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The Mermaid's Secret
From Katie Schickel, one of Booklist's Top 10 Women's fiction of 2015, comes The Mermaid's Secret, an original, fresh, and absolutely captivating beach read.
Life on land is suffocating for Jess Creary, who wastes her summers flipping burgers for tourists on a fishing boat off her quaint resort island home off the coast of Maine. After all, her older sister Kay died in a boating accident two years ago, her mother has disappeared, and her father isn't exactly dealing with things so well. Surfing and the handsome Captain Matthew are about the only bright spots in her life.
Then, on her twenty-third birthday, Jess catches the perfect wave--a wave that transforms her into a mermaid. Under the sea, a startlingly beautiful, dark place, Jess is reborn into a confident, powerful predator with superhuman strength --finally she is someone to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, back on land, Jess's relationship with Captain Matthew heats up, and so does her search for justice for Kay.
Jess has thirty days to choose between land and sea; legs and fins; her humanity and her freedom. Who could ignore the freedom of the sea? Yet, the ocean is a dark, wild, lonely place. Is this a gift or a curse? Will Jess choose family and love, forgiveness and truth, or will she be seduced by the wild call of the sparkling sea forever?
Life on land is suffocating for Jess Creary, who wastes her summers flipping burgers for tourists on a fishing boat off her quaint resort island home off the coast of Maine. After all, her older sister Kay died in a boating accident two years ago, her mother has disappeared, and her father isn't exactly dealing with things so well. Surfing and the handsome Captain Matthew are about the only bright spots in her life.
Then, on her twenty-third birthday, Jess catches the perfect wave--a wave that transforms her into a mermaid. Under the sea, a startlingly beautiful, dark place, Jess is reborn into a confident, powerful predator with superhuman strength --finally she is someone to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, back on land, Jess's relationship with Captain Matthew heats up, and so does her search for justice for Kay.
Jess has thirty days to choose between land and sea; legs and fins; her humanity and her freedom. Who could ignore the freedom of the sea? Yet, the ocean is a dark, wild, lonely place. Is this a gift or a curse? Will Jess choose family and love, forgiveness and truth, or will she be seduced by the wild call of the sparkling sea forever?
285 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2016
14 people are currently reading
2015 people want to read
About the author
Katie Schickel
3 books119 followersKatie Schickel wants to live in a world where the surf is always up, high heels are outlawed, and love letters are as common as pink slips.
She graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in English. Her two obsessions — the ocean and writing — have led to careers in both, at times as an editor and writer, and at times as a scuba instructor, first mate, and fishing boat cook. Her debut novel, Housewitch, was selected as a Top 10 Women’s Fiction Book for 2015 by Booklist.
When she’s not making up stories and scribbling them down, you can find her staring longingly at the waves, or seeking out the next adventure.
The Mermaid’s Secret is her second novel.
She graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in English. Her two obsessions — the ocean and writing — have led to careers in both, at times as an editor and writer, and at times as a scuba instructor, first mate, and fishing boat cook. Her debut novel, Housewitch, was selected as a Top 10 Women’s Fiction Book for 2015 by Booklist.
When she’s not making up stories and scribbling them down, you can find her staring longingly at the waves, or seeking out the next adventure.
The Mermaid’s Secret is her second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 27, 2017
Totally biased rating because mermaids
November 28, 2019
I was really surprised by how quick this story pulled me in. It wasn't a cheesy mermaid story. The mermaid aspect was told more as a Passamaquoddy shapeshifter legend than as a cliche fairytale, which I loved, and the book addressed some dark topics. Her descriptions of the ocean are vivid and haunting. It's a story that really stayed with me. I found myself thinking about it the day or two after, even as I went on to read other things. Still really enjoying it even after I finished reading it!
dnf
June 17, 2016DNF
I struggled to page 102 and decided not to go any farther. I had a very difficult time getting into this book - the concept was cool, but I found the delivery lacking. I was bored with it, which is pretty bad considering it's only 288 pages. I think this one may just not be for me I'm afraid.
I struggled to page 102 and decided not to go any farther. I had a very difficult time getting into this book - the concept was cool, but I found the delivery lacking. I was bored with it, which is pretty bad considering it's only 288 pages. I think this one may just not be for me I'm afraid.
September 2, 2018
This book was great! I enjoyed how her transformation brought her closer to her loved ones and the ocean, as well as the dynamics of ocean life. I appreciated the realness of life under the sea when it came to the whales and the great white. The cost of becoming something so magical and losing her humanity was a great dividing point for her decision.
