Ondine and the Soldier by Sienna Peake: Book Review (ARC)

Details

• Genre: Historical fiction
• Series: Once by a Shore (Book #1)
• Length: 108 pages (EPUB)
• Publication Date: July 23, 2026

Tropes

• Forced proximity
• Amnesia
• Found family

My Rating

Book Description

“Get swept away in this seaside, fairytale romance. 

Captain John Hubert is home from war, sent to retrieve a mysterious parcel from a wrecked ship along the coast of Cornwall. When an unexpected storm arrives, John suffers an injury that causes him to lose his memories. After he is discovered by the kind daughter of a fisherman, he finds a new life and new love. But when his memories at last return, will he lose all that he has gained?

Ondine Kellow was discovered as an infant and raised along the Cornish coast. She has often dreamed of adventure, and it arrives in the most unexpected form — a strange man washed ashore. After Ondine and the stranger form an attachment, new discoveries arise that threaten to tear them apart. When she at last adventures beyond the borders of Cornwall, will she find the love she has long been seeking?”

— from Amazon

My Review

The sea brought them together.  Will those on land tear them apart?

While this story is reminiscent of The Little Mermaid, it is actually a retelling of the German fairytale Undine — but with a happier ending.

Although John and Ondine only knew each other for a short time, they shared a couple things in common, which quickly deepened their connection. The sea brought them both to Cornwall.  And both had unknown origins that they eventually discovered (or rediscovered in John’s case). 

I don’t at all blame John for cutting ties with his mother, especially after she risked her own son’s life and happiness.

Even when John’s memories fully return, his and Ondine’s love remained true. It didn’t matter if he was Mr. Beach or Captain Hubert.  They treasure each other and the simple life they built on the Cornish coast.

Thank you to Sienna Peake for the gifted ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Favorite Moments

🌊 seaweed bath
🌊 bonfire
🌊 second wedding

Favorite Quotes

“‘You dance very well indeed, Mr. Beach declared, grinning as he spun her round and round.
Ondine laughed. ‘I’ve never danced with a man in my life. I’ve only danced at the shore on my own.’
Mr. Beach smiled. ‘Well, the waves and wind have taught you well. You are a marvel.’“

Sienna Peake

“He had spent so much of his life feeling secondary, feeling unwanted and undervalued. Yet Ondine saw him. She had chosen him. And he would chose her again and again each and every day.“

Sienna Peake

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