‘People are incredibly durable things.
We get beaten up, torn down, and heartbroken
But we still find a way get get back up
And put ourselves back together.’

Lovely collection of poetry. Many favourites.

I’m not an expert so the only things I really look for in poetry is if it makes me think differently or feel. This delivered on both!

It’s a collection of poetry from the two authors recalling experiences and life from ages 18-28. I’m turning 28 this year and found it very relatable.

It was a little preachy at times and had me recalling the exact feelings of some of the worst experiences I’ve lived through…

But it was also uplifting and a reminder that you’re not alone. That at almost any point in your life someone else sees you and what you are going through even if you can’t connect with them in that moment (something I love that poetry does).

I felt seen now, in moments of my past where I felt alone. A very lovely collection of work.

“How do I swim out when I’m nauseous from going in the same circles”

Thank you NetGalley and S.K. Williams for the eARC.

ARC - NetGalley <3 Thank you so much for allowing this opportunity to read this e-Book!

Let me just start off with saying this poetry just blew me away. As a 23 year old, I just found myself staring at some of these poems like damn...they read my mind. It made me feel a little less lonely.

I'm someone that thinks a little too hard about growing up, getting older, who I think I should be and where I should be. I know when im feeling overwhelmed with my life, I'm going to turn to these poems to remind me that everything is okay.

If you are in your early to late 20's, pick this up and READ! You will not be disappointed.

This book was so eloquently written and I loved the dual points of view. The imaginary throughout the book corresponded well with the poems and was absolutely stunning; it made the book come to life in a way.

4/5 🌟

Being able to read another SK Williams work of art early feels like an honor. I had previously read Maybe Today and it hit my heart harder than I thought it would so seeing this on NetGalley, I had to snag it!

With every piece written by the duo, I feel extremely seen and comforted. This book feels like you’re talking to yourself, specifically younger self, or a close friend.

There is always at least one page that rips me to shreds and this time, it was “When Did Commitment Become Tolerance?”

Honorable mentions:
Engagement
Breakdown
Pg. 66
Pg. 77
Pg. 122
Pg. 171
Pg. 201

If you want to go through a journey that was very similar to yours from the ages of 18-25, pick up Before You Know It on April 2nd, 2024.

Thank you SK and NetGalley for this eARC 🥰

Such a lovely collection of poems and reflections. Reading them really brought me back to that time in my life, between 18 and 28, which was such a trying time attempting to be an adult. The themes of weight, depression, self-doubt and growth really hit home. It was really nice to know it wasn't just me feeling that way at that age.
This book, written by two authors, is done so well. It's even difficult to tell who wrote which piece. I loved that because it ensured the flow wasn't broken by different styles.
Read this!

A thought provoking poetry book which tells the story of the authors’ lives from 18-28. There are so many little gems in this writing.

Thank you to Netgalley for the copy of the book for an honest review

I really enjoyed ‘Before You Know it’ it was an interesting read.

Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

Reading this poetry book just breathed hope into my body. As a 22 year old and a recent college grad, this time in my life has been full of confusion, terrified dreams, shame, and so many other things. Following the authors’ perspectives from ages 18 to 28 was so impactful and honestly, made me feel seen in this time of “I don’t know what I’m doing with my life.” I related to so many of these poems and it was like they plucked my thoughts and slapped them into this book, which fills me with warmth to see that others went through the exact thing I am and they turned out okay. I would definitely recommend those in their early 20s to pick this up!!

Before You Know It, and interesting way to write poetry through the eyes of two different people who had to grow up and go through the struggles of life that many people face, but no one really talks about or writes down.

First I'll go over the things that I liked in this book:

The background art in this book was unexpected, but a little treat as I read. Whether it was swirling smoke on the pages or a collage of sea life, the whole page felt like it came together as a dual art piece, and it gave it a little more emotional depth.

There were also deep meanings behind certain phrases in the poems that let you feel like even though this wasn't your exact experience in life, that it was almost still a message for you.

It was also nice to see how the authors were able to rise through their struggles anf finally find a place for them, and that the darkest parts of their lives weren't the end. It was an example to all others who read that there's still a life ahead, and that even though there are many of highs and lows, life keeps going.

Now, things that were not my cup of tea, but that doesn't mean they were bad:

I think modern poetry is not meant for me. Sometimes, what are labeled as poems don't seem to connect to me because it seems to just be the person's thoughts written down. No hidden meanings, hyperbole, or similes. Just like you went to your diary and wrote down what happened in the day. There were many of those in this book and it really pulled me out of the experience.

And while I understand that a struggle can always persist, sometimes there would be an issue written about multiple times with very little change to the author's thoughts on the matter. Just like they were just writing about it again. I don't think it really added anything to the experience. The sucessful attempt to this were the poems about the self-hatred that came from weight issues that turned into self-love, regardless of their weight at the time.

All in all, I liked the meaning of the book, and how it was done through two perspectives. For anyone who likes modern poetry, I would very much reccomend the book.

This is the first poetry book I have read from cover to cover. All I’m going to say is….WOW! I’ve never felt more understood in my life. A lot of these poems were so spot on that I said to myself “how did they know? Oh wait they went through this too.”

Additionally I loved the different perspectives on anxiety and depression. I feel that so many people hear those terms and have preconceived notions about what they mean. Anxiety and depression affects people differently and varies on severity. When you try explaining it to someone it seems to come across as irrational. They don’t understand why you can’t just “not be anxious” about something, or just “try to look on the bright side.” Reading about the authors experience made me feel less alone.

I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Before You Know It by S. K. Williams is a collection of poetry centering around the first decade of adulthood - from 18 to 28. It is divided into four parts: In the Beginning, Uncharted Waters, Beneath the Storm, and At the End, and they all focus on different times of the poets' journey.

Many different themes will resonate with every reader; finding yourself, pursuing your dreams, feeling lost, struggling with confidence, societal pressures, expectations, and so much more. I think the poems are deeply relatable, and I'm sure many readers will feel seen and understood in the poems.

The writing is mostly simple, and it feels like the poets are writing in a diary to their younger selves, which makes it feel personal and intimate. I think it could have gone even deeper into some of the feelings since the themes are very vast, but I enjoyed reading it. This collection is perfect for younger readers who are just entering adulthood and trying to figure life out.

The collection is also illustrated, which I always love. While the drawings are mostly simple, they add some magic to the words, and make it an even more pleasant read.

So I would recommend this if you'd like to read a poetry collection about growing up and trying to figure life out. It is a very accessible and easy read, and it's great for people who are starting to get into poetry.

I really enjoy the cover of this book, it’s absolutely stunning. The book is structured in such an elegant and easy way. There are four different sections with two parts each. I loved the poetry and the writing was fantastic. I thought the book was unique with the two different perspectives. This is definitely a new favorite poetry book because of the way it was beautiful, vulnerable, emotional, relatable, and touching.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to read this book!

Before You Know It can be summed up within her line of, “Time took me here, and I made these things happen.”

A beautiful, caring, and vulnerable read ready to make you cry, embrace, and experiance the endurance of young adulthood. Written with a female and male perspective, the reader is engulfed between two timelines of grace, self-love, passion, and remembrance. With each part, we grow with the authors as they use their lives as an adaptation of understanding ours. Honest and symbolic in word and pictures, you’ll love re-reading this through the years of being 18-28 and find many relatable quotations.


One of my personal favorite quotes:
“Whenever I can, I stow pieces of myself away.”

Thank you for this Arc copy of Before You know It to read. I can’t wait to annotate a physical copy with the quotes I currently love!

This review is not sponsored and my thoughts are my own.

The cover of this book was so gorgeous I was hoping the vibe would match and it unfortunately didn't for me. It felt like it could have been divide into two books. Also felt more like journals entry's than poetry to me.

I enjoyed this poetry book as well. The illustrations are pretty.
Easy to get through and full of emotion.

I've just added this to my preorders!
I love this collection of poetry so much! I too wrote poetry over the years of growing up and growing into the person I am today as a way to express what was troubling my mind, and understand and heal my heart & soul; my frustrations, fears, loves, hopes & dreams. Poetry is can be very personal, yet within these pages the essence of universal experiences, thoughts and feelings resonate off the page and bring to the surface a fond nostalgia, sometimes a quiet pause and at other times a visceral reaction to things endured and overcome. Our stories, our poetry, our written and oral records are the value we share with future generations of our tribulations and triumphs, our memories and our legacy.
This is a must have collection to share with others, and as the authors mentioned to provide comfort, friendship and understanding in the good and the bad times.

This poetry book, written by two authors, was a beautiful book from start to end. Starting at age 18 and going until 28, the two author's capture both the hopeful and hopeless parts of growing into adulthood. Not shying away from the stark realities of early-adult life, these poems cover topics such as mental health, finances, loneliness and so much more.

While some of the poems are personal to either author, every single one of them in this collection can be felt and related to by anyone in their 20s. Sometimes the authors speak to themselves, or speak "out loud", but sometimes they speak directly to the reader. They've been through this, they've felt these things, too, and are now offering a kind word. It feels comforting to read and I finished the book feeling both emotional and hopeful.

I highly recommend this book if you're in that 18-30 age range. The book itself is absolutely gorgeous, with background illustrations giving a calming feeling as you read along.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely love poetry. This author did such a great job with expressing feelings. The way its written is beautiful and the poetry is easy to understand. I can see how this book had negative reviews and it may not be for everyone but I loved it.

One word. Melancholia.
The way anxiety, depression, and disordered eating are communicated are incredibly relatable. Additionally the fact that there is more than one perspective in the poetry brings more depth to the overall narrative of the collection