The Ocean Between Us

Hearts of Olympika #1

by Cate Rowan

Unjustly cursed to leave the sea.
Banned to a desert isle.
Her immortal life is a sentence worse than death…
Until he appears.

In a time when legends are born, shipwrecked Prince Kyros crawls exhausted onto her forsaken island. Little does he know who awaits him there: royal ex-mermaid Mareisa, banished from her underwater realm. She delights in the arrival of a human toy — but to her surprise, she finds herself contending with more than a mere mortal. He's sexy, tenacious, honorable… fascinating.

Mareisa’s sensual allure drives Kyros to the edge of reason, but he must find a way to leave this mysterious isle to track down his missing brother. Resisting her seductive wiles takes an increasing toll on his willpower… yet the lonely and courageous woman behind the curse intrigues him even more than her brazen temptations.

He’ll prove himself as strong as she is in their clash of wills. But even if he's the match Mareisa has waited a millennium to find, Poseidon’s curse on her life is unbreakable.

Or is it?

Welcome to Olympika.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2022

About the author

USA Today bestseller Cate Rowan writes novels of magic and royal romance set in fantasy kingdoms (and queendoms!) near and far.

She has washed laundry in a crocodile-infested African lake, parasailed over a Mexican beach, and had Costa Rican monkeys poop in her hair, but her favorite adventures are story worlds. Her creative, out-of-the-box tales of heroic odysseys and true love have won more than thirty awards.

These days she lives in the wild Rocky Mountains with her husband, their rescued feline fur-children, and a horse suitably nicknamed Stinkerbelle.

Reviews

[Tanja Glavnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

It took me an EMBARRASSINGLY long time to figure out who was supposed to be who in this, and it's doubly embarrassing because Greek mythology is like, my favourite thing in the world (or among the favourites).

But I mean: mythology, the Greek gods, mermaids, and hints of The Little Mermaid all rolled into one? Sign me up, please!

The story in itself was, to me, a mix of Odysseus and The Little Mermaid, and honestly I loved it. It was simple down to its bare bones, but it's the simplicity that brings it to its heights.

There's very little trappings - it's just the story of a man shipwrecked on an island with a woman he has no clue about, and she turns out to be a former mermaid - current siren.

Yep, there be a distinction here, mateys.

I loved Mareisa because she's got so much heart and passion and spark, and you can understand why she might feel a bit down on her luck and afraid of angering the gods further.

I loved Kyros because he's got morals, honour, he isn't just going to be someone's plaything, and he firmly believes in making things happen rather than having things happen to him.

Together, these two embark on a journey that is basically a tale as old as time. And the best part? There's going to be a book too, baby! (I'm not as much of a fan of the MC from the preview at the moment but, I don't plan on letting that stop me because it IS just a preview, and I fully expect the book to be awesome).

The writing in 'The Ocean Between Us' is gripping and the topics the author addresses may seem like they've been done before, but I'm telling you, there's way more reason and logic in the altercations than you'd think. Combined with the occasional sprinkle from other players in this divine game, and the knowledge that Poseidon is preparing for war (now is it his idea or his wife's?) and there's bound to be more trouble on the horizon.

But at it's heart this is a love story, and as such it is breathtaking. Mareisa and Kyros steal your heart, and nothing steamy even happens until the very end of the book.

10/10 recommend!

[Savannah Blackmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a phenomenal read. I felt like I was there watching these two fight their feelings for each other. I was yelling at them for keeping their secrets from each other. The way the setting was described I felt like I could smell the beach. I was heartbroken for Kyros and Mareisa when her secret came to light. The kind of man Kyros is, is the kind of man I hope my son is one day and the kind of man I hope my daughter ends up with.

If you like a slow burn (and mermaids!) this is the book for you. I can’t wait to read the next one.

[Cristina Machado · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The ocean between us" is first in a new fantasy series, "Hearts of Olympika", by Cate Rowan. It is an amazing tale setting in a second world filled with lore and intrigues of Greek Mythology, as well as a slow burn romance between a gently, honorable prince and an impulsive and seductive mermaid. Mareisa is a mermaid cursed for the gods to live lonely in a desert island. She lures unsuspecting travelers to her shores until Kyros is shipwrecked and stop in her island. The romance between them takes a while to happen, ensuring tender and fun moments along the way. And, of course, when
they definitely surrender to passion things get really hot. Cate's writing style is very colorful and we are soon enveloped by the scenery and the characters. I can'wait to read more in this world and know the stories what the rest of Kyros' family have to tell us. I recommed to all those who love fantasy romance with a hint of Greek Mythology and, certainly, for the fans of desert island trope.
I received and arc by Books Siren for a honest review.

[Melanie Horner · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Was a good start to the series. It did take me a while to get invested in the characters and plot. For a while there I wasn’t sure where the story was actually going, but
once I realized what was happening I was invested.

This book has immortals, gods, mortal princes. It’s filled with so many emotions; sadness, deceit, betrayal, loyalty, love, longing, learning.
Mareisa has been banished on an island by herself for so many years that when she finally encounters another person (Kyros) she’s a little rusty with how to interact. It was fun to see her grow into herself and become more confident and Kyros was patient with her throughout the whole journey.

I’m interested to see where the series goes especially the plot line with Mareisa’s sister Phi, the Queen of the Sea.

People who enjoy Greek/Roman mythology with a 🌶 kick, will enjoy this.

✨Received as an ARC✨

[Ann Tosti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A world with gods, goddesses, immortals, and mortals. And two characters, one mortal and one immortal, have had their fates played with by the gods and goddesses. And at this point, they are trapped on an island because of a curse. She gave up ever breaking free from it long ago, but he has a duty to his family and won't give in to the curse. This story is wonderfully written and I really enjoyed it (though I wasn't sure I would at first...flashbacks of trauma...or, you know, Greek Mythology literature Sophomore year of High school. And another semester of it in college).

*I am leaving an honest and voluntary review after receiving this book as an ARC.

[Giselle]

Somewhere, beyond the sea....

Ever fantasize about being stuck on a desert island, with only your honey along?

Yeah, well Mareisa would like a word with you.

It's hard to write a complete story around just two people, but Cate Rowan pulls it off with panache. Well, the island and its surrounding waters are its own character, but just because other people aren't around doesn't mean there's no conflicts, and conflict (internal, external, environmental), is what drives a good story.

This is a very good story, and has a well-earned HEA.

I'm looking forward to the next book!

[Adena Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was under the impression that only Michele Amitrani could make Greek myth really come to life. This author proved me wrong. Her marriage of "The Little Mermaid" and Greek oceanic myth is masterfully rendered and held my attention. I very much resented the distractions of work and sleep which kept me from finishing this tale faster.

I received an ARC via Hidden Gems and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melisa Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read for me. I wasn’t super invested in the characters until close to the end, but I enjoyed the writer’s style. I really do wish there was more of the Queen of the Sea storyline as a part of this novel.

This is a story about a prince, an immortal, an island, and the battle between mortals and immortals. All things that I love to read about, so I was excited to read this one.

For fans of Greek and Roman mythology -based fantasy romance.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bia Voinea · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word. And that word is YES. Couldn't put it down. I just love the relationship that the 2 have. He is noble , kind and attractive which is always a bonus and she is .. Well.. not even taking in consideration that she is a mer I feel like she is his equal in every way. Good fishing skills, sport , competitive, smart and confident. Awesome character development for both of them. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Shia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found myself bored with the plot. And there wasn’t as much spice as the cover suggests lol.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like mermaids and romance you should definitely pick up this read! I loved how the author wrote about the ocean and described life on the island. A super fun and light read for any who loves Greek mythology and mermaids. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Joanna S Willey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I liked the use of mythical characters in the story. Since the story deals with humans, Gods, and mythical creatures. This is a great story. Part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and well written story. The characters will draw you in forever. Heart warming Can’t wait for the next book

[Hilary Amick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely one my top five books of the year. Enjoyed the story more than I thought I would. I loved the mix of Greek Mythology and mermaids. One other thing I liked about the story was the way the main characters taught each other about where they grew up and the games that they played as kids.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kindlelover 1220 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating mermaid tale with some spice. Prince Kyros is shipwrecked and meets an ex-royal mermaid who was banished from her kingdom. The attraction between the two are undeniable. This story has an alluring plot and characters. A great start to a new series and a new fantasy to dive into.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Urszula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and developed story. Good world building and plot full of action twists and turns. Interesting characters and relationships among them. Good read for myths lovers. Enjoyable and relaxing read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Corinne Dewey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily

A very different story I throughly enjoyed it

Nothing like gods wreaking havoc on family and love

Took me to a fantasy land where true love conquers all

Great read

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an author i had never heard of and I'm so glad I've discovered her! This tale with the siren and the Prince, and how things evolve, is fascinating! I love the dual point of view, and i really love when we get to even see Aphrodite or Phi. I like that though there is the standalone plot for this book, there is also the larger plot for the entire series that begins with this book, even before this book, that will truly make this a fun series!

[Lisa Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ocean Between Us by Cate Rowan is a book I saw advertised on Facebook. It sounded more adult than the books I normally read, so I was going to pass it up. Then I saw that it had quite a few positive reviews. The concept of a Greek mythology mermaid romance intrigued me, so I decided to check it out. The book was short enough for something I was on the fence about and didn't take up much of my time. While it was pretty mature, it was a decent story for someone who is interested in paranormal romance. Of course, it goes without saying that I would not recommend this book to anyone below the age of 18.

The Ocean Between Us is about a mermaid named Mareisa who is cursed to live on a desert island as a siren to sink any passing ships with her uncontrollable song. To her surprise and delight, one of those ship's passengers survives and makes his way to the island, where he is no longer held by the grasp of her song and has the opportunity to get to know her as a person. That man is a prince named Kyros, who is on a quest to find his lost brother before his ship sank. Now he is trapped on the island with Mareisa and has nothing left to do but get to know her while she treats him like a mortal plaything to entertain her after years of loneliness. Despite this unhealthy start to the relationship, the two inevitably fall in love.

Though the book is quite erotic, there is very little sexual activity between the main couple to Mareisa's great dismay due to Kyros values as an honorable man. The majority of the book involves heavy flirtation between the two, which is made all the more torturous to Kyros because Mareisa, like most sirens, is a nudist. I suppose it's an old romance trope to have a couple stranded on a deserted island together where no one is around to judge them, although it is not one that I have read many stories about. I'm glad the book was relatively short because the "Will they? Won't they?" drama became trite rather quickly. I was far more interested in learning about the two characters' backstories, which appear to be the focus of the later books in this series.

As far as worldbuilding goes, this book is pretty lackluster. Mareisa is a mermaid, but she spends most of her time as a human on land, and very few details are given about the underwater kingdom where she came from. The Greek mythology elements also don't into much detail. Mareisa reveals that she was engaged to Poseidon and was betrayed by her sister, Phi, who took her place as his bride and cursed her to live on the island forever. There are very few references to any other gods or goddesses from mythology. It was written as an adult romance first and foremost, and everything else comes second.

All in all, The Ocean Between Us is a short adult romance book with some hints of fantasy and mythology. It is the first book in a series called Hearts of Olympika, but it didn't motivate me enough to want to read the rest. It has a simple character-driven plot with loads of sexual tension. The most interesting parts are the main characters' backstories. I would have preferred to read a prequel about these instead of hearing about them after the fact, but there is a much stronger focus on romance than fantasy or adventure. I would recommend this book to someone who is looking for a light fantasy novel that is more mature than the average YA fairy tale retelling.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story!

I love reading mythology tales, this one definitely didn't disappoint at all.

Mareisa, a mermaid and the daughter of former King Titan, is betrayed by her own sister and fiance Poseidon; they exiled her to a wandering isle and bestowed a curse on her for many centuries. Her sister, Phi, is a sorceress who bewitched Poseidon without his knowledge and he married her instead. Their family has forgotten about her to gain Poseidon's favor. When the rare ship comes within distance, her once coveted singing voice is now a Siren's song; dooming sailors to their death thinking that they must save her. She has no control over when she sings; she's compelled. She's confined to the island forever. Poseidon gave his new bride a wedding gift to keep Mareisa away by never being able to swim in sea water ever again without it harming her.

When a boat is destroyed but a passenger survives because he was wearing earplugs, he ends up on her island. Former Crown Prince Kyros of Erion seems like the answer to all of her prayers to Aphrodite. But unbeknownst to both of them, falling in love can break the curse and free her to be with him if they both decide to take the chance.

Can't wait for the next book!

A must read!!

[MaD · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine start of the series. Any new series can be slowed by world building, but this "dives" right into the meat of the story. There are a few parts that may seem to drag or duplicate themselves and make you want them to "get to it" already, but not many. And once you are reading, it is easy to become engrossed and want to know the outcome.
The story is filled with immortals, betrayal, lies, deception, hurt, anger, fear and sadness. But there is also wonder, joy, enchantment, strength, honor, love...and, oh yeah, plenty of heat. There are moments of .. "oh", "oh my" , "oh, yes", and "really?"!
Sometimes you want to knock Mareisa or Kyros on the forehead with a wake up call and other times you want to knock their heads together! As their characters grow and strengthen so does the feeling of reading about good friends you want to have a HEA. Can't wait to see where the journey takes us next. Very entertaining.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Becki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this book and the brief introduction to the second book in this series!

I enjoyed this episode of Hearts of Olympika along with the brief opening of the second episode of the series. I found it to be very romantic and entertaining. The characters quickly became favorites of mine and I can’t wait to read more about them in the coming episodes in the second book of this series. Mythology has always been a personal favorite of mine and I am excited to continue reading this story! I highly recommend it!

[Michelle Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the idea behind the story but it lost a bit with such a large part of the book dedicated to Mareisa trying to get Kyros to have sex with her.
She is a strong independent fmc and she was reduced to a sex obsessed crazy person for far too much of this book. But when she wasn't like that the banter and the connection between her and Kryos was perfectly written.
Despite the parts I thought were a bit much I did really enjoy the book and I am curious to how the next one will play out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Selina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

Thiss book was a fun read. The writer spends time with descriptive words that too few authors dedicate time to. Creating a lovely world and sweet story. A cursed siren and exiled prince falling in love. the story at its bar is perhaps rather expected but the epiloge and preview of the next book hint at a much deeper story. Good job!

[Jay Madeleine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was bored with the plot not moving anywhere. Wasn’t enough conflict, to keep me engaged. I sadly struggled reading this.

Love the world building.
I love the mythology.
This book had promise.

Idk if I will continue the series if the plot flow and passing is going to be the same. Maybe I have to take that chance, idk. It was sadly a let down for me, in my mermaid fantasy kick.