When I saw Come to the Rocks and read that it was a mermaid story about a lesbian romance, I was hooked! I feel like this corner of fiction is a mostly uncharted one that many authors are missing out on, because COME ON! MERMAIDS! There is so much lesmance potential here. Tap into it, people!

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Come to the Rocks by Christin Haws
Published by NineStar Press on 16 April, 2018
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Lesbian fiction, LGBTQ+, Mermaids, Novellas, Romance
# pages: 66
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Rating: ★★★★

Linnea’s only safe place is a spot on the rocky shoreline where the water can be rather vicious. It’s here where she meets, and falls in love with, a mermaid named Mren. As their romance blossoms, the escalating harassment from Linnea’s ex-boyfriend Mikey threatens the secret relationship. Mren has vowed to protect Linnea, but she’s confined to the water and Mikey is a land monster. Meanwhile, Linnea will do anything to keep Mren safe from him.

Anything.

I really liked this book.

I have to admit I was nervous?? though I can’t quite put my finger on a why. It might be because I wanted it to be good so bad and was nervous it’d fall through…I’ve read some LGBTQIA+ books that have been utter disappointments because instead of being a story on par with books featuring hetero characters and themes, the many I’ve read have focused more on sex.

But this one didn’t! Linnea’s ex-boyfriend is abusive (trigger warning), and she forms a connection with mermaid Mren, who tells her a story about a sailor who threw his curse into the sea so he could be free.

The ending is a bit…questioning, by which I’m not sure whether I should feel happy or not?? Like, should I feel happy about it? Is it one that could ever have had a happier ending (if that is, indeed, a happy ending)? I don’t know?? I think you’d have to read it to determine whether it IS a happy ending or bittersweet.

I can’t say much more, because it was fairly short (66 pages) and anything else would be a SPOILER.

What I disliked about it

The writing was good, but a few sentences didn’t make sense.

I also wasn’t a fan of the scenery among the rocks being explained in such intricate detail…I feel like it was pointless to focus solely on the water, but then I don’t enjoy lollygagging in descriptive text for long unless it pertains to food.

This is the first book I’ve read through NetGalley, however, and thus far I’m loving my options. 😍😍😍😍 eeeeeeeeeeee