So very beautifully written, with gorgeous art, and such a diverse and loveable cast of characters! I ADORED Benny and his found family of carnies. Of course, Benny and Rio were perfect and I loved seeing their relationship blossom! I will be reading EVERYTHING that Kelley publishes. Such a unique and phenomenal talent.

This is a beautiful book. The hardcover physical was also a pleasure reading, filled with blue and black inked illustrations throughout, hence grabbing a physical book once it was out. The art and layout of some pages were done a disservice in the ebook.
The characters were well fleshed out and the their relationships were built through detailed scene setting and world building. Various accents and languages used added to the immersion into the different cultures present.
Alas, the start of the book dragged for me. It was fun learning new phrases and the language used, until all the searching up made progress even slower while interrupting the build up and knowing which character is which. Not too much was used, but enough with personal knowledge gaps to have to search up on my own. At least searching up words to translate were easier through ebook at the cost of the illustrations and fun formatting (little pictures with text around them in the physical book)
Once I started skipping around, the relationships shown and descriptions were poetic as the actions and underlying plot thickens.
Overall, I may have been too impatient with the world building and learning about different language (which is fun and interesting). Perhaps with more dedicated reading time to relax, get into the headspace, and look things up, I could better enjoy the book. I could definitely feel the research and care that went into world building and really appreciate it.

“Río.” He mimicked my rolled R like a native boricua, “Why that name?” A River can be both devastating and beautiful. I shrugged. “It suits you.”


Benigno “Benny” Caldera knows an orphaned Boricua blacksmith in 1910s New York City can’t call himself an artist. But the ironwork tank he creates for famed Coney Island playground, Luna Park, astounds the eccentric sideshow proprietor who commissioned it. He invites Benny to join the show’s eclectic cast and share in their shocking secret: the tank will cage their newest exhibit, a live merman stolen from the salty banks of the East River.

More than a mythic marvel, Benny soon comes to know the merman Río as a kindred spirit, wise and more compassionate than any human he’s ever met. Despite their different worlds, what begins as a friendship of necessity deepens to love, leading Benny’s heart into uncharted waters where he can no longer ignore the agonising truth of Río’s captivity—and his own.
Releasing Río could mean losing his found family, his new home, and his soulmate forever. Yet Benny’s courageous choice may just reveal a love strong enough to free them both.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, thank you so much Hambright PR and NetGalley for letting me read this!! If you are looking for a great historical queer fantasy to read for pride month (or anytime!!) then please pick this up. A beautiful, fantastical story rich with character and a deep, poetic romance, this book will take you on an emotional journey through a time period laden with important history, outcasts, found family and a fight for freedom.

Benny is an iron worker from Puerto Rico, the story takes place in New York as he moved there to try and find a better life for himself. This book is set in a time when racism was (even more) rife and anyone who wasn’t white was treated as lesser as an accepted way of life. It’s important to have books like this written from the perspective of a non white person as it is a true portrayal of what life can be like for someone who is treated so differently, which is what happens to Benny. He has to work twice as hard to be given half the credit of his coworkers. They disrespect him and purposely cause him an injury, which is how he ends up with the menagerie. Although he can’t escape the looks and names he called he finds a family within the menargerie as they are all outcasts in society for different reasons.

I was instantly enchanted by the menagerie when they were introduced and I really loved reading about them, I could read a whole separate book about this little family of outcasts! I do wish we got more of them, the connection they each shared with Benny had some really sweet moments but it did feel slightly rushed at times. Side shows and the circus have such an interesting history and it’s something that I really want to learn more about. The whole book feels so well researched, it really paints such a vivid portrayal of the times.

Unfortunately before reading this I wasn’t as familiar with the US invasion of Puerto Rico as I should have been and so this book did prompt me to look into it more, this gave the book more depth for me. Benny is a really interesting main character, very kind, loveable and accepting of everyone around him we just instantly want to root for him. I found the use of Spanish throughout this book so immersive, I haven’t read too many books where another language is used so frequently (I definitely want to) but its Benny’s native language so its important for his character and it causes us as the reader to learn more instead of the author having to cater to us.

Now… the romance, oh my! This was a tender, slow burn. A true enemies to lovers journey. I liked the slow gaining of trust between both of them that eventually leads to a friendship and then love. They are both people who are isolated from their communities and so they could find comfort in talking to each other about this and their homes. The language that is used to describe their romance was just lyrical, so so beautiful and romantic, I couldn’t get enough. I liked that we got insights from Río, although of course I wanted more.

Overall this is an addicting historical romance with fantasy elements and a cast of dazzling side characters that could have their own spin offs! A beautiful and poignant fight for freedom and respect in a world that treats them as though they don’t belong, our main character struggles with trying to stay alive, finding a home, and his morals all whilst falling in love. I just loved this story, the illustrations were perfect and just brought me into the story further, the world building was amazing and this book was obviously very well researched. The only thing I struggled with was the ending was a bit open and loose. I know some people don’t mind this but I didn’t really understand fully what the truth of Benny was it was only hinted at throughout that something was different but never fully established but that might have just been me. I still would 100% read this book again!!

Benny, a Puerto Rican immigrant, trying to find a place for himself in NYC, instead finds himself helping a Coney Island sideshow capture a merman. Only, when he starts connecting with the merman, Benny must decide what his new family is worth. Is it worth the truth of who he really is? Is it worth the affection he finds with Rio, the merman?

I really enjoyed this! It‘s a very slow start, like glacially slow. But it's setting up all the fun side characters, who I adored, and the show itself. And honestly, I would read a novel about each of the other characters that Benny befriends. It may be slow at the beginning, but it‘s completely worth it when the plot really kicks in. And New York City was such a fantastically detailed setting.

I did end up predicting the twist. And I was left with a lot more questions than I usually like for a stand alone novel, but this was well worth the read, and is absolutely gorgeous looking to boot.

Thank you to both NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this arc.

I went into this book excited for the mermaids, and came out crying about a lost boy who wants to be accepted and loved. This poetic masterpiece is a love story with hard hitting themes, impactful characters, and tender romance. I cry just thinking about it. I will definitely be reading anything Venessa Vida Kelley publishes in the future!!

read if you love:
- M/M romance
- Found family
- Merman
- Historical fiction
- Diverse characters
- NYC setting

Thank you to Erewhon Books, NetGalley, and Venessa Vida Kelley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Shape of Water meets The Greatest Showman in this wonderful and emotional fantasy romance set in 1910s New York. Benny is an orphan who will do whatever he can to afford a living, when he stumbles across a caretaker role at a local waterside attraction. His role? To look after the upcoming main attraction - a merman! Learning to communicate with with merman he names Rio, Benny discovers there is so much more to life as the two get closer and eventually fall in love.

This book is just so beautiful! The writing and illustrations are equally stunning. Everything was so well researched and developed, the time period, setting, and characters. Thrilled to have received this!

“I thought of what Igor said about Rio and me, water and fire. Whether or not humanity deserved it, Rio was the sort to pour himself out in compassion for humans. Me? I wanted to burn down the world.”

When The Tides Held The Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley was truly a special kind of novel. As it’s Pride month this was one of my picks and it did not disappoint. The subtle Puerto Rican Spanish words through out and the occasional graphic print made this story encapsulating and sucked you in. About a Puerto Rican young gay man trying to find his place in 1910 New York as a blacksmith when somehow he gets swooped up in the Coney Island sideshow life and ends up falling for a real life merman. It’s the greatest showman and little mermaid but if only they had a baby. It was kind, it was cozy, it was thrilling, it was romantic, it has found family. All the underlying themes and elements help steal this show, and it’s just about connection. Read this!! I could see this being one I reread over and over again the side characters were all super sweet. By the end I was fuzzy and warm and just happy.

This is one of my favorite reads of 2025. I absolutely loved it! I stayed up past 5 am to finish this book because I couldn't put it down.

The love between Benigno and Rio was so sweet and beautiful! I want more stories with love stories so pure and redemptive.

I'm obsessed, and I'll so be reading whatever this author writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the free ARC.

I loved this from beginning to end. The relationship, the NY historical setting, the luna park, the found family! All perfect ❤️
And those illustrations were spectacular 🤩

When the Tides Held the Moon is a beautifully illustrated YA romantasy by Venessa Vida Kelley. Released 29th April 2025 by Kensington on their Erewhon Books imprint, it's 464 pages and is available in special hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

Comparisons to The Shape of Water and The Greatest Showman are apt enough, but the additional wistful melancholy and aching desire of this story are nuanced and beautiful. The book is additionally enhanced by the artist/author's illustrations, which are intricate pen and ink and recall La Belle Époque. Much of the book is written around a framework of real history, Dreamland for example, was a real amusement park on Coney Island, where much of the book takes place.

MC Beni's ethical/moral dilemma (rescue/release someone he's fallen hard for and lose his found family as well) drives the plot and he's such a morally pure and admirable protagonist. His quandary is poignant and heartbreaking. The climax, denouement, and resolution are perfect and satisfying.

It's peppered with Puerto Rican Spanish phrases and words. They probably won't pose too much challenge in context, but the author/publisher have also included a handy glossary in the back of the book.

Four and a half stars. It's so well written. Recommended for public library acquisition, for fans of historical fantasy, and it would make an excellent buddy read or book club selection. One of the best reads so far in 2025.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

An absolutely wonderful book! I was so incredibly excited for this one as I've been a big fan of Venessa Kelley's artwork for years. I've seen art of Benny and Rio long before any information of this book came out and watching them come to life on page and in print has been amazing.

The book itself is beautifully written and each character easily captures your attention and heart. Found family, queer love and joy, surviving against all odds and prejudice- this book has it all and I'm so glad to have read it and brought these characters in to my life.

𝗔 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗮 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵’𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹

"𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯. 𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥, 𝘐’𝘥 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘢 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘺 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮."

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 🌱📚
Set in 1911 New York City, it follows Benny, a Puerto Rican blacksmith, who unknowingly crafts a cage for a merman named Río. Their unexpected bond blossoms into a tender love story, set against the vibrant backdrop of Coney Island's Luna Park.

𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀🍵🪽
I loved how this book blended history, fantasy, and romance so seamlessly. The setting? Stunning. The characters? So easy to love. Benny and Río’s relationship felt so soft and real, and the found family aspect added even more heart. Plus, the book has illustrations by the author, which made it even more immersive.

It’s a story about love, identity, and finding the courage to fight for what matters. And honestly? It made me feel everything—joy, heartbreak, hope. If you love historical fantasy with deep emotions and a bit of magic, this one’s for you.

Benny, is an immigrant blacksmith who comes to New York and finds himself working for a sideshow in Coney Island where he comes to know the 'attractions' that work there and a stolen merman. While working on his cage, Benny gets to know the merman he calls Rio and learns of his desire to return to the ocean.

This book has beautiful writing and lovely illustrations (done by the author herself) but the book itself seemed to take a long time to get the conclusion. I appreciate that the time was probably to show the relationships developing between the people working at the sideshow, but I thought it dragged and seems to ignore the urgency of other plot points.

While there's a lot to be enjoyed in this book (mostly the illustrations) the plot moves slowly and I have to say with all the time spent on the characters, I still got them confused at the end.

I really enjoyed this book--not sure whether to call it historical fiction, fantasy, romance, or what, but it was great regardless! I know I won't stop thinking about these characters for a while. Shape of Water if it was a little less freaky and set in a sideshow. I especially loved the illustrations, they were perfectly chosen moments in the story and were such a treat. Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was fun but could have given more detail--especially at the end. Benny's transformation into a mermaid is left so vague and up to the reader that it's never FULLY confirmed in a way that would have felt satisfying.

ultimately this book was fun but felt like the debut it was and could have, in my opinion, used more oomph. Will look for more from the author though.

Benny washes up on the shores of New York from Puerto Rico and starts working in an ironworks department until he is discovered by the charismatic owner of a Coney Island circus sideshow. He then, through unfortunate circumstances, meets a beautiful merman. This novel features a touching romance, a loving found family, and is a story of learning to accept yourself despite how others view you.
Included in the book are the author’s gorgeous illustrations and endpapers which enhance the world building and heighten emotional moments.
I've followed this author for a couple years because of their illustrations so I was very excited to read their debut novel and support their works and writing. The book comes with a detailed author’s note complete with a researched historical timeline as well as a glossary. You can really tell how much care and thought was put into telling this story. I’m excited to see what Venessa Vida Kelley does next.

Late late ARC review; thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Erewhon Books for the access to this ebook.

This was a nice, gay fantasy romance between a Boricua blacksmith and a merman, and it explores the immigrant experience and what it's like to be othered. I enjoyed my time with it, but what you see is what you get. There aren't many big surprises in the way the story develops, so it's very straightforward, not super exciting, and the worldbuilding was a little lacking, but the characters were likable, and I thought they were very sweet together, though I wasn't super emotionally invested. I wish this had more intense fairytale vibes or something a bit more substantial about it. I wouldn't say it's highly memorable, but I liked it while I read it, and it had great elements. I just wish things were fleshed out more, or I connected more with it. As it is, I think it's a solid 3-star book, and I recommend checking it out.

An incredible new york fairy tale that reads similarly to 'The Shape of Water'. Not only is the romance swoon worthy, but the very real and human depth to the characters was apparent.

This was such an interesting read. It is very reminiscent of THE SHAPE OF WATER. And who doesn't love a hot, grumpy merman to swoon over! The queer representation in this book is also positive and great. And the 1900's NY vibe was so fun. Thanks to Venessa, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!