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Taken by the Tide
Not yet published
Expected 25 Aug 26He was supposed to drown her.
Sadie has spent her life chasing the horizon—working aboard her father’s crabbing boat and laughing off myths of the deep—until Kyros boards their ship.
There’s a storm. Blood on his hands. Before she can understand what’s happening, Kyros throws her overboard and leaves her to die.
Except Sadie doesn’t drown. She isn’t human. She’s something forbidden.
When Kyros realizes what she is, he takes her back to Tideborn—an underwater city on the brink of collapse. A rival pod has siphoned the Great Current, destroying the Tideborn hunting grounds and crops.
Only somebody with Sadie’s blood can fix it.
But there are monsters that lurk in the depths, the Red Bloom is near, and Kyros—the man who betrayed her—is the only one who can keep her alive.
He says she’s their last hope.
Sadie isn’t sure she wants to save his world. She might rather watch it burn.
Sadie has spent her life chasing the horizon—working aboard her father’s crabbing boat and laughing off myths of the deep—until Kyros boards their ship.
There’s a storm. Blood on his hands. Before she can understand what’s happening, Kyros throws her overboard and leaves her to die.
Except Sadie doesn’t drown. She isn’t human. She’s something forbidden.
When Kyros realizes what she is, he takes her back to Tideborn—an underwater city on the brink of collapse. A rival pod has siphoned the Great Current, destroying the Tideborn hunting grounds and crops.
Only somebody with Sadie’s blood can fix it.
But there are monsters that lurk in the depths, the Red Bloom is near, and Kyros—the man who betrayed her—is the only one who can keep her alive.
He says she’s their last hope.
Sadie isn’t sure she wants to save his world. She might rather watch it burn.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 25, 2026
About the author
Invi Wright
14 books2,240 followersInvi had just begun her career in marketing when she decided to start a new hobby— writing.
After many tears and more anger walks than is probably healthy, she decided to pursue writing full-time and began the journey of becoming a self-published author.
She was born and raised in New York, but she now lives in the Midwest with her husband, two daughters, and one-eyed pug. When Invi isn't writing or reading, she can usually be found binge-watching TV, attempting a puzzle, or making a to-do list.
After many tears and more anger walks than is probably healthy, she decided to pursue writing full-time and began the journey of becoming a self-published author.
She was born and raised in New York, but she now lives in the Midwest with her husband, two daughters, and one-eyed pug. When Invi isn't writing or reading, she can usually be found binge-watching TV, attempting a puzzle, or making a to-do list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
August 8, 2026
Invi Wright can do no wrong! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A perfectly addicting read!
I finished this in less than 48 hours, and when I wasn’t reading it… I was counting down the minutes until I could start reading again.
I LOVE enemies to lovers when they are actually enemies at the start (which means they must at least try to take the other out) This book hits the mark!
Taken by the Tide is the first Mer-man story I’ve read, and I’m so grateful for this introduction! It’s a fun fantasy, but there’s a minimal-moderate amounts of world building, compared with some books that have so much world building it’s hard to follow.
This book will have you by the first line, and then the joke continues a bit through the rest of the book. I loved the progression of the romantic element, and all of the ways that spice gets worked in are perfection.
Also I am at the point that I’m sick of FMC having a nickname “Little —” so I was chuffed when Kyros nicknamed her “reef rat” (but I don’t think he says it outloud/ to her”
The only critique of this book is I don’t know how you get wet noisy when you’re already underwater… but we’re in a universe with mer people, so I will just accept the underwater noises!
I read an ARC, but these are my honest opinions.
P.S. someone please clone Invi Wright so she can release books twice as fast and I can read them!!! Also, I love bioluminescence lolol
I finished this in less than 48 hours, and when I wasn’t reading it… I was counting down the minutes until I could start reading again.
I LOVE enemies to lovers when they are actually enemies at the start (which means they must at least try to take the other out) This book hits the mark!
Taken by the Tide is the first Mer-man story I’ve read, and I’m so grateful for this introduction! It’s a fun fantasy, but there’s a minimal-moderate amounts of world building, compared with some books that have so much world building it’s hard to follow.
This book will have you by the first line, and then the joke continues a bit through the rest of the book. I loved the progression of the romantic element, and all of the ways that spice gets worked in are perfection.
Also I am at the point that I’m sick of FMC having a nickname “Little —” so I was chuffed when Kyros nicknamed her “reef rat” (but I don’t think he says it outloud/ to her”
The only critique of this book is I don’t know how you get wet noisy when you’re already underwater… but we’re in a universe with mer people, so I will just accept the underwater noises!
I read an ARC, but these are my honest opinions.
P.S. someone please clone Invi Wright so she can release books twice as fast and I can read them!!! Also, I love bioluminescence lolol
August 5, 2026
🇬🇧
**I received an ARC from the author, but this review reflects my honest opinion.**
I had really high expectations going into this one... and I'm so happy to say it delivered.
This was my first time reading a romance with a merman MMC, and I have to admit, I was hooked almost immediately. The premise alone was enough to make me curious about Kyros, who he really is, and why he makes the choices he does. The mystery surrounding him kept me turning the pages, and I loved slowly piecing him together.
Sadie was also such an easy FMC to root for. Considering everything she goes through, I admired how adaptable she was. She never felt weak, she never gave up, and despite everything being thrown at her, she kept moving forward.
I also think the pacing really worked here. This isn't a particularly long book, and I never felt like the relationship was rushed. On the contrary, Invi managed to develop their connection naturally while keeping the story moving, which made it such an enjoyable read.
My biggest issue was actually Sadie's inner monologue.
Without spoiling anything, she goes through something genuinely traumatic, and yes, Kyros is responsible for putting her in that situation. The moral dilemma she experiences makes complete sense.
The problem wasn't *what* she was thinking. It was how many times we revisited those same thoughts.
After a while, it started feeling a little repetitive because I already understood her internal conflict, and I don't think it needed to be reinforced quite so often.
Other than that, I genuinely loved the way Invi built this world and these characters. More importantly, it feels like this is only the beginning of something much bigger.
And yes... I noticed that Tiper scene. And now I need his book.
The only reason this wasn't a five-star read for me is because I expected a little more from the Covenborn. Considering how much they're built up as this terrifying threat, I was hoping for a bit more resistance, a bit more backstory, and a little more time spent exploring them.
Still... Kyros Cockett completely surprised me, and I absolutely loved how possessive he became once he accepted what Sadie meant to him.
And Seraya and Daros? Don't think I didn't notice that chemistry.
Because I did. And now you've made me curious.
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where this universe goes next.
🇵🇹
**Recebi um ARC da autora, mas esta review reflete apenas a minha opinião.**
Entrei neste livro com expectativas bastante altas... e ainda bem que posso dizer que correspondeu.
Foi a primeira vez que li um romance com um merman como MMC e fiquei imediatamente curiosa. A premissa está muito bem conseguida e dá-nos exatamente o suficiente para querermos perceber quem é realmente o Kyros e, acima de tudo, porque age da forma como age. Adorei ir descobrindo essas respostas aos poucos.
A Sadie também foi uma protagonista muito fácil de gostar. Tendo em conta tudo aquilo por que passa, admirei bastante a forma como se adapta às circunstâncias. Nunca senti que fosse uma personagem passiva ou que desistisse perante a adversidade.
Também acho que o ritmo funcionou muito bem. Sendo um livro relativamente curto, um pacing mais rápido só beneficiou a história. A relação desenvolve-se de forma natural, nunca senti que estivesse a ser apressada e, por isso, tornou-se muito fácil torcer pelos dois.
O meu maior problema acabou por ser os monólogos interiores da Sadie.
Sem entrar em spoilers, ela passa por uma situação genuinamente traumática e, sim, o Kyros é responsável por isso. O dilema moral que ela vive faz todo o sentido.
O problema nunca foi esse.
Foi a quantidade de vezes que voltávamos exatamente aos mesmos pensamentos.
Ao fim de algum tempo começou a parecer um pouco repetitivo porque eu já tinha percebido o conflito interno dela e não senti que fosse necessário reforçá-lo tantas vezes.
Tirando isso, gostei muito da forma como a Invi construiu tanto as personagens como este universo. E, acima de tudo, fiquei com a sensação de que isto é apenas o início de algo muito maior.
E sim...
Eu reparei naquela cena do Tiper.
Estou a ver o que fizeste.
Agora quero o livro dele.
A única razão pela qual esta não foi uma leitura de cinco estrelas prende-se com os Covenborn. Tendo em conta a forma como são apresentados como uma ameaça tão grande, estava à espera de um bocadinho mais de resistência, de mais backstory e de uma exploração mais aprofundada dessa parte da história.
Ainda assim...
O Cockett surpreendeu-me bastante e adorei a forma como o Kyros se tornou completamente possessivo depois de aceitar aquilo que a Sadie significava para ele.
E a Seraya e o Daros?
Não pensem que me escapou aquela química.
Porque não escapou.
E agora também quero saber a história deles.
Mal posso esperar para ver onde a Invi nos leva a seguir.
**I received an ARC from the author, but this review reflects my honest opinion.**
I had really high expectations going into this one... and I'm so happy to say it delivered.
This was my first time reading a romance with a merman MMC, and I have to admit, I was hooked almost immediately. The premise alone was enough to make me curious about Kyros, who he really is, and why he makes the choices he does. The mystery surrounding him kept me turning the pages, and I loved slowly piecing him together.
Sadie was also such an easy FMC to root for. Considering everything she goes through, I admired how adaptable she was. She never felt weak, she never gave up, and despite everything being thrown at her, she kept moving forward.
I also think the pacing really worked here. This isn't a particularly long book, and I never felt like the relationship was rushed. On the contrary, Invi managed to develop their connection naturally while keeping the story moving, which made it such an enjoyable read.
My biggest issue was actually Sadie's inner monologue.
Without spoiling anything, she goes through something genuinely traumatic, and yes, Kyros is responsible for putting her in that situation. The moral dilemma she experiences makes complete sense.
The problem wasn't *what* she was thinking. It was how many times we revisited those same thoughts.
After a while, it started feeling a little repetitive because I already understood her internal conflict, and I don't think it needed to be reinforced quite so often.
Other than that, I genuinely loved the way Invi built this world and these characters. More importantly, it feels like this is only the beginning of something much bigger.
And yes... I noticed that Tiper scene. And now I need his book.
The only reason this wasn't a five-star read for me is because I expected a little more from the Covenborn. Considering how much they're built up as this terrifying threat, I was hoping for a bit more resistance, a bit more backstory, and a little more time spent exploring them.
Still... Kyros Cockett completely surprised me, and I absolutely loved how possessive he became once he accepted what Sadie meant to him.
And Seraya and Daros? Don't think I didn't notice that chemistry.
Because I did. And now you've made me curious.
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where this universe goes next.
🇵🇹
**Recebi um ARC da autora, mas esta review reflete apenas a minha opinião.**
Entrei neste livro com expectativas bastante altas... e ainda bem que posso dizer que correspondeu.
Foi a primeira vez que li um romance com um merman como MMC e fiquei imediatamente curiosa. A premissa está muito bem conseguida e dá-nos exatamente o suficiente para querermos perceber quem é realmente o Kyros e, acima de tudo, porque age da forma como age. Adorei ir descobrindo essas respostas aos poucos.
A Sadie também foi uma protagonista muito fácil de gostar. Tendo em conta tudo aquilo por que passa, admirei bastante a forma como se adapta às circunstâncias. Nunca senti que fosse uma personagem passiva ou que desistisse perante a adversidade.
Também acho que o ritmo funcionou muito bem. Sendo um livro relativamente curto, um pacing mais rápido só beneficiou a história. A relação desenvolve-se de forma natural, nunca senti que estivesse a ser apressada e, por isso, tornou-se muito fácil torcer pelos dois.
O meu maior problema acabou por ser os monólogos interiores da Sadie.
Sem entrar em spoilers, ela passa por uma situação genuinamente traumática e, sim, o Kyros é responsável por isso. O dilema moral que ela vive faz todo o sentido.
O problema nunca foi esse.
Foi a quantidade de vezes que voltávamos exatamente aos mesmos pensamentos.
Ao fim de algum tempo começou a parecer um pouco repetitivo porque eu já tinha percebido o conflito interno dela e não senti que fosse necessário reforçá-lo tantas vezes.
Tirando isso, gostei muito da forma como a Invi construiu tanto as personagens como este universo. E, acima de tudo, fiquei com a sensação de que isto é apenas o início de algo muito maior.
E sim...
Eu reparei naquela cena do Tiper.
Estou a ver o que fizeste.
Agora quero o livro dele.
A única razão pela qual esta não foi uma leitura de cinco estrelas prende-se com os Covenborn. Tendo em conta a forma como são apresentados como uma ameaça tão grande, estava à espera de um bocadinho mais de resistência, de mais backstory e de uma exploração mais aprofundada dessa parte da história.
Ainda assim...
O Cockett surpreendeu-me bastante e adorei a forma como o Kyros se tornou completamente possessivo depois de aceitar aquilo que a Sadie significava para ele.
E a Seraya e o Daros?
Não pensem que me escapou aquela química.
Porque não escapou.
E agora também quero saber a história deles.
Mal posso esperar para ver onde a Invi nos leva a seguir.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2026
ARC Review
This book reminded me exactly why I fell in love with Invi Wright's writing in the first place.
From the very first page, I was completely hooked. Before I'd even had a chance to settle into the story, I was already laughing. Sadie's narrative voice is sarcastic, quick witted and completely unapologetic, and she became one of those characters I knew I was going to love almost immediately. I don't think there was a single chapter where she didn't make me smile.
One of the things I admire most about Invi's writing is how effortless everything feels. The world building never asks the reader to work harder than they need to. Instead of introducing dozens of complicated names, places and systems that you have to memorise, everything feels intuitive. Tideborn, Coveborn... each part of the world is distinctive enough to feel immersive, but familiar enough that I never found myself stopping to figure things out. It meant I could stay completely absorbed in the story rather than trying to learn the mechanics of a brand new world.
Kayros was another highlight for me. At the beginning of the book he comes across as moody, guarded and almost impossible to read. Through Sadie's eyes, he honestly just seemed like a beautiful man with the personality of a "damp sponge." But as the story unfolds and you begin to understand his world, his responsibilities and everything that's shaped him, your perception shifts alongside Sadie's. By the end, I couldn't have imagined him any other way.
The chemistry between Sadie and Kayros was absolutely delicious. Invi has this incredible ability to build romantic tension without ever rushing it. Every interaction, every sarcastic comment, every tiny moment of physical contact felt intentional. She doesn't rely on instant attraction or endless spice to keep you invested. Instead, she lets the anticipation build until you're almost desperate for them to give in. When they finally do, it feels completely earned.
What impressed me most, though, was the balance. So many romantasy books either become overwhelmed by complicated world building or lean so heavily into dramatic plot twists that the relationships begin to take a back seat. Invi somehow manages to avoid both. The romance remains the heart of the story, while the grief, the plot and the wider world continue to develop naturally around it. Nothing feels forced. Nothing feels overdone. Everything has room to breathe.
Sadie's grief for her father was handled beautifully. It never disappeared simply because the romance developed, and equally it never overshadowed everything else. It was woven naturally throughout the story, reminding you that she was carrying more than one emotional burden. Those quieter moments gave the book so much heart.
By the time I reached the end, I felt completely satisfied with Sadie and Kayros' story, but I would absolutely inhale another series set in Tideborn. There is so much potential within this world, and if Invi ever chose to expand it further, I'd be first in line to read it.
This is exactly why I keep coming back to Invi Wright's books. They're immersive without being overwhelming, emotional without becoming melodramatic, and romantic without ever sacrificing the story they're trying to tell. Her writing has an ease to it that makes every page feel effortless to read, and once again I found myself completely swept away.
This book reminded me exactly why I fell in love with Invi Wright's writing in the first place.
From the very first page, I was completely hooked. Before I'd even had a chance to settle into the story, I was already laughing. Sadie's narrative voice is sarcastic, quick witted and completely unapologetic, and she became one of those characters I knew I was going to love almost immediately. I don't think there was a single chapter where she didn't make me smile.
One of the things I admire most about Invi's writing is how effortless everything feels. The world building never asks the reader to work harder than they need to. Instead of introducing dozens of complicated names, places and systems that you have to memorise, everything feels intuitive. Tideborn, Coveborn... each part of the world is distinctive enough to feel immersive, but familiar enough that I never found myself stopping to figure things out. It meant I could stay completely absorbed in the story rather than trying to learn the mechanics of a brand new world.
Kayros was another highlight for me. At the beginning of the book he comes across as moody, guarded and almost impossible to read. Through Sadie's eyes, he honestly just seemed like a beautiful man with the personality of a "damp sponge." But as the story unfolds and you begin to understand his world, his responsibilities and everything that's shaped him, your perception shifts alongside Sadie's. By the end, I couldn't have imagined him any other way.
The chemistry between Sadie and Kayros was absolutely delicious. Invi has this incredible ability to build romantic tension without ever rushing it. Every interaction, every sarcastic comment, every tiny moment of physical contact felt intentional. She doesn't rely on instant attraction or endless spice to keep you invested. Instead, she lets the anticipation build until you're almost desperate for them to give in. When they finally do, it feels completely earned.
What impressed me most, though, was the balance. So many romantasy books either become overwhelmed by complicated world building or lean so heavily into dramatic plot twists that the relationships begin to take a back seat. Invi somehow manages to avoid both. The romance remains the heart of the story, while the grief, the plot and the wider world continue to develop naturally around it. Nothing feels forced. Nothing feels overdone. Everything has room to breathe.
Sadie's grief for her father was handled beautifully. It never disappeared simply because the romance developed, and equally it never overshadowed everything else. It was woven naturally throughout the story, reminding you that she was carrying more than one emotional burden. Those quieter moments gave the book so much heart.
By the time I reached the end, I felt completely satisfied with Sadie and Kayros' story, but I would absolutely inhale another series set in Tideborn. There is so much potential within this world, and if Invi ever chose to expand it further, I'd be first in line to read it.
This is exactly why I keep coming back to Invi Wright's books. They're immersive without being overwhelming, emotional without becoming melodramatic, and romantic without ever sacrificing the story they're trying to tell. Her writing has an ease to it that makes every page feel effortless to read, and once again I found myself completely swept away.
August 4, 2026
✨ARC REVIEW✨
I started Taken by the Tide by Invi Wright yesterday and finished it today. I truly wish I had a reaction video of my face reading about Sadie’s special fin. 😅 🤫
I have to give this book 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice is a 3/5 🌶️🌶️
Sadie & Kyros I really loved, this was my first merman romance book & I fear it may be the start of my newest obsession. I teared up with Sadie, gasped, giggled & was kicking my feet during this. Somehow I felt every emotion right along Sadie.
Invi truly creates the most lovable characters that I feel so emotionally connected to. The way this story unfolded was so unlike anything I imagined going into this. I am begging for this to be a series because I am dying to know more about each of the mer pods. 🧜♂️🌊❤️🔥
❤️🔥Enemy to lover
❤️🔥Forced proximity
❤️🔥Obsessive MMC
❤️🔥”My hybrid” 😍
❤️🔥One bed
This book will be released August 25th 2026, but you can pre-order it now! (I know I have!)
“He was supposed to drown her.
Sadie has spent her life chasing the horizon—working aboard her father’s crabbing boat and laughing off myths of the deep—until Kyros boards their ship.
There’s a storm. Blood stains his hands. Before she can understand what’s happening, Kyros throws her overboard and leaves her to die.
Except Sadie doesn’t drown. She isn’t human. She’s something forbidden.
When Kyros realizes what she is, he takes her back to Tideborn—an underwater city on the brink of collapse. Only somebody with Sadie’s blood can fix it.
But there are monsters that lurk in the depths, the Red Bloom is near, and Kyros—the man who betrayed her—is the only one who can keep her alive.
He says she’s their last hope.
Sadie isn’t sure she wants to save his world. She might rather watch it burn.” 🔥
I started Taken by the Tide by Invi Wright yesterday and finished it today. I truly wish I had a reaction video of my face reading about Sadie’s special fin. 😅 🤫
I have to give this book 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice is a 3/5 🌶️🌶️
Sadie & Kyros I really loved, this was my first merman romance book & I fear it may be the start of my newest obsession. I teared up with Sadie, gasped, giggled & was kicking my feet during this. Somehow I felt every emotion right along Sadie.
