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Cover of Called to the Deep

Called to the Deep

by Desiree M. Niccoli

🌶️🌶️🌶️moderate·spoiler·Haven Cove #1

Why Read This?

Niccoli flips the mermaid romance script by making the heroine the dangerous creature who craves human flesh while falling for a kindhearted fisherman. The coastal Maine setting drips with atmosphere, and the tension between Lorelei's monstrous nature and her growing humanity gives the romance real stakes beyond will-they-won't-they.

Synopsis

First comes desire. Then hunger. When Killian Quinn, captain of offshore fishing boat Dawn Chaser, receives a distress call from a sailing ship caught in a terrible storm, he and his crew rush to provide aid. But when they arrive, all that’s left of the ship and its crew is splintered wood and a borderline hypothermic woman who can’t remember how she survived. His attraction to her is instantaneous, and maintaining a professional distance proves to be a struggle, especially when she needs a place to stay that’s far from the press and curious townsfolk, and his idyllic cottage by the sea is the perfect sanctuary. What was supposed to be a thrilling once-in-a lifetime opportunity for Lorelei Roth—who’d never been to sea—turns into a seafaring tragedy. As Lorelei struggles to accept that she is The Osprey’s only survivor, she is plagued by strange dreams and sleepwalking episodes that draw her into the ocean. And if the grieving process wasn’t hard enough, Lorelei also grapples with guilt from developing feelings for the captain who rescued her. But worst of all, is a new, unsettling hunger for raw flesh that’s eating her from the inside out. The handsome captain begins to look like a tasty snack in more ways than one. Discovering that she’s descended from the people-eating mermaids who devoured her crew, Lorelei struggles to accept her identity knowing her entire existence relies upon its secrecy and devouring human flesh. What happens when Killian finds out? His snoopy ex? A marine biologist? A reporter? The world at large? What happens when Lorelei answers the ocean’s call to the deep?

At a Glance

3.83 ★ Goodreads
Spice Level🌶️🌶️🌶️moderate
Endingspoiler
PairingM/F
Romance Pacingslow burn
Energymedium

Top Tropes

mermaid romancerescue romanceamnesiaforbidden lovehidden identity

Mood

mysteriousdarkromanticatmosphericsuspenseful

Book Details

Goodreads Rating

3.83 ★

Page Count

354 pages

Published

2022

Primary Genre

Paranormal Romance

Pairing

M/F

POV

Dual POV

Romance Pacing

Slow Burn

Tropes

RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

Mood

Writing Style

atmosphericdarksuspensefulimmersiveemotional

Story Pacing

medium

Emotional Weight

moderate

Energy Required

medium

Vibes

siren who doesn't know she's a sirencoastal Maine fishing town with secretseco-horror meets romancethe monster is the heroinedark ocean currents and darker cravings

Characters

FMC Archetype

sirensurvivorferal/unhinged

MMC Archetype

grumpy protectorsecretly softpirate captain

Relationship Dynamics

grumpy sunshineprotective love interesthe falls firsthurt/comfortcultural difference

Spice Details 🌶️

🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
Spice Level 3

Spice Style

slow / sensualpassionate / intenseemotional / loving

Getting Steamy

tensionanticipationlonging glancespossessive/protective

Bringing the Heat

None
rapePTSDdeathdeath of a parentviolencegriefbloodbody horrorstalking

World & Setting

World Type

paranormalcontemporary

Primary Setting

coastal / island / beachsmall town / villageship / at sea

Fantasy Creatures

Representation

N/A

Reading Context

Emotional Payoff

book hangoverthe angst delivered

Best Time of Year

anytime

When & Where to Read

rainy weekendcozy eveningat night

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