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The Love of My Life
From Instagram phenomenon Whitney Hanson, a brand-new collection of poems exploring themes of identity, loss, and what it means to rediscover yourself
the love of my life is a poetry collection that traces the process of rediscovering a love of life after change, disconnection, and personal upheaval. Using the metaphor of fires, the book is structured in three sections—Burning, Ashes, and Reclamation—to reflect the cycles of destruction, numbness, and renewal that accompany deep inner work.
Through themes of identity, loss, healing, and emotional reconstruction, the collection explores what it means to unlearn inherited beliefs, confront the weight of the past, and slowly rebuild a relationship with oneself, others, and the world. This is a book not primarily about romantic love but about reengaging with life by confronting the past and reconnecting with a sense of self.
the love of my life is a poetry collection that traces the process of rediscovering a love of life after change, disconnection, and personal upheaval. Using the metaphor of fires, the book is structured in three sections—Burning, Ashes, and Reclamation—to reflect the cycles of destruction, numbness, and renewal that accompany deep inner work.
Through themes of identity, loss, healing, and emotional reconstruction, the collection explores what it means to unlearn inherited beliefs, confront the weight of the past, and slowly rebuild a relationship with oneself, others, and the world. This is a book not primarily about romantic love but about reengaging with life by confronting the past and reconnecting with a sense of self.
- GenresPoetry
256 pages, Paperback
Published July 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 22, 2026
Another beautiful collection 😍 ❤️ ♥️ ✨️
With ongoing health issues, been hard to concentrate on reading 📚 but so very glad for books 📚.
With ongoing health issues, been hard to concentrate on reading 📚 but so very glad for books 📚.
July 16, 2026
"it is possible to mourn even for the people you would never welcome back into your life"
April 18, 2026
This was so relatable that it made me slightly uncomfortable, which is my favorite type of poetry.
Painfully honest and so many of the struggles that Hanson works on here (people-pleasing, abandonment, forced independence) spoke so directly to me that it hurt my feelings. Really, really apt reflection on some of the mental health struggles that are so common today. The way she talks about loneliness, in particular, is so raw and comforting. That being said, I don’t feel like the poetry was particularly strong. The rhyme schemes and lack of nuance felt a little novice, but the bones are absolutely there. This collection moved me, just not poetically. I hope to see more from the author because I think she has a lot of potential.
Thanks to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Painfully honest and so many of the struggles that Hanson works on here (people-pleasing, abandonment, forced independence) spoke so directly to me that it hurt my feelings. Really, really apt reflection on some of the mental health struggles that are so common today. The way she talks about loneliness, in particular, is so raw and comforting. That being said, I don’t feel like the poetry was particularly strong. The rhyme schemes and lack of nuance felt a little novice, but the bones are absolutely there. This collection moved me, just not poetically. I hope to see more from the author because I think she has a lot of potential.
Thanks to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2026
I've been reading some of these poems online for two years or more and they really resonate with me. I didn't know they would be in this book collection so I am thrilled to now have my own copy.
If you aren't already familiar with Witney Hanson's poetry I suggest you find her on Instagram to hear her reading them.
@whitneyhansonpoetry
If you aren't already familiar with Witney Hanson's poetry I suggest you find her on Instagram to hear her reading them.
@whitneyhansonpoetry
July 9, 2026
This was a cute collection of poetry, some lines were beautiful.
December 21, 2025
This book is full of poetry that encapsulates a wide variety of deep emotions. The poems are divided into sections that show heartbreak that builds into a beautiful reflection on finding love for oneself. While some of the poems clearly come from a dark place, there are also poems of hope throughout. I enjoyed the journey this book took me on as well as the emotions it was able to evoke.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC!
July 12, 2026
Like many people, we had Hanson’s poem ‘Love like a River’ as one of the readings at our wedding, so I was very excited to see she had a new collection coming out. It’s a beautiful poem, and many of the other poems in this collection have a similar style, if a different subject matter.
The whole collection is structured around the end of a relationship, the heartbreak that comes with it, and the rebuilding and re-framing of life that comes after. The writing is undeniably beautiful, and there are lines or excerpts that struck me as being particularly moving or profound.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
That being said, the poems didn’t feel particularly distinct from each other. This might not be surprising, given that Hanson is most established online, where a distinctive style is important, and poems are read once every few days rather than as one whole collection. I do think this format perhaps did them a disservice. The book started to feel like a memoir written in verse rather than a poetry collection, only without the personal details and narrative arc we would expect from a memoir.