Invi truly creates the most lovable characters that I feel so emotionally connected to. The way this story unfolded was so unlike anything I imagined going into this. I am begging for this to be a series because I am dying to know more about each of the mer pods. 🧜♂️🌊❤️🔥
❤️🔥Enemy to lover
❤️🔥Forced proximity
❤️🔥Obsessive MMC
❤️🔥”My hybrid” 😍
❤️🔥One bed
This book will be released August 25th 2026, but you can pre-order it now! (I know I have!)
“He was supposed to drown her.
Sadie has spent her life chasing the horizon—working aboard her father’s crabbing boat and laughing off myths of the deep—until Kyros boards their ship.
There’s a storm. Blood stains his hands. Before she can understand what’s happening, Kyros throws her overboard and leaves her to die.
Except Sadie doesn’t drown. She isn’t human. She’s something forbidden.
When Kyros realizes what she is, he takes her back to Tideborn—an underwater city on the brink of collapse. Only somebody with Sadie’s blood can fix it.
But there are monsters that lurk in the depths, the Red Bloom is near, and Kyros—the man who betrayed her—is the only one who can keep her alive.
He says she’s their last hope.
Sadie isn’t sure she wants to save his world. She might rather watch it burn.” 🔥
August 5, 2026
New favorite fantasy world unlocked 🌊🧜🏼♂️🪼
Our FMC is Sadie, the daughter of a crabber who spent his life secretly chasing legends of mermaids. After one murderous encounter changes everything she thought she knew, she’s pulled into a dangerous underwater world alongside Kyros, the protective guardian of a struggling mer-kingdom. Before you know it, Sadie finds herself at the center of a mission to restore the Great Current that could change the fate of the Tideborn Kingdom.
This is a slow burn which was entirely unexpected but there is nothing like a near death experience to encourage reckless choices lol I fully expected this book to dive straight into the spice. And honestly? Going slow was the right call because damn 🙂↕️😮💨
If I could change one thing, it would be adding a little more banter between Sadie and Kyros. I live for witty back and forth in an enemies to lovers romance, and I would have loved just a bit more of that dynamic.
This was a good read. Invi Wright is a little freak with such a fun mind and I adore her for it. If she writes something I’ll always read it. I’m incredibly grateful to be provided an ARC of this wild journey (my first ever!! Eek!!) thank you so much Invi!
Our FMC is Sadie, the daughter of a crabber who spent his life secretly chasing legends of mermaids. After one murderous encounter changes everything she thought she knew, she’s pulled into a dangerous underwater world alongside Kyros, the protective guardian of a struggling mer-kingdom. Before you know it, Sadie finds herself at the center of a mission to restore the Great Current that could change the fate of the Tideborn Kingdom.
This is a slow burn which was entirely unexpected but there is nothing like a near death experience to encourage reckless choices lol I fully expected this book to dive straight into the spice. And honestly? Going slow was the right call because damn 🙂↕️😮💨
If I could change one thing, it would be adding a little more banter between Sadie and Kyros. I live for witty back and forth in an enemies to lovers romance, and I would have loved just a bit more of that dynamic.
This was a good read. Invi Wright is a little freak with such a fun mind and I adore her for it. If she writes something I’ll always read it. I’m incredibly grateful to be provided an ARC of this wild journey (my first ever!! Eek!!) thank you so much Invi!
August 8, 2026
Thank you to the author, Invi Wright, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my review 🖤
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
This book was a fun, fast-paced, underwater romantasy.
Our main character, Sadie, was unashamedly herself. She was a bit crude, funny, and spent her life on the ocean crabbing with her father and their shipmate, Tipper.
Kyros is hired by her father to help them. He is super hot but boring and crabby (see what I did there? 😉).
Sadie finds herself in a situation where she has been kidnapped by merpeople who really seem to want her dead, but Sadie might have what it takes to help them (if she doesn’t die.)
I won’t give anymore away, but I will say, the spice was spicy! The humor was silly, but felt like real teasing. The plot wasn’t anything too intense where I was stressing, but I was still interested in finding out what would happen.
Also, the book hints at a plot for the next book and I really hope we get Tipper’s story!
If you like stand alone romance, hot mermen, and a touch of comedy thrown in, definitely give this a read 🖤
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
This book was a fun, fast-paced, underwater romantasy.
Our main character, Sadie, was unashamedly herself. She was a bit crude, funny, and spent her life on the ocean crabbing with her father and their shipmate, Tipper.
Kyros is hired by her father to help them. He is super hot but boring and crabby (see what I did there? 😉).
Sadie finds herself in a situation where she has been kidnapped by merpeople who really seem to want her dead, but Sadie might have what it takes to help them (if she doesn’t die.)
I won’t give anymore away, but I will say, the spice was spicy! The humor was silly, but felt like real teasing. The plot wasn’t anything too intense where I was stressing, but I was still interested in finding out what would happen.
Also, the book hints at a plot for the next book and I really hope we get Tipper’s story!
If you like stand alone romance, hot mermen, and a touch of comedy thrown in, definitely give this a read 🖤
August 4, 2026
I was so excited for this ARC. I've really been looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint. I didn't read it, I devoured it.
I love that the MMC was the mer in this situation. Usually the FMC is the one with the tail in mermaid stories. Even though there are lots of mermaid stories out there, this one felt fresh and unique.
I love a slow burn, and this for sure had that. But when they let loose, they really let loose. Also, you gotta love the descriptive merman anatomy lesson. I always wondered how that would logistically work. Now I know.
As with all of Invi Wright's stories, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I will for sure be buying a copy for my bookshelf when it becomes available.
I love that the MMC was the mer in this situation. Usually the FMC is the one with the tail in mermaid stories. Even though there are lots of mermaid stories out there, this one felt fresh and unique.
I love a slow burn, and this for sure had that. But when they let loose, they really let loose. Also, you gotta love the descriptive merman anatomy lesson. I always wondered how that would logistically work. Now I know.
As with all of Invi Wright's stories, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I will for sure be buying a copy for my bookshelf when it becomes available.
August 4, 2026
Warning: if you pick up this book, you will not put it down until you finish it. Invi has yet to write a book that hasn’t hooked me from start to finish. I’ve recently been in a book slump, and I think this one just put me into another after reading 300 pages in one sitting lol. The characters in this book are so loveable, and the enemies to lovers is just perfection. Everytime I start a new book by Invi, I’m a little skeptical (shifters, demons, mermen??) but every single time I’m proven wrong and she has me head over heels for the MMC. I will most definitely be recommending this one to friends and family. If you come across this book, read it! You will not be disappointed.
I received a copy of this book free of charge and this is my honest, voluntary review :)
I received a copy of this book free of charge and this is my honest, voluntary review :)
August 4, 2026
Invi couldn't write a bad book. I swear. Everything she writes is amazing. I got this as an ARC, and I couldn't wait for it!
I'm not sure what this says about me, but I wanted Sadie and Kyros together from the beginning lol. I wasn't sure how they would end up together, but Invi made it work. They had great banter and chemistry with some teasing. I'm glad Sadie was outspoken and just didn't care when it came to speaking from her mind. Her first "f you" made me LOL. I loved that.
Dual POV. Mer. Murder. Underwater Kingdom. Forced Proximity. Enemies to Lovers. Unique Anatomy (cocket). Tails. Legs. Love. What more could you ask for? Absolute perfection.
I'm not sure what this says about me, but I wanted Sadie and Kyros together from the beginning lol. I wasn't sure how they would end up together, but Invi made it work. They had great banter and chemistry with some teasing. I'm glad Sadie was outspoken and just didn't care when it came to speaking from her mind. Her first "f you" made me LOL. I loved that.
Dual POV. Mer. Murder. Underwater Kingdom. Forced Proximity. Enemies to Lovers. Unique Anatomy (cocket). Tails. Legs. Love. What more could you ask for? Absolute perfection.
August 5, 2026
This was such a quick read because I absolutely could not put it down.
The banter: excellent
The spicy stuff: hot
The story line: so thought out
Both of our main characters were well thought out and I was impressed with the emotional depth (ha) of Sadie.
At first I was about half way ish through and thought, hmm this is going really fast but that’s literally because 1. I couldn’t stop reading it &
2. The moments were so tense and interesting and full of drama (in the best way)
I’m so excited to see where this heads— hopefully to book 2 🤞🏻
(I received the ARC in exchange for an honest review)
The banter: excellent
The spicy stuff: hot
The story line: so thought out
Both of our main characters were well thought out and I was impressed with the emotional depth (ha) of Sadie.
At first I was about half way ish through and thought, hmm this is going really fast but that’s literally because 1. I couldn’t stop reading it &
2. The moments were so tense and interesting and full of drama (in the best way)
I’m so excited to see where this heads— hopefully to book 2 🤞🏻
(I received the ARC in exchange for an honest review)
August 4, 2026
I will read anything Invi Wright writes!!! What her mind creates really resonates with me. Taken by the Tide is a fantastic read!! 5 stars all around (plot, characters, banter) Sadie and Kyros have quite the questionable start but the way everything worked its way through was bitter sweet !! Can’t wait to see what Invi writes next !!
I had the privilege of receiving an ARC of this book and l am leaving this review voluntarily.
I had the privilege of receiving an ARC of this book and l am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 6, 2026
I couldn’t put this book down. I was obsessed with the story, the spice was amazing, and the chemistry between the Kyros and Sadie was fantastic! My first Invi Wright but it definitely won’t be my last!
August 7, 2026
🌊ARC Review🧜♂️
3.5 ⭐️
Delivered the tomfoolery we know and love from Invi but I did find myself having a hard time feeling invested in the characters - still ate it up tho
3.5 ⭐️
Delivered the tomfoolery we know and love from Invi but I did find myself having a hard time feeling invested in the characters - still ate it up tho
August 7, 2026
Cave scene, pocket anatomy, and why I'd do it too, Sharon: a thesis
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 (a 4.5, and the extra .5 is PURELY because i did not expect Sadie to come out swinging this spicy)
🧜 spoiler-free (I'm not an asshole BUTTT babyyy as soon as this book drops you have ONE WEEK to read it before I go ham)
I was gifted a copy of this book and am voluntarily with great joy and giggles leaving my honest review.
okay so i finished this in basically one sitting, closed my kindle, and immediately opened a search tab (incognito of course) i will not be describing what went down there. You can't make me. So just... shhh...
that's the review.
fine fine, MORE:
The premise is completely unhinged and i mean that as the highest compliment: our girl Sadie is a crabber, a mermaid SKEPTIC (despite a dad who's obsessed with them like it's his personal religion), and the HOT silent new hire on the boat turns out to be a... and wait for it... THE merman king tying up "loose ends".
Which in my professional opinion means smurder... and yeah... got that one off the bat....
anyway, they go out on the boat, it's chill, everyone is doing their... boat jobs? Then suddenly... new guy (aka King MerDaddy) he THROWS her overboard to drown.
But... (and I literally lol'ed at his reaction) she doesn't drown.
For scientific purposes I cannot explain this any way other than... her lungs just… accept the water (question mark?)
and the WHOLE BOOK flips from thriller to fantasy in a single page.
i screamed.
Then get this.... (because Invi, baby girl.... you really went there, didn't you...) Sadie's very first line is not "what's going on?" or "why did you do that?" or "Do you think I can like... I don't know... ESCAPE??"
OH NO... NO... HER first line is "Do you think mermen have dicks?"
Now... looking back... shrugs Fair Question.
(and let me just tell you, the answer to that question is about to become your roman empire, and i will be saying NO more) so ANYWAY you know exactly the energy we're in. 🌊 she's the one thing that can save his collapsing underwater city (for reasons) AND the one thing his enemies have hunted to extinction (for reasons), so he DRAGS her home and tries very, very hard not to catch feelings for the woman whose life he just detonated.
Psssst.... HEY YOU, THE ONE READING THIS; he fails. SPECTACULARLY.
Now... I'm going to be so honest, i went in braced for edgelord nonsense and got something way more thoughtful than "villain does a murder, gets a girlfriend." Wright never lets Kyros off the hook. Sadie keeps saying "I hate you" and the book keeps agreeing with her, so the tension isn't "will they," it's "how do you let yourself want the person who ruined you." and because it's dual POV, we get his guilt-ridden, obsessive little "she's MINE" brain.
There is this scene where he tells her that her legs are "pretty but impractical" and she's just 😍 he thinks my legs are pretty 😍
... ma'am, MISS MA'AM... he literally tried to drown you, and honestly?
relatable. Approved.
we forgive him before Sadie can, which means i was doing group therapy with a fictional merman. rude.
loved it. 10/10 Would recommend.
Don't even get me STARTED on the cave scene!!
sweating. panting. giggling. kicking my feet. 🫠
Kyros's love confessions are WILD and unhinged, and Sadie was just a really good sport about the whole thing... but listen, if YOU got the chance, nay... the PRIVILEGE.... to bang a horny hot merman for days on end?
YOU WOULD DO IT TOO SHARON!!!
and the CONSENT. this is the part nobody expects: it's a heat-cycle/instinct book (the "red bloom"), which usually makes me nervous, and instead Wright hands the heroine a literal physical off-switch and has her USE it (she drops him to the ocean floor to prove she can) before anything happens.
"I'm not fast, but I can sure be mean."
ma'am. MISS SADIE CRABBER MA'AM.....
this is the most "consent is hot" scene i've read in ages and it's between a girl and a man with a tail. and yes. the anatomy. the pocket. i never knew mermen were that… talented. 🫢 i cannot elaborate on Goodreads but i need you to know it exists and it is a JOURNEY.
(i read this one with my eyeballs only... no audio yet, but god, i want it narrated.)
Even with all that, i'm parking it at 4.5 stars and being honest about why: the timeline is FAST. she's soft for her dad's smurderer in roughly two weeks, and you have to hand the book some fantasy goodwill. and a few worldbuilding gears (councils, currents, the whole siphon situation) are more vibes than mechanics.
but the VOICE is so funny, the grovel is so specific (the marking is permanent and one-sided... he can never want anyone else again, ever, and he did it KNOWING that, which is the whole reason it lands), and the FMC is so capable that i did not care.
i clapped. i cheered. I attacked my husband afterwards, and then clapped again... out loud.
if you loved Ice Planet Barbarians and Captive of the Horde King, if you want your monster romance funny and feral and weirdly tender, if you've ever thought "what if the Little Mermaid villain was hot and also correct"... this is your next one-sitting read.
read the content warnings, protect your peace and then let this ridiculous, glowing, gut-punching little book do whatever it wants to you.
Invi Wright, i'll be first in line for whatever's next (and i have QUESTIONS about a certain missing character 👀) and YOU KNOW i am not afraid to slide into DMs and beg, plead and basically gaslight you into letting me read this.
but seriously thank you for trusting me with your baby... I truly had THE best time and I will be buying the physical and audio as soon as it is released.
Now for the "informative/responsible" stuff... (blegh, boring)
Content warnings: death of a parent, attempted murder of the FMC, kidnapping/captivity, forced bonding, predator/prey dynamics, free use, explicit sexual content.
🌊 he was supposed to drown her. she'd rather watch his world burn. 🖤
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 (a 4.5, and the extra .5 is PURELY because i did not expect Sadie to come out swinging this spicy)
🧜 spoiler-free (I'm not an asshole BUTTT babyyy as soon as this book drops you have ONE WEEK to read it before I go ham)
I was gifted a copy of this book and am voluntarily with great joy and giggles leaving my honest review.
okay so i finished this in basically one sitting, closed my kindle, and immediately opened a search tab (incognito of course) i will not be describing what went down there. You can't make me. So just... shhh...
that's the review.
fine fine, MORE:
The premise is completely unhinged and i mean that as the highest compliment: our girl Sadie is a crabber, a mermaid SKEPTIC (despite a dad who's obsessed with them like it's his personal religion), and the HOT silent new hire on the boat turns out to be a... and wait for it... THE merman king tying up "loose ends".
Which in my professional opinion means smurder... and yeah... got that one off the bat....
anyway, they go out on the boat, it's chill, everyone is doing their... boat jobs? Then suddenly... new guy (aka King MerDaddy) he THROWS her overboard to drown.
But... (and I literally lol'ed at his reaction) she doesn't drown.
For scientific purposes I cannot explain this any way other than... her lungs just… accept the water (question mark?)
and the WHOLE BOOK flips from thriller to fantasy in a single page.
i screamed.
Then get this.... (because Invi, baby girl.... you really went there, didn't you...) Sadie's very first line is not "what's going on?" or "why did you do that?" or "Do you think I can like... I don't know... ESCAPE??"
OH NO... NO... HER first line is "Do you think mermen have dicks?"
Now... looking back... shrugs Fair Question.
(and let me just tell you, the answer to that question is about to become your roman empire, and i will be saying NO more) so ANYWAY you know exactly the energy we're in. 🌊 she's the one thing that can save his collapsing underwater city (for reasons) AND the one thing his enemies have hunted to extinction (for reasons), so he DRAGS her home and tries very, very hard not to catch feelings for the woman whose life he just detonated.
Psssst.... HEY YOU, THE ONE READING THIS; he fails. SPECTACULARLY.
Now... I'm going to be so honest, i went in braced for edgelord nonsense and got something way more thoughtful than "villain does a murder, gets a girlfriend." Wright never lets Kyros off the hook. Sadie keeps saying "I hate you" and the book keeps agreeing with her, so the tension isn't "will they," it's "how do you let yourself want the person who ruined you." and because it's dual POV, we get his guilt-ridden, obsessive little "she's MINE" brain.
There is this scene where he tells her that her legs are "pretty but impractical" and she's just 😍 he thinks my legs are pretty 😍
... ma'am, MISS MA'AM... he literally tried to drown you, and honestly?
relatable. Approved.
we forgive him before Sadie can, which means i was doing group therapy with a fictional merman. rude.
loved it. 10/10 Would recommend.
Don't even get me STARTED on the cave scene!!
sweating. panting. giggling. kicking my feet. 🫠
Kyros's love confessions are WILD and unhinged, and Sadie was just a really good sport about the whole thing... but listen, if YOU got the chance, nay... the PRIVILEGE.... to bang a horny hot merman for days on end?
YOU WOULD DO IT TOO SHARON!!!
and the CONSENT. this is the part nobody expects: it's a heat-cycle/instinct book (the "red bloom"), which usually makes me nervous, and instead Wright hands the heroine a literal physical off-switch and has her USE it (she drops him to the ocean floor to prove she can) before anything happens.
"I'm not fast, but I can sure be mean."
ma'am. MISS SADIE CRABBER MA'AM.....
this is the most "consent is hot" scene i've read in ages and it's between a girl and a man with a tail. and yes. the anatomy. the pocket. i never knew mermen were that… talented. 🫢 i cannot elaborate on Goodreads but i need you to know it exists and it is a JOURNEY.
(i read this one with my eyeballs only... no audio yet, but god, i want it narrated.)
Even with all that, i'm parking it at 4.5 stars and being honest about why: the timeline is FAST. she's soft for her dad's smurderer in roughly two weeks, and you have to hand the book some fantasy goodwill. and a few worldbuilding gears (councils, currents, the whole siphon situation) are more vibes than mechanics.
but the VOICE is so funny, the grovel is so specific (the marking is permanent and one-sided... he can never want anyone else again, ever, and he did it KNOWING that, which is the whole reason it lands), and the FMC is so capable that i did not care.
i clapped. i cheered. I attacked my husband afterwards, and then clapped again... out loud.
if you loved Ice Planet Barbarians and Captive of the Horde King, if you want your monster romance funny and feral and weirdly tender, if you've ever thought "what if the Little Mermaid villain was hot and also correct"... this is your next one-sitting read.
read the content warnings, protect your peace and then let this ridiculous, glowing, gut-punching little book do whatever it wants to you.
Invi Wright, i'll be first in line for whatever's next (and i have QUESTIONS about a certain missing character 👀) and YOU KNOW i am not afraid to slide into DMs and beg, plead and basically gaslight you into letting me read this.
but seriously thank you for trusting me with your baby... I truly had THE best time and I will be buying the physical and audio as soon as it is released.
Now for the "informative/responsible" stuff... (blegh, boring)
Content warnings: death of a parent, attempted murder of the FMC, kidnapping/captivity, forced bonding, predator/prey dynamics, free use, explicit sexual content.
🌊 he was supposed to drown her. she'd rather watch his world burn. 🖤
August 5, 2026
ARC Review: *Taken by the Tide* by Invi Wright
First of all, I’d like to thank Invi Wright for providing this ARC. Having thoroughly enjoyed her previous books, I was really looking forward to *Taken by the Tide*. A monster romance featuring merpeople? That sounded exactly like my kind of book.
The biggest compliment I can give is that I finished this book in two days. Invi Wright’s writing style is simply a joy to read. The chapters are short, the pace is fast, and each chapter ends in a way that makes you just have to keep reading. Before I knew it, I’d already devoured dozens of pages.
I thought Sadie was a fantastic main character. She’s funny, down-to-earth, hardworking, and feels like a real person. Because of that, I quickly found myself rooting for her. I also found the world of the merpeople surprisingly interesting. The pod, the relationships within it, and their way of life piqued my curiosity and gave the story something unique. To be honest, I would have loved to read much more about that.
The romance was definitely a plus for me, too. It never felt forced, but fit beautifully with the story and the chemistry between the characters. I also thought it was cool that Invi Wright put her own spin on the merpeople’s anatomy. I found “the pocket” to be a particularly original detail. Little additions like that are what make a monster romance special and show that real thought has gone into the world and the creatures that inhabit it.
It added just that little extra something to the steamy scenes.
Still, in the end, the romance didn’t quite convince me. I understood why the merpeople feel so much hatred toward humanity, but I never really felt that pain myself. The reasons were explained, but they remained too superficial for me to truly form an emotional connection with Kyros. As a result, he remained distant to me.
That also carried over into the relationship between Sadie and Kyros. Kyros kills Sadie’s father and her coworker, and tries to kill her as well. Acts like that have enormous consequences. But I felt like they were brushed aside far too quickly. I missed the anger, the sadness, and especially the moment when Kyros really had to fight to win back Sadie’s trust. For someone who had done so much to her, I expected him to have to work much harder to earn her forgiveness and trust. That genuine, vulnerable moment where he has to prove himself was completely missing for me.
As a result, the transition from enemies to lovers felt too rushed, and I missed the emotional impact that I so love to see in this kind of romance. If Kyros had had to work harder for her trust and the relationship had developed a bit more slowly, the romance would have felt much stronger to me.
Despite that criticism, I wasn’t bored for a single moment. The story is incredibly easy to read and kept me curious about what would happen next.
That’s exactly why I find it such a shame that I didn’t feel an emotional connection with Kyros. With a stronger romance, this could easily have been one of my favorites.
I still think Invi Wright is a wonderful writer, and I’m definitely looking forward to her next book.
This review is based on an ARC and reflects my honest opinion.
First of all, I’d like to thank Invi Wright for providing this ARC. Having thoroughly enjoyed her previous books, I was really looking forward to *Taken by the Tide*. A monster romance featuring merpeople? That sounded exactly like my kind of book.
The biggest compliment I can give is that I finished this book in two days. Invi Wright’s writing style is simply a joy to read. The chapters are short, the pace is fast, and each chapter ends in a way that makes you just have to keep reading. Before I knew it, I’d already devoured dozens of pages.
I thought Sadie was a fantastic main character. She’s funny, down-to-earth, hardworking, and feels like a real person. Because of that, I quickly found myself rooting for her. I also found the world of the merpeople surprisingly interesting. The pod, the relationships within it, and their way of life piqued my curiosity and gave the story something unique. To be honest, I would have loved to read much more about that.
The romance was definitely a plus for me, too. It never felt forced, but fit beautifully with the story and the chemistry between the characters. I also thought it was cool that Invi Wright put her own spin on the merpeople’s anatomy. I found “the pocket” to be a particularly original detail. Little additions like that are what make a monster romance special and show that real thought has gone into the world and the creatures that inhabit it.
It added just that little extra something to the steamy scenes.
Still, in the end, the romance didn’t quite convince me. I understood why the merpeople feel so much hatred toward humanity, but I never really felt that pain myself. The reasons were explained, but they remained too superficial for me to truly form an emotional connection with Kyros. As a result, he remained distant to me.
That also carried over into the relationship between Sadie and Kyros. Kyros kills Sadie’s father and her coworker, and tries to kill her as well. Acts like that have enormous consequences. But I felt like they were brushed aside far too quickly. I missed the anger, the sadness, and especially the moment when Kyros really had to fight to win back Sadie’s trust. For someone who had done so much to her, I expected him to have to work much harder to earn her forgiveness and trust. That genuine, vulnerable moment where he has to prove himself was completely missing for me.
As a result, the transition from enemies to lovers felt too rushed, and I missed the emotional impact that I so love to see in this kind of romance. If Kyros had had to work harder for her trust and the relationship had developed a bit more slowly, the romance would have felt much stronger to me.
Despite that criticism, I wasn’t bored for a single moment. The story is incredibly easy to read and kept me curious about what would happen next.
That’s exactly why I find it such a shame that I didn’t feel an emotional connection with Kyros. With a stronger romance, this could easily have been one of my favorites.
I still think Invi Wright is a wonderful writer, and I’m definitely looking forward to her next book.
This review is based on an ARC and reflects my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🧜🏼♂️🦀🌊 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was so excited to receive this ARC—thank you so much to Invi Wright and her team! This book did not disappoint. I absolutely devoured it!
Swim, run, crawl—do whatever you have to do to get your hands on a copy of Taken by the Tide! Trust me, you'll thank me later. Invi Wright has a way of pulling you into her stories, and before you know it, you're turning to the last page.
The story starts with Sadie working on her father's crabbing boat, where a mysterious, stoic, but strong new recruit named Kyros joins the crew. When a violent storm hits, everything changes. After a series of unexpected events, Sadie ends up thrown overboard. Only then does Kyros discover Sadie may be the only one capable of saving his people. He takes her to Tideborn, his underwater home, where a desperate crisis threatens everything. Sadie might just be the key to their survival.
Sadie was such a relatable FMC. She's strong-willed, stubborn, curious, and never afraid to question authority. She refuses to blindly follow orders and has a knack for pushing buttons whenever she gets the chance. I absolutely loved her character.
Kyros is the MMC, and while his first major decision is…let’s say not his best (he throws Sadie overboard expecting her to drown—not a spoiler, it's in the book description!), he quickly realizes he's made a huge mistake. Sadie may be the answer to everything he's been searching for.
One of my favorite parts was the forced proximity trope. It was handled so naturally and gave the romance room to grow without feeling too rushed. I also loved the rich underwater world and the supporting cast. Seraya, Daros, Mavek, and Evara all added so much depth to the story, and I found myself wanting even more from each of them. Their stories feel like they're just beginning, and I'm already desperate to learn more.
And that ending... 🔥🧜🏼♂️🥵 The spice absolutely delivered, and I flew through those final pages. I cannot wait to see where this series goes next!
I was so excited to receive this ARC—thank you so much to Invi Wright and her team! This book did not disappoint. I absolutely devoured it!
Swim, run, crawl—do whatever you have to do to get your hands on a copy of Taken by the Tide! Trust me, you'll thank me later. Invi Wright has a way of pulling you into her stories, and before you know it, you're turning to the last page.
The story starts with Sadie working on her father's crabbing boat, where a mysterious, stoic, but strong new recruit named Kyros joins the crew. When a violent storm hits, everything changes. After a series of unexpected events, Sadie ends up thrown overboard. Only then does Kyros discover Sadie may be the only one capable of saving his people. He takes her to Tideborn, his underwater home, where a desperate crisis threatens everything. Sadie might just be the key to their survival.
Sadie was such a relatable FMC. She's strong-willed, stubborn, curious, and never afraid to question authority. She refuses to blindly follow orders and has a knack for pushing buttons whenever she gets the chance. I absolutely loved her character.
Kyros is the MMC, and while his first major decision is…let’s say not his best (he throws Sadie overboard expecting her to drown—not a spoiler, it's in the book description!), he quickly realizes he's made a huge mistake. Sadie may be the answer to everything he's been searching for.
One of my favorite parts was the forced proximity trope. It was handled so naturally and gave the romance room to grow without feeling too rushed. I also loved the rich underwater world and the supporting cast. Seraya, Daros, Mavek, and Evara all added so much depth to the story, and I found myself wanting even more from each of them. Their stories feel like they're just beginning, and I'm already desperate to learn more.
And that ending... 🔥🧜🏼♂️🥵 The spice absolutely delivered, and I flew through those final pages. I cannot wait to see where this series goes next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC received from author but all my OWN thoughts!!
⸻
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice: 3/5
Taken by the Tide completely swept me away. I went into this book expecting a fun romantasy, but I wasn’t prepared for how emotionally invested I would become in Sadie and Kayros. From the very first chapter, Sadie’s sarcastic humor and determination had me laughing, while her vulnerability and grief kept me deeply connected to her journey. I felt every emotion alongside her and I genuinely didn’t want the story to end.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was how effortlessly Invi Wright built the world. The Tideborn universe felt immersive without being overwhelming, allowing me to stay focused on the characters instead of trying to memorize endless lore. Everything unfolded naturally, making it easy to get completely lost in the story.
Kayros ended up being one of my favorite book boyfriends. He starts off guarded, mysterious, and frustratingly unreadable, but as layers of his character are revealed, it’s impossible not to fall for him. The slow-burn romance between him and Sadie was perfectly paced. Every conversation, every lingering glance, and every moment of forced proximity built incredible tension, making their relationship feel authentic and earned rather than rushed.
What impressed me most was the balance between romance, grief, humor, and adventure. The romance never overshadowed the plot, and Sadie’s grief remained an important part of her character without consuming the story. Invi Wright created characters that felt real, lovable, and emotionally complex, making it easy to become attached to them.
This was my first merman romance and I honestly wasn’t expecting it to sweep me away the way it did.
Tropes:
❤️ Enemies to lovers
❤️ Forced proximity
❤️ Possessive/obsessive MMC
❤️ “My hybrid”
❤️ One bed
If you love slow-burn fantasy romance with rich world-building, unforgettable characters, emotional depth, and satisfying romantic tension, I can’t recommend Taken by the Tide enough.
⸻
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice: 3/5
Taken by the Tide completely swept me away. I went into this book expecting a fun romantasy, but I wasn’t prepared for how emotionally invested I would become in Sadie and Kayros. From the very first chapter, Sadie’s sarcastic humor and determination had me laughing, while her vulnerability and grief kept me deeply connected to her journey. I felt every emotion alongside her and I genuinely didn’t want the story to end.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was how effortlessly Invi Wright built the world. The Tideborn universe felt immersive without being overwhelming, allowing me to stay focused on the characters instead of trying to memorize endless lore. Everything unfolded naturally, making it easy to get completely lost in the story.