February 2, 2023
This is a cute story about a young girl who learns she is a mermaid and needs to decide whether or not she is going to fulfill her destiny or continue her life as a human. I loved the underwater scenes the most because I am enthralled by everything the ocean has to offer, especially the sea life down below. Her encounter with the humpback whale and her baby was my favorite part. There is a mystery to be solved in this story as well, which ends up a bit predictable and anticlimactic, in my opinion. The biggest problem I had with this book is the amount of typos and errors - at least 20 in all, and that's what I caught. Most of the errors were extra or missing words, for example: "should be able ride one wave today." or "you have to be tough to make out here." or "Ah, come one." or "Are my eyes are playing tricks on me?" or "get lost when you someone drops out of..." or "and now he's trying spin it into" or "I run and slip and fall to ground." or "I send myself back to ocean" or "His rides the whitewash on his belly..." and so on. I was really disappointed in the editing of this book; it truly needs a redo.
Some of my favorite passages from the book:
"The sun is a low, orange luster on the horizon and the sea is rippled in waves."
"There are a dozen suns dangling on the horizon when I surface, their rays streaking the sky in orange and pink."
"His laughter is like venom. His words, a pin in the balloon of everything I believe."
Some of my favorite passages from the book:
"The sun is a low, orange luster on the horizon and the sea is rippled in waves."
"There are a dozen suns dangling on the horizon when I surface, their rays streaking the sky in orange and pink."
"His laughter is like venom. His words, a pin in the balloon of everything I believe."
March 5, 2019
3.5
More of a YA book.
More of a YA book.
July 20, 2025
This was the perfect easy beach/pool read, super aquamarine vibes 🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️ loved
June 1, 2024
I loved the authors style of writing and the world she created under the sea. I loved the magic of the book and the shock of discovering her mother
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2017
Loved this book. Had to force myself to put it down. The ending had me gripping my seat!
February 26, 2017
The mermid concept is very interesting.. plus small town settings, I thought I had a winning combo with me. I just thought that Jess was carrying too much load and was just floating thru life, literally. I felt she was 18 and not 23 as the book keeps on reiterating. A few engaging moments but not enough to keep you turning the page.
July 7, 2019
This book was a well-written ride. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Several twists I didn't see coming, particularly the ending. There are some spots that feel a little bare, a couple of things that I felt needed more exploring. Overall though it's a wonderful novel about personal choice, freedom and responsibility, the difference between what we desire for ourselves and what we need to be wholly ourselves and thrive-- and where those things may be toxic and unnecessary for our growth as people. I would recommend this one highly for teens in their last year of high school, it feels like a book that can inspire one to make hard choices about life, such as college and where, taking a year off, getting hitched immediately or not, and so on.
June 14, 2016
I had the honor of getting to read an early addition of the Mermaid's Secret by Katie Schickel. If you are looking for a great summer read about a strong young woman coming of age and finding herself, look no further. With a great mixture of love, suspense, surfing and the occasional battle with a shark, this is a must have on your summer reading list. To quote the book, I am "all in" for the Mermaid's Secret.
October 25, 2016
Loved every second of it! I wanted it to last longer!
December 7, 2016
Jess is 23 and she will tell you that about 17 times in this book!!! She will also tell you that Matthew is like her brother and that she can't love him or look at him in that way.
Jess is 23 and is a wild child. She has no future in mind so she it literally living life day by day. The death of her sister has taking a told on the poor thing and she can't seem to get past it years later. Then there's Sammy and Mathew. Sammy is her BFF and Mathew is "Like a brother" so she can't love him blah blah. Jess surfs (which is actually cool) and works on a fishing boat (also cool) oh AND is a mermaid. The end!
I'm not gonna lie the beginning of this book was absolutely wonderful until I got to about page 180-ish and everything (and I mean everything) was a repeat of the pervious chapter. I became frustrated because nothing would happen. She would turn into a mermaid and then come back to land and so on and so forth. Always talking about how free it was and blah blah blah!!! I am really over this book. The ending was a HUGE disappointed and my heart is broken. Don't get me wrong it was a great (predictable) ending that I saw coming from a mile away!!! But Such a piss off!!
The details in the book describing how she turned into a mermaid and hid in a cave underwater to the shark attacking her were perfection. But seriously Jess randomly went cra cra the action portion was less than a chapter and then the book ended! Literally! And then the 'a year later' bullshit.
This book could have been SO SO much more and I am seriously pissed off. I literally talked to this book and almost (almost) threw it across my room. It's was like a soap opera in a sense; you can miss a year and still catch up if you were to watch it a year later.
I'm reading stand alone novels because I can't stand Authors who repeat shit!!
3 stars and that's for detail an amazing beginning and Mathew!! Lol He was my favourite Character.
Sammy was your typical BFF and Lady Victoria was hilarious. And the Sheriff was meh, same with Jess. She go on my nerves with the do I stay? do I go? Every chapter oh and let's not forget her indecisive war about awesome Mathew.
Ya ! So angry.
Jess is 23 and is a wild child. She has no future in mind so she it literally living life day by day. The death of her sister has taking a told on the poor thing and she can't seem to get past it years later. Then there's Sammy and Mathew. Sammy is her BFF and Mathew is "Like a brother" so she can't love him blah blah. Jess surfs (which is actually cool) and works on a fishing boat (also cool) oh AND is a mermaid. The end!
I'm not gonna lie the beginning of this book was absolutely wonderful until I got to about page 180-ish and everything (and I mean everything) was a repeat of the pervious chapter. I became frustrated because nothing would happen. She would turn into a mermaid and then come back to land and so on and so forth. Always talking about how free it was and blah blah blah!!! I am really over this book. The ending was a HUGE disappointed and my heart is broken. Don't get me wrong it was a great (predictable) ending that I saw coming from a mile away!!! But Such a piss off!!
The details in the book describing how she turned into a mermaid and hid in a cave underwater to the shark attacking her were perfection. But seriously Jess randomly went cra cra the action portion was less than a chapter and then the book ended! Literally! And then the 'a year later' bullshit.
This book could have been SO SO much more and I am seriously pissed off. I literally talked to this book and almost (almost) threw it across my room. It's was like a soap opera in a sense; you can miss a year and still catch up if you were to watch it a year later.
I'm reading stand alone novels because I can't stand Authors who repeat shit!!
3 stars and that's for detail an amazing beginning and Mathew!! Lol He was my favourite Character.
Sammy was your typical BFF and Lady Victoria was hilarious. And the Sheriff was meh, same with Jess. She go on my nerves with the do I stay? do I go? Every chapter oh and let's not forget her indecisive war about awesome Mathew.
Ya ! So angry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2019
Jess Creary tragically loses her older sister, Kay, in a boating accident. It's suspected that Kay's boyfriend, Tripp Sinclair, may have had something to do with the death. Not long after, her mother disappears. Now two years have passed and Jess and her father are still trying to find their footing in life again. Jess has been distracting herself with surfing, working as galley staff on charter fishing boats, and quietly crushing on young, hot Captain Matthew.
On her 23rd birthday, Jess's father gifts her a necklace charm that she later discovers helps her morph into a mermaid with superhuman strength. While unsure of herself on land, in the sea Jess becomes a strong predator to be feared and respected. For the time being, Jess has the ability to move between both worlds, but she's soon informed that she'll have to choose one world or the other within the next 30 days.
Though the characters are all supposed to be in their 20s or older, this read more like a YA novel. Much of the plot emphasis seemed to be more centered around navigating difficulties within family or friendships or summer jobs / romances rather than the paranormal aspect. I would've liked to have seen the story go deeper with the Native American mythology... until you get closer to the end of the book, the references are kinda minimal. Even the passages discussing Jess's experiences as a mermaid are brief.
A good light summer read, entertaining for what it is, I was just hoping for a little more depth and atmosphere overall.
On her 23rd birthday, Jess's father gifts her a necklace charm that she later discovers helps her morph into a mermaid with superhuman strength. While unsure of herself on land, in the sea Jess becomes a strong predator to be feared and respected. For the time being, Jess has the ability to move between both worlds, but she's soon informed that she'll have to choose one world or the other within the next 30 days.
Though the characters are all supposed to be in their 20s or older, this read more like a YA novel. Much of the plot emphasis seemed to be more centered around navigating difficulties within family or friendships or summer jobs / romances rather than the paranormal aspect. I would've liked to have seen the story go deeper with the Native American mythology... until you get closer to the end of the book, the references are kinda minimal. Even the passages discussing Jess's experiences as a mermaid are brief.
A good light summer read, entertaining for what it is, I was just hoping for a little more depth and atmosphere overall.
February 25, 2021
I really wanted to like this story more but I just didn't. It seemed to lack too many things that I needed from a mermaid story.
I didn't always like the main character, Jess. I know she was still grieving her loss, but it just seemed that she thought everything should revolve around her. I did like Matthew although I found it extremely convenient how he was always just around when Jess needed him. Jess wanted to work on the Dauntless, oh Matthew can get Harold to change his mind. Harold fires Jess, oh Matthew immediately is able to change his mind. It just seemed too convenient. Also, how many times can you say the name of the island? It's not the easiest name and every time, I'd had to mentally sound it out. It got incredibly old and annoying insanely fast.
Perhaps the biggest I have with the story is the explanation of the magic that made the Mermaids. It was way too simple, but confusing at the same time and not exciting at all. So in the legend, the sea just made the sisters Mermaids as punishment? Where the heck did that power come from? But then Jess is transformed for courage and bravery? How is there just always a barrel when she needs it? Does the sea send that as well? There's just not enough there for me to enjoy.
The ending seemed incredibly abrupt (even though I was ready for it to end). I've been looking for a good mermaid story and unfortunately, this just wasn't it.
I didn't always like the main character, Jess. I know she was still grieving her loss, but it just seemed that she thought everything should revolve around her. I did like Matthew although I found it extremely convenient how he was always just around when Jess needed him. Jess wanted to work on the Dauntless, oh Matthew can get Harold to change his mind. Harold fires Jess, oh Matthew immediately is able to change his mind. It just seemed too convenient. Also, how many times can you say the name of the island? It's not the easiest name and every time, I'd had to mentally sound it out. It got incredibly old and annoying insanely fast.
Perhaps the biggest I have with the story is the explanation of the magic that made the Mermaids. It was way too simple, but confusing at the same time and not exciting at all. So in the legend, the sea just made the sisters Mermaids as punishment? Where the heck did that power come from? But then Jess is transformed for courage and bravery? How is there just always a barrel when she needs it? Does the sea send that as well? There's just not enough there for me to enjoy.
The ending seemed incredibly abrupt (even though I was ready for it to end). I've been looking for a good mermaid story and unfortunately, this just wasn't it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2017
It is frustrating when reading a book and too frequently, I come across spelling or grammar errors! If it's in the book that's on a shelf for people to read I would expect it to be published perfectly without fault.
That aside, I loved the story - it was a genuinely interesting read, if the whole myth and legend thing mingled with everyday life intrigues you - as it does to me. Dialogue was rigid at times, didn't have that flowing ease I've come to love when reading a story and characters were a little underdeveloped. They had potential to be something amazing and I felt their mediocrity a little too much.
However, a four star rating seemed to fit because the underwater scenes and marine animal interaction was something pretty amazing. The shark, whale, seal and octopus scenes were very cool. That awesomeness didn't quite translate back for the human characters. But still worth a read if mermaid stories are your thing...and they definitely are mine. :)
That aside, I loved the story - it was a genuinely interesting read, if the whole myth and legend thing mingled with everyday life intrigues you - as it does to me. Dialogue was rigid at times, didn't have that flowing ease I've come to love when reading a story and characters were a little underdeveloped. They had potential to be something amazing and I felt their mediocrity a little too much.
However, a four star rating seemed to fit because the underwater scenes and marine animal interaction was something pretty amazing. The shark, whale, seal and octopus scenes were very cool. That awesomeness didn't quite translate back for the human characters. But still worth a read if mermaid stories are your thing...and they definitely are mine. :)
April 7, 2025
This was an actauly good book but the ending just didn't land like that was just disappointing. the rest of everything is sooooo drawn out (still love the vibes) but the ending is over really quick and it just doesn't follow the trajectory of the rest of book and I just hated it. it doesn't compete ruin it but it's just disappointing. i made a lot of annotations cuz a lot of funny lines but like I don't have much to say over all.
it was a fun time honestly but not the best thing ever.
also I loved the native spin and the setting, really unique but i wished it was like better you know? a really powerful native story would've completely fixed this book for me but it was more performative then anything. like I still liked it but still
it was a fun time honestly but not the best thing ever.
also I loved the native spin and the setting, really unique but i wished it was like better you know? a really powerful native story would've completely fixed this book for me but it was more performative then anything. like I still liked it but still
July 10, 2023
Surprisingly I loved it. I sampled it online and bought it after finishing the first chapter. I love how the ending wasn’t predictable at all. The underwater scenes were so beautifully written and you could feel the internal struggle of Jess of not knowing if she should stay on land or start a new chapter in the sea. The romane aspect was good but I think it could have been expanded on more. Overall I felt like all the characters and development worked well and I couldn’t put it down until it was over so it gets a five star review from me
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2017
Wow! The Mermaid's Secret by Katie Schickel took me by surprise. I've never read anything by this author; in fact, I picked the book literally with my eyes closed from my bookshelf. It was a wonderful story full of mythology, legends, grief, and coming of age. It was a first read for me that was set in Maine and used the Massapequa traditional lore as part of the plot. As Jess says, I was "all in"!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
November 10, 2019
2.5
For being such a short read, not to mention being about mermaids, this was pretty slow and a solid quarter could have been cut out. It promised to be about our mc getting over her sister's untimely death, it was actually about whether mc will keep her tail or her hot new boyfriend. Writing was not bad, but the story was predictable and dull and the mc had the maturity of a teen, not a twentysomething.
For being such a short read, not to mention being about mermaids, this was pretty slow and a solid quarter could have been cut out. It promised to be about our mc getting over her sister's untimely death, it was actually about whether mc will keep her tail or her hot new boyfriend. Writing was not bad, but the story was predictable and dull and the mc had the maturity of a teen, not a twentysomething.
February 23, 2021
This one was just OK to me. The idea was intriguing, but the pacing was slow. I found the main character to be unlikable, and I didn’t care for the ending. After about 1/3 of the way in, the pacing did pick up a bit and I was able to get more interested in it. Overall though, it was just OK. If you love magical realism and love stories about mermaids or surfing, then you may want to give this one a try.
March 18, 2022
I was disappointed with The Mermaid's Secret. The characters were one dimensional. Things that didn't need to be drawn out were, and things that caused tension or issues were too conveniently dealt with. It was like watching a show you only glance at every 15 minutes, yet you still know what is going on and what will likely happen next. I would say maybe I'm just not the target audience, but I don't think I would have enjoyed this book, even in high school.
April 4, 2023
THE MERMAID’S SECRET is a journey about a young woman named Jess Creary who needs to find her mother and what happened to her sister, but in the end, she finds what she is made of and who she is. I enjoyed all the details of the setting on an isolated island with a legend about the Passamaquoddy. I’m glad the heroine of the story isn’t a princess, but rather an ordinary girl. The story gets better as it goes along and has a satisfying ending. THE MERMAID’S SECRET is a great beach read.
July 21, 2025
THE MERMAID’S SECRET is set in a small town with an indigenous legend and has a mysterious vibe. Jess is angry because her sister was murdered and she believes it was Trip. The real story is the journey that Jess goes through internally. We get to meet some interesting characters on the island like the sheriff and the drag queen and in the sea like the dolphins. If you love the sea, all things nautical, and surfing you’ll love this story.
June 11, 2018
A fantastically good book that deserves more attention! It had a great touch of realism along with mermaids. If you love fantasy aspects mixed with reality than this will be perfect. Wish this was a series so I could continue reading about the characters but I suppose I will have to do with the one book.
July 24, 2018
Adding this to my Ultimate Beach Read recommendations. Solid story of Jess’ discovery of how to transition from human to mermaid. She then has a choice - life as an apex predator, or life above sea with the dreamy Matthew. Life underwater is vividly described. I’m not coordinated enough to surf, but the descriptions of Jess’ time above and below make me long for a beach getaway.
August 15, 2021
Yeah this was a weird book. I love mermaids but when she became a mermaid she became really impulsive and just angry and... I didn't like it. Plus she had to choose between legs and a tail which was basically making her choose life with her mom or dad. I did like seeing her interactions with the captain though. That was cute
July 30, 2017
I love the ocean, so obviously I loved all the mermaid and ocean vibes BUT, the overall plot/story was really underwhelming. I don't really know what I was expecting, but I'm disappointed.
EDIT: The Passamoquoddy mythology was super interesting and I'd love to know more about that!
EDIT: The Passamoquoddy mythology was super interesting and I'd love to know more about that!
May 19, 2019
This was a largely enjoyable book with characters I could really root for and a very relatable writing voice. It's not going to stand out as one of my favorite books, and small parts of it felt a little dated for a 2016 book, but it was a fast read that kept me engaged and thoroughly entertained.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews