Kiss the Girl
By: Zoraida Cordova
Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Genre: Fairy Tales, Romance – Romantic Comedy
Originally Published: August 01, 2023
Official Summary:
“A modern tale of unexpectedly falling in love and finding your voice, Kiss the Girl is the highly anticipated third installment in the acclaimed and best-selling Meant to Be collection. Ariel del Mar is one of the most famous singers in the world. She and her sisters–together, known as the band Siren Seven–have been a pop culture phenomenon since they were kids. On stage, wearing her iconic red wig and sequined costumes, staring out at a sea of fans, is where she shines. Anyone would think she’s the girl who has everything. But lately, she wants more. Siren Seven is wrapping up their farewell tour, and Ariel can’t wait to spend the summer just living a normal life–part of a world she’s only ever seen from the outside. But her father, the head of Atlantica Records, has other plans: begin her breakout solo career immediately, starting with a splashy announcement on a morning talk show. The night before, Ariel and her sisters sneak out of their Manhattan penthouse for a night of incognito fun at a rock concert in Brooklyn. It’s there that Ariel crosses paths with Eric Reyes, dreamy lead singer of an up-and-coming band. Unaware of her true identity, Eric spontaneously invites her on the road for the summer. And for the first time in her life, Ariel disobeys her father–and goes with him. Caught between the world she longs for and the one she’s left behind, can Ariel follow her dreams, fall in love, and, somehow, find her own voice (bookshop.com)?”
Playlist inspired by the vibes, characters, and songs mentioned in Kiss the Girl:
Review:
There was no doubt that I was going to love this book. From the moment I learned that the next installment for the, “A Meant to Be” novel series, was about The Little Mermaid I was ecstatic. When I learned that it was going to be written by my queen Zoraida Córdova (!?!?!) I was over the moon!
Córdova brought the same gentleness she had when writing the Hollow Crown series, filling Kiss the Girl with amazing prose and creating brilliant parallels between the Disney animated movie and her retelling.
When I say I fell in love with this book, I wholeheartedly mean it. From sweet, brave, and curious Ariel to the sexy, big-hearted, and charming Eric there is so much to enjoy. The side characters are just as lovable and it made me smile as I read how Córdova reimagined the characters while still staying true to their personalities seen in the animated film.
What’s different?
The “A Meant To Be ” novels can go one of two ways, they can either focus on retelling the Disney movie or on the original fairytale the movies are based on. (At least that’s my understanding.) “Kiss the Girl”, is 100% a retelling of the Disney animated movie, which is emphasised by the names of the characters and what role each character plays in the story.
Notably her sisters play a bigger role in Ariel’s story, a wonderful support system for each other. They are the Siren Seven a popular girl group who have been performing since they were little. First they were in a tv show called The Little Mermaids, then they became a pop band. They have a strong bond together seen in their group chat that always had me laughing. I love that for Ariel since in the animated film I always thought she was seen as the sibling who was too different or the rebel. There’s a real emphasis on girl power; Ariel may have been the first to break the rules, but the sisters really come together to support each other when dealing with the villain of the story.
“The villain” in this story is not an evil sea witch, but instead a tyrant of a music producer for a father, who’s over protective nature seen in the animated film (as King Triton) is reflected in the book x10. While Ursula’s role is played by Odelia the agent for the band-Star Crossed-and her daughter Vanessa, who actually becomes friends with Ariel. It was refreshing to not have a woman villainized as I always wondered about the back story for Ursula??
ALSO Melody, Ariel’s daughter from the Little Mermaid 2, comes into play as well. It’s Ariel’s middle name and the persona that Ariel takes on as she goes on tour with Star Crossed.
What’s the same?
Although there are some differences like the story being about music tours and pop bands versus mermaids and sea witches. Ariel is still a princess, a pop princess, the youngest of seven who wants to be where the people are and be a “normal girl”, to dance, to be free, to fall in love.
The heart of the story hasn’t changed, making it so much fun to read as fans of the movie will notice the subtle name changes. It’s like we’re all in on the same joke. One of of my favorite details is the one about Scuttle, our favorite seagull!
In KtG there are headlines and tweets as well as transcripts from podcasts. A really cool element that allows readers to know what is going on outside of the two narrators, Ariel’s and Eric’s, perspective. It allowed for Scuttle to pop in as Scott Tuttle; a sort of alternative narrator who is a pop culture podcaster who loves Ariel and the Siren Seven. His new role had me thinking about the Little Mermaid ride at Disney’s California adventure, which has Scuttle as the narrator. Although Scuttle has a new role, I could still hear the same cheeky squak of a voice in the personality that came with his character.
I can probably go on and on about all of the other characters, but I don’t want to ruin the fun for you all!
My favorite part?
How Córdova interpreted Ariel losing her voice into a metaphor for her as she goes through a journey of self discovery. She is daddy’s girl, always with her sisters and always in costume when performing. So who is Ariel when you take all of that away? By stepping a bit out of her comfort zone and admitting to herself that who she is isn’t that far from who she was when performing. She’s still Ariel even without the makeup and costumes. She loves to sing and wants to be part of the music world, but on her own terms. With a new found purpose she is able to stand up for herself. The animated movie does something similar, but I think the retelling does it better in that Ariel seems to have more control and saves herself by standing by what she believes in.
Córdova’s writing style is also a joy in itself. There are these moments where the character will confess their thoughts or emotions and Córdorva is able to put together all the right words that envelop everything that anyone could possible be feeling, creating relatable characters and heartfelt scenes. I don’t know how she does it, it’s a special kind of magic. “It was a prism of neon lights and music, of brown eyes and crooked smiles, of kisses and promises neither of them were ready to make”(Córdova 312). I mean who writes like this! Amazing!
More quotes because I loved them too much!
5 stars. A must read and re-read.
Thank you for reading my review, if you’re interested in this book/series and thinking about purchasing it please use my bookshop link. It’ll support me a little as well as encourage me to keep reviewing!