Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings by Helene Boudreau

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Freak of nature takes on a whole new meaning…If she hadn’t been so clueless, she might have seen it coming. But really, who expects to get into a relaxing bathtub after a stressful day of shopping for tankinis and come out with scales and a tail?

Most. Embarrassing. Moment. Ever.

Jade soon discovers she inherited her mermaid tendencies from her mom. But if Mom was a mermaid, how did she drown?

Jade is determined to find out. So how does a plus-size, aqua-phobic mer-girl go about doing that exactly? And how will Jade ever be able to explain her secret to her best friend, Cori, and to her crush, Luke?

This summer is about to get a lot more interesting…

Review:

Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings not only is an extremely quick, adorable, and funny read, but it's also the perfect cross-over between tween and YA lit, so that truly anyone in those two groups can read it and have a high chance of enjoying it.

It all started with one of the most cringe-worthy shopping trips of Jade's lives because not only did she have to find the perfect bathing suit for her somewhat plus-sized body, but she also runs into one of the cutest boys of her grade with one of the most embarrassing purchases in her hands. Though, after a quick breather she tells herself it can't possible get any worse and to just move on. But it can and it does because that night when she goes to take a bath, she grows a mermaid tale. With that, Jade learns from her dad her mother was a mermaid and she is one as well.  Now, she's dealing with some very un-ordinary teen girl problems, and several questions, such as: How can she continue to live her life while also being a mermaid? And better yet, if her mom used to be a mermaid, how did she drown that horrible day a year ago? Only time will tell in this half light/ half serious reads about growing up while also being a mermaid.

Jade was an adorable main character, and one of the things I liked most about her was the fact that she was just a "real" teen girl, even with the whole mermaid thing. For one, while she wasn't the typical skinny girl, she was okay with having a little extra weight on herself. I also loved her moments with her crush Luke because they were adorable, sweet, and even a bit funny at times.

The premise of this was pretty great, and the execution was even better. I really enjoyed finding out more about the mermaids, as well as seeing how Jade came to terms with her situation as the novel progressed. Lastly, I loved how Helene tended to keep the reader guessing with the problem involving Jade's mother.

In all, Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings equals a tamer version of Tera Lynn Child's Forgive My Fins, and with that, it's an enjoyable read for anyone who loves mermaid books.

Grade: A-

Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings is now out!

Source: Publicist at Sourcebooks. Thanks, Kay!