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Haven Cove #1
Called to the Deep
First comes desire. Then hunger.
When Killian Quinn, captain of offshore fishing boat Dawn Chaser, receives a distress call from a sailing ship caught in a terrible storm, he and his crew rush to provide aid. But when they arrive, all that’s left of the ship and its crew is splintered wood and a borderline hypothermic woman who can’t remember how she survived. His attraction to her is instantaneous, and maintaining a professional distance proves to be a struggle, especially when she needs a place to stay that’s far from the press and curious townsfolk, and his idyllic cottage by the sea is the perfect sanctuary.
What was supposed to be a thrilling once-in-a lifetime opportunity for Lorelei Roth—who’d never been to sea—turns into a seafaring tragedy. As Lorelei struggles to accept that she is The Osprey’s only survivor, she is plagued by strange dreams and sleepwalking episodes that draw her into the ocean. And if the grieving process wasn’t hard enough, Lorelei also grapples with guilt from developing feelings for the captain who rescued her. But worst of all, is a new, unsettling hunger for raw flesh that’s eating her from the inside out. The handsome captain begins to look like a tasty snack in more ways than one.
Discovering that she’s descended from the people-eating mermaids who devoured her crew, Lorelei struggles to accept her identity knowing her entire existence relies upon its secrecy and devouring human flesh. What happens when Killian finds out? His snoopy ex? A marine biologist? A reporter? The world at large? What happens when Lorelei answers the ocean’s call to the deep?
When Killian Quinn, captain of offshore fishing boat Dawn Chaser, receives a distress call from a sailing ship caught in a terrible storm, he and his crew rush to provide aid. But when they arrive, all that’s left of the ship and its crew is splintered wood and a borderline hypothermic woman who can’t remember how she survived. His attraction to her is instantaneous, and maintaining a professional distance proves to be a struggle, especially when she needs a place to stay that’s far from the press and curious townsfolk, and his idyllic cottage by the sea is the perfect sanctuary.
What was supposed to be a thrilling once-in-a lifetime opportunity for Lorelei Roth—who’d never been to sea—turns into a seafaring tragedy. As Lorelei struggles to accept that she is The Osprey’s only survivor, she is plagued by strange dreams and sleepwalking episodes that draw her into the ocean. And if the grieving process wasn’t hard enough, Lorelei also grapples with guilt from developing feelings for the captain who rescued her. But worst of all, is a new, unsettling hunger for raw flesh that’s eating her from the inside out. The handsome captain begins to look like a tasty snack in more ways than one.
Discovering that she’s descended from the people-eating mermaids who devoured her crew, Lorelei struggles to accept her identity knowing her entire existence relies upon its secrecy and devouring human flesh. What happens when Killian finds out? His snoopy ex? A marine biologist? A reporter? The world at large? What happens when Lorelei answers the ocean’s call to the deep?
354 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2022
About the author
Desirée M. Niccoli
4 books66 followersBy night, Desirée M. Niccoli writes a blend of vicious romance and cozy horror, featuring monsters, villains, and the supernatural, and often served with (mostly) emotionally intelligent characters and heart. By day, she is a public relations professional living the nomadic military life with her husband and two cats Pawdry Hepburn and Puma Thurman. Although born and raised in Pittsburgh, Desirée has since lived in coastal Maine (where her spooky heart truly lies) and Maryland.
Name Pronunciation: DE-zi-RAY NI-Koh-lee. Rhymes with cannoli.
She is represented by Kaitlyn Katsoupis at Belcastro Agency.
For emailed book news and author’s musings, subscribe to Desirée’s blog Brain Ink at www.dmniccoli.com. And for even more regular book-related updates, you can find her on Twitter @dmniccoli and Instagram @author_dmniccoli.
Name Pronunciation: DE-zi-RAY NI-Koh-lee. Rhymes with cannoli.
She is represented by Kaitlyn Katsoupis at Belcastro Agency.
For emailed book news and author’s musings, subscribe to Desirée’s blog Brain Ink at www.dmniccoli.com. And for even more regular book-related updates, you can find her on Twitter @dmniccoli and Instagram @author_dmniccoli.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 14, 2022
Lorelei, a lone survivor to a ship wreck. Killian, the captain to his ship. Killian saves her and sparks fly instantly for the two. When Lorelei discovers she is a siren, after having nightmares and sleep walking in the sea. Killian stays by her side and his love for her does not waver. A love story between a fisherman and mermaid. There are ups and downs. I love their fiery connection. When Lorelei starts to tell others and their accepting reaction to her was sweet but not everyone will be as accepting. Someone discovers what she is and the ending will leave you wanting more. I can't wait to continue this story and hope for a second book.
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November 23, 2022DNF around 60%. I was so excited for this author's full-length book after reading her really cool ghoul novella, but this isn't quite working for me. I still totally recommend to anyone who's in the mood for a fisherman captain + domesticated flesh-eating killer siren-mermaid romance... but unfortunately, I'm just losing interest. The idea is cool, but the execution is missing the mark FOR ME.
It's just a little overwritten for me (calling his abs 'an archipelago' was a bit... much).
