listened to the ARC audiobook of Upon a Starlit Tide earlier this month and must say I LOVED this reimagined fairytale with nods to both Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. This adult historical fantasy romance is an incredibly atmospheric and magical tale of love, friendship, freedom, and finding oneself. As somebody who loves a water-based magic system and slow-burn romance, this book was everything I was wanted for and more.

I greatly enjoyed Kell Wood’s previous book After the Forest. Her ability to retell fairytales in a way that isn’t a verbatim rip is something that I don’t see very often in retellings and is very refreshing and she managed to do that again in Upon a Starlit Tide. In Upon a Starlit Tide we follow Luce the beloved adopted daughter of a rich merchant, and Corsair. Luce finds herself constantly drawn to the sea and has been sneaking out to take sailing lessons with British smuggler Samuel, when he comes across a shipwrecked man and decides to save him against the belief of most sailor superstition that says he should be left because he belongs to the sea. The man she saves turns out to be Morgan the youngest son of another wealthy and powerful family. Luce ends up having to navigate her desires for freedom, her families wishes, and her own past.

I really loved this story, it took elements of not only the little mermaid, but Cinderella and Bluebeard allowing the author to mix different elements and create something very interesting. I loved the attention to sea faring customs in the book along with an eye towards more historical elements. The book starts slow but builds up quickly, culminating in several reveals and twists having more impact. The actions of others towards Luce and her history are made all the more heartbreaking because of it.

Esther Wane does a great job narrating. Her voice is very clear and she does a wonderful job with the various French words in the book.

Set in Brittany at the height of sailing the seas, privateering, and salvaging wrecks, Luce craves leaving the walls of Saint-Malo to have her own adventures on the sea. However, as the adopted daughter of a wealthy merchant she is expected to stay at home living the life of a lady. Undeterred, Luce manages to sneak out and enjoy the waters with her English smuggler friend, Samuel. That is until amidst a wreckage she finds an unconscious Morgan de Chatelaine and her world shifts. Are the tales and folklore of the sea all true? What power do the fae still possess and what secrets are they keeping? Where does Luce fit in this world?

First, this was a spectacularly done audiobook. The narration helped create a vivid world with complete characters in my mind. Flow and pacing was spot on. A very easy audiobook to take in and enjoy.

The novel itself was also wonderful! The hints of classic fairytales were subtle and familiar, but also entirely unique to the original story the author has woven. Luce is a perfect protagonist and seeing the world through her eyes, the good and the bad, with the depth of feeling she has is really genuine. A truly great story with light fantasy and romance. 5 stars.

Based on an Advanced Audiobook provided by Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an honest review.

When I first saw the cover of Upon A Starlit Tide, I was immediately intrigued—a recurring theme in my reading choices. But when I realized it was a reimagining of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, I wasn’t sure I was ready to dive into another fairy tale-inspired story just yet. However, after seeing an overwhelming number of glowing reviews, I decided to revisit the synopsis, and the premise captivated me. Then, when I discovered the audiobook was available on NetGalley—produced by MacMillan Audio, a publisher that never fails to impress—I knew I had to give it a listen.

And I’m so glad I did. While it draws inspiration from classic fairy tales, Upon A Starlit Tide is far from the familiar stories we grew up with. Instead, it delivers a sweeping, atmospheric fantasy filled with intrigue, romance, and self-discovery. Kell Woods crafts an intoxicating blend of history and magic, transporting readers to 18th-century France, where the sea itself feels alive, shaping the fates of those who dare to embrace it. The writing is lush and evocative, pulling you into a world of moonlit masquerades, hidden dangers, and shimmering fae magic. Beyond the adventure and romance, the novel offers a thoughtful exploration of power, freedom, and the constraints placed on women, making it a refreshing and compelling take on traditional fairy tale themes.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to subvert expectations. Woods sets up familiar character archetypes, only to twist them in ways that feel fresh and unpredictable. The relationships, particularly between the female characters, are richly developed, offering a narrative that celebrates both independence and the power of connection.

Narrator Esther Wane does a fantastic job bringing the story to life, making each character feel distinct and immersive. My only minor gripe—though it made me laugh more than anything—was Sam’s voice. I get that he was supposed to sound like a pirate, but at times, he came across as a grizzled old sailor straight out of a storybook (where was his peg leg and parrot?), which made it a little difficult to picture him as a romantic lead. That aside, the audiobook was an absolute delight.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced audiobook. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to read (or listen to) more of Kell Woods’s work in the future. And on a final, amusing note—having a love interest with my name (but the opposite gender) was an unexpected experience. Though I have to admit, I loved when Morgan was referred to as “from the sea.” I may just have to adopt that title for myself!

I stopped listening to the audiobook around 30% in. I love fairytale retellings and was so excited to listen to this book. The Little Mermaid is one of my all time favorites. I saw and enjoyed the parallels between Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. The writing was beautiful and lyrical. I usually speed through audiobooks but I didn’t feel inclined to pick this one up. While I enjoyed the writing, I did not enjoy the plot. The story was slow and dull, there was no tension or suspense to hold my attention. I didn’t connect with the characters and had no desire to keep going.

What a beautiful reimagining of The Little Mermaid mixed with a bit of Cinderella vibes as well. I will say, the references to Cinderella are more related to her having step sisters (who may or may not be jealous) and a masked ball.. However, most of the rest of the story lends itself to reimagining of a a girl who finds herself drawn to the sea, wanting to sail her own ship, and feeling a special connection to gifts the sea offers such as shells and the like.

Luce is the youngest in her family and is spiled by her adoptive father who dotes on her and gives her the world. Though her other sisters and stepmother aren't happy about the situation, it doesn't really effect them until Morgan de Chatelaine is rescued from the sea. Only Luce, Samuel, and maybe Morgan, himself, know the truth, while the rest of the town believe him to have washed ashore after the wreck of his ship. This causes a rift in Luce's family as Morgan seems drawn to Luce, but her sister has her eyes set on him as well.

The story is rich and well crafted. Each time I reach a Kell Woods novel, I feel as though her writing is on par with Naomi Novik and how well they are able to take these fairy tale-esque stories and turn them into something new for the reader. There are moments I do wish Luce didn't feel so wishy-washy with what she wanted. She is a very determined and independent woman, but she also has moments of incredible naivety which may come from her sheltered life. I give her a pass on quite a lot of things, but I do wish her understanding of the world, due to her conversations with Samuel, had helped her understand the world is not always a perfect place for quite good portion of the book.

I don't want to spoil anything, so i will leave it here, but please read this book. I think it was brilliantly done and well worth the read.

While I absolutely adored Woods’ debut, After the Forest, the author’s sophomore novel did not feel up to par. The first 60% of the novel crawled along at a snail’s pace, and all the fun stuff happened toward the end. On a positive note, it retells “The Little Mermaid” from the original Danish source material, which I found immensely refreshing. I still can’t stand retellings, but this one didn’t do too badly in that respect.

Don’t get me wrong. The setting in UaST, also one of the things I absolutely loved about After the Forest, set the mood and immersed me just like magic. Even though I despise books about ships at sea, this one mainly focuses on what happens after they wreck off the coast and stayed pretty much on land. I like shifts and changes in stories because it keeps me from getting bored, and Luce goes plenty of magical places full of magic and wonder. When she got there, however, she did a lot of wondering and staring and thinking to herself. That got old fast.

Luce as a main character didn’t really carry the novel until toward the end. She was passive and naive to the point of pain, and I had a hard time thinking she could have any kind of feelings of desire for anyone because she was so nascent in her thinking. Once that point in the novel passed where the book picked up and moved along, I adored her in all her many dimensions. Unfortunately, instead of a gradual growth progressively through the story, the change came about abruptly. Up to a certain point, Luce was one-dimensional. Then, magically, she had dimension and depth and layers.

While the opener really gripped me and gave a bit of a catalyst for some of Luce’s maturation, the romance was more seduction from one person and avoidance from the other in a love triangle that resolves itself (blessedly, I hate love triangles) but readers will see this coming. While I like Samuel, I don’t feel there was enough romantic development between Luce and him. They already started the book with a familiarity from knowing each other all their lives, and like Luce’s abrupt change as a character, their romance went from cold to absolutely scorching just as quickly.

I didn’t dislike Wane’s narration in general, but I felt the voices for the men, especially the love interest, made them sound like 80-year-old men. The pitch was a bit high for me, but that’s personal sound preference and not to do at all with skill.

Overall, 2.5-3 for the story and 4.5/5 for the narration. I have listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and I know if I’m having a hard time with pacing even in an audiobook, and it takes me as long to get through the book as it did this one, I would definitely have dnf’ed if I were reading it in print. I have a rule for my highly rated books, and they must, as Margaret Atwood says, “hold. my. attention.” Upon a Starlit Tide did not do that for me. The cover’s beautiful, at least.

Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio for the ALC, for which I willingly give my own, honest opinion.

I loved every moment and every word of UPON A STARLIT TIDE.

Read this book if you enjoy historical fantasy, a well developed, heartfelt romance, beautiful writing, and a captivating story of love, betrayal, and vengeance.

I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Esther Wane. Production is fantastic. Wane embodied the characters’ personalities and moods. I found the listening experience to be totally immersive.

*Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook download!*

The Little Mermaid meets Cinderella, this book had me hooked (no pun intended) from the beginning. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. The love story I didn’t see coming, the betrayal!! Wow!! Take a chance on this one, you won’t regret it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC. I received this as an audiobook and the narrator was captivating and animated, this was an amazing audiobook!

I quite enjoyed this one. The writing is atmospheric and enchanting — perfect for a fairytale retelling.

Upon a Starlit Tide combines elements of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella into a dark historical fantasy set in 18th century France. I loved the lush nautical setting and immersive atmosphere. Wicked stepsisters, ballgowns, fae, and seafaring adventure blend together seamlessly to create a mesmerizing tale of magic, power, and seduction.

Esther Wane delivers a sultry performance, her voice like a siren’s song with excellent accents.

Read if you like:
🐚 fairytale retellings
🧜🏼‍♀️ pirates and mermaids
🐚 forbidden romance
🧜🏼‍♀️ family drama and secrets
🐚 historical fantasy

A gorgeous second book from Kell Woods, and it’s exactly what I’d hoped it’d be. A stunning and well-placed historical fiction, with Breton folklore and familiar fairy tales woven in with precision and beauty. Well paced, well considered, and moving.

Esther Wane as narrator did a splendid job, and I’d happily listen to her perform other books! A dab hand at dialects and vocal variation.

I’ll be recommending this one to folks!

My thanks for the audio ARC goes to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio. I'm voluntarily leaving a review, and all opinions are my own.

Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling, Historical Fantasy, Literary Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Romantasy
Spice Level: On-page sex but in a literary description
Language: F-bombs and more

UPON A STARLIT TIDE caught me with the beautiful writing and the secrets. The nod to Anderson's Little Mermaid and Cinderella isn't something I see in as many adult novels, and it added a sense of fairy tale magic.

The story kept turning in new ways, and I liked how it moved in slightly unexpected ways. I also loved the growth of Lucinde as she learns more about herself. She is genuinely shocked that her life changes, and it feels authentic. I loved how different elements of the traditional stories are twisted and revamped in new ways. And for as lovely as the language is, I wish it didn't include the f-bombs. (I know I'm probably in the minority here.)

If you love the old fairy tales, I think this book is for you.

Happy reading!

Loved the cover and this sounded really great but I just couldn't get invested in the fantastical mythological story. The narration was well done but the story just didn't grab me like I had hoped to and I DNF'd at around 50%. Would still recommend to fans of books like A sweet sting of salt by Rose Sutherland. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

This story was just so good! A beautiful and unique combination of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella, this historical fantasy is sure to intrigue anybody looking for a story that has love, betrayal, and, of course, a little bit of magic!

Things I especially enjoyed:
✨ Noticiable elements from both The Little Mermaid and Cinderella, but its own unique spin on it
✨ The subtle foreshadowing that made me uncertain why I was feeling the way I was feeling about certain characters, until it all made sense
✨ The love story was beautiful and romantic and gave me warm fuzzies
✨ The magic! It was subtle and mystical and not so over the top.

While I did enjoy the audiobook and the narrator, I do think I would have enjoyed reading this one on an e-book or physical copy more. The writing is so beautiful, but I think I didn’t get to fully enjoy it as I may have in this other format.

This book comes out tomorrow, February 18, and I would highly recommend checking it out!

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author for making an advanced copy available in exchange for an honest review.

What a gorgeous fairytale retelling. I loved how it pulled together elements of different fairytales and became something unique and utterly captivating. The writing is lush and atmospheric, and the story is compelling from beginning to end. I absolutely loved it!

Masterly weaving two tales, The Little Mermaid and Cinderella, into a new fascinating story about a strong character finding out the truth of her past so that she can make the future she wants! I absolutely love Lucinde who is sweet, loves her family, helps others (including one handsome smuggler) but still wishes for the freedom of the sea for some mysterious reason. The parts that are reminiscent of Cinderella are softened (like she loves her sisters and they love her too, though they still fight like sisters do normally) though she does still get to go to the ball, helped by the mysterious tide woman. The Little Mermaid bits are the darker, feet damaged and ache when she is on land, and rescuing a shipwrecked young man. But then the story heads off into lands unknown with the fae leaving, storm stones, being at war with the English, and the mystery of how her father found Lucinde so long ago.

There are very dark bits (especially with a certain awful man who deserves the worst fate ever for what he does!), but they are balanced by the strong relationships between the characters (like Samuel, and Luce's sisters) and a touch of hope for Luce when she finds out the truth and comes into her powers. Yes, there is fantasy but this book is also nicely layered with historical fiction, making it really come to life. Such a wonderful novel! And it works really well as an audiobook too with the narrator giving depth and life to all the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to listen to this audiobook!

I ultimately had to DNF this. I think it is something I need to read with my eyes; I struggled to connect with the narrator, and some of the French terms made me get lost without seeing them. It just wasn't for me in the moment, I think.

A Cinderella and The Little Mermaid inspired adult fairy tale? Oh yes, please (and it’s sooo much more).

I’ll admit that the cover is what first drew my attention, but the synopsis made me immediately request an early copy, which Tor Books was kind enough to bestow.

There’s magic within these pages and I implore other readers who still (and will always) love fairy tales with strong and capable heroines to grab this one for your bookshelves and find the magic for yourself.

The power of the ocean, the power of magic, the power of love,

I absolutely loved this story ❤️and this is a book that I will get for myself and enjoy again.

Esther Wane did an excellent job performing the story - and voicing characters differently making them easy to differentiate between. This is one of those stories that already feels like a fairy tale and the narration elevated that.

Absolutely recommended.

“A woman knows her own truth. It’s a gift she is born with that, like so much else, is quickly stolen by the world. By priests with their talk of sin and wickedness and shame, by men who learned long ago how best to use women for their own pleasure and advantage. Instead of speaking from their hearts, their souls, women are told to heed their father, their husband, their God. Instead of choosing their own path, they are told to obey. Even so, their souls always know the truth. Always. Do not be afraid to give yours voice.”



Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for the DRC
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC

What a fantastic and enchanting book is Upon A Starlit Tide by Kell Woods! I listened to the audiobook version of this story narrated by Esther Wane and I couldn’t stop listening to it! I’m still thinking about it a few days afterwards, which rates five stars.

The story begins with Luce who is the adopted daughter of a sea merchant and Corsair living in 18th century France. She has two sisters and a mother who think of nothing else but balls and betrothals, which is fitting for the time period. Luce on the other hand wants nothing but to go sailing with her father. She satisfies her yearnings for the sea by enjoying short outings with her longtime friend Sam who takes her on his boat around the coves near her home.

The rest of the story is how Luce saves a young man from drowning, is deceived by one of her family members, and finds out the truth surrounding her adoption. I really enjoyed listening to Luce’s transformation from a young naive girl to a strong and powerful woman. The story is so unique and original, yet like an old fashioned fairy tale. I can’t praise it enough! Brava!

Upon A Starlit Tide was a brilliant combination The Little Mermaid and Cinderella along with other folklore. There were also family divisions and class warfare found within this seafaring fantasy. I also enjoyed the narrator and all her voices.