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Dear Ophelia
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 27, 2026
I was intrigued by the idea of this collection and enjoyed that there was both "letters" and poetry throughout, but overall this fell flat for me. I can tell the author put a lot of themselves into this but the messages felt surface level overall.
August 18, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I was totally captured by the cover and title of this book, as well as the creative premise of writing letters and poems to one of Shakespeare’s characters. Unfortunately, this book of poetry was not for me. There are several strengths including the author challenging themselves in writing in different poetic forms with tight rhyming structure as well as exploring different themes in each letter and poem pairing, however everything remained too surface level for me. I was hoping for more metaphor and visualization, rather than such straightforward telling (missing the show rather than the tell). Regardless, I can tell the author put much thought and emotion into these pieces.
May 29, 2026
There is something incredibly comforting about this collection. Written as a series of poems and letters addressed to an alternate version of Ophelia, the book feels less like you're reading poetry and more like you're receiving encouragement from a friend who understands grief, heartbreak, love, and the messy reality of being human. The collection is framed around life, love, and loss, drawing inspiration from Shakespeare's Ophelia while transforming her story into something hopeful and healing.
What I appreciated most was how personal the writing felt. Many of the poems read like gentle reminders that it's okay to struggle, okay to hurt, and okay to keep going anyway. The blend of letters and poetry creates an intimate atmosphere that made me feel as though these words were written specifically for whoever needed them most. While some pieces are more straightforward than the poetry I usually gravitate toward, the sincerity behind them made them resonate all the same.
This is a quick read, but one that invites you to slow down. It's the kind of collection you can return to whenever you need a little hope, reassurance, or a reminder that even in difficult seasons, there is still beauty worth holding onto.
What I appreciated most was how personal the writing felt. Many of the poems read like gentle reminders that it's okay to struggle, okay to hurt, and okay to keep going anyway. The blend of letters and poetry creates an intimate atmosphere that made me feel as though these words were written specifically for whoever needed them most. While some pieces are more straightforward than the poetry I usually gravitate toward, the sincerity behind them made them resonate all the same.
This is a quick read, but one that invites you to slow down. It's the kind of collection you can return to whenever you need a little hope, reassurance, or a reminder that even in difficult seasons, there is still beauty worth holding onto.
May 27, 2026
I enjoyed the format, the use of letters helped give the story its own voice. However, a lot of the themes and observations didn't feel especially poignant to me. It may simply be that I'm not quite the target audience, as much of the points made felt aimed at younger readers.
I also struggled with the historical and literary background surrounding Ophelia. If you're already familiar with the story and its significance, you'll probably get more out of it than I did. For readers coming in with limited knowledge, I think a little more context woven into the narrative would have been helpful. At times I felt as though I was missing the weight of certain references because the book assumed a level of familiarity that I didn't have.
That said, the writing was accessible and the letter format kept the story moving. While it didn't leave a huge impression on me, I can see it appealing to readers who enjoy literary retellings, character-focused narratives, and stories that engage with classic figures through a more contemporary lens.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the advanced readers copy.
I also struggled with the historical and literary background surrounding Ophelia. If you're already familiar with the story and its significance, you'll probably get more out of it than I did. For readers coming in with limited knowledge, I think a little more context woven into the narrative would have been helpful. At times I felt as though I was missing the weight of certain references because the book assumed a level of familiarity that I didn't have.
That said, the writing was accessible and the letter format kept the story moving. While it didn't leave a huge impression on me, I can see it appealing to readers who enjoy literary retellings, character-focused narratives, and stories that engage with classic figures through a more contemporary lens.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the advanced readers copy.
August 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Dear Ophelia is a collection of letters and poems addressed to the character Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. I liked how the author challenged themselves with formatting and rhythm structures, however there were moments where the prose felt like it was moving back and forth between older to more modern language, resulting in the poems feeling a bit surface level.
Within the introduction the author explains why they wrote their poems and while their reasons are valid, I wish that those themes were communicated more in the collection as opposed to being a part of the foreword. The letters and poems can speak for themselves, and hopefully overtime the author can develop their craft and be more confident in letting their writing tell the story as opposed to explaining up front.
Dear Ophelia is a collection of letters and poems addressed to the character Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. I liked how the author challenged themselves with formatting and rhythm structures, however there were moments where the prose felt like it was moving back and forth between older to more modern language, resulting in the poems feeling a bit surface level.
