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lost in the milky way: a collection of poems
Becoming a mother marked the beginning of the best and worst times of my life. Like many of us, I kept silent, convinced no one had these thoughts, convinced I was the worst person to take care of my perfect baby.
This is a raw collection of poems describing the swirl of love, isolation, and grief surrounding postpartum depression.
This book aims to send hope that we are not alone, to dismantle the taboos around this topic, to remove the guilt we, mothers, constantly feel.
This is a raw collection of poems describing the swirl of love, isolation, and grief surrounding postpartum depression.
This book aims to send hope that we are not alone, to dismantle the taboos around this topic, to remove the guilt we, mothers, constantly feel.
121 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 30, 2026
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this collection and oh my, did it ever hit home 🥹💜 some of the ones I related to the most were “a plea”, “measurements”, “speak up”, “free” & “the next best day”.
I know I will return to many of the poems, for years to come. Anytime I doubt myself, anytime I feel like I am not enough, I know these poems will be helpful.
Thank you, Emmie, for sharing your deepest thoughts and feelings with us. Your daughter had such a strong and brave maman 💜
I highly recommend this book and it would make such a great gift to a mom in the postpartum trenches!
I know I will return to many of the poems, for years to come. Anytime I doubt myself, anytime I feel like I am not enough, I know these poems will be helpful.
Thank you, Emmie, for sharing your deepest thoughts and feelings with us. Your daughter had such a strong and brave maman 💜
I highly recommend this book and it would make such a great gift to a mom in the postpartum trenches!
May 29, 2026
Thank you Victory Editing & Emmie for the gifted eARC. All opinions are my own.
This was such a beautiful collection of poetry! Being a mom can be one of the most rewarding jobs but it can also be so lonely and hard at times. These poems made me feel so seen and it was so incredible to see some of my feelings in motherhood be put into words. I wish I had this in my early postpartum days because it really makes you realize that you’re not alone in these thoughts.
Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing your words with the world.
This was such a beautiful collection of poetry! Being a mom can be one of the most rewarding jobs but it can also be so lonely and hard at times. These poems made me feel so seen and it was so incredible to see some of my feelings in motherhood be put into words. I wish I had this in my early postpartum days because it really makes you realize that you’re not alone in these thoughts.
Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing your words with the world.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This poetry collection is a bold and raw look into life post birth when it should be all joyous, instead depression and overthinking takes control and Emmi has really captured her experience and perspective of the situation she lived through and all she experienced with emotional detail.
Some stand out poems to me were:
An Omen, on the early pain of nothing going right and feeling nothing can or will.
Missing Records, lack of evidence of anything you raise being concerned and worried about.
She, Selfless, about the strength of a lone new mum and all they have to do caring for themselves as best they can and this nee little dependent one too.
k.o, was a literal reflective poem, of how we say the opposite to stop worry so instead of everything being ok, it's not but we wish to raise no concern.
I Count To One, I relate to so hard as an only child I realise growing up I was so lucky and my parents gave so much and I've seen others with siblings struggling more with timelessness from parents and pain of them splitting for reasons eventually too where as for one life can be more stable and the family unit stronger, one can mean a strong family unit for sure despite what anyone says, an only one is a precious one and the self awareness of putting them first over the worry of trying again and all you could worry about facing again shows depth of awareness to protect not hinder your family.
Misplaced, about fighting judgement from others for your conclusion in building a family, again was a bold and secure message in knowing what you need to do over anyone else's judgement which shouldn't even come into such a decision where the reliance is on you not them.
This was a deep emotional ride but I know so many people will feel it and sit with it relating to themselves within the poems too.
Some stand out poems to me were:
An Omen, on the early pain of nothing going right and feeling nothing can or will.
Missing Records, lack of evidence of anything you raise being concerned and worried about.
She, Selfless, about the strength of a lone new mum and all they have to do caring for themselves as best they can and this nee little dependent one too.
k.o, was a literal reflective poem, of how we say the opposite to stop worry so instead of everything being ok, it's not but we wish to raise no concern.
