Review: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

Title: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids
Author: Sarah Ockler
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Simon Pulse (June 2, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA/NA Contemporary 
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!


Book Description:
The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life. 

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them . . .

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The Summer of Chasing Mermaids is a beautifully written, emotional, and inspiring story that shows Ocker at her very best. 

With characters that are every bit as detailed and fleshed out as her storyline, this read truly will be a hit for any fan of Ockler's and sure to create new fans for those trying her work for the very first time.

Wonderfully told with hidden messages about finding ourselves after tragedy, being true to who we are, staying strong in adverse situations, and finding our true voices buried deep, The Summer of Chasing Mermaids is by far in my top ten reads already for this year.

Ockler once again amazes me with the amount of power her words bring. Her coming of age stories truly are emotional. They make you think, they make you hope, and they can make you a believer that anything is possible. 

Her secondary characters are every bit as fleshed out and fun as the main characters and there is always more to the story than what a first glance will tell you.

Heart warming, powerful, and one of a kind, The Summer of Chasing Mermaids is a must read for any fan of contemporary and just perfect for this time of year.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*