Kayros ended up being one of my favorite book boyfriends. He starts off guarded, mysterious, and frustratingly unreadable, but as layers of his character are revealed, it’s impossible not to fall for him. The slow-burn romance between him and Sadie was perfectly paced. Every conversation, every lingering glance, and every moment of forced proximity built incredible tension, making their relationship feel authentic and earned rather than rushed.
What impressed me most was the balance between romance, grief, humor, and adventure. The romance never overshadowed the plot, and Sadie’s grief remained an important part of her character without consuming the story. Invi Wright created characters that felt real, lovable, and emotionally complex, making it easy to become attached to them.
This was my first merman romance and I honestly wasn’t expecting it to sweep me away the way it did.
Tropes:
❤️ Enemies to lovers
❤️ Forced proximity
❤️ Possessive/obsessive MMC
❤️ “My hybrid”
❤️ One bed
If you love slow-burn fantasy romance with rich world-building, unforgettable characters, emotional depth, and satisfying romantic tension, I can’t recommend Taken by the Tide enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2026
Thank you for my arc giving to me in exchange for an honest review
‘For lovers of hot mermen, cockets (cock pockets), and mangled fins (ribbed for her pleasure).’
Caution, you will lose an entire day to this book, only proceed if you’ve cleared your day! If your looking for a FMC that’s more interested in the anatomy of a Merman than her own safety, this is for you 🤣 This book had me highlighting quotes on almost every page.
Our FMC Sadie opening sentence of the book is “Do you think mermen have dicks?” and she spends the whole book trying to figure that out. Our MMC Kyros is the merman that drowns Sadie’s dad and only friend right before trying to drown her, the only problem is when Sadie goes crashing into the sea she doesn’t drown. It turns out that Sadie is something that’s thought to be extinct. Kyros then decides to kidnap Sadie and that’s how their story begins…
I enjoyed the characters in this book, Sadie our FMC, Kyros our MMC and we even got a character we were supposed to hate Seraya, and man did I hate her! I personally really loved Sadie, her internal monologue had me laughing and she definitely stayed true to herself on her search of the merman’s anatomy 🤣 She was brave in the face danger and risked her life to help save the underwater kingdom. Kyros is the merman that drowns the only two people she loved but Sadie ends up helping him anyways. I absolutely lovedddd their relationship, the way Kyros protects her and puts her above everything else.
A couple note worthy quotes that had me laughing are
‘He definitely knows. I’ve never met a man who doesn’t know exactly—down to the millimeter—how tall he is.’
‘Stupid reef rat. Always running away from me. I’ll catch her later. Because she’s mine.’
I wil absolutely be making all of my friends read this, this was a really fun read! If you havnt checked out the author’s other books you really need too!
‘For lovers of hot mermen, cockets (cock pockets), and mangled fins (ribbed for her pleasure).’
Caution, you will lose an entire day to this book, only proceed if you’ve cleared your day! If your looking for a FMC that’s more interested in the anatomy of a Merman than her own safety, this is for you 🤣 This book had me highlighting quotes on almost every page.
Our FMC Sadie opening sentence of the book is “Do you think mermen have dicks?” and she spends the whole book trying to figure that out. Our MMC Kyros is the merman that drowns Sadie’s dad and only friend right before trying to drown her, the only problem is when Sadie goes crashing into the sea she doesn’t drown. It turns out that Sadie is something that’s thought to be extinct. Kyros then decides to kidnap Sadie and that’s how their story begins…
I enjoyed the characters in this book, Sadie our FMC, Kyros our MMC and we even got a character we were supposed to hate Seraya, and man did I hate her! I personally really loved Sadie, her internal monologue had me laughing and she definitely stayed true to herself on her search of the merman’s anatomy 🤣 She was brave in the face danger and risked her life to help save the underwater kingdom. Kyros is the merman that drowns the only two people she loved but Sadie ends up helping him anyways. I absolutely lovedddd their relationship, the way Kyros protects her and puts her above everything else.
A couple note worthy quotes that had me laughing are
‘He definitely knows. I’ve never met a man who doesn’t know exactly—down to the millimeter—how tall he is.’
‘Stupid reef rat. Always running away from me. I’ll catch her later. Because she’s mine.’
I wil absolutely be making all of my friends read this, this was a really fun read! If you havnt checked out the author’s other books you really need too!
August 6, 2026
I love to enter Invi worlds, as the stories within are always so unique. This one is no different.
Main character is a hardworking woman on a crabbing boat but she's very empathetic towards see life. She is faced with a men who murders her father and kidnaps her to help his mer people. She has a dilema about his person. Almost immediately she understood the reasoning behind this murder and because of her character she chooses to help Kyros. But the whole problem is not sweeped under the rug. Instead, it is mentioned several times and last till the last pages of the book. She never forgets about this dilema but finds forgiveness within herself to move on and understand the other side.
As I haven't yet reached out for a mermen story, and this is my first, I can't appreciate enough the unique elements that Invi usually weaves into the plot or worldbuilding. The action is fast-paced, but the romance isn't rushed. As a standalone, I think the story is taking more of a romance turn than a fantasy, and I would definitely recommend it for a chill read for a weekend as I devoured it in less than 48h. I have a little bit of insufficiency, as I always find in Invi books a lot of plot twists and mental dilema of certain characters, but I totally understood why. There was so much to describe within around 350 pages that I could totally get why this book left me feeling different than the other of her works. I appreciate these emotions, as I mentioned earlier, Invi's books are so diverse that I just want to know from where is she taking inspiration to come up with such intriguing ideas.
Overall I enjoyed this one and recommend it to everyone that want a quick merman romance with an funny amd amazing writing of Invi.
Main character is a hardworking woman on a crabbing boat but she's very empathetic towards see life. She is faced with a men who murders her father and kidnaps her to help his mer people. She has a dilema about his person. Almost immediately she understood the reasoning behind this murder and because of her character she chooses to help Kyros. But the whole problem is not sweeped under the rug. Instead, it is mentioned several times and last till the last pages of the book. She never forgets about this dilema but finds forgiveness within herself to move on and understand the other side.
As I haven't yet reached out for a mermen story, and this is my first, I can't appreciate enough the unique elements that Invi usually weaves into the plot or worldbuilding. The action is fast-paced, but the romance isn't rushed. As a standalone, I think the story is taking more of a romance turn than a fantasy, and I would definitely recommend it for a chill read for a weekend as I devoured it in less than 48h. I have a little bit of insufficiency, as I always find in Invi books a lot of plot twists and mental dilema of certain characters, but I totally understood why. There was so much to describe within around 350 pages that I could totally get why this book left me feeling different than the other of her works. I appreciate these emotions, as I mentioned earlier, Invi's books are so diverse that I just want to know from where is she taking inspiration to come up with such intriguing ideas.
Overall I enjoyed this one and recommend it to everyone that want a quick merman romance with an funny amd amazing writing of Invi.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of all I wanna thank the author for providing me with an arc copy in exchange for my honest review. This book was good. It was fast paced and I liked it but… sadly the writing style was not for me🥲 Also the way the two leads interacted with each other.. I didn’t find that interesting or believable personally. I did like the concept in general like I looove mermaids who doesn’t love them?!! But sadly it just didn’t click for me..
The tension between them was good at the beginning but then fell apart quickly when she forgave him immediately even though he killed her father who was such a sweetheart and her friend/coworker.. Also I wish there was more description of the world in general because I couldn’t picture anything in my mind except his crimson tail that was mentioned like a million time tbh😅 and believe me I have a huge freaking imagination lol
The spice was 3🌶️ and it wasn’t until the end of the book which isn’t my personal preference tbh. Because it was marketed as if it were super spicy/erotica but it wasn’t. This is a standalone but to me the ending left so many questions unanswered! For example what happened to her coworker after the reveal of the rumors? And her evil merman uncle? What’s he gonna do? And that whole other plot about the other pod wanting war and all that. So that makes me think there’s gonna be another book like a standalone imo that continues this world about Tipper and the mermaid who kidnapped him right? 😕 I might be mistaken but sadly I don’t think I will be reading it even if it turns out to be true, because I really pushed myself to finish this one.
Overall I wish nothing but the best for Invi and I hope for this book to be a huge success for her🧜🏽♂️
3 ⭐️
3 🌶️
The tension between them was good at the beginning but then fell apart quickly when she forgave him immediately even though he killed her father who was such a sweetheart and her friend/coworker.. Also I wish there was more description of the world in general because I couldn’t picture anything in my mind except his crimson tail that was mentioned like a million time tbh😅 and believe me I have a huge freaking imagination lol
The spice was 3🌶️ and it wasn’t until the end of the book which isn’t my personal preference tbh. Because it was marketed as if it were super spicy/erotica but it wasn’t. This is a standalone but to me the ending left so many questions unanswered! For example what happened to her coworker after the reveal of the rumors? And her evil merman uncle? What’s he gonna do? And that whole other plot about the other pod wanting war and all that. So that makes me think there’s gonna be another book like a standalone imo that continues this world about Tipper and the mermaid who kidnapped him right? 😕 I might be mistaken but sadly I don’t think I will be reading it even if it turns out to be true, because I really pushed myself to finish this one.
Overall I wish nothing but the best for Invi and I hope for this book to be a huge success for her🧜🏽♂️
3 ⭐️
3 🌶️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2026
Thank you Invi for the ARC. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
This was a great read and another one worthy of this nocturnal bookworm. I stayed up into the wee morning hours, dozing off between paragraphs and then wrapping up quickly upon waking.
I really like this book. I love the darker themes and that Sadie pushed back toward Kyros. I wish she wasn't so much a bleeding heart, but I understand her motives. I would categorize this as a cozy read with darker themes. While our MMC does bad things, he is a green flag all around.
Her descriptions of the underwater world were original and thorough. I really appreciated how immersive it was. The entire plot was original to the point that Invi identified Sadie's job and showed she was strong in the beginning. This made the task bestowed upon her doable, albeit hard. While fantasy, I appreciated the planning and how the chosen girl was actually equipped to handle it.
Kyros' POVs were excellent. I wish we got more of his brooding. How he thought was very different than how he treated her, which made their dynamic compelling. They didn't talk to each other at first. It was physical and felt forced, but I still tumbled into it and found myself rooting for them.
However, the redemption arc for our MMC was a bit lacking. After he killed the most important people to Sadie, her grief throughout the book lacks emotional weight. I would have liked more of an arc or sacrifice from Kyros to balance what he had done.
Beyond that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would love to continue learning about Sadie, her heritage, and the people under the sea!
This was a great read and another one worthy of this nocturnal bookworm. I stayed up into the wee morning hours, dozing off between paragraphs and then wrapping up quickly upon waking.
I really like this book. I love the darker themes and that Sadie pushed back toward Kyros. I wish she wasn't so much a bleeding heart, but I understand her motives. I would categorize this as a cozy read with darker themes. While our MMC does bad things, he is a green flag all around.
Her descriptions of the underwater world were original and thorough. I really appreciated how immersive it was. The entire plot was original to the point that Invi identified Sadie's job and showed she was strong in the beginning. This made the task bestowed upon her doable, albeit hard. While fantasy, I appreciated the planning and how the chosen girl was actually equipped to handle it.
Kyros' POVs were excellent. I wish we got more of his brooding. How he thought was very different than how he treated her, which made their dynamic compelling. They didn't talk to each other at first. It was physical and felt forced, but I still tumbled into it and found myself rooting for them.
However, the redemption arc for our MMC was a bit lacking. After he killed the most important people to Sadie, her grief throughout the book lacks emotional weight. I would have liked more of an arc or sacrifice from Kyros to balance what he had done.
Beyond that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would love to continue learning about Sadie, her heritage, and the people under the sea!
August 8, 2026
Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity!
A Merman x Hu-Mer (yes, I’m calling her that 😂🌊) romance that was unique, spicy, and completely addictive?! Yeah, I absolutely ate this one up! 🔥 The plot felt fresh and different, and it was such an easy, fun read. She’s also one of my favorite auto-buy authors, and her writing style is exactly why I keep coming back to her books. I own almost all of them at this point, and this one reminded me why. 🖤 He’s a merman. She’s sassy AF and gives it right back to him even when she probably shouldn’t. 😂 He’s obsessive, possessive, kidnaps her, and she absolutely cannot stand him but she needs him. Their back-and-forth made their dynamic even better. Add forced proximity, scent-based attraction, forced bonding, and him being in heat…yeah, I was seated. 👀🔥
📚 Releases 8/25/26
Español: Un romance de Sireno x Hu-Mer (sí, así le voy a decir 😂🌊) que fue único, spicy y completamente adictivo. ¡Me lo devoré! 🔥 La trama se sintió fresca, diferente y fue una lectura súper fácil y entretenida. Además, ella es una de mis autoras favoritas de compra automática. Su estilo de escritura es exactamente la razón por la que sigo regresando a sus libros. Ya tengo casi todos, y este me recordó por qué me encantan. 🖤 Él es un sireno. Ella tiene MUCHA actitud y no tiene miedo de responderle, incluso cuando probablemente no debería. 😂 Él es obsesivo, posesivo, la secuestra y ella no lo soporta…pero lo necesita. Ese tira y afloja entre ellos hizo su dinámica aún mejor. Agrégale proximidad forzada, atracción basada en el olor, vínculo forzado y él estando en celo…sí, yo estaba completamente metida en la historia. 👀🔥
📚 Sale el 25/8/26
A Merman x Hu-Mer (yes, I’m calling her that 😂🌊) romance that was unique, spicy, and completely addictive?! Yeah, I absolutely ate this one up! 🔥 The plot felt fresh and different, and it was such an easy, fun read. She’s also one of my favorite auto-buy authors, and her writing style is exactly why I keep coming back to her books. I own almost all of them at this point, and this one reminded me why. 🖤 He’s a merman. She’s sassy AF and gives it right back to him even when she probably shouldn’t. 😂 He’s obsessive, possessive, kidnaps her, and she absolutely cannot stand him but she needs him. Their back-and-forth made their dynamic even better. Add forced proximity, scent-based attraction, forced bonding, and him being in heat…yeah, I was seated. 👀🔥
📚 Releases 8/25/26
Español: Un romance de Sireno x Hu-Mer (sí, así le voy a decir 😂🌊) que fue único, spicy y completamente adictivo. ¡Me lo devoré! 🔥 La trama se sintió fresca, diferente y fue una lectura súper fácil y entretenida. Además, ella es una de mis autoras favoritas de compra automática. Su estilo de escritura es exactamente la razón por la que sigo regresando a sus libros. Ya tengo casi todos, y este me recordó por qué me encantan. 🖤 Él es un sireno. Ella tiene MUCHA actitud y no tiene miedo de responderle, incluso cuando probablemente no debería. 😂 Él es obsesivo, posesivo, la secuestra y ella no lo soporta…pero lo necesita. Ese tira y afloja entre ellos hizo su dinámica aún mejor. Agrégale proximidad forzada, atracción basada en el olor, vínculo forzado y él estando en celo…sí, yo estaba completamente metida en la historia. 👀🔥
📚 Sale el 25/8/26
August 4, 2026
Mermaids. Banter. Forced proximity.
Yeah… I never stood a chance.
I received this book as an ARC, and I ended up finishing it in one day because I genuinely didn’t want to put it down.
The banter and tension hooked me right from the start. Once the FMC realizes who the MMC really is, and what he’s done, you genuinely start wondering how these two could possibly end up together. Watching their relationship unfold was one of my favorite parts of the story.
I also loved getting to explore the world of the Mer. The forced proximity, predator/prey dynamics, scent-based attraction, and unique world made this such a fun read. I only wish we’d gotten a little more time with both the world-building and the relationship because I would’ve happily stayed in this universe longer.
I really liked the FMC. She was strong, determined, and willing to make incredibly difficult choices. I did think she forgave the MMC a little faster than I expected, but I could understand why her perspective shifted as she learned more about his world.
There was a little less spice than I’m used to from this author, but the chemistry and plot more than made up for it.
Overall, this was another binge-worthy read from an author I’ll always pick up. If you love enemies to lovers, forced proximity, obsessive MMCs, and unique fantasy worlds, definitely add this one to your TBR. I’m already hoping we get more interconnected stories in the Mer world because I’m not ready to leave it behind just yet.
Yeah… I never stood a chance.
I received this book as an ARC, and I ended up finishing it in one day because I genuinely didn’t want to put it down.
The banter and tension hooked me right from the start. Once the FMC realizes who the MMC really is, and what he’s done, you genuinely start wondering how these two could possibly end up together. Watching their relationship unfold was one of my favorite parts of the story.
I also loved getting to explore the world of the Mer. The forced proximity, predator/prey dynamics, scent-based attraction, and unique world made this such a fun read. I only wish we’d gotten a little more time with both the world-building and the relationship because I would’ve happily stayed in this universe longer.
I really liked the FMC. She was strong, determined, and willing to make incredibly difficult choices. I did think she forgave the MMC a little faster than I expected, but I could understand why her perspective shifted as she learned more about his world.
There was a little less spice than I’m used to from this author, but the chemistry and plot more than made up for it.
Overall, this was another binge-worthy read from an author I’ll always pick up. If you love enemies to lovers, forced proximity, obsessive MMCs, and unique fantasy worlds, definitely add this one to your TBR. I’m already hoping we get more interconnected stories in the Mer world because I’m not ready to leave it behind just yet.
August 6, 2026
I read this book so fast it's not even funny! I've never read a Mer romance before and I don't think another could top this!👏🏻
We finally got the answers to how a cocket works and I will say it's everything I envisioned and I'm not disappointed lol. However, there were a lot of unanswered questions which I'm hoping will get answered if she continues this series. Like is Daro and Sera together now or was it just the bloom? Does Mavek eventually find someone who also makes him question being the Oshea and what exactly was the siphon? It sounded like a mechanical thing at one point which made me think there was a hidden plot of another hidden hybrid or was it an animal. Like Sadie explained, it pulsed and had fluid so what exactly is this siphon and why does it affect the currents so much. Also Tipper could possibly not be dead?! And her mom was coven born? (I think that's what they're called) How did her dad and her mom meet? I get this is a standalone,but it can't be right?? Even though this had way less spice then her other books I think it balanced really well for this book. Also do mermaids shed? Or was Mavek just causing himself pain because we saw earlier Kyros did something similar to essentially punish himself. As you can see i have a lot questions that im dying to get answers for!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you to Invi and her amazing PA for the ARC and make sure to preorder because this book releases August 25th! 🫶🏼🧜🏼♂️
We finally got the answers to how a cocket works and I will say it's everything I envisioned and I'm not disappointed lol. However, there were a lot of unanswered questions which I'm hoping will get answered if she continues this series. Like is Daro and Sera together now or was it just the bloom? Does Mavek eventually find someone who also makes him question being the Oshea and what exactly was the siphon? It sounded like a mechanical thing at one point which made me think there was a hidden plot of another hidden hybrid or was it an animal. Like Sadie explained, it pulsed and had fluid so what exactly is this siphon and why does it affect the currents so much. Also Tipper could possibly not be dead?! And her mom was coven born? (I think that's what they're called) How did her dad and her mom meet? I get this is a standalone,but it can't be right?? Even though this had way less spice then her other books I think it balanced really well for this book. Also do mermaids shed? Or was Mavek just causing himself pain because we saw earlier Kyros did something similar to essentially punish himself. As you can see i have a lot questions that im dying to get answers for!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you to Invi and her amazing PA for the ARC and make sure to preorder because this book releases August 25th! 🫶🏼🧜🏼♂️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review ✨👏🏻
Let me just start by saying that, unlike Sadie’s pajamas… I actually made it to the end. 😅
This book had me hooked - fish pun fully intended. 🐟😂
I genuinely enjoyed every aspect of this story. Starting with the MMC… like, come on. Invi, how did you manage to make me fall in love with a fish?! 😭
Sadie is thrown into a world she never even knew existed, and watching her navigate that while dealing with everything she’s lost was so compelling. The inner conflict she had, knowing she should hate Kyros for what he did, but not being able to was done so well.
Their banter and slow-burn chemistry? Chef’s kiss. 🤌 The tension, the forced proximity, the one slab and unique anatomy (cocket)… it had everything I love.
I was completely invested in the underwater world and the overall story, but what I loved most was how it balanced everything. One minute I was locked in, the next I was laughing, kicking my feet, and just genuinely having fun reading.
I’ve never read a mermaid romance before, but if you ever decide to write another one (book #2?? 👀), I will absolutely be picking it up. Not saying you have to… but I definitely wouldn’t complain. 😉
All things considered, this is an easy 5⭐ read for me, with about a 3.5⭐ spice level.
P.s. is Kyros broke ? 👀
I’m so glad I could be apart of this Advanced Reading opportunity ❤️
Let me just start by saying that, unlike Sadie’s pajamas… I actually made it to the end. 😅
This book had me hooked - fish pun fully intended. 🐟😂
I genuinely enjoyed every aspect of this story. Starting with the MMC… like, come on. Invi, how did you manage to make me fall in love with a fish?! 😭
Sadie is thrown into a world she never even knew existed, and watching her navigate that while dealing with everything she’s lost was so compelling. The inner conflict she had, knowing she should hate Kyros for what he did, but not being able to was done so well.
Their banter and slow-burn chemistry? Chef’s kiss. 🤌 The tension, the forced proximity, the one slab and unique anatomy (cocket)… it had everything I love.
I was completely invested in the underwater world and the overall story, but what I loved most was how it balanced everything. One minute I was locked in, the next I was laughing, kicking my feet, and just genuinely having fun reading.
I’ve never read a mermaid romance before, but if you ever decide to write another one (book #2?? 👀), I will absolutely be picking it up. Not saying you have to… but I definitely wouldn’t complain. 😉
All things considered, this is an easy 5⭐ read for me, with about a 3.5⭐ spice level.
P.s. is Kyros broke ? 👀
I’m so glad I could be apart of this Advanced Reading opportunity ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2026
I received this book at as ARC. I enjoyed the book however I did not get the typical invi wright feel. We start out on the crabbing boat of Sadie’s father. Sadie is working on the boat with her father, tipper and a mysterious new boat hand. The story takes a turn with Kyros learns Sadie’s father has been tracking what he believes to be mermaids on the radar. Kyros kills tipper and Sadie’s father before trying to throw her overboard. However, she doesn’t drown. Sadie finds out she is part mermaid and goes to Kyros underwater town where he is the leader. From there they face challenges to help Kyros community, fight off rival mermaids and deal with the impending mate inducing pollen bloom. Sadie eventually overcomes every challenge she faces and falls in love with Kyros. I didn’t love the relationship and was not a huge fan of how Sadie comes to term with Kyros killing her father. She continues to repeat the same inner monologue and you really never get a full understanding of how she is able to forgive him. This story felt too easy. They over cover come every challenge with ease and you don’t see much character development with either lead. I absolutely love invi wrights shifter books and highly recommend you read those over this. All and all it kept you engaged and was a very quick read. I finish this book in a little over a day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2026
This was such a fun read that I devoured in one setting! I love a good mermaid book and this definitely hit the spot! I would say this is a true enemies to lovers book since the MMC tries to kill the FMC. Sadie was very relatable and thought things through. Kyros was definitely a conflicted MMC between his responsibilities and his feelings so it was even more satisfying when the MCs finally get together. The world building was interesting and definitely intrigued me. I hope we get more books in this universe!
I received a copy of this book but this is my honest review :)
Favorite quotes:
Sadie seemed authentic. I wish she didn’t have to die. She was honest, but she wasn’t unkind. Well. Actually. She was kind of a bitch.
I want to be mated to you, even if we can’t be together. Having something with you, even if it doesn’t last, is better than never having anything.
I want to touch her. My fingers twitch with the need, my hands trembling. Strange. I've spent years avoiding humans. The last thing I should want is contact. Still, I find myself wondering if her hair is as soft as it looks.
“I think your legs are prettier than my tail,” he admits. “But still impractical” … “He thinks my legs are pretty”
I received a copy of this book but this is my honest review :)
Favorite quotes:
Sadie seemed authentic. I wish she didn’t have to die. She was honest, but she wasn’t unkind. Well. Actually. She was kind of a bitch.
I want to be mated to you, even if we can’t be together. Having something with you, even if it doesn’t last, is better than never having anything.
I want to touch her. My fingers twitch with the need, my hands trembling. Strange. I've spent years avoiding humans. The last thing I should want is contact. Still, I find myself wondering if her hair is as soft as it looks.
“I think your legs are prettier than my tail,” he admits. “But still impractical” … “He thinks my legs are pretty”
August 8, 2026
Invi is one of my favorite authors and this book just reinforces that for me.
The first line! If I hadn’t already been interested in the book, that would have 100% got me.
Sadie was a fighter. She didn’t let Kyros, or anyone, stop her from doing what she wanted. “Stay here” mmm I think not. Kill my dad? Okay well fuck you but I’m still gonna do my thing.
I feel bad for Kyros. He didn’t want to do certain things but he had to for safety. He fell for Sadie hard and tried even harder to fight it. Oh boy, red bloom? That was interesting lol
He went absolutely FERAL.
His special little fin after Sadie did her thing was so cute.
I understand the hatred some of the other merpeople had for Sadie. It was sad but understandable. I love the one that accepted her no matter what she was. (Trying not to spoil anything here lol)
Finding out about her mother?!?! Didn’t expect that one, although not too surprising.
I love that Sadie decided to help the Tideborn even if Kyros yeeted her off the boat to drown.
(Also, cocket lol still one of my favorite bits)
My only complaint, I wish it was longer!
I really hope this ends up being a series because I have so many questions still!
I did receive this as an ARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The first line! If I hadn’t already been interested in the book, that would have 100% got me.
Sadie was a fighter. She didn’t let Kyros, or anyone, stop her from doing what she wanted. “Stay here” mmm I think not. Kill my dad? Okay well fuck you but I’m still gonna do my thing.
I feel bad for Kyros. He didn’t want to do certain things but he had to for safety. He fell for Sadie hard and tried even harder to fight it. Oh boy, red bloom? That was interesting lol
He went absolutely FERAL.
His special little fin after Sadie did her thing was so cute.
I understand the hatred some of the other merpeople had for Sadie. It was sad but understandable. I love the one that accepted her no matter what she was. (Trying not to spoil anything here lol)
Finding out about her mother?!?! Didn’t expect that one, although not too surprising.
I love that Sadie decided to help the Tideborn even if Kyros yeeted her off the boat to drown.
(Also, cocket lol still one of my favorite bits)
My only complaint, I wish it was longer!
I really hope this ends up being a series because I have so many questions still!
I did receive this as an ARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 5, 2026
I was incredibly excited to receive an advanced readers copy of Taken by the Tide and it did not disappoint! Fair warning, once you pick up this book you won’t be able to put it down.
Taken by the Tide is a unique twist on the mermaid/merman scene. Sadie is a strong FMC with a hilarious inner monologue while Kyros is the broody MMC who is baffled by his pesky hybrid. They’re easy characters to fall in love with, leaving you wanting more.
My only critique of this book is I wish it was a little longer. I felt like my time with these characters was too short lived and would’ve enjoyed an epilogue (I wanna see baby hybrids!).
Overall I really enjoyed this book, just like every book I’ve read of Invi’s. I hope she continues to write in this genre, because I’d love to see more of this world! (Maybe Tipper and a mermaid from deeptrench??)
Spice Rating: 3/5 🌶️ (majority towards end of book with one scene around 50%).
Tropes:
🧜♂️Enemies to Lovers
🧜♂️Forced proximity
🧜♂️One Bed (with kelp)
🧜♂️ Scent based attraction
🧜♂️Twist on Heats (Redbloom)
🧜♂️Betrayal by MMC
Taken by the Tide is a unique twist on the mermaid/merman scene. Sadie is a strong FMC with a hilarious inner monologue while Kyros is the broody MMC who is baffled by his pesky hybrid. They’re easy characters to fall in love with, leaving you wanting more.
My only critique of this book is I wish it was a little longer. I felt like my time with these characters was too short lived and would’ve enjoyed an epilogue (I wanna see baby hybrids!).
Overall I really enjoyed this book, just like every book I’ve read of Invi’s. I hope she continues to write in this genre, because I’d love to see more of this world! (Maybe Tipper and a mermaid from deeptrench??)
Spice Rating: 3/5 🌶️ (majority towards end of book with one scene around 50%).
Tropes:
🧜♂️Enemies to Lovers
🧜♂️Forced proximity
🧜♂️One Bed (with kelp)
🧜♂️ Scent based attraction
🧜♂️Twist on Heats (Redbloom)
🧜♂️Betrayal by MMC
August 8, 2026
Finished this book in under 8 hours. Was my first book of this genre (the mermaids) that I have ever read.
Book starts off with Sadie, a girl who has worked with her dad on a bait boat for most of her life. Shes foul- mouthed, sassy, knows what she wants in life, and isn’t afraid to ask questions. Her dad hired another man to add to the boat, the obvious type of man too. Quiet, mysterious, someone who is there to work only and not play at all.
With a storm on the ocean that knocks off all of the power, and two workers disappear leaving Kyros behind blood covered; Sadie is suddenly thrust into a world where waves crash harder than her now reality.
This book is full of amazing banter, lots of sass, and a woman who feels separated between a world she once knew and a world she feels like she must save. The characters are written beautifully but also realistically, and the tension between the two character left behind will have your mouth watering for more.
Overall rating: 5 stars
Quick read: Easy to devour in one sitting.
Storyline: Strong storyline, quick paced, and nothing left unanswered
Definitely think everyone should read this book even if it’s not your usual genre.
Book starts off with Sadie, a girl who has worked with her dad on a bait boat for most of her life. Shes foul- mouthed, sassy, knows what she wants in life, and isn’t afraid to ask questions. Her dad hired another man to add to the boat, the obvious type of man too. Quiet, mysterious, someone who is there to work only and not play at all.
With a storm on the ocean that knocks off all of the power, and two workers disappear leaving Kyros behind blood covered; Sadie is suddenly thrust into a world where waves crash harder than her now reality.
This book is full of amazing banter, lots of sass, and a woman who feels separated between a world she once knew and a world she feels like she must save. The characters are written beautifully but also realistically, and the tension between the two character left behind will have your mouth watering for more.
Overall rating: 5 stars
Quick read: Easy to devour in one sitting.
Storyline: Strong storyline, quick paced, and nothing left unanswered
Definitely think everyone should read this book even if it’s not your usual genre.
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