Thank you to DoubleDay, Julia Langbein, and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

If you're looking for a book that's a little bit twisted, a little bit feminist, and a little bit Hollywood, then bingo bango- here we go.

American Mermaid by Julia Langbein follows Penelope Schleeman, a high school teacher who's written a novel called "American Mermaid," which becomes a bestseller- much to her surprise. She's then lured to LA by promises of easy money to co-write the screenplay for a major studio with two Hollywood dudebros. However, as the studio pressures Penelope to change her story from that of a fierce, androgynous eco-warrior to a teen sex object in a clam bra, things get real. Threats appear in the screenplay draft, siren calls lure people into danger, and Penelope starts to question her own sanity.

I have to say, I had some mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I loved the premise and the way Langbein blends two narratives in such a seamless way so much that I would be crazy not to acknowledge the talent behind it. I also enjoyed Penelope's introduction to the movie-making process, her experiences in LA, and many of her interactions with the screenwriters, which were entertaining and provided much-needed comic relief.

On the other hand, I found the descriptions of Penelope's experiences with the rich and famous in Hollywood were fun at first and then began to wear me down. By the end, I really felt like I wanted to read American Mermaid (Penelope's Version) and leave Penelope herself behind. I liked the book a lot, but if I had to provide any criticism that would be it. Otherwise, American Mermaid is a unique and entertaining debut that will appeal to readers who enjoy twisted tales and feminist perspectives. If you're a fan of unhinged main characters and books that take on the Hollywood machine, or even just a fan of a good mermaid novel, then this book is certified fresh!