Pillow Thoughts II: Healing the Heart

Pillow Thoughts #2

by Courtney Peppernell

Peppernell understands that healing is a process, and Pillow Thoughts II eloquently captures the time and experience that one goes through on their journey to peace through restoration. 

A collection of inspirational and comforting poems for anyone who is mending from a broken heart, read by the author herself.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Romance, LGBT, Mental Health, Ebooks, Queer

Audiobook

First published August 7, 2018

About the author

Courtney Peppernell is an acclaimed best-selling author from Australia, celebrated for her inspirational poetry collections, including the beloved Pillow Thoughts series, Watering the Soul, I Hope You Stay, Time Will Tell and more. With over two million sales worldwide, she continues to lead the forefront of today’s poetry genre. Courtney spends her days writing and working on many projects with her beloved dogs and chickens in tow. She hopes to continue exploring expression and the art of healing through stories, novels and poetry for years to come. Stay tuned for the latest releases from Courtney and her team!

Reviews

[Noura Khalid (theperksofbeingnoura) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have every right to love your solitude
Being alone doesn’t always mean you are lonely

Thank you Netgalley and Andrews McMeel publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another wonderful poetry book! This was the first book I read by Courtney Peppernell and I loved it! I could relate to a lot of the poems that she wrote. Poems about love and hope and healing. I can't wait for everyone to read this when it's released!

|| Blog || Instagram ||

[Katharina | katharia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Sterne, weil einfach wunderschöne Texte auf noch viel schönere Texte folgen. Deep shit, relatable af.

Nach einem ersten Re-read kann ich nur nochmal sagen, dass das Buch für mich so viel Mehrwert hat und mir jedes Mal was mit auf den Weg gibt. Ein neues LIEBLINGSBUCH.

[Brittney Andrews (beabookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

The title of this is so fitting!

It's free verse "poetry", yes. But I appreciated it for what it was: just pillow thoughts. It reminded me a lot of the good ol' high school days when you'd be having problems with your boyfriend/girlfriend so you'd invite over your best friend for a sleepover, sit on your bed and vent to them, and they would just always know the right things to say.

My favorite poem:

Love isn't always about falling in love with a person. Love is
passing your final exams. Love is watching the sun come up
between the clouds. Love is finding the light when you were
in the dark. Love is when your favorite TV show returns. Love
is when your dog tilts its heads with confusion. Love is a free
ice cream voucher left on your car windshield. Love is the
leaves falling in the fall. Love is learning the constellations.
Love is solving a ridiculous math problem. Love is the
changing Starbucks menu for the seasons. Love is watching
a child play in the sandbox. Love is warm clothes when they
comes out of the dryer. When you've given up on love,
all you're really saying is that you've closed your eyes.

I felt good after reading this book, and I think if you pick this one up, you will too!

In stores on August 7th 2018!

Thanks a million to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. Quotes are subject to change upon publication.

[Brittany Lash · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I love the premise of this collection and the idea of the jellyfish, I had a hard time connecting with 80% of the poems in this collection. The poems I didn't connect with tended to be more surface level and have a more cliche quality than the deeper, more meaningful poems.

[Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?] · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't skip chapters,
that's not how life works.
You have to read every line,
meet every character.
You won't enjoy all of it.
Hell, some chapters will make you cry for weeks.
You will read things you don't want to read,
you will have moments when you don't want the pages to end.
But you have to keep going.
Stories keep the world revolving.
Live yours, don't miss out.

[gladiatrix ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy the short style quotes on social media posts, then you’ll probably love this collection of poetry. It’s easy to read and meaningful. It contains five sections: “If your heart is in love”, “If your heart is aching”, “If your heart is missing someone”, “If your heart is happy” and “These are for your heart”. I liked that poetry book was divided in sections because it prepared your heart for each upcoming chapter. If one wishes to go back to reread a certain passage, it will be easy to find.

The writing itself was purely elegant and straightforward. However, it really makes you think and meditate. Unknowingly, you’re getting lost in each line and every word. I recommend to everyone who loves poetry and even if you don’t, this poetry collection is worth a read.

[Julia Sapphire · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have every right to love your solitude
Being alone doesn’t always mean you are lonely

The biggest takeaway for me is that to truly appreciate poetry, the reader needs to find a way to connect with it. I found this collection to be highly relatable and beautifully written. I initially picked it up because the cover caught my eye—yes, I know, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but in this case, I’m glad I did.

This book turned out to be a heartwarming read that resonated deeply with me. The author has a unique ability to articulate those quiet, often unspoken thoughts we all have, reminding me that I’m not alone in my experiences. The poems explore the nuances of solitude and self-love, making it an enriching read that left me feeling connected to my own reflections.

[Lena · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok I guess just way too sweet for my black heart

[Avani ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one

[Tee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pillow Thoughts II: Healthing the Heart is a mediocre piece of writing at best. And trust me, I'm being generous here. I picked it up thinking it's going to be this deep thoughtful piece of poetry or thoughts, however you want to call it, instead I was left with the most basic, cliché, and nonsense book of 2020 for me.

I'll give you an example:

As tragic as it seems
As hurtful as it feels
If they gave up on you
In your worst moment
They never really loved you

Yes, this was part of the book and the other 95% of it. Where have you read this before? That if they don't stick with you at your worst, then don't deserve you at your best? Probably in grade 8 or something like that. It was thoughts like these that anyone could've written or said and we would've rolled our eyes and moved on.
I was fairly shocked that the ratings of this book were quite high. All I can think of is HOW? Honestly the whole book was so basic. Every line sounded exactly like something you would read on sites like reddit or images on Google that have inspirational thoughts but no author because anyone and I mean ANYONE could've said it.
This book lacked originality. I'll give you another example:

You can break your own heart
But you can also heal it

Well no sh!t. I think we all know that, don't we? It's like saying you can may die today, but you may also live.
How is that considered anything but a cliché with no thought put into it whatsoever.

Overall this was a waste of time. Nothing was original. I enjoyed probably 5% of it and even that was because I felt I needed to hear the words as cliché as they sounded. I could've read them anywhere. I definitely would not recommend this book to anyone.

[Cristina Argetoianu · Rating 5 out of 5]

3.7.2022 exactly what I needed right now

[♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS❤️‍🩹

This is the second poetry book in the Pillow Thoughts series, and I literally read it within 45 minutes! Such a fun, enjoyable, and easy read.

Personally, I liked this book’s layout less, but I enjoyed the message behind the poems in this more, compared to the first. Nonetheless, they’re both super good poetry collections, and I would definitely suggest giving them a try.

This book focuses on healing the heart, soul, body, and mind. This is an essential thing to do whenever you feel heartbroken or unhappy, and the book emphasizes this very well.

The book is split up into five sections: (1) If your heart is in love (2) If your heart is aching (3) If your heart is missing someone (4) If your heart is happy (5) These are for your heart

The poems perfectly describe the idea that we won’t be happy everyday, every second - however, it is important that we tough it out because happy times will be coming inevitably.

Here’s a sneak peak at one of the poems for you:

“I’m tired of all the texting
Of all the late-night calls
I’m tired of the constant
Wanting
And time feeling like walls
I need your breath on my skin
Your body asleep next to mine
I can’t keep pretending I don’t miss you
And that I’m fine
I see home in your eyes
But home is so far away”

Once again, I could really relate to a lot of the book, but even if I couldn’t - it allowed me to see things from other people’s perspective, which is something that I am always grateful for!!

If you are a poetry junkie like me, PLEASE check out this author and their work, you will not be disappointed! x

[Mery ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5

Pillow Thoughts II: Healing the Heart is focused primarily on what it sounds like: love.

This collection is separated out into five sections that correspond to a specific circumstance that is related to love. Many of the “poems” felt far more like anecdotes, sometimes only sentences of encouragement. Considering this book is supposed to be aimed at broken hearts, it really didn’t seem to meet those criteria. Instead, it felt like a personal journal of the authors' relationships, good and bad and they just didn’t feel meaningful, hard-hitting, or thoughtful; there’s nothing more I can say than that.

