Ever More: Poems on Pregnancy & Motherhood

by Jessica Jocelyn, Janelle Parraz (illustrator)

if I could keep you little forever,
I wouldn’t.
as much as you are a part of me,
you don’t belong to me.
you belong to the wind,
the moon, the stars.
your heart is going to change the world
and make it a better place.
and if I’m lucky,
I will be here to watch you do it.

It is said that when a child is born, so is the mother.

Ever More is a collection of unfiltered poetry that explores the complexities of pregnancy and motherhood.

From the sheer joy of anticipation and love to the overwhelming weight of responsibility, these poems vividly capture the spectrum of emotions experienced when a woman becomes a mother.

The warmth, hope, and endless affection shared between a mother and her child, as well as the vulnerable truth of sacrifice and struggle. Exploring the guilt, doubts, and exhaustion that mothers often conceal.

Ever More takes readers through the intricate experiences of motherhood, inviting them to explore both the incredible highs and challenging lows that shape the profound journey of motherhood.

Genres: Poetry, Parenting

145 pages, Paperback

Published February 14, 2024

About the author

Jessica Jocelyn is the thirty-something author of four poetry books (Chasing Wildfires, Finding Daisies, Girl(Remastered), and Ever More), a proud mother, and a nemophilist. By sharing her lived experiences, she strives to deeply connect with her readers and remind them that they are not in this alone. Jessica’s poetry may be hard to hear at times, but it’s always healing to read. In the same vein, her past may be dark, but writing serves as her spark of sunlight. When she isn’t storytelling, you can find this free-spirited goth spending quality time with her family that inspire her every day.

Reviews

[Sarah Heitkemper · Rating 5 out of 5]

feeling so incredibly seen and weepy. such a good one whether you’re a parent or have people in your life who are.

[Tara Gardiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was great. It’s real. It’s pure. And it gets you right in the feels of all that comes with motherhood! I loved it! It’s an easy/ deep read, but also a read that u may want to go back to a few of your favorite pages when you feel overwhelmed!

[Madison Kopeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another "perfect" book to make Mom's feel less alone on this wonderful, crazy journey.

[Hannah Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really beautiful, simple book of poems. It made me think and cry.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

all the feels!!!!

[Rachel Gasseling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread 9 months later: hits even harder and better postpartum. 6 star read

The emotional rollercoaster I went through while reading this has me in tears. Feeling seen, knowing the future will be okay and just how beautiful every moment will be even when it doesn’t feel like it will.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Breaking the Cycle: A Mother's Journey of Healing and Love" is a heart-wrenching and deeply moving book that follows the story of a woman who grew up without the love she deserved. Despite her difficult childhood, she finds solace in meeting a wonderful man who becomes the father to her children.

The protagonist's journey is one of triumph and perseverance as she navigates the challenges of motherhood without the guidance or support of her own mother. Lacking a family and grappling with post partum mental health struggles, she fights against the odds to break the cycle of trauma that has plagued her past. The book portrays her as a mother who gives her all despite her own struggles, showcasing the strength and resilience required to overcome such hardships.

The story emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and processing one's emotions, while also emphasizing the bravery it takes to confront and work through them. Through the protagonist, readers are reminded that it's okay to not be perfect and that it's crucial to show yourself love and compassion, especially during times of difficulty.

What truly brings the story to life is the love and support she receives from her husband and children. Through their love, she rediscovers the beauty of life and learns to love herself in the process. The story delivers a powerful message to women who may feel isolated or doubtful in their ability to be good mothers.

This book was a very healing. It’s one I’ll treasure forever.

[Talia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was oh so beautiful and I can't wait to read it again and again. This one will be a new fixture to my bedside table for sure.

If I could give more than five stars to a book, this would be it. I discovered this author on social media and after months of feeling so profoundly connected to every poem she shared, I finally ordered her book. Wow, I am so glad I did. She has a true gift, and I am so glad she chose to be so open and vulnerable and share her gift and voyage through parenthood with the world. These poems touched me so deeply and this is now, by far, one of my favorite books I have ever had the opportunity to read. Short, incredibly impactful and so sweet, I will hold her words close to my heart forever. Her poems on pregnancy and motherhood are full of true love, devotion, dedication and deep intense emotional connection. She wrote everything I have ever thought and felt thus far in my own journey through motherhood in such a breathtaking, beautiful, and captivating way. The way she guides you through her journey of pregnancy, experiences with postpartum depression, and the raw honesty of raising children had me crying and laughing and sharing her poems to so many of my family and friends. I am so incredibly grateful for her for putting these beautiful peices out into the universe and can't wait to read more of her collections.

[Mae Setrova · Rating 5 out of 5]

i first purchased this book for myself after my daughter was born and was in the healing process after child birth. i was someone who didn't want children & was told i could never have them to begin with but that turned out to not be true, and i didn't find out i was pregnant until almost 5 months into my pregnancy so my options were very limited on what to do. i kept my baby, but with that came the darkest emotions i have ever felt in my life as i grieved hard for myself the first six months of her life. this book got me through it, it held me in a sense, it taught me how to be a mother, how to make peace with it and helped me handle my fears of continuing a cycle i was terrified of. my daughter is nearly a year old now and i still open this book up when i struggle. cannot thank the author enough for this book — it saved my life when nobody else understood what i felt and helped me form a bond with my baby that wouldn't exist otherwise. 🤍🤍

[Ula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been running through emotions, joy, happiness, sadness, I have felt them, and never stopped. Those poems are about the weakness of being a human, but also about our power. It was You or it was me? We may differ, but inside we all feel the same. Doubts and fear. Strenght and fire. There was hope, you could feel that energy. Those words which made me out of breath, I was there. In those words. Then we have a promise, that none of it matters. none. It's only you. You and your kids, your maternity, paternity, family. This is the most important thing in life.
Jessica writes about truth, about life. Its bitterness an its sweetness.
You are a good mother, oh darling, yes you are!
Thank you, it was a pleasure to read.

[Randina Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica captures everything a mother feels and should be in this book. It is both soothing to the mother wound and the experience of being a mother. She captures all the magic and the struggles, along with the hardships and confusion of healing from your parents while trying to be a good parent yourself. I also really appreciate her writings on the pressures, expectations and struggles put on us as women, wives, and mothers. These topics aren’t talked about enough and every part of this collection is so needed. Her combination of honesty and a huge heart make this a beautiful, healing read all around. Highly recommend to every healing mom, along with her previous books. One of my absolute favorite indie poets!!

[Dayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who doesn’t have children & doesn’t want them, I have to say that this book made me sob my eyes out just like every other JJ collection does. I love that her work always makes you feel everything so viscerally, even if it’s not something you’ve experienced yourself. It’s not too concerned with rhyming or trying to do a mic drop moment, so it’s easy to read while still being incredibly impactful. The line that said “it’s so healing to me to watch my children be loved in ways that I wasn’t” broke me into a million pieces. I’ll definitely be gifting a copy of this to my sister who’s
a mom as soon as it comes out!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my first Jessica Jocelyn book. And it absolutely hit in every way. From the first page to the last, I was moved to tears, joy, warmth, sadness, pride and everything in between. All the feelings and memories and moments she shared in this book of poetry was so easy to relate to. Ever more will make you remember that you aren’t alone in the journey of motherhood. You will definitely want some tissues when you go through this journey with the author. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of her poetry books.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

Another stunning collection of poems from Jessica! I don't have children myself, but these poems made me feel all the emotions, from sadness to joy. Jessica has such a raw way of expressing emotions through her poetry that makes me cry everytime (and I don't usually cry at books). Jessica's journey through pregnancy and motherhood was so beautifully written, it drew me in from the first page. I will be buying my mum a physical copy, so she can experience these wonderful poems too.
I can't wait for Jessica's future books.

[Brittany Benko · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely and inspiring collection on motherhood. I related with most of Jessica's poems. I love how she focuses on how her children make her world more beautiful, and she teaches us that the hard moments are okay for every mom to feel. Jessica writes about the realities of motherhood and how being a mom changed her life for the better. I recommend this book to all mothers. This collection will make you feel big emotions and even have you giggling at some of her personal stories.

[Elle Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected to read this over a few days but I became so enthralled I finished it within a single sitting. This collection of poems is lovely while still remaining grounded in reality. It doesn’t baulk at touching on the hard parts of parenting but instead shows us how to handle even the hard parts with care and affection.

[Amanda Marz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the absolute pleasure of reading this great work before release. I don’t even know if my review will do it justice. It is so rare to find someone who speaks so closely to your experience motherhood, that it almost feels like she stole your thoughts. Once I started, I could not get myself to stop. Please do yourself a favor, and treat yourself to this. You won’t regret it!

[Rishna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every page, if not every other page made me cry of validation that I feel like I have been wanting. It’s makes me feel so seen and makes me feel like “wow I am not the only one who feels like this” when most days it does feel like that. Loved this book of poems!!

[Dani Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this. I feel validated and seen. I have folded so many pages over on countless beautiful poems that I want to come back to, of shared experiences and emotions that are so personal and unique to each and every single mother. Thank you for this book.

[Anna-Catherine L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was newly postpartum. I love Jocelyn’s honesty. There were some poems that really stuck with me, even several months after I finished this book.

“You were more than just eight pounds, you were the weight of the world.”

“May I live up to everything my children think I am.”

[Rose Brik · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mother, this had me in tears the entire time. Impactful and emotional work that left my heart full of hope and love.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

sobbed my way through this in the best way possible

[Briday Peers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought for me by my mum as a Mother’s Day treat. What a beautiful book that explores the inner workings of my brain.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

4/13/24

[Logan P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book from Jessica ✨
Wasn’t planning on tearing up before 8 am, but here we are 😂❤️

[Mandi Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I am only in the beginning season of being a mother this book made me feel very seen and it’s a book of poetry all moms should read. I sobbed

[Monica Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Words this struggling mama sure needed to hear.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really lovely

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

parts were right from my soul 🤍

[Lexus Tyrrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a really heartfelt book and makes you think of all the little moments that you got to spend with your kids!