Listeners, if you’ve been with us since the beginning, you know how near and dear the Selection series is to us. But what about the book that started it all? Kahlen is half Little Mermaid, half Criminal Minds bad guy, and all she wants is a break from her terrible, horrible life as a perfect immortal sea goddess. Enter Akinley, a teenage boy who likes baking and arson. Featuring: moral conundrums, bad ways to test if your girlfriend is indestructible, and how to get out of terrible dates.

CW: References to child abuse, death

Thank you to anyone who donated to Black Lives Matter or Pride organizations! It’s never too late to send us your receipts in exchange for our buckwild vampire bonus episode. If you like The Worst Thing We Read, help us grow by spreading the word! You can support us by leaving a 5-star review on Apple iTunes. Follow us on Instagram @worstthingweread, Twitter @worstthngweread, or email us at worstthingweread@gmail.com. Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/102293261-kaitlyn-burton https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/12635391-savanah-tiffany

Book rec: The Island of Sea Women, Lisa See. Non-book rec: Kaitlyn’s posh Etsy candles from company Anchored Northwest.