Within the introduction the author explains why they wrote their poems and while their reasons are valid, I wish that those themes were communicated more in the collection as opposed to being a part of the foreword. The letters and poems can speak for themselves, and hopefully overtime the author can develop their craft and be more confident in letting their writing tell the story as opposed to explaining up front.
October 22, 2026
I wanted so much to like this book, but I'm sorry to say it fell short. Maybe it's because I just finished an intense study of Hamlet so I tried to read too much into it. It just didn't add up. I loved the format of the book, with poems interwoven between the letters to Ophelia. I loved the fact that it tackled an important and very sensitive topic. I think there is a ton of potential with the topic, the format, and the connection to Hamlet. As I said, though, I couldn't make enough connections to love this book the way I had hoped. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for making this eARC available for me to read and honestly review.
![Profile Image for Yves V.H. [Slow reading].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1768806067i/170151541._UY200_CR6,0,200,200_.jpg)
May 2, 2026
It was okay.
What I like about poetry is even the simplest words, I could still feel the depth of emotions in it.
The length doesn’t matter or if the poet used deep or fancy words but it still made me feel something.
Unfortunately, this collection lacks that depth although I recognize that this is somewhat a nod to Shakespeare’s work it still didn’t make me want to stay in one poem and reflect.
From Netgalley. All my opinions are my own.
What I like about poetry is even the simplest words, I could still feel the depth of emotions in it.
The length doesn’t matter or if the poet used deep or fancy words but it still made me feel something.
Unfortunately, this collection lacks that depth although I recognize that this is somewhat a nod to Shakespeare’s work it still didn’t make me want to stay in one poem and reflect.
From Netgalley. All my opinions are my own.
June 30, 2026
It's a beautiful collection of poems and letters. I really liked the concept and how it was presented. The writing style is simple, easy to follow, and reflective.
However, there were times when I couldn't connect with the letters and poems. Perhaps I lack the context of Ophelia, or maybe emotionally, I haven't yet reached the place these poems came from. There were pieces I truly connected with, and others that didn't quite land for me.
However, there were times when I couldn't connect with the letters and poems. Perhaps I lack the context of Ophelia, or maybe emotionally, I haven't yet reached the place these poems came from. There were pieces I truly connected with, and others that didn't quite land for me.
April 30, 2026
Right from the start I found this book super juvenile and the poems felt like something you’d write for a high school English assignment. The book feels like it’s being marketed incorrectly as this completely reads as a self help book with super repetitive advice.
Would not recommend
Would not recommend
May 8, 2026
Thankyou NetGalley for allowing me to read this for an honest review, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would have. Some lines I did enjoy reading but most parts I felt like just putting it down.
April 17, 2026
Poetic
The poems were good. The letters confused me. They weren't necessary. Other than the good advice the letters gave, it was a one sided conversation and we never knew what happened from the other person.
The poems were good. The letters confused me. They weren't necessary. Other than the good advice the letters gave, it was a one sided conversation and we never knew what happened from the other person.
April 17, 2026
The poems were good. The letters confused me. They weren't necessary. Other than the good advice the letters gave, it was a one sided conversation and we never knew what happened from the other person.
July 7, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and ACTE IV for the review copy of "Dear Ophelia."
I understand what the author was trying to do with this book, but it didn't work. It feels like it is trying to masquerade as a self-help book in verse but is afraid to go onto the dance floor. This is the author's first collection of poetry, and with time and practice we may see great things from this writer.
I understand what the author was trying to do with this book, but it didn't work. It feels like it is trying to masquerade as a self-help book in verse but is afraid to go onto the dance floor. This is the author's first collection of poetry, and with time and practice we may see great things from this writer.
October 2, 2026
Thank you to netgalley for the copy. I love the cover of this poetry collection. I felt like this was a book of hope from a mother/grandmother to their daughter/granddaughter. Almost a prayer for their wish to not have to endure the harsh world, to give them hope, to be loved, and know they are there to listen. At times the writing felt forced and repetitive, but the message is there and in what I think is prevention of giving up their life. I especially enjoyed the poem Slings And Arrows and the tips of things to do on a rainy day, which I believe is a metaphor for depression. Thank you again!
May 9, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I DNF'd the book at 51% and will explain why below.
I haven’t read any Shakespeare since high school, so I had to refresh my memory of Hamlet and the character of Ophelia. However, I don’t think that readers need to be familiar with the play to get a sense of what this collection of poetry and letters is about – essentially, the recipient (Ophelia) is going through an immense personal challenge and the writer is trying to show their support and encourage her to weather the storm, because her current challenges will come to pass, and things will eventually improve.
If I hadn’t known that this collection was inspired by Hamlet, I wouldn’t have been able to guess that it was. The language used is modern and doesn’t reflect how language was used in Shakespearean times. For example: “There will be times when it is perfectly ok to be alone, and there will be times where company can be comforting (few or many). You have people who deeply care about you. It is okay not to have everything perfectly together. We hope you know that it is not about being all right (perfect) but rather alright (ok and whole). This is very noticeable when compared to, for example, this part of Dogberry’s monologue in Much Ado About Nothing: “Dost thou not suspect my place? Dost thou not suspect my years? O, that he were here to write me down an ass! But masters, remember that I am an ass; though it be not written down, yet forget not that I am an ass. No, thou villain, thou art full of piety, as shall be proved upon thee by good witness.” The antiquated grammar is the most obvious difference here.
While the idea of pairing letters with poems is creative, the letters themselves are quite prescriptive, telling Ophelia what she should do and how she should handle things. The letters don’t sound like they were written by one of Ophelia’s loved ones (despite the letters repeatedly stating that Ophelia is deeply loved) as they aren’t very personal; I cannot get an idea of what kind of person is sending Ophelia these letters and who they are to her.
The poems tend to be simple and repetitive, with words such as love, hope, good, bad, joy, light, etc. recurring many times. An example of a poem that I find simple is “Glad You Are Here” on page 5: “I am glad you are here./You’re worth more than you know./Don’t let doubt keep you afraid./There are reasons why you are here./First, you were made to glow./Don’t hide your light in a lampshade./Second, live & love out your purpose for being here.” These lines come across as platitudes to me.
I decided to stop reading at 51% because the same themes and ideas had been repeated multiple times by that point, and I figured that the second half of the book would be similar.
I do appreciate the creativity that is evident in the idea of writing letters to go along with poems for a character from one of Shakespeare’s plays. This isn’t something I’ve seen any other poet/writer do before. However, the execution unfortunately fell flat for me.
I DNF'd the book at 51% and will explain why below.
I haven’t read any Shakespeare since high school, so I had to refresh my memory of Hamlet and the character of Ophelia. However, I don’t think that readers need to be familiar with the play to get a sense of what this collection of poetry and letters is about – essentially, the recipient (Ophelia) is going through an immense personal challenge and the writer is trying to show their support and encourage her to weather the storm, because her current challenges will come to pass, and things will eventually improve.
If I hadn’t known that this collection was inspired by Hamlet, I wouldn’t have been able to guess that it was. The language used is modern and doesn’t reflect how language was used in Shakespearean times. For example: “There will be times when it is perfectly ok to be alone, and there will be times where company can be comforting (few or many). You have people who deeply care about you. It is okay not to have everything perfectly together. We hope you know that it is not about being all right (perfect) but rather alright (ok and whole). This is very noticeable when compared to, for example, this part of Dogberry’s monologue in Much Ado About Nothing: “Dost thou not suspect my place? Dost thou not suspect my years? O, that he were here to write me down an ass! But masters, remember that I am an ass; though it be not written down, yet forget not that I am an ass. No, thou villain, thou art full of piety, as shall be proved upon thee by good witness.” The antiquated grammar is the most obvious difference here.
While the idea of pairing letters with poems is creative, the letters themselves are quite prescriptive, telling Ophelia what she should do and how she should handle things. The letters don’t sound like they were written by one of Ophelia’s loved ones (despite the letters repeatedly stating that Ophelia is deeply loved) as they aren’t very personal; I cannot get an idea of what kind of person is sending Ophelia these letters and who they are to her.
The poems tend to be simple and repetitive, with words such as love, hope, good, bad, joy, light, etc. recurring many times. An example of a poem that I find simple is “Glad You Are Here” on page 5: “I am glad you are here./You’re worth more than you know./Don’t let doubt keep you afraid./There are reasons why you are here./First, you were made to glow./Don’t hide your light in a lampshade./Second, live & love out your purpose for being here.” These lines come across as platitudes to me.
I decided to stop reading at 51% because the same themes and ideas had been repeated multiple times by that point, and I figured that the second half of the book would be similar.
I do appreciate the creativity that is evident in the idea of writing letters to go along with poems for a character from one of Shakespeare’s plays. This isn’t something I’ve seen any other poet/writer do before. However, the execution unfortunately fell flat for me.
July 19, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think this book is good for people who are experiencing grief, especially of a loved one who was young or someone who battled depression or suicidal thoughts, In the book's introduction, the author explains that they are writing this book after losing someone that they loved dearly when they were barely a teenager. As someone who has experienced something similar, much of the message really struck home for me. You don't necessarily need to be a Shakespeare expert to get something out of this book either, but some familiarity with Hamlet will help.
At first, I wasn't sure about the letters to Ophelia, but they ended up being my favorite part of the book. They addressed Ophelia with such intimacy and care; it was honestly quite healing for me to read. I read it in the Sunflower Version (letter first, then poem) over the Lavender Version (poems only), both options suggested by the author. The narrator of these letters is privy to so many details of Ophelia's life that you feel like you are witnessing the exchange with a close confidante who cares deeply for Ophelia's wellbeing.
There are several poems in this book with messages that I will share with my grief support group. Although this Ophelia has some differences from Shakespeare's, grief is in many ways a large component of this book thematically. On the other hand, while there were some poems which did strike me, including "To Be Continued" for the theme of grief and "The Heart's Lament" for the wordplay, in general the poetry was very straightforward which is not generally my style of poetry, as I prefer more extended metaphors. Further, sometimes I felt that the poems were just rhyming for the sake of rhyming and not really communicating something intentional.
I think this book is good for people who are experiencing grief, especially of a loved one who was young or someone who battled depression or suicidal thoughts, In the book's introduction, the author explains that they are writing this book after losing someone that they loved dearly when they were barely a teenager. As someone who has experienced something similar, much of the message really struck home for me. You don't necessarily need to be a Shakespeare expert to get something out of this book either, but some familiarity with Hamlet will help.
At first, I wasn't sure about the letters to Ophelia, but they ended up being my favorite part of the book. They addressed Ophelia with such intimacy and care; it was honestly quite healing for me to read. I read it in the Sunflower Version (letter first, then poem) over the Lavender Version (poems only), both options suggested by the author. The narrator of these letters is privy to so many details of Ophelia's life that you feel like you are witnessing the exchange with a close confidante who cares deeply for Ophelia's wellbeing.
There are several poems in this book with messages that I will share with my grief support group. Although this Ophelia has some differences from Shakespeare's, grief is in many ways a large component of this book thematically. On the other hand, while there were some poems which did strike me, including "To Be Continued" for the theme of grief and "The Heart's Lament" for the wordplay, in general the poetry was very straightforward which is not generally my style of poetry, as I prefer more extended metaphors. Further, sometimes I felt that the poems were just rhyming for the sake of rhyming and not really communicating something intentional.
July 4, 2026
Dear Ophelia
by Yours Truly
Rating: 5 star rating
I just finished reading Dear Ophelia by Yours Truly, and it is a collection of personal letters and poetry addressed to a modern-day version of Ophelia. The text is written from the author voice known as "Yours Truly," with the clear purpose of helping Ophelia push through grief, life trials, and depressed mental status.
What makes it stand out is the way it deals with deep depression. Instead of allowing Ophelia to be a depressed figure who succumbs to her life like in Shakespeare's classic play. This book makes her into a survivor.
In the middle of the book, it takes the worst of life's difficulties and turns it around. Instead of letting the pain break Ophelia, the poetry acts as a shield, and it motivates her to keep moving on, and it shows what the power of friendship can do to help a person.
The final pages offer emotional closure. It leaves you with a sense of hope, friendship, and choosing to look forward.
This is a quick read, but it is the best book of poetry that i have ever read. It deals with depression in a special way. I have never understood poetry very much, but this book i can actually read and understand. My only complaint is that some of the poetry seemed repetitive, but i still enjoyed it. I definitely recommend picking this book up.
Thank you, NetGalley, ACTE IV, and author Yours Truly, for providing me with a copy of this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley
#ACTEIV
#YoursTruly
#trulydearophelia
http://goodreads.com/patriciasreading...
http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogs...
by Yours Truly
Rating: 5 star rating
I just finished reading Dear Ophelia by Yours Truly, and it is a collection of personal letters and poetry addressed to a modern-day version of Ophelia. The text is written from the author voice known as "Yours Truly," with the clear purpose of helping Ophelia push through grief, life trials, and depressed mental status.
What makes it stand out is the way it deals with deep depression. Instead of allowing Ophelia to be a depressed figure who succumbs to her life like in Shakespeare's classic play. This book makes her into a survivor.
In the middle of the book, it takes the worst of life's difficulties and turns it around. Instead of letting the pain break Ophelia, the poetry acts as a shield, and it motivates her to keep moving on, and it shows what the power of friendship can do to help a person.
The final pages offer emotional closure. It leaves you with a sense of hope, friendship, and choosing to look forward.
This is a quick read, but it is the best book of poetry that i have ever read. It deals with depression in a special way. I have never understood poetry very much, but this book i can actually read and understand. My only complaint is that some of the poetry seemed repetitive, but i still enjoyed it. I definitely recommend picking this book up.
Thank you, NetGalley, ACTE IV, and author Yours Truly, for providing me with a copy of this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley
#ACTEIV
#YoursTruly
#trulydearophelia
http://goodreads.com/patriciasreading...
http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogs...
August 4, 2026
I love a Shakespearean theme and was excited to read this but it really wasn’t what I expected. This collection of letters to Ophelia, by an author never revealed, felt like they didn’t have enough context to the original text. They are written in too modern a style which drew me out of the text, repeated use of the phrase it is good to hear from you really annoyed me. There are also little snippets of poetry interspersed throughout which had some relevant themes and imagery but didn’t seem to make sense to the letters to me. This felt like the idea of something which could be worked into something but it’s just not there yet.
June 17, 2026
Thank you to the author for sending me this review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This one was a bit of a miss for me.
The letter aspect is a bit strange and confusing, along with the poem format changing often from poem to poem. It didn't feel cohesive, and poems were a bit repetitive too. It was just surface deep, and there was so much fake toxic positivity on these pages.
Overall I just couldn't get into this book of poetry at all.
This one was a bit of a miss for me.
The letter aspect is a bit strange and confusing, along with the poem format changing often from poem to poem. It didn't feel cohesive, and poems were a bit repetitive too. It was just surface deep, and there was so much fake toxic positivity on these pages.
Overall I just couldn't get into this book of poetry at all.
April 21, 2026
Shakespearean inspired letters and poems based on Hamlet and the John Everett Millais painting "Ophelia" - two of my core interests. Beautifully written and thoughtfully compiled.
e-arc provided by Netgalley ❤️
e-arc provided by Netgalley ❤️
Did Not Finish
May 4, 2026I received an ARC from NetGalley.
DNF @ 23%. I was put off by the constant rhyming and redundant titles of the letters/poems. I wasn't particularly drawn to any of the messages. Nothing felt particularly new, like sentiments I've seen before just rephrased in a rhyming manner.
DNF @ 23%. I was put off by the constant rhyming and redundant titles of the letters/poems. I wasn't particularly drawn to any of the messages. Nothing felt particularly new, like sentiments I've seen before just rephrased in a rhyming manner.
July 13, 2026
This was so cute. I love a different pov book. Being able to read the book how you want was so fun. The mystery behind the author and the answers this person holds is also fun. It was so beautifully written. I read the letters first then the poems.
Did Not Finish
May 12, 2026This wasn’t for me.
May 13, 2026
Love is not only a matter or a subject and this book shows it.
Perfect love is hard to find and this book shows a teenager love that is difficult to conquer.
A good reading
Perfect love is hard to find and this book shows a teenager love that is difficult to conquer.
A good reading
July 20, 2026
A thoughtful book written to help and guide those struggling
A book written with love and care
The author clearly has a deep perspective, is writing from a place of helping others
I find this book very helpful and I plan to reread it!
A book written with love and care
The author clearly has a deep perspective, is writing from a place of helping others
I find this book very helpful and I plan to reread it!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews