The Not So Little Merman

The Silver Isles #2

by C.W. Gray

Kit Rees is one of the many children of the King of the Southern Silver Isles. Despite being a prince and third in line for the throne, he is too chubby, too loud, and too unsophisticated to truly fit in with the rest of the southern court. He lives a luxurious but lonely life, unnoticed in the castle and quietly wishing for the freedom to simply be himself.
Tack Muir is the crown prince of the infamous Northern Silver Isles. He has a reputation for being cold and pragmatic, but even the strongest merfolk have weaknesses. Tack’s happens to be a cute, red-headed merman from a rivaling kingdom. When an arranged marriage gives the two kingdoms a chance to form an alliance, Tack gets the chance to be with the one person he longs for most.
The problem is that Tack’s family curse ensures that he cannot touch any living being. Tack has learned to live with the curse, and he’s also learned the danger of hoping for more. Hope, however, is sneaky little bugger, and the more time Tack spends with Kit, the more he hopes for the impossible.
To find their own paths to happiness, the two men must break a centuries old curse. However, family enemies, old magic, and their own stubbornness just might stop them.
Author's Note: 55,000 words. This is a paranormal, merman, mpreg, fated mates story with no angst and no cheating, just a HEA. There are a few potty mouths, so beware. 18+ readers only, please. It is book two in The Silver Isles series and is best read after book one.

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Omegaverse, Shapeshifters, LGBT

271 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2020

About the author

I have been self-publishing since October 2018. My books are extremely light and fluffy m/m romance with mpreg, and while they span a few subgenres of romance, they have similar themes of found family and love at first sight. Besides writing, I enjoy reading everything I can get my hands on, especially m/m romance. My personal favorites are mpreg, sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal.

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 rounded down

Squishy mer-boy meets
stoic mer-prince. I'm so done
with mpreg and Hunt.

[llv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars
I really am enjoying this series. I love the concept of the merfolk having different types of fish tails. I loved both Kit and Tack in this story. I also love stories that have cute little children and I loved Kit’s daughter Pearl. All in all, a really good book. I’m looking forward to the next one in the series.

[Trip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am obsessed with this series! The setting, continuing plot and all of the romance just so much fun to read. Enjoyed this one even more then the first as Kit and Tack stole my heart, the curse and lack of touch yet finding way around is so sweet.

Kit and Tack are lovely together, Tacks adoration of his mate and wanting to give him everything. The room in the castle for Kit and Pearl to have a bit of their home with them, the kiss hanky! So cute, Pearl always made me smile.

I loved seeing Kit find a place among them where he felt useful and valued, being able to enjoy his books and learn to cook. Falling in love with Tack as they spend time together and their steamy scenes are wonderful.

All of the animal companions are stunning too, whether Chichi the cat or Lola the shark. Then Blue as well, along with the seal belonging to Aber.

Oh I can't forget the fairies too. So adorable and entertaining, Kit providing her a tiny home and the treats.

Characters from precious book return which I adored. New cast introduced too, from best friend Finch who is always a help and all of Tacks family. All shine in their own way and was amazing to learn about them. Along with origins of their curse and some of the consequences.

I love the exploration under the sea and the palace, there are some action scenes which is always fun. Also loved how they finally reach their happy ending and break their curse, while still leaving open for the next book and last one to break.

I'm excited for the next books romance too as the trio make for an interesting group, their short scene interactions towards end of this book showed promise. Look forward to it!

Overall I enjoyed every moment of this book and it captured me instantly, the characters are so easy to love and fascinating world building with a great plot. They get their happy ending together and allows for many others too! 💕

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving from afar up close

Despite a truly excellent first book, this book may have been even better! There was this expectation that the world was setup, but though the mythology and basics were setup it turns out there was more to learn and what fun it was!

Focusing on the next curse this book turns to the Northern Silver Isles. In that the book involves Prince Kit of the Southern Silver Isles marrying Crown Prince Tack. This was a very contentious marriage. The two isles have been at odds with on another for centuries since the curse, believing the worst in each other. As well, some of the worst also appears to be true. The respective curses on the royal families caused strife and pain that lead to the breaks between them and the lingering mistrust. But with one curse broken they are willing to try and tea h out.

The Northern Silver Isles were fascinating after the first book. These Isles seem to be set somewhere around Scotland and the people are according to their land. Where the Southern people were very tropical, angelfish and clownfish and other tropical tails with a warm weather type of wardrobe in land. The Northern Isles are seals, sharks and dolphin tails, matching to their colder surroundings and ecology. It was a well set idea that really worked.

