First I just want to thank the author for the ARC. This book was literally so amazing, it was a little slow in the beginning but it picks up fast. The relationship between the two main characters was such an interesting dynamic to read, they’re literally so cute together and I love them so much. Each of the characters growths including the side characters is quite believable and the epilogue at the end was so sweet. Loved seeing Puerto Rican representation, 5/5 book!

This book unfortunately was not for me. I did not enjoy the writing style or the plot line unfortunately. I wish I had because it sounded so interesting.

Sadly, this one wasn't for me. It didn't catch my attention enough to sit down and read more than 5% at a time, and after many days/weeks or reading bits, it lost me.
However, I'm always happy to see more representation in fantasy and not just contemporary stories, so even if it wasn't the story for me, I wouldn't hesitate to bring it up if asked for recommendations for historical fantasy, which happens to be one of my favorite things.
If you speak Spanish and hate how it's often used in media in the most illogical, non-natural parts of conversations, where it feels like it was written by someone who only took a Spanish class in high school; fear not. The Spanish here is well used and not just thrown there for the sake of it.
Plus; the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. (the ones at the end of chapter 4 and 17 specially; I would get prints of those)

When the Tides Held the Moon is a historical romance with diverse characters and stunning artwork placed throughout. However, despite the author’s talent for vivid prose and world-building, the pacing felt off, making it hard to stay engaged. The inclusion of Spanish, while adding a realistic aspect to Benny’s character, was challenging to read, as I was unfamiliar with the language. In addition, the books entire purpose was for Benny and Rio’s relationship and I just didn’t feel like it was a realstic connection. Enemies to lovers is great, but this wasn't exactly that, and the captive x captor aspect got completely washed over. While it didn’t fully work for me, it’s still an impressive debut. This book may appeal to those who enjoy slow-paced stories with found family themes and poetic prose.

This book was very interesting. I loved the story and the time period that it was set in. Overall it was a very emotional read of these two characters finding home. I also loved the art that was sprinkled throughout the book. It added a nice element to the story.

When you read 150+ books a year, it's hard to find ones that feel truly unique, but this was that. Of course the base plot is a tale as old as time, but Blacksmith builds a massive fish tank for merman and accidentally falls in love . . . not something you can find in many novels. I am so glad it's finally been introduced to my life though. It's emotional, imaginative, and perfectly whimsical.

Thank you to NetGalley, Erewhon Books, and Kensington Publishing for allowing me a chance to read this ARC. I wish the reception had been better, but it is what it is.

Benny Caldera, a Puerto Rican blacksmith and metal worker, manages to make an exquisite cage for an exhibit in Luna Park, Coney Island. He is invited to help set up the exhibit, which turns out to be a captured merman named Rio. As Benny becomes more involved with the Park he is drawn to Rio. Now he must decide if he can or will help Rio escape.

I tell myself time and again to dip into reviews before reading a book from an author I've never experienced before. But the cover and the synopsis given appealed to me, along with the time period of the 1910s. I grew up hearing stories, both good and bad, of that time from my grandmother and her sisters, all three raised in Hell's Kitchen during that time period. Perhaps I should've taken the Content Warning at the beginning of the book more seriously: I know I did hesitate after reading it, but still decided to continue on.

Kelley's language and descriptive imagery was a bit flowery for my tastes, but still drew me in. She definitely has some talent there. Yet her characters seemed flat, particularly the side characters. They were treated more as set dressing than essential parts of the story. And the fact that Rio would trust the man who helped place him on display? Yeah, that doesn't work for me at all. Of course, I'm not a fan of insta-love either, so that also jarred.

One of the other things that bothered me enough to make it difficult to finish the book was how Benny only seemed to care about "rescuing" Rio because he was attracted to him, not because of the criminality and cruelty of kidnapping and holding hostage a living, breathing, thinking person. Benny essentially dismissed everyone else held captive that way.

I believe the author has real potential, but the book could've used some severe editing, both in length (over 400 pages?) and characterization.
The pacing was also too slow at the beginning, picking up somewhat near the end. Perhaps even in determining whether she was writing a fantasy, a romance, or a romantasy. This, to me, was a swing and a miss..

Finally, all I could think of while reading this was "The Shape of Water" which I had read a few years earlier. Sadly there is no real comparison. This just wasn't it for me. I can see its appeal to younger or more casual readers, but I don't believe this will work for many more experienced readers of fantasy and romance. 2.5 out of 5

When the Tides Held the Moon is such a heartwarming love story. I have been obsessed with mermaids since I was little, but surprisingly, I have only read a few books with merfolk characters. Rio is everything I could have wanted in a merman!

Set in a sideshow on Coney Island in the early 1900s, this is more than just a love story. It is a story about finding where you belong when you are different from what the world around you perceives as normal and actively opposes you. The found family Benigno is accepted into will tug on your heartstrings just as much as his relationship with Rio.

There are beautiful illustrations throughout the book, and I didn't realize until reading the author bio that the artist and author are one and the same! Venessa Vida Kelley is an artist through and through. I am amazed that this is their first novel! I will be on the lookout for what they write next as a fellow aspiring mermaid :)

Thank you, NetGalley and Erewhon Books, for an early copy in exchange for this honest review.

DNF@ 29%

I wouldn't have been interested in this book if I had known it was Rainbow Rowell fanfiction. But since I got it, I was going to read it anyway. At this point I still wasn't really liking it, but would have kept reading, if I hadn't also found out that this author is very unprofessional and rude when it comes to any negative feedback. Considering, I was most likely going to leave a negative review, I don't feel comfortable finishing this book and posting a review on Goodreads.

4.5 stars

A big thank you to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this one. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book so much. This book has so much heart and warmth and love between its pages despite, or possibly IN spite of, all the hatred and greed.

The found family in this made my heart feel so full. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Benny’s colleagues in the “menagerie” at first, but as they started opening up to Benny and Benny started opening up to them, I began to fall in love with every single one of them. The way they were all willing to help Benny and Rio at risk to their own safety was just so wonderful.

I loved the romance between Benny and Rio. It was so sweet and slow and lovely. The connection between them was so strong and the way Benny built Rio’s trust, the way they both cared so much, made me so emotional.

I was so tense during the final scenes of this book. I had to keep forcing myself to slow down instead of racing ahead. I was on the edge of my seat, absolutely hooked, desperate for it to all turn out okay.

This was great! The worldbuilding was very well done, I was so immersed and felt like I was right there. Loved the art! More books should have art. The romance was very sweet and heartbreaking and a whirlwind

A Puerto Rican blacksmith falls for a merman in 1911 New York—a premise full of promise but lacking in surprises. While Benny and Rio’s relationship is sweet, the story unfolds predictably, with little tension or depth. The sideshow setting feels underused, and the supporting cast, though detailed, didn’t leave much impact. Beautiful character illustrations aside, it’s an enjoyable but forgettable read.

light spoilers ahead!!

i cannot believe this is a debut book, wow!! i've been blown away. my most favourite part about this book was, without a doubt, the writing. the author's prose was absolutely marvellous and i found myself highlighting multiple sentences in one mere chapter. río's lines were particularly heart-wrenching, and i liked his way of speaking the most; there's a reason why he was my favourite.

now, the book does present one with a wide range of characters, the workers of luna park, but i wasn't overly interested in... any of them? which is my fault, i'll admit, as everyone else seems to have been interested in their lives and personal issues.

i had eyes only for benigno and río, it seems, because their interactions were what kept me going. i loved both of these characters deeply, because they become each other's home and place of belonging and i don't think there's anything more beautiful than that. their romance was the absolute sweetest, and their conversations even more so. i do have to say though, i did get bored at times, simply because even though it seemed like the books had high stakes, it didn't? not really? benigno really only takes action at the end of the book because río ran the risk of dying, which came out the left field. i think that was mostly added to give benigno the push that he needed because otherwise i fear he would not have taken action.

the illustrations were gorgeous, too! books that come with illustrations always get bonus points in my heart.

all in all, this was a nice, cozy book, that mostly focuses on the character's thoughts and inner feelings which works just fine by me! if you like found family and deep lowkey philosophical discussions and don't mind the slow pace, then this is definitely for you!

thank you so much to netgalley and erewhon books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! <3

Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early!

