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If I Could #1
If I Could Drag You Under
Mira Hansen is done. With everything. In an effort to escape her life, she books a stay at a secluded beach house during the off season and is surprised when it comes with a very persistent, and hot, lesbian neighbor. One who’s annoyingly preoccupied with her wellbeing. During her stay, doors she thought she had closed swing wide open, and things she can’t unsee come crawling out of the ocean. Maybe it’s a good thing that at least one other person lives nearby… to make sure she’s not going crazy.
261 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2026
18 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Preston
2 books21 followersKelly Preston is a neurodivergent, disabled, Midwestern, queer person that has determined that since Chronic Pain led them to write, then they are here gay-ing up your life. They write books with the core value of Empathy Building and challenge their readers to think on a deeper level about a character’s experience.
Originally from St. Louis, MO, Kelly now finds themselves in the Bay Area after living in places like: Los Angeles, California; Denver, Colorado and Auckland, New Zealand. They live with their wife, ESA cat babies Lunabutts, Princess Tiny Buttholes and their service dog Lena Margie.
Kelly is a fandom nerd and has many special interests. Don’t mention New Zealand unless you are ready for non stop yapping.
Originally from St. Louis, MO, Kelly now finds themselves in the Bay Area after living in places like: Los Angeles, California; Denver, Colorado and Auckland, New Zealand. They live with their wife, ESA cat babies Lunabutts, Princess Tiny Buttholes and their service dog Lena Margie.
Kelly is a fandom nerd and has many special interests. Don’t mention New Zealand unless you are ready for non stop yapping.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 18, 2026
Kelly has dragged me into another dark read. And I have to admit this book was definitely one of my fave reads this month!
Dark, spicy and supernatural.
Know that it does have suicidal thoughts in the book.
I had a hard time putting it down to even get sleep!
Loved the development of the book, loved the plot and characters!
Dark, spicy and supernatural.
Know that it does have suicidal thoughts in the book.
I had a hard time putting it down to even get sleep!
Loved the development of the book, loved the plot and characters!
May 3, 2026
Okay so I don’t usually pick up thrillers, but If I Could Drag You Under by Kelly Preston?? I had SO much fun with this one and it totally left me rethinking why I hadn’t tried this genre before! It’s got that creepy, suspenseful vibe and I was frequently side-eyeing every character like “okay girl…but what are your intentions??” (Shout out to the author for putting up with all my random thoughts in her DMs as I worked through it all!)
And then?? There’s also this really intriguing romantic element woven in that I didn’t expect to get so invested in, and got me attached to these characters real quick. I NEEDED to know they were okay 😭 I won’t say too much because going in a little blind makes it way more fun, but just know it kept me guessing the entire time. Also…the ending? It wraps enough up to be satisfying but definitely left me with feelings, so yeah…I’ll be picking up the next book as soon as it drops.
And then?? There’s also this really intriguing romantic element woven in that I didn’t expect to get so invested in, and got me attached to these characters real quick. I NEEDED to know they were okay 😭 I won’t say too much because going in a little blind makes it way more fun, but just know it kept me guessing the entire time. Also…the ending? It wraps enough up to be satisfying but definitely left me with feelings, so yeah…I’ll be picking up the next book as soon as it drops.
April 21, 2026
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I devoured this book in less than two days. I did not want to put it down and absolutely stayed up too late reading it, but it was worth it. I was happy to over caffeinate so I could keep reading. If you pick this book up (which I recommend you do!) make sure to check TWs first because it does have some DARK themes that a lot of people may not be in a good place to read. If it’s not the book for you, that’s okay!
Mira has reached an all time low and has decided she’s done, so she rents a house on the beach to live out her final days. She quickly meets Kahli, a local who suddenly becomes very interested in Mira. Despite Mira being a grouch, Kahli is able to connect with her. Strange things start happening around the beach house, and Mira has a hard time making sense of them. Spooky and dangerous things seem to be a common occurrence in the sleepy town, and Kahli makes it clear she wants to protect Mira.
This was the first book I read by Kelly Preston, and I look forward to reading more!
I devoured this book in less than two days. I did not want to put it down and absolutely stayed up too late reading it, but it was worth it. I was happy to over caffeinate so I could keep reading. If you pick this book up (which I recommend you do!) make sure to check TWs first because it does have some DARK themes that a lot of people may not be in a good place to read. If it’s not the book for you, that’s okay!
Mira has reached an all time low and has decided she’s done, so she rents a house on the beach to live out her final days. She quickly meets Kahli, a local who suddenly becomes very interested in Mira. Despite Mira being a grouch, Kahli is able to connect with her. Strange things start happening around the beach house, and Mira has a hard time making sense of them. Spooky and dangerous things seem to be a common occurrence in the sleepy town, and Kahli makes it clear she wants to protect Mira.
This was the first book I read by Kelly Preston, and I look forward to reading more!
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April 28, 2026Honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about this one, so I'm choosing not to rate it. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I may be conflicted, because supernatural stuff just isn't my thing. And maybe I wasn't clear that this is what it was going to be.
Overall, supernatural stuff excluded, it wasn't a bad story. If mermaids, conflict, love, and depression are your things, you'll love this book.
I may be conflicted, because supernatural stuff just isn't my thing. And maybe I wasn't clear that this is what it was going to be.
Overall, supernatural stuff excluded, it wasn't a bad story. If mermaids, conflict, love, and depression are your things, you'll love this book.
April 30, 2026
5⭐️🧜♀️
Spoiler Free Review
Firstly, while I am an ARC reader I keep my reviews honest. This portion will be high level and spoiler free. For more in depth review with spoilers scroll down past the mermaids.
Overall this book is a great stand alone novel but I sure hope there will be another. Not an overly complicated writing style. Gives great character development and plot while still including some very nice spice. Please head the trigger warnings. The plot starts off real dark but has a happy ending.
Spoiler Review Below the Mermaids
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Characters: I love Mira and Khali as individual characters. Together their romance is so toxic but also Khali does so much for Mira to help her heal mentally and physically. Khali is definitely a black cat/golden retriever type like the author has said. She can be so cold if needed but worships Mira’s existence and lives to serve her. We get a lot of background on Mira and an okay amount on Khali. I would love to see a second addition that goes into more background on Khali. Maybe it can lead up to the day she first spots Mira.
The spice was an accurate representation of sex between two women (no mermaid form and human form sex sorry folks) and is obviously written by a sapphic author. There is also a great balance of spice and plot. Let’s be honest some smut these days are all spice and barely any type of plot. I read for the plot and the spice is the cherry on top of the sapphic sundae.
Loved this book and am rooting for an addition. I also look forward to reading the authors other works.
Spoiler Free Review
Firstly, while I am an ARC reader I keep my reviews honest. This portion will be high level and spoiler free. For more in depth review with spoilers scroll down past the mermaids.
Overall this book is a great stand alone novel but I sure hope there will be another. Not an overly complicated writing style. Gives great character development and plot while still including some very nice spice. Please head the trigger warnings. The plot starts off real dark but has a happy ending.
Spoiler Review Below the Mermaids
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Characters: I love Mira and Khali as individual characters. Together their romance is so toxic but also Khali does so much for Mira to help her heal mentally and physically. Khali is definitely a black cat/golden retriever type like the author has said. She can be so cold if needed but worships Mira’s existence and lives to serve her. We get a lot of background on Mira and an okay amount on Khali. I would love to see a second addition that goes into more background on Khali. Maybe it can lead up to the day she first spots Mira.
The spice was an accurate representation of sex between two women (no mermaid form and human form sex sorry folks) and is obviously written by a sapphic author. There is also a great balance of spice and plot. Let’s be honest some smut these days are all spice and barely any type of plot. I read for the plot and the spice is the cherry on top of the sapphic sundae.
Loved this book and am rooting for an addition. I also look forward to reading the authors other works.
April 26, 2026
If I Could Drag You Under by Kelly Preston 🧜🏽♀️
I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.🖤
short summary:
Mira is at the end of her rope. Hoping to escape everything weighing her down, she rents a secluded beach house in the off-season. Instead of peace and solitude, she finds Kahli, the persistent and very attractive lesbian neighbor next door. But as Mira begins confronting the pain she tried to outrun, strange and terrifying things start emerging from the ocean, forcing her to question what is real and what is haunting her.
my thoughts:
This book made me feel everything. I laughed, cried more than once, gasped, and spent half the book angry at the characters while also deeply understanding them. The opening line instantly hooks you, and from there the story never lets go. Mira is one of those messy, complicated characters who feels painfully real. She’s dealing with chronic illness, trauma, depression, suicidal ideation, and the scars left by abusive relationships, and her emotional turmoil is portrayed in such a raw, believable way. At times I wanted to hug her, and at others I wanted to shake her.🙄😅
I also adored Kahli and the dynamic between them. Their relationship brought heat, tenderness, and chaos in equal measure ❤️🔥🌈 The blend of dark romance, horror, and mermaid folklore worked so well for me. It had eerie siren vibes, emotional depth, and plenty of spice.
If you love broken but realistic characters, sapphic tension, folklore horror, and stories that hit you emotionally while still being sexy and unsettling, this one is worth diving into. 🌊
p.s. with all books, make sure to check trigger warnings ‼️
April 30, 2026
Kelly Preston has done it again! When I was told that they were writing a second book I could not wait to get my hands on it. First off, if you choose to read this book (and you should!) check the Trigger warnings, this book delves into some dark topics and themes. From the first sentence I was hooked and could not wait read more.
The book starts out with one of the main characters, Mira, at a beach house that she has rented with the intent of ending it all, we get a good feel and idea of what all Mira is dealing with and her state of mind pretty early on. Shortly after we meet the other main character, Kahli, who has a sense of mystery surrounding her. One of the things I liked most about this story was that it felt realistic, Mira's suffering and her struggles do not just magically go away because she meets Kahli and while I sympathized with Mira throughout the story there were times I just wanted to shake her. Kahli is an awesome character that I thoroughly enjoyed throughout the entire story. I think the dynamic between the two main characters worked very well and they balanced each other out very well.
As someone who is a huge fan of dark romances and morally grey characters, I highly recommend this book as well as the author's first book. I for one will definitely be picking up any other books this author puts out!
The book starts out with one of the main characters, Mira, at a beach house that she has rented with the intent of ending it all, we get a good feel and idea of what all Mira is dealing with and her state of mind pretty early on. Shortly after we meet the other main character, Kahli, who has a sense of mystery surrounding her. One of the things I liked most about this story was that it felt realistic, Mira's suffering and her struggles do not just magically go away because she meets Kahli and while I sympathized with Mira throughout the story there were times I just wanted to shake her. Kahli is an awesome character that I thoroughly enjoyed throughout the entire story. I think the dynamic between the two main characters worked very well and they balanced each other out very well.
As someone who is a huge fan of dark romances and morally grey characters, I highly recommend this book as well as the author's first book. I for one will definitely be picking up any other books this author puts out!
