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Where You'll Find Us
A profound, beautifully written and deeply moving YA novel about trans identity, queer history and found family with a high concept hook – from the critically acclaimed author of If Tomorrow Doesn't Come, for fans of We Are Okay and They Both Die at the End.
Calla Quick has no future.
At least, that’s how it feels. Her parents disowned her via text message, and now she can’t afford to go to an all-women’s college with her girlfriend Ramona like they planned.
But Calla wonders if maybe that’s for the best―because even though Calla told Ramona her parents disowned her because they found out she’s gay, the truth is, Calla has been questioning whether she’s a girl at all. Calla wishes she had more time to figure everything out, and one night, her wish is seemingly granted.
When Calla and Ramona stumble upon a mysterious farmhouse the woods, they meet five teens who claim they’ve lived there for decades. The land, which they call Amaranth, acts as a safe haven for queer kids throughout history―a place free of hate, free of violence, free of time itself. Here, Calla can be Cal and use they/them pronouns, and they feel instantly accepted.
They don’t have to worry about the future because at Amaranth, it will never come―until one night when the clock strikes twelve.
Now under a literal ticking clock, the housemates must find a way to stop time again or face going back to their harsh realities, but as Cal learns everyone’s story, they begin to wonder what queer people lose when their history is lost to time.
Calla Quick has no future.
At least, that’s how it feels. Her parents disowned her via text message, and now she can’t afford to go to an all-women’s college with her girlfriend Ramona like they planned.
But Calla wonders if maybe that’s for the best―because even though Calla told Ramona her parents disowned her because they found out she’s gay, the truth is, Calla has been questioning whether she’s a girl at all. Calla wishes she had more time to figure everything out, and one night, her wish is seemingly granted.
When Calla and Ramona stumble upon a mysterious farmhouse the woods, they meet five teens who claim they’ve lived there for decades. The land, which they call Amaranth, acts as a safe haven for queer kids throughout history―a place free of hate, free of violence, free of time itself. Here, Calla can be Cal and use they/them pronouns, and they feel instantly accepted.
They don’t have to worry about the future because at Amaranth, it will never come―until one night when the clock strikes twelve.
Now under a literal ticking clock, the housemates must find a way to stop time again or face going back to their harsh realities, but as Cal learns everyone’s story, they begin to wonder what queer people lose when their history is lost to time.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Jen St. Jude
2 books340 followersJen St. Jude (they/them) is the author of If Tomorrow Doesn't Come and Where You'll Find Us. They live near Chicago with people (and an old dog) they love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
June 17, 2026
Oh how I waited for this book. It did not disappoint. Calla Quick is a star at their all-girls high school, captain of the field hockey team, popular, and dating another a-lister, Ramona. Everything is rosey except for the fact that Calla is sure that they’re trans and things must change. At prom, everything comes to a head. When Ramona and Calla take a walk to talk and a storm hits, they suddenly find themselves in a hidden enclave in the woods with a group of young Queer people from different eras, Abe, from the 1950’s, Kio, a Japanese American from WW2, Ambrosia and Lionel from the 1990’s, and Sunshine, from the early 1900’s.
It’s a special feeling as a reader when a book takes you somewhere new. This story is magical in all the right ways, Amaranth is both refuge and a reckoning. What I love best about the book are the individual journeys of the characters. Regardless of the year of their birth, each person is looking to find their place in the world knowing the world doesn’t want them back. The author does a wonderful job of writing each person’s story both past and present, both devastating and a vital pathway to authenticity. As Cal comes to terms with their feelings and most of all, finds the words to share who they are with Ramona and the rest of Amaranth, it’s an immensely powerful moment. The book is steeped in honesty.
I also enjoyed the fantastical elements of the story like never ending feasts and colorful forests. Plus a loyal dog named Dash. The ending had me crying because found family can save you like no other.
I recommend for readers who appreciate great stories filled with wonder and the search for self, found family, magical elements, finding love wherever it might be, and believing that tomorrow will be better. Top notch narration by Allegra Verlezza.
It’s a special feeling as a reader when a book takes you somewhere new. This story is magical in all the right ways, Amaranth is both refuge and a reckoning. What I love best about the book are the individual journeys of the characters. Regardless of the year of their birth, each person is looking to find their place in the world knowing the world doesn’t want them back. The author does a wonderful job of writing each person’s story both past and present, both devastating and a vital pathway to authenticity. As Cal comes to terms with their feelings and most of all, finds the words to share who they are with Ramona and the rest of Amaranth, it’s an immensely powerful moment. The book is steeped in honesty.
I also enjoyed the fantastical elements of the story like never ending feasts and colorful forests. Plus a loyal dog named Dash. The ending had me crying because found family can save you like no other.
I recommend for readers who appreciate great stories filled with wonder and the search for self, found family, magical elements, finding love wherever it might be, and believing that tomorrow will be better. Top notch narration by Allegra Verlezza.
June 22, 2026
I think this is the most beautiful queer book that I’ve ever read. The concept of Amaranth was so well thought out. And as Kelly Quindlen’s quote (on the cover) said, it truly is a tender love letter to queer people across the ages.
June 4, 2026
Ok well. I just moved for the first time in 5 hours, and it was to wipe the onslaught of tears streaming down my face, courtesy of this beautiful book.
One trillion stars. No notes. Could not recommend more. Read it.
One trillion stars. No notes. Could not recommend more. Read it.
June 14, 2026
Warm, kind, and quietly funny. Filled with queer hope.
June 11, 2026
Google, can I sue a book for emotional distress? NO AI!!!
June 24, 2026
OH. MY. GOD. This was absolutely stunning. I don't even have words at the moment to describe just how much so. I wanted to wrap every single character in just the biggest hug and the ending was just absolutely beautiful and completely devestating. Definitely one of my favorite books I've read this year.
October 15, 2025
a queer classic in the making—beautiful, devastating, and so very hopeful. my heart is full!
August 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for providing an ARC of this title. All opinions are my own.
I had a feeling going in that I was going to love this book, but even as I felt predisposed to like it, I was startled by the extent to which it moved me.
This is, at its core, a story about time--how there's never enough of it, how the one you're born into can seem like the wrong one, and how it can feel like both the enemy and the thing you want more of more than anything else in all the world. The residents of Amaranth are there because they're fleeing the problems of their own eras, but those problems are staggering and sometimes life-threatening--as in the case of Lionel and Ambrosia, two teens from the 90s who are HIV-positive and cannot get access to either meds or clinical trials, and for whom a return to their own time would almost certainly constitute a death sentence. Cal, the main character, isn't running from anything as immediately life-threatening as that, but they're at a crossroads in their life where no choices seem like the right ones, and every potential path forward feels like it comes at a cost of who they are. The opportunity to stay a while in a place where time has stopped, with a queer community who understands them intimately in a way the world at large isn't able to, is seductive in a way that I understood deeply.
St. Jude (whose previous book, If Tomorrow Doesn't Come, was also magnificent) juggles big discussions of gender and queer history in a way that's both accessible and informative, and I appreciated the lack of villainous characters--Cal's girlfriend, Ramona, is one of the reasons they're afraid to reveal they aren't a girl, since they know it would mean the end of the relationship; I was pleased that St. Jude didn't go the angle of making Ramona a transphobe who rejects Cal because of their trans identity, as it made for a more satisfying, richer story about all the kinds of love in the queer community. And maybe that's what I loved most about this book: it is just so, so brimful of love of every kind. Romantic love, friendship, love for your found family, and for the queer community at every point in history. Not all that ashamed to say that I was fighting for my life by the end of this book--I was on an Amtrak reading the last few chapters and really, really struggling not to bawl in front of all the commuters. Highly, highly recommend.
I had a feeling going in that I was going to love this book, but even as I felt predisposed to like it, I was startled by the extent to which it moved me.
This is, at its core, a story about time--how there's never enough of it, how the one you're born into can seem like the wrong one, and how it can feel like both the enemy and the thing you want more of more than anything else in all the world. The residents of Amaranth are there because they're fleeing the problems of their own eras, but those problems are staggering and sometimes life-threatening--as in the case of Lionel and Ambrosia, two teens from the 90s who are HIV-positive and cannot get access to either meds or clinical trials, and for whom a return to their own time would almost certainly constitute a death sentence. Cal, the main character, isn't running from anything as immediately life-threatening as that, but they're at a crossroads in their life where no choices seem like the right ones, and every potential path forward feels like it comes at a cost of who they are. The opportunity to stay a while in a place where time has stopped, with a queer community who understands them intimately in a way the world at large isn't able to, is seductive in a way that I understood deeply.
St. Jude (whose previous book, If Tomorrow Doesn't Come, was also magnificent) juggles big discussions of gender and queer history in a way that's both accessible and informative, and I appreciated the lack of villainous characters--Cal's girlfriend, Ramona, is one of the reasons they're afraid to reveal they aren't a girl, since they know it would mean the end of the relationship; I was pleased that St. Jude didn't go the angle of making Ramona a transphobe who rejects Cal because of their trans identity, as it made for a more satisfying, richer story about all the kinds of love in the queer community. And maybe that's what I loved most about this book: it is just so, so brimful of love of every kind. Romantic love, friendship, love for your found family, and for the queer community at every point in history. Not all that ashamed to say that I was fighting for my life by the end of this book--I was on an Amtrak reading the last few chapters and really, really struggling not to bawl in front of all the commuters. Highly, highly recommend.
June 30, 2026
crying my eyes out at 1am because of this beautiful beautiful book. definitely one of my top 5 books, ever.
June 16, 2026
I’m so grateful I read this book. It offers a powerful perspective that challenged me to think differently and deepened my empathy. I walked away having learned something meaningful, and I believe it has the potential to resonate with anyone navigating questions of identity or searching for a greater sense of understanding and belonging.
June 2, 2026
This book and I, we went on a rollercoaster because there were so many parts that I did not enjoy but also parts that I really loved and I was so close of dnfing because I really struggled with the pace of the story and the characters.
But safe to say that Jen St. Jude made me cry my eyes out all over again.
But let’s start with the idea itself. I LOVED the idea of the book. Imagine being at a safe place where other queer people greet you and you can stay as long as you like wouldn’t you want that too? Because this world treats us like absolute shit so id definitely go there too. The magical twist is that the other characters are from the past and kind of stuck in there since time doesn’t exist at that house which makes it even cooler. Living at this safe place forever.
But boy did I struggle with the characters. It didn’t feel like a safe place to me because they’re were kinda really mean to Cal throughout the book and I still wonder how these people really became friends over time. Especially Ambroisa WHO WAS REALLY KEEN ON STEALING RAMONA from Cal just saying?!!! At the same time the author also started another romance story for Cal and it felt just too much for me within this short time that the characters shared with each other. Especially that Ramona and Cal were still a couple at that time.. idk it felt very icky for me. So yeah I wasn’t fond of the found family trope in this book .
The ending kinda saved the book for me a bit because otherwise I would’ve given the book 2 stars. The characters kinda made up WHICH WAS LONG OVERDUE
and for the first time I had the impression that these people could actually become friends.
And then the real ending came and hit me because obviously it had to be heartbreaking again. God this is such a unique book with so much potential that wasn’t used unfortunately. I do hope that many more people will pick up this book ( and if tomorrow doesn’t come ) because Jen St. Jude has the talent and the ability to write the most magical, beautiful & heartbreaking stories that the world has seen. I really really loved their writing style. Can’t wait for their next work.
But safe to say that Jen St. Jude made me cry my eyes out all over again.
But let’s start with the idea itself. I LOVED the idea of the book. Imagine being at a safe place where other queer people greet you and you can stay as long as you like wouldn’t you want that too? Because this world treats us like absolute shit so id definitely go there too. The magical twist is that the other characters are from the past and kind of stuck in there since time doesn’t exist at that house which makes it even cooler. Living at this safe place forever.
But boy did I struggle with the characters. It didn’t feel like a safe place to me because they’re were kinda really mean to Cal throughout the book and I still wonder how these people really became friends over time. Especially Ambroisa WHO WAS REALLY KEEN ON STEALING RAMONA from Cal just saying?!!! At the same time the author also started another romance story for Cal and it felt just too much for me within this short time that the characters shared with each other. Especially that Ramona and Cal were still a couple at that time.. idk it felt very icky for me. So yeah I wasn’t fond of the found family trope in this book .
The ending kinda saved the book for me a bit because otherwise I would’ve given the book 2 stars. The characters kinda made up WHICH WAS LONG OVERDUE
and for the first time I had the impression that these people could actually become friends.
And then the real ending came and hit me because obviously it had to be heartbreaking again. God this is such a unique book with so much potential that wasn’t used unfortunately. I do hope that many more people will pick up this book ( and if tomorrow doesn’t come ) because Jen St. Jude has the talent and the ability to write the most magical, beautiful & heartbreaking stories that the world has seen. I really really loved their writing style. Can’t wait for their next work.
June 24, 2026
wtf Jen, I’m crying so hard.
This is their second book I’ve read, and while “If Tomorrow Won’t Come” was a good book, this was just phenomenal 😭
Cal is trans, or non binary, they think. They don’t know and know they’re not a girl.
But when their parents kick them out of the house, and they have to live with their girlfriend, the gender dysphoria builds up until prom, when they break down when their girlfriend announces they can actually go with her to an all-girls college since she collected the funds for them.
And then Cal breaks away, and they run off, and their girlfriend runs after them when both of them find themselves lost in the woods, and they find a strange, out-of-time house for queer kids.
There, they find more about themselves, the meaning of family, and, surprisingly, how to cook.
So if you want a heartwarming and fun (yet angsty) (cause cal is a teenager) magical realism story with found family and a lot of queer history - this is the book for you!
Thank you, Libro.FM for the advanced listening copy. Ily guys.
This is their second book I’ve read, and while “If Tomorrow Won’t Come” was a good book, this was just phenomenal 😭
Cal is trans, or non binary, they think. They don’t know and know they’re not a girl.
But when their parents kick them out of the house, and they have to live with their girlfriend, the gender dysphoria builds up until prom, when they break down when their girlfriend announces they can actually go with her to an all-girls college since she collected the funds for them.
And then Cal breaks away, and they run off, and their girlfriend runs after them when both of them find themselves lost in the woods, and they find a strange, out-of-time house for queer kids.
There, they find more about themselves, the meaning of family, and, surprisingly, how to cook.
So if you want a heartwarming and fun (yet angsty) (cause cal is a teenager) magical realism story with found family and a lot of queer history - this is the book for you!
Thank you, Libro.FM for the advanced listening copy. Ily guys.
Did Not Finish
June 4, 2026Soft dnf 25%
Something is just not clicking for me with this right now.
A lot of the reviews sound like the back half really makes it a great story but I’m really dragging to get through this beginning
Feel free to convince be to pick this back up
Something is just not clicking for me with this right now.
A lot of the reviews sound like the back half really makes it a great story but I’m really dragging to get through this beginning
Feel free to convince be to pick this back up
June 9, 2026
a mix of cozy (a magical house in its own pocket universe outside of time that shelters queer teens who need it and provides magical baked goods etc.) and trauma (because the teens, who come from different times in the 20th century, need shelter badly).
June 21, 2026
Oh how I love you my unexpected time book. I love time!! By the end of it I was weeping tears of joy for who/what was still there but also for who/what we lost. This was beautiful.
July 4, 2026
4.5 rounded; this book made me feel a way i haven't felt in a long time. i felt like i was teleported back to 2014 when queer instagram spam pages existed and queer teens thrived in their own online spaces. this book felt like a safe space. i think that every queer teen looking for their place in the world should read this book.
June 3, 2026
ok honestly i think this book really changed my perspective on trans and a lot of the fear the face with coming out to their loved ones and i really think that shows the importance of reading diversely and going out of your way to read stories about marginalised people as not only it helps you learn more and open your perspectives but you will be exposed to so many more beautiful stories !!
in the first half of the book, i honestly did not like calla and kinda struggled to see their perspective. i was really sympathetic to ramona and her emotions and as the book went on i feel like both me and her had lot of our thoughts broken down and just realised a lot more from Cal’s perspective and it was just beautiful. also every other characters story was incredible and their stories so well interweaved and told and just reading about how queer and trans people were treated throughout history is always hard but these characters were so beautiful ! anyway i highly HIGHLY recommend this beautiful novel to EVERYONE because we need to be reading more books with trans main characters and hearing their stories 💗
in the first half of the book, i honestly did not like calla and kinda struggled to see their perspective. i was really sympathetic to ramona and her emotions and as the book went on i feel like both me and her had lot of our thoughts broken down and just realised a lot more from Cal’s perspective and it was just beautiful. also every other characters story was incredible and their stories so well interweaved and told and just reading about how queer and trans people were treated throughout history is always hard but these characters were so beautiful ! anyway i highly HIGHLY recommend this beautiful novel to EVERYONE because we need to be reading more books with trans main characters and hearing their stories 💗
June 18, 2026
✨Book Review✨
This was such a great read! Calla is feeling lost when her parents disowned her. Her plans for the future are gone. Now Calla is left wondering if she is even a girl at all and wishes she has time to figure it all out. One stormy night leads Calla and Ramona to a farmhouse for shelter where they meet people stuck in time. Throughout the book we get to learn about the past and how these characters come to be at the house.
This story really pulled my heart strings. I felt for each of these characters. It was beautifully written! The chapters are short so I found myself flying through this book. Def pick it up.
Thank you to @bloomsburybooksus for the gifted physical book!
This was such a great read! Calla is feeling lost when her parents disowned her. Her plans for the future are gone. Now Calla is left wondering if she is even a girl at all and wishes she has time to figure it all out. One stormy night leads Calla and Ramona to a farmhouse for shelter where they meet people stuck in time. Throughout the book we get to learn about the past and how these characters come to be at the house.
This story really pulled my heart strings. I felt for each of these characters. It was beautifully written! The chapters are short so I found myself flying through this book. Def pick it up.
Thank you to @bloomsburybooksus for the gifted physical book!
August 2, 2026
5/5 This was queer. This was cute. This was authentic. This was historical. This was memorable. This was touching. This was relatable. This was perfection.
I loved every bit from start to finish and was able to really connect with Cal. The story from every single character was moving and I shed a tear more than once. If this story reminded me of one thing it’s that us queer people; we exist, we have existed and we will continue to exist no matter what other people think or if they try to erase our existence. We have the right to exist, shine and be our true selves just as much as every other being in this universe. Nobody can dim our light.
I loved every bit from start to finish and was able to really connect with Cal. The story from every single character was moving and I shed a tear more than once. If this story reminded me of one thing it’s that us queer people; we exist, we have existed and we will continue to exist no matter what other people think or if they try to erase our existence. We have the right to exist, shine and be our true selves just as much as every other being in this universe. Nobody can dim our light.
July 29, 2026
This may just be the most beautiful book I’ve read, not just in its prose but in everything it is. The way it honours history, community, and the way we as queer people show up for and connect with each other across space and time…this book is an absolute blessing.
July 20, 2026
Touching, affirming, relatable. Less angsty than many YA. Creative and surprising. I just loved it.
July 16, 2026
No spoilers, but the ending of this book took it from good to great. I would have gladly read a whole book about any of these characters individually, but it was also fantastic to see how they all interacted with each other.
July 3, 2026
*3,5
Even though I didn't quite love this the way I loved their debut, If Tomorrow Doesn't Come, Jen St. Jude still owns my heart. I'm already so excited to read whatever they give us next!! 🫶
Even though I didn't quite love this the way I loved their debut, If Tomorrow Doesn't Come, Jen St. Jude still owns my heart. I'm already so excited to read whatever they give us next!! 🫶
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
“What is family if not the people who help you survive the world, love yourself, and when it’s time… let go?”
Where You’ll Find Us is a whimsical fever dream; a cross between the queer history and lifesaving found family of It’s A Sin, meshed with the escapism and timeline magic of Narnia
This book is an ode to the safe spaces queer people have made for each other throughout history, even in the darkest of times. It is proof that in every lifetime our souls have always been a beacon of hope for one another. We have suffered unspeakable horrors, but also survived them.
This book devestated me. It was viscerally poignant, because although a fictional novel, the character’s lives mirrored very real experiences lived by queer people throughout history. It struck me that despite the varying time periods, there has NEVER been a safe, easy time to be queer.
I loved that one of the main themes of the book was Cal’s gender questioning. It felt very real to me and what I am currently living through. One of the things I struggle with the most is constantly second guessing myself, and the author nailed the level that this infiltrates every thought and interaction. Even the descriptions of hunching your shoulders to hide your chest was entirely relatable.
One of the best things about this book is the found family. I was absolutely heart warmed by Abe’s support to Cal’s gender journey and flawed by some of his words about using she/they: “is it an invitation to know all of you? Or is “she” just a compromise? Or an apology, even?” Ouch. I felt that. This book really made me face some home truths about my own identity and the way I hide who I am to avoid inconveniencing other people.
It also made me realise how cut off I have made myself from others, because if I am by myself I don’t have to be disappointed by people misgendering me or making assumptions. I loved all the silly little hangouts the group had and the way they told each other about their own time periods. I just wanted them to get to live in that bubble for longer. The ending absolutely broke me. I was sobbing as I finished the book. Don’t get me wrong, in many ways the ending was happy (particularly for Cal, who was able to fully embrace themselves AND work out what they wanted to do with their future) but the romance between Cal and Abe being soul-deep and then having the characters parted and never able to meet again made mY HEART HURT SO MUCH. I HAVE NOT RECOVERED YET. OUCH.
I think this book is so important. It will be relatable to trans people and make them feel less alone (which is lifesaving!), but it is also a timestamped snapshot of how queer people have lived. This book is YA and I am 28. But I wish I read this whilst I was growing up, I think it would have helped me to understand myself a lot sooner. I’m grateful young people will now have this beautiful book to help them find themselves.
What a special book. I will be getting this in for our shop to sell!
Where You’ll Find Us is a whimsical fever dream; a cross between the queer history and lifesaving found family of It’s A Sin, meshed with the escapism and timeline magic of Narnia
This book is an ode to the safe spaces queer people have made for each other throughout history, even in the darkest of times. It is proof that in every lifetime our souls have always been a beacon of hope for one another. We have suffered unspeakable horrors, but also survived them.
This book devestated me. It was viscerally poignant, because although a fictional novel, the character’s lives mirrored very real experiences lived by queer people throughout history. It struck me that despite the varying time periods, there has NEVER been a safe, easy time to be queer.
I loved that one of the main themes of the book was Cal’s gender questioning. It felt very real to me and what I am currently living through. One of the things I struggle with the most is constantly second guessing myself, and the author nailed the level that this infiltrates every thought and interaction. Even the descriptions of hunching your shoulders to hide your chest was entirely relatable.
One of the best things about this book is the found family. I was absolutely heart warmed by Abe’s support to Cal’s gender journey and flawed by some of his words about using she/they: “is it an invitation to know all of you? Or is “she” just a compromise? Or an apology, even?” Ouch. I felt that. This book really made me face some home truths about my own identity and the way I hide who I am to avoid inconveniencing other people.
It also made me realise how cut off I have made myself from others, because if I am by myself I don’t have to be disappointed by people misgendering me or making assumptions. I loved all the silly little hangouts the group had and the way they told each other about their own time periods. I just wanted them to get to live in that bubble for longer. The ending absolutely broke me. I was sobbing as I finished the book. Don’t get me wrong, in many ways the ending was happy (particularly for Cal, who was able to fully embrace themselves AND work out what they wanted to do with their future) but the romance between Cal and Abe being soul-deep and then having the characters parted and never able to meet again made mY HEART HURT SO MUCH. I HAVE NOT RECOVERED YET. OUCH.
I think this book is so important. It will be relatable to trans people and make them feel less alone (which is lifesaving!), but it is also a timestamped snapshot of how queer people have lived. This book is YA and I am 28. But I wish I read this whilst I was growing up, I think it would have helped me to understand myself a lot sooner. I’m grateful young people will now have this beautiful book to help them find themselves.
What a special book. I will be getting this in for our shop to sell!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Where You’ll Find Us” by Jen St. Jude is one of those books that sneaks up on you emotionally. It starts off feeling kind of soft and magical, and then suddenly you’re crying and rethinking everything.
The story follows Cal (who starts the book going by Calla), a teen struggling with gender identity, relationships, and the overwhelming pressure of figuring out their future. After a desperate wish for more time, Cal and their girlfriend end up at this mysterious farmhouse called Amaranth, which is a kind of refuge where time literally doesn’t move, and everyone there is queer.
And honestly? That premise alone is already really cool. But what makes this book stand out is how it uses that magical setup to explore something very real.
The magical realism here is pretty light; it’s less about how Amaranth works and more about why it exists. It creates this safe space where Cal can finally just be themself. Be called the right name. Be seen as who they are. Be accepted without question. And the way the book describes gender dysphoria and gender euphoria is incredibly well done; it’s emotional, accessible, and feels very genuine, even if you’ve never experienced it yourself.
The found family aspect is another highlight. The other residents of Amaranth all come from different time periods, and their backstories add a lot of depth to the story. You get glimpses of what it was like to be queer in different decades, which can sometimes be harsh and heartbreaking, but the book balances that with moments of joy, connection, and resilience. It never feels like it’s just trying to be educational, but you definitely learn something along the way.
Character-wise, Cal is super easy to root for. They’re vulnerable, confused, and trying their best, which makes their journey feel real. Their relationship with Ramona is complicated in a very honest way. There’s love there, but also misunderstanding and hurt, especially as Cal starts to figure out who they really are.
The pacing can feel a little uneven at times, especially with the backstory chapters (they lean more toward “telling” than “showing”), but they still add meaning to the overall message. And by the second half, everything starts to hit a lot harder emotionally.
Also, fair warning: this book will make you cry. The ending is really powerful; it’s bittersweet, hopeful, and kind of devastating in the best way. It ties back into the idea of time being both something we want to escape and something we need in order to grow.
Overall, this is a really heartfelt, meaningful read about identity, acceptance, and finding a place where you belong, even if that place can’t last forever. If you like found family, soft magical realism, and character-driven stories that actually say something, this one is definitely worth it. Just maybe have tissues nearby.
“Where You’ll Find Us” by Jen St. Jude is one of those books that sneaks up on you emotionally. It starts off feeling kind of soft and magical, and then suddenly you’re crying and rethinking everything.
The story follows Cal (who starts the book going by Calla), a teen struggling with gender identity, relationships, and the overwhelming pressure of figuring out their future. After a desperate wish for more time, Cal and their girlfriend end up at this mysterious farmhouse called Amaranth, which is a kind of refuge where time literally doesn’t move, and everyone there is queer.
And honestly? That premise alone is already really cool. But what makes this book stand out is how it uses that magical setup to explore something very real.
The magical realism here is pretty light; it’s less about how Amaranth works and more about why it exists. It creates this safe space where Cal can finally just be themself. Be called the right name. Be seen as who they are. Be accepted without question. And the way the book describes gender dysphoria and gender euphoria is incredibly well done; it’s emotional, accessible, and feels very genuine, even if you’ve never experienced it yourself.
The found family aspect is another highlight. The other residents of Amaranth all come from different time periods, and their backstories add a lot of depth to the story. You get glimpses of what it was like to be queer in different decades, which can sometimes be harsh and heartbreaking, but the book balances that with moments of joy, connection, and resilience. It never feels like it’s just trying to be educational, but you definitely learn something along the way.
Character-wise, Cal is super easy to root for. They’re vulnerable, confused, and trying their best, which makes their journey feel real. Their relationship with Ramona is complicated in a very honest way. There’s love there, but also misunderstanding and hurt, especially as Cal starts to figure out who they really are.
The pacing can feel a little uneven at times, especially with the backstory chapters (they lean more toward “telling” than “showing”), but they still add meaning to the overall message. And by the second half, everything starts to hit a lot harder emotionally.
Also, fair warning: this book will make you cry. The ending is really powerful; it’s bittersweet, hopeful, and kind of devastating in the best way. It ties back into the idea of time being both something we want to escape and something we need in order to grow.
Overall, this is a really heartfelt, meaningful read about identity, acceptance, and finding a place where you belong, even if that place can’t last forever. If you like found family, soft magical realism, and character-driven stories that actually say something, this one is definitely worth it. Just maybe have tissues nearby.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I also had the immense privilege of being the sensitivity reader for this book, focusing on the character Kiyo's background and storylines. Kiyo was already a great character from the get-go, but it was a joy to see her develop even more in the finalized version of this book as the author incorporated my feedback in such a creative and respectful way.
This book is so, so precious to me. Beyond anything, through the character of Cal, this book does an amazing job of describing what gender dysphoria and euphoria feels like in the heart and body in such an accessible way. Reading this book, I really felt that it's one thing to normalize understanding and respecting pronouns and non-binary gender identities (especially amongst cis allies like myself), but yet another to really understand why these things are so important and what gender and other forms of affirmation truly feels like. And Cal themself is written in such a vulnerable and relatable way - I truly felt myself rooting for them throughout the entire book.
I also loved the chapters dedicated to the historical backgrounds of each character - honestly, it reminded me a lot of the American Girl book series or the Dear America series I read growing up in the way that the author did not shy away from depicting the often cruel and brutal realities of being queer during these times, but also choosing to put the focus on queer joy and community. I really think there's so much edutainment value in this book for everyone, but especially younger readers or parents of queer teens and kids. This book is educational, but it definitely does not talk down to younger readers who might pick up this book.
If anything I said before this does not convince you to read this book, just know that when I did my first read of this book, I cried so hard at the last part and my kobo screen blurred so much that I had to go back and re-read it so I could actually do my job. So make of that what you will.
Will be recommending this book to everyone I know!!! <3
This book is so, so precious to me. Beyond anything, through the character of Cal, this book does an amazing job of describing what gender dysphoria and euphoria feels like in the heart and body in such an accessible way. Reading this book, I really felt that it's one thing to normalize understanding and respecting pronouns and non-binary gender identities (especially amongst cis allies like myself), but yet another to really understand why these things are so important and what gender and other forms of affirmation truly feels like. And Cal themself is written in such a vulnerable and relatable way - I truly felt myself rooting for them throughout the entire book.
I also loved the chapters dedicated to the historical backgrounds of each character - honestly, it reminded me a lot of the American Girl book series or the Dear America series I read growing up in the way that the author did not shy away from depicting the often cruel and brutal realities of being queer during these times, but also choosing to put the focus on queer joy and community. I really think there's so much edutainment value in this book for everyone, but especially younger readers or parents of queer teens and kids. This book is educational, but it definitely does not talk down to younger readers who might pick up this book.
If anything I said before this does not convince you to read this book, just know that when I did my first read of this book, I cried so hard at the last part and my kobo screen blurred so much that I had to go back and re-read it so I could actually do my job. So make of that what you will.
Will be recommending this book to everyone I know!!! <3
June 28, 2026
Where You'll Find Us
by Jen St. Jude, narrated by Allegra Verlezza, cover art by Mary Metzger
I bought this audiobook when I got this month's audiobook credit and saw the absolutely stunning cover by Mary Metzger in the New Releases section. I promised myself I wouldn't listen to it until I finished the many books I had already started. To make a long story short, this beautiful book kept calling to me from my audiobook app. I told myself yesterday afternoon that I'd just listen to one chapter and, in less than 24 hours, I have listened to the whole thing (AT 1.0 SPEED because the narration is that good!)
This is a story about the power of choosing ourselves and the ones who love us for who we are, even when the choices are difficult and costly. The author captures the intensity (both good and challenging) of queer adolescence and the power of friendship and found family. The narrator captures the emotions and unique voices of the characters in a nuanced, thoughtful way. Each character's voice changes and develops throughout the story while remaining distinct and recognizable.
This was exactly the story of queer joy, queer history, and queer resilience that I needed to read right now (maybe the one my inner child/teenager still needed, too). I said in my stories that this book is like "the most magical, beautiful dream" and that's still true. Now, I would add that it feels like being cheered on by queer friends and ancestors, and maybe also those we have yet to meet.
Cal, Ramona, Nugget, Dash, and the whole Amaranth family will stay with me for a long time. This book has more than earned a permanent place on my bookshelf. I already ordered a copy and a copy of the author's previous book, If Tomorrow Doesn't Come, which I can't wait to read.
I will probably write another review after a reread when I have something more coherent to say about this, but for now: this is my favorite book of 2026 so far (and it's number 82 this year, so that's saying something) and it's gone right to my list of absolute favorites ever. Highly, highly recommended!
by Jen St. Jude, narrated by Allegra Verlezza, cover art by Mary Metzger
I bought this audiobook when I got this month's audiobook credit and saw the absolutely stunning cover by Mary Metzger in the New Releases section. I promised myself I wouldn't listen to it until I finished the many books I had already started. To make a long story short, this beautiful book kept calling to me from my audiobook app. I told myself yesterday afternoon that I'd just listen to one chapter and, in less than 24 hours, I have listened to the whole thing (AT 1.0 SPEED because the narration is that good!)
This is a story about the power of choosing ourselves and the ones who love us for who we are, even when the choices are difficult and costly. The author captures the intensity (both good and challenging) of queer adolescence and the power of friendship and found family. The narrator captures the emotions and unique voices of the characters in a nuanced, thoughtful way. Each character's voice changes and develops throughout the story while remaining distinct and recognizable.
This was exactly the story of queer joy, queer history, and queer resilience that I needed to read right now (maybe the one my inner child/teenager still needed, too). I said in my stories that this book is like "the most magical, beautiful dream" and that's still true. Now, I would add that it feels like being cheered on by queer friends and ancestors, and maybe also those we have yet to meet.
Cal, Ramona, Nugget, Dash, and the whole Amaranth family will stay with me for a long time. This book has more than earned a permanent place on my bookshelf. I already ordered a copy and a copy of the author's previous book, If Tomorrow Doesn't Come, which I can't wait to read.
I will probably write another review after a reread when I have something more coherent to say about this, but for now: this is my favorite book of 2026 so far (and it's number 82 this year, so that's saying something) and it's gone right to my list of absolute favorites ever. Highly, highly recommended!
July 7, 2026
Thank you so much Penguin Australia for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Inspiring, eye-opening and bittersweet.
Cally Quick is struggling to come to terms with who she is, or if she even identifies as being a girl. Her parents kicked her out after discovering Cal’s questions, and she’s been lucky enough to live with her girlfriend Ramona, whom she plans to go to university with.
After a disastrous prom that ends in tears for more than one person, Cal and Ramona go outside to walk in the rain and go further than anticipated and stumble upon a large house in the middle of a field.
The horrendous storm forces the pair to enter the house and what greets them stuns them into silence. Moments pass before the pair are greeted by a group of people who are wearing awfully outdated clothes. And suddenly Cal doesn’t know if she’s dreaming because they’re talking about time travel and a magical house.
Torn between skepticism and a desperate want for it to be real, Cal doesn’t know what to believe but after a while, the others convince them of what’s happened. Cal and Ramona have unknowingly stepped into a house that stops time and is a safe haven for queer people. What was supposed to be one night in the house turns into more and more time spent with the others who Cal grows to love. And to make the decision to stay or leave more difficult, Cal feels an instant connection to Abe who she doesn’t want to leave. Will Cal and Ramona be able to stay in Amaranth? Or does time have other plans for them?
This one was really bittersweet and super easy to get into. I really felt for Cal and everything they were going through. You could really tell how much it meant for Cal to be seen by Abe and to feel comfortable in their own skin. I also loved how all the characters developed as the story went on, and how we got to know each character beyond the brave facade they put up. They all went through so much, and I loved the ending, despite how bittersweet it was.
Perfect for fans of a young adult queer magical romance that shows how important it is to stay true to yourself, even when it feels impossible.
Inspiring, eye-opening and bittersweet.
Cally Quick is struggling to come to terms with who she is, or if she even identifies as being a girl. Her parents kicked her out after discovering Cal’s questions, and she’s been lucky enough to live with her girlfriend Ramona, whom she plans to go to university with.
After a disastrous prom that ends in tears for more than one person, Cal and Ramona go outside to walk in the rain and go further than anticipated and stumble upon a large house in the middle of a field.
The horrendous storm forces the pair to enter the house and what greets them stuns them into silence. Moments pass before the pair are greeted by a group of people who are wearing awfully outdated clothes. And suddenly Cal doesn’t know if she’s dreaming because they’re talking about time travel and a magical house.
Torn between skepticism and a desperate want for it to be real, Cal doesn’t know what to believe but after a while, the others convince them of what’s happened. Cal and Ramona have unknowingly stepped into a house that stops time and is a safe haven for queer people. What was supposed to be one night in the house turns into more and more time spent with the others who Cal grows to love. And to make the decision to stay or leave more difficult, Cal feels an instant connection to Abe who she doesn’t want to leave. Will Cal and Ramona be able to stay in Amaranth? Or does time have other plans for them?
This one was really bittersweet and super easy to get into. I really felt for Cal and everything they were going through. You could really tell how much it meant for Cal to be seen by Abe and to feel comfortable in their own skin. I also loved how all the characters developed as the story went on, and how we got to know each character beyond the brave facade they put up. They all went through so much, and I loved the ending, despite how bittersweet it was.
Perfect for fans of a young adult queer magical romance that shows how important it is to stay true to yourself, even when it feels impossible.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If I could rate this 6 stars, I would!!!!
🏡🌷🪻🌌
I love this beautiful book so much. It's so heartbreaking and devastating yet there's so much hope in it's pages. It's magical and cinematic, I could easily see this book turned into a film.
Full of queer history, love in all forms, self-discovery, identity and resilience, this book is about what it means to be human in a world that says you don't belong, and it completely moved me.
Please take care when reading and check the content warnings on the author's website, some may find this book and its topics too heavy of a read. I myself had to pause reading and come back at a later date. But i'm so glad I did!
Easily the best part of the book are the residents of Amaranth, each one tells their story to Cal of how they came to be in this magical safe haven. They each get their own chapters and then some. They've been there for decades and each with their own purpose. Each needing to find somewhere safe to just be themselves. Vivid, beautiful, complicated characters with so much love for each other. I adored this found family so much.
I found Cal's story and journey with their identity hit very close to home and I was in tears pretty quickly as I began reading. Their thoughts echo a lot about how I feel about myself and how I interact with others because of it. It was so, so special to see them come into their own as the story progressed.
This book and others like it are so important now more than ever for trans and queer youth or anyone trying to figure themselves out. Please pick up this book when it is out on June 2nd! For all the Sunnys, Cals, Abes, Lionels, Kiyos, Ambrosias and Ramonas, I hope you find your safe haven but mostly, I hope you live.
This story is going to stay with me for a long time and I feel I will pick it up to reread quite often.
Thank you so much to Bloomsbury Books for the gifted ARC!
🏡🪻🌷🌌
🏡🌷🪻🌌
I love this beautiful book so much. It's so heartbreaking and devastating yet there's so much hope in it's pages. It's magical and cinematic, I could easily see this book turned into a film.
Full of queer history, love in all forms, self-discovery, identity and resilience, this book is about what it means to be human in a world that says you don't belong, and it completely moved me.
Please take care when reading and check the content warnings on the author's website, some may find this book and its topics too heavy of a read. I myself had to pause reading and come back at a later date. But i'm so glad I did!
Easily the best part of the book are the residents of Amaranth, each one tells their story to Cal of how they came to be in this magical safe haven. They each get their own chapters and then some. They've been there for decades and each with their own purpose. Each needing to find somewhere safe to just be themselves. Vivid, beautiful, complicated characters with so much love for each other. I adored this found family so much.
I found Cal's story and journey with their identity hit very close to home and I was in tears pretty quickly as I began reading. Their thoughts echo a lot about how I feel about myself and how I interact with others because of it. It was so, so special to see them come into their own as the story progressed.
This book and others like it are so important now more than ever for trans and queer youth or anyone trying to figure themselves out. Please pick up this book when it is out on June 2nd! For all the Sunnys, Cals, Abes, Lionels, Kiyos, Ambrosias and Ramonas, I hope you find your safe haven but mostly, I hope you live.
This story is going to stay with me for a long time and I feel I will pick it up to reread quite often.
Thank you so much to Bloomsbury Books for the gifted ARC!
🏡🪻🌷🌌
Review of advance copy
In a magical haven from reality, a trans teen at last learns to be their authentic self. Previously disowned by their parents and fearful of losing their girlfriend--who has vocalized that she'd never date a trans man--an impulsive wish for more time whisks Indianapolis-born Calla Quick Calla to Amaranth, a farmhouse refuge for five queer kids who claim “time doesn’t exist here." Here, Calla can at last be Cal. But when Amaranth's clocks inexplicably begin ticking again, Cal is horrified to realize that they and their new housemates will be forced to return to the lives--and prejudice--that they've fled.
I thought this was a brave and beautiful book. The premise is clever, and I love the way the narrative explores the dualities of time: it is both the enemy, and the savior. In the beginning, Calla believes that all she needs is time to stop—but by the book’s end, Cal realizes that time itself can be a gift. By stopping time in Amaranth, St. Jude creates an opportunity to show how attitudes toward gender and queerness have changed over time—and also how they haven’t. The result is a layered story packed with memorable characters who each have their own unique struggles, while also showing us what their stories have in common. If I have a complaint, it’s only that sometimes I felt the personal histories relied a bit too much on telling over showing—but in a sense, that actually fits the narrative, as these histories are framed as stories that are being told to Cal.
I think this is the rare sort of book that is capable of opening readers’ minds to new ideas, and one with crossover-appeal for adult readers. St. Jude does such an excellent job of allowing readers to intimately know each character and understand them, and that seems really important right now.
I thought this was a brave and beautiful book. The premise is clever, and I love the way the narrative explores the dualities of time: it is both the enemy, and the savior. In the beginning, Calla believes that all she needs is time to stop—but by the book’s end, Cal realizes that time itself can be a gift. By stopping time in Amaranth, St. Jude creates an opportunity to show how attitudes toward gender and queerness have changed over time—and also how they haven’t. The result is a layered story packed with memorable characters who each have their own unique struggles, while also showing us what their stories have in common. If I have a complaint, it’s only that sometimes I felt the personal histories relied a bit too much on telling over showing—but in a sense, that actually fits the narrative, as these histories are framed as stories that are being told to Cal.
I think this is the rare sort of book that is capable of opening readers’ minds to new ideas, and one with crossover-appeal for adult readers. St. Jude does such an excellent job of allowing readers to intimately know each character and understand them, and that seems really important right now.
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