How does Kiyoko's own love story influence the book?

Kiyoko says she "kind of took our meet cute and was like, 'What does that look like in the Victorian era?'" The book follows an American poet who falls for an English socialite, mirroring Kiyoko's own experience of meeting Tilley.

What is Kiyoko's goal with this book?

Kiyoko hopes the book will "ignite hope that we create space for ourselves and not only create space, but thrive in that space" for the LGBTQIA+ community. She also wants to challenge the idea that queer identity did not exist in the Victorian era.

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Queer Victorian Romance Inspired by Author's Own Love Story

Q: What is Kehlani Kiyoko's new book about?

Kehlani Kiyoko's new book "Where There's Room For Us" is a queer Victorian romance inspired by the early days of her relationship with fiancée Becca Tilley.

4 Nov

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Summary

Kehlani Kiyoko's new book "Where There's Room For Us" is inspired by her relationship with fiancée Becca Tilley
The book follows an American poet who falls for an English socialite in 1880s Victorian England
Kiyoko says the book "challenges the idea of if you could be open and queer in the 1800s"

Queer Victorian Romance Inspired by Author's Own Love Story

In November 2025, multi-talented artist Kehlani Kiyoko is releasing her debut novel "Where There's Room For Us," a queer Victorian romance inspired by the early days of her relationship with fiancée Becca Tilley. The 34-year-old singer-songwriter says the book, set in 1880s England, reimagines her own "meet cute" with Tilley, who she began dating in 2018.

The story follows an American poet named Ivy who falls for an English socialite Freya Tallon. When Freya unexpectedly takes her sister's place on a date with Ivy, sparks fly between the two women. Kiyoko describes the book as "Pride and Prejudice meets Little Women, but gay," mirroring her own experience of meeting Tilley when the latter was trying to set her up with her younger sister.