I'm a huge Disney fan and was super excited to be approved for this ARC. There was so much I enjoyed - the bones of the story were good. However, it was too long and drawn out, and tended to get tedious. I am very thankful to Hyperion Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this in return for an honest review.

Kiss the Girl is the perfect example of what a retelling should be. It celebrates the original but brings a completely new plot to the table. I enjoyed all the easter egg callbacks to The Little Mermaid, but they didn't detract from the story, which was greatly appreciated.

Melody's struggle to find her passion and her place was relatable while still having the intriguing glamor of being a celebrity. This iteration of Eric was everythinggggg. His being the leader of an up-and-coming band was soooo fun! There was a little steam and a lot of pining.

Both Ariel and Eric's characters were Latinx. I can't speak to the accuracy of the representation, but the "change" to the original story was seamless and perfect. I need to read more of Zoraida's books now (next up will be her Star Wars book since I own a copy).

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review. I will be buying a physical copy because I really liked it!

This one was such a great interpretation of the source story. I loved seeing beloved characters pop in and the twist on the main plot. Looking back on the whole story its great to see how it all pieced together I am loving all the different books that are coming out of this series.

Ariel and her six sisters are the band Siren Seven. After their last concert she goes to a concert incognito and meets lead singer Eric Reyes. Ends up touring with his band as the merchandiser. Can you see the seeds being sown for a retelling of The Little Mermaid? How long will it take him to kiss the girl? 💋 This is an entertaining, music-filled read. I still like the first one in the series best.

This series has been hit or miss for me. This one had a lot of characters to keep straight and I just had a hard time getting into it because I was trying to figure out who was who and how (and if) they correlate to the original movie. But I think it's a me thing because lots of people have enjoyed it and retellings tend to be pretty popular.

As a Disney obsessed girly pop, I was soooo excited for this book to come out! I have read books one and two of the meant to be series and could not wait to read this book. Fast forward a few months and August finally made its arrival....and I can finally send my review in. I loved this book! This book was perfect in every way. I would definitely recommend this book to my younger audience as I believe that they will enjoy it. Great job Zoraido Cordova!!!

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

No notes. None. I love Ariel (/Melody), I love Eric, I love the story. It’s all excellently well done. I loved this so much. The characters were so thoughtful, even the 6 sisters who were more background than present were lively and detailed. This was excellently written and told. I will certainly be adding Cordova to my author list to read more of (once I knock down my extensive TBR). Highly recommend this one.

"Kiss the Girl" by Zoraida Córdova is an enchanting and magical romance that swept me into a world of fantasy, intrigue, and the power of true love. This novel is a delightful blend of fairy tale elements, adventure, and the complexities of destiny.

Córdova's writing style is immersive and vivid, creating a world of magic and wonder that captivates the reader's imagination. The characters in the novel are beautifully crafted, each with their own strengths, flaws, and desires that contribute to the depth of the story.

At the heart of the narrative is a captivating romance that unfolds against a backdrop of curses, secrets, and the allure of the supernatural. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and their journey toward breaking the curse is both heartwarming and adventurous.

"Kiss the Girl" successfully balances the fantastical elements with moments of genuine emotion, resulting in a narrative that is both enchanting and resonant. The themes of love, destiny, and the power of choice add depth to the story.

In conclusion, "Kiss the Girl" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that captures the essence of fairy tale romance with a modern twist. If you're looking for a book that offers a magical escape with characters you can't help but root for, this novel provides an enchanting and captivating narrative that will leave you charmed and entranced.

I absolutely loved this book with its modern spin on Little Mermaid. I loved the diversity of the characters and how the author put family and chosen family on display.

omgggg! my fave of the series! 4.25 stars!

i’ve read the second of the series and i liked it okay so i had low expectations for this one and i just loved it SO much! it was such a fun retelling that wasn’t too on the nose or exactly the same story (which i find with some retellings). the change of scenery and plot was so cool and felt like a very original idea.

ariel and eric were so sweet, warm and flirty! i loved reading their chemistry and how they fell for one another. i also loved the musician/celebrity aspect to it. it made it so much more interesting to read. i especially loved the subplot with her family’s past.

cordova’s writing is so easy to get hooked on and added such fun qualities to characters and a story i thought i knew! so good and i would definitely get my own copy.

thank you netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this storyline and how well it was executed! All of the characters were so unique and had so many layers of depth, and the relationship between Eric and Ariel was portrayed really well. I didn’t love how the conflict between the two of them played out, but the build-up of their relationship and resolution to the conflict were very satisfying, especially alongside the sisters gaining autonomy and what was rightfully theirs in the end. This is my first Zoraida Córdova book, and I will definitely be reading her others!

"Kiss the Girl" by Zoraida Córdova is a sweet harmony of love and self-exploration that will resonate with romance readers. Follow Ariel del Mar, a famous singer longing for a taste of normalcy, as she embarks on a journey to find her own voice.

Amidst the glittering fame of her band Siren Seven, Ariel seeks more from life. As her farewell tour ends, a chance encounter with Eric Reyes, an alluring lead singer, leads to an invitation for an unforgettable summer tour. Ariel's decision to break free from expectations weaves a narrative of love, passion, and identity.

This modern-day Little Mermaid retelling navigates the melodies of Ariel and Eric's hearts as they find the courage to embrace their true selves.

Such a fun book! I'm not a Disney superfan, but have watched the movies and have really been enjoying the Meant to Be series. Kiss the Girl was my favorite, due to Ariel and Eric's on the road adventures and the personalities of all of the sisters. I immediately looked for more books by Zoraida Córdova and look forward to what they write next.

I’ve really enjoyed Disney’s ‘Meant to Be’ series, the adult reimagining of their classic tales. I think this reimagining of The Little Mermaid is the most unique of the series so far. I loved the sisters and their relationship, the interesting interpretation of the Arial/Eric romance and the music setting. It was so much fun, I hope they keep these adaptations going!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked Meant to Be (Cinderella) and By the Book (Beauty and the Beast) and I was looking forward to this contemporary take on The Little Mermaid but I have to admit that I didn't care for it as much as the other books in the series. I think part of the problem was that I just didn't connect with Ariel. She is supposed to be 25 but (perhaps because of the sheltered way she was raised), the character comes across as much younger. I liked the look at life as part of a band tour but the character of Ariel and romance (instalove) were lackluster for me. There are also a lot of characters to keep track of and they weren't all well developed. Overall I did like the book but didn't love it. I think Kiss the Girl would have a lot of crossover appeal to teens especially since the author writes teen fiction.

Full disclosure, I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher/author/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My reviews are always honest, but I want to be upfront about how I snagged a copy of this amazing book before others.

We all need to take a moment to worship this cute, adorable, wonderful, happy-ending filled little novel. I knew from the moment that I read the description AND saw that Zoraida Córdova would be the creative genius behind the plot that I was going to love this story. I mean, I'm a sucker for any Disney themed retelling, but The Little Mermaid has a very special place in my heart. So, going into this novel, I had some expectations and I have to say they were met! I was so, so happy by the time I finished this book!

In this contemporary retelling, Ariel and her sisters are part of a girl band. Now, I'm clearly of the generation of the Spice Girls... but this would definitely be something a lot more Latinx inspired and sparkly (even though, admittedly, the Spice Girls had a lot of sparkle). Again, right from the beginning I was in love with this premise. Ariel is the daughter that wants to take off her crazy red wig and costumes and live her life. She just wants to take a moment to explore who she is as an individual... to find her metaphorical voice, if you will. Sigh, such a sucker for this.

Eric, on the other hand, is an up-and-coming musician in a rock band. Now, I have a bit of an obsession with Daisy Jones and the Six so I got that type of heart-throb vibe from Eric. You know, a genuinely good guy (without all of the issues from Daisy Jones, of course, like Eric isn't doing drugs and cheating or anything... he's just got a good vibe). Eric also has those sultry South American vibes and speaks multiple languages. Like... seriously, he's just gorgeous from the get-go. Young Benicio del Toro anyone... no? Was it just me? I really cast these books oddly in my head when I read, so Hollywood, don't do what I do... unless you have a young Benicio del Toro up your sleeve... then do exactly what my brain says.

Ariel runs away from her overprotective and controlling (and really, he's a jerk) father and goes on tour with Eric's band to sell merch. Of course, enter a plot where she ends up on stage. Enter a plot where they are destined to be together and fall madly in love. Oh yeah, but she hasn't told Eric who she really is and... apparently he cannot look at her and recognize another super, super famous celebrity who honestly, come on, he should be able to recognize.

I mean, yeah, I want to tell Zoraida that I cannot believe that he never, not once, recognized her but... I'm going to allow it because of the mushy feelings I caught when this duo fell in love. It is okay Zoraida, I went on this plot with you even though I really had questions, and it turns out I just didn't care in the end -- sure, Eric is blind and dumb. But he's hot. And he loves her. Isn't that all that matters?

There are some serious drama filled moments. We find out that Ariel's father is a bad friend, bad father, and truly a naughty businessman. Now, I'm not going to say more. But I will say we do indeed get an "Ursula" figure in this story and she is wonderful. I love it when typical villains (she isn't a villain here, the opposite) get their story retold and we understand them as better, fuller human beings. This was perfect in this story. And Triton... I mean, Daddy Del Mar, is just such a butt face that I can't even.

Sigh. I just loved it. There is, of course, a happy ending and that's not spoiling anything because duh, we know what this kind of book is. But seriously, go out and make yourself happy. Grab a latte or a bottle of wine, grab this book, and cuddle up in your favorite reading position and read this one! The romance is even PG. Which... I mean... I could have gone for a higher rating but this was so sweet that I have a toothache and I just love it more than anything. So cute! So perfect! Seriously, are you still here... go buy this book!

I absolutely LOVED this book. It is a very good retelling of “The Little Mermaid” where the sisters are pop stars and Eric is a musician trying to make it in the business himself. It was a wild ride, and I loved both of the main characters and couldn’t wait for their HEA. Would definitely recommend to anyone who likes romance novels and Disney movies!

I just could not get into this book. I love the idea, but was not for me at the time. I will try again in the future though.

The meant to be Series combines two of my favorite things: disney stories and Rom-Coms. I was so excited to read the next installment in this series.

I am obsessed with how they were able to modernize one of my favorite disney movies. The way Ariel and Eric were able to bond over what they were passionate over was really touching.

Zoraida Cordova is not an author I was familiar with before this but I'm totally going to be going back to read more from her!

I love this series, I love "The Little Mermaid" in many incarnations, inc. both of Disney's films, and I am only sad that I can't listen to the music of the Siren Seven and Star Crossed for real as I snuggle with my Flotsam & Jetsam stuffies, sip Melody's cocktail, and reread my favorite moments.