“Beauty is like a miracle, because it is created in the very act of naming it […] Beauty is a matter of faith (not a matter of fact).”

I received a free copy of this eBook from the author, via BookSirens, for review purposes.

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About the book

A woman receives a bouquet of flowers that wasn’t meant for her and keeps it, discovers a secret in the smoke of a cigarette, travels inside her body to wonder who she really is, deciphers her heartbeat as Morse code, and discovers the beauty hidden in the roots of the earth.

Like sparks of stories, these poems by Natalie Blunt are a healing balm.

Flowers by mistake is a carousel of contradictory emotions written with delicacy, melancholy and a bit of humor.

Her insightful verses delve into the secret life of women. They are songs about love, loneliness, betrayal, motherhood, pain, melancholy, the passing of time, memories and the joy of everyday life.

Each of her poems is a reminder of self-care, personal growth and self-love.

Amazon description

About the author

I [Natalie Blunt] grew up in California, lived in Denver for a couple of years, but have lived in Texas for over a decade. I miss the ocean breeze and the tingle of earthquakes. In my day to day life I am a mother, wife and writer. After attending a few creative writing workshops, my teachers encouraged me to publish my poetry written over several years.

Amazon author bio

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My Review

The Themes

This book covers a range of topics, largely under the themes of motherhood/parenting, marriage/long-term partnership, and domestic family life. That being said, I also found that many fell under the broader themes of purpose, identity, and mental health. I think the collection is relatable on a broad scale, without being so vague that it becomes meaningless. So that’s a thumbs-up, in my opinion.

The Writing

Most of the poems are quite straightforward. It could be said that they lack significant depth, but it could also be said that this is a deliberate artistic choice by the author. Her primary source for this book is her daily life as a wife and mother; the rituals and routines that make up most days. And within these regular, mundane tasks, the author takes the reader by surprise with glimpses of poignant profundity. Nevertheless, I do feel like there is room for growth with some of the less-developed poems.

The Illustrations

The illustrations dotted throughout the book are mostly beautiful flowers. They match the theme of the book and look very pretty.

However, it the middle of the book, there are a couple of illustrations (non-floral) that look fresh out of early-90s ClipArt! I’m sorry, but they look totally out of place. This might sound pernickety, but it was so jarring that it did – in my opinion – bring down the overall quality of the book.

In conclusion

Firstly, I’d like to congratulate the author on her debut poetry book. I think her words effectively create a dance between the mundane and the profound in a way that is very relatable.

Although not a mother myself (except of course for my two fur-babies!) I can definitely see how comforting and validating her poetry could be for readers who are parents or caregivers.

On top of this, the author shines as an example of overcoming self-doubt and courageously stepping into the vulnerable world of sharing your creativity.

The overall vibe of the book is “homey”, down-to-earth, with no added airs and graces. As a reader, I definitely felt the power of the emotional labour that the author has put into this work. It’s genuine and from the heart.

So, to conclude: I would recommend this book. I’d also be interested to see how the author grows and polishes her writing in future collections.

Goodreads rating: ★★★★

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