TEST
The Mermaid of Penperro is a fun story with a lot of humor – and a dash of whimsy thrown in for good measure. Although it’s not about an actual mermaid, you do have to suspend your disbelief for this one. Fortunately, it’s worth it.
Konstanze Bugg is the child of an opera singer and an actor, but she was raised in proper boarding schools and has mostly led a quiet life. When her mother was on her deathbed, she made Konstanze promise to marry John Bugg, an older man who had befriended her. Two years and several beatings later, Konstanze knows that marrying Bugg was a huge mistake. While he’s away on business she packs her things, pawns a few of his things, and runs away to Cornwall, where she has just inherited a cottage.
Shortly after she arrives in Cornwall, she bathes naked in what she thinks is her own private cove. She is singing and lying on a rock when she notices that a man is watching her. She jumps into the ocean and finds a cave – only to swim right into another man’s arms. Tom Trewella is in the cave to guard some contraband that he is smuggling, and he is quite surprised when the naked Konstanze shows up. Gentleman that he is, he offers her his coat while they wait for the man on the shore, who is a government man sent to catch smugglers, to give up and go home.
The government man in question, Fowether, thinks that the woman he saw was a beautiful mermaid. When Tom hears him bragging about it in a bar, he decides he can take advantage of the situation. He asks Konstanze to dress up as a mermaid to fool Fowether and lure him away so they can proceed with their smuggling activities. Konstanze is scandalized by the idea, but eventually agrees to it. She really needs the money Tom is offering, but she also secretly likes the idea of performing in any capacity.
There are disagreements about her costume, but Konstanze and Tom quickly settle into a routine. As they spend time together, they realize that the attraction that they feel is complimented by friendship. They enjoy talking to each other, and they are already more than a little in love. But Konstanze is still married to the dreaded Bugg, and her mermaid act seems to be getting out of hand as well; Fowether is getting a little too excited about the mermaid. Both Tom and Konstanze struggle with the moral implications of their actions even though all they want to think about is each other.
I hesitate to reveal details about Konstanze’s mermaid persona, because those funny details add to the charm of the book and are much better encountered as surprises. Suffice it to say that this is a book with a lot of laughs, including a surprising one at the beginning, when Konstanze is still with her loathsome husband. There is a truly delightful scene later that involves Tom’s vulnerability, but this too is much more fun for a reader to discover on her own.
This book has something of a bawdy side as well. Although there really is only one love scene, there is a lot of sexual tension between the main characters. Konstanze is relatively ignorant about sexual matters, and her curiosity is both funny and earthy at times.
Both main characters are interesting, and those who are tired of romances featuring the nobility will find this a nice change of pace. Tom is a simple businessman, with a forthright and honest personality. Konstanze comes to enjoy her mermaid act, but at heart she still longs for a normal life with Tom – and no evil husband lurking in the background. The secondary characters are also well-drawn and usually quite funny. Konstanze has a maid who is quite unique, and the duped Fowether is surprisingly sympathetic.
When the book has the word “mermaid” in the title, you can’t really go into it expecting a hyper-realistic read. You’ve got to be able to suspend your disbelief to enjoy this one, so if you can’t believe that a nineteenth century woman would swim around naked, you might want to look elsewhere. The period feel is never particularly strong, and the characters use a lot of modern language. It also slows down a bit at the end when the hero and heroine endure a long separation.
Still, if you’re willing to indulge your whimsical side, you just might find yourself drawn in by the charm of the story. Maybe nothing like this could ever have happened, but there’s no harm in pretending for a while.
Grade: B-
Book Type: European Historical Romance
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 11/04/01
Publication Date: 2001
I've been at AAR since dinosaurs roamed the Internet. I've been a Reviewer, Reviews Editor, Managing Editor, Publisher, and Blogger. Oh, and Advertising Corodinator. Right now I'm taking a step back to concentrate on kids, new husband, and new job in law...but I'll still keep my toe in the romance waters.
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.