After enjoying the first book Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings, my daughter and I were anxious to read the the second book in this series. This book continues where the first one left off. It's the same summer and Jade is working at Bridget's Ice Cream Parlor. Her best friend Cori still doesn't know that Jade is part mermaid, and that she holds another secret regarding her mom whom everyone thinks is dead, but who is actually a mermaid. Jade has to come up with a plan to once again help her mom who may be stuck in a tidal pool that is now in danger of being destroyed by a construction company expanding the local mall.

Once again, Boudreau tackles, in a fun way, all the different teen issues in this sequel: parental relationships, friends, boy crushes, dating, tackling one's fears and accepting responsibility for one's actions. Jade is still the same strong character: impulsive, independent, loyal and not afraid to stand up for what is right. She's still getting used to the fact that she's part mermaid and has to overcome her fear of the ocean to help those she cares about. She's also dealing with being a teen who has a crush on a boy and wishing her mom was there to guide her.

We get an introduction to the corrupt Mermish Council, and I have a feeling more of this will be explored in the next book. The mystery surrounding the dealings of the mermaid world kept us intrigued. Jade's being different because she is part-mermaid is a good metaphor for kids who are navigating the difficult teen years with their own set of issues because of feeling different from their schoolmates for whatever reason.

This was a fun book to read with small bursts of humour. It wraps up nicely at the end, and we are excited to read the third book, Real Mermaids Don't Wear High Heels coming out in February 2013.

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