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Calypso's Odyssey
Some loves are meant to stay…some are meant to set you free.
The Summer I Turned Pretty meets Circe in this windswept, emotional retelling of The Odyssey. A stunning story of first love, ancient echoes, and the power of rewriting your own fate.
Callie Quinn has never left Catalina Island. Her world is a crumbling cliffside inn, a father who’s more prison guard than parent, and a curse she believes she’s doomed to every summer brings a boy, a spark—and then a goodbye. Until one summer everything changes.
A storm. A shipwreck. A boy washed ashore.
Odie is secretive, wounded, and desperate to disappear. Callie offers him shelter, a place to heal, and slowly, something more. But Odie is no ordinary castaway. He carries secrets that could destroy them both. On Catalina, Callie shows him another way to live. A life of freedom and belonging. An everlasting life where he could be anyone—even himself.
But when Odie’s world crashes back into their paradise, both Odysseus and Calypso must make impossible one between legacy and love. The other, between holding on and setting herself free.
Inspired by the tale of Odysseus and Calypso from Homer’s The Odyssey, this fresh retelling gives star-crossed lovers a chance to defy fate. Full of longing, first love, and impossible choices, it’s a story where, at last, they find their happily ever after.
A star-crossed, slow-burn summer romance. A contemporary reimagining with mythological roots. A girl who learns that sometimes, the most epic love story is the one you write for yourself.
Perfect for fans
Summer romances with emotional depthMythology retellings with a modern twistStar-crossed lovers and impossible choicesComing-of-age stories with lyrical proseBooks like A Thousand Ships, Lore, These Violent Delights, and Lore Olympus
The Summer I Turned Pretty meets Circe in this windswept, emotional retelling of The Odyssey. A stunning story of first love, ancient echoes, and the power of rewriting your own fate.
Callie Quinn has never left Catalina Island. Her world is a crumbling cliffside inn, a father who’s more prison guard than parent, and a curse she believes she’s doomed to every summer brings a boy, a spark—and then a goodbye. Until one summer everything changes.
A storm. A shipwreck. A boy washed ashore.
Odie is secretive, wounded, and desperate to disappear. Callie offers him shelter, a place to heal, and slowly, something more. But Odie is no ordinary castaway. He carries secrets that could destroy them both. On Catalina, Callie shows him another way to live. A life of freedom and belonging. An everlasting life where he could be anyone—even himself.
But when Odie’s world crashes back into their paradise, both Odysseus and Calypso must make impossible one between legacy and love. The other, between holding on and setting herself free.
Inspired by the tale of Odysseus and Calypso from Homer’s The Odyssey, this fresh retelling gives star-crossed lovers a chance to defy fate. Full of longing, first love, and impossible choices, it’s a story where, at last, they find their happily ever after.
A star-crossed, slow-burn summer romance. A contemporary reimagining with mythological roots. A girl who learns that sometimes, the most epic love story is the one you write for yourself.
Perfect for fans
Summer romances with emotional depthMythology retellings with a modern twistStar-crossed lovers and impossible choicesComing-of-age stories with lyrical proseBooks like A Thousand Ships, Lore, These Violent Delights, and Lore Olympus
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 4, 2026
*Marketed as “teen” & “YA” but has inappropriate content not suitable for teens.
1.75⭐️ Anytime I feel guilty about giving an ARC a low rating I just have to remind myself of the whole point of arc reading - agreeing to give an honest review in exchange for a free copy of the story. So here we are, this is my unfiltered, unbiased opinion on Calypso’s Odyssey…
First and foremost, this is NOT YA. The writing is YA. The characters maturity is YA. The conflict throughout the story is YA. But the content, the content is most definitely NOT YA. This audiobook was marketed as “teens & YA” and within the first chapter there is the F word, talk about oral sex and texting naked photos. Technically the characters are now 18 but there is no way this book could be marketed as New Adult because the writing and character development is closer to middle school level.
What first drew me to this book was the cover. It looked super cute and was giving fluffy, beachy, summer YA romance. Plus the fact that it is narrated by one of my all time favorite YA narrators, Jesse Vilinsky was practically guaranteeing a five star experience.
I went in with high expectations but was let down pretty quickly into the story. Inappropriate content aside, the writing is very young. The characters and story are underdeveloped. Everything about this experience was very surface level. Other than the FMC dealing with leaked naked photos of herself, the conflict seemed underwhelming. The only thing that kept me going to the very end was that it is an ARC otherwise I would have DNFed it halfway through. Another major issue I had with this story was the fact that the main characters are saying I love you to each other within 2 weeks of knowing each other. Insta-love is already a hard sell but sometimes it can be done IF the author does a really great job at developing the characters, their chemistry and the experience they share in the story. With this… there was nothing. Literally nothing. Odie is washed up on shore, stored in an abandoned room in Callie’s family’s Inn and then the second he leaves the house they are all of a sudden professing their undying love for one another and having sex on the beach. The ending was underwhelming and if it wasn’t for the credits playing at the end I wouldn’t have believed that was actually the end.
