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!

This book was beautiful. Venessa created a wonderful cast of characters to support Benny and Río on their journey.

Benny is an immigrant from Puerto Rico, and has always had a hard time feeling like he fit, even back home. Thru a series of events, he becomes part of a Coney Island side show crew, and somehow finds a new family. It’s thru them that he also meets the merman, Río. Together, they discover not all things are as they seem. It is told mostly from Benny’s point of view, with occasional bits from Río as he processes what is happening to him and between him and Benny.

I have followed Venessa’s art on social media for some time, and was very excited when she announced this book. It’s been a long time coming, and it was beautiful, words and art alike.

Thank you net gallery for the advanced copy of this book. This is the story of an immigrant who falls in love with a merman while catching him for a coney island exhibit. The book was charming, and I liked the found family with the carnival acts. I would definitely recommend.

When the Tides Held the Moon is a captivating and imaginative historical fantasy with a beautiful romance at its heart, set amid the carnivals and sideshows of 1910s Coney Island. I admit that I first noticed it because of its beautiful cover – and I’m not normally someone who takes notice of covers (I read exclusively on a Kindle so everything is black and white, and sometimes I get ARCs before they even have a cover!) – but after reading the synopsis and the unusual premise, I decided this could be one time it might be prudent to judge a book by its cover and read it – and I’m glad I did!

Twenty-two-year-old Puerto Rican blacksmith Benigno – Benny – Caldera works at a foundry in New York City, having emigrated there a few years earlier following the death of his beloved Tití Luz. His is not an easy existence; plagued by bad asthma (the thick, smoky air of the ironworks is suffocating and often leads to debilitating coughing fits), he lives in a slum tenement, and his brown skin and accented English mean he will always be the butt of his workmates’ jokes and will never be fully accepted by them – or anyone else for that matter.

The story begins when the manager of the foundry is approached by a client who has a commission with very specific requirements. He wants a large iron-and-glass cage balanced on a steel undercarriage with wheels, and ironwork on three sides, leaving one unobstructed viewing pane - and he wants it finished within the month. It’s a tall order, but Benny, already intrigued by the project, is persuaded by promises of promotion and better working conditions to take the job on.

He works tirelessly over the coming weeks, letting his imagination have full rein and crafting something beautiful and elaborate with moulded wave panels and shells and scrolls. It’s only on the day the cage is to be collected that Benny learns what it’s going to be used for when he sees the coach emblazoned with the words Morgan’s Menagerie of Human Oddities on the side.

The tank is headed to a sideshow.

Later that day, Benny finds himself meeting Sam Morgan and his performers at the port, where Morgan reveals that they’re going to procure the tank’s inhabitant – and that after tonight, the Menagerie will have its very own mermaid. Benny is sceptical to say the least, and thinks they’ll be returning home with an empty tank, but he goes along with it, waiting with the others as one of their number is set adrift in a small boat – and watching incredulously as the boat is slowly brought back to shore by a shadowy figure. Things happen quickly after that – the net is thrown and the creature is caught, a creature Benny is startled to see looks almost like a human man, the shock on his face surely mirroring that on his own.

Still stunned by the night’s events, Benny helps Morgan and his people get the tank back to Luna Park, and then heads home. But his conscience keeps pricking at him, and after a dream filled with visions of the water and of home and of Tití Luz, he knows what he must do – go back to Luna Park and find a way to help the merman regain his freedom.

He arrives at the Menagerie to see Morgan banging a pistol on the glass and yelling at the enraged merman, who is flinging himself furiously against the glass and sending water splashing over the top of the tank. When el tritón finally subsides to the floor, Benny is able to get a look at him, his long, copper-coloured hair, his blue/green skin and his long, deep blue tail. It’s a pose of dejection – yet when his eyes meet Benny’s there’s no disguising the cold hatred in them. And Benny supposes he can’t really blame him.

From here, the focus of the story becomes the slow-burn, tender romance that develops between Benny and el tritón - who allows Benny to call him Río. It takes considerable time and patience for Benny to gain Río’s trust, and their relationship is extremely well written as they grow closer and begin to learn about each other. The book is written almost entirely from Benigno’s PoV with a few short chapters from Río’s perspective, so he remains – rightly, I think – something of an enigma. Thus, the story is more concerned with Benny’s character growth and how he finds a new sense of self through his association with – and love for - Río, who is clever, insightful and so attuned to Benny’s emotions that he’s able to help him to see the truth of his own worth and to understand that he shouldn’t doubt himself. And even though Río is very well aware of Benny’s part in his capture, he understands why he did it and forgives him, coming to love Benny for his affectionate, hopeful nature and to trust in his promise to free him.

Running alongside the romance is the story of Benny finding a place to belong among the other performers, who have created a found family based on who they are as people rather than being predicated on looks, race, sexuality or any other external qualities. Benny, who came to New York in the hope of finding the person he used to be, has instead felt increasingly more isolated and alone, even more of a stranger to himself in a place that has “no better idea of what to do with me than it does of what to do with my island” – finds genuine friendship and caring among this motley company, and a feeling of safety in being with Río that he’s rarely experienced.

The writing is lyrical and almost poetic in places (the language around the romance is occasionally a bit flowery for my taste) and although there are a few instances where the pacing feels a bit ‘laggy’, I was invested in enough in the story, the romance and in the depictions of the lives of the performers and the hardships they face for that not to be too much of an issue. There are a number of untranslated Spanish words and phrases in the text, which I liked; having immediate translations breaks the flow, and although my Spanish is rusty it wasn’t so much so that I couldn’t work out what was being conveyed, plus there is a glossary at the end. Unusually, there are a number of illustations of key moments throughout (the author is known for their work as an illustrator) – I’m not sure they’re completely necessary, but they’re beautiful nonetheless.

The final chapters are tense and exciting as Benny and his friends work out a plan to free Río – and it’s bittersweet, knowing that in freeing Río, he will lose his family, his job and the (mer)man he loves. But he has to keep that promise - Río has the right to be free, even if that freedom is something Benny will never have for himself.

The ending is somewhat ambiguous, the author leaving it up to the reader’s imagination to decide what has actually happened, but rest-assured there is an HEA

When the Tides Held the Moon is one of the more unusual romances I’ve read recently, a love story about two men, caged and trapped by society and circumstance, finding the courage and determination to break free of the restraints that bind them; an exploration of outsiders exploring their roots and identity and what community looks like to them; and a story about finding home. I enjoyed it very much and am happy to recommend it.

Rating: B+ / 4.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC!

This was such a delightful read! It had the vibe of The Greater Showman x the 2018 The Little Mermaid film (yes very specific I know lol) but make it queer.

The book is set in Coney Island (cue the Taylor Swift song) in the early 1910s. The setting was beautiful and the way the author managed to capture the vibes and immerse the readers into the world was incredible. I truly felt like I was there experiencing it with our characters!

I'm not gonna lie the start was a bit slow for me but that's only because I was super excited to meet the merman!! But when we meet him oh my god I loved him so much. I loved Rio's chapters, the way he spoke, the way his mind worked and the understanding he shared with Benny even if they came from different worlds. The way Benny won over the creature he helped capture truly shows his kindness and gentleness. Their connection was beautiful, the hurt they shared and the hope they provided for each other. The lowborn romance was everything, their tenderness and the sweetness was so beautiful captured.

I loved the found family of misfits and the home, a place to belong, they created together.
Overall, this is such a beautiful queer love story that everyone should read <3

This was a book I struggled with, but I am happy I pushed through. The first 30% is where I struggled. First of all, it was hard to root for Benny in this captor-captive situation, it took him way too long to start planning Rio´s escape. Second of all, I do love the found family trope, but in this case, there were way too many people that I struggled to keep track of and they all just became mostly cultural stereotypes. I found them generally likeable, but I wasn't completely comfortable with their portrayal.
I am happy I did push through with this one, as I said because the pace picks up a bit, Rio and Benny´s relationship is better developed and the ending, while a bit predictable, did make me happy.
I have to also add that this is full of art and it was probably my favorite part of reading it. I love Vanessa´s style and seeing some of the scenes drawn really added to the overall enjoyment of the book.

One of the blurbs I saw for this called it “cozy,” and friends, it is definitely not.

I quite liked this, though I would say that the romance is one of the weakest points of the story. It’s a fantastical story set at an amusement park, with a cast of characters who are each facing their own problems. Our MC, Benny, is particularly interesting, as he changes and adapts throughout the story in ways that I found quite satisfying. I enjoyed the side characters, most of whom felt quite thoroughly fleshed out.

Río, as a character, was perhaps my least favorite, primarily because I didn’t always understand what was going on with him. He’s a merman/siren and there were a number of things about his speech patterns and convictions that didn’t feel consistent, and made me wish we got more siren lore. I’d have liked him more of he was less… human. The way he talks and thinks were oddly British, and there were times when he said or implied that something was true to the natural world, etc., that bugged me. There’s also a weird power dynamic there that felt inadequately addressed.

Overall, though, this book has both plot and vibes, and I enjoyed reading it. I’m curious how much of the historical element is accurate, because the author does include several references to real things (the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire, for example), and sprinkled in a nice helping of old-timey slang.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this delightful book. It looks like the physical copy is going to be even prettier and really lean into the art nouveauness of it all. 😍

🥹🥹🥹
I am a fan of magical realism and this book really excelled at it. This book was so beautifully written and I absolutely loved the art shown throughout the story as well. From the performers who become the found family Benigno always wanted to the love story between a Puerto Rican blacksmith and a merman, it was a stunning read.

When the Tides Held the Moon was as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. What an amazing debut! I can’t wait to read so much more from this author.

I thought this was a beautiful story. It doesn't really reinvent the wheel. It's predictable, and I think the pitch of "Greatest Showman meets The Shape of Water" is VERY accurate, but it's still a lovely story. The main point in this book's favor is the prose and the lushness of the historical setting. I think the illustrations do help with this (which are also quite beautiful), but the writing is just very evocative. Río's chapters are especially poetic. You can tell that Venessa Vida Kelley did a lot of research into the time period. I would also love to just bring up the dialogue for a moment. I think she is FANTASTIC at writing dialogue.

Would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a book that feels like a fairy tale!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

When Benny is asked to make a glass viewing tank, he does what he’s asked because he doesn’t really have a choice. Little does he know that the tank will be used to hold a merman and that this merman will change his life.

The setting was done really well, especially for the time period that this book is set in. The actions of the characters made sense and some of the conflicts stemed from the time period. The reader doesn’t see a lot of New York because most of the story is set in the carnival but that’s okay because the descriptions of the carnival are really lush.

The characters in this book are really good. I enjoyed how different they all were but they were all written really well. All the characters seemed real and their actions seemed to match what the reader knew of them. I also loved the character artwork in this book as it really allows the reader to see the characters.

The plot of the book is where the book falls off a little bit. This book is a little bit vibes not plot because almost nothing happens in the book until the last 100 pages of the book. I mean things do happen and they are important to the ending of the book but it seems like when something happens it didn’t really change anything. There is also a twist in the story that is slightly forshadowed but I felt like it was only forshadowed in the last 100 pages of the book. I don’t know if I’m bad at picking up clues or something. I also thought that the twist wasn’t fully explained. It was lyrically written but I wanted a little bit more of a solid ending because the rest of the story was so solid in telling us what happened.

Overall, this story was really good and really well written. The twist was the only things that I had some issues with. I think anyone who loves fantasy, queer love stories, or historical fiction will love this story.

“When the Tides Held the Moon” by Venessa Vida Kelley is a showstopper of a debut—and yes, you’re going to want the physical copy for the gorgeous illustrations alone.

Set in 1910s Coney Island, this historical queer romance follows Benny, a Puerto Rican blacksmith who unexpectedly lands a gig at Luna Park and discovers he’s built a tank—not for a machine, but for a merman. Río isn’t just an exhibit; he’s thoughtful, guarded, and grieving. What begins as wary glances turns into a deep, soul-stirring bond, forcing Benny to confront the reality of captivity, love, and freedom.

This book delivers magical realism with heart, an unforgettable found family, and a romance that builds with tenderness and trust. The side characters shine, every page pulses with purpose, and the art? Absolutely breathtaking. Venessa Vida Kelley didn’t just write a novel—she created an experience.

A total must-read for anyone who loves heartfelt queer stories, beautiful storytelling, and historical fantasy that actuallybrings something fresh to the table.

Thank you @vkelleyart, @kensingtonbooks and @hambright_pr for the #gifted stunningly beautiful book. All opinions expressed are my own.

i’ve never seen a more accurate comp than the greatest showman meets the shape of water. hands down my favorite read of april, and probably one of my favorite reads of 2025 🥹

a blacksmith from puerto rico is hired to build a tank for a coney island sideshow, then roped into a scheme to catch a real, live mermaid for the show. he finds the family he’s never had in both the band of sideshow misfits and the captive merman, only to realize that doing the right thing may cost him both.

okay, review 3 of 4 today, let’s go:

what i liked
• kelley brings the 1910s coney island setting to life with lush words and art, painting a vivid picture of benigno’s world. this is so essential to a good historical fantasy for me—the perfect blend of history and magic, this time in the form of a merman captured from the east river.
• there’s nothing i hate more than instalove, so the slow, gentle development of benny and río’s relationship was a JOY. it was sweet and sincere and swoony and i loved watching the tentative trust and friendship between them blossom into more.
• “with it, for it, never against it.” the found family benny finds with the cast of the sideshow is very reminiscent of the greatest showman. at its heart, this is a story about loneliness and belonging, and these characters choose to embrace each other and benny.
• the use of spanish throughout the novel was an interesting, immersive touch. i had to stop and look up translations regularly (i didn’t find out about the glossary until i got to the end of the arc, whoops) but it really added to benny’s character and the exploration of his experience as a puerto rican immigrant.
• kelley’s gorgeous artwork only adds to the story. her illustrations, particularly the ones of benny and río, are just lovely.

what i disliked
• it’s over and i’m just supposed to go on with my life? rude
• if i’m going to nitpick, i would have liked to learn a little more—about the sideshow characters, about the family they created, about mermaid lore.