How to Date a Mermaid

by Dianne Oren

After a rough start in life, Marina’s worked hard to make sure there are calm seas ahead. She has three ride-or-die girlfriends, a job at the most prestigious law firm in the city, and big, big plans. She just has to stay focused. So it figures the one time she does something spontaneous it lands her in a viral video with a world-famous rock star…while she’s dressed as a mermaid.

With the media on the hunt for the infamous mermaid, she’d love nothing more than to get away from this handsome, muscley complication as soon as possible. But Zach has other plans. He can’t get enough of her. And there’s something about his dark good looks and that gravelly, oh-so-sexy British accent that keeps her anchored even when she wants to run.

Now she faces the challenge of whether to trust her heart or stick to her plans and ignore the magnetic pull she feels toward the only man who’s ever truly shown up for her.

Genres: Romance, Mermaids, Chick Lit

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Dianne Oren enjoys writing sweet, swoony romantic comedies. She lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas with her husband Kevin, dogs Duke & Daisy, house panther Finn, and Rebel...the tiny gray potato tornado.

Reviews

[Alicia (aliciasalwaysreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE
-romcom

CONTENT
-🤬: none
-❤️: make outs
-⚠️: death of parent (past), toxic work environment


I met Dianne last year at the Sweet Romcom Roundup. When I heard she was releasing a book, I knew I wanted to check it out!

Marina and her friends do performing gigs on the side to bring in some extra income. One day, Marina is dressed up as a mermaid for their gig. They get stuck on the Golden Gate Bridge due to an accident and start singing outside of the car to pass the time. Imagine Marina's shock when Zach, a literal rock star, gets out of bus ahead of them and comes to sing along! That one event sets off a series of events that change Marina's life.

There are so many things to love about this story. Here are a few:
-the creative meet-cute
-foster care rep
-a British MMC
-the cute nickname
-found family
-recognizing your worth

I enjoyed Marina's friend group a lot! I'm interested to see what happens in each of their stories.

I will say there were some typos and some grammar things that distracted me from the story at times. I am someone who notices those things though, so take that with a grain of salt.

Favorite Quotes:
-"Do you know many rock stars?"
I tilt my head as if I'm counting through my list of many friends, then shake my head. "You're the first one."
"Well, then we're even," he murmurs. "You're my first mermaid."

-"Pasta is the solution to all of life's problems, and I'll die on this hill."

-There is something in his spirit that calls to mine.

-"You are the most thoughtful man I've ever known," she says quietly.
I rub out noses together and press my forehead to hers.
"You deserve every good thing."

-"I know you're perfectly able to fight this battle on your own, but just know that I will slay dragons for you, my lady. Evil Queens too."

-I cling to his hand, letting him lead me forward into the unknown. The unknown isn't so scary with him.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun, sweet romance! I found myself thinking about this book when I wasn’t reading it and anxious to find out what happens next. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

[Tay_is_reading_again · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title felt a little misleading because I thought this was going to be PNR 😅. This is SUPER closed door. Not even fade to black. It felt like a YA book. The writing also needed some additional editing as I found quite a few grammatical issues. The characters were cute and I liked Marina’s backstory!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully developed characters, sweet romantic novel, and skillful words. Whole package!

[Katie (GnomeSweetGnome) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and swoony

I knew after reading Arrivals and Departures that I couldn't wait for How to Date a Mermaid to be released. I was not disappointed! Such a great story. I love reading books from multiple points of view, and Dianne did a great job writing in two voices. Can't wait for the next in the series!

[Poetsiren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always out for trying mermaid-related books. Sure, Marina's a woman dressed in a mermaid costume when Zach meets her and their meet-cute goes viral. And he has a ton of nautical-related books in his room. But that and her name are as far into mermaid territory as we go.
However, I sped through this romantic and promising story, only to eagerly snatch up another copy to gift to a friend while I also ordered the SECOND BOOK in this series and then practically inhaled the thing like I was a woman starved!!! Now I'm sad that I have to wait until the third comes out in the summer and then the fourth is likely over the Holidays near the end of the year.
There is no sex in this book series, but heated make-out sessions and desire are definitely present. Either way, this happy, beautiful tale will set your heart to singing right along with our mermaid and musician just the same!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a proud member of Rebel Nation!!! Only downside? I can’t buy their music! This story is rich with heavy topics; parental loss, foster care, troubled youth, mental health, toxic/hostile employers. Dianne Oren handles these topics with levity and joy while not undermining the seriousness. At the heart of this novel is a story of friendship. You’ll want to have Kleenex close by for the second half of the book, but you will love the story!