The dynamics between the different families really get played out here. In the first book the curse has kept the family distant with each other, a large famiky always a little apart for fear of when the curse would but and love would turn hatred and death. Now they are repairing this, allowing each other to see all the caring acts they had done over the years without fear of that eventual loss. The curse shaped their lives and it is the same on the Northern Isles. Their curse comes from birth, an inability for anyone from the royal family to touch anyone without causing agonizing pain. Every royal also hears the mating call and knows their mate,but their mate does not hear it in return. It has made them a family that is loving and open with each other in word and deed As they can never have contact despite caring so much. However, it has also resigned all of them to never truly receiving love themselves and staying away from their mates for fear of the pain it would cause.

This is such a sweet romance because it has to build through such unlikely circumstances. First, Kit is thrust away from his home, and at a time when his family is just truly becoming a family. He goes to a place that is supposed to pain a miserable iceberg and is nervous about it. As he gets there he is being wooed by his husband whom he can never touch and can only look forward to a life of loving without ever holding. Watching how Tack doesn't try to woi, but simply tries to make a home for Kit under these difficult circumstances, makes a beautiful sorry if growing love and growing people. Tack gets to let out his softer side around his husband and growing family, while Kit gets to build his confidence around these softer royal who are accepting of such eccentricities as never for in in the south. It was a sweet and beautiful story.

The third book promises to be about the last curse as well as introducing the last remaining undiscovered realm, The Deep. As with this book it is likely that some legends of it will be untrue, while other mysteries will likely probe to be even more shocking than anticipated. Can't wait to see how it all wraps up!

[❤Sharonica-Logic❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Not So Little Merman
Series: The Silver Isles Book 2
Author: C.W. Gray
Publisher:
Format: e-book
Release Date: 3/24/2020
Genre/ Trope/ Themes(s): MM Urban Fantasy; Paranormal; Shifters; Close Proximity; Men with Children; Generational Curses; Fated Mates
Listening Length/ Pages: 226
SteaMMy Swordplay: 2 out of 5⚔
Sharonica-Stars: 4 out of 5✨



MMy Thoughts and Review:

Most of us have body image issues. For the lovely redheaded Prince Kit, no one takes him seriously, and he finds himself alone most days with his delightful daughter, Pearl. Kit carries a few extra pounds and doesn't believe himself to be as beautiful and charming as his siblings.

When Kit finds himself, husband, to the gorgeous and stoic Prince Tack of the Northern Silver Isles, he knows it only happened because the marriage was arranged. Prince Tack, however, believes himself blessed even though he knows he is cursed. Tack has been drawn to Kit for a very long time and knows Kit is his Fated, but the curse will keep the two from ever enjoying each other's touch.

I fell in love with this little series in book one, and book two was even better. There is lots of humor, family tension and drama, and sibling banter. You also find a tiny princess who melts the hearts of even the toughest and coldest of men, a redheaded Prince who wins over an entire Snow-white kingdom, and a cast of secondary characters to give the series the romance and momentum it needs to move forward.

This series is delightful and exactly what is needed to escape the world outside, even if for just a few hours. I am looking forward to book three and its promise of poly love.

4.00 break-the-curse-stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Queer Romance Ink in exchange for an unbiased review. ☔

[M'rella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too sweet, too easy, too many characters, too weird at times (like making out in front of a six year old). The whole thing is too much and not always in a good way.
I wondered a few times if I should add “Jory-verse” to my bookshelves.

[Diane Dannenfeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet series. RTC

[Bluedragonreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book if you are looking for a cute and funny paranormal m/m romance.

This second book in the series continues to expand the world around the Silver Isles and the differences between the northern kingdom (this book) and the southern kingdom (first book). The politics and history of the three kingdoms are expanded upon and more is revealed about the curses.

Prince Kit (O) from the Southern Silver Isles agrees to a political marriage with Prince Tack (A) from the Northern Silver Isles. Kit is scared to move to the north but is pleasantly surprised when he gets there. Tack is worried because Kit is his mate. Unfortunately, every time someone from his family tries to get together with their mate, the mate dies. He only risks marrying his mate because Kit is miserable in the south. While Kit is adjusting to life in the north, Tack struggles to end the ongoing threat of pirates. Though the two kingdoms hate each other, in the end they have to work together.

