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Flipped Fairytales
Drown Me Gently
He was never meant to fall in love with the surface.
Auren is a Mer prince with a restless heart and a dangerous fascination for the surface world. When he falls for Elias, a charming human with a smile like sunlight, Auren breaks every law of the deep to see him again. But someone is watching-Ulric, the Kraken court sorcerer sworn to protect him, and the only one who knows what it will cost if the sea decides to punish Auren's defiance.
He was never meant to feel anything at all.
Ulric has guarded Poseidon's bloodline for centuries, bound by ancient magic and an oath he cannot break. Auren was supposed to be a duty, nothing more. But every rule Ulric has lived by starts to fray the moment the reckless prince dares to look at him like he's more than a monster. And when Auren turns to him for comfort, for touch-Ulric knows the price of breaking his oath may be his soul.
In a world of gods, monsters, and forbidden magic, love is the one thing neither of them was meant to survive.
But when a prince offers his heart to the dark, the dark just might love him back-with all its teeth.
Auren is a Mer prince with a restless heart and a dangerous fascination for the surface world. When he falls for Elias, a charming human with a smile like sunlight, Auren breaks every law of the deep to see him again. But someone is watching-Ulric, the Kraken court sorcerer sworn to protect him, and the only one who knows what it will cost if the sea decides to punish Auren's defiance.
He was never meant to feel anything at all.
Ulric has guarded Poseidon's bloodline for centuries, bound by ancient magic and an oath he cannot break. Auren was supposed to be a duty, nothing more. But every rule Ulric has lived by starts to fray the moment the reckless prince dares to look at him like he's more than a monster. And when Auren turns to him for comfort, for touch-Ulric knows the price of breaking his oath may be his soul.
In a world of gods, monsters, and forbidden magic, love is the one thing neither of them was meant to survive.
But when a prince offers his heart to the dark, the dark just might love him back-with all its teeth.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 22, 2025
Spicy and gay little mermaid? Say less! Action packed and gut wrenching the best ways, Drown me Gently captures all the romance and magic of classic fairy tales, but dives deep into a darker story line that had me at the edge of my seat. Auren's wonder for the world meets Ulrich's devotion to the sweet prince, and tells a story that is as hot as it is heart warming. Intriguing world building meets forbidden lovers and I can't get enough. (Much like our sweet mermaid Auren 😉)
September 5, 2026
3.5 stars but I’m struggle to round it up, I’m sorry!!
Listen, the little mermaid should always be gay, always. This was an excellent retelling, but the angst could have been more, and I needed it to be more. There was very little that made me believe in the relationship between the MMCs which was disappointing, and I was crazy disappointed by the ending and epilogue.
So much potential that for me wasn’t fully met.
Listen, the little mermaid should always be gay, always. This was an excellent retelling, but the angst could have been more, and I needed it to be more. There was very little that made me believe in the relationship between the MMCs which was disappointing, and I was crazy disappointed by the ending and epilogue.
So much potential that for me wasn’t fully met.
July 1, 2026
Yes yes. 100% yes. Immediately, little mermaid retelling. Dark. Grumpy/sunshine, longing and pining that is just 😩 delicious. And the slow burn caught 🔥 the second it hit. Omg 🫠🫠 the art work helped visualize all of it & im so obsessed. 5 ⭐️ 4 🌶️ & all my love cause it had me hooked from start to finish
February 14, 2026
a swimming good time!
Listen, I’ve read my fair share of retellings, however this one definitely became one of my favs. The build up of the couples relationship was maddening and gut wrenching at times, however the sweet moments were tooth aching in the best way. A quick read, with an interesting twist to the little mermaid, I liked this enough to want to buy a physical copy of so I can read it over and over again.
Listen, I’ve read my fair share of retellings, however this one definitely became one of my favs. The build up of the couples relationship was maddening and gut wrenching at times, however the sweet moments were tooth aching in the best way. A quick read, with an interesting twist to the little mermaid, I liked this enough to want to buy a physical copy of so I can read it over and over again.
August 15, 2025
Holy smokes, this was hands-down, the best “little mermaid” retelling that I’ve read. Loved Ulric and Auren together. This will definitely be a reread.
August 29, 2026
Synopsis:
Auren is the youngest prince of Atlantis and tired of the monotony of court. He wants to explore and feel the sun on his face. This leads him to Elias, a human sailor and the only person to truly see him.
But Ulric is tasked with keeping him in the water, forcing him to remain in the deep, where it’s safe, and where Ulric can keep him close.
❤️ MM Fantasy Romance
🧡 Forbidden Relationship
💛 Prince x Sorcerer
💚 Merman x Kraken
💙 ALL THE YEARNING
💜 Possessive MMC
Highlights:
- Merfolk ride Orcas
- The Deep vs The Sky
- Getting exactly what you wanted in a way you never expected.
Recommend?
YES!!! This is a must read for all MM romance lovers. If you love mermen too? Buckle in for an amazing experience
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
"Drown Me Gently" by Tereza Kane is an MM Romance that's vaguely "Little Mermaid" inspired and features a mermaid prince falling in love with the kraken court sorcerer. The story follows Auren, a prince of Atlantis as he yearns for knowledge about the surface world. One day, he's spotted by a human sailor: Elias, and feels an instant attraction. But going to the surface is against Atlantis' rules and Ulric, the court sorcerer is tasked with keeping Auren in check.
Ratings:
Overall: 5/5 hearts - I love a good MM mermaid book so I had to give this one a shot. And it DELIVERED. It's a gorgeous story with incredible depth and it kept me completely entranced from start to finish. This is one of those books that makes you misty eyed and keeps you reading until 3am.
Peppers: 3/5 - This is definitely spicy, but all of that spice is reserved for the last 1/3 of the book.
Spice: 5/5 - OMG. The spice is so freaking good. There's exhibitionism, tentacles, first times, and more. Hydrate prior to reading please. I care about your health.
Plot: 5/5 -
- Storyline: I loved it. So much so, that I put my kindle down and immediately messaged the author to gush over it. The pacing is perfect, there's so much tension it made my heart race, and the HEA at the end felt so incredibly well earned that I couldn't stop smiling.
- Characters: The MCs are both well done. It's so clear from the first few pages who they are, what they want, and why they can't have it. Seeing them push themselves past their comfort zones and sacrifice for each other was beautiful.
- Writing: So good. I loved that Kane left little tidbits throughout the book that reiterated the overall theme: Choosing between the depths and the sky. Or land vs sea. It comes up again and again in different ways and when you realize how important that decision is at the end? Well, it was incredible.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
If you enjoyed this review, please follow me over on Instagram: @rainbow.reviews.mm
I share reviews with half-decent graphics, new release promos, and reading updates.
Auren is the youngest prince of Atlantis and tired of the monotony of court. He wants to explore and feel the sun on his face. This leads him to Elias, a human sailor and the only person to truly see him.
But Ulric is tasked with keeping him in the water, forcing him to remain in the deep, where it’s safe, and where Ulric can keep him close.
❤️ MM Fantasy Romance
🧡 Forbidden Relationship
💛 Prince x Sorcerer
💚 Merman x Kraken
💙 ALL THE YEARNING
💜 Possessive MMC
Highlights:
- Merfolk ride Orcas
- The Deep vs The Sky
- Getting exactly what you wanted in a way you never expected.
Recommend?
YES!!! This is a must read for all MM romance lovers. If you love mermen too? Buckle in for an amazing experience
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
"Drown Me Gently" by Tereza Kane is an MM Romance that's vaguely "Little Mermaid" inspired and features a mermaid prince falling in love with the kraken court sorcerer. The story follows Auren, a prince of Atlantis as he yearns for knowledge about the surface world. One day, he's spotted by a human sailor: Elias, and feels an instant attraction. But going to the surface is against Atlantis' rules and Ulric, the court sorcerer is tasked with keeping Auren in check.
Ratings:
Overall: 5/5 hearts - I love a good MM mermaid book so I had to give this one a shot. And it DELIVERED. It's a gorgeous story with incredible depth and it kept me completely entranced from start to finish. This is one of those books that makes you misty eyed and keeps you reading until 3am.
Peppers: 3/5 - This is definitely spicy, but all of that spice is reserved for the last 1/3 of the book.
Spice: 5/5 - OMG. The spice is so freaking good. There's exhibitionism, tentacles, first times, and more. Hydrate prior to reading please. I care about your health.
Plot: 5/5 -
- Storyline: I loved it. So much so, that I put my kindle down and immediately messaged the author to gush over it. The pacing is perfect, there's so much tension it made my heart race, and the HEA at the end felt so incredibly well earned that I couldn't stop smiling.
- Characters: The MCs are both well done. It's so clear from the first few pages who they are, what they want, and why they can't have it. Seeing them push themselves past their comfort zones and sacrifice for each other was beautiful.
- Writing: So good. I loved that Kane left little tidbits throughout the book that reiterated the overall theme: Choosing between the depths and the sky. Or land vs sea. It comes up again and again in different ways and when you realize how important that decision is at the end? Well, it was incredible.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
If you enjoyed this review, please follow me over on Instagram: @rainbow.reviews.mm
I share reviews with half-decent graphics, new release promos, and reading updates.
July 5, 2026
✨🖤🌊🐙🧜♀️ THIS!! This is how you do a fairy tale retelling!! 🧜♀️🐙🌊🖤✨
I started this buddy read late on Thursday and ended up completely devouring the entire book in twelve hours flat, and I have not shut up about it since. I’ve spent the last forty-eight hours completely fan-girling across every group chat I’m in because EVERYONE needs to read this right now.
This retelling never felt like a copy and paste of the Disney movie or Hans fairy tale. It takes the bones of a familiar story and turns it into something entirely its own, while still sprinkling in these nostalgic little easter eggs that made me lose my mind every time I caught one.
The chaotic, forbidden pull between a reckless merman prince and his fiercely protective kraken sorcerer had me completely hooked from the start. Every single moment of restraint, every bit of agonizing tension, and every glance that shouldn’t mean something but absolutely does builds into something unbearable in the best way. I was fully losing my mind over the sheer weight of an ancient monster trying to hold himself together under centuries of rigid duty before finally snapping into the most devastating, dangerous possession for his prince.
If you love monster romance, dark fairy tale retellings, and an obsession-heavy dynamic that feels like it's constantly one breath away from completely exploding, drop everything and read this masterpiece immediately.
I started this buddy read late on Thursday and ended up completely devouring the entire book in twelve hours flat, and I have not shut up about it since. I’ve spent the last forty-eight hours completely fan-girling across every group chat I’m in because EVERYONE needs to read this right now.
This retelling never felt like a copy and paste of the Disney movie or Hans fairy tale. It takes the bones of a familiar story and turns it into something entirely its own, while still sprinkling in these nostalgic little easter eggs that made me lose my mind every time I caught one.
The chaotic, forbidden pull between a reckless merman prince and his fiercely protective kraken sorcerer had me completely hooked from the start. Every single moment of restraint, every bit of agonizing tension, and every glance that shouldn’t mean something but absolutely does builds into something unbearable in the best way. I was fully losing my mind over the sheer weight of an ancient monster trying to hold himself together under centuries of rigid duty before finally snapping into the most devastating, dangerous possession for his prince.
If you love monster romance, dark fairy tale retellings, and an obsession-heavy dynamic that feels like it's constantly one breath away from completely exploding, drop everything and read this masterpiece immediately.
August 25, 2026
5 / 5 ⭐️
3 / 5 🌶️
Cried 😭: Twice….. like literally sobbed
Method: KU 👩🏼💻
This book….. 🥹
I went into this book without reading the blurb (like usual) and just expected some Mer-man spice… and I got SOOOOO much more. 🧜♂️🔥
I was not prepared for the emotions, the chemistry, the plot, or just how completely invested I would become. The spice? 👌🏼 But the STORY?! The characters?! The feelings?! 😭🖤
I went in expecting a fun, spicy read and came out emotionally unstable. Needless to say… I need everyone to read this immediately. 🥹✨
To the author: Tereza Kane - it’s perfect. Thank you.
But also 🖕🏼you for making me bawl…. Like literally sobbing….
“Let me stay like this. Let me have this moment. But if I must vanish, let it be here.
With you. With love.
With the salt of your kiss still on my lips. All I ask, my darling, is that you - drown me gently.”
3 / 5 🌶️
Cried 😭: Twice….. like literally sobbed
Method: KU 👩🏼💻
This book….. 🥹
I went into this book without reading the blurb (like usual) and just expected some Mer-man spice… and I got SOOOOO much more. 🧜♂️🔥
I was not prepared for the emotions, the chemistry, the plot, or just how completely invested I would become. The spice? 👌🏼 But the STORY?! The characters?! The feelings?! 😭🖤
I went in expecting a fun, spicy read and came out emotionally unstable. Needless to say… I need everyone to read this immediately. 🥹✨
To the author: Tereza Kane - it’s perfect. Thank you.
But also 🖕🏼you for making me bawl…. Like literally sobbing….
“Let me stay like this. Let me have this moment. But if I must vanish, let it be here.
With you. With love.
With the salt of your kiss still on my lips. All I ask, my darling, is that you - drown me gently.”
July 17, 2026
i love retellings, so MM little mermaid with a twist? count me in.
this book was beautiful. it’s a slow burn, but once it burns it’s hot! at first, i was a bit peeved with how stubborn Auren was, but it’s understandable with the way he lives and you realize he just wants to be seen and loved. Ulric, is grumpy and has an oath he has to follow. reading his inner monologue you realize there’s a lot more going on. the yearning, the heartache, the angst, and the love between these two. ugh my heart.
🌊 “Let me stay like this.
Let me have this moment.
But if I must vanish… let it be here.
With you.
With love.
With the salt of your kiss still on my lips.
All I ask, my darling, is that you—
Drown me Gently.” 🌊
this book was beautiful. it’s a slow burn, but once it burns it’s hot! at first, i was a bit peeved with how stubborn Auren was, but it’s understandable with the way he lives and you realize he just wants to be seen and loved. Ulric, is grumpy and has an oath he has to follow. reading his inner monologue you realize there’s a lot more going on. the yearning, the heartache, the angst, and the love between these two. ugh my heart.
🌊 “Let me stay like this.
Let me have this moment.
But if I must vanish… let it be here.
With you.
With love.
With the salt of your kiss still on my lips.
All I ask, my darling, is that you—
Drown me Gently.” 🌊
July 6, 2026
If your favorite comfort movie is Little Mermaid, you need to snag this book! The first half is a fun retelling with a gender/villain swap, and the second half is a MM smut fest with tentacle play and kraken c•ck (I mean that in the best way possible). This is for the ones who love Emily McIntire books, but want more a bit more yearning. The ones who want a fast paced, well-written story with a twist on the world and side characters. And it’s for the ones who swoon for a possessive MMC. He won’t burn the land, but he’ll drain the oceans!
August 14, 2025
Little Mermaid? But make it gay and SPICY🔥
I really enjoyed this flipped gender retelling! It had quite it bit more to it compared to the original Disney film (and I’m not just talking about the spice) there see more twists and turns and it was something I couldn’t put down! Finished in two days! Can’t wait to see more in this Flipped Fairytales series!
I really enjoyed this flipped gender retelling! It had quite it bit more to it compared to the original Disney film (and I’m not just talking about the spice) there see more twists and turns and it was something I couldn’t put down! Finished in two days! Can’t wait to see more in this Flipped Fairytales series!
January 5, 2026
I stepped out of my normal romance reading with this one and it did not disappoint! Its’ little mermaid inspiration with a twist was addicting 🤭 I literally couldn’t put it down! @terezakanewrites nailed this flipped fairytale perfectly 🧜🏼♀️ *spice was involved* 🌶️def recommend for fantasy readers 🤩
January 24, 2026
As my first M/M book, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the roles being different from the original fairytale but OMG! Could not put this book down! This is love at its core no matter how you see it, willing to give up so much for that one being who is your all. Don't even get me started on sex with tentacles!! So hot and amazingly written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2026
THIS WAS INSANE!
I thoroughly enjoyed this Little Mermaid retelling. All the little details were perfect.
I giggled, I stressed, I cried. I loved it so much!
This was my first MM romance that was fantasy in any way, or anything abnormal to a normal everyday contemporary MM romance story. And I have no complaints. Really well done
I thoroughly enjoyed this Little Mermaid retelling. All the little details were perfect.
I giggled, I stressed, I cried. I loved it so much!
This was my first MM romance that was fantasy in any way, or anything abnormal to a normal everyday contemporary MM romance story. And I have no complaints. Really well done
September 8, 2025
MCs
mermaid/kraken
gay
strict roles
21/ancient
TROPES
grumpy/sunshine
hurt/comfort
forced proximity
frenemies to lovers
fated mates
CWs
forced medical procedure
forced body modification
forced captivity
KINKY SHIT
tenticlessssss
mermaid/kraken
gay
strict roles
21/ancient
TROPES
grumpy/sunshine
hurt/comfort
forced proximity
frenemies to lovers
fated mates
CWs
forced medical procedure
forced body modification
forced captivity
KINKY SHIT
tenticlessssss
July 12, 2026
I love a little mermaid retelling, especially a GREAT emotionally compromising little mermaid retelling… and this was THAT.
Auren 🧜🏽♂️ & Ulric 🐙🪄 were heartbreaking at times (most of the time) & when they weren’t, they were fire. Gorge.
Auren 🧜🏽♂️ & Ulric 🐙🪄 were heartbreaking at times (most of the time) & when they weren’t, they were fire. Gorge.
August 22, 2026
I've only read 3 chapters and I'm sure this is written by ai. I very rarely give bad reviews, but the constant repeating sentences, weird metaphors that make no sense, and 2 word sentences that end very abruptly are driving me crazy. I'm really surprised no one else has mentioned it already.
September 3, 2026
Soo good
So excited when I read this good storyline I love the retelling of Ariel I love that it's an m. Passionate riding is good spice is spicy so good. Well written. Recommend 100 times
So excited when I read this good storyline I love the retelling of Ariel I love that it's an m. Passionate riding is good spice is spicy so good. Well written. Recommend 100 times
October 1, 2025
gorgeous from start to finish. especially the epilog 😘
December 3, 2025
The Gay Little Merman. What a flipped fairytale this was! I absolutely loved it. Teresa called this a diet dark romance and boy did she deliver in those scenes. That last scene though..
December 5, 2025
Entretenido, para pasar el rato.
February 1, 2026
MERMAID M/M ROMANCE
...
(that's all)
...
(that's all)
mm-ok-r
June 8, 2026Rokp (o.99)
June 27, 2026
Main plot was a little rushed.
July 10, 2026
Tereza Kane's writing is like a drug and I'm hooked. I couldn't put it down!
July 15, 2026
Literally my favorite book. In my top 5. Tereza's writing style is everything. Girl can write smut!
I love Auren and Ulric.
Pacing was beautiful.
I couldnt put it down!
I love Auren and Ulric.
Pacing was beautiful.
I couldnt put it down!
August 21, 2026
disney adult bullshit
September 2, 2026
3⭐️
1.5🌶️
This was a retelling of little mermaid. MM romance. Sweet at times and dark at times. Quick read
1.5🌶️
This was a retelling of little mermaid. MM romance. Sweet at times and dark at times. Quick read
September 5, 2026
3.5 stars. This wasn’t necessarily what I was expecting (not enough monster smut tbh), and the pacing was kind of wild, but overall I still liked it a lot!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews