I would have been disappointed if that had been as bad as it got, but I might have nonetheless found some pleasure in that strange, sweet pain you get when reading about someone else's pain (or someone else working through their pain?). But even that was impossible, because I felt absolutely nothing. I feel that you would enjoy this poetry collection if you are looking for one at beginner’s level, if you have read and love short simple writing and if you love the themes covered in collections by Amanda Lovelace. I’d spent forever waking up beside you. Learning the way you liked your coffee. Listening to what brought you joy in this world and consoling you when things didn’t go as planned. It was brutal letting all that go. I was suspended in a future that I thought we both had wanted and now that that’s gone (111)

He would doubtless have promised anything for the mere pleasure of breaking all bounds; perhaps he would even have liked her to ask him to swear on oath so he could add the attractions of perjury to his horrible pleasures.” Broken vows are like broken mirrors. They leave those who held to them bleeding and staring at fractured images of themselves. (pg. 161)”

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I continued loving you despite knowing that you didn’t deserve me. I kept supporting you thinking that you were going to change I made excuses for the relationship thinking that it was going to be different this time around but it wasn’t because I couldn’t make you choose me or want me or even remember me when I was gone (89) And yet somehow, that awful, trite, clumsy poem still sounded more like poetry - and a lot more heartfelt - than anything I've read in this book. Here, however, it served absolutely no purpose. It didn't create any ambiguity and the line breaks didn't highlight anything or make it more poignant. There was no assonance, no rhythm created by line length or repetition - I even struggled to find a single metaphor, anaphora, oxymoron, or literally any other literary device. The world is always changing. Learn how to allow for it. Somone makes a promise, and then they break it. A play gets good notices, and then it folds. A marriage looks strong, and then they divorce. For a while there's no war, and then there's another war. If you get too upset about it all, you become a stupid, unhappy person—and where's the good in that?” There were some pieces I did very much enjoy, but I found the book and layout of the wording to be confusing since there were no titles or suggestions on where one piece finished, and another one began.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Life will break every one of your contracts & still look at you with that innocent glimmer in her eye & ask you to marry her.” There were several poems I did like in this book. I think the author has potential, but this collection was not my favorite collection in terms of poetry. You had me believing that I meant more to you than what I actually did. You were always great at making me believe in lies (68) Far too often, the best thing I can have in my hand when someone makes a promise is a really big broom so that I can sweep up the broken pieces.”Admittedly, if you are new to poetry and looking for something easily digestible, this may be for you! It’s not too convoluted and honestly has at least one thing you can relate to, whether that is hope, heartbreak, self-care, the healing cycle, etc. If someone’s already looking for a way out you can’t hold onto them. No matter how much you love them they won’t stay (124)