Why I Picked it: TLC Book Tour - We brought our son to see The Little Mermaid when he young (maybe 3) and fell in love with the story and the soundtrack. My son's ringtone for me is 'under the sea'. How cute is that! I typically stay away from fantasy/fairytales but thought I should try reading this one after learning it's loosely based on the movie.
Synopsis: Inspired by the beloved classic The Little Mermaid, THE MERMAID'S PENDANT is a modern fairytale about growing up and discovering who you are-and what you believe in. At times lyrical, this novel is a fantastic journey filled with magic, myth, romance, and adventure.
Four years after John Wilkerson claims the mermaid Tamarind for his wife, they have an idyllic marriage that depends on a talisman that she crafted on their island paradise. But Tamarind learns a painful truth: it takes more than legs to live on land and more than magic to sustain a bond. When the talisman breaks, she and John are forced to rely on themselves instead of magic.
Three wise women play key roles in the young lovers' journey to mature love. Ana, Tamarind's aging mentor, casts spells and performs seductions to keep the lovers apart. Valerie, an expat jewelry maker cum fairy godmother, works her own magic to bring them together. Lucy, their widowed neighbor, grounds the couple in the realities of marriage, parenting, and family.
Type: Fiction
Quick Take: This story is told in two parts, how the mermaid chooses to live life on land and life after making this decision (which is much more complicated).
The characters and situations are real. Life can be challenging and this comes across in the book. Courtship/love transition to everyday life and tend to become a lower priority once career and children enter the picture. This book explores the challenges in marriage, family and ones personal desires.
It might be a tad too long for some readers (500+ pages) but I enjoyed it and will pass the book along to a friend who I know will love it.
Source: Review Copy