Over 100 poems covering passion, love, authenticity, hope, reality, and life.
I have loved poetry since a young age and relished this anthology. It is a truly special collection and I look forward to reading these poems over and over as favorites.

Lisa Confdon’s art breathed visual beauty throughout the pages.

Thank you to all the poets, James Crews, Brad Peacock, Lisa Congdon (for the gorgeous art), and Storey Publishing for granting me an eARC through NetGalley.

Whether you're a big poetry reader or not, Love is for All of Us is for you.

Tender, hopeful and so loving, from and for lovers, siblings, parents and children or just ourselves, these poems are pockets of warmth and community that I loved reading throughout this pride month.
The multiplicity of voices and themes guaranties there's something that will speak to you in this collection. They share the simplicity and mundanity of queer life and love in a way that just made me feel loved and seen, calmly and evidently.
This could maybe sometimes be considered cheesy, almost naive in some aspects, but it offers a quiet and peaceful place we need and deserve at times. Focusing on one soft moment at a time, taking a short break to acknowledge growth and change and beauty as it's not always possible in our daily lives.

3,75/5

This was fine. I’ve read better queer poetry that didn’t feel so polished and perfected. I’m not a Lisa Congdon fan, so when I saw she was credited for the art I felt a little deflated at reading this book. It felt like a money grab for white queer creatives.

A stunning collection of deeply moving poetry. An absolutely beautiful collection that lingers, moves, and resonates with love

I always struggle to review poetry collections, but I can say that Love is for All of Us is more than a collection about love: it is absolutely about queerness, and beauty, and family. Like much of life, and in this case LGBTQ life, it is tinged with grief and regret, but is also undoubtedly and overwhelmingly bright and beautiful.

Like many revered poets of old, the poets featured here often make use of nature for both setting and symbol. It would go well on a bedside- or coffee table, to be picked up and enjoyed at random moments, again and again.

5 Pride-filled stars

I LOVE this beautiful LGBTQIA+ poetry collection, edited by James Crew and Brad Peacock - and will be purchasing a physical copy for my shelves.

The illustrations throughout the book were done by one of my faves, Lisa Congdon. She is the perfect artist to bring together this anthology, with her penchant for bright colours and quirky wood-cut style drawings. It adds an extra level of joy to this book.

The poetry itself comes from a disparate representation of poets/writers/advocates (modern and elders) who identify within the alphabet family. The subject matter ranges through everything from self-love/acceptance, queer joy, friendship and community. Tying everything together, are the addition of essays entitled "Stories of Becoming" submitted on lived experiences from the community.

The whole package comes together to deliver welcoming/knowing hugs to all those immersing themselves into this experience of a book.

This collection of poetry is so easy to love. The ideas shared throughout are so heartfelt and lovely. I don't generally rrate poetry collections, but this collection had me from word number 1!! Such a lovely display of love and community.

This book is like the outstretched arms of a warm hug. It's many authors have varied voices, yet somehow evoke the same sense of beauty, nature, love for others and oneself. Most importantly this book makes you feel seen, wether you personally connect with each of the poems or not. In a world often divided by differences this book brings people together through the power of human connection and love.

Just on time for Pride, I wanted to highlight this absolutely beautiful book of poems on love from the queer community. I bought a copy to have on my shelf and refer back to some of my favorites. Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC. #queerpoetry #lgbtpoems #lovepoemsofinstagram #loveisforusall

This is so so sweet, I love so many of these poems and its the perfect antidote to these dark times. Hugely reccomend.

A beautiful, warm collection of pieces that everyone will find something in! Although I am usually not one for anthologies, short stories, or collections, it was easy to sit down and read through this whole thing in one sitting.

Vital reading in this current political and cultural climate. Powerful and comforting, I would encourage everyone to seek this out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a great and beautiful collection of poems focusing on LGBTQIA+ poets, and the main theme that ties all these poems together is love. When reading this collection, I could tell there was a lot of thought, effort, and love put into these poems. It felt very heartfelt, and I think this is something that could touch a lot of people.

I really enjoyed the use of drawings and colour throughout the poems, and the intercorpation of a few short essays from some of the poets. I was really able to see into that person's mind when I was reading them. As well, the order of poems flowed very nicely.

There were some poems that I personally didn't love but I enjoyed reading all of them. Poetry can be very subjective so it makes sense that not all of them connected to me, but there were plenty of poems that did connect to me that I loved and I found myself searching up some of the poets afterwards.

Overall, I would 100% recommend this book and think that it fulfills its goal as being 'poems of tenderness and belonging'.

3.5 ⭐️

Love Is For All Of Us
Poems of Tenderness and Belonging from the LGBTQ+ Community and Friends

By James Crews and Brad Peacock

Published on May 6 with Storey Publishing

**Warning: some select poems have suggestive language or content some people may choose to avoid.

I enjoyed the variety and different stories. I embraced seeing these different ideas and perspectives that they all shared with a glimpse of what’s in the mind and heart. A few quite out of my realm. There is something special with the realm of poetry and essays. Some a truly moving pieces. Overall, with openness you could enjoy reading this collection.

Thank you NetGalley and Storey Publishing for allowing me to read and share my honest thoughts.

Wow. Normally I don’t rate the non-fiction I read but I absolutely have to give this a 5 stars. This anthology was so beautiful and many of the poems will stay with me for a very long time. The dedication & foreword were very moving and made me feel connected immediately, and I loved the inclusion of help hotlines and donations towards The Trevor Project. The illustrations were beautiful. Each and every poem is so special and, (as someone who has never cried at a non-fiction book before!), I was even brought to tears by a good handful of them.

Here are a few personal favourite poems.

☆ Bonneville Bathtub
☆ Father’s Day
☆ DEAR SON
☆ A Reminder from the Stars
☆ HOW TO TALK ABOUT IT, 2016
☆ DEAR DAUGHTER
☆ NOW IS OUR TIME

This anthology touched my heart and soul. I cannot recommend it enough and can’t wait to pick up my physical copy! Thank you very much for this gorgeous ARC. 🖤

"Poems of tenderness and belonging" sums this book up perfectly. Each poem flows so well into the next. The organization and thought that went into the flow of how each poem ends where another starts to begin is immaculate. It really ties together this nature style poetry together quite lovely. The artwork and colors within the pages do a lot to add to the overall atmosphere of the poetry written as well. You can tell a lot of thought and love went into creating this poetry collection. I hope to see this on bookshelves everywhere, as it feels like an important light that needs to shine for all who need it.

This anthology was warm and tender. A beautiful collection of poems about love, acceptance, and all the different parts of the queer experience. I appreciated the different themes and stories included in this book showing the love and care put into curating this collection..

I believe this anthology is sorely needed in our times now--a reminder that love is for all of us.

This is the kind of book you want to keep close—not just during Pride, but all year round. It’s a reminder that love isn’t a privilege for a few, but a birthright for all. Whether you’re seeking solace, affirmation, or simply beautiful language, Love Is for All of Us opens its arms wide and says, “You belong here.”

A perfect gift, a perfect reminder, and a perfect read.

The arrangement of this book of poems into different themes relying on imagery was lovely. I enjoyed the transformative visuals of people as stardust, of change as a caterpilalr becoming a butterfly, and of love as the small things we do in our lives that have a lasting impact.

The vulnerability of these stories made me feel deeply, even moving me to tears on multiple occassions. My favorite poem of the set has to be 'Anniversary'. I also found the stories of becoming to be a good interlude between the poems, allowing you to stop and process.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, this was a lovely read. And thank you to James Crews and Brad Peacock for your inspiring stories of love, enduring all.

Very beautiful collection of poetry. It is great to see such representation in the queer community and be able to connect to queer love poems.