*This is a sweet and innocent romance story. While the kissing scenes got a little steamy, there is no spice.”

[Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why did I actually think this book was about an actual mermaid 🤣😭 so totally my fault and yet extremely disappointing too. However, it was an adorable read. Marina and Zach are so cute together. The way they met had me giggling and kicking my feet. She had some serious issues to work through but she pushed through. I love Marina's friends and how loyal and amazing they were. If she was pushing everyone away and being ridiculous, her friends told her how it was. I loved how cute this book was. I'll definitely be picking up this authors other stories.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh gosh there are SO many wonderful moments in this debut novel, I hope I can do it justice! First of all, WHO knew I liked rom-com??? Move over Janet Evanovich, Dianne is needing more shelf space! Did I forget to mention there is already another book in this series being written as I type this??? You will chuckle, laugh, CRY, and CHEER while you read this lovingly crafted story. Get yourself out there and Make some WAVES you beautiful Mermaids!! 🧜‍♀️

[Loraine Nunley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

What a delightful rom-com by an indie author. There were so many things I loved about this story that made it hard to put down. First, Zach. Sigh. Not only was he a wonderful person, but the way he pursued Marina… I enjoyed the way he saw her and valued her. Secondly, the group of friends was awesome. I’m definitely checking out their stories later. And third, sweet romance abounds. This was clean but did have some heated make-out sessions.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start out by saying I was never into the RomCom genre before this book. This book was a fun, romantic, easy read that I could not put down! Dianne Oren is a new author and I fully expect her next books to be just as good or even better than this one. Thank you Dianne - because of you I am a RomCom fan now!

[BJ Kellogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that the author showed us what happens after "They lived happily ever after". I hope to see a second book about his family and problems that come with that. On the other hand. "His eyes were brown and so dreamy, lets kiss and kiss again" repeat fourteen times. Did you also know that she has green eyes and red hair?

[Renee Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rom Com Classic from a First Time Author

A very surprising and heartwarming tale of a young woman who’s way more than meets the eye. The author has created a wonderful world where an American mermaid and a hot British rock star win the love lottery. One of the best indie stories I’ve read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Tristine Fjerstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zach was the ultimate cinnamon roll. This was a cute story and I liked that he pursued her from day 1. I was a little surprised by how long this was, it seemed like it could’ve happened a lot faster. There were lots of kissing scenes, but nothing graphic. Cute story.

[Angela Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I can't quite pinpoint why, but I really, really enjoyed this sweet little romance. Perhaps it is a reminder of the middle school me with a plot like the ones young girls allow to capture their imagination. The is enough internal conflict to make it real and enough fun to make a person turn the next page for more.

[Anne Ruckman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read! Super sweet. Just loved Zach, he’s so swoon worthy. I can’t wait to ready the next books

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story.

Content: clean - passionate kissing, a swear word

[Heather Socie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute!

[lisa milam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I just loved this, and I can't wait for the next one in this series.
Thanks for a good read Dianne Oren!

[Kelsey Dicou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely charming!! I loved everything about it, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

[rachel draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

it’s adorable

It’s too cute better than a hallmark movie.
One of the best cute reads I’ve read in a hot minute.

[Debra Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man, this was a good book. I finished it in one day because I could not put it down!

[Ejatu Bah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I loved the main characters and themes in it. I do wish that the book were a little shorter because I felt as though some scenes could have been edited.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet rock star romance

This is my first full length book by this author. I loved the writing style! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

[Marty Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this sweet story, read it in about 3 hours, my Mother would have loved it as well!

[Marian Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read, that explored our preconceived notions of ourselves and our hang ups, all woven in a delightful storyline

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I’m the wrong age bracket for this book, but it felt very juvenile, more YA than romcom. I’m giving it 3 stars, but it’s more like 2.5.

[Samantha Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable romcom with a MMC rock star hero that relentlessly pursues the FMC who is afraid to trust anyone with her heart. I loved how he wasn’t willing to give up on his mermaid.