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The Siren's Kiss
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Little Mermaid in this swashbuckling Sapphic fantasy!
Three years ago, Dead Shot Rayleigh laid hands on the legendary ruby the Siren’s Kiss andsuffered the wrath of the sea god, Red-Handed Roger.
Now bound as captain of his cursed ship, The Revenant, eighteen-year-old Rayleigh hatches a plan to win her freedom. Everyone knows that Red-Handed Roger’s heart was stolen by the Sea Witch. If she can get it back, she can barter her release.
But Rayleigh isn’t the only one with a score to settle. Fiery mermaid Maren lost her brother to the Sea Witch, and she’s come to the surface to get him back and save the last remaining mermaids at all costs.
When Maren runs afoul of the infuriating cursed pirate Rayleigh, sparks fly, and all her plans go up in flames. Now the only chance they have is each other.
Swashbuckling, sea monsters, pirate kings, siren songs, and stolen hearts!
Red-Handed Roger and the Sea Witch were once friends, before they both fell for the same mermaid and almost destroyed the world. Will Rayleigh and Maren’s love set things right, or just finish what the old gods started?
Some hearts are meant to be stolen...
Three years ago, Dead Shot Rayleigh laid hands on the legendary ruby the Siren’s Kiss andsuffered the wrath of the sea god, Red-Handed Roger.
Now bound as captain of his cursed ship, The Revenant, eighteen-year-old Rayleigh hatches a plan to win her freedom. Everyone knows that Red-Handed Roger’s heart was stolen by the Sea Witch. If she can get it back, she can barter her release.
But Rayleigh isn’t the only one with a score to settle. Fiery mermaid Maren lost her brother to the Sea Witch, and she’s come to the surface to get him back and save the last remaining mermaids at all costs.
When Maren runs afoul of the infuriating cursed pirate Rayleigh, sparks fly, and all her plans go up in flames. Now the only chance they have is each other.
Swashbuckling, sea monsters, pirate kings, siren songs, and stolen hearts!
Red-Handed Roger and the Sea Witch were once friends, before they both fell for the same mermaid and almost destroyed the world. Will Rayleigh and Maren’s love set things right, or just finish what the old gods started?
Some hearts are meant to be stolen...
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication September 1, 2026
About the author
Leslie Vedder
8 books422 followersLeslie Vedder (she/her) is a queer ace author who loves girl adventurers and heroes! She grew up on fantasy books, anime, fanfiction and the Lord of the Rings movies, and met her true love in high school choir. She currently lives in Colorado with her wife and her cat Fox Mulder, who believes the treats are out there.
When she's not reading or writing, you can find her watching anime and sci-fi shows, walking in the woods and pretending they're enchanted forests, or playing old video games. She always collects all the Skulltulas in Zelda and all the Dalmation puppies in Kingdom Hearts.
Her debut YA THE BONE SPINDLE was an ABA indie bestseller.
When she's not reading or writing, you can find her watching anime and sci-fi shows, walking in the woods and pretending they're enchanted forests, or playing old video games. She always collects all the Skulltulas in Zelda and all the Dalmation puppies in Kingdom Hearts.
Her debut YA THE BONE SPINDLE was an ABA indie bestseller.
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April 2, 2026Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
March 29, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy!
Absolutely loved this, i’ve been searching for a sapphic pirate/mermaid book and this lived up to my expectations! The only thing is, i wish it was longer 😭 I loved the word building and the characters were both so headstrong, i loved seeing them take on this story!
Cover is so stunning, definitely need to get a physical copy to showcase 🤩
Pub Date: September 1, 2026
Thank you to ABRAMS Kids and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Absolutely loved this, i’ve been searching for a sapphic pirate/mermaid book and this lived up to my expectations! The only thing is, i wish it was longer 😭 I loved the word building and the characters were both so headstrong, i loved seeing them take on this story!
Cover is so stunning, definitely need to get a physical copy to showcase 🤩
Pub Date: September 1, 2026
Thank you to ABRAMS Kids and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
April 2, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
The perfect story for the gays who grew up on The Little Mermaid and Pirates of the Caribbean. A light, swashbuckling romp of a book, that also manages to be a moving meditation on grief and love. Come for the fun, stay for the wholesomeness.
The perfect story for the gays who grew up on The Little Mermaid and Pirates of the Caribbean. A light, swashbuckling romp of a book, that also manages to be a moving meditation on grief and love. Come for the fun, stay for the wholesomeness.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing a DRC of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Alright, I'm torn. I have good news and bad news. The good news: I liked this story. The bad news: I didn’t love it. I'll just fast forward past the "the premise was so outrageously good" and the "I wish I did love it, damn it" and move on to what did work for me and what didn’t, shall I? Let’s.
Character-wise, this was a mixed bag for me. I loved Rayleigh, her laidback, cocky nature, I liked most of the pirates with a few obvious exceptions that weren’t meant to be likeable, I liked Rhianne, and Julian...more or less everyone who was intended as a likeable character...except for Maren. That’s a bummer, considering I had high hopes for this romance. As a rule, I tend to prefer prickly characters over overly good-natured ones, so I'm baffled that most of my responses to Maren landed somewhere in the range of "indifferent to moderately annoyed". It’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason, but I'd say it has to do with how childish the character reads for a (in human years) 17-ish years old. How she gets annoyed at the drop of a hat. I get that she has extenuating circumstances and all that, I get that her characterization evolves throughout the story, but still: as a whole, Maren, especially during her own POVs, tends to piss me off. I had trouble connecting with her, and on that note, I had trouble connecting on a deeper level with most of the character cast and the story.
Some things that I did enjoy quite a lot, on the other hand, were the action scenes as well as most instances of Rayleigh’s POV. For some reason, the banter between the girls also hit better for me during the action scenes. Maybe it’s a matter of tempo? Maybe action is the author’s strong suit? Dunno.
I think I would have enjoyed this more as a romance if the girls had started off more obviously leaning towards falling in lust with each other, rather than developing an emotional attachment quite so fast, given their personalities (especially Maren, but I could see that angle working for Rayleigh as well at the very start). It would have made the whole thing more believable, and would have added some lovely tension as a slow burn.
For the record, though? The premise was outrageously good. Sapphic pirate/mermaid romance sounds like it was meant to be.
Alright, I'm torn. I have good news and bad news. The good news: I liked this story. The bad news: I didn’t love it. I'll just fast forward past the "the premise was so outrageously good" and the "I wish I did love it, damn it" and move on to what did work for me and what didn’t, shall I? Let’s.
Character-wise, this was a mixed bag for me. I loved Rayleigh, her laidback, cocky nature, I liked most of the pirates with a few obvious exceptions that weren’t meant to be likeable, I liked Rhianne, and Julian...more or less everyone who was intended as a likeable character...except for Maren. That’s a bummer, considering I had high hopes for this romance. As a rule, I tend to prefer prickly characters over overly good-natured ones, so I'm baffled that most of my responses to Maren landed somewhere in the range of "indifferent to moderately annoyed". It’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason, but I'd say it has to do with how childish the character reads for a (in human years) 17-ish years old. How she gets annoyed at the drop of a hat. I get that she has extenuating circumstances and all that, I get that her characterization evolves throughout the story, but still: as a whole, Maren, especially during her own POVs, tends to piss me off. I had trouble connecting with her, and on that note, I had trouble connecting on a deeper level with most of the character cast and the story.
Some things that I did enjoy quite a lot, on the other hand, were the action scenes as well as most instances of Rayleigh’s POV. For some reason, the banter between the girls also hit better for me during the action scenes. Maybe it’s a matter of tempo? Maybe action is the author’s strong suit? Dunno.
