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love, and you
one day i met a guy
who stole my heart,
we created a world
for ourselves.
and another day
he broke my heart
and shattered
my soul.
i took the tattered
pieces of this
broken soul and
became anew.
- here lies the hurting, the healing, and the learning
(please be advised this book has mature content)
who stole my heart,
we created a world
for ourselves.
and another day
he broke my heart
and shattered
my soul.
i took the tattered
pieces of this
broken soul and
became anew.
- here lies the hurting, the healing, and the learning
(please be advised this book has mature content)
142 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2017
89 people are currently reading
1231 people want to read
About the author
Gretchen Gomez
3 books148 followersGretchen Gomez is a Puerto Rican retired poet originally from The Bronx. When home you will find her watching crime shows, cuddling with her dog, or writing—trying to make sense of things. Gretchen is a full-time lover of words.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
February 20, 2017
my baby. my all. i can't believe i wrote this. i can't believe my tears are all in these written pages. it's real!
April 5, 2018
Finished it in one sitting. It may not be the best poetry collection I've read because I'm not a fan of the writing style but I like each poems are emotionally palpable. Which is a good thing that's why I gave three stars instead of two. There's one piece that stood out for me:
i found
beauty
in my
brokenness
i found
self love
in my
darkness
i found
beauty
in my
brokenness
i found
self love
in my
darkness
April 4, 2017
i
don't
know
how
to
write
about
the
happy
parts
because
all
i
knew
was
the
sadness
One of my fave people just released her debut poetry collection today and I couldn't be prouder.
I spent a fair portion of this collection crying because I was able to relate so much. Everything hit me in the best way.
Gretchen has such a beautiful way with words. This was just as brilliant as I was expecting.
Please support her by picking up a copy of love, and you here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1542662958
don't
know
how
to
write
about
the
happy
parts
because
all
i
knew
was
the
sadness
One of my fave people just released her debut poetry collection today and I couldn't be prouder.
I spent a fair portion of this collection crying because I was able to relate so much. Everything hit me in the best way.
Gretchen has such a beautiful way with words. This was just as brilliant as I was expecting.
Please support her by picking up a copy of love, and you here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1542662958
April 4, 2017
This beautiful soul of a poetess also known as my twin in the book blogging community, has released a book of poetry. I am now on my 3rd re-read & continue to find meaning and comfort within her words. For all those who have experienced that one toxic relationship, you know? the one you simply cannot let go...this one is for you. Love, and you will haunt you with each turn of a page & ultimately will leave you with hope for healing.
I found myself
in an island
of thoughts
surrounded by
waves of positivity.
this time
the moon
shined bright
on my skin
and i
finally
danced.
-alone in the sand of self acceptance
To show Gretchen some love, please help support her by picking up a copy here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1542662958
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-...
https://www.bookdepository.com/Love-a...
I found myself
in an island
of thoughts
surrounded by
waves of positivity.
this time
the moon
shined bright
on my skin
and i
finally
danced.
-alone in the sand of self acceptance
To show Gretchen some love, please help support her by picking up a copy here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1542662958
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-...
https://www.bookdepository.com/Love-a...
September 15, 2019
This read like a stream of consciousness that was deep, powerful and at times painful. Love and loss followed by the mourning before the growth. It was a very organic process to read through and easily took me back to my own lost love. Can’t wait to read more by this author.
November 17, 2017
Wow! I have not read a poetry book in a long time and was so glad I sat down and read love, & you. I won this book as a giveaway that many entered off of Twitter. I was like “Yay free book”. What I didn’t realize was the effect this book would have on me personally. The author talks about her heartbreak, trauma, sickness and eventually loving herself. I could relate to everything the author stated and could feel her emotions through the pages. I actually read this book in one sitting with my girlfriend Andrea and we were both stunned on how intense this book was and how much we could relate. Gretchen Gomez put her pain on paper and created an intense and heartfelt masterpiece. From someone who has battled mental illness, cancer and heartbreak, this poetry book was just what I needed to hold my head up. I fight everyday with my emotions and physical ailments. Love, & you was a short poetry book but packed the right punch. I needed to hear your story Gretchen, to change my own. 5 out of 5 stars!!!💚💛💜💙😁
March 10, 2017
This book should be read by every woman, whether she is in her teens, twenties or older. I think every generation of woman could learn something from the poetry in this book. When my daughter has her first heartbreak I will give her this book, when she has her second heartbreak I will give her the book again….are you sensing a pattern?
I have been following Gretchen’s blog for a while now @Chicnerdreads and she would post poetry to her blog sometimes. Her poetry would always blow my mind, so much so that I have commissioned a fellow artist to make a piece out of one of her poems.
I normally don’t read poetry, however having previously read Gretchen’s poetry on her blog I knew I had to request an advanced copy! I was so lucky that she agreed to let me review it.
I have been following Gretchen’s blog for a while now @Chicnerdreads and she would post poetry to her blog sometimes. Her poetry would always blow my mind, so much so that I have commissioned a fellow artist to make a piece out of one of her poems.
I normally don’t read poetry, however having previously read Gretchen’s poetry on her blog I knew I had to request an advanced copy! I was so lucky that she agreed to let me review it.
April 26, 2017
It's so so so beautiful ❤️
This little book was written by an amazing person that i meet through finding her Blog. I am not a poetry reader, I don't have anything at all against poetry but I just never pick it up for some stupid reason.
Love, and you is amazing, the whole second half of the book I had tears in my eyes and a fierceness in my heart.
“the most dangerous humans are the women who realize they don't need anyone after facing the hurricane alone”
If you are a fan of poetry, feminism, and words that make you feel things I highly recommend this little book that packs such an emotional punch.
My fave pages are: 105, 111, 115, 122 and I know I'll be re-reading them over and over whenever I need a boost.
This little book was written by an amazing person that i meet through finding her Blog. I am not a poetry reader, I don't have anything at all against poetry but I just never pick it up for some stupid reason.
Love, and you is amazing, the whole second half of the book I had tears in my eyes and a fierceness in my heart.
“the most dangerous humans are the women who realize they don't need anyone after facing the hurricane alone”
If you are a fan of poetry, feminism, and words that make you feel things I highly recommend this little book that packs such an emotional punch.
My fave pages are: 105, 111, 115, 122 and I know I'll be re-reading them over and over whenever I need a boost.
April 14, 2017
For the full review, please visit paytonsbookthoughts.wordpress.com
This is Gretchen’s debut novel and boy did she knock it right out of the park! I devoured this book in like 40 minutes and highlighted some of my favorite poems, which I will share with you in this review. When I finished the book I was left completely speechless because the book was just that beautiful. I actually teared up a little bit.
To be completely honest, I won’t be doing much of a review just because I honestly feel like how do you put a ‘rating’ on something that is so raw and personal to the author. How do you ‘review’ someone’s life experiences when they are laid out in a format such as this.
Personally, poetry speaks to me on a different level than prose. I’m not sure why. I just feel like poetry is meant to reach into the depths of a person and pull out their deepest emotions. It does this for both the author and the reader.
I have picked a few passages from the book that did reach down inside me and I hope you enjoy them just as much as I did.
These two passages are what completely won me over and made me realize that this book was going to speak to my experiences as well.
“i
learned
my
lesson
when
i
felt
single
on
the
weekends
i was his girl monday thru friday
– balance
i blame this one on me”
“but
i
was
losing
myself
while still trying to be with you.”
Here’s some great advice you can find in this book:
“it’s usually the who and what
behind the love that cause
the
pain.
dont blame love;
blame the who or the what
for lying to you
for making you believe
that love is pain
love hurts
– you should experience love with the right person, no the wrong one”
“the ones who break your heart,
cant repair it either.”
“yank that control back like
the queen you are and make
sure they see that crown
while you take back what’s yours,
your life
your body
your soul”
This was such an amazing read and I will be recommending it to anyone who will listen!
This is Gretchen’s debut novel and boy did she knock it right out of the park! I devoured this book in like 40 minutes and highlighted some of my favorite poems, which I will share with you in this review. When I finished the book I was left completely speechless because the book was just that beautiful. I actually teared up a little bit.
To be completely honest, I won’t be doing much of a review just because I honestly feel like how do you put a ‘rating’ on something that is so raw and personal to the author. How do you ‘review’ someone’s life experiences when they are laid out in a format such as this.
Personally, poetry speaks to me on a different level than prose. I’m not sure why. I just feel like poetry is meant to reach into the depths of a person and pull out their deepest emotions. It does this for both the author and the reader.
I have picked a few passages from the book that did reach down inside me and I hope you enjoy them just as much as I did.
These two passages are what completely won me over and made me realize that this book was going to speak to my experiences as well.
“i
learned
my
lesson
when
i
felt
single
on
the
weekends
i was his girl monday thru friday
– balance
i blame this one on me”
“but
i
was
losing
myself
while still trying to be with you.”
Here’s some great advice you can find in this book:
“it’s usually the who and what
behind the love that cause
the
pain.
dont blame love;
blame the who or the what
for lying to you
for making you believe
that love is pain
love hurts
– you should experience love with the right person, no the wrong one”
“the ones who break your heart,
cant repair it either.”
“yank that control back like
the queen you are and make
sure they see that crown
while you take back what’s yours,
your life
your body
your soul”
This was such an amazing read and I will be recommending it to anyone who will listen!
July 19, 2017
Thank you for breaking my heart and for rebuilding it anew.
July 28, 2019
I re read this because I've been meaning to tab and note my favorite poems.
I am in love with this poetry collection. Not only because it is by one of the most amazing humans in the entire world but because her words really resonate with me and I feel them speaking to me, directly to me. It's so good and I cried. Obviously.
_______________
I am at a loss of words.
Its so real and raw.
Each word that is written here comes from such a real place that the second I turned to page 5 I started crying and couldn't stop. I couldn't stop crying because Ive been there, Ive felt those things. We may have not be in the same situation but the emotions that were described are exactly the same. I guess I was crying for past Ilse and remembering how I got through it. I believe this book is important for anyone that is going through a hard time, regardless if you are or not going through a heartbreak.
I am in love with this poetry collection. Not only because it is by one of the most amazing humans in the entire world but because her words really resonate with me and I feel them speaking to me, directly to me. It's so good and I cried. Obviously.
_______________
I am at a loss of words.
Its so real and raw.
Each word that is written here comes from such a real place that the second I turned to page 5 I started crying and couldn't stop. I couldn't stop crying because Ive been there, Ive felt those things. We may have not be in the same situation but the emotions that were described are exactly the same. I guess I was crying for past Ilse and remembering how I got through it. I believe this book is important for anyone that is going through a hard time, regardless if you are or not going through a heartbreak.
April 11, 2017
You can see my full review here: https://betweenfoldedpages.wordpress....
Her words are so powerful and beautifully written. I was able to relate to almost every poem and they left me in tears. Every girl should pick up a copy and read this collection.
Her words are so powerful and beautifully written. I was able to relate to almost every poem and they left me in tears. Every girl should pick up a copy and read this collection.
June 7, 2017
Finished reading: June 4th 2017
"addiction
comes
in
different
forms
i was the addict.
he was the drug.
and every time i tried
to go into detox, he kept
coming back to me
with pretty hello’s."
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
April 29, 2017
This was such beautiful, raw, poetry of the author's thoughts, feelings and experiences. I sat there reading this book from cover to cover without putting it down, tears streaming down my face, relating to certain things said and feeling for the poet. I borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited, not sure what to expect. Now I will be purchasing this for my library. It's just so beautiful, the kind of poetry you would want to read again and again. I will be checking out her blog and hope to see more poetry published by Gretchen Gomez in the future!
"there were so many times i had him right next to me and it’s as if he wasn’t there at all. i breathed in loneliness and it swallowed me deeper."
"i found myself in an island of thoughts surrounded by waves of positivity. this time the moon shined bright on my skin and i finally danced." -alone in the sand of self acceptance
"there were so many times i had him right next to me and it’s as if he wasn’t there at all. i breathed in loneliness and it swallowed me deeper."
"i found myself in an island of thoughts surrounded by waves of positivity. this time the moon shined bright on my skin and i finally danced." -alone in the sand of self acceptance
March 14, 2018
Although he wasn't dead, i still grieved him. the love of my life was no longer a part of my life.
April 4, 2017
Gretchen is no stranger to those of us who frequent the bookish blogosphere. She has already established a name for herself through her continuously positive interaction, honest reviews and poetic posts. If for some reason you have yet to make her lovely acquaintance, you should remedy that by visiting her.
There is often a certain amount of hesitancy that I encounter reviewing titles by those I have come to know on a somewhat personal level. As you can imagine, being an honest reviewer, it is can present possible challenges. However, I entered into love, and you with full anticipation and zero concern. I know her work. It is often the highlight of my day and manages to touch on so much of the unspoken for myself and I believe many others. Still I was not prepared for what was revealed between the pages.
love, and you is journey that touches one’s core and dives deep within the heart. It is a glimpse into one woman’s personal life and struggle, but it also mirrors a battle so many of us have fought on our own terms and will come to recognize. With this it delivers a newfound strength and promise.
Each verse segues beautifully into the next, forming a raw and powerful message for anyone who has ever loved and been hurt. While filled with one woman’s mourning and loss, there is also something else of true significance and merit occurring. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we witness the amazing process of renewal and rebirth. Of forgiveness and self acceptance.
“my worth is not beneath the land you walk on
my worth is more than the time you never spent on me
my worth is more than the depression that fights to hug me”
love, and you is a self proclamation and realization seen through the eyes of a woman who inspires courage. An undisguised, emotional experience that resonates deep within the heart and stands as a steadfast reminder that pain is not the end. That with suffering comes growth. This is a story of healing and learning to live again. This is life presented in powerful and arresting poetic form.
” i unlearned the suffering and untangled myself from the vines of my heart”
love, and you is for anyone who has ever suffered at the hands of another or even their own heart. Open yourserlf and explore all that love, and you has to offer. This is an impactful and worthy experience for all.
You can also find my review here!
There is often a certain amount of hesitancy that I encounter reviewing titles by those I have come to know on a somewhat personal level. As you can imagine, being an honest reviewer, it is can present possible challenges. However, I entered into love, and you with full anticipation and zero concern. I know her work. It is often the highlight of my day and manages to touch on so much of the unspoken for myself and I believe many others. Still I was not prepared for what was revealed between the pages.
love, and you is journey that touches one’s core and dives deep within the heart. It is a glimpse into one woman’s personal life and struggle, but it also mirrors a battle so many of us have fought on our own terms and will come to recognize. With this it delivers a newfound strength and promise.
Each verse segues beautifully into the next, forming a raw and powerful message for anyone who has ever loved and been hurt. While filled with one woman’s mourning and loss, there is also something else of true significance and merit occurring. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we witness the amazing process of renewal and rebirth. Of forgiveness and self acceptance.
“my worth is not beneath the land you walk on
my worth is more than the time you never spent on me
my worth is more than the depression that fights to hug me”
love, and you is a self proclamation and realization seen through the eyes of a woman who inspires courage. An undisguised, emotional experience that resonates deep within the heart and stands as a steadfast reminder that pain is not the end. That with suffering comes growth. This is a story of healing and learning to live again. This is life presented in powerful and arresting poetic form.
” i unlearned the suffering and untangled myself from the vines of my heart”
love, and you is for anyone who has ever suffered at the hands of another or even their own heart. Open yourserlf and explore all that love, and you has to offer. This is an impactful and worthy experience for all.
You can also find my review here!
May 5, 2017
If you liked poetry books like Milk and Honey and The Princess Saves Herself in This One, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. I used to really not enjoy poetry. I thought of it as a piece of work that I had to analyze during English class. I also thought of scenes in movies/shows when a group of people sit in a cafe and a hipster guy stands at a front and proclaims an exaggerated poem while everyone snaps. So needless to say, I used to snicker at the idea of poetry. And I know I’m not alone in feeling this way.
I have changed. I read Amanda Lovelace’s The Princess Saves Herself in This One and fell in love. Just between me and you, I think I enjoyed love, and you just as much. The poems are absolutely stunning. While reading it, I could really tell Gretchen poured her heart out in the book. It’s so honest, personal, emotional, and just raw. Even though I couldn’t relate to all the poems, I certainly connected with them and learned from them.
Everyone needs to read this. Whether you were broken in a relationship, you are in an unhealthy relationship, or you don’t want to touch relationships with a ten foot pole. You will not regret reading love, and you. Even if you are not generally a ‘poetry person’, try it out! It doesn’t hurt to try. I used to be in your shoes, and now I love poetry.
I’m so excited to see Gretchen’s work take off. This was just her debut, and I’m so excited to see what comes next. love, and you is for sure a new favorite of mine.
I have changed. I read Amanda Lovelace’s The Princess Saves Herself in This One and fell in love. Just between me and you, I think I enjoyed love, and you just as much. The poems are absolutely stunning. While reading it, I could really tell Gretchen poured her heart out in the book. It’s so honest, personal, emotional, and just raw. Even though I couldn’t relate to all the poems, I certainly connected with them and learned from them.
Everyone needs to read this. Whether you were broken in a relationship, you are in an unhealthy relationship, or you don’t want to touch relationships with a ten foot pole. You will not regret reading love, and you. Even if you are not generally a ‘poetry person’, try it out! It doesn’t hurt to try. I used to be in your shoes, and now I love poetry.
I’m so excited to see Gretchen’s work take off. This was just her debut, and I’m so excited to see what comes next. love, and you is for sure a new favorite of mine.
April 5, 2017
I don't know how to write about the happy parts because all I knew was the sadness.
I have been following Gretchen's blog for a while now and when I found out that she was releasing a poetry collection I had to get a copy, even though poetry isn't a genre I typically read, and I am so glad I got this. Every woman should read this collection of poems. It's about heartbreak an losing yourself in someone and finding your way back to "you". This collection is so real and raw and Gretchen just has a way with words. I can't wait to read what she comes out with next.
I have been following Gretchen's blog for a while now and when I found out that she was releasing a poetry collection I had to get a copy, even though poetry isn't a genre I typically read, and I am so glad I got this. Every woman should read this collection of poems. It's about heartbreak an losing yourself in someone and finding your way back to "you". This collection is so real and raw and Gretchen just has a way with words. I can't wait to read what she comes out with next.
October 12, 2019
i once dreamt that
i kept getting on and off
the wrong trains and
never found my stop.
i felt scared.
once i got off the
right stop, i felt
like i was walking
in the wrong direction.
when i woke up
from that dream,
i felt marked and hollow.
and i thought
about myself and
what i was doing
in the dream.
here's what i learned:
-i never looked at the signs
when getting on and off the train
-i didn't feel at peace when
i got off the right stop
the right stop is my
heart loving you.
but we were always headed
in the wrong direction
because we were too busy
being on and off,
that i never looked
at the signs
my father warned me about.
There are short poems and long, pages long poems. And I felt her pain. This book again was more memoir/autobiography in poem form than a poetry book. It was about a bad relationship that eventually made her reexamine her life and boundaries and seek help for it. It was so bad she needed help and on the first day of her appointment he forgot about her for days because she was never his priority. I felt so much hurt and anger for her. How dare he? Luckily therapy helped and she was able to get out. She knew the relationship was wrong but wanted to keep it. She wanted him. Luckily she learned she didn't need him.
i kept getting on and off
the wrong trains and
never found my stop.
i felt scared.
once i got off the
right stop, i felt
like i was walking
in the wrong direction.
when i woke up
from that dream,
i felt marked and hollow.
and i thought
about myself and
what i was doing
in the dream.
here's what i learned:
-i never looked at the signs
when getting on and off the train
-i didn't feel at peace when
i got off the right stop
the right stop is my
heart loving you.
but we were always headed
in the wrong direction
because we were too busy
being on and off,
that i never looked
at the signs
my father warned me about.
There are short poems and long, pages long poems. And I felt her pain. This book again was more memoir/autobiography in poem form than a poetry book. It was about a bad relationship that eventually made her reexamine her life and boundaries and seek help for it. It was so bad she needed help and on the first day of her appointment he forgot about her for days because she was never his priority. I felt so much hurt and anger for her. How dare he? Luckily therapy helped and she was able to get out. She knew the relationship was wrong but wanted to keep it. She wanted him. Luckily she learned she didn't need him.
October 5, 2017
When I found out that there was a book of poetry out there written by one of our very own fellow bloggers, I just knew I had to get my hands on it! I was not disappointed by it! It was powerful, heartbreaking, uplifting, and thought provoking. For anyone who loves poetry and enjoys reading something written from the heart, this one is for you. For those who do not enjoy poetry or sometimes find poetry hard to understand, you will enjoy these poems because they are easy to read, heartfelt, and to the point.
Gretchen poured her heart and soul in to this work of art. She is a truly beautiful poetess. You can truly feel her emotions and understand her journey of heartache through her words. Poetry isn't always about perfect prose and rhymes. It's about empathy, emotions, and expression. It's about writing for yourself, no matter the outcome. I recommend this to anyone who has ever been through a difficult relationship, anyone who loves poetry, and anyone who loves reading something written from the heart.
Gretchen poured her heart and soul in to this work of art. She is a truly beautiful poetess. You can truly feel her emotions and understand her journey of heartache through her words. Poetry isn't always about perfect prose and rhymes. It's about empathy, emotions, and expression. It's about writing for yourself, no matter the outcome. I recommend this to anyone who has ever been through a difficult relationship, anyone who loves poetry, and anyone who loves reading something written from the heart.
May 28, 2017
Full review on my blog.
This was an emotional read that reminded me a lot of how I felt the first time I read the princess saves herself in this one. Do you ever read something and feel the words echo through your soul because they could be about you? I won’t say I felt that way about every poem in this collection, because I didn’t, but there were several that squeezed my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
I love that it isn’t broken up into sections, but still reads like a journey through different phases. The earlier poems had my heart breaking, but the ones toward the end patched me up, and might have left me in better shape than before I started the book.
One of my favorites that I’ve read several times was this one (pg. 117 in the paperback):
don’t waste time
regretting the
time you wasted
you
can
never
take
back
time
make time for
yourself now
rub self care on like oil
By the end of this book, I wanted to hug Gretchen and thank her, and maybe pour both of us a drink. It was painful and beautiful and brutally honest, and I wish younger versions of me had been able to read this book. Maybe I would have felt stronger sooner, learned to love myself a little earlier, and possibly avoided making some mistakes with my heart.
It’s not a light and fluffy read, but it ends with some empowering poems about self-love and taking care of yourself, and remembering that love isn’t supposed to hurt.
This is one I’ve already been recommending to people, and I’m sure that will continue. I can definitely see myself re-reading this a lot, and I’ll possibly be gifting it to people eventually. (I only say “possibly” because I don’t have many reader friends, and even fewer who enjoy poetry.)
If you like poetry that’s accessible (not overly steeped in metaphors and the like), but can punch you right in the feels with the emotions the words evoke, you need to read this.
This was an emotional read that reminded me a lot of how I felt the first time I read the princess saves herself in this one. Do you ever read something and feel the words echo through your soul because they could be about you? I won’t say I felt that way about every poem in this collection, because I didn’t, but there were several that squeezed my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
I love that it isn’t broken up into sections, but still reads like a journey through different phases. The earlier poems had my heart breaking, but the ones toward the end patched me up, and might have left me in better shape than before I started the book.
One of my favorites that I’ve read several times was this one (pg. 117 in the paperback):
don’t waste time
regretting the
time you wasted
you
can
never
take
back
time
make time for
yourself now
rub self care on like oil
By the end of this book, I wanted to hug Gretchen and thank her, and maybe pour both of us a drink. It was painful and beautiful and brutally honest, and I wish younger versions of me had been able to read this book. Maybe I would have felt stronger sooner, learned to love myself a little earlier, and possibly avoided making some mistakes with my heart.
It’s not a light and fluffy read, but it ends with some empowering poems about self-love and taking care of yourself, and remembering that love isn’t supposed to hurt.
This is one I’ve already been recommending to people, and I’m sure that will continue. I can definitely see myself re-reading this a lot, and I’ll possibly be gifting it to people eventually. (I only say “possibly” because I don’t have many reader friends, and even fewer who enjoy poetry.)
If you like poetry that’s accessible (not overly steeped in metaphors and the like), but can punch you right in the feels with the emotions the words evoke, you need to read this.
July 31, 2022
i should’ve stopped
all of this when
i realized that i was
the other woman
to your family.
and they would
never stop comparing
me to her, your ex.
and you weren’t
anyone to give
me my place.
- i shouldn’t beg for respect
all of this when
i realized that i was
the other woman
to your family.
and they would
never stop comparing
me to her, your ex.
and you weren’t
anyone to give
me my place.
- i shouldn’t beg for respect
February 28, 2018
Gretchen does not hold back. Every emotion pours through with clarity and an exceptional rawness through this collection. She is an open book in her poetry; I felt each pang of heartache, each stepping stone of strength, and each and every triumph she expressed as if they were my own. It takes a special kind of writer to translate such intense emotion into clear poetry. Her honesty is humbling and beautiful. I adore this collection, and absolutely cannot wait to read more from Gretchen.
April 10, 2018
This is a very raw and honest poetry collection about loving, hurting, breaking and healing. I am in awe of the strength it speaks and the courage to write and publish something so personal.
I also really enjoyed how all the pieces seemed to be part of one giant work and it read like the flow of a journey. I did also found it somewhat repetitive.
Sadly enough, the theme of the collection just didn't really resonate with me. I realised recently that poems about heartbreak or healing from unhealthy relationships with past lovers is just something far off from my own experiences. This, of course, doesn't make the collection less powerful, but it did make it less meaningful for me personally.
I did like the healing, growing, rebirth aspect and the spoken or unspoken message this is possible for all of us and we are all made of magic.
CW: emotional and physical abuse, toxic relationship, mentions of alcohol, rape and cancer
take a deep breath,
notice your worth,
and release that breath of stardust.
you come first.
every
single
time
I also really enjoyed how all the pieces seemed to be part of one giant work and it read like the flow of a journey. I did also found it somewhat repetitive.
Sadly enough, the theme of the collection just didn't really resonate with me. I realised recently that poems about heartbreak or healing from unhealthy relationships with past lovers is just something far off from my own experiences. This, of course, doesn't make the collection less powerful, but it did make it less meaningful for me personally.
I did like the healing, growing, rebirth aspect and the spoken or unspoken message this is possible for all of us and we are all made of magic.
CW: emotional and physical abuse, toxic relationship, mentions of alcohol, rape and cancer
take a deep breath,
notice your worth,
and release that breath of stardust.
you come first.
every
single
time
February 21, 2018
I want to tattoo some of these lines onto my skin.
December 7, 2018
I've been meaning to read this since last year so I'm really pleased I finally got round to it. The majority of this collection was in free verse, which I don't mind too much, but I do tend to find (personally) that poetry has a bigger impact when it's more structured. This was the case here, as some of the structured poems spoke to me much more. Having said that, I thought the themes of striving for self-confidence and learning to love yourself were discussed very well and with the understanding of someone who's dealt with these issues. It's clear from her poems that Gretchen Gomez is a big advocate of relationship equality, and consent. She speaks from her own experiences and crafts some important messages.
April 9, 2018
I LOVE LOVE LOVED this collection of poetry. I believe this is Gomez' debut collection of poetry and she knocked it out of the proverbial park with this release. What sets it apart from a lot of the poetry I have been reading is that there is actual DIALECT, not just pretty words...but dialect. Gomez is Latina and incorporates that into her work, head on, even including spanish-language stanzas. I loved that she did not shy away from what makes her so unique: her heritage, her womanhood, and not forgetting where she came from. I recommend this poetry collection to anyone who wants to expand their collection and not just add to it. :)
April 10, 2017
Gorgeous
Absolutely lovely. Heartbreaking, hopeful, and potent. The language is simplistic, yet incredibly evocative. Perfect for fans of Milk and Honey and The Princess Saves Herself In This One.
Absolutely lovely. Heartbreaking, hopeful, and potent. The language is simplistic, yet incredibly evocative. Perfect for fans of Milk and Honey and The Princess Saves Herself In This One.
May 27, 2017
Beautiful
I loved this collection of poems. I cried, I smiled, I felt every bit. Gretchen has a gift for making the reader relate & empathize. I am SO GLAD I bought this collection & I keep going back to read again & again.
I loved this collection of poems. I cried, I smiled, I felt every bit. Gretchen has a gift for making the reader relate & empathize. I am SO GLAD I bought this collection & I keep going back to read again & again.
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