[tiffany nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Pillow Thoughts and found it lack luster. Despite that, I picked up Pillow Thoughts II and was even more let down than the first collection. There were a couple I "liked" but ninety percent were regurgitated quotes and pages merely stating things with a terribly cliche recurring theme. Wouldn't really classify as poetry/prose. There was nothing deep, nothing to connect to or feel.

[Shaikha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh...

[♡ Dakota ♡ (Sarcasm is my middle name) · Rating 2 out of 5]

★ ★ — Two Stars!

Unfortunately I did not enjoy this volume as much as the first one. I didn’t feel like it really said or did anything differently than the first. But I still did have some favorite poems and sections of the book that I enjoyed, which I am including down below:


“You have every right to love your solitude
Being alone doesn’t always mean you are
lonely”

“You are not more than I can handle.
Even if you come with a suitcase full of insecurities,
I will still want to know you.
Even if there are days when you are crying and don’t believe in your worth, I will still want to hold you.
I know you have struggled; so have I.
I know that things are hard on you; me too.
But it doesn’t change how big your heart is. I am old enough to make my own choices, and
I choose you.”

“I just want to wear your t-shirts and wake up in your arms. I just want to kiss you over coffee and sleep in with you during rainstorms. I just want to hold your hand in the street without having to worry what people will think.”

“Just because it hurts doesn’t mean you need to shrink your heart into something that can no longer feel. Open your arms with your face to the sky. We were not made to be easy to love. All that soul inside you will still be heard, even after the day you die.”

“Some chapters don’t have happy endings. But you read on anyway, and I think that’s the point. Not to be happy all the time but to know the sun always comes back around.”

“You can’t skip chapters, that’s not how life works. You have to read every line, meet every character. You won’t enjoy all of it. Hell, some chapters will make you cry for weeks. You will read things you don’t want to read, you will have moments when you don’t want the pages to end. But you have to keep going. Stories keep the world revolving. Live yours, don’t miss out.”

[Katherine Velasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing as always Courtney who has been and out of love that had seem to only exist in your mind has an amazing way with words. How to cherish the small things, no need for one big memories but small bits. Knowing that love comes and goes. How to find happiness again and keep it when there’s no light. Forgiveness to yourself and others. It doesn’t focus on one emotion but all of any stage of love.

[Gerardine Betancourt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread 2022
"Sometimes I worry that,I won't find someone. That the person who deserves all this love I have to give is out there with someone else...
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read:2021
"Some chapters don't have happy endings. But you read on anyway,and I think that's the point. Not to be happy all the time but to know the sun always comes back around "
3.5 stars

[Dionne · Rating 1 out of 5]

it felt like i was reading through the tumblr posts of a 16 year old

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah! This book was just as amazing as the first one! I honestly can't tell my favorite part or favorite poem because everything in this book was absolutely perfect! I definitely recommend!

[angelpompom · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Some chapters don't have happy endings. But you read on anyway, and I think that's the point. Not to be happy all the time but to know the sun always comes back around.”

The second book in the poetry series, pillow thoughts, did t grasp my attention as much as the first one did. Not that it’s any less beautiful, just doesn’t speak to me personally as well xx still recommend tho xx

“I waited on the bridge, but you never came
I waited all day for someone
who I thought felt the same.”

3.25🩵

[Nas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The proses are too relatable to me that I love and enjoy it.

[Francesca Calarco · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are (or ever have) suffered from a broken heart, then Courtney Peppernell’s Healing the Heart will likely have something to offer. While much of Peppernell’s mourning and grief is centered on romantic loss, I found her emotional processing to have a more-or-less universal relevance on how to heal from many forms of heart-break.

Overall, this collection of poetry is pretty interesting. Peppernell is really great at writing lyrical prose that reads like the words of a love song you could hear in a number of different genres. I am always impressed by how this type of accessibility leads to a larger form of resonance. It is worth noting though, that much of what is written is fairly obvious. For instance:

“Sometimes we fall in love with someone's potential. We ignore their behavior because we believe they can be better. But a person does not change unless they want to. Your happiness is more important than hanging on to someone else's potential.”

