Nichole Giles

Water So Deep tells the story of Emma, a changeling (mermaid) who is dealing with her departure from her human life and the upcoming transition into her new sea life in Atlantis. Because she is forced to leave her family and friends that she loves she builds up a wall in order to avoid getting attached to others. She also tries to make the most of her last days on land. Emma is scarred by her ex, but soon she learns to fall in love once again.

Emma works hard to try to change her destiny, and even stands up to her future mermaid mate, Merrick (who is a complete jerk). She shows confidence in a situation that has her life spiraling out of control. I also admired the immense love she shows for her family and how she always tries to help them out.

While the story is not a hundred percent original, it is a nicely paced, enjoyable novel. I would have, however, have liked to have seen more depth in some of main characters. The landscapes though were very detailed and seemed so realistic! I had a scenic picture of the beach that Emma frequently visits in the novel.… (altro)

Seventeen-year-old Emma Harris feels like she is drowning on dry land. Not only is that feeling partly due to her slow recovery from a prom night assault perpetrated on her by her boyfriend; it is also beginning to encroach on Emma's life, stealthily creeping into her reality and into her routine. No one really understands what's happening to her, and as much as Emma loves her adoptive family and her friends, she wants to keep her secret to herself - for as long as she can.

For the past two years, Emma has been struggling with her evolution from human to mermaid. So far, she has been fairly successful in dealing with the various bizarre impulses, cravings and strange indentations that are suddenly appearing on her body - hiding what she can from her family, her friends, and most especially, the new guy in school, James Phelps. Yet, Emma is finding it increasingly difficult to continue her charade. The truth is beginning to come out, and even her Grandmother - who knows Emma's secret - just doesn't know how to help.

Emma's time in the ocean is spent dodging a possessive merman, and her time on land is split between caring for her fourteen-year-old brother Keith, who has special needs and squeezing in every last possible moment from her life as a human. Time is short for Emma, and as much as she tries to avoid it, she is becoming more attached to her life on land. But a normal life is something that Emma is beginning to realize she may never have.

Falling for the irresistible James is also unavoidable apparently, especially when it seems he's constantly coming to her rescue. James somehow sees through Emma's carefully constructed icy facade to the vulnerability she lives with every day. He makes her yearn for a life on land that she just can't have.

When her brother disappears on Emma's watch, James is the only person she trusts to help her save him. But even if they can save Keith, nothing can prevent Emma's return to the sea. Whether she likes it or not, Emma is changing - unable to breathe without yielding to the tide - and it's only a matter of time before she forced to surrender forever.

I absolutely loved reading this book - I really felt for Emma and the situation in which she finds herself. Despite it being a rather fantastic dilemma, I could certainly sympathize with Emma. I was also pleasantly surprised to 'meet' a character with special needs. I haven't read that many books featuring characters with disabilities - so that was refreshing. I give this book a definite A! I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.… (altro)

This book gave me all the feels.

Emma is a changeling on the verge of becoming a full-time mermaid. Her past keeps her ostracized at school, except for the new guy, James, who makes it awfully difficult to keep her distance from additional attachments that will make leaving land for good that much harder. The only ones who know her secret is her Gran, who originally found her and gave her to her adoptive parents, and a merman who seems to suck all of the joy out of her required trips to the beach while she transitions. With her parents away, her time on land growing short, and her brother's disappearance, she turns to James to help her set everything straight.

This is one of those stories that leaves you aching at the end. It's beautifully written and the characters are interesting and compelling. I love the back and forth between Emma and her brother, and James provides an intriguing love interest.

If you're looking for a good YA mermaid romance, this is a great one. You also might enjoy [b:Skye's Lure: A Contemporary Fantasy Romance Mermaid eBook|31692319|Skye's Lure A Contemporary Fantasy Romance Mermaid eBook|Angel Leya|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1472349400s/31692319.jpg|47863623].
… (altro)