First, it is evident through the writing of Ms. Lovelace, that one see’s the various emotions of struggle, caring, love, and healing - not only with and about herself, but those words are shared at times as warm advice. For that, I applaud Lovelace’s overall message.

A minor criticism, the book’s cover is rather plain. A more captivating cover design would work better to showcase the content. When I read the title of this work, I wanted to hear it - the cover didn’t attract and unfortunately played no factor.

Although Ms. Lovelace has a pleasant voice to listen to, her speaking narrative was extremely slow and monotone - devoid of all emotion. If the storybook heart is to be unlocked, shouldn’t it be with enthusiasm and relatable expressions of gratitude and freedom? Unfortunately, the narration was disappointing leaving me unconvinced of the author’s own feelings.

2.5 Stars

My thanks to NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Audio, and Amanda Lovelace for an AAC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really, really loved this book. It was both extremely relatable and whimsical, relevant and poetic. I loved the loose retelling aspects just as much as I love the author's words and the way they expressed such difficult themes in a comforting and beautiful way. I will definitely purchase a physical copy of this book the second it comes out in stores.

This is a story about love and how we can turn it inside & out.

I will read anything Amanda Lovelace ever writes. This one was particularly beautiful, and the reflections on grief and loss were particularly impactful after a couple years of being a human during these strange times. As always I’m going to buy this once it’s released and read it over, and over,

Andrews McMeel Audio, Andrews McMeel Publishing & NetGalley for the audio ARC!

E-Arc Book & Audiobook Review
unlock your storybook heart, by Amanda Lovelace
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Book Release Date: 03/15/22
Audiobook Release Date: 03/15/22

**These books (e-book and audio) were provided by NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for free in exchange for an honest review. **
**There are multiple trigger warnings discussed at the start of the book. Tread carefully. **

Synopsis: unlock your storybook heart is a collection of narrative poetry themed loosely around The Beauty & The Beast. This is the third book in her poetry series called you are your own fairytale. In this collection, topics such as eating disorders, mental health, trauma, grief, queerphobia, and more are explored.

Review:
* Lovelace's voice was monotoned throughout the entire collection, which is normally fine in a poetry collection, but as this was a more narrative collection, more vocal inflection would've helped me, as the reader, stay focused on the collection rather than falling asleep.
* I enjoyed the musical sections, but I'm not sure they added to the story in a way that they could've.

Rating: 2/5 (My rating is only in relation to her work and not comparatively to the work of others.)

Overall, I didn't enjoy this poetry collection as much as others I have enjoyed from her. Because the audio/reading experience was only about an hour-long, I don't regret reading/listening to this collection, but if I were to recommend her poetry, this collection would not be the one I would recommend.

The third in its series, this poetry collection is focused on storylines similar to beauty and the beast.
The author created compelling poetry in two main parts, which seemed to focus on relationships with others, and then the importance of a relationship with oneself.

I would say the collection is poignant and relatable, but as an audiobook it was hard to separate poem by poem. i received a copy of this as an arc from Netgalley.

Listening to the author narrating her poetry is a gift in itself. Hearing her weave fairy tales and poetry as journal entries was sublime. This is only the second book of hers that I read and I am ordering her second book now.

I devoured all 3 of these poetry collections based on fairytales in one day--each book has its moments as well as its pitfalls. I believe this last installment bled together with the previous two: it may be fine on its own, but read in conjunction with the previous two it fails to say anything new. I do believe these poems are important, and a young girl somewhere out there will benefit from them--however, she definitely won't benefit from ALL of them, because they're all so similar.

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

Actual Rating: 2.5

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

Similar to how I don't think these sentences are poetry, they don't work well in audio format either. Poetry is usually read as spoken word. Whereas, this is words simply being spoken.

I feel like this series just depreciated as it went on. The “poems” become more and more repetitive and stale. However, I am giving this one a little higher rating than the second because it did have the good lesson of loving yourself (and who you want to love) in spite of the world’s homophobia and heteronormative media.

I think this will be the last of her books that I pick up. I might give Flower Crown and Fearsome Things a try, since I did enjoy her first poetry trilogy and then disliked this one, so maybe that can be the tiebreaker.

Unlock Your Storybook Heart was such a beautiful and heartfelt read! I absolutely enjoyed every moment of this book and all the emotions it was able to bring forth. I’ve always been quick to read any Amanda Lovelace book that comes out, and I’m never disappointed. Reading her work is such an amazing experience. Each time I always walk away feeling so strong and empowered by it. This book was very thought-provoking, and each verse felt so relatable and heartfelt. Being able to love yourself is a very powerful thing. It’s very important to understand that the knight doesn’t always have to be the hero in your story because the true hero is yourself.

I am forever entranced by Amanda's ability to simplify my chaotic and anxiety ridden thoughts into clear words of comfort and acceptance that resonate within my soul. I love that she gives permission to pave a path less traveled and to live knowing we will not be everyone's cup of tea- and that this is okay.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this gifted copy.

4.25 stars

Although I’ve missed their last few books, I’ve read several others from this author/poet, so I’m familiar with their artistic style. Work from this writer is a comfort read for me- it doesn’t usually take me long to finish one of her books, but the words stay with me, and I find myself wanting to screenshot and/or take notes along the way. There’s a lot happening in these brief poems. Fairytales are part of the inspiration, of course, but they’re retold as queer, feminist versions that are interwoven with contemporary issues and experiences, and I love that so much. I’m definitely going to go back and read the books that I missed from her, including the first two in this trilogy (I want to experience them, but this collection definitely stands on its own). I’ve been a fan since their first book, and I don’t see that changing. Can’t wait to see what comes next!

(And the audiobook, read by Amanda Lovelace herself, is wonderful!)

I love Amanda Lovelace's books of poetry but I normally read the physical copy of her books. This was the first time that I listened to an audiobook version of her books. I was so happy that she narrates her own book because this is the first time that I could enjoy the poems in her own voice and cadence.

I think that her poetry is underappreciated and I continue to recommend her writing to all my friends! I hope that more people are able to find her and fall in love with her poems like I did.

There are always so many of her poems that resonate and stick with me, and this anthology is no different. I couldn't wait to read this one and will be reading it again!

There are always so many of her poems that resonate and stick with me, and this anthology is no different. I couldn't wait to read this one and will be reading it again!

I love Amanda Lovelace’s poetry and this book is no exception. It is the perfect conclusion to the trilogy and has many hopeful pieces in addition to some heartbreaking ones in her classic style. I always enjoy her books and look forward to the next one. I received a free copy of this audiobook from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Not my favorite of Lovelace’s collections. This collection of poems borderline in self-help advice. And my thought have always been, don’t take advice from someone who’s ________ you don’t want. Well considering I don’t know anything about her personally (nothing against her per se, just don’t know), these self help-ish poems make it a little difficult to know whether or not I’m enjoying the collection as I read. “Hmm that sounds lovely but it also sounds like advice I don’t know that I would take.” Kinda like a Taylor Swift song, ya know…(but not quite as good).
As for the narration done by the author, while I usually enjoy this, it definitely was NOT spoken word performer. She reads the written words, but that’s all. Not a lot of feeling or depth to how she reads her own words that carry such feeling and depth.
But of course, anytime an author puts their heart out there in writing and poetry, I am in awe. I just think this one was a miss for me.

**received an arc galley for my honest review

This one was definitely my least favorite of the "You Are Your Own Fairy Tale" poetry books. It was repetitive and a little cheesy. Though I think that was intentional, it just wasn't for me.