*2.5 stars

a part of me truly enjoyed the messages this collection holds; that all her poems seem to hold true, raw messages i can breathe in and mold with my own messages. this eas no different, yet i seem to be in the minority of enjoying her newest collection over this one.

again, i enjoyed the messages this collection holds, of femininity, self love, trauma, sexual assault, and the over-arching theme of healing. but the literary critic inside of me found this to he underwhelming at the least, and underwritten at the most. there were a few instances of good metaphors and similies, of comparisons she pulled that flowed with a nice rhythm, but besides that there was little poetic devices found in her verse, which was saddening.

i still enjoyed this, though. a reread from when i hadn't really read much poetry to jow when i've read much more.

a 5-stars in my heart and soul.

*4.5 stars
content warning: rape, sexual assault, addiction

i told myself i was gonna savour this book, and so i did. there are sad stints throughout the books. moments where i couldn't stand the characters and their decisions. times where i thought they weren't going to progress past their current sad state. but GOD, i was pleasantly wrong.

this was an important read, seeing issues through lenses i may not experience, understanding the world i that sense. this book did THAT and more, i adored it so much.