Although the book did have its drawbacks as a whole collection, it’s still an impressive body of work from one of the best-known young poets of our time. Even though the book didn’t resonate with me, she’s definitely a writer I plan on following and keeping up with.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The whole collection is structured around the end of a relationship, the heartbreak that comes with it, and the rebuilding and re-framing of life that comes after. The writing is undeniably beautiful, and there are lines or excerpts that struck me as being particularly moving or profound.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
That being said, the poems didn’t feel particularly distinct from each other. This might not be surprising, given that Hanson is most established online, where a distinctive style is important, and poems are read once every few days rather than as one whole collection. I do think this format perhaps did them a disservice. The book started to feel like a memoir written in verse rather than a poetry collection, only without the personal details and narrative arc we would expect from a memoir.
Although the book did have its drawbacks as a whole collection, it’s still an impressive body of work from one of the best-known young poets of our time. Even though the book didn’t resonate with me, she’s definitely a writer I plan on following and keeping up with.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you read poetry specifically for complex linguistic artistry, you may find Hanson's collection unsatisfying. It lacks any of the traditional hallmarks of poetry like multifaceted metaphors, intense or surprising imagery, complex word meanings, and emotional nuances that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Rhyme and alliteration seem to have no place at her table. What you will find seated alongside her are a calm rhythm, straight-forward vocabulary, short lines, and an emphasis on affirmations or reflections. It is quick and easy to consume, but very forgettable so I am perplexed by the high ratings that I am seeing across multiple platforms. It could be that readers of traditional poetry are not picking up the "instagram" style and therefore there is not a diverse set of readers submitting reviews, or it could be that I am just an outlier in my opinion. Many readers may be looking for this type of poetry specifically so I would not write off the style completely. Poetry is a diverse and ever evolving genre, so we need to keep space for all poets. I do genuinely enjoy listening to Hanson read her poems online, but after reading this book my opinion is the style is much more like a surface variety of spoken-word performance better served virtually than as a traditional printed poetry book. If you are looking for poems that are immediately accessible and feature narration that is about self-reflection or affirmation this book may be for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this work.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this work.
July 5, 2026
We all carry emotions that are difficult to name. The Love of My Life is a collection that gently reminds us we don’t have to carry them alone.
Whitney Hanson has a remarkable ability to articulate the emotions many of us struggle to express. Rather than simply exploring romantic love, these poems navigate heartbreak, identity, grief, healing, and the gradual journey back to yourself.
Each section builds naturally upon the last, tracing a path from loss towards healing and self-acceptance. I found myself slowing down as I read, allowing each poem the space it deserved instead of rushing to the next page. There was an honesty to Hanson’s writing that made the collection feel both approachable and emotionally sincere.
As with any poetry collection, not every poem spoke to me in the same way, but that’s part of what makes poetry such a personal experience. While some poems resonated with me more deeply than others, together they wove an honest exploration of healing and reclaiming your sense of self.
Overall, The Love of My Life is a thoughtful exploration of healing, resilience, and choosing hope in the face of grief. For readers seeking a collection that offers comfort without shying away from life’s complexities, this is a meaningful companion for anyone experiencing heartbreak, embracing healing, or finding the strength to begin again.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Books Australia, and Whitney Hanson for providing me with an advance reader copy of The Love of My Life in exchange for an honest review.
Whitney Hanson has a remarkable ability to articulate the emotions many of us struggle to express. Rather than simply exploring romantic love, these poems navigate heartbreak, identity, grief, healing, and the gradual journey back to yourself.
Each section builds naturally upon the last, tracing a path from loss towards healing and self-acceptance. I found myself slowing down as I read, allowing each poem the space it deserved instead of rushing to the next page. There was an honesty to Hanson’s writing that made the collection feel both approachable and emotionally sincere.
As with any poetry collection, not every poem spoke to me in the same way, but that’s part of what makes poetry such a personal experience. While some poems resonated with me more deeply than others, together they wove an honest exploration of healing and reclaiming your sense of self.
Overall, The Love of My Life is a thoughtful exploration of healing, resilience, and choosing hope in the face of grief. For readers seeking a collection that offers comfort without shying away from life’s complexities, this is a meaningful companion for anyone experiencing heartbreak, embracing healing, or finding the strength to begin again.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Books Australia, and Whitney Hanson for providing me with an advance reader copy of The Love of My Life in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2026
Een review over een gedichtenbundel. Waar begin je? Ik ben niet zo van de TikTok trends. En toch kan ik het werk van Whitney Hanson ontzettend waarderen. Een gedichtenbundel lees ik nooit achter elkaar uit, maar in delen. Vaak lees ik gedichten op een later moment terug.
Dat bleek ook nu weer de juiste manier om The Love of My Life te lezen. Sommige gedichten vragen om stilte. Om een tweede of derde keer lezen. Niet omdat ze moeilijk zijn, maar omdat ze steeds iets anders blootleggen.
Wat mij zo aanspreekt in het werk van Hanson is de eerlijkheid. Haar gedichten gaan over rouw, liefde, afscheid, opnieuw beginnen en de zoektocht naar wie je bent. Het zijn thema's die ik in mijn eigen leven maar al te goed herken. Als vader, als iemand die relaties achter zich heeft moeten laten en als iemand die nog altijd probeert betekenis te geven aan alles wat het leven brengt.
Juist doordat Hanson geen grote antwoorden geeft, voelen haar woorden oprecht. Ze laat ruimte voor twijfel, verdriet en hoop naast elkaar. Dat maakt haar poëzie voor mij niet alleen mooi, maar ook troostend.
Niet ieder gedicht zal iedereen evenveel zeggen. Dat is misschien juist de kracht van poëzie. Je leest niet alleen de woorden van de dichter, maar ook iets van jezelf.
The Love of My Life is voor mij een bundel die niet in één keer gelezen hoeft te worden. Het is een boek om af en toe uit de kast te pakken, een willekeurige pagina open te slaan en te ontdekken dat een gedicht je precies weet te vinden op het moment dat je het nodig hebt.
Dat bleek ook nu weer de juiste manier om The Love of My Life te lezen. Sommige gedichten vragen om stilte. Om een tweede of derde keer lezen. Niet omdat ze moeilijk zijn, maar omdat ze steeds iets anders blootleggen.
Wat mij zo aanspreekt in het werk van Hanson is de eerlijkheid. Haar gedichten gaan over rouw, liefde, afscheid, opnieuw beginnen en de zoektocht naar wie je bent. Het zijn thema's die ik in mijn eigen leven maar al te goed herken. Als vader, als iemand die relaties achter zich heeft moeten laten en als iemand die nog altijd probeert betekenis te geven aan alles wat het leven brengt.
Juist doordat Hanson geen grote antwoorden geeft, voelen haar woorden oprecht. Ze laat ruimte voor twijfel, verdriet en hoop naast elkaar. Dat maakt haar poëzie voor mij niet alleen mooi, maar ook troostend.
Niet ieder gedicht zal iedereen evenveel zeggen. Dat is misschien juist de kracht van poëzie. Je leest niet alleen de woorden van de dichter, maar ook iets van jezelf.
The Love of My Life is voor mij een bundel die niet in één keer gelezen hoeft te worden. Het is een boek om af en toe uit de kast te pakken, een willekeurige pagina open te slaan en te ontdekken dat een gedicht je precies weet te vinden op het moment dat je het nodig hebt.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This collection quietly dismantled me in the best way. So many of the poems explore that constant tug-of-war between wanting closeness and wanting escape, the instinct to make yourself smaller, softer, easier to love, until you’re no longer sure who you are beneath the masks. I found myself pausing again and again because certain lines hit a little too close to home, especially those centered on grief, survival, and the idea that sometimes not moving forward is actually an act of strength.
What I loved most is how understated the book is. It doesn’t demand your attention or try to be profound for the sake of it. Instead, it sits with you gently, offering recognition rather than solutions. There’s something incredibly powerful about a book that simply says, I see you, and means it.
Whitney Hanson has a gift for writing poetry that feels honest without ever sounding preachy. Every piece feels deeply human, capturing that lost, in-between feeling so many of us carry but struggle to articulate. This is easily one of the most quotable and emotionally resonant poetry collections I’ve read, and it’s made her an automatic buy author for me. I’ll absolutely be picking up a physical copy, this is the kind of book you want to keep close.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars — highly, wholeheartedly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
What I loved most is how understated the book is. It doesn’t demand your attention or try to be profound for the sake of it. Instead, it sits with you gently, offering recognition rather than solutions. There’s something incredibly powerful about a book that simply says, I see you, and means it.
Whitney Hanson has a gift for writing poetry that feels honest without ever sounding preachy. Every piece feels deeply human, capturing that lost, in-between feeling so many of us carry but struggle to articulate. This is easily one of the most quotable and emotionally resonant poetry collections I’ve read, and it’s made her an automatic buy author for me. I’ll absolutely be picking up a physical copy, this is the kind of book you want to keep close.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars — highly, wholeheartedly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 28, 2026
Absolutely amazing. No words. So many poems that resonated with me 😭😭Whitney is so so so so so talented and I 10000000000000000000% reccomended PLEASE READ IT
“I am too dysfunctional
to feel functional
but I'm too functional
to look dysfunctional
So, I have slipped through the cracks
Always fighting a battle
nobody believes
Always feeling broken
never feeling seen”
“I'm not sure I know the difference
between me and my masks.
I can't take them off now
I've been wearing them so long
I'm afraid if I do the person underneath
will be gone.
who was I
before I cared what you think?
which mask looks the most like who I want to be?”
“I refuse to abandon my darkness because it is the only part of me that greets me with no expectation
It rejects the perfectionist within and reminds me that real humans have skin as thin as paper and hearts as fragile as dragonfly wings
It does not tell me to be grateful but begs me to be real
It does not ask me to be silent
It asks me to tell you exactly how I feel
So, I refuse to reject
the part of me that is dark because without it
you would not see my heart”
Really hit different.
“I am too dysfunctional
to feel functional
but I'm too functional
to look dysfunctional
So, I have slipped through the cracks
Always fighting a battle
nobody believes
Always feeling broken
never feeling seen”
“I'm not sure I know the difference
between me and my masks.
I can't take them off now
I've been wearing them so long
I'm afraid if I do the person underneath
will be gone.
who was I
before I cared what you think?
which mask looks the most like who I want to be?”
“I refuse to abandon my darkness because it is the only part of me that greets me with no expectation
It rejects the perfectionist within and reminds me that real humans have skin as thin as paper and hearts as fragile as dragonfly wings
It does not tell me to be grateful but begs me to be real
It does not ask me to be silent
It asks me to tell you exactly how I feel
So, I refuse to reject
the part of me that is dark because without it
you would not see my heart”
Really hit different.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of The Love of My Life by Whitney Hanson
This poetry collection is about rebuilding, renewing, and reconnecting with yourself and others after a period of painful upheaval or loss in your life. How do you redefine yourself when what you've known has been lost?
Many of the writings in this book resonated with me, and there are bookmarks throughout so I can easily find and reread my favorites.
Hanson is skilled at pinpointing and expressing emotions. Her ability to capture what people are feeling but cannot find their own words for is a key to her popularity. This is a strength that will only grow with time. Her youth continues to show through with seemingly forced attempts to return to the primary school format of four-line segments with rhyming words. This is something I hope she puts behind her as she continues to mature as a writer.
I rate this book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
My thanks to Viking Penguin for allowing me access to a DRC via NetGalley. Publication is 7/7/26. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
This poetry collection is about rebuilding, renewing, and reconnecting with yourself and others after a period of painful upheaval or loss in your life. How do you redefine yourself when what you've known has been lost?
Many of the writings in this book resonated with me, and there are bookmarks throughout so I can easily find and reread my favorites.
Hanson is skilled at pinpointing and expressing emotions. Her ability to capture what people are feeling but cannot find their own words for is a key to her popularity. This is a strength that will only grow with time. Her youth continues to show through with seemingly forced attempts to return to the primary school format of four-line segments with rhyming words. This is something I hope she puts behind her as she continues to mature as a writer.
I rate this book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
My thanks to Viking Penguin for allowing me access to a DRC via NetGalley. Publication is 7/7/26. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
June 12, 2026
Thank you Netgalley, Quercus Books and Whitney Hanson for accepting my request to read and review “the love of my life”.
A book filled with amazing poetry that will make you feel many emotions, some are reflective, some will be uncomfortable and confronting but just the right about to balance it out which is something I love reading in poetry.
