Unfortunately the file was corrupted and chapter ended abruptly, in the middle of a sentence, large parts of the text pissing

I just couldn't I'm sorry. I love the little mermaid so I naturally get drawn to any book that has any elements of the little mermaid. For me it was the writing just couldn't get into i, struggled very much and the fact it had a love triangle didnt help at all.

Sadly the audiobook file appears to be corrupted, with several chapters cutting off prematurely and parts of the story missing. At first I thought this was an issue on my end however it appears other reviewers have left the same feedback, As a result, I’m unable to offer a fair review at this time.

I really loved this book. It was entirely wonderful and fun from start to end. The story grows well and the characters are developed well. I’m not a fan of mermaid stories but I did love this one.

Luce, Samuel, Bones, Morgan and even the ‘wicked stepsister’ characters were all wonderfully written. The elements from the fairytales the author drew from, while easy to spot, were not cliche or boring, and many of them were turned around from what I expected.

Definitely recommended.

Narrated by Esther Wane
Presented by Bolinda Audio

An interesting blend of Cinderella and Pride & Prejudice with a splash of The Little Mermaid.

I had both a physical and audio copy of this one, so began with physical and finished with audio.

The story revolves around Lucinde, who saves a man from a shipwreck. He's the handsome son of a wealthy family and she - as the adopted daughter of another wealthy family - finds herself greatly intrigued by him. She's also not like other girls so she likes to dress as a man to help her dude bro Samuel salvage wrecks.

So yes there's a little bit of a love triangle, but there's also fae folk running about and popping up to help or hinder. Which, honestly, was a rather refreshing twist - especially as they're not the purpose of the story, just an aspect of its world.

There's class stuff, too, with the snooty rich folk looking down on people who actually work for a living, so there's your P&P for you.

I enjoyed the blend, but it did bog down in the middle for me. I found, after certain events, that I was expecting it to wrap up but as it continued I was wearied by it. Still, it picked up again and finally introduced some really unique stuff that won back my interest.

The writing is quite pretty, and paints some beautiful scenes. I did notice I had more time for the writing when reading, as opposed to listening. The narrator has a very strong English accent and it did change how I related to the story. Still, she did an okay job, though some of the characters started sounding the same and every now and then she'd read a line in the wrong voice.

I think it was a little too familiar a tale for most of it to properly draw me in. The setting didn't hugely interest me and the 'rich people looking down on poor people' trope is one I'm really tired of. While the blend of retellings was a new angle, the stories themselves are not and I really felt that here.

I do think other fantasy lovers will enjoy this more than I did. There are some intriguing moments and it did re-tell the stories its own way. So as a retelling, it's quite unique. The characters are an interesting mix, but Charlotte was the standout for me because she was a character I haven't encountered often. I liked her blend of love/hate.

If you're looking for a retelling that does things differently, or a fantasy story that goes easy on the romance, this might be just the ticket for you.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC, and Harper Collins for a physical ARC

UPON A STARLIT TIDE is a lushly written historical fantasy set along the Bretton coast, full of sea-magic and romance.

The writing here is so engaging, with a cadence and rhythm that really helps evoke the water. I was drawn straight into this misty vision of historic Breton where magic flows with the tide, if you just know where to look. It was such an easy read, the prose lyrical but also "invisible", not slowing you down or shouting to look at the words rather than the tale.

It brings 18th century Saint-Malo and its environs to vivid life. So much research has gone into understanding the setting and society that existed there. I really like historicals where the setting is not just vibes and set dressing but uses real events in the story and respects the history its handling. This book does that, exploring tensions in the area while focusing on more ordinary people rather than powerful rulers.

Like AFTER THE FOREST, there are elements of fairy tales woven into this - most notably Cinderella - alongside marine folklore of mermaids and skin-changers. However, this is not really a fairy tale retelling, using familiar elements in a different framework to tell a new story. The use of these fairy tale and folkloric elements help ground the story, familiar touchpoints of magic woven into the world that you easily accept. It gives you and the story space to explore other parts of the world, fleshing out the less familiar.

you just know where to look. It was such an easy read, the prose lyrical but also "invisible", not slowing you down or shouting to look at the words rather than the tale.

It brings 18th century Saint-Malo and its environs to vivid life. So much research has gone into understanding the setting and society that existed there. I really like historicals where the setting is not just vibes and set dressing but uses real events in the story and respects the history its handling. This book does that, exploring tensions in the area while focusing on more ordinary people rather than powerful rulers.

Like AFTER THE FOREST, there are elements of fairy tales woven into this - most notably Cinderella - alongside marine folklore of mermaids and skin-changers. However, this is not really a fairy tale retelling, using familiar elements in a different framework to tell a new story. The use of these fairy tale and folkloric elements help ground the story, familiar touchpoints of magic woven into the world that you easily accept. It gives you and the story space to explore other parts of the world, fleshing out the less familiar.

I often am not a big fan of books with a heroine torn between two men, but I liked here how they represented such different paths for her future. This mean that they were mirrors for the choices of how her life could be depending on which desires she prioritised.

I will keep an eye out for Kell Woods' future works, having enjoyed both of hers to date.

I enjoyed this story so much and the audiobook was amazing! I listened as I read the physical copy and i felt like I was in the story! The narration was on point

Unfortunately, like others here, I had a technical issue with this audiobook where chapters would cut off abruptly, which made it impossible to listen to, since I had no idea how much story I'd missed. Disappointing, because I was looking forward to the book!

This audiobook was fantastic!!!

The book itself was great, I liked the story, the writing was beautiful and the descriptions lovely! I did think the pacing was a little slow, nothing much happened and then LOTS happened so it was a bit of a slow start but i liked the classic fairytale references, they were done well! I liked the romance b-plot and the historical parts felt well-researched and organic! A really fun read 🩷

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to give this book a fair read, as each chapter seemed to cut off early, so I wasn’t really able to follow the story properly.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC! Unfortunately, the file for this audiobook seems to be corrupted, with chapters cutting off early and portions of the story being skipped. Due to this, I'm unable to provide feedback. If this is fixed, or I'm able to obtain a copy of the audiobook myself, I will review it at a later date.

Set against the stormy shores of Saint-Malo in 1758, Upon A Starlit Tide promises a sweeping blend of historical intrigue, fae magic, and mermaid mythology. At the center is Lucinde “Luce” Leon, a wealthy ship-owner’s daughter who longs for the sea and adventure, not the gilded cage of high society. Torn between her friend Samuel, a gruff English smuggler who teaches her to sail, and the charming Morgan, rescued from the waves, Luce finds herself pulled into a world of secrets, fae unrest, and a mysterious power beginning to awaken within her.

Unfortunately, this one really didn’t work for me.

To start with the format: I listened to the audiobook, and the narration actively disrupted my immersion. Luce’s voice was rendered in an odd, babyish tone that clashed with her supposed adventurous spirit, while Samuel sounded like a grumpy 70-year-old man. It was jarring, to say the least, and made it difficult to take their interactions seriously.

Tonally, the book felt unsure of what it wanted to be. For the most part, it read like a YA novel, but it suddenly veered into adult territory with spicy scenes (that felt like it was dropped in just to market this as a romantasy) and a brutal torture sequence. Neither felt earned, and instead of elevating the plot, they felt wedged in to satisfy genre expectations.

The romance was remarkably underbaked, lacking chemistry or tension, and the supposed "Cinderella" moments, especially the ball, were so hollow they could’ve been cut entirely without affecting the plot. When your protagonist already lives in wealth, has access to fine gowns, and is doted on by every man in her orbit, the "transformation" scene loses all meaning. There’s no fantasy in watching a rich girl get slightly fancier for one night.

Luce is one of the flattest protagonists I’ve read. She is endlessly praised by every character around her, even as she does very little to earn it. She’s constantly told she’s beautiful, special, and uniquely connected to the sea, yet she shows minimal growth, humility, or substance. She’s treated like a revolutionary for daring to want more than marriage, but every one of her “rebellious” actions still ends up being cushioned by the comfort of her immense privilege. It’s hard to root for someone who is handed nearly everything, from a custom ship to magical sea-glass shoes, while acting like she’s oppressed for having a music tutor.

The book attempts to position Luce as a feminist figure fighting the constraints of her world, but when that rebellion is coming from someone who’s the favorite daughter of a powerful merchant, surrounded by yes-men, and constantly saved by magic and luck, it’s hard to take seriously. Especially when she openly judges the other women in her life for caring about clothes or courtship, traits that, ironically, she benefits from constantly.

The romance triangle between Luce, Samuel (a brooding smuggler who exists solely to love her), and Morgan (an upper-class charmer who exists solely to flirt with her) never caught fire. There’s no real tension, no stakes, and no reason for either of them to be so enamored with her beyond the author telling us they are.

Charlotte, Luce’s sister, is the only character with anything resembling a satisfying arc. Her resentment, her flaws, and her eventual self-determination felt earned. Meanwhile, Luce never has to face the consequences of her decisions, no matter how reckless. She’s allowed to be “brave” without ever being brave, just handed the tools she needs by the plot every time things get hard. The fae elements, though promising, are used primarily as narrative shortcuts: here’s a magical dress, here’s a magical knife, here’s your entire backstory in a neat info-dump. It's all very convenient. Too convenient.

And despite hints at deeper themes, classism, colonialism, the ethics of war, and wealth, none of it goes anywhere. Luce makes one comment about slavery despite being the direct beneficiary of that world, and the book simply moves on. It’s frustrating to see a story flirt with real issues and then refuse to engage with them meaningfully. I wanted so badly for the book to say something, but it never does.

Adding to the dissonance: the French. This book is riddled with grammatical and linguistic errors in its use of French, and as a native speaker, the mistakes constantly broke immersion. If you're going to incorporate a real language, especially one as nuanced as French, you owe it to the readers to get it right, or at least have a fluent speaker review it.

Ultimately, Upon A Sarlit Tide is a slow, clunky narrative masquerading as something lush and magical. It lacks the darkness, drama, and emotional depth that a good retelling demands. What remains is a shallow story, stuck on land, about a heroine who is already winning before the story even begins.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bolinda Audio, for the ARC.

The audiobook skips and chapters are incomplete. The uploaded audiobook file appears to be corrupted.

I really enjoyed this mash of fairytales retelling with the darker twist. I listened to the audio and thought the narrator did a great job.

Upon a Starlit Tide is an elegantly crafted retelling that showcases the author's ability to create a vivid and immersive atmosphere. The writing is beautifully done, with rich descriptions that transport the reader into the world of the story, making it feel truly alive. As someone who enjoys retellings, I appreciated the thoughtful way the familiar elements were woven into a fresh narrative.

One of the standout aspects of this experience was the narration. The narrator was an excellent choice for this book, complementing the prose effortlessly. Her delivery enhanced the tone and rhythm of the writing, making everything feel harmonious and well-matched, which added an extra layer of depth to the storytelling.

While the book had much to admire, I personally found it challenging to fully connect with the characters. Despite the compelling atmosphere, the characters didn't quite draw me in, and at times, the pacing felt a bit slow for my taste. That said, I can see how this would resonate with readers who enjoy a more contemplative and richly detailed storytelling style. Although it wasn’t entirely captivating for me, I can still appreciate the care and craftsmanship that went into this book.

Well drawn characters and beautiful poetic language telling an excellent story rich in history and magic. The narrator was good as well. Altogether a good listening experience which I would highly recommend.

The narration is clear, easy to listen to. I think the tone ended up being grating and slightly annoying but then after awhile, I got pretty used to it. The audio is also well produced, each chapters flowed nicely upon each other.

There is so much in this book to love. The built-up mystery, the big reveal of truths. The very well made characters that is so easy to love and some that are very easy to hate.

The settings are described so well, I was compelled to keep reading and to keep living in this world. The way everything happened made sense, and there was a predictability in it. However, it does not take away from the joy and pleasure of reading this book.

Truly one of the best mesh of fairytale while still being original.