Best Mermaid Romantasy Books (2026): 4 Compared

The best mermaid romantasy books pair salt water with slow burns, whether the mermaid is real, cursed or just a costume. This list compares four mermaid romantasy picks, from YA curses to sweet rom-coms, ranked by what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The Atlantis Twins by Kaminsky	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Of Song and Tide by Murphy	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon
3	How to Date a Mermaid by Oren	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon
4	The Last Mermaid by Abé	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

The Atlantis Twins by Kaminsky

M.S. Kaminsky·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A mermaid’s curse, a family secret and a love that defies the depths: Book 1 of 3 in The Mermaid Curse, with a stated reading age of 16 to 17 years.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 3 in The Mermaid Curse series
• Reading age 16 to 17 years stated
• Shocking twist ending per reader reviews in the listing

Cons

• No print length is stated
• Prequel storyline may confuse series order
• Published January 6, 2018, not a new release

2

Of Song and Tide by Murphy

D.S. Murphy·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An Irish-set mermaid romance where witches, merrow and murder collide: Book 1 of 2 in the Ocean Depths, Shearwater Series.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 2 in the Ocean Depths, Shearwater Series
• Endorsed by USA Today best-selling author Leia Stone
• Irish mythology setting with mermaids and witches

Cons

• No print length is stated
• No reading age is stated
• Published January 26, 2017, the oldest pick here

3

How to Date a Mermaid by Oren

Dianne Oren·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A sweet closed-door mermaid rom-com: a viral mermaid costume, a rock star, and secret dating in San Francisco. Book 1 of 4.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 4 in the San Francisco Hearts series
• Closed-door romance with a promised happy ending
• Published October 1, 2024, the newest pick here

Cons

• No print length is stated
• No reading age is stated
• Mermaid is a costume here, not a real mermaid

4

The Last Mermaid by Abé

Shana Abé·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Three haunting tales across centuries, linked by a legend, a locket and a love beyond time: 592 pages from Bantam.

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Pros

• 592 pages, the longest pick here
• Three connected tales from 531 a.d. to 2004
• Bantam reprint edition, published June 1, 2004

Cons

• No reading age is stated
• Published June 1, 2004, the oldest edition here
• Anthology format, not one continuous story

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More picks to compare

• Deep Waters by Alicia RadesSea of Mermaid Secrets Book 1 of 3, reading age 13 to 18.Check on Amazon
• The Ocean Between Us by Cate RowanGreek mythology mermaid romance, Hearts of Olympika Book 1 of 3.Check on Amazon
• Mermaid Lessons by Julia JamesonSweet cruise ship celebrity romance.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Only one of the four picks states a reading age. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best mermaid romantasy books

Real mermaids or mermaid vibes

Three picks here feature real mermaids; How to Date a Mermaid is a costume rom-com with no actual merfolk. Decide which you want before buying, since the reading experience is completely different. Our best romantasy books list covers both kinds.

Series or standalone

Three of the four picks are series starters, so check which book comes first: The Atlantis Twins is Book 1 of 3, Of Song and Tide is Book 1 of 2, and How to Date a Mermaid is Book 1 of 4. The Last Mermaid is a single volume of three tales.

Check the reading age

Only The Atlantis Twins states a reading age, 16 to 17 years. The others state none, so check the listing before buying for a teen. For younger readers, our best romantasy books for beginners list notes ages the same way.

Before you buy

• Check the edition. Only The Last Mermaid states a print length here; confirm the ISBN and format on the listing.
• Series order. Three picks are Book 1 of a series; start at Book 1 or the prequel order will confuse you.
• Reading age. Only one pick states a reading age, so check the listing before buying for a teen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is romantasy?

Romance plus fantasy: a love story set in a magical world. All four picks here pair mermaid lore with romance, from YA curses to closed-door comedy.

Which mermaid romantasy should I read first?

Start with The Atlantis Twins for YA mermaid fantasy, or How to Date a Mermaid for a sweet rom-com. Both are series starters ranked at the top of this list.

Are these books spicy?

How to Date a Mermaid is a closed-door romance per its listing. The others do not state a spice level, so check the listing if that matters to you.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe Atlantis Twins by Kaminsky

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