Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I do not believe Love Lessons was for me -- some of the writing simply did not click, while others were a little disjointed in a way that made it hard for me to follow.

However, one poem I did quite like was Stepson. It was rather sweet and loving, and touched on a form of parenthood that feels very yearning: close, but tied with ribbon instead of sinew. Something that, in writing, feels like it could break.

Overall I wouldn't say this was my favorite poem collection ever, however Mary Ellen has written something that creates a connection to the reader.