Simple, direct advice on living your life to its fullest given by one of the stars of 'Say Yes to the Dress'. Excellent for women who are past 50 as it helps us see age is just a number and we still have a lot to achieve and even more to offer in this life.

Star of TLC's Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, Lori Allen is a survivor and a thriver. She gives you advice on how to take the next step in your journey in life. I love Lori, and her story, and she uses her life story as inspiration for you to live your better life. I absolutely loved this book!

RATING: 4 STARS
2020; Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins

I enjoy watching Say Yes to the Dress, but I LOVE Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta. I even watched the Bridesmaid version, even though Lori wasn't on it as much. Lori has great presence on screen, one that is of a straight shooter, but also compassionate with the brides. The way she stands up for them, really draws me to the show. Her friendship with Monte, and Monte himself, enhance the experience. The chemistry between the two is real and their friendship is one that most strive for. I also like Flo, Robin, and everyone else that woks there. It really has a family feel. If I had a wedding and the money, I would want to go to Bridals by Lori. I just love that family feel, with southern sass. If there was ever a movie based on the Lori's life I can see Reese Witherspoon or Miranda Lambert in the main role.

I remember when Lori revealed she had breast cancer, it was difficult to hear. Lori has always made the audience feel like they are part of her life. I watched the special episode of what she went through and it was great to see her share her experience. I wondered if she would ever write about her experience, and low and behold she has! As soon as I saw this was available for request on Edelweiss, I clicked on "request" a few times out of excitement. Then I saw that Lori was the narrator for the audiobook so I decided to wait till my library got it. It was around this time, NetGalley decided launch an audiobook option, and YAY this was available for request. THANK YOU, Thomas & Nelson (HarperCollins) for approving this request and making my day.

Today at work, I finished my audiobook and needed something different. I remembered I still had to listen to this book so I decided to try it. Reading/listening to this memoir/self-help book was like reading a Fannie Flagg book. It is SO southern in all the good ways. While Lori talks about her personal life, this isn't a biography in any sense. After surviving cancer and a bad fall, Lori started to get a new attitude about life. Just because she is now 60, does not mean she needs to retire and retreat from life. In fact, this is a great time to plan the second part of your life - she uses a cookie as an analogy. She goes on to highlight how we can make the most of our life. Self-care is not about indulging in selfishness, but taking care of ourselves and being the best we can be. Lori gives advice on several issues, and a lot of it is for women in their 60s and 70s. Yet, like Nora Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman, I related well to this book (and I am in my 40s, and 20/30s for Ephron's). For me, it's like having an older friend share her life experiences in order to give you insight. And, some of the chapters, like aging parents, apply to me at my current age. It's a fun comforting read. If you have seen Lori's show, that's what you get in this book. If you haven't, maybe try the audiobook and see if she is your cup of sweet tea.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook and audiobook from the publisher through Edelweiss/NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

Unfortunately I was to late to download my review copy, but I think It would have been a great to listen to Lori since I love watching her show.

Say Yes to What’s Next audiobook, written and narrated by Lori Allen, left me wanting to know more from this amazing inspirational book. It’s chock full of great information for All women , of all ages!
My younger self would have LOVED to have had this terrific tool and advice in which to guide me.
My current self was wowed by her enthusiasm, advice and experiences in life.
My future self will surely put into practice her suggestions on the value of mentorship, self esteem, self care, funding and finding a happy and meaningful life, including your passions!
Lori is very candid and emotional in her dialog that I connected so much with. Her candor, self esteem and energy truly should be shared with many.
I was not comfortable with the ”cookie” reference to ones life. I found that reference awkward.

I actually really loved this book and went to listen to it half heartedly. Wow, was I pleasantly surprised as I know you will be.


Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Publisher and Lori Allen for the advance audiobook copy.

Listening to the audio version of this book, I find the pieces of advice here very fascinating. It is probably because I am practically listening to the life lessons of the author herself.

Her experiences as she narrates on her book resonate with so many women these days. This book really feels honest and candid.

I listened to this on audio and I have to say I love that Lori narrates it herself. Unfortunately I am only 25 and not the targeted audience of 40-60 year old women, however, I loved listening and learning regardless. I've been able to start thinking about things that I hopefully won't have to think about for a while but its always good to be aware of what to expect and that puts me ahead the game for the future. I loved learning more about Lori's life. She would get choked up at certain parts and hearing her emotion brought me to tears several times. The only "uncomfortable" part of the book was the way she referred to life as her "cookie", it always made me thing she was talking about something innapropriate.

What a great book for women to read! I knew when I heard Lori Allen was the author I had to get the audio book, though normally not my favorite format. Delivered in her normal, no nonsense, sassy way made listening to this book a joy. She covers many tough topics in a way that makes you sit up and take notice of things we do and don't do! I loved her courage in discussing her own health issues. I will be recommending this book to many women!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my voluntary honest review.

Here it is! My first NetGalley Audiobook review! As I've mentioned before, I'm not great at podcasts or audiobooks, so the fact that I finished this one fairly quickly is really saying something. "Say Yes to What's Next" by Lori Allen is all the advice and tips Lori has for women in their 40's and up for this next stage of their life. Known for her show "Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta" on TLC, Allen shares some of her tips from her business, her battle with breast cancer, and her faith.

Allen's book is a delight to listen to. I know I'm not the target audience, but I love any wisdom I can soak up. "Say Yes to the Dress" is one of my favorite TLC shows, so I was familiar with Allen walking into the book, but hearing her story was so much more than I expected. Allen's voice really added impact to her tips and wisdom throughout and I loved hearing her thoughts directly from her.

I also love that Allen peppered her faith all throughout her book. Some authors do what is popular or what will sell. Allen brings it up over and over again and you can tell she mentions it because it's actually engrained in her life.

I gave this book 4 stars! It was fun and helpful, full of knowledge. Allen is easy to listen to and feels like a friend. If you have a long drive or a massive pile of laundry, I would recommend giving this book a listen. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Although an interesting story, I was not the target reader for this book. I'm in my 30's and I think this book is much better suited for someone more seasoned in life. I couldn't relate to the book - but it was no fault of the author.

I received an excerpt of the audiobook version of this book. I definitely enjoyed it but would love to hear the whole thing.. Because I only heard a small portion of the book I don't think it would be completely fair for me to formally review it. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this excerpt from this book. This is my genuine opinion of the audio book portion that I have listened to. It definitely made me want to read the book in it's entirety.

As feisty as ever, Lori Allen inspires in this honest and inspirational book. Neither breast cancer or broken wrists can keep her down for long.

I'm not usually fond of the idea of 'self help' or 'advice' books but as an avid fan of SYTTD, in all its locations, I wanted to know what Lori Allen had to share that could possibly be of use to women heading towards a 'certain age'.

I loved that she narrated this audio book herself, it certainly helps the listener believe that the pearls of wisdom bestowed are indeed what Lori lives.

The areas where self-worth, self-care and financial literacy was highlighted were probably my favourites, alongside those of advocating the continuing of education in whatever interests individuals. As a teacher, I find this paramount in helping feelings of self-esteem and self-worth.

There were also times where there was more than one tear in my eye and this surprised me... Pleasantly so!

Lori, thank you for letting us into your life, sharing your journey through difficult times, which I don't doubt was done with extreme grace and more than a touch of class!

Say Yes to What’s Next
by Lori Allen
September 16, 2020

I have not yet tuned in to watch Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta. After reading this book by Lori Allen, the energetic bridal expert and salon owner, I plan to do so soon.

In my opinion, the book focused more on Lori’s experiences and less on how to navigate the tough issues women face as we age.

I was hoping for suggestions about reinvention and fulfillment in the next phase of my life and, although entertaining and overflowing with Lori’s effervescent personality, this was not the book.

The content trended toward her life and less about ways to develop a passion, purpose, or potential. I found the book to be heavy on personality and light on ways to "makeover your life."

I am such a fan of Lori and Say Yes to the Dress, so I was thrilled to get an advance copy of this audiobook sent to me by Netgalley and Thomas Nelson, W Publishing! I loved how Lori narrated the book herself because it made everything more personal. During this pandemic time, this was a great read because it encourages you to take advantage of every moment and not wait for life to happen to you. Such a cute non-fiction read!

I am a big Say Yes to the Dress fan and thought I would be a big fan of this book because of that. Unfortunately, it was incredibly boring. I love listening to Lori and love her as a person, but I wasn’t terribly interested in things like beauty tips and tricks.

I loved Lori Allen reading her own book. Her personal emotions came through in each word. While I’m slightly younger than the target audience, this book is feed for thought for my future. I especially liked challenger two about self-care.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

"Perhaps you were brought up to think women were not supposed to get involved in household finance, that money was a man's domain. That attitude was common enough back in the day, but it went out with Brittany Spears' cutesy pigtails, or it should have. And for the same reason. It was never a good look for you or for any grown woman. It's also wrong. Guys are not inherently better at money management than we are. There are no finance genes and they don't hang out on the Y chromosome. Money savvy isn't male or female. It just is."

Y'all, I'm a recovering Texan, and I can't talk to anyone after listening to Lori and her Georgia accent or they will be asking me "girl, where you from?" (It happens when I talk to my cousin, even though I "lost" my accent a LOT of years ago.)

"Go with fewer clothes, better clothes: If the clothes you're weeding out of your closet (and you are weeding out your wardrobe, aren't you) are primarily inexpensive faddish pieces whose time has come and gone, rethink how you shop."

I used to watch all the HGTV, all the Say Yes shows, all the Lori and Monte, so I was thrilled to get the audio of this book from netgalley, narrated by Lori herself. This is a mixture of autobiography and self-help. Like a true Southern lady, Lori tells it like it is without being mean-spirited. She tells us about her struggles with her business and with breast cancer, as well as her successful marriage and relationships with friends and family. She sprinkles some applicable Bible verses throughout without preaching religion.

"Self care isn't something you do. It's a collection of habits that become routine."

I'm not quite in the target age group for this book, but found that some advice was universal (don't let yourself go and maintain a group of friends) and really important (take care of your health and take charge of your finances.) There were some generalizations and things that I didn't love but couldn't fault her for. For example, something about her relationship with her DIL rubbed at me, but as someone who had a terribly presumptuous manipulative interfering MIL, I'd rather see women err on Lori's side than the "I'm just helping" by messing up all your stuff side.

"Having a husband is not the same as having a financial plan."

I'm in financial planning, so I'm always worried what kind of financial advice someone is going to give. Lori does a good job in the "Girls Just Want to Have Funds" section. She doesn't try to cover it all (who could in a chapter) but gets the message across that I wish every woman would hear.

"Stepping in to your big girl panties is never easy...It's common for women...to admit that they know nothing about finance. What's disappointing is how many are still disinclined to learn. I hear women say, "I'm just not good with money." As if that's an incurable permanent condition, like herpes? Why would you be okay with remaining deliberately ignorant about something so important? Why would you be content with being illiterate forever, blowing it off because you've decided that you're not good at reading?"

Even if you don't know who Lori Allen is, she will give you some laughs and tears in this audiobook.

I volunteered to listen to this audiobook through netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. I adore Lori Allen as a person. So listening to her book is a treat. She tells it like it is. Her book is good, she is a great narrator. This audiobook is in stores now for $20.99 (USD). I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

I really enjoyed this.
I did find the religious input throughout problematic as I am non religious. I found some diet/fashion rules problematic as well as cookie cutter Marriage advice.
However Lori has such a beautiful story and such a lovely way to retelling that story. The chapters about her cancer journey were truly emotional.
I think this book would be perfect for the target audience.