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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
716 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Vedder
8 books418 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!
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.
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
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!
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.
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!
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.
Want to read
February 21, 2026this cover is stunning i want to read this immediately
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 - 10 of 10 reviews