This is a stunning collection of poems. From the first poem I was captured by Mahmoodi's depiction of mental health, heartbreak, and self-acceptance. She displays her emotions so openly and passionately that I could almost feel the pain of some of the poems resonating off the page. I find poetry so personal, so individual, that I either entirely connect with an author's work, or I cannot relate at all. I really resonated with many of the poems in this collection, and I think that anyone who has struggled with their feelings, found it difficult to accept themselves, or experienced a transition from self-doubt to self-love will also enjoy this collection.

The collection is split into five sections, each one dealing with a part of Mahmoodi's life and her journey towards self-acceptance. She challenges expectations of love and pain, trauma and heartbreak, and is able to convey so much in only a handful of lines. She also does not shy away from sharing and questioning elements of life that society has deemed 'taboo'. A couple of the larger sections do jump between topics, but I feel as though this, whether intentional or not, mimics the way the brain cycles through thoughts quite chaotically, especially during times of sadness and introspection, so I didn't mind it. I tabbed so many of the poems that I really connected with, and will probably find myself returning to them often.

I think this is a wonderful collection for anyone that is struggling or has struggled with their mental health, recently gone through a heartbreak, or is attempting to love themselves. If you are looking for a way to articulate some of these thoughts, or recognise that you are not alone in your journey, then I highly recommend this collection. I really enjoyed it, and will look out for more of her work.