Mermaids' Tears

by Michael J. Vaughn

When River Freeman gets an opportunity to live in a bargain beach home in Carmel, Caifornia, she takes it. Unfortunately, this puts her son Rusty in the position of new kid just as he's hitting sixth grade. With his advanced vocabulary and love of books, he's a primary target for twelve-year-old boys and their difference detectors. With a comic and slightly violent solution, Rusty manages to wriggle out, but just then their tenant, college student Autumn, suffers a terrible family tragedy that sends the household into a grief-ridden funk. It's a long road back to the good life, but it might be marked by baseballs - and the lost young man who once told Rusty he was a natural. A heartwarming coming-of-age tale from the acclaimed author of Lavender and A Painting Called Sylvia.

Genres: Fiction

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2022

About the author

Michael J. Vaughn is the author of 29 novels, including Punks for the Opera and Mermaids' Tears. He is also a fine arts painter, and drummer/vocalist for San Jose's El Camino Revival Band.

Reviews

[W. Neilsen Neilsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dazed and Confused

I loved this book, was entertained by every character, every interjection into Ruth's life. I enjoyed moving a long with Rusty and his mom, listening in on their conversations, watching him spread his wings and find his way thru those awkward teen years.
But the ending has me scratching my head. Very blunt ending..I thought part of the book was missing? Did not care for that ending at all. Needs to be edited to have a conclusion that the engrossed reader can find fulfilling.

[Cathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home Run

I liked this book. It's not a literary masterpiece, and maybe not a candidate for a made-for-TV movie; but an honest, profound commentary on learning to make one's way in this world. It's a young man's year-long journey through the life maze, around the obstacles, passing each test, gathering strength and knowledge and courage from those traveling with him. It's also about the gifts of insight and inspiration that those fellow travelers received from the young man. An uplifting, feel good story that made me smile.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, This Man Can Write!

Michael J. Vaughn, you are an artist in your writing and your beautiful and colorful cover design. I can’t claim crying Mermaid Tears, but I admit to being thrilled that I left the cafe I was in before crocodile tears began. It’s been quite some time I’ve been so moved by a book. Reaching the end of the book resulted in more tears, knowing that I had reached the end of a wonderful story so brilliantly written. Thank you for allowing me to visit in the warmth of your world.

[Debba · Rating 5 out of 5]

A homey and heartfelt story of quirky characters

Overall I love this book. I enjoyed coming to know the characters and living their lives with them. Celebrating their wins and hurting with them over their losses. This is a gentle, open-hearted, sweet book about a bunch of mismatched people who somehow find each other and fit together. I did feel it ended a little abruptly, and I'm not sure if that's how the book was written or if the ebook was somehow corrupted. Nevertheless, it's a lovely read and I highly recommend it.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Story – I Want More!
This is such a fantastic story, I hated to see it end. This is good, people-based fiction. A woman, her young son, her college friend, and some new friends are all living the California life in Carmel. I am going to think about this book for a while because it is so deep. It is also a bucket of fun. It is about how we all grow up, no matter our age. I am going to look for more books by this author.

[Robbin Stull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tears, friends, baseball, a really good story.

Being familiar with the location, this book felt like observing my neighbors as they lived their quirky, loving, grieving, lives. Such a good story with fleshed out friendships, random paths converging into marked moments of a lifetime.

[Marilyn Westphal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming of age in Steinbeck Country

I picked this because I thought it would be a short, simple read to fill in some time. I was pleasantly moved by the querky characters, the insight into a 12 year old's psyche, and the way the author has with words. I did not want the story to end.

[Holly Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, despite a shockingly abrupt ending, I loved this book. I loved all the characters and how they handled life. I like the way Vaughan describes locations…I feel like I’m in the car with him. I’ve enjoyed several of his books and always feel the same.
As I said, though, the ending came too soon!

[Barbara Williams 9 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing

It’s nice to read a book that addresses some of life’s problems without violence and excessive darkness. The young main character is well-developed as is his supporting cast. Everyone has problems, but they all work together to face and overcome them.
The baseball thread is nicely woven in to show community, learning, and developing friendships.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended

Great story. We all wish our children were as well adjusted. The humor throughout made this a very fast read. I love it when you find that great story that hasn't been told before. I highly recommend this read.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the sweetest coming of age books

I have read dozens of coming of age books, they enthralled me. The quirky cast of characters and their well drawn traumas plus an uplifting end puts this one on my lust of favorites.

[Carol Taylor burlew · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. There were too many coincidences throughout the storyline, and much of the way the conversations flowed caused my eyes to roll, but the ending made up for everything, so three stars instead of two.

[Darl Judd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody Who knows me would buy this book for me. No armchair suspense, mystery or high drama, just a sweet uplifting story about good deserving people and the highs and lows of their lives.
I enjoyed it.

[Mike R. Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friendship

Great book. I enjoyed every word. Friends supporting friends and a tossed in stray on occasion. Never expected the wonderful story that unfolded with the turning of the pages. Highly recommend to one for nice, clean cut reading.

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerizing

This novel encompasses the total emotions of everyone. It is beautifully written and a joy to read. I am an avid reader and feel this is one of the best novels I've had the pleasure to read.

Thank you Michael J. Vaughn.

[Adelaide · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and lovely

This book is about life and love and family and about loss and about finding your place in life and about taking what life gives you and making the best of eat. Enjoy!

[Mary Escarraz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...just wow.

Such a beautiful story of not fitting in, and then a young man beginning to find himself, and finding understanding about the people around him.

[Cathy Arsenault · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fair. The story was a bit dark and I found it dragged.

[Megan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book!

I loved this book and the way it drew me in! I couldn’t put it down! Read this book you will not regret it!!

[RaChelle Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful

Found on a free site, this is the most wonderful book i have read in a very long while. Characters that feel real, with a fabulous story line. I was sorry when it ended.

[Paula Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book held my attention from the beginning to the end

[Ellen B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great coming of age story. Loved the characters

[SCSoftballMom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book!

[Cindy Topp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Highly, highly recommended; the voice the author chose to use was so honest and compelling, and the plot was wonderful.

[Marianne Citraro · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-1/2 stars. I was really enjoying this book…loved the characters, scenes, writing…but I felt the ending was really abrupt. It didn’t feel finished.

[GW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mermaid's Tears -

This was an enjoyable and effortless read; Slightly "sappy" at times but still a good book. Thumbs up to the author.