Make Believe

Poems for Hoping Again

By: Victoria Hutchins

Narrated by: Victoria Hutchins

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • An exquisite poetry collection from the creator of The Daily Victorian that celebrates the hidden versions of ourselves, and unveils the healing power of nostalgia, imagination, and hope

“This is for anyone who doesn’t see deep feeling as a bad thing but would appreciate a warm and talented companion while they do it.”—Mari Andrew, New York Times bestselling author of Am I There Yet?

Maybe you're not old enough yet to believe in fairy tales again. But you can take a walk with optimism. You can hear her out when she tells you the universe is conspiring in your favor, and can keep your eyes peeled for signs that she’s right.

Victoria Hutchins’s debut Make Believe is a reclamation of wonder and an invitation to return to childlike joy, wielding nostalgia and memory as lenses to imagine a fuller life. These poems pave a path of reconnection to our bodies, our past, our desires, and our wonder—beckoning readers to discover a world worth holding on to.

Make Believe is for anyone who wants to take back the narrative of their life, whose body often feels like an enemy to their soul, or who might be struggling to stick around. This bookwill inspire readers to go out looking, heart in hand, for joy, purpose, and healing.

With Hutchins’s trademark sensory and evocative language throughout, Make Believe contains both viral spoken-word pieces and never-before-shared writing. Ultimately pointing readers toward transformation, Hutchins invites you to imagine: What would happen if you allowed yourself to believe again—in dreams and miracles, but mostly in yourself?

Critic reviews

“For anyone in search of wonder, hope, or just an understanding voice, Make Believe is a heartfelt exploration of the human experience.”—Whitney Hanson, bestselling author of Home and Harmony

“The world is so blessed that Victoria Hutchins chose a creativity-driven life for herself, because her first book is so clearly born from someone who thinks, believes, feels, remembers, dreams, and alchemizes creatively. This stunning debut is for anyone who doesn’t see deep feeling as a bad thing but would appreciate a warm and talented companion while they do it.”—Mari Andrew, New York Times bestselling author of Am I There Yet and My Inner Sky

“Poignant, imaginative, and healing, this work is a timely reminder of life’s wholeness. There’s a rhythm to this book I quite like, a rhythm that reminds me of the rhythms of life.”—Morgan Harper Nichols, author and artist

“A sparkling, riveting gut punch.”—Lyndsay Rush, USA Today bestselling author of A Bit Much

“Make Believe is the book that both my inner child and my adult self needed to read. When they say that the poets will change the world, this is exactly what they meant. Hutchins writes in such a way that you truly feel as though you are hearing from a dear friend. And that is just what this collection is—a sacred friend to all who need it.”—Brianna Pastor, author of Good Grief

A needed bit of hope in the dark

I have followed Victoria on Instagram and Tiktok for a long time, and her words have always been so raw and encouraging and needed. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to read a whole book of her poems, especially as narrated by her - I feel like you can never understand poems so well until you hear how they were written in mind. Such a gorgeous book and well worth every second!!

You understand me

This book really just hit a lot of my heart strings I listen all the time

Beautifully melodic

Pre-ordered this last year and received it as an audiobook today, listened to it and cried 😭 it gave such a beautiful outlook on life and helped me within my own grief in a way.

Refreshing!

I love that the author read this herself. Her words are awakening and refreshing. I hope there is more to come.

Joy, tears, wonder, magic, wisdom!

Joy, tears, wonder, magic, wisdom - and that was just in the first few pages. I cannot recommend this book enough! It was raw, vulnerable, and beautifully written. If you want to feel all the feels and believe a little more in magic again, this is the book for you!