{"id":3205,"date":"2025-06-10T04:05:22","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T04:05:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=3205"},"modified":"2025-06-10T04:05:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T04:05:22","slug":"kiss-the-girl-by-zoraida-cordova","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=3205","title":{"rendered":"Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Co\u0301rdova"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Kiss the Girl<\/strong>, Zoraida C\u00f3rdova masterfully reimagines Disney\u2019s The Little Mermaid<\/em> 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<\/strong> series\u2014following Julie Murphy\u2019s If the Shoe Fits<\/em><\/a> and Jasmine Guillory\u2019s By the Book<\/em><\/a>, with Christina Lauren\u2019s Tangled Up in You<\/em> and Jesse Q. Sutanto\u2019s Worth Fighting For<\/em> completing the collection\u2014C\u00f3rdova\u2019s contribution stands out for its nuanced exploration of identity and artistic freedom.<\/p>\n

The Siren\u2019s Song: Plot and Character Development<\/h2>\n

Ariel del Mar, one-seventh of the global pop phenomenon Siren Seven<\/strong>, finds herself at a crossroads as her band\u2019s 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. C\u00f3rdova\u2019s decision to make Ariel already famous adds compelling layers to the classic fish-out-of-water narrative.<\/p>\n

The character development feels authentic and earned. Ariel\u2019s transformation from dutiful daughter to independent woman doesn\u2019t happen overnight\u2014it\u2019s a gradual awakening that mirrors many young adults\u2019 journeys toward self-actualization. Her relationship with her controlling father, Teodoro del Mar of Atlantica Records, provides the perfect parallel to King Triton\u2019s overprotective nature, though C\u00f3rdova updates the dynamic with contemporary issues of exploitation in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s journey. Their connection feels genuine because both characters are wrestling with similar questions about authenticity versus commercial success.<\/p>\n

Musical Magic: Romance and Relationships<\/h2>\n

The romance between Ariel and Eric unfolds with the kind of natural chemistry that makes readers believe in summer love. C\u00f3rdova excels at building tension through shared musical moments\u2014their songwriting sessions and the gradual revelation of Ariel\u2019s true identity create compelling dramatic irony. The author\u2019s background in romance writing shines through in these intimate scenes, where music becomes a love language.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s reluctance to trust him with her secret.<\/p>\n

Family Harmony and Discord<\/h2>\n

One of the novel\u2019s greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of the del Mar family dynamics. The seven sisters feel like real siblings\u2014each with distinct personalities beyond their color-coded public personas. Sophia\u2019s protective nature, Marilou\u2019s free spirit, and the others\u2019 varying reactions to their father\u2019s controlling behavior create a believable family portrait.<\/p>\n

Teodoro del Mar emerges as a complex antagonist whose love for his daughters is genuine but deeply misguided. C\u00f3rdova 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.<\/p>\n

Writing Style and Pacing<\/h2>\n

C\u00f3rdova\u2019s prose flows with the same musicality that defines her characters\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

The author\u2019s use of media excerpts\u2014particularly \u201cThe Tuttle Teller\u201d podcast transcripts\u2014adds authenticity to the celebrity world she\u2019s created. These interludes provide necessary exposition while maintaining the illusion of a fully realized universe where Siren Seven actually exists.<\/p>\n

Modern Relevance and Themes<\/h2>\n

Kiss the Girl<\/strong> tackles several contemporary issues with skill and sensitivity. The exploration of child stars\u2019 exploitation feels particularly relevant in our current cultural moment. Ariel\u2019s struggle to reclaim her artistic voice while maintaining family relationships resonates with anyone who\u2019s had to choose between personal growth and familial expectations<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Critical Analysis: Where It Hits the Right Notes<\/h2>\n

Strengths:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Character depth<\/strong>: Both protagonists feel like real people with believable motivations
\nMusical authenticity<\/strong>: C\u00f3rdova clearly understands the music industry and touring life
\nFamily dynamics<\/strong>: The sister relationships feel genuine and complex
\nContemporary relevance<\/strong>: Addresses modern issues while honoring the source material
\nRomantic chemistry<\/strong>: The central relationship develops organically<\/p>\n

Areas for Improvement:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Identity reveal timing<\/strong>: The prolonged deception occasionally tests reader patience
\nSecondary character development<\/strong>: Some band members could use more fleshing out
\nPacing inconsistencies<\/strong>: Certain sections feel rushed while others drag slightly<\/p>\n

The Final Verdict: A Love Song Worth Hearing<\/h2>\n

Kiss the Girl<\/strong> succeeds as both a standalone contemporary romance and a worthy addition to the Meant to Be series. C\u00f3rdova 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s journey from constrained pop star to independent artist feels earned, and her romance with Eric provides the perfect soundtrack to her self-discovery.<\/p>\n

For readers who enjoyed the previous books in the Meant to Be series, Kiss the Girl<\/strong> delivers the same blend of nostalgia and contemporary storytelling. Those new to C\u00f3rdova\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Perfect Pairings: Similar Reads to Add to Your Playlist<\/h2>\n

If Kiss the Girl<\/strong> struck the right chord, consider these similar contemporary romances:<\/p>\n

Great Big Beautiful Life<\/strong><\/a> by Emily Henry \u2013 Another story about finding your authentic voice through love
\nThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo<\/strong> by Taylor Jenkins Reid \u2013 Hollywood glamour with family secrets
\nDaisy Jones & The Six<\/strong> by Taylor Jenkins Reid \u2013 Music industry drama with romantic tension
\nOne to Watch<\/strong> by Kate Stayman-London \u2013 Reality TV meets romance with body positivity themes
\nFlirting Lessons<\/strong><\/a> by Jasmine Guillory \u2013 Contemporary romance with celebrity elements<\/p>\n

Kiss the Girl<\/strong> ultimately succeeds because C\u00f3rdova 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\u2014and that\u2019s a song worth singing.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Kiss the Girl, Zoraida C\u00f3rdova masterfully reimagines Disney\u2019s 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\u2014following Julie Murphy\u2019s If the Shoe Fits and Jasmine Guillory\u2019s By […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3205"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3205"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3205\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}