I've heard so many great things about MaryJanice Davidson's writing, and I was excited to read this book. Unfortunately, very little about it worked for me. I didn't find the humor funny. I don't think I even chuckled once. And I really disliked Fred. She was so snarky - and not in a good way. She seems to hate everyone, even those closest to her, and for the life of me I couldn't figure out what the two male leads saw in her. Not to mention that the entire romance plot thread seemed contrived to me. They fall in love with her after knowing her for a week? Please. I thought this was an easy read, and I made it all the way through, but I won't be reading any more in this series. ( )

I'm counting mermaids in my witches magic category. I've been in the mood for light, amusing paranormal romance, and she's good at it. ( )

What a fascinating new series this is. I love Maryjanice Davidson's books, especially the undead series and this seems to be as promising as the first book in the series. I've always liked mermaids but this was the first book I've read about them and I wasn't disappointed. Can't wait to get my hands in the second book. ( )

NOTES:

Chapter 1: Fred's middle name is 'Shea'.

Chapter 3: Fred learns her origin story from her mother, we learn where Sam Bimm teaches and why he's rich.

Chapter 4: We are introduced to Fred's boss, Dr. Barbara Robinson; another marine biologist, Dr. Thomas Pearson; and bubbly intern Madison Fehr.

Chapter 6: We meet Fred's best friend, Jonas Carrey.

Chapter 8: Fred hears Artur's voice for the first time.
Mentions: Nancy Drew and Harry Potter.

Chapter 9: Fred meets High Prince Artur of the Black Sea. (In ch. 10 he calls her 'Little Rika'.)

Chapter 11 mentions: Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, Bosphorus, Sea of Marmara, Sea of Azov, Strait of Kerch.

Chapter 13:

a. Fred and Jonas went through a Nancy Drew phase in 4th grade and formed a conclusion about the girl sleuth.

b. Learn what Fred did to rescue one of Jonas' Hot Wheels toys.

c. Jonas gets some clarification about the Undersea Folk from Artur.

Chapter 15 mention: the Pet Shop Boys' 'West End Girls' song

Chapter 16:

a. Fred was born in Quincy, Massachusetts.

b. According to Artur, there are only a million Undersea Folk.
Mentions: Havmand, Hans Christian Anderson, Daryl Hannah, the Boston Celtics, Nick Nolte, Eddie Murphy, and Owen Wilson

Chapter 17: Not only is Thomas' hotel Presidential Suite described, but also the contents of his pockets.
Mentions: Olivia Goldsmith and Aquaman

Chapter 18: Jonas gets to take Dr. Barb out to eat and hear about her former marriage.

Chapter 21: We learn about how Thomas became a mermaid geek.
Mentions: ( )

A fun, funny, light-hearted read. I love Fred. ( )