Sometimes, I hear a new to me song and it just hits me in exactly the right way. It was the exact song I needed to hear in that moment, and so I play it repeatedly and I turn it up as loud as possible.

For me, Amanda Loveless‘s poetry hits just the same, because it’s full of soul and I reach for it repeatedly. Each poem is a song for a new day with a different message that I need in that one singular moment. Specifically, Unlock Your Storybook Heart offers messages of reflection, empowerment, and self-compassion. I appreciated its challenge of the notion that we all must rise to newsworthy levels in order to find our own storybook ending. Thank you to Netgalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for an advanced copy of Unlock Your Storybook Heart in exchange for my honest review.

This was a nice conclusion to this fairy talesque poetry collections! I liked the little additions of story added throughout along with more personal touches and poems that the average person could relate to.

This one didn’t hit me quite so hard in the feels as the others did but it was still a solid collection and I definitely recommend it!

3/5⭐️

I’ve read and enjoyed other collections by the poet so reading Unlock Your Storybook Heart was a must read for me. This is similar to her other collection in that it deals with women, female empowerment, feminism and the like. The poems are as usual very short but powerful. I enjoyed this collection.

As always, the author wraps you up in beautiful words and says some things that you probably really needed to hear.

Amanda Lovelace was the writer who made me realise that I actually do enjoy reading poetry, and she hasn't disappointed me yet.

There are a lot of trigger warnings for this book, so please look into them before picking it up.

Overall, this was a light, quick read that I finished in one sitting before work. Definitely good for a quick pick me up.

The illustrations were gorgeous! They'd be amazing as prints!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Reading a book by Amanda Lovelace is kind of like settling in for a nice heartfelt chat with a friend that you’ve not gotten to talk to in a long time. There’s familiarity, kinship, and the kind of confessions you can only make when you know someone truly and deeply. When I first found out I had been approved to read a galley of unlock your storybook heart, which is the third and final book in Lovelace’s you are your own fairy tale series, I immediately texted a friend who also loves her work and intentionally filled them with jealousy. Evil? Perhaps, but it was worth it.

I enjoyed every page of this collection. Its truths bear repeating and Lovelace expands upon her themes with each successive page. Throughout this collection, and indeed throughout all of Lovelace’s work, we see that the most profound truths and the best practices for living one’s life to the fullest are not complex at all. All you really need to do is let go, trust your inner voice, and chart your own path. It’s nice to have a partner to share that journey with, but as Lovelace often shares, you only need yourself. You’re already the prize you’ve won. You don’t need a charming prince in a fortified castle or a knight in shining armor. You can slay the dragon yourself and ride off into the sunset as your own hero and that’s perfectly okay.

-Not my favorite series of hers
-Nothing beats the witches' volume
-Boring / mass production
-repetitive / simple
-nothing new for Amanda Lovelace… Same old same old

Unlock Your Storybook Heart by Amanda Lovelace is a collection of poetry, part of the You Are Your Own Fairy Tale series. This collection is relatively quick to get through and gives the feeling that the narrator is speaking to you, the reader, personally.
The writer was considerate to the readers by including a trigger warning at the beginning of the book, listing the various triggers, and advising the readers to remember to practice self-care. The collection has several rather charming illustrations to accompany various poems.


it may be hard to believe sometimes,
but there is someone out there
who will love you enough to stay after
the pen writes the words the end-
when those wild & passionate nights
inevitably transform into
those quiet & peaceful evenings.
the right one will turn to you & say,
"let's write the sequel, darling."
-even if that person is you.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of the opinions are my own and this did not affect my review in any way.

Since reading their first series, Women are some kind of magic, Amanda Lovelace has become a must read author for me. Even though not all of their collections are my favorite, I have come to realize that in every single one of their collection I have been able to connect with at least some of the poems, and this was no exception.

Unlock your storybook heart, is the third & final installment in Amanda Lovelace´s feminist poetry series, “you are your own fairy tale.” This is a collection about being so caught up in the fable that is perfectionism that you miss out on your own life.

I was very excited about this collection, because it was inspired by one of my favorite stories of all time, Beauty and the Beast, however, I am sad to say that even though I did enjoy this collection, I was expecting so much more and I ended up being a little disappointed. Even though the poetry isn’t groundbreaking or a masterpiece, 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.

Like a I said, I was a bit disappointed by this book, every time I read Lovelace´s work I feel good and although this collection did spark some emotions out of me, compared to her other works, this felt a little short.
However, the best part about this collection, like with the other two books in this series was that every negative thought was followed by a positive one, it felt hopeful. The poetry is empowering and promotes self-love above all.

Overall, even though this collection felt a little short for me, I still love Lovelace´s work and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Finally, please read the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.

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

I can't relate to all the experiences the author described in this book, but I could sense in some of the poems the feelings and the state of mind in which I was a few years ago. That's why I appreciated the book, but I also felt like I outgrew it, if that makes sense. In some of the poems I could hear my younger self's voice, but from today's standpoint, those things matter less to me or I reached those points already and don't feel the need to go back to it. Maybe that's why I didn't enjoy this book as much or rather, it didn't captivate me like I thought it would. It was still a nice book as it gave me an opportunity to reminisce and realise my growth.

A fantastic third instalment in a series that can be read in order or as stand-alone volumes, Lovelace has done it again. Tender, poignant, and insightful, these poems will take you within and show you as the hero of your own story. This book can be read as a fairy tale reimagining or simply in its own right.

Thanks to @andrewsmcmeel and @netgalley for the early copy. You can pick up yours on the release date, March 15.

Amanda Lovelace s writing is not for everyone. The same goes for pop poetry. In her latest book, she writes about how we grow up too fast without space in between to enjoy living. Father time is a sneak man, close your eyes and you're 10, then 20, then 30. Where did all the time go? Lost in untold stories? The illustration in the book is beautiful as usual. This time it takes the theme of fairytales. The ultimate message is to be yourself, go at your own pacing, not chase after other people's opinions of achievement.

She ultimately wishes her readers A love so great, they continue as ghosts after death

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

I've been following Amanda Lovelace since before she was called this. And even though it's been a few years since I first cliked 'follow' on the ladybookmad tumblr, her words continue to resonate as loud as ever, maybe even louder.

Lovelace's poetry play at the very strings of my heart, pulling and twisting just the right amount to make me feel. Just the right amount to move me to a smile or even tears.

In this, the third piece of the You Are Your Own Fairy Tale colecction, she reminds us that we are not incomplete but in search of that which makes us better. And that such thing can be found not just in romantic love but in ourselves, in books, in candles, in safety.

Lovelace's own love story is written in these pages too, and it's just as much of a fairy tale as it was when it was first blooming and had its own tag on my tumblr. It's such a wonder to read such love because it truly leaps from the page.

I loved it. Amanda remains one if not my favorite poet.

I am once again disappointed in Amanda Lovelace's work. Her first two collections were excellent but each collection since then has gotten more and more disappointing. I think this is going to be the last work of hers that I read and request to read from Netgalley. Until she changes something to make it better. Thanks for the opportunity to read this collection.

I think first what people need to remember is that these poems are basically a "story" of the author's life. If you follow along and see her progression it really all makes sense. In that aspect I have loved everything - this one however I think may be my favorite. I have been on my own self discovery and healing journey and these poems have really made me feel and deal with things personally. I know not everyone will find that, but I'm totally recommending it :)

I am awestruck by the sense of empowerment reading unlock your storybook heart gave me. The feminism, the love for yourself first and foremost *chef’s kiss*

I highlighted the following as it is something that personally resonated with me.

“what would my life have been like
if i had been encouraged to follow my heart
instead of following a paycheck?
i don't know, but i'm determined to find out.”

How often do we do something for the money? We are miserable but we are taught if it pays good to stick with it. Why? Take the pay cut. Go do what you love. As long as you are happy (and still able to pay your bills) who cares if you lose a bit?

Love yourself first.

This was my first time reading the works of Lovelace and I found it to be unlike any poetry collection I have read before. Personally, the collection didn't match with my tastes but I have no doubt others will love it. I have nothing against Lovelace's style of writing, it is very uplifting and filled with poems that felt like more like affirmations than prose to me. Her writing is deeply emotive and introspective in nature, I found myself feeling a sense of nostalgia at certain points when reading this book. This was a case of hit or miss and sadly this time, it missed for me.

Unlock Your Storybook Heart by Amanda Lovelace 🧚

Where to start with this one. Amanda Lovelace is one of my AUTOBUY poetry authors. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Amanda Lovelace for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is her third book of the You Are Your Own Fairy Tale series.

🎉PUB DATE: March 15, 2022🎉

“Life is not something that can be experience on a deadline”

“When was the last time you stopped to take in the everyday enchantment all around you?”

One of the main reasons I adore poetry is because it makes me stop, think and reflect. This book series reminds you that it’s not all about “being perfect” or getting caught up with the now, trying to keep up with the Jones’s. You are your own magic.

I find that poetry books make fabulous pick me ups and reference tools when I’m not feeling myself.

QOTD: Do you read poetry? RH Sin, Rupi Kaur and Amanda Lovelace are my GO-TO authors.

My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5
Goodreads Average Rating: 3.87/5

* 160 Pages
* Fiction/Poetry
* Feminism/Emotional/Reflective
* Book 3 of the You Are Your Own Fairy Tale Series
* Short Poems
* Medium Paced Read

**Some of these triggers may contain spoilers**

⚠️ Triggers/Warnings ⚠️

* Fatphobia
* Homophobia
* Mental Illness
* Child Abuse
* Self Harm
* Abandonment
* Death
* Sexism
🏷 #poetry #amandalovelace #arc #netgalley #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #books #read #bibliophile #goodreads

I received an e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I don't normally read poetry, especially the modern kind, but wow, this book was beautiful in every aspect. Plus, it gave me everything I needed the moment I read it. This book deals a lot with burnout of a former "gifted kid" and that's exactly my case, so this hit very close to home and I've probably never felt so seen. It also touched on some more topics like grief or queerness.
I am so glad I stumbled upon this book because it was just what I needed. The poetry is amazing and the illustrations throughout this book are unbelievably gorgeous and sweet, so also props to the illustrator.

This is the first of Amanda Lovelace's poetry books that I've read cover-to-cover, and I enjoyed it immensely! She has a prominent, impactful, and emotive voice in all of her poems, and through a mix of poignant, relatable, and occasionally-funny (when appropriate) verses, Lovelace captures the essence of girlhood, the journey into adulthood, and the ways in which the stories we tell, and the stories we read, shape who we are. I am grateful for the trigger warning at the beginning, and the LGBTQ+ inclusivity in this text, and I will definitely be picking up a paperback copy next week when it's published for sale!
I'm also posting a review onto my bookstagram page on Instagram: www.instagram.com/spoonie.bujo ! My review will be posted on Instagram on March 14, 2022, one day prior to the publication date.

As the name suggests, this poetry collection is largely a love letter to stories of all kinds. The stories we grew up reading that shaped us into who we are today. Lovelace uses stories, fairytales, books, and magic to transform the mundane and bring it to life. They add a sparkle to the bad and hard moments, and help you to reframe and look at things differently. This book reinforces the importance of words and language, and how they can have such a profound impact. It explores heternormativity and societal expectations placed on women through the lens of fairytales and tales of old.