Sea glass secrets is an entrancing and emotional work of poetic prose. Anchored by the constant of the sea, the author takes us on a journey as broken, shattered sea glass changes and is left changed and renewed on the shore.

The structure worked well with non-rhyming couplets alternating with key words/phrases in italics. There was some vivid imagery like a bird with clipped wings and ants crawling on her. I liked the use of alliteration throughout, such as 'suffocating with secrets.'

The story really touched me. One phrase which stood out was 'a house that wasn't a home'. I found it heartbreaking to read how the author felt when her dad left. She thinks of all the things a dad would do, that would not happen anymore- 'the monsters still live under the bed.' As the book progresses it becomes clear that this is sadly just the first of many monsters the author would have to deal with.

Similarly, we are told that she 'yearned' for the kind of mother she saw in society and portrayed by the media. 'I wish my mother found her purpose in being a mother.' She was left to care for her siblings-'tired from spending my childhood being an adult'

The section which deals with addiction is filled with emotion. 'From your lips....to your fists.' There is a powerful description of how the addicted person acts and how it impacts on the author.

A diagnosis, a death and the grief which follows. This section had me reaching for tissues. I liked the thought of being able to talk to our loved ones in the stars. The idea of her ife 'before, during and after you' made it clear how important their relationship was.

I loved the way each section returned to the shore and nice to read in the acknowledgements that the author has found her own safe shore.

The author is a talented poet and I look forward to reading more of her work.