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. 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. Many thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and Mary Beth Keane for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 5.2!**

The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane | Goodreads

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. 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. 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 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.

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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. I met Jess and Malcolm in the middle of a blizzard over the holidays and I won’t soon forget them. As I cozied up beside the fire, they invited me into their small-town bar and into the shambles of their marriage during an impending snowstorm.

The Half Moon: A Novel: Keane, Mary Beth: 9781982172602

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.

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.

Book Marks reviews of The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane Book Marks reviews of The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane

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? 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.. 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. I’ve been searching for the next We Are The Brennans and dare I say I’ve found it? Readers who enjoy family drama or a second chance romance won’t want to miss this one. I have Keane’s previous novel, ASK AGAIN, YES, sitting unread on my TBR shelf, but mark my words, it won’t stay unread for long. 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.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. The cover – with its dual reference to the bar as well as the marriage of Jessica and Malcolm. Real smart design. 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?

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

The story comes to us in limited third person perspective mostly of Malcolm and some portions from Jessica. This is a rather melancholic look at a struggling marriage, a failing business, infertility, and the loss of a couple’s hopes and dreams. Fab venue with lots of good music from a variety of artists !! The food was excellent too …..top place !!Malcolm Gephardt, handsome and gregarious longtime bartender at the Half Moon, has always dreamed of owning a bar. When his boss finally retires, Malcolm stretches to buy the place. He sees unquantifiable magic and potential in the Half Moon and hopes to transform it into a bigger success, but struggles to stay afloat. 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.