Forgive My Fins

I’ll admit, I side-eyed the premise at first—mermaid YA romance isn’t exactly uncharted water—but *Forgive My Fins* won me over with its sheer, shameless fun. Emily Bauer’s narration is the secret weapon here. She nails Lily’s voice: a mix of exasperated teen and world-weary royal, like if Ariel had a Tumblr and a *very* specific type. Bauer’s timing is impeccable, especially in the book’s funniest scenes (the poolside flirtation with Brody is *chef’s kiss*), though I’ll dock half a point for her male voices, which occasionally veer into caricature. Still, her energy keeps the story buoyant, even when the plot takes a detour into mermaid bureaucracy. The story itself is a masterclass in balancing fluff and stakes. Lily’s crush on Brody is painfully relatable—all fluttering heart and overanalyzed glances—but the mermaid lore adds a layer of urgency that prevents the romance from feeling weightless. That said, the worldbuilding sometimes feels *just* shallow enough to frustrate. We get tantalizing hints about mermaid society (a caste system based on pearl colors? *Yes, please*), but the rules are inconsistent, and the villain’s motives are thinner than a seashell. The pacing also stumbles in the third act, where a rushed resolution undercuts some of the emotional payoff. Still, for a listen that’s equal parts beach read and supernatural soap opera, it delivers. If you’re craving something light but not *empty*, with a narrator who sells every eye-roll and sigh, dive in. Just maybe skip the sequel if you’re allergic to love triangles.