Review: Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: May 19th, 2010

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.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I started out reading this book with my daughter, Emma.  After the first night and four chapters, she had to go to bed.  I didn't stop reading.  I stayed up all night to finish it.  Needless to say, Emma was not happy with me.  She hates when I tell her that it's lights-out time, and then read ahead of her (right now I am trying REALLY hard not to do that with Divergent but it's not going so well).  Anyhow, that's how much I liked this book; I risked the wrath of Emma (of which you cant possibly imagine) to find out what happened next.

I adored this book just liked I adored Oh.My.Gods. and Goddess Bootcamp. Tera Lynn Childs has a knack for writing romance without making it totally lame and make-me-want-to-puke fluffy.  Her books are original and engaging.  Well written, with a great pace.  The characters are always likable and well developed.  This was no different.  I loved the characters.  The romantic element made me super-happy, even if I was surprised with the ending.  I couldn't wait to know more.  I had to go right out and get Fins Are Forever.  That review will be up soon, but I will say that it doesn't disappoint! (I am just, like, 27 reviews behind, so it might be awhile.)  Bring on Sweet Venom because my pre-order has already been placed!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Grade Level Recommendation:  I was reading it with my 10 year old, if that tells you anything.  It's pretty squeaky clean.  Innocent romance.  No language, drinking, drugs, or violence.  If a 4th grader could easily read it, I would let her.  Grades 4 and up (ages 9+).