Quick Synopsis – When her brother unexpectedly inherits an English estate, the outspoken and infamously daring poet, Ivy, swaps her lively New York life for the prim and proper world of high society, and quickly faces the challenges of its revered traditions–especially once she meets the most sought-after socialite of the courting season: Freya Tallon.

Freya’s life has always been mapped out for her: marry a wealthy lord, produce heirs, and protect the family’s noble status. But when she unexpectedly takes her sister’s place on a date with Ivy, everything changes. For the first time, she feels the kind of spark she’s always dreamed of.

As Ivy and Freya’s connection deepens, both are caught between desire and duty. How much are they willing to risk to be true to themselves—and to each other?

Song This Reminds Me Of – Curious by Hayley Kiyoko

Publication Date –Nov. 4, 2025

Bookshop Link – Where There’s Room for Us by Hayley Kiyoko

Content Notes – This is a queer story told in a fictionalized version of the late 1800s where queer couples can marry in both England and America. There is still sexism and homophobia throughout the story. There is also a fair bit of classism throughout the story.

Rating –⭐⭐.5 out of 5

Review – Full disclosure, I was fairly ill while reading this book and that may have colored how I viewed the book.

This book was just a little too all over the place for me. The beginning felt very dry and then the story just ramped up to fast for me. I wanted there to be more angst and yearning. I also had a hard time getting a feel for the ages of the main characters, or really any of the characters. This story takes place in a fictional version of regency England, but a lot of the customs are still in place like courting and being out in society. It’s made clear that men who court women have to have chaperones and follow a rigid schedule of courtship. But it seems like queer couples can just do whatever they want when courting. This kind of bothered me because it seemed to go against the rules of the world. Just because queer couples can’t reproduce, doesn’t mean they can’t have sex.

The story is told between the switching POVs of Ivy and Freya. Ivy is an American sapphic poet who is in England to help her brother find a bride. Ivy’s brother Prescott inherited a viscount title but must marry to keep it. It turns out that the man he inherited the title from had a daughter, and though that daughter is married with a son, the children of queer couples can’t inherit. The rules of inheritance and the right to vote set the B plot of the novel. Freya is the beautiful daughter of Lord Tallon. That’s it. Her whole personality at the start of the book is that she fulfills the expectations of her family. As the book goes on Ivy and Freya have a cute meet cute and some fun little dates. But there could have been more angst and struggle in the beginning for me. Freya assumes she is straight and then struggles with her attraction to Ivy. It felt like that could have had some deeper conversations with her sisters who are already out.

I get this book was more meant to be fun, but I just didn’t vibe with it. There could have been way more conversation about who fluid sexuality can be and more exploration of coming out to your parents when they may not be supportive. This book felt like it scratched the surface of a lot of important topics but didn’t really say anything.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press – Wednesday for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.