Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren - a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she's ever had to make: the life she's always longed for - or the love she can't live without?

Goodreads Summary

This book provides the readers with another twist concerning sirens, mythical creatures notorious for causing ships to sink and men to drown.  That definition describes Lexi, the main character, perfectly.  Lexi's mother, when she was alive, was abandoned by Lexi's father when Lexi was very young.  She did date a bit and was serious with one man...one man who drowned under mysterious circumstances.  Lexi's mother drowned shortly after...her death ruled a suicide. 

Lexi grew up with no guidance with regards to her siren self.  On her birthday, she celebrates with friends and a boy she hopes will soon become her official boyfriend.  She suddenly feels the urge to go swimming and drags her soon-to-be boyfriend with her.  She doesn't remember much beyond needing to swim and sing in the ocean; later that night, Lexi's soon-to-be boyfriend, who was a good swimmer, is pulled dead from the ocean. 

From that moment on, Lexi pulls away from her friends and becomes the pariah at her school.  Her best friend and sister to the boy who drowned, practically annihilates her at school with insults and taunts.  The only one kind to her is a new boy at school and a boy who is just like her-the only difference being he drags women into the water and drowns them. 

Lexi slowly emerges from her shell and makes the difficult decision of deciding between the two boys, a decision she makes based on an obligation.  The reader will enjoy learning about this author's take on sirens and the background she gives the reader.  The reader will understand the whole concept behind this book with little to no trouble.  The characters are enjoyable, the only quality holding Lexi back from becoming the reader's friend would be her ability to remain completely shut-off from everyone.  The events are very fast-paced, the reader will likely finish the novel quickly.  This book is recommended to young adults/teens who enjoy fantasy and romance novels.

4 Stars