Kiss the Boy: A Rockstar, Genderbent, Little Mermaid Retelling

by Izzy Elliott

Blurb to come...

Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 3, 2026

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kiss the Boy, releasing later this summer, is a genderbent retelling of The Little Mermaid. Thanks Izzy, for letting me read this early.

This wasn’t my favorite Izzy book, simply because I don’t love The Little Mermaid. What I did love, was reading about a character with PCOS. As a PCOS sufferer, I’ve never read a book with that representation, and from symptoms, to how it feels when cysts bursts, Izzy just got it so right. I know everyone’s symptoms are different, but this hit home for me.

“The size of your clothing isn’t a deciding factor in the happiness you’re allowed.” This was so perfect, because weight gain and everything that comes with it, does take a toll on your mental health when you have PCOS.

I loved that Ari called Erica his little siren and was just the most attentive mate. Come for the Little Mermaid retelling ( and yes, she even worked a “Look at this stuff, isn’t this neat” in there) stay for the PCOS representation.

Awesome job Izzy! 💜

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Izzy Elliott… miss ma’am… what did you put in this book?! Because I am absolutely obsessed.

I absolutely LOVE this gender-bent Little Mermaid retelling. The creativity? Incredible. The execution? Chef’s kiss. The emotional depth? Exactly why I keep coming back to your books. I went into this expecting something fun and unique, but I came out completely in awe of what you created.

I fell so hard for Ari and Erica. They are absolutely adorable together, and their relationship had me hooked from the very beginning. There’s something so magical about the way their connection unfolds—sweet, emotional, heartfelt, and completely immersive. I found myself rooting for them so hard because their bond felt genuine and beautifully written.

What I loved most was how creatively you reimagined this story. Taking something so familiar and making it feel fresh, emotional, and entirely your own is such a talent. It had all the charm and magic you’d hope for in a retelling, while still feeling completely original. That balance is not easy to pull off, and you absolutely nailed it.

And the found family? Oh my heart. One of my absolute favorite tropes, and this book delivered it so beautifully. The way Erica is welcomed in so naturally, so fully, and with so much warmth made my heart so happy. The relationships in this story weren’t just romantic—they all mattered. Every connection added depth, heart, and a sense of belonging that made the world feel alive.

That’s something I adore about your writing in general—you always manage to bring so much emotional depth into your stories. Your characters never feel one-dimensional. They feel real. They struggle, they love deeply, they heal, and they create these unforgettable relationships that stay with the reader long after the final page.

This is absolutely one of those books that I know I’ll remember forever. The characters, the emotion, the creativity, the warmth—it all came together so perfectly. Ari and Erica completely stole my heart, and honestly? I’m not sure I want it back. 💙✨

[Amber H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like being pulled under a glittering tide and forgetting how to breathe in the best possible way.

I picked up Kiss the Boy expecting a light, clever retelling of my all time favorite fairytale, but it quickly turned into something far more emotional and layered. The story takes familiar bones and builds something vivid and alive around them, like coral growing in unexpected colors. It’s recognizable enough to feel nostalgic, yet transformed enough that it constantly surprised me.

Ari and Erica completely won me over. Their dynamic is tender in a way that sneaks up on you, starting with small moments that quietly build into something deep and consuming. Nothing about their connection feels rushed or artificial. Instead, it unfolds with this patient, heartfelt rhythm that made me want to linger on every scene just a little longer.

The world itself feels warm and inviting, but what really grounded me was the emotional texture running through everything. There is longing here, yes, but also hope, humor, and those soft, in-between moments that often end up meaning the most. The book knows exactly when to make you smile and when to let things ache a little.

And the found family element is genuinely comforting. It does not feel tacked on or decorative. It feels lived in, like people slowly choosing each other and building something steady out of care and trust. Those relationships added so much heart that I found myself just as invested in them as in the romance.

By the end, I did not just enjoy the story. I felt wrapped in it, like I had been somewhere warmer than where I started.

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Street team member review!

Thank you Izzy for allowing me an early copy of Kiss the boy!
From the beginning I was hooked and the covers are absolutely stunning! Ari is the lead singer and during an incident at his concert, they meet and are infatuated from the beginning. Erica has PCOS as well as trauma from a douche bag ex that Ari is very gentle with and never makes her feel bad about having these thoughts. I related more to Erica that I thought I would going into this read, so seeing her get her happy ending truly made by heart happy. I would love to see more from this world by watching the band finding their soulmates.

KTB is a short Little Mermaid retelling where Ari is the Merman. Inside is a low stakes, low spice, easy read🧜🏻‍♂️

[Kambri huntsman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again an Izzy Elliott book had me sucked in. I finished this book in a day because it was so good. I swear Izzy puts some sort of crack in her books. I’ve never read a retelling type book before I I actually loved this so much. The creativity that was put into this book is insane. Without fully knowing that it was meant as a retelling, you may not be able to tell as there’s such a different take on the story itself that kept things original which I loved. I’m so glad that Ari and Erika were able to find their happiness because after all the things that Erika had been through between her health concerns facing her PCOS and exes with shit perspectives on her and her life. Overall I loved this book in it’s entirety and can’t wait for more people to be able to read it.

[Carriebooksandart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Izzy for letting me be a Beta reader for Kiss the Boy. This story was a magical escape into a world of mates in the underwater category. Well… not so much underwater.. This merman can live and breathe above the ocean. In fact he is the lead singer for the popular group Atlantica. He maybe famous… but something is missing from his life. Something he is yearning for.
Enter Erica. She’s in a terrible miserable relationship. She’s jobless and her PCOS symptoms are a nightmare. There’s something about the band she is about to see. Something about the lead singers voice.
Is fate about to push Ari and Erica into a tidal wave of passion and love?

[Kayymarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing (arc read) I love their relationship and the fact the girl is bigger made me love it more. We don’t get a lot of stories that show other sizes of women and I’m glad this one did plus other medical issues she was facing and was accepted by her mate. I believe everyone should read this book, the chapters are short so you can finish pretty quickly which I think is a plus. Can’t recommend this book enough. Go pick up a copy!!!!

[Coree, The Book Devourer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a BETA read.