Forgive my Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

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.

I've seen this book at my library plenty of times before.  But I've never gotten it.  Then, someone recommended to me on one of my Follow Friday posts that I should try Tera Lynn Childs books.  So, I picked this book up.  And let's just say, I wish I had done it long ago.

I couldn't put this book down!  It was so good!  The plot was unique.  I know what you're thinking.  Another "girl finds out she is half-mermaid" story.  Nope.  This is more of a "mermaid finds out she's half-human", but Lily already knows it.

Child's makes the land of Thalassinia seem perfectly plausible.  Like, how can humans not notice a kingdom in the sea?  Easy.  Its hidden by coral. 

I didn't really love Lily.  She, as Quince says, only sees what she wants to see.  But still, she was a good character, and developed as the story went along.


The only thing I did not love about FORGIVE MY FINS was the ending.  Come on!  Why did they (I'm not sayin' who they are, even though you probably know) have to get un-bonded!  But, the ending does leave lots of room for a sequel, which made me happy!

I give this book a 5/5 and would recommend it to lovers of fantasy, fairy-tale, romance, and a good book.

Market: YA
Sensuality: Mild
Violence: None/Mild
Language: Mild

Also, check out the German cover.  Ich leiber es!(I love it!)

The title translates to "Sea Virgin looks for Prince for Life", which made me laugh!