The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One by Amanda Lovelace | Review

The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One by Amanda Lovelace

Published: March 5, 2019

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Pages: 210

Received: via NetGalley for honest review (catchup post)

Goodreads Choice Award-winning poet and USA TODAY bestselling author Amanda Lovelace presents the mermaid’s voice returns in this one — the third and final installment in her “women are some kind of magic” series, featuring a foreword from Lang Leav and 13 guest poems from leading voices in poetry such as Nikita Gill, KY Robinson, and Orion Carloto.

The mermaid is known for her siren song, luring bedroom-eyed sailors to their demise. However, beneath these misguided myths are tales of escapism and healing, which Lovelace weaves throughout this empowering collection of poetry, taking you on a journey from the sea to the stars. They tried to silence her once and for all, but the mermaid’s voice returns in this one.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: suicidal thoughts, abuse, depression and sexual assault. The book itself has a list of all trigger warnings which was amazing to see and much appreciated. Something I think is necessary in the book community so props to the author/publisher for including it.

First, I need to say that I haven't read the previous books in this poetry series and I'm aware they go together and perhaps should be read as companions to get the overall feel. Given that I haven't read the others yet, I still feel that this collection of poetry was inspiring. 

It was raw and emotional. It was gritty and chilling. It was everything it needed to be. Impactful in so many ways. It made me realize just how much people don't know what others are going through or why they do the things they do.

With the Me Too movement in recent news, this collection of poetry that includes poems from other women as well (that I understand is not the norm for this series), is a wonderful homage to the movement.

The poem that hit me and affected me immediately was: 

you worry
so much
about
the comfort
of others
that you
cannot
remember
a time
when
you did
something
just 
for 
yourself.

-you are worth spoiling

This is something that I have been actively working on in my life. I have forever been the person to give and give and give, yet many times felt let down by others. Yet, I cannot stop giving. I always say yes. Personal life or work life, I just can't say no. BUT - over time and with help, I have learned that it's not about everyone else ALL THE TIME. It's a hard thing to remember, but it's important to put yourself first no matter what is happening in your life. You can't move on or up if you don't lift yourself up first. This poem is something that I want to have with me as a reminder.

This will be a book I recommend to others to have the same heartfelt and inspirational experience that I did. I will definitely be reading the previous books in the series so I can experience the magic.