started out contented. They were known as a golden couple. Malcolm had dreams of owning a bar, while Jess wanted children. By the time we meet them, it doesn't appear these dreams are being met in the ways originally planned - Malcolm is deeply in debt - and Jess is grieving her dream of ever being a Mom.
The story takes place over the course of a week during a blizzard which forces confrontations and secrets to come to light.
There is also a missing person weaved into the story as a subplot. But the real mystery will be whether Malcolm and Jess will find their way back to each other.
The author, knows how to create nuanced characters. She is romantic and real at the same time.
The story is gripping, and as readers we want resolution. We root for the characters, and wait for resolution to happen.
Will it turn out as we expect it to be?
The story takes place over the course of a week during a blizzard which forces confrontations and secrets to come to light.
There is also a missing person weaved into the story as a subplot. But the real mystery will be whether Malcolm and Jess will find their way back to each other.
The author, knows how to create nuanced characters. She is romantic and real at the same time.
The story is gripping, and as readers we want resolution. We root for the characters, and wait for resolution to happen.
Will it turn out as we expect it to be?
October 3, 2023
Malcolm Gephardt is a bartender and now the owner of The Half Moon bar which was his dream. Malcom bought it from his prior boss. Well, he made an arrangement with him and he pays him an amount every month. However, his dream is now a nightmare. His debt is piling up and his shady ex-boss wants to get paid ASAP.
Jess Gephardt is a lawyer. Yet, her dream has been to become a mother. Her infertility has been a long road of pain and loss. She feels like she has lost the support from Malcolm.
During a storm they both have to reconsider the choices they have made and get on with their lives but will it be alone or together?
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.
Even though I enjoyed it, I did think the resolution was too easy.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Scribner via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Jess Gephardt is a lawyer. Yet, her dream has been to become a mother. Her infertility has been a long road of pain and loss. She feels like she has lost the support from Malcolm.
During a storm they both have to reconsider the choices they have made and get on with their lives but will it be alone or together?
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.
Even though I enjoyed it, I did think the resolution was too easy.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Scribner via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
September 23, 2023
I really enjoyed this story 4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫. I enjoyed the characters and the writing. Can a marriage survive when you both want such different things?
I will read anything by Mary Beth Keane.
I will read anything by Mary Beth Keane.
Read
March 24, 2024The Half Moon only had half my attention as I started listening. I debated whether I would continue. I was listening to the audio, graciously provided by Libro.fm and Simon & Schuster for my honest review.
As I continued reading the dual narration of this book it I began to think of it as a dual perspective of a marriage. Having been married one month before a 54th wedding anniversary memories swirled in my head.
Malcolm and Jess, are so in love. But then, ups and downs, hopes and dreams, disappointments and misunderstandings, make what was once easy, a struggle. It made me think about how and why a good relationship goes bad; what brings us together, what keeps us together, what tears us apart. As I listened, the third-party to their pain, I couldn't root for the reconciliation. At one point I wanted to throw the book, well the audio, and just give-up. However, I continued on. This was not my story, it was theirs, and in the end, I listened on.
The narration by Norbert Leo Butz and Rebecca Lowman made this an easy listen, bring both main characters to life.
As I continued reading the dual narration of this book it I began to think of it as a dual perspective of a marriage. Having been married one month before a 54th wedding anniversary memories swirled in my head.
Malcolm and Jess, are so in love. But then, ups and downs, hopes and dreams, disappointments and misunderstandings, make what was once easy, a struggle. It made me think about how and why a good relationship goes bad; what brings us together, what keeps us together, what tears us apart. As I listened, the third-party to their pain, I couldn't root for the reconciliation. At one point I wanted to throw the book, well the audio, and just give-up. However, I continued on. This was not my story, it was theirs, and in the end, I listened on.
The narration by Norbert Leo Butz and Rebecca Lowman made this an easy listen, bring both main characters to life.
December 20, 2022
My second book by Mary Beth Keane, and I think I can say, she's a new fav. ASK AGAIN, YES was the first I read by her and it was excellent! This was also so good. This is a character driven novel about a husband and wife, Malcolm and Jess, who are newly separated after years of infertility, and betrayal. Malcolm is the owner of The Half Moon bar, and he finds out Jess has moved on. During a blizzard one of the regulars at the bar also goes missing. The book goes back and forth throughout Malcolm and Jess's marriage, so you get the full depth of what happened and how their marriage fell apart. The plot, and characters felt very real…and I thought it a was very written story. I was definitely engrossed in this one.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. Out May 2.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. Out May 2.
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