by Josie Balka
First published 2025
Social media star Josie Balka presents her second poetry collection, examining love through six distinct lenses. The book contains over eighty poems that dissect familial bonds, toxic relationships, romance, friendship, self-acceptance, and loss. Balka draws from her online following's experiences alongside new material created specifically for this volume. Her approach combines direct emotional expression with concrete imagery, avoiding abstract philosophizing in favor of accessible language. The collection moves through different relationship dynamics, from comfortable long-term friendships to painful romantic endings. Balka organizes the poems thematically, allowing readers to navigate specific emotional territories. Her previous work "I Hope You Remember" earned praise from John Stamos and achieved bestseller status. This new collection builds on that foundation, offering both comfort for those experiencing heartbreak and celebration for those finding joy in connection.
Genres: self-help, poetry, relationships, contemporary-romance
Vibes: emotional, intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, friends-to-lovers, second-chance
Period: 21st-century
192 pages · Kindle Edition · S&S/Simon Element
Content warnings: depression, mental-illness