A wonderful new fantasy book, thank you so much for the ARC!

The story takes place in London a long time ago, during the Victorian era. It blends real history with exciting magic. The book is written beautifully, and the author makes the old streets of London feel interesting and intense.

The romance between Kit and Wilfrith is sweet and exciting, with a lot of emotion. Kit also has to live his normal life during the day, where he meets a clever woman who loves art and believes in magic. All the characters feel like real people who make mistakes, which makes it easy to care for them. The magic in this world is fun to read about in general, despite it being dangerous.

The story moves fast and keeps you interested from start to finish. The end in particular will make you want to read the next book right away!

What a gorgeous, dizzying read. The writing was so gorgeous, from the descriptions down to the dialogue. All the characters had such unique voices and personalities – I was a little obsessed with Agatha and Theodora! I really enjoyed that this was accessible fantasy too, not too much world-building but still highly imaginative and unique. It has all those yearning vibes between Kit and Wil, and I have to admit I am quite torn about who I want Kit to end up with! The book ends on quite a cliffhanger, so I cannot wait to read book two. A really impressive debut!

Kit Finchley loves magic, but what will he do when his magic leads him to Wil - stuck in a 800 year curse by the Faerie Queen? Will he be able to save him?
The writing was beautiful and so detailed, the magic system was also explained perfectly, but still leaving some hidden secrets for us to find out.
I felt deeply connected to the characters, especially the strong women (Agatha, Theo and Ro) and Wil, who I related to a lot. Kit was a bit naive at first, but he really went through some character development!
The ending left me wanting to grab the second book and find out what happens next!!

If you are a fan of A Darker Shade of Magic or Witch Hat Atelier, this book blends both really well, magic and alternate worlds!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A World Apart completely swept me away. From the very first pages I was drawn into a beautifully crafted world filled with magic, mystery, love, and so much yearning that I never wanted it to end and was so sad when i turned the fnal page.
The writing is absolutely gorgeous, creating a rich and atmospheric Victorian setting that felt vivid and immersive. Meghan Nesmith has created a magical world that feels both familiar and wonderfully unique, balancing fantasy, adventure, and emotion perfectly.
What truly made this story shine for me were the characters. Kit was such an easy protagonist to root for, and watching his journey unfold was incredibly rewarding. But it was Wil who completely stole my heart. The connection between Kit and Wil was filled with longing, hope, and emotion, and their first meeting genuinely gave me all the feelings. The idea of someone finally being able to truly see him after so long was both heartbreaking and beautiful.
I also absolutely adored Agatha. Every scene she appeared in seemed to sparkle with life and energy, and she quickly became one of my favourite characters. The supporting cast as a whole felt vibrant and memorable, adding so much depth to the story.
The magic system was imaginative and refreshing, revealing just enough to keep me intrigued while leaving plenty of mysteries waiting to be uncovered. Every chapter seemed to introduce another fascinating layer to the world.
And that ending! I immediately needed the next book. There are still so many questions to answer and I cannot wait to see where this story goes next.
A magical, heartfelt, and wonderfully imaginative fantasy filled with adventure, friendship, longing, and unforgettable characters. This is a series I can already see becoming a favourite, and I have no doubt fantasy readers will be talking about it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC opportunity. 📚

Cute initial premise of an aspiring-magician nobleman in London who stumbles upon a hidden away world and falls head over heels for the man he briefly glimpses there that develops in an intriguing tale filled with fae magic, conflicting loyalties and the desire to be together.

I got entangled in this story and couldn’t flip through the pages fast enough. Tiredness from long overnight travels were not enough to stop me reading in my in-between wakeful moments. I loved the magical London premise, the descriptions of magic - especially the feeling I got from this book that magic is just bubbling under the surface of our world ready to be felt and perceived by those who believe.

Have to admit that it was quite instant-love for Kit and Will, but nevertheless it worked well with the overall plot.

This was quite the cutesy romance read with a strong focus on the magical world and bigger plot. I’m hoping there will be a sequel!

Overall recommended! Try and get a copy for when you are in a cutesy magical romance vibe.



Thank you Aria & Aries publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy.

This book had some intense world building at the beginning that took me a while to get into, but once I did it hooked me!
Set in Victorian London, the weaving of magic, societal pressures and mystery really added to the story and I fell in love with both of the MMCs and their love story! Watching their connection deepen throughout the book was especially heartwarming.
Overall I enjoyed this book but it was slower to get into than normal. The story was intriguing and the characters were likable however!

Historical fantasy with queer romance?
Yes please!
I love this subgenre to the moon and back so getting approved for this ARC easily made my week.

The premise:

Christopher Finchley was fascinated with magic for as long as he can remember. The tricky thing is, magic is evasive, unpredictable and — to those who don't believe in it — invisible. Except Kit's mentor, no one believes his obsession is anything but a flight of fancy. For the longest time, he believes the tiny illumination spell to be the limit of his abilities, until Will crashes into his life and changes everything.

To Willford, magic is a curse. Being trapped by a Faerie Queen in a timeless place for the past 800 years, he's not exactly the trusting type when it comes to those with the powers. But how bad can this boy with earnest eyes be?

My thoughts:

The tone of the romance feels much like a ballad. Each meeting can be the last, yet they can't stay away and keep finding their way towards each other. If you enjoy this type of love story, it's going to be a great fit. Don't be like me, read the blurb properly, because I made a surprised Pikachu face at some point. I'm really curious to see how it plays out in book 2!

Lyrical prose and slower pacing can be great, but here I feel like some chapters would have really benefited from things moving along a bit livelier. I think we're going to see lots of action in the sequel, with how things ended.

In short, this was a fascinating, beautifully crafted story: the prose, the characters, the plot — it all works great. The cliffhanger is not brutal, which is always a good thing! I'm looking forward to seeing how this story continues in book 2.

P.S. I really hope Kit will catch a break in the next book because my boy is one step away from losing it.

Thank you NetGalley and 'Aria & Aries' for the eARC in exchange for the review. All thoughts are my own.

This book swept me away from the very start. I requested it because of the gorgeous cover and finding out it was a queer historical romance sealed the deal. The story itself takes place in London a long time ago, during the Victorian era, and follows our two MMCs, Kit and Wilfrith. The world building at the beginning is pretty in-depth and takes a while to get your head around, but I loved that. It was so imaginative and deeply thought out. The way they weaved magic, societal pressures and mystery added so many layers to the story and made it so easy for me to fall in love with the characters and their heartwarming love story. I love yearners!! Blending real history with magic is always such a fun trope, and the beautiful prose in this one only made it richer. I loved everything about the book, from the magic system to the realistic, unique characters and the intense, captivating plot. This was such a brilliant read, especially for a debut, and I look forward to reading book two. I would recommend A World Apart to anyone who wants an accessible queer fantasy romance, the perfect read for pride!

I really enjoyed this book. It has great world building aspects and lgbtq+ representation. Would definitely recommend to anyone who likes fae romania’s with intense yearning. Honestly such a fun read!

I have criticisms. They simply became irrelevant once the book decided to ruin my life in the best possible way. (4.5⭐ rounded up to 5⭐ because while there were a few things that didn't entirely work for me, I genuinely cannot bring myself to rate this any lower.)

Before I begin: this is part of a series. I somehow missed that fact until after finishing it. I regret nothing, but fellow incomplete-series avoiders should be warned.

This was one of those wonderful NetGalley surprises that reminds me why I keep requesting books in the first place.

Set in 1877 London, A World Apart follows Kit, a young man fascinated by magic and desperate for some measure of control over his future as his family's financial struggles begin reaching a breaking point. Between mounting social pressures, expectations of marriage, and the increasingly precarious position of those around him, life is already complicated enough before he meets Wilfres, a boy from another world whose family is still living with the consequences of an ancient bargain struck with the fae during the Norman Conquest.

I will admit that the beginning was slower than I would have liked. Much of the opening relies on atmosphere, worldbuilding, and character work rather than immediate plot momentum. There were also moments where the pacing felt slightly uneven for me.

The romance contains two tropes that I normally approach with extreme suspicion: love at first sight and a love triangle.

The love-at-first-sight aspect somehow won me over completely.

The love triangle, on the other hand, can get in the bin.

And yet, the writing, chemistry, and character dynamics were so strong that I remained thoroughly invested. If there is any author who can convince me to tolerate narrative choices that I would normally complain about, it may very well be this one.

What started as a lush historical fantasy quickly became one of those stories where everything begins happening at once. Kit suffers from a spectacular case of "when it rains, it pours," and watching the various personal, magical, financial, and social pressures collide was incredibly rewarding.

The atmosphere was gorgeous. The folklore elements, the fae bargains, the magic system, and the sense of history woven throughout the narrative created a world that felt immersive and lived-in. More importantly, the emotional core landed beautifully. The chemistry between the characters was excellent, and by the time the story reached its final act, I was completely invested in their futures.

At one particularly stressful point, I actually messaged the author asking her not to break my heart.

That is generally a sign that a book has me in a chokehold.

And then came the ending.

The ending elevated this from a book I was enjoying to a book I absolutely loved. It tied together the emotional and narrative threads beautifully and left me desperate for the next installment. My immediate reaction upon realizing this was part of a series was somewhere between excitement and "how could you do this to me?"

This is easily one of my favourite NetGalley discoveries of the year. The Waterstones edition is stunning, the story completely won me over, and I am already impatiently waiting for the sequel.

A lush, magical, wonderfully romantic historical fantasy that I would happily recommend to fans of folklore, fae bargains, queer fantasy, and stories that reward your patience with an exceptional payoff.

Thank you to NetGalley, Aria & Aries and Meghan Nesmith for this ARC which I received.

This book was a refreshing and cozy read, I devoured it in a matter of days, the style of writing was comfortable and familiar without being a tired repetition of something we’ve seen many a time. Setting the book in the late 1800’s London, placed us in a world where we had a strong sense of identity and place. It’s a city that has a strong sense of theme, and is an easy visualisation for many of us. It already has so much of its history on its doorstep for you to see in our current time. Taking us back 150 years and then overlaying that magic system just added more to something we can already feel. A terrific choice, that excellently played into the stereotypical tropes of English Ladies and Gentleman as well.

The Star Crossed lovers theme is well loved and, nowadays, seems to be ever more seen in the LGBTQIA+ world of literature. It’s always going to be a literary tool that we can rely on safely. However, I felt like we could have had more when developing this connection between our two male leads. I understand that the star crossed lovers is meant to be a twist of fate that instinctively draws two people together, yet I feel like we could have grown with this and developed a deeper sense of their connection and romance. I wanted to see this connection between the two people develop over a slightly longer course of time, to see those small things grow and become new things, and see that realism of love blooming. That is most likely a unique trait to me though, as it pretty much directly defies the use of star-crossed lovers.

The above really was my only critique, I’d have loved to have seen more of Agnes, and hopefully this develops in the next book, of which I am assuming there will be! I didn’t expect the cliffhanger at the end, that did take me by surprise as I had made the assumption this was a novel. I should have known better when they even referenced themselves as Star Crossed Lovers.

Highly recommend this, I’ve already mentioned it to a few close friends who I know will love it, and I can’t wait to see what else this authors brings out in the future. A delightful discovery from NetGalley, with some beautiful moments of world building, folklore and LGBTQIA+ representation

This was supposed to be a simple, cosy fantasy, and somehow it has become my 2026 obsession. Now I am devastated to find that it is the first in a duology because I have to waaaaaaiiiiiiiiit!

A truly delightful queer love triangle, where Kit has to choose between what he should and what his heart desires. The world building is rich and indulgent, the magic system is built care. Absolutely glorious.

But seriously Megan Nesmith, if you could send me part two expeditiously that would be splendid.

A lovely, magical and romantic adventure. So cosy and heartfelt. Five stars.Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

A World Apart by Meghan Nesmith

I really enjoyed this book, the characters and the world building are really well done. It's a cosy read with a lot of heart. I'm always a fan of books that have that 'love at first sight' trope and Kit and Wilfrith have a great chemistry and its such a romantic book with a detailed historical setting with fantastical elements. Nesmith writes beautifully and the book was a joy to read.

There is a cliffhanger so be warned if you only like to read completed book series' but as this book is the first in a two parter I am looking forward to the next one. Thank you to the author Meghan Nesmith, the publishers Aria & Aries | Aria, and to Netgalley for this ARC.

I recieved this as a widget and i am SO GLAD THAT I DID!!

This was so gorgeous and well done and I am a sucker for a historical fantasy...but make it queer?? I AM SEATED!! I loved this so much , the magic, the mystery, the fact it was set in Victorian London, I just had such an incredible time with this.

I'm still trying to process my thoughts but this was just ugh gorgeous and I'm going to need book 2 asap. This is just so wonderful and the perfect magical romance vibes. (plus Kit and Will are the cutest, i loveeee). Recommend this 100%, an incredible pride month read! I can't wait till its out in november to grab a physical copy!

★ 4 stars ★

*A World Apart* was such a lovely surprise. Historical fantasy is one of my favourite genres, and combining Victorian London with fae folklore, magic, and a queer romance made this incredibly easy to get invested in.

The Victorian setting completely drew me in. There's something about nineteenth-century London that works so well alongside magic, and the way the fae mythology was woven into English history felt both original and immersive. The folklore, ancient bargains, and hidden magical world all created an atmosphere that was rich without ever feeling overwhelming.

Kit was such an interesting protagonist. His fascination with magic, combined with the pressure of his family's financial struggles and the expectations placed upon him, made him easy to sympathise with. I loved watching him become increasingly entangled in a world far bigger than he ever imagined.

The romance between Kit and Wil was another highlight. While it does lean into love at first sight—a trope I don't usually gravitate towards—I actually found myself believing in their connection. Their relationship had that star-crossed quality that made me want to keep reading just to see if they could somehow overcome everything standing in their way.

The only reason this wasn't a five-star read for me was the pacing at the beginning. It took me a little while to settle into the world, and I occasionally found myself wishing the story would move a bit quicker before everything clicked into place. Once it did, though, I was completely invested.

And that ending...

It tied so many threads together while still leaving me desperate to know what happens next. The final chapters elevated the entire book for me and left me genuinely excited for the sequel.

If you love Victorian fantasy, fae bargains, queer romance, rich folklore, and beautifully atmospheric historical settings, I'd definitely recommend adding *A World Apart* to your TBR. It rewards your patience with a magical story that's full of heart, history, and just the right amount of yearning.

I loved the mix of Victorian London, magic and fae folklore, with two people from completely different worlds finding each other across time and space. The romance was full of yearning and that lovely star-crossed feeling, and I really enjoyed the contrast between the historical setting and the magical world. It was atmospheric, enchanting and full of beautiful prose, with magic, mystery and impossible choices along the way.
A little tough to start with but was worth pushing through and very ready for more!

Highly recommend. Thanks so much for the e-arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC!

An excellent debut novel that I found myself absolutely devouring (much like Kit and his magic). Nesmith writes yearning and love in a way that feels akin to prose in some parts, and I found so much of myself in Kit and his desire to do whatever it takes for love. I adored the characters and greatly enjoyed the world building and description of the magic system, and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the sequel (which I hope is coming!) when it's ready.

I was instantly gripped by this book, and it was so unusual to jump between the two worlds. I think it was fantastic, and unlike anything I've ever read before.

I like the characters and felt like it was such a unique pursuit of magic. My main issue is that it felt more like a part 1 than a standalone story. I feel like the side characters, particularly in the London world, weren't actually necessary for Kit's story. I liked them all and found them interesting, but except for the day in the traveller's tent they didn't actually link in with the rest of the book.
I'd love to see this as a 600 page standalone rather than having to wait for the next book in the series.

Overall, the characters and worlds were so unique and interesting, and everything had a purpose. I felt like I understand WHY the plot took the paths it did, rather than this being fantasy for fantasy's sake. I think it's excellent and I will definitely read the next book in the series!

Thank you for approving me for this arc title!

Firstly, I'd like to thank Netgalley and Aria & Aries for the eARC for an honest review. I read the physical ARC sent to me by Tandem Collective UK.

This was a really enjoyable blend of historical fiction and fantasy. Set in 1866 London, the atmospheric setting added so much to the story and I loved how the fantasy elements were woven into the historical without overshadowing.

I loved the queer representation and characters. The characters were easy to root for and I found myself invested in their journeys from beginning to end. I think the beginning was really great and it did kind of taper off in the middle. But it ended on a cliff hanger so have to wait for the next one!