I am very sad to say that this was a no for me.
1.75⭐️ Anytime I feel guilty about giving an ARC a low rating I just have to remind myself of the whole point of arc reading - agreeing to give an honest review in exchange for a free copy of the story. So here we are, this is my unfiltered, unbiased opinion on Calypso’s Odyssey…
First and foremost, this is NOT YA. The writing is YA. The characters maturity is YA. The conflict throughout the story is YA. But the content, the content is most definitely NOT YA. This audiobook was marketed as “teens & YA” and within the first chapter there is the F word, talk about oral sex and texting naked photos. Technically the characters are now 18 but there is no way this book could be marketed as New Adult because the writing and character development is closer to middle school level.
What first drew me to this book was the cover. It looked super cute and was giving fluffy, beachy, summer YA romance. Plus the fact that it is narrated by one of my all time favorite YA narrators, Jesse Vilinsky was practically guaranteeing a five star experience.
I went in with high expectations but was let down pretty quickly into the story. Inappropriate content aside, the writing is very young. The characters and story are underdeveloped. Everything about this experience was very surface level. Other than the FMC dealing with leaked naked photos of herself, the conflict seemed underwhelming. The only thing that kept me going to the very end was that it is an ARC otherwise I would have DNFed it halfway through. Another major issue I had with this story was the fact that the main characters are saying I love you to each other within 2 weeks of knowing each other. Insta-love is already a hard sell but sometimes it can be done IF the author does a really great job at developing the characters, their chemistry and the experience they share in the story. With this… there was nothing. Literally nothing. Odie is washed up on shore, stored in an abandoned room in Callie’s family’s Inn and then the second he leaves the house they are all of a sudden professing their undying love for one another and having sex on the beach. The ending was underwhelming and if it wasn’t for the credits playing at the end I wouldn’t have believed that was actually the end.
I am very sad to say that this was a no for me.
May 13, 2026
Rating: 1.5⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Audio Children’s for providing me the e-arc audiobook!
Now for my honest review as I was listening. From the moment this book started, I admit I was caught off guard. This book is categorized as a YA story, yet talks about used condoms, “banging”, blowjobs, losing virginity, sex noises, ect. The writing and the way the characters talk/behave definitely gives a YA vibe, but the content and things described are not.
Within the first 6% of the book, I could tell the characters were going to be immature. That’s not unexpected given the fact that this IS supposed to be a book for teenagers yet, I hadn’t anticipated how whiny the fmc would immediately come off. Her character was not one I felt any kind of connection to.
There is a lingering conflict that happened in Callie’s life before she met our mmc Odie and it haunts her throughout the story. I understand why it was repeatedly brought up and why it would be important to the characters development. The problem is, there was no development in Callie’s character. She stayed the same and her character felt very shallow. She had this issue happen two months prior and yet she continues to repeat the same actions that led to the big conflict. She also has a weird and very jealous feeling friendship with her supposed best friend.
The characters felt very underdeveloped. The story felt stagnant as well. I mean the first 60% of the book was a timeframe of about a month. It felt like nothing was happening and the characters definitely weren’t showing any development.
The writing felt very immature and the story wasn’t as compelling as I had hoped for given the mythology behind the characters. I tried really hard to like this one because I love a greek mythology retelling, but it just fell flat to me. I think the rating should be changed from YA to NA as there is mature content spoken of that is not suitable for minors. It is also considered a slow burn romance… I personally on call this fast burn with drama, but take that as you will.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Audio Children’s for providing me the e-arc audiobook!
Now for my honest review as I was listening. From the moment this book started, I admit I was caught off guard. This book is categorized as a YA story, yet talks about used condoms, “banging”, blowjobs, losing virginity, sex noises, ect. The writing and the way the characters talk/behave definitely gives a YA vibe, but the content and things described are not.
Within the first 6% of the book, I could tell the characters were going to be immature. That’s not unexpected given the fact that this IS supposed to be a book for teenagers yet, I hadn’t anticipated how whiny the fmc would immediately come off. Her character was not one I felt any kind of connection to.
There is a lingering conflict that happened in Callie’s life before she met our mmc Odie and it haunts her throughout the story. I understand why it was repeatedly brought up and why it would be important to the characters development. The problem is, there was no development in Callie’s character. She stayed the same and her character felt very shallow. She had this issue happen two months prior and yet she continues to repeat the same actions that led to the big conflict. She also has a weird and very jealous feeling friendship with her supposed best friend.
The characters felt very underdeveloped. The story felt stagnant as well. I mean the first 60% of the book was a timeframe of about a month. It felt like nothing was happening and the characters definitely weren’t showing any development.
The writing felt very immature and the story wasn’t as compelling as I had hoped for given the mythology behind the characters. I tried really hard to like this one because I love a greek mythology retelling, but it just fell flat to me. I think the rating should be changed from YA to NA as there is mature content spoken of that is not suitable for minors. It is also considered a slow burn romance… I personally on call this fast burn with drama, but take that as you will.
May 26, 2026
A slow burn strangers to lovers YA summer romance set on Catalina island, California that has the daughter of a widow trying to help her father run their falling down beachside motel while struggling to figure out what she wants to do with her life as all her friends are making plans to go off to college. When she rescues a boy from drowning after crashing his boat, her whole summer is suddenly full of an unexpected whirlwind romance that will come to a sudden end when she learns his real identity. Loosely based on a Greek myth, I enjoyed this one a lot and liked it on audio too. Perfect for fans of authors like Jenny Han or Sarah Dessen. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
CW: sexual abuse (photo sharing against one's will), death of a parent from cancer
CW: sexual abuse (photo sharing against one's will), death of a parent from cancer
April 3, 2026
A good romance and retelling. There were moments that I felt like it was really trying to push the fact that it’s a retelling (reiterating that her dad seemed to be “holding the weight of the world on his shoulders” as a reference to Atlas), but overall it was cute. If not for her dad seeing Odie, it could’ve been a psychological thriller romance with the twist of Odie not actually being real. Super quick read
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“I look into his eyes and I feel clear, stronger than I have in months. I’m starting to understand what I want—not just from Odie, but from life. It might not make sense to anyone else, but things are starting to make sense to me. And that’s what matters.”
Calypso “Callie” Quinn has just graduated from high school, but instead of heading off to college like her best friend Pita, she’s staying on Catalina Island to help her dad run their family inn. Callie can’t help but feel lonely, until one night, there’s a shipwreck on the beach that leaves a boy drowning. After Callie saves him, she learns that his name is Odie, and he’s trying to escape his family in LA. Odie is incredibly secretive, and Callie feels guarded around him. As the summer carries on and Callie and Odie spend more time together, they learn more about themselves and each other. Can Odie keep his LA life separate from the one he’s building with Callie, or will their paradise be interrupted?
Calypso’s Odyssey had a lot of potential, but for me, it ultimately fell flat. There were a few aspects of the book that I adored, including the setting and the references to Homer’s Odyssey. Catalina Island was a great background for the story, and really gave me the summer vibes I’ve been craving. The references to Homer’s poem reminded me of the first time I read The Odyssey, so in a way, this felt like such a nostalgic read. It was fun to make connections between Homer’s original characters and the ones that Ellison crafted, and I thought it was super interesting how she spun the tale to be a love story between Calypso (Callie) and Odysseus (Odie), because it’s very different from the original. There was so much promise in this book, but the characters were my main issue. I completely understood Callie’s hesitancy to love again—it makes perfect sense after all the trauma she’s endured—so the fact that she fell for Odie almost instantly was truly confusing. Their relationship seemed purely physical, which made their bond feel shallow. It felt like Callie didn’t grow at all throughout the story, and the side plot with her father and their difficult relationship never really felt resolved, even though readers were supposed to feel like it was. I constantly felt like Callie was a bad friend to Pita and that Odie was just using Callie to escape his rough home life. To be honest, I think I would’ve preferred it if they didn’t end up together, which is so atypical of how I want young adult romances to make me feel.
Calypso’s Odyssey releases on May 26th, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Avon a for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Calypso “Callie” Quinn has just graduated from high school, but instead of heading off to college like her best friend Pita, she’s staying on Catalina Island to help her dad run their family inn. Callie can’t help but feel lonely, until one night, there’s a shipwreck on the beach that leaves a boy drowning. After Callie saves him, she learns that his name is Odie, and he’s trying to escape his family in LA. Odie is incredibly secretive, and Callie feels guarded around him. As the summer carries on and Callie and Odie spend more time together, they learn more about themselves and each other. Can Odie keep his LA life separate from the one he’s building with Callie, or will their paradise be interrupted?
Calypso’s Odyssey had a lot of potential, but for me, it ultimately fell flat. There were a few aspects of the book that I adored, including the setting and the references to Homer’s Odyssey. Catalina Island was a great background for the story, and really gave me the summer vibes I’ve been craving. The references to Homer’s poem reminded me of the first time I read The Odyssey, so in a way, this felt like such a nostalgic read. It was fun to make connections between Homer’s original characters and the ones that Ellison crafted, and I thought it was super interesting how she spun the tale to be a love story between Calypso (Callie) and Odysseus (Odie), because it’s very different from the original. There was so much promise in this book, but the characters were my main issue. I completely understood Callie’s hesitancy to love again—it makes perfect sense after all the trauma she’s endured—so the fact that she fell for Odie almost instantly was truly confusing. Their relationship seemed purely physical, which made their bond feel shallow. It felt like Callie didn’t grow at all throughout the story, and the side plot with her father and their difficult relationship never really felt resolved, even though readers were supposed to feel like it was. I constantly felt like Callie was a bad friend to Pita and that Odie was just using Callie to escape his rough home life. To be honest, I think I would’ve preferred it if they didn’t end up together, which is so atypical of how I want young adult romances to make me feel.
Calypso’s Odyssey releases on May 26th, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Avon a for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to author Anna Ellison, Harper Audio and Netgalley for the advanced listening copy!
This was a short but well-done retelling of the myth of Odysseus and Calypso with a modern twist.
Calypso “Callie” is a young teen girl who is struggling to find her place on Catalina Island. Her friends are going to college, but she is not. Her family’s hotel is struggling after the death of her mother, and it weighs heavy on her father’s shoulders. And she’s at the center of an unfortunate scandal after a boy she trusted shared intimate photos of her. One night, she sees a boy fighting for his life in a boat during a storm. And when she rescues him, it changes her summer and her world. Odysseus “Odie” is running away from his own past, but Callie shows him the freedom of island life and being able to make his own choices.
The myth of Calypso and Odysseus had him as a lover but ultimately a prisoner on her island for 7 years. This retelling has him as a willing friend (and eventually something more) over a span of seven weeks, which was a nice touch. The summer romance between them was sweet and cute. It’s teenage love in a coming-of-age story. The choices that the characters choose reflect their age and make sense in that context. It was not spicy and I am glad that it wasn’t. The scenes fade to black. But the tenderness and intimacy were well done. Although it’s marketed as a slow burn, it was more a whirlwind teenage summer romance.
The audiobook was narrated by Jesse Vilinsky, who did an amazing job portraying Callie’s emotions throughout the book as well as Odie.
If you like retellings of famous and familiar myths, this book does an excellent job. It’s perfect for people that like The Summer I Turned Pretty, Circe, or Ariadne. The modern setting that Ellison made works well for the myth and she tried to subtly fit in parts of the original myth into her book in a way that felt seamless.
This book is set to be released May 26th and will be a perfect beach read/listen for summer!
This was a short but well-done retelling of the myth of Odysseus and Calypso with a modern twist.
Calypso “Callie” is a young teen girl who is struggling to find her place on Catalina Island. Her friends are going to college, but she is not. Her family’s hotel is struggling after the death of her mother, and it weighs heavy on her father’s shoulders. And she’s at the center of an unfortunate scandal after a boy she trusted shared intimate photos of her. One night, she sees a boy fighting for his life in a boat during a storm. And when she rescues him, it changes her summer and her world. Odysseus “Odie” is running away from his own past, but Callie shows him the freedom of island life and being able to make his own choices.
The myth of Calypso and Odysseus had him as a lover but ultimately a prisoner on her island for 7 years. This retelling has him as a willing friend (and eventually something more) over a span of seven weeks, which was a nice touch. The summer romance between them was sweet and cute. It’s teenage love in a coming-of-age story. The choices that the characters choose reflect their age and make sense in that context. It was not spicy and I am glad that it wasn’t. The scenes fade to black. But the tenderness and intimacy were well done. Although it’s marketed as a slow burn, it was more a whirlwind teenage summer romance.
The audiobook was narrated by Jesse Vilinsky, who did an amazing job portraying Callie’s emotions throughout the book as well as Odie.
If you like retellings of famous and familiar myths, this book does an excellent job. It’s perfect for people that like The Summer I Turned Pretty, Circe, or Ariadne. The modern setting that Ellison made works well for the myth and she tried to subtly fit in parts of the original myth into her book in a way that felt seamless.
This book is set to be released May 26th and will be a perfect beach read/listen for summer!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I gravitated towards this book because I usually love Greek mythology retellings and books inspired by the myths in any shape, but unfortunately this book was a disappointment for me.
I think what it comes down to is that it doesn’t live up to what the description says. It makes it seem like there’s some sort of underlying magic (“ancient echos”) when really this book is as contemporary as they come — which is fine by itself! But Odie and Callie are not Starcrossed lovers (they are fighting against the odds for sure though) and there’s definitely not some forbidden love happening. The romance was also not incredibly slow burn. So in general, it did not deliver what it promised.
Overall, the romance felt quite rushed to me, and the second relationship we focused on (aka Callie and her best friend) was not any better and full of tropes that I’ve read so many times that I’m tired of it.
The writing was alright, and the plot was okay as well, but I just wish it was marketed in a different way. I’m sure this is not the authors fault, so if you’ve read this far into my review and you're still considering to give this a try, I encourage you to maybe read a few chapters to get a feel for the vibe.
ps: I hope this doesn’t count as a spoiler but I was upset that Callie does recognise her name comes from the name of a myth but then never points out that Odie’s name does as well… maybe that got fixed after the arc but come on lol
Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in an exchange for an honest review.
I think what it comes down to is that it doesn’t live up to what the description says. It makes it seem like there’s some sort of underlying magic (“ancient echos”) when really this book is as contemporary as they come — which is fine by itself! But Odie and Callie are not Starcrossed lovers (they are fighting against the odds for sure though) and there’s definitely not some forbidden love happening. The romance was also not incredibly slow burn. So in general, it did not deliver what it promised.
Overall, the romance felt quite rushed to me, and the second relationship we focused on (aka Callie and her best friend) was not any better and full of tropes that I’ve read so many times that I’m tired of it.
The writing was alright, and the plot was okay as well, but I just wish it was marketed in a different way. I’m sure this is not the authors fault, so if you’ve read this far into my review and you're still considering to give this a try, I encourage you to maybe read a few chapters to get a feel for the vibe.
ps: I hope this doesn’t count as a spoiler but I was upset that Callie does recognise her name comes from the name of a myth but then never points out that Odie’s name does as well… maybe that got fixed after the arc but come on lol
Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in an exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook copy of Calypso's Odyssey by Anna Ellison.
Before I dive into the review, I'd recommend this book for older teens rather than younger high school readers. There are no graphic sex scenes, but there is plenty of discussion about sex and relationships. Nothing felt overly explicit, but it's worth noting for parents, librarians, and readers who pay attention to content.
As for the story itself, this was a charming retelling that kept me engaged from beginning to end. Callie is the only one of her friends not heading off to college, and she's struggling with feeling left behind. Her life changes unexpectedly when she rescues Odie from drowning in the ocean, setting the two of them on a path that forces them to confront their futures, fears, and feelings.
The romance is a sweet slow burn, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop over time. While I liked Callie overall, she came across as a bit whiny at times, which made it harder for me to connect with her. That's a personal preference, though, and other readers may find her struggles relatable.
One of the highlights of the audiobook was the narrator, who did a wonderful job bringing the characters and emotions to life. I found myself completely immersed in the story and eager to keep listening.
Overall, Calypso's Odyssey is an enjoyable retelling with a heartfelt romance, themes of self-discovery, and strong audiobook narration. If you enjoy mythology-inspired stories and character-driven romances, this one is worth a listen.
Before I dive into the review, I'd recommend this book for older teens rather than younger high school readers. There are no graphic sex scenes, but there is plenty of discussion about sex and relationships. Nothing felt overly explicit, but it's worth noting for parents, librarians, and readers who pay attention to content.
As for the story itself, this was a charming retelling that kept me engaged from beginning to end. Callie is the only one of her friends not heading off to college, and she's struggling with feeling left behind. Her life changes unexpectedly when she rescues Odie from drowning in the ocean, setting the two of them on a path that forces them to confront their futures, fears, and feelings.
The romance is a sweet slow burn, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop over time. While I liked Callie overall, she came across as a bit whiny at times, which made it harder for me to connect with her. That's a personal preference, though, and other readers may find her struggles relatable.
One of the highlights of the audiobook was the narrator, who did a wonderful job bringing the characters and emotions to life. I found myself completely immersed in the story and eager to keep listening.
Overall, Calypso's Odyssey is an enjoyable retelling with a heartfelt romance, themes of self-discovery, and strong audiobook narration. If you enjoy mythology-inspired stories and character-driven romances, this one is worth a listen.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
1.5 Stars, very generously rounded up to 2
Was this a good retelling of Calypso's story? No. Was this a good beach romance? No. Was this a good coming-of-age story? No. This book wasn't a good anything. It half-heartedly tries to be a "retelling" of myth without showing any real love or passion for the original (so, like, why? Just because mythology is trendy at the moment?). The characters are infuriatingly immature while the content veers into the upper-YA and/or NA level (so a very unfortunate mismatch). It's treatment of teenage sexuality is uncomfortable, and the characters don't grow or mature (while also not starting out in places you'd like to root for). So it was a very unfortunate read.
Yeah, I didn't like it. And I've got more to say about it. But I'm saving that for my full review, which will be available over at Gateway Reviews on May 22, 2026. Check it out if you want to join the hate train, I guess.
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
Was this a good retelling of Calypso's story? No. Was this a good beach romance? No. Was this a good coming-of-age story? No. This book wasn't a good anything. It half-heartedly tries to be a "retelling" of myth without showing any real love or passion for the original (so, like, why? Just because mythology is trendy at the moment?). The characters are infuriatingly immature while the content veers into the upper-YA and/or NA level (so a very unfortunate mismatch). It's treatment of teenage sexuality is uncomfortable, and the characters don't grow or mature (while also not starting out in places you'd like to root for). So it was a very unfortunate read.
