Lovesick & Jaded is a collection of assorted poems penned by Nicole Camello. Born in 1998, Camello started writing poetry in 2020 whilst studying at Westfield State University (America). This anthology from the now Boston-based poet marks her publishing debut, featuring poetry that centres around first-hand experiences and themes of love, identity and belonging.

Camello's poetry is abrupt and blunt, its punchy style is one that is meant to reflect a challenging world, riddled with a constant sense of stress and demanding expectations. One of my favourite poems from the collection, "burning cigarettes like incense", presents an author turning to vice like an old friend during a moment of tranquillity. It is as charming as it is bleak.

Where this anthology loses its sense of purpose is in the places where Camello begins to doubt herself. At sporadic intervals there are flashes of autobiographical prose and on other pages singular statements such as "thanks for making it this far" (page 31) and "you deserve someone who appreciates you" (page 91). I am not sure whether these inserts are intended as artistic statements, supportive words to readers or reaffirming words to the author, the purpose is not clear. When the poetry is already quite jarring and angular in style, these distractions only create further confusion and disconnect.

Lovesick & Jaded can be regarded as a good poetry debut from Camello, something to be built upon in the subsequent books that I am sure will follow. In future collections I would like to see poetry that expands horizons, moving away from the author's own thoughts and feelings and applying them to the world and people around her. Doing so will add more visualisation, possibly soften the edges a little and, hopefully, give Camello the needed self-confidence to not apologise for her own talents.

AEB Reviews