The House at Mermaid’s Cove

1. Rating: 4/5 stars
2. Genre: Historical Fiction
3. Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
4. Release Date: August 11, 2020
5. Pages: 286

Synopsis :

As World War II rages, love, mystery, and secrets collide on the English coast in a riveting novel by the bestselling author of The Snow Gypsy.

In April 1943 a young woman washes ashore on a deserted beach in Cornwall, England. With shorn hair and a number stitched on her tattered chemise, Alice is the survivor of a ship torpedoed by a German U-boat. She’s found by the mysterious Viscount Jack Trewella, who suspects that she’s a prisoner of war or a spy. But the secret Alice asks Jack to keep is one he could never have guessed, and it creates an intimate bond he never expected.

With her true identity hidden beneath the waves, Alice grasps the chance to reinvent herself. But as she begins to fall for Jack, she discovers he has secrets too – ones echoing the legend of a mermaid said to lure men into the dark depths of the sea.

For two strangers in the shadow of war, lost love, and haunting memories, is it time to let go of the past? Or to finally face it – whatever the risks? 

Review:

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll be honest right up front—this one sits somewhere between a 3.5 and 4-star read for me. On a technical level, the writing wasn’t always as smooth as it could have been. The pacing lagged here and there, and I found myself wishing the characters had been fleshed out a little more. Some plot transitions felt a bit bumpy too.

But here’s the thing: I still really enjoyed reading it. Sometimes a book doesn’t have to be flawless to be a good companion, and that’s exactly what The House at Mermaid’s Cove was for me.

This is definitely on the lighter side of WWII fiction. Don’t expect the same level of intensity or gut-punch storytelling that some historical novels deliver. Instead, it feels like a gentler, almost “fluffier” take—still dealing with war, loss, and survival, but with softer edges. And honestly? That’s not a bad thing. Sometimes we need a story that isn’t relentlessly heavy.

Alice’s backstory as a nun-turned-survivor is what drew me in most. It’s such a unique perspective, and I liked the way the author wove her faith into the story without making it feel preachy. Alice’s belief system gave her depth, but it never overshadowed the narrative.

The romance and mystery elements were fun to follow, too—adding layers that made it more than just “another WWII story.” And while I do wish I could have spent more time with the side characters (some of them felt more like sketches than portraits), I found myself turning the pages quickly, eager to see what happened next.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, if you’re a fan of historical fiction but want something on the lighter, more escapist side, this is a great pick. It’s a quick, cozy, atmospheric read with just enough romance and mystery to keep you hooked. Perfect for when you want a WWII novel that won’t completely weigh down your heart.

Trigger warning: There are brief mentions of sexual assault/rape. It’s not graphically described, but it is present, so keep that in mind going in.