Woven into the Waves

Seafolk of Starbron #1

by Lorelei Kyle

They didn’t tell her these were merman infested waters.

When Andrea moved to the lighthouse on Cape Despair after becoming a widow, she just wanted to escape her in laws and mourn in bitter peace—

That is, until she starts being haunted by a mysterious sound, a strange light, and dreams that weave her in and out of reality. And, if that wasn’t all enough to drive her mad, an injured merman with a devilish smirk and a miracle-preforming mouth washes up on her doorstep.

At first, it’s his attitude that drives her crazy, but soon it’s their desire.

Woven into the Waves (Seafolk of Starbron - Book One) is a nautical-gothic paranormal romance where an isolated lighthouse might just be the best place for two people to fall in love, even if one of them is half fish. You’ll love this if you enjoy strong female protagonists paired with monster mates, stuck together in forced proximity with moody mysterious undertones.

Genres: Forced Proximity, Romantasy, Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Mermaids, Monsters, Monster Romance

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2026

About the author

Lorelei Kyle lives in the mossy woods of the PNW. When she isn’t daydreaming about mermaids, knights and unicorns, she is out walking, biking, birding and just being an old hermit trapped in the body of a twenty-something year old woman. The protagonists of her romance stories tend to be strong female characters who can take care of themselves and are masters of their own fate, but enjoy the company and help of their soulmates. Lorelei Kyle is a professional artist and illustrator, check out her instagram @loreleikyle.author for updates and book related art.

Reviews

[hannah taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW: Woven into the Waves 🧜🏼‍♂️🌊
Release Date: March 26, 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
🫧 gothic/paranormal vibes
🫧 lighthouse keeper x merman
🫧 forced proximity
🫧 Yearning

Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader! This was my first merman romance & i really enjoyed it! This story was very well done & so much detail that I felt like I was in the story with Andrea and Lir. This is a story of grief & loss that turns into transformation & love.

“Perhaps — just to be me, is to be loved.”

I loved the paranormal vibes that went along with the book and I am very curious to know what exactly was going on under the lighthouse 👀 This book was very creative and cool! I loved the illustrations throughout the book, as well.

“It has been so often humans falling over railing, grabbing at air and water to get to me. Clambering through crashing ocean crests to capture me — but now, it is I entranced by you.”

If you’re looking for a unique, mysterious & spicy monster romance, i highly recommend!!

[Shelby | Spicy.booknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

When seeing descriptions for the book I kept seeing the term Nautical Gothic and that is so very accurate. This book has some beautifully descriptive writing that gives the story a wonderful atmospheric and sometimes creepy vibe to it. There are some genuinely eerie moments that Andrea experiences while alone in that lighthouse.

Andrea is in a state of self imposed exile. She lives and works alone in a lighthouse to the point that she starts to question her sanity when she saves an injured man washed up during a storm. But he’s not a normal man, he’s a merman named Lir, and the two are immediately drawn to each other and form a bond while Andrea nurses him back to health.

Such a romantic story that has the perfect amount of slow burn steam and tension.

Urban Fantasy MF
Nautical Gothic
Lighthouse Keeper FMC
Sweet Merman MMC
Forced Proximity
Caregiving
Virgin MC
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥

[Tori Walser · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I want you to think only of me, by your own choice—I want you to still love him and still choose me. Not in comparison, but because you just want me more than the ghost of him.”

Choosing to isolate from the world in a worn down lighthouse, Andrea is grieving the death of her husband and her previous life after her husband was lost at sea. After 3 years of solitude, Andrea finds herself alone no more after rescuing a man from the sea during a storm. She finds quickly that the man is not a man at all, but a merman named Lir. Can these two strangers work together to solve the growing mysteries of this lighthouse and their ever changing relationship before they are both lost to the sea of their grief and loneliness?

4.5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️/5
I received a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Trigger warnings: death of spouse, loss of infant, depression, isolation, etc

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

She saves a monster from the sea and starts losing herself to him.

