Forgive My Fins

Normally I wouldn't read books like Forgive my Fins because when I read the description it sounded like something I wouldn't like. However, I read Tera Lynn Childs' other books (i.e. Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp) and enjoyed them so I figured I'd give this a shot. I love Tera Lynn Childs' way of writing. It's funny, cute, quirky, and just down-right FUN. I was feeling in the mood for something light and fluffy and this is just what I needed!

SO if you're looking for something soul-shatteringly deep then this book isn't for you. The plot might even be considered a tad shallow (not to use ocean puns!) but if you're up for a cute fluffy and light-hearted read then by all means pick it up!

The description goes as follows--

"Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned. "

Okay, okay. Cheesy, right? I know, but like I said. Tera Lynn Childs' has a way of making it work. As soon as you start reading you're pulled into Lily's world and you don't want to leave until you turn the last page. Her descriptions of the underwater kingdom of Thalassinia paints a beautiful image and left me wishing that it was a real place. The ocean slang was giggle worthy and a lot of fun. You could see how much creativity she put into it.

I really enjoyed Lily as a main character. She managed to be strong while still having her insecurities. She was headstrong and at times borderline selfish, and where that's not always a good thing this felt right. When you're in a situation that you don't want to be in -- especially with someone you don't like -- you won't act perfect. She wasn't a selfish brat throughout the book, she just had moments like anyone would and she acted human. I liked that Lily had flaws.

The other characters were interesting. Quince in particular was a lot of fun. I loved every scene involving him. The author definitely did a good job at portraying the hot bad boy neighbor.

However, Brody and Lily's best (human) friend, Shannen needed to be fleshed out more. They felt generic to me, like I could open any other young adult novel and find them there. Nothing sparked my attention and made me feel attached. One of them could have fallen off a cliff and I wouldn't have cared. (Okay, I might have cared a little for Shannen. You get my point.)

The mermaid magic was fun. I thought the "bond" was an interesting concept. Having someone being able to feel whatever your feeling is a cool idea. I also thought that making mermaids eyes sparkle when they cry was cute. It was a fun way to make it possible to tell that someone is crying in the ocean. I did want to know more about the magic, but the story was fine without it.

The one thing that bugged me about the story was that Lily being a mermaid was accepted very easily. (That's not a spoiler. Obviously, from the summary, someone finds out!) I don't know about you but if someone said to me, "Hey, just so you know I'm a mermaid." I'd brush it off with a "Yeah, right. Who are you kiddin'?" I felt like there was a bit of a cop out there, and it frustrated me. There should have been demands of proof, and less teenage drama.

Overall I really did enjoy the story. I've been overloading on murder mysteries and I felt like I needed something light-hearted and this was exactly what the doctor ordered. A perfect book to read over the Summer! I'd give it 4/5 stars. I will definitely be reading Fins are Forever.

Now all I need is for a hot guy on a motorcycle to move in next door....

Till next time~