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The Three Bells #2
A Cry for the Deep
One, two, three. Three tears. Three girls. Three wishes. Three debts left to be paid.
Sélie Bell is perfectly content. Both of her sisters are back home; Corliss is getting married, and Aven is becoming more like herself every day. Plus, Sélie gets to spend nearly every day with her best friend, Pearl, working at the Bells’ Apothecaire.
But when a letter arrives for Sélie asking her to bring Pearl home to the nearby island of Salille, Sélie reluctantly agrees to accompany her friend on the voyage. And when they arrive, Sélie is shocked to find out that Pearl is actually Marguerite—Salille’s runaway princess.
Before she has the chance to process this news, Sélie finds herself face to face with a mermaid who claims that Sélie must repay her late mother’s debt to the sea witch. Sélie secretly begins completing a series of tasks before the painful new scales growing on her legs overcome her and she turns into a mermaid, losing not just her life on land but any chance she had at love with a certain beloved princess.
A Cry for the Deep is the highly anticipated sequel to A Dance With Death. This gothic sapphic mashup of The Little Mermaid and Rapunzel will lure you in from the first page.
304 pages, Paperback
Published June 16, 2026
About the author
Amanda Linsmeier
19 books214 followersAmanda Linsmeier has been a book nerd as long as she can remember, and it was that great love of reading—especially R.L. Stine novels and fairytales—that eventually brought her to writing her own stories. In high school, she won the senior class vote for “Most Romantic Girl”, a title she’s still ridiculously pleased with. She feels most joyful when writing, scream-singing her favorite songs, playing in the water, and laughing with her beloved family. She lives in a magical place with a man who smells like maple syrup and woodsmoke, their wonderfully wild children, a dog, and an assortment of half-feral cats.
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August 9, 2026I FINALLY HAVE MY COPY! REJOICE!
July 31, 2026
Three tears. Three wishes. Three girls. Three debts left to be paid.
Sélie goes with her best friend Pearl to Pearl’s home in Saliile and is surprised to learn that Pearl is a princess. Before she can process this, Sélie meets a real mermaid who tells her she is part of the sea and must repay her late mother’s debt to the sea witch. Sélie has to complete three tasks before the new scales on her legs take over, and she turns into a mermaid herself.
This retelling of The Little Mermaid drew me in right from the start. After reading A Dance with Death, I knew I had to listen to this book as soon as possible. The writing is beautiful, and the magic and world-building are captivating. I especially enjoyed learning more about the sisters’ past and what happened to their parents when they were young. However, my favorite part continues to be the romance throughout these books. I am a complete sucker for the friends-to-lovers trope and enjoyed watching Pearl and Sélie’s relationship grow. The ending leaves us on another cliffhanger that lets us know that the next book will focus on Aven’s story arc, and I can’t wait to see what is next for the Bell sisters.
Thank you to RB Media for the opportunity to review A Cry for the Deep. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sélie goes with her best friend Pearl to Pearl’s home in Saliile and is surprised to learn that Pearl is a princess. Before she can process this, Sélie meets a real mermaid who tells her she is part of the sea and must repay her late mother’s debt to the sea witch. Sélie has to complete three tasks before the new scales on her legs take over, and she turns into a mermaid herself.
This retelling of The Little Mermaid drew me in right from the start. After reading A Dance with Death, I knew I had to listen to this book as soon as possible. The writing is beautiful, and the magic and world-building are captivating. I especially enjoyed learning more about the sisters’ past and what happened to their parents when they were young. However, my favorite part continues to be the romance throughout these books. I am a complete sucker for the friends-to-lovers trope and enjoyed watching Pearl and Sélie’s relationship grow. The ending leaves us on another cliffhanger that lets us know that the next book will focus on Aven’s story arc, and I can’t wait to see what is next for the Bell sisters.
Thank you to RB Media for the opportunity to review A Cry for the Deep. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 2, 2026
I enjoyed this even more than the first book.
We didn't get much with Sélie in the first book so t was lovely that this one was through her POV.
I did the audio books for both of these and wished that they had used a different narrator between the two books.
Having the same voice and tone for two different sisters was very confusing at the start of this. Especially since Corliss is also in this book.
Overall this story was even more engrossing. A little bit of The Little Mermaid vibes with a whole new twist on the fable.
Highly recommend!
Much love to RBMedia for my audio!
We didn't get much with Sélie in the first book so t was lovely that this one was through her POV.
I did the audio books for both of these and wished that they had used a different narrator between the two books.
Having the same voice and tone for two different sisters was very confusing at the start of this. Especially since Corliss is also in this book.
Overall this story was even more engrossing. A little bit of The Little Mermaid vibes with a whole new twist on the fable.
Highly recommend!
Much love to RBMedia for my audio!
June 5, 2026
A Cry for the Deep completely dragged me under. Amanda Linsmeier weaves another beautiful and emotional retelling that blends elements of The Little Mermaid with hints of Rapunzel, creating a tale that borrows from beloved classics while charting a course entirely its own.
One theme that resonated with me most was how thoughtfully the story explores pain, isolation, and the feeling of being fundamentally different from everyone around you. Through both physical limitations and emotional struggles, we see what it means to long for belonging and wonder if you'll ever feel whole. Sélie’s journey toward self-acceptance was deeply moving, and I loved how it challenged the idea that our perceived flaws make us less worthy of love, connection, happiness, or a place to belong.
Sélie and Pearl’s connection felt so genuine from the very beginning. Pearl's bold confidence perfectly complements Sélie's gentle uncertainty, and watching them support one another through their fears, doubts, and dreams made every interaction feel sweet and special. The slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance was everything I wanted it to be—tender, patient, and filled with the quiet ache of two people terrified of losing what they already have but slowly realizing some risks are worth taking.
The atmosphere was equally enchanting. Whether beneath the waves or within the kingdom of Salille, every setting felt vivid and immersive. The sea in particular felt like its own character—beautiful, mysterious, and frightening all at once.
More than anything, this story is about finding where you belong. Not necessarily in a place, but with the people who see you fully, love you completely, and make you feel whole. Hope, love, friendship, and identity are woven beautifully throughout every page, making this a story that lingered with me long after I finished.
Beautiful, haunting, and hopeful, A Cry for the Deep is a tale about learning that being different doesn't make you broken and that home is found in the people who love you exactly as you are. It will sweep you away and leave a piece of itself behind long after the final page.
Huge thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC sequel!
Favorite Quotes:
“there will be hope / bright and ravenous / but only if you want it”
“Sometimes I think she could make the sun itself forget to shine, the moon and all the stars along with it too.”
“I at least have the sea. The thought is a welcome comfort that draws my tense shoulders down… The grace and strange loveliness to her. She was hideous and beautiful all at once.”
“Yes, you have fears, but you also overcome them every day, every hour. You are braver than you think.”
“Why pretend to be humble when, as women, we are already made to be small in this world? I’ll be damned if I make myself small.”
“My biggest secret is that I’ve fallen in love with her. The truth is, I fell a long time ago… Perhaps I’ve loved her since the beginning.”
“She is not perfect—and I know that—but she is real. She is here. She is mine.”
“All this time I mistook myself for broken, but it is in my brokenness that my humanity lives. My strength. My empathy. My love. I’m not broken at all. I never was.”
One theme that resonated with me most was how thoughtfully the story explores pain, isolation, and the feeling of being fundamentally different from everyone around you. Through both physical limitations and emotional struggles, we see what it means to long for belonging and wonder if you'll ever feel whole. Sélie’s journey toward self-acceptance was deeply moving, and I loved how it challenged the idea that our perceived flaws make us less worthy of love, connection, happiness, or a place to belong.
Sélie and Pearl’s connection felt so genuine from the very beginning. Pearl's bold confidence perfectly complements Sélie's gentle uncertainty, and watching them support one another through their fears, doubts, and dreams made every interaction feel sweet and special. The slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance was everything I wanted it to be—tender, patient, and filled with the quiet ache of two people terrified of losing what they already have but slowly realizing some risks are worth taking.
The atmosphere was equally enchanting. Whether beneath the waves or within the kingdom of Salille, every setting felt vivid and immersive. The sea in particular felt like its own character—beautiful, mysterious, and frightening all at once.
More than anything, this story is about finding where you belong. Not necessarily in a place, but with the people who see you fully, love you completely, and make you feel whole. Hope, love, friendship, and identity are woven beautifully throughout every page, making this a story that lingered with me long after I finished.
Beautiful, haunting, and hopeful, A Cry for the Deep is a tale about learning that being different doesn't make you broken and that home is found in the people who love you exactly as you are. It will sweep you away and leave a piece of itself behind long after the final page.
Huge thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC sequel!
Favorite Quotes:
“there will be hope / bright and ravenous / but only if you want it”
“Sometimes I think she could make the sun itself forget to shine, the moon and all the stars along with it too.”
“I at least have the sea. The thought is a welcome comfort that draws my tense shoulders down… The grace and strange loveliness to her. She was hideous and beautiful all at once.”
“Yes, you have fears, but you also overcome them every day, every hour. You are braver than you think.”
“Why pretend to be humble when, as women, we are already made to be small in this world? I’ll be damned if I make myself small.”
“My biggest secret is that I’ve fallen in love with her. The truth is, I fell a long time ago… Perhaps I’ve loved her since the beginning.”
“She is not perfect—and I know that—but she is real. She is here. She is mine.”
“All this time I mistook myself for broken, but it is in my brokenness that my humanity lives. My strength. My empathy. My love. I’m not broken at all. I never was.”
June 17, 2026
The way this series feels like dark gothic fairytales is everything. The elements pulled in from familiar stories- like The Little Mermaid and Rapunzel, were done in such interesting and unique ways. I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the journey of this story.
And of course, I was so happy to see the same beautiful atmospheric world, and to explore it some more in Salille. I loved The Pins in the first book and it was fun getting to know a new town and where Pearl comes from. And who Pearl is 👀
Ugh Sélie and Pearl are so sweet 🥹 The way they care for each other and will do anything for each other. The way they hype each other up and really cherish the beauty in each others' art. They take care of each other!
Alright, I'm ready for one more, Aven we're coming for your story next!
And of course, I was so happy to see the same beautiful atmospheric world, and to explore it some more in Salille. I loved The Pins in the first book and it was fun getting to know a new town and where Pearl comes from. And who Pearl is 👀
Ugh Sélie and Pearl are so sweet 🥹 The way they care for each other and will do anything for each other. The way they hype each other up and really cherish the beauty in each others' art. They take care of each other!
Alright, I'm ready for one more, Aven we're coming for your story next!
June 16, 2026
I very much enjoyed this beautiful story. Full of unexpected twists and turns, and complete with a runaway princess, a troubled island paradise, and a vengeful mermaid with sharp teeth, A Cry For The Deep has it all. Following Pearl and Sélie’s journey towards love was my favorite part of this book.
March 23, 2026
4.5 stars. I absolutely loved this. Loved the atmosphere and the location. Loved the sapphic romance, Pearl and Sélie are so beautiful together. I can’t wait for the third book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc!
June 19, 2026
🧜🏼♀️💖💃🏾 A Cry for the Deep ARC Review
The Three Bells Trilogy, Book 2
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.35, rounded down)
🌶️
The Ocean remembers every promise, and every debt will be collected.
📓 A Cry for the Deep is a gothic sapphic romantasy that blends the haunting atmosphere of The Little Mermaid with dark fairytale magic. When a quiet young apothecary accompanies her best friend in a journey home, she uncovers long buried secrets and a terrifying debt owed to a sea witch. As an ancient curse begins to take effect, she must race against time to save both her future and the person she loves most.
📘 If your favorite fantasy books are driven by atmosphere, folklore, character growth, and quietly devastating emotional stakes, A Cry for the Deep excels in those areas. Its biggest strengths are its haunting, gothic tone, layered themes, immersive coastal world, and heartfelt sapphic romance.
🫵🏼 Read if you enjoy:
• gothic romantasy with a fairytale feel
• slow burn sapphic romance
• mermaids, sea witches, curses, and folklore
• character-driven fantasy with emotional stakes
• atmospheric, lyrical settings
• fairytale retellings with a dark twist
• fantasy that explores identity, fear, inherited burdens, transformation, and courage
❓QOTD: are you a fan of little bits of printed art on the pages of books? Or, what's your CR?
❗AOTD: I love them. For me, they add character and add to the ambiance, the atmosphere.
📘 Will I continue the series? Yes, absolutely! I cannot wait for Aven's story.
📖 Plot, 4.25/5
Rather than being driven by twists alone, the story is propelled by an escalating curse, emotional stakes, and gradually revealed secrets. It balances fairytale elements with Gothic horror, allowing mysteries surrounding the sea, royalty, and ancient bargains to unfold naturally. Loved all of this.
The central conflict feels personal instead of world-ending, which I enjoyed. I also enjoyed that the emotional consequences of the curse remains the story's primary focus. The scope is fairly limited, which worked for me in this story, but YMMV.
I was interested early on, but it took me a minute to be fully immersed and invested. Establishing characters took longer than I prefer and some of the twists were predictable (but the ones that weren't were great).
📓 Themes, Metaphors, & Deeper Meaning 4.75/5
I loved the emotional symbolism, layered fairytale motifs, that transformation was used meaningfully, and the subtle exploration of identity.
Major themes include: identity and transformation, learning to accept yourself, sacrifice vs obligation, the cost of inherited promises, love as an act of choice rather than destiny, fear of becoming "other", courage despite anxiety, and the sea as both comfort and terror.
The curse functions as more than simply magical danger. It becomes a metaphor for: chronic anxiety/fear, losing control over one's body, growing into someone no longer familiar, inherited trauma, and feeling monsterous while remaining worthy of love. The ocean itself behaves almost like its own character - beautiful, unknowable, generous, and terrifying all at once.
Some of the symbolism was more obvious, while other parts weren't as much.
✍🏼 Prose, 4.5/5
I love how descriptive and textured Amanda's prose is. At times, it's nearly lyrical, but doesn't cross over into purple. You get rich, sensory-heavy prose that stays accessible while elevating the gothic atmosphere. This results in gorgeous imagery and an immersive atmosphere.
There is a tiny bit of repetitive imagery (but it's so well done I'm hesitant to even mention 😅). And, at times, atmosphere felt prioritized over momentum.
⏳ Pacing 3.75/5
This was the main thing I truly didn't love. While I found the opening interesting and immersive, it was a bit slow to really get into it. The middle meandered in places. The emotional payoff helps negate the pacing difficulties I had, but not completely.
🗺️ Worldbuilding 4.5/5
Being book 2, the overall framework is built in book 1 (A Dance with Death). This book expands and enriches the world with wholly new areas. The world isn't enormous in scope, but it feels lived in. This results in an atmospheric, immersive world that's feels intimate but richly textured. I love that the history is rich but stays easy to follow and that the folklore is interesting and consistent. I love the atmospheric, gothic setting.
🔮 Magic System 4/5
We get a softer magic system with fairytale logic, which I enjoyed. It love that it feels intentionally mysterious. It's well developed, but not so thoroughly explained. It exists to reinforce myth, atmosphere, and emotional stakes. I love the consistent internal logic, the mythic feeling, and the sense of wonder and mystery.
Rather than carefully defined mechanics, magic operates through ancient bargains, curses, sea witches, folklore, symbolic curses, and promises.
🧜🏼♀️ I love that the mermaids aren't romanticized - they're eerie and a scary.
👥 Character Development 4.5/5
The characters are well developed, with depth, dimension, and nuance. There's strong internal conflict, genuine vulnerability, nuanced emotional arcs, and characters who feel kind without being simplistic.
I love that we get a FMC (Sélie) who's dealt with intense anxiety basically her whole life. I love that she pushes through it and that anxiety isn't shown as her being broken or a character flaw. I love that growth is shown via difficult choices, vulnerability, and resilience.
Supporting characters generally have clear motivations and relationships evolve in believable ways.
✨ I really hope we see more of a certain cousin in the next book. Maybe he and Aven.
💖 Romance 4.5/5
🌶️ The romance is a slow burn sapphic friends to lovers relationship. I love that it's built on years of trust, affection, and shared history. I love that it develops through mutual support, emotional vulnerability, and growing recognition of deeper feelings. I also love that the romance remains closely tied to the central story, with the external conflict shaping the characters' emotional journey instead of distracting from it. Their chemistry is tender, believable, and shows strong emotional intimacy. I love that the romance complements the plot rather than overshadows the fantasy plot.
I love that is a slow, natural progression from friends to more. However, the switch from friends to more felt more sudden and drastic than I prefer.
📚 Read if you enjoyed:
🏳️🌈 Of Rifts and Promises (Scarlet Tempest)
🏳️🌈 Unworthy (JA Vodvarka)
🏳️🌈 The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea (Maggie Tokuda-Hall)
🏳️🌈 The Bone Spindle (Leslie Vedder)
🏳️🌈 The Deep (Rivers Solomon)
🏳️🌈 The Dark Tide (Alicia Jasinska)
A Song Below Water (Bethany C Morrow)
The Jasmine Throne (Tasha Suri)
A Dance With Death (Amanda Linsmeier)
House of Salt and Sorrows (Erin A Craig)
For The Wolf (Hannah Whitten)
A Study in Drowning (Ava Reid)
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (VE Schwab)
Thank you to Amanda Linsmeier and @turnerpub for the gifted book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and freely given.
The Three Bells Trilogy, Book 2
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.35, rounded down)
🌶️
The Ocean remembers every promise, and every debt will be collected.
📓 A Cry for the Deep is a gothic sapphic romantasy that blends the haunting atmosphere of The Little Mermaid with dark fairytale magic. When a quiet young apothecary accompanies her best friend in a journey home, she uncovers long buried secrets and a terrifying debt owed to a sea witch. As an ancient curse begins to take effect, she must race against time to save both her future and the person she loves most.
📘 If your favorite fantasy books are driven by atmosphere, folklore, character growth, and quietly devastating emotional stakes, A Cry for the Deep excels in those areas. Its biggest strengths are its haunting, gothic tone, layered themes, immersive coastal world, and heartfelt sapphic romance.
🫵🏼 Read if you enjoy:
• gothic romantasy with a fairytale feel
• slow burn sapphic romance
• mermaids, sea witches, curses, and folklore
• character-driven fantasy with emotional stakes
• atmospheric, lyrical settings
• fairytale retellings with a dark twist
• fantasy that explores identity, fear, inherited burdens, transformation, and courage
❓QOTD: are you a fan of little bits of printed art on the pages of books? Or, what's your CR?
❗AOTD: I love them. For me, they add character and add to the ambiance, the atmosphere.
📘 Will I continue the series? Yes, absolutely! I cannot wait for Aven's story.
📖 Plot, 4.25/5
Rather than being driven by twists alone, the story is propelled by an escalating curse, emotional stakes, and gradually revealed secrets. It balances fairytale elements with Gothic horror, allowing mysteries surrounding the sea, royalty, and ancient bargains to unfold naturally. Loved all of this.
The central conflict feels personal instead of world-ending, which I enjoyed. I also enjoyed that the emotional consequences of the curse remains the story's primary focus. The scope is fairly limited, which worked for me in this story, but YMMV.
I was interested early on, but it took me a minute to be fully immersed and invested. Establishing characters took longer than I prefer and some of the twists were predictable (but the ones that weren't were great).
📓 Themes, Metaphors, & Deeper Meaning 4.75/5
I loved the emotional symbolism, layered fairytale motifs, that transformation was used meaningfully, and the subtle exploration of identity.
Major themes include: identity and transformation, learning to accept yourself, sacrifice vs obligation, the cost of inherited promises, love as an act of choice rather than destiny, fear of becoming "other", courage despite anxiety, and the sea as both comfort and terror.
The curse functions as more than simply magical danger. It becomes a metaphor for: chronic anxiety/fear, losing control over one's body, growing into someone no longer familiar, inherited trauma, and feeling monsterous while remaining worthy of love. The ocean itself behaves almost like its own character - beautiful, unknowable, generous, and terrifying all at once.
Some of the symbolism was more obvious, while other parts weren't as much.
✍🏼 Prose, 4.5/5
I love how descriptive and textured Amanda's prose is. At times, it's nearly lyrical, but doesn't cross over into purple. You get rich, sensory-heavy prose that stays accessible while elevating the gothic atmosphere. This results in gorgeous imagery and an immersive atmosphere.
There is a tiny bit of repetitive imagery (but it's so well done I'm hesitant to even mention 😅). And, at times, atmosphere felt prioritized over momentum.
⏳ Pacing 3.75/5
This was the main thing I truly didn't love. While I found the opening interesting and immersive, it was a bit slow to really get into it. The middle meandered in places. The emotional payoff helps negate the pacing difficulties I had, but not completely.
🗺️ Worldbuilding 4.5/5
Being book 2, the overall framework is built in book 1 (A Dance with Death). This book expands and enriches the world with wholly new areas. The world isn't enormous in scope, but it feels lived in. This results in an atmospheric, immersive world that's feels intimate but richly textured. I love that the history is rich but stays easy to follow and that the folklore is interesting and consistent. I love the atmospheric, gothic setting.
🔮 Magic System 4/5
We get a softer magic system with fairytale logic, which I enjoyed. It love that it feels intentionally mysterious. It's well developed, but not so thoroughly explained. It exists to reinforce myth, atmosphere, and emotional stakes. I love the consistent internal logic, the mythic feeling, and the sense of wonder and mystery.
Rather than carefully defined mechanics, magic operates through ancient bargains, curses, sea witches, folklore, symbolic curses, and promises.
🧜🏼♀️ I love that the mermaids aren't romanticized - they're eerie and a scary.
👥 Character Development 4.5/5
The characters are well developed, with depth, dimension, and nuance. There's strong internal conflict, genuine vulnerability, nuanced emotional arcs, and characters who feel kind without being simplistic.
I love that we get a FMC (Sélie) who's dealt with intense anxiety basically her whole life. I love that she pushes through it and that anxiety isn't shown as her being broken or a character flaw. I love that growth is shown via difficult choices, vulnerability, and resilience.
Supporting characters generally have clear motivations and relationships evolve in believable ways.
✨ I really hope we see more of a certain cousin in the next book. Maybe he and Aven.
💖 Romance 4.5/5
🌶️ The romance is a slow burn sapphic friends to lovers relationship. I love that it's built on years of trust, affection, and shared history. I love that it develops through mutual support, emotional vulnerability, and growing recognition of deeper feelings. I also love that the romance remains closely tied to the central story, with the external conflict shaping the characters' emotional journey instead of distracting from it. Their chemistry is tender, believable, and shows strong emotional intimacy. I love that the romance complements the plot rather than overshadows the fantasy plot.
I love that is a slow, natural progression from friends to more. However, the switch from friends to more felt more sudden and drastic than I prefer.
