Ripple: a book recommendation

5 out of 5 stars.

Now, you may think I’m pimping this book out because Mandy is my buddy. Admittedly, that was how I got my hands on the ARC months ago. But I refuse to gush about books I don’t adore, so it’s fortunate that I ADORED this and can now gush freely. I’ve been saving this blog post for ages so that I could share my love AFTER the book was already out.

So once you read how great Ripple is, you must go buy it. Okay? Glad we agreed on that. Also, don’t miss You Wish, since it is also utterly wonderful and endearing.

😉

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren – a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi’s curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she’s ever had to make: the life she’s always longed for – or the love she can’t live without?

One of my favorite things about this story is that from the get-go, we feel Lexi’s agony.  We see just how tough this curse is on her life, how much she wants her old life back, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to keep her loved ones safe.  Who can’t sympathize with a heroine like that?

And then Cole…  Well, he’s dreamy and you’d have to be made of ice not to fall in love with him.  Honestly, though, I had no idea who Lexi would wind up with–Cole was just who I was rooting for…until option B entered the scene.

I won’t spoil the story, but I WILL say it has a nice twist at the end–something I didn’t see coming at all.  So if you’re in the mood for paranormal romance, tough choices, or creatures of the sea, be sure to check out Ripple!

You tell me: Have you read Ripple? Or anything else by Mandy Hubbard?