I was really excited to read this book because I love mermaid stories, but this was not your average mermaid story. It had a whole different back story as to how merpeople came to be inhabiting a small island off the coast of New England, and why they were ostracized and bullied because of something that had happened decades prior to our main character, sixteen-year-old Mara Westray, arriving following the death of her mother. She had never known her father, but when she lost her mother, he was her sole remaining relative, and she was none too happy about being sent to live with him. She held on to a lot of anger over his absence from her life, especially since she had to watch her mother die a slow and torturous death from cancer. Needless to say, this wasn't a great start to their new living situation. Add to that the fact that everyone was obviously keeping a huge secret from her, and she was ready to bolt. When she finally learns what she is, the story goes off in a completely different direction. This book kept my interest from the first page to the last, and I'm looking forward to continuing with the story in the next book in the series.

5/5 stars. ( )

"3.5 out of 5 stars!! After being away from the small island of Swans Landing for around 12 years, Mara returns to live with her father (a man she never knew). Feeling lost and alone, Mara finds herself drawn to Josh. Josh is a teen who keeps to himself and compels her at every turn. However Swans Landing is an island FULL of secrets and once Mara finally understands what those secrets are will she be willing to stick around the island or will she “run” away as far as she can…

This is an intriguing and mysterious YA romance novel. It kept me guessing most of the way through while wishing for a good HEA to wrap it all up. What I got was..."

Read more of this review and TWO TEASERS here: https://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2018/01/made-grade-swans-landing-seri... ( )

Surfacing was a nice change for me. When I picked Surfacing up to begin reading it, I honestly had no idea what the story was really about. I sort of just jumped into it. I have to say that I was immediately hooked after reading the first couple of pages. I really enjoyed it, but there were some parts that threw me off and had me annoyed at times, but I will get into that in a bit. When Mara’s mother dies she is sent off to live with her father who is a complete stranger to her. She knows nothing about him or what he is really like. Only what her mother shared with her, and even that wasn’t much. From the first two pages of the story I was already interested and wanted to know what was going to happen. The minute Mara arrives, she quickly learns that there is a huge mystery to the town and there’s obviously something she doesn’t know and no one is willing to share with her. Already half the town dislikes her and she has no clue. They look down on her and her family. The only friends she makes and that her father has are also disliked. With everything she is going through, losing her mother, moving in with a stranger, new town, new friends, that last thing she needs is enemies. Then she meets Josh, one of the “cool” kids and they quickly build a friendship, only it’s a secret friendship. It was just a lot of bad happening to her and if it were me, I would have had a break down. Mara started off as a strong character with a slick mouth and always spoke what was on her mind. She defended herself and she even defended those who weren’t really her friends. She just couldn’t stand bullying. I loved this about her, but then there were times where she would just annoy me. I understand the bitterness towards her father and the pain she is feeling, but at times she lashed out and it just bothered me a bit and felt unnecessary. Another thing that annoyed me a bit was that half the book, or a little more than half, it’s a whole bunch of, “You’re not ready to know the truth” or “It’s not my place to tell you.” After a while I got tired of everyone telling her this and I wanted to know the truth already. Once Mara does finally learn the truth and everything is revealed, the story got even more interesting. I also really liked the relationship Mara had with her friends, and the one she developed with Josh. If there is a second part to Surfacing, I would definitely like to read it. I enjoyed it, but I just wish Mara’s personality stayed consistent. She was up and down for me. There were also lots of moments that took me by surprise. I recommend this story! 3.5 out of 5 stars! ( )