Fish Out of Water

Gemini #3.5

by Hailey Edwards

Length: 3 hours 37 minutes

Harlow Bevans was a changeling mermaid working as a diving consultant for the Earthen Conclave. Then he came along. Charybdis. A serial killer who possessed her body and wrecked her mind. Now she's an inmate—patient—at Edelweiss Mental Institution.

When a haunting song lures her to the scene of a brutal murder, the calm of the past few months is shattered. A fellow patient is dead, and Harlow is caught standing over his body by a mysterious guard who hides his own secrets behind a pair of aviator sunglasses her fingers itch to remove.

Unwilling to be a pawn in another psychopath's game, Harlow sets out to discover the real killer. What she uncovers makes her a prime target, and the next song she hears could be her last. Curiosity may not have killed the cat, but it just might fillet the mermaid.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Audiobook, Fae, Novella

Audible Audio

First published September 18, 2016

About the author

Hailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy.

Hailey isn't on Goodreads.

Please email her via her website:
https://haileyedwards.net/contact-form/

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harlow Bevans was a changling mermaid that was working for the Earthen Conclave as a diving consultant. Now though Harlow is currently a patient at the Edelweiss Mental Institution after Charybdis, a serial killer, possessed her body and wrecked her mind.

One night the door to Harlow's room opens and she finds herself lured to the scene of a murder by the call of a haunting song. Being found over a dead body is not good news for Harlow and she finds herself needing to regain her strength and discover who is now killing in the hospital she'd found as an escape.

Fish Out of Water is a bit of a fantasy mixed with mystery/thriller along with a side of romance, yes sign me up for this one please. This is one of those novellas that when I finished reading I just think wow, now that is how you pack a good story into a short read.

This one has a complexity to the characters and the fantasy elements that you wouldn't think you could get into a short read and still have a plot that is entertaining. The story was fast paced as it needed to be being shorter but it also gave enough depth to the world and character building to make it a very interesting read.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....

[Maddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven't read other books by Edwards but I wanted a quick read so went for it. I think I would have enjoyed it more have I read the other books first though.
It started off slow but then it picked up pace nicely. Writing's good, characters well rounded and I enjoyed the story. I'm just not sure I enjoyed it enough to catch up on the other books.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Source* Booklending.com
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5

*Thoughts*

Fish Out of Water, by author Hailey Edwards, is a short novella featuring one of my favorite characters in the Gemini series. If you've read the series, you know that Harlow Bevans, a changeling mermaid who was once a consultant to the Eastern Conclave, was possessed by the psychotic fae serial killer Charybdis. He took control over her body and shattered her mind. As the story picks up, Harlow is a patient at the Edelweiss Mental Institution where things are supposed to be peaceful allowing for healing.

One night, her door is left open and Harlow finds herself being lured to the scene of a dead boy. Harlow once hauled body parts out of lakes and rivers and streams for the Conclave, but they have since washed their hands of her. It is now time for Harlow to do something for herself, even if that means working alongside a curious character named Carter Lam. Lam is a nice guy filled with his own secrets and they work well together to uncover a dark mystery.

"Let's go make classic horror movie mistakes!" Lam

Finally, some resolution to what happened to one of my favorite characters, Harlow. Plus, we get yet another update on another character, Bianca, a warg who was last seen in Camille's last installment.

Overall, satisfactory.

[Angela (Angel's Book Nook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot Dame! This novella was so good! Just look at that cover. It depicts Harlow perfectly!

Fish Out of Water is a novella featured in the Gemini/Black Dog world. You don’t have to have read the Gemini series to understand Fish Out of Water, but it might help give you more content and understanding on some things. Harlow is introduced to us in the Gemini series. At the end she’s in a bad way and is in Edelweiss trying to find her footing again or at least come to terms with what happened to her.

Harlow is starting to wake up. One of things that helps pull her out is the strange things going on at Edelweiss, murder and mystery. She’s tossed into the middle of this dangerous mess. Then the other thing is Lam; he’s nice and has secrets. I like the blossoming romance between these two. (I hope we get more from both of them.)

This story takes of from the first page and we are dragged off into a mystery. It’s a non-stop flurry of adventure.

I LOVE this world. It's so much fun to return and see some of the secondary characters play a more permanent role. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Rated: 5 Stars

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by CrushStar Multimedia LLC via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

[Jen Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This quick novella gives fans of the Gemini series an update on poor Harlow, the young changeling/ mermaid who Cam rescued from Charybdis in the last book. It was hard to imagine how Harlow would recover after she was used as a serial killer's puppet, but here we get a peek at her journey in the mental hospital where she is convalescing.

Unfortunately, there is an unseen force killing other patients and somehow Harlow keeps getting released from her room when it happens.

Oh, and did I mention there is a hot guy?

Officer Carter Lam is a security guard at the facility...but he is also something more...and something is brewing between him and Harlow.

I liked Lam. And Harlow. I guess I didn't quite love this story as much as the previous books was 1) it developed really quickly and then it was over. The recovery. The mystery. And the romance. Not to mention 2) I'm pretty sure Harlow is 16. Maybe she's upgraded to 17 since she was first introduced, but I do prefer my heroines a little older. Especially in the context of a romance with, er, the kind of being Lam is.

I did like getting an update on Bianca... and I would like to see Harlow again. For now, though, I am excited to jump into Dell's story and get the latest on the Lorimar pack.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The terror of being in the grips of the Charybdis landed Harlow as an inmate at Edelweiss Mental Institution. Trying to come to terms with what she was forced to do is harder than she thought.
Until something even stranger starts happening. Strange songs pulls her to murder victims behind doors that are supposed to be barred. What is pulling at Harlow this time? And who is the gorgeous guard visiting her when no one else is there?
Soon Harlow is in another fight for her life, hopefully with someone guarding her back..
PNR action, suspense and fluff in a great combo. Happy to see Harlow again =) Can´t wait to read more!
Disclaimer; I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I did buy my own copy as well, since I love the series =D

[Lake Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I would like to thank Netgalley and CrushStar Multimedia LLC for providing me with "Fish Out of Water” for free, in exchange for a honest review***

I enjoyed the Black Dog series so when I saw Fish Out of Water on Netgalley. I had to give it a try. Since Fish Out of Water is a novella you don't need to read the Gemini series to understand this one, but, it helps to have a better understanding in somethings. I am glad I got the chance to review this one. There some turns that I didn't see coming. The person it turns out to be surprised me more than it should have. You start right off in a mystery trying to figure out what really is happening. There is a flurry of scenes that keep you pulled in. It was a really quick read for me. I give it four out of five since it was entertaining and kept me wanting to read but I didn't love it.

[Yellagirlgc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its always nice to read a Hailey Edwards book. The Black Dog family of books are all equally entertaining with there intertwined story lines. Like reading about different branches of the same pack/family. The characters are well developed and I feel a connection with several of them. Another good book by Ms Edwards.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my own opinion.

[Suz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+

This one was about one of the secondary characters from the rest of the series. It was a bit more romance than is happening in the rest of the series, but it was cute.

[Thea Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fish Out Of Water is absolutely brilliant and a wonderful addition to Hailey Edwards Black Dog and Gemini books! It perfectly rounds off the traumatic events that Harlow went through in the Gemini trilogy with her possession by the evil Charybdis, this story gives her focus to deal with what happened to her as well as finishing the story of Bianca, the warg, that was briefly touched on during the Gemini series and the death of her mate as well as her pregnancy at the time..... it was lovely to hear what happened to her after she was shipped off to have the baby.

Obviously the star of this novella is Harlow, the changeling mermaid but sadly for her the book is often stolen by her new co-star Carter Lam and his naughty antics, that boy is full of character and a wonderful addition to the Black Dog world. The burgeoning romance between the pair is so sweet and tender it's delicious!

The world-building of the Black Dog world is fantastic as always and every book adds a little more to the mythos and as per usual Hailey's writing is gripping.... in this case it was so gripping I demolished the book in a single sitting. Wonderful book and wonderful writing!

I would recommend this book to one and all but especially if you are a fan of the books already as it is a must read book in my opinion and I cannot wait to see what else comes Harlow and Carter's way!

[Anniken Haga · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little unsure about this book, as I haven't read anything else in the series - or by the author - before, but it looked like a standalone - it is - so I gave it a chance.

The story work well on its own, which was nice, and even if I didn't know anything about what happened in the previous books, it was easy to get to know the characters and to learn just what we needed to understand the story. I'm curious about reading the rest of the series now, but we'll see.

The writing was good and the characters were good. The story was a tad slow in the beginning, but when it got started, it flew off the hinges.
I considered giving it a 4/5 star rating, but it didn't feel right, so 3/5 stars it is.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart broke for poor Harlow in the previous books, and I was really glad to see her come back to herself a bit here. I was also curious about the security guard, so I'm glad he was featured here. The mystery part of the story took a backseat for me to Harlow's growth and healing.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as others in the series, I guess I would have liked it to be more a part of the overall plot line of the series, in itself it was okay, I did waver between two and three stars, but it did still have good imagination and suspense, both of which I like.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore Harlow. I am glad she got her own book because I liked her most out of the characters from the Gemini series.

This book was serious but also had the trademark humor I associate with this author. I found it seriously lacking in some of her earlier works but it's what made me fall in love with her Necromancy series.

I believe this book was a one-off but I hope to see Harlow in future books.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad readers got to see Harlow healing... <3

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/26/2019)! 🎁

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, this novella was so good. Harlow was in a bad way after her run in with Charybdis and she's in Edelweiss trying to find her footing again. Or at least come to terms with what she did while she was under Charybdis's control. She's a mess, but she's not nearly as much a mess as she thinks. Being pulled into the middle of the strange goings-on at Edelweiss helps shock her back into herself. While she's not the carefree woman she was before her possession, the Harlow who lived life loud and with joy is still in there and she's waking up.

One of the things that wakes her up is Lam. He's nice to look at and he makes her feel things that aren't all doom and gloom. Except Lam has his own set of secrets and they could end up hurting Harlow in the end unless he can control himself. (I believe in him. I BELIEVE!)

The murders are messy and dangerous. Harlow is tossed into the middle of something dark without the means to defend herself, but she has more skills than most give her credit for.

I'm LOVING being back in this world and seeing how things turn out for some of the tertiary characters we've met before. *draws glitter hearts around everyone and smiles like a sap* What can I say? I just want to wallow in this world longer. (and watch all the kissing. *thumbs up* to the kissing.)

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Diane Lynch Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fish Out of Water (A Gemini Novella) by Hailey Edwards Hailey Edwards’ FISH OUT OF WATER is an excellent addition to the Gemini series.  Changeling mermaid, Harlow Bevans, was possessed by Charybdis in the prior Gemini stories.  Now she is at Edelweiss Mental Institution to help heal from her trauma.  She ends up investigating a series of murders that are happening at Edelweiss.  This urban fantasy is suitable for adult audiences.
 
I like Harlow and was happy Hailey Edwards wrote her story.  She was put through a lot while working as a consultant for the Earthen Conclave.  I could not imagine having to go through what she did.  She is an intelligent and strong character.
 
Officer Carter Lam is a great character.  He was a good person to have on Harlow’s side.  He made her experience better.  He has some interesting talents that help with the story. 
 
I like that Bianca Parsons from the Lorimar Pack was also at Edelweiss recovering from her encounter with Charybdis.  What happened to her was dreadful. 
 
The plot was clever and well-written.  There were many twists that held my attention.  I love the ending.  FISH OUT OF WATER is a great complement to the Gemini series.  I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the Gemini series, I was happy to read this novella to find out what happened to Harlow Bevans, the changling mermaid Camille was searching for after Charybdis possessed Harlow as his avatar. We also get some closure in the case of Bianca, the pregnant warg who lost her husband due to Charybdis. They both end up in the mental hospital Edelweiss, the same one Camille spent some time in after her encounter with the evil that was Charybdis. Harlow is intrigued by a security guard that has been checking on her, and when locked doors begin to pop open, there are haunting sounds that only she hears, and mysterious deaths occur, she finds out Carter Lam is not what he seems. I liked seeing how Harlow began to recover, and helped Bianca as well. The relationship with Carter was sort of unlikely and surprising, but I’d like to see what happens there in the future. I really enjoyed this story, it was fun to revisit these familiar characters again and meet some new ones as well.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the whole series (Black Dog, Gemini, then Lorimar Pack, in that order) back-to-back. They are all very good, and free on Kindle Unlimited. This is a follow up on the changeling mermaid Harlow, a victim from the Gemini series, who's now in a mental hospital, recovering from the ordeal of being possessed by a serial killer fae.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 An enjoyable short PNR.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Fish Out of Water” is a novella in the Gemini series that describes the events in Harlow’s life during her stay at Edelweiss, the sanitarium for criminally insane paranormals.

Harlow hasn’t spoken to anyone during her stay. She is aware of what is going on but chooses not to speak. One of the security guards, Carter Lamb likes to tease her by calling her Pinks even though her hair color is fading. Then one night Harlow’s door mysteriously is unlocked and she wanders down the hall where she discovers a dead body with its heart torn out. Carter comes to her rescue and leads her back to her room.

The hospital staff is buzzing with suspicions that Harlow is the murderer and when she stumbles upon another body the security feed shows she is not the assailant. However, she also learns there is no security personnel there by the name of Carter Lamb.

What is going on? Is she truly insane or is someone playing a cruel joke on her? One thing for sure, Harlow is determined to find the answer. I enjoyed this quick little read and it was good to read about Harlow’s new adventure. I hope that this will not be the last we read about her in the Gemini series because her character adds another layer of fun.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m doing my best to read all the Gemini stories, so of course I dove into this one (pun intended) to see what on earth happened to Harlow!