Yeah, I didn't like it. And I've got more to say about it. But I'm saving that for my full review, which will be available over at Gateway Reviews on May 22, 2026. Check it out if you want to join the hate train, I guess.
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
July 2, 2026
Calypso’s Odyssey by Anna Ellison, narrated by Jesse Vilinsky, is an engaging and emotional reimagining that blends mythology, adventure, and romance into an immersive listening experience.
Jesse Vilinsky’s narration brought the story to life with expressive character voices and strong emotional delivery. She captured Calypso’s resilience and vulnerability well, making it easy to stay invested in her journey. The pacing was steady, and the narration enhanced many of the book’s emotional and action-filled moments.
I especially enjoyed the fresh take on Greek mythology and the character development throughout the story. Calypso’s growth felt authentic, and the relationships were compelling enough to keep me listening. While I would have liked a bit more depth in certain plot points and a stronger resolution in a few areas, the overall story was entertaining and thoughtfully crafted.
If you enjoy mythological retellings with heart, adventure, and a memorable audiobook performance, Calypso’s Odyssey is definitely worth a listen.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review.
Jesse Vilinsky’s narration brought the story to life with expressive character voices and strong emotional delivery. She captured Calypso’s resilience and vulnerability well, making it easy to stay invested in her journey. The pacing was steady, and the narration enhanced many of the book’s emotional and action-filled moments.
I especially enjoyed the fresh take on Greek mythology and the character development throughout the story. Calypso’s growth felt authentic, and the relationships were compelling enough to keep me listening. While I would have liked a bit more depth in certain plot points and a stronger resolution in a few areas, the overall story was entertaining and thoughtfully crafted.
If you enjoy mythological retellings with heart, adventure, and a memorable audiobook performance, Calypso’s Odyssey is definitely worth a listen.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Anna Ellison and NetGalley for gifting me with this arc!
It was pretty short, but a unique interesting story about how a chance encounter could seemingly set your world array only to make you look back and think of what you really want, and having the courage to pursue your dreams. Callie works at her father's Inn on Catalina Island, a graduated high schooler and unsure where to go with her life since college is not in the cards for her. But she's not happy about this point. One day, during a terrible storm, a capsized boat shows up on shore, and Callie saves the life of a boy with secrets of his own and a life he's running from. Soon, their lives intertwine, but they both realize they'd have to make changes if they want to be together forever.
Interesting history for both Odie and Callie. Callie dealing with quite a bit of tragedy of her own with her mother being gone and a photo scandal that hurt her reputation, and poor Odie, who seems to have everything in life, but is actually quite unhappy. The story could have been a little longer, but it nonetheless gave me a sweet, satisfying finish after sending me through an emotional whirlwind.
It was pretty short, but a unique interesting story about how a chance encounter could seemingly set your world array only to make you look back and think of what you really want, and having the courage to pursue your dreams. Callie works at her father's Inn on Catalina Island, a graduated high schooler and unsure where to go with her life since college is not in the cards for her. But she's not happy about this point. One day, during a terrible storm, a capsized boat shows up on shore, and Callie saves the life of a boy with secrets of his own and a life he's running from. Soon, their lives intertwine, but they both realize they'd have to make changes if they want to be together forever.
Interesting history for both Odie and Callie. Callie dealing with quite a bit of tragedy of her own with her mother being gone and a photo scandal that hurt her reputation, and poor Odie, who seems to have everything in life, but is actually quite unhappy. The story could have been a little longer, but it nonetheless gave me a sweet, satisfying finish after sending me through an emotional whirlwind.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a sweet coming of age love story. I listened to the audiobook and finished it in one day. The narrator was very good and kept things flowing well.
This retelling from the Odyssey was done well. Even if you do not know the story of Odysseus and Calypso you can enjoy this story.
I loved the setting having grown up in Long Beach and visiting Catalina Island many times.
I would recommend this more for older teens, upper YA. This also could be more New Adult with some more adult themes. The intimate scenes were all closed door and not graphic. I did feel how the romance progressed and developed is the experience of many older teens.
The ending was very satisfying to me as well and I have lots of high hopes for the young couple. If I had a criticism it would be that Odie wanted to go to UCLA, when he could have instead gone to my Alma mater, USC (lol).
I want to thank Net Galley and Harper Collins Children for a free advanced copy of the audiobook. My review is voluntary.
This retelling from the Odyssey was done well. Even if you do not know the story of Odysseus and Calypso you can enjoy this story.
I loved the setting having grown up in Long Beach and visiting Catalina Island many times.
I would recommend this more for older teens, upper YA. This also could be more New Adult with some more adult themes. The intimate scenes were all closed door and not graphic. I did feel how the romance progressed and developed is the experience of many older teens.
The ending was very satisfying to me as well and I have lots of high hopes for the young couple. If I had a criticism it would be that Odie wanted to go to UCLA, when he could have instead gone to my Alma mater, USC (lol).
I want to thank Net Galley and Harper Collins Children for a free advanced copy of the audiobook. My review is voluntary.
January 5, 2026
Calypso’s Odyssey was a cute story.
Calypso’s father is struggling to keep the family inn in business and there is some stress in the family dynamic. Callie herself has had some recent trauma that caused her to turn in on herself and give up on her dreams. Even her best friend Pita isn’t able to pull her out of the slump. Then, she saves a boy from drowning and he helps her find herself again.
My favorite thing about this story is that although the love starts out as seemingly “insta-love”, it endures through a long separation and we are able to see the sincerity. Also, the actions of the characters are all pretty realistic and relatable, for the most part.
This book is set to release in May of 2026- just in time for the summer. This is the one to grab if you’re looking for a cute, easy summer beach read!
🏝️
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of the book!
Calypso’s father is struggling to keep the family inn in business and there is some stress in the family dynamic. Callie herself has had some recent trauma that caused her to turn in on herself and give up on her dreams. Even her best friend Pita isn’t able to pull her out of the slump. Then, she saves a boy from drowning and he helps her find herself again.
My favorite thing about this story is that although the love starts out as seemingly “insta-love”, it endures through a long separation and we are able to see the sincerity. Also, the actions of the characters are all pretty realistic and relatable, for the most part.
This book is set to release in May of 2026- just in time for the summer. This is the one to grab if you’re looking for a cute, easy summer beach read!
🏝️
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of the book!
May 26, 2026
Ok this book is not what I expected at all when I was going to read it. I still wasn’t expecting it to be set in the present day with the way it describes the book in the description on Goodreads. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. Although most of the ending was killing me. And was happy the epilogue helped it along. Because I needed a HEA, just hated that time passes for it to happen 😭😭 but overall I did enjoy the book. It deals with some trauma and the character grows from it a bit, so it was interesting to see that form and the romance form. And I did love those two together. But sometimes the choices they made for fights just didn’t fully make sense. It’s not a reaction I would fully expect at times. But I still enjoyed the book.
Thanks to netgalley and Harper Collins for the audiobook arc of this! I did thoroughly enjoy it. And the narrator made it great!
Thanks to netgalley and Harper Collins for the audiobook arc of this! I did thoroughly enjoy it. And the narrator made it great!
June 14, 2026
Firstly, I agree that this book was not rated appropriately. I would be very uncomfortable if my high school daughter read this due to some of the explicit scenes.
With that out-of-the-way, I found it a very easy digestible book. Yes Callie definitely annoyed me towards the end with how she was acting, but I had to remind myself that she was an actual child still in the sense that nothing mentally was fully developed. The epilogue was enjoyable and I honestly liked the pacing of the book itself. I feel like it was too harshly judged just because of the rating.
If you want to just turn your brain off and read by the pool, this is definitely the book for that.
I am reading at five stars personally just because I enjoyed it. However, realistically, I would say closer to four.
With that out-of-the-way, I found it a very easy digestible book. Yes Callie definitely annoyed me towards the end with how she was acting, but I had to remind myself that she was an actual child still in the sense that nothing mentally was fully developed. The epilogue was enjoyable and I honestly liked the pacing of the book itself. I feel like it was too harshly judged just because of the rating.
If you want to just turn your brain off and read by the pool, this is definitely the book for that.
I am reading at five stars personally just because I enjoyed it. However, realistically, I would say closer to four.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I usually love a Greek myth retelling, and I was hopeful that this one would tell the story of Calypso and Odysseus in an easy to understand manner for teenagers. It was not. Really the story revolved around sex. Who was having it, who was not, and abandoning your friends for it. Also, major red flags for teenagers: do not get in a relationship with someone who won't tell you their last name? Don't hide random boys in rooms? If your relationship means hiding away from all of your loved ones and keeping secrets - DON'T BE IN THAT RELATIONSHIP.
I wanted more, I wanted better, I'm a little sad.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
I wanted more, I wanted better, I'm a little sad.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2026
Calyspo loves her island, even if it is starting to feel like a trap. When she saves Odi from a storm, they form an instant bond. Even though he won't share his last name, she starts to trust and love Odi. Cali and Odi have to navigate a summer on Catilina Island, where they both know their time is coming to an end. This was a sweet story. It was a romance, and the little nods to the Odyssey were fun. The writing was solid, and the plot was good. The narrator, though, constantly sounded like she was about to cry. That became a little trying for me as a listener. Overall, this was a good listening experience. Thank you, NetGalley, for an Advanced Listeners' Copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2026
“For as long as you’re here, you’re mine.”
I love retellings, and with The Odyssey on my summer TBR, this felt like a fun little companion read.
What I loved most was how this retelling allowed Callie to move forward in her own life rather than existing only as part of Odie’s story.
The romance between Callie and Odie was cute, but extremely rushed. Again, it’s very much a quick and easy YA retelling, so this can be expected.
Overall, I enjoyed this more than I expected to. I found Callie to be whiny and immature at first, but her character arc in the end was worth it.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher!
I love retellings, and with The Odyssey on my summer TBR, this felt like a fun little companion read.
What I loved most was how this retelling allowed Callie to move forward in her own life rather than existing only as part of Odie’s story.
The romance between Callie and Odie was cute, but extremely rushed. Again, it’s very much a quick and easy YA retelling, so this can be expected.
Overall, I enjoyed this more than I expected to. I found Callie to be whiny and immature at first, but her character arc in the end was worth it.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher!
May 6, 2026
Thanks to HarperAudio and NetGalley for the ARC! This is a fun retelling of a segment of the Odyssey and I think that part is done really well. There seemed to be a disconnect at times between the material and intended audience, however. This is marketed as teens and YA, however some of the language and content shifts more to new adult. The writing does feel more like a teen book, however. I felt the main character is pretty juvenile and short sighted for much of the book which is in contrast to many of the adult decisions she makes. A cute read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thank you @ netgalley for the alc 🥰
i’m not quite sure what’s stopping me from giving this a five. it was so cute and i loved the retelling, i felt it was subtle so when i caught little nods i was giggling and kicking my feet. maybe it’s because the HEA doesn’t happen until the epilogue? i will say i was super happy to read a YA where the dialogue and monologues actually sounded like teenagers. also, the narrator is SO good. i’ve listened to some of her other work and she always smashes it. def recommend to any YA lover 🫶🏻
i’m not quite sure what’s stopping me from giving this a five. it was so cute and i loved the retelling, i felt it was subtle so when i caught little nods i was giggling and kicking my feet. maybe it’s because the HEA doesn’t happen until the epilogue? i will say i was super happy to read a YA where the dialogue and monologues actually sounded like teenagers. also, the narrator is SO good. i’ve listened to some of her other work and she always smashes it. def recommend to any YA lover 🫶🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2026
This book was absolutely painful to read. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because of the "adaptation" of the Greek mythology.
Callie is a horrible friend and Odie blindly agreed and followed everything that she said and did. Both are very immature and jump to conclusions and it's supposed to be a slow burn??
The wasn't any real growth or character development. I feel like Callie's inner monologue was just her whining and complaining about the same things or problems that she doesn't actually take the initiative to try and fix.
Not a good book...
Callie is a horrible friend and Odie blindly agreed and followed everything that she said and did. Both are very immature and jump to conclusions and it's supposed to be a slow burn??
The wasn't any real growth or character development. I feel like Callie's inner monologue was just her whining and complaining about the same things or problems that she doesn't actually take the initiative to try and fix.
Not a good book...
June 29, 2026
Set in the 90’s on Catalina Island and narrated by Callie (Calypso).
She is watching her friends prepare to leave the island for college, while she stays behind helping her father manage and operate the Ogygia Inn.
While walking along the shore, Callie discovers a small wrecked boat. She rescues a mysterious boy who only wants to be called Odie.
This romance draws inspiration from the Ancient Greek myth of Odysseus.
She is watching her friends prepare to leave the island for college, while she stays behind helping her father manage and operate the Ogygia Inn.
While walking along the shore, Callie discovers a small wrecked boat. She rescues a mysterious boy who only wants to be called Odie.
This romance draws inspiration from the Ancient Greek myth of Odysseus.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this so good. I am a huge fan of greek and roman mythology so this was perfect. I would recommend this to ya or up it so good and I can't wait to how successful it becomes!😁
Thank you to netgally for letting me read this wonderful book!
Thank you to netgally for letting me read this wonderful book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book.
I had to DNF this book. From the start of this book it had a number of innuendos and the writing just wasn’t my favorite so I just chose not to waste my time.
1 star ⭐️
I had to DNF this book. From the start of this book it had a number of innuendos and the writing just wasn’t my favorite so I just chose not to waste my time.
1 star ⭐️
Read
March 31, 2026A tender teen romance with coming-of-age themes. I noticed it because it’s set on Catalina Island and I enjoy a good realistic California setting. A solid choice for a summery read.
June 3, 2026
0.5⭐️ misleading title & misleading cover
June 8, 2026
Review to come, see it first at https://cover2coverblog.blogspot.com/
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