The Little Mermaid meets Irish Mythology in this retelling of the beloved classic… A STANDALONE Otherworld Series Companion NovelOnce upon a time… better to help her than a man with few scruples and little cares in the world?
Manus dreams of the sea. He spent every coin in his pockets to get back on a ship but never expected the vessel to sink. When a merrow saves him, he realizes the chance meeting is an opportunity. She could make him rich and become his good luck charm, so the legends say. Now, he just needs to get off the isle she’s trapped him on.
They intend to use each other, but find their souls drawn together bit by bit. Can either leave the isle and the sea without losing their hearts in the bargain?
Mild Sexual Content
HEA – Complete story
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Review can be found on *Milky Way of Books*
I knew that the tale of Manus was going to be told at some point! Following the first two books of the series (which are a Beauty and the Beast retelling), Bride of the Sea takes place few years before the first two books and tells the story of Saoirse, a merrow, and Manus.
Knowing that this was a Little Mermaid retelling, I feared that Emma Hamm was going to tear my heart out, since many retellings of the tale have really cruel endings, but in this book, I loved the descriptions, how the romance grew and how from Saoirse’s eyes you can see the life and the world Emma Hamm has created for her characters!
At the same time, the designs of the characters in the book matched perfectly with the cover art! It’s one of the few times when I am so excited for a cover that depicts the characters shown and it’s easy to imagine them (also check out Emma’s Instagram! She has commissioned art too!)
There is also a new secondary character whose story I am very curious to find out and mostly to discover more amazing stories from Emma! She is very talented and her books are hidden gems!
Emotional, lovely and heartfelt Bride of the Sea will sweep you away!
The premise of the story was great and I love characters that are real, flawed and relatable, but it dragged on a little for me. There was this big build up that the ending didn’t quite live up to. Even the epilogue was a little disappointing for me.
The first thing I want to talk about is that cover! Have you ever seen such a beautiful cover? I knew I was going to love this book from the day the of the cover reveal. It’s gorgeous!I per-ordered the kindle version to read today (release day, obviously) but also had to order a paper back just for that cover. *sigh*
This book was very different. Good different. Emma Hamm writes deeply flawed characters who make mistakes. I find it a bit ironic that though some of Emma’s characters aren’t human at all, they’re all more “human” than your average book hero or heroine. I love and hate it. Love it because it makes the characters so much more believable, and hate it because it makes me want to rail at them for making bad choices.
I am a sucker for Celtic mythology. I love all of the mythological elements of this story (and in the whole series). It was so fun to read about Merrows, Leprechauns and Faeries. I found myself hoping the next book belongs to a certain leprechaun prince in need of a happily ever after.
Saoirse and Manus are a uniquely interesting couple. They were rather thrown together Like many couples, all of their difficulties could’ve been avoided if they had just communicated with each other. Throughout the story they both learn some valuable lessons, and grow together. I really enjoyed their journey.
This book concluded beautifully. It does not end on a cliffhanger. The epilogue gives a lovely glimpse into the future. I do have to say though, when it was all said and done, I still wanted more. I don’t believe that this is a reflection on the writing, but rather me just being greedy. I always want more. Especially from Emma Hamm.
Highly recommend this story for lovers of Celtic Mythology, Faeries, Merrows/Mermaids, New Adult, ect.
Bride of the Sea is a standalone Little Mermaid retelling set in Hamm’s wonderful Otherworld series and it, like the rest of the books in this series, is stunning in its world building and character creation.
Our Merrow Saoirse is beautiful and innocent and our Pirate Manus is..well everything you expect a pirate to be (Think of a character somewhat like Charles Vayne from the show Black Sails). They both experience wonderful character growth and their journey is an enjoyable one!
This is one story where I especially loved the folklore aspect of the Merrow people and how everything is in fact not better “down where it’s wetter, under the sea”, for the most part.
Do I recommend this book? of course I do because I’m a fan of the original fairytale, mermaids, folklore, pirates, love, adventure, and Emma freaking Hamm’s books.