Crystal is the new girl in Coney Bay on Starfish Island. Her father moved the family out to the small island in order to be able to advocate for the environment against SKANX, a company that is dumping toxic waste into the Atlantic. Trying to fit into island life, Crystal goes to a beach party with her new friend Rosie. When Crystal swims out too far, she is rescued by Llyr, a mysterious guy with a mysterious name. When Crystal can’t seem to find Llyr again, or any locals who even know of him, Crystal learns about a legend surrounding the island. Once she learns of Merfolk, Crystal is in for an interesting summer and a hot romance.
A Thousand Salt Kisses is a young adult paranormal romance with mermaids and strong environmental undertones. As a lover of mermaids and the environment, I did enjoy this book; however it is probably not for everyone and if the other YA paranormal romance stories out there don’t float your boat, then this probably will not, either. Crystal is kind-hearted, caring and beautiful, which is why Llyr falls for her instantly. Llyr is handsome and mysterious, which is why Crystal falls for him instantly. Yes, there is insta-love, and yes, there are more absent than present parents; two YA tropes that are not left out. I did think that the merfolk lore was very interesting and it did actually explain some of the stranger things fairly well, such as their selective invisibility, ability to change from fins to legs, some of their powers and their existence near the island. I really do wish more of the Mer realm was explored, it sounded really interesting. Also, I’m glad that the Mer were actively involved in the fight against the ocean pollution. It seemed like a lot more could have been done with the SKANX plot line and made this book a little fuller than just the romance. When the mystery and danger of SKANX did rear its head near the end, things became much more exciting. An open ending really made me want to know what happens next (winter is coming), so I will probably check out the next book. A little thing that bothered me was the age difference in the relationship between some of Crystal’s friends, seventeen year old girls with twenty-six year old men was just strange to me. Overall, a decent young adult paranormal mermaid romance that may or may not be for you.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
A Thousand Salt Kisses is a young adult paranormal romance with mermaids and strong environmental undertones. As a lover of mermaids and the environment, I did enjoy this book; however it is probably not for everyone and if the other YA paranormal romance stories out there don’t float your boat, then this probably will not, either. Crystal is kind-hearted, caring and beautiful, which is why Llyr falls for her instantly. Llyr is handsome and mysterious, which is why Crystal falls for him instantly. Yes, there is insta-love, and yes, there are more absent than present parents; two YA tropes that are not left out. I did think that the merfolk lore was very interesting and it did actually explain some of the stranger things fairly well, such as their selective invisibility, ability to change from fins to legs, some of their powers and their existence near the island. I really do wish more of the Mer realm was explored, it sounded really interesting. Also, I’m glad that the Mer were actively involved in the fight against the ocean pollution. It seemed like a lot more could have been done with the SKANX plot line and made this book a little fuller than just the romance. When the mystery and danger of SKANX did rear its head near the end, things became much more exciting. An open ending really made me want to know what happens next (winter is coming), so I will probably check out the next book. A little thing that bothered me was the age difference in the relationship between some of Crystal’s friends, seventeen year old girls with twenty-six year old men was just strange to me. Overall, a decent young adult paranormal mermaid romance that may or may not be for you.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Four years after her intense summer romance on Starfish Island with merman Llyr, Crystal White has graduated university in London and is left jobless, homeless and boyfriend-less after her break-up with university boyfriend, Sam. With nowhere else to go, Crystal heads back to Starfish Island. Immediately, her feelings for Llyr resurface, even though she knows that their love is impossible. When an opportunity arises to meet with Llyr, Crystal jumps at the chance. However, when she goes to meet him Crystal not only finds that Llyr is engaged to Princess Kara of the Timsah Kingdom, but that she has found some magic of her own that might upset all of the mer-kingdoms.
After finishing the first book, A Thousand Salt Kisses, I was really left wondering what will happen with Crystal and Llyr in A Thousand Salt Kisses Later. Well, I was not let down. First, I was very happy that this is set four years after the first book; this let Crystal mature a bit and have a relationship that was not with a merman. Also, after four years away, if Crystal and Llyr still have feelings for one another, it is definitely more than a summer romance. I also liked the elements of magic that were introduced, the title is explained, though Crystal’s magic spell is quite a surprise! I also wasn’t quite sure if I liked the way that she had to reverse it. Anyway, I’m very glad that more of the mermaid kingdoms were explored; they all seemed beautiful, as well as mermaid customs and how exactly they clothed themselves, drank, ate and danced. The conflict that was introduced with the Timsah Kingdom was interesting, a little bit a dark magic that still needs to be explored more. Also, it seems that it was resolved a little too easily for now. There was not as much focus on romance in this book, which was alright with me, and there was almost a love triangle, which hopefully is resolved as well. Overall, a nice follow up for this fantasy mermance.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
After finishing the first book, A Thousand Salt Kisses, I was really left wondering what will happen with Crystal and Llyr in A Thousand Salt Kisses Later. Well, I was not let down. First, I was very happy that this is set four years after the first book; this let Crystal mature a bit and have a relationship that was not with a merman. Also, after four years away, if Crystal and Llyr still have feelings for one another, it is definitely more than a summer romance. I also liked the elements of magic that were introduced, the title is explained, though Crystal’s magic spell is quite a surprise! I also wasn’t quite sure if I liked the way that she had to reverse it. Anyway, I’m very glad that more of the mermaid kingdoms were explored; they all seemed beautiful, as well as mermaid customs and how exactly they clothed themselves, drank, ate and danced. The conflict that was introduced with the Timsah Kingdom was interesting, a little bit a dark magic that still needs to be explored more. Also, it seems that it was resolved a little too easily for now. There was not as much focus on romance in this book, which was alright with me, and there was almost a love triangle, which hopefully is resolved as well. Overall, a nice follow up for this fantasy mermance.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
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