When the Tides Held the Moon brings found family to Coney Island. Benigno Caldera is an iron worker from Puerto Rico who ends up getting hired by Luna Park to maintain a tank he built for them.

What he wasn’t expecting was to become part of a merman capture plot. Or that the merman would be not only handsome - but human. Or for his new roommates and fellow park workers to start to feel like family.

This is a hard book to pin down genre wise - I find many of the plot points to be too dark to call it cozy, but it is perhaps a quiet historical fantasy. Everything is a bit of a slow burn - the plot, the romance, and the found family relationships.

The audio was fantastic - most of the book is in Benny’s POV, and that narrator was able to bring to life characters with a multitude of different accents.

The book itself is stunning, and has several illustrations.

Overall, I enjoyed this one, but wish that the pace had been a little quicker. The end was strong, and I loved how diverse the cast was!

This was an absolute pleasure to read. I’m kind of mad at myself for taking such a long time to finally read it because it was wonderful.

Here we confront grief, abuse, guilt, hurt, fear, and even violence, but we also get joy, love, devotion, happiness, friendship, family, warmth, and so much wonder. I loved every second of it.

Benigno’s story is about being a ‘hybrid’, the intersectionality of being an African-Puerto Rican and queer, coming from elsewhere and not belonging where you’re. It’s about history and finding a place and people to belong to and with. It’s about finding love in the unexpected and yet feeling like coming home. It’s also about coming back to oneself while continuing moving forward.

When the Tides Held the Moon is beautiful and touched me deeply. I could easily relate to Benigno even if our stories are so different. I’ve never met a mer person and fell in love with them, but my origins are also so far away from where I am now. I have a blood family back where I came from, but I still found a place and people to belong with more than I ever had in the past. I found my harmony after many struggles and I’m so much better for it.

Venessa’s characters completely stole my heart and their story filled me with joy and love. I can now say with certainty that they rocked it with their debut novel.

Also, I couldn’t end this without mentioning the gorgeous cover art and other art I’ve seen from within the book, as they were all done by Venessa herself. So much talent.

When the Tides Held the Moon is a beautifully written historical romance set in the early 1900s Gilded Age Coney Island, immersing readers in a vivid and richly detailed world. The story follows Benigno "Benny," a Puerto Rican immigrant and skilled blacksmith, whose resilience and resourcefulness make him a truly compelling protagonist-he is a fixer of all things and someone you can't help but want in your life.

The novel offers a wonderful point of view from Benny, capturing his journey of finding family, acceptance, and love in a society that often marginalizes him. The pacing is patient, especially before Benny meets Río, the merman, but the wait is well worth it-their romance is unapologetically tender, sweeping, and feels like floating with the tide. Their relationship is portrayed with emotional depth and poetic prose, avoiding typical tragic queer tropes and instead celebrating joy, love, and resilience.

The secondary characters, especially the found family of Carnies at Luna Park, add richness and warmth to the narrative. Their diverse backgrounds and struggles with "otherness"-ranging from size to gender and orientation-resonate strongly, especially in today's political climate. The inclusion of Spanish and cultural nuances adds authenticity without over-explaining, enhancing the immersive experience.

This is not a light read but a thoughtful, balanced, and very visual novel, complemented by stunning illustrations by the author herself that bring the story to life even more.

Overall, When the Tides Held the Moon is a heartfelt celebration of found family, identity, and love against adversity. I highly recommend it and gladly give it 5 stars for its lyrical writing, memorable characters, and evocative setting.

Steam: 🔥
Heart Flutters: ❤️❤️❤️

If you are looking for a queer historical fantasy romance that gives big “The Greatest Showman” meets “The Little Mermaid” then this has to be your next read.

The story is set in 1910 Coney Island New York and it gives amazing historical depth to the lived experiences of the main character, Benny. Benny spent his entire life trying to find where he belongs as a Puerto Rican in America. He finds a new opportunity with a sideshow/oddities performance group as the handy man where he meets the new spectacle, a captured merman Rio.

Benny and Rio’s love and experience was so beautifully done. It was definitely a slow burn where the characters took time to learn and better understand one another. As a reader, it wasn’t hard at all to fall for Benny and Rio.

The writing was poignant and beautiful. The latin representation and expressions were gorgeous and gave a rich and profound beauty in more raw and intimate moments.

The entire time, the author creates this weave of Benny and Rio’s perspective, nodding to the trials and tribulations of humanity for minority communities, and using it to propel a story about belonging, love, acceptance, and ultimately freedom.

A wonderful and beautiful mm romance!

In 1910s New York, a queer Boricua blacksmith falls for the merman he helped capture. Releasing him could mean losing his found family, his new home, and his soulmate forever.

Everyone seems to be adoring this book at the moment, and I totally see why.
🧜‍♂️ There's a very sweet slow building romance between a blacksmith and a merman in captivity, leading to complicated feelings about releasing him. 
🎪 But there's also a great story of friendship and found family between the performers at Luna Park. Despite the time period, most people were very caring towards Benny, as they slowly came to realise that he's a gay man in the 1910s... and also that he fell for a merman!??
💕 It felt very heartwarming.

The world building paired with the illustrations was amazing. There is no doubt this author is a talented artist!

I was promised “The Shape of Water meets The Greatest Showman” and unfortunately that isn’t what I got. The story and romance were lackluster and devoid of emotion. I felt no angst, no pining, I didn’t feel anything between Benny and Rio. The romance was rushed and underdeveloped. This read like a watered down and seemingly juvenile version of The Shape of Water with a side show backdrop.

I really wish I loved this more.

okaaay... i didn't expect that despite that the author wrote her debut novel, she also drew the illustrations. now talk about talent 😌✨

onto the book, i was in awe at how beautifully written this book is. i appreciate the (non) family dynamics between the people from morgan's circus, benny, and the merman; even though they're not related, they are still family to me (except some of the characters.) also, i love how benny and río's chemistry upgraded from (slight) enemies to friends to lovers. and despite the book is medium paced, i still enjoy reading it

but i expect more of the parts, especially the ending. nonetheless, incredible novel by ms. kelley and i'm excited to release her works in the future

Like a merperson yanked up from the deep by the light of the moon, my love for Benigno and Río surfaced all at once and quite alarmingly. Set on Coney Island in the 1900s, TIDES is a deeply compassionate and poetical historical fantasy, with a compelling, heart-tugging queer romance between main characters who are fighting at the bonds of their own cages, both physical and metaphorical. Unsuspectingly roped into the capture of a merman from the East River, Benigno, Benny, finds himself increasing torn between his guilt and his bonds to his Menagerie found family who depend on the show remaining open. But as their relationship deepens through acts of compassion, trust, communication and empathy, Benny and Río forge a bond that surpasses anything they could have expected.

They find solace in each other, stolen moments which turn into salvation, and let me just say the communication!! Top tier! This is a gorgeous historical romance led by a moderate slow burn, a love held on the cusp of being realised and totally worth a good feet-kicking session. Río’s perspective chapters are damn near poetry!

But TIDES is also a novel which deeply explores identity, and Benny’s struggle to define himself is a heartfelt story which will resonate with those whose identities cross borders, and are on the path to finding themselves. This novel explores an important intersection in history, and Benny’s challenge to define himself in an era defined by shifting politics, resisting cultural expectations and with the heavy hand of colonialism always present, this is an important discussion on identity and self-acceptance. I particularly enjoyed the author notes at the back providing important context to the historical period this story takes place in. TIDES is about acceptance, prejudice, oppression, and the beauty of being known by others, and it is so special.

My only criticism is that I would have liked slightly higher stakes to compound Benny’s conflict towards keeping Río in the tank despite alarming deterioration. While I understood the ramifications for the rest of Benny’s found family should the Menagerie close, I struggled to align this with the dire circumstances Río found himself in and Benny’s endless compassion. I think some more development for Benny’s relationships with the other Menagerie performers as individuals could have resolved this and given these stakes much more grip, especially considering the potential for it with Matthias. While I found Benny and Río’s relationship was naturally the heart of this story, the ultimate dependency on the Menagerie cast to help them out of a potentially fatal situation for Río could have benefitted from more intense personal links between Benny and his new family. I think this was also compounded by the ultimate security of all performers - due to their wit and determination, sure! - but slightly higher stakes than the lingering threat of ruin would have made Benny’s conflict seem more founded.

I also would have LOVED more chapters from Río’s perspective; especially given some elements of his backstory - the reason he could not leave the estuary to find his harmony, for example - which I am still hazy on the reasoning behind. While Río is portrayed as achingly complex from Benny’s perspective, it would have been wonderful for him to have more time on the page to develop in his own right.

However, the banding-together of the whole cast for Río’s safety and their love was so wholesome! I loved seeing a “heist” dynamic.

