Out of the Blue

Merperson Crest begrudgingly embarks on a rite of passage in June’s (Jay’s Gay Agenda) optimistic take on The Little Mermaid, a romance packed with subplots and classic rom-com tropes. Before merfolk can transition to adulthood, they have one month on land to help a human in need. If they succeed, they return to the ocean; if they fail, they stay on land forever. When Crest, now Ross, is transformed into a human and, confused and overwhelmed, washes up on a Santa Monica beach, they meet romance-obsessed lifeguard Sean. Luckily for Crest, Sean needs help winning back his former boyfriend, and the 16-year-olds, cued white, strike a deal: they’ll make Sean’s ex jealous by pretending to date. But as Sean introduces Crest to the beauty and magic of land society, Crest must reconcile their desire to return to the ocean and their growing love for Sean. Crest’s misinterpretations of land culture are endearing, and frank discussions of infidelity, emotional manipulation, sex, and depression are handled with honesty and empathy. In alternating first-person narrations that strike an unhurried pace, June hilariously highlights the often messy realism of interpersonal relationships, and uses that realistic grounding to build toward a true-to-life—rather than picture-perfect—conclusion. Ages 14–up. Agent: Brent Taylor, Triada US. (May)