April 21, 2026
Overall I liked this thriller. The dark tone running through the story, especially Mira’s sense of drifting between life and death and the mystery around Kahli, kept me engaged throughout. It was a quick read but I appreciated the development of Mira and Wendy’s friendship and the exploration of Mira’s family struggles and religious trauma that shape her present day choices.
I usually gravitate toward lighter, cuter romances but I ended up really enjoying this darker one. Kahli’s attempts to bring calm and a bit of fun into Mira’s life were entertaining to read, from hunting for mussels to their date at the art festival. I do wish the mermaid lore had been more present throughout the story but I still liked the hints of Kahli’s supernatural nature woven through the book. The ending was especially interesting and I liked that it stays somewhat open ended as Mira and Kahli begin sorting through the mysteries that surfaced.
I usually gravitate toward lighter, cuter romances but I ended up really enjoying this darker one. Kahli’s attempts to bring calm and a bit of fun into Mira’s life were entertaining to read, from hunting for mussels to their date at the art festival. I do wish the mermaid lore had been more present throughout the story but I still liked the hints of Kahli’s supernatural nature woven through the book. The ending was especially interesting and I liked that it stays somewhat open ended as Mira and Kahli begin sorting through the mysteries that surfaced.
April 22, 2026
3.75 Stars!
I ended up quite liking this thriller/sapphic romance. The dark, almost eerie tone—especially Mira’s sense of hovering between life and death and the mystery around Kahli—kept me interested from start to finish. It’s a quick read, but still takes time to show Mira’s growth, and how her family history and religious trauma influences her choices throughout the book.
I usually go for lighter sapphic romances, so this was a bit outside my comfort zone, but it surprisingly intrigued me and pulled me in. Kahli adds moments of calm and warmth, and their time together exploring and their date was enjoyable to read. I do wish the mermaid/supernatural tones had been explored more, though I liked the subtle hints of it. The ending was intriguing too, keeping things open-ended, which I don't usually like, but it definitely worked for this book!
I ended up quite liking this thriller/sapphic romance. The dark, almost eerie tone—especially Mira’s sense of hovering between life and death and the mystery around Kahli—kept me interested from start to finish. It’s a quick read, but still takes time to show Mira’s growth, and how her family history and religious trauma influences her choices throughout the book.
I usually go for lighter sapphic romances, so this was a bit outside my comfort zone, but it surprisingly intrigued me and pulled me in. Kahli adds moments of calm and warmth, and their time together exploring and their date was enjoyable to read. I do wish the mermaid/supernatural tones had been explored more, though I liked the subtle hints of it. The ending was intriguing too, keeping things open-ended, which I don't usually like, but it definitely worked for this book!
April 21, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
From the moment I picked this book up, I couldn’t put it down. I’ll be honest — the opening is dark, heavy, and emotionally raw. Kelly Preston doesn’t ease you in; Kelly drops you straight into Mira’s world of generational trauma, grief, and a missing spouse that haunts every breath she takes. It’s uncomfortable in the best way, because it feels real.
Desperate to escape her life, Mira flees to a quiet seaside town known for eerie legends of sea creatures that hunt humans. She’s battling chronic illness, emotional exhaustion, and a deep sense of isolation — and the ocean becomes both her refuge and her threat.
Mira is moody, withdrawn, and drowning in her own darkness… until she meets the beautiful neighbor next door. Their connection is unsettling, magnetic, and impossible to look away from. You can feel the shift in her — the spark of something dangerous, something that might save her or destroy her.
And then the story twists. Hard. The plot slides into horror, folklore, and psychological tension in a way that made me stop and whisper “oh no…” more than once. It’s haunting, atmospheric, and impossible to predict.
By the end, I was fully invested — and already craving more from Kelly Preston. Kelly writes with a sharp, emotional edge that sticks with you.
✨ Tropes & Themes
-dark romance
-obsession
-seaside folklore
-morally gray love interest
-chronic illness representation
-trauma & healing
-mysterious neighbor
-psychological horror elements
-small town with secrets
From the moment I picked this book up, I couldn’t put it down. I’ll be honest — the opening is dark, heavy, and emotionally raw. Kelly Preston doesn’t ease you in; Kelly drops you straight into Mira’s world of generational trauma, grief, and a missing spouse that haunts every breath she takes. It’s uncomfortable in the best way, because it feels real.
Desperate to escape her life, Mira flees to a quiet seaside town known for eerie legends of sea creatures that hunt humans. She’s battling chronic illness, emotional exhaustion, and a deep sense of isolation — and the ocean becomes both her refuge and her threat.
Mira is moody, withdrawn, and drowning in her own darkness… until she meets the beautiful neighbor next door. Their connection is unsettling, magnetic, and impossible to look away from. You can feel the shift in her — the spark of something dangerous, something that might save her or destroy her.
And then the story twists. Hard. The plot slides into horror, folklore, and psychological tension in a way that made me stop and whisper “oh no…” more than once. It’s haunting, atmospheric, and impossible to predict.
By the end, I was fully invested — and already craving more from Kelly Preston. Kelly writes with a sharp, emotional edge that sticks with you.
✨ Tropes & Themes
-dark romance
-obsession
-seaside folklore
-morally gray love interest
-chronic illness representation
-trauma & healing
-mysterious neighbor
-psychological horror elements
-small town with secrets
April 20, 2026
I love this author! If I Could Drag You Under is a dark, moody story filled with complex characters and a compelling love story.
I especially appreciated how well-developed and layered the main characters are. Once I started, I could hardly put it down!
Content note: this book explores some heavy, dark themes and includes mentions of suicidal ideation, which readers may want to be aware of going in.If I Could Drag You UnderKelly Preston
I especially appreciated how well-developed and layered the main characters are. Once I started, I could hardly put it down!
Content note: this book explores some heavy, dark themes and includes mentions of suicidal ideation, which readers may want to be aware of going in.If I Could Drag You UnderKelly Preston
April 30, 2026
This review is based on an ARC read. All feedback is that of my own.
This book is awesome. I loved the storyline and honestly I spent a lot of time trying to guess what the plot twist was going to be. I absolutely loved that Mira wasn’t this perfect human being and I found it really easy to relate to her because of this. The story is so well written and so interesting I highly recommend reading it. The only feedback I would ever offer would be to bring the final scenes in clearer before we time jump. I honestly was a bit miffed before I read on and found the information later as we wrapped up the book. I loved the book, the writing style and the characters. I definitely hope that there’s a book two because I love the storyline. Definitely a must read for anyone who likes a bit of supernatural and enjoys a real character that the average person can relate to.
This book is awesome. I loved the storyline and honestly I spent a lot of time trying to guess what the plot twist was going to be. I absolutely loved that Mira wasn’t this perfect human being and I found it really easy to relate to her because of this. The story is so well written and so interesting I highly recommend reading it. The only feedback I would ever offer would be to bring the final scenes in clearer before we time jump. I honestly was a bit miffed before I read on and found the information later as we wrapped up the book. I loved the book, the writing style and the characters. I definitely hope that there’s a book two because I love the storyline. Definitely a must read for anyone who likes a bit of supernatural and enjoys a real character that the average person can relate to.
May 2, 2026
3.75 ⭐ 2🌶️
Yeah, ok, I cried a little bit. I'm not used to hybrid horror/romances and it shows. I was uncomfortable at first bc I didn't know what to expect but the story just pulls you in and you can't let it go. Mira and Khali took me for a ride and now I don't know how to move on from the ending.
Yeah, ok, I cried a little bit. I'm not used to hybrid horror/romances and it shows. I was uncomfortable at first bc I didn't know what to expect but the story just pulls you in and you can't let it go. Mira and Khali took me for a ride and now I don't know how to move on from the ending.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Psychological horror isn't often my thing. I'll be upfront about that. But add in sapphics and mermaids, and we are talking my language. That said, this book comes with some pretty heavy content warnings such as: suicide plans/attempts, intense gaslighting, and infidelity (none between the main couple). Please, PLEASE be careful with this book if any of these are particularly triggering for you.
Mira is, without a doubt, at the lowest point of her life. She has booked a long-term rental in a beach town with the explicit intent to kill herself, but just as she’s contemplating it, she comes across a woman on the beach. Who is definitely not a mermaid. In this town filled with mermaid lore and legend. What follows is a whirlwind relationship between Mira and Kahli - the woman who just so happens to keep running into her with uncanny coincidence - and an ever-growing sense that Something Is Wrong.
I’m disappointed by this one, ngl.
There's a few things Kelly Preston does really well. Among them are - as stated in their bio - building empathy. As unlikeable as Mira can be, I never felt unsympathetic towards her. She's going through the absolute worst! The build of narrative tension was (initially) absolutely delectable as well. It reminded me most strongly of the game Fatal Frame 3, where the protag’s house becomes increasingly haunted the more you play.
The biggest problem is that this tension is CONSTANTLY broken up by ellipses. I’m talking 7-9 on a page, semi-frequently. That’s way too many. That, and I don't feel like the mermaid aspect of the horror worked for a long time. It was scary, sure, and Kahli is very clearly not human, but I didn't know what to be scared of. There were times where I might have DNF’d, and almost did until the book absolutely LOCKED IN story-wise at about 80% in. The problem is, 80% is really late to lock in. If mermaid lore had been drip-fed throughout the rest of the story maybe it wouldn’t have been so… rushed?
The epilogue left me conflicted, too. I feel like I can see the author’s goal in including it, but at the same time, it feels like it undermined the rest of the story.
Mira is, without a doubt, at the lowest point of her life. She has booked a long-term rental in a beach town with the explicit intent to kill herself, but just as she’s contemplating it, she comes across a woman on the beach. Who is definitely not a mermaid. In this town filled with mermaid lore and legend. What follows is a whirlwind relationship between Mira and Kahli - the woman who just so happens to keep running into her with uncanny coincidence - and an ever-growing sense that Something Is Wrong.
I’m disappointed by this one, ngl.
There's a few things Kelly Preston does really well. Among them are - as stated in their bio - building empathy. As unlikeable as Mira can be, I never felt unsympathetic towards her. She's going through the absolute worst! The build of narrative tension was (initially) absolutely delectable as well. It reminded me most strongly of the game Fatal Frame 3, where the protag’s house becomes increasingly haunted the more you play.
The biggest problem is that this tension is CONSTANTLY broken up by ellipses. I’m talking 7-9 on a page, semi-frequently. That’s way too many. That, and I don't feel like the mermaid aspect of the horror worked for a long time. It was scary, sure, and Kahli is very clearly not human, but I didn't know what to be scared of. There were times where I might have DNF’d, and almost did until the book absolutely LOCKED IN story-wise at about 80% in. The problem is, 80% is really late to lock in. If mermaid lore had been drip-fed throughout the rest of the story maybe it wouldn’t have been so… rushed?
The epilogue left me conflicted, too. I feel like I can see the author’s goal in including it, but at the same time, it feels like it undermined the rest of the story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I LOVED this!! Every page. A dark romance with thriller/horror and stalker elements, mysterious mermaid shenanigans and some heavy themes? ALL. THE. YES!
