The Accidental Mermaid

AudioBook Review: Stars: Overall 4 Narration 4 Story 4 This is the first I’ve read in this series – and aside from a bit of backstory and references to the OOPS team (Nina, Wanda and Marty and their “organization” that helps those who suddenly, and accidentally, are introduced to the paranormal world) and their beginnings weren’t detailed, but their intentions (and personalities) are clear and easy to see. But this story is about Esther(Willams Sanchez), a divorce mediator who’s decided that it’s time to learn to swim (after all these years) since she’s got a getaway cruise booked. The only class left is a Mommy & Me swim class, the perfect option to slowly start to deal with her water phobia if she can ignore the fact that the oldest other ‘student’ is just three years old. She’s not given much time to overcome her fear of water when, as the class ends, she is flopping about the pool deck, with a tail where her legs used to be and a glorious multi-hued head of hair. Fortunately, the OOPS team was handy – there to help Ester through the changes and shock – and discover that her Uncle’s death – a mystery, just may hold the clue to why she was transformed. When Tucker, a VP of a water company and merman himself, meets Esther, there are sparks and more, as Tucker is determined to help her acclimate. Things aren’t all without difficulty for Tuck though, he’s been accused of embezzlement and tossed from both the company and his family group – and it just may be that he’s got the key to just why Esther has changed so dramatically. Such fun and snark with a good helping of mystery and clues that have everyone jumping to different conclusions, following traces and trails to sort out Esther’s Uncle’s death, discover if Tuck really did take that money, and see if they can’t determine just what is behind Esther’s change. A snarky and sweary Nina quickly shows her deep empathy for those “caught by surprise’ with their accidental transformations, while the heavily pregnant Wendy provides that calming influence that Esther so needs. Marty was a bit of a pill in this – but that difficulty seems to work as a solid foil for the laughter, pure fun and delicious mystery here. Narration is provided by Hollie Jackson, and she’s got a solid handle on the shock, questions and uncertainties that hammer Esther early on, with the ‘been there it will all work out’ sort of worldliness from Nina, Wanda and Marty. Tuck was also clearly present, a decent Aussie accent appeared and brought his character forward, and Jackson never stepped over or on the conversations, allowing each character to present themselves in ways that felt natural and considered their personalities, the stress of the moment, and the multitude of questions in this clever paranormal romance-laced mystery. I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.