Cordova is a delightful romance author (across age categories) and I look forward to all her stories. Kiss the Girl was such a fun read and excited to pick up other books in this retelling series.

Zoraida Cordova is one of my new favorite authors. The book Kiss the Girl is wonderful. I enjoyed all the characters and recommend this book to everyone.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

This is a modern twist on the Little Mermaid. For most of her life, Ariel has been a part of the Siren Seven with her sisters and they're finally taking a break. However, her father has more plans for Ariel, including a solo career and zero break. In an act of rebellion, Ariel runs off to help on the tour of an up and coming band, except most of them don't know she's a famous Pop Star. As Ariel discovers who she is outside of the limelight, she develops a relationship with the leader of the band, but what'll happen when he learns who she really is?

I really liked all of the nods to the Disney classic without being completely on the nose a retelling. There was no sea witch or losing her voice to win the guy. Even though Eric is the draw to go on tour, the romance is more of an added benefit to her journey of self-discovery. I loved catching glimpses of the cartoon with character names. The story itself was really enjoyable. It's a great cast of characters and Ariel is a character to root for. While she's still a girl rebelling against her father who's controlling, her situation here is far more sympathetic and he is much more of a villain than the cartoon. This was a great read and worth picking up.

Ariel del Mar, pop star, is ready for a break. She and her sisters have been in the spotlight her most of her life. After the farewell tour ends, just as her break is supposed to begin, her father springs the news that he’s expecting her solo career to begin immediately. But now, she’s met Eric Reyes, singer of a band who doesn’t know who she is. He offers her the opportunity to get away, join them on tour as the merch seller. How can she resist? Such a fun rom-com! Ariel is a strong, funny, and friendly character on the road of self-discovery and love. The references to Little Mermaid movie are like little treats along the way.

The Little Mermaid has always been a favorite Disney movie for me, so I was super excited for Kiss the Girl. The concept is also super fun, love a good band romance/being on the road. I immediately felt for Ariel/Melody and how she had her whole life dictated by her dad. And Eric was definitely my type (and also my favorite prince). I really enjoyed how elements of the movie were woven in. I do also love how each chapter ended with interstitials, that's one of my favorite things in books. I received an advance review copy for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

As an avid Disney fan, Little Mermaid holds a special place in my heart. Kiss The Girl holds up strongly as a retelling with so many fun, little references sprinkled throughout. This book tells the the story of Ariel, a famous singer in her sister's girl band, who decides to leave the limelight behind and try life her way. In the process, she meets Eric, a struggling musician and of course their relationship grows into more. But can Ariel keep her identity hidden? Can she survive without her controlling father? You will have to read to find out. My only criticism is the parts were pretty predictable and it was easy to see where the plot was headed. But, overall a great light-hearted romance with lots of disney references. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of Kiss the Girl by Zaraida Cordova!

Loved this story! Really sweet adaptation of the Disney Little Mermaid, with a new adult/YA feel to it. Nice blend of instant attraction and slow, irresistible buildup of connection between fmc/mmc. Sisterly and found family vibes. Competence porn- they are both super talented performers! And a truly amazing meet cute where she saves his guitar from a would-be thief. What’s not to love?

This book was very fun! I always love a fairy tale retelling and this one really hit that craving. Very enjoyable!

Kiss the Girl is such a fun and unique retelling! Ariel and her six sisters, in this version, are the band Siren Seven. Ariel meets her Eric when going to a concert incognito and from there the story unfolds. This was incredibly adorable and I cannot wait to seek out the other books in the series.

I had low expectations going into this because although I like Jasmine Guillory, I really did not love her entry in this contemporary romance re-envisioning of the Disney films. Kiss the Girl, however, had me from the start. Like Cordova, I grew up watching Ariel and her Prince Eric struggle with communication and the mermaid's desire to be different than the person her father imagined. I really enjoyed this take on what it means to be a star in the shadow of your family, and how growing beyond that can be worth the pain. Of course this is a modern fairy tale, and I was happy to see the hero be just as fully-fleshed-out as the heroine, and that there was a great found-family to go with the loving sisters. Four solid stars, and I will keep reading these re-tellings!

Just like the other two books in the Meant To Be series, Kiss the Girl is a refreshing and modern take on a story that everyone knows so well. Ariel and her sisters are the biggest thing in Pop music, but they all want to find their own way in life. Eric and his band want to become more than they are. As the band heads out on tour with their new merch girl, will all their dreams come true?

I'm a huge Disney fan and was super excited to be approved for this ARC. There was so much I enjoyed - the bones of the story were good. However, it was too long and drawn out, and tended to get tedious. I am very thankful to Hyperion Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this in return for an honest review.

Kiss the Girl is the perfect example of what a retelling should be. It celebrates the original but brings a completely new plot to the table. I enjoyed all the easter egg callbacks to The Little Mermaid, but they didn't detract from the story, which was greatly appreciated.

Melody's struggle to find her passion and her place was relatable while still having the intriguing glamor of being a celebrity. This iteration of Eric was everythinggggg. His being the leader of an up-and-coming band was soooo fun! There was a little steam and a lot of pining.

Both Ariel and Eric's characters were Latinx. I can't speak to the accuracy of the representation, but the "change" to the original story was seamless and perfect. I need to read more of Zoraida's books now (next up will be her Star Wars book since I own a copy).

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review. I will be buying a physical copy because I really liked it!

This one was such a great interpretation of the source story. I loved seeing beloved characters pop in and the twist on the main plot. Looking back on the whole story its great to see how it all pieced together I am loving all the different books that are coming out of this series.

Ariel and her six sisters are the band Siren Seven. After their last concert she goes to a concert incognito and meets lead singer Eric Reyes. Ends up touring with his band as the merchandiser. Can you see the seeds being sown for a retelling of The Little Mermaid? How long will it take him to kiss the girl? 💋 This is an entertaining, music-filled read. I still like the first one in the series best.

This series has been hit or miss for me. This one had a lot of characters to keep straight and I just had a hard time getting into it because I was trying to figure out who was who and how (and if) they correlate to the original movie. But I think it's a me thing because lots of people have enjoyed it and retellings tend to be pretty popular.

As a Disney obsessed girly pop, I was soooo excited for this book to come out! I have read books one and two of the meant to be series and could not wait to read this book. Fast forward a few months and August finally made its arrival....and I can finally send my review in. I loved this book! This book was perfect in every way. I would definitely recommend this book to my younger audience as I believe that they will enjoy it. Great job Zoraido Cordova!!!

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

No notes. None. I love Ariel (/Melody), I love Eric, I love the story. It’s all excellently well done. I loved this so much. The characters were so thoughtful, even the 6 sisters who were more background than present were lively and detailed. This was excellently written and told. I will certainly be adding Cordova to my author list to read more of (once I knock down my extensive TBR). Highly recommend this one.

"Kiss the Girl" by Zoraida Córdova is an enchanting and magical romance that swept me into a world of fantasy, intrigue, and the power of true love. This novel is a delightful blend of fairy tale elements, adventure, and the complexities of destiny.

Córdova's writing style is immersive and vivid, creating a world of magic and wonder that captivates the reader's imagination. The characters in the novel are beautifully crafted, each with their own strengths, flaws, and desires that contribute to the depth of the story.

At the heart of the narrative is a captivating romance that unfolds against a backdrop of curses, secrets, and the allure of the supernatural. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and their journey toward breaking the curse is both heartwarming and adventurous.

"Kiss the Girl" successfully balances the fantastical elements with moments of genuine emotion, resulting in a narrative that is both enchanting and resonant. The themes of love, destiny, and the power of choice add depth to the story.

In conclusion, "Kiss the Girl" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that captures the essence of fairy tale romance with a modern twist. If you're looking for a book that offers a magical escape with characters you can't help but root for, this novel provides an enchanting and captivating narrative that will leave you charmed and entranced.