Thank you NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book. Poetry is touch and go for me but I was very interested in reading about the Black lesbian experience. Some of the poems in here were really powerful but overall I’m appreciative of the transparency.

One learns best from one whose personal experience is recounted. The stories, poems and essays give glimpses into the lives of lesbians and the women who love them. Some are lauded, others are made to feel inadequate or abused by non-accepting parents. This is a great read. Gives insight into the thoughts and experiences of lesbians.

This book is incredible. As a non-Black lesbian, this anthology enriched my spirit, and expanded upon my previous awareness regarding Black feminism and queerness. It is a welcome and necessary addition to my personal queer canon.

Mouths of Rain is a necessary and enlightening sampler of Black lesbian feminist theory past and present. Like all anthologies, it has its highs and lows, though that may come down to personal preference; I especially enjoyed Pat Parker's "Sunshine," an understated yet beautiful declaration of love for her partner, and Bettina Love's "A Ratchet Lens," demanding respect for a misunderstood and much-maligned subculture. Overall, this collection is a welcome addition to any feminist's library and a must-read for those belonging to the LGBTQ and Black communities or allies seeking to enrich their understanding of our histories.

This is an absolute gift of a book. An anthology I’ve been waiting for, and what a gift it will be to place in the hands of my students. Briona Simone Jones organizes this anthology with such intention, foregrounding Black woman love at its beginning, including pieces that are empowering, sensual and affirming. Moving into Identity Politics and the The Sacred, this text stacks classic Black feminist writings alongside contemporary voices that show the parallels and developments of Black queer rhetoric in compelling and beautiful ways. I appreciate that this anthology includes scholars, community organizers, poets and critics—embracing the different ways writers influence our communities. An essential book, through and through.

This is a wonderful book, both insightful and diverse in every way: there are essays, short stories, poems etc. There are texts for anyone's taste in this lovely collection; lovely, but also raw and painful. As a lesbian, it was fantastic to learn more about different experiences of my own identity. "Mouths of Rain" is most certainly recommended!