Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Song of Lorelei by Desirée M. Niccoli is the second book in the Haven Cove series. The sirens have created a real problem for fishermen as a threat that lurks in the background, driving a majority of the obstacles and raising the stakes for the characters. While most fishermen are questioning their careers, Killian has struck a deal with the sirens lurking at sea. Even though he is free to venture out in the fishing lanes, this isn’t enough to keep the sirens from getting on board. His ability to maintain a livelihood for himself and his crew depends on remaining at peace with the sirens. Only he has more to lose than just his livelihood. His fiancée Lorelei struggles to find a solution that would give her the freedom to have the life she wants. However, to find a permanent answer, she must participate in a research study that includes another mermaid as a subject. Though the research is nearing answers, the treatment of her new friend begins to weigh on her mind, and she soon comes to a crossroads where she’ll be forced to decide if freedom is worth the price.

Desirée M. Niccoli makes the characters feel realistic with qualities that ground the fantastical elements. Lorelei wants to find a solution that will help her and others like her who wish to live differently, though the crossroads she finds herself at is about what she’s willing to sacrifice. This is at the core of the dynamic between her and Nireed as the two find commonality in more than both being sirens. By exploring the friendship between them, readers will feel conflicted about what the right thing to do is, which is a clever way to build a commentary. The romance is beautifully done, with the moments between Killian and Lorelei full of chemistry and sizzling banter. Their relationship is a lovely part of the plot, though the two characters are well-developed enough to be separate from each other. They have individual journeys and experiences, which allow them to stand on their own. However, what makes the romance so compelling is how the two come together in a relationship founded on support, love, and encouragement. This makes the romantic moments feel more genuine and makes them a couple that you want to root for. The world that Niccoli has created is a unique approach to the idea of mermaids exploring their place in a modern society, which weaves fantasy into our modern world. A refreshing approach to mermaids, Song of Lorelei is a romance that is fun, genuine, and exciting, with two compelling leads that you want to root for both together and individually.