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The Heart of the Sea
A gender-swapped Little Mermaid retelling
"What price is too high when it comes to saving the one you love?"
Childhood friends, mer prince Caspian and human princess Sabine have been in love for years, but when tragedy strikes, the Kingdoms of Above and Below are separated, and not even their connection can heal the breach between their worlds.
Years later, something is stirring in the deep, and when Sabine's life is threatened, Caspian makes a dangerous deal with a sea witch in an attempt to protect her.
But nothing is simple—Caspian and Sabine find themselves in the middle of an ancient curse, and will have to risk far more than their lives for the chance of being together...
"What price is too high when it comes to saving the one you love?"
Childhood friends, mer prince Caspian and human princess Sabine have been in love for years, but when tragedy strikes, the Kingdoms of Above and Below are separated, and not even their connection can heal the breach between their worlds.
Years later, something is stirring in the deep, and when Sabine's life is threatened, Caspian makes a dangerous deal with a sea witch in an attempt to protect her.
But nothing is simple—Caspian and Sabine find themselves in the middle of an ancient curse, and will have to risk far more than their lives for the chance of being together...
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2021
About the author
Chesney Infalt
16 books89 followersI've been writing since I was six years old. Those stories won't ever see the light of day (hopefully), but I have others that I'm willing to share with the world.
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
June 27, 2021
This story was absolutely gorgeous!! Caspian has my heart and Sabine was very easy to like. I was rooting for these two the entire time! Some brilliant side characters too. Dual POV works really well. Just was I wanted to read!
August 11, 2021
Oh, this little mermaid retelling is gorgeous!
The romance was wonderful, and both Sabine and Caspian have my heart!
The story is woven perfectly with flashbacks which is not easy to do... But Chesney pulls this off seamlessly.
A magical, romantic tale that I will come back to again and again.
Also... The zombie mermaids are terrifying ...
The romance was wonderful, and both Sabine and Caspian have my heart!
The story is woven perfectly with flashbacks which is not easy to do... But Chesney pulls this off seamlessly.
A magical, romantic tale that I will come back to again and again.
Also... The zombie mermaids are terrifying ...
October 2, 2021
OH MY GOSH! I guarantee this review is going to be a bit of a mess considering I can't even handle how much I LOVED this book!
I've been looking forward to reading The Heart of the Sea for awhile and had pretty high expectations for it. A gender-swapped Little Mermaid retelling? Sign me up! But wow, I had no idea that Infalt's spectacular storytelling would blow me out of the water (haha see what I did there?) The plot contained some of the elements from the beloved classic, but for the most part is was a completely unique story that I personally felt was far better than the original.
In The Heart of the Sea, our human princess (Sabine) and mer prince (Caspian) were childhood friends and sweethearts. A terrible event separates them and five years later Caspian is manipulated by the sea witch into giving up his voice in exchange for making Sabine's dreams come true. He is turned into a human and comes to the palace at an interesting time, when Sabine's parents are hosting what is essentially a meat market so Sabine can choose her future husband from a handful of suitors who have come to win her hand. That's really all I want to say because I'd rather not get into spoilers, but suffice it to say that this book is filled with everything from sweet romantic scenes to terrifying, heart-racing scenes with the Condemned (merfolk the sea witch has transformed into deadly creatures out for blood). I read this book so fast that I joked with one of my friends that I ripped through it like the Condemned rip through flesh.
That's another thing I loved about this book, by the way. The fact that the chapters were so short kept me glued to the pages because I kept telling myself "one more chapter" and the next thing I knew I had read 50 more pages. The story is riveting, the characters are so lovable, and the writing is positively glorious. I literally love everything about this book, including the super pretty chapter headers! Oh! And I also really enjoyed how The Heart of the Sea is told during two timelines, the present and five years ago when Caspian and Sabine were younger. Having the book written that way kept me super engaged because there was always something exciting going on, but then we also got the chance to really get to know the characters better. Speaking of characters, my favorite (other than the obvious choice of Caspian who is the perfect guy) would have to be the pirate, Captain Bill. He definitely provided some comic relief and was an amazing friend.
I'm pretty sure this book is a standalone, but I would LOVE a sequel. Or even a book focusing on Aksel (one of the suitors who turns out to be a great friend to both Caspian and Sabine) and Sabine's younger sister, Sanne. I totally ship those two! All that said, I am now a huge fan of Chesney Infalt and look forward to reading MANY more books by her!! I 100% recommend you check out The Heart of the Sea, as it is definitely one of the best books I have read this year!!
I've been looking forward to reading The Heart of the Sea for awhile and had pretty high expectations for it. A gender-swapped Little Mermaid retelling? Sign me up! But wow, I had no idea that Infalt's spectacular storytelling would blow me out of the water (haha see what I did there?) The plot contained some of the elements from the beloved classic, but for the most part is was a completely unique story that I personally felt was far better than the original.
In The Heart of the Sea, our human princess (Sabine) and mer prince (Caspian) were childhood friends and sweethearts. A terrible event separates them and five years later Caspian is manipulated by the sea witch into giving up his voice in exchange for making Sabine's dreams come true. He is turned into a human and comes to the palace at an interesting time, when Sabine's parents are hosting what is essentially a meat market so Sabine can choose her future husband from a handful of suitors who have come to win her hand. That's really all I want to say because I'd rather not get into spoilers, but suffice it to say that this book is filled with everything from sweet romantic scenes to terrifying, heart-racing scenes with the Condemned (merfolk the sea witch has transformed into deadly creatures out for blood). I read this book so fast that I joked with one of my friends that I ripped through it like the Condemned rip through flesh.
That's another thing I loved about this book, by the way. The fact that the chapters were so short kept me glued to the pages because I kept telling myself "one more chapter" and the next thing I knew I had read 50 more pages. The story is riveting, the characters are so lovable, and the writing is positively glorious. I literally love everything about this book, including the super pretty chapter headers! Oh! And I also really enjoyed how The Heart of the Sea is told during two timelines, the present and five years ago when Caspian and Sabine were younger. Having the book written that way kept me super engaged because there was always something exciting going on, but then we also got the chance to really get to know the characters better. Speaking of characters, my favorite (other than the obvious choice of Caspian who is the perfect guy) would have to be the pirate, Captain Bill. He definitely provided some comic relief and was an amazing friend.
I'm pretty sure this book is a standalone, but I would LOVE a sequel. Or even a book focusing on Aksel (one of the suitors who turns out to be a great friend to both Caspian and Sabine) and Sabine's younger sister, Sanne. I totally ship those two! All that said, I am now a huge fan of Chesney Infalt and look forward to reading MANY more books by her!! I 100% recommend you check out The Heart of the Sea, as it is definitely one of the best books I have read this year!!
January 16, 2022
This was a fun, quick read! Probably 3.5 stars rounded to three.
The book is basically Little Merman ;). Caspian must sacrifice much to the sea witch, (no, her name isn't Ursula!), for the sake of love. Unlike The Little Mermaid, this tale had more of an edge.
The chapters toggled between Caspian's point of view and that of Princess Sabine. Furthermore, their points of view alternated prior events five years ago, (told in past tense), with the current time, (which was written in present tense).
There were some cute moments as well as some violent. Nothing extremely graphic or gory, though. I liked this observation from Caspian after the sea witch transformed him into a human:
"Mermen bodies are much neater, having certain parts tucked away until they are needed. Why everything is out in the open is beyond me."
All in all, a likeable story!
The book is basically Little Merman ;). Caspian must sacrifice much to the sea witch, (no, her name isn't Ursula!), for the sake of love. Unlike The Little Mermaid, this tale had more of an edge.
The chapters toggled between Caspian's point of view and that of Princess Sabine. Furthermore, their points of view alternated prior events five years ago, (told in past tense), with the current time, (which was written in present tense).
There were some cute moments as well as some violent. Nothing extremely graphic or gory, though. I liked this observation from Caspian after the sea witch transformed him into a human:
"Mermen bodies are much neater, having certain parts tucked away until they are needed. Why everything is out in the open is beyond me."
All in all, a likeable story!
August 17, 2021
The Heart of the Sea is a gender-swapped retelling of The Little Mermaid. Princess Sabine of the land and Prince Caspian of the Sea build a love over the years of their childhood amidst growing tensions between their two different worlds. A scourge on the Kingdom Below forces them apart for 5 long years while a sea witch's curse makes all hope crumble.
I think one of my favorite things about this retelling is that there is no insta-love. The connection between the main characters is built over time in a way that makes sense and is reinforced by the ending of the story. The closest retelling I've read in this regard is Macdonald's A Song of Sea and Shore. I think I actually prefer Infalt's version because we get to see Sabine and Caspian as adolescents growing into their first (and true) love together before the events of the story drive them (temporarily) apart.
I really like that both main characters had two loving parents. So often in fairytale retellings one or the other main character is orphaned or otherwise scarred by their family upbringing, so that was a nice change of pace. There were also some great sibling relationships on display.
Infalt has a readable and charming style that is easy to get engrossed in. Once I started reading it was hard to put down. The only thing I didn't care for personally was the flip-flop back and forth between five years prior, present and past tense in the first person, and being in Caspian and Sabine's heads. All three of those things together was almost a little too much for me.
I really enjoyed this retelling and can wholeheartedly recommend it for the fans of sweet endings and happily-ever-after.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I think one of my favorite things about this retelling is that there is no insta-love. The connection between the main characters is built over time in a way that makes sense and is reinforced by the ending of the story. The closest retelling I've read in this regard is Macdonald's A Song of Sea and Shore. I think I actually prefer Infalt's version because we get to see Sabine and Caspian as adolescents growing into their first (and true) love together before the events of the story drive them (temporarily) apart.
I really like that both main characters had two loving parents. So often in fairytale retellings one or the other main character is orphaned or otherwise scarred by their family upbringing, so that was a nice change of pace. There were also some great sibling relationships on display.
Infalt has a readable and charming style that is easy to get engrossed in. Once I started reading it was hard to put down. The only thing I didn't care for personally was the flip-flop back and forth between five years prior, present and past tense in the first person, and being in Caspian and Sabine's heads. All three of those things together was almost a little too much for me.
I really enjoyed this retelling and can wholeheartedly recommend it for the fans of sweet endings and happily-ever-after.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 25, 2021
I cannot express just how well written this book is. And as far as gender bent retellings go, it’s just amazing. Infalt managed to make the story her own almost wholly.
The romance I will admit was very well done. And Sabine is a wonderful kick ass woman!
The back and forth through time was also well done. It not only served to set up the past and make things clearer, but it sucked me into the story even more.
Throughout the book I found that the interactions with Devere were a little childish. And I also don’t understand how the Condemned were enough to break an alliance; it wasn’t anything that was the merfolks fault.
I highly recommend this book!
The romance I will admit was very well done. And Sabine is a wonderful kick ass woman!
The back and forth through time was also well done. It not only served to set up the past and make things clearer, but it sucked me into the story even more.
Throughout the book I found that the interactions with Devere were a little childish. And I also don’t understand how the Condemned were enough to break an alliance; it wasn’t anything that was the merfolks fault.
I highly recommend this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2021
The Heart of the Sea is a wonderful The Little Mermaid retelling with lots of romance, adventure, and excitement!
I truly enjoyed every minute of this book. It was such a fun read and Sabine and Caspian instantly stole my heart. I also really enjoyed the back and forth way it was told by switching between the past and the present. The author did a great job with pacing and keeping the reader invested in both the current events and the ones that had led the couple to where they were now.
I highly recommend this book to any romance lovers or fans of fairytale retellings and I’m looking forward to more by this author!
*I received and ARC from Booksprout and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
I truly enjoyed every minute of this book. It was such a fun read and Sabine and Caspian instantly stole my heart. I also really enjoyed the back and forth way it was told by switching between the past and the present. The author did a great job with pacing and keeping the reader invested in both the current events and the ones that had led the couple to where they were now.
I highly recommend this book to any romance lovers or fans of fairytale retellings and I’m looking forward to more by this author!
*I received and ARC from Booksprout and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
October 5, 2021
"The Little Mermaid" isn't my favorite fairytale by any means, but I've read a few retellings before that I enjoyed, so I was willing to give this one a chance. Especially given all of the good things I'd heard about it recently. Overall, I'd say it lived up to the hype. Infalt's writing is excellent, and her storytelling really brings the characters to life. Even the side characters were fully fleshed out and brimming with personality - so much so, that Captain Bill and Mormor ended up being my favorites, despite the fact that they weren't the MCs. Then there was the sea with, Maire. The imagery and lore surrounding her were fascinating, and I loved the fresh take on her garden of Condemned. The only thing that snagged me in this lovely story was the naivete of both Caspian and Sabine. Or perhaps they were just too blinded by love to see the bigger picture? Either way, the two of them had me banging my head against the table more than once. Still, they kept me turning pages and allowed me to end the book with a smile, so I suppose I can forgive them their shortsightedness. This time.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
July 6, 2025
3 ⭐️
i wished i loved this more! it's a sweet and short retelling of the little mermaid but i just couldn't fully connect to the characters. i'm also not a big fan of the constant back and forth between past and present. the chapters keep jumping around and it disrupts the flow for me. the writing was really fun though!
i wished i loved this more! it's a sweet and short retelling of the little mermaid but i just couldn't fully connect to the characters. i'm also not a big fan of the constant back and forth between past and present. the chapters keep jumping around and it disrupts the flow for me. the writing was really fun though!
August 5, 2021
I received a free ARC of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Is it possible to die from adorableness? Because if so, the couple in this book just killed me. I adored any scene they shared together. They’re genuine and sweet and cute and I wanted to just squeeze both of them through this entire book. I was rooting for them before the prologue was done.
The rest of the story was just as good. The side characters were memorable and all had their parts to play. I love Caspian’s brothers more than should be allowed. Their interactions with him were just as enjoyable as seeing him gush over his girl.
The magic system at play here is really interesting. I won’t spoil it but all magic has a price and the way it’s used here is brilliant. I would love to learn more about it and I hope we can see more of it in the future.
Long and short—read this book. I didn’t want to put it down and I was screaming at the characters through the pages, something I rarely get involved enough to do anymore. Thank you, dear author, for a brilliant and lovable retelling. I look forward to more of your work in the future!
Is it possible to die from adorableness? Because if so, the couple in this book just killed me. I adored any scene they shared together. They’re genuine and sweet and cute and I wanted to just squeeze both of them through this entire book. I was rooting for them before the prologue was done.
The rest of the story was just as good. The side characters were memorable and all had their parts to play. I love Caspian’s brothers more than should be allowed. Their interactions with him were just as enjoyable as seeing him gush over his girl.
The magic system at play here is really interesting. I won’t spoil it but all magic has a price and the way it’s used here is brilliant. I would love to learn more about it and I hope we can see more of it in the future.
Long and short—read this book. I didn’t want to put it down and I was screaming at the characters through the pages, something I rarely get involved enough to do anymore. Thank you, dear author, for a brilliant and lovable retelling. I look forward to more of your work in the future!
August 17, 2021
To be honest, I don’t usually go for retellings, as I feel they can become pretty repetitive at times, but when I saw that this would be a genderswapped version, it caught my interest. Let me tell you, so glad I gave it a chance.
This is the story of a mer prince, Caspian, a human princess, Sabine, and how not even time is able to ever break them apart. If you are looking for some sweet and gentle romance, you are looking on the right place. It wasn’t too sugary sweet, it was full of hope and takes it took me back to that first romance, when you are little more than a child, when there is still innocence in you and all the feels are blooming in your skin.
At first, I was a little afraid of getting confused, as I don’t usually read from so many perspectives, and this book had four different ones, one for each character in the present and five years prior, but I found that it was actually quite easy to get used to, as the way that goes back and forth is lineal (even with the parts that are in the past). The chapters are also vey short, which made them easy and quick to read, always leaving you wanting more and more.
What I was most intrigued about was knowing what the source of the retelling would be, as there are many different versions of The Little Mermaid. I found some clues from the original story, but also some familiar Disney points. However, at the end of the day, this was a completely different story from what we’ve been told.
The characters, relatable and entertaining, the setting, original and immersive. I would love to read more adventures about this two and their friends. Devere was an especially tender character for me. And I can’t wait to read more of these exciting retellings.
I would say that the only thing was that the ending took me by surprise, as I felt it was a little too fast and left me with a couple of questions that I wish we had more time to answer, but maybe that will come later.
Overall, I highly recommend it if you are looking for a charming little story to get cozy to.
Quote: “No one should be voiceless.”
This is the story of a mer prince, Caspian, a human princess, Sabine, and how not even time is able to ever break them apart. If you are looking for some sweet and gentle romance, you are looking on the right place. It wasn’t too sugary sweet, it was full of hope and takes it took me back to that first romance, when you are little more than a child, when there is still innocence in you and all the feels are blooming in your skin.
At first, I was a little afraid of getting confused, as I don’t usually read from so many perspectives, and this book had four different ones, one for each character in the present and five years prior, but I found that it was actually quite easy to get used to, as the way that goes back and forth is lineal (even with the parts that are in the past). The chapters are also vey short, which made them easy and quick to read, always leaving you wanting more and more.
What I was most intrigued about was knowing what the source of the retelling would be, as there are many different versions of The Little Mermaid. I found some clues from the original story, but also some familiar Disney points. However, at the end of the day, this was a completely different story from what we’ve been told.
The characters, relatable and entertaining, the setting, original and immersive. I would love to read more adventures about this two and their friends. Devere was an especially tender character for me. And I can’t wait to read more of these exciting retellings.
I would say that the only thing was that the ending took me by surprise, as I felt it was a little too fast and left me with a couple of questions that I wish we had more time to answer, but maybe that will come later.
Overall, I highly recommend it if you are looking for a charming little story to get cozy to.
Quote: “No one should be voiceless.”
September 2, 2021
A Beautiful Alternative . . .
THE HEART OF THE SEA is a beautiful reimagining of a very familiar story of “The Little Mermaid”. In this tale, Princess Sabine and Mer Prince Caspian were childhood friends who, over time, grew to love each other. As they were growing up, their kingdoms were increasingly restless and eventually Above and Below separated. With danger threatening Sabine and curses and magic coming into play, the story takes the reader into a story of different possibilities.
The characters were delightfully charming, and their love never faltered. The secondary characters added to the feelings the characters brought out in the reader. Making it believable, showing us their love, provides that fairy tale aura that will fully invest the reader in this love story. Will there be a happy ending? Or are the two worlds forever separated?
THE HEART OF THE SEA is a beautiful reimagining of a very familiar story of “The Little Mermaid”. In this tale, Princess Sabine and Mer Prince Caspian were childhood friends who, over time, grew to love each other. As they were growing up, their kingdoms were increasingly restless and eventually Above and Below separated. With danger threatening Sabine and curses and magic coming into play, the story takes the reader into a story of different possibilities.
The characters were delightfully charming, and their love never faltered. The secondary characters added to the feelings the characters brought out in the reader. Making it believable, showing us their love, provides that fairy tale aura that will fully invest the reader in this love story. Will there be a happy ending? Or are the two worlds forever separated?
August 15, 2021
Quote: "'Things of magic do not rust,' my grandmother used to tell me. 'The only thing that can taint magic is a greedy soul.' I’m still not sure what that means, but Mormor’s words always felt like they carried significance, so I hold them close."
Pros: This gender-bent Little Mermaid retelling was a fun, quick, lighthearted, and adventurous read. The whole concept of the condemned (aka mermaid zombies) was incredible unique and made the book feel rather adventurous and definitely added to the plot. All the characters were loveable and decently developed. The chapters are short and sweet and the wording isn't too advanced, making this a good book for a variety of age ranges.
Cons: Little to no diversity.
Content Warnings: Zombies?
Overall Rating: 4.5
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Pros: This gender-bent Little Mermaid retelling was a fun, quick, lighthearted, and adventurous read. The whole concept of the condemned (aka mermaid zombies) was incredible unique and made the book feel rather adventurous and definitely added to the plot. All the characters were loveable and decently developed. The chapters are short and sweet and the wording isn't too advanced, making this a good book for a variety of age ranges.
Cons: Little to no diversity.
Content Warnings: Zombies?
Overall Rating: 4.5
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 7, 2021
This was a sweet retelling of The Little Mermaid. It was much more realistic than the story we’ve heard because the couple takes time to get to know each other and fall in love. As with most fairytales there is a HEA and I’m hoping to read more of these “reimagined fairytales.”
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 12, 2023
The Heart of the Sea is a gender-swapped Little Mermaid, but it has a lot to add to the original tale. In this version, the two main characters are separated childhood sweethearts, with the narrative bouncing between the past and present day. There's a lot more world-building and magic to tie together the world of humans and merfolk, and I especially love the addition of the Condemned and the larger element of danger. Though the characters didn't super pop for me, I thought this was a very original take on the Little Mermaid, and would definitely recommend to any Fairytale Retelling fans out there!
November 30, 2021
Heart of the Sea by Chesney Infalt may be one of the sweetest love stories I’ve read in quite some time. A clean romance with adorable, fully fleshed out characters you can’t help but root for, this book had me going ‘aaaww’ on more than one occasion, and I was invested in the characters and their journey from the first page.
The story is a gender-swapped version of The Little Mermaid, which I wasn’t sure how I would like, but it was thoroughly enjoyable. In large part, the success of the story lies in the growth of the relationship between the main characters, Princess Sabine and Prince Caspian. Unlike in the original Little Mermaid, these two have known each other for years, and while they were always drawn to each other, theirs was not an insta-love. Readers get to experience how their love formed and grew—how they were torn apart—and how they find their way back to each other.
