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The Lovely Deep
She's fallen for a human,
but how can you love one man while stealing another?
Narissa's not just any mermaid. She's a siren.
She has the power to lure men into the sea, but all she wants is to live peacefully with them on land. Unfortunately, the mers are evolving and they're depending on her for human mates to keep their bloodlines pure.
Rebellion burns in Narissa's heart, especially when her mother commands her to do her duty and return to the depths. She knows a way out, but asking a favor of Poseidon is too great a risk.
When she falls for River, a man who makes her feel wanted and whole, she decides it's worth the risk. But her choice pulls River unwillingly into her world where greedy mermaids hunt, seas rage, monsters lurk...
And her enemy controls them all.
Can she save her people without losing the man she loves?
but how can you love one man while stealing another?
Narissa's not just any mermaid. She's a siren.
She has the power to lure men into the sea, but all she wants is to live peacefully with them on land. Unfortunately, the mers are evolving and they're depending on her for human mates to keep their bloodlines pure.
Rebellion burns in Narissa's heart, especially when her mother commands her to do her duty and return to the depths. She knows a way out, but asking a favor of Poseidon is too great a risk.
When she falls for River, a man who makes her feel wanted and whole, she decides it's worth the risk. But her choice pulls River unwillingly into her world where greedy mermaids hunt, seas rage, monsters lurk...
And her enemy controls them all.
Can she save her people without losing the man she loves?
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2018
15 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 22, 2018
Sold! I am sold on this series! Mermaids are so fascinating, but one with a siren's power is even more so. I absolutely fell in love with this story and with the author's creative way of incorporating mermaids into a modern world, which opened up my mind and imagination to hundreds of possibilities. And this cover is as gorgeous as the book!
Set in Florida, the tropical setting lured my interest from the start and the murky, shadowy world of the mers was a little disconcerting. Pennington does a fantastic job of establishing fears, love, and emotion with this tale.
One of the things that I loved best about this book was the characters. Narissa is a sweet, spunky girl and her passion and selflessness really resonated with me. River is utterly charming and persistent, and his protective nature bound him to my heart. The whole cast of supporting characters were vivid and lifelike. The romance has a touch of sorrow woven through the swoon and it really grabbed me in its clutches. I was definitely swooning!
This is one book that I couldn't read fast enough and I'm SO happy it's the start of a new trilogy because I'm ready for more.
Content: mild+ romance (swoony, some light innuendo); mild violence
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Set in Florida, the tropical setting lured my interest from the start and the murky, shadowy world of the mers was a little disconcerting. Pennington does a fantastic job of establishing fears, love, and emotion with this tale.
One of the things that I loved best about this book was the characters. Narissa is a sweet, spunky girl and her passion and selflessness really resonated with me. River is utterly charming and persistent, and his protective nature bound him to my heart. The whole cast of supporting characters were vivid and lifelike. The romance has a touch of sorrow woven through the swoon and it really grabbed me in its clutches. I was definitely swooning!
This is one book that I couldn't read fast enough and I'm SO happy it's the start of a new trilogy because I'm ready for more.
Content: mild+ romance (swoony, some light innuendo); mild violence
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
August 31, 2018
I squished this book in between review books when I really shouldn't have. But I needed something to break up the string of the same kind of books. Refresh my pallet. You know? This was good for that. I liked the characters, the story. It was a fun (sometimes creepy) take on mermaids. I'll be watching out for the next book.
July 2, 2019
I usually really like Michelle’s books. This one was a big miss for me. I just didn’t like it. I don’t plan on reading anymore books in this trilogy. I will continue to read Michelle’s contemporary and historical books though.
September 12, 2025
This book was chosen for a mermaid-themed book club and offered a great group reading experience. It is simple enough without being childish, and offers a world that is both interesting and satisfying to read and learn more about. The romance is clunky but at least steers away from being NSFW or overly gratuitous.
The FMC is interesting to read from the perspective of; her motives are clear, with how she wants to be a part of the human world, and the crux of the book is hinging on whether or not she will get her wish from Poseidon or if the events of the plot will force her into another reality. Her thoughts on her people were a good read and made for a multifaceted main character — I only wish we got to see her as a mermaid more!
The MMC is a delight to read about, although I think his backstory was not as fleshed out and seemed to just be traumatic for the sake of plot convenience, though that can be said about most of the characters since they are being asked to give their lives away to be merfolk. It would have been more interesting to read about someone who has genuine struggle between wanting to experience life in the sea while not wanting to give up their life on land — in fact, all of the characters end up being really cool with never living on land again, which just seems strange.
The plot progresses smoothly with just enough intrigue and twists to keep me wanting more. The writing style itself wasn’t the most engaging — it does a lot of “telling” versus “showing,” especially in the emotional side of things — but there wasn’t a point that I was necessarily annoyed by it. It just makes for an easier, lighter read, but sometimes it doesn’t contrast well with the dark parts of some of the characters’ backstories and how the book vaguely alludes to sexual coercion.
Overall, a good story, though the world could have been fleshed out a bit more. I feel like we don’t spend enough time with the magic side of things to really understand how and why things are the way they are, and how their magic works, and there was also that huge implication that Greek gods exist, which seemed like it was setting up a bigger plot that never really happened. I believe the series continues, but this book ends fairly satisfying and since it left me no breadcrumbs for any further reading about this world and these characters, I probably won’t continue the series unless our book club picks it up.
The FMC is interesting to read from the perspective of; her motives are clear, with how she wants to be a part of the human world, and the crux of the book is hinging on whether or not she will get her wish from Poseidon or if the events of the plot will force her into another reality. Her thoughts on her people were a good read and made for a multifaceted main character — I only wish we got to see her as a mermaid more!
The MMC is a delight to read about, although I think his backstory was not as fleshed out and seemed to just be traumatic for the sake of plot convenience, though that can be said about most of the characters since they are being asked to give their lives away to be merfolk. It would have been more interesting to read about someone who has genuine struggle between wanting to experience life in the sea while not wanting to give up their life on land — in fact, all of the characters end up being really cool with never living on land again, which just seems strange.
The plot progresses smoothly with just enough intrigue and twists to keep me wanting more. The writing style itself wasn’t the most engaging — it does a lot of “telling” versus “showing,” especially in the emotional side of things — but there wasn’t a point that I was necessarily annoyed by it. It just makes for an easier, lighter read, but sometimes it doesn’t contrast well with the dark parts of some of the characters’ backstories and how the book vaguely alludes to sexual coercion.
Overall, a good story, though the world could have been fleshed out a bit more. I feel like we don’t spend enough time with the magic side of things to really understand how and why things are the way they are, and how their magic works, and there was also that huge implication that Greek gods exist, which seemed like it was setting up a bigger plot that never really happened. I believe the series continues, but this book ends fairly satisfying and since it left me no breadcrumbs for any further reading about this world and these characters, I probably won’t continue the series unless our book club picks it up.
April 16, 2020
I have not read a book like this before. The imagination and the development of the characters and the plot was astounding to me. I loved Narissa's character. She had such a sensitive, caring heart. She always seemed to look for the underdog. She falls in love River and tried to push him away without success. The struggles that Narissa faced throughout the book were mind-boggling. It really makes you think, "what would I do?" This book definitely took me for a dive into a different realm that I had never really thought about. This book is the first in a series and I can't wait to find out what happens next. This book does end on a sort of cliffhanger. There is a sense of Happy-for-now, but there is more to the story. I recommend this book to those that like romance and fantasy or even those that want to read more about the secret life of mer people.
May 2, 2020
This was an interesting read. A modern-day little mermaid-esque story.
Narissa is a siren in human form. River is training to be a marine biologist and is a swimmer.
They both love the water. But while Narissa is one of the future "Mothers of the Sea", River just likes to dive and be in the ocean. Narissa wants to become human and River is toying with the idea to become a mer.
The story had some heavy-handed elements in it. But it was a bit like Aquaman meets the little mermaid meets Moby Dick.
There was some adventure, a nice love story, deception, and loyalty.
Not a bad read overall! A couple of profanities but nothing else.
The only part that bothered me was Narissa's continued mention of removing her swim bottoms. Most mermaid stories I've read, the scales just form over the clothes or under the clothes. But not this one. It was a bit pontificated. Cute read though!!
Narissa is a siren in human form. River is training to be a marine biologist and is a swimmer.
They both love the water. But while Narissa is one of the future "Mothers of the Sea", River just likes to dive and be in the ocean. Narissa wants to become human and River is toying with the idea to become a mer.
The story had some heavy-handed elements in it. But it was a bit like Aquaman meets the little mermaid meets Moby Dick.
There was some adventure, a nice love story, deception, and loyalty.
Not a bad read overall! A couple of profanities but nothing else.
The only part that bothered me was Narissa's continued mention of removing her swim bottoms. Most mermaid stories I've read, the scales just form over the clothes or under the clothes. But not this one. It was a bit pontificated. Cute read though!!
August 16, 2018
I love urban fantasy, I love mermaids, and I love romance. This story is as gorgeous as the cover, full of beautiful description, romance, and featuring a fresh take on mermaid and siren mythology. I enjoyed every page and stayed up late into the night, trying to get to the end, hoping for a satisfying conclusion. Though this is the first in the series, you won't be left hanging on a seaside cliff! Michelle Pennington is an incredible author and a great new voice in YA fantasy romance.
September 17, 2019
This book should be called The Lovely Reading.
This was a nice, cute little contemporary/fantasy mix. It was light and fluffy, with just the right of tension and action to it. I would really like to jump into the second book, but it doesn’t seem to be available yet, even though it said it would be released in spring of 2019.
This was a nice, cute little contemporary/fantasy mix. It was light and fluffy, with just the right of tension and action to it. I would really like to jump into the second book, but it doesn’t seem to be available yet, even though it said it would be released in spring of 2019.
August 16, 2018
Well-written story about young love where the female character just happens to be a mermaid. Loved how she teased River about his name. In addition to their growing love, there is also plenty of family conflict, suspense and below sea creatures.
August 21, 2018
Captivating and such a fun fantasy world! I love mermaids and this story did not disappoint! Left me wanting more!! I loved the fun relationship between Narissa and River. I loved how her mermaid magic worked and I cannot wait for the next one!
September 8, 2018
Whyyyyyy???? Why does it have be over???
When? When is the next book coming out? I want to read MORE!!!! Please, hurry and get it out!!! I can’t stand the thought of having to wait😬😬😬😬😬
When? When is the next book coming out? I want to read MORE!!!! Please, hurry and get it out!!! I can’t stand the thought of having to wait😬😬😬😬😬
September 12, 2018
Great Book
Great Book I love it it was great and powerful and I think that this book is one of the book we all need to read this book I love 💘💘💘💘
Thank You For Letting Me Read This Book I love it
Great Book I love it it was great and powerful and I think that this book is one of the book we all need to read this book I love 💘💘💘💘
Thank You For Letting Me Read This Book I love it
November 26, 2018
Very captivating read! I love mermaids and the world building in this one was very creative. Characters felt real and their motivations believable. The prose was lovely and descriptive, too. Really looking forward to the next instalment.
October 4, 2018
This is a well-written, fast-paced story with action, intrigue, great mythology, and romance. I can't wait to read the next one!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews