The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One (Women Are Some Kind of Magic, #3)

The third installment in this series uses the mermaid archetype to chronicle the reclaiming of autonomy after trauma. The poems address the physical and emotional residue of sexual assault, the silencing effects of abusive relationships, and the difficult process of literal and figurative vocal recovery. Lovelace divides the collection into sections that track a progression from losing one’s voice to using it for self-advocacy. The text includes a section of guest poetry from various writers who contribute their own perspectives on survival and healing.

This collection is written for survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma who seek a window into the recovery process. Readers engage with these poems to find a shared vocabulary for experiences that often feel isolating. Instead of abstract metaphors, the book provides a direct look at the anger and victory inherent in taking back one’s narrative. The reader finishes the book with a framework for viewing their own survival not as a secret to be kept, but as a foundation for future safety.