Dishwasher Safe

Imaginative, funny, and downright cute romcom linking mer with humans, and a rollercoaster of obstacles along the way. Adorable characters without being "cutsey" make the story engaging and you will be rooting for this pair until the end. Super summer fun read.

Delightful story about a merwoman and a handsome dishwasher. Set in the Boston area this book features great world building, steamy friends to lovers pining, and some Polynesian recipes to boot. A delicious and fun romp.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC of Dishwasher Safe in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
☆As of 7/17/2024, this review has been posted to Goodreads.☆

3.8⭐️ rounded to 4⭐️
0.25🌶


This novel has an interesting premise! I enjoyed the story and the main characters-- I thought the world-building and the mer culture was a cool touch. I think this story works for people who enjoy: soft and cute romance, light-plot, and for sure happy endings. I rounded this up to 4 stars because while it didn't wow me, this is still a good romance and others who are more versed in the genre will probably love this!!

What I liked:
▪︎the mer culture/rules
▪︎I thought Alisi's dynamic with her family was interesting
▪︎Sean and Alisi were cute together

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like this one! I loved how the mermaid lore was reimagined with mermaids walking among us. (Think Luka, the Disney movie but these mermaids only switch back in saltwater.) The world of the merpeople was described with such beauty and wonder that it made me wish I could dive in myself.

Alisi is a great FMC, and I was definitely rooting for her both professionally and relationally. The romance was sweet and fun. And I thought the book had a satisfying conclusion.

This is a great fantasy read. And I recommend it to mermaid and romance lovers alike.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for my review copy.

I just finished this book called “Dishwasher Safe” by author M.J. Etkind. It’s a perfect summer/beach read about Mer Folk and romance. It also has a holiday aspect which makes it a perfect Winter read. Set in Boston it’s a delicious and delightful romance where they fall in love but she has a secret that might make their romance a little difficult to sustain. It kept me on my toes to see if they were going to be together or if they were not. It also had just a hint of spice.

Perfect Beach Read! (Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to ARC read!)
Now, this book likely won't change the way you view the world, but it will definitely be an enjoyable read for beach or poolside reading!

Alisi is an up and coming Chef- she's determined, and a little fierce. She's driven by goals and one of those goals is to get out from under any parental control or influence. Oh, and- she's a mermaid, which of course adds to the challenges of living in a human world. She's decided that she needs to date a human- to solidify her situation.
Enter Sean- the dishwasher at the restaurant. She helps him learn to use the automatic dishwasher, and little tiny sparks fly. (Serious slow burn low spice book) He's kind and funny, and she likes him... but he's at her workplace... and he's human, and even though that's what she wants-to Alisi it also seems insurmountable. Sean- being the sunshine to her grumpy, doesn't see it that way, and he has some secrets of his own. Can these two ever find a way to each other? (Of course they can , this is romance!)
Adventure ensues! With a satisfying happily ever after, I think this will please any romance readers looking for a quick read. A great way to support an indie author!

This is a modern day take on The Little Mermaid. Alisi is a mermaid, but she more wants to do human things like have a human job, live in an apartment, and date human men. Therefore, when Sean, the new dishwasher, starts working at the same restaurant and Alisi is attracted to him, she has to figure out how to be human and mermaid!

This is a quick, light romance that has you needing to know what will happen with Alisi! I loved the mermaid aspect in it!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read your book it was amazing it was like the little mermaid and I enjoy every word of it I hope others like it as much as me I can’t wait to buy it soon.

If you’re like me, you like to have a little palate cleanser- a nice standalone in between big, long books or series. Dishwasher Safe is a perfect book for this.

I adored all of the cultural and region specific details- I’ve never been to Maine, and I’m a changed woman after learning about potato donuts 👀

The Lore is *chefs (pun intended). I enjoyed the descriptions of the Mer-folk and the way they lived! It was very unique- in a good way.

Sean. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 The lumberjack vibe is my favorite, and communication is H O T. Alisi is a fun FMC and her character development was fantastic. I truly thought I knew where the ending was going and I was pleasantly surprised to have been wrong. Alisi is no damsel in distress and I love that.