Though I'm not a huge fan of poetry, this collection was really powerful. Shelby Leigh has a way of making every feeling jump off the page, so even if you haven't gone through the exact same scenario, you can understand perfectly how you would feel if you did.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

This poetry collection perfectly encapsulates the ups and downs of life. It makes you, at least it made ME, feel completely understood and seen. Each poem had a gentle reminder that even through the dark and hard parts there’s always a light and that we are deserving of love.

Thank you central avenue publishing and Netgalley for and earc of this book in exchange for my honest review

I absolutely loved this poetry book. Majority of the poems were about every day life and very relatable, I went through a rollercoaster of emotions while reading this and honestly it was needed. There is so much beauty in these poems, even the sad ones, I highly recommend reading

From Sand to Stars was a beautiful collection of poems that hit at the heart of many issues. Well organized and perfectly laid out, this is a must read.

From Sand to Stars by Shelby Leigh is a beautiful, grounding collection that gently explores the idea of time and how it shapes our experiences, growth, and mental health. This is Leigh’s fourth poetry collection, and it’s clear she’s perfected her voice, offering readers a soothing reminder to live in the present and find hope even in small, everyday moments. I’m giving it four stars because it’s both comforting and uplifting, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed by life’s pace or anxious about the future.

The collection is divided into three sections—Sand, Soil, and Stars—each with its own focus and vibe. Sand is all about that familiar feeling of time slipping away, feeding our worries and doubts. Leigh’s poems in this section capture those moments when life feels rushed or uncertain, putting words to the overthinking we all experience sometimes. Then comes Soil, a grounding section about nurturing self-care and joy. This part feels like an invitation to take a deep breath and refocus on what truly brings growth and happiness. And finally, Stars gives us a hopeful close, focusing on healing and finding light, even in darker times.

Leigh’s writing is simple yet profound, perfect for those moments when you need to pause and reflect. The way she breaks down big concepts into these three phases of life’s journey feels natural and relatable, making it easy to connect with her words. From Sand to Stars feels like a little guide to finding calm within the chaos of life—ideal if you’re looking for poetry that resonates with real-life experiences.

If you’re a fan of Leigh’s previous work or just in need of an inspiring reminder to slow down and savor life, this collection is worth picking up. It’s both gentle and motivating, and I can see it being one of those books you keep on hand to revisit whenever you need a pick-me-up.

Collections of poetry are often so difficult to review, as each individual poem needs to contribute to the overall thematic message or structural continuity. Unfortunately, this one fell a bit flat.

There were several individual poems that were stunning in their ability to drill right down to the core of emotion we all have at the base of our humanity. For example, my favorite line: "I'm so glad my body can still be used as a home for something, anything, because I don' tuse it as a home for me."

However, many of the poems felt quite trite or cliche, or stayed on the surface level of the experiences they hinted at. The inconsistency between the poems in this collection made it difficult to connect to, as there was a lot of disconnect between them from page to page.

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

The writing in this poetry book was beautiful, and I loved how it was split up. Some of the poems were very deep and moving, and I would certainly be interested in more by Shelby.

This wasn't quite the right collection for me. Recommended if you enjoy on-the-nose encouragement or collections like THE PRINCESS SAVES HERSELF IN THIS ONE.

I know poetry is subjective, and many seem to love this collection - which is great!- however, this was extremely underwhelming for me.

I found Leigh's writing and prose extremely trite, relying on cliches rather than delving deep into the themes they explored. I did not find inspiration or poignancy throughout, so it was overall disappointing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Central Avenue Poetry for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is full of touching poems and is exactly what I needed to read at this point in my life while I myself am struggling and working on my own healing. I liked how the book was broken into 3 parts almost like it's taking readers on a journey.

This collection has such a warm vibe—Shelby Leigh’s poems are like little reminders that even our messiest parts deserve love. The themes of self-love and growth shine, but the layout is somewhat cramped, making it hard to savour each poem individually. Still, the author’s note and all the vivid imagery brought it together nicely. Perfect for anyone dipping their toes into poetry or needing a pick-me-up to embrace themselves. Big thanks to NetGalley, Central Avenue, and the author for my ARC!

I loved reading this book of poetry! It felt so real and relatable. I loved how it ended on such a note of levity and hope. I look forward to reading more poetry from this author!

I’ve read more poetry this year than I have in my life, and I’m finding myself falling more and more in love with it. From Sand to Stars is a collection about healing, about loving who you are, being kind to yourself and taking care of yourself—while also forgiving yourself for all the times you didn’t.

I have personally related to this collection more than any other this year, and I can’t wait to dive into more of Shelby Leigh’s poetry!

(Thank you to Shelby Leigh, Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC)

This poetry collection was really nice to read, it had pretty artwork in the book as well as emotional poems focusing mostly on the journey of healing and finding the way back to loving yourself.

It has both sad poems that makes you think and also maybe relate to, and I find it really enjoyable how you can sense a pattern in the poems and how they flow into a unwritten story-journey where there’s more hope in each part of the book.

My only complaint is that the book could feel a little bit messy with the poems sometimes and it was hard to tell which poems were written to be read together or not at first, but that might just be me and not the author’s fault. Otherwise there is no complaints and the book is really good.

Highly recommend anyone who likes poems about healing and self-love to give it a read!

Shelby Leigh’s From Sand to Stars, her fourth poetry collection, is a gentle yet powerful exploration of time, mental health, and self-discovery. Known for her bestselling works Changing With the Tides and Girl Made of Glass, Leigh invites readers to embrace the present, nurture self-growth, and find hope in the journey. Divided into three sections—Sand, Soil, and Stars—the book cleverly reflects on the passage of time and the cycles of healing. Sand speaks to the overthinking and anxiety we often experience as time slips away, while Soil celebrates self-care and the joy we can cultivate within. Finally, Stars offers a message of hope and resilience, guiding readers to find light in darkness.

While the collection’s themes are deeply relatable and inspiring, especially for those grappling with mental health challenges or feeling disconnected, I did find the layout a bit confusing. A clearer separation between individual poems would enhance the impact, making each piece stand out more distinctly. Nonetheless, From Sand to Stars is a comforting companion for anyone seeking solace in the reminder that each new day brings the opportunity for joy and self-acceptance. If you’ve ever felt alone in your struggles, this collection will make you feel seen and understood.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher & Shelby Leigh for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have been really loving finding new and upcoming poetry artists and this is one that i will definitely be adding to my list of needing to add to my trophy shelf. I loved the illustrations and loved the way the authors mind told her stories!

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

A compelling collection of poetry about accepting one's self but simultaneously attempting to figure out how to exist in a complicated world when our very thoughts are incomprehensible? Relatable and connecting. Beautiful concepts separating the growth that happens within us, a slow change from the sand, to the soil, and to the stars

This collection is a total masterpiece because it talks about the reality - how people feel insecure, mostly about their appearances. This book is divided into three segments, beginning with WHAT the insecurities are, and ending with acceptance and HOW to deal with such insecurities. I liked how the relationship drawn from sand, soil and stars. The poet was like a guardian to me in this book, telling me how it's okay to feel low, but at the same time, motivating me. The language of the poems and verse were easy to understand, and hence any poetry beginning reader and pick this up.

Beautifully written! The emotions of all of the different sides of mental health were captured in such a brilliant light and so much truth behind each poem. The artwork that appear in this book was absolutely stunning and fit the vibe so well! So thankful for Netgalley and publishers who gifted this ARC.

"From Sand to Stars" by Shelby Leigh felt like like a warm embrace and about taking up space for yourself. Living in the moment and fully enjoying the present. Even if you feel lost, "the marathon against my mind", and you go through ups and downs, your life is never finalized and there is no right time or place. It is a personal poetry collection that is pretty honest about the seasons we go through in life.
The collection reasonated deeply with me, especially when it comes to loving yourself and growth.
"What a privilege it is to grow old". A sentence that should be ingrained in each of us. Because it is a privilege to grow old and move from one season of life to the other. Of course, it is not necessarily easy, but beauty can be found in all of it. I will definitely recommend this book and read more from this author.