girasol

by Gretchen Gomez

and the sunflower girl bloomed in darkness and became a glowing girasol for herself to see.

girasol is the last poetry collection in continuation with the 25th ghost, the sunflower that bloomed in darkness, from gretchen gomez’ second poetry collection, welcome to ghost town. girasol explores themes of loss, womanhood, being latina, miscarriage, mental illness, depression, and other related themes.

content warnings: rape, suicide, miscarriage, violence, bodily harm, blood, abuse, religion.

Genres: Poetry, Adult

61 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2022

About the author

Gretchen Gomez is a Puerto Rican retired poet originally from The Bronx. When home you will find her watching crime shows, cuddling with her dog, or writing—trying to make sense of things. Gretchen is a full-time lover of words.

Reviews

[Gretchen Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today, on my 33rd birthday, my 3rd and final poetry collection releases. I cannot believe the day is here. This book was a journey to write and I am so happy it's out in the world doing its thing. I am happy to retire as a poet with girasol being my last poetry collection. Onto new endeavors now!

[Jessica {Litnoob} · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so intensely beautiful and yet painful a collection to read. Either the poems felt like they were addressing me personally or spoke to a deeper pain then I could imagine giving us little glimpses into the authors soul.

[Fida Islaih · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate her vulnerability. I love the way she tells stories and honors her identity. One of my favorite pieces includes the imagery of train stops while feeling like an outsider and finding your way back to the familiar.

[Stephanie Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Content Warnings: Rape, Suicide, Miscarriage, Violence, Abuse, Religion

“and so, to the books,I once again say thank you.
for loving me something fierce and letting me love you in return.”

Gretchen is one of my absolute favourite creators, I have been following her since before her debut and I simply adore her. I am so lucky to receive an early copy of Girasol is her final poetry collection, and it is incredibly beautiful!! Her words are phenomenal and emotional, and made me feel things with my entire soul.

Did I tear up reading the dedication- yes. To be honest the tears flowed while reading this entire collection. Her writing through the years has felt like being a part of her story, that she has given us small pieces of her. She inspires me to write my own stories.

This collection is raw and emotional. I love the blended amounts of English and Spanish. I am so so excited to read her fiction works in the future,I have no doubt they will be amazing.

“being strong is not a trophy to hold survival is all i’ve ever known”

[wildnorthernerrr · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you rate a soul? This just made me… feel. Beautiful.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original review

This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Gretchen Gomez!

 

girasol is Gretchen Gomez’ third poetry collection and it talks about mental illness, womanhood, being Latina, miscarriage, and other themes.

 

I’ve read and enjoyed Gretchen Gomez’ love, and you, so I was really looking forward to reading girasol. I’ve been following Gretchen Gomez’ Instagram for a long time, and every time she shared something about this collection, I knew that I was going to love it. girasol is filled with different poetry styles and interesting topics. While reading girasol, it felt like you get to know more of Gretchen Gomez. 

girasol is about interesting yet difficult topics. Gretchen Gomez talks about her miscarriage, about her struggles with her mental health, about being a Latina, … Although some topics weren’t relatable to me, such as being Latina or having a miscarriage, I still enjoyed reading about them. Gretchen Gomez has this beautiful way of expressing her emotions, thoughts and feelings into words, which made girasol such a good poetry collection.

I’m kinda sad that girasol is going to be Gretchen Gomez’ last poetry collection but I’m really excited for her fiction books. Luckily for me, I can still read another poetry collection by her, I haven’t read welcome to ghost town yet. If you’re looking for a beautiful poetry collection that you can read in one sitting, then I highly recommend girasol!

[Ilse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got lucky and I received an early copy of this collection before it's release. I am going to give my honest review but please bare with me cause I am writing this as I've just finished it and I am all over the place.

I've known Gretchen for years, ever since booktube made its debut on youtube and all I want to say is that I am so proud of her and of the woman that she has become.

This is Gretchen's third poetry collection which deals with topics about mental illness, womanhood, her heritage, miscarriage, just to name a few.