This book is rated 4 stars. There are minor typos and some grammatical errors such as missing words. However, they do not detract too much from the story. The flow of the story is clean and easy to read and the book is well paced. Information is shared to the reader as it needs to be and not all at once.

Personal Note:
I enjoyed this book even more than the first. I liked that only Tack knew they were mates and had to work to get Kit to fall in love with him. Kit’s thought processes as he started to fall in love were great. He went from wanting to keep Tack for himself, hoping Tack never found his mate, to realizing that he loved Tack and was willing to let him go so he could find his mate. The emotions in this book are realistic.

[Deb Swietek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can an arranged marriage break the curse?

What a great addition to the Silver Isles series. Our favorite dysfunctional family is here. I was pulled back into their lives from the first pages. There are misconceptions, sharks, the original grumpy cat, a pudgy prince, pirates, old enemies, fairies, and a mate who has never been touched. What's not to love!
Northern Isles Prince Tack knows Southern Isles Prince Kit is his mate. So he pushes for a marriage to help ally the two kingdoms. Afraid the past will repeat itself, Tack doesn't tell Kit he's his mate. Since the curse prevents Tack from skin contact, Kit is inseminated. Now a pregnant Kit must move himself & his daughter to Tack's kingdom. Kit has out of date misconceptions about the Northern Isles. When he arrives his world is upended. Everyone there accepts him for who he is... an awkward, pudgy prince who wants to learn to cook. The longer he is there, he becomes more in love with Tack and his family.
Yes, there is danger, a kidnapping, and battles. The Sea Witch is back. Kit's love for Tack grows so strongly, he will do anything to ensure Tack's happiness. But will it be enough to break the curse?
There is a HEA. But this is a continuing saga. The storyline flows from one book to another. So we have to wait for the next book to see if some of our new good friends get their HEA. If you haven't read book one. Get. It. Now. You will be glad you did. You are going to love this series.
This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.

[Reading*Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to the audio of "The Guppy Prince" (Book 1) well enough, but wasn't convinced to continue on with The Silver Isles series until reading a preview of Book 2 and I'm glad I did. And I'll admit, shallow as it sounds, I'm still not a fan of its cover art and that was almost enough to keep me from reading it - but again, glad I did.

"The Not So Little Merman" had a little bit of everything - fantasy, forbidden romance, fated mates, arranged marriage, royal families, action and adventure, dastardly pirates, a witch's curse - and a lot of humor and even more creatures and characters. This was a fun read that never lulled, and Kit and Tack's unique union and the repercussions of the Sea Witch's curse remained intriguing from beginning to end. I'll be reading "A Mate From the Deep" (Book 2.5) next and look forward to concluding the trilogy with "The Sea Witch" (Book 3).

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first book in the series. This is not a stand alone story at all. I would easily have been lost if I hadn't read The Guppy Prince first. It's an interesting series, and the world the author created is a creative one. The romance between the heroes is sweet and heartfelt, but this book will not be for those who do not like mpreg or insta-love. Also, there is not a lot of angst and it's definitely written on the lighter side. If you are looking for a sweetly written romance, this series is a good choice. The third book is going to be MMM, which I do not read, so I'll probably stop after I read the short story next. *author calls it a 2.5* I'm disappointed, but at least I enjoyed this one.

[Becky A · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Not So Little Merman" received TWO AND A HALF stars.

I liked Kit and Tack, but not as much as Ben and Dover from Book 1.

The novel gained *stars* for these items:

* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."

1/2 * gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."

* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."

The novel failed to gain stars for these items:

NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"

NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything s/he writes."

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a series that definitely got better with a second book (despite it's frankly terrible cover [in my opinion...] ).

While the first book didn't do as much for me... with the benefit of the world building and already knowing the characters, I quite enjoyed this one. (Though I did still find there to be needlessly too many characters in my opinion)

I found the curse breaking especially interesting. And this was actually quite sexy with the ust and slow build and the TOUCH DEPRIVATION (unf!)

Overall it was an enjoyable reading experience (and I'm looking forward to the book about Kai and his triad bond.)

[Lennie Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know that scene from "Despicable Me"? Where they see the giant fluffy unicorn and the little girl goes, "It's so fluffy, I'm gonna die!"

Yep. That's how I feel about this book. :D It's just so damn cute and sweet and funny. Tack and Kit are freaking adorable, and I love them so much. The only downside to this and the rest of the series is the massive amount of characters. They can be hard to keep track of. Other than that? No complaints. :D

Also, Kit loves to read (kinky romance XD) and cook and has ridiculous lobster slippers. How can I not love him?

Highly recommended to fans of queer love stories and merfolk. I know I am. <3

[UnusualChild{beppy} · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Kit lives in the kingdom in the south. His kingdom and the northern kingdom have not been on friendly terms for generations, but the kingdoms want to start working things out, so Kit is set to marry the prince of the northern kingdom. Unfortunately, the members of the royal family are under a curse, which means that no one can touch them, and they can't touch anyone. In spite of that, Kit agrees to marry and once he is pregnant, heads north. Tack's family has been cursed, and he knows that his mate is Kit, but part of the curse is that Kit doesn't realize it. However, once Kit arrives and the two spend time together, they start falling in love with each other, without all the fated mate stuff getting in the way. But there are outside forces working against them, as well as the curse.
I actually really enjoyed this one. I liked the world building, I liked the characters, and I liked the story. Tack and Kit were amazing together, and I liked that they got to know and like one another just for themselves, and didn't worry about what else should maybe be happening. It was a fairly quick read, but I felt as though it had some weight to it, that it wasn't just a detailed outline of a much longer story.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best

I like most of c w gray's work, but there are a few that I love. This is in the love category for sure. I loved kit and tack so freaking much. I wish this book was 3 times as long just so I could enjoy them more.

Action packed with sweet romance. You CAN read and enjoy this without reading the first. I did. Enjoyed this so much I'm going to give the other a shot. So excited for the next one!

[thebloggerandthegeek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silly, ridiculous, with a lot of characters and fluffy. You would think this is bad, but no, this book is in my opinion meant to be silly and romantic with a splash of multiple characters and personalities - that what makes the story a fun and light read. The story was fun to read and the characters were goofy, absurd and over the top - plus the plot was also a bit crazy on some occasions. Nevertheless, I look forward to reading and love book 3.

[Janean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming fun!

Kit and Tack's story is full of laughter, fun, and romance, with a dash of danger. No one expected Tack to be a romantic, but the Prince was completely devoted to Kit and totally in love. This was a great installment to the series and I cannot wait for the next story! A great read, highly recommend this book and the first in the series.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

The Not So Little Merman is a great addition to The Silver Isles series. I loved how Tack and Kit interact together and how Kit fits in with his husband's family. And Pearl was absolutely adorable. Two curses down and one to go. I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out so that I can read it. I read this book using the Kindle Unlimited program.

[Christopher Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love This Series!

Reading C. W. Gray stories is like being welcomed home. The Silver Isles series just makes me happy. The characters are well rounded, and you can't help loving the protagonists and their friends. In a world which often seems so dark, these stories provide the perfect escape. I can't wait to read The Sea Witch!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

I'm so glad these two got the curse broken. I'm looking forward to the next one now that we know who it'll be. This book kept me engaged the whole time and provided some good laughs.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhmazing!

Absolutely amazing! Loved this story! I had been anxiously awaiting it and didn't disappoint! This world is wonderful, the characters, the growth, the danger and excitement! Must have the next one too!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

C.W. Writes the sweetest, most adorable books! I love them all and this one was another winner. The pets! I love all the pets! Always the unusual and surprising but so cute!

[Natasha Lynn Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too Cute....

Ok there is some drama...
But Kit is just the cutest thing ever, he is probably my favorite character of the series.Tack is so sweet, in fact is whole family is adorable.

[Samantha Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This author is a 1 click for me. And this second book in this new series is exactly why. Family, love heat, exceptional world building, and just enough angst and drama to keep it interesting.

[Vintage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy

Every book and series that I have read by this author has genuinely made me happy. Thus one is no exception with humor, affection, and charm. Like most characters in these books, the MC is lovable and seems to collect strays as the story moves on. Enjoy.

[Mazmum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really quite sweet. Tack is such a grouch around nearly everyone else but so sweet to Kit and his daughter. Body positive for a chubbier guy, with more politics under the water and murder and double crossing - what's not to like.

[Jessica Balwinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving the swim

This was a fun story. I loved seeing some favorite characters and getting to know new ones. If you enjoyed the first one, this is just as amazing.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kit and Tack are adorable together! Loved their story, but I’m so excited for the trio’s story next!

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Hard as it may sound, it tops the guppy prince in sweetness and family oddness. It is that amazing. And based on the teaser, book three promises a lot of wonders to come