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Romance novels have always offered readers an escape into worlds of fantasy and passion, but few subgenres capture the imagination quite like mermaid romances. In our latest episode of Romance on the Rocks, we dove deep into two fascinating underwater love stories that combine fantasy, romance, and important themes of body positivity and communication.
Nicole Danielle’s Book: Call of the Sea by Emily B. Rose
Our first book, “Call of the Sea” by Emily B. Rose, introduces us to Princess Makenna Merdina MacNamara. She’s a full-figured, neurodivergent royal with ADHD who’s been fascinated by mermaids since childhood. What makes this story particularly refreshing is the author’s commitment to depicting a plus-size heroine who finds love without having to change her body.
The book tackles difficult issues like fat-shaming and body acceptance while weaving them into a captivating romance with unexpected plot twists. While the pacing might be slow for the first 60% of the novel, the character development and storyline payoff make it worth the journey. The novel also features wonderful consent and body affirmation moments that serve as important reminders for readers about healthy relationships. For Nicole’s more in-depth review of this book, click here.
Meghan Leigh’s Book: Whispers of the Deep by Emma Hamm
The second book we explored, “Whispers of the Deep” by Emma Hamm, presents a fascinating underwater world where humans live in a domed city called Beta. They are constantly under threat from sea creatures known as Undines. The romance between Mira, a human engineer, and Argus, the leader of the Undines, faces not just the obstacle of being from different worlds but also a complete language barrier.
This unique challenge creates a slow-burn romance that feels authentic and earned. The book excels in world-building, creating an immersive underwater setting readers can easily visualize. What makes this story particularly compelling is how it forces the characters to develop communication beyond words, showing connection can transcend language.
Challenging Conventional Romance Tropes
Both novels challenge conventional romance tropes in their own ways. “Call of the Sea” presents a heroine who doesn’t conform to typical beauty standards. Yet she still finds someone who appreciates her exactly as she is. Meanwhile, “Whispers of the Deep” explores the universal challenge of communication in relationships through a fantastical lens. These books remind readers romance isn’t just about physical attraction—it’s about connection, understanding and acceptance.
The episode highlights how these underwater romances use fantasy elements to explore very real relationship dynamics. Whether it’s learning to trust after past heartbreak, establishing boundaries around physical touch, or finding ways to communicate despite barriers; these stories use their underwater settings to examine universal themes in love and relationships.
For fans of fantasy romance (aka romantasy) looking to diversify their reading, these mermaid tales offer a refreshing change from the usual fare. With well-developed worlds, complex characters and meaningful themes woven throughout the romantic narratives; these books demonstrate why the genre continues to captivate readers seeking both escapism and emotional resonance in their reading experiences.
Have you read either of these novels? What did you think of them? Comment below! We’d love to hear from you. Interested in reading these under the sea romance novels yourself? You can purchase “Call of the Sea” from Amazon here or The Ripped Bodice here. To learn more about the book’s author, Emily B. Rose, click here. Want to buy “Whispers of the Deep”? You can use this Amazon link or this The Ripped Bodice link. And to learn more about USA Today Bestselling author Emma Hamm, click here. Want to listen to the podcast episode? We’re available on pretty much all your favorite podcast streaming services. Or you can visit our podcast player page here.
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