“But a flower raised in a glasshouse knows nothing of the meadow outside. It has no storm to weather. Its only purpose: to bloom and be beautiful no matter the season.”

Set in a Regency-era England where gay marriage is legal and relatively normalized, Where There's Room for Us follows Freya, a daughter of a lord who has yet to have an heir, and Ivy, an American-Japanese poet and sister of a viscount. Freya is preparing to be courted by a duke when she meets Ivy at a ball and sparks fly, but she's caught between her duty to marry a man and produce an heir for her father and desire for the first woman she's ever had feelings for.

I was pleasantly surprised by how historically accurate and realistic this book felt, despite the significant diversion from British history. It made sense to me that sapphic women were not allowed to pass titles down to their adoptive children, although it was interesting to see the efforts being made in-universe to change that. There was one small inaccuracy where one of the characters referred to men who love other men as achillean men, despite "achillean" as a term for gay men not being popularized until the 2010s. It would have made more sense for the historical term uranian to be used, or even for the character to just use the term queer men, since the term queer had already been used earlier in the book. Other than that, though, it did a good job of feeling period-accurate. (Technically queer probably wasn't being used in 1880 yet, but since in this universe gay marriage had been legal for longer, it makes sense that the term could've come about a decade earlier.)

The characters in the story all felt vivid, and you could really see the close sisterly relationship between the Tallon sisters, and even with their parents, despite the conflict. I agree with some other reviewers in wishing that the plotline about the inheritance and rights for sapphic women had been more resolved somehow, but maybe that leaves room for a sequel. I'd like to read something set in the same universe from the perspective of Dani, the youngest and wildest Tallon sister.

The relationship between Ivy and Freya was sweet, a bit on the instalove side but it made sense in context with Ivy's tendency to fall fast and hard. I appreciated the conflict in their relationship between Freya's sense of duty and her desire to follow her heart, it was well-written and felt realistic.

Representation: Lesbian FMC, bisexual FMC, half-Japanese FMC, sapphic side characters, nonbinary/intersex (not specified, but they use they/them pronouns) side character

This book was just okay. There were definitely cute moments but most of it was stilted and, to be frank, a bit boring. It was also a lot more juvenile than I was expecting despite it being a young adult book.

A wonderful story of Queer joy, family, standing up for yourself. It was heartwarming to read. I’d recommend this to absolutely anyone who enjoys Sapphic stories.

Where there is room for us has so many aspects that work incredibly well together:
✧ self-realization
✧ standing up for your rights
✧ fun main cast
✧ incredibly wholesome sibling dynamics
✧ cute sapphic main couple

All of this and so much more, packaged in a beautiful Regency-style story set in a queernormative world, made me fall in love from the very beginning. I was hoping for more time with these beautifully written characters, but the second half of this book flew past so quickly, so my hope is now for another book in this time just to return to the Bridge once more.

The political situation was very intriguing, so it was a bit sad you don't end up getting a glimpse of what the resolution ends up looking like. It really would have added another layer to the existing plot, which mostly focused on the romance and Freya's struggle with finding herself, which isn't a problem in and of itself since it already gave a lot of material to think about. (Also, it's apparently inspired by Hayley Kiyoko’s own experiences, which is really interesting and wholesome if her relationship is just the tiniest bit like Ivy and Freya’s.)

All in all, this book is worth reading for everyone who wants a cute sapphic romance story with themes of familial love, finding oneself, and queer joy. <3

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin‘s Press and Wednesday Books for providing me with this ARC in return for an honest review.

I loved this book. I'm still charmed by the "queerness was widely accepted in olden times" trope, and the setting and wry humor here were right up my alley. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed that Hayley Kiyoko created a re-imagined 1880s England and how the story worked in this universe. I was engaged from the first page and enjoyed how good everything worked together. The characters felt like they were supposed to be in this world and enjoyed getting to know them. It was written in an engaging way and I enjoyed how good the characters were in this.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! Beautiful and moving story that really drew me in from the start

This book is a truly beautiful sapphic romance and was a standout read for me. The two main characters, Ivy and Freya, have a tender and somehow deeply relatable journey of falling in love. It has been a long time since I read a book that felt like the author had a story they needed to share with the world. Haley Kiyokos authenticity could be felt through the pages and was reflected in the forgiveness and realistic relationship that Ivy and Freya fell into. Where There's Room For Us took me fully into the English 1800's and had me fully invested in not only the romance but Ivy and Freya's own personal growing pains.

This one wasn't for me. I think that Historical romances and me just don't get along. I enjoyed Girls like Girls, so I'm interested to see what else Hayley has to offer.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC digital copy. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

Absolutely loved the imagery of the setting with the cottage and waterfall being my favorite. Appreciated the historic element of women’s rights. And while I felt for the characters, none of them drew me in as much as necessary for me to truly enjoy the book. I do believe, however, that this may find its audience with those unfamiliar with or previously uncomfortable with LGBTQ+ fiction. I hope it helps open minds toward greater acceptance.

3 out of 5 stars and respect for the author.

Publish Date- November 4, 2025

I really enjoyed this take on regency-era romance with a full cast of queer characters. Ivy and her brother Prescott have come to Britain to establish him as the Viscount. Next door is Lord Fallon and his four daughters, who initially read as sort of interchangeable but really develop throughout the story.
Freya, middle daughter, has her life pretty well mapped, with a lord on the verge of courting her and with that comes fulfilling the family requirement of an heir- until she meets Ivy and has to confront the feelings that come with that.
I think the relationship development was rather quick and I wish we saw more of Dani as it seemed like she would be a bit louder at the onset but overall- this was a good, cute, queer Bridgerton-esque story. The secondary characters, including the floating queer community, really built out the atmosphere for me.
Kiyoko managed to weave the politics of the regency era with creating a space for a queer community in a really interesting way and the book was really well paced throughout. Leveling women's rights as a major plot point really built out the timeline.
4 stars, and now I'm off to look for Kiyokos other book.

Unfortunately, this historical sapphic YA romance didn’t work for me. While I appreciated the premise and the effort to highlight queer joy in a historical context, the execution felt surface-level. The writing was quite bland, the characters underdeveloped, and the central romance lacked emotional depth; Freya’s growth in particular felt stunted, and the third-act breakup came off as overly dramatic and immature.

I did enjoy Ivy’s relationship with her brother and the concept of a poetess lead, but her voice never quite felt poetic. The political subplot was rushed and underexplored. The Bridge celebration scene was a bright spot, with a meaningful glimpse into queer community and resilience, but it was far too brief to make up for the novel’s shortcomings.

While I wanted to love this, it ultimately left me disappointed. I wouldn’t place it high on my list of student recommendations, but I hope it still finds readers who connect more deeply with it than I did.

If Jane Austen had leaned hard into equanimity, this book could have been hers. Bridgerton wishes!

Witty banter, secret longing, and arranged marriages. Ladies walking along muddy meadow paths, reading scandalous poetry, pithy letter-writing, dancing and daliances, and horseback riding.

Of course, enter the Americans to stir things up.

I think Ivy is my favorite character. Strong and forthright, still struggling under the weight of everyone else's expectations. "Her mother said that herons represent peace and balance, hoping it would serve as a reminder to Ivy to strive for such things."

Freya is a spitfire, but also a dreamer. "Love is supposed to conquer all, Mama." "Oh my dear, I wish that were so." And she's tired on being put on a pedestal. "The only thing to do on a pedestal is to fall from it."

Hayley Kiyoko's first foray into historical romance is absolutely splendid. Can I expect more?

This book captured my heart in a way that felt both tender and electrifying. The way Hayley Kiyoko reimagines Victorian England as a place where love can freely bloom adds such a refreshing and hopeful layer to the story. I loved how Ivy’s bold spirit and poetic soul clashed and intertwined beautifully with Freya’s poised and dutiful world. Their connection is slow-burning and rich with longing, perfectly capturing the tension between following one’s heart and the weight of societal expectations. The writing is elegant and immersive. I adored the subtle, quiet moments where the romance deepened, and not rushed, but full of emotion and promise. The themes of identity, courage, and the pursuit of true freedom resonated so deeply with me. It’s a story about daring to love fully when everything around you insists otherwise. I absolutely loved it.

This was absolutely adorable! This romance is exactly what I needed. It’s sweet, it’s romantic, it’s full of heartwarming moments, and most of all, it demonstrates the power of love.

Did I initially pick it up because it was written by Hayley Kiyoko? Absolutely. And I’m so beyond glad that I did because it left a mark.

Thank you very much to St. Martins Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I really enjoyed this book and could not put it down! I loved both Ivy and Freya and their relationship. I also loved the relationship between the four Tallon sisters. This is definitely one of my favorite books I have read in 2025! Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

✨ARC REVIEW✨
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Where There’s A Place For Us by Hayley Kiyoko — releasing November 4, 2025 💌

This book was so dreamy. A sapphic YA that reads like Bridgerton meets Little Women — full of lace, longing, and quiet rebellion. 👗💐

I was absolutely obsessed with Freya and Ivy. Their love story was tender, powerful, and soaked in hope. I cried twice — once over the harsh words used to shame their love, and again when they finally got their happily ever after 🥺💔➡️💖

Kiyoko doesn’t shy away from deeper themes:
🗳️ women’s rights to vote
💘 the fight for queer love and acceptance
👑 society’s “rightful place” for women
💸 classism and privilege

It’s romantic, revolutionary, and full of heart. Easily a 5/5 stars from me. You’re going to want this one on your shelf.

Blog link goes live November 4th
Imgur link goes to graphic scheduled for around November 3rd
Will be covered in Youtube Wrap-up on June 6th
Amazon & Barnes & Noble review will go up when available

**TL;DR**: A delightfully soft and joyful romance.
**Source**: NetGalley , Thank you so much to the publisher!

**Plot**: Two girls fall in love against a father’s wishes and find space for themselves.
**Characters**: They were both lovely, though they don’t stand out too wildly against the rest of the cast.
**Setting:** My favorite part of this was the setting of The Bridge, which I thought was fantastic.
**Romance:** These two were CUTE, all caps intended.

**Thoughts:**

I was completely taken aback by this one, I’ll admit. I saw a sapphic historical and assumed it would be another one where the characters sneak around. I didn’t full read the synopsis and see that it was a queernormative society so I was tickled when that was the case! While it is a place where you can love who you’d like there is also some expectations placed on those who would inherit especially in regards to titles so that is where the bulk of our conflict comes in.

The conflict in itself was a bit on the predictable side for me which was the only complaint I had. It was clever, in the way the law had been structured for this time and setting but I saw it coming a mile away. Besides that the book was a joy though, and I was smiling through most of it. Hayley really captures the idea of queer joy in this and shows how these two girls find happiness together.

I will also point out that I loved how the conflict resolved, as the characters needed time and they took it. I appreciate that a 180 turn wasn’t performed immediately and the girls took the time to grow apart before they grew back together.

If you want something with joy and love and that gives hope, this is for you.

This book was cute! I liked the sibling relationship between Ivy and her brother. It was a sweet book that I thought had an interesting take on queer marriage as men were allowed to be married to one another but not women. The way Ivy and Freya got to know one another was tender and romantic. I think the writing could use some polish but overall it was an adorable story that landed well!

This was my first book by Kiyoko, and I enjoyed it so much that I plan to go back and read her debut novel. I loved the world-building and the characters—especially the romances, which were incredibly sweet. It hit all the right notes for YA: heartwarming, hopeful, and immersive.

That said, I gave it a lower rating due to the historical inaccuracies. While I wish women had been free to marry whomever they loved in the late 1800s, that sadly wasn’t the case. In this book, there are several lesbian couples who are portrayed as legally married, which simply wouldn’t have been possible at the time. As much as I appreciated the representation and the intent behind it, the historical liberties took me out of the story a bit.