The Memory Shells

by Charity Rau

Mermaid princess Aquari knows humans can be dangerous, but that doesn't stop her from spying on the magnetic human prince sailing just outside her home waters of Neverland. After a storm takes out his ship, Aquari saves him from drowning and takes him to the closest land mass, a deserted island. Desperate to help him survive, she brings him supplies and begins to fall in love.

Distracted by the prince, she forgets about the annual ball held in memory of her mother. Her cousin takes advantage of her distraction, eager to steal the crown. But then Aquari uncovers a family secret and her whole world shifts. If she wants any chance at achieving her dreams, she'll have to defy her father, face the boy tyrant who rules Neverland with an iron fist, and decide just how much she's willing to give up for love.

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2026

About the author

Charity loves fairy tales and myths and re-imagining them. When not writing, she takes creative photos, paints, and spends time with family. Charity lives in Maryland with her sassy pomchi and her own charming prince. The Bloodstained Key is her first book.

Reviews

[Alex Eos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advance praises for The Memory Shells by Charity Rau. I read this as an ARC reader and what I found awesome about This retelling is awesome and I was surprise that Peter Pan is the ultimate villain. It’s a unique take on the politics and retelling of the world of neverland. It reminds me of Fables by Bill willingham.
I love this retelling of the Little Mermaid. There is some nit-picky stuff as a writer that took me out of the book. And outside of this, the book itself delivers the promise of a retelling and a slow burn romance. It is perfect for someone who likes slow burn romances and blends romansty and political royal court politics. I wish we had some more screen time with some of the secondary characters but I understand why she made the decision and choice to keep those characters as flat characters otherwise it would take away from the story.

[Piper Pringle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author @charityrau for sending me an e-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review:
5 Stars

Honestly, I'm always up for a little mermaid retelling, as they are some of my favorites! I absolutely loved the bit of Aquari in the "Hidden Island", and literally squealed when I found out that Charity was working on her story!!!! Charity definitely didn't disappoint in giving us more of Aquari and her backstory before she met Marianna!!!! Absolutely fell even more with our beautiful mermaid, and I can't wait to see where Charity brings us next!!!

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Memory Shells by Charity Rau
Publishing date - 09/15/26
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read The Memory Shells 🐚 before its release date , 9/15.
I absolutely love a retelling of an old fairytale. It’s a fantastic twist on the retelling of the Little Mermaid. Loved it!! 🧜‍♀️🐚 & the cliffhanger…Can’t wait to read more of Aquari‘s story. Charity’s love for fairytales truly shows in her writing style! Highly recommend this book when it releases on 9/15.

[Morgan (youarethelibrarian) · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This was a prequel to The Hidden Island, I believe. I really liked Aquari even though she was pretty impulsive with her decision making, but definitely what I’d expect from a teenage mermaid who’s lost her mom. Her dad isn’t being attentive, her cousin is a pain, and Peter Pan is terrorizing all of Neverland. As we got closer to the end, I realized there was going to be a lot of things left unresolved, so I really hope we see Aquari in The Hidden Island.

[Charity Rau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so excited to share The Memory Shells with readers! When I first started writing Aquari, I didn’t know she would end up with her own book. But I loved writing her and soon realized I needed to tell her story. If you love the ocean, magical worlds, and mermaids, you love this one!