Shorelines

by Ruth Ennis

304 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 9, 2026

Reviews

[Gabbie Pop · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous, but oh so heartbreaking

[Alex Elwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

RAGE!!!!

[Suzanne Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Ruth for making my first foray into the verse novel form so entrancing - could barely put it down!

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

a gorgeous beautiful lyrical book - a modern classic!

[Sinéad O'Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous novel took me a few hours to devour, but it will take me a whole lifetime to fully absorb. Wise, warm, compassionate, brave and daring in its scope and in its artistry, it's a book that will stay with me. I was lucky enough to receive a proof, but I can't wait until it's more widely available so that readers all over the world can immerse themselves in it. Ruth Ennis has created a beautiful reimagining of the story of The Little Mermaid, but not only that - the book is genuinely innovative, creative and interesting in how it uses its medium (free verse) as well as the 'white space' on each page. Poems that seem to ripple and change as you read them - just like water on a shoreline - and with typography that ebbs and flows, this wonderful story will heal you.

And that ending!

Do not miss this gift of a story.

[Niamh Ennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I said to Ruth, not sure if I devoured this book or it devoured me with its raw lyricism and dark beauty. A very worthy retelling that teaches taking up space as you deserve, no matter the cost and that kindness is it's own reward, whilst not shying away from the darker elements of the original and if humankinds ability to be selfish and cruel. Muireann is not perfectly brave throughout but she is stunning in her central strength of self. Ursula is justified here too as a witch who knows magic has uts cost. A moment at least for the format! The verse element further heightens the emotions beautifully expressed in the prose.

[Christopher Galvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an advance copy of this YA verse novel, which is a retelling of The Little Mermaid and read it in a day. It's smart, haunting and achingly sad and hopeful all at the same time. A highly compelling novel that uses its prose to pull you beneath the waves and leaves you breathless. Add it to your TBR pile immediately.

[Oran Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a distinctive, original book with vivid world building. It's intense and genuinely upsetting in parts. And it has an ending that is both surprising and inevitable - the best type of ending obviously. An impressive debut.
Note: I bought this book at the Irish book launch so not actually an advance review.

[Stephen Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read an early proof of this book and I cannot recommend it enough. The beauty, rage, hope and pain in the words had me gripped. A true telling of The Little Mermaid, a story of love, loss, the ease of cruelty and the cost of hope. An incredible debut.

[Megan Niamh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shorelines is a masterclass of a verse novel. It is singular in its stunning tale. An excellent debut novel and one I will be thinking about for a very long time.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

je viens de le finir et c'était l'un des plus beaux livres que j'ai jamais lu.
écrit comme un poème il est une ode à la vie naturelle et une analyse crue des comportements humains.
merci Muireann 🤍