Thank you Netgalley for giving me the privilege of reading and reviewing this book. All opinions are completely my own and in my own words

I always find it hard to review poetry due to the personal nature of the content.

Friends with Benefits make me feel seen and understood. It's like Marisa Kanter is using my thoughts to write. I'm tired and done being here, but I'm not alone it seems.

Hutchins manages to articulate all of your lifetime thoughts, every unspoken word, every fear, and intrusive thought, like a birthday cake recipe that feeds no one but resonates deeply. This book doesn’t just invite honesty, it demands it. Part III of the book feels like a love letter to depression, crafted in the most deceitful yet profoundly beautiful way.

Reading Make Believe is like growing through the ache of waking up tomorrow. Hutchins opens the iron-welded doors to loving life, even if you’re currently gripping the bars from the inside of distaste.

There's a line, "Promise me we'll reach for a top-shelf life" that hit me hard. I found myself crying on a Sunday morning in a hotel room while reading it, not because of what I was reading, but because we were driving, not flying. That's the power of Hutchins' writing - it reaches into your own life and pulls out the unspoken, the felt, the real.

This lovely book full of inspirational snippets and whimsical musings is a creative way of looking at the life we lead that sometimes feels heavy until we take on a shift in perspective.

One of my favorite passages is called, “What Peace Weighs” and it begins with “ Tell me about the weight you gained this summer.” and it takes us on a delicious sensory journey of good times with family and friends that suggests the weight gain was quite possibly well worth it….Hutchins asks at the end of the piece, Tell me about the weight you gained this summer. And then tell me—would you give it back if you could?

I think the answer is I would not give it back or any of the elevating perspectives I gained from reading this marvelously written book.

Loved this more than I thought I would as I am not often inspired to read poetry. I found some passages that I will keep going back to forever and will keep an eye out for future projects written by Victoria

This collection by Victoria Hutchins is a deep and gentle one that invites readers into a world of quiet strength and healing. Hutchins employs some very brilliant image-making and intimate language to gently consider themes of loss, fortitude, and reclaimed joy. Each poem feels like a gentle whisper of encouragement in its intimacy of language, offering the reader a safe harbour from pain into light. Hutchins masterfully fuses emotional weight with sensory beauty, through soft glimmers of the small miracles of life. Hutchins' voice is vulnerable yet confident, offering solace amidst knowing we're not alone in our spectrum of experiences as humans. Feelings of sincerity come from Hutchins's words; her work serves as a soul-soothing blanket. Make Believe is a hand to hold when times turn tough. It is a first book that is delightfully luminous while resting gently on one's heart.

I took my time with this one. Is it short? Yes. Could I have finished it easily in one sitting? Also, yes. Did I want to take the time to read and sit with the emotions that Victoria felt and how I felt about her writing things that made me think about my own life? Definitely, yes.

This collection of poems is largely about being a millennial, heartbreak of all kinds, healing, truly discovering God, and seeking humanity in people.

I definitely resonated more with the first chunks of the book but also was intrigued by how Victoria is learning about God and who the person of God is to her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Convergent Books for the ARC.

It was not what I had expected based off of the description and other books I have read with similar descriptions. So part of these opinions could be attributed to my own experiences reading other poetry collections, memoirs, etc. But I did not enjoy how this book was different from what I expected and lost interest quickly. Perhaps it just needs to be more clear what this book entails.

Heartwrenching and a punch in the gut at the same time--in the best way. I had to take a long break after "birthday cake recipe (feeds none)" which exemplifies Hutchins' clarity of language. She knows exactly what parts of ourselves we long to return to, and she lets us know, uncategorically and yet so very gently, that she sees us.


***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

As far as Instapoetry goes, this collection was pretty good. A few of the pieces genuinely resonated with me - some even made my eyes well up during my commute. It's not groundbreaking or anything, but there are definitely strong moments scattered throughout. Overall, Make Believe is an easy, emotional read that fans of contemporary poetry will likely enjoy.