So many emotion enhancing poems, of heartbreak, loneliness, self-love, self-reflection and mental health.
One short sentence just hit home, resonated and stay embedded into my mind.
“Perhaps loneliness does not arrive to torture you but to teach you to listen to yourself’.
I am s happy I stumbled on Whitney’s book on Netgalley and took a chance. Will be definitely looking at reading more of her work. Would recommend this to any poetry reader or someone wanting to explore poetry.
A book filled with amazing poetry that will make you feel many emotions, some are reflective, some will be uncomfortable and confronting but just the right about to balance it out which is something I love reading in poetry.
So many emotion enhancing poems, of heartbreak, loneliness, self-love, self-reflection and mental health.
One short sentence just hit home, resonated and stay embedded into my mind.
“Perhaps loneliness does not arrive to torture you but to teach you to listen to yourself’.
I am s happy I stumbled on Whitney’s book on Netgalley and took a chance. Will be definitely looking at reading more of her work. Would recommend this to any poetry reader or someone wanting to explore poetry.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 rounded up
My sister introduced me to Whitney Hanson, and I ended up reading several of her books last year, which feels telling in itself. Poetry is not easy, but her writing just gets me. It feels honest in a way that sneaks up on you. So many of these poems capture that push and pull of wanting to be loved while also wanting to run, the habit of shrinking or shapeshifting to be more palatable, and the quiet loneliness of not quite knowing who you are anymore. I kept stopping because a line felt uncomfortably familiar, especially the ones about masks, grief, and how sometimes standing still is actually survival. This is the kind of book that does not shout. It sits beside you and says I see you, and somehow that is enough.
Thank you Netgalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC!
My sister introduced me to Whitney Hanson, and I ended up reading several of her books last year, which feels telling in itself. Poetry is not easy, but her writing just gets me. It feels honest in a way that sneaks up on you. So many of these poems capture that push and pull of wanting to be loved while also wanting to run, the habit of shrinking or shapeshifting to be more palatable, and the quiet loneliness of not quite knowing who you are anymore. I kept stopping because a line felt uncomfortably familiar, especially the ones about masks, grief, and how sometimes standing still is actually survival. This is the kind of book that does not shout. It sits beside you and says I see you, and somehow that is enough.
Thank you Netgalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5 stars!!
I absolutely adore this poetry book! I have never found a poetry collection that is more quotable or lovable than this one. Whitney Hanson does a wonderful job making this novel sound real and not at all preachy. It realistically displays how most people feel truly lost in life and managing to perfectly put it into words. Reading and loving this as much as I have has made this an auto buy author for me! I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy of the book because of how emotional and truly seen it made me feel.
10/10 Recommend!
Thank you, Viking Penguin for approving me for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely adore this poetry book! I have never found a poetry collection that is more quotable or lovable than this one. Whitney Hanson does a wonderful job making this novel sound real and not at all preachy. It realistically displays how most people feel truly lost in life and managing to perfectly put it into words. Reading and loving this as much as I have has made this an auto buy author for me! I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy of the book because of how emotional and truly seen it made me feel.
10/10 Recommend!
Thank you, Viking Penguin for approving me for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"The Love of My Life," is the kind of poetry book that whispers truths to you under the covers. It's the kind of poetry book that holds space for you - your loneliness, your heartbreak, your hope, your love, your grief - and it tells you, "I'm here, and I see you." It's the kind of poetry that doesn't shout to announce itself, but quietly enters the room, slipping itself in your pocket to read whenever you may need it. Loved it. Loved the work, the rhythms, the themes, how accessible and easy to read each piece is, as well as the overall feel of the collection as a whole. A huge thank you to Viking Penquin, and to Netgallery for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Books, and Whitney Hanson for the opportunity to read this ARC!
The Love of My Life is a poetry book that focuses on themes of “identity, loss, healing, and emotional reconstruction”. I really connected to the poems in this book. Whitney writes so eloquently. I love when poems take time to read so that you’re able to understand and connect with them. As Whitney says, this is not a book filled with sappy love poems. It’s a book that redefines your concept of love and helps you rediscover your love for life, which is exactly what I needed heading into reading this. I ended up highlighting and bookmarking SO many pages. I rated The Love of My Life 5 stars + I highly recommend checking it out!
The Love of My Life will be available on July 7th! 🦋
The Love of My Life is a poetry book that focuses on themes of “identity, loss, healing, and emotional reconstruction”. I really connected to the poems in this book. Whitney writes so eloquently. I love when poems take time to read so that you’re able to understand and connect with them. As Whitney says, this is not a book filled with sappy love poems. It’s a book that redefines your concept of love and helps you rediscover your love for life, which is exactly what I needed heading into reading this. I ended up highlighting and bookmarking SO many pages. I rated The Love of My Life 5 stars + I highly recommend checking it out!
The Love of My Life will be available on July 7th! 🦋
July 3, 2026
I love poetry where it feels like the author has taken a look inside my soul and written my feelings to the page. Whitney Hanson has done exactly that. Her poetry expressed emotions that I didn't know how to comprehend myself and made me feel so seen. I will definitely be picking up more from her in the future.
Thank you Viking Penguin for giving me a chance to read and review this before the release date!
Thank you Viking Penguin for giving me a chance to read and review this before the release date!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this one as it’s about rediscovering yourself- how to burn yourself down to the “bones” and coming out of that. Hanson is very honest and approachable at the same time the part about loneliness was a favorite.
This is very modern poetry or instagram poetry and so will be different compared to others. She ends it with how we are all just a bit average which was fitting.
thanks to prh audio and viking for the arc
This is very modern poetry or instagram poetry and so will be different compared to others. She ends it with how we are all just a bit average which was fitting.
thanks to prh audio and viking for the arc
Did Not Finish
July 27, 2026I used to be a insta poetry girlie back in 2014-2018, who would easily consume books like this and mark all my favorite quotes on the pages inside it, but upon being excited to pick this up and getting through 30% of it, I realized I was forcing myself to enjoy something that I grew out of, I guess? Books are subjective and I love seeing all the love for this book on here, but I genuinely think I grew out of these type of books, and that’s okay! 🌸
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow. This book of poetry blew me away. It's like the author took a look inside my jumbled mind and turned all my anxieties, insecurities and sense of wonder into one of the most beautiful, lyrical pieces I've read. I absolutely loved it and will be telling all my poetry-appreciating friends about The Love of My Life.
Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with the chance to read this.
Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with the chance to read this.
July 27, 2026
A heartfelt, emotional collection of poems about self love, loss of love and new love. These were relatable, beautifully written and accessible. I really enjoyed listening to the author read her poetry herself and am grateful for the complimentary ALC thanks to @prhaudio in exchange for my honest review.
August 3, 2026
Most of the book didn't resonate with me, and that's ok, we are very different people in very different paths and stages in life.
But I do appreciate the words, the observations, the gratitudes and the romanticization of our surroundings, sometimes it's easy to forget to stop, to take a deep breath. And thank you Whitney for the reminder of the power of staying curious, loving and kind.
But I do appreciate the words, the observations, the gratitudes and the romanticization of our surroundings, sometimes it's easy to forget to stop, to take a deep breath. And thank you Whitney for the reminder of the power of staying curious, loving and kind.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another fantastic collection of poetry by this author! She really can do no wrong in my eyes. The first part of the book was definitely heartbreaking but the end of the book was full of hope. Her poetry hits on so many situations. I loved it and I'd absolutely recommend it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a new genre for me. I’m not usually one to read poetry books but something drew me to this one.
I was really moved by the profound words and thoughts of the author and felt the emotion in the words.
A very powerful book
I was really moved by the profound words and thoughts of the author and felt the emotion in the words.
A very powerful book
July 23, 2026
Whitney Hanson says “words never die” but for me they do anytime I finish a work of her poetry and want to encapsulate it in a review 😭❤️🩹😭❤️🩹. Stunning- I’m listening to the audiobook next to hear the poems in her voice too!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've yet to read any work by Hanson I don't immediately love. Along with Home this is probably one of my top favorites from her works!
Thank you the author and Penguin books for the eARC.
Thank you the author and Penguin books for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Love of My Life was my introduction to Whitney Hanson’s work and I loved it. I am excited to delve into her backlist.
Thank you to Viking Penguin for an ARC copy of the ebook.
Thank you to Viking Penguin for an ARC copy of the ebook.
June 8, 2026
I want to first say thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! While this wasn’t my cup of tea, clearly others have really loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews