This book was amazing. It’s so powerful and wonderful. I cried. The author has an amazing talent for telling reality in a captivating and moving way. This story has such an important message. I enjoyed every page, every word and littler detail. One of my favorites of 2020

*sigh*

I always have such high hopes for Amanda Lovelace's poetry but every time I am disappointed. Why do I keep reading her collections, you might ask? Because the poems about the Salem Witch trials in [book:The Witch Doesn't Burn in This One|35924698] were phenomenal and took my breath away. I'm always hoping that Lovelace will do that to me again in her newer collections. Sadly, that was not the case with [book:Break Your Glass Slippers|46406160].

break your glass slippers is a loose retelling of Cinderella, where Cinderella (a stand-in for Lovelace and pretty much women in general). Most of the poems are about telling women that their self-worth is not defined by fairy tales or finding a prince charming. Sometimes we just need to learn to love ourselves to get a happily ever after. There are beautiful illustrations scattered through out the collection, and I absolutely loved them. Whoever the illustrator was (I don't think it was mentioned in the book, but I'm assuming it's the same person who illustrated [book:To Make Monsters Out of Girls|39217806]), I really loved how they balanced the fairy tale theme with a feminist edge. I almost want to buy the collection just for the illustrations.

However, I just did not feel anything for the poems. If you've read Lovelace's collections before, then you know that her poetry can be repetitive. Don't get me wrong, I really love the themes and messages she covers. I think that her poetry is so, so important, especially for people who might not love poetry. BUT I wish the poet would cut down on the amount of poems and work on expanding on the good stuff. My particular favorites were the fairy godmother sections and the poems in part ii.

A lot of the poems were just one line with some basic view of feminism. Again, nothing wrong with this, especially for those new to poetry and feminism. However, at this point in Lovelace's poetic career (as this is her SIXTH published collection), I would have expected more from her.

<i>Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I've always been a girl of fanciful dreams and a lover of fairytales, always imagining my own Prince Charming in shining armour and a handsome face. Amanda Lovelace's poetry books have been talked about as masterpieces, and this is my first experience with one. If they are all this deep and soul-hitting, then I'm about to add more books to my collection.

break your glass slippers is a poetry masterpiece, and a story that many girls should read. I kept a notebook page with the page numbers of every thing that hit close to home and, let me just say, it encompassed at LEAST half the book. From the first heartbreak of feeling like family doesn't love you, to the villains being those you cared about, and the importance of self love. I can't even begin to describe how familiar these things were. It also helped me to realise that my own Prince is everything he should be. My only request is that somebody writes one of these books for the men in the world. I think we spend so much time empowering women that we don't spend enough time teaching men that they are important too.

This is a definite 4.5/5 for me for the message and the style. Thanks to NetGalley for the arc read.

“Dear prince, if you tried to find me now, you wouldn’t be able to. You see, when I finally learned how to love myself, everything about me changed. Love, the princess”

Break your Glass Slippers is a poetry collection about overcoming those who don’t see your worth, even if that person is sometimes yourself. When I saw this book available on NetGalley I immediately started to read it. I am a huge fan of Amanda Lovelace´s work. Like most of Amanda Lovelance´s work I adored this poetry collection. The author is starting to become one of my favorites. The poetry isn’t groundbreaking or a masterpiece but it makes me feel things no other poetry has ever been able to do. It makes me reflect and appreciate everything that surrounds me, including myself.

Every time I read Lovelace´s work I feel good and this was no exception. This poetry collection makes me feel like I matter and even though this is Lovelance´s story I feel seen and represented. These are words you need to hear no matter at what point in your life you are. I can see why some people see this as a Twitter/ Tumblr post, and maybe it is, but even a Twitter / Tumblr post can be beautiful and inspiring.

What made this collection extra special for me was that every negative thought was followed by a positive one, it felt hopeful. The poetry is empowering and promotes self-love above all. I truly recommend you read it. Overall it was an amazing poetry collection, the poems are raw and promote self-love which I think is crucial. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a short, powerful poetry book that is easy to read and will definitely make you love yourself a little bit more.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Another great collection from amanda lovelace. I have read all of her poetry books, and have never once been disappointed. Her writing is real, heartbreaking, and empowering all at once. I will always look to her for good poetry.

Amanda Lovelaces new poetry collection is just as beautiful and empowering as all her other works. I've read everyone of her books and got super excited when I seen i could read this on Netgalley. This collection is about breaking toxic cycles and letting females know they are worth so much more. She always counters the negative with a positive and self love note. I really liked that Amanda Lovelace made the fairy godmother seem like she is in all of us when we need her the most and that we really need to believe in ourselves. The way she mixed classic fairy tales with her own experience was really creative. I always feel like everyone can relate to her poems. I cant wait for her next collection to come out. I also want to talk about the illustrations and they're absolutely stunning especially the night sky drawings.

Thanks NetGalley for the free e-ARC

I'm not sure why I keep reading Amanda Lovelace's books because I don't exactly love them. They are okay and I really like a handful of poems, but as a whole, I don't think they are mind-blowing or anything. I just saw this ebook available on NetGalley and before I knew it I had already added it to my shelf.

I liked it, and I like how this new series of poetry collections mixes the concept of a traditional fairy tale (Cinderella, obviously) with the author's personal experiences. Even if I say I'm not that impressed with Lovelace's books, I know I'll be looking forward to reading the next volumes in this series to see what other fairy tales get the chance to get made into poetry.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this poetry. I enjoy Lovelace immensely and have read all of her work to date. I really enjoyed the idea that "The Cinderella in this book is a survivor in every way." I liked the format of this one because it was different than her others, but it was still very enjoyable and readable. Definitely recommend.

#poetrymatters "Let it teach you that the magic you are looking for already rests inside you, waiting for a spark."

A beautiful first book in the "You are Your Own Fairytale" series. Like her other books, Break Your Glass Slippers is a collection of empowering poetry, that my feminist heart is here for! Part III sums up the book perfectly - you are your own goddamn fairytale!

What I love most about Amanda Lovelace's writing that it always leaves me wanting more while simultaneously giving me this huge boost of confidence - finishing one of her collections always ends up with me wanting to burn down the patriarchy and wanting to empower and encourage every single woman I've ever crossed paths with. break your glass slippers was no different. With her utter honesty and absolute confidence in telling the story as is, Lovelace just burrows herself into our hearts. I for one hope she never stops writing stories that empower women everywhere and tell them what we should know all along: we are enough, exactly the way we are.

This is a volume of very, very short poems that are essentially a modern and empowering retelling of Cinderella. Really beautiful, heartbreaking, and hopeful.

I absolutely loved this. I don’t usually like poetry, but based on the synopsis, I wanted to read it. What she’s saying is so important! I think this book will help others see their self worth. It’s wonderful. 💜

" her precious fairy tales showed her what would happen if she found her prince, but they never prepared her for what she should do if her prince turned out to be her unhappily ever after. "

I loved the book. There were so many beautiful lines in that poem that I cannot appreciate enough and I would say it's a beautiful way to spread the message of "self care" and "self love". I loved how it said "skinny" and "fat" are just sizes and are neither compliment nor comment. There were many other sensitive issues that were covered in this book and kudos to the poet for being able to portray it with such ease.
Moreover, the book had beautiful aesthetics as well. The book was in a peculiar format - poem for what's going on in Cinderella's life and then Fairy Godmother's advice to her. Best part was : It promoted the message that no matter what if you have fallen down you can definitely rise again and it's all in your hands.
There are some trigger warnings at the beginning of the book so check that out before proceeding.

Too easy to read, can be completed in less than an hour. The title of the book can make you feel that this book is a poetic wonder which it is not. Quite straightforward with no hidden meanings as such, what the poet wanted to convey is kept is presented in simple English and there is no "I feel she wanted to convey this emotion here".

This is the first work of amanda lovelace I have read and I see the wide appeal-- it is very readable and shareable. Within the wide structure of fairytale retelling, lovelace's poems reintroduce to us the story of Cinderella, but is relatable, modern, millenial, and most importantly, more affirming to womxn everywhere than its original canon.
Though this book wasn't exactly for me, personally, I'd recommend it as a gift to young teens as an eased introduction into certain self-affirming feminist thoughts and concepts (there is some language, discretion is advised).
Her message is loud and clear-- you have innate value no one can diminish-- and worth sharing, especially with those still coming into her own.

Another collection from Amanda Lovelace that encourages self-love, positive body image and feminism to its young readers. There is also dreamy art scattered throughout making the experience even more enjoyable.

I enjoyed this poetry collection very much. I really liked how Amanda Lovelace took some of the original Cinderella tropes and changed them to put them into her own poems. I especially liked how the fairy godmother was presented as the supporter we all need in life and also how we can all be our own fairy godmothers.
The poems in this book are empowering and promote self-love. Also, the illustrations are gorgeous, especially the ones of the painted sky.
I really recommend this one!

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free poetry collection.*

"Break your Glass Slippers" is a feminist Cinderella retelling in poems, which deal with fatshaming, sexual abuse/exploitation, standing up for oneself, self acceptance, healing, guilty feminism, and coming to terms with one's body. The poems are very short, yet poignant. The poems from the Fairy Godmother try to tell you that you are worthy despite what everybody else (or the mirror) tells you:

"fairy godmother says

you are limitless.

you can have the lipstick.
you can have the sword." (p. 27)

I loved the poems, but most of all I loved the message of self-acceptance, self-care and body positivity. Fairy tales and the message they send are also deconstructed: "her precious fairy tales showed her what would / happen if she found her prince, but they / never prepared her for what she should do if / her prince turned out to be her unhappily ever after. --- cinderella." (p. 68)

5 Stars

*3.5 stars. Firstly, I'd like to thank NetGalley for giving me an ARC for an honest review!

"It has never been within your duty to be pretty"

Having read all of Amanda Lovelace's books, I was excited to read this one. Being such a huge fan of fairytales I was looking forward to seeing how Amanda used this in her writing. I have to say Nikita Gill's forward is brilliantly written and also the artwork is a beautiful addition as always to the writing!

"We don't win till we're all winning"

I still find it hard consider Amanda's writing poetry. I would say it is more like inspirational quotes and pieces of prose which I still enjoyed. I found the 'fairy godmother says' a little irritating after a while and was glad when I got to the next sections where it stopped.

"My value doesn't go down when my weight goes up"

I love the girl power vibes throughout this book and how much Amanda supports women. Having put on 2 and 1/2 stone in two years (shock horror) the quote above really helped me to try and see myself in a better light. I can see how a lot of people will be able to relate to this book and how it can really help people. I liked the concept that we can be our own fairy godmother and our own prince. We are strong enough to do it for ourselves!

"I went from a single wildflower to a whole fucking meadow"

I was glad to see some pieces that celebrated men rather than slating them throughout which shows Amanda's growth. In truth there is always somebody out there that isn't going to fuck us over.

"Withholding forgiveness can be a form of self-care"

Another quote that will be forever in my mind. Sometimes you just need someone else to say it for you to truly believe it! Another good book from Amanda and I hope to read many more.

“she never needed anyone else’s help to have the fairy tale she always wanted. at long last, she’s realized one of the greatest truths a person can learn during the course of a life: she is her own goddamn fairy tale.”

As always, I loved the new collection of poems from Amanda Lovelace. Her poems always hit me right in the gut and right in the heart and I adore it every time. Break Your Glass Slippers takes the story of Cinderella and turns it on its head to create a story that tells women they don’t need to impress their prince, tells women to practice self-care and, just as importantly, to practice self-love.

I really liked the set-up of poems about the princess followed by the fairy godmother advice poems. It fit so well with the Cinderella aspect, it was something I appreciated. The illustrations in this book are GORGEOUS and I absolutely cannot wait to see them in person.

This is one you should definitely read if you have ever faced a toxic relationship, feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness, and need a few reminders that you are enough and you can do anything through hard work and determination.

Amanda Lovelace's first book in her new You are your own fairy tale series is a poetic retelling or reimagining of the classic fairy tale Cinderella. Instead of the fairy godmother (FG) fashioning a gown, a coach, and fancy slippers, (in the first of three parts of the book) the FG offers the girl powerful affirmations of self-worth, strength, and the power to find the beauty that is within. The second part of the book focuses on self-care and knowing your own worth, while the third part is short and sweet--"be your own...fairy tale." This is isn't book lamenting on finding your prince or hoping for a fairy godmother, this book is about facing difficult situations and finding the magic and power within yourself to be seen, to be heard, and to shape your own destiny.
Often Lovelace's works are hit and miss for me, but the majority of this one resonated because doubt, feelings of selfishness when I practice self-care, and feeling stuck are all things I still struggle with and this book offers little gems of hope that can help to push away from those negative naggers in the brain.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.