I don't know that anything could have prepared me for The Mourning Dove and his Snow Sparrow by Eve Healy. It was a sweet and fast paced story of love and self-discovery. Not all of it is fun and games though. This novella does include near-death experiences. The ending, in particular, left me tearing up and questioning how much time my life has left. Due to the heavy nature of the end, I strongly recommend reading the bonus story. (It's about Aurear's first Christmas.)

Everyone's saying it's sweet and spicy. Get on board, BECAUSE IT IS.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the author for this ARC!!

This book was... something I kinda was not expecting. As a Archive of Our Own (ao3) reader, I've very much read weird things before, but this surpasses every fanfic I've ever finished. The plot is quite simple, we have Callum who lost his mom and is found alone in his very well hidden home in the forest. One day, Callum encounters an injured fox sparrow and tries to take care of the bird, until he transforms into a human boy with bird-like anatomy and habits (wings, eating bugs from hand (yes that is something that actually happens)). These two start interacting more, and feelings start to arise until an unexpected danger threatens their safety, and Callum would do anything to not lose another loved one again.

I just think this book was not for me. I couldn't relate to the characters, some scenes between Callum and Aurear were quite uncomfortable to read and I wasn't left with wanting to read more. However, I do have to give it to the author, the portrayal of how griefing can switch off your liveliness and leave a trauma that can lead to being absolutely afraid of losing people again is very well done.

Even though this was not for me, it may be for you so please give it a try if you are curious about it! :)

The Mourning Dove and his Snow Sparrow, written by Eve Healy, is a good, short and easy novel to read.

The novel features Callum, a young man who lives in the forest and who has just lost his mother, and Aurear, who is actually a bird that can transform into a winged man. We follow the two as they meet and develop a deep friendship that unites and transforms them.

This is a sweet adult romance. The story contains some spicy scenes, so this book is not recommended for young people.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eArc!

I DEVOURED this book. Was I in a room with other people as I read it? Yes. Do I regret reading the spicy scenes with people? Never.

I can definitely see how this book is not for everyone. However, I love absolute trash and this was the exact type of thing I LIVE for. So if you spend time browsing on Ao3, you'll probably enjoy this.

Our MC Callum has been left alone for quite some time after the passing of his mother until one day he stumbles upon an injured fox sparrow who turns into a human. Adorable fluff ensues, with some hurt and angst, but it's ok because we get our HEA. Also. There was one bed. Iykyk.

Aurear can the the type of character that could turn some people off from this book. He is a bird and doesn't know much about being human, which causes him to be naive and blunt, but this means our boy Callum can teach him things and it's super cute and adorable.

This is a short story and easy to get through in one go. So if you are looking for some sweet gay romance with some spice to read on the beach, I highly recommend this one.

2-2.5 stars.
This was a cute story about Callum, a young man living on his own and dealing with the loss of his mother, and Aurear, an injured sparrow turned human and sent to look after Callum. I liked the premise and it was short and sweet for a novella but some of the pacing was off, it drags a bit in the beginning as it sets up and then a lot happens very quickly in the end, I didn't think Aurear's POV was necessary or it should have been introduced earlier. I also felt like Callum was very childish, maybe because he was so isolated growing up, but I'm not really a fan of "spicy" romances with child-like characters.

For people loving sweet and short fantasy romances this one will be up their alley. It was so bittersweet in some instances but at the same time it gave a lot of warm and fuzzy feelings. Plus the spicy scenes were quite good too. Overall I had a great time with it and wold definitelly recomend it to people interested in LGBTQ+ fantasy romances.

2.5 stars

Well, this was something. I’m in two minds about ‘The Mourning Dove and His Snow Sparrow’, as some of the pacing and plot choice were interesting to say the least. At 100 pages of 50% angst vs 50% sex, this should have been a quick read, yet took me a month and a half to finish. However, it has its merits and I didn’t dislike it.

The narrative of a bird transforming into a human could have led to uncomfortable power/experience gaps between the two characters, however the human character was so naive and inexperienced that that worry couldn’t possibly factor in. Though I’d say that the sex was unrealistic in terms of a lack of practicality rather than unrealistic in a fun fantastical way, reminding me of 2015 MLM wattpad written by straight women. I’m not making assumptions about the author’s sexuality, it’s simply that some of the mechanics of the scenes sent me right back to that phenomenon.

Back to the point, the relationship is sweet, if mildly underdeveloped, and the dramatic moments were sufficiently engaging. Though I feel the need to mention that that bonus chapter placed directly after that ending gave me total emotional whiplash.

Special thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not for me. I was not a fan of how much like children the main characters seemed to be

A most heartfelt welcome to Netgalley and Eve Healy for giving me the oppurtunity to read ''The Mourning Dove and His Snow Sparrow'' in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a wonderful and cute story from start to finish and was equal parts sweet and spicy, it made me read it in one sitting. The fact that's not only a romace story between Callum and Aurear but also a journey of healing from grief made it all the more sweet and heartwarming and I found it most endearing that both characters exhibited avian traits throughtout the story (e.g chirping, whistling, tiltng their heads).I took notice of that immediately both vocabulary wise aswell as character traits were presented in the story and it made me excited to see that avian aspect of the cute duo be intergratted through the writing.
A sweet story that didn't neglect giving the reader the spicy parts especially the MMaction parts were both sweet and sexy and the sex wasn't just physical but emotional too, which I really loved. Their first time together being the first time for both of them, I mean...what was not to love about it ?
If you're looking for a cute and soft story with a pinch of spice, I'd definetelly recommend this to you.

Having a string of rotten luck with books these days. DNF-ed this at the 50% mark, and the only reason I got to 50% is because this is short novella. The writing was bad, with too much exposition. The child-like aspect of the bird-human was probably supposed to indicate his innocence, but it became creepy, particularly in the enthusiastic descriptions of his anatomical proportions. There really didn't seem to be any plot, only smut.

(Review copy from NetGalley)

The cover is AMAZING and the book itself is pretty interesting. The only two problems I had with this were 1. the beginning of the sex scenes (I feel that Callum should have figured out the concept of lube and how to have less pain during) and 2. The time skip at the end. The very end was the cutest damn thing, but I would have LOVED to know what happened between the two points.

This was a lovely book to read, the characters and story where enthralling and kept the reader engaged till the end!

Hello everyone, I'm Mr. C Reviewer, and tonight we're discussing Eve Healy's book, The Mourning Dove and His Snow Sparrow. After reading this book I'm eager to explore more of her books in the future. I'd like to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of 'The Mourning Dove and His Snow Sparrow' in exchange for an honest review. I had the pleasure of reading this book in June 2023, spending the few hours engrossed in its pages. 'The Mourning Dove and His Snow Sparrow' was first published May 12, 2023, The narrative, told from multiple points of view (Callum and Aurear) first-person perspective, spanning 16 chapters and 148 pages.



Summary:
Callum spent most of his life in the secluded forests of the North, caring for his sickly mother and befriending the local wildlife. However, one snowy evening, upon returning to their cabin after gathering firewood, Callum discovered that his mother had passed away, leaving him completely alone. Merely surviving the harsh winters by doing the bare minimum to keep himself alive. However, everything changes when he discovers an injured fox sparrow and takes it back to his cabin. To his surprise, the bird transforms into a winged man named Aurear. With the appearance of this new creature, Callum's peaceful life in the forest is threatened. Despite being unable to save his mother, Callum is willing to risk everything to protect the warmth that Aurear has brought into his life.



Review:
-As an avid reader, I was delighted to discover that this book included a trigger content page at the beginning of the story. This thoughtful addition allowed me to approach the book with a clear understanding of its contents and appreciate the author's sensitivity towards potential triggers for some readers. Furthermore, I found the writing style to be quite impressive, with well-developed characters that added depth and complexity to the story. In terms of pacing, I found the book quite enjoyable. While there is always room for improvement, the pacing was not a major issue and did not detract from the overall quality of the book.

In the Maze Runner series, one of the most commendable aspects I feel is its unflinching portrayal of the gritty and grimy details of its world. This inclusion of such details in the story adds a layer of authenticity that makes the narrative all the more immersive and believable. 'The Mourning Dove and His Snow Sparrow' similarly excels in this regard, This attention to detail not only enhances our reading experience but also serves to underscore the harsh realities faced by the characters.

In this book, the author made a commendable effort to provide a well-rounded perspective by including Aurear's point of view in situations where he was absent from Callum's narrative. This allowed readers to gain insight into Aurear's character and understand his experiences. However, while this was a positive aspect of the book, I feel that it would have been even more impactful if there were additional chapters dedicated to Aurear in the first half of the book.

I feel that the book beautifully portrays the profound sense of loneliness and isolation that each character experiences before serendipitously finding one another and embracing the idea of falling in love. The emotional depth of the story tugged at my heart, leaving me yearning for more time with these captivating characters. Although the book is relatively short, it is a testament to the author's ability to tell a simple yet compelling story.

This book was a delightful romance that is not just all fluff. I feel that the author has skilfully added a little bit of violence and a tense scene near the end of the book. Which emphasizes the importance of cherishing every moment we have with our loved ones.

-As I delved deeper into the book, I found myself particularly drawn to the section where we uncovered the fate of Callum's dad. It was a small but significant detail that had been left out of the main story, and I appreciated the author's decision to include it. Rather than glossing over this aspect of the story. This attention to detail and commitment to fully fleshing out the world they had created

The final part of the book, although technically classified as an epilogue, did not quite meet my expectations. Personally, I would have preferred a conclusion that left room for interpretation and imagination. However, the bonus story about Christmas I feel was a delightful addition to the book. It brought a sense of joy and I feel may leave readers with a happy and contented feeling.


For each story that I read, I rate it out of 10 so for this am going to give it a 6. Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.

Wow! This book was an emotional ride! I honestly went in, picking it as romance read because the cover art is so gorgeous! But HOLY!!! Did it rip my heart out! It was so beautifully written! I did find the first couple of chapters difficult to get into, but after that... yeah!! This was a beautiful love story! For both characters! Gosh, just how alone and isolated each of them had been and then to find each other and trust in the idea to fall in love.. It pulled on my heartstrings !! The end though... had tears in my eyes! Such a beautiful love story!!

The premise of the story is quite simple. Man finds bird ,bird turns into man love occurs.
I would’ve been happy to spend a little bit more time with these characters as the book is quite short. But a lovely simple story well told.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC :)

It's more of a 2.75 but I'm rounding it up. It was a sweet novella, very quick read, so if you're looking for something like that I would read this. If you're looking for a bit of a smarter book with good writing I don't know if this would be it. I rated it based off of enjoyment :)

Book Review for: "The Mourning Dove and His Snow Sparrow" by Eve Healy
Source: ARC from NetGalley
Score: 4/5 stars

The book "The Mourning Dove and His Snow Sparrow" follows the life of Callum after his mother passes. He rescues a fox sparrow who ends up becoming human and the love interest of Callum.

The book is a romance set in simpler era with elements of fantasy embedded.

Plot:
The plot revolves around the lives of Callum and Aurear as they live out their humble days and develop a romantic relationship with each other. There isn't much else about the plot and this isn't necessarily a bad thing. The plot is simple and focused and helps us, the readers, develop a connection to Callum and Aurear.

Throughout the story, the book discusses Callum's struggles with self-confidence and his grief with the passing of his mother. We see growth in Callum's character throughout this short form novel.

Overall, the plot is a focused look at the lives of two lovers.

Writing:
The book is paced well. For a short novel, there is lots of character and relationship building. The writing feels almost poetic in it's style and managed the delicate balance between explaining vs. experiencing the plot. There is limited world building but there wasn't much to expand since the story focused on the relationship of our main characters.

The only challenge I had with the writing was how jarring the intimate scenes were in contrast to the sweet and tenderness of the rest of the book. These moments were well written. It was quite a stark contrast to the style of the rest of the story.

Overall, the book is beautifully written and paced well.

Characters:
Overall, the characters are likeable. The two main characters are written with such care and tenderness. Since the book is focused on it's main characters, readers do develop a sense of connection with them and root for them during the challenges that arise.

The only other character that has some personality is Callum's mom.

Finale:
Overall, it was good to see such beauty written into a m/m romance. The book is paced well and has some enjoyable characters.

I liked this book.
It's not really what I expected; but I enjoyed it.
It talks about a lonely man and a red sparrow which turns into a human in order to keep him company.
It successfully tells about the depths of grief and sorrow, what it means to live in complete loneliness and what it feels like to be forced to let someone care for you even knowing that it will change its life forever. Which are all topics that are dear to me and I felt they were expressed in a good way. It managed to reach my soul.
It seems a love story taken out of folklore; there are certainly some elements of that.
From the plot, I expected a more Fantasy setting, but the worldbuilding is very simple (could be easily set in present times) and suitable for the kind of story that's been told.
It is very peaceful and relaxing, despite the more explicit scenes I didn't expect and alas, I didn't like.
The writing style is good but some times too much simple: after all the sparrow at the beginning doesn't have much grasp of language, but he quickly learns to express himself.
The ending is unexpected as well as I had thought of a different outcome.
It is overall a good and pleasant story, and a good companion for lonely times; I give it 3/5⭐.

ARC Rating 3.75/5 ⭐️

First off, the cover of this book is so pretty ✨️

This mm light fantasy novella was a nice short story about Callum and Aurear. Callum is trying to carry on with life after his mother has passed away while Aurear was a injured fox sparrow he happens apon.

I really enjoyed the sort of whimsical poetic writing style of this book and liked how their romance played out. It was an enjoyable pacing of the relationship, considering Aurear was literally a bird turned human rather that a bird shifter. And I also enjoyed the level of spice throughout.

Tbh I wasn't a fan of the 3rd act events, that's the main reason for the dropped stars. But I did really enjoy the ending, god did I sob 😭

Overall, this was a nice short, sweet romance novella.

Thank you NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Ene Healy for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.