But, that said, I know I’ll follow Benny and Río anywhere. PLUS Venessa’s incredible artistry is sprinkled through the pages which just makes this ever more captivating.

Thank you to Erwhon Books for an early copy of undoubtedly one of my top reads of the year!

This book is very obviously not for me. I felt no emotional connection to the story and had to force myself to read any of it. Even when the merman was being captured, my heart barely raced, and I felt nothing was at stake. Even for a cozy, I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to feel SOMETHING. This is probably a "me" problem versus a them problem.

Usually, I don't read romance books. Not so often, at least. But I'm happy I chose to give a chance to this one, 'cause I abso-tively (that's not a typo, it's a quote from one of the characters) loved it!

The story takes place in America, in the 1910's. Benigno, our main character, is a hardworking blacksmith from Puerto Rico that's trying his best to survive and make a living, even if his job is dangerous for him (he's got ashtma and can't breathe well).

Everything takes a new turn when some strange people lure him in a new job that involves... A merman. And a Luna Park. And an oddities' show. Benigno finds a new family, a warm bed, and a love so deep and meaningful that it will teach him how to be breathe and feel alive for the first time in his life. But things aren't simple as they seemed to be initially.

I loved that Río's short povs where written in an unusual way, more like poetry than prose. It fits well the idea of mermaid's enchanting way of talking and singing, making all his thoughts aetherial, even the sad or dark ones.

Reading this book wasn't the easiest for me, because english's not my first language and all the characters talk in a mix of Spanish, Hindi, Russian, Brooklyn's dialect... I liked the representation and culture's mix, but it made it a little more difficult.

I also loved that the ebook had drawings and illustrations in it (I thought only the printed version had them). The style was simple but charming, and the characters are just like I pictured them in my head.

I loved all the characters, not only Río and Benny but also all the side ones (especially Vera and Igor). The epilogue was really sweet and full of hope, and I liked the way the author let us know what became of all the characters, not only the main couple.

Roller coasters feature much more literally in WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON (Erewhon Books, 464 pp., $29), a lushly illustrated historical romance about a sideshow found family, a Puerto Rican blacksmith and a captured merman meant to be the next big attraction at Coney Island’s Luna Park carnival.

In New York in 1911, Benigno “Benny” Caldera takes on a project nobody else wants: crafting an enormous metal cage for a saltwater tank, a commission from the Luna Park impresario Sam Morgan. Benny’s work is so good his boss tries to take the credit — and fires Benny when he speaks up. With unctuous graciousness, Morgan offers Benny a new job, and reveals the tank’s secret: It’s meant to hold a merman, as soon as they can capture one.

But the merman, when they do find him, turns out to be sentient — and the most beautiful creature Benny’s ever seen. Soon the blacksmith is spending his nights whispering secrets across the glass barrier to Río, as he calls him, while the date for Luna Park’s opening creeps ever closer. Morgan knows how to craft a spectacle, but can he be trusted? Will Benny choose to keep Río imprisoned, or set him free even if it means losing him forever? This book is a charming fable — an elemental dance of fire and water.

I was fortunate enough to get an e-ARC of this novel via NetGalley.

I will admit that my interest in this novel came from the huge crush I have on Venessa’s art. I pre-ordered my copy the moment pre-orders opened, and when I got to ARC I was over the moon. Is it May already? I want my physical copy in my hands now!

I don’t think there’s anything about this story that I didn’t like. Well, I hated one or two characters, but I think I was supposed to dislike them. 🤭

I loved all of the found family, and I admire the way Venessa represented diversity in so many different forms with all of her characters. All kids of diversity, LGBTQ+ included, have always been around, but people who are different have been forced to hide or conform for so long. I keep hearing that things have gotten better, and I guess they have in a way, but there’s still a very long road to travel. However, I also know that acceptance has always been shown, and that’s reflected in this book, too.

I cried a lot, but I’m a crier to begin with and following Benny’s journey to getting to know and accept himself, seeing himself through Rio’s eyes, was heartbreaking and so fulfilling at the same time that I just couldn’t stop crying.

The art included in the book is wonderful, and I can’t wait to see it in the dual-tone I know it’ll have on the physical book.

I’m a Venessa-groupie, and this book has made me a fan of her writing as much as I already was a fan of her illustrations. She depicts the struggles of immigrants, Nuyoricans specifically, in such a vivid way through her main narrator that it makes you want to read and learn more about a conflict you had no idea of.

It took me a while to get around to my review because I sometimes feel that I don’t really know how to review, but I just saw KURIOS by Cirque du Soleil, and it made me think so much of the characters in this book that I decided to come and try to write this review.

Everyone should give this book a chance!!

When The Tides Held The Moon is a story about an immigrant named Benijno or " Benny". He's come to New York from Puerto Rico looking for better, but just barely getting by. When the forman at the iron works needs an impossible tank built, Benny steps in, hoping it will be his rise to greater things.

It eventually leads him to something greater than he imagined. The tank is used to house Rio, a beautiful merman. Benny and Rio slowly fall in love despite Rio's frosty disposition. But with Rio trapped in a tank and Benny's newfound family relying on Rio to keep them in business; what will Benny choose?

This book isn't spicy persay, more like smokey. The tension between Benny and Rio pulls at your heart in such a raw way. The intimacy between the two is more emotional, two soul mates finding peace within each other and themselves.

I would like to thank kensingtonbooks, Vanessa Vida Kelley and netgalley for the wonderful e arc I received and for the beauty you brought into the world with this book.

3.5 stars, rounded up ⭐️

When the Tides Held the Moon is a tender, queer historical fantasy with a strong emotional core and lovely illustrations. I really appreciated the themes of found family and the deep connection between Benny and Río. Their story was so cute! Honestly, the 1910s New York City vibes weren’t 100% for me, but they worked really well in this story and add to the overall atmosphere. The slow pacing made it hard for me to stay fully engaged. I wanted to love it more than I did, but the story didn’t quite pull me in the way I’d hoped.

Thanks to Hambright PR, NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, Erewhon Books, and the author Venessa Vida Kelley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

“His existence was wrapped in a story they could consume far more easily than the truth of his enslavement. Like every foreigner, Río seemed to become more imaginary in person.”

When the Tides Held the Moon introduces Benigno Caldera, a Puerto Rican orphan who has crossed the ocean for a better life. Getting to New York in the 1910s, Benny discovers the dark side of the American dream. Working through health problems and poverty, he spends all his time in a metal factory. Since he is one of the best blacksmiths, an important task has been assigned to him: building an enormous tank, which, Benny will come to know later, will be used to capture a merman. The owner of the tank seeks the help of Benny to imprison this mystical creature and introduces Benny to his world: Luna Park. There, Benny will find love, friendship, acceptance and courage.

When the Tides Held the Moon is an enchanting blend of fantasy, historical fiction and queer romance. It tackles the hardships of immigration and the feeling of being an outcast, even in your native country. There is also this beautiful bond and love story between two men, almost making me cry a few times. The setting is extremely well done and very colourful. In Coney Island, amid societal reforms, cultural shifts and economic issues, Luna Park stands tall. It offers an escape; a place of wonder, magic and entertainment. It is impossible not to fall in love with this book, the writing, the world-building and the illustrations are phenomenal.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. I loved the characters, I loved the story, I loved the romance between human and merman, and I loved the illustrations peppered throughout the story. I loved the historical NYC and Coney Island settings and the circus theme, both were really a lot of fun and added such a whimsical element to the overall tale.

Benny and Rio both had such compelling histories that play a big role in both their current lives and their relationship. Both have had a tough go of it, but each one possessed such an inner strength and resilience. There’s such a depth of emotion within these pages and while I certainly expected to feel a thing or two, I didn’t expect this one to burrow so deep into my heart.

There are some fantastic tropes, including enemies-to-lovers and found family which are two of my all-time favorites. These characters, this book, and the story within are truly something special. Overall, this debut blew me away and I’ll definitely be picking up anything else this author has to offer. 5 stars.

When the Tides Held the Moon gripped me from start to finish. It follows Benigno who is called Benny by most others. He came to New York from Puerto Rico after his last living friend/confidante/family dies as a smith. His life is quite miserable, the other ironworkers both admire his knowledge and skills while bullying him for who he is. His promise to go to New York and make something of himself seems to be far away but and opportunity to become more arises when he is taasked to build a huge tank. For what, he does not yet know, but he follows the tank and the mysterious, whimsical people who come to collect it to Luna Park on Coney Island.

I absolutely loved the setting of Luna Park. The descriptions of the empty amusement park, the warmhearted people living and working there and the beautiful prose the author used created an intricate atmosphere and space that came alive in my head. The amusement park, vacated during the colder months made the secrecy of Benigno’s doings all the more prominent. Because there, where a theater sits, waiting to be filled by the human menagerie he now belongs to, love unfurls. The tank sits there with a captured merman, Río, inside.
I absolutely loved how the relationship between them develops, how they get to know each other and realize both of them are captives but in different ways. They are comfort and trust, give each other strength and a goal to work towards. They become friends and lovers and I highly enjoyed the part music played in their relationship and how it beautifully accentuates them and the story itself. Their love was so wonderfully written and at parts almost lyrical, I could get lost in those carefully crafted emotions. It was tender, yet strong and Venessa Vida Kelley really captured the essence of it. I liked how alive both Benigno and Río came.

But I also truly liked the rest of the Menagerie and how they took Benigno into their fold. There were some tensions here, some troubles there, but that’s quite normal in families, isn’t it? The family felt real, each person contributing something to it, making it more real, warmer and comforting. I liked reading about them, their days and differences while still functioning incredibly well as a whole. I also liked how accepting they were of each other, no matter how small or big or where they came from. Once you’re a part of that family, you’re there to stay, even if it’s only in their hearts. And those hearts have space.

I truly enjoyed When the Tides Held the Moon, a whimsical, beautiful tale of love and music, promises and family and finding where you fit in the world and who you fit with. The writing was gorgeous, beautifully accentuated by illustrations of important scenes. The characters felt real and I really liked the historical setting which I read up on a lot! Such a wonderful story!

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for the ARC in exchange for a review!

Taking place in the 1910s, and described as The Shape of Water meets the Greatest Showman, Tides follows Benigno Caldera, a struggling immigrant and blacksmith who unknowingly creates a habitat for Luna Park’s newest sideshow: a real life merman stolen from the sea. Yet this merman, Rio, is not what one would expect, and Benny finds himself not only charmed by his intelligent and inquisitive mind, but by his compassionate heart (once you get through those hard outer scales). But Rio’s captivity stands between his happiness, and the freedom that both men seek, and now it’s up to Benny to take drastic measures to make it so.

When the Tides Held the Moon is a queer fantasy of epic proportions–a fairytale whose moment has come. Tides is a commentary on standing up for what is right despite trepidation and uncertainty; it is as timely and relevant as ever. With beautiful illustrations, and even more stirring words, When the Tides Held the Moon is a stunning debut that will make you feel everything, whether you want to or not. I’m a sucker for a family, and the idea that everyone has somewhere to belong even if it doesn’t always feel that way. Books serve all kinds of purposes, but sometimes you’re lucky enough to read one that is living art, something more meaningful than you ever could imagine, strung together with nothing short of magic.

When the Tides Held the Moon is one of those books that just sticks with you. Haunting, lyrical, and packed with emotion its a mesmerizing blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and queer romance set against the backdrop of early 20th-century New York.
The writing? Absolutely stunning. The Author has this way of making the ocean feel alive, almost like a character itself. Her mix of Spanish and English adds another complex layer, making Benny’s journey of love, loss, and identity even more raw and real. The themes of freedom and belonging really hit hard.
The book is filled with gorgeous illustrations, that really help bring the story to life and I believe were done by the Author herself which really ties them in deeply.
The story itself slowly pulls you in and the romance is heart-wrenching and beautiful, without ever feeling forced.
If you love books that make you feel everything, this is a must-read. It’s a love story, a fight for liberation, and a fascinating dive into history all in one

THIS BOOK WAS BREATHTAKING!

A historical romance fantasy that completely captivated me. Set in industrial-age New York, it follows Benny Caldera, a young puerto rican blacksmith whose incredible talent is constantly overlooked and exploited. After losing his job as a blacksmith he takes a job to help a traveling showman capture a mermaid. Afterwards Benny finds an unexpected home with the traveling sideshow and discovers that the tank he built now houses the captured merman-Rio. The dual POV beautifully captures their growing bond, and Benny’s kind, curious nature makes him so easy to root for. The found family vibes among the carnival crew is so heartwarming, while the writing is lush, immersive (like stepping back in time), and perfectly paced.

What really pulled me in was Benny’s emotional journey—the guilt he feels for creating the tank, the moral dilemma of freeing Río, and his deepening love for a creature who becomes his soulmate. The villain, Sam the Showman, is chilling in his obsession, creating real stakes without overshadowing the core of the story. The side characters were not only loveable but really added to the immersive historical journey. This book is gorgeously written, impossible to put down, and full of heart. Venessa Vida Kelley is an author I’ll read again—AMAZING!