When We Believed in Mermaids: A Novel

I liked this novel – there are two main POV characters: Mari and Kit, both in their early 40’s. Mari is the mother of a pre-teen girl and happily married to Simon. Kit is not the marrying kind. As readers we hear from each POV in alternating chapters. We learn that Kit travels overseas looking for her missing sister Josie. Kit and her mother were both under the impression that Josie was dead but new information gives them second thoughts. Our first important reveal comes at the end of Chapter 4. Kit is at her destination but can’t seem to keep focused on her mission of looking for her sister. She is sidetracked (too distracted) by romance. She has flashbacks of her childhood and the time her sister was killed – or so she thought. Mari is working on a new major project. Via flashbacks we learn more and more about her childhood as well. At the 50% point in the book we get out next reveal about her. At the 60% we get another Mari reveal. More details of these reveals are provided as the story concludes. Well done. I didn’t know this book was “women’s fiction” until I read it. As a male, I still found the story well done and the plotting plausible. The romance part was 20% or so of the story and – while it fit the story’s ending – I could have done without it. The three key male characters in the story seemed to me to be “too good” (perhaps qualifying for sainthood) and were good-looking to boot! The two main female characters where attractive as well (don’t you just love it when only beautiful people populate your romance-prone fantasies?)

It was a really good book a little drawn out but very good. I wish the was more towards the end about Kit.

We enjoyed this Audiobook on a long drive to Las Vegas. Not knowing the story line I took a change my bf and both would enjoy it! But we both really enjoyed it!

When We Believed in Mermaids is an engrossing, turbulent, and poignant book about two sisters, Kit and Josie. When the story begins, Kit is shocked to see her sister in the background of a news broadcast from New Zealand, thousands of miles away from their home in California--especially since Josie had been killed 15 years earlier. When she goes to New Zealand to find her sister, Kit unknowingly sets off a chain of events that will impact her own life, as well as that of her sister and the life she has built. Kit and Josie were such complex, fascinating characters, each of them reacting to the pain of their childhoods which left them emotionally scarred. The flashbacks in the story give so much insight to the horrors of their childhood; the neglect, the abuse, the addictions. But they also show us the love the two sisters had for each other, the closeness they shared until it all went horribly wrong. The setting of the book was fantastic, from the beaches of Santa Cruz to the beauty of New Zealand. And the surfing! The author's descriptions of the girls as they surfed from the time they were children made it feel like I was in the middle of those waves with them! The pages of this book are filled with love; love between sisters, the love of children for their parents, steadfast love, and new love; and how love can somehow withstand everything that threatens to destroy it.

When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O’Neal is an emotional and immersive novel that explores the complexities of family relationships, long-buried secrets, and personal healing. From the very first page, I was drawn in by O’Neal’s lyrical writing and the depth of the characters. The story follows two sisters whose lives have taken very different paths, and the mystery of a long-lost sibling brings them together in unexpected ways. O’Neal does an excellent job of balancing the past and present, slowly unraveling the secrets that have shaped the characters’ lives. The way the author handles the themes of grief, forgiveness, and reconnection makes the novel resonate on an emotional level. One of the highlights of this book is its vivid settings—whether in the sun-soaked beaches of New Zealand or the flashbacks to California, O’Neal’s descriptions are lush and transportive, adding to the overall atmosphere of the story. The plot moves at a steady pace, allowing the characters’ development to take center stage, which made their journeys feel authentic and relatable. For readers who enjoy stories about family dynamics, emotional growth, and a touch of mystery, When We Believed in Mermaids is a wonderful choice. It’s a poignant, heartwarming novel that leaves a lasting impression.

I thought about this being 4 stars. It probably isn’t quite 5 for me, but something about this story kept me hooked in. Addicts, abuse, loss, restoration, love, family. All the things that make for a great movie in my head as I read.

Loved it! We'll written characters, good pace and unexpected twists.

I wasn't sure I'd like this story but was soon engrossed in these broken people's lives . It's a fabulous book and ill at some point read it again .

Love Barbara’s books, couldn’t put this down, she knows how to create good characters you believe in, the stories are different each time. Her descriptions of places bring them to life.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the tale of the two sisters, the introduction of the brother, the erratic relationship between their parents and the underlying essence of love. I read it cover to cover, and immersed myself in the story. Now that I have finished the book, I feel a sense of loss. The characters were believable and authentic, and like a true love story, it all comes together in the end 💝

Barbara in her unique poetic style reaches into our heart and soul with this extraordinary story of hurt, loss, love and redemption. Great !