Entanglements: 21 Poems on Love & Anguish

Entanglements is straight up a heartfelt compendium of honesty.For those of us brave enough to admit, we have all been, at some point or the other, the characters in these poems. Some of us will see our past selves mirrored in more than one poem, others have borne witness to friends and family who they will recognise peering at them through these pages, eerily sometimes. And that is the true beauty of this debut anthology of poems from author Charlene Flanagan.Her craft is visible, and I predict will get even more honed with hopefully more works in the pipeline. I pray she keeps diving deep, plumbing the depths of her psyche and imagination to reflect themes that seem so common so as to appear ordinary, banal even, until you get sucker-punched when you read one that sounds EXACTLY like you felt for that one person oh so long ago, or just yesterday for the first time ever. A feeling, that like every romantic every birthed or created since time began, you thought was unique only to you.Apt reading for every age, gender orientation, sexual identity or proclivity, this anthology is a rare gem as far as literary debuts go, and will appeal to all discerning English poetry aficionados. If you have ever been in love, trust me, you'll get it...so go get it now!Read this for the promising foundation I hope it will be for even more books from this author, poetry or prose, fiction or not. Entanglements celebrates lovers in a world that desperately needs more of them...now, more than ever.

Reading Entanglements: 21 Poems on Love & Anguish by Charlene Flanagan felt like an emotional rollercoaster, and I absolutely loved every second of it. This collection took me deep into the realms of love and heartbreak, bringing out feelings I didn’t even realize I had tucked away. Every poem speaks so intimately to the different phases of relationships—whether it’s the excitement of new love, the raw pain of a breakup, or the quiet moments of longing and reflection.One of the things I enjoyed the most is how each poem felt personal, as if it had been written just for me, speaking directly to my experiences. Poems like Start With Forever beautifully captured that bittersweet feeling of wanting more time with someone who makes you feel complete, yet knowing that it may never be enough. And then, you get to A Simple Prayer, and it’s like being given permission to heal—to forgive yourself for the love that didn’t go the way you hoped and to find peace again.What really made this book stand out for me was how relatable it was. I found myself pausing after each poem, reflecting on my own entanglements, and realizing that we’re all a bit tangled up in love and its complexities. Charlene’s ability to weave emotions into words is so natural and raw that it made me feel seen, as if someone had perfectly articulated the whirlwind of emotions we all experience but struggle to express.The collection wasn’t just about heartbreak, though. It reminded me that even in the messiness of love, there’s beauty to be found. Each poem is crafted with such care, making it impossible not to feel something—whether it’s joy, sadness, or hope. It’s the kind of book that you can pick up again and again, and each time, a different verse hits you in a new way.Entanglements felt like a companion—one that understands the complexities of love and loss. It was a comforting reminder that no matter how painful or beautiful our entanglements are, they shape us. This book definitely left an impression on me, and I know it’s something I’ll keep coming back to whenever I need to remember the power of love, in all its forms.

This book is raw with emotion. It will tear you open and pick you up piece by piece until you’re whole again.It is a heartfelt dedication to love and heartbreak.Your journey through this book will take you deep into the realm of romance that this author has so eloquently put into words.I’m hopeful that everyone who reads it receives maximum closure and confidence that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.My hopelessly romantic sister (the author) always see that.

A must read. Every poem is emotively and sensitively crafted. I've been relishing them in small doses since each work not only invites reflection but also offers solace, reminding me of the beauty and pain that come with deep connections.It’s an honest, heartfelt tribute to love and relationships, in all its forms, which I'm sure, will leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

I’m not much for reading and I find poetry hard to follow when it’s too philosophical, but the poems in this book aren’t just beautifully written, they’re easy to follow and extremely relatable.I highly recommend picking this up!😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

The author Charlene weaves a beautiful poetic journey traversing through various mileposts of real life relationships. Love it.A book of poems on love and heartache for all seasons.

Very well written. The writer has in some poems captured the true human emotions that one goes through. Enjoyed reading them...

I cannot express enough just how much I loved this collection of poetry! Charlene's words are so inspiring and full of feeling, and the beautiful photos intermingled within perfectly capture her words. This is such a lovely read to enjoy while you take a well-deserved break from the monotony of your day,There is something special about her words that resonate something in me; such meaningful, beautiful words that it impacts you some way or another. So much emotion stirred inside me reading her words. I will share this book and pass on the love, I recommend others to get their hands on this book because it is just a great beautiful book.I thank Charlene for writing this <3