It toggles back and forth between feeling too slow and too abrupt. I'm not entirely convinced of the characters' motivations or the timelines we're following. The dialogue doesn't feel believable to me. I keep thinking to myself— people don't say that, people don't talk like that.
However! Please still read this if you're interested! I'm excited for this new-to-the-scene author and don't want to discourage anyone from reading. I would totally try her again in the future.
It's just a little overwritten for me (calling his abs 'an archipelago' was a bit... much).
It toggles back and forth between feeling too slow and too abrupt. I'm not entirely convinced of the characters' motivations or the timelines we're following. The dialogue doesn't feel believable to me. I keep thinking to myself— people don't say that, people don't talk like that.
However! Please still read this if you're interested! I'm excited for this new-to-the-scene author and don't want to discourage anyone from reading. I would totally try her again in the future.
December 29, 2022
I'm always happy to try a mermaid romance and I was intrigued by the setup for CALLED TO THE DEEP which features the only survivor of a ship wreck who finds out afterward she's the descendent of people-eating mermaids. Overall, this was a good book with some solid bones but a few things slowed me down while reading. The beginning is very slow and it wasn't until about 40% that I really started to get engaged with the plot and what was happening to Lorelei. Much of the beginning sets up the small coastal town of Haven Cove and if you love atmospheric settings than the beginning will probably work better for you than it did for me.
Once we started to get into the mermaid bits of the story I found it a lot more interesting and I liked seeing how Lorelei handled her changing appetites, predatory instincts, and new abilities. I also appreciated how raw and real Niccoli wrote Lorelei's struggle to control her desire to eat people; it's not just casually mentioned, we actually see the real and dangerous consequences of Lorelei's hunger. I also liked both Lorelei and Killian as a couple, their feelings develop quickly but I like that in a romance so it worked for me. Also, I'm always a sucker for a hero who falls first and falls hard for his love interest. The way Killian takes care of Lorelei and appreciates her differences was written really beautifully. Throw in some great secondary characters and there's some really good found family moments.
Outside the slow start the other thing that held me back was how much narrative there was compared to dialogue. There were so many things that were just summarized as they were happening and this made me feel disconnected from the story; it was like I was getting a second hand account of events rather than seeing them as they were happening. Many times a character would go to have a conversation with another character and instead of having that dialogue on page, the reader would just get a summary of what was discussed or what happened. I noticed this occurred a lot more in the last third of the book and made the ending feel like it was trying to rush through a bunch of events.
All that being said, I do plan to read the second book when it comes out because I'm curious to see what happens with Lila's study and whether or not the wild mermaids will find lasting peace from their hunger.
**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
Content Warning: survivors guilt and PTSD; on page funeral; past death of a parent from cancer; brief mention of verbally abusive parent; references to rape; light stalking from an ex
Once we started to get into the mermaid bits of the story I found it a lot more interesting and I liked seeing how Lorelei handled her changing appetites, predatory instincts, and new abilities. I also appreciated how raw and real Niccoli wrote Lorelei's struggle to control her desire to eat people; it's not just casually mentioned, we actually see the real and dangerous consequences of Lorelei's hunger. I also liked both Lorelei and Killian as a couple, their feelings develop quickly but I like that in a romance so it worked for me. Also, I'm always a sucker for a hero who falls first and falls hard for his love interest. The way Killian takes care of Lorelei and appreciates her differences was written really beautifully. Throw in some great secondary characters and there's some really good found family moments.
Outside the slow start the other thing that held me back was how much narrative there was compared to dialogue. There were so many things that were just summarized as they were happening and this made me feel disconnected from the story; it was like I was getting a second hand account of events rather than seeing them as they were happening. Many times a character would go to have a conversation with another character and instead of having that dialogue on page, the reader would just get a summary of what was discussed or what happened. I noticed this occurred a lot more in the last third of the book and made the ending feel like it was trying to rush through a bunch of events.
All that being said, I do plan to read the second book when it comes out because I'm curious to see what happens with Lila's study and whether or not the wild mermaids will find lasting peace from their hunger.
**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
Content Warning: survivors guilt and PTSD; on page funeral; past death of a parent from cancer; brief mention of verbally abusive parent; references to rape; light stalking from an ex
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March 11, 2021Proud to say I was the original beta reader for this novel, way back when. :)
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October 21, 2022Called to the Deep is my love letter to Maine and the found family I made while I lived there. It’s the book that showed me I could still write after a six-year drought, and it’s a real mashup of things. There’s: Heartfelt romance. Creepy horror moments. Marine science. Found family fluff. Humor. Environmentalism. Boat stuff. PR problems. And of course, flesh-craving (and sometimes flesh-eating) mermaids.
It’s about a lady monster and the discovery and acceptance of who and what she is and the people who help her get there. It’s a heroine’s journey and a reminder that we don’t have to go it alone.
The sequel, Song of Lorelei, is about healing, atonement, and embracing oneself, claws and all.
My deepest thanks for giving the Haven Cove crew a chance.
xoxo
Desirée
It’s about a lady monster and the discovery and acceptance of who and what she is and the people who help her get there. It’s a heroine’s journey and a reminder that we don’t have to go it alone.
The sequel, Song of Lorelei, is about healing, atonement, and embracing oneself, claws and all.
My deepest thanks for giving the Haven Cove crew a chance.
xoxo
Desirée
February 2, 2023
You know maybe it's cause I kissed a lot of mermaid book-shaped frogs, but this deserves 5 stars. A great mix of romance and actual mermaid lore. I loved seeing Lorelei's and Killian's relationship - it was really healthy and beautiful to see. But I was surprised to see how detailed and thought-through the mermaid lore bit of it was. And the extent to which it was the focus of the book was a pleasant surprise as well. Will go to the top of mermaid books for me!
January 5, 2023
I loved the eerie aquatic horror of this book. Give me way more bloodthirsty mermaids please and thank you. Good thing there is a sequel coming out soon :)
August 17, 2022
CALLED TO THE DEEP is a rare and luscious treat…a seductive, decadent romance spiced with pulse-pounding horror. Niccoli’s charmingly carnivorous mermaid will absolutely enchant you while making you cast a wary eye to the waves. Scary, delicious fun!
That’s the professional-sounding blurb, but this debut is going to knock your socks off! I loved every moment of Lorelei and Killian’s romance. The characterization is stellar, I love that the heroine is the “monster” for once, and Killian is a kind-hearted and protective hero whose brooding is far from toxic. Niccoli also creates a wonderful sense of place in this book—she’s very familiar with her coastal Maine setting, and it shows. This is a lovely read and I cannot wait for the next book in this planned series!
That’s the professional-sounding blurb, but this debut is going to knock your socks off! I loved every moment of Lorelei and Killian’s romance. The characterization is stellar, I love that the heroine is the “monster” for once, and Killian is a kind-hearted and protective hero whose brooding is far from toxic. Niccoli also creates a wonderful sense of place in this book—she’s very familiar with her coastal Maine setting, and it shows. This is a lovely read and I cannot wait for the next book in this planned series!
September 8, 2022
Oh my gosh, where to start? For one thing, our hero is a seafarer from Maine named Killian (long dramatic stare at all OUAT fans). Now forget that he doesn't look like Killian Jones, I still fancasted so work with me here. 😍
We open with a shipwreck with almost all lives lost, and damn if that doesn't set the tone for this creepy yet utterly enthralling book.
Niccoli doesn't hold back from teasing the line between heroine and monster. With a craving for human flesh, Lorelei is both terrifying and sexy. And truth be told, once you get past the scales, there were some characters I wouldn't mind Lorelei sinking her teeth into.
With a well rounded and fun supporting cast, CALLED TO THE DEEP is a quick and consuming read about a young woman (Lorelei) who survives a wreck, only to discover the reason she beat out the cold of the northern Atlantic Ocean is that she's a siren. As her body and cravings change, she fights to remain in control of her human life, including the budding romance with the ship captain who saved her: Killian. With the help of her marine biologist best friend, Lorelei evades prying reporters and snooping ex's to discover what makes a siren a killer, and maybe (just maybe) find a way to save herself and her people.
We open with a shipwreck with almost all lives lost, and damn if that doesn't set the tone for this creepy yet utterly enthralling book.
Niccoli doesn't hold back from teasing the line between heroine and monster. With a craving for human flesh, Lorelei is both terrifying and sexy. And truth be told, once you get past the scales, there were some characters I wouldn't mind Lorelei sinking her teeth into.
With a well rounded and fun supporting cast, CALLED TO THE DEEP is a quick and consuming read about a young woman (Lorelei) who survives a wreck, only to discover the reason she beat out the cold of the northern Atlantic Ocean is that she's a siren. As her body and cravings change, she fights to remain in control of her human life, including the budding romance with the ship captain who saved her: Killian. With the help of her marine biologist best friend, Lorelei evades prying reporters and snooping ex's to discover what makes a siren a killer, and maybe (just maybe) find a way to save herself and her people.
October 7, 2022
DAMN I LOVED THIS BOOK!
We have a hot sea captain who is also the kindest soul, a woman coming to terms with her new mermaid/siren identity and the power that comes with it, and oops I'm trying not to eat people.
All the coastal Maine fall vibes your October heart could desire, plus outside AND boat sexy times.
5 stars, put this book into my veins
We have a hot sea captain who is also the kindest soul, a woman coming to terms with her new mermaid/siren identity and the power that comes with it, and oops I'm trying not to eat people.
All the coastal Maine fall vibes your October heart could desire, plus outside AND boat sexy times.
5 stars, put this book into my veins
December 12, 2022
Rating: 3.5/5.0
“Called to the Deep” is a different twist on the mermaid tail with some added romance.
Read full review in the 2022 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
“Called to the Deep” is a different twist on the mermaid tail with some added romance.
Read full review in the 2022 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 10, 2022
So glad I got my hands on an early copy because I. Am. Obsessed! If you’re a fan of the monster romance genre, love atmospheric romances, and love mermaids and sea shanties, this is the book for you!
September 20, 2022
Seaside, gothic romance.
Loved the twist on mermaids, a little more monstrous (they have REASONS) but enjoyable.
Killian is a mature King. Sexy! Loves boundaries and respect!
Great start to the series. Will definitely read more.
Loved the twist on mermaids, a little more monstrous (they have REASONS) but enjoyable.
Killian is a mature King. Sexy! Loves boundaries and respect!
