logo

51 pages 1 hour read

Barbara O'Neal

When We Believed in Mermaids: A Novel

Barbara O'NealFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Barbara O'Neal

When We Believed in Mermaids

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

348

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

California, New Zealand • 2000s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal, Dr. Kit Bianci travels to New Zealand upon seeing a woman resembling her sister Josie on TV 15 years after Josie's reported death. As Kit searches for her sister, she reconnects with her past, explores her relationship with a man named Javier, and uncovers secrets involving her sister, who now goes by Mari. Sensitive topics include child sexual assault, addiction, and neglect.

Emotional

Nostalgic

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

4.3

383,832 ratings

84%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal is praised for its compelling storytelling and richly drawn characters. Readers appreciate the vivid setting and emotional depth, though some find the plot predictable and dialogue occasionally clichéd. Overall, it's regarded as an engaging and heartfelt read, balancing themes of trauma, family, and redemption effectively.

Who should read this

Who Should Read When We Believed in Mermaids?

When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal appeals to readers who enjoy emotionally charged family dramas and complex character relationships. Fans of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale and Jodi Picoult's Small Great Things will appreciate O'Neal's nuanced exploration of sisterhood and healing from past traumas.

4.3

383,832 ratings

84%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

348

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

California, New Zealand • 2000s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.