This is such a great story. Nancy doesn't take any $%&*! from her cheating husband, and puts together a team of powerful women to compete in a prestigious sailing race. Well written, funny, likable characters (except for the husband). I'll be looking for more books from this author!

This was a brilliant fun story about Nancy having a second chance at life after being betrayed by a louse of a husband who was not only tight fisted but couldn't keep it zipped.

My first book by this author, I loved Nancy's determination and her tight friendship with the gang of girls, all of whom won my heart. Each supported her well in times of need.

A boat race to help Nancy gain her freedom from her husband and her precious boat, these mermaids form a cohesive group to help her win. Each one was powerful in their own right.

IT was a fun read and I loved tapping my kindle screen until I reached the end. I couldn't seem to put it down or even want to. The book was a great literary oasis to escape into. I loved every word of it.

This was SO GOOD!! It was a wild ride with one Hermosa Beach housewife! I want to be just the MC, Nancy! This was absolutely heartwarming and exciting at the same time— 100% recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the opportunity to read Beware the Mermaids by Carrie Talick.
What a fun read this was, I enjoyed every page and did not want to put the book down. It was a light read, and a great way to escape life for a little while.
Nancy is the main character of this novel, she is married to Roger who is a busy business man. They are very well off and enjoy sailing. Nancy is in the process of showing some of her charity foundation ladies the sailboat they could possible use for a fundraising activity. As they enter the sailboat galley, they come across an embarrassing sight. Nancy is beside herself and moves out of the house and proceeds to ask for a divorce. Nancy's friends rally behind her and help her to overcome the challenges Roger throws her way.
This was such a great, lighthearted read and I would absolutely read more books by this author, I can't wait for the next book by Carrie.

Beware of the Mermaids by Carrie Talick is a great debut novel. I could not put this book down. I read it in two days. You will love this book!!!

Beware the Mermaids is a tale of philandering husbands, the power of friendship and the love of family (and sailing). Nancy caught her husband in the throes of passion with another woman and after 30 years of marriage, decides to move out and live on her yacht. Roger is incensed that Nancy would have the gall to leave him when he needs her to help schmooze people whose votes he needs for a development. His attempts of blackmailing her and others around her fail and in the process Nancy discovers a new group of friends that support her and her "Mermaids" in what might be the biggest sailing race of her life. Loved this one.

There’s so much to love about this novel! Beware the Mermaids is about Nancy, a middle-aged woman who is hell-bent on reclaiming her life after publicly catching her husband cheating. During her journey of self-rediscovery, she learns to trust her own judgement (both personally and when sailing) and her own ability to make herself happy.

Overall, Beware the Mermaids is a well-plotted and well-paced novel, with a full cast of characters whose presence creates enough minor sub-plots to keep the reader engaged while the main plot unfolds. I especially loved Nancy’s three best friends Ruthie, Lois and Judy, who prove nothing is impossible (even male-dominated regattas) when women support women.

And I especially loved to hate Nancy’s horrible husband Roger! With third person multi-POV, readers get a peek into Roger’s psychopathic mind, revealing his motives for sabotaging Nancy’s quest for freedom, and his belief that she is just another one of his possessions, like the Bucephalus, not a person with her own feelings and dreams. Villain POV’s are always fun and add an interesting depth to a story!

Beware the Mermaids would make a solid book club read (perhaps offer some discussion questions to get the ball rolling and a few recipes for drinks mentioned in the book). I could also see this as a movie on the Hallmark Channel or Lifetime (I mean this as a huge compliment, I love both channels). And may I suggest lots of screen time for Santiago and Suzanne the cat, minimal screen time for Roger, and give him poor lighting and bad angles.

An inspiring story of a woman who embarks on a trip to find herself. After more than 30 years of married life, her husband cheats her. This leaves Nancy heartbroken.

A beautiful and inspiring story of friendship and family. A story of bonding and struggling to overcome their weakness yet at the same time it was funny and easy going.

It is a story of Nancy rebuilding herself after being betrayed by her husband.

Initially, I thought that this is definitely a book for elderly woman but later as the story unfolds, it is much inspiring.

Hence, it is good read for every girl.

It has a wonderful plot and a voice for women empowerment.

Thank you to the author and the publisher as well as netgalley for allowing me an opportunity to read this amazing ARC.

I was lucky enough to get this gem from @netgalley and I will say it definitely gets two thumbs up and five stars - I absolutely loved it! This was a huge change from my murder mystery psycho thriller reading but it was also just what I needed! The story is great and even if not “relatable” it challenges your complacent mind and tendencies and makes you think “what if” while challenging you too look at how you too are responsible for the “cage” you are in! I loved the characters - what a circle of friends- also loved the variety and strength shown in each woman. It also made me want to live on a boat/in a marina !! I don’t think I would be able to sail but this makes boat living sound great and is absolutely true with costs in California 🤢 I think this is a great summer read / beach read and def recommend for women’s book club!

I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked this book by Carrie Talick. Once started, I had to finish to see how Nancy finished the race. What a funny and inspirational story of these women who bond and struggle.

Beware the Mermaids is perfect for fans of Under the Tuscan Sun and Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants.

At first I thought I had maybe missed the mark with my pick - this book is for retired women, not anyone younger - but since I hate half-reading a book I stuck it out. OMG am I ever glad that I did. This was so much more than just a story about a woman who finds out that her husband of over 30yrs has been cheating on her. It is about friendship, resilience, about making choices, and having ownership over your own life.

Knowing who to trust, who you can lean on, and who's advice to trust - that is what this story is.
Well written, well-paced, and heartwarming.

This book involves heavy issues but it balances it out with being lighthearted and funny.
While the book is centered around female characters, the male characters are well thought out and complex.
While Roger is the villain, his antics are hilarious.
Great summer read! The characters are vibrant and interesting.
A fun book overall and the laugh out loud moments provide a nice balance to the struggles Nancy faces.

After reading this book, I want to live on a sail boat! (Well, maybe spend a couple of weeks on one.) I was rooting for Nancy the entire time and wanted her to beat Roger at his own game. Not only was this book entertaining, but I learned a lot about sailing. This is a great beach read! I couldn't put this book down.

It's quite a trick to pull off, writing a book that is so purely entertaining but also packs emotional heft. One where the cartoon villains are allowed to chew up all the scenery with glorious abandon, but the women aren't there to fret and wring their hands - they're there to remind us that women at midlife are not to be trifled with!

(Nor are we to be taken so seriously!)

We can sail. We can drink everyone under the table. We can haul our friends up with one hand and bury a bum with the other. We can operate the remote-control thermostat in order to roast the devils in our lives.

We can mend bridges with our adult children. We can build them to reach our grandchildren.

And yes, that smoldering glance is still being cast at us.

The Mermaids have arrived just in time - just as we're all pining for our friends, the beach, youthful hijinks. You should beware them, it's true. But you certainly don't want to miss them, either. Read this book!!!

This was a good book. It discussed some heavy issues, but still stayed lighthearted and funny at times. I really enjoyed the characters. While it was mostly focused on the female characters, there were some male characters mixed in so it didn't seem over the top female.

Loved this book so much! Finally a book with real woman over forty with real lives and issues .I love the Whitty humor , the characters are great , the storyline was good, it was nice read about independent woman , one leaves her cheating husband , friends get together buy a boat and race in it , refreshing Spring read , will be a great Summer read for all.

I received this book from netgalley for an honest review #netgalley

Feminist undertones were awesome I love female empowerment and the plot was just wonderful.

At first, I thought this story would be too predictable and a bit cheesy for me. However, author Carrie Talick, does a great job developing interesting (if a bit unbelievable) characters. It is rare treat to really get to know an array of characters in a book.
Set on the coast of California, newly separated Nancy, is trying to establish her independence after leaving her cheating husband. Nancy ends up living on a sailboat among mostly unwelcoming men. With her friends and granddaughter (deemed the Mermaids) by her side, she tackles her new life path with determination. Nancy encounters many obstacles to independent living, yet also discovers her own self and a strength she didn’t realize she possessed.

Enjoyable and easy to read book. I’d definitely recommend!

*big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thanks NetGalley for the advance copy! I really enjoyed this story. I felt connected to the characters and genuinely wanted to see Nancy pull thorough and find herself on the other side. I loved all the sailing terms and the idea of living on a houseboat. It was just the right amount of sailing jargon, not too overwhelming or confusing, but definitely inspiring. I felt like Nancy’s granddaughter, ready to hit the library for all the sailing books. This book transported me from my dusty brown landlocked state to the beautiful California coast and had me sipping cocktails. Nancy reminded me that you need a few great friends and the strength to rely on yourself to make things happen and be the change you want to see. Highly recommend and looking forward to another book by Carrie Talick.

I received a copy of this contemporary women’s fiction novel as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It is a great read exploring, friendships, love and second chances.