After her husband’s death, Andrea takes refuge in a lighthouse on Cape Despair, hoping grief and solitude will numb what’s left of her. Instead, the isolation wears her down. Sounds haunt the walls, sleep and waking blur together and when a storm throws a wounded merman onto her shore, her exile turns dangerous.

Lir is sharp-tongued, watchful, and impossible to ignore. Andrea tells herself she’s only keeping him alive, but rescue turns into routine, and routine turns into hunger. The closer he gets to her door, her body, and the parts of her she’s kept buried, the harder it is to pretend this is only survival. What grows between them isn’t safe or simple, but it’s real.

As their bond deepens, the world beyond the lighthouse presses in with the control and violence she once tried to escape. Andrea has to face whether love is another way to be broken open or the first honest thing she’s had in years, while Lir is pulled between the life he knows and the woman he can’t leave behind.

Andrea begins the story bitter and half-buried in grief, but through Lir she reconnects with desire and choice. Lir grows from a teasing outsider into a deeply devoted partner, and together they shift from rescue and suspicion into mutual caretaking, obsessive longing, sexual trust, and a bond that feels as healing as it does consuming.

Ultra-steamy romantasy and paranormal monster romance with gothic, nautical tension and a lonely lighthouse setting. It’s about grief, craving, and the slow return of trust through intimacy, care, and mutual obsession as a guarded widow and a wounded merman stop surviving and start choosing each other. At its heart, it’s about transformation, agency, and the brutal relief of being fully seen by someone who feels like home.

The Elevator Pitch: A grieving widow retreats to a ruined lighthouse to disappear inside her solitude, only to find the sea answering back with strange dreams, dangerous longing, and a wounded merman she can’t bring herself to abandon. What begins as rescue becomes a charged, intimate unraveling as grief gives way to hunger and the fragile safety of isolation gives way to something far more consuming. Set against storm water, salt, and the pressure of a world closing in, it’s a dark, sensual romance about being seen at the point where love, fear, and transformation meet.

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance

[Sarah-Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to start by thanking Lorelei for providing me with an advanced copy of this book to read. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own.

First things first, the writing of this book was so beautiful, poetic and just absolutely stunning. Especially in a setting where things could have been stagnant or not made to feel important, but this lighthouse was the entire world for Andrea and the writing helped build it up as such a place. Andrea is on a journey into grief and navigating her new existence with these feelings, but when Lir turns up this becomes a story of love and healing. I love meeting new monsters
or creatures to read about, and Lir was so fascinating because he was charming and fun and added life to Andrea that she hadn't been expecting to find. Reading about their lives intertwining was a wonderful journey that was lilting and beautiful.

The vibes were eerie and ghostly as you'd expect from a gothic narrative, but it just worked so well for the location, the relationship and the characters. The solitude and isolation was so key to this, and the lighthouse and location felt like characters in their own right as I was reading. I do need to know what was actually happening under the lighthouse, as I could not figure it out and that did make me question if I was too stupid 😂

Overall this was a great read and I highly recommend checking it out because it's a beautiful story with stunning vibes.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

a gothic nautical monster romance set on a spooky lighthouse!? this is everything i could ever want in a book.
everything about it was mesmerizing and truly stunning. the cover, chapter art and titles, the characters, the setting! and the writing, oh my gosh. it was enchanting and poetic, with beautiful prose. it truly swept me away to cape despair, to a haunting lighthouse full of love, loss, and longing.
the story was solemn, eerie, and haunting, yet hopeful, bright, and inspiring.
our FMC andrea was whitty, charming and so relatable. she needed to escape her life of grief and loneliness. she rescues a sea god, lir, who is ethereal, magnetic, and devastatingly gorgeous. together they made one of the most beautiful friendships and romances i’ve read all year.
their banter and easy companionship was so healing and comforting. their transformation of one another in body mind and soul was so stunning, it brought tears to my eyes.
this book broke my heart and then weaved it back together, encasing it in salt and a rhythmic beaming light. it broke me and healed me. it’s everything i could ever want in a merman monster romance.
absolutely incredible, i highly recommend this book. thank you so much for the author for the ARC!
it holds a very special place in my heart.

[Twistedtalesandtea · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received an ARC of Woven Into the Waves, and overall this was a really enjoyable read.

It started a little slow for me, but once the story picked up I found myself getting much more invested. What really stood out was the character pairing. A merman and a lighthouse keeper isn’t something I’ve ever come across before, and I thought it was such a cool and creative concept. It worked perfectly with the eerie ocean setting and made the story feel unique.

I also really enjoyed Lir as a character. His attitude and charm added a lot of personality to the story, and watching the dynamic between him and Andrea develop was one of my favorite parts.

By the second half I was much more invested in the characters and their relationship, and the atmosphere of the story really pulled me in. Overall this was a really enjoyable read with a unique premise and memorable characters.

Come for the mysterious ocean vibes, stay for the merman with attitude. 🌊

[Summer Steelman]

Absolutely fantastic! Just what you'd want to curl up with on a cold or rainy night with a warm blanket and a lovely drink. The hard part is putting it down and not finishing it all in one go. Thanks Kyle.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Woven into the Waves from BookSirens.

Andrea, our protagonist, is the lone (and lonely) keeper of a decrepit lighthouse on Cape Despair, an even lonelier and nearly forgotten island. After losing her husband, Eli, to the sea (before the book begins), Andrea chooses to become the lighthouse keeper as a way to deal with her grief and through the unfortunate circumstance of being a woman in a man's world (she chose to take a settlement and become the lighthouse keeper otherwise her widower payment would have gone to her brother-in-law).

As lighthouse keeper, she's stricken with loneliness, passing ships, and questioning why she chose the life she did. But all of that changes when Lir, a merman, appears on the island, injured during a monumental storm.

Their relationship grows, their bond unbreakable. Through hardship and some devious antagonists, they do make it to a HEA. Kudos to Kyle for this story. The gothic tones of this book are hit hard and continue through the end, which pair well with the overall 'lighthouse keeper/merperson' character/trope that many like.

Some things that kept coming up (for me):
- Andrea is so hard on herself at times that it's very sad. She's also at times an unreliable narrator - she contradicts her thoughts and feelings from chapter to chapter
- Editing items - I don't know how many edits were done, but it definitely needed more. There are tense changes within paragraphs; a good amount of telling; the pacing is all over the place
- Chapters 1-3 feel like a completely different story (and Kyle notes that this was a short story? at one point, so perhaps that is why)
- Kyle's prose is very lyrical, but it sometimes feels like word salad; there were a few times where she set up an immaculate scene and then it fell flat because there was zero payoff
- Lir, for being a merman, sounds like a regular guy off the street. He uses terms that are just regular lexicon (refers to the cornea in his eye) and it pulled me out of the fantasy aspect. There's an explanation that he's heard humans speak, but it failed to convince me that he'd know half of what he does
- Pacing - with Kyle's writing style, sometimes the action scenes took forever, as Andrea would tell us everything about how she's feeling in the moment, and it would kill the action
- Unreliable timeline - Andrea mentions they're in the 20th century, but it's not completely clear WHEN in the 20th century. The island/lighthouse is decrepit but it's also a military installation - there's a radio, and a phone, but at one point Andrea remarks she's "read about penicillin" when trying to help an injured bird/pet - penicillin was discovered in 1928, so it could imply that it's a new product because she read about it? Then, at another time, Andrea makes the joke "how many of these men does it take to turn off a lightbulb?" and that joke/reference didn't first appear in our common lexicon until the 1960s/70s so the reader is left guessing when this takes place, especially when early 20th century is completely different from the 1960s/70s
- A big ick for me was after a very important showdown between multiple characters, Andrea and Lir nearly immediately 'get to business' and that took me out of the story immediately because it was completely out of place for what had just transpired

I appreciate the ARC, and again, way to go for getting your story out to the masses!

[S.R. Dreamholde · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person who consumes cosmic horror only to compulsively long for the AU where the monster is loveable, the surreal dreams are sensual, and transformation is an apotheosis, I found Lorelai Kyle’s Woven Beneath the Waves a poetic revelation. If we can have gothic romance to pair with gothic horror, why not cosmic romance to pair with cosmic horror?

The plot in brief: When Andrea’s husband dies at sea, she escapes a long widowhood under the thumb of her nightmarish mother-in-law by persuading her husband’s comptroller to let her take the post of lighthouse keeper at the aptly named Cape Despair. Three years into her self-imposed exile, isolation, grief, and sleep-deprivation have left her with only a tenuous connection to reality. When she sees a man drowning off the pier during a storm, she puts in superhuman effort to save him, hallucinating that she is in fact, rescuing her husband. Surprise: the next morning she realizes that the man is in fact, half fish, and possessed of a beautiful, careless sunshine–except when he’s fainting from all his storm-induced injuries. Now Andrea must nurse this astonishing creature back to health while trying to make sense of everything he makes her feel. And that’s *before* she starts hearing weird noises from under the building.

What I liked best: This book’s lyrical prose, and the mood it evokes. Both protagonists, Andrea and merman Lir, exist in a liminal, dreamlike fuge: her for obvious reasons, and him because he’s a near-immortal who moves through the world more as a force of nature than a singular entity. The book is thus composed of exquisite paragraph after exquisite paragraph; heaps of lovely, poetic elaboration. Like… here’s Andrea making potato soup:

My stomach growls and I give the pot one last stir with a large ladle. The oversized utensil is about the width of my face, but feels about as large as the size of my stomach. The rich ivory stock flows hardily into the ceramic bowls, settling thickly into their round shape like I’m looking at an edible version of the moon.

Now imagine her describing grief, or love, or self-actualization. She does not disappoint!

(I should mention that one exception to all this lyricism happens when Andrea and Lir are first talking to each other; their early dialog is full of excited exclamations! I chalk this up to the fact that the sea is very loud, and they must therefore shout at each other to be heard over the crashing waves.)

Other things I loved: The fact that Andrea and Lir create a cozy ritual around foraging, cooking, and feeding each other. The author’s evocative illustrations, one for each chapter. The ending; a beautiful, emotionally satisfying climax.

This book is perfect for: Anyone who feels like taking a dreamlike vacation to a lonely lighthouse, growing past despair and into one’s true self, while falling in love with a merman who is sunshine and kindness to all honest souls, and Zeus in His Fury to the undeserving. Also any fans of the video game Call of the Sea. 5/5, would lighthouse again.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐4.5

Spice level
🌶️🌶️

A beautifully written story of love and loss between a merman and a lighthouse keeper.

Andrea lost her husband and decided to work at a lighthouse. In a way, it’s to run away from her grief and the life that she would have been forced to live with her mother-in-law. Andrea is lonely, depressed, and hardworking. The way she handles challenges head-on and uses fear as her beacon of understanding really displays Andrea’s strength as a woman living in this oppressive time period.

Lir is quite literally a sea god. At first, he wants to siren Andrea like he has done with all his victims in the past, but slowly he starts to fall for her. When she nurses him back to health after carrying him out of the sea, it starts to change him into a merman who wants to do better for her.

Some of my favorite quotes from Woven into the Waves:

“The seagulls overhead circle my roof like a crown of thorns, mocking me for my somber existence here. They have been exiled along with me, to a purgatory of my own design.” Andrea admits to creating her own level of hell by isolating herself from society to heal her grief.

“I know that I myself have been filling that nebulous chasm with Lir. He has been floating in that tar filled bathtub, filling it like a whale in a fishbowl—so stretched to every edge that I cannot see or feel the grief below, besides that which seeps up just at his edges.” Not only is Lir a giant merman, but he is also taking up so much space in her heart that she is being healed from the weight of his presence and love.

There were a lot of questions left unanswered, which is why Woven into the Waves isn’t a complete five-star read for me. I know it’s a series but I want my questions answered! Like seriously what was up with that lighthouse?

If you love a romance with a little bit of mystery, a handsome giant merman who will sweep you off your feet and steal your heart with his growing humanity, this is the book for you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

This feels like the perfect book to curl up with on a stormy day. The prose is undeniably beautiful. The author has a real talent for crafting lyrical sentences.