I think I would have enjoyed this more as a romance if the girls had started off more obviously leaning towards falling in lust with each other, rather than developing an emotional attachment quite so fast, given their personalities (especially Maren, but I could see that angle working for Rayleigh as well at the very start). It would have made the whole thing more believable, and would have added some lovely tension as a slow burn.
For the record, though? The premise was outrageously good. Sapphic pirate/mermaid romance sounds like it was meant to be.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGallery for the eARC! 4.5 ⭐️
Omgggg pirate x mermaid sapphic goodness!! This book is an absolute must read for my queer/queer loving readers.
Rayleigh and Maren are both very angry; Rayleigh losing her mother (turning her reputation into something dark) and Maren losing her brother (making her untrusting, especially of those pirates). The two end up crossing paths while in search of the Sea Witches dungeon keys, ending up in a reluctant deal that benefits them both. There are battles, pirate scandals and saloons, romantic moments under the stars, and so so much more offered in this tale.
What makes this book so well-rounded is the importance of Rayleigh and Maren together, but also their separate journeys. They both are dealing with a heavy grief that drive them into seeking out revenge and attempting bargaining instead of acceptance. As the reader, we get to walk through both of their experiences of grief, as well as the grief of the other affected people around them. The grief isn't central to just their characters, but their friends and family alike, as well as potentially connecting with the reader. This is a story of grief, but most importantly overcoming said grief and rediscovering love.
Moving onward, beyond the points of grief, there were also beautiful connections to romance and falling in love, loving the sea and wanting to protect the ocean, re-kindling familial relations, and understanding that you are not alone in this world. This was such a well-rounded plot that it also aided in bringing each of these themes forward.
They also don't shy away from the violence of piracy, and I really appreciate that!! Especially as a YA novel
Omgggg pirate x mermaid sapphic goodness!! This book is an absolute must read for my queer/queer loving readers.
Rayleigh and Maren are both very angry; Rayleigh losing her mother (turning her reputation into something dark) and Maren losing her brother (making her untrusting, especially of those pirates). The two end up crossing paths while in search of the Sea Witches dungeon keys, ending up in a reluctant deal that benefits them both. There are battles, pirate scandals and saloons, romantic moments under the stars, and so so much more offered in this tale.
What makes this book so well-rounded is the importance of Rayleigh and Maren together, but also their separate journeys. They both are dealing with a heavy grief that drive them into seeking out revenge and attempting bargaining instead of acceptance. As the reader, we get to walk through both of their experiences of grief, as well as the grief of the other affected people around them. The grief isn't central to just their characters, but their friends and family alike, as well as potentially connecting with the reader. This is a story of grief, but most importantly overcoming said grief and rediscovering love.
Moving onward, beyond the points of grief, there were also beautiful connections to romance and falling in love, loving the sea and wanting to protect the ocean, re-kindling familial relations, and understanding that you are not alone in this world. This was such a well-rounded plot that it also aided in bringing each of these themes forward.
They also don't shy away from the violence of piracy, and I really appreciate that!! Especially as a YA novel
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Siren’s Kiss follows Rayleigh, a cursed pirate on a mission to win her freedom, and Maren, a mermaid desperate to get her brother back from the Sea Witch. As they reluctantly join forces, the girls face sea monsters, pirate kings, and heart-pounding danger as they realize they might be falling for one another.
This was such a fun one!! I love Leslie Vedder and had the best time reading this. It’s very much Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Little Mermaid, but sapphic. It was super fast-paced and engaging. I was sold from the beginning. I really do love the way Vedder describes her worlds and how she builds these fascinating places with intriguing magic systems. Her prose is also beautiful! It’s the perfect standalone and wrapped up so beautifully.
Another strong point with Vedder is her ability to craft such complex characters that are so easy to root for and have such depth. I loved the arcs the girls went on. I especially loved how sassy and fierce Maren was. The banter between Rayleigh and Maren was top notch and had me giggling. And their romance was perfect. It developed really well and was absolutely precious! The epilogue was sooooo cute!
If you love pirate stories or sapphic romantasies, definitely go check this one out!
🏴☠️ Pirates
🧜♀️ Mermaids
❤️🔥 Sapphic romance
😂 Funny banter
⚔️ Action
Thank you to ABRAMS Kids and Netgalley for the arc
This was such a fun one!! I love Leslie Vedder and had the best time reading this. It’s very much Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Little Mermaid, but sapphic. It was super fast-paced and engaging. I was sold from the beginning. I really do love the way Vedder describes her worlds and how she builds these fascinating places with intriguing magic systems. Her prose is also beautiful! It’s the perfect standalone and wrapped up so beautifully.
Another strong point with Vedder is her ability to craft such complex characters that are so easy to root for and have such depth. I loved the arcs the girls went on. I especially loved how sassy and fierce Maren was. The banter between Rayleigh and Maren was top notch and had me giggling. And their romance was perfect. It developed really well and was absolutely precious! The epilogue was sooooo cute!
If you love pirate stories or sapphic romantasies, definitely go check this one out!
🏴☠️ Pirates
🧜♀️ Mermaids
❤️🔥 Sapphic romance
😂 Funny banter
⚔️ Action
Thank you to ABRAMS Kids and Netgalley for the arc
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a read.
I chose this because I loved the cover, the thought of a female pirate falling in love with a mermaid.. I'm a sucker for pirate stories mixed with fantasy.
I guess, this is a good beginner book for f/f fans and new teens looking for a light romance. If you're more adjusted to f/f and fantasy books, this will be lacking somewhat. There isn't a lot of depth or real pirate things done per-se. The story revolves around the pirate looking for all the keys that link to a pirate's chest that holds his heart. Very pirates of the Caribbean (davey jones). However, this chest lies with the sea witch. The mermaid, too, is looking for the sea witch because her brother sacrificed himself and turned into sea foam (she wants to bring him back to life). So, both of them team up and head off to find the sea witch.
It was just a really cute, tame book. I've read more YA with depth, but then again it could be me just wanted to see something with a bit more grit.
I liked the two characters but I felt they had no chemistry besides from friendship. Again, comes with the lack of depth.
All in all, if you're looking for general enjoyment and no real 'yo-ho-ho' escapades and what not, then a new reader for f/f stories would like. But if you're looking for something with depth, this is a bit of a miss.
I chose this because I loved the cover, the thought of a female pirate falling in love with a mermaid.. I'm a sucker for pirate stories mixed with fantasy.
I guess, this is a good beginner book for f/f fans and new teens looking for a light romance. If you're more adjusted to f/f and fantasy books, this will be lacking somewhat. There isn't a lot of depth or real pirate things done per-se. The story revolves around the pirate looking for all the keys that link to a pirate's chest that holds his heart. Very pirates of the Caribbean (davey jones). However, this chest lies with the sea witch. The mermaid, too, is looking for the sea witch because her brother sacrificed himself and turned into sea foam (she wants to bring him back to life). So, both of them team up and head off to find the sea witch.
It was just a really cute, tame book. I've read more YA with depth, but then again it could be me just wanted to see something with a bit more grit.
I liked the two characters but I felt they had no chemistry besides from friendship. Again, comes with the lack of depth.
All in all, if you're looking for general enjoyment and no real 'yo-ho-ho' escapades and what not, then a new reader for f/f stories would like. But if you're looking for something with depth, this is a bit of a miss.
May 15, 2026
ARC Review. Thank you NetGalley
✨ The Siren's Kiss ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This book honestly felt like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Little Mermaid had a sapphic romantasy baby and I ate it UP 🌊⚓️🖤
From the very beginning, I was completely pulled into the atmosphere. Leslie Vedder’s writing makes the world feel so vivid—the salty sea air, pirate taverns, sea monsters, curses, dangerous magic… it all felt cinematic in the best way. I genuinely felt like I was sailing alongside these characters.
What really made this story stand out to me though was the emotional depth underneath all the action and adventure. Both Rayleigh and Maren are carrying so much grief and anger, and I loved that their journeys weren’t just about romance, but also healing, revenge, family, and learning how to trust again.
And THE TENSION????
The reluctant alliance between a cursed pirate and a mermaid who absolutely does not trust pirates was everything to me 😭 Their banter was so fun, but the softer moments hit even harder because both of them were constantly holding parts of themselves back.
Mild spoiler:
The scenes where they begin opening up to each other while still keeping dangerous secrets had me stressed OUT. Every time they started getting close, another betrayal or reveal would happen and I was sitting there like “please just communicate for FIVE MINUTES” 💀
I also really appreciated that this book didn’t shy away from the darker side of piracy and grief. Even with the fun banter and romance, there were real emotional stakes throughout the story that made the characters feel layered and believable.
The pacing dragged just a tiny bit for me in the middle, which is why this wasn’t a full 5 stars, but the world-building, romance, action scenes, and emotional payoff absolutely made up for it.
If you love:
⚓️ pirates
🧜♀️ mermaids & sirens
🖤 sapphic slow burn
🌊 sea monsters + curses
✨ yearning, banter, and emotional tension
…definitely pick this one up.
Also that epilogue?? SO cute 😭
✨ The Siren's Kiss ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This book honestly felt like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Little Mermaid had a sapphic romantasy baby and I ate it UP 🌊⚓️🖤
From the very beginning, I was completely pulled into the atmosphere. Leslie Vedder’s writing makes the world feel so vivid—the salty sea air, pirate taverns, sea monsters, curses, dangerous magic… it all felt cinematic in the best way. I genuinely felt like I was sailing alongside these characters.
What really made this story stand out to me though was the emotional depth underneath all the action and adventure. Both Rayleigh and Maren are carrying so much grief and anger, and I loved that their journeys weren’t just about romance, but also healing, revenge, family, and learning how to trust again.
And THE TENSION????
The reluctant alliance between a cursed pirate and a mermaid who absolutely does not trust pirates was everything to me 😭 Their banter was so fun, but the softer moments hit even harder because both of them were constantly holding parts of themselves back.
Mild spoiler:
The scenes where they begin opening up to each other while still keeping dangerous secrets had me stressed OUT. Every time they started getting close, another betrayal or reveal would happen and I was sitting there like “please just communicate for FIVE MINUTES” 💀
I also really appreciated that this book didn’t shy away from the darker side of piracy and grief. Even with the fun banter and romance, there were real emotional stakes throughout the story that made the characters feel layered and believable.
The pacing dragged just a tiny bit for me in the middle, which is why this wasn’t a full 5 stars, but the world-building, romance, action scenes, and emotional payoff absolutely made up for it.
If you love:
⚓️ pirates
🧜♀️ mermaids & sirens
🖤 sapphic slow burn
🌊 sea monsters + curses
✨ yearning, banter, and emotional tension
…definitely pick this one up.
Also that epilogue?? SO cute 😭
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🧜🏾♀️🌊⚔️ The Siren’s Kiss ⚔️🌊🧜🏾♀️
Sapphic Pirates 🫱🏽🫲🏽 Sapphic Mermaid
I NEED more sapphic pirate romances and now I also need more sapphic mermaid romances!
The Siren’s Kiss was such a fun, high seas adventure 🗡️🌊
I loved Rayleigh and Maren immediately. They’re both so determined and headstrong in their own ways. Maren especially stood out to me. She’s fiery, scrappy, and fully ready to throw down at any moment and I was here for it.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding and honestly just wish this book was longer because I would have stayed in this story way longer.
Also the cover?? GORGEOUS. I will absolutely be grabbing a physical copy when it releases.
💙 What to Expect
• Pirate x mermaid
• Sapphic romantasy
• Enemies to lovers
• Reluctant allies
• Cursed ship
• Quest for a Sea Witch
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 1, 2026
📝 Thank you to ABRAMS Kids and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Sapphic Pirates 🫱🏽🫲🏽 Sapphic Mermaid
I NEED more sapphic pirate romances and now I also need more sapphic mermaid romances!
The Siren’s Kiss was such a fun, high seas adventure 🗡️🌊
I loved Rayleigh and Maren immediately. They’re both so determined and headstrong in their own ways. Maren especially stood out to me. She’s fiery, scrappy, and fully ready to throw down at any moment and I was here for it.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding and honestly just wish this book was longer because I would have stayed in this story way longer.
Also the cover?? GORGEOUS. I will absolutely be grabbing a physical copy when it releases.
💙 What to Expect
• Pirate x mermaid
• Sapphic romantasy
• Enemies to lovers
• Reluctant allies
• Cursed ship
• Quest for a Sea Witch
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 1, 2026
📝 Thank you to ABRAMS Kids and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley and Abrams/Amulet, because this book knocked my socks off. The Siren's Kiss is a YA adventure Sapphic romance aimed at older teens. The story begins with Rayleigh, a heartless pirate, cursed to sail a ghost ship as punishment for crossing the sea god Red-Handed Roger. On her quest to retrieve the keys to retrieve her heart Rayleigh runs afoul of a beautiful yet cantankerous mermaid called Maren. Though they ruffle each other's feathers, the pair quickly realizes they can achieve their goals best if they work together. What ensues is a touching story that explores the complexity of grief and self-blame. What starts as a begrudging partnership evolves into deep mutual understanding, and a very sweet romance. The setting is absolutely gorgeous with colorful descriptions of a lively ocean and there is positive and believable character development. I absolutely loved this book and would highly suggest it. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will love it.
April 20, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!! I was so excited to receive this.
I took my time reading this book because I loved it so much and didn’t want it to end.
One thing I noticed right from the get go was the author’s descriptions. To me they were great tools to get the reader into the world of the book, not just a jumble of words to be page fillers. I felt engaged in the first 5 pages, and almost like I was sailing along the sea with the characters.
The action was so much fun and had my heart pumping - just needs a Hans Zimmer score.
I knew from the moment Rayleigh and Maren met that their romance was going to be delicious and make me giggle like a school girl - and I sure was right. Their love story is beautiful, honest, and fearless from the first page to the last.
I would read 500 more pages of this book and even though this hasn’t been released yet - I am already yearning for a sequel!
I took my time reading this book because I loved it so much and didn’t want it to end.
One thing I noticed right from the get go was the author’s descriptions. To me they were great tools to get the reader into the world of the book, not just a jumble of words to be page fillers. I felt engaged in the first 5 pages, and almost like I was sailing along the sea with the characters.
The action was so much fun and had my heart pumping - just needs a Hans Zimmer score.
I knew from the moment Rayleigh and Maren met that their romance was going to be delicious and make me giggle like a school girl - and I sure was right. Their love story is beautiful, honest, and fearless from the first page to the last.
I would read 500 more pages of this book and even though this hasn’t been released yet - I am already yearning for a sequel!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of this book.
Overall this really was a super fun read! The characters definitely read a little more on the younger spectrum of YA for my taste but overall it worked for the story. I think the author did an exceptionally good job with Rayleigh and Maren’s character development both as a couple and individuals and I especially loved her portrayal of their own struggles with grief and how neither one let their own sadness overwhelm the others.
The plot though could use a *little* bit more polishing. Like it was not bad by any means but there was definitely some places that she could have expanded the world building a bit to really give it that oomph. This is a shorter read so I was expecting minimal world building in general but just a couple of extra pages here and there would have pushed this into 5 stars for me easily.
Overall this really was a super fun read! The characters definitely read a little more on the younger spectrum of YA for my taste but overall it worked for the story. I think the author did an exceptionally good job with Rayleigh and Maren’s character development both as a couple and individuals and I especially loved her portrayal of their own struggles with grief and how neither one let their own sadness overwhelm the others.
The plot though could use a *little* bit more polishing. Like it was not bad by any means but there was definitely some places that she could have expanded the world building a bit to really give it that oomph. This is a shorter read so I was expecting minimal world building in general but just a couple of extra pages here and there would have pushed this into 5 stars for me easily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
What a treat! An adventurous, heartwarming love story between a pirate and a mermaid. The love felt real. The stakes were high. The writing was beautiful. I devoured this book in a couple days. Every time I put it down, I was itching to pick it right back up again. Kayleigh and Maren are my kind of protagonists. They're independent and rugged but still know when to lead with their heart, even if one of their hearts is currently in the shape of a bird.
I'd highly recommend this one to readers who love a sweet story with equal parts adventure and heartache. I laughed and I cried, but I leave this book with a big smile on my face.
What a treat! An adventurous, heartwarming love story between a pirate and a mermaid. The love felt real. The stakes were high. The writing was beautiful. I devoured this book in a couple days. Every time I put it down, I was itching to pick it right back up again. Kayleigh and Maren are my kind of protagonists. They're independent and rugged but still know when to lead with their heart, even if one of their hearts is currently in the shape of a bird.
I'd highly recommend this one to readers who love a sweet story with equal parts adventure and heartache. I laughed and I cried, but I leave this book with a big smile on my face.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Such a great book! The book keeps you hooked from the start, with adventure after adventure, and the scenes are so well described I can picture them perfectly like they're in a movie. The romance is sweet and not instant love, there's a bit of enemies to lovers development that happens. But when they do fall, the pining is absolutely adorable.
Overall, this is such a fun, sweet, page-turning YA book. This is definitely a serious contender for my favorite ARC of the year. 5/5 stars, highly reccomend!
Such a great book! The book keeps you hooked from the start, with adventure after adventure, and the scenes are so well described I can picture them perfectly like they're in a movie. The romance is sweet and not instant love, there's a bit of enemies to lovers development that happens. But when they do fall, the pining is absolutely adorable.
Overall, this is such a fun, sweet, page-turning YA book. This is definitely a serious contender for my favorite ARC of the year. 5/5 stars, highly reccomend!
April 6, 2026
Thank you ABRAMS Kids and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
A sweet and adventurous story with a lot of heart!
I love the way the author wrote the main characters, their individual development, and their relationship together. It was the perfect pace as they hesitantly started to trust one another to eventually realizing their feelings. It wasn’t slow paced—it was gradual and made sense within the narrative.
The world building was also great, and the action sequences were particularly thrilling.
A sweet and adventurous story with a lot of heart!
I love the way the author wrote the main characters, their individual development, and their relationship together. It was the perfect pace as they hesitantly started to trust one another to eventually realizing their feelings. It wasn’t slow paced—it was gradual and made sense within the narrative.
The world building was also great, and the action sequences were particularly thrilling.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"The Siren's Kiss" is a romantic yet exciting adventure aboard the seas and perfect for fans of "Pirates of the Caribbean". I was immediately intrigued because of the beautiful cover art and enjoyed the story just as much. The banter at the beginning will suck you in and leaving you wanting more of the girls as the story progresses and we learn more about each one's secret.
Thank you Netgalley for the copy!
Thank you Netgalley for the copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
One of my favorites things about Leslie’s books is the rich imagery. I felt truly transported, to a world of pirate ships and a mermaid’s life in the vibrant world of the sea. This is a book for anyone looking for a fun sea-faring adventure, a sweet love story, and exploration of love and loss. A pure delight any reader is sure to enjoy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I saw the tagline about this being The Little Mermaid meets Pirates of the Caribbean, you know I dropped everything to request this one. Let me say this--those vibes were absolutely spot on! This was such a fun, refreshing read! It was action-packed and so cute! I only wish it had been a little longer to give me more of the romance that I craved (and maybe a little swashbuckling).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I want to thank netgally and the author Leslie Vedder for letting me arc read this book. I am leaving this review honestly and of my own choice.
I enjoyed this story very much. So much love, so much hurt, so many feelings. I loved the journey the two fmc faced. I sobbed in some moments, laughed in other. I am a sucker for anything pirates or mermaids/sirens!
I enjoyed this story very much. So much love, so much hurt, so many feelings. I loved the journey the two fmc faced. I sobbed in some moments, laughed in other. I am a sucker for anything pirates or mermaids/sirens!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
FIVE STAR READ!
This was my first pirate book i read and I LOVED it
I was sucked into the book the whole time just waiting for them to finally get together everything in the book was AMAZING definitely something you need to put on your tbr!
This was my first pirate book i read and I LOVED it
I was sucked into the book the whole time just waiting for them to finally get together everything in the book was AMAZING definitely something you need to put on your tbr!
Want to Read
February 21, 2026this cover is stunning i want to read this immediately
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!
this book was super interesting, as I love both pirates and sirens. I believe this book will keep you on your feet for the entire duration of the read!
this book was super interesting, as I love both pirates and sirens. I believe this book will keep you on your feet for the entire duration of the read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
More adventurous sapphic pirate x siren/mermaid stories please and thank you!! Wholesome and full of yearning
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the sapphic YA pirate/mermaid fantasy of my dreams. An utter delight, so wholesome and fun, yet with some lovely reflective moments, and of course plenty of swashbuckling adventure.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
March 27, 2026
If you are looking for a big swashbuckling love story with two girls falling completely, helplessly in love with each other, look no further—it’s 100% The Siren’s Kiss.
I loved everything about this book. I loved Rayleigh, our angsty pirate captain, and Maren, a mermaid who’s completely out of her depth (mermaid pun). Anything you could want from a big seafaring adventure is in this book. Sword fights and ship battles. A drunken brawl at the rowdy pirate tavern. Lost treasure and sea monsters and vicious gods out for blood. Getting washed up on a deserted island with the girl you like, and almost passing out when she rips her skirt a little higher to bandage your wound? Hell yeah :)
Maren and Rayleigh’s antagonism is so believable, and yet they made me laugh so many times—Leslie Vedder truly has a gift for snarky banter. This book is also overflowing with love scenes, epic kisses and fun flirting and scenes that just made me ache. For all their fire and sizzle, Rayleigh and Maren have both lost people they care for, and I loved watching them patch each other back together.
And the pining. I want to give Rayleigh a gold medal in the sapphic pining event. I’m as in love with them as they are with each other
Don’t miss this book! Perfect for anyone who loves:
Sapphic romance
Are-we-flirting-or-are-we-going-to-kill-each-other
Pirates and mermaids
Dancing on the moonlit deck
Epic action scenes that should be set to a movie soundtrack
Sacrificing everything for the girl you love—while she tries to do the same thing
I loved everything about this book. I loved Rayleigh, our angsty pirate captain, and Maren, a mermaid who’s completely out of her depth (mermaid pun). Anything you could want from a big seafaring adventure is in this book. Sword fights and ship battles. A drunken brawl at the rowdy pirate tavern. Lost treasure and sea monsters and vicious gods out for blood. Getting washed up on a deserted island with the girl you like, and almost passing out when she rips her skirt a little higher to bandage your wound? Hell yeah :)
Maren and Rayleigh’s antagonism is so believable, and yet they made me laugh so many times—Leslie Vedder truly has a gift for snarky banter. This book is also overflowing with love scenes, epic kisses and fun flirting and scenes that just made me ache. For all their fire and sizzle, Rayleigh and Maren have both lost people they care for, and I loved watching them patch each other back together.
And the pining. I want to give Rayleigh a gold medal in the sapphic pining event. I’m as in love with them as they are with each other
Don’t miss this book! Perfect for anyone who loves:
Sapphic romance
Are-we-flirting-or-are-we-going-to-kill-each-other
Pirates and mermaids
Dancing on the moonlit deck
Epic action scenes that should be set to a movie soundtrack
Sacrificing everything for the girl you love—while she tries to do the same thing
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews