Author: Sarah Ockler
Number of pages: 399
Publisher: Simon pulse
Date Read: 6.30.15
Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3
“Sometimes love was a tonic. Sometimes it was a weapon. And so often it was nearly impossible to tell the difference.” – Elyse
Sometimes there are no words …
The youngest of six talented sisters,
Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom – until a boating accident took
everything from her. Now the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.
Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a
friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid,
the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: an
ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too
polite to pry – except for one.
Christian Kane is a notorious playboy –
insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in
Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her
to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother,
Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.
When Christian needs a first mate for the
Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea
and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though – swept
up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse
begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t
what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means
finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a
boy who’s best known for breaking them….
“Some days you win the battle just by showing up.” – Granna
I
picked up the book because it had a hella cute cover and everyone was buzzing
about it. Not to mention, I was in the mood for a cute contemporary that I
could read poolside.
I went into this book thinking it would be
light and flirty. I mean, look at the cover, totally adorbs. And while the
inside did foreshadow a tragic incident in Elyse’s life, I still thought this
would be light and sweet. I was oh so wrong.
It ended up being a pretty serious book.
Not only did it deal with Elyse’s tragedy and how she was coping afterwards, it
also delved into the family issues revolving around Christian’s family and the
mayor’s sexist and money-hungry views. The moral of the story: There are
different ways of being silenced and not having a voice.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book.
There were parts were it dragged, but I think that was more because of all the
ocean/water similes and metaphors. It felt like there was at least one in every
paragraph. I got to the point in the middle where I started grumbling “Alright,
already! I get it!”
However, I did like the characters; even
the scummy ones. I say that, because they got a reaction out of me The mayor
made me grit my teeth and growl; I was angry on Sebastian’s behalf (but that
little booger had me smiling); and Christian’s father – I don’t know what his
deal was (yeah, it’s explained, but it’s no excuse) – he infuriated me. Then,
there was Christian and Elyse, both tormented by their own demons. Hands down,
though? I loved Mrs. James. Has the smallest role in the book, but made a BIG
deal.
I really liked the charm of Atargatis
Cove. It reminded me a lot of my trip to Nantucket.. Coastal and rocky beaches
too cold to swim in. I loved how small and quaint everything was there; the
mom-and-pop shops, the fishing boats; and how Main Street was cobblestoned. That’s
how I imagined Atargatis Cove to be like.
With all things said and done, I really
enjoyed this book.
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