I Still Believe in Miracles: Poems to Find Meaning in Difficult Times

by Lucas Jones

A bestselling collection of poetry exploring themes of masculinity, love, grief and connection, from British poet and viral phenomenon Lucas Jones. For fans of yung pueblo, Hussain Manawer and Whitney Hanson.  How do you respond to fear, grief, heartbreak, loss, and injustice in a world that seems more divided than ever? In this "eviscerating and tender” (David Larbi, author of FREQUENTLY HAPPY) poetry collection “genius” (Donna Ashworth, author of I WISH I KNEW) and viral phenomenon Lucas Jones explores themes of masculinity, love, and connection with a “warmth and lightness of touch that’s rare to come by” (GQ Magazine).

A tribute to a search for meaning in difficult times, these poems are a remarkable homage to the beautiful humanity of choosing to love despite it all.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

129 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Tristan Tyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first came across Lucas the same way most people probably did: doom-scrolling. Then, in a sea of memes, a poem appeared that felt like waking from a coma and recognising reality again. It pulled me out of that braindead, vegetative phone haze and it helped me remember i was alive for a minute.

I sent it straight to my wife but then the algorithm sucked me right back into the brainrot until another poem appeared. Same feeling. After a few of those I started following him, and not long after I’d pre-ordered this book.

It’s the first poetry collection I’ve ever read, and I happened to finish it around my wife and I’s anniversary. Something must have rubbed off on me because it inspired me to write her a poem of my own.

I enjoyed the book but I think I prefer them in video format on his social media pages.

[Jessie Pietens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised to receive this book way before the publishing date, but I’m glad I did. I always have trouble rating poetry collections, as it is much harder to have the same feeling about a lot of different poems as opposed to one story. I bought this collection because I am thoroughly impressed by the way Jones performs his poetry on Instagram. Some of his best poems are definitely in this book, but I felt like there was a lot of filler material that could have been edited out. Moreover, one or two poems were absolute cringe and just somewhat insulting to the reader. I know they are just not that deep and shouldn’t be taken too seriously, but they annoyed me nonetheless. Nevertheless, Jones has a certain quality that I do admire and enjoy. This collection wasn’t that great, but had some real gems in it. Would recommend if you’re looking for some timely, easy to digest poetry.

[Catalina Paz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a honour for me to be the first person to write a GoodReads review of this book (not considering the two people who got to read the book before it was published).
Actually, the book was just published today, and I do not wonder about the reason why I read it so fast. I won’t call it “addictive”, because that’s an adjective for a novel, but once I started reading it I couldn’t stop. And it wasn’t just reading what I did, I pronounced every single word written in there, because you immediately get the rhythm of each and every poem and one can’t help oneself but to sing along.
I first knew about this book coming out through Lucas’ beautiful Instagram account, in which I heard some of these almost cinematographic poems. And I don’t mean cinematographic meaning cliché, but meaning that every poem feels like a perfectly constructed story, a glance into a real world moment, in which we not only see the exterior, but the interior of every character as well. We can see grief, the fear and grief that comes with death (which is a very important theme for me), or sometimes it feels like dejavú, ‘cause one can perfectly recall the reactions one had to the events that appeared on the 2025’ newspapers, which are subtly but meaningfully featured in here.
There is so much more left to say about this book, like an analysis on the character of God, or this loving representation of women and humankind, but at the same time I think that these poems shouldn’t be dissected. They should be lived, singed, shared and reread over and over again -which is just what I’m planning to do. This book is as thrilling, rhythmic, tender and devastating as life itself, and I think it will mark this year of my life.

🍂🫂🫀🫁🪻🌌⚰️🪬

[Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The frist poetry I ever bought, and i was not disappointed.
Not all poems were for me, but neither is every episode from my favourite tv show or every chapter in my favourite book series. It made me think and smile.
I'm happy to have it on the shelf and to go through every once in a while.

[Maud · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5⭐️

Poetry has always been a form of art that reaches deep into my heart and soul. It can be empowering, wrecking, all-consuming, relatable, touching, emotional, freeing and so much more.

I found Lucas the same way many of you probably did, by doomscrolling. I came across one of his poems, “Not All Men,” and it settled somewhere deep inside of me. From that moment on, I started following him and listening to every poem he shared.

He explores themes that feel incredibly relevant in today’s world, such as mental health, grief, love, faith, conflict, masculinity, and connection.

Lucas’ poems are deeply impactful, and I truly recommend everyone give them a read, or a listen. Some will lift you up, some will brighten your day, but others will sit heavier, carrying a weight and message that stays with you. They’re not always pretty… But they are necessary.

One poem in particular left me completely still after reading it, “You can’t be a victim forever.” It’s raw, confronting, and painfully beautiful. It’s impossible not to think about the world we’re living in while reading it, the pain, the injustice, the cycles we can’t seem to break. It hurts… but it also feels important to sit with that discomfort.

Sometimes, this is exactly what poetry is meant to do.

[Lauren Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning. Listened on Spotify because the way he narrates is incredibly beautiful. Cant recommend enough

[Jason Dyba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was served what I ordered, and I enjoyed every bite.

[Kat(ja) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think, like many others, I’ve found Lucas Jones somewhere scrolling on a social media platform. If I recall correctly, it was the poem I’m doing this thing where I’m pretending to be nice to women and I just stopped and listened to the whole thing and ordered the book right after. It was a worthy investment and I’m really happy to add this to my poetry collection.

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Ryan Kotthoff]

blessed are we who know our name ❤️

[McKayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook in one sitting and cried my way through the acknowledgments, so do with that what you will. You’ll be finding the physical copy on my coffee table until further notice.

[Sammy-Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry is so subjective and I know that each of these pages can be interpreted in so many different ways.

Personally, I found so many beautiful snippets that really resonated with me. I think Lucas Jones is a lyrical genius and I’m not too proud to say some of these poems hit me like a train and I didn’t even realise tears were rolling down my cheek.

I’ve always been a sensitive soul, but I no longer see that as a weakness, I know it’s a strength.

[Elsa Leo · Rating 1 out of 5]

1,5/5 stars
Now I didn't hate this, but it just felt so performative to me. I don't really belive anything Jones writtes and I don't even know if he belives it himself. This was overall just a big let down for me.

[2raccoonsinacoat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Timely and very relatable collection of poems. Lucas Jones addresses a lot of relevant issues here like mental health, societal apathy, toxic masculinity, and modern love. I think a lot of folks, particularly younger ones, will connect with this collection and I’m excited to see poetry brought to social media. The poems are brave, honest, and vulnerable. I didn’t find the writing to be particularly strong but I don’t think it was intended to be—it felt like relatability was the goal, and it was achieved here. I prefer a little more depth and elegance, but I do think this will be enjoyed by many.

Thank you to Union Square & Co and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Orkide · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this as I enjoyed this author's poems featured on social media.
Since poetry is so close to one's heart, it is difficult for me to rate this and feel as if I was being fair in doing so. I did enjoy many of the longer poems, especially those discussing faith and God. Those were the best ones in both technique and content. Most of it wasn't for me, though. Some of them I just couldn't connect with, like the one-liner about dating: "We went for dinner and I was weird."
Idk, maybe this new wave of poetry is just something I can't connect with.

[Aimee scrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am pretty new to poetry, apart from a bit of Carol Ann Duffy during my GCSEs but I’ve loved the bits that Lucas has posted and was looking forward to this release. I bought the audiobook so I can hear him say it in his words and I loved it. I feel like he aligns with what I’m feeling at the moment and for someone that is very new to Poetry this really made me ‘feel’ which is all I think you need from any creative outlet. Loved it and I want to buy the book now as well

[Rainynook . · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say I like his work and def slowly becoming my fav poet. Nonetheless I don’t like how forced the theme of this book was. I won’t say poems that try to force happy endings are my thing but there were honestly some real gems in the collection so I’d say def worth the read.

[Lauren Hightower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Love love love!!

[Lucca · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

What a beautiful view of the world. Didn’t know I needed this

[Jessica Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

So grateful for my dad buying and sending me this book 🥹 I adore his poetry videos and the book was just as amazing.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5

[Sylver Behar · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. I had heard a few of his poems and was blown away, so I decided to dive into his book! It was so so good from beginning to end, with each poem being both satisfying and soul quenching. Protect this book at all costs. 5/5 ⭐️

[Luzia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite poet of all time!
I have read a lot of poems of many epochs and his style has something special I never read before! I felt all possible emotions, a human being is able feel, reading through this book!
Please read this!!!

[Eda Topyürek · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,2 🌟

[Luke Galea-Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jones reads to you as if he is speaking directly to your core. In a world full of darkness, Jones is a bright light. I would thoroughly recommend listening to him perform many of the poems within this book on his socials as his style and tone of voice are what truly set him apart.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to give a book of poetry a rating. But I have done.

[Hannes Nõgisto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is something I'll probably re-read a few times. Lucas Jones addresses both issues that are timeless and very zeitgeisty. For me, this was relefant and thought provoking, though a bit on the simple side, but hey, things do not need to be dressed in fancy words and metaphors to be emotionally powerful, which this book undeniably is.

Be hurt in love or be hurt in fear
That's the buy-in of life, it hurts while you're here
And you'll notice thath those are receipts not tears
For the price you're paying to live sincerely

Jones' Instagram presence is something that brought him to my attention and his recitement of his poems is excellent. The poem I'm doing this thing where I'm pretending to be nice to women is an especially powerful piece when read by the author. The book itself contains many highlights, for example Good people, Recovery, No such thing as the one that got away.

I highly recommend both the book and giving Lucas a follow on Instagram.

[Neha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe I didn’t understand it but I wish I’d saved my money for a different book.

[Marija Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most, I first saw Lucas Jones on Instagram when his ‘I Will Teach My Boys To Be Dangerous Men’ crossed my feed. I was stunned by the raw, courageous and beautiful text and the genuine performance, and sticked around for more. ‘I’m Sorry For That Thing That Ruined Your Life’ found me exactly when I needed it most. I was delighted that he is releasing a book, which is naturally preferable to the screen - however much I do think that his masterful delivery is a crucial part of the appeal of his poetry.

I have to admit, the book itself struck me as very Instagram-first. Perhaps it is the absence of his signature pacing, which one can sort of replicate in your head as you read - but it is so elemental to his work that I found a piece missing when I read texts I have not seen performed by him before.

It left me feeling a bit dissatisfied, because extremely high value works sit around others that plainly feel like fillers. Some seemed like they’re trying to hit a theme just for the sake of it. Unlike comparable length George The Poet - Search Party, it does not leave you with as many ‘holy f*ck* moments where you ruminate over the same page over and over nearly as often. It is something you can easily finish in a day, read back to back.

BUT. But. His poems like ‘I’d Never Be a Nazi,’ the above mentioned ‘I Will Teach My Boys…,’ ‘I’m Doing This Thing Thing Where I’m Pretending To Be Nice To Women’… they’re absolute masterpieces, and true works of modern art. They’re miles ahead of everyone else, and any single one of them would make me buy the book even if it were to just sit on the shelf.

I think he is fundamentally a still an artist in fast development, still very rapidly evolving. His recent non-poetry statements on Epstein, on the murders of Alex Pretti and Nicole Good, the Gaza genocide and the Bondi beach terrorism attack, and his other contemporary work such as ‘I’d Never Be a Nazi’… they’re the top of the genre. Truly powerful, clearly genuine, and promoting real social change. They’re exactly the type of rightful anger that best artist of all historical eras showcase: effectively already a modern museum pieces from inception. Representing the hurt and sorrow of the people awake to the injustices, and speaking truth to power. The personal growth still clearly occurring is not a bug - it’s a feature of a human with immense talent, still breaking out of the shell.

My huge hope for L Jones going forward is that he will lean more into himself, and that the raw creations will take over fully. I truly believe we’re witnessing one of the early-century’s greatest, developing in real time. Figuring himself out, testing things, finding what works and to what extent he can be himself with the audience. My answer would be: as fully as he is willing to be, please.

This is not state-of-the-art. But there are many, many diamonds in it, and he is shaping create decades of fascinating, truly important and transformative work.

And after all, the best way to ensure he is able to do so is to support his independent projects, so he does not have to bend to commercial interests in any way.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars rounded up to 5) I Still Believe in Miracles: Poems to Find Meaning in Difficult Times by Lucas Jones is a collection of accessible poetry that many young adults will find relatable, as it addresses current issues that are of concern to those who are coming to terms with the world they've inherited and trying to find their place within it.

Jones uses everyday vocabulary, and some of his poems feel almost conversational. There is a consistent rhythm to some of his pieces which I feel creates a pleasing, frictionless flow that makes the last 1-2 lines especially impactful. In others, the rhythm changes partway through the poem, which made my reading experience more halting and a bit more challenging as a result (e.g., "Pastel pink," "Note to Editor: I’ll title this later," "I’m doing this thing where I’m pretending to be nice to women").

Some of my favourite poems in this collection are short and pithy, such as "Like the flower," "If nothing else," and "What men get wrong about women." I was not aware of Jones' social media presence prior to reading this book, but I can see why his poems, especially the bite-sized ones, are popular across different platforms.

On the other hand, there are also longer poems that have endings that were very impactful and moving for me ("I had a missed call from Grief," "If he loved you, he would," "Nothing hurts more than the joy of a woman"). These pieces show Jones' versatility; he knows how to guide the reader toward a poignant insight instead of presenting it to them right off the bat.

Jones does not shy away from discussing the very real consequences of late-stage capitalism and the cultural and political rift between young men and women. At the same time, a sense of optimism winds its way throughout this collection. Upon turning the last page, I couldn't help but feel hopeful that everything will be okay.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.