This book was a massive mixed bag. I did not like any of these characters- the main character specifically suffered from being beautiful and empty. Most character decisions drove me up a wall. On the other hand, though, these fairy tales blended together beautifully, and the general fairy tale elements were by far the standouts. I also quite enjoyed the final confrontation between Luce and the central antagonist. Overall, it was just an okay book.

Fairy tale retellings walk a fine but jagged line between sticking closely enough to the source tale to make it recognizable and changing things up enough to be original cause otherwise you may as well just reread the story that it is based on. Upon a Starlit Tide sits at the crosshatch of two such lines as it draws from both The Little Mermaid and Cinderella for elements of the story but also injects some drama of the writer's own making. The tale unravels somewhat slowly at first, setting atmosphere and introducing the characters but as suspense builds up, the true colors of the "villains" become clear, truths are untangled and a storm of actions sweeps in. Our protagonist, Luce, lives in Brittany with her wealthy adoptive family and most of the tale takes place in their summer home by the sea. She is not relegated to Cinderella-level servitude, but is the father's apparent favorite which may foster some resentment from her two sisters. Daring sea rescue of a handsome noble young man sets off a chain of events that reveals secrets, plots with smugglers, romances, and even takes them into battles. Fairies, merfolk, and other mythic creatures bring magic into this charming adult fairy tale. The audiobook narration by Esther Wane enhanced the tale, injecting emotion into the prose and excellent voices in the dialog. Overall this was a delightful and entertaining story to listen to.
I received advanced access to this audiobook thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Audio) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC of Upon a starlit Tide in exchange of my honest opinion.

This is my second Kell Woods book, and I can say that she might be an auto-buy author for me. Again, she has masterfully woven together fairy tales in a way that reads distinct and refreshing.
Upon a Starlit Tide is a mesh of the Little Mermaid and Cinderella.
Luce is an adopted girl who lives with a wealthy merchant family. She longs to travel and explore the sea, but her father keeps her cocooned in their state. That doesn't stop her from sneaking out with her smuggler friend Samuel. One day, she witnesses a shipwreck in which she saves the captain who was drowning.
The ensuing love triangle kept me on my toes, while we uncovered mysteries and secrets: from her father's dealings, to Morgan's mysterious shipwreck, to Luce's own past.
This book is full of action and quite fast-paced that I would say it reads like a YA with beautiful prose, but the themes and some scenes might make me consider it an Adult fantasy.
Furthermore, the narration was beautifully done, immersing me right away in this atmospheric book! I couldn't stop listening, and I devoured this book in two days!

Kell Woods crafts an enchanting world in "Upon a Starlit Tide," blending the rugged charm of 18th-century Saint-Malo with hints of faerie magic and the allure of the sea. The atmospheric writing is truly the book's strongest point—every wave, storm, and glittering ballroom is brought to life with vivid detail.

However, despite the lush setting, I struggled to fully connect with the story. The plot unfolds at a slower pace, which might appeal to readers who enjoy immersive, lingering narratives, but I found myself yearning for more momentum. Switching to the audiobook narrated by Esther Wane did help me stick with the story, but her portrayal of the male voices, while skilled, felt overly gruff and occasionally pulled me out of the experience. So, while the book didn’t entirely capture me, I’d recommend it to readers who love atmospheric, slow-burn stories with a touch of magic and historical intrigue.

Thank you so much to Kell Woods, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

First and foremost, from the bottom of my heart, I’d like to thank the publishing team at TOR for reaching out to offer me an early copy of this book for review. It’s an honor and a genuine treat!!

And now:

BE STILL MY HEART!! Swoons. Giggling. Stomach-swooping-heart-melting yearning! Reading this made me feel all the things, in all the best most invested ways. I felt like a little kid reading fairytales again- I believe I said something similar when I reviewed ‘After the Forest’ and I can happily say that Kell Woods has nailed that feeling for me once again.

I absolutely ate this up, and I knew I would right from the beginning. The mashup of The Little Mermaid/Cinderella set in an utterly lush 18th Century France is just too delicious to pass on!

There’s a beautiful balance here between the attention to the real life historical setting and the feeling of magic permeating through and surviving in hidden corners of the world. The story absolutely dragged me under and swept me away. It was pulled together so well by beautiful prose and a rich atmosphere.

It’s so surprising when a story can feel familiar and comforting while still being unique. Some of the twists were what I was anticipating… some were not. It made for a wonderful ride. One I sincerely had a hard time putting down!

This will likely be one of my last books for 2024 but what a high note to end on!! I loved this, and I just know that I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next retelling from Kell Woods. Now please!!

Fairytale retellings are something I love in theory, but in practice… they rarely hit the mark. I crave that comforting familiarity, but I also need enough originality to keep me hooked. Upon a Starlit Tide is the first retelling in a while that truly nailed this balance.

A big reason it worked for me? It’s obvious how much time and care Woods poured into research and editing. The result is a beautifully crafted blend of history and fantasy, with a well-paced plot and complex characters.

If you’ve been feeling let down by the romantasy genre lately and don’t mind a lower (but still present!) spice level, I strongly recommend giving this one a shot. It delivers all the romance and magic you want, wrapped in a rich, layered story.

Thank you Kell Woods, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for my advanced review audio copy. My opinions are my own. Get your copy on February 18th, 2025!

Plot - 5
Writing and Editing - 5
Character Development - 5
Narration - 5
Personal Bias - 5
Final Score - 5

Wow! Kell Woods is so good at taking old familiar tales and turning them into something completely new and enchanting. This was such a unique and captivating blend of Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, and Woods's own mix of magic. I loved every moment of this book from start to finish. It ensorceled me and will live rent free in my brain for a long time. Having lived in France after college, I have a sweet spot for a story that takes place there and was particularly thrilled to read a book set in Saint Malo. Woods's writing is utterly absorbing, and I found myself transported to the beautiful seaside of Normandy. The plot is practically perfect in every way, and the characters are a delight. Nobody is perfect, everyone is flawed, yet there are good and evil characters to root for and hate. The magic permeates the story and builds as Luce finds her way in the world. Everything about this book was breathtaking.

My one complaint with the audio version of the book is that the narrator makes the MMC sound like an old man...so then the romance felt a bit creepy. I knew in my head that he was not, but the way that she read his voice made him sound like a 60 year old sailor courting a woman young enough to be his daughter...so...not ideal. Do not miss it if you enjoy fantasy stories or retellings of classic tales, but maybe go for the traditional reading experience rather than audio.