I'm not sure I would call this poetry - but maybe that's a reflection on me, rather than on poetry. This books takes the form of a series of text messages between the protagonist and their ex, and then "fills in the blanks" with what they are thinking and feeling. I didn't really enjoy this, it felt juvenile.and self-indulgent to me. We only see the relationship after it was over, so I have no reason to care that it's over. It's like when someone breaks up after being together for years and then tries to tell you that the never really loved the person anyway, and the relationship was always terrible, and I'm like, well you must have at one point, because you didn't HAVE to marry them. Also, if you really don't want the person in your life at all, you can block their number at any point, rather than reading these text and talking about what a terrible person they always were. It would have made for a much shorter book though. Maybe I'm unsympathetic and have no romance in my soul. Or maybe my frustration and annoyance with this book means that it is effective art, because it made me feel something, even if what I feel is like screaming. I did like the idea that we send a word or a sentence in a message and there is a whole world of context and hurt and love underneath it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I'm at a half and half with this because I like the poetry and the style, but at the same time, I don't like the style. Some verses spoke to me, while others did not. Otherwise I loved it and will be checking out more from the author.

I expected this to be a collection of poems centered around love and relationships in various forms. It is actually a long text thread over time (maybe a year?) between two people that broke up from a toxic relationship with one side’s thoughts in between the messages. A few parts were relatable, others not so much, lots of red flags, and some internal struggle but overall it felt flat emotionally. This felt more like a commentary than poetry.

*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

I found many parts relatable, but some are a bit cringe. I think it depends on the experiences you've had; you may relate more. I marked some as favorites.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this arc.

I have read Alex Jeanie before and I had hoped he had grown more as a writer. This was just cringe and should have stayed on Tumblr.

A beautifully uncomfortable look into when someone you love becomes a stranger. And the struggle in how to respond when they reach out and don’t want to let you go but you need to let go to fully recover. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I want to get more into poetry and this book definitely encouraged me to read more of it.

Have you ever wrote a long message telling everything you want just so you can delete it and send one or two word reply? In this book we see what’s actually behind those few words.

This book is so unique and truly relatable (especially if you’re freshly out of a toxic relationship). Is short and easy read, and it definitely got me into thinking. Highly recommend!!

READ THIS NOW! read this if you are in a toxic relationship and need a push in the right direction. read this if you have gotten out of that relationship and fighting the voices saying go back (do NOT go back). read this if you've never even been in a relationship. words are powerful, never let someone take them from you.

This book was very relatable and I loved, that it was done differently fromm most other poetry books. Definitely something to read when you're in the mood for a book about heartbreak and regret.

i'm going to be so real, i couldn't get through this. believe me when i say that i tried. i think the concept is great, but the execution didn't keep me hooked enough to continue on to finishing it. from what i remember, i really enjoyed jeanty's "HER" book, so this was a disappointment for me.

As the description describes, this book is a collection of words buried reluctantly and now find a way out. I particularly liked how this book was formatted and the modern touch given to it. Some lines hit home, "...and pain hasn't made its bold announcement yet. But either way, I am thinking about you..." and "...I remember the dark times I ran into because of you...".
However, some lines felt cliche, "...like honey pouring into my eyes...", "...it's like pouring water on dead plants..." This falls more under the Social media poetry category, which I'm not a fan of.
The book was short and crisp. I would recommend this to beginners since it's easy to flow with. I give it 3 stars because I feel there is still room for improvement.

4/5 🌟

This is something I needed; past, present, and future. This hit me hard as it perfectly describes what I was/am going through and will most likely go through in the future.

I felt so seen through these words even though they hurt to hear.

If you’re going through a breakup of any kind, I would recommend reading this to feel powerful and remind yourself that you have more control of the situation than you think.

Received this as an arc and goddamn I’m honored I did. Was this the best book I’ve ever read? Possibly? Did I need this book 5 months ago when I was fresh with heartbreak? YES. Pierre Alex Jeanty is one of my favorite poetry authors because I can relate to each page as if he stole the thoughts from my head and crafted them into the most honest and heartfelt words. Will run knees to chest on March 5th, to go get this at my local B&N. In the meantime, I’m going to read this again right now.

Jeanty's chapbook entitled "What I Should've Texted" is a collection of free verse poetry centered around grieving a breakup. The 3 sections of the book are focused on analyzing the contents of texts between the narrator and his lost love. The internal dialogue that Jeanty writes will speak to anyone who has gone through a breakup or heartbreak from someone they thought would be their forever. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC!

I have always loved Pierre Alex Jeanty's writings and to see that he had more poetry published made my little heart scream. This book is relatable in many ways and especially in my life and the title is so very accurate. Loved it!

A deep dive into the ending of a relationship and fighting off the urge to forgive the person and allow them back into your life. The formatting of this book is very interesting providing a text thread conversation then going text by text into the thoughts and feelings each text evoked.

Pretty much everyone has had a breakup that was difficult to go through, or an ex who refused to cut the connection. This poetry collections examines words that a person might have swallowed down as they went through the grief and healing from a severed relationship. The collection itself is a journey, with signs of slow resolution on the part of the author as they moved past a relationship that in a lot of ways is portrayed as very toxic. As it progresses you can see the catharsis, realizations and boundaries that are being set by the author. It was very real and raw in it's portrayal and something I think most people can identify with in some way.

my most recent read, and honesty a new favourite. this was so beautifully written i read it over and over again.

I enjoyed reading this collection of poetry and it made me feel reminiscent of an era where these would have been relatable to me, which was a surprisingly pleasant experience when you can relate and not feel hurt, very cathartic I think.

What I Should’ve Texted by Pierre Alex Jeanty
✨Poetry✨Break-Ups✨Healing
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Netgalley Arc Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Pub Date: 05 March 2024

do you find yourself writing paragraphs to tell someone how you feel but just end up deleting the whole thing and sending one sentence answers. Then this could very well be the poetry collection you’re looking for.

Poetry is a hard one to rate because obviously you’re not going to resonate with every page.