As someone who loves ocean settings and mermaid mythology, this story was right up my alley. That said, I ultimately landed on a 3-star rating for a few key reasons:

At times, the transitions between scenes felt disjointed. There were moments where the FMC would be in one place or situation, and then suddenly somewhere else in the next sentence without clear grounding. I often found myself rereading passages to understand what was happening, which pulled me out of the story.

I also had several lingering questions by the end that I expected to be resolved. For example, the orange light introduced early on remained unclear in its purpose or meaning. Similarly, the machine beneath the lighthouse, while described as having military significance, was never fully explained. I was left wondering why it was located there specifically, and why it warranted such intense conflict.

Another (big question for me) being Lir's 'appendage' that he suddenly grew after not having one for hundreds of years — where did it go if not being used? Did it disappear into his tail? Did it just flop around? Having it not explained kind of broke the immersion for me because I kept imaging it just out and about, flaccidly hanging from his mid section of tail.

Some aspects also stretched believability even if it was a fantasy. Such as the digging of a moat from a tide pool, that happened to be large enough for an 8ft+ merman to swim through. How could they have possibly dug this in a week with only their hands?

Despite these issues, I do think this book has the potential to be a cozy, atmospheric read, especially for readers who enjoy lush prose and oceanic fantasy.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Woven into the Waves is a strong and atmospheric start to the Seafolk of Starbron series. The concept and setting immediately pulled me in.

Andrea and Lir were both engaging main characters, and their relationship really carries the heart of the story. I especially appreciated reading the ending from both of their points of view, which added an extra layer of emotional depth and made the conclusion feel especially satisfying.

The ocean and lighthouse setting, along with the themes of grief and healing, give the story a reflective and emotional tone. This is a book that asks you to slow down and really sit with the character’s thoughts and feelings as the story unfolds.

That said, there were times where the pacing felt uneven for me. Some sections leaned heavily on description and internal thoughts, which occasionally made it harder to stay fully engaged. While this may have been intentional, it didn’t always land quite right for me as a reader.

I also found myself wanting more clarity when it came to the worldbuilding. There are mentions of war and political tension, but it was difficult to fully understand how those elements fit into the bigger picture. I would have also loved to learn more about Lir’s background, as it felt like there was more there to explore.

With a bit more balance in pacing and more development in both the world and character backstory, this could have been a more immersive and impactful read for me.

Overall, this was a thoughtful start to the series with a unique setting and strong character potential. I’ll likely continue with the next book to see where the story goes.

If you enjoy slower, more introspective fantasy with emotional themes, this is worth checking out.

I received an advance review copy of this book and am sharing my honest thoughts voluntarily.

[Sarah Vinchu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

"Woven into the Waves" by Lorelei Kyle is a fantasy-driven narrative blending elements of transformation, romance, and myth. The story centres on Andrea, an isolated lighthouse keeper, and her unusual relationship with Lir, a mysterious sea creature. Their evolving bond reflects a meeting of two different worlds—human and mythic—which is an interesting concept.

The beginning felt quite slow to me and took some time to build interest. Although the book is divided into chapters, I personally felt that the titles often lack clarity and relevance. What truly stood out to me, however, was the vivid portrayal of nature. The ocean and coastal environment are described with rich, immersive detail, and the author’s descriptive language brings many scenes to life.

While the book attempts to explore themes of love, transformation, and emotional connection, I felt these ideas were not developed in a structured way. The narrative places repeated emphasis on intimate interactions between the characters, which gradually becomes excessive and limits overall plot development.

One moment that stayed with me is when Andrea and Lir rescue an injured bird and care for it with compassion. Later, the bird returns with a flock to help Andrea in danger. This scene beautifully highlights the idea of nature reciprocating love. I found it to be one of the most meaningful parts of the story.

Although the story did not fully match my interest due to its slow pace, weak structure, and excessive focus on intimacy, it may still appeal to readers who enjoy abstract, emotionally driven narratives. However, for those looking for a clear and well-developed storyline, this may not be a satisfying read.

