A beautiful, somewhat haunting, and extremely relatable foray into the poetry genre. The contrast of page design as well pulls you in and leaves more of a memory than a more standard fare.

This was not my normal type of book but I loved it. It was quick to read but also makes the reader think about the world and people around them. Some very interesting and thought provoking poems.

“don’t strive for a different version of yourself./strive for a better version of yourself.”

I was so excited to get this email, so thank you to Central Avenue Publishing and Netgalley for granting my wish!

As always, I loved Cyrus Parker’s work. Their poems always feel honest and hit my emotions while I read. I highlighted so many passages while reading. I think everyone who reads this will find at least one poem to relate to. I thought the dichotomy of day/night, light/dark was very interesting and I can’t wait to hold a physical copy and see it in person. (my phone did weird things to the format so I don’t think I got the full effect but I’m excited nonetheless)

The poems in “coffee days whiskey nights” cover topics like body image, mental health, confidence, but also talks about growth and how things can get better even if you don’t feel you’re at your best. Highly recommend for poetry lovers.

It's not often that I read a poetry collection and feel it deep in my soul. I related to so many of these poems that I know I immediately need to purchase a copy when it's out in September.

Finding both the light and the dark, the hope and the pain in life is woven through the pages. Once I finished I immediately wanted to start reading again.

A truly wonderful collection that should be celebrated.

Thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for review.

First, I highly recommend reading this as a physical copy instead of an ebook. My copy blurred everything into what was essentially one long run on poem, and ended up having to read on my PC. And a big part of the poetry is seeing the contrasting poems, which is hard when you may not know where one poem ends and the next begins.

That said, I really enjoyed this. The poems were deep and meaningful, and written beautifully. It was a bit short, even as poetry books go, but that's better than cramming in poems that don't seem to match the theme the author was going for.

"On bad nights, i fill a glass with whiskey and let my fears and nightmares singe my fingertips the same way the first sip ignites my every nerve...."

This was my first Cyrus Parker read and it certainly not be my last. His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket. They ignited my heart and I couldn't stop reading. The emotions that I felt were simply put....like the first sip of a cup of coffee. I finished this book in one sitting and my only compliant is that I wish it were longer !

Poetry will always hold a special place in my heart. It's the breath of fresh air that I crave when I'm feeling a bit dark. I was drawn to the title of this book and I knew this is what I was craving. and this is the next poetry read I needed. I have already recommended this book to two people and I won't stop there ! 5/5 stars

Cyrus Parker’s poetry just hits me in a very particular way. Their poem about being a contradiction felt so very like me. I also really like (feel weird using that word…) the way they describe their gender dysphoria and talk about their skin not fitting them. It’s not exactly how I’d describe my own feelings, but it just feels perfectly written and just hits me in the best way possible.

This poetry book is out of my normal comfort zone, but I really enjoyed it- its relatable, absorbing and a fresh, interesting take on identity as well as finding peace and contentment, which really spoke to me. Will definitely be reading more by Cyrus Parker in future!
Thanks for Net Galley and Central Avenue Publishing for the free ARC of the ebook of this title.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this poetry collection. I liked the fact that the poems were short, so it was a fairly quick read. It was both thought provoking and relatable.

All in all, I found it to be a beautiful and moving collection from Cyrus Parker. I am looking forward to reading more of his work in the future.

Cyrus Parker's poetry is beauty and love and hurt and hope and self loathing put in to words. Words that many of us feel but few could express. This poetry book has a running theme of day vs night and light vs dark, and the contrasts are very well done. The author is also incredibly honest about their struggles with gender and self and this is a good poetry collection for anyone who faces similar struggles. I'll be buying a paper copy of this book when it gets released.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this poetry. Unfortunately, it fell a little flat for me. I like poetry because it usually is very inspiring, but this did not do much to inspire me.

I saw only today that I got access to this book so thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this book.
I finished it in one go my usual preference for poetry collections.

Cyrus Parker managed to take a concept I was only thinking of yesterday into a beautiful collection that spoke to me like nothing else in quite some time. As a fellow non-binary person the describtions about not feeling home in ones body or the anxiety is too common for me. It was very well done!

I loved the way the book is designed with the black and white pages to further push the night and day image. Overall highly recommend and I am excited to purchase the book when I see it in stores. Thank you Cyrus for writing something so important.

Stars: 3/5

Thank you for a free copy in return for an honest review.

I was able to zoom through this in about 20 minutes and it really freaking hit the nail on the head about how I feel/ felt about my body. I've made a lot of improvements and rather than making me return to such a hard time, I found it somewhat reflective. I forgot where I came from. I now realise my progress and for that, and how much it touched me, I thank Parker and give the stars.

That said, occasionally I didn't understand or I was slightly underwhelmed/ indifferent... which happens - y'know, you have to really connect with a poet to understand their poetry.

RECOMMEND: for those interested in a quick poetry read on body image, self confidence and mental health

WARNINGS: discussion of depressive feelings and body dysmorphia

I thoroughly enjoyed these poems. They were relatable and great. I liked it a lot. I liked the exploration of different topics and all I can say is that this is like a fine cup of coffee on a soft sunny morning. It just works and I’m feeling content and happy after reading it.

Cyrus Parker's writing gets better and better with every single book. I am in absolute awe of this collection. Incredibly hard hitting, had me in tears on more than one occasion. Relatable, too, as a trans/non-binary person.

This book was received as an ARC from Central Avenue Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I could feel my heart strings pulling right out of me while reading some of the poems in this book. Anyone can relate to the pain and struggle expressed in these poems even if you are not LGBTQ. Everyone has a struggle and sometimes it takes a little coffee and whiskey to settle it down. Also, a lot of our readers will be drawn to this book because of the poetry, short writings and the expressions throughout the books that just may leave you to tears. Even though this book was not what I expected, I really did enjoy it and I know our patrons will too.

We will consider adding this title to our Poetry collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Cyrus Parker floods the page with beautiful words and powerful experience. I loved the cadence of this work, and the portrait that unfolded page by page, reflecting life and the importance of a person’s story. Lovely and literary, a highly recommended read.

I related a lot to this work of poetry, the ups and the downs, and found myself tearing up a few places and running several highlighted phrases throughout the book. The author has captured well that feeling of up and down and the ways they can change quickly throughout the day. I found myself rereading phrases here and there as I highlighted them, and considering them within the context of my own life.

It was a brief read, with depth and I found myself wishing was slightly longer.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for this review.

I didn’t even know I needed to read this until I finished this book. Reading a book of poetry on an e-reader is not ideal in the slightest, but the words that Parker was able to string together were all a reminder of the simple things in life like coffee and enjoying the feeling of being. It was a reminder that even in the low points of yourself, you can rise and bloom and be you. This wasn’t the most spectacular writing or poetry I’ve ever read. It was simple and a little cliche, but at the end of the day it brought me comfort reading it. It was like talking to your best friends from high school, something you revisit when you need a little pick me up and piece of hope. I really recommend you guys check this out when it comes out in September. It was something special.

I didn't even know I needed to read this until I finished this book. Reading a book of poetry on an e-reader is not ideal in the slightest, but the words that Parker was able to string together were all a reminder of the simple things in life like coffee and enjoying the feeling of being. It was a reminder that even in the low points of yourself, you can rise and bloom and be you. This wasn't the most spectacular writing or poetry I've ever read. It was simple and a little cliche, but at the end of the day it brought me comfort reading it. It was like talking to your best friends from high school, something you revisit when you need a little pick me up and piece of hope. I really recommend you guys check this out when it comes out in September. It was something special.