Kiss the girl

After 15 years, pop star Ariel del Mar is ready to say goodbye to the Siren Seven, the group she and her six sisters turned into an international sensation, starting in their childhoods. However, before Ariel launches her new solo singing career, she would like to momentarily hit pause and just live life. When she attends a concert of the upand-coming rock band Star Crossed while incognito, Ariel unexpectedly meets the band's lead singer, Eric Reyes, which leads to one magical night and an offer from Eric to become the band's new merch person for their launch tour. But if Ariel takes this opportunity to be part of Eric's world, will it derail her own singing career? Or will it provide Ariel with the new experiences she needs to find her own voice? Córdova puts her own clever, marvelously enchanting spin on The Little Mermaid, while at the same time gifting readers a sweet love story with just a hint of spice that joyfully celebrates the power of love and music in our lives.

A pop star goes incognito in this entertaining rom-com twist on The Little Mermaid, the third installment of the multiauthored Meant to Be series (after Jasmine Guillory's By the Book). Cordova (the Hollow Crown series) introduces singer Ariel del Mar as someone who just wants to live a normal life away from the watchful eye of her controlling father. Soon, she gets her chance: without her glitzy costumes and brightly colored wigs, Eric Reyes, the leader of up-and-coming rock group Star Crossed, doesn't recognize her when they meet at his concert. Ariel is delighted that Eric treats her like a regular person and, when he asks her to go on tour with the band as their merch vendor, she agrees, eager to spend some time out of the spotlight. Though the rest of the band and their manager discourage Ariel and Eric from dating, their chemistry is palpable. But what will happen when Eric learns Ariel's true identity? Ariel finds out the answer to that question sooner than she'd hoped when her father tracks her down. Though the Hannah Montana-esque premise strains credulity, plentiful romance and humor make this worthwhile. Readers will have no trouble cheering on Ariel and Eric. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf. (Aug.)

In this contemporary reimagining of The Little Mermaid, Ariel del Mar and her six sisters have given their last performance together as Siren Seven. After 15 years in the spotlight, the band will be retiring and taking a year off. Ariel has always been the obedient daughter, and when she learns of her father's plan for her to launch as a solo star, she agrees only if her sisters still get their rest. Before the news is announced, she sneaks out to attend a battle of the bands and has instant chemistry with Eric, the lead singer of a band on the verge of going viral. Returning to her suffocating fame and controlling father seems impossible for Ariel after a night with Eric, and she takes him up on his offer to go on the road with the band, leaving her fans and family wondering where she has gone. VERDICT In the third "Meant To Be" novel (after Jasmine Guillory's By the Book), Córdova (The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina) hits all the right notes with sweet characters and the interesting angle of a pop star who has never had control or choices.--Nicole J. Suarez

After 15 years, pop star Ariel del Mar is ready to say goodbye to the Siren Seven, the group she and her six sisters turned into an international sensation, starting in their childhoods. However, before Ariel launches her new solo singing career, she would like to momentarily hit pause and just live life. While attending a concert of the up-and-coming rock band Star Crossed while incognito, Ariel unexpectedly meets the band's lead singer, Eric Reyes, which leads to one magical night and an offer from Eric to become the band's new merch person for their launch tour. But if Ariel takes this opportunity to be part of Eric's world, will it derail her own singing career? Or will it provide Ariel with the new experiences she needs to find her own voice? Córdova puts her own clever, marvelously enchanting spin on The Little Mermaid, while at the same time gifting readers with a sweet love story with just a hint of spice that joyfully celebrates the power of love and music in our lives. Copyright 2023 Booklist Reviews.

In this contemporary reimagining of The Little Mermaid, Ariel del Mar and her six sisters have given their last performance together as Siren Seven. After 15 years in the spotlight, the band will be retiring and taking a year off. Ariel has always been the obedient daughter, and when she learns of her father's plan for her to launch as a solo star, she agrees only if her sisters still get their rest. Before the news is announced, she sneaks out to attend a battle of the bands and has instant chemistry with Eric, the lead singer of a band on the verge of going viral. Returning to her suffocating fame and controlling father seems impossible for Ariel after a night with Eric, and she takes him up on his offer to go on the road with the band, leaving her fans and family wondering where she has gone. VERDICT In the third "Meant To Be" novel (after Jasmine Guillory's By the Book), Córdova (The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina) hits all the right notes with sweet characters and the interesting angle of a pop star who has never had control or choices.—Nicole J. Suarez

A pop star goes incognito in this entertaining rom-com twist on The Little Mermaid, the third installment of the multiauthored Meant to Be series (after Jasmine Guillory's By the Book). Cordova (the Hollow Crown series) introduces singer Ariel del Mar as someone who just wants to live a normal life away from the watchful eye of her controlling father. Soon, she gets her chance: without her glitzy costumes and brightly colored wigs, Eric Reyes, the leader of up-and-coming rock group Star Crossed, doesn't recognize her when they meet at his concert. Ariel is delighted that Eric treats her like a regular person and, when he asks her to go on tour with the band as their merch vendor, she agrees, eager to spend some time out of the spotlight. Though the rest of the band and their manager discourage Ariel and Eric from dating, their chemistry is palpable. But what will happen when Eric learns Ariel's true identity? Ariel finds out the answer to that question sooner than she'd hoped when her father tracks her down. Though the Hannah Montana-esque premise strains credulity, plentiful romance and humor make this worthwhile. Readers will have no trouble cheering on Ariel and Eric. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf. (Aug.)