This is one of the most beautifully written books that I have ever read. It has and amazing found family and i adored the characters. I was completely enthralled in this novel the whole time.

✰ 4.25 stars ✰

“The moon and the ocean are lovers. Companions in the night,”

“When the moon is full and the sea is calm, it hangs so large and luminous in the sky; I would go to the surface just to bathe in the silver glow and feel the tides rise to greet it.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I'm in awe, just... I've been slightly speechless since reading When the Tides Held the Moon yesterday, trying to find the right words to describe the emotions this churned inside of me. As I was reading, I wrote down some words that came to me at that moment to define the writing. ✍🏻

Exotic lush imagery poetic harmonic

And when I read the final line, I literally internally screamed inside, that Yes, she gets it! 🥰🥰👌🏻

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Such an exquisite read; the cadence of the writing was - it was exceptional. Such an uplifting and tender love story - for that is truly what it was. It was a love story of two souls - both caged and trapped not of their own volition, but because society does not accept that which it cannot explain, and finding the courage and determination to break free of the very constraints and restraints that tied them down.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I know this is a strange way to begin a review, but, honestly, I did not expect this stunning debut to hit as hard and so well, as I did. I don't read many merman stories, heck, this may be my first one, but this was a love story, a beautiful love story that felt like a love story. 🧜‍♂️💌 Set in early 1900s Coney Island, New York, it is the story of twenty-two-year-old Puerto Rican Beautiful Benigno aka Benny, former blacksmith, until the tides of fate led him to join the workforce of the conniving and the scheming Morgan's in his efforts to add his latest attraction to his menagerie of marvels' exhibit at Luna Park - El Triton - the mystical merman of the Seven Seas. But, when he and his motley crew do succeed in having stolen a god from the river, in caring for the the beautiful azure-skinned and copper-haired mythical creature, Benny's eyes awaken to a whole other side of his life and his heart that he had closed off - not realizing that it could have always been his, if had the courage to face what always was. ✨

“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.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I fell in love. I fell in love with the gentleness in which Benny slowly won the heart and patience and kindness of a creature that he helped in trapping, but felt every compulsion of caring for. ❤️‍🩹 I loved the way Río spoke, how his thoughts echoed such hope and understanding of Benny, 'who works so dutifully to bring comfort to my circumstances, then sacrifices his own...' The hurt/comfort they both sought and provided each other - I can't tell you the moments that were so achingly tender, yet so heartfelt and poetic. 🥹

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The connection that they built was so natural and real - once I began I could not stop. Such fluidity in Benny's yearning, as well as hesitancy, the gentleness that Río touched his heart and made him feel cared for - 'if he could see into my dreams and find himself there.' The way he fought so desperately to protect him, did not fight the need to be with him - I really commend the author for how she portrayed their relationship. From uncertainty to friendship to soulmates. Their conversations were meaningful and soulful, this gentleness that felt so pure. 🥲

“Río,” I whispered, out of breath, and not from wheezing. “You make me feel like I’m kissing the tides.”

“Benigno,” he whispered back. “You make me feel like I am holding the moon.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I highlighted so many quotes! The love was radiating from the words - their fight to survive and be free - the power of love was so deep, so pure - just radiated with this lovable want - this innate and fierce connection that came from the depths of their souls - 'a promise to return... a promise to wait.' 🩵🤎 There's no underwater shenanigans that were too graphic, but the first time they even explored intimacy was so --- 'because no dream, no fantasy or myth, had prepared me for this—' just to feel that swell wash over you when the two of them finally meet - it says a lot when I re-read a scene twice at that very moment, and for that scene alone, I did. 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

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

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Even getting a glimpse into Río's thoughts every now and then added such depth to their characters' growth. He was smart and insightful, and so sensitive to Benny's own emotions that he never challenged him, but showed him a sight he had never seen before, much like he started to see Benny in a new light - affectionate and trusting and hopeful with expectations and desire for more. 🥺 Benny's gradual change also felt fitting and genuine; how he went from being 'even around a bunch of foreigners, I’m too foreign' to finally finding himself - leaving behind that trail of isolation and loneliness and feeling comfort and security in being his truest self. How Río cherished him and made him feel that he should never doubt himself, such warmth in his actions and words - so romantic - so swoon-worthy, and it never felt overkill - it felt -- like it came from the heart. 🥹🥹

And I'm not nothing if not a romantic at heart. 🫶🏻🫶🏻

“What a strange country America was.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ To deny that such atrocities did not take place is akin to denying history; how we as human race scorn and ridicule that which is not normal. But, if anything goes, it is this beautiful found family that behaved the most normal - the members of Morgan’s Menagerie of Human Oddities who possessed the truest of hearts and bravest of spirits that banded together to save those that they considered their family - 'how much I loved and admired them.' 🫂 Such a diverse cast of characters that each brought their own to the scene - made each stand out with their unique personalities and various languages - the Hindi made me laugh, because well, it is quite close to Urdu, so... 😌

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The vibrancy of New York, as well as the potent swell of despair and danger was vividly captured. America truly is a melting pot and to have so many colorful faces from different parts of the world bind together and work hard to care for each other - love and honor their treasured union and ensure each other's safety and protection - how there was no judgment, no prejudice, no insensitivity, just a deep bond of acceptance and understanding and joy and love. Love to be free - even when caged. 🥺❤️‍🩹

“Your emotions are not madness. Nor are you broken. Everyone else—the cowards who taught you that keeping your heart safe meant caging it—they are broken.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ And I have said it before and I have said it again. Illustrations in fiction should become a norm. The lush imagery in the monochrome ink artwork added so much to their relationship - captured so much more emotions and dialogue than words could ever do so - really gorgeously drawn - I wish I could share all of them, but here is just a sneak peek that you really should not miss out on. 👍🏻👍🏻

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I did have a few issues, but they are personal ones to me. Like, I felt the comment about the Book of Genesis - out of place; maybe as a challenge to the Heavens, but it did bother me - slightly. I would have loved an epilogue - a glimpse to their futures - y'know. 🥲 It left me wanting more - not ready to say goodbye to them. A few scenes were a bit of a challenge to keep up - mainly towards the end when the action picked up, but the tension was gripping and palpable, so I can let it slide. 😊 I am very much impressed by this incredible debut - still thinking about how it was able to be so good - for me! And I'm so nitpicky! 😅

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I am very excited to see what else Venessa Vida Kelley has in store for readers; it does feel like the start of something special with a debut that was both devastating and beautiful. I know when it is an ARC, you can't really trust a reader's rating (cough *points at self* cough*) but it has also been very rare for me to read something so enjoyable and engaging for quite awhile. C'mon - just check my shelves - I'm not kidding!. I had my doubts at first, but this exceeded my expectations in ways I was not prepared for, but immensely grateful that it did. 🌟

*Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been waiting for this book for years. And now that I’ve read it, I feel like my heart will never be the same. “When the Tides Held the Moon,” by the brilliant and versatile author-illustrator Venessa Vida Kelley (she/they), is a book unlike any other. With its lush, enthralling prose and gorgeous pen-and-ink illustrations, the book quickly transported me to turn-of-the-century Brooklyn, where a menagerie of beautifully fleshed-out characters with a found-family dynamic came to life.

Main character Benigno (“Benny”) finds himself in New York City, following this wishes of his beloved tití after a devastating hurricane in his home of Puerto Rico. As a self-described Nuyorican, Kelley’s abundant love for their two homes is apparent on every page. I absolutely loved how Benny’s thoughts moved so seamlessly between English and Puerto Rican Spanish, never falling into the whitewashed trap of explaining every non-English word for the reader.

Kelley’s care and respect for the people and cultures she writes about shines throughout the novel—from the content notice on the copyright page, to the small but powerful acts of mutual respect lovingly demonstrated by the so-called “exhibits” of the Luna Park sideshow, to the more direct critiques of societal injustices—every reader will feel the love imbued within the covers of this book.

As a queer person, reading LGBTQIA+ historical fiction can be frustrating because the narratives often focus solely on internalized homophobia and repression. While these struggles are part of our history, these stories frequently overlook moments of joy, love, and resilience. This narrow focus reduces queer lives to tragedy, which feels unrealistic and limiting. What many of us crave are narratives that reflect the full spectrum of queer experiences—stories where being queer isn’t just about suffering, but also about community and thriving against the odds. “When the Tides Held the Moon” stands among the rare LGBTQIA+ historical fiction that truly embraces the full spectrum of queer experiences, and I am so grateful for it. Benny and Río’s love is a balm on my jaded queer soul.

I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially fans of queer romance who want a story that will make you swoon, cry, and ultimately believe in the power of love and resilience.

I can’t conclude this review without elucidating Kelley’s gorgeous illustrations. The carefully and reverently rendered depictions of Río, in particular, are a true delight to behold. Holding this book in my hands upon its publication next year and experiencing the illustrations in person will be a genuine honor.

Thank you to Erewhon Books and NetGalley for the chance to read my very first ARC of a book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Erewhon Books and NetGalley for this e-ARC for review. The cover is beautiful. I’m quite excited to read it and will provide a review promptly.

When the Tides Held the Moon is one of my top reads of the year. It's an absolutely enthralling and all encompassing story that you will not be able to put down. The found family is just what I want in all books and you won't be able to get enough of Benny and Rio.

sometimes i read something that is so deeply puerto rican that i’m shocked. it shouldn’t be shocking to read about my own culture, and yet! anyway, this book is beautiful. from the gorgeous illustrations to the tender romance, vida kelley creates a world where you’re glued to the page, unable to step away for a second.