In Kiss the Girl, Zoraida Córdova masterfully reimagines Disney’s The Little Mermaid for contemporary romance readers, delivering a story that sparkles with authenticity while navigating the treacherous waters of fame, family expectations, and first love. As the third installment in the Meant to Be series—following Julie Murphy’s If the Shoe Fits and Jasmine Guillory’s By the Book, with Christina Lauren’s Tangled Up in You and Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Worth Fighting For completing the collection—Córdova’s contribution stands out for its nuanced exploration of identity and artistic freedom.
The Siren’s Song: Plot and Character Development
Ariel del Mar, one-seventh of the global pop phenomenon Siren Seven, finds herself at a crossroads as her band’s farewell tour concludes. Unlike the animated Ariel who dreams of life on land, this modern iteration yearns for something equally foreign to her world: normalcy. Córdova’s decision to make Ariel already famous adds compelling layers to the classic fish-out-of-water narrative.
The character development feels authentic and earned. Ariel’s transformation from dutiful daughter to independent woman doesn’t happen overnight—it’s a gradual awakening that mirrors many young adults’ journeys toward self-actualization. Her relationship with her controlling father, Teodoro del Mar of Atlantica Records, provides the perfect parallel to King Triton’s overprotective nature, though Córdova updates the dynamic with contemporary issues of exploitation in the entertainment industry.
Eric Reyes, the dreamy lead singer of Star Crossed, serves as more than just a love interest. His own struggles with family expectations and artistic integrity create meaningful symmetry with Ariel’s journey. Their connection feels genuine because both characters are wrestling with similar questions about authenticity versus commercial success.
Musical Magic: Romance and Relationships
The romance between Ariel and Eric unfolds with the kind of natural chemistry that makes readers believe in summer love. Córdova excels at building tension through shared musical moments—their songwriting sessions and the gradual revelation of Ariel’s true identity create compelling dramatic irony. The author’s background in romance writing shines through in these intimate scenes, where music becomes a love language.
However, the central tension of Ariel hiding her identity sometimes feels artificially prolonged. While understandable given her circumstances, there are moments where the deception strains credibility, particularly as their relationship deepens. The payoff, when Eric finally learns the truth, largely justifies the buildup, but some readers may find themselves frustrated with Ariel’s reluctance to trust him with her secret.
Family Harmony and Discord
One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of the del Mar family dynamics. The seven sisters feel like real siblings—each with distinct personalities beyond their color-coded public personas. Sophia’s protective nature, Marilou’s free spirit, and the others’ varying reactions to their father’s controlling behavior create a believable family portrait.
Teodoro del Mar emerges as a complex antagonist whose love for his daughters is genuine but deeply misguided. Córdova avoids making him a cartoon villain, instead crafting a character whose controlling behavior stems from his own fears and limitations. This nuanced approach elevates the story beyond simple rebellion narrative.
Writing Style and Pacing
Córdova’s prose flows with the same musicality that defines her characters’ world. Her background writing fantasy novels (the Brooklyn Brujas series) serves her well here, as she creates a contemporary setting that feels almost magical in its vibrancy. The pacing generally works well, though the middle section occasionally slows as Ariel grapples with her internal conflicts.
The author’s use of media excerpts—particularly “The Tuttle Teller” podcast transcripts—adds authenticity to the celebrity world she’s created. These interludes provide necessary exposition while maintaining the illusion of a fully realized universe where Siren Seven actually exists.
Modern Relevance and Themes
Kiss the Girl tackles several contemporary issues with skill and sensitivity. The exploration of child stars’ exploitation feels particularly relevant in our current cultural moment. Ariel’s struggle to reclaim her artistic voice while maintaining family relationships resonates with anyone who’s had to choose between personal growth and familial expectations.
The novel also examines the price of fame and the difficulty of maintaining authentic relationships when your entire life is a public commodity. These themes feel especially potent given recent conversations about celebrity mental health and the dark side of the entertainment industry.
Critical Analysis: Where It Hits the Right Notes
Strengths:
Character depth: Both protagonists feel like real people with believable motivations
Musical authenticity: Córdova clearly understands the music industry and touring life
Family dynamics: The sister relationships feel genuine and complex
Contemporary relevance: Addresses modern issues while honoring the source material
Romantic chemistry: The central relationship develops organically
Areas for Improvement:
Identity reveal timing: The prolonged deception occasionally tests reader patience
Secondary character development: Some band members could use more fleshing out
Pacing inconsistencies: Certain sections feel rushed while others drag slightly
The Final Verdict: A Love Song Worth Hearing
Kiss the Girl succeeds as both a standalone contemporary romance and a worthy addition to the Meant to Be series. Córdova brings her own voice to the project while respecting the Disney source material that inspired it. The result is a story that will satisfy romance readers looking for emotional depth alongside their happy ending.
While it may not reach the heights of some contemporary romance classics, the novel offers enough heart, heat, and genuine emotion to keep readers engaged from first page to last. Ariel’s journey from constrained pop star to independent artist feels earned, and her romance with Eric provides the perfect soundtrack to her self-discovery.
For readers who enjoyed the previous books in the Meant to Be series, Kiss the Girl delivers the same blend of nostalgia and contemporary storytelling. Those new to Córdova’s work will find an accessible entry point into her writing, though her Brooklyn Brujas series offers a different but equally compelling showcase of her talents.
Perfect Pairings: Similar Reads to Add to Your Playlist
If Kiss the Girl struck the right chord, consider these similar contemporary romances:
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry – Another story about finding your authentic voice through love
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Hollywood glamour with family secrets
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Music industry drama with romantic tension
One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London – Reality TV meets romance with body positivity themes
Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory – Contemporary romance with celebrity elements
Kiss the Girl ultimately succeeds because Córdova understands that the best retellings honor their source while creating something entirely new. Like Ariel herself, this novel finds its own voice while paying tribute to the story that inspired it—and that’s a song worth singing.