I've always enjoyed Gretchen's way of story telling and I was looking forward to reading her last poetry collection. While reading girasol I really got to know more of her and her many layers in a more in depth way. Some of her poems really broke me and brought me to tears. I found myself relating to like the ones where she talks about being latina and mental health topics, especially in being the oldest in a latino household and what expectations come with that.

Even though girasol is the last of her poetry collection I am excited for what it is to come for her.

I highly recommend girasol if you are looking to read about strong woman overcoming and taking back her body and soul.

[Heidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girasol was so much more than I expected. I love Gretchen’s previous poetry collections, but Girasol absolutely blew me away. I was already in tears on the first page. You get to learn more of her life and struggles, she speaks of topics such as mental health, miscarriage, her heritage, and many more. I felt a strong connection to many of the poems, I felt understood, and that I wasn’t invisible anymore. I was in tears so many times but it was like a wave of peace that would wash over me as well. Her writing style is amazing, she’s able to write about these dark/difficult topics in her life in a way that flows so easily without undermining the severity of the topic.

I absolutely recommend this book to everyone. I felt honored to read Girasol and to have glimpse of Gretchen’s life. This is her last poetry collection, and if you have not read the previous two I highly recommend that you do. The writing talent that Gretchen has is absolutely outstanding and I am excited for her future novels!!

[Amanda Linsmeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

"tell them i am more than a poet. that sometimes i am the poem."

girasol is a powerful collection of poetry, the third from Gretchen Gomez, and the above is just one of my favorite quotes from it. I loved that there was a variety of poetry styles, and repeated themes throughout. It's an unflinching and raw portrayal of abuse, miscarriage, mental illness, and more, and the rawness is what makes it so good. My favorite poems, in no particular order, were:
i will always love in; my puerto rican; taylor swift said "i want auroras and sad prose"; she-poets still got me fucked up in 2019; from the ashes you make beautiful things. Even though this was a heavy collection, there was lightness and hope and even a sort of dry humor at times-- I loved repeated imagery of sunflowers, the ocean, and use of music and song titles. I can't wait to read the next work from Gretchen-- I think it may be fiction next!

Thank you for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Adriana De Persia Colón · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gretchen sent me this book as an eARC a few weeks before release. I had, in other words, the privilege of reading this book before it officially released, and I am so thankful. I love Gretchen's writing style, and this book is both recognizing that style whilst also feeling like something completely new. And no wonder—this book is a new world. Each poem is intricately connected and yet each has something different to say. Some poems can grouped into different subgroups, whether in a community or in a choir of speaking back and forth, where different voices, different interlocutors, are all engaged in a deep you tell me, I tell you.

I cried reading this book. It's a powerful poetry collection, the end of a journey, and what an end it is. I wish Gretchen all the best as a fiction author. Get it, gurl!!!! Palante. <3

[BrooklynBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest

This was one of the first poetry books I’ve ever read and I’m an emotional mess right now but in the best way.

Lucky for me, I’ve had the pleasure of having conversations with this beautiful and talented soul, Gretchen. She’s amazingly kind, honest and she’s so special. When she announced this was coming out and gave glimpses as to what it would include, I knew I had to read it and believe me I’m so glad I did.

Every poem in this book is brutally honest, extremely emotional, and achingly raw.. I’ve never read more honest work. I feel honored to read into this beautiful soul and I resonate with the words she used.

This book skyrocketed to my number one spot as a favorite. Something i will re-read and hold close for years to come. 5 stars!!

[Lina Portillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've already lost count of the times I've read this beautiful collection! Gretchen's ability to capture loss, heartache, survival, and strength is truly a talent worth celebrating. I have found validation, understanding, and encouragement all in one book and I cannot thank Gretchen enough for her brilliance. Her vulnerability and honesty throughout Girasol was captivating and so beautifully soulful, that I HAD to reread it so I could experience it over and over again. This is a powerful collection of poetry and I truly cannot thank Gretchen enough for having released such a tender piece of herself for the world to hold.

[ERICA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin? The way that Gretchen gives us a glimpse of her life is captivating. I can see myself in so many of her poems and I can’t lie, the tears were overflowing. She is a powerful poet! She makes it clear that this is her last poetry book which is a huge reason why EVERYONE should purchase this! I can’t wait to see where life takes her with her writing because her writing just flows perfectly!!

Trigger warning: Gretchen is very honest when it comes to abuse, miscarriage, sexual abuse and family drama.

An easy 5 star book!!

[Steph Beaudoin · Rating 5 out of 5]

girasol is the last poetry collection by Gretchen Gomez and it is spectacular.

The content warnings at the start of the book are spot on. I thought I might have to skip some poems, but I was able to read them all.

So many wonderful poems. So many highlights and screenshots. I know I will be thinking about these poems for days and months and I will read them again.

The poets know.

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Glendalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve read a poetry collection and reading Girasol 🌻 just reminded me on how I love reading and writing poetry especially when it’s by Latin women.

To be able to catch a glimpse of what goes inside the mind of artists is such a privilege and an honor. This collection was heavy at times to read but it was so powerful in reminding us that a phoenix always rises from the ashes.

[Emma Piccinini · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is with bittersweetness I say goodbye to Gretchen the poet, and say hello to Gretchen the author.

This collection was a heartbreakingly beautiful collection of Gretchen’s soul poured onto the page; all the pain, the joy, the anger, the sorrow, just ALL of it.

This collection was short, but so effective in grasping ahold of the audience and demanding us to listen to what she has to say. I am so proud of you, Gretchen. I cannot wait for what is to come.

[Saara Mahomed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girasol is hard hitting, but I’ve known the poet behind it so long that I felt part of her journey. There were parts I heard in her voice, parts that moved me to tears - and I hope Baxter lives forever too! - Girasol made me realise I need to relearn Spanish, but also made me feel incredibly proud of a woman who despite everything stands proud of who she is
I’m sad that this will be the last book, but I’m glad that after everything we finally got to read it

[Jessica Collazo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC before it’s release. This was an amazing read. Gretchen’s voice rises and screams in your face. You see how she’s grown. How she’s growing and healing and she takes you on that journey with her. I personally loved the usage of English and Spanish.

If what you need is amazing poetry, this is it.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was grateful to receive an ARC of this poetry collection in exchange for an honest review.

I have been following Gretchen Gomez on Instagram since love, and you and always find the poems she shares to be hauntingly beautiful.

girasol is Gretchen Gomez's third, and final, poetry collection. This short collection touches on topics such as being Latina, miscarriage, and mental illness. Much like her other collections, the poems in girasol are powerful and raw. She writes about difficult topics, such as abuse and rape, with unflinching honesty.

While I didn't relate to these poems as much as ones in previous releases, I felt like we got to know Gretchen Gomez better in girasol. I admire how she lays herself bare in this one. Her bravery in seeking out healing and peace is something I hope to one day achieve.

While I'm sad that this is Gretchen Gomez's last poetry collection, I look forward to reading her future endeavors in fiction.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect conclusion of a poetry book. Every page/poem has something I took out of it, that I related to in some way, or hit me with the vulnerability that Gretchen laid bare for everyone to read. Not only are the words worth reading but the layout and art are beautiful.
I would reccomend, highly.

[Jenefer R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another emotional ride…

The realness and rawness of this collection really spoke to me. I wish the author the best on their new journey.

[Ariel Lafayette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw and Honest and Beautiful

This poetry collection is an homage to healing and inner strength, and I leave it feeling inspired and awed by this writer’s talent for storytelling.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

:’) I missed reading your poems

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Gomez’ third and final poetry collection and did it ever take the reader on a journey. A journey of self-discovery, of love, of loss, of healing. It was beautiful at times and it was heart wrenching at others, but all throughout the reader could feel the passion and the emotions this author has felt. This could be read in one sitting, but because of the subject matter it’s probably best to take time with each poem. Some poems resonated with the reader more than others, but each poem still struck a chord in some way or another. It’s definitely advisable to read the content warnings before going into this because there are a lot of dark topics that are talked about. It’s very brave to write your emotions down and share them with the world and the reader applauds the author for putting all her feelings out there for all to read and commends her vulnerability because it’s not an easy feat. Overall, this could be a tough read, but an empowering one too.