Thank you to Tor and Macmillan Audio for my review copies. My opinions are my own.

I started listening to this and was immediately grateful that I also had the e-review copy so that I could see the spellings for the various fae characters, but also glad that I tandem read this because the French is gorgeous and Esther Wane does an absolutely stunning narration of Lucinde.

Lucinde is the treasured youngest daughter of the Leon family, but she doesn't want to follow her sisters in being focused on society and getting married. She wants to sail and explore the world. This blends the Little Mermaid and Cinderella in the original versions, with the darker, grittier, less Disney-fied sanitized versions that most of us grew up with.

This story is slow building but there's enough twists, turns, and action to keep the reader engaged. I was upset to stop reading when I needed to concentrate at work, and when I had to stop listening when I started falling asleep. I also later looked up the coast of Saint Malo trying to find Luce's cove, because this is very much a real place on the northern coast of France.

This is one that I suggest doing a tandem read with, the two formats compliment each other.

Highly recommend.

4.75 stars rounded up

This is easily one of the best Little Mermaid retellings/fracturings I've read, and Kell Woods is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors. I loved this book so much, and I didn't want to put it down. Everything was so perfect, from the book's atmosphere to the hints and references to the original stories to the way the characters all felt like real, flawed people. I deeply appreciated the amount of nuance Kell Woods was able to incorporate into her characters. They had complex motivations, and that created real dilemmas that I enjoyed watching the characters sort through. This was beautiful and very cleverly done.

I also really appreciated Esther Wane's narration for the audiobook. She had the perfect voice and storytelling style for this story, and it was truly captivating.

My one complaint with this story (and the only reason it's not a full five-star review) is that there were a few scenes that crossed the line from steamy to spicy in the middle of the book. Given the 1758 setting, the spicy/steamy scenes felt very out of place. The contrast was jarring to me, especially since the scenes didn't seem necessary to move the plot forward and could have been edited out without the book losing much if any of its impact.

This book is definitely one I want to reread one day, and I humbly submit a request for Kell Woods to tackle Beauty and the Beast next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Books, Macmillan Audio, and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! Mix of fairytale retellings, historical fiction and fantasy set at the sea. The superstitions, fae, family drama and magic that slowly grows stronger and stronger was so enjoyable to read. I also liked that it involves the political drama between France and England.

The audiobook was perfect and kept me so captivated like I was right there. The narrator brought so much emotion to the characters.

Narrator is fantastic! I loved her in other audiobooks. She always brings the story to life.

This story is amazing, I really wanted to listen to it consistently. Love the little mermaid meets Cinderella, and how it's not as you'd expect it to be traditionally.

Everyone should listen to this book.

Upon a Starlit Tide was a Macmillan Audio pick, and while I don’t usually go for mermaid stories, this combination of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella caught my eye! I am so glad I picked up this book. It was immediately immersive. It’s hard to describe exactly what I mean by that. It had the vibes, the plot, the characterization, a bit of mystery, romance, deception, adventure, and amazing world building of alternate history Bretagne (Brittany). This is the kind of book that I felt like I was inside that world while I was reading it. And when it was over, I felt bereft of the MCs whose lives I had been engrossed in. Luce’s life felt as real as my own, and I did not want to let her go.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys alternate history with magic, mermaids, sea-maids, or sirens, and those universal aspects of the Cinderella story that seem to call to all young women. This was five stars for me!

I also really enjoyed the narration by Esther Wane.

Luce is the youngest daughter of a wealthy ship owner living in Saint-Malo in Brittany with her two sisters and parents, though she was taken in by the family at a young age as an orphan. Luce spends her days secretly with Samuel, an English smuggler and her best friend, learning to sail and diving for storm balast, though that's not befitting a lady. She dreams of sailing the world. After rescuing Morgan, a young sailor of another wealthy family, she is swept up in a world of the fae. As Luce learns more, she struggles to determine where she truly belongs.

"You will think me strange, I fear."

Described as borrowing elements from The Little Mermaid and Cinderella, Upon a Starlit Tide is a magical historical fantasy all its own. The fae elements are so woven into Luce's world that they never seem obtrusive. Esther Wane as narrator does a lovely job bringing these characters to life. The audio book swept me away into this dark and dazzling world.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an ALC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book is due to be published 2/18/25. I'll post to Instagram shortly

The story is a Cinderella and Little Mermaid combo retelling, but with dark twists, sea witches, fae, folklore, ghosts, pirates, superstition, and more - set in the backdrop of one of the many wars between England and France in the 1700s.

The premise is great, which is why I picked it up. But, early in the story, it was feeling predictable, and therefore, and was tough to get into …. Insert generic FMC with hidden magical powers. But, it quickly evolved and really surprised me with the depth of character development and dynamics, especially shown in the complicated relationships with her family. The story bloomed with nuance, originality, and gets increasingly dark. The setting was lush and atmospheric, making you feel part of the world. The prose is illustrious without being too over done. Highly recommend for readers across historical fiction, fantasy, and romance.

Narrator Esther Wane was excellent. The performance really makes or breaks audiobooks for me, and her narration easy to follow and engaging. She really brought the story to life, especially towards the end, capturing the emotion of the final scenes.

What started as a mini slump for the first couple weeks of February is shaping up to be a really great month of books. I’m definitely interested in checking out more work by the author and narrator.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ARC copy of the audiobook for Upon a Starlit Tide - opinions are my own.

🌊 Upon a Starlit Tide 🌊

WOW! What a FUN adventure!! The vibes were perfection in this delightful historical fantasy adventure.

I was sold when I heard a Cinderella and Little Mermaid retelling combined. Curious to see how it would be done, and Kell Woods did NOT disappoint.

Luce is the youngest daughter of one of Saint-Malo’s wealthiest ship owners, who craves the sea, sneaking away any chance she can get with her English-smuggler best friend, Samuel. Luce’s world is rocked when she rescues the charming and handsome Morgan, a younger son of another wealth ship owner, from the sea. What follows is an adventure of romance, magic, betrayal and love.

I absolutely adored Luce’s adventures and following her coming of age and coming into her own journey. While this is billed as adult, and there were some adult spice scenes, some of the themes felt more new adult. The fantasy elements were easy to follow, and added to the magic of the fairytale.

The audio was absolutely enchanting. I loved the characters and voices, highly recommend the audio to pull you into the adventure!

Check this one out if you’re looking for:
🌊 New adult fairytale retelling
🌊 Cinderella and Little Mermaid crossover
🌊 Historical fantasy romance
🌊 Love triangle
🌊 Smuggling and pirate feels

Thank you to Macmillian Audio for the ALC! My opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Upon a Starlit Tide! Overall, I think this was an enjoyable story. Things did take a few unexpected turns that I was not expecting. I went into this blind and very quickly realized it was a Cinderella/Little Mermaid mashup. If you're a fan of fairytale retellings, I would definitely recommend checking this one out.

I know Woods' debut received a bit of mixed reviews, but I absolutely loved After the Forest and I knew that whatever Woods wrote next, I would read. I think I liked Upon a Starlit Tide even more than I liked After the Forest, and I think more readers will enjoy this book.

Upon a Starlit Tide has been explained as a Little Mermaid and Cinderella mixed retelling, and while I totally get where that description comes from, I do not think that does Woods' story justice. I would not call this a "retelling," as it does not follow either story entirely, and it is so much smarter than that. There are snippets of the Hans Christian Anderson version, which I really appreciated. Also, Woods does a fantastic job of tying so much of her story together, and none of it feels out of place or forced. She really thought this story out well, and I absolutely loved it.

This is a fantasy book, but the fantasy elements are so light throughout that I would recommend this to someone who isn't a large fantasy fan. I honestly forgot it was fantasy many times, despite the mermaid on the cover, and thought it was historical fiction.

I truly loved this book, and I am so grateful for the physical ARC that Tor gave me. I cannot wait to see what else Woods has in store!

My one complaint about the audio is that one of the main character's voices does not seem to match their personality. I saw another reviewer mention they were confused at one point in the story because they were convinced this character was 60 rather than a teen, based solely on the narrator. I wish that could have been changed, as I had to actively ignore that part of their narration in understanding the story.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Tor Books, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My most anticipated book this week was Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods. If the title and cover aren’t already enough to entice you, here’s more: Unfolding like a fairytale, this novel is set in 1750s France, where Luce, adopted as an orphan, has always felt loved but like something is missing. She longs for adventure and a life at sea. When she rescues a man from a shipwreck, a new path is set in motion… but with surprises, darkness, and secrets to uncover along the way.

Why I Chose This Book:
Don’t discount the power of an enchanting title and cover; that’s what first caught my eye with Upon a Starlit Tide. With allusions to The Little Mermaid and Cinderella, I was excited for a new fairytale set against the sea. This is only the first book featuring sirens that I’ll be reading this year. I am officially entering my mermaid era!

What I Liked:
- Strong similarities to The Little Mermaid and Cinderella… but who’s kind and who’s evil is all mixed up!
- Hints of magic that slowly grow stronger and more present as the book progresses
- A love triangle??
- Superstitions about the sea, ships, and the fae
- Sea-maid as the Fairy Godmother, perhaps
- Ships and oceans and sea monsters, oh my
- 1750s France and conflict with England
- If you love someone…

Audiobook
Esther Wane does an excellent job of narrating Upon a Starlit Tide, infusing so much personality and emotion into the characters. The inflections and accents she gives each character add to the vivid portrayal of the story, making for a more immersive and mesmerizing listen.

Final Thoughts
Upon a Starlit Tide is a spellbinding fantasy novel for fans of fairytale retellings, oceanic settings, 1750s France, and mermaids. I loved following Luce along her path of self-discovery, strength, love, and belonging in the world. Though at times heartbreaking, it’s ultimately an empowering and dazzling work of historical fantasy. Kell Woods is an author I can’t wait to read more from!

Upon a Starlit Tide is a historical fantasy novel that follows Lucinde Leon on her journey of self-actualization. As the youngest daughter of a wealthy and well-known shipowner, Lucinde has spent her life adjacent to the sea. Yet, she finds her life in Saint-Malo, Brittany, stifling and feels the sea calling to her.

This devastatingly beautiful fairytale is inspired by elements of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, capturing the magic of both stories while creating an entirely unique enchantment of its own.

I particularly enjoyed the various fae we encounter, who add so much depth to this retelling. The portrayal of a misunderstood tide crone as the fairy godmother archetype, in particular, is especially compelling.

The writing is another highlight, with lyrical prose that immerses you in Woods' world.

listened to the ARC audiobook of Upon a Starlit Tide earlier this month and must say I LOVED this reimagined fairytale with nods to both Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. This adult historical fantasy romance is an incredibly atmospheric and magical tale of love, friendship, freedom, and finding oneself. As somebody who loves a water-based magic system and slow-burn romance, this book was everything I was wanted for and more.

I greatly enjoyed Kell Wood’s previous book After the Forest. Her ability to retell fairytales in a way that isn’t a verbatim rip is something that I don’t see very often in retellings and is very refreshing and she managed to do that again in Upon a Starlit Tide. In Upon a Starlit Tide we follow Luce the beloved adopted daughter of a rich merchant, and Corsair. Luce finds herself constantly drawn to the sea and has been sneaking out to take sailing lessons with British smuggler Samuel, when he comes across a shipwrecked man and decides to save him against the belief of most sailor superstition that says he should be left because he belongs to the sea. The man she saves turns out to be Morgan the youngest son of another wealthy and powerful family. Luce ends up having to navigate her desires for freedom, her families wishes, and her own past.

I really loved this story, it took elements of not only the little mermaid, but Cinderella and Bluebeard allowing the author to mix different elements and create something very interesting. I loved the attention to sea faring customs in the book along with an eye towards more historical elements. The book starts slow but builds up quickly, culminating in several reveals and twists having more impact. The actions of others towards Luce and her history are made all the more heartbreaking because of it.

Esther Wane does a great job narrating. Her voice is very clear and she does a wonderful job with the various French words in the book.

Set in Brittany at the height of sailing the seas, privateering, and salvaging wrecks, Luce craves leaving the walls of Saint-Malo to have her own adventures on the sea. However, as the adopted daughter of a wealthy merchant she is expected to stay at home living the life of a lady. Undeterred, Luce manages to sneak out and enjoy the waters with her English smuggler friend, Samuel. That is until amidst a wreckage she finds an unconscious Morgan de Chatelaine and her world shifts. Are the tales and folklore of the sea all true? What power do the fae still possess and what secrets are they keeping? Where does Luce fit in this world?

First, this was a spectacularly done audiobook. The narration helped create a vivid world with complete characters in my mind. Flow and pacing was spot on. A very easy audiobook to take in and enjoy.

The novel itself was also wonderful! The hints of classic fairytales were subtle and familiar, but also entirely unique to the original story the author has woven. Luce is a perfect protagonist and seeing the world through her eyes, the good and the bad, with the depth of feeling she has is really genuine. A truly great story with light fantasy and romance. 5 stars.

Based on an Advanced Audiobook provided by Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an honest review.

When I first saw the cover of Upon A Starlit Tide, I was immediately intrigued—a recurring theme in my reading choices. But when I realized it was a reimagining of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, I wasn’t sure I was ready to dive into another fairy tale-inspired story just yet. However, after seeing an overwhelming number of glowing reviews, I decided to revisit the synopsis, and the premise captivated me. Then, when I discovered the audiobook was available on NetGalley—produced by MacMillan Audio, a publisher that never fails to impress—I knew I had to give it a listen.

And I’m so glad I did. While it draws inspiration from classic fairy tales, Upon A Starlit Tide is far from the familiar stories we grew up with. Instead, it delivers a sweeping, atmospheric fantasy filled with intrigue, romance, and self-discovery. Kell Woods crafts an intoxicating blend of history and magic, transporting readers to 18th-century France, where the sea itself feels alive, shaping the fates of those who dare to embrace it. The writing is lush and evocative, pulling you into a world of moonlit masquerades, hidden dangers, and shimmering fae magic. Beyond the adventure and romance, the novel offers a thoughtful exploration of power, freedom, and the constraints placed on women, making it a refreshing and compelling take on traditional fairy tale themes.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to subvert expectations. Woods sets up familiar character archetypes, only to twist them in ways that feel fresh and unpredictable. The relationships, particularly between the female characters, are richly developed, offering a narrative that celebrates both independence and the power of connection.

Narrator Esther Wane does a fantastic job bringing the story to life, making each character feel distinct and immersive. My only minor gripe—though it made me laugh more than anything—was Sam’s voice. I get that he was supposed to sound like a pirate, but at times, he came across as a grizzled old sailor straight out of a storybook (where was his peg leg and parrot?), which made it a little difficult to picture him as a romantic lead. That aside, the audiobook was an absolute delight.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced audiobook. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to read (or listen to) more of Kell Woods’s work in the future. And on a final, amusing note—having a love interest with my name (but the opposite gender) was an unexpected experience. Though I have to admit, I loved when Morgan was referred to as “from the sea.” I may just have to adopt that title for myself!

I stopped listening to the audiobook around 30% in. I love fairytale retellings and was so excited to listen to this book. The Little Mermaid is one of my all time favorites. I saw and enjoyed the parallels between Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. The writing was beautiful and lyrical. I usually speed through audiobooks but I didn’t feel inclined to pick this one up. While I enjoyed the writing, I did not enjoy the plot. The story was slow and dull, there was no tension or suspense to hold my attention. I didn’t connect with the characters and had no desire to keep going.

What a beautiful reimagining of The Little Mermaid mixed with a bit of Cinderella vibes as well. I will say, the references to Cinderella are more related to her having step sisters (who may or may not be jealous) and a masked ball.. However, most of the rest of the story lends itself to reimagining of a a girl who finds herself drawn to the sea, wanting to sail her own ship, and feeling a special connection to gifts the sea offers such as shells and the like.

Luce is the youngest in her family and is spiled by her adoptive father who dotes on her and gives her the world. Though her other sisters and stepmother aren't happy about the situation, it doesn't really effect them until Morgan de Chatelaine is rescued from the sea. Only Luce, Samuel, and maybe Morgan, himself, know the truth, while the rest of the town believe him to have washed ashore after the wreck of his ship. This causes a rift in Luce's family as Morgan seems drawn to Luce, but her sister has her eyes set on him as well.

The story is rich and well crafted. Each time I reach a Kell Woods novel, I feel as though her writing is on par with Naomi Novik and how well they are able to take these fairy tale-esque stories and turn them into something new for the reader. There are moments I do wish Luce didn't feel so wishy-washy with what she wanted. She is a very determined and independent woman, but she also has moments of incredible naivety which may come from her sheltered life. I give her a pass on quite a lot of things, but I do wish her understanding of the world, due to her conversations with Samuel, had helped her understand the world is not always a perfect place for quite good portion of the book.

I don't want to spoil anything, so i will leave it here, but please read this book. I think it was brilliantly done and well worth the read.

While I absolutely adored Woods’ debut, After the Forest, the author’s sophomore novel did not feel up to par. The first 60% of the novel crawled along at a snail’s pace, and all the fun stuff happened toward the end. On a positive note, it retells “The Little Mermaid” from the original Danish source material, which I found immensely refreshing. I still can’t stand retellings, but this one didn’t do too badly in that respect.

Don’t get me wrong. The setting in UaST, also one of the things I absolutely loved about After the Forest, set the mood and immersed me just like magic. Even though I despise books about ships at sea, this one mainly focuses on what happens after they wreck off the coast and stayed pretty much on land. I like shifts and changes in stories because it keeps me from getting bored, and Luce goes plenty of magical places full of magic and wonder. When she got there, however, she did a lot of wondering and staring and thinking to herself. That got old fast.

Luce as a main character didn’t really carry the novel until toward the end. She was passive and naive to the point of pain, and I had a hard time thinking she could have any kind of feelings of desire for anyone because she was so nascent in her thinking. Once that point in the novel passed where the book picked up and moved along, I adored her in all her many dimensions. Unfortunately, instead of a gradual growth progressively through the story, the change came about abruptly. Up to a certain point, Luce was one-dimensional. Then, magically, she had dimension and depth and layers.

While the opener really gripped me and gave a bit of a catalyst for some of Luce’s maturation, the romance was more seduction from one person and avoidance from the other in a love triangle that resolves itself (blessedly, I hate love triangles) but readers will see this coming. While I like Samuel, I don’t feel there was enough romantic development between Luce and him. They already started the book with a familiarity from knowing each other all their lives, and like Luce’s abrupt change as a character, their romance went from cold to absolutely scorching just as quickly.

I didn’t dislike Wane’s narration in general, but I felt the voices for the men, especially the love interest, made them sound like 80-year-old men. The pitch was a bit high for me, but that’s personal sound preference and not to do at all with skill.

Overall, 2.5-3 for the story and 4.5/5 for the narration. I have listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and I know if I’m having a hard time with pacing even in an audiobook, and it takes me as long to get through the book as it did this one, I would definitely have dnf’ed if I were reading it in print. I have a rule for my highly rated books, and they must, as Margaret Atwood says, “hold. my. attention.” Upon a Starlit Tide did not do that for me. The cover’s beautiful, at least.

Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio for the ALC, for which I willingly give my own, honest opinion.

I loved every moment and every word of UPON A STARLIT TIDE.

Read this book if you enjoy historical fantasy, a well developed, heartfelt romance, beautiful writing, and a captivating story of love, betrayal, and vengeance.

I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Esther Wane. Production is fantastic. Wane embodied the characters’ personalities and moods. I found the listening experience to be totally immersive.

*Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook download!*