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The Sacred Space Between
An enchanting enemies-to-lovers fantasy about an exiled saint and the devout iconographer sent to paint him, for fans of Divine Rivals and A Study in Drowning.
The Abbey has controlled the minds of its patrons for a millennium through memory magic, stolen from exiled saints. At fifteen, Jude was exiled from the Abbey to the bleak moors in the countryside, to maintain their control over his bourgeoning magic. Almost a decade later, he wants to live a normal life free from the Abbey’s oppressive gaze. When they send Maeve, a stubbornly devout iconographer, to paint an updated icon of him, Jude makes it his mission to get rid of her as soon as possible. That is until he discovers she holds the same tainted magic of the saints as he does, and that the icons she paints may be the key to destroying the Abbey's power.
As Jude and Maeve draw closer, the two of them face a choice—they can take on the full power of the Abbey and risk their lives for freedom or escape back to exile and make the most of their fading memories. But this institution has eyes everywhere, and the only thing the Abbey loves more than a saint is a martyr.
The Abbey has controlled the minds of its patrons for a millennium through memory magic, stolen from exiled saints. At fifteen, Jude was exiled from the Abbey to the bleak moors in the countryside, to maintain their control over his bourgeoning magic. Almost a decade later, he wants to live a normal life free from the Abbey’s oppressive gaze. When they send Maeve, a stubbornly devout iconographer, to paint an updated icon of him, Jude makes it his mission to get rid of her as soon as possible. That is until he discovers she holds the same tainted magic of the saints as he does, and that the icons she paints may be the key to destroying the Abbey's power.
As Jude and Maeve draw closer, the two of them face a choice—they can take on the full power of the Abbey and risk their lives for freedom or escape back to exile and make the most of their fading memories. But this institution has eyes everywhere, and the only thing the Abbey loves more than a saint is a martyr.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2025
203 people are currently reading
22398 people want to read
About the author
Kalie Reid
2 books562 followersKalie Reid grew up just outside Portland, Oregon, before moving across the world to Northern Ireland, where she’s lived for the past decade. Alongside her husband and cat, she currently lives in Belfast where she is forever dreaming of her debut romantic fantasy novel about an exiled saint and the devout iconographer sent to paint him. You can find Kalie on TikTok @KalieReads
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 456 reviews
September 15, 2025
There’s a new “jude, jude, jude, jude” in town
My kingdom for a begging, groveling, whimpering man on his knees
The Sacred Space Between is a miraculous novel, far exceeding the tainted magic of saints to place an expert brush upon the experiences of loneliness, religious trauma, and the ever constant quest for belonging. With reverent hands Kalie Reid constructs her Abbey, its spires reaching ever upward and its arched cloisters replete with devout acolytes sequestered away to pray and to serve. It is here that Maeve, an iconographer, will be sent out on a mission to spy on a saint in exile and come to uncover the truth of the magic bequeathed to their saintly figures and the rotten center of her faith. Interrogating faith and its power to uplift and to subjugate, Reid’s debut dares to tear away the facade from religion, exposing the lies and the many lives impacted in service to those in power. The Sacred Space Between is about systems of power, yes, but it’s also about the power found in human connection and the moments where we find belonging and kinship with others. It’s a story full of immeasurable yearning—yearning for things to be different, yearning to find your place, for your autonomy, and yearning for the unfriendly exiled saint you are forced to spy upon in an isolated gothic manor house. Kalie Reid’s The Sacred Space Between is exquisitely rendered, drawing readers into the contentious space between a heretical saint and a devout iconographer that is not just reverent but holy.
Read my review
*one out of context quote where he is GROVELING he is BEGGING* me: oh we are so back
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the advance review copy.
Bookstagram | Blog
My kingdom for a begging, groveling, whimpering man on his knees
The Sacred Space Between is a miraculous novel, far exceeding the tainted magic of saints to place an expert brush upon the experiences of loneliness, religious trauma, and the ever constant quest for belonging. With reverent hands Kalie Reid constructs her Abbey, its spires reaching ever upward and its arched cloisters replete with devout acolytes sequestered away to pray and to serve. It is here that Maeve, an iconographer, will be sent out on a mission to spy on a saint in exile and come to uncover the truth of the magic bequeathed to their saintly figures and the rotten center of her faith. Interrogating faith and its power to uplift and to subjugate, Reid’s debut dares to tear away the facade from religion, exposing the lies and the many lives impacted in service to those in power. The Sacred Space Between is about systems of power, yes, but it’s also about the power found in human connection and the moments where we find belonging and kinship with others. It’s a story full of immeasurable yearning—yearning for things to be different, yearning to find your place, for your autonomy, and yearning for the unfriendly exiled saint you are forced to spy upon in an isolated gothic manor house. Kalie Reid’s The Sacred Space Between is exquisitely rendered, drawing readers into the contentious space between a heretical saint and a devout iconographer that is not just reverent but holy.
Read my review
*one out of context quote where he is GROVELING he is BEGGING* me: oh we are so back
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the advance review copy.
Bookstagram | Blog
July 12, 2025
Hello! I wrote this book and think it is 👍pretty good👍
As early copies make their way into the world I wanted to pop a note about content warnings for anyone who may need them. Sacred Space is ultimately a story about hope, healing, and finding love and belonging, but it doesn’t shy away from tougher topics, too, and I want anyone who needs them to be aware of content warnings prior to diving in.
Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy reading!
CONTENT WARNINGS:
Graphic
Sexual content
Religious trauma and gaslighting
Moderate
Discussion of past self harm
Abandonment
Child abuse (non-sexual, memories of)
Emotional abuse
Fire/Fire injury
Scars
Suicidal thoughts
Panic attacks/disorders
Confrontation of an abuser
Mild
Blood
Murder (off page)
Drug use
Cursing
As early copies make their way into the world I wanted to pop a note about content warnings for anyone who may need them. Sacred Space is ultimately a story about hope, healing, and finding love and belonging, but it doesn’t shy away from tougher topics, too, and I want anyone who needs them to be aware of content warnings prior to diving in.
Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy reading!
CONTENT WARNINGS:
Graphic
Sexual content
Religious trauma and gaslighting
Moderate
Discussion of past self harm
Abandonment
Child abuse (non-sexual, memories of)
Emotional abuse
Fire/Fire injury
Scars
Suicidal thoughts
Panic attacks/disorders
Confrontation of an abuser
Mild
Blood
Murder (off page)
Drug use
Cursing
November 21, 2025
┆ ⤿ 🎨 ༝ pre-read:
YEARNING YEARNING YEARNING!!! 🗣️🗣️
there’s nothing that gets me more excited about a book than it having an insane amount yearning🤭
not me starting an arc a day after release date tho🧍🏻♀️ but the reading slump don’t want to leave me alone😭😭 anyways, this sounds soo good. I have high hopes!!🤸🏻♀️
YEARNING YEARNING YEARNING!!! 🗣️🗣️
there’s nothing that gets me more excited about a book than it having an insane amount yearning🤭
not me starting an arc a day after release date tho🧍🏻♀️ but the reading slump don’t want to leave me alone😭😭 anyways, this sounds soo good. I have high hopes!!🤸🏻♀️
November 29, 2025
⭐️ 4
Describing this book as "for fans of Divine Rivals and A Study in Drowning" feels entirely accurate. The Sacred Space Between is reminiscent of Ava Reid's work, with an emphasis on lush prose and evocative imagery, without being derivative. And similarly to Divine Rivals, there is quite a lot of unique magic and pining on both ends of the romance situation. Who doesn't love some good pining?
For those looking for an in-depth dive into a new intricate magic system, or something more classically fantasy, I don't think this is for you. This is a romance focused fantasy for sure. Because of that romance emphasis, I was sometimes a little confused reading explanations of the magic, wondering how certain details connected, but overall the story was saved by it's charming characters and writing style. Oh, and the magic might've lost me a couple times but it was cool! Really cool. That being said, this isn't what I'd consider a classic "romantasy" either. The book skirts the edges of both fantasy and romantasy, which is a happy middle ground in my opinion.
Also, just as an aside, as someone with a professional background in painting, I really appreciated the research done to properly discuss painting and art within the book! That earns some brownie points from me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Describing this book as "for fans of Divine Rivals and A Study in Drowning" feels entirely accurate. The Sacred Space Between is reminiscent of Ava Reid's work, with an emphasis on lush prose and evocative imagery, without being derivative. And similarly to Divine Rivals, there is quite a lot of unique magic and pining on both ends of the romance situation. Who doesn't love some good pining?
For those looking for an in-depth dive into a new intricate magic system, or something more classically fantasy, I don't think this is for you. This is a romance focused fantasy for sure. Because of that romance emphasis, I was sometimes a little confused reading explanations of the magic, wondering how certain details connected, but overall the story was saved by it's charming characters and writing style. Oh, and the magic might've lost me a couple times but it was cool! Really cool. That being said, this isn't what I'd consider a classic "romantasy" either. The book skirts the edges of both fantasy and romantasy, which is a happy middle ground in my opinion.
Also, just as an aside, as someone with a professional background in painting, I really appreciated the research done to properly discuss painting and art within the book! That earns some brownie points from me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2025
I enjoyed the eerie feeling, the slow burn and the topic of religious indoctrination, but ultimately this book didn’t really manage to capture my attention.
The setting felt like it was supposed to be medieval, but for me that didn’t work out. The world building was too weak and the way they talked too modern to convince me of that.
The story unfortunately dragged and lacked depth, as did the characters.
And while I liked the slow burn, the romance as a whole didn’t win me over either. I don’t even really know why. It probably has to do with the fact that I felt mostly indifferent about everyone and everything in this book.
I think this is a strong case of it wasn’t for me. I don’t think it’s bad by any means (even though it might sound like that) but it just really didn’t work for me, sadly.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
The setting felt like it was supposed to be medieval, but for me that didn’t work out. The world building was too weak and the way they talked too modern to convince me of that.
The story unfortunately dragged and lacked depth, as did the characters.
And while I liked the slow burn, the romance as a whole didn’t win me over either. I don’t even really know why. It probably has to do with the fact that I felt mostly indifferent about everyone and everything in this book.
I think this is a strong case of it wasn’t for me. I don’t think it’s bad by any means (even though it might sound like that) but it just really didn’t work for me, sadly.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2025
The Sacred Space Between
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑⭑.𝟮𝟱
꒰ 𓏲⋆🖼️.* With hopes of attaining the position of lead iconographer, Maeve is tasked with painting the icon of the infamous saint, Jude, who’d been exiled from the Abbey because he corrupted the sacred ability to answer prayers, which he was blessed with, was used outside its intended purpose — *or so she was told*. ꒱
⌞ NA release date: November 4, 2025 ⌝
⌞ UK release date: November 20, 2025
ꕤ First, I want to commend Kalie Reid on her fantastic debut. The hauntingly beautiful atmosphere and lyrical writing captivated me right from the start. My copy was immediately filled with highlights because the writing was just so beautifully done, and I am a sucker for atmospheric stories. Reid skillfully created a creeping sense of unease that allowed me to piece things together alongside our characters, leading to a gradual revelation that made the reading experience more immersive.
𓏲⋆☆.* Maeve had called the Abbey her home since childhood, and her unwavering faith in it formed the foundation of her life. However, after meeting Jude, she began to experience flickering doubts about her commitment to the Abbey, which had always been intertwined with her spiritual and mental beliefs. Her thought process after each new discovery was interesting to follow. I also particularly appreciated her detailed descriptions of specific colors in the portraits and landscapes, which were incredibly satisfying to visualize.
:𓏲⋆★.* Jude was a complex character from the start. While we are familiar with his story, many aspects of his character remain mysterious. While we gain insight into his perspective, we still need to piece together the information, which is the fun part as we connect the dots to the larger storyline.
˖᯽ ݁˖ We have two very different characters who are both isolated and guarded for their own valid reasons. Needless to say, it is to be expected that they’d be at odds with each other. I liked that the story used dual POVs to show how they viewed certain events, as it also gives us a sense of the other side of things.
The romance and yearning in the story were just so pure and genuinely beautiful to read about. We follow two closed-off individuals who gradually open up and connect by sharing their own curiosities and experiences within the Abbey's walls. While the characters felt underdeveloped, I found myself getting attached to them as we went along.
⟢ The magic system itself was fascinating, with ideas of memory magic and memory altercations. I think with the way the story was written, it also gave me a sense of unease as we understand that we follow unreliable characters, both of whose memories may or may not have been tampered with, leaving them unsure of what’s real and what isn’t.
The exploration of spiritual oppression and the author's originality was refreshing and intriguing to read about, as they also shape the story’s narrative and information with their manipulations. However, I think it would've been much better if we explored more about the Abbey’s hierarchy and its the church’s inner workings. There were also some pacing issues around the 75% mark and a rushed ending. Other than that, I was pretty satisfied, though some things were meant behind closed doors ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
For a debut standalone, we can expect a few plot holes that I personally wouldn’t worry too much about. Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperVoyager, and of course, Kalie Reid for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. ⭑
୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ
pre-read : an iconographer tasked to paint an exiled saint?? i am HERE FOR IT!! thank you HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for accepting my arc request ( ꈍ◡ꈍ)
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑⭑.𝟮𝟱
⋆˙⟡ ❝ Nothing less than blasphemy brought you to me. ❞
꒰ 𓏲⋆🖼️.* With hopes of attaining the position of lead iconographer, Maeve is tasked with painting the icon of the infamous saint, Jude, who’d been exiled from the Abbey because he corrupted the sacred ability to answer prayers, which he was blessed with, was used outside its intended purpose — *or so she was told*. ꒱
⌞ NA release date: November 4, 2025 ⌝
⌞ UK release date: November 20, 2025
ꕤ First, I want to commend Kalie Reid on her fantastic debut. The hauntingly beautiful atmosphere and lyrical writing captivated me right from the start. My copy was immediately filled with highlights because the writing was just so beautifully done, and I am a sucker for atmospheric stories. Reid skillfully created a creeping sense of unease that allowed me to piece things together alongside our characters, leading to a gradual revelation that made the reading experience more immersive.
𓏲⋆🎨.* ❝ She’d spent years bundling up her questions into neat parcels and shoving them into the furthest recesses of her mind, hoping to forget the truth that underneath the surface she presented as an acolyte, as a believer, she was cracked. Crumbling and drying out. ❞
𓏲⋆☆.* Maeve had called the Abbey her home since childhood, and her unwavering faith in it formed the foundation of her life. However, after meeting Jude, she began to experience flickering doubts about her commitment to the Abbey, which had always been intertwined with her spiritual and mental beliefs. Her thought process after each new discovery was interesting to follow. I also particularly appreciated her detailed descriptions of specific colors in the portraits and landscapes, which were incredibly satisfying to visualize.
𓏲⋆📚.* ❝ But, as he looked at Maeve, he realised he was not so very far from the boy he had once been. Urged to worship the closest thing to divinity he’d ever seen. ❞
:𓏲⋆★.* Jude was a complex character from the start. While we are familiar with his story, many aspects of his character remain mysterious. While we gain insight into his perspective, we still need to piece together the information, which is the fun part as we connect the dots to the larger storyline.
❝ When you first arrived, even though you made me angry—‘ he chuckled, running his hands down the length of her hair. 'So angry, I couldn't stop thinking of you. Couldn't get myself to quit picturing your face, your hair, and the way your eyes shone when you glared at me. Every bit of your frustration and, eventually, your smiles. Those I could never forget. ❞
˖᯽ ݁˖ We have two very different characters who are both isolated and guarded for their own valid reasons. Needless to say, it is to be expected that they’d be at odds with each other. I liked that the story used dual POVs to show how they viewed certain events, as it also gives us a sense of the other side of things.
⌗ ❝ He spoke his apology into the ground, into the shrine that had long governed their lives. It wasn’t holy, but it felt like a prayer all the same. ❞
The romance and yearning in the story were just so pure and genuinely beautiful to read about. We follow two closed-off individuals who gradually open up and connect by sharing their own curiosities and experiences within the Abbey's walls. While the characters felt underdeveloped, I found myself getting attached to them as we went along.
⌗ ❝ Mark me. Here.' His voice took on a soft, pleading cadence. ‘I want to see it later. ❞ ⟡ ݁₊ .
⟢ The magic system itself was fascinating, with ideas of memory magic and memory altercations. I think with the way the story was written, it also gave me a sense of unease as we understand that we follow unreliable characters, both of whose memories may or may not have been tampered with, leaving them unsure of what’s real and what isn’t.
The exploration of spiritual oppression and the author's originality was refreshing and intriguing to read about, as they also shape the story’s narrative and information with their manipulations. However, I think it would've been much better if we explored more about the Abbey’s hierarchy and its the church’s inner workings. There were also some pacing issues around the 75% mark and a rushed ending. Other than that, I was pretty satisfied, though some things were meant behind closed doors ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
❝ Is it really devotion when the fear of refusal is woven into every verse? One misstep, one question too far and it’s gone. And you’re left with nothing and no one. ❞ ⊹ ₊ ⋆
For a debut standalone, we can expect a few plot holes that I personally wouldn’t worry too much about. Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperVoyager, and of course, Kalie Reid for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. ⭑
ִֶָ🪽་༘࿐ ❝ One for courage. Two for despair. Three for hope. ❞
୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ
pre-read : an iconographer tasked to paint an exiled saint?? i am HERE FOR IT!! thank you HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for accepting my arc request ( ꈍ◡ꈍ)
November 8, 2025
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. all opinions are my own.
“The glory of stained glass wouldn’t sway him. But, as he looked at Maeve, he realized he was not so very far from the boy he had once been. Urged to worship the closest thing to divinity he’d ever seen.”
guys. GUYS. 😭😭😭😭
this was fantastic - exactly what i want in a romantic fantasy novel. the world was lush & atmospheric, the magic system was fascinating (though i do wish we had a chance to explore that more), and the romance was perfectly paced (aka slow burn) and full of yearning.
jude is one of my new favorite MMCs and i adored maeve. the way their relationships with faith & organized religion were explored - amazing.
i also need to take a minute to acknowledge a certain scene. chapter 56 truly is, without a doubt, one of the best romantic scenes i have ever read in my life. i won’t go into it in lieu of spoilers but oh my god???? again, EXACTLY what i want in a romantic fantasy.
“Sometimes, Maeve realized, revolution wasn’t down to planning or timing or every facet lining up into the perfect moment; it was about perseverance. Determination to see it through no matter how strongly the odds were stacked against them.”
“The glory of stained glass wouldn’t sway him. But, as he looked at Maeve, he realized he was not so very far from the boy he had once been. Urged to worship the closest thing to divinity he’d ever seen.”
guys. GUYS. 😭😭😭😭
this was fantastic - exactly what i want in a romantic fantasy novel. the world was lush & atmospheric, the magic system was fascinating (though i do wish we had a chance to explore that more), and the romance was perfectly paced (aka slow burn) and full of yearning.
jude is one of my new favorite MMCs and i adored maeve. the way their relationships with faith & organized religion were explored - amazing.
i also need to take a minute to acknowledge a certain scene. chapter 56 truly is, without a doubt, one of the best romantic scenes i have ever read in my life. i won’t go into it in lieu of spoilers but oh my god???? again, EXACTLY what i want in a romantic fantasy.
“Sometimes, Maeve realized, revolution wasn’t down to planning or timing or every facet lining up into the perfect moment; it was about perseverance. Determination to see it through no matter how strongly the odds were stacked against them.”
October 21, 2024
I feel so lucky and smug as hell that I read this so early. Can't wait for this to end up on everyone's radar.
September 24, 2025
4.25 ★— Years of Catholic school, along with the inevitable Catholic Guilt™ that comes with it, mean that anything involving religion and the machinery behind it is basically catnip for me.
The Sacred Space Between delivered on that front for most of the book.
I loved how mysterious this story felt and how unmoored I was as a reader while following iconographer Maeve on her quest to draw Jude, a mysterious saint who had been sent away from the Abbey, the heart of the book’s religious world. The author built this creeping sense of unease so well that I found myself trying to piece things together right alongside Maeve as more about Jude and his backstory slowly came to light.
For a while, I was completely hooked. The prose is gorgeous and the atmosphere thick and cloying, which made me feel fully immersed in this strange, isolated world. The world-building itself was fascinating too, and I just wish we’d been able to dig even deeper! I really enjoyed the sense of foreboding isolation created through the religious elements, but I wanted more of that: more details about the church’s inner workings, more exploration of how its control shaped the characters’ lives. I know the limited POV of Maeve and Jude couldn’t fully deliver that, but I still felt like some of the darker aspects of religion were under explored, especially toward the end when I felt like they were kind of hand-waved away.
My biggest sticking point, though, was the romance. About three-quarters of the way through, the pacing started to feel a little off, and the unfolding relationship between Jude and Maeve felt rushed. These are two incredibly isolated people, each guarded in their own ways and at odds with one another, and I wanted more time seeing them slowly open up and build that connection.
To be fair, the book’s recurring theme of memory loss complicates how a relationship like theirs could realistically develop, so I understand why it couldn’t follow typical romance beats. The yearning and longing were definitely there, and I loved that, but the actual deepening of their relationship felt a bit shallow, like there was an emotional gap the book didn’t quite bridge. Once they finally did grow closer, I was left unsatisfied with how the author portrayed their intimate scenes, feeling like they were a little out of place and almost tacked on at the end.
But even with some of my frustrations, there’s so much here to appreciate! The haunting, immersive atmosphere. The way the book weaves faith, power, and memory into its story. A romance that’s at least trying to do something different. And a setting that feels distinct in a sea of same-y fantasy romances.
So while I did come away wanting more, more depth, more exploration, more answers, I still found this to be a beautiful, mysterious read that I can absolutely recommend to anyone craving a fantasy romance with a bit more substance and an intriguing edge.
____________________
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC!
The Sacred Space Between delivered on that front for most of the book.
I loved how mysterious this story felt and how unmoored I was as a reader while following iconographer Maeve on her quest to draw Jude, a mysterious saint who had been sent away from the Abbey, the heart of the book’s religious world. The author built this creeping sense of unease so well that I found myself trying to piece things together right alongside Maeve as more about Jude and his backstory slowly came to light.
For a while, I was completely hooked. The prose is gorgeous and the atmosphere thick and cloying, which made me feel fully immersed in this strange, isolated world. The world-building itself was fascinating too, and I just wish we’d been able to dig even deeper! I really enjoyed the sense of foreboding isolation created through the religious elements, but I wanted more of that: more details about the church’s inner workings, more exploration of how its control shaped the characters’ lives. I know the limited POV of Maeve and Jude couldn’t fully deliver that, but I still felt like some of the darker aspects of religion were under explored, especially toward the end when I felt like they were kind of hand-waved away.
My biggest sticking point, though, was the romance. About three-quarters of the way through, the pacing started to feel a little off, and the unfolding relationship between Jude and Maeve felt rushed. These are two incredibly isolated people, each guarded in their own ways and at odds with one another, and I wanted more time seeing them slowly open up and build that connection.
To be fair, the book’s recurring theme of memory loss complicates how a relationship like theirs could realistically develop, so I understand why it couldn’t follow typical romance beats. The yearning and longing were definitely there, and I loved that, but the actual deepening of their relationship felt a bit shallow, like there was an emotional gap the book didn’t quite bridge. Once they finally did grow closer, I was left unsatisfied with how the author portrayed their intimate scenes, feeling like they were a little out of place and almost tacked on at the end.
But even with some of my frustrations, there’s so much here to appreciate! The haunting, immersive atmosphere. The way the book weaves faith, power, and memory into its story. A romance that’s at least trying to do something different. And a setting that feels distinct in a sea of same-y fantasy romances.
So while I did come away wanting more, more depth, more exploration, more answers, I still found this to be a beautiful, mysterious read that I can absolutely recommend to anyone craving a fantasy romance with a bit more substance and an intriguing edge.
____________________
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC!
September 30, 2025
Thank you so much HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the arc!
**4,5/5**
„Belief and institution are not married.“
- Memory tampering magic
- Corrupted church
- Stolen Magic
- Isolation
- Forced proximity
- Religious trauma
What I liked:
- The magic system and corruption behind it felt quite complex, especially since the two main characters themselves are kept in the dark and information is purposely withheld. Their memories have been tempered with, so while we learn alongside them how the magic works, you always have to doubt whether we have the whole picture.
- The horrors the main characters, especially Jude, had to endure were hidden by their memory loss. It was gruesome but compelling to peel back the layers of the Abbey‘s cover-ups and to uncover the truth behind their scheme.
What I didn’t like:
- I wish we had gotten a few more scenes of the two characters building a connection without them trying to figure out how to destroy the abbey. Some bonding time in the secluded estate and its surroundings would have been great.
Writing style: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Story & Plot: 4,5/5
Vibes: 4/5
**4,5/5**
„Belief and institution are not married.“
- Memory tampering magic
- Corrupted church
- Stolen Magic
- Isolation
- Forced proximity
- Religious trauma
What I liked:
- The magic system and corruption behind it felt quite complex, especially since the two main characters themselves are kept in the dark and information is purposely withheld. Their memories have been tempered with, so while we learn alongside them how the magic works, you always have to doubt whether we have the whole picture.
- The horrors the main characters, especially Jude, had to endure were hidden by their memory loss. It was gruesome but compelling to peel back the layers of the Abbey‘s cover-ups and to uncover the truth behind their scheme.
What I didn’t like:
- I wish we had gotten a few more scenes of the two characters building a connection without them trying to figure out how to destroy the abbey. Some bonding time in the secluded estate and its surroundings would have been great.
Writing style: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Story & Plot: 4,5/5
Vibes: 4/5
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August 27, 2025Disclaimer: I am friends with the author! Thank you to Kalie and Little Brown for sending me an ARC. All opinions are my own.
The Sacred Space Between is a tender, atmospheric debut for fans of Modern Divination and A Study in Drowning and anyone looking for a new romantic fantasy to fall in love with. This book is two-fold: a character-focused slow burn about two frightened people searching for answers, but find themselves building intimacy in unexpected moments of quiet shared existence; and a powerful fantasy narrative about dismantling systems of harm and unlearning force-fed truths about oneself and the world.
I’m a hard sell on books about Christian religious trauma, but I have such respect for Kalie’s approach to the complicated challenge of narratively tackling the church and its wrongdoings. Through a brilliant magic system crafted with a keen eye and a deft hand, Kalie explores the isolation that the church simultaneously creates and exploits in a violent cycle of dependence. This book refuses to flinch at the horrors and violences of Christianity’s manipulation, arguing: at the end of the day it is not a wave of chanting voices that saves a life or answers a prayer but the power of a single outstretched hand.
Something that particularly touched me in this story’s exploration of religion is the discussion of faith versus devotion, particularly how easy it is to conflate the two. The difference between faith’s reliance on mindlessness and devotion’s growth through mindfulness unravels through the individual and combined growth of the characters, who learn to release their chains of faith and craft a relationship and life built upon devotion. Their courage and their humility offers a brilliant canvas with which to paint a message of hope and freedom and self-made blessings upon.
I adored what this story had to say about power and community and how Christianity can indeed be used to build and nurture these things but how it can so quickly take those things away. I think many readers who grew up in the church and found themselves feeling powerless and uncertain, searching for community or faith beyond their trauma will find solace and comfort and something radiant and golden in these pages.
From the magic system to the lush descriptions to the heartfelt romance, this is a debut not to be missed. The Sacred Space Between is a gorgeous unfurling of wings, and I can’t wait to see Kalie soar to future heights.
CW: religious trauma, self-harm (past), claustrophobia, kidnapping, imprisonment, child abuse, suicidal thoughts, drugging, drug use, violence, blood, vomit, sexual content, alcohol, fire, death, murder
The Sacred Space Between is a tender, atmospheric debut for fans of Modern Divination and A Study in Drowning and anyone looking for a new romantic fantasy to fall in love with. This book is two-fold: a character-focused slow burn about two frightened people searching for answers, but find themselves building intimacy in unexpected moments of quiet shared existence; and a powerful fantasy narrative about dismantling systems of harm and unlearning force-fed truths about oneself and the world.
I’m a hard sell on books about Christian religious trauma, but I have such respect for Kalie’s approach to the complicated challenge of narratively tackling the church and its wrongdoings. Through a brilliant magic system crafted with a keen eye and a deft hand, Kalie explores the isolation that the church simultaneously creates and exploits in a violent cycle of dependence. This book refuses to flinch at the horrors and violences of Christianity’s manipulation, arguing: at the end of the day it is not a wave of chanting voices that saves a life or answers a prayer but the power of a single outstretched hand.
Something that particularly touched me in this story’s exploration of religion is the discussion of faith versus devotion, particularly how easy it is to conflate the two. The difference between faith’s reliance on mindlessness and devotion’s growth through mindfulness unravels through the individual and combined growth of the characters, who learn to release their chains of faith and craft a relationship and life built upon devotion. Their courage and their humility offers a brilliant canvas with which to paint a message of hope and freedom and self-made blessings upon.
I adored what this story had to say about power and community and how Christianity can indeed be used to build and nurture these things but how it can so quickly take those things away. I think many readers who grew up in the church and found themselves feeling powerless and uncertain, searching for community or faith beyond their trauma will find solace and comfort and something radiant and golden in these pages.
From the magic system to the lush descriptions to the heartfelt romance, this is a debut not to be missed. The Sacred Space Between is a gorgeous unfurling of wings, and I can’t wait to see Kalie soar to future heights.
CW: religious trauma, self-harm (past), claustrophobia, kidnapping, imprisonment, child abuse, suicidal thoughts, drugging, drug use, violence, blood, vomit, sexual content, alcohol, fire, death, murder
September 28, 2025
5 ★
This was such an incredible debut!!
A hauntingly beautiful tale of tender, slow-burning love between an exiled saint and the devout acolyte sent to paint his icon and spy on him.
The book explores powerful themes of religious oppression, abuse, trauma, corruption, loneliness, and the long road to healing. This is a character-focused narrative with a slower paced plot but I didn't mind because both Maeve and Jude were well-developed and nuanced.
The magic system is unique and fascinating, centred around memory manipulation—a tool the Abbey uses to control, exploit, and maintain power.
One of the things I appreciated most was how the book shows that belief and institution aren’t the same thing. The author handles this theme with care and sensitivity, critiquing the abuse of power within the Church without ever dismissing faith or personal conviction.
I absolutely adored Maeve and Jude. Just two complex, wounded people slowly learning to trust, understand, and care for each other.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves slow-burn romances with emotionally driven stories. I cannot wait to see what Kalie writes next!!
What to expect:
✧ gothic romantasy
✧ soft girl × softer boy
✧ dual POVs
✧ slow burn
✧ hate to love
✧ unique magic system
✧ religious abuse/trauma
✧ 1/5 🌶 (spice around 90% onwards)
✧ YEARNING !!!!
TWs:
[religious trauma, child abuse (non-sexual, memories of), discussion of self harm (past/not on screen), abandonment, scars, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, murder (off page), blood]
It’s a beautiful thing, to release the deepest contents of your heart into the universe in the hopes that someone might be listening.
This was such an incredible debut!!
A hauntingly beautiful tale of tender, slow-burning love between an exiled saint and the devout acolyte sent to paint his icon and spy on him.
The book explores powerful themes of religious oppression, abuse, trauma, corruption, loneliness, and the long road to healing. This is a character-focused narrative with a slower paced plot but I didn't mind because both Maeve and Jude were well-developed and nuanced.
The magic system is unique and fascinating, centred around memory manipulation—a tool the Abbey uses to control, exploit, and maintain power.
One of the things I appreciated most was how the book shows that belief and institution aren’t the same thing. The author handles this theme with care and sensitivity, critiquing the abuse of power within the Church without ever dismissing faith or personal conviction.
Belief and institution are not married.
I absolutely adored Maeve and Jude. Just two complex, wounded people slowly learning to trust, understand, and care for each other.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves slow-burn romances with emotionally driven stories. I cannot wait to see what Kalie writes next!!
What to expect:
✧ gothic romantasy
✧ soft girl × softer boy
✧ dual POVs
✧ slow burn
✧ hate to love
✧ unique magic system
✧ religious abuse/trauma
✧ 1/5 🌶 (spice around 90% onwards)
✧ YEARNING !!!!
TWs:
[religious trauma, child abuse (non-sexual, memories of), discussion of self harm (past/not on screen), abandonment, scars, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, murder (off page), blood]
October 15, 2025
haven’t decided on a final rating yet but i ate this one up!! this is what i love to see in romantasy books 🤭
November 2, 2025
Jude, Jude, Jude, yes, we love a man that begs 🙂↕️🙂↕️
4.5⭐️
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the earc. 🫶
4.5⭐️
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the earc. 🫶
December 24, 2025
The comparison with Divine Rivals and A Study in Drowning feels really accurate, these three books could definitely be a subgenre of their own 🖤
The Sacred Space Between is slow paced, with an atypical plot and character driven for sure.
While the story happens in a fantasy world, it’s an interesting exploration of religious trauma and the disillusionment with the church, narrated through the eyes of two characters who grew up under the influence and indoctrination of the Abbey, the religious institution in this fantasy world.
I can see how the message from the book will resonate with some readers. I don’t personally feel a connection with the struggle of the characters but I can appreciate the message and the exploration the author does on these topics (guilt, loss of faith, disillusionment with the church).
The mysterious and foreboding atmosphere was one of my favorite aspects, the author succeeds in painting the bleak picture of the isolated house on the moors, that perfectly reflects the inner turmoil the characters are going though.
That said, I wasn’t sold on the romance. The slow burn and the yearning were really good, but I wasn’t convinced by how fast these two people who hated each other suddenly started to feel attraction and fell in love. The spice was believable and well written, although it felt like it was added as an afterthought.
Many scenes and parts of the story were confusing, and I was never sure if this was sloppy writing or it was intentional, to represent the consequences of the loss of memory on the characters.
Despite my misgivings, this is a solid debut that will resonate with many readers. I'll be on the lookout for this author's future work!
Thanks to HarperVoyager via NetGalley for providing an eARC
The Sacred Space Between is slow paced, with an atypical plot and character driven for sure.
While the story happens in a fantasy world, it’s an interesting exploration of religious trauma and the disillusionment with the church, narrated through the eyes of two characters who grew up under the influence and indoctrination of the Abbey, the religious institution in this fantasy world.
I can see how the message from the book will resonate with some readers. I don’t personally feel a connection with the struggle of the characters but I can appreciate the message and the exploration the author does on these topics (guilt, loss of faith, disillusionment with the church).
The mysterious and foreboding atmosphere was one of my favorite aspects, the author succeeds in painting the bleak picture of the isolated house on the moors, that perfectly reflects the inner turmoil the characters are going though.
That said, I wasn’t sold on the romance. The slow burn and the yearning were really good, but I wasn’t convinced by how fast these two people who hated each other suddenly started to feel attraction and fell in love. The spice was believable and well written, although it felt like it was added as an afterthought.
Many scenes and parts of the story were confusing, and I was never sure if this was sloppy writing or it was intentional, to represent the consequences of the loss of memory on the characters.
Despite my misgivings, this is a solid debut that will resonate with many readers. I'll be on the lookout for this author's future work!
Thanks to HarperVoyager via NetGalley for providing an eARC
December 13, 2025
A surprisingly good romantasy with a divine slow burn
November 22, 2025
2 to 2.5 stars
This book had no business being 400 pages long 🫠
My main issue with this book is that there was zero world building and the romance was very ok and overly drawn out. The ending felt really rushed too.
And yes, there is yearning, but it’s just there to draw out the plot and does barely anything for the actual romance. It was yearning without substance.
If you enjoy Rachel Gillig’s works (which I do not) you will like this as it follows her same pattern: medival-ish fantasy setting, characters talking like modern teens, and a mystery you can solve and figure out right away.
This book had no business being 400 pages long 🫠
My main issue with this book is that there was zero world building and the romance was very ok and overly drawn out. The ending felt really rushed too.
And yes, there is yearning, but it’s just there to draw out the plot and does barely anything for the actual romance. It was yearning without substance.
If you enjoy Rachel Gillig’s works (which I do not) you will like this as it follows her same pattern: medival-ish fantasy setting, characters talking like modern teens, and a mystery you can solve and figure out right away.
September 29, 2025
Thank you to the Publisher HarperCollins UK for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Devout Iconographer Maeve has been sent to paint an icon of exiled Saint Jude, Jude is a Saint with dangerous magic and the Abbey wants Maeve to spy on him. Suspecting Maeve is a spy Jude makes it his mission to get rid of Maeve as quickly as possible, until he discovers she has the same cursed magic that he has and that Maeve may hold the key to destroying the Abbey for good. But the Abbey is always watching and the one thing the Abbey loves more than a Saint is a Martyr.
Oh god where to start with this book, this beautiful book broke my heart in several places, only to stitch it back together at the end. Before you delve into this book, please read the trigger warnings, there are lots of dark themes and if you are sensitive to those then this is not a book for you. That being said while this book has lots of dark themes, it’s ultimately a book about healing and strength as the main characters are really put through the wringer in this book. I loved Maeve and Jude, two tortured souls who have out through some much but it brings them together, what I loved most about this book was that they didn’t come out of the events unscathed. They were scarred and battered, I found this to be very realistic, as people don’t come out of painful events all shiny and brand new. As we get further into the story the more that is revealed about what is going on with the Abbey and their sinister intentions, how they use up and spit out people like Jude and Maeve. I really loved this book and I think the characters will stay with me long after I turned the last page. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book, 5 stars from me.
Devout Iconographer Maeve has been sent to paint an icon of exiled Saint Jude, Jude is a Saint with dangerous magic and the Abbey wants Maeve to spy on him. Suspecting Maeve is a spy Jude makes it his mission to get rid of Maeve as quickly as possible, until he discovers she has the same cursed magic that he has and that Maeve may hold the key to destroying the Abbey for good. But the Abbey is always watching and the one thing the Abbey loves more than a Saint is a Martyr.
Oh god where to start with this book, this beautiful book broke my heart in several places, only to stitch it back together at the end. Before you delve into this book, please read the trigger warnings, there are lots of dark themes and if you are sensitive to those then this is not a book for you. That being said while this book has lots of dark themes, it’s ultimately a book about healing and strength as the main characters are really put through the wringer in this book. I loved Maeve and Jude, two tortured souls who have out through some much but it brings them together, what I loved most about this book was that they didn’t come out of the events unscathed. They were scarred and battered, I found this to be very realistic, as people don’t come out of painful events all shiny and brand new. As we get further into the story the more that is revealed about what is going on with the Abbey and their sinister intentions, how they use up and spit out people like Jude and Maeve. I really loved this book and I think the characters will stay with me long after I turned the last page. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book, 5 stars from me.
November 4, 2025
Unfortunately, I knew pretty much immediately that even if I enjoyed the content, the writing of THE SACRED SPACE BETWEEN was going to be a stumbling block for me. I found it to be both overwritten, repetitive, and with unclear transitions within scenes. This was consistent throughout the novel, too.
As for the content, well. That didn't quite save things either as I found the concept of memory magic manipulation to be somewhat confusing as a conflict because of how it was or wasn't used. And conversely, a lot of things felt very obvious despite the vague machinations of it all.
In terms of the romance? Sadly as we see with too many enemies to lovers tropes, the switch is just too quick. It's mostly telling and not showing. And I just didn't buy it.
And finally, the ending. The big climax. I just.. much like with one element of the romance, things got dragged out forever, and it was just agonizing and frustrating, only for things to end how they did. Which was without any satisfaction at all.
This is a debut and while there was nothing in here that inspired any dramatic dislike or hate (though the winding up the end really did test me), I'm just not sure there was enough in the potential here that would inspire me pick this author up again. For me, the best bit was the title.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
As for the content, well. That didn't quite save things either as I found the concept of memory magic manipulation to be somewhat confusing as a conflict because of how it was or wasn't used. And conversely, a lot of things felt very obvious despite the vague machinations of it all.
In terms of the romance? Sadly as we see with too many enemies to lovers tropes, the switch is just too quick. It's mostly telling and not showing. And I just didn't buy it.
And finally, the ending. The big climax. I just.. much like with one element of the romance, things got dragged out forever, and it was just agonizing and frustrating, only for things to end how they did. Which was without any satisfaction at all.
This is a debut and while there was nothing in here that inspired any dramatic dislike or hate (though the winding up the end really did test me), I'm just not sure there was enough in the potential here that would inspire me pick this author up again. For me, the best bit was the title.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
August 7, 2025
Well first off I was the first person on planet earth to read this book. So there you go.
It was a sensational journey through worldbuilding I couldn’t have imagined. It’s heartfelt, exciting, and human, with depth and care that Kalie seems to be able to write at the drop of a hat. Phenomenal author, phenomenal book, phenomenal person.
It was a sensational journey through worldbuilding I couldn’t have imagined. It’s heartfelt, exciting, and human, with depth and care that Kalie seems to be able to write at the drop of a hat. Phenomenal author, phenomenal book, phenomenal person.
December 19, 2025
🌌 soundtrack 🌌
florence + the machine - st. jude
boygenius - stay down
taylor swift, bon iver - exile
spectral tilt - water
giant rooks - chapels
sufjan stevens - no shade in the shadow of the cross
hozier - take me to church
florence + the machine - prayer factory
fleet foxes - quiet air/gioia
frightened rabbit, julien baker - how it gets in
flyte - never get to heaven
hozier - foreigner's god
julien baker - faith healer
the national - graceless
fleet foxes - can i believe you
waxahatchee - recite remorse
julien baker - televangelist
lucy dacus - body to flame
lizzy mcalpine - pushing it down and praying
florence + the machine - the old religion
birdy - shelter
coldplay - o
tom odell - heal
amber run - amen
sufjan stevens, angelo de augustine - it's your own body and mind
fleet foxes - i'm not my season
florence + the machine - no choir
✨️ my thoughts ✨️
when i say i want my romantasy a certain way, this is exactly what i'm talking about !! what a beautiful story full of yearning, tenderness and healing.
this was pitched as "divine rivals" meets "a study in drowning" and while i haven't read DR i can totally see the comparison to ASID (lol sorry for the acronyms). old crumbling houses, stormy hills, mysterious libraries, all delivered through lush, descriptive writing - the vibes really were immaculate. also really really loved the fact that maeve is a painter, and the way she sees the world - with a strong focus on her surroundings, their colors and textures - really bleeds into her POV.
as one can guess from the blurb, there's also a strong theme of religion and religious trauma running through this book, and i liked how these topics were approached. i wasn't raised religious but i was always drawn to stories that dealt with this subject, and this was no exception. i especially liked how this made a point to differentiate between belief and corrupt institutions using said belief for their own gain - it's clear that this is an important matter to the author and it was handled with great care.
now on to the romance !! and man did i love the dynamic between maeve and jude. they complimented each other so well. it's the slowest of slow burns, which only makes sense for these characters. if well-executed, this is probably my favourite trope in romance: two lonely, isolated people slowly learning to trust one another and to help each other heal at their own pace. and these two did not disappoint in that regard. i absolutely loved witnessing their first fragile bond become stronger and stronger. especially jude and his backstory really got to me and it was beautiful to see him slowly move towards a better place.
i gotta say there were a few things that keep me from rating this 5 stars, the biggest one being the worldbuilding and the side characters. i would've loved to get a better grasp on this world, on the magic system, on the abbey and on their motives, but it all stayed very muddled and vague. memories in general really fascinate me, so a magic system that utilizes and manipulates memory is so interesting to me, but unfortunately i found it a bit lacking in the end. same goes for the characters aside from maeve and jude, who all held potential (especially elden) but ultimately fell a bit flat. i also struggled with the pacing from time to time, plus there's a certain reveal at the end that feels a bit forced and overly construed but oh well.
that being said, i still had an overall lovely time with this and have now found another rare romantasy where the romance worked really well for me !! if you like immaculate gothic atmosphere, themes of spirituality and overcoming religious trauma and a sweet, tender romance that takes its time and is full of mutual pining, then i can't recommend this enough !! also there is a cat :)
✨️
a big thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC!
florence + the machine - st. jude
boygenius - stay down
taylor swift, bon iver - exile
spectral tilt - water
giant rooks - chapels
sufjan stevens - no shade in the shadow of the cross
hozier - take me to church
florence + the machine - prayer factory
fleet foxes - quiet air/gioia
frightened rabbit, julien baker - how it gets in
flyte - never get to heaven
hozier - foreigner's god
julien baker - faith healer
the national - graceless
fleet foxes - can i believe you
waxahatchee - recite remorse
julien baker - televangelist
lucy dacus - body to flame
lizzy mcalpine - pushing it down and praying
florence + the machine - the old religion
birdy - shelter
coldplay - o
tom odell - heal
amber run - amen
sufjan stevens, angelo de augustine - it's your own body and mind
fleet foxes - i'm not my season
florence + the machine - no choir
✨️ my thoughts ✨️
when i say i want my romantasy a certain way, this is exactly what i'm talking about !! what a beautiful story full of yearning, tenderness and healing.
this was pitched as "divine rivals" meets "a study in drowning" and while i haven't read DR i can totally see the comparison to ASID (lol sorry for the acronyms). old crumbling houses, stormy hills, mysterious libraries, all delivered through lush, descriptive writing - the vibes really were immaculate. also really really loved the fact that maeve is a painter, and the way she sees the world - with a strong focus on her surroundings, their colors and textures - really bleeds into her POV.
as one can guess from the blurb, there's also a strong theme of religion and religious trauma running through this book, and i liked how these topics were approached. i wasn't raised religious but i was always drawn to stories that dealt with this subject, and this was no exception. i especially liked how this made a point to differentiate between belief and corrupt institutions using said belief for their own gain - it's clear that this is an important matter to the author and it was handled with great care.
now on to the romance !! and man did i love the dynamic between maeve and jude. they complimented each other so well. it's the slowest of slow burns, which only makes sense for these characters. if well-executed, this is probably my favourite trope in romance: two lonely, isolated people slowly learning to trust one another and to help each other heal at their own pace. and these two did not disappoint in that regard. i absolutely loved witnessing their first fragile bond become stronger and stronger. especially jude and his backstory really got to me and it was beautiful to see him slowly move towards a better place.
i gotta say there were a few things that keep me from rating this 5 stars, the biggest one being the worldbuilding and the side characters. i would've loved to get a better grasp on this world, on the magic system, on the abbey and on their motives, but it all stayed very muddled and vague. memories in general really fascinate me, so a magic system that utilizes and manipulates memory is so interesting to me, but unfortunately i found it a bit lacking in the end. same goes for the characters aside from maeve and jude, who all held potential (especially elden) but ultimately fell a bit flat. i also struggled with the pacing from time to time, plus there's a certain reveal at the end that feels a bit forced and overly construed but oh well.
that being said, i still had an overall lovely time with this and have now found another rare romantasy where the romance worked really well for me !! if you like immaculate gothic atmosphere, themes of spirituality and overcoming religious trauma and a sweet, tender romance that takes its time and is full of mutual pining, then i can't recommend this enough !! also there is a cat :)
✨️
a big thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC!
November 13, 2025
"But, as he looked at Maeve, he realised he was not so very far from the boy he had once been. Urged to worship the closest thing to divinity he’d ever seen."
Where do I even start? This was an astounding, truly unique and haunting debut novel that left me feeling unmoored whilst reading, but also a book that very much demanded to be felt.
It broke my heart in all the best ways.
The Sacred Space Between follows our main female protagonist (FMC) Maeve, in her early twenties, who is a devout iconographer sent to paint Jude, an exiled saint and "spy" on him for the Abbey. She has been told that he has corrupted his sacred ability to answer prayers, which he has been blessed with...As Maeve--the complete opposite of dissident, lonely and angry Jude-- starts to get to know him, she is quick to discover that the Abbey, an institution she has believed in and dedicated her whole life to, is not as benevolent as she was made to believe...As dark secrets become uncovered and the stolen memory magic at the heart of the Abbey's corruption is brought to light, Maeve and Jude must work together to destroy the Abbey's influence once and for all...
Maeve and Jude are fantastic characters, both equally complex and completely isolated with their own missing or rather, "stolen" memories haunting them. They both are completely broken and tortured souls who have suffered immense abuse and suffering at the heart of the Abbey--Jude in particular. This story was made all the more real and heart wrenching with each page and chapter and new discovery. I was entranced, even though the book was a slow start for the first 100 pages while simultaneously being confusing throughout as Maeve and Jude both have "stolen" memories they are trying to recover. However, no part of this novel was boring nor did I feel as if it dragged or was too long. The atmosphere created the perfect sense of mystery and unease while the romance was exquisite. This book is how you write a proper romantasy that is so full of yearning and raw vulnerability with two very guarded, lonely and damaged people learning to discover love with each other. It was nothing short of beautiful, the kind of romance that makes you ache.
This was a 5 star read for me and a book that was truly wholeheartedly refreshing in its originality. With that being said, I will say that some of the world building and the magic system could’ve been better explained. However, it was nonetheless super unique!
Please check the content warnings as this is a somewhat dark book dealing with themes of physical child abuse, religious abuse and violence, discussion of past self harm, fire, abandonment, emotional abuse and sexual content. The sexual content was devastatingly romantic, full of passion and deep yearning. Ultimately this is a book about survival and healing and finding strength and hope even when it seems like there isn't any to be found...
"It was selfish, maybe. Taking what wasn't his. But he didn't want to miss a single one of her heartbeats, not when they aligned with his. She was safe in his arms; he wouldn't let her drown."
Where do I even start? This was an astounding, truly unique and haunting debut novel that left me feeling unmoored whilst reading, but also a book that very much demanded to be felt.
It broke my heart in all the best ways.
The Sacred Space Between follows our main female protagonist (FMC) Maeve, in her early twenties, who is a devout iconographer sent to paint Jude, an exiled saint and "spy" on him for the Abbey. She has been told that he has corrupted his sacred ability to answer prayers, which he has been blessed with...As Maeve--the complete opposite of dissident, lonely and angry Jude-- starts to get to know him, she is quick to discover that the Abbey, an institution she has believed in and dedicated her whole life to, is not as benevolent as she was made to believe...As dark secrets become uncovered and the stolen memory magic at the heart of the Abbey's corruption is brought to light, Maeve and Jude must work together to destroy the Abbey's influence once and for all...
Maeve and Jude are fantastic characters, both equally complex and completely isolated with their own missing or rather, "stolen" memories haunting them. They both are completely broken and tortured souls who have suffered immense abuse and suffering at the heart of the Abbey--Jude in particular. This story was made all the more real and heart wrenching with each page and chapter and new discovery. I was entranced, even though the book was a slow start for the first 100 pages while simultaneously being confusing throughout as Maeve and Jude both have "stolen" memories they are trying to recover. However, no part of this novel was boring nor did I feel as if it dragged or was too long. The atmosphere created the perfect sense of mystery and unease while the romance was exquisite. This book is how you write a proper romantasy that is so full of yearning and raw vulnerability with two very guarded, lonely and damaged people learning to discover love with each other. It was nothing short of beautiful, the kind of romance that makes you ache.
This was a 5 star read for me and a book that was truly wholeheartedly refreshing in its originality. With that being said, I will say that some of the world building and the magic system could’ve been better explained. However, it was nonetheless super unique!
Please check the content warnings as this is a somewhat dark book dealing with themes of physical child abuse, religious abuse and violence, discussion of past self harm, fire, abandonment, emotional abuse and sexual content. The sexual content was devastatingly romantic, full of passion and deep yearning. Ultimately this is a book about survival and healing and finding strength and hope even when it seems like there isn't any to be found...
"It was selfish, maybe. Taking what wasn't his. But he didn't want to miss a single one of her heartbeats, not when they aligned with his. She was safe in his arms; he wouldn't let her drown."
August 12, 2025
╰⭑3.5 stars .ᐟ
head in hands. i don't smoke but i need to light a cigarette and stare longingly out into the horizon ben affleck style.
full review soon :)
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperVoyager, and the author for this ARC!
head in hands. i don't smoke but i need to light a cigarette and stare longingly out into the horizon ben affleck style.
full review soon :)
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperVoyager, and the author for this ARC!
January 30, 2025
y'all aren't ready
November 7, 2025
A book just as phenomenal as its cover art. Reid's prose is a hymn in itself.
⚜️Religious Trauma
📜Magic
⚜️Forbidden
📜In every lifetime I'd find you
⚜️Forced Prox
📜High Stakes
Love was this - sacrifice and survival.
This is one of those books that you never want to end. As a standalone it worked perfectly with a rich story and strong character development. The gothic and religious setting/atmosphere was immersive and captivating. I found the world-building to be well explained and fleshed out without becoming overly complex.
Maeve and Jude were deeply complex characters with a multitude of relatable characteristics and personalities. The way their relationship developed and the way they dealt with twists and communicated was refreshing and easy to become submerged in Reid's world. Pain and grief shone through every chapter and this was by far one of the most moving books I have read in a long time.
A book that will stay with me for a long time in a world where silence shields power and questions spark change.
'The Abbey's devotion had bred greed, and greed, where piety failed, had produced a violent focus on nothing but their self-interest.'
Thankyou to the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
⚜️Religious Trauma
📜Magic
⚜️Forbidden
📜In every lifetime I'd find you
⚜️Forced Prox
📜High Stakes
Love was this - sacrifice and survival.
This is one of those books that you never want to end. As a standalone it worked perfectly with a rich story and strong character development. The gothic and religious setting/atmosphere was immersive and captivating. I found the world-building to be well explained and fleshed out without becoming overly complex.
Maeve and Jude were deeply complex characters with a multitude of relatable characteristics and personalities. The way their relationship developed and the way they dealt with twists and communicated was refreshing and easy to become submerged in Reid's world. Pain and grief shone through every chapter and this was by far one of the most moving books I have read in a long time.
A book that will stay with me for a long time in a world where silence shields power and questions spark change.
'The Abbey's devotion had bred greed, and greed, where piety failed, had produced a violent focus on nothing but their self-interest.'
Thankyou to the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2025
What can I say? I’m a sucker for pathetic men on their knees.
4.5 stars, full review to come, I loved loved loved this
—
So I read this book back to back with The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow and while not directly comparable, both of these novels excelled at writing unique characters that I understood immediately, and broke the mold of your typical romance main characters in ways that were just so so refreshing. Jude and Owen would be good friends, I think.
This book is so atmospheric and many world building details are kept back from us, leaving us in the dark much like Maeve and Jude. As a reader, this often makes me wary, because sometimes it feels like this is done as a way to avoid world building entirely but as the mysterious nature of this story unfolds and refolds around our main characters, we we are left just as confused and desperate for answers as they are. The result is book filled with both romantic and narrative tension that kept me on the edge of my seat, and I flew through this in a day and a half. A truly stunning debut, and I can’t wait to read more by this author!
4.5 stars, full review to come, I loved loved loved this
—
So I read this book back to back with The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow and while not directly comparable, both of these novels excelled at writing unique characters that I understood immediately, and broke the mold of your typical romance main characters in ways that were just so so refreshing. Jude and Owen would be good friends, I think.
This book is so atmospheric and many world building details are kept back from us, leaving us in the dark much like Maeve and Jude. As a reader, this often makes me wary, because sometimes it feels like this is done as a way to avoid world building entirely but as the mysterious nature of this story unfolds and refolds around our main characters, we we are left just as confused and desperate for answers as they are. The result is book filled with both romantic and narrative tension that kept me on the edge of my seat, and I flew through this in a day and a half. A truly stunning debut, and I can’t wait to read more by this author!
November 14, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐.75 | 4.75 stars rounded up
HOW IS THIS A DEBUT NOVEL?! I am blown away.
This story is hauntingly beautiful and written excellently. Maeve and Jude are both such complex and endearing characters, and experiencing their journeys, together and individually, was such a treat to read.
The worldbuilding is fantastic. I am very impressed that the author managed to create such a complex and compelling magic system within a very layered plot.
I also really appreciated how the nuanced themes of religious control, abuse, and power are handled in this story. It is very critical of cruel institutions that harm, while also not condemning belief itself.
Jude, Jude, Jude. My yearning king. Maeve and Jude had me absolutely swooning.
Overall, what a gorgeous story of resilience.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the eARC!
HOW IS THIS A DEBUT NOVEL?! I am blown away.
This story is hauntingly beautiful and written excellently. Maeve and Jude are both such complex and endearing characters, and experiencing their journeys, together and individually, was such a treat to read.
The worldbuilding is fantastic. I am very impressed that the author managed to create such a complex and compelling magic system within a very layered plot.
I also really appreciated how the nuanced themes of religious control, abuse, and power are handled in this story. It is very critical of cruel institutions that harm, while also not condemning belief itself.
Jude, Jude, Jude. My yearning king. Maeve and Jude had me absolutely swooning.
Overall, what a gorgeous story of resilience.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the eARC!
October 13, 2025
"The vision in front of him had haunted him recently in the dark space where his dreams ought to be."What a stunning, stunning debut novel by Kalie Reid. I somehow won an ARC through the Goodreads giveaways (it can be done!!!) and am honored to have gotten my copy from Little, Brown and Company.
I have said it before, and I will say it again, but diving into the twisted world of religion always does it for me, especially when it is done so meticulously and respectfully as Reid has done here. We see all sides of the theocracy: how it's torn Jude to pieces, how it's given Maeve meaning, and how it's influenced the lives of the pilgrims and devout around them. And what I expected to be an explosion when Jude, an exiled saint, meets the painter of saints, or iconographer, Maeve, ended up being a slow steeping of fear, revelation, bravery, and belief in one another.
As for Jude and Meave, what a wonderful set of main characters. Their dual POV strengthens the sympathy we have for each character, showcasing their journeys perfectly as their parallel lives start to deviate and intersect with one another. I thought the romance was blooming too quickly, but I should have trusted Reid since she handles it beautifully. Trust and communication is a critical theme for all of Reid's characters, and she does not waste any ink.
I highly recommend this novel. For a standalone, it feels resolutely complete, and while I will miss these characters, I am glad I simply got to witness their rise to true devotion.
Song I appreciated whilst reading this: "Who We Are" by Hozier.
November 10, 2025
Interesting concept but it was just…. boring. Also kinda confusing? I had no idea how the magic system worked or what it even was honestly.
October 12, 2025
i really tried my best to continue with this but something really wasn’t working for me so i dnf’ed around 40%. nothing gripped me enough to hold my attention. the characters felt bland and lacked depth and so did the story and world, it also suffered from pacing issues especially at the start.
thank you netgalley for providing me with this arc.
thank you netgalley for providing me with this arc.
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