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Kiss the Boy: A Rockstar, Genderbent, Little Mermaid Retelling
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204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
July 2, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. This is a little mermaid retelling with a twist!! This is a merman 🧜♂️ shifter romance! This was a fast pace read and enjoyed every bit of it! This does have a plot twist that was not expected wow! Izzy you did it again!! Absolutely phenomenal!!
“The lights, the stage, the music, and the screaming fans. It’s one night that was supposed to be magical.
Erica is miserable. Her relationship is awful, her PCOS symptoms are a nightmare, and without a job she’s stuck. Even though she wants to leave, it doesn’t feel possible. The only time she feels alive is when she’s listening to music.
Ari is leading a double life. The singer and frontman of the global phenomenon, Atlantica, is on tour. But the future isn’t as bright as this merman hoped it would be. Something in his life is missing and he’s not entirely sure if he'll ever find it.
Fate collides bringing Erica and Ari together on the Oceanside Cities Tour.
Will they be swept away in a hurricane romance or is this their final number?”
“The lights, the stage, the music, and the screaming fans. It’s one night that was supposed to be magical.
Erica is miserable. Her relationship is awful, her PCOS symptoms are a nightmare, and without a job she’s stuck. Even though she wants to leave, it doesn’t feel possible. The only time she feels alive is when she’s listening to music.
Ari is leading a double life. The singer and frontman of the global phenomenon, Atlantica, is on tour. But the future isn’t as bright as this merman hoped it would be. Something in his life is missing and he’s not entirely sure if he'll ever find it.
Fate collides bringing Erica and Ari together on the Oceanside Cities Tour.
Will they be swept away in a hurricane romance or is this their final number?”
July 9, 2026
Spice: 🌶🌶
Tropes:
Fated mates
Fairytale retelling
Rockstar romance
PCOS Rep
Multi POV
The Little Mermaid was my favorite fairytale as a child. I still lean towards stories set at sea. Give me a The Little Mermaid retelling any day.
What was unique about Kiss the Boy was the gender reversal. Ari is both a merman, who trades his fins for legs most days. Oh and he's a Rockstar - duh, got to have those vocals! Our FMC was Erica, a super cool female who doesnt just love rock music, but lives the look every day. Her bff is Maxine, but you can call her Max. Then dont forget our villian Vann!
I thought this was definitely a cute and spicy take on my favorite classic. I loved how Izzy pulled all the elements from the original (maybe I should say Disney version) and flipped it into a Rockstar romance with fated mates. The characters were fun and I loved how Erica was both not averagely skinny and had PCOS. I think readers will be able to connect with Erica for sure.
I cant wait to see which retelling is next.
Tropes:
Fated mates
Fairytale retelling
Rockstar romance
PCOS Rep
Multi POV
The Little Mermaid was my favorite fairytale as a child. I still lean towards stories set at sea. Give me a The Little Mermaid retelling any day.
What was unique about Kiss the Boy was the gender reversal. Ari is both a merman, who trades his fins for legs most days. Oh and he's a Rockstar - duh, got to have those vocals! Our FMC was Erica, a super cool female who doesnt just love rock music, but lives the look every day. Her bff is Maxine, but you can call her Max. Then dont forget our villian Vann!
I thought this was definitely a cute and spicy take on my favorite classic. I loved how Izzy pulled all the elements from the original (maybe I should say Disney version) and flipped it into a Rockstar romance with fated mates. The characters were fun and I loved how Erica was both not averagely skinny and had PCOS. I think readers will be able to connect with Erica for sure.
I cant wait to see which retelling is next.
July 4, 2026
I really loved this. I am a huge Little Mermaid fan so just had to read this gender bent retelling. I loved all the play on names and everything.
The way this was written and having PCOS being represented and shown was just really good. Erica is the FMC who just seems to have the worst luck. A relationship where he controls everything, no job , and her PCOS that she struggles witj. Her best friend gets tickets to Erica's favorite band and she's so excited.
Ari is the MMC and is the lead singer and is also hiding he is a merman. He loves what he does but just wonders if there is more for him.
Something terrible happens at the concert and it ends up putting the two of them in each other's world. Things start to happen and just don't want to give anything away.
I just loved all the guys in the band and hoping for more books on them. There's also a twist I didn’t see coming. Such a great retelling.
The way this was written and having PCOS being represented and shown was just really good. Erica is the FMC who just seems to have the worst luck. A relationship where he controls everything, no job , and her PCOS that she struggles witj. Her best friend gets tickets to Erica's favorite band and she's so excited.
Ari is the MMC and is the lead singer and is also hiding he is a merman. He loves what he does but just wonders if there is more for him.
Something terrible happens at the concert and it ends up putting the two of them in each other's world. Things start to happen and just don't want to give anything away.
I just loved all the guys in the band and hoping for more books on them. There's also a twist I didn’t see coming. Such a great retelling.
July 3, 2026
The Little Mermaid has always been my favorite, so there was no way I was passing up a gender-bent retelling.
I had a lot of fun with this one. Ari as a merman and lead singer of Atlantica was such a cool take on the story, and I thought the Little Mermaid vibes came through without feeling like the same story all over again. The gender swap was done really well, and I honestly loved that part.
