Serena

by Laura Hawks, The Write Editor (Editor), Book Candle Book Designs (Illustrator)

Who believes in mermaids?

Serena Dillon never gave it a thought, nor believed in them until she became one. She didn’t know what happened or why, only that she awoke with a tail and fins. She thought spending time with her husband, Jim, on a private yacht would be perfect to rekindle their intimacy. Little did she realize she didn’t know Jim’s true character.

Jim had sinister urges for years, desires he hoped Serena could dampen but were seething just under the surface. Taking his wife on a private getaway, he planned to indulge all of his ominous passions.

Dylan noticed Serena. However, she was with a man who has many dark and deadly secrets. When he saw an opportunity to rescue her, he took it. He was going to change her entire world but in doing so, he had to explain she could never return to the life or man she knew before. He has to prove Jim is harsh and cruel or lost Serena forever.

Serena must learn to accept her new role in the world. Will she be able to let go of her human life? Will Dylan be able to save her a second time or is she just another victim of the ocean’s depths?

127 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2025

Reviews

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just thoroughly enjoyed getting to read this novella and getting to enter this amazing world. I just had a lot of fun reading this story. This was just such a quick and easy read that after turning the last page I immediately wanted more. I hope the author will revisit these characters down the road because I would just love to see some of them again.

[Kellie Waldron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dylan had been following Jim's boat for awhile. In fact, the whole pod had taken notice to follow his boat. It seems that every so often he would throw some tasty food overboard and it wasn't your average food. But when Dylan saw Serena, he knew he had to make sure that she wasn't next.

Serena knew her husband had become dark recently. She didn't know that he would take it to the extreme he was trying. Then that one night changed everything and she knew that she would never be the same.

Good read

[Amber Pander · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is my first mermaid book and it did not disappoint. It is in 3rd person so I wasn’t really sure of that but as I read I was sucked in and wanted to know what was gonna happen next. As for Serena’s husband Jim there’s really not any other way to describe him as a complete a$$ and he got what he deserved.

[Salima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Nice short read. Serena and Dylan’s story was awesome. Love how he saves her. Love a good mermaid story. I’ve always loved mermaid movies that I was looking forward to read this book because of that.

[Angela L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story about a girl who always chooses the wrong man. Her husband wants to kill her, and she's saved by a merman. I love their time together and what happens at the end with the sharks. It's a novella, so things move super fast.

[KimMacs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this spicy short story with a unique twist on mermaids. This is packed with everything you want to enjoy a little mermaid smut in the afternoon. It is a quick and easy read that leaves you satisfied with a happily ever after. I will definitely be reading more from Laura Hawks!

[Heather Desmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this mermaid spicy short story. Finished it in one sitting. It was everything you could want in a quick read. I’ve never read a mermaid story before but it definitely did not disappoint. Gave me all the feels. Laura Hawks is an amazing author and I can not wait to read more by her

[Rebecca Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good and quick easy read. I enjoyed the plot and characters. Would be really good as a lazy weekend day read. Definitely an interesting take on mermaids.

[Gabriela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this novella, it’s a quick read with a good plot and characters…

[Alicia]

What an interesting story. This was a short, but good page turner and kept you involved until the very end. If you like mermaids this is the story for you! Being a novella this is a fast read, but hopefully the author will consider expanding on these characters in the future!

[Adele Robbetze · Rating 4 out of 5]

FMC: Serena
MMC: Dylan

Serena is on a private yacht getaway with her husband Jim.

It turns out she never knew the real Jim.

One thing leads to another (sorry no spoilers) and Serena is Saved by Dylan, She wakes up and finds herself turned into a mermaid.

What I like about the story:

The easy banter between Serena and Dylan.
The town descriptions.
Liked the worldbuilding on the yacht, I could picture it perfectly and I have never been on one.

If you like mermaids then this story is for you!