Mira has been through so much but she doesn’t shatter. The quietness to her suffering and almost melancholic ‘ease’ is delicately handled and so very believable. I loved that those parts weren’t ’overdone’, and I loved the gradual transition to having hope of a future again.
Kahli had me enraptured from the start! Even though we all know she’s a mermaid, there’s still mystery there and I thoroughly enjoyed discovering everything along the way!
I was a little annoyed with some very small parts, but I also kind of liked that the parts I’m annoyed at weren’t ’typical’ and added more morally grey depth to Kahli. The parts with Mira I was annoyed at made me want to shake her, but that’s probably also a good thing that I was so invested in the story. Even with those niggly bits for me, I absolutely loved this.
Plot summary:
Mira is carrying a lot. She’s been through hell and has decided it’s her time to go. She heads to a remote beach house off-season to end her life, but ends up finding much more than she bargained for when a mysterious woman comes out of the sea and won’t leave her alone. Throw in some stalking, a creepy guy, mysterious mermaid things, messed up dreams and a morally grey HEA, then you have this book!
Thinks I loved:
- Kahli. Everything about her.
- MERMAIDS!
- C*** of a missing wife
- Coffee shop guy
- ‘Helping’ others pass over
- Chronic pain & disability rep
- Treasure cave
Overall, it’s a sapphic dark romance thriller with a morally grey mermaid, spice, mystery and danger. Of course it’s good!
Check content warnings.
Mira has been through so much but she doesn’t shatter. The quietness to her suffering and almost melancholic ‘ease’ is delicately handled and so very believable. I loved that those parts weren’t ’overdone’, and I loved the gradual transition to having hope of a future again.
Kahli had me enraptured from the start! Even though we all know she’s a mermaid, there’s still mystery there and I thoroughly enjoyed discovering everything along the way!
I was a little annoyed with some very small parts, but I also kind of liked that the parts I’m annoyed at weren’t ’typical’ and added more morally grey depth to Kahli. The parts with Mira I was annoyed at made me want to shake her, but that’s probably also a good thing that I was so invested in the story. Even with those niggly bits for me, I absolutely loved this.
Plot summary:
Mira is carrying a lot. She’s been through hell and has decided it’s her time to go. She heads to a remote beach house off-season to end her life, but ends up finding much more than she bargained for when a mysterious woman comes out of the sea and won’t leave her alone. Throw in some stalking, a creepy guy, mysterious mermaid things, messed up dreams and a morally grey HEA, then you have this book!
Thinks I loved:
- Kahli. Everything about her.
- MERMAIDS!
- C*** of a missing wife
- Coffee shop guy
- ‘Helping’ others pass over
- Chronic pain & disability rep
- Treasure cave
Overall, it’s a sapphic dark romance thriller with a morally grey mermaid, spice, mystery and danger. Of course it’s good!
Check content warnings.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
Single 1st Person POV, 5🌟 2🌶️. 261 pages
3 Spicy Scenes
Despite being a horror academic I usually struggle with horror books, they don’t tend to get the terror or unease right. NOT THIS ONE! Holy shit this book had me enthralled from the first chapter!
If I Could Drag You Under follows Mira a woman at the end of her tether with life, suffering with chronic pain, suicidal ideation, the loss of her wife and several miscarriages and she’s just had enough. Escaping her life to a secluded beach house on the off season Mira decides it’s her time, until she meets a weird and weirdly hot neighbour. Can Kahli save her from herself or will she bring more trouble to her door?
This book had me on the edge of my seat, the eeriness and unease in the first half of the book had me checking my windows and doors as I read at 3am. The strangeness of Kahli and her uncanny ability to tell what Mira is thinking is dumbfounding and yet fascinating when you realise why. Mira’s dreamscapes were so visceral that I didn’t know if she was a sleep or not and that kept me on edge. Kelly’s ability to bring their characters thoughts, feelings and experiences to the forefront of their narratives and make them almost corporeal is exceptional and honestly this book will stay with you long after you’ve finished.
Also who doesn’t want to read an eerie mermaid horror book with a sapphic romance! If I Could Drag You Under will be released April 2026, add it to your TBR or I’ll throw your e-reader in the sea!
Things to LOVE:
📚Dark Horror Romance
🐚Seaside Town
🧜♀️Myths & Legends
🧠Mental Health Rep
💊Chronic Pain Rep
😡Bitch Ex Wife
🧜♀️Mermaids
🌊Don’t Go In The Sea!
Single 1st Person POV, 5🌟 2🌶️. 261 pages
3 Spicy Scenes
Despite being a horror academic I usually struggle with horror books, they don’t tend to get the terror or unease right. NOT THIS ONE! Holy shit this book had me enthralled from the first chapter!
If I Could Drag You Under follows Mira a woman at the end of her tether with life, suffering with chronic pain, suicidal ideation, the loss of her wife and several miscarriages and she’s just had enough. Escaping her life to a secluded beach house on the off season Mira decides it’s her time, until she meets a weird and weirdly hot neighbour. Can Kahli save her from herself or will she bring more trouble to her door?
This book had me on the edge of my seat, the eeriness and unease in the first half of the book had me checking my windows and doors as I read at 3am. The strangeness of Kahli and her uncanny ability to tell what Mira is thinking is dumbfounding and yet fascinating when you realise why. Mira’s dreamscapes were so visceral that I didn’t know if she was a sleep or not and that kept me on edge. Kelly’s ability to bring their characters thoughts, feelings and experiences to the forefront of their narratives and make them almost corporeal is exceptional and honestly this book will stay with you long after you’ve finished.
