Posted on  21/11/2020 14:42:55

My rating: 4.5 mertastic stars

for a solid debut by an author to watch for.

Ocean Heart is a slow burn paranormal romance featuring mermaids, alongside witches, werewolves and other magical creatures. It doesn't give us mermaids in their underwater home, so don't expect that when you're picking it up.
This is the story of one single mermaid, whose life is slowly turned completely topsy-turvy when she realizes what she really is. It is the tale of self-acceptance and love of a young 15 year old high school teen - Mariah. Complete with all the erratic emotions and insecurity of a normal girl her age. And it is beautifully done.


High school teen Mariah's life is anything but simple. Between a crush on her best friend and a rivalry brewing with the swim team star, her powers awaken early. And that gives the word complicated a whole new meaning.

Add in a handsome young man Mariah must make sure she will NOT kiss and a werewolf hungry for merblood, top it with a well-meaning guardian whose meddling magic spells do more harm than good and deadly powers difficult to control and there you go - the perfect recipe for a storm of trouble. One that may literally sweep Mariah up in its wake.
Saying more about it will definitely spoil, so I'll leave the rest for you to find out. :D

The storyline is unique and unexpected twists are present at almost every corner. The character development is wonderful while the prose is a pleasure to read. And everything is so beautifully interwoven that you can't help but be swept away in a little mermaid's complicated life.


Beware of one thing though. This tale is based on a love triangle. A warning I must make since I personally am absolutely NOT a fan of love triangles anywhere. They are a little pet peeve of mine because I cannot stand the careless way feelings are treated within them.
That being said, this love triangle here absolutely worked for me! And it even made me get invested. Kudos to the author for pulling that off.

I literally felt like reaching through the pages and box a certain young man's ears, and found myself muttering 'idiot' while reproachfully shaking my head.

The longing of another certain young man made me want to give him a big hug, wile the hurt, loneliness and insecurity of a little lost young girl were powerful enough to make me tear up.

"The more I tried to talk, the more it hurt. I shut my eyes. I felt lost. The world felt vast and I was nothing, nobody...."

Perhaps because of the naturally flowing 1st person POV, or the ease with which emotion seems to be imparted by words...
Perhaps because of the real seeming setting and characters alike...
Or the feelings that practically leap of the page...

This book drew me in and made me care and react. And that's not something I can say for every book out there.

Some things seem a little bit rushed or brushed over, but overall it was a mertastic read!
I absolutely loved it and am eagerly waiting for a sequel.



ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Check out this book and more of Ally Aldridge over at: https://allyaldridge.wordpress.com/