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The Merman #2
Acceptance
Gabriel Braven is a merman, but he does not believe it.
Gabriel should have drowned twice in his life, but he survived. Casillus Nerion, his beautiful merman savior, tells him the reason for this is simple: Gabriel is a merman. Long ago, a Braven ancestor fell in love and had a child with a powerful merman. This child did not inherit the Mer gifts, but Gabriel has.
Despite seeing inexplicable physical changes to his body when he gets wet and having trouble breathing when there is plenty of air, Gabriel’s head tells him that Mer, like love, do not exist. Ironically, both beliefs are being tested at the same time, as he tries to tell himself that the pounding of his heart when he even thinks of Casillus is imaginary, too.
But whether Gabriel believes or not, Casillus tells him one more devastating fact: the Mer live forever, but unless Gabriel goes into the ocean with him in four days, Gabriel will die.
Can Gabriel accept the truth before it’s too late? Can he open his heart to the merman that saved him? Can he believe Casillus’ words over their mental link that the Mer will never leave Gabriel? Or will he deny himself Casillus and his true nature until his last breath?
Gabriel should have drowned twice in his life, but he survived. Casillus Nerion, his beautiful merman savior, tells him the reason for this is simple: Gabriel is a merman. Long ago, a Braven ancestor fell in love and had a child with a powerful merman. This child did not inherit the Mer gifts, but Gabriel has.
Despite seeing inexplicable physical changes to his body when he gets wet and having trouble breathing when there is plenty of air, Gabriel’s head tells him that Mer, like love, do not exist. Ironically, both beliefs are being tested at the same time, as he tries to tell himself that the pounding of his heart when he even thinks of Casillus is imaginary, too.
But whether Gabriel believes or not, Casillus tells him one more devastating fact: the Mer live forever, but unless Gabriel goes into the ocean with him in four days, Gabriel will die.
Can Gabriel accept the truth before it’s too late? Can he open his heart to the merman that saved him? Can he believe Casillus’ words over their mental link that the Mer will never leave Gabriel? Or will he deny himself Casillus and his true nature until his last breath?
75 pages, ebook
First published September 1, 2014
124 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
About the author
X. Aratare
90 books705 followersX. Aratare is the pseudonym for Raythe Reign's Gay(M/M) books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 28, 2019
This book focuses more on building history of Gabriel's family, introduces the Mer world and gives hints through Casillus, the Mer who came to Gabriel's rescue. Gabriel still hasn't gotten over the loss of his parents, and the fact that he is possibly a Mer brings a host of feelings that brings panic and anguish. With the help of Casillus Gabriel starts accepting his fate and sudden changes in his life.
The book opens doors to many opportunities from both human and Mer sides - allies, new family, people who might wish him and Mer people ill will as well as possibility of finding that someone special to fill the void left by the loss of Gabe's family. I liked their subtly flirty yet at times innocent banter, the mesh of both cultures and a little fun both Gabe and Casillus managed to sneak in. I am enjoying this series a lot.
The book opens doors to many opportunities from both human and Mer sides - allies, new family, people who might wish him and Mer people ill will as well as possibility of finding that someone special to fill the void left by the loss of Gabe's family. I liked their subtly flirty yet at times innocent banter, the mesh of both cultures and a little fun both Gabe and Casillus managed to sneak in. I am enjoying this series a lot.
July 11, 2019
Totally enjoying this series. It's sweet how the story is progressing and while the plot is following the pattern I'd expect, I'm enjoying the heck out of it.
I'm sure some of the reason I'm liking this one so hard is due to Chris Patton's soothing and engaging narration.
On to the next one!
I'm sure some of the reason I'm liking this one so hard is due to Chris Patton's soothing and engaging narration.
On to the next one!
August 26, 2024
"His cock quivering like an eager dog on a leash"
He just had to go and ruin their hot sexy bathtime by saying that..
So embarrassing.
This is good.. Cringy at times, but I'm curious where this will go.
Gabriel has 3 days till he's full mer.
Johnson is sus. I think he knows everything.
Casillus is keeping secrets from Gabriel.
What's up with the tentacles' visions?
How's he gonna tell Granny he's a merman!?
He just had to go and ruin their hot sexy bathtime by saying that..
So embarrassing.
This is good.. Cringy at times, but I'm curious where this will go.
Gabriel has 3 days till he's full mer.
Johnson is sus. I think he knows everything.
Casillus is keeping secrets from Gabriel.
What's up with the tentacles' visions?
How's he gonna tell Granny he's a merman!?
January 9, 2024
I'm enjoying this novella series. There's lots of interesting worldbuilding that has me dying to see the underwater society.
April 21, 2023
You paint yourself so harshly for natural feelings. Love and loss, jealousy and envy, anger and joy... all of these are what make us interesting. They make YOU interesting.
That cliffhanger shot my nerves a little and the frequent struggle to breathe made me slightly anxious. 😂 Book 2 or Part 2 (seems more fitting) revolved around conversations between Gabriel and Casillus, sharing their feelings, thoughts, and discoveries. It's more contemplative than active and the writing gives the reader an experience more than just mere storytelling.
October 23, 2015
Great narration. Addicting story.
August 18, 2019
MM paranormal romance. It picks up immediately after the last book, which I read ages ago. Gabriel is having a hard time accepting that he's different, and Casillus helps him come to terms with it. A mysterious scientist may be a threat. It ends on a cliffhanger.
Typos: use to for used to, lead for led, missing apostrophe in possessive, misplaced period after quotation.
Typos: use to for used to, lead for led, missing apostrophe in possessive, misplaced period after quotation.
July 17, 2017
And the plot thickens .... I like... It's just getting interesting
December 23, 2021
A bit insta-love, but I don't even care, it's not that deep lol.
Want to read
August 3, 2023 🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/3/2023)! 🎁
October 31, 2018
Acceptance is the second on this trilogy and it was momentarily entertaining during the reading. Don’t look to close, just read.
December 31, 2022
Ich liebe Gabriel und Cassilus 😍❤️
September 15, 2024
I am glad that I finally continued to read this series, I was a tad worried at first because there was over a year in between, luckily, without checking back I could summarise the first book even with details. That is a fantastic sign for me, usually I am not able to remember that much.
The only thing I really don't like is that collective (Hivemind thing?). It did not really play a role yet, so I hope it will turn out good, it will be interesting to see. The mind connection just between those two is cute, I can't complain.
The only thing I really don't like is that collective (Hivemind thing?). It did not really play a role yet, so I hope it will turn out good, it will be interesting to see. The mind connection just between those two is cute, I can't complain.
January 12, 2015
nothing happened. it was ALSO incredibly short.
February 4, 2025
I love this series and the growing bond between Gabe and Cass.
January 18, 2020
Loving this romance series so far!
After surviving drowning twice in his lifetime and meeting a beautiful merman in the flesh who helped save him, Gabriel is once again confronted with a life changing event: he is a merman himself. Long ago, one of his ancestors had a child with a powerful merman and despite the mer gifts not being passed to that child, Gabriel inherited it himself.
Despite all the proof, being able to breath underwater, having shortness of breath breathing on land, Gabriel tries to resist the pull to the sea as well as the desire of his heart when he sees, talks to, or even thinks of Casillus. However, after learning that if he stays in land and does to go into the sea within 4 days, Gabriel will die, he is forced to accept the truth of his transformation as well as how he will say goodbye to his family in land and be able to live on the sea that caused so much grief after his parents died in a Boat accident when he was a child.
Overall, the story is again very short at only 91 pages but each page and detail given provides such importance to the plot and both Gabriel and Casillus come to life in the story as they realize there connection with each other is much more than a friendship and Gabriel is caught having to leave behind a past on land for a future full of uncertainty under water but also a future with a man who he had always dreamed of and whose tender embrace helps ease his loneliness.
Looking forward to continuing this series!
After surviving drowning twice in his lifetime and meeting a beautiful merman in the flesh who helped save him, Gabriel is once again confronted with a life changing event: he is a merman himself. Long ago, one of his ancestors had a child with a powerful merman and despite the mer gifts not being passed to that child, Gabriel inherited it himself.
Despite all the proof, being able to breath underwater, having shortness of breath breathing on land, Gabriel tries to resist the pull to the sea as well as the desire of his heart when he sees, talks to, or even thinks of Casillus. However, after learning that if he stays in land and does to go into the sea within 4 days, Gabriel will die, he is forced to accept the truth of his transformation as well as how he will say goodbye to his family in land and be able to live on the sea that caused so much grief after his parents died in a Boat accident when he was a child.
Overall, the story is again very short at only 91 pages but each page and detail given provides such importance to the plot and both Gabriel and Casillus come to life in the story as they realize there connection with each other is much more than a friendship and Gabriel is caught having to leave behind a past on land for a future full of uncertainty under water but also a future with a man who he had always dreamed of and whose tender embrace helps ease his loneliness.
Looking forward to continuing this series!
April 11, 2024
Addictive for sure. Something about the story draws me in—good lore here! Also I’m kind of a sucker for mermaids, mermen, underwater stuff so this thing is right up my alley.
Only thing that bothers me about this series is how the characters use each others’ names repeatedly when addressing each other. All I can think is, “no one actually talks like this.” I’ve met many a person who find it uncomfortable to have someone say their first name to them when speaking directly to them, as in: “I see what you mean, Grace.”
No writing flaws so egregious that it’d distract me from the story though, so that’s good.
Only thing that bothers me about this series is how the characters use each others’ names repeatedly when addressing each other. All I can think is, “no one actually talks like this.” I’ve met many a person who find it uncomfortable to have someone say their first name to them when speaking directly to them, as in: “I see what you mean, Grace.”
No writing flaws so egregious that it’d distract me from the story though, so that’s good.
November 9, 2025
"Acceptance" received TWO AND A HALF stars.
Gabriel’s continuous denial for a good portion of this book was just ridiculous.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
1/2 * gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
1/2 * gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
Gabriel’s continuous denial for a good portion of this book was just ridiculous.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
1/2 * gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
1/2 * gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2019
Facing reality for once but not ready to except that reality
This book reminds me of an old song being torn between lovers one being his merman and the other his family. He knows real soon he will have to say his goodbyes to one or the other but he also knows by making the wrong choice could cost him his life and his love. Now he has agreed to meet the mer later for a swim he finds that the mer was seen leaving him and going into the sea what will that person do?
This book reminds me of an old song being torn between lovers one being his merman and the other his family. He knows real soon he will have to say his goodbyes to one or the other but he also knows by making the wrong choice could cost him his life and his love. Now he has agreed to meet the mer later for a swim he finds that the mer was seen leaving him and going into the sea what will that person do?
September 27, 2020
Mostly filler
Maybe this story is important in the overall plot but I'm not impressed. It's short, so it doesn't really feel like a full story. Nothing much happens either; I felt bored for most of the story like I was simply listening to someone whine. I'll read the next story (even now I don't feel it deserves to be called a book) and see if the original idea for the series pans out better.
Maybe this story is important in the overall plot but I'm not impressed. It's short, so it doesn't really feel like a full story. Nothing much happens either; I felt bored for most of the story like I was simply listening to someone whine. I'll read the next story (even now I don't feel it deserves to be called a book) and see if the original idea for the series pans out better.
June 4, 2025
A truely captivating series of books
Book 3 of this series of books builds on the struggle for Gabriel struggles to accept that he is indeed a Merman, but the signs can not be ignored and his health I'd deteriorating. With the help of Casillus the Mer, his mate he cines to terms but the cost will be high. As I said in my first review , this series has captured me hook and sinker.
Book 3 of this series of books builds on the struggle for Gabriel struggles to accept that he is indeed a Merman, but the signs can not be ignored and his health I'd deteriorating. With the help of Casillus the Mer, his mate he cines to terms but the cost will be high. As I said in my first review , this series has captured me hook and sinker.
December 7, 2019
I really like the development of the characters in this installment. I also like how the story is becoming stronger and more interesting. The mer lore is interesting, but I’m with Gabriel I don’t think I would want to share everything with everyone. However the connection piece really makes the romance hotter
May 9, 2022
Not much happened in this book but what the Titel says. Gabriel slowly accepts what he is and what he has to do. We get introduced to the boyfriend of his Grandma who is kind of suspicious.
Overall it was great again. I especially love the connection between the two mcs.
I am looking forward to the rest.
Overall it was great again. I especially love the connection between the two mcs.
I am looking forward to the rest.
March 3, 2019
Next part of the book. This one we get to know more about Callus and see Gabriel struggle with what he is. This one does a good job of connecting Gabe and Callus together as a couple that I like despite the fact they are very much and insta love couple.
July 9, 2022
It sometimes felt a little repetitive but thinking about it if you'd just found out you were a mermaid and were in denial it's probably exactly how you'd act.
Still enjoying the story and trying to figure out what happens next.
Still enjoying the story and trying to figure out what happens next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2023
The world-building and histories of the mermen made this such a rich read. Chock full of interesting details. Enjoyable story. I have not read any of the other books int he series. I may have to look into them after this underwater adventure.
February 14, 2024
I really liked Grandma Grace. She is such great character and I loved her just telling the professor off and not backing down.
I'm also glad that we are learning more about the Mer's and I'm hoping that we see the city and hopefully more of the prince's family.
I'm also glad that we are learning more about the Mer's and I'm hoping that we see the city and hopefully more of the prince's family.
May 27, 2017
A little disappointed that they made the merman seem more human then fish, but totally didn't mess up any of the sex... or the story.
I just wish the books were just one book
I just wish the books were just one book
June 19, 2017
I love Corey!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews