It’s true that Jenny Holiday’s latest has a very G-rated contemporary fic cover. Mermaid Inn rolls along in PG/PG-13 territory for a good while, but this second chance, friends-to-lovers romance eventually takes a hard left into R territory, and I couldn’t be happier.
Eve returns to her hometown near Lake Huron to renovate and sell the inn her aunt left her. Of all the things she doesn’t want to deal with, top of the list is seeing Sawyer, the high school boyfriend who shattered her heart, and is now the town’s police chief.
It all sounds small town standard, but Mermaid Inn delivers a moving backstory about how good intentions can sometimes go so wrong. Plus, hey, a sexy cinnamon roll hero.
Meddling but well-meaning townspeople and a friend group help Sawyer and Eve make their way back to each other. Both Sawyer and Eve have a lot to work through when it comes to past hurts, but Mermaid Inn is emotional without being angsty. It’s a solid start to the series. But I have to admit, I’m EVEN MORE interested in Sawyer’s buddy Jake and his story.
Check out the excerpt.
Get Mermaid Inn at The Ripped Bodice | Amazon| Apple Books | IndieBound