I think what kept this from being a higher rating for me was just that I wanted…more. More time with the characters, more relationship development, and a little more depth overall. I was invested, but I wanted to feel even more connected to everyone before it ended.
Even with that, I’m really glad I read it. It was a fun, unique spin on a story I’ve loved for as long as I can remember, and if you’re into fairy tale retellings, this is definitely worth checking out.
I had a lot of fun with this one. Ari as a merman and lead singer of Atlantica was such a cool take on the story, and I thought the Little Mermaid vibes came through without feeling like the same story all over again. The gender swap was done really well, and I honestly loved that part.
I think what kept this from being a higher rating for me was just that I wanted…more. More time with the characters, more relationship development, and a little more depth overall. I was invested, but I wanted to feel even more connected to everyone before it ended.
Even with that, I’m really glad I read it. It was a fun, unique spin on a story I’ve loved for as long as I can remember, and if you’re into fairy tale retellings, this is definitely worth checking out.
July 4, 2026
It’s a blends romance, music, and emotional healing into an engaging story that follows two people searching for something they’ve lost. Erica is an easy character to root for as she navigates an unhealthy relationship, unemployment, and the daily challenges of living with PCOS. Her struggles feel authentic, making her journey toward happiness especially rewarding.
Ari, the charismatic frontman of the world-famous band Atlantica, offers an interesting contrast. Despite his fame and success, he’s quietly battling his own sense of emptiness, reminding readers that appearances can be deceiving. Their worlds collide during the Oceanside Cities Tour, setting the stage for a romance filled with chemistry, vulnerability, and plenty of musical magic.
The story shines in its backstage concert atmosphere, emotional character development, and exploration of self-worth. Alongside the romance, it thoughtfully touches on important topics such as chronic health conditions, toxic relationships, and finding the courage to change your life.
Fans of contemporary romance with celebrity love interests, emotional depth, and a strong musical backdrop will likely enjoy this heartfelt read. While the romance takes center stage, the characters’ personal growth is what makes the story truly memorable.
Ari, the charismatic frontman of the world-famous band Atlantica, offers an interesting contrast. Despite his fame and success, he’s quietly battling his own sense of emptiness, reminding readers that appearances can be deceiving. Their worlds collide during the Oceanside Cities Tour, setting the stage for a romance filled with chemistry, vulnerability, and plenty of musical magic.
The story shines in its backstage concert atmosphere, emotional character development, and exploration of self-worth. Alongside the romance, it thoughtfully touches on important topics such as chronic health conditions, toxic relationships, and finding the courage to change your life.
Fans of contemporary romance with celebrity love interests, emotional depth, and a strong musical backdrop will likely enjoy this heartfelt read. While the romance takes center stage, the characters’ personal growth is what makes the story truly memorable.
July 7, 2026
This was absolutely adorable! This was my first Izzy Elliott book. If you enjoy rockstar or fairytale retellings, you will enjoy this book.
Ari is the merman rockstar who knows something is missing in his life. The lead singer of Atlantica and the entire band are mermen shifters.
Erica's life is miserable. Her PCOS symptoms are a nightmare. Her love life is in the toilet and her boyfriend is a jerk. Without a job, leaving would be impossible. The only thing good in her life is music specifically music played by Atlantica.
A chance meeting between Ari and Erica turn their lives upside down and all for the better. Just wait and see what happens next! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more from Izzy Elliott. The characters are well written and the story line grabs your attention and keeps you hooked (LOL) for the whole book.
Ari is the merman rockstar who knows something is missing in his life. The lead singer of Atlantica and the entire band are mermen shifters.
Erica's life is miserable. Her PCOS symptoms are a nightmare. Her love life is in the toilet and her boyfriend is a jerk. Without a job, leaving would be impossible. The only thing good in her life is music specifically music played by Atlantica.
A chance meeting between Ari and Erica turn their lives upside down and all for the better. Just wait and see what happens next! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more from Izzy Elliott. The characters are well written and the story line grabs your attention and keeps you hooked (LOL) for the whole book.
July 3, 2026
I loved every minute of this book! It was my first Izzy Elliot book and I could not put it down! Ari and Erica are the PERFECT book couple and I love them so much. I can't wait to read more of Izzy's books because I'm sure they are just as amazing as this one!
July 3, 2026
As a little girl, I was obsessed with The Little Mermaid. I had everything that was Little Mermaid related, so when I saw the opportunity to get an ARC of a retelling of my favorite fairytale, I just had to apply. I guess some things never change. 🤭
I got sucked into this story almost immediately. It’s fast-paced, fun, bubbly, but Izzy also isn’t afraid to mix those lighter moments with some heavier topics, and I really loved that balance.
I loved both MCs from the start and was rooting for them the entire time. Erica is honestly miserable in the beginning. She’s stuck in a toxic relationship with a narcissistic boyfriend, she’s struggling with her PCOS, and she just feels… stuck. It broke my heart seeing everything she was dealing with.
Then we have Ari. The lead singer of the insanely popular band Atlantica, who also happens to be a merman (along with the rest of his band 🤭). Ari is genuinely one of the sweetest MMCs. He’s kind, patient, and so incredibly perceptive. From the moment he sees Erica, he knows she’s his mate, but I loved that he never pushed her. Instead, he gives her the space she needs while also finding ways to get to know her. Offering her a job and bringing her on tour was honestly the perfect excuse. 😂
One of my favorite parts of this book was the PCOS representation. I loved how much care Izzy put into writing Erica’s struggles and insecurities, and it felt genuine throughout the story. Because the book is so fast-paced, I honestly wouldn’t have minded slowing down a little to spend more time with those moments. Ari was such a caring and supportive book boyfriend, and I loved the way he handled Erica’s insecurities with so much patience and understanding. The representation was absolutely there and handled with care. I just loved those parts of the story so much that I found myself wanting even more of them. 🤍
Watching Erica slowly find herself again after leaving her ex was probably my favorite part of the story. Seeing her realize what she wants, what she deserves, and watching her confidence grow made me so happy.
And of course… the merman side of the story!! I absolutely loved the whole mating bond aspect and all the little magical details that came with it. It gave the Little Mermaid retelling such a fun and unique twist while still feeling familiar.
Overall, I really loved this retelling and the spin Izzy gave to it. It felt fresh, heartwarming, and I honestly flew through it. I finished it in a day because I just didn’t want to put it down. 🤍
If you love fast-paced romances, fairytale retellings, cinnamon roll MMCs, mermen, and stories that aren’t afraid to tackle some heavier topics, then I definitely recommend picking this one up. 🧜🏼♂️
Thank you Izzy Elliott for the e-ARC opportunity in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own🫶🏾
I got sucked into this story almost immediately. It’s fast-paced, fun, bubbly, but Izzy also isn’t afraid to mix those lighter moments with some heavier topics, and I really loved that balance.
I loved both MCs from the start and was rooting for them the entire time. Erica is honestly miserable in the beginning. She’s stuck in a toxic relationship with a narcissistic boyfriend, she’s struggling with her PCOS, and she just feels… stuck. It broke my heart seeing everything she was dealing with.
Then we have Ari. The lead singer of the insanely popular band Atlantica, who also happens to be a merman (along with the rest of his band 🤭). Ari is genuinely one of the sweetest MMCs. He’s kind, patient, and so incredibly perceptive. From the moment he sees Erica, he knows she’s his mate, but I loved that he never pushed her. Instead, he gives her the space she needs while also finding ways to get to know her. Offering her a job and bringing her on tour was honestly the perfect excuse. 😂
One of my favorite parts of this book was the PCOS representation. I loved how much care Izzy put into writing Erica’s struggles and insecurities, and it felt genuine throughout the story. Because the book is so fast-paced, I honestly wouldn’t have minded slowing down a little to spend more time with those moments. Ari was such a caring and supportive book boyfriend, and I loved the way he handled Erica’s insecurities with so much patience and understanding. The representation was absolutely there and handled with care. I just loved those parts of the story so much that I found myself wanting even more of them. 🤍
Watching Erica slowly find herself again after leaving her ex was probably my favorite part of the story. Seeing her realize what she wants, what she deserves, and watching her confidence grow made me so happy.
And of course… the merman side of the story!! I absolutely loved the whole mating bond aspect and all the little magical details that came with it. It gave the Little Mermaid retelling such a fun and unique twist while still feeling familiar.
Overall, I really loved this retelling and the spin Izzy gave to it. It felt fresh, heartwarming, and I honestly flew through it. I finished it in a day because I just didn’t want to put it down. 🤍
If you love fast-paced romances, fairytale retellings, cinnamon roll MMCs, mermen, and stories that aren’t afraid to tackle some heavier topics, then I definitely recommend picking this one up. 🧜🏼♂️
Thank you Izzy Elliott for the e-ARC opportunity in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own🫶🏾
June 30, 2026
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️
Izzy Elliot has done it again!! I absolutely love her writing since My Pucking Mate, and Kiss The Boy was an absolutely stunning read! It’s fast-paced and constantly moving, never a slow moment so that there’s constantly something that keeps you wondering what’s going to happen next. The characters Ari, and Erica are so amazing that you simply can’t help but love them. And if you’re here for a romance that’ll sweep you off your feet and have your swooning left and right than this book is an absolute must because the romance in this book starts off strong and ends even stronger!! Truly I can’t put into enough words to say just how much I loved this book so if you’re looking for a gender-bent, Little Mermaid retelling, with fabulous characters, an epic fated mates romance, rockstar moments, and just enough drama to keep you on the edge of your seat then Kiss The Boy is an absolute must read!
Growing up The Little Mermaid was one of my favorite movies/stories and when I saw Izzy Elliot was writing a gender-bent retelling I knew it was an absolute must read and OMG I couldn’t be more thankful I was able to arc read this book because I honestly fell in love with this book! Erica is a sassy, fun, and rock and roll loving FMC who after years of being forced into a box that never fit is breaking free and enjoying finding the pieces she was forced to let go to try and fit into the box… and of course it doesn’t hurt that she has world famous rockstar Ari by her side. Ari who may be a rockstar and has enjoyed some of the perks that come from the fame but has remained a gentleman. A gentleman who has found his mate and is ready to spoil her in all ways possible, including helping her realize that it’s okay to completely step out of the box she’s forced herself to fit in because there are people in the world who will accept all of her Windoo having to give away any of the parts that make her who she is. And the romance… it really kicks off with some cute, awkward, meet cute moments that evolves into a friendship but once the kindling of romance sparks to life it doesn’t pause or burn out for even a moment instead it continues to grow with every passing moment into a swoon-worthy and spicy romance that just makes for an amazing read that you won’t be able to put down for even a second. Especially when an old foe makes a return! This book is absolutely one I will be recommend over and over again! And I can’t wait to read more!
Spice:🌶️🌶️
Izzy Elliot has done it again!! I absolutely love her writing since My Pucking Mate, and Kiss The Boy was an absolutely stunning read! It’s fast-paced and constantly moving, never a slow moment so that there’s constantly something that keeps you wondering what’s going to happen next. The characters Ari, and Erica are so amazing that you simply can’t help but love them. And if you’re here for a romance that’ll sweep you off your feet and have your swooning left and right than this book is an absolute must because the romance in this book starts off strong and ends even stronger!! Truly I can’t put into enough words to say just how much I loved this book so if you’re looking for a gender-bent, Little Mermaid retelling, with fabulous characters, an epic fated mates romance, rockstar moments, and just enough drama to keep you on the edge of your seat then Kiss The Boy is an absolute must read!
Growing up The Little Mermaid was one of my favorite movies/stories and when I saw Izzy Elliot was writing a gender-bent retelling I knew it was an absolute must read and OMG I couldn’t be more thankful I was able to arc read this book because I honestly fell in love with this book! Erica is a sassy, fun, and rock and roll loving FMC who after years of being forced into a box that never fit is breaking free and enjoying finding the pieces she was forced to let go to try and fit into the box… and of course it doesn’t hurt that she has world famous rockstar Ari by her side. Ari who may be a rockstar and has enjoyed some of the perks that come from the fame but has remained a gentleman. A gentleman who has found his mate and is ready to spoil her in all ways possible, including helping her realize that it’s okay to completely step out of the box she’s forced herself to fit in because there are people in the world who will accept all of her Windoo having to give away any of the parts that make her who she is. And the romance… it really kicks off with some cute, awkward, meet cute moments that evolves into a friendship but once the kindling of romance sparks to life it doesn’t pause or burn out for even a moment instead it continues to grow with every passing moment into a swoon-worthy and spicy romance that just makes for an amazing read that you won’t be able to put down for even a second. Especially when an old foe makes a return! This book is absolutely one I will be recommend over and over again! And I can’t wait to read more!
July 4, 2026
A gorgeous retelling
The Little Mermaid, but make it rock stars and swap the genders. That’s Kiss The Boy.
Erica is off to see her favourite band Atlantica play with her bestie Max and bad red flag bf Vann. After Vann causes a scene and gets arrested, the lead singer of the band, Ari, joins them in the crowd.
Drawn to the woman in the crowd, Ari is determined to meet her. His true identity as a merman makes him think that Erica is his soul mate and he is not going to let her go. Now he just needs to keep her by his side and somehow tell her he grows a tail in salt water…
Confession: I am old enough to have seen The Little Mermaid when it was first released and I absolutely adored it. So when I discovered this book is a retelling I could not sign up fast enough. I wound up reading it in one sitting. My only regret is that I didn’t start reading it earlier.
The book is filled with Easter eggs for true fans to find - Ari’s band mates are Fish, Bach and Scooter (who sings like a dying seagull). I basically had the soundtrack playing in my head the whole time I was reading.
The romance is slow burn and open door. There’s an instant soul mate attraction between Ari and Erica, but they don’t rush too much. Their romance is so cute and Ari is the greenest of green flag guys.
There are some significant content warnings for this book. Erica’s boyfriend Vann (as in Vanessa) is emotionally abusive and turns physical on page. Erica has a lot to unpack from their relationship, especially to do with her weight and the body shaming she experienced. There’s also PCOS rep, with all that comes with it (like infertility and ruptured cysts).
If you loved The Little Mermaid and still want to be part of that world (get it?) or you’re just a fan of rock star romances, you MUST read Kiss The Girl now.
The Little Mermaid, but make it rock stars and swap the genders. That’s Kiss The Boy.
Erica is off to see her favourite band Atlantica play with her bestie Max and bad red flag bf Vann. After Vann causes a scene and gets arrested, the lead singer of the band, Ari, joins them in the crowd.
Drawn to the woman in the crowd, Ari is determined to meet her. His true identity as a merman makes him think that Erica is his soul mate and he is not going to let her go. Now he just needs to keep her by his side and somehow tell her he grows a tail in salt water…
Confession: I am old enough to have seen The Little Mermaid when it was first released and I absolutely adored it. So when I discovered this book is a retelling I could not sign up fast enough. I wound up reading it in one sitting. My only regret is that I didn’t start reading it earlier.
The book is filled with Easter eggs for true fans to find - Ari’s band mates are Fish, Bach and Scooter (who sings like a dying seagull). I basically had the soundtrack playing in my head the whole time I was reading.
The romance is slow burn and open door. There’s an instant soul mate attraction between Ari and Erica, but they don’t rush too much. Their romance is so cute and Ari is the greenest of green flag guys.
There are some significant content warnings for this book. Erica’s boyfriend Vann (as in Vanessa) is emotionally abusive and turns physical on page. Erica has a lot to unpack from their relationship, especially to do with her weight and the body shaming she experienced. There’s also PCOS rep, with all that comes with it (like infertility and ruptured cysts).
If you loved The Little Mermaid and still want to be part of that world (get it?) or you’re just a fan of rock star romances, you MUST read Kiss The Girl now.
July 5, 2026
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a deep and undying love of the beach and anything ocean inspired, I also love the myth of mermaids and mermen...reading the previews of this book, I was beyond EXCITED!!
📖🧜♂️💙📖💚🧜♂️📖
A rockstar hiding the secret that he's a merman and who finds his fated mate during one of his shows...? PERFECT CHEMISTRY!!
Ari (MMC) has the perfect life as the lead singer of Atlantica...fame, money, performing all over and getting to see the world...but he longs for one thing, finding his one true mate...
...his wish then comes true the moment he locks eyes with a certain fan at one of his band's oceanside concerts...
Though when he discovers his precious mate is already betrothed to another, his heart shatters...but not before he jumps in to save her from her current boyfriend's jealous rage and temper...
Erica (FMC) can hardly believe the whirlwind of events taking place...her favorite singer in her favorite band not only rescuing her from the abusive monster she's wanted to escape for too long followed by Ari himself then making an offer she truly can't refuse in wanting to keep her safe...all leading up to an ultimate discovery...and destiny...
Living her dream and finally feeling happy suddenly takes a nosedive as danger returns and the beast whom she ran from manages to find her...threatening to harm not only her in his revenge but also her beloved and perfect mate...
The only question is can a mystical rockstar merman and his human true love can really be part of each other's worlds and find their HEA...?
Absolutely LOVED IT!! Truly FANTASTIC and definitely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+!!
Be sure to check out "Kiss the Boy" by Izzy Elliott, available now!!
📖🧜♂️💙📖💚🧜♂️📖
📖🧜♂️💙📖💚🧜♂️📖
A rockstar hiding the secret that he's a merman and who finds his fated mate during one of his shows...? PERFECT CHEMISTRY!!
Ari (MMC) has the perfect life as the lead singer of Atlantica...fame, money, performing all over and getting to see the world...but he longs for one thing, finding his one true mate...
...his wish then comes true the moment he locks eyes with a certain fan at one of his band's oceanside concerts...
Though when he discovers his precious mate is already betrothed to another, his heart shatters...but not before he jumps in to save her from her current boyfriend's jealous rage and temper...
Erica (FMC) can hardly believe the whirlwind of events taking place...her favorite singer in her favorite band not only rescuing her from the abusive monster she's wanted to escape for too long followed by Ari himself then making an offer she truly can't refuse in wanting to keep her safe...all leading up to an ultimate discovery...and destiny...
Living her dream and finally feeling happy suddenly takes a nosedive as danger returns and the beast whom she ran from manages to find her...threatening to harm not only her in his revenge but also her beloved and perfect mate...
The only question is can a mystical rockstar merman and his human true love can really be part of each other's worlds and find their HEA...?
Absolutely LOVED IT!! Truly FANTASTIC and definitely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+!!
Be sure to check out "Kiss the Boy" by Izzy Elliott, available now!!
📖🧜♂️💙📖💚🧜♂️📖
July 5, 2026
** spoiler alert **
⭐⭐ 4.25/5 stars ⭐⭐
Okay, this was SUCH a fun book, and devoured in one sitting because apparently that's just how we're doing things now. Bring on the next Twisted Retelling if they're all going to hit like this one did.
Let's talk about Erica first, because the representation here genuinely meant something. A curvy PCOS girlie getting the meet cute of her actual dreams, with her favourite singer, while her current boyfriend is busy being an absolute nightmare in the background? Say less. The way that relationship was written, the reality of what he put her through, and then good riddance to him, honestly. Watching Erica "connect" with Ari (yes, I'm using that word deliberately, you know what I mean) and slowly shed every restriction she'd placed on herself... it was properly lovely to read. She found herself. She let loose. She had fun. As she should.
And Ari. ARI. A massive superstar, sure, but a gentleman through and through, and the second he clocked that Erica was his mate (sorry, yes, spoiler, but come on, you knew), the man would have moved mountains. The ocean, even. Quite literally, as it turns out.
This gender flipped Little Mermaid retelling could so easily have felt gimmicky, but nothing here was forced. The merman element was such a fun twist, and I loved what it did for the story. What really got me though was how the heavier stuff, the domestic abuse, the exhausting reality of living with PCOS, was handled with genuine care. Nothing felt exploitative or thrown in for shock value. It was respectful, and it mattered.
So grateful I got to read this one. Bring on the next book, please and thank you.
Thank you to Izzy Elliott for providing this ARC of Kiss the Boy in exchange for my honest review.
⭐⭐ 4.25/5 stars ⭐⭐
Okay, this was SUCH a fun book, and devoured in one sitting because apparently that's just how we're doing things now. Bring on the next Twisted Retelling if they're all going to hit like this one did.
Let's talk about Erica first, because the representation here genuinely meant something. A curvy PCOS girlie getting the meet cute of her actual dreams, with her favourite singer, while her current boyfriend is busy being an absolute nightmare in the background? Say less. The way that relationship was written, the reality of what he put her through, and then good riddance to him, honestly. Watching Erica "connect" with Ari (yes, I'm using that word deliberately, you know what I mean) and slowly shed every restriction she'd placed on herself... it was properly lovely to read. She found herself. She let loose. She had fun. As she should.
And Ari. ARI. A massive superstar, sure, but a gentleman through and through, and the second he clocked that Erica was his mate (sorry, yes, spoiler, but come on, you knew), the man would have moved mountains. The ocean, even. Quite literally, as it turns out.
This gender flipped Little Mermaid retelling could so easily have felt gimmicky, but nothing here was forced. The merman element was such a fun twist, and I loved what it did for the story. What really got me though was how the heavier stuff, the domestic abuse, the exhausting reality of living with PCOS, was handled with genuine care. Nothing felt exploitative or thrown in for shock value. It was respectful, and it mattered.
So grateful I got to read this one. Bring on the next book, please and thank you.
Thank you to Izzy Elliott for providing this ARC of Kiss the Boy in exchange for my honest review.
July 3, 2026
4.25⭐
This book was just what I needed in my life right now! It was adorable and joyful while still having heavy topics that were well represented. I enjoyed the generbent element and the elements of retelling.
Ari was just a dream and honestly the standard for book boyfriends moving forward. The way he treated Erica like the absolute queen that really made me swoon, he was the absolute sweetest.
Erica was a fierce queen through and through. Despite what she was going through in life she kept her head held high and fought on even when her inner voice tried to stop her. I found her character incredibly relatable and felt a real kinship to her.
This book was a joy and I thought even with Ari being a merman and musician this book was really down to earth with them doing everyday things. I loved how it was paced and the little time jumps to make their story really believable. As always Izzy managed to pack a great amount of depth and detail into a shorter book that I loved every minute of. The representation of pcos, an abusive relationship (not the MMC) and confidence struggles especially when out shopping were written brilliantly.
This book was just what I needed in my life right now! It was adorable and joyful while still having heavy topics that were well represented. I enjoyed the generbent element and the elements of retelling.
Ari was just a dream and honestly the standard for book boyfriends moving forward. The way he treated Erica like the absolute queen that really made me swoon, he was the absolute sweetest.
Erica was a fierce queen through and through. Despite what she was going through in life she kept her head held high and fought on even when her inner voice tried to stop her. I found her character incredibly relatable and felt a real kinship to her.
This book was a joy and I thought even with Ari being a merman and musician this book was really down to earth with them doing everyday things. I loved how it was paced and the little time jumps to make their story really believable. As always Izzy managed to pack a great amount of depth and detail into a shorter book that I loved every minute of. The representation of pcos, an abusive relationship (not the MMC) and confidence struggles especially when out shopping were written brilliantly.
May 31, 2026
***ARC Review***
What a fun little book!! I didn’t know what to expect from this one, only that it was a Little Mermaid reimagining and I was pleasantly surprised with the end result. As a huge music fan I really enjoyed that the story was centered around not only a band, but an actual concert tour. What I really loved about this book was that it wasn’t heavy or hard to follow. Even the parts that weren’t so happy didn’t weigh me down as I read them. Ari and Erica are such a sweet couple and loved the addition of the siren/merman lore and the fated bond bits. I felt like it added a bit of fun for the fantasy lover in me. For being a bit on the shorter side, this book managed to give us characters with depth that I found to be quite interesting. The story never felt rushed or incomplete and while I would have loved to have had more merman moments, the story was really cute and I genuinely enjoyed it. If you are looking for a quick little read that has romance, fun and a teensy bit of fantasy… this is a good book to read.
What a fun little book!! I didn’t know what to expect from this one, only that it was a Little Mermaid reimagining and I was pleasantly surprised with the end result. As a huge music fan I really enjoyed that the story was centered around not only a band, but an actual concert tour. What I really loved about this book was that it wasn’t heavy or hard to follow. Even the parts that weren’t so happy didn’t weigh me down as I read them. Ari and Erica are such a sweet couple and loved the addition of the siren/merman lore and the fated bond bits. I felt like it added a bit of fun for the fantasy lover in me. For being a bit on the shorter side, this book managed to give us characters with depth that I found to be quite interesting. The story never felt rushed or incomplete and while I would have loved to have had more merman moments, the story was really cute and I genuinely enjoyed it. If you are looking for a quick little read that has romance, fun and a teensy bit of fantasy… this is a good book to read.
May 8, 2026
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! 💜
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! 💜
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2026
What To Expect:
🧜🏼♂️gender bent little mermaid retelling
✨pcos rep
💙fated fates
🎤rockstar romance
4.5⭐️
if you know me than you know that i absolutely love the little mermaid! and if you don't, well now you know 😂
it's also a shifter romance. yes mermaid or should i say mermen shifters. so if you are like me and love shifter romance than you definitely need to jump on this book immediately!!
this was such a fun twist on the little mermaid and i ate up every second of it! i was also very disappointed when i made it to the end because that meant it was over. i was not ready to say goodbye to erica and ari 😩
as a pcos girlie, i feel very seen and represented in this book so thank you for that izzy! i love the plus size and pcos rep that you gave us🫶🏼🫶🏼
thank you so much izzy for having me be apart of your arc team! i am so honored and grateful to be apart of it and to be able to read this arc!
🧜🏼♂️gender bent little mermaid retelling
✨pcos rep
💙fated fates
🎤rockstar romance
4.5⭐️
if you know me than you know that i absolutely love the little mermaid! and if you don't, well now you know 😂
it's also a shifter romance. yes mermaid or should i say mermen shifters. so if you are like me and love shifter romance than you definitely need to jump on this book immediately!!
this was such a fun twist on the little mermaid and i ate up every second of it! i was also very disappointed when i made it to the end because that meant it was over. i was not ready to say goodbye to erica and ari 😩
as a pcos girlie, i feel very seen and represented in this book so thank you for that izzy! i love the plus size and pcos rep that you gave us🫶🏼🫶🏼
thank you so much izzy for having me be apart of your arc team! i am so honored and grateful to be apart of it and to be able to read this arc!
July 5, 2026
If you love a retell, this genderbent Little Mermaid is a fun, quick read.
Tropes:
🎤 Genderbent Little Mermaid Retell
🎤 Fated Mates
🎤 Rockstar Romance
🎤 PCOS Rep
Erica is a huge fan of the band, Atlantica, and finally got tickets to see them. The lead singer, Ari, notices her, and after a series of events, he talks her into touring with his band. Little does she know, he and his bandmates are mermen, and he’s just found his fated mate.
This was a really quick sweet read. I liked the gender swap with the characters, and that Ari was in a band. Erica’s character was a lot of fun. I really liked seeing all the different things that happened for Erica with Ari being her mate.
🌶️🌶️
Thank you, Izzy, for sending me a copy of this book!
Tropes:
🎤 Genderbent Little Mermaid Retell
🎤 Fated Mates
🎤 Rockstar Romance
🎤 PCOS Rep
Erica is a huge fan of the band, Atlantica, and finally got tickets to see them. The lead singer, Ari, notices her, and after a series of events, he talks her into touring with his band. Little does she know, he and his bandmates are mermen, and he’s just found his fated mate.
This was a really quick sweet read. I liked the gender swap with the characters, and that Ari was in a band. Erica’s character was a lot of fun. I really liked seeing all the different things that happened for Erica with Ari being her mate.
🌶️🌶️
Thank you, Izzy, for sending me a copy of this book!
July 3, 2026
This was my first genderbent The Little Mermaid retelling and I LOVED it. The play on the characters names was great—Ari, Erica, Max, and Vann—and I loved the rockstar angle of the story. The first meeting between Ari and Erica is definitely non traditional but the way he swooped in immediately and was like “I’m here and I’d like to stay,” was absolutely passing the vibe check. Ari’s bandmates were fun and I liked the fact that Erica had been a fan of the band for a really long time. There’s not a ton of spice in this but what we got was great. I loved the way things changed after an incident near the end of the book and how well it made everything work out. Fantastic read!
July 3, 2026
Love: 5 🌟
The plot was emotional from the start, and the pacing kept me wanting more, i literally could not put it down! Izzy always does a good job with world-building without being overwhelming, and I really connected to the emotional depth throughout the whole thing. With a book with hard topics like PCOS can definitely punch you in the gut, but in the best way possible! This is one of my favorite story retellings with a bit of a genderbent twist 🤌🏻 Ari’s little pet name for Erica ““little Siren” swoon
As always please read triggers and tropes before reading;
🐚 PCOS
🐚 Gebderbent
🐚 Fated Mates
🐚 Rockstar romance
The plot was emotional from the start, and the pacing kept me wanting more, i literally could not put it down! Izzy always does a good job with world-building without being overwhelming, and I really connected to the emotional depth throughout the whole thing. With a book with hard topics like PCOS can definitely punch you in the gut, but in the best way possible! This is one of my favorite story retellings with a bit of a genderbent twist 🤌🏻 Ari’s little pet name for Erica ““little Siren” swoon
As always please read triggers and tropes before reading;
🐚 PCOS
🐚 Gebderbent
🐚 Fated Mates
🐚 Rockstar romance
June 7, 2026
Such a good book.
It’s a sweet book with some heavy topics. Our FMC was in a abusive relationship with a narcissist. He brought her down to a point she felt helpless.
Everyone should know their worth, do not let a narcissistic person bring you down.
Erica and Ari were great together. I love the attraction to one another. I needed a book with connection between the couple. Also she had an amazing best friend who was there for her. A true best friend.
Author does an amazing job writing Fate mates trope!! With bond marks teehee
I’m so excited for more from the author!
It’s a sweet book with some heavy topics. Our FMC was in a abusive relationship with a narcissist. He brought her down to a point she felt helpless.
Everyone should know their worth, do not let a narcissistic person bring you down.
Erica and Ari were great together. I love the attraction to one another. I needed a book with connection between the couple. Also she had an amazing best friend who was there for her. A true best friend.
Author does an amazing job writing Fate mates trope!! With bond marks teehee
I’m so excited for more from the author!
June 19, 2026
I had the chance to read this book as an arc!
I love Izzy’s books soo much! They are always so fun and spicy!!
This novella is so cute and we dive straight into it! Very fast paced read but super happy with that! Sometimes shifter romances can get too technical but we don’t have that with this.
The characters are all really lush and I love all the little hints and shoutouts to the original little mermaid, and some you won’t even notice if you don’t knew the original.
My only complaint about this book was that it’s too short! I would’ve loved seeing his underwater world and see them navigate that but there is only soo much you can fit into a novella and it was brill!!
Guys do check the trigger warnings though before you read!
I love Izzy’s books soo much! They are always so fun and spicy!!
This novella is so cute and we dive straight into it! Very fast paced read but super happy with that! Sometimes shifter romances can get too technical but we don’t have that with this.
The characters are all really lush and I love all the little hints and shoutouts to the original little mermaid, and some you won’t even notice if you don’t knew the original.
My only complaint about this book was that it’s too short! I would’ve loved seeing his underwater world and see them navigate that but there is only soo much you can fit into a novella and it was brill!!
Guys do check the trigger warnings though before you read!
June 24, 2026
ARC Review: one of my favorite Disney movies is “The Little Mermaid.” I have always loved watching it and seeing the love that Ariel and Eric have even though they are from different places. I love how this book is opposite with the names of the characters being based on the names in the movie. I also love that the male main character is a merman and the female is a human. I love that the book makes it feel like anything is possible with the main character kissing her celebrity crush and being able to get the boy.
June 26, 2026
Wowsers, not sure where to start. This book was amazing. The struggles Erica has been through. Living with PCOS and being in a relationship that does not make her happy.
I just love how much Ari adores Erica. The way he wants the best for her and that he just loves her for who she is. It feels like they were made for each other.
Also love how Ari’s band mates are supporting him and Erica’s best friend are supporting her in everything. It really feels like they all want the best for each other.
I just love how much Ari adores Erica. The way he wants the best for her and that he just loves her for who she is. It feels like they were made for each other.
Also love how Ari’s band mates are supporting him and Erica’s best friend are supporting her in everything. It really feels like they all want the best for each other.
July 4, 2026
little siren
Kiss the Boy-
By Izzy Elliot
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Little Siren
I love that Izzy Elliot wrote about PCOS in a positive light. So many women suffer from it in silence. Erica has made piece with it, but needs a better partner. At a concert she falls for the lead singer, Ari a merman who’s chosen music and to live on land. These two are end goals! Absolutely perfect how this book was written. I for one also love rolling the window down and letting my hand flow thru the wind. A definite 5 star must read.
Kiss the Boy-
By Izzy Elliot
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Little Siren
I love that Izzy Elliot wrote about PCOS in a positive light. So many women suffer from it in silence. Erica has made piece with it, but needs a better partner. At a concert she falls for the lead singer, Ari a merman who’s chosen music and to live on land. These two are end goals! Absolutely perfect how this book was written. I for one also love rolling the window down and letting my hand flow thru the wind. A definite 5 star must read.
July 9, 2026
I loved everything about this book! It was the perfect blend of my childhood and adulthood favorites. The Little Mermaid has been my top favorite movie my entire life and to have this spicy genderbent retelling just brought it full circle to where I'm at in my life now. The nods and crossovers were perfect, the characters were all fabulous and the storyline was amazing. There were also so many pieces of the story that you can connect with and makes you feel seen and like you're not alone in what you're going through. This will be going on my rereads list because one read was not enough!
July 5, 2026
If you like retellings this is for you. We meet Erica and Ari. Erica was in a abusive relationship who brought her down to the point of feeling helpless. Her best friend invites her to an Atlantic concert where in the frist song Ari locks eyes with her and he realizes shes his mate. What happens next read to find out.
June 10, 2026
I really liked this gender bent re-telling.
I love our FMC who is struggling to come to terms with her abusive relationship and learn to move forward!
Our MMC is a super sweet cinnamon roll who is willing to do everything for her.
This was cute, sweet, and a little spicy!
I love our FMC who is struggling to come to terms with her abusive relationship and learn to move forward!
Our MMC is a super sweet cinnamon roll who is willing to do everything for her.
This was cute, sweet, and a little spicy!
June 28, 2026
I enjoyed this quick, cute romance. I liked the difference of there being mer people, and learning a little bit about them. I liked the FMC and MMC. I do wish we got to see a little more of their relationship development but I still really enjoyed it.
July 4, 2026
Ok if you love the Little Mermaid you will love this book! It’s a reverse retelling but with its own story! I loved how she brought in little parts like “ look at this stuff” and the for in her hair. I love the addition of the fated mates as well. It made my mermaid loving heart very happy!
July 4, 2026
This was so much fun. I absolutely love a good retelling and add shifters to the mix. This was so brilliant and the representation was perfectly done. I cannot wait for more of these retelling stories from this author.
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