Overall, I really enjoyed this collection of poetry!

It’s relatable, witty, and filled with quirky charm, yet also deeply honest and raw. My interaction with the collection began when the publisher offered me an eARC, which led me to discover Rush’s Instagram. Her online presence has the same distinctive voice found in her book, and that unique tone is a crucial element of her work.

This collection might not be for everyone. If you're seeking intricate, abstract poetry that challenges the intellect, this may not be for you. However, if you appreciate clever metaphors, a sassy attitude, and genuine self-reflection - then you’ll likely find this enjoyable.

👍🏻Would recommend!

(4.5 stars rounded down)

**Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this free digital review copy.**

I was a bit unsure going into this because I almost never read poetry, but I really enjoyed these poems! Many of the poems made me laugh, some made me sad, and they were all quick and easy reads, which I appreciated as a novice poetry reader. I even found myself highlighting lines on my Kindle and wishing I had a hard copy to mark up. I definitely would like to revisit this collection in the future.

These poems were okay. The best thing about this collection is that it’s pretty straightforward—there’s not much guessing or trying to figure out what the poet is trying to communicate. In general, I think there’s a good variety of poems that most people could pick up and find at least a few they can easily connect with.

Honestly, this collection comes across like a good tabletop book. It’s the kind of thing you’d see on a coffee table, bought more for the cover than for anyone actually finishing it. There are tons of easy-to-digest lines that I’m sure people will use in their Instagram captions. However, not much expressed in these poems feels overtly personal, and in some ways, that caused me to disconnect from it. There were moments where I thought more depth was needed, but Rush seems more focused on keeping things at a level that’s consumable in mass.

Overall, it’s not a book I would buy for myself, but I could see a lot of people owning or enjoying its simplicity. Through this collection, I have no doubts that Rush is someone who would generally be liked. This collection is probably a good read for anyone just getting into poetry and looking to explore the basics of structure while reading about specific millennial experiences.

Thank you so much to Griffin and NetGalley for this digital arc.

I love this book, I may even buy the physical copy.

“A Bit Much” was a perfect title. I frequently feel like a bit much, and I found these very relatable. Reading the words kind of feels like my thinking style, and it reads like I’m talking to a friend.

I usually put a favorite quote on these reviews, but there were so many I like I just recommend to read it.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! Like the description says, it is poetry for people who don't think of themselves as enjoying poetry. Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant. Sorted into categories if you want to go back for a specific mood/event.

This collection of poetry was such a breath of fresh air. Most pieces were so relatable yet unique and quirky, that I found myself feeling not alone in my thoughts and feelings. My only complaint is that some of the angry poems were—quite fittingly—a bit much. I loved this book so much that I will be buying it as a Christmas gift for my favorite cousin. It is witty, unapologetic, and whimsical. It gave me hope that life does not have to be all stressful and serious all the time. It can be joyful just by being ourselves. I also want to note that the acknowledgment section made me cry it was so beautifully filled with gratitude. I cannot wait to read her next book!

I've followed Lyndsay Rush on Instagram for years, and A Bit Much is one of my most anticipated releases for 2024. This is such a great collection of poems! I especially appreciate how they were organized for different moods/emotions. I couldn't stop myself from highlighting passages and bookmarking poems to return to as I read. I cannot wait to recommend this to our library patrons upon its release and I already have a list of friends to send copies to. Highly recommend!

Millennial poetry that is beautiful and feels very needed in this time! It was beautifully written and was an updated version of the poetry that we've been reading for decades.

I don't think I even made it to the halfway point of this collection before I went to my local indie's site to pre-order a hard copy for my shelf. I am certain this will be one of the most dog-eared and marked up books in my personal library. Lyndsay is writing to my generation in such a tender, yet laugh-out loud way. I didn't know how much I needed some of these poems. I need to print and frame the poem "Hot Sh*t" - I need the reminder to be unashamedly myself without apology. I'm grateful for poet's like Lyndsay Rush who put in to words so many of our shared struggles in a way I never could. If you are a female between the ages of 40 to 18, this should be required reading, but honestly I'd recommend it to a female of any age!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

A Bit Much was one of my most anticipated releases for 2024 and it did not disappoint. I’ve followed Lyndsay Rush on Instagram for a while and love her fun and approachable poetry style. The book was a mixture of poems I’ve seen her share or tease on social media and new ones as well. They’re funny and touching while exploring topics that resonate with so many people. Sectioning it by feeling was an interesting idea and one I thought worked well with the poems within. Overall, this is an easy poetry book to get into whether you’re new to poetry or not.

I have seen this author's work on Instagram, and after being sent a widget, I knew I had to read this. There were so many great thought provoking and fun poems here. I especially liked and/or was moved by We're Not Getting Any Younger, Woman / Reassurances to Save for a Rainy Day / Cracks of Light / Double Duty. The last one hit hard, especially during this week. She captured so many different emotions of being a human here - the good and the bad. This is a collection I will return to over and over and deserves a permanent spot on my shelves.

I follow this author on Instagram and was excited to hear about her book. It didn’t disappoint and it even had a few poems she previously posted. The first section didn’t resonate with me as much as the second and third sections. The last two parts were by far, my favorites with so many poems I would love to frame. I hope there are more books in the future.

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

5 ✨

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s for my ARC.

“A book of poetry for people who didn’t even know they liked poetry” —> also a book for people who WANT to like poetry but usually struggle to / are tired of pretending to

I loved this! My first foray into modern poetry (see above) and it didn’t disappoint.

I had seen this book recommend by Beach Reads & Bubbly, and Katie had mentioned wanting to frame a few of these. I’m officially in that club! Excited to get my hands on a physical copy and send a copy to a few Best Friends (I’m not just wild with grammar, this is the name of a great poem).

Also, I know we shouldn’t judge books by their covers, but I just really like the cover. There, I said it.

Apparently I’m supposed to already know of this poet from Instagram. I didn’t, but I can see why these charming and accessible poems have built an audience. They are funny and hopeful and very much of the moment. They don’t strike me as “too much”—in fact, the poems that are over-the-top in their eagerness and exuberance are perhaps the strongest in the collection. Other moments do feel a bit too formulaic for my taste. That said, many of the poems are well-observed and hyper-timely in their capacity to evoke the current moment, wield niche pop culture references, and communicate our contemporary attitudes about connection and distance.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy for review.

I loved this book of poetry. I read it through all in one go. It was very relateable and the tone and voice came through very well. I especially loved Frequent Crier / Loving Each Otter / Peace Not Quiet ["I'm here to grate fresh parm over my life" - what a line]. I felt like the target audience - a millenial female - and lots of poems spoke right to me. As an aspiring poet myself I really enjoyed reading this one.

I loved reading this book so much! I paused so many times to share a line, or whole poem, with a loved one. Hilarious and poignant. I feel like this book changed my outlook on life- I want to be a bit much!

I swear it feels like some of these poems came straight out of my own diary. The author has such a way with words that is easy to connect with, and I enjoyed every little bit of it. I think if you are into that sad girl genre trope you will enjoy this book. Thank you for the ARC!

Apparently the author is quite popular on Instagram, but I have never heard of her before this collection. This book of poetry contains a little bit of something for just about everyone, including those who don't generally read poetry. The book is arranged in sections with comical titles. It is a quick read. I enjoyed some of the poems, but the book was hit or miss for me, overall.

Thanks netgalley for this ARC!

Is there anyone who didn't fall a little in love with @rushbomb in the last few years? The title poem from this collection burst onto my feed and i feel like it makes the rounds once a month or so in shares, and never fails to bring me joy. And that exactly how i felt reading this collection- it is funny and lovely and irreverant and occasionally bitter sweet, and reminds me that it doesn't have to be perfect to be good.

I think publishers make good investments in giving me ARCs because i usually go out and buy the books i liked for people immediately after i finish. Ya welcome.

I requested this book entirely on the basis of the author's social media name (@maryoliversdrunkcousin), as Mary Oliver was the first poet that made me love poetry. The style is similar, although these aren't as nature-heavy. Also a great read-alike for On an Ebbing Seafoam Tide! Generally recommended for readers who don't "get" poetry, plus female readers.

eARC from NetGalley; would read this author again!