I’ve got to admit, I wasn’t even sure I liked Harlow, so this could have been a very long read if being in her head was terrible. We met her briefly, through Cam, then she’s taken, and at that point I hadn’t quite formed an opinion on her character other than “needs to be rescued.” So now that she’s been saved, she obviously has some baggage to work through, which is why she’s in the paranormal mental institution.

Turns out, I like Harlow. She’s tough and determined to do what’s right when she ends up stumbling upon a body in the middle of the night. She’s got help, too, in the form of Carter, the guy who can magically whammy women (who we met when Cam visited). I absolutely LOVED that these two misfits ended up forming a bond, despite their best intentions. I also really enjoyed having some resolution on not only for Harlow but Bianca too. Turns out, the mental institution is the place for epilogue stories. The murder get solved and I think we are well on our way to a much deserved HEA for Harlow.

[Denise Belt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Camille Ellis works for the Earthen Conclave, and is investigating a serial killer that drowns children. Camille is a Gemini twin who lost her twin at the age of 8. She is unique in the Gemini community and is punishing herself for not saving her sister by trying to save others. As her investigation continues, she meets a warg named Cord. As much as she’d like to resist Cord he keeps finding a way into her heart. When Cam meets Harlow, a mermaid she is not impressed. The more time she spends with the young girl, the more a friendship develops much to the surprise of Cam.

The Gemini series starts off after the Black Dog Series by Edwards. Some favorite characters from the Black Dog series make appearances throughout the Gemini series which helps tie together the love of the first series with the new characters in the second series. Next up after this is the Lorimar Pack series which is a continuation of the Gemini series. The magic and the fae that fill these books keep the story fresh! You won’t want to miss this series.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harlow Bevans was a changeling mermaid working as a diving consultant for the Earthen Conclave. Then he came along. Charybdis. A serial killer who possessed her body and wrecked her mind. Now she's an inmate—patient—at Edelweiss Mental Institution.
When a haunting song lures her to the scene of a brutal murder, the calm of the past few months is shattered. A fellow patient is dead, and Harlow is caught standing over his body by a mysterious guard who hides his own secrets behind a pair of aviator sunglasses her fingers itch to remove.
Unwilling to be a pawn in another psychopath's game, Harlow sets out to discover the real killer. What she uncovers makes her a prime target, and the next song she hears could be her last. Curiosity may not have killed the cat, but it just might fillet the mermaid.

Heather's Notes
I really enjoyed Harlow's story. I also enjoyed knowing what happen with Bianca and her baby. I just really wish we had gotten a little more resolution on the romance and the future of Harlow and Lam. However, it definitely leaves room for another story for them,

[Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into The Frying Pan

This book must be read after The Black Dog series, the book "Stone Cold Fox" and the Gemini series.



Edelweiss is not really a fun place to be... But then what mental hospital is? Harlow hasn't talked since before arriving at Edelweiss. When Can greed her was the last time she talked. Healing takes time... A lot of it. Especially when your mind is broken in so many ways. Harlow just wants to get better and go home. Officer Lam is an enigma to her. He seems interested in her for some reason. When Harlow hears an odd singing she goes to investigate and finds a dead man. Who killed him? Will she be blamed? How can she make it clear she had nothing to do with the new death?

[Ellen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy for Harlow

After everything that happened to Harlow in the Gemini series I’m glad that she gets some closure in this book. I actually read this after the Lorimar series even though the author puts it between the Gemini trilogy and the Lorimar trilogy. I’m also glad that Bianca also gets her story explained. In the Lorimar series (Gemini 4-6) Bianca gets mentioned only briefly. And even then it doesn’t fit quite right with this novella timeline. So I would definitely suggest reading obviously the Gemini series first (1-3) maybe this book - but remember it may not line up exactly right with the Lorimar series (Gemini 4-6) that’s told through the point of view of Dell.

[Tamye Whitener · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enticing characters, a mental facility/prison, and a murderer on the loose create the basis for a budding romance between two inmates who are both more and less than their natures would suggest.

While I enjoyed this story and couldn't stop listening there were times when I got a little lost. Most likely this was all on me because it was a whole new world full of new characters for me. Luckily, by the end, my questions were answered and I was no longer lost. I would suggest reading this series in order so you are introduced to the world and characters at a decent pace.

The narrator did a wonderful job.

[MB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jump back in with this story.

What a great story. This novella answered so many unanswered questions while telling a great story amd introducing new characters and another possible storyline.

I enjoyed getting to know Harlow better. Watching her overcome such a trauma was a wonderful thing. I would love to see more adventures with her and Carter.