My Review

I love fairy tale retellings. When I came across this book, I was so excited to read it, because it’s a retelling of The Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid has always been one of my absolute favorites, so I was delighted when I got the chance to read this one.

The story starts off with Elyse, who is staying with her cousin and her mother in Oregon for the summer. She has had a boating accident that cost her her ability to speak, and since she and her twin sister used to be singers in their home country, her dream has been shattered. So, she decides to get away from it all and spend the summer with family in Atargatis Cove. It’s this summer that she meets Christian Kane and falls in love. She makes friends. She rediscovers herself and who she is and can be, even if she no longer has a physical voice.

I liked so many aspects of this book. I loved the storyline. I loved the characters (and I loved hating the not so nice characters). I loved the details (she can’t speak, and she wears a seashell necklace to cover her scar on her throat from the accident. Definite Little Mermaid thing). I loved how the author took actual problems in today’s society and incorporated them into the book (such as sexism), and still came out with a happy ending. And I sure do love happy endings in books.

I took one star off of this otherwise perfect novel because for one, it started off a little bit slow for me. I had a hard time keeping interest at first, but eventually I got drawn into the novel and fell in love with it. Also, the ending seemed a bit rushed, and I would have loved to see an epilogue or another chapter to see how things turned out…I felt like I was kind of left hanging.

Other than those two things, this is an amazing book that would make for an incredible summer read. I haven’t read anything by this author before, but now I know I’ll keep my eye out for more books by Sarah Ockler.

Note: I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

03 Jun 2015

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

Posted in Reviews, Romance, Young Adult |

Book Title:

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids

Book Author:

Sarah Ockler

Publishing Date:

June 2, 2015

Publisher:

Simon Pulse

Date Read:

Synopsis

From the bestselling author of Twenty Boy Summer, a talented singer loses her ability to speak after a tragic accident, leading her to a postcard-perfect seaside town to find romance. The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak. Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: an ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one. Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother, Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life. When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them…