That said, while I have almost certainly heard and read sentiments similar to this before, these words are nonetheless exactly what I needed to read, when I needed to read it, and presented in a style that I found to be impactful. So if you are looking for a poetry collection in this vein, then I do definitely recommend this book.

Rating: 3.5 stars

[Bax · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best I've read so far. Everything felt so close to heart. Will probably reread from time to time. Here are some of my favourites:

Until you’re older and you’ve discovered even bones can ache and not everyone will give you a second chance. So, you’ll stare into an empty bottle and wish life were as simple as a high school dance.
.
.
You have sleepless nights and thoughts pushing you to the limit. Because heartbreak can also mean a broken spirit.
.
.
Don’t waste your time with people who bring you down. Bitterness is a disease that gets the better of most people, but that doesn’t mean you need to tolerate it. You have flaws just like anybody else. Embrace them, live for them. There is only one you. Forgiveness is happiness. They walk hand in hand. You don’t have to forgive everyone in your life. But you do have to forgive yourself.
.
.
You will wonder why someone as passionate as you is going nowhere. But you are going somewhere. Every setback is part of the journey.
.
.
In these moments, I am more than I ever thought I could be. I am more than a dream, more than the moon. I am the universe, and every possibility belongs to me.

[dangerous at every speed · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were beautiful moments in this collection, but also very basic ones. The approachable style was simple - not necessarily a bad thing - but at times lacked the credibility to label it 'poetry' or even 'prose'; it was too simplistic, and pretty much just stating things.
There were certainly some lovely ponderings on life and love, worth a moment's glance, but as a collection fairly weak.

[Evi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wunderschöne Texte und Gedichte, die das Herz tief berühren. 💔💝

[Elena Mayr · Rating 5 out of 5]

HERZENSBUCH | 5/5 ⭐️

Das ist mein liebster Teil der Pillow Thoughts-Reihe von Courtney Peppernell.
Ich liebe ihre Art, wie sie mit Worten umgibt und damit Kraft, Mut in Hoffnung schenkt. ✨

[Ariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on: The Quirky Book Nerd

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I read this a few months ago, as soon as I could get my hands on a copy, and I am still at a loss for words when it comes to describing this work. I’ll start by saying that the message of “healing the heart” rang so true all throughout these pages. It entered my life at the best possible moment—as I have been going through the mending of my own heart—and touched me incredibly deeply. She has a talent for crafting poems that are seemingly unassuming and straightforward, but that are, in actuality, extremely complex, vivid, and multi-dimensional. And the beauty of her writing lights up every line.

Each section of this collection focuses on a different type of healing, and makes for the perfect book to pick up either when in need of overall healing and positivity, or when going through a specific healing process. The range of emotion shown in these poems hits its mark time and time again, and makes this a widely accessible piece. Peppernell’s words seamlessly fill one’s soul with the comfort it is craving, as well as the healing you didn’t even know you were in need of. There is such safety and peace within these pages, a reader’s sanctuary where one can comfortably grieve and find release.

On a brief, more personal note, I discovered Courtney Peppernell’s work about a year ago and she immediately flew to the top of my favorite poets list. The messages, values, and general positivity that she puts out to the world through her words has been exceedingly impactful for me, and I truly admire her—she is an absolutely beautiful person. I want to have the strength to fully acknowledge and express who I am one day, and it is people like Courtney that, without knowing it, give me more courage. She has a way of always inspiring me both in my writing and in accepting and striving to be my true self—and this is a gift that is meaningful beyond words.

And since I honestly cannot rave enough about her work, I very highly encourage you to check out this collection, as well as Courtney’s previous poetry collections.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as with this first collection of poetry in this "series", I found myself deeply connected to Peppernell's poetry. Again, I think poetry can be very hit or miss and it hugely depends on you as as a person and where you are in life. But many of the poems truly speak to my soul.

“I have messy handwriting and I don't always know what to say, but I would write love letters to you all day. I leave the house without an umbrella in the rain, but I would choose you again and again. I get stuck with too many thoughts in my head, but I listen to every word you've ever said. I can be forgetful and spend nights all over the place, but your name is in my heart and it takes up the most space.”