Courtney Peppernell

In the spirit of her bestselling series, Pillow Thoughts, Courtney Peppernell returns with a new, empowering collection of poetry and prose. From heartbreak to dreaming of and finding a new love to healing the heart to ultimately finding peace, the themes in this book are universal but also uniquely individual to readers. Just as moving and endearing as Peppernell's previous books, I Hope You Stay is a reminder of the resilience and hope needed after heartache and pain. The book is divided into five sections, with poems ranging from free verse to short form. These words are a light in the deepest hours of the night: Hold on. The sun is coming.

I Hope You Stay

Kendall McClain

Not bad, but I thought this was gonna be sad lesbian poetry but it was really just a self help vibe which I do not enjoy

Krystyna 

These little poems are like little golden nuggets that you want to carry in your pocket. I loved some more than others, but enjoyed them all. Some of them hit kind of hard, at least for me. Overall, the message from these poems is one of hope and perseverance, in life and love. This collection of poetry was like a best friend giving you words of wisdom. Out of what I've read by this author, this one is my favorite so far.

This collection felt like a motivational speaker stumbled into a haiku workshop. While the intended message of healing is clear, the execution made me yearn for actual Pinterest quotes – at least they rhyme sometimes.

Liana

Is it me or is poetry starting to be about the same things just written differently each time, not that this wasn’t a good book just something I noticed. I read this honestly because I was bored & had some personal stuff I wanted to distract my mind from but I kept losing focus so I honestly was but wasn’t paying attention. Loved the pictures though.

Ciara Janae ۵

illa

The writing in this is certainly beautiful, but imo it fails to sound like actual poetry.

Gabriel Noel 

ARC given by NetGalley for Honest Review

[3.5 Stars]
"I Hope You Stay" is a new poetry collection from Peppernell that deals with heartbreak, healing, self-care, and love. I've been a fan of Peppernell since I read the Pillow Thoughts series and I was very excited to get my hands on her newest work. I found the collection as a whole hopeful and sweet but some of the poems felt hollow throughout. I found her poems that seemed from personal experience shone the brightest while the others about "self-care" were trivial and the kind of thing you'll see in other poetry collections nowadays. 

While this wasn't her strongest book I still enjoyed my read and as always her soft and welcoming writing style.

Alexia

Thank you Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing fot the ARC!

This is an empowering poetry collection ideal for someone going through, or having experienced, a tough time —especially a bad break-up. They will feel understood and this book will help them see that, although some trials in life seem like the end of the world, they're strong enough to survive them.

Laura

I'm absolutely in love with Courtney Peppernell's writing. I'm so glad I stumbled onto her books.

Shannon O’Connor 

***I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***

once again ive fallen in love with Peppernell's writing. She is one of my favorite poets but she never ceases to amaze me. although prose is not my favorite she delivers it in such a way that makes me forget I don't love it. this collection will give you hope and remind you that your feelings are valid which we all need sometimes.

Jessica 

Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Tik Tok | You can find my review here.


  As always, a copy of this book was provided by the publisher or author in exchange for my honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.


I Hope You Stay is another solidly intimate and compulsively enjoyable collection of prose from Courtney Peppernell. As far as modern day poets go, Peppernell is one of the best and never fails to disappoint me in terms of quality and intimacy. If you are looking for something that makes you feel, then look no further than I Hope You Stay.

Be sure to pack your bags to go along with Peppernell on this emotional journey she's woven into words. 

I Hope You Stay fits refreshingly well with who I am and what I hope to feel whilst reading poetry. It is full of lines that strike me down in that aching way that only poetry or music can. Minimal little nods that hit bluntly against your heart. As the lines blur into pages, readers will feel their effect.

Looking back on I Hope You Stay, I've come to realize that this collection resonates with me because Peppernell does more than simply state emotions that parallel my own--she makes you feel it, too. Life pulses from every word. It aches. It coaxes optimism. It makes you feel. She eases us into heart-break and moving on; falling in love, and living, with an easy-going quality.

Like all good poets, she does more than compel you to read her words--she speaks directly to you. Each poem in I Hope You Stay leads into the next and fits a specific mood. Peppernell's words flow into a bigger picture, telling a story that is hopeful and honest. While there were a few poems in I Hope You Stay that felt repetitive or out of place, I still feel like this is an absolute must-read for the modern poet.

Peppernell continues to be a leader of the pack when it comes to her contemporaries. I Hope You Stay is another beautiful expression of life and will surely strike a chord within readers. It is simply beautiful.

I Hope You Stay

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