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There You Are
She was never waiting. She was preparing.
One learned to speak through food. The other learned to speak through fire.
One built a life honouring where she came from. The other built hers protecting the place she called home.
Neither realised they were finding their way to each other.
For ten years, life carried them in different directions, but some connections refuse to fade.
Set between the quiet streets of Kyoto and the rugged landscapes of Alaska, There You Are is a heartfelt contemporary sapphic romance about quiet longing, impossible timing, and the extraordinary ways love finds us when we're finally ready to receive it.
Perfect for readers who
• Sapphic (WLW) romance
• Slow-burn emotional tension
• Japan and Alaska settings
• Food, comfort, and found family
• Character-driven contemporary romance
• Hopeful, heartfelt endings
One learned to speak through food. The other learned to speak through fire.
One built a life honouring where she came from. The other built hers protecting the place she called home.
Neither realised they were finding their way to each other.
For ten years, life carried them in different directions, but some connections refuse to fade.
Set between the quiet streets of Kyoto and the rugged landscapes of Alaska, There You Are is a heartfelt contemporary sapphic romance about quiet longing, impossible timing, and the extraordinary ways love finds us when we're finally ready to receive it.
Perfect for readers who
• Sapphic (WLW) romance
• Slow-burn emotional tension
• Japan and Alaska settings
• Food, comfort, and found family
• Character-driven contemporary romance
• Hopeful, heartfelt endings
133 pages, Paperback
Published July 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 30, 2026
Really cute! Love the included recipes at the end 🙌🏻
August 10, 2026
This was just a quick little short story that just released. I typically gravitate towards book with some meat on them but this cover alone was all it took for me.
I wouldn't say that this story is centered on plot, it's more emotional dept than anything. It starts out with the primary FMC Haru where she currently has just finished an internship training under a prestigious chef in Alaska. She locks eyes with Denali and immediately make her go weak in the knees. You could tell that they had chemistry right then and there. They share a kiss after Denali pulls haru into a private space and Haru is hooked.
After her friends had a bit too much to drink, Denali offers to take Haru to airport in the morning as she is flying back home to kyoto for the summer and after spending the night together, they form a bond that already seems unbreakable. They keep in contact and it was so fun reading through their conversations and the development of whatever their relationship is blossoming into.
Haru realizes that her heart is in Alaska so as she is set to return, her beloved granddaughter passes and Haru struggles greatly with the loss. Even after her passing, Haru's grandmother was still teaching Haru and as a reader, it provoked sentiment in me as well! It was just so beautiful, the author knew exactly how ro convey this deep emotion that was heartbreaking but also the most beautiful gift at the same time. Haru's grandmother leaves Haru a letter to say goodbye and it was just so heartfelt and poetic that I caught myself having to pause and reread some of it because it was so thought provoking.
This was such a short story but the author gave me so much more than I thought I would get. She conveyed so many emotions and it was so seamless and I still got my happy ending
I wouldn't say that this story is centered on plot, it's more emotional dept than anything. It starts out with the primary FMC Haru where she currently has just finished an internship training under a prestigious chef in Alaska. She locks eyes with Denali and immediately make her go weak in the knees. You could tell that they had chemistry right then and there. They share a kiss after Denali pulls haru into a private space and Haru is hooked.
After her friends had a bit too much to drink, Denali offers to take Haru to airport in the morning as she is flying back home to kyoto for the summer and after spending the night together, they form a bond that already seems unbreakable. They keep in contact and it was so fun reading through their conversations and the development of whatever their relationship is blossoming into.
Haru realizes that her heart is in Alaska so as she is set to return, her beloved granddaughter passes and Haru struggles greatly with the loss. Even after her passing, Haru's grandmother was still teaching Haru and as a reader, it provoked sentiment in me as well! It was just so beautiful, the author knew exactly how ro convey this deep emotion that was heartbreaking but also the most beautiful gift at the same time. Haru's grandmother leaves Haru a letter to say goodbye and it was just so heartfelt and poetic that I caught myself having to pause and reread some of it because it was so thought provoking.
This was such a short story but the author gave me so much more than I thought I would get. She conveyed so many emotions and it was so seamless and I still got my happy ending
September 27, 2026
I really loved this 🥹 It’s such a sweet story about finding your person and realizing that home is really wherever they are. I also really loved the journey to get there and everything the characters go through along the way.
The author did such a good job with the emotions of the characters. I genuinely felt what they were feeling, and the letter from her grandmother?? Yeah… that had me tearing up 😭 It had some really good advice in it too, the kind of stuff that actually makes you stop and think about life a little.
Just a really lovely story about love, finding your way, and figuring out where you belong. ❤️
The author did such a good job with the emotions of the characters. I genuinely felt what they were feeling, and the letter from her grandmother?? Yeah… that had me tearing up 😭 It had some really good advice in it too, the kind of stuff that actually makes you stop and think about life a little.
Just a really lovely story about love, finding your way, and figuring out where you belong. ❤️
October 6, 2026
What a lovely book, very fast paced because I have read it in one go. Even though the story sometimes felt a little rushed, Tatum sure knows how to put all the things in it that actually matter. And maybe I thought it felt rushed because I couldnt get enough of Haru and Denali :)
I will forever think of Obaasan whenever I hear my kettle.
This was such a cute love story. I loved the communication between them via e-mail and the phone.
Truly enjoyed this, felt like watching a cozy but also serious anime. It made me feel warm inside, reading about her life and dreams, her family, the food and ofcourse her love interest.
Can’t wait to read more of Tatum’s writing!
And now I’m craving Miso soup..
I will forever think of Obaasan whenever I hear my kettle.
This was such a cute love story. I loved the communication between them via e-mail and the phone.
Truly enjoyed this, felt like watching a cozy but also serious anime. It made me feel warm inside, reading about her life and dreams, her family, the food and ofcourse her love interest.
Can’t wait to read more of Tatum’s writing!
And now I’m craving Miso soup..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2026
I loved this book!
It was so sweet🥰
Read this in like 3 hours, couldn't put it down!!!
So for anyone wondering if they should read this book, my answer: YES!
It was so sweet🥰
Read this in like 3 hours, couldn't put it down!!!
So for anyone wondering if they should read this book, my answer: YES!
September 26, 2026
A soft and gentle story about meeting the one.
This book had me enjoying the moments of cuteness and then hit me with a gut punch of emotions.
This book had me enjoying the moments of cuteness and then hit me with a gut punch of emotions.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews