Review: The Tale of Capri

It goes without saying that most princess fans also love mermaids. So when a new book released this year in honor of MerMay, the annual online mermaid art competition, I was intrigued. The Tale of Capri by Kathleen Solis is a cozy contemporary romance between a mermaid and a lifeguard. The eye-catching cover was inspired by a series of artwork that the author created for various MerMay prompts, which are included in the back of the book. It's a quick, clean read with sweet vibes and strong environmental themes about ocean conservation. Good mermaid books can be hard to find, so this one is definitely worth diving into if beachy vibes are your jam.

The Tale of Capri opens with a scene similar to the one depicted on the cover of the book. A lifeguard named Eden inspects the beach and finds an injured mermaid washed up on the shore with her tail caught in a net. He cuts her free and offers to let her stay in his pool while she recovers from her injuries. She chooses to trust him, even though she dislikes humans due to their tendency to litter the sea with pollutants that make it difficult for merfolk to survive near the shallows. The first half of the book is similar to the film Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid. Eden does his best to keep Capri a secret while tending to her injuries and teaching her about human customs.

The story takes a surprising turn when Eden learns that Capri has the ability to grant him a wish for helping her, similar to the movie Aquamarine. He considers his wish carefully while navigating his budding feelings for Capri and chooses something that would bring the unlikely pair closer together. Capri, in turn, develops feelings for Eden, and the two grow closer while exploring each other's worlds. Their romance has sweet and innocent vibes, with just one small obstacle from Eden's past to overcome. Both characters have an immense amount of respect for each other that gets reflected in every page.

Ocean conservation is an overarching theme throughout the book, but it doesn't come off as heavy-handed. The water pollution is a serious threat to the merfolk's survival. By getting to know Capri, Eden learns how important it is to keep the oceans clean and help those in need. Both protagonists have a strong moral conscience, though Eden is a little rougher around the edges due to his rocky past. He learns later that Capri also used to be cynical toward humans before she met him, but we don't see much of that side of her in the book. She is a gentle heroine with a quiet curiosity about other cultures.

Overall, The Tale of Capri is a light and pleasant read for mermaid fans of all ages. Its sweet, cozy vibes and short length make it a great way to kick back and relax after a stressful day or to wake up to a peaceful morning. Eden and Capri are spirited protagonists who share a touching romance with a hint of magic. Fans of mermaid media will enjoy the references to some lesser-known movies and appreciate that it doesn't read as just another "Little Mermaid" retelling. It's wonderful to see the tradition of MerMay inspire creativity in storytelling as well as art.