📚 Read if you enjoyed:
🏳️🌈 Of Rifts and Promises (Scarlet Tempest)
🏳️🌈 Unworthy (JA Vodvarka)
🏳️🌈 The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea (Maggie Tokuda-Hall)
🏳️🌈 The Bone Spindle (Leslie Vedder)
🏳️🌈 The Deep (Rivers Solomon)
🏳️🌈 The Dark Tide (Alicia Jasinska)
A Song Below Water (Bethany C Morrow)
The Jasmine Throne (Tasha Suri)
A Dance With Death (Amanda Linsmeier)
House of Salt and Sorrows (Erin A Craig)
For The Wolf (Hannah Whitten)
A Study in Drowning (Ava Reid)
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (VE Schwab)
Thank you to Amanda Linsmeier and @turnerpub for the gifted book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and freely given.
June 18, 2026
Title: A Cry for the Deep-The Three Bells #2
Author: Amanda Linsmeier-I read A Dance with Death and gave it 4 ⭐
Publication date: 6/16/26 | Read: 6/17/26
Format: e-Book 304 pgs.
.
Genre:
*Fantasy/Sci Fi
*Romance
*LGBTQIA+
Tropes:
*friends to lovers
*in love w/ BFF
*sapphic romance
*gothic
*secret identity/hidden truths
*The Little Mermaid/Rapunzel vibes
*magic, mermaids
*bargains
POV: 1st person-Selie
TW: runaway, sick parent, infertility-mentioned, inexperienced h, human/mermaid experimentation
Setting: Salille
Summary: Selie celebrates her sisters' safe return and Corliss's engagement. She's approached by a woman with a message for her BFF Pearl. Pearl's father is dying and she must return home to Salille immediately. Pearl confesses she is a princess in Salille and asks Selie to go with her. Pearl meets a mysterious mermaid who tells Selie that the sea queen knew Selie's mother Mercedes who made a bargain with her and reneged, so Selie must fulfill.
Heroine: Selie Bell-21, timid, sickly, and scared of death. An artist who goes on a self-discovery and painful transformation.
Heroine: Pearl Paloma| Marguerite Dovewell-23, doesn't believe in mermaids. A singer/dancer secretly the princess of Salille, was to be married at 16. Caught dancing and singing against her parents' expectations.
Other Characters:
*Mr. Cadeau-a servant of the Dovewells
*Merecedes and John Bell- Selie's parents
*Corliss and Aven Bell-Selie's older sisters
*Queen Aluma and King Ferdinand III- Pearl's parents
*Leopold-Pearl's ex-fiancé who reconnects w/ her and they get engaged
*Augustine-Marguerite's cousin warns Selie not to sing because it's forbidden in Salille. Talia-his twin sister
*Ine- a mermaid who stole Selie's tears turned them into diamonds and caused Selie to grow scales.
*Zara- a friend of Pearl from Salille who disappeared
My Thoughts/Likes:
-the mysterious know-it-all mermaid
-Selie overcoming her fears while fulfilling the bargain
-Pearl's tale of the mermaids vs humans
-Selie's suffering with the sea queen-Ine's personal tale-Pearl and Selie's HEA
Rating: 4/5
Spice level: 2/5
Thanks to NetGalley, Turner Publishing Company| Keylight Books, and Amanda Linsmeier for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
Author: Amanda Linsmeier-I read A Dance with Death and gave it 4 ⭐
Publication date: 6/16/26 | Read: 6/17/26
Format: e-Book 304 pgs.
.
Genre:
*Fantasy/Sci Fi
*Romance
*LGBTQIA+
Tropes:
*friends to lovers
*in love w/ BFF
*sapphic romance
*gothic
*secret identity/hidden truths
*The Little Mermaid/Rapunzel vibes
*magic, mermaids
*bargains
POV: 1st person-Selie
TW: runaway, sick parent, infertility-mentioned, inexperienced h, human/mermaid experimentation
Setting: Salille
Summary: Selie celebrates her sisters' safe return and Corliss's engagement. She's approached by a woman with a message for her BFF Pearl. Pearl's father is dying and she must return home to Salille immediately. Pearl confesses she is a princess in Salille and asks Selie to go with her. Pearl meets a mysterious mermaid who tells Selie that the sea queen knew Selie's mother Mercedes who made a bargain with her and reneged, so Selie must fulfill.
Heroine: Selie Bell-21, timid, sickly, and scared of death. An artist who goes on a self-discovery and painful transformation.
Heroine: Pearl Paloma| Marguerite Dovewell-23, doesn't believe in mermaids. A singer/dancer secretly the princess of Salille, was to be married at 16. Caught dancing and singing against her parents' expectations.
Other Characters:
*Mr. Cadeau-a servant of the Dovewells
*Merecedes and John Bell- Selie's parents
*Corliss and Aven Bell-Selie's older sisters
*Queen Aluma and King Ferdinand III- Pearl's parents
*Leopold-Pearl's ex-fiancé who reconnects w/ her and they get engaged
*Augustine-Marguerite's cousin warns Selie not to sing because it's forbidden in Salille. Talia-his twin sister
*Ine- a mermaid who stole Selie's tears turned them into diamonds and caused Selie to grow scales.
*Zara- a friend of Pearl from Salille who disappeared
My Thoughts/Likes:
-the mysterious know-it-all mermaid
-Selie overcoming her fears while fulfilling the bargain
-Pearl's tale of the mermaids vs humans
-Selie's suffering with the sea queen-Ine's personal tale-Pearl and Selie's HEA
Rating: 4/5
Spice level: 2/5
Thanks to NetGalley, Turner Publishing Company| Keylight Books, and Amanda Linsmeier for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“One, two, three. Three tears. Three girls. Three Wishes. Three debts left to be paid.”
A betrayal from the past. An agreement made… never to be fulfilled. She never believed in mermaids, then one appeared to her… pointy teeth and a glare just above the water. Her foot was
touched… scales now appearing. A curse passed from mother to daughter. Soon she will no longer be able to breath. Soon she will leave the one that finally gave her their heart.
She must now fight. She must live. She must follow the songs of the siren… to outsmart the creatures of the sea. She needs to stay out of the water.
Thank you so much Amanda for gifting me an advance reader’s copy of A Cry For The Deep. This read was everything – slow burn, mysteries, betrayals being revealed, determination, and the strength that love gives us. This is Book 2 of The Three Bells Trilogy. Book 1, A Dance With Death, still has my heart captured from its originality and suspense. A Cry For the Deep has done the same thing. The beauty that Amanda has created with the Bell sisters is breathtaking. Each of their lives affected by their pasts. Each of their lives trying to move on from the losses that they have endured. Three sisters that fight for each other and give each other strength. A true sisterhood.
These are two books that you definitely want to have on your TBR shelf. A Dance With Death comes out on January 27th. A Cry For The Deep is set to release on June 16th. And this reader cannot wait
for Book 3 to be released. My curiosity has my mind wondering what paths Aven will take.
If you want to know more about these books, please check out their Book Blurbs on Amazon. I do not want to ruin any surprises by sharing them on here.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from A Cry For The Deep (these could change with publishing).
“It’s because she’s kindhearted, so warm and welcoming, because she saved my metaphorical soul when my sister traded her very real one.”
“As though a part of me is rotting away.”
“ She is here. She is mine. She is not-mine.”
“But I do. My heart sings. I do, I do, I do.”
A betrayal from the past. An agreement made… never to be fulfilled. She never believed in mermaids, then one appeared to her… pointy teeth and a glare just above the water. Her foot was
touched… scales now appearing. A curse passed from mother to daughter. Soon she will no longer be able to breath. Soon she will leave the one that finally gave her their heart.
She must now fight. She must live. She must follow the songs of the siren… to outsmart the creatures of the sea. She needs to stay out of the water.
Thank you so much Amanda for gifting me an advance reader’s copy of A Cry For The Deep. This read was everything – slow burn, mysteries, betrayals being revealed, determination, and the strength that love gives us. This is Book 2 of The Three Bells Trilogy. Book 1, A Dance With Death, still has my heart captured from its originality and suspense. A Cry For the Deep has done the same thing. The beauty that Amanda has created with the Bell sisters is breathtaking. Each of their lives affected by their pasts. Each of their lives trying to move on from the losses that they have endured. Three sisters that fight for each other and give each other strength. A true sisterhood.
These are two books that you definitely want to have on your TBR shelf. A Dance With Death comes out on January 27th. A Cry For The Deep is set to release on June 16th. And this reader cannot wait
for Book 3 to be released. My curiosity has my mind wondering what paths Aven will take.
If you want to know more about these books, please check out their Book Blurbs on Amazon. I do not want to ruin any surprises by sharing them on here.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from A Cry For The Deep (these could change with publishing).
“It’s because she’s kindhearted, so warm and welcoming, because she saved my metaphorical soul when my sister traded her very real one.”
“As though a part of me is rotting away.”
“ She is here. She is mine. She is not-mine.”
“But I do. My heart sings. I do, I do, I do.”
July 9, 2026
A haunting, beautifully atmospheric gothic fairytale filled with sea magic, secrets, curses, and a romance built on trust and devotion. 🌊🖤
This story completely captures that dark fairytale feeling with hints of The Little Mermaid woven together with its own unique world of mermaids, sea witches, bargains, and forgotten promises. The ocean itself felt almost alive throughout the story: beautiful, mysterious, and dangerous all at once.
I really enjoyed following Sélie’s journey. Watching her face her fears, discover her own courage, and realize how strong she truly is made her such a wonderful character to follow. Her growth felt meaningful because she wasn’t becoming someone completely different, she was learning to believe in herself and accept every part of who she was.
The relationship between Sélie and Pearl was easily one of my favorite parts. Their friends-to-lovers romance was soft, emotional, and built on years of understanding each other. I loved how much they supported one another, believed in each other’s talents, and chose each other even when everything around them became uncertain.
The worldbuilding was another highlight for me. Salille, the mermaid folklore, the curses, and the magic all created such a rich gothic atmosphere. I loved that the mermaids weren’t simply portrayed as magical and beautiful, but also eerie, unpredictable, and powerful.
While the pacing was a little slower in some areas, the atmosphere, emotional moments, and characters made this such an enchanting read.
Perfect for readers who love:
🌊 Dark fairytale retellings
🧜♀️ Mermaids & sea witches
🖤 Gothic fantasy worlds
💕 Sapphic friends-to-lovers romance
✨ Curses, bargains & hidden secrets
🌙 Character-driven stories
A Cry for the Deep is a beautifully written story about courage, identity, love, and discovering your own strength beneath the waves.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story completely captures that dark fairytale feeling with hints of The Little Mermaid woven together with its own unique world of mermaids, sea witches, bargains, and forgotten promises. The ocean itself felt almost alive throughout the story: beautiful, mysterious, and dangerous all at once.
I really enjoyed following Sélie’s journey. Watching her face her fears, discover her own courage, and realize how strong she truly is made her such a wonderful character to follow. Her growth felt meaningful because she wasn’t becoming someone completely different, she was learning to believe in herself and accept every part of who she was.
The relationship between Sélie and Pearl was easily one of my favorite parts. Their friends-to-lovers romance was soft, emotional, and built on years of understanding each other. I loved how much they supported one another, believed in each other’s talents, and chose each other even when everything around them became uncertain.
The worldbuilding was another highlight for me. Salille, the mermaid folklore, the curses, and the magic all created such a rich gothic atmosphere. I loved that the mermaids weren’t simply portrayed as magical and beautiful, but also eerie, unpredictable, and powerful.
While the pacing was a little slower in some areas, the atmosphere, emotional moments, and characters made this such an enchanting read.
Perfect for readers who love:
🌊 Dark fairytale retellings
🧜♀️ Mermaids & sea witches
🖤 Gothic fantasy worlds
💕 Sapphic friends-to-lovers romance
✨ Curses, bargains & hidden secrets
🌙 Character-driven stories
A Cry for the Deep is a beautifully written story about courage, identity, love, and discovering your own strength beneath the waves.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First of all, thank you to Netgalley and Keylight Books for my ARC of this book!
When I initially requested this book, I didn’t know that it was a series, so I found the first book on Kobo and read it prior to this, which I should not have done. I did not enjoy A Dance With Death as much as I enjoyed A Cry for the Deep. I found that the pacing for A Dance with Death was way too fast and when I saw that the page count for A Cry for the Deep was shorter, I was incredibly worried that the pacing was going to be off, but I was pleasantly surprised when the pacing felt good. I really love Pearl and Selie's friendship and found their interactions so sweet, and Linsmeier did SUCH a good job of the yearning and development of Pearl and Selie's relationship.
Selie's internal monologue did get A Lot sometimes but as someone with anxiety, I understand her thought process and reactions a bit too well. I did not like that Selie would constantly call herself frail (it reminded me a lot of Violet's internal monologue in FW and I didn't enjoy it there either) and at a certain point, the re-use of "frail" (or its synonyms) felt overdone and I wish that there'd been more done to show how Selie is frailer compared to her sisters.
The tone of the book also shifted drastically from the first novel, which surprised me. Again, it felt a bit more developed and concrete where the first book was purely vibes based. The plot, unfortunately, just like the first novel was formulaic and predictable, and I was easily able to predict the plot twist that happens in the book. That being said, I do think that Linsmeier's take on mermaids is refreshing compared to other contemporary depictions of mermaids.
All in all, this book is a solid 3 or 3.5 stars and I had a really fun time reading the book at the end of the day.
When I initially requested this book, I didn’t know that it was a series, so I found the first book on Kobo and read it prior to this, which I should not have done. I did not enjoy A Dance With Death as much as I enjoyed A Cry for the Deep. I found that the pacing for A Dance with Death was way too fast and when I saw that the page count for A Cry for the Deep was shorter, I was incredibly worried that the pacing was going to be off, but I was pleasantly surprised when the pacing felt good. I really love Pearl and Selie's friendship and found their interactions so sweet, and Linsmeier did SUCH a good job of the yearning and development of Pearl and Selie's relationship.
Selie's internal monologue did get A Lot sometimes but as someone with anxiety, I understand her thought process and reactions a bit too well. I did not like that Selie would constantly call herself frail (it reminded me a lot of Violet's internal monologue in FW and I didn't enjoy it there either) and at a certain point, the re-use of "frail" (or its synonyms) felt overdone and I wish that there'd been more done to show how Selie is frailer compared to her sisters.
The tone of the book also shifted drastically from the first novel, which surprised me. Again, it felt a bit more developed and concrete where the first book was purely vibes based. The plot, unfortunately, just like the first novel was formulaic and predictable, and I was easily able to predict the plot twist that happens in the book. That being said, I do think that Linsmeier's take on mermaids is refreshing compared to other contemporary depictions of mermaids.
All in all, this book is a solid 3 or 3.5 stars and I had a really fun time reading the book at the end of the day.
February 10, 2026
Big thank you to Amanda Linsmeier, Turner Publishing company and of course NetGalley. I was so excited to see the advanced readers copy for “A cry for the deep” was available. I loved “A Dance with Death” so I was super excited to continue the Bell story.
In this book we’re following Séllie Belle, the youngest sister. I have to start of to say that Séllie’s emotions and feeling were described with so much detail and attention and I really loved that. There were some really deep quotes and insecurities that touched me. I think most of us can relate to these types of emotions and feelings, which makes it extra powerful.
Then the love story. The slow burn was burning very sloooooooooooow. I have to say that I’m usually up for a good slow burn but for me it took a bit too long in “A cry for the deep”.
Although I enjoyed the romance in this book, for me it didn’t feel as passionate as the romance in book 1. I was hoping for Sélie to fall in love with our other main character (not saying the name to not give spoilers) and I’m so glad they did fall in love. I have to say that I kind of missed the deeper chemistry and spark between them. Don’t get me wrong, there was definitely love and caring but somehow it didn’t feel as strong as the connection between Corliss and Orrin
Some of my favorite quotes:
“I’m braver than you think. I’m brave to wake up each day and look the world in the face.” ❤️
“All this time I mistook myself for broken, but it is in my brokenness that my humanity lives. My strength. My empathy. My love. No, I’m not broken at all. I never was.”
I give “A cry for the deep” a 3.5/5 stars ⭐️.
So far im really enjoying this series and I’m excited to read Aven’s story.
In this book we’re following Séllie Belle, the youngest sister. I have to start of to say that Séllie’s emotions and feeling were described with so much detail and attention and I really loved that. There were some really deep quotes and insecurities that touched me. I think most of us can relate to these types of emotions and feelings, which makes it extra powerful.
Then the love story. The slow burn was burning very sloooooooooooow. I have to say that I’m usually up for a good slow burn but for me it took a bit too long in “A cry for the deep”.
Although I enjoyed the romance in this book, for me it didn’t feel as passionate as the romance in book 1. I was hoping for Sélie to fall in love with our other main character (not saying the name to not give spoilers) and I’m so glad they did fall in love. I have to say that I kind of missed the deeper chemistry and spark between them. Don’t get me wrong, there was definitely love and caring but somehow it didn’t feel as strong as the connection between Corliss and Orrin
Some of my favorite quotes:
“I’m braver than you think. I’m brave to wake up each day and look the world in the face.” ❤️
“All this time I mistook myself for broken, but it is in my brokenness that my humanity lives. My strength. My empathy. My love. No, I’m not broken at all. I never was.”
I give “A cry for the deep” a 3.5/5 stars ⭐️.
So far im really enjoying this series and I’m excited to read Aven’s story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this book! It was a 3.5/5 stars for me with a very interesting world building and gothic atmosphere.
I loved the little signs of the romantic interest between Sélie and her love interest. I would have liked a little more of that tension when you are in love with your best friend but haven’t really accepted it from the beginning as it really just read as friendship love until it wasn’t.
I liked some of Sélie’s characterization with how her anxiety shows in unexpected ways such as fully believing her sisters would fix her situation and she didn’t have to be the brave person she wishes to be. I understand her anxiety, but sometimes I felt it could have been shown more with doom thoughts or bodily reactions versus just telling us she was anxious.
I did not enjoy the language used that was very old-timey and formal even in intimate conversations but that is a personal thing. Regardless of this preference, it did work for the book.
The description says it’s a mashup of The Little Mermaid and Rapunzel but I didn’t really get any Rapunzel. The Little Mermaid inspiration was a fun twist on mermaids.
The descriptions are well done like those of the mermaid or her scales growing. It really helped me immerse myself in this world. The fantasy medieval fairy tale land world worked really well and I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading more of Amanda Linsmeier’s books.
I had not read A Dance with Death but there was enough backstory that it can truly be a standalone. I am looking forward to reading more of Amanda Linsmeier’s books.
Thank you Amanda Linsmeier, Keylight Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
I loved the little signs of the romantic interest between Sélie and her love interest. I would have liked a little more of that tension when you are in love with your best friend but haven’t really accepted it from the beginning as it really just read as friendship love until it wasn’t.
I liked some of Sélie’s characterization with how her anxiety shows in unexpected ways such as fully believing her sisters would fix her situation and she didn’t have to be the brave person she wishes to be. I understand her anxiety, but sometimes I felt it could have been shown more with doom thoughts or bodily reactions versus just telling us she was anxious.
I did not enjoy the language used that was very old-timey and formal even in intimate conversations but that is a personal thing. Regardless of this preference, it did work for the book.
The description says it’s a mashup of The Little Mermaid and Rapunzel but I didn’t really get any Rapunzel. The Little Mermaid inspiration was a fun twist on mermaids.
The descriptions are well done like those of the mermaid or her scales growing. It really helped me immerse myself in this world. The fantasy medieval fairy tale land world worked really well and I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading more of Amanda Linsmeier’s books.
I had not read A Dance with Death but there was enough backstory that it can truly be a standalone. I am looking forward to reading more of Amanda Linsmeier’s books.
Thank you Amanda Linsmeier, Keylight Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5
I'm very much on Sélie's side when it comes to traveling - I'm not the biggest fan of it, either. This story was so compelling, and several twists caught me completely by surprise.
Sélie was one of the characters I most wanted to learn more about after reading A Dance With Death, and I'm so glad she got her own story. While I'm excited for Aven's book as well, Sélie always stood out to me as the youngest sibling, someone who was both sheltered and forced to endure trauma at an early age. I related to her so much, which made this book resonate with me even more than the first one.
And Pearl is such a sweetheart. The lengths she would go to for Sélie - whether that's across the world or to the bottom of the ocean - absolutely melted my heart. They complement each other perfectly, and I was thrilled to see them get their happily ever after.
I was worried this would lean heavily on a will-they-won't-they dynamic or the dreaded miscommunication trope, but aside from one brief moment that was resolved almost immediately, it avoided both. That doesn't mean there isn't plenty of yearning. Sélie spends much of the story convinced that what she wants is impossible, and watching her work through those feelings made the romance all the more satisfying.
Overall, I loved this book and can't wait to read A Dream Upon Waking!
Thank you to Keylight Books and Amanda Linsmeier for the free review copy via NetGalley.
I'm very much on Sélie's side when it comes to traveling - I'm not the biggest fan of it, either. This story was so compelling, and several twists caught me completely by surprise.
Sélie was one of the characters I most wanted to learn more about after reading A Dance With Death, and I'm so glad she got her own story. While I'm excited for Aven's book as well, Sélie always stood out to me as the youngest sibling, someone who was both sheltered and forced to endure trauma at an early age. I related to her so much, which made this book resonate with me even more than the first one.
And Pearl is such a sweetheart. The lengths she would go to for Sélie - whether that's across the world or to the bottom of the ocean - absolutely melted my heart. They complement each other perfectly, and I was thrilled to see them get their happily ever after.
I was worried this would lean heavily on a will-they-won't-they dynamic or the dreaded miscommunication trope, but aside from one brief moment that was resolved almost immediately, it avoided both. That doesn't mean there isn't plenty of yearning. Sélie spends much of the story convinced that what she wants is impossible, and watching her work through those feelings made the romance all the more satisfying.
Overall, I loved this book and can't wait to read A Dream Upon Waking!
Thank you to Keylight Books and Amanda Linsmeier for the free review copy via NetGalley.
June 13, 2026
A Cry for the Deep is an atmospheric tale full of longing, secrets, and learning to love yourself. I loved diving into Sélie’s story and absolutely adored this take on The Little Mermaid!
Linsmeier does a great job conveying the heart of her character’s personalities and motivations. Sélie’s struggles with her past experiences and intrusive thoughts are so relatable. I loved the sweetness of her relationship with Pearl, who loves her exactly as she is, and the way the Bell sisters comfort and support one another. It was such a joy to get Sélie’s perspective and see how much her adventures in Salille helped guide and shape her.
This trilogy is truly magical! I love the ways the sisters show up in each story — even when they’re not the main perspective, I feel like they have such presence on the page. Linsmeier’s tales are steeped in magic and folklore, with an air of a historical setting that makes me feel like I’m reading about real places and events. Watching each sister find their happily ever after is my favorite part about these stories! They each have the perfect amount of strife, suspense, and romance. I cannot wait to see what’s in store for Aven in the final book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Turner Publishing Company, and Keylight Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Linsmeier does a great job conveying the heart of her character’s personalities and motivations. Sélie’s struggles with her past experiences and intrusive thoughts are so relatable. I loved the sweetness of her relationship with Pearl, who loves her exactly as she is, and the way the Bell sisters comfort and support one another. It was such a joy to get Sélie’s perspective and see how much her adventures in Salille helped guide and shape her.
This trilogy is truly magical! I love the ways the sisters show up in each story — even when they’re not the main perspective, I feel like they have such presence on the page. Linsmeier’s tales are steeped in magic and folklore, with an air of a historical setting that makes me feel like I’m reading about real places and events. Watching each sister find their happily ever after is my favorite part about these stories! They each have the perfect amount of strife, suspense, and romance. I cannot wait to see what’s in store for Aven in the final book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Turner Publishing Company, and Keylight Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2026
I was so excited to return to this world that Amanda Linsmeier has woven, especially when I heard this book was going to be sapphic! However, I feel like it slightly missed the mark for me.
The writing, as with the first book, A Dance With Death, is extremely atmospheric, and really makes it easy to envision the settings. I still love all the characters, and it was fun getting cameos from the characters from the previous book.
However I feel like the pacing issues I had with the first book continued with this book. I found both the pacing of the main plot (i.e. Sélie’s predicament) and the relationship between her and Pearl, to be off. I didn’t get a sense of any sort of romantic tension between the two women for mostly the entire book, just a strong sense of camaraderie and friendship, and then very abruptly they were professing their love for one other. I’d hoped for more build-up.
As for Sélie’s predicament, I found myself more frustrated than anything with her decisions, namely her lack of seeking out any sort of help from others.
All in all, I’m settling for 3.25 ⭐️ for this one. That said, I’m sat and ready for Aven’s book! She’s been the sister I’ve been most curious about the whole series.
Thanks again to Netgalley, Turner Publishing, and Amanda Linsmeier for the eARC!
The writing, as with the first book, A Dance With Death, is extremely atmospheric, and really makes it easy to envision the settings. I still love all the characters, and it was fun getting cameos from the characters from the previous book.
However I feel like the pacing issues I had with the first book continued with this book. I found both the pacing of the main plot (i.e. Sélie’s predicament) and the relationship between her and Pearl, to be off. I didn’t get a sense of any sort of romantic tension between the two women for mostly the entire book, just a strong sense of camaraderie and friendship, and then very abruptly they were professing their love for one other. I’d hoped for more build-up.
As for Sélie’s predicament, I found myself more frustrated than anything with her decisions, namely her lack of seeking out any sort of help from others.
All in all, I’m settling for 3.25 ⭐️ for this one. That said, I’m sat and ready for Aven’s book! She’s been the sister I’ve been most curious about the whole series.
Thanks again to Netgalley, Turner Publishing, and Amanda Linsmeier for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If Dark, gothic fantasy with haunting ocean vibes and emotional depth is your vibe, you're at the right place! The plot centers on Sélie Bell discovering her mother’s dangerous debt to a sea witch. There's a journey across mysterious islands, treacherous seas, and royal secrets.
💙💙💙💙💙
Plot points 🔱
* Mermaids, cursed bargains, hidden royalty, and magic with real consequences
* Slow-burn romance that feels tender yet perilous
* Themes of inherited burdens, identity, transformation, and sacrifice
* Lush, atmospheric prose that feels like a dark fairytale retelling
* High emotional stakes and morally complex choices
* Perfect for fans of gothic romantasy and myth-inspired fantasy
💙💙💙
Tropes & vibes 🔱
Sea witches • mermaids • runaway princess • cursed magic• Gothic fairytale • sapphic romance • moody world-building. Basically a “I would burn the world for you” energy 🔥
✨ Verdict: Beautiful, eerie, and unforgettable—this book lingers like the echo of waves long after the final page.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Author @amandalinsmeier
💙💙💙💙💙
Plot points 🔱
* Mermaids, cursed bargains, hidden royalty, and magic with real consequences
* Slow-burn romance that feels tender yet perilous
* Themes of inherited burdens, identity, transformation, and sacrifice
* Lush, atmospheric prose that feels like a dark fairytale retelling
* High emotional stakes and morally complex choices
* Perfect for fans of gothic romantasy and myth-inspired fantasy
💙💙💙
Tropes & vibes 🔱
Sea witches • mermaids • runaway princess • cursed magic• Gothic fairytale • sapphic romance • moody world-building. Basically a “I would burn the world for you” energy 🔥
✨ Verdict: Beautiful, eerie, and unforgettable—this book lingers like the echo of waves long after the final page.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Author @amandalinsmeier
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Charming slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance set against a lush island background with plenty of chilling horror elements, if you're looking for a delightfully dark fairy tale reimagining, look no further! The second book in the Three Bells Trilogy captures rich sensory magic and quiet stakes that still maintain enough propulsion to keep you turning the pages. Selie is a wonderfully relatable protagonist. As someone with a generalized anxiety disorder, there was so much to love about a main character with the same fears and doubts who manages to save the day without changing everything about herself. As with everything Linsmeier writes, the settings and vibes are beautiful and inviting when they need to be and perfectly horrifying the next—something I always love about classic fairy tales. Just like the dangerous mermaids you'll encounter in its pages, A Cry for the Deep is alluring, mysterious, unsettling and undeniably seductive in all the best ways.
Thank you to Amanda Linsmeier, Keylight Books, and Netgalley for the eARC!
Thank you to Amanda Linsmeier, Keylight Books, and Netgalley for the eARC!
May 4, 2026
*2.5
this unfortunately fell a little flat for me. for one, i didn’t connect to sélie as much as i did to corliss, because sélie definitely annoyed me in some ways. she just would act childish at times and i also didn’t love how she was constantly belittling herself. i also enjoyed the plot and writing of the first book more. i felt disconnected from the overall story and i think that was due to the writing style — it felt a little juvenile, in the sense that some of the phrasing felt kind of flat. so that made it harder to stay immersed, especially with the more serious tone of the story. i also didn’t notice that in the first book, so it stood out more here.
i was honestly debating what to rate this, because 2.5 stars felt kind of low. but i did enjoy the first book more and i rated that 3 stars, plus a 2.5 rating is still decent. but after thinking about it more, i think this is a true 2.5 star read for me. not the best thing i’ve ever read, but also not the worst. just pretty much in the middle.
thank you to netgalley and turner publishing company for the arc!
this unfortunately fell a little flat for me. for one, i didn’t connect to sélie as much as i did to corliss, because sélie definitely annoyed me in some ways. she just would act childish at times and i also didn’t love how she was constantly belittling herself. i also enjoyed the plot and writing of the first book more. i felt disconnected from the overall story and i think that was due to the writing style — it felt a little juvenile, in the sense that some of the phrasing felt kind of flat. so that made it harder to stay immersed, especially with the more serious tone of the story. i also didn’t notice that in the first book, so it stood out more here.
i was honestly debating what to rate this, because 2.5 stars felt kind of low. but i did enjoy the first book more and i rated that 3 stars, plus a 2.5 rating is still decent. but after thinking about it more, i think this is a true 2.5 star read for me. not the best thing i’ve ever read, but also not the worst. just pretty much in the middle.
thank you to netgalley and turner publishing company for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*3.5 stars rounded up to 4*
A sea-drenched floral gothic, A Cry For The Deep brings us back to the Bell sisters - this time following the youngest, Sélie, in a sapphic tale inspired by The Little Mermaid.
”You were born from the sea, and to the sea you must return.”
While I liked this second book in the series, it is definitely a softer, lighter departure from A Dance With Death, which ultimately led to me enjoying it a little less.
Sélie is a much softer character, and the insights into her fears and anxieties were well done. I found her gentler natural to be frustrating at first, but it made for a satisfying character arc into her confidence by the end of the book.
The romance followed the same pattern as the rest of the book: soft, sweet, and tender.
Overall I found this to be a less compelling read than A Dance With Death, but a fun time nonetheless!
*Disclaimer: I was generously provided with an advance copy via NetGalley. However, all viewpoints expressed above are my own!
A sea-drenched floral gothic, A Cry For The Deep brings us back to the Bell sisters - this time following the youngest, Sélie, in a sapphic tale inspired by The Little Mermaid.
”You were born from the sea, and to the sea you must return.”
While I liked this second book in the series, it is definitely a softer, lighter departure from A Dance With Death, which ultimately led to me enjoying it a little less.
Sélie is a much softer character, and the insights into her fears and anxieties were well done. I found her gentler natural to be frustrating at first, but it made for a satisfying character arc into her confidence by the end of the book.
The romance followed the same pattern as the rest of the book: soft, sweet, and tender.
Overall I found this to be a less compelling read than A Dance With Death, but a fun time nonetheless!
*Disclaimer: I was generously provided with an advance copy via NetGalley. However, all viewpoints expressed above are my own!
March 29, 2026
Hauntingly and brilliantly written, this book pulled me into its depths from the very first page. Selie’s inner dialogue felt incredibly authentic, mirroring my own rambly thoughts and the occasional “Oops, I said too much” moments. Her insecurities, fears, hopes, and an unwavering love created a profound connection, making me feel as if I was Selie and she was me.
While I won’t spoil the plot, I could sense that this was a retelling of a classic fairytale. The twist at the end was unexpected and absolutely delightful!
Although this is the second book in a series, I didn’t read the first one. However, the writing style makes it unnecessary to have read the first book to enjoy this one. The author provides sufficient information at the beginning and throughout the story to ensure that readers can understand the events that unfold. This book could easily stand alone, but it certainly piqued my interest and made me eager to read the first book.
While I won’t spoil the plot, I could sense that this was a retelling of a classic fairytale. The twist at the end was unexpected and absolutely delightful!
Although this is the second book in a series, I didn’t read the first one. However, the writing style makes it unnecessary to have read the first book to enjoy this one. The author provides sufficient information at the beginning and throughout the story to ensure that readers can understand the events that unfold. This book could easily stand alone, but it certainly piqued my interest and made me eager to read the first book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Plot:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
World Building:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall Vibes:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Amanda Linsmeier, Keylight Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
This was much better than book 1. It dragged me in straight away. This take on the Little Mermaid was very cool. Sélie was an interesting character. She sometimes comes across as weak, and her keeping her secret to herself for so long made me want to scream. But after she was honest with Pearl, I much preferred the story, and Sélie. The romance was sweet, I would have liked to see some more longing, and the quick jump to 'I love you' threw me off. But the characters were sweet together, and complimented each other nicely. I enjoyed the exploration of the mermaid queen, I only wish there was more from her, perhaps a POV? Overall, I enjoyed this.
Plot:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
World Building:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall Vibes:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Amanda Linsmeier, Keylight Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
This was much better than book 1. It dragged me in straight away. This take on the Little Mermaid was very cool. Sélie was an interesting character. She sometimes comes across as weak, and her keeping her secret to herself for so long made me want to scream. But after she was honest with Pearl, I much preferred the story, and Sélie. The romance was sweet, I would have liked to see some more longing, and the quick jump to 'I love you' threw me off. But the characters were sweet together, and complimented each other nicely. I enjoyed the exploration of the mermaid queen, I only wish there was more from her, perhaps a POV? Overall, I enjoyed this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After reading the first book in this series I was really looking forward to this one to read about another Bell sister! 🥰
In this one we follow Sélie, the youngest sister of the 3 as she travels away from home to support her best friend Pearl as she returns to her sick father.
As someone with anxiety, I felt I could relate to Sélie quite a lot with her internal thoughts and feelings and how she comes across to others with being shy and nervous. Sélie and Pearls friendship felt so real and reading that there were hidden secrets between them was something I wasn't expecting! And some of the twists we find out later in the book? I was reading them completely gobsmacked!
If you're after a book with fairly low level sapphic romance (in my opinion), mermaids, secrets and truly beautiful settings then this is for you!
In this one we follow Sélie, the youngest sister of the 3 as she travels away from home to support her best friend Pearl as she returns to her sick father.
As someone with anxiety, I felt I could relate to Sélie quite a lot with her internal thoughts and feelings and how she comes across to others with being shy and nervous. Sélie and Pearls friendship felt so real and reading that there were hidden secrets between them was something I wasn't expecting! And some of the twists we find out later in the book? I was reading them completely gobsmacked!
If you're after a book with fairly low level sapphic romance (in my opinion), mermaids, secrets and truly beautiful settings then this is for you!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Received as an ARC via NetGalley, this is my honest review.
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This story is a beautifully written story. The prose really resonated with me and I truly enjoyed it. Amanda Linsmeier wrote this "Little Mermaid"-ish story with even more twists and turns.
The slow burn in this Friends-to-lovers story is just right. When Sélie is then presented with having to pay back a debt that is not hers, I wondered how this would affect the story and her life, to then get the rug pulled out from under me. :)
The loss of her life on land and then losing her love just tore me up.
This is a great read for those that enjoy slow burns, fairytale re-telling, this story is for you.
Thank you NetGalley and Amanda Linsmeier for this opportunity
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This story is a beautifully written story. The prose really resonated with me and I truly enjoyed it. Amanda Linsmeier wrote this "Little Mermaid"-ish story with even more twists and turns.
The slow burn in this Friends-to-lovers story is just right. When Sélie is then presented with having to pay back a debt that is not hers, I wondered how this would affect the story and her life, to then get the rug pulled out from under me. :)
The loss of her life on land and then losing her love just tore me up.
This is a great read for those that enjoy slow burns, fairytale re-telling, this story is for you.
Thank you NetGalley and Amanda Linsmeier for this opportunity
June 17, 2026
I want to thank the author, Amanda Linsmeier, for sending me an ARC copy of A Cry for the Deep. I absolutely loved it. This story is a gothic sapphic retelling of The Little Mermaid and it was well done! (Loved that it released during Pride Month) Sélie and Pearl did it to me. I fell in love with them so fast. I’m usually not a friends to lovers fan by any means and yet Amanda pulled this off!!! I found the pacing of their love story and the plot to be equals of one another. The writing was fantastic as usual. I also want to add that I enjoy how each sister deals with a different fantasy element. I look forward to book 3!! Sélie & Pearl forever pls 💚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was lucky enough to read A Dance With Death (book 1) earlier this year and loved the gothic atmosphere and sibling relationship in that novel. This book had the similar gothic atmosphere but stood out from book 1. The castle by the sea setting was wonderful and the mystery of what was happening with Selie as the story progressed kept me interested. Once again, the relationship did not work for me, it felt a bit rushed. I did like seeing how the girls friendship progressed before their romantic relationship. I am interested to see where the Bell sister's story continues on in book 3 with Aven.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A beautifully written sequel in one of my favorite series! This is one magical world I will never not want to immerse myself in. I loved the characters, the story, the kingdom by the sea, the twists and turns, the romance. Absolutely a must read for anyone who loves fantasy, romantasy, fairy tale retellings, or mermaids. Thank you so much to the dear Amanda Linsmeier and to the publisher for sending me a free ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Cry For The Deep by @amandalinsmeier
This book was amazing! This book was written so well that I just couldn’t stop reading!!
The setting is beautiful and the world building and the characters are brilliantly written.
I’m absolutely smitten with these sisters and I can’t wait for the next book!!😍
This book was amazing! This book was written so well that I just couldn’t stop reading!!
The setting is beautiful and the world building and the characters are brilliantly written.
I’m absolutely smitten with these sisters and I can’t wait for the next book!!😍
June 26, 2026
It is no surprise how fast I fell in love with this book! The creepy/romantasy/twisted retelling of the little mermaid kept me on my toes the entire time. It was so hard to put down! Literally almost read the whole thing in one day. Also, a shy/to themselves main character and a female romance?! Say no more, I'm in!
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