When The Moon Was Ours

When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore

A Lush, Enchanting LGBTQ+ Fairy Tale About Identity, First Love, and the Magic of Being Seen
Award-winning magical realism that blends romance, folklore, and the fight to live your truth.

Winner of a Stonewall Honor and a Kirkus Best Book of the Year, When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore is a spellbinding tale of self-acceptance, gender identity, and young love, wrapped in vibrant magical realism and rooted in Latinx storytelling traditions.

Miel grows roses from her wrist. Sam paints moons and hangs them in trees. Their bond is as deep as it is magical, forged in the quiet moments between secrets and stars. But their safe world is threatened when the powerful Bonner sisters—four girls rumored to wield witch-like influence—demand Miel's roses, believing their power will help secure their own twisted desires.

As the Bonner sisters close in, secrets unravel. Sam’s past, tied closely to the moon and water, threatens to be exposed. And Miel must choose between protecting the boy she loves and guarding her own truth.

With haunting prose and unforgettable imagery, When the Moon Was Ours is a lyrical exploration of identity, transformation, and the beauty of being unapologetically yourself.

🌙 Perfect for fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea, Cemetery Boys, and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
🌙 Features a trans protagonist and queer Latinx representation
🌙 Magical realism meets coming-of-age romance with heart and courage

Format: Paperback 
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Magical Realism, LGBTQ+ Romance
Themes: Trans Identity, First Love, Found Family, Secrets and Self-Discovery
Audience: YA readers, fans of queer fairy tales, and anyone who loves emotionally rich, lyrical fiction