Give me a full fat life. I found some of these essays to be so amazing that they will stick with me forever, including that one. I want to be as big as I want and take up space and enjoy my life. Thank you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Overall, a relatable read, but the humor felt overdone and too much in the newly popular “hey girl” type of humor.

I loved this author's voice. It was like secret self-help, daring me *not* to read it. But of course, reverse psychology works, so I wanted to find out more. And then I felt like I was getting...dare I say, a bit FREE reading this? With Furbies and Beanie Babies, no less. I love this kind of humor and basically, unexpected self-improvement in this dumpster fire world!

You're Gonna Die Alone and Other Excellent News was truly delightful, funny and poignant - and I would highly recommend it.

Probably known best as the girl from TikTok who quit her job and went to Scotland - Devrie endeared her viewers with her wit, honesty, and encouragement.
This book was no different. Her essays about life and love and all the ups and downs that come with being a member of the human race will make you laugh, cry, and sometimes a mix of both.

Thank you Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

Love the way Devrie writes! I fell in love with her on social media and laugh cried my way through her amazing book. This feels like it was written just for the millennial generation the way it speaks to the reader. Definitely recommending to my friends!

Devrie's humor shines in this collection of essays about her life. She is so relatable and makes you feel seen with your own coming of age struggles. You experience all the emotions with her through every story she shares.

At times, I felt the phrasing was a little more descriptive or humorous than needed but I feel like that added to her personality shining through.

Devrie’s book is like a big sisters hug after a horrible breakup. She’s pulls you in with her witty wisdom that doesn’t talk down to you but cuts you to your core with the truth.

"You're Gonna Die Alone (& Other Excellent News) by Devrie Donalson sends a call to a millennial audience that clearly states: you are not alone. Donalson gathers her readers ‘round to tell us stories that we were convinced only happened to us. From Beanie Babies, studying abroad, losing a grandparent to losing foundational friendships, Donalson conversationally and intimately writes in such a way that you could imagine each shouted from the rooftops or whispered to you at a party. The poems and essays are confessional, funny, and warm and all echo: omg, me too!


Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing an e-ARC of this book!

I really felt that the stories and poems intermixed in this collection were completely original and offered something for everyone. It was very obvious that this author bared her soul and shook out many nuggets of wisdom and experience to share with the world and I found this to be brave. I really liked the voice that was presented and found this to be a fairly good read. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

If you’re like me, you know Devrie as the girl who ran away to Scotland and posted witty reels on IG. When I heard she got a book deal I was impatiently waiting for its release into the wild. YOU’RE GONNA DIE ALONE (And other excellent news), did not disappoint. The book bleeds her truth and wit. It’s a blend of poems and essays that are immediately relatable and funny. I found myself holding laughter in while I read at bedtime so I didn’t wake my partner and dogs.

This book is yet another example of how writing your truths are always worth it. To be human is to laugh and share stories, you never know who they will help.

Thank you netgalley for the Advanced reader copy.

I first came across the author through her Tiktok and was immediately interested when I saw her book. I’m so glad I decided to give it a listen. Devrie (after listening I feel like we are friends, on a first name basis for sure) covers a lot of topics and like most collections, some essays spoke to me more than others.

I really appreciated that she talked about the pain and grief of losing meaningful friendships. I don’t think this is talked about much but it’s so painful. I also really appreciated when she wrote about changing her beliefs in a really major way from the religion she grew up with.

Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley and Libro.fm for the free ebook and audiobook to review.

Unfortunately this book wasn't my cup of tea. Felt a little messy with the mix between poetry and essay style chapters.
The poems were lovely for the most part and some of the essay chapters were worth a read but overall not a book I would pick up again.

Devrie, truly, this book was wonderful. Your story about friendships ending rang so true and made me cry as I read it. I love you on TikTok/Instagram, and your book brought you even more to life. I loved the poetry, as well as the stories of life, love and loss. Please keep writing, because this was truly beautiful.

I, like many others, found Devrie Donalson via IG reels and was curious to see how her humor and quick wit translated into written form. There were quite a few sections and paragraphs throughout this essay collection that I highlighted while reading on my kindle (which I don't often do), so I feel like that is saying something about how much I enjoyed her writing. I think if you like essay collections, especially those with a dash of humor, and poetry, you will enjoy this. There were a few sections that got a little too wordy and self-helpish for my liking, but over all I thought it was a well done collection. I also liked that it was a mix of poetry and essays. The poems sort of introduced or moved you from essay to essay and were a mix of fun/silly and serious and thought provoking. They wove the essays together in a really unique way and gave the collection a little something extra.

Essays & Poems I enjoyed most:
Scotland, Grief & The Vibrator In My Grandma's Garage
An Ode to Cheese & Those Born Hungry
Loose Hands
Who Wants to Share Their Testimony? Who Wants to Face Who They've Been?
In Defense of Pigeons: The Case for Mercy
Meet Me in the Garden

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was in a bit of a book funk....not a drought because I had so many, but they just weren't hitting me at that moment. I requested this title, and it was granted. I'm happy that I was given the chance to read this. I felt "seen," in the best of ways and laughed more than once. I'm going to send one to my daughter when it's published, which is my highest praise.
#YoureGonaDieAloneOtherExcellentNews #DevrieDonalson #NetGalley

"You're Gonna Die Alone (& Other Excellent News)" by Devrie Donalson was a fun and relatable read. I felt like I was reading my own thoughts on the pages. The humor and authenticity kept me engaged, and I loved how it tackled relationships and love with honesty. It's a book that feels like chatting with a close friend, sharing laughter and life's ups and downs. Definitely a must-read!"

I am an old Gen X woman who is probably gonna die alone. I am in fact happy to be fabulously single. For real, have you looked around at most of the Gen X pickings. By now most of us have seen the Barbie movie. Until there really is a Black Woman president I don't see myself changing my outlook anytime soon.

With that out of the way I feel that I am not the right audience for this book. It's a little too whingey for me at times and I find the excessive use of footnotes annoying. I get that they are suppose to be fun but they would have been just as funny or interesting as part of the narrative.

This collection of short stories which range from quirky to emotional family drama will appeal to a younger generation than me. Especially people that are familiar with the author via her social media channel. For me it was mostly average.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Many funny essays and experiences that Devrie shares. The beanie baby content was very relatable as a millennial and imagining the future worth of these items then being disappointed! haha