What I Should've Texted

by Pierre Alex Jeanty

What I Should’ve Texted is a collection of words that have been buried. A spill of hidden thoughts that never made their way out.

This collection from poet Pierre Alex Jeanty is a beautiful expression of the unspoken things that needed to be said and must leave our lips as we attempt to close chapters that we were forced to abandon. 
 
Whether you are looking for closure from past heartbreaks or trying to make sense of your feelings and emotions during a current one, What I Should’ve Texted will help you give life to the thoughts that never got a chance to escape.

Genres: Poetry

143 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2025

Reviews

[meg *ੈ✩‧₊˚ (semi ia) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I'm at a half and half with this because I like the poetry and the style, but at the same time, I don't like the style. Some verses spoke to me, while others did not.

Otherwise I loved it and will be checking out more from the author.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poetry reached to the bottom of my soul and made me feel. I usually can’t rate poetry books but this one I felt in the core of my heart. It said all the right things I wanted…no needed to hear.

If you can’t get over that one someone, you need to read this.

Thank you, NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing and Pierre Alex Jeanty for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Caitlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️✨

What I Should’ve Texted is a cohesive short book of poems that tell a story of regret and healing. The collection is split into 3 parts, each part dissecting a chain of text messages and I think this will resonate very well for those who find themselves deleting everything they write the first time around or sending a loaded message than refusing to look at their phone for hours.

I enjoy clearing my head and sitting down with simple poetry occasionally and Jeanty clearly filled this book with his soul and his writing is beautiful. Unfortunately, it feels like short poetry books are flooding the market as of late and in order for one to hold a place in my heart it needs to either feel incredibly personal to me or be so profound it forces me to think deeply, and What I Should’ve Texted didn’t do either of this things. I enjoyed the first part and then I found it a bit tedious. While the writing was incredibly well done, there is just nothing that will stick with me or encourage me to read this collection again.

[Laura Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never read a set of poems that remind me so much of my past experience. It’s insane… I felt like I was reading my own messages and inner thoughts. Glad the author was able to heal better than I have 💕

[BrittanySilverman · Rating 3 out of 5]

We all have inner dialogue when we send a text. This book is a great example of the million thoughts behind a few short words.

[Brianna Kinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So eloquently written.

[Bea (beansbookshelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.

This is a collection of heartbreaking yet beautifully written poems. I really liked how the poems related to the title of the book ('what I should've texted'), in which the author replies to messages he has received and writes a reply that he actually never sends, plus the reply he does send. I could related sooo much to some of these poems, they really spoke to me on an emotional level.

I believe this is a good place to start if you're looking for some poetry books to read and don't really know where to begin. Rating: 4/5 stars.

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection is split into three sections: fresh wounds, picking at scabs and visiting scars. What follows then is an unraveling of texts, of responses and feelings that should have been said but weren't due to the hurt. From the very first poem to the last, this collection reminded me of 'the break-up,' and by this I mean, of letting go of someone who had become such an integral part of you and they don't even know how much they hurt you for you to let them go.
It's also got the characteristics of a break-up where you call to check up on them, the subtle 'hey...', the text of 'I saw you...' bumping into their photos on social media- keeping tabs on them, who are they with, what are they doing and the likes....it's got all that.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

[Jonathan (Jon)]

*not rating*

This was such a fun and unique concept. I could definitely relate to this as it’s super realistic. I enjoyed the writing, but the poetry got too repetitive. However, I loved the overall purpose of the book with the inner thoughts of regrets and healing.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to read this book!

[KT · Rating 4 out of 5]

the words spoke to me on such a deep level. i found myself relating to the pain.

[Katie Rankine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the story of the break up with my longest relationship. So interesting to read as was very close to my experience

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and McMeel publishing for this ARC of ‘What I Should’ve Texted’

WOW! A beautifully written book. Gives a realistic and in depth depiction of, as the title states, ‘What I Should’ve Texted.’
As someone who has had my fair share of break ups this book really spoke to me. It showed the process that goes through your mind when trying to distance yourself from someone. All the anger, sadness, hurt and love that is still felt. This book really showed the rollercoaster of emotions that goes along with a break up. Definitely an amazing read.

[Colleen Giuffrida · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the style of this book. The raw vulnerability was present, and coming from an “I’m fine” girl, so much of this was understandable.

[Sami Miz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

I really enjoyed this collection as it made me think about my past relationship and how I worked through this.

This collection starts off with a stream of texts that happened right after a breakup in a toxic relationship. The collection continues with an in-depth look at what the author's response means. As the collection goes on, you can see the hopefulness and joy come back as the partner they separated from seems to get worse.

This collection would be great to read if you need help working through a relationship.

[Karen Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Pierre Alex Jeanty, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC of "What I Should've Texted".

Poetry is not a genre that I tend to read. However, the title and summary intrigued me enough to want to explore this book. This was an excellent representation of what we want to say when our heart is broken by a loved one vs. what we actually say in response.

This is a quick read but very powerful.

[Jenny Radloff · Rating 4 out of 5]

In diesem Buch werden Nachrichtenverläufe zwischen zwei Personen, die zuvor eine Beziehung führten und nun getrennt sind, aufgeschlüsselt. Insgesamt drei Chatverläufe werden jeweils erst vollständig abgedruckt, bevor Nachricht für Nachricht darauf eingegangen wird, was man statt der ursprünglichen Antwort gerne geschrieben hätte.

Mich hat das Konzept dieses Buches sehr interessiert und ich fand sehr gelungen, wie die ursprünglich gesendete Antwort teilweise eine andere Bedeutung bekam, nachdem man die Gedanken und Gefühle der Person dazu kannte. Durch den vollständigen Nachrichtenverlauf zu Beginn konnte man sich selbst ein Bild davon machen, wie das Geschriebene wirkt und wie man die Stimmung interpretieren würde. Auf diese Art war ich im Anschluss noch betroffener, als der Schmerz in den Nachrichten, die man gerne geschrieben hätte, zum Vorschein kam. Die Dynamik dieser schädlichen Beziehung wurde deutlich und auch, wie schwer es ist, eine Trennung zu verarbeiten. Ich war sehr ergriffen von den beschriebenen Gedanken und kann das Buch weiterempfehlen.


In English:

This book breaks down message histories between two people who were previously in a relationship and are now separated. A total of three chat histories are each printed in full before the author goes message after message into what they would have liked to have written instead of the original answer.

I was very interested in the concept of this book and I really liked how the originally sent response sometimes took on a different meaning after knowing the person's thoughts and feelings about it. By reading the complete message history at the beginning, you could get an idea of how the writing appeared and how you would interpret the mood. In this way, I was even more affected afterwards when the pain came out in the messages that one would have liked to have written. The dynamics of this toxic relationship became clear, as well as how difficult it is to process a breakup. I was very moved by the thoughts described and can recommend the book.

[J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to #NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me a copy of Pierre Alex Jeanty’s, What I Should’ve Texted, in exchange for an honest review.

#WhatIShouldveTexted is not only the first poetry collection that I have read by the poet, but also is one of only a handful of contemporary poetry collections that I have read by anyone. Despite my preference for older works, the concept immediately grabbed me and I needed see the execution.

The collection is divided into three sections that each begin with the original text message, which serves as the template for single-page poems that fill the remainder of each section and expand upon the original text. The font is bolded for the initial texter. That bolded message becomes the title of a poem. The message from the responder is italicized and is the conclusion of a poem. The subtext or “what the texter should have said” is the poem between the two.

This collection is clearly written from personal experience. Thus, I do not want to tear apart verses that are fragile and hold so much meaning for their creator. Instead, I will state the positives including the format, the fact that the poetry rhymes, and the collection improves with each section. These works may be more effective as slam poetry spoken by the author as opposed to written verse.

As an aside, while not unique to the author or this collection, it is bizarre to see digital references, such as #emojis or #Facebook, in poetry. The author incorporates them seamlessly thanks to the ingenuous format.

The one critique, which can be resolved with minor edits, is that some language is too repetitive throughout a particular section. Certain passages should either be omitted or changed, assuming the omission or change would leave the integrity of a division intact.

[Sharondblk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure I would call this poetry - but maybe that's a reflection on me, rather than on poetry. This books takes the form of a series of text messages between the protagonist and their ex, and then "fills in the blanks" with what they are thinking and feeling. I didn't really enjoy this, it felt juvenile.and self-indulgent to me. We only see the relationship after it was over, so I have no reason to care that it's over. It's like when someone breaks up after being together for years and then tries to tell you that the never really loved the person anyway, and the relationship was always terrible, and I'm like, well you must have at one point, because you didn't HAVE to marry them. Also, if you really don't want the person in your life at all, you can block their number at any point, rather than reading these text and talking about what a terrible person they always were. It would have made for a much shorter book though. Maybe I'm unsympathetic and have no romance in my soul. Or maybe my frustration and annoyance with this book means that it is effective art, because it made me feel something, even if what I feel is like screaming. I did like the idea that we send a word or a sentence in a message and there is a whole world of context and hurt and love underneath it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Keri]

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the published for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I own, have read, and love three other poetry books by Pierre Alex Jeanty (Her, Her Vol. 2, and Him). I had such high hopes for this new collection, and while I did enjoy it, I don’t think I will purchase it for my personal collection. It was certainly an emotional piece for the author. It was a very emotional read. If you are in the midst of going through a breakup and getting these sorts of texts from an ex, I can see this being the book that someone grabs to help them through that tough time to know that they are not alone in their feelings.

I really enjoyed the way the texts were presented, first as the whole conservation of what was actually sent and then breaking down each response as what really wanted to be said but wasn’t. It was a nice reminder that there is so much left unsaid after a breakup, but also just so much that is maybe not always communicated through electronic communication.

The book was divided into three parts- fresh wounds, picking at scabs, and visiting scars. You can see how raw and hurt the responses are in the first section, and even feel the healing that happens but the time we get to visiting scars. I think most of us have been through a breakup and can relate to some of all of these emotions while reading this collection.

[ari ୨♡୧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

[3/5 ★★★☆☆] “In this life full of choices, if you never wanted our love story to be on its last page, why did you tear up so many pages and burn too many of my words? ”

A collection of poems that follows the aftermath of a breakup where one party is trying to move on while the other clings to not close the wound. I really liked the structure of this collection of poems, very consistent with the theme. If you are in this “grieving” stage, this book is just what you need.

Maybe my only “but” is that there are certain lines that feel very repetitive, but at the same time I understand that this is how a breakup is experienced and it is not something linear, it is a constant push and pull.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[DeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.

Pretty much everyone has had a breakup that was difficult to go through, or an ex who refused to cut the connection. This poetry collections examines words that a person might have swallowed down as they went through the grief and healing from a severed relationship. The collection itself is a journey, with signs of slow resolution on the part of the author as they moved past a relationship that in a lot of ways is portrayed as very toxic. As it progresses you can see the catharsis, realizations and boundaries that are being set by the author. It was very real and raw in it's portrayal and something I think most people can identify with in some way.

[Arshiya Sultana · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the description describes, this book is a collection of words buried reluctantly and now find a way out. I particularly liked how this book was formatted and the modern touch given to it. Some lines hit home, "...and pain hasn't made its bold announcement yet. But either way, I am thinking about you..." and "...I remember the dark times I ran into because of you...".
However, some lines felt cliche, "...like honey pouring into my eyes...", "...it's like pouring water on dead plants..." This falls more under the Social media poetry category, which I'm not a fan of.
The book was short and crisp. I would recommend this to beginners since it's easy to flow with. I give it 3 stars because I feel there is still room for improvement.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read from March 1st, 2024 to March 4th, 2024. Written on March 5th, 2024.

NEW BOOK RELEASE ALERT!!!

~4.5~

And this one is a-mazing! I mean, imagine if you had texted what you really wanted to? To pour out your soul through a text message, your feelings and your mind into mere words. This book is fenomenal and does just that with amazing poetry. I am in awe, really. I have no words.

(But if you love it so much why just 4.5 stars?) Well, I do wish the organization was a bit better. I basically felt like I read the same thing twice in some parts, plus some poems were a bit repetitive in some parts, but really, who cares? I love it nevertheless.

Signing off,
B.

(Free ARC from NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing that I chose to review after reading)

[RiRi💌 (back in January) · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝗜 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂.
𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘦, 𝘵𝘰𝘰.

This collection from poet Pierre Alex Jeanty is a beautiful expression of the unspoken things that needed to be said.

I already read some work from this poet, so I thought let’s try his newest work, and it did not disappoint!!
I really enjoyed this one and felt so peaceful while reading it. WOW.🥹🫶🏼

“𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺; 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘴.”

!!𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 & 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗠𝗰𝗠𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗝𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗰 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!!

[Megan Switzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a quick read. A random library pickup where the cover caught my eye.

The concept of getting to cathartically speak those words left unsaid is fascinating. This brings me back to Tumblr time and had I read it in high school or as a college kid I think it would have been monumentally impactful.

As a happily married woman who’s been in the same relationship for over 12 years, there are just things that no longer make deep impact. That being said, there are moments that I recall previous relationships and there’s an underlying message of loving oneself.

I’m intrigued to read more of this author’s work.

[Jessica Treaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of us have been in relationships that were not right for us, and when they end it can be difficult to not want to go back, beg for a second chance, and attempt to repair what was broken. It can be difficult to set a boundary with someone you have not fully recovered from; someone you still love or have love for. For people going through such a breakup, this book may just be able to give you the strength to get to the other side. The side where you no longer dread hearing their name, hope that they will text, and wish that things were different. The side where you can truly delete them from your life and be happy.

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected this to be a collection of poems centered around love and relationships in various forms. It is actually a long text thread over time (maybe a year?) between two people that broke up from a toxic relationship with one side’s thoughts in between the messages. A few parts were relatable, others not so much, lots of red flags, and some internal struggle but overall it felt flat emotionally. This felt more like a commentary than poetry.

*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am one of those people who comes up with a good answer or understands what should have been said a few months later, perhaps because I take a lot of time to process. It starts with shock, then goes into trying to understand why I am listening or wasting time listening to people who get pleasure in returning to hurt.

This book has great examples of what is so many times unsaid, and if you are breaking up, changing life, or understanding that some people are not right, then they make sense to you.
Thank you publisher for the copy.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeanty's chapbook entitled "What I Should've Texted" is a collection of free verse poetry centered around grieving a breakup. The 3 sections of the book are focused on analyzing the contents of texts between the narrator and his lost love. The internal dialogue that Jeanty writes will speak to anyone who has gone through a breakup or heartbreak from someone they thought would be their forever. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC!

[Jen Lunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this as an arc and goddamn I’m honored I did. Was this the best book I’ve ever read? Possibly? Did I need this book 5 months ago when I was fresh with heartbreak? YES. Pierre Alex Jeanty is one of my favorite poetry authors because I can relate to each page as if he stole the thoughts from my head and crafted them into the most honest and heartfelt words. Will run knees to chest on March 5th, to go get this at my local B&N. In the meantime, I’m going to read this again right now.