Also who doesn’t want to read an eerie mermaid horror book with a sapphic romance! If I Could Drag You Under will be released April 2026, add it to your TBR or I’ll throw your e-reader in the sea!
Things to LOVE:
📚Dark Horror Romance
🐚Seaside Town
🧜♀️Myths & Legends
🧠Mental Health Rep
💊Chronic Pain Rep
😡Bitch Ex Wife
🧜♀️Mermaids
🌊Don’t Go In The Sea!
April 5, 2026
If I Could Drag You Under by Kelly Preston is a dark sapphic romance based on mermaid mythology.
Mira, contemplating suicide, rents a secluded cabin by the sea in the off-season, where she meets a beautiful and unusual woman who swims in the frigid waters several times a day and keeps showing up at her back door.
An eerie atmosphere, coupled with unexplained events, creates a mysterious and unsettling setting. The writing style worked really well to establish a pace reflective of Mira's state of mind and unease.
As Mira and Kahli spend more time together, their relationship deepens, although Kahli conveniently leaves out information about herself. Kahli is caring and nurturing but remains somewhat suspicious. Mira is a bit of an unreliable narrator as she experiences major depression accompanied by hallucinations and time lapses, which contribute to the book's air of mystery.
One plot point raises questions about consent, and I am still not sure how I feel about it. The novel mentions several heavy themes, and I appreciate the complexity of the characters.
Also, do note the trigger warnings listed by the author.
There will be a sequel, so the ending may only be happy for now.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I would like to read more by the author. I give this one 3.75 stars, rounded up.
#toxicex #foundfamily #toxicparent #abusesurvivor #suicideideation #smalltown #coastaltown #mermaids #chronicpain #darkromance #bodyhorror #gore #mythsandlegends #miscarriage #winter #spicy #HFN #epilogue
I received a review copy from the author. This is my honest opinion.
Mira, contemplating suicide, rents a secluded cabin by the sea in the off-season, where she meets a beautiful and unusual woman who swims in the frigid waters several times a day and keeps showing up at her back door.
An eerie atmosphere, coupled with unexplained events, creates a mysterious and unsettling setting. The writing style worked really well to establish a pace reflective of Mira's state of mind and unease.
As Mira and Kahli spend more time together, their relationship deepens, although Kahli conveniently leaves out information about herself. Kahli is caring and nurturing but remains somewhat suspicious. Mira is a bit of an unreliable narrator as she experiences major depression accompanied by hallucinations and time lapses, which contribute to the book's air of mystery.
One plot point raises questions about consent, and I am still not sure how I feel about it. The novel mentions several heavy themes, and I appreciate the complexity of the characters.
Also, do note the trigger warnings listed by the author.
There will be a sequel, so the ending may only be happy for now.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I would like to read more by the author. I give this one 3.75 stars, rounded up.
#toxicex #foundfamily #toxicparent #abusesurvivor #suicideideation #smalltown #coastaltown #mermaids #chronicpain #darkromance #bodyhorror #gore #mythsandlegends #miscarriage #winter #spicy #HFN #epilogue
I received a review copy from the author. This is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 stars and 2 spice
This was my first foray into Kelly's work, and I was very thankful to them for reaching out to me to give me an eARC of their book.
I liked the premise of this book a lot. I think that the plot was a bit slow, but it had moments that were thriller-esque that kept me captivated when it lulled a bit. Mira and Kahil were both interesting characters. Mira had a very dark vibe about her in the beginning; as the story progressed, it was clear that darkness lessened the more she was around Kahli. Spoiler warning: Kahil was mysterious, and while I, as the reader, could tell that she was a mermaid, it made sense that Mira couldn't. It was clearly a well-kept secret, end spoiler.
The climax of this story occurred around 75% through the book. I didn't particularly like that at the point when the climax occurs, Mira still hadn't figured out that Kahli wasn't human. At this point we really have had very little mermaid lore, and I would have loved to see more of it, as well as a full mermaid-human relationship between the two MCs.
I also do feel like some of the side stories in the plot weren't fully wrapped up. Spoiler here: we don't find out what happens with her wife in the divorce or have any follow-up about Benny, either. I would have loved to hear more about them, end spoiler.
Overall, I did enjoy the book, and I would give Kelly's books another read in the future.
This was my first foray into Kelly's work, and I was very thankful to them for reaching out to me to give me an eARC of their book.
I liked the premise of this book a lot. I think that the plot was a bit slow, but it had moments that were thriller-esque that kept me captivated when it lulled a bit. Mira and Kahil were both interesting characters. Mira had a very dark vibe about her in the beginning; as the story progressed, it was clear that darkness lessened the more she was around Kahli. Spoiler warning: Kahil was mysterious, and while I, as the reader, could tell that she was a mermaid, it made sense that Mira couldn't. It was clearly a well-kept secret, end spoiler.
The climax of this story occurred around 75% through the book. I didn't particularly like that at the point when the climax occurs, Mira still hadn't figured out that Kahli wasn't human. At this point we really have had very little mermaid lore, and I would have loved to see more of it, as well as a full mermaid-human relationship between the two MCs.
I also do feel like some of the side stories in the plot weren't fully wrapped up. Spoiler here: we don't find out what happens with her wife in the divorce or have any follow-up about Benny, either. I would have loved to hear more about them, end spoiler.
Overall, I did enjoy the book, and I would give Kelly's books another read in the future.
April 1, 2026
I really enjoyed the storyline very much, a retelling of a classic lore but with a much darker and twisted theme, and apparently with an extra helping of smut...
I found the overall story and plot very intriguing, suspenseful and mystifying, with a sense of foreboding and an underlying tension pervading throughout.
Mira, the MC, who's feeling suicidal, suffers from chronic pain and was involved in an abusive relationship and she's quite unhinged. She's also a little uptight and pessimistic and it reflects on how she treats Kahli.
I actually liked Kahli a lot more. I think she was very sweet and caring, even if she was unhinged herself, but she was willing to sacrifice much and let go of a lot for Mira's happiness and peace of mind, while Mira was, perhaps unintentionally, unappreciative and condescending towards Kahli.
The ending felt more of a HFN than a HEA. It was more of resignation on one part; a one sided love affair, where one was giving all of herself, and the other taking all for herself.
Given how things ended in the epilogue, there is apparently a sequel, a book 2 currently in the works. I look forward to seeing how it will play out.
Thank you to the author Kelly Preston, for a free ARC in return for an honest review.
I found the overall story and plot very intriguing, suspenseful and mystifying, with a sense of foreboding and an underlying tension pervading throughout.
Mira, the MC, who's feeling suicidal, suffers from chronic pain and was involved in an abusive relationship and she's quite unhinged. She's also a little uptight and pessimistic and it reflects on how she treats Kahli.
I actually liked Kahli a lot more. I think she was very sweet and caring, even if she was unhinged herself, but she was willing to sacrifice much and let go of a lot for Mira's happiness and peace of mind, while Mira was, perhaps unintentionally, unappreciative and condescending towards Kahli.
The ending felt more of a HFN than a HEA. It was more of resignation on one part; a one sided love affair, where one was giving all of herself, and the other taking all for herself.
Given how things ended in the epilogue, there is apparently a sequel, a book 2 currently in the works. I look forward to seeing how it will play out.
Thank you to the author Kelly Preston, for a free ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is my first book by this author. This will not be my last. Mira is the main FMC, and you will definitely grow throughout the book with her. She's dark, moody, and depressed and dealing with both generational trauma and a missing spouse. She also has a chronic illness, which is represented well. Her battles with mental health issues lead her to take a vacation. She escapes from reality to a seaside town with legends of sea creatures who hunt humans.
Her seaside escape is fueled by over indulgence with substances. This journey is reckless and wild and full of the despair that permeates her life. While on a walk, she meets Kahli, who helps to ground and heal her as do others in this town. The sea holds many mysteries but who or what is hunting Mira?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it's always refreshing to have main characters that are deeply flawed. I think it helps for a greater depth of storytelling. Did I want to shake Mira at times, yes. But that feeling comes with getting invested in her journey.
Tropes and triggers: small town, fertility issues, sa, divorce, mythical monsters, chronic illness, mental health to, dependence issues, generational and family trauma, age gap, grumpy vs sunshine
I received an advanced copy for an honest review.
Her seaside escape is fueled by over indulgence with substances. This journey is reckless and wild and full of the despair that permeates her life. While on a walk, she meets Kahli, who helps to ground and heal her as do others in this town. The sea holds many mysteries but who or what is hunting Mira?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it's always refreshing to have main characters that are deeply flawed. I think it helps for a greater depth of storytelling. Did I want to shake Mira at times, yes. But that feeling comes with getting invested in her journey.
Tropes and triggers: small town, fertility issues, sa, divorce, mythical monsters, chronic illness, mental health to, dependence issues, generational and family trauma, age gap, grumpy vs sunshine
I received an advanced copy for an honest review.
May 8, 2026
6 star book.
Thank you to Kelly Preston for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book changed something in me. I have so many thoughts and most of them end with me sobbing.
A short summary:
We a following Mira, who rents a secluded beach house for a few weeks because existing is exhausting and she doesn’t want to do it anymore. She quickly meets and becomes drawn to Kahli, meanwhile, some strange things start emerging from the ocean and Mira begins to learn more about the town’s longstanding legends surrounding the sea.
My thoughts:
Mira came to me when I needed her and she is a character that will stay with me for life. She feels very real and her struggles with her mental health and trauma are depicted in such a raw, personal and beautifully careful way. I do wish we got a slightly more in-depth view of each of those elements of Mira’s backstory but, overall, this was a gorgeous depiction of Mira struggling with and working through various challenging setbacks and finding little things to enjoy about life amongst how difficult existing can feel.
I adored Mira and Kahli’s relationship and the lesbian representation within this book. I enjoyed the intrigue, the tension and the chaos between the two. I think they are both very strong characters individually and work so well together. I would LOVE to see more of Kahli’s backstory - I think she would be a fascinating character to delve into.
I also loved the side characters and queer representation more widely. There was so much warmth in the relationships Mira has built with her existing queer friends and is building with the new queer people she meets at the beach town.
I thought the mermaid folklore was so interesting and fun. I don’t usually read mermaid books - they just don’t happen to be something I ever find myself reaching for but this one had me HOOKED and stressed and on the edge of my seat - I need to know more about these sea legends.
If you pick this one up, please check trigger warnings!!
I would recommend this to any reader who loves dark romance, mermaid folklore horror, chronic illness representation, and lesbians struggling with and working through their mental health and trauma.
Thank you to Kelly Preston for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book changed something in me. I have so many thoughts and most of them end with me sobbing.
A short summary:
We a following Mira, who rents a secluded beach house for a few weeks because existing is exhausting and she doesn’t want to do it anymore. She quickly meets and becomes drawn to Kahli, meanwhile, some strange things start emerging from the ocean and Mira begins to learn more about the town’s longstanding legends surrounding the sea.
My thoughts:
Mira came to me when I needed her and she is a character that will stay with me for life. She feels very real and her struggles with her mental health and trauma are depicted in such a raw, personal and beautifully careful way. I do wish we got a slightly more in-depth view of each of those elements of Mira’s backstory but, overall, this was a gorgeous depiction of Mira struggling with and working through various challenging setbacks and finding little things to enjoy about life amongst how difficult existing can feel.
I adored Mira and Kahli’s relationship and the lesbian representation within this book. I enjoyed the intrigue, the tension and the chaos between the two. I think they are both very strong characters individually and work so well together. I would LOVE to see more of Kahli’s backstory - I think she would be a fascinating character to delve into.
I also loved the side characters and queer representation more widely. There was so much warmth in the relationships Mira has built with her existing queer friends and is building with the new queer people she meets at the beach town.
I thought the mermaid folklore was so interesting and fun. I don’t usually read mermaid books - they just don’t happen to be something I ever find myself reaching for but this one had me HOOKED and stressed and on the edge of my seat - I need to know more about these sea legends.
If you pick this one up, please check trigger warnings!!
I would recommend this to any reader who loves dark romance, mermaid folklore horror, chronic illness representation, and lesbians struggling with and working through their mental health and trauma.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the pleasure of receiving an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review. I really enjoyed this story; the characters are flawed, intriguing, and complex- Mira starts out as someone who's depressed and can't see her way out of a dark space in her life, until she meets Kahli, a vibrant, mysterious (younger) woman who brings Mira back to life- literally. Kahli loves the beach and the water, while Mira is a brooding artist who's trying to recover from years of trauma. Mira is hesitant and distrustful of Kahli, especially because of their age difference, but Kahli proves to be older than her years. She's refreshing and carefree and hiding a secret that turns Mira's world upside down, in the best way.
This was a fun book, full of Mira's vulnerability and self-deprecating humor, Kahli's charming allure, and the twist near the end...and the spice, since it's a romance novel, there's a lot of spice. I give this book 5 stars because it held my interest from page 1 until the end and I was rooting for them to work it out. It's a good read, highly recommend.
This was a fun book, full of Mira's vulnerability and self-deprecating humor, Kahli's charming allure, and the twist near the end...and the spice, since it's a romance novel, there's a lot of spice. I give this book 5 stars because it held my interest from page 1 until the end and I was rooting for them to work it out. It's a good read, highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Voluntary review of an advanced copy received from the author.
3.5⭐️ rounded up
This one had me hooked from the start. It leans dark with a definite “happy for now” kind of ending, which honestly fit the tone really well. Mira’s internal struggles felt raw and real. Especially that push-pull of feeling unworthy of love while still craving connection and wanting to give everything to someone else. That emotional thread hit hard.
Now… the hot neighbor. This is where it wobbled a bit for me. The paranormal element? Loved. The chemistry between Mira and Kahli? Off the charts. The devotion Kahli shows, truly the “would burn the world for you” type, was so compelling. But the constant references to Kahli as “the younger woman” or “the other woman” started to feel repetitive and took me out of it more than I would’ve liked.
Overall, it’s a solid read if you’re in the mood for a dark, spicy sapphic romance with a morally gray mermaid and intense emotional stakes.
3.5⭐️ rounded up
This one had me hooked from the start. It leans dark with a definite “happy for now” kind of ending, which honestly fit the tone really well. Mira’s internal struggles felt raw and real. Especially that push-pull of feeling unworthy of love while still craving connection and wanting to give everything to someone else. That emotional thread hit hard.
Now… the hot neighbor. This is where it wobbled a bit for me. The paranormal element? Loved. The chemistry between Mira and Kahli? Off the charts. The devotion Kahli shows, truly the “would burn the world for you” type, was so compelling. But the constant references to Kahli as “the younger woman” or “the other woman” started to feel repetitive and took me out of it more than I would’ve liked.
Overall, it’s a solid read if you’re in the mood for a dark, spicy sapphic romance with a morally gray mermaid and intense emotional stakes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was my first time reading a Kelly Preston book and I became an instant fan! Who doesn’t love a sapphic supernatural romance??!!! Mira and Kahli’s story is such a fresh perspective on how just when you think life has reached the end of its rope the unexpected can happen! Filled with romance, action, spice, suicide awareness, family challenges, and the mystery of the new love interest!
May 8, 2026
This book isn’t normally something that I’d go for. I was very pleasantly surprised about how the story unfolded. I’m not a fantasy/monster/etc book reader. This book, however, has a lot of really deep conversation about real world issues. I really enjoyed reading it. It’s a page turner for sure!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed reading this book so much! This is one of the first books in a long time that I read from beginning to end within a day or two in a long time. The plot was twisting and the love was loving!!!
April 24, 2026
I haven’t read horror in a while so this was a nice change of pace. I also appreciate a morally gray love interest. My biggest issues were that I struggled to like Mira sometimes and I’m still not sure how I feel about the ending.
April 18, 2026
Really Good
I knew it was dark but damn that about broke me at the end! This book does deal with suicidal ideation and the supernatural. This book was well written and a new type of dark romance for me. Mira had really been through so much and I could feel her at the cliffs edge. I’m on the fence about the epilogue…what kahli did, did she do it for herself or for Mari?? You will have to read it to decided for yourself.
I knew it was dark but damn that about broke me at the end! This book does deal with suicidal ideation and the supernatural. This book was well written and a new type of dark romance for me. Mira had really been through so much and I could feel her at the cliffs edge. I’m on the fence about the epilogue…what kahli did, did she do it for herself or for Mari?? You will have to read it to decided for yourself.
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