I've Never Loved Somebody and Made Them Worse

by Mia Nelson

I’ve Never Loved Somebody and Made Them Worse is a stunning debut, a fragmented and intimate record of relationships that blur the lines between romantic, platonic, physical, and intellectual connection. From grad seminar hallways, grocery store parking lots, borrowed bedrooms, to city sidewalks, Mia Nelson crafts a collection defined by vivid texture and tonal complexity. This is not a book about falling in or out of love. It is a study in emotional architecture, where want is a blueprint and memory the scaffolding. Nelson doesn’t seek resolution. She offers immersion. Conversations coexist with theory, flirtation breaks into philosophy, and tenderness turns on itself without “I believe that the moon is the size of my thumb but also something else entirely.” Rich in voice and formal experimentation, I’ve Never Loved Somebody and Made Them Worse is a deeply felt, sharply rendered exploration of connection and its aftermath.

74 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2025

Reviews

[Isabelle Drayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone buy my friend Mia’s book of poems!!!!! She is all things lovely and wonderful and her poetry makes me want to sit in the sun and hug a friend. Thank you for sharing your talents with the world Mia!!!

[Katie Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia’s poetry is such a visceral memorial to a fleeting period in our lives. I read one poem each night before bed - highly recommend!

[Michael Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia’s never loved somebody and made
Them worse, but I’ve never read a
Poet who better conveys the moment
To moment disorienting joy of being in
Love better than she does. Her poems
Strip down the scaffolds of perception
And leave the thoughts that bloom in
One look one laugh one kiss and
Though I should be envious when
Reading about the abundance of love
In her poetry, instead, the rhythm of
My revolution matches her poems’ and
I let my heart pilot my eyes to see
Every word every bottle every wound as
A source of Love’s Electric Field that
Hugs our tiny spinning rock
Gently, though. And tenderly. Because
Of the love.

Reading Mia’s poetry makes me happy online, but to hold her words and vibrate at their frequency makes me especially calm. I highly recommend it because we need more love in the world, and Mia Nelson helps you believe in it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reflections on youthful romantic entanglements, mostly. Generally readable, not pretentious, accessible to casual poetry readers, but more observational than deep. Appropriate for public library collections, but not on my top-5 list of poetry reads for the year.

[Ryan T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had eloquent poetry words to say about Mia's work but I just feel lucky to read it and to know her!

[Riley Groth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, amazing and lovely. Immediate favorite!!!! Already on my third reread 😵

[Donia · Rating 5 out of 5]

forever in awe of mia nelson

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book of poems I will pull down from the shelf and recite when I have friends. Thank you, Mia, for an enduring gift.