I Count To One, I relate to so hard as an only child I realise growing up I was so lucky and my parents gave so much and I've seen others with siblings struggling more with timelessness from parents and pain of them splitting for reasons eventually too where as for one life can be more stable and the family unit stronger, one can mean a strong family unit for sure despite what anyone says, an only one is a precious one and the self awareness of putting them first over the worry of trying again and all you could worry about facing again shows depth of awareness to protect not hinder your family.
Misplaced, about fighting judgement from others for your conclusion in building a family, again was a bold and secure message in knowing what you need to do over anyone else's judgement which shouldn't even come into such a decision where the reliance is on you not them.
This was a deep emotional ride but I know so many people will feel it and sit with it relating to themselves within the poems too.
May 24, 2026
I have never felt so seen in my entire life. Motherhood is both the biggest joy and blessing I have ever had, but postpartum is one of the hardest things I have ever gone through And no one can prepare you fully for what that may or may not feel like. Then every postpartum experience is different, even in myself after my first baby and after my second.
Emmie captures some of the harder, raw emotions and feelings of motherhood and being postpartum that made parts of my experience feel so validated and like I was less alone. Her words are powerful and honest, and therapeutic even for me.
Some poems that stood out and that I found the most relatable to me:
she, selfless:
“praise mothers worldwide
for they've forgotten
how to be at the epicentre
of anyone's universe
especially their own”
these days:
“i have trouble
balancing it all,
out of breath
exhausted,
overwhelmed by
the pressure to perform,
saddened by
my incapacity to deliver”
my abc
And the ones I’m taking with me as reminders in my continued postpartum journey:
speak up
be your one
your best
And mantra:
“you are important, you matter
you are important, you matter
you are important, you matter
you are important, you matter
you are important, you matter
keep repeating it, until it sticks”
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.
Emmie captures some of the harder, raw emotions and feelings of motherhood and being postpartum that made parts of my experience feel so validated and like I was less alone. Her words are powerful and honest, and therapeutic even for me.
Some poems that stood out and that I found the most relatable to me:
she, selfless:
“praise mothers worldwide
for they've forgotten
how to be at the epicentre
of anyone's universe
especially their own”
these days:
“i have trouble
balancing it all,
out of breath
exhausted,
overwhelmed by
the pressure to perform,
saddened by
my incapacity to deliver”
my abc
And the ones I’m taking with me as reminders in my continued postpartum journey:
speak up
be your one
your best
And mantra:
“you are important, you matter
you are important, you matter
you are important, you matter
you are important, you matter
you are important, you matter
keep repeating it, until it sticks”
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book of poetry is about motherhood and battling postpartum depression. I have experienced neither, yet that didn’t matter one bit. These poems are raw, real, beautiful, and powerful. Not only are the poems brilliant, but they also form a complete, well-rounded collection. Emmie, your poetry is truly exquisite. You are an incredible mom. You already had me crying on page one of your message to your daughter. Also, Emmie, and all other moms out there who have suffered from postpartum depression, as well as all moms generally, I’m sending you the biggest telepathic hugs. You are incredible, you are so strong, you are brave, you are so so loved, and you are doing such a good job raising another human.
To anyone who likes poetry or is a mom or knows a mom or has experienced the burdens of grief or sadness or depression or not feeling like you’re enough or like you’re doing enough, read this collection of poems. They are truly special.
Favorite poems:
Here, now
Prelude
Unsensing
Blues
Imposter
The dragon
My dagger
Crossroads
I will not
Hope
Make some noise
All I ask of you
Feel
Living
From me to me
One
Explained
Ours
The next best
In the end
To anyone who likes poetry or is a mom or knows a mom or has experienced the burdens of grief or sadness or depression or not feeling like you’re enough or like you’re doing enough, read this collection of poems. They are truly special.
Favorite poems:
Here, now
Prelude
Unsensing
Blues
Imposter
The dragon
My dagger
Crossroads
I will not
Hope
Make some noise
All I ask of you
Feel
Living
From me to me
One
Explained
Ours
The next best
In the end
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This poetry book captured the reality of postpartum depression and early motherhood in such a raw and honest way.
