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1972noyb's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a suspend belief and just have a good time kind of read for me, with two interesting and sometimes confusing MCs. I liked the start, as it was a great way to dive right into the action as Tolly saves Leigh from drowning - the sleeping with the fishes variety. I enjoy mafia themed romances and this one was definitely an original take, although Leigh behaves in some utterly confounding ways for someone trying to stay alive. I think there are possibly to many characters to keep track of who don’t seem important to the plot, but I enjoyed this overall. Tolly was the highlight for me, I really loved his personality and I did believe the connection between Tolly and Leigh.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
3ll3's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
emilylovesbooks94's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Once again, Amanda Meuwissen's characters captivated me in this mafia/merfolk romance. I was fascinated by the unique twist the Breath of Life pact brought to a traditional mermaid fairytale--Tolly still had a limited amount of time to spend out of the water winning Leigh's heart, but the consequences if he failed were much more severe. That combined with Leigh's connections with the mafia gave the overall story a grittier, more high-stakes tone, but the romance between Tolly and Leigh was as sweet as ever. It was easy to forget the deadlines when Tolly was so earnest in his assessment of Leigh's character, and he was fiercely loyal and protective of anyone who might cause Leigh harm. I really enjoyed watching the two of them get to know each other, and I thought Leigh was the right amount of skeptical when Tolly first came around without digging his heels in too much after he saw the truth of Tolly's story. The warring mafia storyline was really interesting to me, and I liked the way this book explored the more negative side of getting tangled up in the action instead of romanticizing the backstabbing and constant maneuvering for more power. It made me sad to see Leigh so convinced that he was broken and unworthy of love because of his past, and his determination to keep a teen from falling into the same lifestyle that he had convinced me of his character early on.
Though he may have felt alone, Leigh had a community of people at his back who trusted and relied on him, and it made me really happy to see him lean into that as the story progressed. Tolly integrated well into Leigh's life, but the constant ticking clock made it impossible for him to ever fully relax. As Tolly and Leigh grew closer, the secret of Tolly's true form became the biggest barrier to Tolly fully opening up and sharing everything with Leigh. I felt just as desperate as Tolly was in the final few days before the full moon, and the climax of the story gutted me when I thought everything would be ripped away from the two of them just because of a few simple words. Leigh and Tolly had to fight tooth and nail for their love, and even then I wasn't sure it would be enough. To be honest, I didn't fully understand the merfolk magic that allowed them to get their happy ending, but I was too excited about them finding a way to be together to let it bother me. The ending of this book was more satisfying because I knew how much Leigh and Tolly had worked for it, and as an extra treat two of my favorite side characters made their own love connections too!
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
Though he may have felt alone, Leigh had a community of people at his back who trusted and relied on him, and it made me really happy to see him lean into that as the story progressed. Tolly integrated well into Leigh's life, but the constant ticking clock made it impossible for him to ever fully relax. As Tolly and Leigh grew closer, the secret of Tolly's true form became the biggest barrier to Tolly fully opening up and sharing everything with Leigh. I felt just as desperate as Tolly was in the final few days before the full moon, and the climax of the story gutted me when I thought everything would be ripped away from the two of them just because of a few simple words. Leigh and Tolly had to fight tooth and nail for their love, and even then I wasn't sure it would be enough. To be honest, I didn't fully understand the merfolk magic that allowed them to get their happy ending, but I was too excited about them finding a way to be together to let it bother me. The ending of this book was more satisfying because I knew how much Leigh and Tolly had worked for it, and as an extra treat two of my favorite side characters made their own love connections too!
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
j_readsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
When I saw the blurb I was super excited, it sounded so great! But for a book that had mermaids, gangs, violence and some spice, it was a little boring. I actually did like both MCs, they were both very sweet, Tolly especially, Leigh was also sweet but had a little rougher edge to him. There was a ton of movie references which I loved. Unfortunately I didn’t care for the actual story. Tolly is merfolk who saves Leigh’s life and is given the ability to walk on land but to keep that form Leigh must tell him he loves him before the next full moon. Leigh is also a criminal who’s dealing with his own mess of a life. The ending did pick up and I was on the edge of my seat. It had the potential, but just didn’t hit the right marks for me.
kahime's review
1.0
This book was….odd, to put it kindly.
It felt like a mix of a 1930s mobster story and modern but absolutely failing at both.
The MMC, Leigh, lacks any kind of common sense. If someone tried to murder me and I survived, I would be leaving town asap. Instead, this man goes home, showers and passes out. Then he proceeds to frolic around town talking to anyone and everyone.
Also, what is up with the 8474739295 characters? I don’t care and I swear to god Leigh needs to pretend to not be home for once, or just put up boundaries. This dude is being HUNTED DOWN and still just casually opens the door or calls out to let whoever is outside that he’s coming? You sir, are obviously too stupid to continue to live.
I’m gonna be honest, I skimmed. A LOT. I loved Tolly so much but even he couldn’t keep my attention to whatever was going on. Not much seeing as I skipped multiple chapters and still could grasp what was going on in the story.
Just like the little mermaid, Leigh couldn’t get his shit together so of course the curse ends badly. But before that, somehow, Tolly managed to get a loan for Leigh so he could open up a repair shop. Idk why. All those 947573829574 characters just knock on his door demanding repairs. Idk how he expects to make money when his neighbors don’t seem to do shit in return for his help.
Anyways. Loan. Tolly gets a loan to open up this shop. With forged documents. Somehow these documents are accepted by a bank.
………….
WITH WHAT FUCKING JOB?!
Apparently this random ass bank just accepts forged identities and promises of love in this Sopranos wannabe world.
Also the sex scenes sucked. They were vague and basically fade to black. Blasphemy. Doesn’t matter anyways because there’s zero chemistry between the main MCs anyways.
It felt like a mix of a 1930s mobster story and modern but absolutely failing at both.
The MMC, Leigh, lacks any kind of common sense. If someone tried to murder me and I survived, I would be leaving town asap. Instead, this man goes home, showers and passes out. Then he proceeds to frolic around town talking to anyone and everyone.
Also, what is up with the 8474739295 characters? I don’t care and I swear to god Leigh needs to pretend to not be home for once, or just put up boundaries. This dude is being HUNTED DOWN and still just casually opens the door or calls out to let whoever is outside that he’s coming? You sir, are obviously too stupid to continue to live.
I’m gonna be honest, I skimmed. A LOT. I loved Tolly so much but even he couldn’t keep my attention to whatever was going on. Not much seeing as I skipped multiple chapters and still could grasp what was going on in the story.
Just like the little mermaid, Leigh couldn’t get his shit together so of course the curse ends badly. But before that, somehow, Tolly managed to get a loan for Leigh so he could open up a repair shop. Idk why. All those 947573829574 characters just knock on his door demanding repairs. Idk how he expects to make money when his neighbors don’t seem to do shit in return for his help.
Anyways. Loan. Tolly gets a loan to open up this shop. With forged documents. Somehow these documents are accepted by a bank.
………….
WITH WHAT FUCKING JOB?!
Apparently this random ass bank just accepts forged identities and promises of love in this Sopranos wannabe world.
Also the sex scenes sucked. They were vague and basically fade to black. Blasphemy. Doesn’t matter anyways because there’s zero chemistry between the main MCs anyways.
trin's review against another edition
2.0
Way too much dumb mafia shit and not nearly enough dumb mermaid shit! The latter being, obviously, what I came for. When it's on page, it's pretty creative and fun, but coupled with the fact that the main couple has a kind of predestined instalove with no real development, this didn't work for me.
fae_princess_in_space's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Just finished this sweet little book for #mermay!
I have to say it probably wasn’t one of my favourite books, but I didn’t hate it either - I don’t think I really connected with either of the main characters, although I loved the merfolk lore in the book. I didn’t love the Mafia aspect; it all seemed a little twee? Like the Mafia boss always playing childish pranks and I didn’t really buy how people knocked at the door at all hours of the day or night when the MC Leigh was a known monster (who never willingly killed or hurt anyone… okay).
I thought the concept of the merfolk-pact to allow Tolly to escape the ocean and his murderous kin was really interesting and I loved the whole Mer-anatomy we had going on! Honestly in this book I wanted more about the the merfolk and less about the mobsters!
So all in all a good little read if you’re a fan of merfolk!
I have to say it probably wasn’t one of my favourite books, but I didn’t hate it either - I don’t think I really connected with either of the main characters, although I loved the merfolk lore in the book. I didn’t love the Mafia aspect; it all seemed a little twee? Like the Mafia boss always playing childish pranks and I didn’t really buy how people knocked at the door at all hours of the day or night when the MC Leigh was a known monster (who never willingly killed or hurt anyone… okay).
I thought the concept of the merfolk-pact to allow Tolly to escape the ocean and his murderous kin was really interesting and I loved the whole Mer-anatomy we had going on! Honestly in this book I wanted more about the the merfolk and less about the mobsters!
So all in all a good little read if you’re a fan of merfolk!
emi_mccloud's review against another edition
3.25
Wirklich cute die beiden aber die Erklärung am Ende war an den Haaren herbeigezogen
alixgray's review against another edition
4.0
J’ai adoré! C’est difficile de dire qu’il s’agit d’une réécriture de la Petite Sirène car à part les circonstances de leur rencontre, rien n’est semblable au conte (surtout pas la fin, heureusement).
C’est une romance emprunte de mystère et d’intrigues mafieuses entre deux gang rivaux. Et au milieu de tout cela, deux être issus de deux mondes complètement différents unis par leur désir d’être aimé.
Cependant Leigh refuse de croire à l’existence d’une telle chose, persuadé que l’amour est une arme dont il faut se tenir aussi éloigné que possible, il accepte plus aisément l’existence des merfolk que la possibilité d’être aimé par l’un d’entre eux.
Tolly sait au plus profond de lui que Leigh est un homme bon et fait pour lui malgré les efforts de ce dernier pour l’éloigner de son style de vie sordide et dangereux.
Mais Tolly n’est pas facilement effrayé par la malveillance des hommes, déjà habité à celle des merfolk et à leur soif de sang. Il reste pourtant doux et optimiste la plupart du temps, près à risquer de perdre sa propre vie si son amour ne lui est pas rendu à la prochaine pleine lune.
J’ai beaucoup apprécié Leigh (je craque facilement pour les personnages moralement gris) mais j’adore vraiment Tolly! Il est courageux, honnête et a une foi inébranlable en Leigh, qui se trouve complètement ébranlé par ce nouvel arrivant surnaturel dans sa vie déjà bien compliquée et pas du tout près à tous les changements qu’il apporte avec lui.
Par contre j’étais continuellement frustrée par le supplice sadique de l’auteure de constamment interrompre les personnages dans les meilleurs moments, arrrrrgh! C’est démoniaque: une sonnerie de téléphone, un klaxon, des coups à la porte, et quand elle est verrouillée c’est par l’entrée de quelqu’un qui sait crocheter une serrure. Non vraiment ils sont maudits.
C’est une romance emprunte de mystère et d’intrigues mafieuses entre deux gang rivaux. Et au milieu de tout cela, deux être issus de deux mondes complètement différents unis par leur désir d’être aimé.
Cependant Leigh refuse de croire à l’existence d’une telle chose, persuadé que l’amour est une arme dont il faut se tenir aussi éloigné que possible, il accepte plus aisément l’existence des merfolk que la possibilité d’être aimé par l’un d’entre eux.
Tolly sait au plus profond de lui que Leigh est un homme bon et fait pour lui malgré les efforts de ce dernier pour l’éloigner de son style de vie sordide et dangereux.
Mais Tolly n’est pas facilement effrayé par la malveillance des hommes, déjà habité à celle des merfolk et à leur soif de sang. Il reste pourtant doux et optimiste la plupart du temps, près à risquer de perdre sa propre vie si son amour ne lui est pas rendu à la prochaine pleine lune.
J’ai beaucoup apprécié Leigh (je craque facilement pour les personnages moralement gris) mais j’adore vraiment Tolly! Il est courageux, honnête et a une foi inébranlable en Leigh, qui se trouve complètement ébranlé par ce nouvel arrivant surnaturel dans sa vie déjà bien compliquée et pas du tout près à tous les changements qu’il apporte avec lui.
Par contre j’étais continuellement frustrée par le supplice sadique de l’auteure de constamment interrompre les personnages dans les meilleurs moments, arrrrrgh! C’est démoniaque: une sonnerie de téléphone, un klaxon, des coups à la porte, et quand elle est verrouillée c’est par l’entrée de quelqu’un qui sait crocheter une serrure. Non vraiment ils sont maudits.