This was a promising debut for sure. I really liked few poems though I wasn't able to connect to a few. The main theme of this collection was to uplift women voices and women empowerment which I feel that it handled pretty well. Another theme that I really liked was how women need to support each other!

The audiobook narration definitely adds a different experience to this collection. Her voice is so powerful. The poems are empowering and touching at times. But I found them too repetitive and generic at times.

Nonetheless it is good debut overall.

Very short audio, only 44 minutes. I don't usually pick up poetry, but I kept hearing about this one. In one word, this book is STRONG! It did make me think about my upbringing. Any book that makes you think is a good one.

This book is narrated by the author Aija Mayrock. Music throughout the audio was also perfectly matched to the audio. This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Poetry let loose, that’s how I would describe this. I listened to the audio version and it was a relaxing treat at first. I almost wish I could have separated these poems into two books. It starts off as empowering women but then turns to male hate. The author’s anger really comes through in the poetry and is distracting from the point she is trying to make.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy to review.

A compilation of feminist poetry, this book takes readers (or listeners) on a journey of empowerment, hope, and alternative narratives. This collection rejects toxic masculinity, tells hard truths about the realities of rape culture and misogyny, and encourages women listening to acknowledge their own power.

The narration in the audio of this book is strong, with lovely vocal inflection. It made for a great listen while out for a walk!

Disclaimer - this review is based on a free copy received through Netgalley.com

Audiobook - read by the author (Aija Mayrock) and about 45 minutes long

This book is listed as poetry, which is not the usual genre that I would read/listen. However, I am glad that I noticed the audiobook and took a risk on listening to it.

This book is a powerful listen for all women. This book should be given to all women, regardless of their age. If you are able to get a copy of the audiobook or the physical book, please do so.

The author is able to convey the powerful nature of the poetry.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review. I freely admit that I don’t read enough poetry, and the poetry I have read has been of a more classic nature so I don’t have many points of reference to modern poetic works. However, I did enjoy this piece and got a lot out of it. You don’t have to look too far on social media to realise that this voice which empowers, validates and sympathises with the female experience, is very much needed. Unfortunately I still think that it will take more than one piece of poetry to address the issues which are raised within it. But it is a starting point and I would particularly recommend to teenagers- male and female.

I don't know that I knew exactly what to expect when I was going into this but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. 'Dear Girl' is written with the obvious intent to spread a very positive female message and inspire the reader. I can say that I certainly felt that familiar and comfortable pang as I worked my way through these poems. It's written very nicely for readers of all ages. Despite the title, I don't feel like it's only written for women. Men could listen and learn as well, and should! I settled here with a four star because I feel like I wasn't given enough! I definitely wanted to hear more. I don't feel like this read as though it was a journey from childhood to adulthood as a woman. It felt more like it was just speaking to feminism and I'm fine with that because it was done very well.

If you like poetry at all this is a great book. It has so much lines I wanted to highlight, quote worthy. The girl power is wonderful! I can't wait to read more of this author!

This was SUCH a good poetry collection about feminism and teaching girls their worth! As the mom of girls I loved it and found it so inspiring! Highly highly recommend!

"Dear Girl,
You ask me what I wish for you.
I simply say -
Never allow any soul to clip your wings.
You were not born an ember.
You were born the flame."

Dear Girl is a debut poetry collection by Aija Mayrock, who also reads the audio version. Simply put - her words are beautiful and empowering. This is a quick listen - less than 45 minutes - but I took so much away from it that I found myself playing it again and again.

"There is no such things as weak women.
Only women who have not stepped into their power.
Step into it.
The world is waiting."

Aija is only 25 years old but her writing is wise and soulful. Covering topics from sexual harassment and body image to gender identity and racism, her verse is a punch to the gut at times, while at others, it lifts you up.

"You were not born to please.
You were brought here to disrupt, awaken and speak truth to ease the pain scattered around.
So when you are told to quiet down, I hope you grow louder.
You are an entire symphony that needs no applause."

I listened to this with my daughters, who are tweens, and it sparked a lot of thoughtful discussion. Aija's words are a call to action, a warm hug and a reminder that women are a fierce force to be reckoned with.

"You are nothing but sheer miracles born from the ashes of women who have walked this earth before you.
That is why you must speak truth.
For other women have done the work and you must not dismantle it."

***Please note that I transcribed these quotes from the audiobook so they may not appear as the author intended in written form.

Thank you to NetGalley, Andrews McNeel Audio and the author for an advanced listening copy to review.

This was not my favorite spoken word performance. I think this is likely better consumed in written format vs audiobook and for that reason I didn’t rate it lower.

This book was really empowering. I highly recommend the audiobook. I felt the emotions conveyed. It was raw and real. I truly enjoyed this work of art.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel publishing for sending me an audiobook ARC of this book!

Listen, I’ve never read a collection of peons before, but this one definitely left a good impression. It was raw and vulnerable . Haunting yet stunning. It truly made feel okay in my own skin, if only for the time I was listening to it. It was very moving and there were awe-inspiring quotes in there. None of the poems felt too long or too short, and the collection as a whole felt like the perfect size. Oh, Andy eh narrator, don’t even get me started. She had such a powerful voice and really got into the words she was saying. Overall, I’d recommend it!

Dear Girl

Powerful! Chilling and cleansing. This book had me so fast, so invested, and so relating. Thank you for writing this. I can’t wait to share it with my best friend.

Received an Audio book and a Digital arc from publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dear Girl is a set of poems dealing with the subject matter of Feminism and everything that goes with it. It almost remain of " the Witch doesn't burn in this one by Amanda Lovelace which was also about the subject matter of Feminism . This was a very quick listened and read since I read it along with listening to it. The narrator was really good since it was author of the book who was reading it.

I have not picked up a poetry collection for a while and this one did not disappoint. It was very powerful and moving, and I loved how this was narrated by the poet herself (I listened to it via audiobook) which added to the intimate nature of the poetry.

The poetry was empowering, many were relatable and inspiring for women. I identified with many of the poems and appreciated how honest and raw the poet was. The writing is strong, and the cover is also pretty too.

The line “Equality is not just about calling someone out, equality is about accountability” is relevant now more than ever. I really loved the impact of the verse and the line “Your past lives with you, dear girl, but you are not your past” is one that has left a lasting impression on me.

Thank you to Net Galley for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

Dear Girl is the debut poetry collection from Aija Mayrock - written from a sister to another sister. It is sharp , so on point , empowering and ultimately it touched the soul. This collection calls out to the women to speak up - to find truth - to make their voices heard. It is not just poetry but motivational writings.

"you must believe the words you speak are weak,
but Echoes of words
can start revolutions. "

'Dear Girl' is an impressive collection of poems. I was listening to the autho's piercing voice with the lights off and honestly speaking it gave me chills because major portions of this book hits a chord - incidents I experienced while growing up as a girl and of course as a woman.

"grow wiser, grow deeper, but never grow up"

This book is not something that no one has ever read before or have not heard somewhere else , but it is something that needs to be taught to your offsprings ,to be told to your siblings . It is not only meant to be read but also learnt.
This book restored my spirits and made me believe that I am the fire.

" Dear Girl,
You ask me what I wish for you.
I simply say -
Never allow any soul to clip your wings
You were not born an ember
You were born a flame."

This book consoled me - it taught me that I do need to take care of myself at times. Everything else - everyone else will vapourise but what matters the most is self-love and self-esteem.

The theme may seem repetitive at times but the use of impactful words made it very consistent in quality and made me fall in love with my being.

If you are in search of something motivational or are feeling a bit low spirited today just grab your earphones and start listening to the audio version (maybe you can grab the soft copy also) and start listening (or reading - whatever you choose to).

I was given an audiobook arc from Netgalley UK for an honest review.

This poetry collections falls into a category of Modern Poetry and I don't feel like this sort of poetry is for me. I've tried ones like this before and I never really connect with them. This blurs the lines between poetry and random statments or musings. Some worked for me as poetry, others felt like filler on the page, parts of an unexplored concept.

In terms of audiobook, I really struggled with this. I would have thought poetry, being so close to the spoken-word style, would have made the perfect audiobook. The structure was hard to follow, it meant that each poem blurred one into the other. It needed a better way to clearly seperate each.

I wanted to love this, but it ended up being middle of the road for me.

I received Dear Girl by Aija Mayrock as an Advanced Reader Copy from #NetGalley and the Author #AijaMayrock in Audiobook format in exchange for my honest review. First of all the narration was perfect and made the power of the poetry really transcend, bring it to life and keep your attention. I felt a connection to a many of the scenarios and at one point was on the verge of tears. Was grateful for the opportunity to read and review.

Thank you to Andrews McMeel and NetGalley for an audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am not a huge fan of poetry or feminist works in general so I was weary of listening to this audiobook. I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed this book. It was a quick listen (under an hour), so I found that it didn’t repeat or belabor issues, simply stated and powerful!
A recommended must read/listen for any woman And I think the men would find it interested too..
Narrated by the author, she obviously did a great job and demonstrated emotions throughout.