Told in two different timeframes, the story has a pace that kept me turning pages (okay, flipping screens as I was on my phone) late into the night. I kept telling myself the chapters were short I could just keep going and soon several hours had gone by. Now, while chapters are short, they are packed with action and great characters. Some of the side characters (Like Captain Bill) were full of so much personality they could easily have their own book, and I loved how close all the siblings in both families were. It’s refreshing to find main characters who have love in their lives aside from their significant other, giving them a more fully formed feel.
Lastly, the descriptions of the world and the magic were beautifully done. This is especially true in regard to the sea witch, Maire. Her scenes may have been some of my favorite, the feeling Infalt evoked in them giving me a wonderfully eerie chill.
If you’re a fan of fantasy, moments that melt your heart, and innocent characters who deserve to win, I highly recommend you give Heart of the Sea a shot. It’ll capture your heart.
The story is a gender-swapped version of The Little Mermaid, which I wasn’t sure how I would like, but it was thoroughly enjoyable. In large part, the success of the story lies in the growth of the relationship between the main characters, Princess Sabine and Prince Caspian. Unlike in the original Little Mermaid, these two have known each other for years, and while they were always drawn to each other, theirs was not an insta-love. Readers get to experience how their love formed and grew—how they were torn apart—and how they find their way back to each other.
Told in two different timeframes, the story has a pace that kept me turning pages (okay, flipping screens as I was on my phone) late into the night. I kept telling myself the chapters were short I could just keep going and soon several hours had gone by. Now, while chapters are short, they are packed with action and great characters. Some of the side characters (Like Captain Bill) were full of so much personality they could easily have their own book, and I loved how close all the siblings in both families were. It’s refreshing to find main characters who have love in their lives aside from their significant other, giving them a more fully formed feel.
Lastly, the descriptions of the world and the magic were beautifully done. This is especially true in regard to the sea witch, Maire. Her scenes may have been some of my favorite, the feeling Infalt evoked in them giving me a wonderfully eerie chill.
If you’re a fan of fantasy, moments that melt your heart, and innocent characters who deserve to win, I highly recommend you give Heart of the Sea a shot. It’ll capture your heart.
August 19, 2021
The Heart of the Sea is a lovely retelling of 'The Little Mermaid'. However, instead of the insta-love between merfolk and Princess (as seen in previous versions), the relationship between Princess Sabine and Caspian grows over a number of years. The story flips between the present and 5 years prior, which makes for an intricate tale that weaves together seamlessly.
The characters were charming, relatable, and very easy to root for. The two protagonists easily stole my heart and I was invested in their love story. Sabine is sassy and likable where Caspian is sweet and enchanting.
I really love the way the author wrote mermaids and the magic within her world. It was a unique take that I had not seen in other versions.
Overall, if you are looking for a romantic read filled with adventure and magic, this is the book for you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The characters were charming, relatable, and very easy to root for. The two protagonists easily stole my heart and I was invested in their love story. Sabine is sassy and likable where Caspian is sweet and enchanting.
I really love the way the author wrote mermaids and the magic within her world. It was a unique take that I had not seen in other versions.
Overall, if you are looking for a romantic read filled with adventure and magic, this is the book for you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 14, 2022
A good gender-bent Little Mermaid retelling with an actual romance (you can see the MCs' feelings growing). I would've liked more explanation surrounding the sea witch, the Ambassador of the Sea's role, the Heart of the Sea thing--it's mentioned once--and Bill (how do royals befriend a pirate?), but besides that, I enjoyed this story.
August 30, 2021
Where do I even start?! I love classic fairytales and I love retellings even more!
This gender swapped Little mermaid retelling, full of magic and adventure. I enjoyed every moment and completely devoured this book. I loved that it wasn’t a completely linear timeline and there are a lot of flashbacks woven wonderfully to create a spectacular and fun style that completely entrances you and keeps you wanting to know more. There are also multiple points of view which allow for a fuller picture of the story as a whole.
Sabine and Caspian are both very relatable and down to earth characters, full of personality and charm. One of my favorite things about this couple is that this is not your common love at first sight story, but instead their love grows step by step and build up brick by brick. Their relationship starts off when their children so it starts off with a sense of innocence and hope, and their love is strengthened that much more as they face and overcome different adversities.
On thing I found especially notable was the magic system which was very interesting and reminded me a little of the ABC show Once Upon a Time. I kept hearing in the back of my head Rumplestilkin’s (aka Robert Carlyle) voice when he used to say “All magic comes with a price, dearie.”
Thank you so much to Booksprout and author Chesney Infalt for my ARC copy of this book. The Heart of the Sea is the first book (of hopefully many more to come!) of the Once Upon a Reimagined Time Fairytales retellings with fun twists.This book is perfect for lovers of classic retellings, and if you enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows and To Kill a Kingdom, I guarantee you will love Heart of the Sea.
This gender swapped Little mermaid retelling, full of magic and adventure. I enjoyed every moment and completely devoured this book. I loved that it wasn’t a completely linear timeline and there are a lot of flashbacks woven wonderfully to create a spectacular and fun style that completely entrances you and keeps you wanting to know more. There are also multiple points of view which allow for a fuller picture of the story as a whole.
Sabine and Caspian are both very relatable and down to earth characters, full of personality and charm. One of my favorite things about this couple is that this is not your common love at first sight story, but instead their love grows step by step and build up brick by brick. Their relationship starts off when their children so it starts off with a sense of innocence and hope, and their love is strengthened that much more as they face and overcome different adversities.
On thing I found especially notable was the magic system which was very interesting and reminded me a little of the ABC show Once Upon a Time. I kept hearing in the back of my head Rumplestilkin’s (aka Robert Carlyle) voice when he used to say “All magic comes with a price, dearie.”
Thank you so much to Booksprout and author Chesney Infalt for my ARC copy of this book. The Heart of the Sea is the first book (of hopefully many more to come!) of the Once Upon a Reimagined Time Fairytales retellings with fun twists.This book is perfect for lovers of classic retellings, and if you enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows and To Kill a Kingdom, I guarantee you will love Heart of the Sea.
September 4, 2021
I love the multiple points of view in this book that really bring the emotions to life in my opinion.
The two main characters managed to steal my heart almost instantly and kept it throughout the story.
This features a prince and princess who are from different worlds but who find love can penetrate the two.
This is one of the best retellings I have had the pleasure to read and I have been a massive fan of the little mermaid since I was a child so this was impossible to pass up for me.
Caspian and Sabine are an adorable couple who you will instantly love with a fierce passion.
The magic within this story added that extra special lift and I adored the writer's creative and descriptive way of bringing the reader into this world.
A truly exciting and heart melting read that I think showed off the author's talent perfectly and succeeded in capturing a very grateful fan of this genre.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The two main characters managed to steal my heart almost instantly and kept it throughout the story.
This features a prince and princess who are from different worlds but who find love can penetrate the two.
This is one of the best retellings I have had the pleasure to read and I have been a massive fan of the little mermaid since I was a child so this was impossible to pass up for me.
Caspian and Sabine are an adorable couple who you will instantly love with a fierce passion.
The magic within this story added that extra special lift and I adored the writer's creative and descriptive way of bringing the reader into this world.
A truly exciting and heart melting read that I think showed off the author's talent perfectly and succeeded in capturing a very grateful fan of this genre.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 29, 2021
This is a Little Mermaid retelling but with a lot of changes that I really liked that helped to develop the characters more. Caspian and Sabine have been friends from childhood and their relationship grows into love over the years. The book is told with dual POV and has flashbacks which can get a bit much, as it not only switches between characters but between years, though the author does a good job of making it clear when and who we're reading about. Caspian and Sabine have such a lovely relationship and you can really feel their love and dedication for each other. I did find it a bit hard to believe Sabine wouldn't realise who Caspian was when he'd been turned into a human but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book. The side characters were great and the villain was well-written. If you like strong female characters and cute romances, I'd highly recommend this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 10, 2021
This was so cute! Guh! This book is cleverly written with a dual timeline, bouncing back and forth between past and present, slowly unfurling the details and piecing certain events and mysteries together. it is star-crossed lovers done incredibly well. You know from the beginning Sabine and Caspian are in love but so much is keeping them apart and throughout the book I was rooting for them to find each other. A beautiful love story between two strong leads!
January 26, 2022
The writing throughout the story was beautifully done.
I adored the characters that were introduced. Askel was a delightfully refreshing character.
At its core this was a little mermaid retelling but Chensey definitely put her own twist in the tale.
Never a dull moment. A lot of beauty and darkness in the world. Magic and adventure.
A delight to read.
I would highly recommend reading this book.
I adored the characters that were introduced. Askel was a delightfully refreshing character.
At its core this was a little mermaid retelling but Chensey definitely put her own twist in the tale.
Never a dull moment. A lot of beauty and darkness in the world. Magic and adventure.
A delight to read.
I would highly recommend reading this book.
January 23, 2022
An enjoyable fairytale retelling! This gender-swapped reimagining was a very captivating read. The romance between Caspian and Sabine was adorable from the start, deeper by the end. The plot was creative. Overall, a fun read!
August 31, 2022
This is a really sweet gender swapped fairytale retelling! Some retellings tend to follow the original plot structure, but I really enjoyed how this one deviated from The Little Mermaid of my childhood. It was original, sweet, and well written! Definitely recommend to mermaid lovers!
May 28, 2022
A gender swapped version of The Little Mermaid! I enjoyed it. The writing was fluent and the plot was interesting. At times it was perhaps a little bit rushed, but I did enjoy it.
April 16, 2022
Delightful! I’ve always loved The Little Mermaid (Disney version), and this was a wonderful, more grown-up story. I love that it was gender-swapped. Adored both of the main characters. Fantastic pacing, sweet romance. Excited for the next retelling in this series!
November 24, 2022
Instead of following a mermaid who gives up much for a human stranger, Heart of the Sea follows childhood sweethearts, Caspian and Sabine. Their bond has grown over time and I thought that made for a refreshing change from the insta-love of the original tale. Caspian is a sweet, soulful merman, and Sabine is a scrappy princess with a special connection to the sea. They love each other fiercely but are also concerned about their respective families and kingdoms. This is a romance novel, but I like that the characters are fully formed and exist in a larger world.
The dual POV worked well. The narrative bounced back and forth between past and present as Greta Gerwig's Little Women does, which I enjoyed. The scenes in the past reveal themes that become important in the present. Infalt explores the cultures and histories of the underwater and land-based kingdoms with vivid, atmospheric descriptions. There are also action-packed, genuinely tense moments. Some enticing concepts are hinted at, but I would have liked to see them more fully developed. The book could have benefitted from being a bit longer. I gave it 4 stars – my way of saying it's 80% excellent and better than many comparable titles. I'd make it 4.5 if I could. If you are looking for a book that will lure you to a magical place beneath the waves, I highly recommend this title.
The dual POV worked well. The narrative bounced back and forth between past and present as Greta Gerwig's Little Women does, which I enjoyed. The scenes in the past reveal themes that become important in the present. Infalt explores the cultures and histories of the underwater and land-based kingdoms with vivid, atmospheric descriptions. There are also action-packed, genuinely tense moments. Some enticing concepts are hinted at, but I would have liked to see them more fully developed. The book could have benefitted from being a bit longer. I gave it 4 stars – my way of saying it's 80% excellent and better than many comparable titles. I'd make it 4.5 if I could. If you are looking for a book that will lure you to a magical place beneath the waves, I highly recommend this title.
August 8, 2021
No Spoilers
I loved this gender bending reimagining of the little mermaid!
Sabine is sassy and sweet and really captures the attention. Caspian is an adorable cutiepatootie and really drags you into the deep.
The story was compelling and well paced and intriguing- even if you already know the basic storyline!
An array of side characters really brought the story and the world to life.
I absolutely adore Maire, I think her character is fascinating. I would love to see a prequel from her perspective, showing her motivations... just an idea!
Overall, highly recommend!
I loved this gender bending reimagining of the little mermaid!
Sabine is sassy and sweet and really captures the attention. Caspian is an adorable cutiepatootie and really drags you into the deep.
The story was compelling and well paced and intriguing- even if you already know the basic storyline!
An array of side characters really brought the story and the world to life.
I absolutely adore Maire, I think her character is fascinating. I would love to see a prequel from her perspective, showing her motivations... just an idea!
Overall, highly recommend!
October 18, 2026
જ⁀➴ I anticipated enjoying this book, but I ended up loving it. It’s a refreshingly unique and thoroughly enjoyable romance that did a lot of things I desperately want to see more of. While it didn’t reach the level of personal attachment needed for a 5-star rating, I have mostly only good things to say about it, regardless.
۶ৎ RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨/5
۶ৎ SPICE: 💌 (minimal romantic content)
۶ৎ VIOLENCE: ❎ (no significant violence or gore)
જ⁀➴ Sabine (our FMC) was a bit underdeveloped and a bit too against dresses and "princess things" for me not to roll my eyes at her occasionally, and she didn't really have any development, but overall I actually really liked her. In a world where most female main characters leave the courting entirely to the men, resisting until the romance is sufficiently drawn out, it was incredibly refreshing to encounter a FMC who did none of that.
Sabine did not resist her pull towards Caspian; she embraced it. In fact, she was the one to make the first move. She loved and admired him deeply; she wasn't afraid to love and choose him openly, to confess first, or to apologize to him, and she would have died for him... and the best part about all of that is that it was unconditional, not reliant on any assurance that he felt the same. Please give me more girls who love like this—I’m begging.
જ⁀➴ Caspian (our MMC) was equally slightly underdeveloped and didn't really have any development (this kind of applies to all the characters, who were unfortunately a weak point of this book.) But it didn't bother me too much with him either.
While he isn't really my type, I liked him as a person, and I was rooting for him and Sabine all the way. I love that he managed to be in love with her without becoming pathetic and how much curiosity and bravery he had. Neither of the MCs had a goal beyond just reuniting with their lover, which I really loved actually because it was wholly mutual.
જ⁀➴ Their romance carried this book. It was so easy to root for them, especially because they already start out in love with each other—they kiss in one of the first chapters of the earlier timeline (this book is written in dual timelines), which was incredibly refreshing and a welcomed surprise. It removed the chance for there to be any kind of annoying back and forth about resisting each other and let the forbiddennes of the romance and the mutual yearning shine.
Now, while the characters are underdeveloped and not very complex—they sort of feel like someone sat and wrote down some fairly random traits and turned those into characters, rather than giving them genuine human complexity—it actually did not diminish my enjoyment at all. The nature of the romance itself, how everything seemed to be against them and how strongly they longed to be together, completely outshone any complexity issues and made it impossible not to root for them. This is overall a really well-written and true-feeling love that makes it absolutely clear that they are meant to be, no matter what their circumstances try to keep them apart.
If I had to offer any criticism, I would probably whine that it wasn't passionate enough. Considering how strong their feelings for each other were, it felt unrealistically and artificially chaste that they stuck to kissing only—there wasn't even any fade to black. I am genuinely not sure why.
જ⁀➴ Our side characters were perfectly fine. As mentioned, the characters all felt sort of one-dimensional, but everyone served their purpose. I liked Devere, Sabine's family, and their character development, especially Oliver. Aksel stood out to me too; I appreciate the inclusion of a suitor character who is genuinely kind and also reluctant to be there, even though he is implied to be straight. This isn't something you see a lot, unfortunately.
Maire was a fantastic villain. She was a genuinely horrible predator (in the conventional human way, not the animalistic way); her manner of speaking to Caspian and her overall behavior repulsed me, which, in turn, made her a more effective villain. I genuinely appreciate the portrayal of a manipulative, disgusting woman who is outwardly attractive but preys on a young boy a lot, actually; it's also not something you see much.
જ⁀➴ Our world, writing, plot, and pacing were really well done. The worldbuilding was woven in naturally and explored firsthand through the dual timelines. I really liked all of the lore, and it served its purpose in the story well. The writing didn't stand out to me in either a negative or positive way; it carried the story, which is what it's there for.
The pacing was great too; I actually read the last 50% almost in one sitting because of how engaging the story became, especially toward the end. I wasn't fully sold on the dual timelines at first, and I still can't decide if I'm fully sold, but that's more of a personal preference, and both timelines had their purpose. There was nothing filler in this book; it knew exactly what to include and what to amend, and for that I appreciate the dual timelines, actually.
Unfortunately, I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending. Obviously,
Another small gripe I had with this book was that it portrayed corsets negatively, as something uncomfortable, when that's not how they work or have worked in the past at all.
But both of these are personal preference things, and by no means did they ruin the book for me.
°❀⋆.ೃ*:･°❀⋆.ೃ*:･
જ⁀➴ My closing thoughts are that I genuinely loved this book. It was very well-written, well-paced, and one of the best portrayals of true love that I have ever read, I believe. It's original and refreshing and a genuine star-crossed romance with real obstacles that don't feel easily solvable or superficial.
۶ৎ I would recommend this to anyone looking for a romance that avoids artificial conflicts or borderline toxic "games" and "banter" to fabricate chemistry. If you're looking for a FMC who actively pursues her love and for a true star-crossed romance hindered solely by circumstances, definitely pick this up.
۶ৎ RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨/5
۶ৎ SPICE: 💌 (minimal romantic content)
۶ৎ VIOLENCE: ❎ (no significant violence or gore)
. ݁⋆ ۶ৎ ݁˖ . ݁
✨ Starcrossed romance
💞 Established relationship
🔱 Merfolk and sea magic
💗 Heroine who fights for her love
⛓️ Predatory, hateable villainness
. ݁⋆ ۶ৎ ݁˖ . ݁
જ⁀➴ Sabine (our FMC) was a bit underdeveloped and a bit too against dresses and "princess things" for me not to roll my eyes at her occasionally, and she didn't really have any development, but overall I actually really liked her. In a world where most female main characters leave the courting entirely to the men, resisting until the romance is sufficiently drawn out, it was incredibly refreshing to encounter a FMC who did none of that.
Sabine did not resist her pull towards Caspian; she embraced it. In fact, she was the one to make the first move. She loved and admired him deeply; she wasn't afraid to love and choose him openly, to confess first, or to apologize to him, and she would have died for him... and the best part about all of that is that it was unconditional, not reliant on any assurance that he felt the same. Please give me more girls who love like this—I’m begging.
જ⁀➴ Caspian (our MMC) was equally slightly underdeveloped and didn't really have any development (this kind of applies to all the characters, who were unfortunately a weak point of this book.) But it didn't bother me too much with him either.
While he isn't really my type, I liked him as a person, and I was rooting for him and Sabine all the way. I love that he managed to be in love with her without becoming pathetic and how much curiosity and bravery he had. Neither of the MCs had a goal beyond just reuniting with their lover, which I really loved actually because it was wholly mutual.
જ⁀➴ Their romance carried this book. It was so easy to root for them, especially because they already start out in love with each other—they kiss in one of the first chapters of the earlier timeline (this book is written in dual timelines), which was incredibly refreshing and a welcomed surprise. It removed the chance for there to be any kind of annoying back and forth about resisting each other and let the forbiddennes of the romance and the mutual yearning shine.
Now, while the characters are underdeveloped and not very complex—they sort of feel like someone sat and wrote down some fairly random traits and turned those into characters, rather than giving them genuine human complexity—it actually did not diminish my enjoyment at all. The nature of the romance itself, how everything seemed to be against them and how strongly they longed to be together, completely outshone any complexity issues and made it impossible not to root for them. This is overall a really well-written and true-feeling love that makes it absolutely clear that they are meant to be, no matter what their circumstances try to keep them apart.
If I had to offer any criticism, I would probably whine that it wasn't passionate enough. Considering how strong their feelings for each other were, it felt unrealistically and artificially chaste that they stuck to kissing only—there wasn't even any fade to black. I am genuinely not sure why.
જ⁀➴ Our side characters were perfectly fine. As mentioned, the characters all felt sort of one-dimensional, but everyone served their purpose. I liked Devere, Sabine's family, and their character development, especially Oliver. Aksel stood out to me too; I appreciate the inclusion of a suitor character who is genuinely kind and also reluctant to be there, even though he is implied to be straight. This isn't something you see a lot, unfortunately.
Maire was a fantastic villain. She was a genuinely horrible predator (in the conventional human way, not the animalistic way); her manner of speaking to Caspian and her overall behavior repulsed me, which, in turn, made her a more effective villain. I genuinely appreciate the portrayal of a manipulative, disgusting woman who is outwardly attractive but preys on a young boy a lot, actually; it's also not something you see much.
જ⁀➴ Our world, writing, plot, and pacing were really well done. The worldbuilding was woven in naturally and explored firsthand through the dual timelines. I really liked all of the lore, and it served its purpose in the story well. The writing didn't stand out to me in either a negative or positive way; it carried the story, which is what it's there for.
The pacing was great too; I actually read the last 50% almost in one sitting because of how engaging the story became, especially toward the end. I wasn't fully sold on the dual timelines at first, and I still can't decide if I'm fully sold, but that's more of a personal preference, and both timelines had their purpose. There was nothing filler in this book; it knew exactly what to include and what to amend, and for that I appreciate the dual timelines, actually.
Unfortunately, I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending. Obviously,
Another small gripe I had with this book was that it portrayed corsets negatively, as something uncomfortable, when that's not how they work or have worked in the past at all.
But both of these are personal preference things, and by no means did they ruin the book for me.
°❀⋆.ೃ*:･°❀⋆.ೃ*:･
જ⁀➴ My closing thoughts are that I genuinely loved this book. It was very well-written, well-paced, and one of the best portrayals of true love that I have ever read, I believe. It's original and refreshing and a genuine star-crossed romance with real obstacles that don't feel easily solvable or superficial.
۶ৎ I would recommend this to anyone looking for a romance that avoids artificial conflicts or borderline toxic "games" and "banter" to fabricate chemistry. If you're looking for a FMC who actively pursues her love and for a true star-crossed romance hindered solely by circumstances, definitely pick this up.
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