Great start to the series. Will definitely read more.
September 18, 2022
Series: Haven Cove #1
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
When Lorelei Roth’s first trip out to sea ends in tragedy, she finds herself struggling with survivors' guilt and discovering that she isn’t only human. While dealing with all the new changes in her life, she is also dealing with her developing feelings for the captain who rescued her.
“To think, a simple fishing captain bewitching a siren. He could ask anything of her in that moment, and she’d sing his name and deny him nothing.”
Lorelei and Killian’s story was a slow building one that was really enjoyable. Lorelei’s first trip out to sea leads to her finding out that she is a mermaid, a mermaid who eats human flesh. As you can imagine, this causes a lot of stress and fear for her, especially since she is falling for Killian. I really liked how Killian handled finding out that she wasn’t completely human. Yes, he was scared for a bit but he also realized that Lorelei was still the same person and helped her work through some of her fears. Lorelei and Killian’s relationship was very sweet and comforting. They took care of each other and worked out their issues as a team, which is always a great thing.
Another aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was the found family that Lorelei found. Part of Kililan’s crew, and surrogate family, welcome Lorelei with open arms and make her a part of their circle. They accept everything about her and go out of their way to make sure she is safe, and cope with all the changes to her body. I really love when there is a big found family in stories like this because it’s great seeing the MC have someone to lean on, outside of their partner.
The mermaids in this world are quite fascinating because they are not the sweet sirens from The Little Mermaid. These are sirens who sing to eat humans. I really enjoyed this world of vicious mermaids and the truths they uncover about the species. I am very interested in seeing how the mermaid’s life will change in the next book.
Overall, this was a great slow building paranormal romance. If you are looking for a mermaid romance that isn’t all sweet and gentle, pick up this one.
Trigger warnings: death of mother from cancer discussed briefly; grief; PTSD; survivors guilt; verbally abusive father mentioned; rape briefly mentioned;
*ARC provided by the author for an honest review.*
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
When Lorelei Roth’s first trip out to sea ends in tragedy, she finds herself struggling with survivors' guilt and discovering that she isn’t only human. While dealing with all the new changes in her life, she is also dealing with her developing feelings for the captain who rescued her.
“To think, a simple fishing captain bewitching a siren. He could ask anything of her in that moment, and she’d sing his name and deny him nothing.”
Lorelei and Killian’s story was a slow building one that was really enjoyable. Lorelei’s first trip out to sea leads to her finding out that she is a mermaid, a mermaid who eats human flesh. As you can imagine, this causes a lot of stress and fear for her, especially since she is falling for Killian. I really liked how Killian handled finding out that she wasn’t completely human. Yes, he was scared for a bit but he also realized that Lorelei was still the same person and helped her work through some of her fears. Lorelei and Killian’s relationship was very sweet and comforting. They took care of each other and worked out their issues as a team, which is always a great thing.
Another aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was the found family that Lorelei found. Part of Kililan’s crew, and surrogate family, welcome Lorelei with open arms and make her a part of their circle. They accept everything about her and go out of their way to make sure she is safe, and cope with all the changes to her body. I really love when there is a big found family in stories like this because it’s great seeing the MC have someone to lean on, outside of their partner.
The mermaids in this world are quite fascinating because they are not the sweet sirens from The Little Mermaid. These are sirens who sing to eat humans. I really enjoyed this world of vicious mermaids and the truths they uncover about the species. I am very interested in seeing how the mermaid’s life will change in the next book.
Overall, this was a great slow building paranormal romance. If you are looking for a mermaid romance that isn’t all sweet and gentle, pick up this one.
Trigger warnings: death of mother from cancer discussed briefly; grief; PTSD; survivors guilt; verbally abusive father mentioned; rape briefly mentioned;
*ARC provided by the author for an honest review.*
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
September 2, 2022
Thank so much Desiree for sharing this early copy with me!
As a land locked dweller, I always adore a sea side setting and this one was so full of atmosphere. Wholesome but creepy if that makes any sense. I loved the gentle romance between the captain and our lovely man eating mermaid that again somehow managed to be sweet and deadly at the same time. If you love mermaids and monsters, then this romance is definitely for you!
As a land locked dweller, I always adore a sea side setting and this one was so full of atmosphere. Wholesome but creepy if that makes any sense. I loved the gentle romance between the captain and our lovely man eating mermaid that again somehow managed to be sweet and deadly at the same time. If you love mermaids and monsters, then this romance is definitely for you!
November 4, 2022
This is so tricky to review without spoiling the whole thing but WOW. I am such a sucker for a mermaid story and this one was pretty unique. The love story is slow burn but really well written, you get a good dose of plot while still wanting more of their story. I can’t wait for the sequel! LOVED IT.
February 5, 2023
What an enchanting read! The beautiful writing style and the captivating story had me deeply engrossed in this book! This book was a lovely mix of mermaid lore, romance, and horror and it was breathtaking. There was so much to love about this book.
What I loved:
🧜♀️ Lorelei and Killian’s relationship
🧜♀️ The atmospheric coastal setting
🧜♀️ Well developed characters
🧜♀️ The dark horror elements
I’m so glad I have book two, and I can’t wait to dive in.
What I loved:
🧜♀️ Lorelei and Killian’s relationship
🧜♀️ The atmospheric coastal setting
🧜♀️ Well developed characters
🧜♀️ The dark horror elements
I’m so glad I have book two, and I can’t wait to dive in.
February 17, 2023
I was really drawn to Killian and Lorelei and how good they are together. This was a fast paced read and I seriously enjoyed it, although I did think everyone who found out the truth about Lorelei was a little too calm about it. A bit predictable, but worth it for its descriptive writing and wonderful story. *I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
December 28, 2022
The immaculate gothic vibes coupled with passionate romance between Lorelei and Killian is SO well written. I really enjoyed Called to the Deep :) Not only is Killian a certified book boyfriend material, he BAKES. Not to mention he cooks too! *swoons*
August 13, 2022
I love that this book made me actually talk back to the book.
“Gross!”
“Wait! Humans taste like whaaaat?!!”
“Gasp! Mermaid fight?!”
What a fun, sexy, monstrous time!
“Gross!”
“Wait! Humans taste like whaaaat?!!”
“Gasp! Mermaid fight?!”
What a fun, sexy, monstrous time!
August 25, 2022
I was truly hooked from the very beginning. I felt the laughs, the fear and the love from all the characters. I was called out for audibly gasping and giggling throughout my read!
October 7, 2022
I was into the idea of murderous/sexy mermaid drama, but found this only moderately entertaining.
April 1, 2023
I was recommended this book with the promise of some "spice" and sadly it didn't really deliver.
October 26, 2022
Before I begin this review, I would like to state that all opinions in this review are my own. This review might contain some spoilers so anyone reading this review please be aware of that.
I received this book as part of an ARC from NetGalley.
Killian is the captain of a ship called the Dawn Chaser. He finds Lorelei in the shipwreck of The Osprey (I believe that is the correct spelling of the name) after receiving a distress call. This is the adventure of Lorelei and Killian and the problems they face.
When I saw this was a mermaid/siren novel, I was instantly excited to read it. I don't find/read many books about sea creatures, so I was really intrigued to read this. The cover is absolutely beautiful and was one of the things that drew me in. Overall, I felt this book/novel was really good and a lot of its content was good.
I received this book as part of an ARC from NetGalley.
Killian is the captain of a ship called the Dawn Chaser. He finds Lorelei in the shipwreck of The Osprey (I believe that is the correct spelling of the name) after receiving a distress call. This is the adventure of Lorelei and Killian and the problems they face.
When I saw this was a mermaid/siren novel, I was instantly excited to read it. I don't find/read many books about sea creatures, so I was really intrigued to read this. The cover is absolutely beautiful and was one of the things that drew me in. Overall, I felt this book/novel was really good and a lot of its content was good.
October 25, 2022
It took me too long to get into this book. The beginning was too slow, but I gave up on so many books lately so I decided to push through this one. And I ended up enjoying the story.
The story follows Lorelei, the only survivor from the crew of The Osprey. She is saved by Dawn Chaser's crew, where she feels immediate attraction to the captain Killian, despite the horror she survived.
What I found too tiresome was describing every room in excruciating detail. Setting the scene and everything, that is fine. But it's too much detail for a room that will be mentioned only once in a book. That is one of the things that made me want to give up on the book too much in the beginning. Too much detailing.
And some conversations were in too much detail, while the others were, she explained this, she explained that.
Chapter Nineteen is when it happened. When I stopped skimming through the book and started to enjoy the story. Before that, chapters are filled with fillers and unnecessary details. Getting to the part when she found out she was a mermaid was the moment I was waiting for, and yet, I felt like it was too rushed and anticlimactic, but I didn't care. Something was finally happening in this story.
I liked Lila, and I liked her scientist/friend moral dilemma. Lorelei's acceptance of her heritage wouldn't be so easy without Lila, maybe even not possible.
But there was one point in the book where Lorelei was, let's go to the beach, I want to show you something, and Lila was, all right, let's go. Does she have a job where she can do that? Can she just drop her work and go somewhere, or did I skimm so much in the beginning that I'm not remembering the correct details about her job?
And I hoped she answered Lila's question about what-to-put-where in mermaid sex.
"Was he was supposed..." I like nitpicking grammatical errors. English is not my first language, so I always have watchful eyes for that.
"You're really knowledgeable about first-aid." ... But maybe he didn't know how to respond to a compliment. That was not a compliment. It's stating the fact.
And, as a ship's captain, very necessary.
And this book made me wonder too much about stupid things, Things like, is it possible to lick the blood from your lips underwater? If you were underwater, and then bit someone, wouldn't the blood just float away, instead of staying on your skin?
"Nireed's lower half appeared completely human . . . This is Nireed." Knowing character's name before she was even introduced. I like nitpicking in general.
Maybe I'll read the next book in the series... it all depends when it comes out. If I won't remember much of the story, I'll probably just skip it. Although I enjoyed the story in the end, I'm sure I'm not going to re-read it.
It's nice how everyone is warm and welcoming, and I like the concept of a found family. But I don't think it's possible for almost every character to be so good. Everyone is comprised of good and bad characteristics. And in my recollection, besides Killian ex-girlfriend Carrie, everyone is too gentle and too kind.
And nobody is really a hero nor villain, it only depends on who's telling the story. If we were to get the same story from Carrie, I'm sure Lorelei would be the biggest, the baddest of them all.
The story is good. If anyone is intrigued, I'd tell them not to give up on the story and push through the tedium of the first 40% of the book.
The story follows Lorelei, the only survivor from the crew of The Osprey. She is saved by Dawn Chaser's crew, where she feels immediate attraction to the captain Killian, despite the horror she survived.
What I found too tiresome was describing every room in excruciating detail. Setting the scene and everything, that is fine. But it's too much detail for a room that will be mentioned only once in a book. That is one of the things that made me want to give up on the book too much in the beginning. Too much detailing.
And some conversations were in too much detail, while the others were, she explained this, she explained that.
Chapter Nineteen is when it happened. When I stopped skimming through the book and started to enjoy the story. Before that, chapters are filled with fillers and unnecessary details. Getting to the part when she found out she was a mermaid was the moment I was waiting for, and yet, I felt like it was too rushed and anticlimactic, but I didn't care. Something was finally happening in this story.
I liked Lila, and I liked her scientist/friend moral dilemma. Lorelei's acceptance of her heritage wouldn't be so easy without Lila, maybe even not possible.
But there was one point in the book where Lorelei was, let's go to the beach, I want to show you something, and Lila was, all right, let's go. Does she have a job where she can do that? Can she just drop her work and go somewhere, or did I skimm so much in the beginning that I'm not remembering the correct details about her job?
And I hoped she answered Lila's question about what-to-put-where in mermaid sex.
"Was he was supposed..." I like nitpicking grammatical errors. English is not my first language, so I always have watchful eyes for that.
"You're really knowledgeable about first-aid." ... But maybe he didn't know how to respond to a compliment. That was not a compliment. It's stating the fact.
And, as a ship's captain, very necessary.
And this book made me wonder too much about stupid things, Things like, is it possible to lick the blood from your lips underwater? If you were underwater, and then bit someone, wouldn't the blood just float away, instead of staying on your skin?
"Nireed's lower half appeared completely human . . . This is Nireed." Knowing character's name before she was even introduced. I like nitpicking in general.
Maybe I'll read the next book in the series... it all depends when it comes out. If I won't remember much of the story, I'll probably just skip it. Although I enjoyed the story in the end, I'm sure I'm not going to re-read it.
It's nice how everyone is warm and welcoming, and I like the concept of a found family. But I don't think it's possible for almost every character to be so good. Everyone is comprised of good and bad characteristics. And in my recollection, besides Killian ex-girlfriend Carrie, everyone is too gentle and too kind.
And nobody is really a hero nor villain, it only depends on who's telling the story. If we were to get the same story from Carrie, I'm sure Lorelei would be the biggest, the baddest of them all.
The story is good. If anyone is intrigued, I'd tell them not to give up on the story and push through the tedium of the first 40% of the book.
December 22, 2022
An enticing, character-driven monster romance with hints of horror woven throughout. If you like the siren scene in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (aka the best scene in the whole movie), that's the vibe here—except in this story, siren and sailor are equally drawn to one another.
The book is dual POV, switching back and forth between Lorelei, a museum worker and the sole survivor of a devastating shipwreck, and Killian, the fisherman who pulls her from the wreckage. Their attraction to one another is immediate, but Lorelei is grappling with the death of her coworkers and survivor's guilt. Their romance isn't a slow-burn, per se, but it didn't feel rushed either—
The main conflict centers around Lorelei discovering and coming to terms with who and what she is, and how it impacts those around her. Her relationship with Killian Outside of the romance, there's also tension in the form of . Despite the reader knowing the truth about Lorelei from the cover, Niccoli's careful world-building makes for plenty of satisfying reveals as the story progresses.
I also enjoyed the coastal Maine setting and the nods to the sirens of Germanic myth. While the romance itself isn't a slow-burn, I'd say the rest of the plot is, with lots of subtle build-up culminating in some climactic final chapters. This is the first in a duology, so there are definitely some lingering questions at the end. Looking forward to the next book!
The book is dual POV, switching back and forth between Lorelei, a museum worker and the sole survivor of a devastating shipwreck, and Killian, the fisherman who pulls her from the wreckage. Their attraction to one another is immediate, but Lorelei is grappling with the death of her coworkers and survivor's guilt. Their romance isn't a slow-burn, per se, but it didn't feel rushed either—
The main conflict centers around Lorelei discovering and coming to terms with who and what she is, and how it impacts those around her. Her relationship with Killian Outside of the romance, there's also tension in the form of . Despite the reader knowing the truth about Lorelei from the cover, Niccoli's careful world-building makes for plenty of satisfying reveals as the story progresses.
I also enjoyed the coastal Maine setting and the nods to the sirens of Germanic myth. While the romance itself isn't a slow-burn, I'd say the rest of the plot is, with lots of subtle build-up culminating in some climactic final chapters. This is the first in a duology, so there are definitely some lingering questions at the end. Looking forward to the next book!
September 14, 2022
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed my first taste of Desirée Niccoli’s writing when I read her monster short last year, so I was eager to see what she had to offer with a full-length novel. And the vibes immediately drew me in, with the promise of flesh-eating mermaids, simultaneously evoking some of what I loved about Into the Drowning Deep, with the mermaid/human romance of The Little Mermaid, and a bit of self-discovery, akin to a few tween mermaid movies (Aquamarine, The Thirteenth Year). And it ultimately did not disappoint.
The atmosphere is well-drawn, and there’s a real sense of the environs of the seaside town. You really feel like you’re there in coastal Maine alongside the characters, taking in all the sites, sounds, and smells.
Lorelei’s characterization is immaculate. She starts the book without much awareness of her past, but gradually develops an awareness of her unique abilities, like the fact that her siren identity was what allowed her to survive a shipwreck. Niccoli masterfully walks the line between maiden and monster, exploring Lorelei’s dark cravings for human flesh, while also depicting the struggle to maintain her humanity and goodness…while also trying to evade those who may want to exploit her existence for financial gain.
And Killian…he casts a dashing figure as a sea captain, and it’s hard not to draw parallels with his namesake from Once Upon a Time at times, even if they don’t share a ton in common. He has a complicated past of his own, but he’s also an incredibly caring person, and protective to just the right degree, without being overbearing.
This is a fabulous start for a series, and if the final chapter is any indication, the next book will be equally as compelling. If you enjoy paranormal, urban fantasy, or monster romance, I recommend picking this one up.
I really enjoyed my first taste of Desirée Niccoli’s writing when I read her monster short last year, so I was eager to see what she had to offer with a full-length novel. And the vibes immediately drew me in, with the promise of flesh-eating mermaids, simultaneously evoking some of what I loved about Into the Drowning Deep, with the mermaid/human romance of The Little Mermaid, and a bit of self-discovery, akin to a few tween mermaid movies (Aquamarine, The Thirteenth Year). And it ultimately did not disappoint.
The atmosphere is well-drawn, and there’s a real sense of the environs of the seaside town. You really feel like you’re there in coastal Maine alongside the characters, taking in all the sites, sounds, and smells.
Lorelei’s characterization is immaculate. She starts the book without much awareness of her past, but gradually develops an awareness of her unique abilities, like the fact that her siren identity was what allowed her to survive a shipwreck. Niccoli masterfully walks the line between maiden and monster, exploring Lorelei’s dark cravings for human flesh, while also depicting the struggle to maintain her humanity and goodness…while also trying to evade those who may want to exploit her existence for financial gain.
And Killian…he casts a dashing figure as a sea captain, and it’s hard not to draw parallels with his namesake from Once Upon a Time at times, even if they don’t share a ton in common. He has a complicated past of his own, but he’s also an incredibly caring person, and protective to just the right degree, without being overbearing.
This is a fabulous start for a series, and if the final chapter is any indication, the next book will be equally as compelling. If you enjoy paranormal, urban fantasy, or monster romance, I recommend picking this one up.
October 18, 2022
Called to the Deep
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
My honest review of Called to the Deep by Desiree M Niccoli will be posted to my Instagram @chronicledbycait on 10/24!
Thank you NetGalley and City Owl Press for the eARC of Called to the Deep in exchange for an honest review!
Killian Quinn knew responding to a distress call from a fellow ship was going to be hard. What he didn’t expect was to find the ship in ruins and the crew gone, save for one mildly hypothermic woman.
Lorelei Roth is fascinated with history and has always felt called to the sea. So when the opportunity to sail presents itself she can’t say no. The last thing she expects is to be rescued from the sea by Killian Quinn.
And she definitely didn’t expect to catch feelings for him.
But with nightmares that pull her from her sleep and deep into the ocean, and a hunger for flesh - human flesh - Lorelei is faced with the harsh reality that there might be more to her survival than she realizes.
Grappling with the reality that she’s a mermaid and that mermaids are less like they are portrayed in Disney movies are more focused on eating people, Lorelei struggles to balance her new identify, her feelings for Killian, and her desire to be back in the sea.
I’ll be honest, there was a lot I really liked about this story! I really wanted to give it four stars for that reason.
Killian and Lorelei’s relationship was adorable, but I was very interested in the mermaid aspect and the mystery of why Lorelei survived while the rest of her crew drowned. The pacing was great and it was a quick, intriguing read!
I *did* struggle with the pacing of the romance, however. Killian and Lorelei fell for each other too fast which made me wonder of Siren influence had something to do with it? It felt like there was so much potential but ultimately it just fell a little flat for me.
That being said, it was definitely a good read and I will for sure be reading the next one!
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
My honest review of Called to the Deep by Desiree M Niccoli will be posted to my Instagram @chronicledbycait on 10/24!
Thank you NetGalley and City Owl Press for the eARC of Called to the Deep in exchange for an honest review!
Killian Quinn knew responding to a distress call from a fellow ship was going to be hard. What he didn’t expect was to find the ship in ruins and the crew gone, save for one mildly hypothermic woman.
Lorelei Roth is fascinated with history and has always felt called to the sea. So when the opportunity to sail presents itself she can’t say no. The last thing she expects is to be rescued from the sea by Killian Quinn.
And she definitely didn’t expect to catch feelings for him.
But with nightmares that pull her from her sleep and deep into the ocean, and a hunger for flesh - human flesh - Lorelei is faced with the harsh reality that there might be more to her survival than she realizes.
Grappling with the reality that she’s a mermaid and that mermaids are less like they are portrayed in Disney movies are more focused on eating people, Lorelei struggles to balance her new identify, her feelings for Killian, and her desire to be back in the sea.
I’ll be honest, there was a lot I really liked about this story! I really wanted to give it four stars for that reason.
Killian and Lorelei’s relationship was adorable, but I was very interested in the mermaid aspect and the mystery of why Lorelei survived while the rest of her crew drowned. The pacing was great and it was a quick, intriguing read!
I *did* struggle with the pacing of the romance, however. Killian and Lorelei fell for each other too fast which made me wonder of Siren influence had something to do with it? It felt like there was so much potential but ultimately it just fell a little flat for me.
That being said, it was definitely a good read and I will for sure be reading the next one!
October 1, 2022
I read...a lot of human/monster romance. Aliens, vampires, dragon-shifters, demons, GIVE ME ALL OF IT (strangely, I can't remember ever reading a romance with werewolves, so I guess I missed the zeitgeist on that!). But -- for most of the straight romances, the monster is the man, not the woman, which meant I was really excited to check out Called to the Deep, since Lorelei is the monster!
Well, for a given value of monster.
It's a very tidy, competently-written book -- I'm impressed at how well the author was able to create the setting, and how warm all of the character interactions felt. The actual plot is slow to start, the monster aspects only kicking in around the 40% mark, which may be a turn-off to some readers. I'm not sure if the slow start was deliberate, but it does give plenty of time for us to get to know the characters and to get invested in their lives. Even the minor characters are given a few moments to stand out and gain individuality -- a very nice touch!
I wish the book had leaned more into the horror aspects of what having a siren around means; granted that's not the point of this book, but Lorelei...craves human flesh. That's a big deal!
It's a solid, fun book, and a quick read with some interesting themes!
Well, for a given value of monster.
It's a very tidy, competently-written book -- I'm impressed at how well the author was able to create the setting, and how warm all of the character interactions felt. The actual plot is slow to start, the monster aspects only kicking in around the 40% mark, which may be a turn-off to some readers. I'm not sure if the slow start was deliberate, but it does give plenty of time for us to get to know the characters and to get invested in their lives. Even the minor characters are given a few moments to stand out and gain individuality -- a very nice touch!
I wish the book had leaned more into the horror aspects of what having a siren around means; granted that's not the point of this book, but Lorelei...craves human flesh. That's a big deal!
It's a solid, fun book, and a quick read with some interesting themes!
October 16, 2022
I loved this book! It was everything I was expecting, and a little of what I wasn't! 4.5 stars.
The story is told from a dual-perspective, first from Killian, the captain of a fishing boat in the Haven Cove, Maine area. He and his crew rescue the only survivor of a shipwreck, Lorelei, who now has to wrestle with the guilt and confusion of why she survived, and what to do now that she's landed in an unfamiliar place. The book is the first in a series.
What I liked:
- The imaginative writing and the creative use of ocean-based phrasing that didn't go too so far as to be annoying and instead drew me in
- The descriptions of the ocean were beautiful
- The romance had the perfect amount of spice, and I appreciated the internal conflict the main characters had about the somewhat insta-love they fell into
- I thought the author handled Lorelei working through her trauma and survivor's guilt very well.
- I love a grown-ass adult romance. Killian is in his thirties and Lorelei is in her late twenties. And major bonus points for characters who talk to each other and work through conflict in a healthy way instead of fights being due to immaturity or a lack of communication.
What I didn't like:
- Given that this is a contemporary setting, it seemed a little strange that more people didn't absolutely lose their sh*t when they found out mermaids exist.
- I felt the ending was a bit rushed. I think some of the truth bomb tension (trying to avoid a spoiler!) was a little hand-wavey, but I can see how some it might be resolved in the next book.
And I will definitely be reading the next book!
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley.
The story is told from a dual-perspective, first from Killian, the captain of a fishing boat in the Haven Cove, Maine area. He and his crew rescue the only survivor of a shipwreck, Lorelei, who now has to wrestle with the guilt and confusion of why she survived, and what to do now that she's landed in an unfamiliar place. The book is the first in a series.
What I liked:
- The imaginative writing and the creative use of ocean-based phrasing that didn't go too so far as to be annoying and instead drew me in
- The descriptions of the ocean were beautiful
- The romance had the perfect amount of spice, and I appreciated the internal conflict the main characters had about the somewhat insta-love they fell into
- I thought the author handled Lorelei working through her trauma and survivor's guilt very well.
- I love a grown-ass adult romance. Killian is in his thirties and Lorelei is in her late twenties. And major bonus points for characters who talk to each other and work through conflict in a healthy way instead of fights being due to immaturity or a lack of communication.
What I didn't like:
- Given that this is a contemporary setting, it seemed a little strange that more people didn't absolutely lose their sh*t when they found out mermaids exist.
- I felt the ending was a bit rushed. I think some of the truth bomb tension (trying to avoid a spoiler!) was a little hand-wavey, but I can see how some it might be resolved in the next book.
And I will definitely be reading the next book!
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley.
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