Hopeful and heart wrenching in equal measure, this book was such a delight. Accompanied by gorgeous illustrations, this story follows a young Puerto Rican immigrant to New York City in the early twentieth century and the hey days of Coney Island boardwalk attractions.

A story of found family, belonging, hope, and unconditional love, When the Tides Held the Moon is a supernatural romance that doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations around what it means to be a bystander and what it takes to have the courage to fight against society. I absolutely loved it.

When the Tide Held the Moon is pure magic, a queer romance that fans of The Night Circus and The First Bright Thing will absolutely adore.

Vida Kelley does an amazing job weaving real history into the narrative, highlighting the social injustices faced by minorities, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community in a way that feels both immersive and deeply moving. Another element I loved? How she sprinkles in Spanish and other languages—so enriching and beautifully realistic. It made the world feel that much more alive.

Every character left an impression, but Rio’s unique merman perspective was especially captivating. Why? Because Kelley goes where many authors skip when writing siren stories, creating a unique and beautiful society and culture for the merfolk. This added a layer of magic and depth that made the story unforgettable.

And did I mention the illustrations? Absolutely stunning! I loved them so much, each one feeling like a gift for my eyes.

Needless to say… I loved this. If MM romance, merfolk, and/or early 1900s carney stories are your thing, you need this book in your life! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Thank you NetGalley and Erewhon Books for my gifted copy im exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately didn’t love this one or get super far into it. I was ecstatic to hear this publishing news as I’ve followed the author for a long time, but the old NY dialect was hard for me to get my head around. I knew in theory what they were saying, but it wasn’t computing very well and was taking me out of the story. Still rating 5 stars since I didn’t get to the meat of the story and think that if I had, I likely would have loved the main characters.

I really wanted to love this book. The premise sounded amazing, and I’ve seen so many people rave about it, but for some reason, it just didn’t hook me. The writing was good, the characters had potential, but I kept finding myself putting it down and not feeling the urge to pick it back up.
Maybe it was the pacing? I also didn’t connect with Benny as much as I hoped, and I felt the way he spoke and acted didn't fully resonate with his inner thoughts.

That being said, I did like the romance, even if I felt like it dragged a little. I found it very original, and the parts narrated by Rio were fun to read.

I know this book will work for a lot of people, and maybe if I pick it up at a different point I'll enjoy it more. The art was gorgeous, tho!

Queer fantasy romance with found family? My heart leaps for joy! I don't typically lean towards period pieces but this being set in the 1910s was interesting enough for me to overlook.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book as historical cosy fantasy is not my usual genre. However that the writing and the story had me drawn in.

I found the diverse ensemble of characters to be interesting and they all had me drawn in.
The fantasy element was so well written that I could actually believe this to be a true story.
The romance was just romantic and wholesome, with it’s emotional struggles and I felt the connection between the mmc and the love interest coming off the page.

This book also had me a little emotional towards the end too!

And the artwork!! Let me tell you! The author not wrote this great book but they also illustrated it too and there is character artwork throughout the book which was incredible.

If you like the shape of water meets the greatest showman; found family; forbidden romance; diversity; and lgbtq+ representation then this is definitely the book for you!

Coney Island meets The Greatest Showman meets Fantastic Beasts? Sign me up. Giving this a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

While the fantasy elements of this story really add a nice sprinkling of whimsey to the world and story, it is the deeper stories about being "othered" in society that really impressed me. While I understand some of the reviews saying that the different languages interjected into conversation were distracting or that the characters felt like cultural stereotypes, I want to just say that these are exactly the kind of folks sideshows would've gone for. Some of my favorite scenes were those taking place at the hotel where the characters were staying and they were sitting around the kitchen table sharing dishes from their cultures and making jabs at each other. For almost all of the characters, English would've been their second language so to me it makes sense that they would sprinkle words or phrases from their native language into conversation and I found that enjoyable.

Is the plot a little generic and predictable? Yes.
Did this need to be as long as it was? Probably not.

But I still finished it anyway and was left with a smile on my face and happy giggles.