Make Believe: Poems for Hoping Again by Victoria Hutchins is an amazing collection of poems all about finding the best version of ourselves. The author reminds the reader to find the joy in life, to look for signs that the universe is on your side. Here's a short poem called 'the swing of things' that I enjoyed: "Do your remember the first time you pumped your legs for dear life, and jumped? How the chains went slack as you hurled yourself out of the mildewed canvas seat? How for that one airborne second, nothing else mattered?/ When was the last time you were alone with your heartbeat and the sky?/ When did you forget how to let go?" This collection is filled with thought-provoking poems like that one. I really enjoyed them. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

A great poetry collection from an Instagram favorite! The collection only got better as it progressed.

Beautiful collection of poetry. I’m so glad I found this. Sometimes a poem can help you find the words you need. This book is full of that kind of poetry.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this early.

Thank you to Netgalley and Convergent Books for the e-ARC.

As a massive fan of Victoria's social media, this was one of my most anticipated poetry collections this year, and it didn't disappoint. It was wonderful, nostalgic, sentimental, and beautiful. I'm excited for whatever she may release in the future.

4.5 stars!

So rare to find a book that feels like a wonderful warm hug, and this book really delivered that for me! I love Victoria on Tik Tok, and was so happy to see that she had a collection of poetry coming out. She has such a wonderful, magical quality to her voice and words, and I am happy to report that it translated beautifully into poetry. The poems touched on a variety of topics, including body image, relationships, the future, and the passing of time. So beautiful, these poems and Victoria’s wonderful and whimsical prose really touched my spirit. I found myself wishing it were longer, and am hoping this will not be her last collection!

Thank you to convergent books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

One of the best books I’ve read this year. Beautiful work and relatable, I found myself reading and crying in public. Almost every poem made me emotional. Thank you for the opportunity to indulge in the poems. They felt like a warm hug to my heart.

«But I came into the world hungry, and I intend to leave licking the plate.
I came into the world thirsty, and I'll slurp until the glass is taken away.»

My first poetry book, and I cried at least seven times…
(I barely cry these days.)

Victoria’s video on “ready, set, don’t go.” showed up on my FYP, and I immediately ran to find the whole book. I just knew it would be exactly what I needed right now. I was right.

“Make Believe” is a love letter to everything holy—girlhood, mental health, doubt, hope, and all the things in between. I’m standing in my corner, clapping.

«Pray to anything that feels holy.
Notice how everything feels holy when you pay attention. Open the door when pain knocks, but leave the porch light on for joy.»

I have too many favorite quotes and full on poems highlighted. I wish I could simply put them all here…

A massive thank you to NetGalley and Convergent Books for the ARC!

This book made me think back to the happier days of my childhood, something I don't dwell on often. This poetry is not just about pretty words, it's about evoking emotions of now, of the present, and of bygone days, and of hope.

In no way does my conservative Christianity align with the author's beliefs, but that did not break me away from reading this book in its entirety, every word of every poem.

Some of the poems really touched me, even gave me chills as I read and connected and realized the truth of the words. Both wit and wisdom can be found in these pages.

Beautiful words about connecting to your childhood, your memories, your inner self. One chapter is dedicated to just poems about weight gain, dieting -- in a self-positive attitude. Another chapter about getting yourself through depressive thoughts -- until you see and feel the sunlight again. Others are words about life. And death.

All the feelings. It's in there.


Content:
Contains strong language.
References God as "she".
Various queer references.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley, but was not required to leave a positive review.

I’ll start this by saying Im not a huge poetry reader. However I am a big fan of Victoria on social media. While I might not join her in yoga practice, I listen to her calming words and almost instantly feel better. So when I heard she had a collection of poems coming out, I knew I had to get my hands on them. Im so happy that I did. Make Believe is tender and heart warming. This work has something for everyone. I think my favorite pieces are the ones that felt nostalgic. Although she does write about some heavy topics as well, she sprinkles in a hopeful message as well. Great job

Make Believe is an inspiring, reflective, hopeful and very emotional read. The collection is short but still powerful and speaks directly to the soul. While some poems, like reconciliation story, definitely stood out to me more than others, they all made a profound impact and i can see myself returning to this book time and time again to fill myself with hope and look at the words with a new perspective.
Thank you Convergent Books, Victoria Hutchins and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

A comforting & insightful collection of poems that will seep into your soul. It’s nostalgic & full of truths to help you believe in yourself again. Hope again. Hutchins is not afraid to dive into deeply personal topics from body issues to bisexuality. Truly a must read