Beware the Mermaids

DEBUT When Nancy Hadley catches her husband, Roger, in a compromising position, she takes the opportunity to take stock of her life. Nancy’s friends Ruthie, Lois, and Judy band together to support her as she prepares to do battle with Roger, dubbing themselves “The Mermaids.” Roger, meanwhile, is determined to bully Nancy into coming back home, by any means necessary. Nancy, realizing her marriage is a sham, finally stands up to Roger and dodges every curveball he throws her way, while attempting to thwart his plans to destroy the harbor where her newly acquired home and racing boat are docked. This story trails Nancy and her friends as they navigate new possibilities and meet life’s challenges with grace and gusto. While the novel is intended to be a lighthearted romp, it flirts with outright silliness at times and falls short on originality with a few worn-out themes That said, overall, this is a charming, heartwarming story about the power of friendship and having the courage to make a fresh start, at any age.