Coming Up for Air Review

 

Book Source: Kindle 

Cross-Post Review: Chantie's Goodreads Review

Type: Standalone Novel

Starred Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Smut Rating: 🌶/5

Coming Up for Air by Amanda Meuwissen Review 

I stumbled on this story and noticed the merman on the book cover. I didn't even think much into it---not even to read the synopsis---why I took such a chance was beyond me---and got the book. My childhood obsession with merfolks--not Ariel, I hated her---followed me into adulthood. Therefore, anything merfolk and I'm going to read it. This book fell into that category. And, I was glad I decided to read this book.

 

It all began when Leigh was dumped into the river by the mobster brothers, whom he stole from to appease the mafia he worked for. On the verge of drowning, he was kissed by an angel. Later he woke ashore without the shackles that the gangsters had tied around his ankle. Thinking nothing of it, Leigh went home, trying to come up with a plan to get himself out of the bind he acquired with not just one mob boss but two. Lucky for him---or maybe it wasn't luck---he was followed home by his angel. In this case, it was Tolly, a fierce and sweet merman. 

Kiss at first sight. This saying mirrored this book to the T. Not only was the kiss wet, but it also formed a pack between the two men. Tolly got legs until the next new moon---or was it a full moon? I don't remember, but it was one of those moons---and Leigh got a bodyguard slash roommate. Tolly's first time out of water was glorious for him which made it amazing for me as well. Leigh got hypertension most of the time since he had to handle two fighting mafias and a merman. The guy was magnetic for bad things. Good for Leigh, Tolly was a sweetheart when he wasn't being crossed. And a damn good protector. 

I fell in love with the merman from the very moment he was introduced. Because there wasn't anything to hate. No, it wasn't because he was a half-fish. Not even the fact he had a penis that could split. I'm cracking up at this point, but I'm serious. It wasn't that. The sex scenes were awful. Thank heavens there were a few---maybe two or three. Thankfully, the plot kept me hooked because if I was in it for the smut, it would have killed it for me. Good for Amanda, the story was enough to keep me invested until the end.  I am not a fan of the third person's point of view but Coming Up for Air had me reading without caring. 

The disaster straight through the dark moment brought tears to my eyes. I kind of wished Amanda gave me an insight into what happened in the sea with Tolly Merfamily instead of having Tolly's tell me about it. Otherwise, the ending was cute and sweet along with the couple. I adored it and them.