"you can have the lipstick. you can have the sword." -From break your glass slippers

4.5 stars

I have read Lovelace's poems before, but I have never listened to the audio. I really think Lovelace breathes a new life to her words, and I really enjoyed this collection. I know I'm probably missing some nice illustrations, and format of some of the poems; so this work is best consumed using both the audio and a physical copy I would think. I loved the classic Cinderella theme to explore feminism and power.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was really good when it played with the idea of fairy tales and Cinderella; the wise advice from the Fairy Godmother was a nice touch. It was less good when it got literal and didactic which was much of sections two and three. Good life advice but not great poetry.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Please read the TW listed at the beginning of the book!

I am honestly conflicted with how to rate this. The first time I read it, I gave it four stars. I liked it, but not as much as the author’s other poetry trilogy. Now, after having read the next two books in this trilogy and strongly disliking them, I am worried that maybe it isn’t as good as I thought. However, I do think it is the strongest out of the three.

The problem with making pseudo-Tumblr post poetry is that while it is relatable, it is generic and easily forgettable.

This is probably one of my favourite poetry collections! I loved the body-positive message, the discussion of what it means to truly be a feminist and what it means to live in a world with so much misogyny. Everything about this collection was amazing!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I haven't read this series of Amanda's poems in the past, but I was a huge fan of "the princess saves herself in this one," along with her other poetry collections. I'm not sure if I'm just at a different stage in my life (I had read the previous ones at 19-20 vs 24), but this didn't do as much for me. I will say, I did really enjoy her reading of the poems, and I appreciated the concept. I look forward to listening to the second and third books in the collection and I'm hoping that they'll resonate with me a little bit more.

I liked this! The author talks about a lot of important issues that face younger girls, such as abusive relationships, body positivity, and self worth. It did feel at times like the author was just regurgitating viral online phrases which felt invaluable compared to other, very poetic and beautifully worded poems from other parts of the collection.

I loved hearing this authors own voice when narrating. It's great to know that everything I'm hearing is being told exactly how the author intended it.

Overall, I enjoyed this! Short, sweet, and valuable.

I really enjoyed 'The Princess Saves Herself in This One', and whether I've moved on from this type of poetry or whether this one just didn't live up to that I'm not sure, but this collection wasn't at the same level for me.
Some beautiful words, very important themes, just not quite there for me.

I'd like to thank Netgalley for an advanced listener copy of the audio version of this book, set to release in March.

I love Amanda Lovelace's poetry collections. There's something about them that just hits right for me, the messages are always ones I need to read on repeat.

Poetry as an audiobook can be really hit or miss for me, which is why I usually avoid it. I do like hearing the poets read their words in their own voices because it lends a certain magic to them. There were points in this one where I had actual chills when I listened. (Particularly in the moments with the music softly playing).

However, the audio version also took away some of the power of the poems. It was harder for me to really sit with them and meditate on the words, on the message, on what she had written down on the page. It's hard to go back and find the spot where something starts, especially when the poems in question are so short. So you're playing this awkward back and forth game with your 15 second playback button and your 30 second forward jump. It makes going back to find a specific poem, a specific phrase of words hard to do, and I like finding poems that have meaning and weight to them and reading them again. Poems can be a balm, and when you're hurt, you want that medicine. You don't want to have to dig and search for it.

It also struck me that the repetition Amanda uses, which never bothers me when I'm reading the poems, became something I didn't exactly like as much.

I think if I had read this collection, I would have a more favorable opinion of it, but as an audio book, it's only a three star.

4.25 stars

I haven’t read a physical copy of this one yet, but I have read several other poetry collections from the author. Listening to her read her work was a beautiful experience. I missed seeing the visuals of her books as well as the physical layout of her poems, but hearing her voice and listening to the occasional musical accompaniments was lovely. I love the way she writes (and reads!), and I love that this one was inspired by Cinderella. I can’t wait to see what she creates next!

I am always so excited to see a new book by Amanda Lovelace. I was definitely not disappointed in this one. While reading her poetry I find myself speaking to her with things like 'yes I feel that way' or 'why do people think that way'. I feel seen. As a women who is overweight, she makes me take a different look at myself and try not to be so hard on myself. Her poetry is so empowering. I definitely recommend this one! Thank you to Netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 3.5
Overall, I liked the message of the poems, but some of it read like a tumbler post. I think part one was better than part two.