5 Star Recipient from Reader’s Favorite ,

Spring 2025 BookFest Award Winner for Romance & Fantasy

OCEANSONG is an Adult Contemporary Romantasy that is an Asian Romeo & Juliet meets The Little Mermaid, set in the grittiness of the real world.

Fish are mysteriously disappearing, starving the people in Angie Song’s Alaskan hometown. Angie, an aspiring marine biologist and dock worker, enthusiastically joins the hunt to find out where the fish are gathering. When her family and the villagers discover that merfolk are responsible, they vow to destroy every last one. In the midst of the conflict, Angie faces off with a merman and fails to pull the trigger.

Inquisitive Mer-Prince Kaden is just as snarky as Angie, but he’s willing to talk and stop the brutal massacring of his people. The two form a cautious alliance to broker peace between the humans and mer before any more of them die.

As tensions clash between the two races fighting to control the sea’s resources, Angie and Kaden’s forbidden relationship ignites. And as she learns about the mer’s mysterious  world and the reason why the fish are gone, Angie starts to question who the true monster is, and where her loyalties lie. Taking the wrong side means choosing between family and her job, or the man she’s fallen for and the merfolk she’s come to respect—or losing it all. 

Spice Level: 3/5 (two open door scenes, sensual)

Tropes: Enemies to lovers, Forbidden Romance, Grumpy (female) x Sunshine (male), Fairytale & Mythology Retelling

Content Warnings: Parental death (mentioned), violence, imprisonment and torture (off-screen) of mythical creatures, blood, non-consensual kiss (off-screen, not involving main couple)

  • “With prose as entrancingly sharp as her iconic protagonist’s beloved Alaska, C.W. Rose shines an invigorating new light on familiar folklore in this beautiful debut. OCEANSONG is rich in atmosphere, mystery, and all the different forms that love can take—from the romantic, to family bonds, to affinity with the land. This a brilliant and moving addition to the fantasy genre, each page brimming with all the rhythm and depth of the Bering Sea.”

    Thea Guanzon, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of THE HURRICANE WARS

  • “A poignant and delightful debut about unexpected love, community, and the importance of compassion for the earth and all of its creatures. An atmospheric and compellingly modern take on Romeo and Juliet, with two soulmates from entirely different worlds who find common ground in their mutual love for their families and the sea.”

    Paulette Kennedy, bestselling author of The Witch of Tin Mountain

  • “Against the stunning backdrop of the Alaskan landscape, C.W. Rose paints a tale of romance persevering despite impossible odds, weaving in Asian culture, real world environmental issues, and the senseless brutality of bigotry and war.”

    Desirée M. Niccoli, Author of the Haven Cove series

  • "An enchanting read that is perfect to enjoy on a sunny day, preferably at the beach. OCEANSONG is a magical story filled with strong familial ties, merfolk, and steamy romance in frigid waters. This contemporary fantasy is one you won’t be able to put down!”

    Melissa Karibian, author of the A Song of Silver and Gold duology

  • “Oceansong by C.W. Rose is a uniquely gritty modern fairytale so beautifully written that you can practically smell the sea breeze from the pages. If you find yourself daydreaming about what it would be like to live deep in the sea you’re in for a magical treat. Kaden and Angie’s star-crossed story is wrought with the excitement of first love as they navigate the consequences of falling in love during a tumultuous war between Mer and humans.”

    Mariet Kay, author of Born of Starlight

  • “Splashing onto the scene with her debut novel, C. W. Rose’s Oceansong explores the environmental impact of humankind on the world it shares. Creating a world that feels both familiar and fantastical, with relatable characters and vivid descriptions, Rose weaves a tale that readers are sure to dive into.”

    Benjamin Bishop, author of The Valley of the Angels

  • “Oceansong by C.W. Rose is not only an amazing novel but a brilliant book that brings up various important topics, the main one being the destruction of the environment and its effects on other living creatures. This topic has been brought up in various forms in art and the media; however, I enjoyed the way Rose touched upon the topic especially while giving us an enemies to lovers’ novel. The relationship between Angie and Kaden was also done well as there was no love at first sight or unrealistic instant bond between them; rather both characters grew closer due to their compassion and unwillingness to cause harm. The world-building and pacing of the novel were also well done, with both highs and lows within the plot that keep the reader on their toes. Although there is a large cast of characters, I like that the focus remains on the main characters, and, through their eyes, we see what happens to the rest of the characters. Overall, Oceansong was right up my alley and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.”

    Miche Arendse, Reader’s Favorite (5 stars)

  • “C.W. Rose’s ability to blend the fantastical elements of merfolk with the realistic struggles of a community reliant on natural resources creates a narrative that is both enchanting and thought-provoking. Readers will be drawn in by the high-stakes drama and the emotional depth of the characters, making Oceansong a must-read for those who enjoy a blend of romance, mystery, and fantasy.”

    Demetria Head, Reader’s Favorite (5 stars)

  • “Explore forbidden love in ‘Oceansong’, as Angie and Mer-Prince Kaden form an alliance amidst a battle for peace in her famine-stricken Alaskan hometown.”

    NewInBooks.com

  • “Be ready for this top-tier East-meets-West action-packed debut. An unputdownable mesh-up of family duty, bloodshed war and forbidden love in the sagacious retell of The Little Mermaid and Romeo & Juliet. That questions our stand on compassion and necessity. “

    Deborah Wong, author of Me In Your Melody

  • “Take the plunge into the mesmerizing depths of “Oceansong” by C.W. Rose, a tale where forbidden love and perilous adventure intertwine. With razor-sharp wit, heart-pounding twists, and characters that will leave an indelible mark on your heart, “Oceansong” promises an unforgettable journey that will keep you on edge from the first splash.”

    Chantal Gadoury, Author of Until The Last Page

  • “A story for everyone who’s ever gazed out upon the ocean…and wondered who may gaze back. Readers are compelled not only by Angie and Kaden’s forbidden love, but by greater themes of ecofeminism, greed, and motherloss. The escalation of both a secret romance and polarized violence makes this book a page turner.”

    Courtney Collins, co-author of the Vows & Valor trilogy

  • “Oceansong is a story that strikes the whimsical side of the heart believes in mermaids while appealing to the worldwide issue of environmental impact. It’s rare to find a romance that incorporates the bigger picture of real-world problems, particularly those which are environmental, with take-your-breath-away love, and seeing this is CW Rose’s book is a breath of fresh air. Placing this gorgeous story into the Alaskan coast and its cold waters is such a new and exciting perspective you can’t help but fully fall in. CW Rose’s writing will leave you laughing, your heart aching, and your body swooning for more in this amazing debut novel.”

    Erica Rose Eberhart, Author of The Elder Tree trilogy

  • “OCEANSONG has it all! From the sassy heroine Angie, the devastatingly sweet and handsome merman Kaden, a brutal war between their people, and their forbidden yet undeniable romance, C.W. Rose’s debut will speak to anyone whoever wished to share a dialogue with the sea itself.”

    Kassidy Coursey, author of Sins of the Maker trilogy