This book was a great wrap up for The Embraced series. This is Maeve's story - but also Brody's. Surprises come for the reader for both characters as the story unfolds and the background of Maeve's family as well as Brody's is exposed. While this book can be read by itself, it's much better if you've read the whole series. Some of the background humor around Brody may be missed if the reader has not had a chance to enjoy Brody's journey throughout the series. And I LOVED the side story of Nevis and Elinor. I chuckled at the banter and flirting between the two. This story does a great job of wrapping up all of the questions that came up in the series. It had a great conclusion. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I've been waiting to see how the 5th and final book in the series would end. I would recommending reading the first four books before reading this one.

Maeve has had a crush on Brody for years. When he goes missing for two months, she sets out to find him. This book answered some of those questions about Brody that had been popping up for me when reading the first four books.

Obviously with this being the final book in the series, we learn both Maeve's and Brody's heritage (and I was not expecting either of them), who the remaining members of the Circle of Five are, as well as finally meet the Embraced Army.

In the previous books I didn't like how fast the characters fell in love, but didn't feel like that in this book because both main characters had known each other throughout the entire series, so it felt more like a natural progression. There were plenty of surprises and twists in this book that it didn't feel like there were any slow spots.

It was a good end to the series and I enjoyed reading about Maeve and Brody.

Maeve, an Embraced who shifts into a seal, is the only sister not married. Her four other sisters are married and Queens. The man she’s in love with is Brody and he is a shifter too. Brody can be only himself two hours a day and doesn’t want to have Maeve live a life like that. He was cursed as a boy and has searched for the sea witch that cursed him. Maeve is hunting for the Embraced Army and gets caught now she’s in the castle with a Queen who is as evil as they get. Brody is impersonating a Seer and trying to get closer to the Queen and find the sea witch. Can they defeat the Queen and the last of the Circle of Five, a group intent on taking over the world, and live happily ever after as a human man?
Good story that has action and some suspense. Shifters and other enhanced people working to make the world a better place.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *

A somewhat satifying end to an interesting series. I guess they saved the best for last? Our youngest and most mundane Embraced inheriting the most power. Not only is she a Selkie, but she has the power of foresight, along with other powers she inherited from her wicked mother. And Brodie is not just a dog, he is a prince and next in line for the throne. How convenient. The book did read well and fast, which was a plus, the smexy scenes were hot. A good wrap up, now to see what else this author has in the works.

Kerrelyn Sparks has done it again, she has written a book that not only can stand alone but can end the series of books. we finally get to see the story of Brody who for me is one of the best characters in the series and you always want to see him be able to come into his own and find his own love. We are seen glances in the other books that Brody is attracted to the youngest of the sisters but you really don't know how they're going to come together and she has done it perfectly. I not only recommend that you read this book but I also recommend that you read all of her books.

Loved reading the exciting and mesmerizing paranormal romance story. When Maeve, a selkie, goes searching for her shape shifting friend, Brody, she ends up on the island of the evil Sea Witch. Also, Brody's investigation leads him to the Sea Witch's Island. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and riveting story line with captivating characters, and a must read love story.
I reviewed a copy of the story through NetGalley.

Exciting conclusion to the Embraced series. Can also be read as a stand-alone though you'll miss all the backstory on some of the characters. I thought this was primarily a fun young adult read, exciting plot but mostly one-dimensional characters. Not all parts of it seemed to flow and I struggled through the last 1/4 of the story but I did like the concept. A couple of surprisingly graphic sex scenes that didn't feel like they matched the rest of the book threw me off a little. I feel like this would appeal to older teens.

An excellent ending to The Embraced series. There's action, danger, suspense, and an Evil Queen/Sea Witch. It was interesting to find out Brody and Maeve's backgrounds. And I love how they worked together with their friends and family to defeat the evil. I definitely recommend it and the whole series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Kensington, via NetGalley My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

Hot DAMN! Yup this is a great sexy read, totally into every page and then some. Loved their mix and how well this blended. I enjoyed how the chemistry grew and the surrounding story.

The final book in the Embraced Series is one of the best. With many questions answered in regards to Brody and Maeve’s origins, and secrets revealed about other characters in the story it was a fitting end to a wonderful series. I highly recommend this book to all the fans of the Embraced.

I just had to read this! I just finished How to Love Your Elf, and I got this book, and I Just had to finish the series! It was fantastic to read, I really enjoyed Maeve and Brodie's story! There were so many secrets, that they held, and that they didn't know about, and all those reveals, they kept coming and coming! So enjoyable to read!

Maeve points out in the first chapter that unlike her 4 sisters, she won't become queen, because there's only 5 realms, and the 5th realm not ruled by her sisters already has an heir. So that was really interesting to read, and yeah, like I said, so many secrets!

Brodie and Maeve have a lot going against them, because of who their unexpected families are. And what some members have done to the other family, things that are pretty unforgivable. But then again, this is their families, not them, that has done those things. It's complicated!

We also had the side plot of Brodie's sister, and I enjoyed her romance, as well, because both of them deserved happiness, as well, and we got to see more of what was going on, after all, there was also the big showdown with the Circle of Five's army. So that was really great, it all came together really well!

This was a fantastic read, a really awesome end to the series, and I enjoyed it so much!

What a great ending to a series I enjoyed very much. Well done Kerrelyn, looking forward to your next project.

Book 5 regarding the girls raised on an island in a convent. Each one has a special power and comes from a different race of people. This is the last one of the girls to find her family and her husband to be. Maeve was always the youngest and always felt a little left out. She has the skills to talk with sea creatures and can change into a seal. She has had a crush on shifter Brody for a long time, and while he feels for her too he cannot allow himself to love someone unless he can remove the curse. He can only be human 2 hours a day. I have read all the other books so I could easily follow along, but you might struggle a bit if you are coming in new. Highly recommend this series though, and have admired this author's work for a long time. Had a hard time putting this one down, and sad to see the series ending. Look forward to her next one to come.

Sparks never ever disappoints. The last of the orphaned sisters, Maeve feels alone even though her sisters are all powerful Queens. She feels left out not trusted but more importantly she seems to be the only one worried that their good friend Brody has been gone for too long, so she sets out to find him because she loves him and knows that he is the other half of her soul. Maeve finds out who she really is and learns that through trials, heartbreak and unending love that the best things are worth waiting for.

The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea is the final story in the Embraced series. The story centers around Maeve, a selkie and the youngest of the Embraced sisters. Brody has missed their monthly swim twice, which has never happened before, and Maeve is certain something is wrong. When she hears that Brody is investigating a terrifying rumor that the Circle of Five has amassed an Embraced army to take over all of the kingdoms, Maeve determines to find him.

Maeve knows this search will be difficult. Because of a curse, Brody can only remain in human form for two hours a day and must spend the rest of the day in a different form. However, Maeve’s journey leads her to the island of the infamous and evil Sea Witch, who is connected to Maeve and Brody in more ways than one. The couple must deal with the shocking secrets learned on the island, and they must defeat the Sea Witch if they ever hope to have Brody’s curse lifted.

This is an epic conclusion to a wonderful series. In typical Kerrelyn Sparks fashion, the story is immersive with vivid detail, interesting characters, sharp dialogue, and a well-paced plot. I love that we finally learn more about Brody’s past and what led to his curse. I also love that Maeve and Brody finally were able to admit their feelings for each other.

Maeve is a wonderful protagonist. Brave and fierce, she is tired of feeling left out. She wants to take charge of her life and her love, but she won’t sit on the sidelines and wait for something to happen. Connected by their mysterious pasts and their shifting abilities, Maeve and Brody have loved each other for years, but they both held back their feelings. You can feel the tension, longing, and unfulfilled desire in each of their interactions. Their love is palpable and makes for a deliciously intriguing read.

I also want to comment on the other romance in the novel. Princess Elinor and Nevis are an unlikely yet completely perfect pair. Their awkward flirtations in the midst of some very intense situations are sweet and comical. To see Nevis, a man who is calm, cool, and collected under the most stressful of circumstances, stumble and fumble over Elinor, who, in turn, teases and flirts, endears me even more to their characters.

The antagonists in the story are also dynamically developed, which makes their vile nature even more apparent. It is clear that the evil Circle of Five and the Chameleon are the antitheses of Maeve, Brody, and their friends. Cruel, heartless, and greedy, they will stop at nothing to gain power, even if it means hurting, using, and betraying people. I loved seeing all of the major characters from previous books work together to defeat the villainous threat that hangs over them all.

In addition to the well-developed characters, the story is a fascinating page-turner. Filled with action and adventure, the story builds up to an epic showdown between good and evil. Shifters, dragons, betrayal, Embraced kids, curses, witches, and more add to the fantastical world and well-constructed plot. I can’t recommend this series enough! Thanks so much to Netgalley and Kensington Books for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Although this final installment enters into an already established world with character and plot history, I read it as a standalone without complication. But if you want the full experience, I suggest starting from the very beginning.

Maeve, born embraced with the gift of shifting into an otter, is concerned when her friend Brody hasn’t made contact with her in months. But when he misses their special monthly swim time together, she is convinced that something is seriously wrong and sets out to find him.

Brody is very much alive, but after traveling to the Isle of Mist to visit the seer, he learns some disturbing news. The seers' visions and a hidden journal revel secrets about Maeve's birth and bloodline and the origin of Brody’s curse, which only allows him to be human for two hours a day.

Maeve and Brody are reunited and join forces to attack the embraced army, the circle of five and the Sea Witch Cahira.

The big battle scene towards the end of the book is the only time I had trouble following the relationships between characters and their different gifts. But that could be rectified by reading the whole series from the begging which is something I didn’t do.

I was impressed that the majority of the female characters in the book are strong independent women. They know what they want, or who they want, and go after it.

That brings me to the relationship between Maeve and Brody. The attraction towards one another was intense but not in an insta love sort of way. The author did a great job of allowing a reader like myself, who hasn’t read the other books, to feel Maeve and Brody’s connection, which had been building throughout the series.

And once they finally engaged in sex, virginal Maeve had her little shifter socks blown off.

So, if you're looking for romance, adventure, shifters, and curses, I recommend ‘The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea’ and the other books in the series. After such a smooth read and writing style that satiated my need for easy to follow fantasy, I'll be looking out for what Kerrelyn Sparks comes up with next.

For more of my reviews go to: https://www.wherethefksyourcake.com/

I have been waiting so patiently for this book and it was so worth the wait. I have absolutely loved this series and sad to see it is over... I want more of these two characters. They have hidden their feeling for eachother for 4 years . They each have loved each other from afar but no more.. maeve is stubborn and won't give up.. she will will do anything to win Brody, even if it's for the 2 hours..she knows she is ment for him. Brody won't step into his roll until his curse if lifted, he won't let himself love fully until he knows he can give his all....
These two character's fight together to be together.. they battle their enemy's together...
This was a great read, a page turner , and kept my attention through the whole book.. did not want it to end.

I like shifters so when I saw this romance novel the concept sounded very good, I have to admit I was not disappointed. What I didn't realize was that this is the SECOND book in a series. The first book is "How to Love Your Elf in The Embraced by Magic series. Each book in the series tells the story about one of five sisters, the second book is about Maeve and Brody. You can read this book as a stand-alone, I can't do that. I like that Maeve and Brody were both strong in their own ways but complemented each other so well. I love the fact that they both tried to protect each other subverting the damsel in distress trope. I would definitely give this series a shot. You can start with this book or you can start with the first book in the series, either way, you can't go wrong.

Brody tries to be manly, but it often doesn't work out for him, “well, yes. A little.” He waved a dismissive hand. “At the moment. Any man would. You’re naked. And you’re the most beautiful woman in all of Aerthlan.” I liked this book, I loved Brody.

I have read all the novels in the Embraced series by Ms. Sparks and have enjoyed every single one. All good things must come to an end and this novel did not disappoint! I was enthralled from beginning to end and looking forward to Maeve and Brody's story. Both were in love with each other for years, but could never admit it to the other. Brody was cursed and Maeve was expected to marry well, but fate had other plans. Maeve had no idea who here parents were, but discovers much about herself and her abilities in this novel. Brody has his own secrets that get revealed and discovers new things with his shifting abilities. The Circle of Five and the Chameleon have terrorized many for too long and it is up to Maeve, Brody, and their friends to stop them. Still, some secrets are going to cause trouble for Brody and Maeve, but their love and loyalty to each other is strong. Ms. Sparks does a wonderful job in building the plot which results in a great showdown between good and evil. A wonderful series, which each sister carving their own path to true love and happiness.
I received this novel as an ARC from net galley and the publisher. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.