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Remember Love: Words for Tender Times

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The beloved New York Times bestselling author of Heart Talk , hailed as “the poet of her generation” ( Time ), charts a path away from exhaustion and endless crises and toward a place of renewal and radiant love with a new, soulful collection of original poetry and prose.

Cleo Wade is that friend you dream of having—the one you could phone in your darkest hours, confident she’d say the perfect thing, because no matter what you’re going through, she’s going to meet you with warmth and understanding. She’s never shied away from her own setbacks and heartbreaks; she’s embraced them and distilled them into pearls of essential truth and sincere advice which can help get you through, can make you see that tomorrow still lies straight ahead. If only you had such a friend...

And now you do.

Remember Love , Cleo Wade’s first original work for adults since her widely adored Heart Talk , offers the consoling, inspiring voice that so many are craving amid the chaos of modern life. In clear, deep, generous poetry and prose, she urges those feeling confused, lost, or overwhelmed by change to return to what’s love. Time and again, she reminds us that love, particularly self-love, is what saves us, even on our worst days—especially on our worst days. Love, Cleo says, is the sacred birthright of every human being. It’s not a want; it’s a need, and we require its nourishment now more than ever.

Reminiscent of the comfort found in classic favorites from Maya Angelou and Mary Oliver, Remember Love is a counsel, an offering, a beautiful lifeline for members of every generation.

224 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2023

203 people are currently reading
12883 people want to read

About the author

Cleo Wade

10 books496 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader.
2,786 reviews31.9k followers
February 21, 2024
Thank you, Random House, for the gifted book.

Cleo Wade is so skilled and gifted with words. She can say everything with a few sparse lines. I have been following along since Heart Talk and gobble up each new book. The byline for Remember Love is “Words for Tender Times,” and that’s exactly what this is: comfort in a book. A warm hug. Deep and affecting but never trite.

The last paragraph of the synopsis says, “Reminiscent of the comfort found in classic favorites from Maya Angelou and Mary Oliver, Remember Love is a counsel, an offering, a beautiful lifeline for members of every generation.”

And that’s exactly where this one sits: on my nightstand along with my beloved copies from Mary Oliver (thank you forever, @plbthoughts) and Maya Angelou.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Profile Image for Ink_Drinker.
296 reviews567 followers
February 28, 2025
❤️A deeply moving collection of poetry and prose that brings comfort and inspiration.

❤️Wade's writing strikes a delicate yet powerful chord, exploring themes of self-love, healing, and resilience.

❤️Her words offer solace and motivation, making this book a comforting presence during difficult moments.

❤️With its gentle insights and uplifting messages, "Remember Love" serves as a beautiful reminder of the significance of love and self-care in our lives.
42 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2023
Words can never describe the experience of reading Cleo Wade's books, and stars cannot contain the experience. Feels like going home every time. Must be read with an open heart and an open mind.
Profile Image for Kelsey.
153 reviews
April 27, 2024
I don’t usually read poetry, but I loved this collection of accessible poetry and short essays. Reading these passages felt like being wrapped in a warm hug and reminded me of the beauty of being human and even the beauty of experiencing heartbreak. I’ll definitely be reading more of Cleo Wade’s work!
Profile Image for Jenny.
70 reviews1 follower
June 13, 2025
This book is a salve for the soul ♥️ I read a page or so a night over a long period of time which felt like the perfect way to take in all the wisdom.
Profile Image for Misse Jones.
579 reviews47 followers
August 31, 2023
Perfection!

We shouldn’t have to break down in order to pour into ourselves. When we recognize this, we understand the incredible value of rest and restoration. A synonym for restoration is return. The nature of being busy is to do, to expend only outward energy. It is easy to lose track of yourself in this. The nature of rest is to be. It is a return to yourself

Remember Love: Words For Tender Times feels like a warm hug. Comfortable. Relatable. Loving. Healing. This collection of poetry and prose is a navigational path away from exhaustion, catastrophe and what can be the overwhelming response that busyness can bring. To one of healing, restoration, and radiant love. It is a call to return to love, in the midst of all else. Thank you so much to Rodale Inc. and NetGalley for this gifted copy.

Weaving back and forth from concise, clear, and very focused poetry to generous prose, the author reminds you that love is freeing and it will save you, particularly self-love. She provides so many wonderful encouraging and motivation words that are very affirming. Leading with this notion that to love ourselves is to continually reclaim ourselves. A few of my favorite poems in the collection are: "for people like me who don't know how to relax", "it's simple", and "what's held".

I highly recommend this collection! It is very well-written and oftentimes comforting. This is the first collection I've read from Cleo Wade and after finishing, I look forward to exploring more of her work.

Remember Love: Words For Tender Times releases on October 17, 2023. Don't forget to pre-order your copy.
Profile Image for Kiu Fear.
47 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2024
So so beautiful and powerful. What a special gift from my Gracie that I’ll always cherish <3
Profile Image for Rachel | All the RAD Reads.
1,254 reviews1,324 followers
May 24, 2024
every @cleowade book feels like a love letter and a warm embrace, like she’s the friend who always knows just what to say or when to just hold space and let the feelings speak for themselves. this one found me at the perfect time, when i needed to be guided back into love, away from the weariness of worrying and wondering endlessly about things out of my control. it was a balm and a beautiful offering of poetry and light. ✨
4 reviews
October 14, 2023
Cleo Wade drops so many truth bombs and a-has in this most intimate book. I devoured this in under 4 hours and took tons of notes and pics of passages. If you love her poetry and her voice — or this is your first intro to Cleo — this book will resonate. It’s what the world needs right now.
Profile Image for Caryssa.
54 reviews3 followers
December 22, 2024
disappointing :( and it was so highly rated on goodreads! felt like cringe tumblr quotes about self love
Profile Image for Zoë.
115 reviews119 followers
Read
January 4, 2026
I don’t tend to rate self help books, poetry books, or anything of the likes, but I’m not afraid to give a review and say my thoughts.

This was one I’d been itching to read for some time and I’m glad I listened to that voice that told me to finally give it a go.

This book is not filled with new information or anything that will change your life. But it IS full of simple, yet important reminders that can improve our day to day lives, especially if we are going through something like a breakup (romantic, friendship, or otherwise), a scary time of change, etc.

Everything that was talked about in this book is, frankly, common sense. I don’t think you need someone to tell you that pain will heal with time, or that leaning on support systems will make us stronger. But they are all useful things to call to mind on occasion because I think it’s easy to forget the simple, yet helpful little tidbits we can tell ourselves to make life just a smidge easier.

This is the kind of book I can see myself coming back to on a hard day, reading one of the dog eared pages, and move on feeling a little lighter. It was an uplifting and positive start to my year.
Profile Image for Emily Morgan.
77 reviews1 follower
March 27, 2024
Such a beautiful book about loving yourself, giving yourself grace, relationships and letting go. Wade was able to put into, sometimes very few, words exactly how I have felt in certain situations. Almost as if she went through the experience with me. CHILLS!
Profile Image for Amanda Schad.
25 reviews
October 4, 2024
Cleo Wade feels like that friend you have an accidental 4 hour coffee date with, leaving you with so much more clarity and prospective on all your life problems.
Profile Image for Dale Erdmier.
284 reviews15 followers
March 10, 2024
I love Cleo Wade, but I didn't love this book as much as her others.
Profile Image for Crystal (Melanatedreader) Forte'.
396 reviews168 followers
May 2, 2024
Finished a book this morning… If you need clarity and insight with a strong emotional tug… get this today (right now!) #20booksbyblackwomen #20booksbyblackfolx Cleo put her foot in this book.
Profile Image for Vanessa Ya Lopez .
389 reviews2 followers
October 20, 2023
I highly anticipated this book and bought it the day it came out.

Part II really resonated with me, though I didn’t highlight the whole book as I did her previous two.

The ending got me asking myself deep questions about my peace and how it is okay to let people down. This is a skill I need to improve.

Cleo continues to our love through her words and create beautiful metaphors that really stick, especially the reflections on people referring to themselves “as the glue that holds ever together.”

This book can serve as a daily reminder for self compassion.

“Can I say
“I love you”
To myself not only on the days the sun is shining
And the gold medal is around my neck
But
On the days
Life
Is covered in clouds
No finish pibes, no prizes”
Profile Image for g.
84 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2024
simple and affirming truths

i feel im further along in my healing because it felt like a gentle reminder

i found more depth and richness in these pages than in her other book of poetry and wisdom, heart talk
Profile Image for Richard Propes.
Author 2 books191 followers
November 15, 2023
"Remember Love: Words for Tender Times" is my introduction to the literary world of Cleo Wade, bestselling author of "Heart Talk" and a well-known artist, poet, and activist.

"Remember Love" is a weaving together of poetry and prose, a continuation of Wade's long-standing devotion to inspiration, motivation, and simply being courageous enough to care. Wade explores finding light during our periods of lostness, love for ourselves after heartbreak, peace in the midst of change, and strength in the journey of letting go. Wade writes, quite clearly, from the heart with a simplicity and poignancy that is refreshing and incredibly welcome.

During a time of so much social upheaval, Wade's words gently nudge us toward steadiness and self-care along with a sense of community and groundedness.

While Wade's positivity could be misconstrued, rest assured that she writes from a place of understanding that we will experience darkness and all that life will toss our way. Her mission, if you will, is one of empowerment and equipping so that we are more fully ready to handle all of life's peaks and valleys.

I found myself particularly enchanted by Wade's poetry, typically quite short yet precise and meaningful, warm and immersive. With an awareness of the world around us, Wade calls us into tenderness and into remembering the love within and the love that surrounds us.

While not a short read, "Remember Love" has a gentle fluidity that makes it a breezy, comfortable read that you'll likely not want to put down until you've reached the very end.
Profile Image for Camdyn Greear.
45 reviews
September 28, 2024
Received this as a gift in the mail from my aunt, who also bought me my first Cleo Wade book, Heart Talk. Like Heart Talk, Remember Love had a lot of cool imagery and powerful poems/phrases. Wade’s writing style is very spiritual and encourages reflection, which I enjoy. I don’t normally annotate books, but I underlined and doodled freely in this one, and I had multiple journal entries about various passages. I meditated over this book, I cried over it, and I healed from it. Took me a long time to get through because I took it pretty much one day at a time and only read small amounts so I could really take the wisdom in. I would highly recommend reading little tidbits throughout the day. Overall, love!
Profile Image for Carla.
1,151 reviews121 followers
October 27, 2023
Like a balm to the soul.

Especially during these times.

Wade gives me back a little bit of hope for humanity. If only we’d all realize we are one. There is no separation. There is no difference. We are all the same.
Profile Image for Claire.
96 reviews
January 19, 2024
A gift of a book - literally and figuratively. Poems, Journaling, Pearls - that can flow in a steady read or (perhaps preferably) be picked up again and again. This one stays on the bedside table for a while.
29 reviews
July 8, 2024
Woah needed this. Feels like i just stumbled upon a treasure trove of words when i needed it the most - a nudge to reclaim myself.

“Love is slow. It is warm, tender, patient, and surprising. It requires our time and most relaxed self. The us that can just be. The us that can listen and witness. The us that is a home that can be a home to others. A sweet shelter.”
Profile Image for Christopher Robin.
8 reviews
January 24, 2025
Nice book of good messages. I would read this in between tasks for work, sometimes before bed. I started reading this when I decided I wanted to read more this year. Also reading another book at the same time. Glad I’m finally continuing my journey as a good reader!
Profile Image for Monica.
38 reviews
June 4, 2024
I will always love em some Cleo. I also recommend the Spotify playlist for this book, ❤️.
Profile Image for Ashley.
9 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2024
Whenever my heart needs some tender words to help heal me , Cleo always comes through! Loved this book!
Profile Image for Jean.
52 reviews
December 3, 2024
There is something in this book for everyone. It’s a fantastic book, so well written. I loved reading it slowly throughout the year!
Profile Image for Nicole Heim.
100 reviews
January 11, 2025
Tender words for tender times💛 Eye opening in a comforting, supportive way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews

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