[Bianca Rosin · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Woven into the Waves: A magically haunting tale of loss and love and the way it change us. ✨

"He holds my hands to his mouth and his warm breath in the cold air is like smoke signals desperate to explain his heart to me"

Lyrically beautiful, full of prose that captures the wild power of both the sea and desire. Andrea's story is both captivating and an astute reflection on the wounds we carry and the complexity of love and grief. Full of mystery and adventure with a great amount of spice. I was captivated by this story and I really felt the author portrayed the pleasure scenes in a way that was both steamy and reverent, making this a really cozy read.

Our MMC is deliciously otherworldly, both naive explorer of the human world and fierce protector. This was my first merman read, and I really didn't know how much I needed it in my life! The MMC was refreshing after a lot of similar romantasy tropes and MMC's. The only thing I struggled with at times was picturing some of the interactions between the main characters, with one on land and one in water. Despite this it was still a fantastic read.

"His left hand cradles me in all my dreams, his right thrusting me back in reality and I am bolstered between the two as I shatter in their powerful frame, my house crumbling as he simultaneously rebuilds it a new."

Andrea is both relatable and likeable in her desire to avoid and escape the cruelty of the world. I loved her rawness and watching her process, heal and grow over the course of the story felt really rewarding. This story has really stayed with me and I recommend it to anyone seeking to be swept away for a little while.

Thank you to the author for giving me an advanced review copy for free, I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cori · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, this book was beautiful. I couldn't put my kindle down and I was devouring it every chance I got. In most stories I've read, I feel like I've just been told the story and told what the characters felt, but "Woven into the Waves" made me feel their love for each other. There were times when I cried. I loved how Lir and Andrea cared for each other. It's not often that a book leaves me dying for the next one. I'm absolutely ready for the next part of this story (while patient enough to wait!).

Following the characters through their individual grief and change, while also following them through their discovery of each other and real love, was the refresher I needed. They seem to need each other now that they found each other, but it's portrayed in a way that feels more passionate and less toxic. I also love Andrea's realization that she deserved better than what she had before Lir.

That's not even touching on the part of the story that isn't part of the romance. I feel like I was given the perfect amount of information to keep me wanting to know more about what's under the lighthouse. Not too much that I've already guessed the ending of who the antagonist is, but not too little that I've forgotten about it.

To me, it was the perfect blend of fantasy and romance, beautifully written, and it pulls at your heartstrings. I will definitely be rereading when the sequel comes out instead of just rereading the last chapter or finding a recap.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laura R · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the death of her husband, Andrea decided to live her life in solitude, working in a lighthouse completely isolated from the world. When she stumbles on a man stuck in the waves, she decides to help, pulling him onto the shore. But Lir isn’t really a man – he’s a merman – and the two of them will have to decide if they’re willing to let the other in if they have any hope of working together to solve the mysteries that lurk deep within the lighthouse.

This was such a beautifully written book, filled with gorgeous writing and an insanely well written setting. My biggest complaint – which I’ll mention now – is how slow the opening is. It takes a whileeee before things start to happen, but once you get past that? Literally I flew through the rest of this in under a day. What did this book do in terms of emotional damage? Honestly I felt every emotion that Andrea felt as she healed from her grief and became a stronger person, and because of that I felt like an emotional wreck by the end. We get the ups and the downs, that depression and feeling of isolation, and then we see the hope and the love and it just… wow. There is some spice – by the way – but the romance and the build–up to everything was well worth the read alone. I also enjoyed the plot and the mystery and how they go about solving it. Honestly, I recommend this book. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking and well worth every page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Orchid · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

ARC REVIEW 📚

As an avid PNR reader, it's no surprise that I picked up this book. This was a beautifully descriptive story, with vivid and lyrical details that breathed life into both the character's emotions and surroundings. I also adored the mini illustrations shown throughout. That said, the narrative felt disconnected at times, leaning more towards the style of a vignette than a cohesive prose story. Given the unique pacing, I believe that structuring the story as a journal or an epistolary novel could truly elevate it. There is great potential, and I would be interested in seeing more plot-driven stories from the author in the future.

As for the main characters, Andrea was determined and resilient. Meanwhile, Lir was loyal and nurturing. I particularly enjoyed the gradual nature of their romance and felt the characters complemented each other well. My favorite part had to be Lir hunting seafood for Andrea; it's incredibly sweet of him. Finally, the spicy scenes were light yet passionate.

I WOULD RECOMMEND IF 📒

If you're looking for a gothic monster romance novel featuring themes such as "slow burn romance," "widowed FMC," "hurt x comfort," "lighthouse keeper x merman," and "HEA," then this is the book for you.

Note: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kara McCrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please note this is an Arc review, and I was so kindly given the book by the author in exchange for my honest opinion.


I really enjoyed this book. It tells the love story of a Widow lost to herself, working in a lighthouse after the death of her husband to try to keep ahold of her own life and autonomy, and a merman desperately drawn to the lighthouse by fate.
The writing in this book felt very poetic, like reading a painting. My mind vividly imagining the tide pool, the reflection of Lir's scales in the sun or the endless dark nothingness that is a stormy night on the ocean, only illuminated by the bulb of the lighthouse.
Andrea and Lir were a wonderful pair. Lir was sweet, kind and playful which paired well and complimented the more standoffish (in the begining) Andrea.

I loved the small details of this book as well. I thought it was Lir's insistence on using 'his' slightly cracked cup for tea was sweet, or the way he nurtured little bird by cradling it to his own chest.

My conclusion? This book really was unique and I feel like it's poetic nature is something I really wish we had more in the monster romance genre. The sweet nature of the book I feel like had a much stronger impact on me than a lot of books have had in recent memory. It definitely left an impact on me and it's a book I will return to in the future.

[ASH · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not your average merman novel but so much more. This story read (to me) as a gothic nautical romance, full of both tender and haunting moments. It started off very eerily, with a lurking creepy tinge to it and I'm sure you can guess who ended up being in those dark waters. The storytelling makes you feel like you are weaving in and out of consciousness, as if you are reading someones personal journal entries in a lyrical ongoing style. You feel like you're also in the lighthouse, staring at the deep black void of the sea. This is also still very much a romance though, and there is plenty of steamy (boiling water? I'm trying to think of a sea pun) moments that are had. It would ultimately be a perfect read for a rainy day, or the hours before the sun rises (or sets) if you're looking for an atmospheric setting to add alongside. I also really enjoyed the pacing of the book, the chapter lengths & the artwork at the beginning of each chapter. I recommend this to romance readers and monster romance readers alike! Definitely keep an eye on this author, I can't wait to see what else she writes next.

One quote that stayed with me: "I am releasing myself in the arms of insanity, since they seem to hold me tenderly than any embrace I have ever felt before"

Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this!

[Irina Vigliotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

My very first ARC read and I absolutely devoured it!

Woven into the Waves is a fast-paced but deeply intimate story about two very different beings who share the same tender soul, both longing to belong. It feels like "Nights in Rodanthe" (vibe-wise) and "Shape of Water" had a child - set on a desolate, stormy little patch of land.

It was refreshing not having to follow multiple side quests, like in many romantasy books that try to fit in as many fantastical elements as possible. Instead, the focus stays almost entirely on the main characters, which makes the story feel even cozier, like reading their diary entries or watching them through a looking glass. Andrea is very relatable, and Lir is an absolute delight.

I also loved the poetic writing style, even if at times it was a little harder to read smoothly because of how lyrical and descriptive it is , but that might just be me. The spice also caught me by surprise (not a bad thing - I do love good spice!), as it felt slightly unexpected given the overall vibe. Still, considering the yearning between the two, it ultimately fits well and got me kicking my feet.

If you’re looking for a quick, cozy read during a rainstorm - curled up with a cup of tea and enjoy a touch of mystery, this one’s for you!

[Judi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Woven Into the Waves by Lorelei Kyle, so first of all, thank you for the opportunity to read this early!

Overall, I’m giving this book 3 ⭐️. What really stood out to me was the setting, it felt fresh and unlike anything I’ve read before, which made the story all the more immersive. The narrative follows Andrea and Lir from their first meeting through the development of their shared story, and I appreciated how their relationship unfolded over time.

The lighthouse was a particularly intriguing element and added a unique atmosphere to the book. It worked well as both a symbolic and physical space within the story. The romance between Andrea and Lir was also beautifully written; their connection felt genuine and engaging, and it was one of my favorite aspects of the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this.

[Katherine Correa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woven into the waves -Review
By.Lorelei Kyle

I absolutely loved Woven into the Waves! The storytelling is beautifully immersive, transporting readers to a vivid underwater world filled with emotion and magic.

The relationship between Andrea and Lir is heartwarming and complex, showcasing themes of love, transformation, and self-discovery.

The writing style is lyrical, making every scene feel alive, especially the moments of intimacy and connection between the characters.

The blend of fantasy and deep emotional resonance kept me engaged throughout.

Overall, it’s a captivating read that explores the depths of love and identity in a unique way. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a beautifully crafted tale!

Also please check out this wonderful Authors page she not only writes but beautifully illustrates her wonderful work

The perfect amount of 🌶 🌶 🌶

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It’s been so long since I had someone care about me, it makes me want to just completely fall to blubbering pieces in front of him" - Andrea (Woven Into the Waves)

I absolutely loved this. Both the story and cover for this particular book were absolutely beautiful. Lir and Andrea were excellent characters, and the world building was phenomenal. I was absolutely engrossed. The world the characters inhabit had a somewhat harsh and gritty feel to it, and certain parts of the story did touch on a few darker subjects. However Andreas and Lir's interactions together and the gradual build of their relationship over the course of things gave such a sweet contrast. I absolutely loved this. If you enjoy fantasy or monster romance. I highly recommend giving Woven Into the Waves a try.

[Madi · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, thank you, Lorelei Kyle, for trusting me with this ARC!

This book was a poetic dream and the seaside gothic vibes were magical. I appreciated how the book explores life after grief and finding love in unexpected places... Like a lighthouse with a mystery inside.

I loved the character development of the FMC and MMC. This story kept me hooked and I did not expect the end. Lir is the merman of my dreams, I love a man who can cook!

If you want a slow-burn, moody and mysterious read, this is a great choice! And you may end up like me and can't wait to see what happens in the rest of the series. I didn't expect the ending in the best way.

[matti rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was definitely a slow burn but very beautiful. The way it’s written is very eloquent and lovely. This book had moments that were funny and tender. I thought it was well written, especially for a new author.

I really appreciated all the little personal details like the pictures for each chapter. It was nice to have the dual POV. I love when a monster doesn’t understand their feelings and have to learn and figure it out. That’s definitely Lir. But I can understand why she is such an enigma to him when he has only been treated poorly by humans before.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anna Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t fault the writing. The prose is a pleasure to read—lyrical, human, and emotionally honest.

I honestly wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into when I started this book, but wow, I’m here for it. This story was far deeper than I expected.

The FMC was so endearing to me, and the MMC was adorable—seriously, he is the green-flag Labrador of the seas.

At the heart of this story is friendship, and a lonely woman who finds her happiness in the unlikeliest of places. A really enjoyable read. And the cover is stunning!

[Amy Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book immensely. Alternating parts were sexy, fast-paced, adventurous, and page-turning. The author did a great job describing the setting of the story- and I could picture myself there. We get to know both the characters - and I enjoyed how a few of the chapters were from the male main characters POV. A quick-read and a great escapist-novel. I enjoyed entering Andrea’s world for a short time. A new favorite in the romantasy genre for sure!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Kodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, full disclosure here: I tore through this in one all-nighter. Lir is my new obsession, a very easy to adore character from a very wholesome story. While it takes a moment to settle into the world, I can absolutely say the time it takes is worth every second. Woven Into The Waves is a giggling and kicking your feet type read full of cuteness and fun (+ spice) completely worthy of anyone's time. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Woven Into the Waves” by Lorelei Kyle

-A hauntingly beautiful romance blending grief, mystery, and a tenderly surreal love story between a widow and a merman. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest takeaways.

The lyrical prose and dreamlike atmosphere make Andrea and Lir’s connection feel both fragile and enchanting. An emotional, cozy-yet-spicy read that lingers long afterwards.