The first several months of being a mom were some of the hardest months of my life, and I related deeply to the poems about exhaustion, sadness, and feeling lonely. I didn’t understand how to manage my emotions at the time, especially postpartum anger, so reading this felt incredibly validating.
The writing was emotional, vulnerable, and comforting in a way that made me feel less alone.
The poems that I connected to were:
she, selfless
I knew having my daughter that my social life would change, but I never anticipated how much it would hurt. Two and a half years later, I am still struggling.
k.o
I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine.
the ten commandments of motherhood
Why does it seem like being a mom means we have all the answers, all the right ideas, and that we can just do it all the correct way? Why when we aren't able to live up to these impossible expectations, it feels like we are failing when in reality – we are just human.
The first several months of being a mom were some of the hardest months of my life, and I related deeply to the poems about exhaustion, sadness, and feeling lonely. I didn’t understand how to manage my emotions at the time, especially postpartum anger, so reading this felt incredibly validating.
The writing was emotional, vulnerable, and comforting in a way that made me feel less alone.
The poems that I connected to were:
she, selfless
I knew having my daughter that my social life would change, but I never anticipated how much it would hurt. Two and a half years later, I am still struggling.
k.o
I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine.
the ten commandments of motherhood
Why does it seem like being a mom means we have all the answers, all the right ideas, and that we can just do it all the correct way? Why when we aren't able to live up to these impossible expectations, it feels like we are failing when in reality – we are just human.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow. This was raw, devastating, and beautiful. This collection felt like being trusted with someone’s deepest pain and fears. Knowing these poems were inspired by Emmie Vale’s real experience with postpartum depression made every page feel even more intimate and heartbreaking.
This collection resonated with me, having been through postpartum depression myself. I think it’s such an important topic to talk about openly. Postpartum depression is still heavily stigmatized and misunderstood, and I think many people suffer quietly because they feel ashamed of what they’re experiencing or afraid of being judged.
Thank you to Emmie Vale for being brave enough to share something this vulnerable with the world.
This collection resonated with me, having been through postpartum depression myself. I think it’s such an important topic to talk about openly. Postpartum depression is still heavily stigmatized and misunderstood, and I think many people suffer quietly because they feel ashamed of what they’re experiencing or afraid of being judged.
Thank you to Emmie Vale for being brave enough to share something this vulnerable with the world.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I got this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
This book of poetry held a lot of emotion, and I can definitely relate to a lot of the feelings explored throughout. I wonder if I struggled connecting as much with the poetry due to the formatting of reading it on NetGalley versus a physical copy, but even though many of the pieces were relatable and well written, I didn’t get emotional while reading. Perhaps it goes to show that everyone’s experience with postpartum depression is unique, but understandable.
This book follows the arc of postpartum depression from its beginning, its worst and most acutely painful, and then to the author coming out the other side and receiving help.
This book of poetry held a lot of emotion, and I can definitely relate to a lot of the feelings explored throughout. I wonder if I struggled connecting as much with the poetry due to the formatting of reading it on NetGalley versus a physical copy, but even though many of the pieces were relatable and well written, I didn’t get emotional while reading. Perhaps it goes to show that everyone’s experience with postpartum depression is unique, but understandable.
This book follows the arc of postpartum depression from its beginning, its worst and most acutely painful, and then to the author coming out the other side and receiving help.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
lost in the milky way is a deep dive into the emotional rollercoaster that is motherhood. Even for those who are well supported and prepared, motherhood is life altering. Emmie captures the beauty, love and joy of it, but also the devastation, isolation, and personal growth one must face as they accommodate a new person into their life.
She provides understanding, camaraderie, and hope through her poetry. Most importantly, she urges you to lean into your supporters and ensure you give yourself grace and love in your new role.
Thank you Emmie and NetGalley for the ARC.
She provides understanding, camaraderie, and hope through her poetry. Most importantly, she urges you to lean into your supporters and ensure you give yourself grace and love in your new role.
Thank you Emmie and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I felt a good bit of these poems in my SOUL. It’s like seeing someone else describe how my PPDA was and I am sobbing. I absolutely loved this so much and it was such a short and quick read but the emotional impact of it was so spot on. If you’re a mother, I definitely recommend checking these short poems out.
Thank you so much to Emmie Vale and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you so much to Emmie Vale and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Unfiltered and beautifully honest, highlighting the highs and lows, the anger, the guilt, and the loss of ones identity. Motherhood is one of lifes greatest challenges and something so many people feel entitled to judge you on; these poems encapsulate the range of emotions felt during that first year, particularly for one with postpartum depression, how hard it is to ask for help and how guilty you feel for needing it. You are enough. You are not alone.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An ode to motherhood and post-partum experience. Depression, finding yourself again, healing. A collection of emotional
poems and a love letter to mothers and daughters.
What left me an emotional mess:
so,
i choose to live
i choose to write
i choose to try again
i choose to let go
i choose to forgive
i choose to love
and that is 100% on me.
tropes: 💜 self love 💜 motherhood 💜 healing 💜 post-partum depression 💜 poems
rating: ��⭐⭐⭐⭐
poems and a love letter to mothers and daughters.
What left me an emotional mess:
so,
i choose to live
i choose to write
i choose to try again
i choose to let go
i choose to forgive
i choose to love
and that is 100% on me.
tropes: 💜 self love 💜 motherhood 💜 healing 💜 post-partum depression 💜 poems
rating: ��⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lost in the Milky Way
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I felt all these poems. They were beautiful, hopeful, raw and filled with so much sorrow. I feel like any mother, whether you've dealt with postpartum depression or not, will find truth in these words.
Favorite poems:
•a plea
•if
•speak up
•living
Book highlights:
•book of poems
•raw emotion
•motherhood and postpartum
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I felt all these poems. They were beautiful, hopeful, raw and filled with so much sorrow. I feel like any mother, whether you've dealt with postpartum depression or not, will find truth in these words.
Favorite poems:
•a plea
•if
•speak up
•living
Book highlights:
•book of poems
•raw emotion
•motherhood and postpartum
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.
I really enjoyed this poetry collection. Each poem felt raw, and full of emotion. Even though I don't relate to motherhood, since I'm not a mother myself, I put myself in the author's shoes and I was able to understand it all very well, even applying some of those feelings and thoughts to other areas of my life. Some verses really spoke to me.
I really enjoyed this poetry collection. Each poem felt raw, and full of emotion. Even though I don't relate to motherhood, since I'm not a mother myself, I put myself in the author's shoes and I was able to understand it all very well, even applying some of those feelings and thoughts to other areas of my life. Some verses really spoke to me.
Read
May 23, 2026Thank you netgalley for the advanced e-book copy!
This collection of poetry was written by a booksta bestie! I really appreciated the vulnerability and raw honesty about her experience with postpartum depression.
It's truly a book that you just want to hug.
This collection of poetry was written by a booksta bestie! I really appreciated the vulnerability and raw honesty about her experience with postpartum depression.
It's truly a book that you just want to hug.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A very touching collection of poems that is wonderful for parents to read. It gets better than those first few struggling weeks, and you are doing amazing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Such raw and honest confessions of postpartum depression and rage. I resonated deeply with these “taboo” thoughts and would definitely recommend to anyone navigating life with postpartum fog.
May 13, 2026
raw, emotional, & heartbreakingly beautiful. a must read if you want to cry, especially if you are deep in the throes of motherhood! Thank you to NetGalley & Victory Editing for Netgalley! 5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
A beautiful collection of poems that really speaks to your soul.
I’m so grateful Emmie has shared these very personal thoughts with the world.
It turns out, we’re not as alone as we thought 🫶🏻
I’m so grateful Emmie has shared these very personal thoughts with the world.
It turns out, we’re not as alone as we thought 🫶🏻
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews