*Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for copy of audiobook for review*

TLDR: 3.5. There are moments I really like, but for the most part this is just ok for me.


Wanted to start by saying audiobook may not be the way to go for this one. The narrator's male voices sound like old men (including a love interest).This being said I continued on and finished it.

The most enjoyable part for me was the combination of both Cinderella and The Little Mermaid that was woven in seamlessly. There was also good atmosphere. I could vividly see the setting.

The characters felt very basic. Ones that you would see in any young adult novel. This definitely aligns with New Adult instead of Adult. We have a very naive main character due to being a lady in a time that women with money were not allowed to do most things. This has her making mistakes like a fifteen year old which of course can be forgiven. The problem is that the story feels is so simple and for those who have read or watched the originals fairy tales it can become boring.
This is not helped by a romance I am not rooting for.

The story does make up for the characters. I was always intrigued to continue on and never considered not finishing. I'm glad I did continue because I really enjoyed a twist that was revealed towards the end.

Dark fantasy retelling of Little mermaid meets Cinderella!

To be honest I didn't know if I would love this book or not. It started out slow but as the story got going I was enthralled! The character descriptions and world building was perfect and necessary to set the scene for this dark fairytale-I could imagine everything.

Lucinde is a beautiful girl who is basically kept locked away within the confines of her estate due to her feet being deformed and painful or so she thinks. She longs to be free and at sea with her father or her best friend, Samuel who is a smuggler. She sneaks out regularly to the sea and a cove that only she, Samuel and Bones are aware of. One morning she was walking along the sea shore and spotted a man drowning after a shipwreck. She saved his life which sets in motion Luce's journey to finding out who she is and finding out a dark secret. But taking from the sea is bad luck, the sea demands balance and retribution.

This tale is heartbreaking and the betrayal blindsided me and had me in tears. I absolutely loved it and would recommend it to any and everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Kell Woods for this audiobook arc in return for my honest review.

Cinderella + Little Mermaid + Pirates of the Caribbean with a sprinkle of Pride & Prejudice. Phenomenal. Absolutely stunning. I loved this book so much I really don't have words. I cannot recommend it enough.

I feel like I was never in the right mood when listening to this audiobook. I loved the fairytale elements! How can you not?! There were definitely elements of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. Historical reads can be hard for me sometimes. I do think the narrator did a wonderful job!I also love how cool the cover is!

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Kell for the ALC!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: February 18th 2025

Unique combination of two popular fairy tales. The Narrator for the audio sucks you in from the first word and does a wonderful job creating the atmosphere the book wants. She was absolutely amazing. The combination of Cinderella and the Little Mermaid was a something I never realized I wanted. This is one the best mermaid books I've read. The chatacters are wonderfully made, interact in a way that makes you want to know them more, and the romance was tense and well built. After reading her other book I wasn't prepared for the strong romance aspect of the book but it was so slow and built and the narrator did a wonderful job creating the angst and tension that I finished this book in a day. Absolutely amazing so happy I listened to it versus reading it.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to the book early!

*Full review to be posted closer to publication!*

I really enjoyed Kell Woods' previous release, After the Woods, so I was eager to see she had in store for this new retelling. Upon a Starlit Tide draws from both Cinderella and The Little Mermaid in order to create a brand new fairy tale style story. I loved exploring this new story and getting to know our protagonist, Lucinde, and following how she navigates the many different events of this story. I thought it was really clever to see where and how Woods incorporated Cinderella elements into her relationship dynamics with her family, as well as the many points here and there that gave strong nods to The Little Mermaid as well. I loved seeing how everything worked together and ended up creating a dramatic and highly entertaining story. There is some romance in this one, so if you're looking for that then you will be pleased by what Woods has crafted in this story, and I found the romance to be well-written and it fit well with the story. I also want to note that I read the audiobook version of Upon a Starlit Tide and I thought it was incredibly well done; the narrator matched the emotions of the story perfectly. Kell Woods has once again delivered a wonderful story and I can't wait to read more from Woods!

This book unfortunately fell a little short for me. I wish the Cinderella and The Little Mermaid elements blended into one story better but instead they just felt like two separate stories. I didn't love Luce, she was fine but definitely not a character I just have to keep reading about.

I loved this fairytale story that included elements of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid! It was a fun and enchanting read. The narrator's voice for Samuel was one of the most unsexy things I've ever heard so it unfortunately took away from his character and I would have preferred to read his lines myself in my head. Otherwise, the narrator was on point with everything else and it was a pleasant listening experience.

A great new twist on old fairytales. I could tell Woods had potential with After the Forest even if that one didn't totally work for me but this felt like she took all my problems with that book and polished it to a near perfect shine.

Upon the Starlit Tide mixes a few fairly tales including Cinderella and The Little Mermaid and creates a folk story worthy of their names. The plot was interesting and the characters were fascinating. I really loved Woods writing of relationships. My favorite one being between our main characters and her sisters. There was something so wonderfully written here about familial bonds and the petty fights and jealousies but also deep deep love. It was really powerful.

It also had a slow burning but lovely love story at the center that hit me in the gut by the end.

Overall, a great story and second book!

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this audiobook. The audio narrator did a great job!

Lush and imaginative take of the story of the little mermaid, with a touch of Cinderella and a dash of historical fantasy. Perfect for fans of retellings like those of Naomi Novik and Robin McKinley.

I love the way Woods has woven historical elements, traditional Breton folklore, bits and pieces of familiar fairy tales and some good old fashion hunky saillors into this story. The attention to detail for historical elements, from the descriptions of Saint-Malo to the fashions of the time are immaculate and its clear the author did the research into these details.

The romantasy tropes be trope-ing, but in ways that I feel work for the story, coming about organically. It is a bit slow to get going and is overall medium paced until the very end.. Our FMC Luce is also disabled and I think the author writes the disability with respect and realism (though I can't speak for the community in this way).

The narrator performance is decent - her accent in general is lovely and she does the French pronunciations well. I didn't love the voice she used for Luce - I think it made Luce seem whinier than the actual words would.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for an ALC of this gorgeous book!

This was sent to me as an Audiobook, which I love - in fact 80% of the books i read are audio, maybe more.
However.
I tried to listen to this one several times. Restarting, thinking it was my mood or whatever.
I could not get interested. And unfortunately i think the narrator was the issue.
The accent. It was a hard miss. I do not think this should have been read with a (?) British accent.
(I do think the narrator would be good with the right title, just wasnt working for me here.)
It felt unapproachable and uninterested in its audience, if that makes sense.
I had to DNF it after several serious tries.
TO BE FAIR....I do intend to read this title in print, because the premise of the story is still very interesting to me. And so I will give this a 3 star rating, pending a re-rating once I read it!

1 sentence review: This story is like a mature Little Mermaid meets Cinderella!

This story has so many familiar magical fairytale elements, but it was wholly unique to anything I’ve read or watched!! The prose was beautiful and enchanting and the audiobook really made me feel like I was transported into the story. As someone who loves the water, the imagery, story, and setting were so comforting. I had guessed a twist pretty early on, but I was still shocked by plenty throughout this story!

My biggest downfall with this one was the length. I felt it was slow to start and dragged in the middle, but once I got to about 65%- I was completely engrossed and didn’t want to stop reading!

Read This if You Like:
✨ Classics fairytales
🌊 A River Enchanted
🧜🏻‍♀️ Siren/mermaid tales

Luce is the youngest daughter of her wealthy family and much beloved by her father. Their parents have plans for them to marry advantageously and continue a similar life.

However Luce is much more interested in the sea and hopes to set out on her own adventures. She's learned to sail with the help of a friend, Samuel, who happens to be smuggler from England, with which her country is at war.

Plans go awry when the middle daughter decides her own path, which leaves Luce with just enough freedom to get herself into serious trouble. But this trouble also leads her to her truth and the need to make a decision about what she really wants.

I did enjoy this book, but Luce was almost saccharine to the point of annoyance. There was also some of that "not like other girls" thing going on. She does find her strength and ability to make her own choices though.

If you're into fairy tales and romance, you'll really love this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC of Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods!

This Little Mermaid and Cinderella retelling is everything I didn’t know I needed. It’s been a long time since a book has truly surprised me, completely captivated my interest, and lingered in my thoughts even when I couldn’t listen.

Kell Woods’ storytelling is both enchanting and haunting, weaving a tale that feels timeless yet fresh. The atmosphere is rich with magic, and every detail pulls you deeper into its spell. I especially appreciated that the romance wasn’t the central focus but rather a beautiful complement to the main character’s journey of self-discovery. Watching her come into her own while still finding love made the story all the more compelling.

Esther Wane’s narration was phenomenal, giving each character a distinct and unique voice. There was never any doubt about who was speaking, and the sheer emotion she poured into every moment made the story even more immersive.

This book has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. With its mesmerizing prose, eerie beauty, and a storyline that keeps you hooked from start to finish, it’s a must-read for any fantasy lover!

*contains slight spoilers*

Thank you for the ALC!!

The narrator for this audiobook did SUCH a good job overall!! It did take me a bit to get over Samuel sounding like an old salty dog but I really found the characters lovable and so well written. It has a couple predictable moments but the blending of retellings was refreshingly unique and I do enjoy Kell Woods’ writing style a lot! I do wish we learned more of the other sea maidens and that magical world but still appreciated the mystery there! Overall it really solidified the fact that I love Kell Woods’ books and cannot wait to read more by her!

I don’t know what I did to deserve the chance to read this book in my lifetime, but I must have done something right. This book was not what I expected and honestly, I’m glad. I’ve read my fair share of fairytale retelling but Kell Woods truly does something unique. Not only does she meld two of the most popular fairytales together, she makes it something entirely new and unforgettable. This book was beautiful, gruesome , and a contender for my top book of the year.

I read this with my eyes and loved it so much that I immediately requested the audiobook to experience all over again. 10/10 would read again and again. It's amazing no matter the format.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the preview! All opinions are my own.

OMG THIS WAS AMAZING! PERFECT! I loved every second. I didn't know I needed this exact mix of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella, but I was giddy about it. The characters were compelling, the nods to the fairytales were excellent, and the mix of real history was *chef's kiss.* And the writing was just stunningly beautiful.

I was gripped from the very opening chapter. If I had been able to, I would have binged this book in one sitting. I could not put it down. Luce is just a fantastic lead. She's headstrong, but smart and sweet too. I don't want to spoil any plot points, but her ability to see through another character and not let any unnecessary drama linger had me cheering. I loved her relationships and how they developed and evolved.

The ending had so much action, edge of your seat tension, heartbreak, and heartwarming conclusions. I screamed, I laughed, I sobbed, I raged, and I loved every single second. I had really enjoyed After the Forest, but this book is just transcendent. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!

The gorgeous cover for this book is what caught my attention and I was very excited when I saw all the glowing reviews. Overall, this was beautifully written and would appeal to anyone who enjoys fairytale mash-ups. I loved the first half of the book and there were definitely some great twists along the way. Unfortunately, I started to lose interest in the second half.

I gave the book 3 stars, but I think it will definitely find an eager audience.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook.

I’ve found my new favourite book.

The cover first caught my attention, then the synopsis piqued my interest, but the true gem of this story is Kell Woods’ beautiful prose, lush setting, and emotional character relationships. With elements from both Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, this historical fantasy has both familiar notes while standing on its own as a wholly unique and enchanting read. So enthralled with this book, its pacing, its characters, and its heart, I finished the audiobook in just over a day and it has haunted me ever since.

Upon A Starlit Tide is perfect for readers who like:
- Historical fantasy
- Dark fairy tales
- Sea-maids
- Glittering masquerade balls
- Shipwrights
- Gritty smugglers
- Forbidden Romance
- Loveable side characters
- Hidden rooms
- Family secrets
- Lush, atmospheric prose

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook ARC. I eagerly await Kell Woods’ next project!

This was my first Kell Woods book, and I was utterly captivated by her lyrical and evocative prose.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of 18th-century Saint-Malo, Upon a Starlit Tide is a captivating and immersive tale of magic, mystery, and forbidden desires. The characters are richly developed, with Luce standing out as a particularly compelling protagonist. Her inner turmoil is exquisitely depicted as she wrestles with conflicting emotions, making it impossible not to root for her.

One of my favorite aspects of the story is the historical setting, which seamlessly blends with fantastical elements: glittering fae magic, an undercurrent of danger, and an exploration of Luce’s growing supernatural abilities.

This audiobook features the wonderful narration of Esther Wane. She brings so much emotion and atmosphere to the story, making the lush descriptions, different characters, and magical world come alive in a way that just reading the text can't match.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio and @kellinthewoods for an ALC of this fantastical tale!