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Girl of Sea and Starlight
Not yet published
Expected 1 Aug 26When the grumpy captain of a fishing boat rescues a dying seal from the sea, she never expects the creature to shift into a handsome selkie prince who immediately proposes marriage.
Lainey stopped believing in the benevolence of the starry host when she was very young, preferring to trust in her skills rather than stardust and magic. She’s as good a sailor as any, and she can shoot her pistol and throw her dagger as well as any man in her village. Her life is almost perfect… well, except for her missing cat… and her tantrums, which have been worsening of late.
Arrendale has waited years for this moment, when at long last he can gaze upon his fiancée, promising her not only his protection but his undying love. Imagine his surprise when his beloved has no notion they’ve been betrothed since she was an infant… and even worse, she attempts to toss him overboard.
How can the crown prince of an undersea kingdom convince this grouchy girl his intentions are entirely honorable—and both their lives are forfeit if she doesn’t accept his blasted furry hide and his kiss!
Girl of Sea and Starlight is a clean, gender-flipped reimagining of The Fisherman and the Selkie, with romance, battles, pirates, elves, and trolls. Fans of The Princess Bride, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Chronicles of Narnia will love this epic, adventurous, humorous, and inspirational tale of selkie love, human grit, and answered prayers.
Lainey stopped believing in the benevolence of the starry host when she was very young, preferring to trust in her skills rather than stardust and magic. She’s as good a sailor as any, and she can shoot her pistol and throw her dagger as well as any man in her village. Her life is almost perfect… well, except for her missing cat… and her tantrums, which have been worsening of late.
Arrendale has waited years for this moment, when at long last he can gaze upon his fiancée, promising her not only his protection but his undying love. Imagine his surprise when his beloved has no notion they’ve been betrothed since she was an infant… and even worse, she attempts to toss him overboard.
How can the crown prince of an undersea kingdom convince this grouchy girl his intentions are entirely honorable—and both their lives are forfeit if she doesn’t accept his blasted furry hide and his kiss!
Girl of Sea and Starlight is a clean, gender-flipped reimagining of The Fisherman and the Selkie, with romance, battles, pirates, elves, and trolls. Fans of The Princess Bride, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Chronicles of Narnia will love this epic, adventurous, humorous, and inspirational tale of selkie love, human grit, and answered prayers.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 1, 2026
About the author
Toni Cabell
22 books146 followersI write Clean, Closed Door Fantasy Romance for teens, new adults, and adults.
My novels have won Silver and Bronze Medals in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, two Gold Medals in the Global Book Awards, and multiple B.R.A.G. Medallions.
Click my website link below to join my newsletter and receive a Free Novella!
https://tonicabell.com/
My novels have won Silver and Bronze Medals in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, two Gold Medals in the Global Book Awards, and multiple B.R.A.G. Medallions.
Click my website link below to join my newsletter and receive a Free Novella!
https://tonicabell.com/
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
EDITORIAL REVIEW
2nd June 2026
TITLE: Girl of Sea and Starlight
AUTHOR: Toni Cabell
Star Rating: 5
“A delightful blend of fantasy, romance, humour, and adventure, Girl of Sea and Starlight sweeps readers into a magical selkie tale where a fiercely independent captain and a devoted sea prince must navigate destiny, danger, and an unforgettable love story.”
The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
Toni Cabell’s Girl of Sea and Starlight is the sort of fantasy that knows exactly what it wants to be: adventurous, romantic, funny, and wonderfully heartfelt. From the moment grouchy fishing captain Lainey hauls what she thinks is a dying seal onto her boat, the story sweeps readers into a world of selkies, magic, royal secrets, and destiny gone delightfully wrong. The gender-flipped fairy tale premise feels fresh, and Cabell wastes no time throwing her stubborn heroine into absolute chaos.
Lainey is easily the standout here. She’s practical, independent, fiercely capable, and completely unimpressed by magic, royalty, or handsome princes. Watching her react to Arrendale’s dramatic arrival—and even more dramatic marriage proposal—is an absolute joy. Their dynamic crackles with humour, especially because Arrendale has spent years dreaming about his future bride, while Lainey would quite happily throw him straight back into the ocean.
What makes the novel particularly engaging is the balance between light-hearted romance and larger stakes. Beneath the banter and awkward betrothal lies a fascinating fantasy world filled with selkie kingdoms, political alliances, fading magic, and looming threats. Cabell gradually reveals these layers without slowing the pace, making the world feel rich while keeping the focus firmly on the characters.
The alternating perspectives work especially well, allowing readers to understand both Lainey’s outrage and Arrendale’s sincerity. Arrendale could easily have become an overly perfect romantic hero, but his earnestness, patience, and occasional cluelessness make him surprisingly endearing. The humour lands consistently, often emerging naturally from the clash between his romantic expectations and Lainey’s determination to resist every single one of them.
Overall, Girl of Sea and Starlight is a charming, family-friendly fantasy romance packed with adventure, magic, and plenty of heart. Fans of fairy-tale retellings, slow-burn relationships, and spirited heroines will find a lot to enjoy here. It’s an entertaining start to a story that combines swashbuckling action with sweetness and humour, leaving readers eager to see how Lainey and her persistent selkie prince navigate the storms still ahead.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
EDITORIAL REVIEW
2nd June 2026
TITLE: Girl of Sea and Starlight
AUTHOR: Toni Cabell
Star Rating: 5
“A delightful blend of fantasy, romance, humour, and adventure, Girl of Sea and Starlight sweeps readers into a magical selkie tale where a fiercely independent captain and a devoted sea prince must navigate destiny, danger, and an unforgettable love story.”
The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
Toni Cabell’s Girl of Sea and Starlight is the sort of fantasy that knows exactly what it wants to be: adventurous, romantic, funny, and wonderfully heartfelt. From the moment grouchy fishing captain Lainey hauls what she thinks is a dying seal onto her boat, the story sweeps readers into a world of selkies, magic, royal secrets, and destiny gone delightfully wrong. The gender-flipped fairy tale premise feels fresh, and Cabell wastes no time throwing her stubborn heroine into absolute chaos.
Lainey is easily the standout here. She’s practical, independent, fiercely capable, and completely unimpressed by magic, royalty, or handsome princes. Watching her react to Arrendale’s dramatic arrival—and even more dramatic marriage proposal—is an absolute joy. Their dynamic crackles with humour, especially because Arrendale has spent years dreaming about his future bride, while Lainey would quite happily throw him straight back into the ocean.
What makes the novel particularly engaging is the balance between light-hearted romance and larger stakes. Beneath the banter and awkward betrothal lies a fascinating fantasy world filled with selkie kingdoms, political alliances, fading magic, and looming threats. Cabell gradually reveals these layers without slowing the pace, making the world feel rich while keeping the focus firmly on the characters.
The alternating perspectives work especially well, allowing readers to understand both Lainey’s outrage and Arrendale’s sincerity. Arrendale could easily have become an overly perfect romantic hero, but his earnestness, patience, and occasional cluelessness make him surprisingly endearing. The humour lands consistently, often emerging naturally from the clash between his romantic expectations and Lainey’s determination to resist every single one of them.
Overall, Girl of Sea and Starlight is a charming, family-friendly fantasy romance packed with adventure, magic, and plenty of heart. Fans of fairy-tale retellings, slow-burn relationships, and spirited heroines will find a lot to enjoy here. It’s an entertaining start to a story that combines swashbuckling action with sweetness and humour, leaving readers eager to see how Lainey and her persistent selkie prince navigate the storms still ahead.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
Review of advance copy received from Author
SQUEEEEE I just ADORED this story!!! Every single thing about it completely swept me away!
Lainey is hands down one of the coolest FMCs I’ve read in a long time. She’s fierce, stubborn, wildly capable, and absolutely refuses to rely on anything but her own strength. Watching her clash with fate, magic, and one very determined selkie prince was everything I didn’t know I needed. And Arrendale is ALL the chef’s kisses. Loyal, earnest, slightly exasperated, and so swoony in the most unexpected ways.
This story had me giggling one minute and holding my breath the next. Between the magical chaos, the tension of a betrothal gone very wrong, and the high seas adventure filled with pirates, elves, and trolls, I was completely hooked from beginning to end. The banter is top tier. The chemistry is perfection. The emotional moments hit just right.
I loved the gender-flipped twist on a classic selkie tale and the way it blends romance, humor, and danger so seamlessly. It feels whimsical and adventurous while still grounding you in characters you can’t help but root for.
I genuinely did not want this story to end. If you love grumpy heroines, devoted heroes, magical bargains, and swoony fairytale vibes with a twist, this is one you need on your shelf ASAP when it releases of course 😉
Thank you to the author for the ARC! These thoughts are my own.
Lainey is hands down one of the coolest FMCs I’ve read in a long time. She’s fierce, stubborn, wildly capable, and absolutely refuses to rely on anything but her own strength. Watching her clash with fate, magic, and one very determined selkie prince was everything I didn’t know I needed. And Arrendale is ALL the chef’s kisses. Loyal, earnest, slightly exasperated, and so swoony in the most unexpected ways.
This story had me giggling one minute and holding my breath the next. Between the magical chaos, the tension of a betrothal gone very wrong, and the high seas adventure filled with pirates, elves, and trolls, I was completely hooked from beginning to end. The banter is top tier. The chemistry is perfection. The emotional moments hit just right.
I loved the gender-flipped twist on a classic selkie tale and the way it blends romance, humor, and danger so seamlessly. It feels whimsical and adventurous while still grounding you in characters you can’t help but root for.
I genuinely did not want this story to end. If you love grumpy heroines, devoted heroes, magical bargains, and swoony fairytale vibes with a twist, this is one you need on your shelf ASAP when it releases of course 😉
Thank you to the author for the ARC! These thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the pleasure of being a beta reader, and my GOODNESS what an adventure this is! I had also read Toni's novella of this story in the Beyond The Depths anthology, so I anticipated a very similar story... and it is. But it's also sooo much more! Not to mention, in true Toni fashion, there were some unexpected twists. 😏 Really enjoyed this story, and looking forward (already!) to book 2!
⚠️ No cursing
🫑 Kisses only
⚠️ No cursing
🫑 Kisses only
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews