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Where There's Room For Us
In WHERE THERE'S ROOM FOR US, #1 New York Times bestselling author Hayley Kiyoko brings us a young adult novel set in a reimagined 1880s Victorian England where everyone is free to love whoever they choose.
When her brother unexpectedly inherits an English estate, the outspoken and infamously daring poet, Ivy, swaps her lively New York life for the prim and proper world of high society, and quickly faces the challenges of its revered traditions–especially once she meets the most sought-after socialite of the courting season: Freya Tallon.
Freya’s life has always been mapped out for her: marry a wealthy lord, produce heirs, and protect the family’s noble status. But when she unexpectedly takes her sister’s place on a date with Ivy, everything changes. For the first time, she feels the kind of spark she’s always dreamed of.
As Ivy and Freya’s connection deepens, both are caught between desire and duty. How much are they willing to risk to be true to themselves—and to each other?
Inspired by Hayley Kiyoko’s own experiences and classic favorites like Little Women and Pride and Prejudice, Where There’s Room for Us is a romance set in a world where society’s expectations are everything—but love is so much more.
When her brother unexpectedly inherits an English estate, the outspoken and infamously daring poet, Ivy, swaps her lively New York life for the prim and proper world of high society, and quickly faces the challenges of its revered traditions–especially once she meets the most sought-after socialite of the courting season: Freya Tallon.
Freya’s life has always been mapped out for her: marry a wealthy lord, produce heirs, and protect the family’s noble status. But when she unexpectedly takes her sister’s place on a date with Ivy, everything changes. For the first time, she feels the kind of spark she’s always dreamed of.
As Ivy and Freya’s connection deepens, both are caught between desire and duty. How much are they willing to risk to be true to themselves—and to each other?
Inspired by Hayley Kiyoko’s own experiences and classic favorites like Little Women and Pride and Prejudice, Where There’s Room for Us is a romance set in a world where society’s expectations are everything—but love is so much more.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
320 people are currently reading
15754 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews
October 23, 2025
Netgalley please forgive me, but this book just didn’t feel like the one 🙏
It was just… bland, for some reason. In general I enjoyed it, but it felt like it entirely missed the mark from wholesome and tumbled into slightly boring. I feel maybe it would have been better suited to a novella?
To be clear, this was not bad at all!!
Def some little women vibes, so if you are in the mood for that kind of feeling, I highly recommend!!
It was just… bland, for some reason. In general I enjoyed it, but it felt like it entirely missed the mark from wholesome and tumbled into slightly boring. I feel maybe it would have been better suited to a novella?
To be clear, this was not bad at all!!
Def some little women vibes, so if you are in the mood for that kind of feeling, I highly recommend!!
September 25, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
Even in this version of Victorian England, where it is perfectly acceptable for queer couples to get married (or is it just lesbian couples? don't remember anything about mm couples but can't imagine it is just ff), gendered inheritance law is still a thing. Women always having to fight for equal rights. People shouldn't have to fight for equal rights. It shouldn't even be a discussion. It should just be a given, but for some reason, it never is.
Really enjoyed this book. The writing is great. The characters development is wonderful. Just rating it a four because for whatever reason it just didn't capture my attention like some other books have this year. I'm not sure why. The plot was great, and the characters showed growth throughout the book.
Still, would recommend this to anyone looking for their next sapphic read.
Even in this version of Victorian England, where it is perfectly acceptable for queer couples to get married (or is it just lesbian couples? don't remember anything about mm couples but can't imagine it is just ff), gendered inheritance law is still a thing. Women always having to fight for equal rights. People shouldn't have to fight for equal rights. It shouldn't even be a discussion. It should just be a given, but for some reason, it never is.
Really enjoyed this book. The writing is great. The characters development is wonderful. Just rating it a four because for whatever reason it just didn't capture my attention like some other books have this year. I'm not sure why. The plot was great, and the characters showed growth throughout the book.
Still, would recommend this to anyone looking for their next sapphic read.
November 5, 2025
Where There's Room for Us is a love story set in an alternate Victorian England: one where being queer is okay, but being a woman is...well, less so. That premise makes for an interesting dichotomy between a more modern acceptance in a world where the social norms otherwise follow the traditional patriarchal ones we know, including inheritance laws. As a result, the book kicks off with American Ivy (a published poet with a bit of a reputation) heading to England with her brother Prescott, who has inherited a viscountcy due to those laws. It's there we meet the Tallon family, fellow members of the aristocracy, made up of four daughters and their parents.
The best part of the story, in my opinion at least, is the Tallon sisters. I adored Freya, with her adventurous and playful but caring nature, and Dani was a hoot. I did wish we would have seen a bit more of Marigold and her wife, and eldest daughter Angelica, but the interactions with each other and as a group were fabulous. I also really enjoyed Ivy, but Prescott was there and then just...not. While I liked him at the start, he ended up feeling more like a vehicle to bring Ivy and Freya together and less like a character on his own.
The story is dual POV from the perspectives of Ivy and Freya, and for those who care there is minimal closed-door spice. I think my biggest complaint is that the ending feels rushed and some things are left unfinished. I'm not sure if that was intentional to leave space for a sequel, but if so it didn't feel like that, it just left me wondering but not really caring much about those things, which is unfortunate. Still, the writing was excellent, so I'm giving this 4.5 stars rounded up.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.
The best part of the story, in my opinion at least, is the Tallon sisters. I adored Freya, with her adventurous and playful but caring nature, and Dani was a hoot. I did wish we would have seen a bit more of Marigold and her wife, and eldest daughter Angelica, but the interactions with each other and as a group were fabulous. I also really enjoyed Ivy, but Prescott was there and then just...not. While I liked him at the start, he ended up feeling more like a vehicle to bring Ivy and Freya together and less like a character on his own.
The story is dual POV from the perspectives of Ivy and Freya, and for those who care there is minimal closed-door spice. I think my biggest complaint is that the ending feels rushed and some things are left unfinished. I'm not sure if that was intentional to leave space for a sequel, but if so it didn't feel like that, it just left me wondering but not really caring much about those things, which is unfortunate. Still, the writing was excellent, so I'm giving this 4.5 stars rounded up.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.
April 9, 2025
I enjoyed this novel a lot. It was an interesting alternate universe to experience, which is always something I enjoy. You get your regency era drama, yet without any of the homophobia (well kinda?) that usually is a bother for these sorts of stories; it was wonderful bit of variety to the genre. I loved the different details of the community they lived in; the travelling-floating-queer-community was a very fun touch. This novel was well written, the characters were well developed (mostly) and enjoyable.
I liked the romance, which of course was the bulk of the novel. It was a bit instalove-ish and somewhat felt like it was barreling down the relationship-development-train-tracks (it’s a phrase I swear, you just haven’t heard it), but I didn’t mind because it was heartwarming and there was enough other plot going on that the romance itself didn’t need to be too complicated. I liked these two together.
I am giving this novel a low-5-stars, rounding it up. I think it earned it (the 5 that is), although it wasn’t perfect. The ending was incredibly rushed and felt underwhelming to me, which was a disappointment. Some of the plot points didn’t quite make sense or work perfectly, but not bad enough to really harm the overall experience. I think overall there were some pacing issues too, throughout the novel, but particularly at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
I liked the romance, which of course was the bulk of the novel. It was a bit instalove-ish and somewhat felt like it was barreling down the relationship-development-train-tracks (it’s a phrase I swear, you just haven’t heard it), but I didn’t mind because it was heartwarming and there was enough other plot going on that the romance itself didn’t need to be too complicated. I liked these two together.
I am giving this novel a low-5-stars, rounding it up. I think it earned it (the 5 that is), although it wasn’t perfect. The ending was incredibly rushed and felt underwhelming to me, which was a disappointment. Some of the plot points didn’t quite make sense or work perfectly, but not bad enough to really harm the overall experience. I think overall there were some pacing issues too, throughout the novel, but particularly at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
December 31, 2025
thank you to netgalley and wednesday books for the arc <3
2.5 sorry hayley kiyoko i wanted to like this so bad but unfortunately it was just too sugary sweet and easy for my liking. I think especially the time jumps made it tough to see the character development because suddenly it’s 3 weeks later and the char has figured out whatever problem was happening. especially at the end
I do see the similarities btw this romance and kiyoko’s own love story which is cute!! enjoyed that!! but yeah idk cute easy not super ground breaking just not enough friction for me.
2.5 sorry hayley kiyoko i wanted to like this so bad but unfortunately it was just too sugary sweet and easy for my liking. I think especially the time jumps made it tough to see the character development because suddenly it’s 3 weeks later and the char has figured out whatever problem was happening. especially at the end
I do see the similarities btw this romance and kiyoko’s own love story which is cute!! enjoyed that!! but yeah idk cute easy not super ground breaking just not enough friction for me.
November 7, 2025
This was a light coming of age, queer historical romance that was such a fun read! The writing perfectly matched the young adult genre, and lent itself nicely to a Regency romance. I particularly enjoyed the Asian American character and how they blended her culture into the otherwise very white Regency historical romance space! It was very well done and smart to ground this aspect of the story in some historical context which enhanced the story rather than the common (and likely easier) "colorblind" take.
My only critique is that at times some of the real world complexities that were added to the story/world were not consistent; i.e. how/why would the layers to Regency misogyny and strictness regarding land ownership rights exist concurrently with the broad acceptability of queer relationships, marriage, and adoption? It currently reads as a clear case where the author wanted to include a particular detail, and instead of creating new rules that fit this addition, she instead simply bent the existing rules of the world to accommodate it. It makes me wonder if perhaps the story was better suited to a genre other than historical fiction. Nothing detrimental, and more forgivable in a YA novel (where readers are at an age where they are independently questioning and discovering their world for the first time), but these choices left me with a couple questions. More intention behind them would make for a more interesting social commentary rather than the more superficial level at which it currently resides.
As always, special thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review <3
My only critique is that at times some of the real world complexities that were added to the story/world were not consistent; i.e. how/why would the layers to Regency misogyny and strictness regarding land ownership rights exist concurrently with the broad acceptability of queer relationships, marriage, and adoption? It currently reads as a clear case where the author wanted to include a particular detail, and instead of creating new rules that fit this addition, she instead simply bent the existing rules of the world to accommodate it. It makes me wonder if perhaps the story was better suited to a genre other than historical fiction. Nothing detrimental, and more forgivable in a YA novel (where readers are at an age where they are independently questioning and discovering their world for the first time), but these choices left me with a couple questions. More intention behind them would make for a more interesting social commentary rather than the more superficial level at which it currently resides.
As always, special thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review <3
October 30, 2025
A well produced narrative, this is a well crafted and performed audiobook for fans of Emma Alban. The story itself felt a little slow to me, but I do absolutely love the premise. A historical book set in the English countryside, but it is a different version than actually happened in history- this universe is much more accepting of queer couples. Although the inheritance traditions do leave the same sex couples out, gay marriage and gay couples are widely accepted. I really loved being in this kind of environment and imaging what it would be like if we were far ahead. The story itself is reminiscent of Pride & Prejudice or Little Women, but in a world a little more accepting than our own. Ivy and Freya had a lot of yearning, each with a different voice, with great chemistry.
The audiobook not only has a strong performance, but also includes sound effects (horse hooves, etc) and brief musical interludes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. Book to be published 11/4/25
#macaudio2025
The audiobook not only has a strong performance, but also includes sound effects (horse hooves, etc) and brief musical interludes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. Book to be published 11/4/25
#macaudio2025
January 23, 2026
Oh boy … this was so disappointing ! I love the premise and want to support Lemonade Mouth queen Hayley Kiyoko but the writing was just so poor here. There was barely a plot, the characters and dialogue were so flat and I was skimming the last dozen pages because it dragged on and on.
Also I’m so confused about this version of Victorian England, it felt very Bridgerton but people could be gay or lesbian or bi but women can’t vote or inherit estates?
Does anyone want my copy 🥲 so sad it wasn’t better!
Also I’m so confused about this version of Victorian England, it felt very Bridgerton but people could be gay or lesbian or bi but women can’t vote or inherit estates?
Does anyone want my copy 🥲 so sad it wasn’t better!
October 27, 2025
Contains some spoilers:
I loved the premise and I loved the characters, I just don’t think everything was quite developed enough. The setting was amazing, especially the traveling queer river community. Ivy is an absolute gem, I loved her “fuck it” personality and how she didn’t care what society thought about her. I definitely would have bought a scandalous copy of her poems! Her dynamic with her brother was so adorable, it was quite endearing for her to put aside her own life to follow him across the country to make sure he settled in okay, and especially after he got sick. But what really melted my heart was how she treated Freya. Rather than shy away from society’s most eligible lady, she challenges Freya with her wit, knowledge, feelings, and actions.
Freya and her sisters totally made this story. They were so hilarious, and I loved how they always had each other’s backs and especially all the times they were competitive with one another. Even though it took longer for Freya to truly open up, once she did, her whole personality seemed to shift and it was nice to be able to see her journey through discovering her sexuality and not blindly agreeing with what society deems tradition. Her relationship with her father versus her mother was very interesting. His reaction to Freya’s reveal was heartbreaking but not surprising given the time and circumstance.
In terms of the chemistry between Freya and Ivy, I thought the build up was nicely written, but while I thought Ivy’s intentions were pretty clear from the beginning, it was frustrating to see Freya constantly entertain her male suitor and make Ivy wait so long and question her feelings. They were never quite transparent with each other which made the miscommunication obvious. Yes the plot is all about Freya being caught between duty and love, but I just wish they had been given more time together, especially after Freya’s father discovers them. I did love how caring and thoughtful Ivy was when it came to teaching Freya some things and being understanding with her figuring out her sexuality on her timeline.
Unfortunately the ending ruined a majority of the book for me. It was way too rushed and disappointing because we don’t get to see how things are resolved with Freya’s father/parents (which was a majority of the plot), and too much was forgiven without much of a fight or satisfying explanation. The time jump also did not help matters because we miss a huge amount of development to their relationship and explanation for their time apart and how all of the sudden everything is good enough for them to get engaged. Another unsatisfying part of the book was that we barely get a glimpse of the worldbuilding and politics that went into the story, especially in regards to why only certain parts seemed to be reimagined and why there is no backstory or history about the important laws regulating marriage, adoption, inheritance, and courting etiquette.
So overall, it was definitely an enjoyable story, but it could have been made better with more development in regards to the worldbuilding, certain plot points (mostly in the ending), and the relationship between Freya and Ivy once they come to terms with their feelings.
Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the early digital copy for review.
I loved the premise and I loved the characters, I just don’t think everything was quite developed enough. The setting was amazing, especially the traveling queer river community. Ivy is an absolute gem, I loved her “fuck it” personality and how she didn’t care what society thought about her. I definitely would have bought a scandalous copy of her poems! Her dynamic with her brother was so adorable, it was quite endearing for her to put aside her own life to follow him across the country to make sure he settled in okay, and especially after he got sick. But what really melted my heart was how she treated Freya. Rather than shy away from society’s most eligible lady, she challenges Freya with her wit, knowledge, feelings, and actions.
Freya and her sisters totally made this story. They were so hilarious, and I loved how they always had each other’s backs and especially all the times they were competitive with one another. Even though it took longer for Freya to truly open up, once she did, her whole personality seemed to shift and it was nice to be able to see her journey through discovering her sexuality and not blindly agreeing with what society deems tradition. Her relationship with her father versus her mother was very interesting. His reaction to Freya’s reveal was heartbreaking but not surprising given the time and circumstance.
In terms of the chemistry between Freya and Ivy, I thought the build up was nicely written, but while I thought Ivy’s intentions were pretty clear from the beginning, it was frustrating to see Freya constantly entertain her male suitor and make Ivy wait so long and question her feelings. They were never quite transparent with each other which made the miscommunication obvious. Yes the plot is all about Freya being caught between duty and love, but I just wish they had been given more time together, especially after Freya’s father discovers them. I did love how caring and thoughtful Ivy was when it came to teaching Freya some things and being understanding with her figuring out her sexuality on her timeline.
Unfortunately the ending ruined a majority of the book for me. It was way too rushed and disappointing because we don’t get to see how things are resolved with Freya’s father/parents (which was a majority of the plot), and too much was forgiven without much of a fight or satisfying explanation. The time jump also did not help matters because we miss a huge amount of development to their relationship and explanation for their time apart and how all of the sudden everything is good enough for them to get engaged. Another unsatisfying part of the book was that we barely get a glimpse of the worldbuilding and politics that went into the story, especially in regards to why only certain parts seemed to be reimagined and why there is no backstory or history about the important laws regulating marriage, adoption, inheritance, and courting etiquette.
So overall, it was definitely an enjoyable story, but it could have been made better with more development in regards to the worldbuilding, certain plot points (mostly in the ending), and the relationship between Freya and Ivy once they come to terms with their feelings.
Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the early digital copy for review.
November 23, 2025
2025 reads: 320/300
i received a complimentary audio copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
in a reimagined 1880s victorian england, the daring and outspoken poet, ivy, swaps her lively new york life for the proper world of english high society. she soon faces the challenges that come with it, especially once she meets this season’s most sought-after socialite, freya. though freya’s life has always been mapped out for her, she only starts to break away from this mold when she takes her sister’s place on a date with ivy. with sparks flying between them, they have to decide what they’re willing to risk to be true to themselves.
oh man, i was really expecting for this book to be at least four stars. i am very picky with the historical fiction books i pick up, but since i enjoyed girls like girls, i thought i’d give this one a try. unfortunately, i found it just okay. i found the setting to be odd. yes, the blurb does specify a reimagined victorian england, but the way it was reimagined wasn’t really cohesive, in my opinion. this book also just moved so slowly for me. i did enjoy ivy and freya’s relationships, as well as the individual struggles they had to face. i did also like that hayley kiyoko was one of the audiobook narrators; author-narrated books are always pretty special.
i received a complimentary audio copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
in a reimagined 1880s victorian england, the daring and outspoken poet, ivy, swaps her lively new york life for the proper world of english high society. she soon faces the challenges that come with it, especially once she meets this season’s most sought-after socialite, freya. though freya’s life has always been mapped out for her, she only starts to break away from this mold when she takes her sister’s place on a date with ivy. with sparks flying between them, they have to decide what they’re willing to risk to be true to themselves.
oh man, i was really expecting for this book to be at least four stars. i am very picky with the historical fiction books i pick up, but since i enjoyed girls like girls, i thought i’d give this one a try. unfortunately, i found it just okay. i found the setting to be odd. yes, the blurb does specify a reimagined victorian england, but the way it was reimagined wasn’t really cohesive, in my opinion. this book also just moved so slowly for me. i did enjoy ivy and freya’s relationships, as well as the individual struggles they had to face. i did also like that hayley kiyoko was one of the audiobook narrators; author-narrated books are always pretty special.
June 9, 2025
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.
✧ 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.
November 5, 2025
Where There’s Room for Us is like The Buccaneers if Mabel and Honoria were the main couple.
It was refreshing to read that queer couples were not frowned upon, however, not everything can be perfect, particularly for queer women. Sons of two women can’t inherit the family title, unlike the sons of two men. I enjoyed the addition of the Ridings Society and their fight for more equal rights and participation for women.
I rooted for Ivy and Freya from the beginning, the tension, chemistry and banter was immediate. Both characters felt multidimensional, Ivy wasn’t just “the silver-tongued seductress” but she was also observant, bold, caring and compassionate and Freya wasn’t just “The Incomparable”, she was also mischievous, competitive and kind. The relationships between the main characters and their siblings was beautiful.
I loved Girls like Girls and When There’s Room for Us was no different. I do wish the ending hadn’t been so sudden and that the poems that Ivy was known for had been more present in the book not just mentioned and presented once or twice.
The narrators were good, particularly in having the author narrate the part of Ivy, the american and Jemima Kirke narrate the part of Freya, the English rose. I love both of them as artist in their own right.
Thank you to Hayley Kiyoko, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC and an ALC.
It was refreshing to read that queer couples were not frowned upon, however, not everything can be perfect, particularly for queer women. Sons of two women can’t inherit the family title, unlike the sons of two men. I enjoyed the addition of the Ridings Society and their fight for more equal rights and participation for women.
I rooted for Ivy and Freya from the beginning, the tension, chemistry and banter was immediate. Both characters felt multidimensional, Ivy wasn’t just “the silver-tongued seductress” but she was also observant, bold, caring and compassionate and Freya wasn’t just “The Incomparable”, she was also mischievous, competitive and kind. The relationships between the main characters and their siblings was beautiful.
I loved Girls like Girls and When There’s Room for Us was no different. I do wish the ending hadn’t been so sudden and that the poems that Ivy was known for had been more present in the book not just mentioned and presented once or twice.
The narrators were good, particularly in having the author narrate the part of Ivy, the american and Jemima Kirke narrate the part of Freya, the English rose. I love both of them as artist in their own right.
Thank you to Hayley Kiyoko, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC and an ALC.
October 10, 2025
If you enjoyed The Buccaneers, but you wish the lesbians were the main plot point, congrats! You’ve made it! If you haven’t seen Buccaneers, think similar vibes to Bridgerton or Dickinson (gay poets, duh). Basically, if you’re looking for a hyper-researched, historically accurate book, this ain’t it. But there are plenty of those out there! This is a short and sweet read for the sapphic girlies who want to read something fun and cozy to forget that the world kinda sucks, and isnt that really what we need right now?
Listen, I can never fully dislike anything Hayley Kiyoko does because watching the Girls Like Girls music video when I was fifteen quite literally altered the course of my life. That being said, this wasn’t my favorite, but I do think it fills an important niche. I see a lot of people trying to find sapphic books that aren’t too heavy or sad and this one definitely qualifies. I also see more and more people wishing for queer normative settings, and this book takes place in AU Victorian England, which is just like normal Victorian England, except that its diverse and less racist and has gay clubs and is mostly not homophobic. So basically, there’s horses. And they still hate women.
Reading this felt like eating cotton candy; some people love cotton candy because they like things that are super light and fluffy and sugary. I am just not one of those people (for snacks or books). I really don’t have anything bad to say about it; it was well-written, the characters were likable, etc. It was simply too wholesome (like in vibes, not spice) for me and I was kinda bored. The majority of the characters were too perfect. When conflicts did happen they were either resolved too easily or were just because the leads didn’t communicate when their feelings were hurt. Which upon writing it out is yes, quintessentially lesbian, but I was still bored.
All in all, I think this book will make a lot of people happy. This is the perfect read if you’re looking for an affirming period romance or a feel good sapphic love story. Or if you just need something to hold you over for the 2+ years we’ll be waiting until Bridgerton gets gay. A huge thank you to Wednesday Books, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for providing me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Listen, I can never fully dislike anything Hayley Kiyoko does because watching the Girls Like Girls music video when I was fifteen quite literally altered the course of my life. That being said, this wasn’t my favorite, but I do think it fills an important niche. I see a lot of people trying to find sapphic books that aren’t too heavy or sad and this one definitely qualifies. I also see more and more people wishing for queer normative settings, and this book takes place in AU Victorian England, which is just like normal Victorian England, except that its diverse and less racist and has gay clubs and is mostly not homophobic. So basically, there’s horses. And they still hate women.
Reading this felt like eating cotton candy; some people love cotton candy because they like things that are super light and fluffy and sugary. I am just not one of those people (for snacks or books). I really don’t have anything bad to say about it; it was well-written, the characters were likable, etc. It was simply too wholesome (like in vibes, not spice) for me and I was kinda bored. The majority of the characters were too perfect. When conflicts did happen they were either resolved too easily or were just because the leads didn’t communicate when their feelings were hurt. Which upon writing it out is yes, quintessentially lesbian, but I was still bored.
All in all, I think this book will make a lot of people happy. This is the perfect read if you’re looking for an affirming period romance or a feel good sapphic love story. Or if you just need something to hold you over for the 2+ years we’ll be waiting until Bridgerton gets gay. A huge thank you to Wednesday Books, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for providing me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
November 6, 2025
This was a really fun historical sapphic YA, inspired by the author's love story with her fiance <3
Big fan of Hayley Kiyoko and this was such a fun read. It did feel slower in the beginning but picked up after the halfway mark. I found the twist on the classic queer historical fiction interesting - in this world, homophobia is not really the problem, but misogyny still is, which means that women who marry other women have fewer rights (ie. ineligible for titles to be passed down, etc.) It was different from your classic sapphic historical romance, where the relationship is usually secret because homophobia. These characters had other barriers in their relationship to overcome, and it was easy to root for them.
Perfect for fans of Bridgerton who wish it was more gay.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Hayley Kiyoko for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review <3
Big fan of Hayley Kiyoko and this was such a fun read. It did feel slower in the beginning but picked up after the halfway mark. I found the twist on the classic queer historical fiction interesting - in this world, homophobia is not really the problem, but misogyny still is, which means that women who marry other women have fewer rights (ie. ineligible for titles to be passed down, etc.) It was different from your classic sapphic historical romance, where the relationship is usually secret because homophobia. These characters had other barriers in their relationship to overcome, and it was easy to root for them.
Perfect for fans of Bridgerton who wish it was more gay.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Hayley Kiyoko for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review <3
2025
October 21, 2025Pride TBR
Valentine's Day TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books
Valentine's Day TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books
November 6, 2025
Thank you to Wednesday Books (St. Martin’s Press) and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Where There’s Room for Us! As always, all opinions are my own and this review is being left voluntarily.
✨ Historical Fiction Romance
✨ Young Adult
✨ Sapphic
✨ Third Person, Dual POV
✨ 1/5 Spice Level
✨ Standalone
✨ Rep: lesbian rep, bisexual rep, pansexual rep, half Japanese MC, nonbinary SC
I recommend if you enjoy…
- historical fiction
- positive queer stories
- queer normative worlds
- sapphic awakening
Content warnings after review.
General thoughts…
I’d read Hayley Kiyoko’s previous novel , Girls Like Girls, so I was intrigued to see that she was releasing a historical fiction romance.I’ve read several other historical fiction books and historical romance books,, but this one caught me a bit by surprise. It is by and large a historical romance, but the fiction element is important. Hayley has re-envisioned historical England. Making it a place where queer relationships are readily accepted. Couples of the same gender are allowed to marry and adopt children. However, inheritance laws are still behind. Creating a queer-normative England that is also patriarchal and holds misogynistic values. At first this choice was a bit jarring for me because I wasn’t expecting it (I notoriously do not read blurbs prior to starting a book), but I ended up really enjoying the setting and how it fit into the overarching plot.
Some things I loved…
- So many of the side characters are lovable! Prescott and Freya’s sisters are such genuine characters, and I love their sibling bonds. It was heartwarming to see.
- Ivy and Freya’s initial meeting was so cute and charming. I thought the way their relationship developed was well done.
- I am somewhat familiar with Hayley Kiyoko and Becca Tilley’s relationship, so I could see some parallels with this story and thought that was super sweet.
- I appreciated the over-arching anti-patriarchy themes.
Some things to consider…
- I thought the ending felt a bit rushed. The timeline is compressed, and I think it would have benefited from being developed a bit further.
- The romance is closed-door and the kissing is not overly descriptive making this book appropriate for teens. The characters are older though, and the writing reads mature, so it should resonate well with adult readers too.
Final thoughts…
Overall, this was an enjoyable young adult historical romance that should appeal to adults as well. The world-building makes it stand out among the genre. A pleasant read that kept me turning the pages!
(beware potential spoilers below)
Content Warnings
(may not be all inclusive)
alcohol, non-fatal accident, burn, misogyny, patriarchal society, non-fatal illness
✨ Historical Fiction Romance
✨ Young Adult
✨ Sapphic
✨ Third Person, Dual POV
✨ 1/5 Spice Level
✨ Standalone
✨ Rep: lesbian rep, bisexual rep, pansexual rep, half Japanese MC, nonbinary SC
I recommend if you enjoy…
- historical fiction
- positive queer stories
- queer normative worlds
- sapphic awakening
Content warnings after review.
General thoughts…
I’d read Hayley Kiyoko’s previous novel , Girls Like Girls, so I was intrigued to see that she was releasing a historical fiction romance.I’ve read several other historical fiction books and historical romance books,, but this one caught me a bit by surprise. It is by and large a historical romance, but the fiction element is important. Hayley has re-envisioned historical England. Making it a place where queer relationships are readily accepted. Couples of the same gender are allowed to marry and adopt children. However, inheritance laws are still behind. Creating a queer-normative England that is also patriarchal and holds misogynistic values. At first this choice was a bit jarring for me because I wasn’t expecting it (I notoriously do not read blurbs prior to starting a book), but I ended up really enjoying the setting and how it fit into the overarching plot.
Some things I loved…
- So many of the side characters are lovable! Prescott and Freya’s sisters are such genuine characters, and I love their sibling bonds. It was heartwarming to see.
- Ivy and Freya’s initial meeting was so cute and charming. I thought the way their relationship developed was well done.
- I am somewhat familiar with Hayley Kiyoko and Becca Tilley’s relationship, so I could see some parallels with this story and thought that was super sweet.
- I appreciated the over-arching anti-patriarchy themes.
Some things to consider…
- I thought the ending felt a bit rushed. The timeline is compressed, and I think it would have benefited from being developed a bit further.
- The romance is closed-door and the kissing is not overly descriptive making this book appropriate for teens. The characters are older though, and the writing reads mature, so it should resonate well with adult readers too.
Final thoughts…
Overall, this was an enjoyable young adult historical romance that should appeal to adults as well. The world-building makes it stand out among the genre. A pleasant read that kept me turning the pages!
(beware potential spoilers below)
Content Warnings
(may not be all inclusive)
alcohol, non-fatal accident, burn, misogyny, patriarchal society, non-fatal illness
January 8, 2026
3.5⭐
as a huge hayley kiyoko fan (of her music and debut book), i went into this one with high hopes. while it didn’t completely sweep me off my feet, there’s still a lot to love. i’m always here for a sapphic retelling, and the fact that this story is loosely inspired by hayley’s real-life relationship with her now fiancée, becca, made it extra special. knowing that context, the romance feels really tender and meaningful in hindsight.
with that being said, the pacing was a bit on the slow side for me, and I found myself wishing for more closure in certain places; the open-endedness didn’t always land as i'd hoped. i did adore the bridgerton-esque & regency-inspired setting, though; an alternate historical world where queerness is more accepted but misogyny is still alive and well was such an interesting choice and added a lot to the atmosphere.
i thought freya and ivy were both lovely characters, and their chemistry was sweet and easy to root for. unfortunately, even with the slower pacing overall, the ending felt surprisingly rushed, which took away some of the emotional payoff. the tone also leaned very young at times. i know this is YA, but the inclusion of the closed-door spice felt a little mismatched with how youthful the rest of the book felt.
with all that said, hayley kiyoko absolutely deserves high praise for carving out her own writing style and continuing to deliver meaningful queer representation. even if this one wasn’t a total hit for me, i’m still excited to see what she writes next.
thank you st. martin's press for the e-ARC, all opinions are my own.
as a huge hayley kiyoko fan (of her music and debut book), i went into this one with high hopes. while it didn’t completely sweep me off my feet, there’s still a lot to love. i’m always here for a sapphic retelling, and the fact that this story is loosely inspired by hayley’s real-life relationship with her now fiancée, becca, made it extra special. knowing that context, the romance feels really tender and meaningful in hindsight.
with that being said, the pacing was a bit on the slow side for me, and I found myself wishing for more closure in certain places; the open-endedness didn’t always land as i'd hoped. i did adore the bridgerton-esque & regency-inspired setting, though; an alternate historical world where queerness is more accepted but misogyny is still alive and well was such an interesting choice and added a lot to the atmosphere.
i thought freya and ivy were both lovely characters, and their chemistry was sweet and easy to root for. unfortunately, even with the slower pacing overall, the ending felt surprisingly rushed, which took away some of the emotional payoff. the tone also leaned very young at times. i know this is YA, but the inclusion of the closed-door spice felt a little mismatched with how youthful the rest of the book felt.
with all that said, hayley kiyoko absolutely deserves high praise for carving out her own writing style and continuing to deliver meaningful queer representation. even if this one wasn’t a total hit for me, i’m still excited to see what she writes next.
thank you st. martin's press for the e-ARC, all opinions are my own.
March 30, 2025
I was really between a 3 and a 4 for this one, but ultimately it deserves the round up. This is Hayley Kiyoko’s second book, and personally I enjoyed this book more than her first. I’m not usually a period piece girlie, but I think Kiyoko set up a really cool AU and I loved exploring it and seeing the similarities of our world inside of it. There are some areas of the book that I felt fell short, but ultimately it is a well put together book and I did really like it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!
April 7, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher for an eARC of this novel!
I will always devour anything that Hayley Kiyoko puts out. Every song, album and book! It’s not every day that your favorite artist comes out with a budding second novel that is a Lesbian version of Bridgerton. Hayley's first book was a wonderful story that was based off her hit song Girls Like Girls. I enjoyed the novel very much but one can tell it was written by someone who was new to writing. With this novel she brings an supremely excelled writing style and character development. She has came into her own as a writer and showcases she knows how to write a dang good story.
I will always devour anything that Hayley Kiyoko puts out. Every song, album and book! It’s not every day that your favorite artist comes out with a budding second novel that is a Lesbian version of Bridgerton. Hayley's first book was a wonderful story that was based off her hit song Girls Like Girls. I enjoyed the novel very much but one can tell it was written by someone who was new to writing. With this novel she brings an supremely excelled writing style and character development. She has came into her own as a writer and showcases she knows how to write a dang good story.
January 5, 2026
move over Bridgerton!!!
February 15, 2026
This book is so frustrating. I have never had such a difficult time finishing a book that I legitimately enjoyed the premise of.
The thing is that this book is not a period romance. It’s an alternate universe period romance, and all of the alterations defang any of the stakes. What if it was a regency romance where gay marriage was legal, but women still couldn’t vote or inherit titles?
Well I would think that would mean that women wouldn’t really get married at all since all the gentry would consolidate power in political marriages with their sons, but this book asks me to believe otherwise. Fine. Even so.
It doesn’t make sense that Freya’s dad is only homophobic when it comes to her (or rather, when it comes to her being involved with Ivy). One could make the argument that it’s not homophobia, but perhaps racism, but race isn’t engaged with in this book at all. (Yes, Ivy is a person of mixed race. No, not a SINGLE WHITE BRITISH NOBLE says anything about it.
And I get that this book is supposed to be an idealized fantasy of regency romance (less Downton, more Bridgerton and rainbows) but the way it constantly asks me forget what I know about the period but also somehow fear for the viability of this romance…it is simply too exhausting to be enjoyable.
About 2/3 of the way through the book I came to the conclusion that the whole endeavor would have been better served in a full-fledged fantasy or sci-fi setting. I should have been made to forget about the Real World rather than constantly explained to how this is Different.
But (obviously) worldbuilding is hard! So an even easier fix to this book and the insane scenario it asks us to enjoy would be to simply have Freya be legitimately engaged at the beginning of the story. Have her actually already be spoken for rather than “practically”. I would think it odd that the author wasn’t given this exact feedback at some point, but I assume that she was too married to this story being an allegory for her own romance to deviate too much. (The amount of purple prose here is evidence enough for that.)
And here’s the thing! I love love love loved Kiyoko’s debut novel! I was stoked to read this! Unfortunately, this is a huge miss for me on so many levels.
If you wanna read fun queer regency romances, please pick up Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend and You’re The Problem, It’s You by Emma R. Alban, or if you want something with a bit of conceit to pull you in, Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh by (one of the best to ever do it) Rachael Lippincott instead.
Or, if you can leave all of your knowledge of queer and/or feminist history at the door, you can probably enjoy this. I simply cannot.
The thing is that this book is not a period romance. It’s an alternate universe period romance, and all of the alterations defang any of the stakes. What if it was a regency romance where gay marriage was legal, but women still couldn’t vote or inherit titles?
Well I would think that would mean that women wouldn’t really get married at all since all the gentry would consolidate power in political marriages with their sons, but this book asks me to believe otherwise. Fine. Even so.
It doesn’t make sense that Freya’s dad is only homophobic when it comes to her (or rather, when it comes to her being involved with Ivy). One could make the argument that it’s not homophobia, but perhaps racism, but race isn’t engaged with in this book at all. (Yes, Ivy is a person of mixed race. No, not a SINGLE WHITE BRITISH NOBLE says anything about it.
And I get that this book is supposed to be an idealized fantasy of regency romance (less Downton, more Bridgerton and rainbows) but the way it constantly asks me forget what I know about the period but also somehow fear for the viability of this romance…it is simply too exhausting to be enjoyable.
About 2/3 of the way through the book I came to the conclusion that the whole endeavor would have been better served in a full-fledged fantasy or sci-fi setting. I should have been made to forget about the Real World rather than constantly explained to how this is Different.
But (obviously) worldbuilding is hard! So an even easier fix to this book and the insane scenario it asks us to enjoy would be to simply have Freya be legitimately engaged at the beginning of the story. Have her actually already be spoken for rather than “practically”. I would think it odd that the author wasn’t given this exact feedback at some point, but I assume that she was too married to this story being an allegory for her own romance to deviate too much. (The amount of purple prose here is evidence enough for that.)
And here’s the thing! I love love love loved Kiyoko’s debut novel! I was stoked to read this! Unfortunately, this is a huge miss for me on so many levels.
If you wanna read fun queer regency romances, please pick up Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend and You’re The Problem, It’s You by Emma R. Alban, or if you want something with a bit of conceit to pull you in, Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh by (one of the best to ever do it) Rachael Lippincott instead.
Or, if you can leave all of your knowledge of queer and/or feminist history at the door, you can probably enjoy this. I simply cannot.
November 3, 2025
This book made me want to dance around a maypole with a flower crown real bad (and not in the Midsommar way)
Hayley Kiyoko, I should have never doubted you. This book was so CUTE. The romance between Ivy and Freya was so pure and sweet. I love the time we took to get to know these characters, not just as individuals, but as a couple as well. Going to The Bridge, the waterfall scene (!?!?!), playing Victorian baseball? Oh I ate it up. Every date, every conversation, it was all so beautiful and well thought out. If you are looking for a cute, sapphic romance, consider this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARCs. The audiobook was so lovely. It was like a hybrid between a traditional audiobook and a graphic audio (without the annoying panting and constant footsteps). It was just the right amount of music and sound effects to make is unique and immersive.
Hayley Kiyoko, I should have never doubted you. This book was so CUTE. The romance between Ivy and Freya was so pure and sweet. I love the time we took to get to know these characters, not just as individuals, but as a couple as well. Going to The Bridge, the waterfall scene (!?!?!), playing Victorian baseball? Oh I ate it up. Every date, every conversation, it was all so beautiful and well thought out. If you are looking for a cute, sapphic romance, consider this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARCs. The audiobook was so lovely. It was like a hybrid between a traditional audiobook and a graphic audio (without the annoying panting and constant footsteps). It was just the right amount of music and sound effects to make is unique and immersive.
October 26, 2025
A simply adorable love story, placed in the regency era but one with slight changes.
I did love this easy read. I loved the high drama, the interesting characters, and how sweet and easy the romance was. Sometimes we just need an easy read and this one was that! I did love that it had American children traveling to European relatives and how they brought their ideas of relationships and romance with them. I loved the balls, the castles, and the fun of the era.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I did love this easy read. I loved the high drama, the interesting characters, and how sweet and easy the romance was. Sometimes we just need an easy read and this one was that! I did love that it had American children traveling to European relatives and how they brought their ideas of relationships and romance with them. I loved the balls, the castles, and the fun of the era.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
December 26, 2025
Loved it from start to finish!
January 2, 2026
Bridgerton but make it more gay. Was also pleasantly surprised by the music/background noise accompaniment provided at certain points throughout the audiobook.
February 3, 2026
fascinating world
November 30, 2025
I’m gonna be so real-the present tense almost killed the whole thing for me immediately. To me it’s very clear that this was written as an “homage” to Kiyoko’s real relationship, which is very romantic (kiyoko mentions this in the forward and on her social media). That being said, it takes all the teeth out of the story and characters.
Pros:
- the name marigold for one of the sisters
-Ivy Yada Lovell also a great character name
-beautiful gowns
Cons:
-in this universe queer relationships are acknowledged and not stigmatized, but titles/lineage/inheritance can’t be passed through “sapphic” marriages/children. This immediately didn’t work for me. I just can’t really understand how this 1880s “society” would legitimize gay marriages while seemingly all other aspects of the world are the same. It seemed like the goal was to tell this story (about an out lesbian and a woman who thought she was straight) without making it about freya “coming out”. So Kiyoko had to do this insane world building loophole to remove that as the clearest barrier for the relationship. It just confused me. I feel like the story would have been better served in a different time period or gone much more fantasy.
-another irk with the period setting, all the characters speak in a mix of “old fashion” English and modern English and it’s annoying. Example, why is one sister just named “Dani”?? You’re telling me in 1880 English countryside, a duke’s daughter is just named (or nicknamed) Dani?? None of the Tallon sisters names match at all actually. Freya is so random!
-Ivy took too much of the blame for the conflict in the book, especially with freya’s dad. To me it felt like a very thin comparison to “republican dad who is really a good guy!”. Like Lord tallon sucked!! And didn’t want women to vote? I did like that freya seemed to do some unlearning by the end, but it was just not so satisfying to have no resolution or confrontation between freya and her dad.
Pros:
- the name marigold for one of the sisters
-Ivy Yada Lovell also a great character name
-beautiful gowns
Cons:
-in this universe queer relationships are acknowledged and not stigmatized, but titles/lineage/inheritance can’t be passed through “sapphic” marriages/children. This immediately didn’t work for me. I just can’t really understand how this 1880s “society” would legitimize gay marriages while seemingly all other aspects of the world are the same. It seemed like the goal was to tell this story (about an out lesbian and a woman who thought she was straight) without making it about freya “coming out”. So Kiyoko had to do this insane world building loophole to remove that as the clearest barrier for the relationship. It just confused me. I feel like the story would have been better served in a different time period or gone much more fantasy.
-another irk with the period setting, all the characters speak in a mix of “old fashion” English and modern English and it’s annoying. Example, why is one sister just named “Dani”?? You’re telling me in 1880 English countryside, a duke’s daughter is just named (or nicknamed) Dani?? None of the Tallon sisters names match at all actually. Freya is so random!
-Ivy took too much of the blame for the conflict in the book, especially with freya’s dad. To me it felt like a very thin comparison to “republican dad who is really a good guy!”. Like Lord tallon sucked!! And didn’t want women to vote? I did like that freya seemed to do some unlearning by the end, but it was just not so satisfying to have no resolution or confrontation between freya and her dad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
May 27, 2025this novel was set in the 1880s, and it's a reimagining of the Victorian era, yes, but unfortunately I don't think this writing style helps create that atmosphere.
i honestly don't know how it could've been better executed. syntax-wise, maybe a restriction on the use of certain words would've worked. settings-wise maybe if this was set in an alternate universe altogether, or in the modern setting, if the prose style were to remain the same. the vibe just screams too 2025 for me to remember that we're actually in the 1880s here.
i say this because i like the story, though. i was immediately enamored by both freya and ivy!!
all of that said, i wish this novel found me at a better time, as in when i was a teenager who has just come out of the closet. i find myself enjoying a lot of novels that are written for middle grade or young adult audience even now deep into my adulthood, but this one for some reason simply did not make the cut for me. this doesn't speak of its potential for making other readers happy; i can attest to the fact that this will truly be a fun time for someone younger, or otherwise has been in a long reading slump. just not for me (or maybe not for me right now)
thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC!
October 24, 2025
3 Stars
The stars earned here come from the fact that I don't think this book is, technically, poorly written. I just didn't know what I was reading. The worldbuilding here is nonexistent. The obstacles to this relationship are contrived. And for a supposedly Victorian-era setting, this book felt shockingly regency (and particularly American in its inability to contend with British social structuring). I didn't like it. I was happy when It was done.
Are there some things to like about this book? Definitely. I wouldn't have given it a chance otherwise. But that's for hashing out in my full review, available at Gateway Reviews on November 28, 2025. Swing by if you get the chance!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
The stars earned here come from the fact that I don't think this book is, technically, poorly written. I just didn't know what I was reading. The worldbuilding here is nonexistent. The obstacles to this relationship are contrived. And for a supposedly Victorian-era setting, this book felt shockingly regency (and particularly American in its inability to contend with British social structuring). I didn't like it. I was happy when It was done.
Are there some things to like about this book? Definitely. I wouldn't have given it a chance otherwise. But that's for hashing out in my full review, available at Gateway Reviews on November 28, 2025. Swing by if you get the chance!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
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