I'm not sure why, but this story I came to and put down and came back to and put down. This is the second time I'm reading this series and for some reason this story just didn't click with me this time, until at least 50% of the way through.
I love Bran, he is such a wonderful character. He hasn't played a strong part in any of the other stories except for being Dristan's twin and loving to sail. Now, he is being crowned King of Triblu (or Tribleu maybe) and he isn't ready. Adding to the stress is his parents proclamation that by a certain time he will announce the woman he will marry! And there isn't a single woman he wants to tie his life with - until he finds Elodie washed ashore near the cabin that he is going to take refuge in for a week before his coronation.
Elodie can't remember anything about her own life before washing ashore (of course we know because the story gave us a peek into her life before she meets the gimmly). Bran figures out that she is a mermaid, but even that surprises her. Bran feels responsible for her, but the ring on her finger keeps him from wanting to take his feelings in the direction that they are wanting to drag him.
This is a clean read.