Where the Tides Pull Him

Mermate #3

by Naia Moray

An aquatic alien accountant and a small town country boy are roped together in a kinky situationship in this sexy, omegaverse romcom where aliens have taken over Earth.

The first time nurse Grayson Miller ever laid eyes on a Mer was the day he escaped his small, Georgia town for good, and landed on Mermade Miami Island. As he stumbles along the sharp learning curve in his new home, Grayson somehow finds himself on a blind date with a large, intimidating, and attractive alien.

Keld Vihinu is an accountant at the biggest desalination plant in the southeastern US. Well, what used to be the US. Keld may be chronically single, but being one of the few Alphas at the local kink club has its perks. What Keld didn’t expect was to run into his blind date at the monthly shibari class.

Where the Tides Pull Him is a high heat MM alien omegaverse romance with fun coworkers, kinky aliens, and a guaranteed HEA, all garnished with a sprinkle of trauma and a heaping portion of aftercare. It can be enjoyed as a standalone, or as the third installment of the Mermate Series.

Genres: Omegaverse

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2026

About the author

Naia Moray is an omegaverse author who specializes in MM romance. She lives somewhere in Asia and spends most of her time holed up at home, writing, crocheting, drawing, or picking up yet another hobby. All of these things are done in a way that could be described as "feverishly."
As a debut author, she is frankly thrilled to be receiving even a crumb of attention, so if you're reading this, thank you.

Reviews

[Julia Toth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and cute read! The premise was really interesting and I haven't read anything with Mer before so I was intrigued. I really enjoyed Keld and Grayson's story. All of the side characters were really great as well. The whole concept of this world is very interesting and I'm happy to have read this book.
Keld and Grayson have a not so great first date, but end up bumping into each other afterwards. At a shibari demo they end up as pairs and things heat up. I loved watching them go from casual to serious. They both have family drama and trauma so it was no surprise that they opened up slowly to each other, but I was glad they got there in the end. After finishing the book I felt like their story was a bit incomplete. I felt their love for each other, but I wasn't sure about their longterm commitment, so I'm curious to see if they will feature in a different book because they did not end the book as a mated pair.

This was a fun and lighthearted read and I laughed quite a bit while reading it. If you want to read about a Miami that is different than what you're used to and to see Mer and their colorful plants and scales then this is the book for you .

[Julie Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and this universe!!! 🥰

In this third book in the Mermates series, we meet Grayson, a nurse who comes to Miami to train to be a midwife at an omega clinic, and a human omega himself. We briefly met him in the first book of the series (which is the second book, chronologically), and so far I really enjoy how the books are linked together with these brief introductions of the new characters 🥰 our other main character is Keld, whom we’ve also briefly met. What follows is an entertaining story of a very bad first date, multiple accidental run-ins, a hookup arrangement, and eventual proper dating and love.

There are elements of hurt/comfort, and both main characters have been through some stuff earlier in their lives, which was painful to read about. Keld’s Omega mother is a horrible character throughout the story, and was definitely one of our main antagonists here, as were Grayson’s parents. I really enjoyed the friendships Gray made with the other Omega nurses, and I can imagine who might be the main characters of a future book, based on some relationships that developed 😊 some drama occurs, but I’m glad the characters talked it out and worked through it. I was also really happy with the ending of this story and how it played out! I laughed so much throughout this story, I definitely think it was the funniest so far!! 😁 the spice is also good, though I felt like we focused on a few other things throughout this story, so the spice took a bit of a backseat once the relationship started developing.

All in all, I devoured this story and I hope there will be more Mermates in the future! 🥰



I received an ARC of this novel from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Heather Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slower paced book .

This is the 3rd book in the series, ive got to say its has a slower pace. With a greater focus on the building relationship along with the kinks that are exploredn in this one.
There is no mpreg or bonding.

[Corey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis:
Grayson has been sheltered his entire life. He barely knows the basics of his own biology or about the aliens inhabiting islands around the world. So when he has an opportunity to move to the Mer Island of Miami, he can’t pass it up

❤️ MM Science Fiction Romance
🧡 Omegaverse
💛 Hookup to Boyfriends
💚 Disability Representation
💙 K!nky Spice
💜 Alien x Human

Highlights:
- Interesting Mer biology with different types/colors/etc
- There’s a kink club on the Mer Island
- Even Aliens can be bad moms

Recommend?
Maybe. If you’re like me and have a soft spot for aliens, Omegaverse, and Mermaids, then this could be for you.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

"Where the Tides Pull Him" by Naia Moray is an MM alien/mermaid x human romance. It's the sequel to book one. The story follows Grayson, a new RN Midwife that has recently moved to Miami. He's set up on a blind date with Keld, an alpha Mer, and it definitely doesn't go as expected. But when they reunite at a kink club, they succumb to their mutual attraction.

Ratings:
Overall: 3/5 hearts - Book two was so great and I jumped into Book 3 excited to see what was to come. But it just didn't live up to my expectations.

Peppers (Spice Quantity): 3/5 - I felt there was a good balance between spice and plot. Maybe around 25%ish spice

Spice Quality: 3/5 - It's okay, but there were a few things that kept it from being great. One being that the scenes weren't always the ones I wanted to see. It felt like there wasn't a lot of thought given to how spice could help deepen emotion/move the story along. Second was that the best/most unique part of the spice was the kink component. But it feels surface level and once the characters are exclusive, it just disappears.

Plot: 3/5 -
- Story: Honestly, I felt the story was spread too thin and it crumbled. Grayson is developing relationships with new friends, starting a new job, meeting a new spouse, and dealing with family drama. But it all felt a little flat and unexplored. I think simplifying it would have made a world of difference.

- Characters: Both Grayson and Keld are unfortunately forgettable. I was never able to get a good read on either of them and left the book feeling like Grayson's whole personality was "anxious". The side characters are equally bland and I spent 9/10 of the book having no idea their genders or descriptive features. Not because it wasn't said, but because they weren't memorable enough to stick.

- Writing: The writing is still flowy and easy to read and that's what makes me interested in continuing the series.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

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[rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where the tides pull is an Omegaverse MM romance by Naia Moray, filled with aquatic aliens, shy and sassy omegas, and all the sweet and spicy moments you could want. It follows our MCs, Grayson and Keld, as they navigate their new situations and their feelings for each other. This isn't a dark romance by any means; however, this book does talk about things that may be triggering. With that in mind, please check trigger warnings! Ughhh, I can't tell y'all how much I LOVED this book. I DEVOURED it so fast, I'm sad it's overrrr. Definitely going to be reading the other two in this standalone series. I really just enjoyed everything about this book. Alien MM romances are among my favs to read, and this one DID NOT disappoint. So, if everything I mentioned sounds appealing to you, then pick this UP!!!

I just adored Grayson and Keld. They had such a fun and relatable relationship, and it was so nice to see. I love a good dom/sun dynamic, and the author really delivered with a real and healthy look into it. Their banter was so good, and Keld was very swoon-worthy. Both of them had their issues, and they weren't perfect, but that was the best part. The side characters were all awesome as well. The found family aspect was super sweet, especially with how protective and caring they all were for each other, even though they hadn't known each other super long.

The pacing was great!! Their relationship progression was very natural and fit the story well. The writing was super smooth and fun. This is a mainly character-driven story, but even still, the background plot was enjoyable. All that to say, this story really just spoke to me, and I'm excited to read more from this author.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to ARC this amazing book. I had such a great time with it.

[lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I only want you. Since the first time, I've only wanted you."

i waited a whole day to think about what i wanted to post as my review for this omega masterpiece (in my humble opinion). i still don't think i can find the words to fully express my enjoyment of this book other than hammering down on the absolutely atrocious reading slump i’ve been in, and this pulling me out of it! this book reminded me why i love reading so much (the squealing over a couple doing something simple as holding hands, kicking my feet and looking at the invisible camera, and the jaw-dropping 'oh fuck that just happened' silence after a chapter).

the flow of this book, how easy it is to read, and the characters: sweetheart grayson escaping his toxic family, becoming a midwife and finding himself through friendship, kink, and love. and not as cocky as he pretends to be keld who has an equally sad familial background finally finding love and a family when he's been given the worst examples of both.

my only gripe is that i wish the book was longer!! i’d read 400 pages of these two reading slumps be damned!!

"I certainly enjoy watching you blush. I guess I can't say for sure if you're fun to play with. Want to show me?"

★ content tags:
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
🧜🏻‍♂️ alpha mer x human omega
🧜🏻‍♂️ d/s dynamics
🧜🏻‍♂️ abusive parents
🧜🏻‍♂️ never looking at seafoam the same again

[Kata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book in the series. If you enjoy alien, omegaverse, and mpreg stories with a bit of a size difference, definitely give this one a try—you won’t regret it.

About the story:
Keld is a Mer working as an accountant in Miami. Grayson, meanwhile, is a midwife who ran away from home to pursue his dream.

The two meet for the first time on a blind date set up by one of Grayson’s patients. And if I say the date was a disaster, I hope you’ll believe me—because of course, they end up going their separate ways afterward.

Except the universe has other plans for them, because they keep running into each other again and again.

I absolutely loved their banter, the found family element in the story, and there’s also some hurt/comfort, which was wonderful as well.

I really enjoyed the relationship between the two of them—it felt genuine and healthy, even with the dom/sub dynamic. Both of them had their own issues, and the fact that they weren’t portrayed as perfect only added more depth to the story.

I won’t ramble on any longer—I’ll just say this: Naia has delivered another fantastic book. I’m already looking forward to the next ones.

I received this story as an ARC, and although I’m posting about it a little late now that it’s already been released, I’m doing so with even more love.

[Carlton Schaps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to be able to ARC this book.

This was a cute little book, and I will definitely be looking up the other books in this series. I had not read anything in the Omegaverse before because I'm relatively new to the MM genre, so I freely admit I had no idea what was going on for like the first fifth of the book. The way the universe works is pretty well explained, so I caught on relatively quickly. The book was so fun I really didn't mind. I finished it in about six hours.

The main characters are all likable, and the author does a great job explaining how the universe works, so even if you're like, "What the hell is going on?" you get caught up relatively quickly. One of the main characters is a nurse who’s also new to the whole Alpha and Omega thing so the author uses his training as a nurse as a very clever way to get the audience up to speed too.

I haven't read anything else in the Omegaverse, so I can't attest as to how well this book corresponds to the usual traditions of that writing style. In terms of MM; romance, I would say it is a perfectly good and fun example of it and a good way to spend an afternoon.

[Han. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohmigod, this book. I am obsessing over this omegaverse universe! This book takes place 20 years (ish) after time previous book, when alien x human hybrids are becoming more and more common. This means, the Mer need omegas employed as midwives to deliver the nymph that are being born. Sweet, kinda awkward, country boy, Grayson escapes his family home to start his new life in Mermades, Miami. In this new world, the cities have been rebuilt to suit everyone, humans and the Mer. I really enjoyed the journey that Grayson has to go through in order to find his found family, an alpha (albeit a grumpy one), finding out who he is and what it means to be an omega after a lifetime of abuse because of it. It's a 3rd person dual pov story, with a "friends with benefits becomes more" dynamic, super hot spice, slow burn romance, miscommunication and trauma that runs deep! Anyway, I really enjoyed the writing, the plot and characters. Thankyou for giving me the opportunity to read and review your book early. It was such a great book!

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC REVIEW*

Another fantastic story in the series! I love that we get glimpses of scenes we've already read about, but now with more explanation. I don't think I'll ever get enough of this series! If you love aliens, mer-people, omegaverse (with mpreg), and size differences, this series is for you!

Grayson is an omega from a very small town in Georgia that isn't known for being open minded. He ends up running away from home to pursue a better life in the one place he knows he will be accepted. The Mermade Islands, formerly known as Miami, Florida. There he meets new friends and an Alpha who isn't the friendliest guy, but still, there's just something about him that Grayson can't stop thinking about...

Keld is a mer-alien Alpha who isn't in a hurry to settle down. However, there's something about the little Omega he meets, first on a disastrous date, then again at the last place he expected.....a class teaching shibari, that calls to him. What starts off as strictly play partners, slowly morphs into a beautiful love that no one could deny.

[Nicole Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where the Tide Pulls him is the third book in the Mermate series by Naia Moray. This book focuses on Keld and Grayson.

Keld is a Met who lives in Miami working as an accountant. Grayson is a midwife who runs away from home to pursue his dream in Miami. The two get set up on a blind date from a patient of Grayson’s. The date doesn’t go well and the two part ways, but the universe has other ideas.

These two seem to be destined to be with one another because they are constantly being thrown together. After deciding they have a connection, they become friends with benefits but that quickly turns into more.

While I really enjoyed this book, I didn’t like it as much as the other two books in the series. I didn’t love the conflict between the two MMC’s and how they handled it. I really liked Grayson’s chapter, but Keld took a while to grow on me. I will definitely be continuing this series. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Thank you Naia for the advanced copy!

[Demi Goddess Solis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grayson and Keld have electric chemistry from their disastrous first date onward. I loved the enemies-to-lovers tension. The kink content (particularly at Siren's Rest) is handled with clear communication, safewords, and genuine care between partners. But what surprised me most was the emotional weight: both MCs come from abusive homes, and Naia doesn't use that as mere backstory dressing. Their trauma shapes them, and watching them learn to be vulnerable with each other is genuinely moving.

Overall, this was surprisingly soft, surprisingly hot, and surprisingly healing.

[Kitty Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

The other two books before gave us back stories and it was trying to develop a world where this book seems to set things back. I don’t really like the friends with benefits and then boyfriends business. Isn’t this about forming bonds and having life mates? Why the casual hookup into lover situation without the mpreg or the mating? Also not too fond of Grayson personality, the “don’t turn me into a pheromone slave” statement made me blow off. So you’re saying all the omegas that got marked and mated are all slaves then?

[Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review

This was really cute. I love the little found family that was built between Grayson and the others that came to the island with him so he wasn’t alone while he experienced everything new for the first time. Keld needed someone to challenge him in his day to day life while also being submissive when he needed them to be.

I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series and who our next couple will be!

[Bettina McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello book 3! Where we get more found family and a little I don’t like you to lovers lol! I really enjoyed getting to know Grayson and Keld, who both had very strong familiar backgrounds that came with trauma.

Grayson moved to Miami to be a midwife at the Mer clinic, he came from a very religious town where it was frowned upon to be an Omega and he had to learn a lot the hard way. He lands himself straight into a great group of friends that become his family.
Keld is very sure of himself and popular in his chosen world, but he too has family trauma that he tries to ignore until it runs him into trouble.

These two get set up on a blind date and it doesn’t go well but they keep running into each other and they end up drawn to each other and having a hookup agreement – Grayson gets to explore the things Keld enjoys and finds himself too. And there is nothing like a little jealousy to make them both see what they actually want.

I really loved this one, the time just flew by, the banter, and the trauma and learning to communicate with the help of their friends was so good to see, I just love found family!
Excited to see what other couples we might see in the future!

Honoured once more to receive an ARC for this amazing read from Naia Moray in exchange for my honest review.

[ReadswithGroot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Keld and Grayson- they’re so cute together!

Lots of fun little moments and plenty of laughs like the “camping” trip.

This series continues to be great and a must read for those sweet omegaverse/alien lovers.

A quote to sum up the start to their relationship-
Loriun gaped at him. “You kissed him? What in Turys’s depths possessed you to do that?” “He’s much more attractive when he’s pissed off.” Keld grinned.

[Kitm0nster · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute & fun ride! Got a taste of an alpha hole who is reformed & the relationship taking its time. Grayson is new to town, and is setup by Bo on a blind date with Keld that is a disaster. The HEA is well fought for and yet has low external stakes.

Yes if: ABO + mermen & second chance via sex club

No if: Historical physical abuse by a parent is a pass

🧑‍⚕️ Nurse x Accountant
🧮 ABO dynamics
🧑‍⚕️ It's just casual
🧮 Second chance
🧑‍⚕️ Terrible families
🧮 Country boy

[V.R. Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this installment of the Mermate series! Grayson and Keld were such an interesting dynamic, and I loved seeing their relationship grow. Seeing the universe expand and having different perspectives and peeks into the characters' lives only elevated the story.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A SWEET AND SIZZLING READ WITH A FANTASY WORLD RICH WITH STERLING BOOK.

Grayson and Keld have a unique and intriguing connection. I thoroughly enjoyed their story and how their relationship evolved through the story. A good read! This is an ARC review.

[Gina Wohlgemuth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the banter between Grayson and Keld. Graysons Past really resonated with me the most ❤️❤️❤️

[Kiki Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this.. but it felt like it needed a couple more chapters. The ending felt rushed. Very fun 4am read but 2 more chapter with some sort of epilogue would have made this perfection

[Mystisith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once again proving that omegaverse is not for me. There was too much alien speech, making the reading tedious. Too little kink to keep me interested & I skimmed the last 1/3.

[Tara LaPierre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first two but still cute. Second one is still the best IMHO

[Luqueerbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author

Grayson escapes his abusive parents to become a nurse in Mermade Miami Island, where he soon goes on a date with an Alpha Mer that doesn't go very well… but the universe has other ideas for them.

It was such a fun and cute read. A steamy rom-com, with omegaverse and mer elements shaking it all up to create something fresh and interesting. The whole worldbuilding was wonderfully done and made it easy to read and understand as a standalone. The characters were lovely crafted, and I rooted for them as individuals and, later on, as a couple.

[Samantha Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where the Tide Pulls Him (Book 3) is a standout installment that really leans into the emotional depth of its characters without losing the warmth that makes the series so engaging. Naia Moray handles the trauma in both Grayson and Keld’s pasts with a lot of care, it never feels brushed aside or used just for drama. Instead, it shapes how they connect, how they struggle, and ultimately how they heal, which makes their relationship feel earned rather than easy.

What balances that heavier emotional core is the humour woven throughout the story. The mix of human and alien friend groups brings a kind of chaotic, affectionate energy that lifts the narrative at just the right moments. Their banter and interactions feel natural and genuinely funny, adding contrast without undermining the seriousness of Grayson and Keld’s journeys.

You can tell Naia really enjoyed writing this book, the sense of investment comes through in both the emotional arcs and the lively group dynamics. It’s a story that manages to be tender, funny, and grounded all at once, making it a satisfying and memorable continuation of the series.

[terrannasbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series so much!! I get humor, spice, aliens and omegaverse! Just perfect 😉

Thank you so much for the arc! My review is honest and voluntary.