Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

My gawd this was just such a beautiful book! Full of so much heart and love, I absolutely loved it.

We have a Puerto Rican MMC in New York in 1911, alone, discriminated against, but just trying to keep his head down and live. Then an unusual commission comes in and changes his life forever. Benny was so easy to cheer for. My heart ACHED at his situation. I only ever wanted good things for him. I loved it as he built a relationship with the Menagerie of “side show carnies.” This is a true found family story, and each character imprinted themselves on my heart.

Oh and Rio! The merman was so beautiful. Caged, yet willing to open his heart. The relationship between Rio and Benigo was sweet and so lovely. I had tears in my eyes so many times.

The end was so full of action, and tension, and I swear my heart was in my throat! But it was just perfection.

Highly recommend!

Who doesn’t love a good historical fantasy?! Set in 1910’s New York following circus performers and men we are taken on a beautiful journey of self discovery and found family. Truly stunning.

The book takes place in 1910s New York and is about a young Puerto Rican blacksmith who is trying to find his place in America. He gets a job to construct a tank for the circus’s new attraction (the merman). While working the job, the two of them develop a friendship that blossoms into a romance. This is such an emotionally driven book and centers heavily around the found family aspect. The writing is poetic and emotional and the scenery is amazing. The book even has PICTURES, which are absolutely beautiful. The cover is gorgeous and the characters are phenomenal. I loved this so much. I hope there’s a special edition because this would be so gorgeous.

I was not sure this book was going to work for me, but holy moly did it ever. As someone who supports reading as many diverse books with differing authors, perspectives, alignments, etc., this was perfect. This is not a book that is appropriate for younger readers for obvious reasons, but I would definitely not with hold this book from upper high school readers. The plot is fascinating and the amount of love and care the author clearly put into the found family is stunning.

When the Tides Held the Moon is a beautifully diverse Historical Romance. This is being pitched as Romantasy but I personally don't find it to be in conversation with a lot of the Romantasy books that are trending and have trended in the last few years. Since this is so solidly in our world, in a historical setting, I'd categorize it as Historical Fantasy, even. Full of hope, substance, pretty writing, and featuring a lead character who is chronically ill, Tides is a lovely compilation of popular tropes and refreshing plot threads that are satisfying and overall super fun. I enjoyed this one!

When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley is the kind of book that sneaks up on you with its quiet magic and deep emotional pull. Set in the dazzling world of early 1900s Coney Island, it follows Benny, a Puerto Rican blacksmith trying to find his place, and Río, a merman trapped as Luna Park’s next spectacle. Their connection is instant and undeniable, but with the weight of society, captivity, and their own fears pressing down, it’s anything but simple.

This book is cozy yet deeply moving, filled with found family, quiet rebellion, and a romance that feels both tender and urgent. Kelley’s writing is immersive, painting Coney Island with a dreamlike glow, and the story feels like a love letter to those who have ever felt out of place. If you love queer historical fantasy with heart, this one is a must-read.

I didn’t have any expectations going into this but I adored it. We follow Benigno who is a young blacksmith in New York City in the early 1900s who immigrated from Puerto Rico. He is tasked to create a large tank for an amusement park and he does it without any questions because he doesn’t feel like he has any other choice.

He comes to find out that the tank has been made for a merman that the amusement park owner has captured from the ocean. Benigno finds himself having to take care of the merman and realizes that he regrets making the tank for the merman understanding that what he has done is wrong. He communicates with the merman and calls him Rio and builds a deep connection with him.

This is a romance story to me and I just found it so romantic. The way they communicate with each other and cared for each other. I just really felt the connection between them which is so important to me. It’s also a story of finding your own family that isn’t related to you and how important that can be to someone.

I did find the story quite predictable but it wasn’t something that bothered me while reading it. I don’t have crazy cons to this book that I can pin point but it didn’t quite feel like a five star read but it was definitely a solid four star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for providing me a chance to read this wonderful book.

The story follows Benny who is a metal worker doing his best to survive in a new country. He finally finds a break when takes the chance at a promotion. Unfortunately, everything went sideways but that only gives Benny a chance to discover something life changing.

When the Tides Held the Moon is a really cute story filled with so much emotion. Not to mention the gorgeous illustration drawn by the author herself.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Please keep in mind the following content warnings: Racism, Gun Violence, Death of Parent, Homophobia, and Fatphobia.

This is perhaps one of the most beautiful books I have read this year. The fantasy elements, Benny's struggles, and the slow burn between him and Rio left me gasping many times. As shocking as this is going to sound, this is the first time I have read a romance book by a Puerto Rican author with a Puerto Rican character, so I was really excited to get my hands on this story.

For the most part, this met my expectations and I do hope to read more stories by Venessa. However, I was also slightly disappointed with a few choices. While I'm not fat and I don't know what it's like to be a fat person in the world, I was still bothered by how other characters' appearances were described in bad spirits especially if they were antagonistic. There is a fat side character that is meant to be a positive portrayal but I was uncomfortable by a certain scene where she uses a fake beard for an act. It bothered me enough that I just had to knock down one star.

I still think this is a beautiful story aside from that. It's hard for me to not recommend it at all, just keep in mind this will be present.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book takes place in New York in 1910 with a Peurto Rican blacksmith, Benny, trying to find his place in his new home in America. He is commissioned to build a tank for a circus in Coney Island for the circus' newest attraction, a merman. While continuing to work on the tank, he finds that he can communicate with the merman and quickly develops a friendship with him, which turns into a romance. Benny then struggles with the idea that Rio (the merman) is being held captive in reality, and something happens to where Benny must devise a plan to free him.

The concept is...interesting, to say the least. I really liked the found family aspect of the story as Benny does devlope a strong relationship with the carnies of the circus and one of the characters helps him to realize that he should follow his heart and not worry about what others will think about him and his sexuality.

While we got to learn quite a bit about Benny, I wish that we found out more about Rio as the story progressed as we got some background, but his existence is still kind of vague and mysterious. I thought the romance scenes were sweet and well done, providing a more closed door approach, which I'm grateful for as many romances are a little too explicit nowadays. There are illustrations throughout the book that are well done as well. It is a decent read if you are into more obscure kind of fantasy romances.

This book!

It will tear your heart out! I’m pretty sure I read the last third in tears.

It tells the story of Benny, an immigrant Puerto Rican artisan metal worker, and Rio, a captured merman. The stakes are high with these two.

When the Tides Held the Moon is beautifully written. Set in 1911 New York it contrasts the grittiness of the city and its inhabitants against the dreamy, watery world of Rio and Benny’s relationship. I loved the short chapters from Rio’s point of view where he speaks to his mother.

This book also provides commentary on the impact of unchecked environmental damage, poor treatment of workers and discrimination against anyone perceived to be “different”.

Venessa Vida Kelley illustrated the gorgeous cover. Her pen and ink drawings are scattered throughout the text as well.

While I really enjoy fantasy and the writing of this book was gorgeous, the alt. history just didn't work for me as a historian and instead I just got frustrated by it. I think for others this will be a smash hit!

This is a love story between a Puerto Rican outcast Benny who finds family in a Luna Park full of other outcasts, and a merman Rio, captured by the owner of the Luna Park who Benny is tasked with taking care of.

The love story is absolutely beautiful and my favorite part about the book. I loved the development of Benny and Rio’s relationship and how Rio helped Benny with discovering and accepting his identity while Benny in turn was the saving grace in Rio’s captivity. This book is worth reading for that relationship alone.

I did also enjoy the rest of the characters, however I wished they were either a little more flushed out or more faded into the background. It was kind of in between and I found myself not interested enough and waiting for Rio and Benny scenes to come back. This made it seem like the book was quite a slow pace since the scenes without Rio in them dragged a bit.

The setting of the Luna Park was great and the ending was satissfying although a few questions were left unanswered (intentionally it seems).

I loved the addition of the art and honestly wished there was more of it.

Overall would recommend this to anyone looking for a well developed queer romance in a magical setting of a Luna Park.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I greatly enjoyed reading this all of this book, especially the short passages we get from the merman’s perspective. He is addressing his mother and they effectively work as a way to show how differently Rio understands what is going on, and provides a peek into how his side of the relationship is developing. I think that the romance is well written, but the side characters aren’t quite as well developed. Beni in general is struggling with a lot of habits and emotions, but because the relationship with the side characters isn’t developed as much (despite claims of found familyness) which made it hard to understand some of Beni’s struggles and some of their actions. Despite that, I really liked some of their dynamics between them, and the epilogue letting us know what happens to them afterwards.

Review of "When the Tides Held the Moon" by Venessa Vida Kelley

⭐ 5/5 Stars

“‘Your heart in my keeping,’ he whispered, ‘would always be safe.’”

A breathtakingly romantic and deeply emotional queer historical cozy fantasy, When the Tides Held the Moon is a story of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery. With some of my favorite tropes (forced proximity, found family, and forbidden love), this novel weaves a magical yet heartbreaking tale set against the glimmering yet ruthless backdrop of 1910’s Coney Island.

This book made me feel in a way few others have. Every scene dripped with longing and quiet intimacy, making even the smallest moments feel deeply romantic. Benny and Río’s love story unfolds so naturally, so achingly, that I found myself completely immersed in their journey. Their connection is tender yet powerful - a slow burn that simmers with passion and pain. The way they take turns being strong for each other, despite their own wounds, made their relationship feel even more profound.

The character development was exceptional - Benny’s journey from self-doubt to conviction was just as moving as Río’s quiet resilience and hope. Both characters wrestled with their traumas and desires in such a raw way that their love felt all the more earned. And lovable side characters in the eclectic crew of the sideshow added warmth and depth to the story, making the world feel alive and layered.

The last 20% of this book had my heart racing and aching in equal measure, and Venessa Vida Kelley wrote the happily ever after of my dreams. I cannot wait to hold a physical copy in my hands and see the beautiful illustrations in person. I’ll be eagerly following Venessa’s work from now on. If you love romantic, emotionally rich fantasy with unforgettable characters, When the Tides Held the Moon is a must-read!

I was generously provided an e-ARC by Erewhon Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own ♡

Review posted on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7397098461
And StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/7c3f1909-ec2f-4b1f-91b3-c1230528e8ab

When the Tides Held the Moon is a story about Beningo, otherwise known as 'Benny', a young Puerto Rican who for as long as he'd stepped onto American shores, had to melt himself like metal and be cast into the mold of the assumptions those around him perceived. His life takes a turn when he gets tasked with building what is his greatest work yet, and finds himself enraptured by the mystical being it is meant for. Here, Beningo is forced to evaluate his life thus far and build the courage to break through the shackles the years have laid on him.
This book was genuinely, the most beautiful story I have read. It is heartwrenching and following Beningo and Rio's journey was an emotional experience. I love this book so much for it's storyline is not only reminiscent of "Shape of Water" but it also confronts its readers, forcing us to see how there has always been a great divide between the working class and those who believe themselves to be above. The diversity in this story was so refreshing, with supporting characters hailing from countries like Russia, India, Germany, and many more. I adored this book and cannot wait for it to be out for the rest of the world to enjoy because it truly is a touching story.

TL;DR:
I quite enjoyed this overall, despite parts of it feeling a bit superficial, and the ending being a bit too vague for my personal taste. Lovely writing, will look for future works from this author, for sure.

Re-Readability:
This isn't a story that I feel like I would re-read in the future. I enjoyed it, but the characters and plot didn't grip me tightly enough, I guess.

Writing:
The writing was the standout element of this book, for me. There are some truly poignant and poetic lines in this that I looooved! Very interested to see more from this author. Without the writing being what it was, I'd probably feel more like a 3 star rating for this. But dang, the writing!!!

Characters:
I liked our MC and love interest a lot. Benny (MC) was definitely the most fleshed-out character (understandably, being THE main character). I really enjoyed the side characters/found family also, but they did feel more superficial overall. And the interactions Benny had with them -- the dialogue & everything -- made me question if the book was intended for an adult audience or young adult audience. There was a bit of depth lacking in the character work.

Plot:
This is a pretty self-contained plot -- we spend a lot of time with Benny hanging out with Rio, getting to know him, and he really doesn't ever leave that location or the hotel he's staying at. I didn't mind it, but I could see some readers feeling like the middle section slogs a bit due to that. The ending was a bit helter-skelter, for me. The whole plan with the tank and the wheels and then having to pivot to something else... it was all suddenly really chaotic and again felt slightly juvenile, I guess? And the ending was sweet, but also was a little bit too vague for my tastes. We didn't get much of an explanation about Benny's origins, and it was a big question throughout.

Themes:
Acceptance. Queer identity. Racial identity. Dealing with racism and xenophobia. Being othered. Found family. Living your truth. Love.

Stunning, heart warming, and spectacular in every way. Benny and Río are one of my new favorite couples, and normally I don’t really care for a sequel in romance, but for them… I’d eat up more of their story. When the Tides Held the Moon is found family at its finest, with the perfect blend of fantasy and reality.

An emotional and fantastical tale. This novel is emotionally raw and brilliantly written. This love story is perfect for fans of The Shape of Water.

When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley is nothing short of a literary masterpiece that captures the heart and soul of readers in a remarkably profound way, I found myself utterly enchanted by this exquisite tale that interweaves romance, identity, and the concept of found family where forbidden love, and the search for freedom intertwine against the vibrant backdrop of early 1900s Coney Island. Benigno and Rio’s journey is profoundly touching, filled with lush prose and stunning illustrations that truly bring their world to life. The intricate dynamics of their relationship,celebrates diversity and representation, struck a deep chord within me. This is a book I wanted to savour, and I found myself captivated by every page.

The romance between Rio and Benigno is a tender and deeply forbidden love that will capture your heart and leave you yearning for more. As an orphaned Boricua blacksmith falls for a captured merman, the societal norms and conventions of their world conspire against them, making their love feel like a fleeting dream. But what makes their love story even more poignant is that, in their own ways, both Rio and Benny are captives - Rio, literally imprisoned in a tank at Luna Park, and Benny, trapped by the circumstances of his life, his cultural identity, and the secrets he keeps. Despite the danger and uncertainty surrounding Rio’s captivity, Benny finds himself inexorably drawn to the merman’s kind and compassionate spirit, and the air is thick with tension as their friendship blossoms into something more. The unique community of carnies that surrounds them adds another layer of complexity, as it highlights the power of found family. Bound together by shared experiences and struggles, this motley crew showcases the strength that can be drawn from solidarity and understanding, illuminating the profound connections that can flourish even in the most challenging circumstances.

When the Tides Held the Moon is rich with themes that resonate deeply within the fabric of identity, freedom, and the complexities of love—particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. At its core, the novel beautifully embodies the profound struggle for acceptance and the yearning for individuality in a world often resistant to both. The theme of found family is another significant element in the story, particularly within the context of the carnival community that Benny and Rio inhabit. This chosen family formed among characters who share unconventional backgrounds emphasizes the idea that love and acceptance can often be found outside traditional familial structures. It showcases the importance of community support, especially for those who have faced rejection or alienation due to their identities.

I found myself completely immersed in its richly crafted world—a haven where imagination and emotion entwined seamlessly. From the very first chapter, I was swept away by the vibrant imagery of early 1900s Coney Island, where the salty air and the sounds of laughter mingled with the enchanting thrill of carnival life. Each sentence was adorned with lush prose that transported me to a place brimming with colour, vitality, and a sense of nostalgia. The characters, each so vividly drawn, became companions in my journey, allowing me to experience their hopes, fears, and dreams as if they were my own. I could feel the weight of Rio’s captivity and the longing pulsing through Benny’s heart; their emotions were palpable, drawing me deeper into their realities. The intimacy of their relationship captivated my imagination, and I found myself eagerly turning each page, yearning to uncover the next twist in their poignant love story.

The sense of belonging I experienced while reading was further heightened. When the Tides Held the Moon is not just a story I read; it is a world I inhabited, rich with emotion and resonance. Every page was a portal, allowing me to escape into the lives of Rio and Benny, and to reflect on the beauty of their love amidst adversity. This immersive experience left an indelible mark on my heart, and I walked away from the tale not only having enjoyed a beautiful work of literature but also carrying a deeper understanding of the values it embodies—values that will linger with me well beyond the last page.