Rescued By The Merman

Once Upon a Fairy Tale Romance #3

by Jessica Grayson, Aria Winter

Inspired by The Little Mermaid, a romantic fairy tale retelling…

The Princess of Solwyck slayed a dragon and saved her Kingdom, but at great cost to herself.

When I find her floating adrift in the sea and near death, I risk the wrath of my King to save her. She may not remember me, but I cannot forget her.

I will do anything to have a chance to see her again... even if it means forsaking my title as prince and heir to my kingdom.

*Steamy content. Not a dark romance*

Each book in the Once Upon a Fairy Tale Romance series can be read as a standalone romance, but it is recommended to read them in order to enhance the reading experience.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Retellings, Mermaids, Fiction, Fairy Tales

182 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 18, 2021

About the author

USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Grayson writes scifi and fantasy romance with strong heroines and the otherworldly heroes that cannot help but fall in love with them.

She lives with her husband, cat and dog in the San Antonio, TX area. In addition to reading and writing scifi romance, she loves swimming, chai and dark chocolate.

For more information, follow her on www.jessicagraysonauthor.com

Reviews

[Viv “BookVixen” Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was different and fun. Can’t say that I’ve ever read a romance with a merman before. (Maybe I have and just forgot, but none are coming to mind.)

I love this author because she always writes a beautiful story, great world building, and always safe. I love this series and can’t wait for more.

[Allie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not a fan of insta-love and that's what their relationship was. Honestly, I am still not sold on the love part I think it was more insta-lust in my opinion. It caught me off guard when they started saying they loved each other when they hadn't even known each other for that long and I feel like she only had feelings for him because he saved her life. I just felt that the relationship was rushed and maybe I would have enjoyed the book better if their relationship wasn't as rushed.

[Lenna Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review-

Might have some similarities towards ‘the little mermaid the Disney way and the old siren myth, but there a lot of it that’s different. Similarities- both are royal blood, sea witch (blood witch), curse -what does one sacrifice to save their loved one, one family against the mixed raced Union & HEA. But there is so so much more to this story that will keep you turning the pages.
Told in both POVs.


Blurb-
Inspired by The Little Mermaid, a steamy fairy tale retelling…The Princess of Solwyck slayed a dragon and saved her Kingdom, but at great cost to herself. When I find her floating adrift in the sea and near death, I risk the wrath of my King to save her. She may not remember me, but I cannot forget her. I will do anything to have a chance to see her again… even if it involves making a deal with the sea witch.

[Dayzee · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌊 A retelling like never before! 🌊

I LOVED this so much! It was unique, beautiful and an amazing new twist to the beloved little mermaid fairy tale. This time is the other way around! So much heart 💙!! I was captivated from start to finish! I just loved how it was so raw and different. Fierce Halla, dragon slayer meets Erick, merman. I love how Jessica always make the character fall in love in the most romantic ways and make it a point to make you feel for them. The friendships, romance and everything has a way to tangle, mingle and work out in the end! Cant wait for the next retelling!

[Kháos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere between 2.5 and 3. This book was just meh 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Abra Pressler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listen, occassionally we all need a palate cleanser. Mermans? Little Mermaid Retelling? Sign me up.

But the writing was weak, and the story was conflated (even more than I'd bargained for) and the characters felt watered down. I came to the end of this novel feeling rather... neutral about the entire experience, and I'm genuinely sorry for that. A lovely cover, and I'm sure this author's work is enjoyed by many.

[Abi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story had a lot of promise but unfortunately wasn’t fully fleshed out. Within a few pages, the amount of story skipped would be equivalent to 200 pages of a standard book. The idea of the storyline is good, which is why I’m giving this 2 stars instead of 1.

[Mary Burrows · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, a bit tedious

[Mackenzie Janssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Grayson continues her ‘Once Upon a Fairy Tale Romance’ series with a stunning retelling of ‘The Little Mermaid’. This book is a beautiful blend of magic, romance, and adventure, offering a fresh take on the classic tale. With strong characters, a richly built fantasy world, and a romance full of passion and longing, ‘Rescued by the Merman’ is a captivating addition to the series.

Plot: ★★★★★
This retelling stays true to the essence of ‘The Little Mermaid’ while adding its own unique twists. Halla, a strong and independent heroine, finds herself in dire circumstances when she’s rescued by Errik, a mysterious and powerful merman. As their bond deepens, tensions rise in each of their worlds, making their love forbidden and dangerous. The story balances romance, magic, and adventure perfectly, keeping the reader engaged with every turn of the page. The stakes are high, and the tension between duty, fate, and love makes for a gripping read.

Character: ★★★★★
Halla is a wonderful protagonist - brave, intelligent, and fiercely independent. She doesn’t wait for someone to save her; instead, she fights for her own future. She’s an easy character to love, as she balances strength with vulnerability in a truly relatable way. Errik is absolutely swoon-worthy. A noble yet dangerous merman, he’s the perfect blend of protective and passionate, with a depth that makes him stand out from other fantasy love interests. His struggles with his responsibilities and his growing love for Halla add layers to his character, making him even more compelling.

Setting: ★★★★★
The cliffside kingdom and surrounding world expand beautifully upon what’s already been established in the previous books. The descriptions of the ocean, the merfolk kingdom, and the contrast between land and sea create an immersive experience that pulls the reader in. Jessica Grayson masterfully crafts a setting that feels vibrant, dangerous, and enchanting all at once, making it easy to lose yourself in this magical world.

Engagement: ★★★★★
From the moment Halla and Errik meet, the chemistry is undeniable, and the stakes are high. The tension between their worlds, the forbidden romance, and the dangers they face kept me absolutely hooked. It’s impossible not to root for them, making this a book you won’t want to put down.

Readability: ★★★★★
Grayson’s writing flows beautifully, making this an effortless and engaging read. The pacing is perfect, with a great balance of action, romance, and world-building. The dialogue feels natural, and the emotions are vividly conveyed, pulling you deeper into the story.

Enjoyment: ★★★★★
I absolutely adored this book. The Little Mermaid has always been one of my favourite fairy tales, and Grayson’s take on it was truly mesmerising. The romance was beautifully developed, the characters were compelling, and the world was enchanting. This was a truly magical and thrilling read.

‘Rescued by the Merman’ is a breathtakingly romantic and adventurous take on ‘The Little Mermaid’, filled with passion, danger, and magic. With its strong-willed heroine, swoon-worthy merman love interest, and captivating world-building, this book is a must-read for fantasy romance fans. If you love mermaid lore, forbidden romance, and high-stakes adventure, this one is not to be missed.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halla and Errik's Story . . .

Princess Halla of Solwyck experiences nightmares every night of chaos and destruction. But they lead her to dreams of a blue-eyed man who was there as she floated limp and broken in the waves. How can she find that man who saved her that day?

A golden dragon had attacked the castle. Her brother was unconscious on the ground. Her father was dying but he passed his sword to her saying it was the only metal that could pierce the dragon’s scales. It was all up to her now to save the city. She steps onto the ledge as the dragon is killing her people. She will have only once chance to stop him. She leaps and lands on his back, impaling him with the sword as he falls into the sea. She is thrown and hits the rocks. As she sinks under the waves, he grabs her and gives her his kiss that will let her breathe under the water. Then he gets her to shore and the Healer sees them and comes to help, asking Errik to leave before someone tries to harm him, believing the old tales about mermen.

From that moment, she is all Errik can think about but both of them are royalty and have responsibilities to their kingdoms. She can no longer walk but Halla is able to swim and exercises in the water every day to maintain her strength. Halla finds out that the angel she remembers saving her was Errik. Despite how she feels about him, she may need to let him go for the sake of her kingdom and the marriage offer from wealthy King Henrick of Arnafell which she needs to accept so she and her brother can afford to repair their devastated kingdom. At least the Fae have surprisingly offered to send a Healer to Halla. But where will Halla’s future lead her?

[Amanda Mant · Rating 5 out of 5]

It met every one of my expectations!

I devoured the first two books of this series. Could not get through them fast enough and then I had a book hangover for weeks. I’ve been waiting for this one on bated breath. We’d heard so much about Princess Halla. I couldn’t wait to read her story. And it did not disappoint.

Halla and Errik were wonderful. Star crossed lovers from different species and I was rooting for them so hard. He saved her life. Even when his brother said he shouldn’t and then just couldn’t leave her alone. He cared too much. He knew she mattered. It’s literally a flipped Little Mermaid, but so much better.

These characters are grown ups in a magical world with dragons and Fae and polar bear shifters. It’s much easier to stomach than a 16 year old with a crush. Just saying.

Jessica Grayson can craft a story. I love the writing. I love the world building.

I’ll admit that the romance didn’t feel quite as full as with the last two. Meaning, in each other book it took them longer. These characters admitted it and then everything happened quite quickly. The pacing was a tiny bit off for me. Not complaining. I can’t complain about this book. But it is something I noticed.

Overall, much like its predecessors, this is undoubtedly a five star read. If you love PNR, you’ll love this book. If you love fairy tale retellings you’ll love this book. If you love some sexy with your story you’ll love this book. And if you’ve ever wondered how a girl can defeat a dragon you’ll LOVE this book!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing and editing of the ARC version of the manuscript was clean, with no typos that I found and well constructed sentences. The world building was vivid, with this seaside capitol city and the political realities therein coming to life. The characterization was competent, with the heroine being strong and deeply sympathetic.Her struggles with feeling betrayed by her body felt deeply relatable to me, as a person with disabilities. I loved the fact that she was wheelchair bound. We always need more disabled romance novel protagonists, in my opinion. The development of the romantic relationship was romantic and swoony. This novel had a heat level of three chili peppers. The plot was exciting, with action and political machinations. The pacing therefore flew by. This novel used the Star-Crossed Lovers trope and the Fated Mates trope. The world building, plot, and pacing were all four stars. The characterization and development of the romantic relationship were also four stars. I therefore gave this novel a combined rating of four stars. This novel ended on a Happy Ever After ending instead of a cliffhanger ending, so that was a big plus. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy fantasy romances with great world building, good representation, and a satisfying amount of heat. I look forward to reading the next book in this series when it releases. I will buy myself a keeper copy of this novel.

I received a free advance review copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I've read a couple other books by this author (Ice World Warriors series) and completely fell in love with the stories and characters. Very rarely have I read fairy tale retellings- usually because I love the original stories so much I end up comparing the two in my head too much as I read. But I couldn't resist picking this one up as I love Jessica Grayson's books and The Little Mermaid was my favorite fairy tale growing up. And I am so glad I did!

Even though I knew it was a retelling, it felt like (and is) a brand new story. It was different and beautiful and exciting! I love that the hero is the merman rather than human. I love that the heroine was brave and slew a dragon to save her kingdom. I loved that both were courageous and determined, kind and caring. Their relationship from friendship to falling in love was sweet to see. The supporting characters were wonderful. And I loved that mythical creatures- merfolk, dragons, shifters, fae- all exist openly in this world (even if they don't all trust each other). It just makes the world feel rich and full.

I won't say much about the storyline itself, as I was pleasantly surprised at the unexpected changes to the original story of The Little Mermaid the more I read, and I loved discovering it as I went along. I definitely recommend reading this book! I loved it and will be going back to read the others in this series. 5 stars

[Olivia (to infinity & books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 books down of 6 and it was ok. I have to admit I had bigger expectations for this series and so far it’s been tame, mediocre, average. With this being said though, I dont mind the books, and this one was again a nice little ‘pass the time’ type book. It was cute and it had its moments, I felt it picked up more towards the end then it did in the beginning.

I loved the little mermaid as a kid, so I was intrigued with how this would go. I do like how the author ties in elements from the original to her stories. I liked what she did with the legs plot, and instead of sacrificing your voice, you sacrifice your memories. That’s something I’ve always enjoyed about this series. However, I felt this book did slow down in the middle and again like the previous 2 books it liked to repeat itself and it was becoming too predicable.

Overall I’d give this 3.75/5 stars, the same as I gave the first book (taken by the dragon). I enjoyed it enough to finish it and I will continue this series as I’m halfway through now, and it looks like books 4-6 have better reputations. 👍🏻✨

tropes
- merman x human
- slow-ish burn
- fantasy retelling
- insta attraction
- fated mates

[Lauren Erzsebet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halla is the only one capable of killing the dragon that is destroying Solwyck, with her father dead and brother injured... She is the only hope that's left.
Errik is desperate to save the princess when she is thrown into the sea... It is much like love at first sight.
With danger, pain and life never being the same again... Can the merman and the princess ever really be together?

There were parts of this story that warmed my heart and broke it... The challenges faced by both main characters is so beautifully written and really pulls the emotions from the reader.
I could not put down my kindle once I started reading this book and made short work of it.
The story is a sad retelling of the little mermaid but it can't be compared because this is on a whole new level.
This author could melt the coldest of hearts especially with this story and the pure love and care that has gone into it.
I can't wait to see more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fay J · Rating 5 out of 5]

These tales have an otherworldy quality to them that brings back to me the wonder of hearing fairy stories as a child. I like how characters from other stories (that I have also loved) pop up here and there. That little touch that links them all together. It is light but it makes all the difference here. Errik is a mer and he first sees Halla when she jumps from the castle to kill a dragon. She suceeds in killing the dragon but ends up broken on the rocks. Errik feels a pull to her and rushes to save her. From that point on she is all he can think about but he is a prince and has his responsibilities to his kingdom as does Halla. While she cannot walk Halla can still swim, so she tries to get stronger by exercising in the sea daily nothing at all to do with the sexy blue mer that she meets, nothing. Halla finds out that Errik was the one who saved her. She is drawn to him but she has obligations to help her kindgom too by marriage. A bird may love a fish but where would they live? Will they have to watch each other slip away?

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is just so good.

I love the love of fated mates and their stories of falling in love.

I especially loved this one because Errik loves the inner strength and determination of Halla. He’s willing to do anything for her and she the same for him.

I think my favorite thing about this series is that all the books are standalone but they overlap and characters from other books appear. It just brings the overall world more into a 3d picture if you will. It’s fuller and I’m more invested.

After reading the first two books we see Ryvan and Ella here at the end but also the scene in book one where Alara receives help from a merman is Errik…this Errik. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the stories glow together. I especially can’t wait for Henrik’s story. He is a puzzle I need to uncover.

A m/f romantic fairytale fantasy retelling. Fated mates, witches, shifters, dragons, over coming odds and happily ever afters. A sweet read with a dragon battle and pirates. Arranged marriages and alliances with some delicious heat at the end.

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're craving a sweet, safe, and heart-stealing twist on The Little Mermaid legend — this is it.

💙 "You're the storm I never saw coming... and the calm I never knew I needed." 💙

From the very first page, Grayson and Winter pull you beneath the waves into a world filled with adventure, royal secrets, and soul-deep longing. The storytelling is unique, the worldbuilding is magical, and the emotions? Tangled, aching, and ultimately healing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
📚 Tropes:
⚓ Fated Mates
⚓ Mermaid/Human
⚓ Enemies to Lovers
⚓ Royalty
⚓ Forbidden Love
⚓ Overcoming Injuries

This is an insta-love story— an undeniable pull that grows into something tender, loyal, and powerful, with friendships that, no matter how tangled, beautifully find their place by the end. The entire series sings with fairy tale magic that is addictive and enchanting.

Rescued by the Merman is a tale of love, fate, and healing—perfectly in step with the enchanting tone of the Once Upon A Fairy Tale Romance series. A must-read for anyone craving something swoony, magical, and timeless.

[Ela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t really like this book.

Erick rescues Halla when she falls into the sea after killing the dragon. They meet everyday and go on swims. They are both royals and there is a bit of an issues when it comes to their betrothals. Then, near the end, some things happen, but it ends well.

Erick and Halla were fine, but there was nothing that stood out about them.

The plot was chaotic and didn’t have much development – things just happened out of nowhere and the characters reacted. I didn’t really understand why everyone acted like Erick couldn’t go to Halla near the end – she lost her memory, but nothing was said about her being harmed if she kept seeing him.

Even though I’m not really a fan of mer people, Erick’s kingdom wasn’t shown at all.

There were some side characters, but none were developed.

I didn’t like this book and I’m not going to continue with this series. I’m not sure I’ll be trying other books by this author in the future.

[Storm Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice twist

Ok start off by saying I really enjoyed the twist to the old school little mermaid. And the Repetition of information was not as bad in this book compared to the others. The time lines in the story have me confused as it has a very pregnant Ella visiting to heal And the Pearl was obtained to help Halla from Vernon... And Vernon was first to get him human mate pregnant.... Some one shuffled the events of the past and just said I think this works. Not please do not hear that I didn't enjoy the story I did Halla was very determined and Errik always enchanting but someone needs to make a timeline story board and share it with the team.

[Allison Ripley-Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

This is basically a reverse gender The Little Mermaid retelling where the male is the merman and the female is the human. Yet like the original The Little Mermaid tale, the merman gets legs to happily be with his love. But a twist different to the original, he is able to shift back and forth between the tail and legs, so he can be apart of both worlds and never give up one for the other, and any children they have will have the same gift as well. I also love how characters from the others books are all intertwined and play crucial roles into each of the story lines in this series. Can’t wait to read what happen next in the story line next.

[Love-Leigh Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

•”You must live.”•

The outside of the box thinking on this series has been great. I love the way the script is flipped in this book and we have a merman falling in love with a female human. I do wish we got a little more in the way of an ending as I felt it was a tad rushed and a few things left unexplained. BUT with the fact that we’ve seen past characters make appearances in each book so far I imagine this won’t be the last time we see Errik and Halla and I am always excited to see familiar faces show up.

[SGetch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is one of my favorites!

Jessica Grayson and Aria Winter did an outstanding job with this retelling of The Little Mermaid... its unique, romantic and in so many ways healing.

Princess Halla saves her kingdom from a dragon and loses the ability to use her legs due to injury. Prince Errik of the mer-people rescues her and is intrigued by the brave human. They have a unique connection which slowly builds into more.

I really appreciated the ending of this novel. Princess Halla and Prince Errik receive their HEA but they certainly faced challenges along the way. I appreciated that not everything was wrapped up in a perfect bow in the last chapter. SO WELL DONE!!

Just a quick note - in this novel we are introduced to King Henrick, the fierce Bear King of the North, who has his own romantic retelling of A Snow Queen in book 5 of this series. I'm really looking forward to reading his journey. I fell in love with him immediately!

Recommended for those who enjoy a romantic, fated mates, fairytale retelling with spice but not overly descriptive. A safe read IMO.

[Kimberly Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. A sweet little adult bedtime story. Short, cute, entertaining, a bit of steam. Cliche, but comforting.

It’s a gender swapped Little Mermaid retelling. Told in the traditional fairytale style, simple and without a lot of depth, it’s kind of perfect for what it is. I’ll probably pick up another in this series if I’m in the mood for a comforting little escape. Just under 200 pages, so just right to read in a night.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend

Jessica Grayson does it again. I can not express how much I enjoy her books. She’s such a good author. I love to read paranormal romance to get away from daily life workings. And her books takes me to a whole new world. I love reading her series. I highly recommend her books. A lot of action and she always make the main characters blend well together. I also like how she blends the other characters from other books interact.

[Nicole Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story and I didn't think I would. You can't help but love Halla for all of her sacrifices and pure heart.

Halla and Erick fall fast for each other, but they try to ignore their feelings since they are from two different worlds.

I loved the small twists and changes that this story brought.

❤️Slow burn
❤️Virgen H
❤️Inspired by The Little Mermaid, a romantic fairy tale retelling.
❤️Merman / Human FMC
❤️HEA

[Kisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

O K A Y 👍🏾

No profanity (EARNED A STAR)

Not overly sexual in content/nature (EARNED A STAR)

Easy to read (Bonus)

If being honest, I did find it cumbersome in some parts as in relation to them getting around and moving about with only half use of their bodies. I also wanted Errik to be more of an Alpha Male (but I suppose that this story did not call for that). Additionally, the book often repeated itself (which can be annoying).

Glad they got their happy ending!

[Gabriella Pena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between the first book and this one, these are tied as my favorites in the series so far.

The role reversal in this made it everything (merman x human princess woman). On top of this, I also enjoyed the representation of disabilities in a female character (use of a wheelchair from a brave Princess Halla). As we always see these types of physical situations in male characters and not enough in female characters.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Once Upon a Fairy Tale Romance series inspired by the Little Mermaid, a steamy fairy tale retelling that was well written. Halla slew a dragon to keep her kingdom safe, but all did not go well. Leading her to meet merman Erick. I enjoyed reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique twist on the little mermaid retelling. Great book! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. Well-developed story line and characters. The world building is detailed and imaginative. I really liked how the author built up the relationship between the two main characters. I recommend this book and would read more books by this author. Enjoyable and worth the time.