While overall, I did enjoy this memoir - I do think it came off a little surface-level. I think it helps to be pretty familiar with Dulce’s comedy, but even still, the first half of the book doesn’t present much info in terms of fleshing out her story on the road to being a comedian. Many of the stories do not come off very funny, but I’m sure the best mode to enjoy this book would be in the audiobook format (as I’m assuming the author narrates). I really enjoyed the last few chapters, in particular the insight on auditioning & her time spent on ‘The Daily Show’. But overall the memoir felt fairly unfocused and surface-level. This is definitely meant for big fans of Sloan’s work.

My many thanks to Hyperion Avenue, Andscape Books, and NetGalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

This book is like jumping on FaceTime with your friend you haven’t talked to since elementary school and having them catch you up on their whole life in the most hilarious way possible.

Dulce Sloan first caught my attention through her witty commentary on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. She held her own in the environment of political commentary and rapid-fire jokes on the show and I immediately became a fan. Additionally, I’m always happy to see a plus-size Black woman show up as her full self and be beloved because of it.

So I was happy to learn more about her life! Her struggle to make it in show business, her countless jobs (even one at a car dealership where her job was to steal leads from other car dealerships lol), and her fearless mother who is (sometimes literally) her partner in crime and unwavering support system.

Loved this memoir and can’t wait to see what else our friend Dulce Sloan has up her sleeve.

Funny, relatable account of a woman's life. Dulce was a child in a woman's body and had to grow up quick. She always wanted to be an actress but her teachers' bias and lack of opportunities created different paths for her. She became a comedianne instead and this has been her claim to fame. The book is told in her voice and she holds nothing back. It is entertaining and you find yourself rooting for her as read through the chapters of her life. It was a quick read for me and I would recommend it.

<i>Hello, Friends!</i> is a candid memoir of Dulce Sloan's journey on her winding and under-appreciated road to success, and the hustle and hard work she had to put in to get where she is today!

Her comedic talent for storytelling kept me captivated throughout, even when diving into strange and real topics including the banality of racism she faced, and continues to face, throughout her life. Interestingly, I felt that it read almost as though it's her side of the script to our conversation over drinks and tapas, getting to know each other and becoming besties as we share our life stories of dating, working, and general shenanigans that have brought us to where we are today. I suppose that makes it aptly titled in that sense!

Throughout her life, Dulce has had many experiences with people of all walks of life and always had a supportive mother who taught her from an early age to not take any shit. She shows us how she does just that in stories. Dulce keeps it real and sometimes even motivating, all while maintaining that comedic character she has come to be known for.

Thanks to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for the ARC.

Pub date: February 6, 2024

This was great to learn about Dulce’s life and career. I am family with her and seen her on the Daily Show and other shows like SNL and even on the red carpet. Seeing a plus size woman on the carpets and on tv and reading what she overcame and is still overcoming was such motivation for me. She has such a beautiful spirit and it came right thru the pages. I am looking forward to seeing her more!

fun and effective memoir by this awesome comedian (i first heard of her on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me). at points it drags a bit but it's very well written. thanks for the arc.

I love the Daily Show and Dulce Sloan is hilarious on this show! Assuming the audiobook is narrated by Dulce Sloan, I would HIGHLY recommend checking out the audiobook over the phyiscal book as I guarantee this woman makes the narration 10x more hilarious (if that is even possible).

It was really interesting to see just how hard she worked for her career and all the success she has thus far! I'm rooting for her so hard and I highly recommend everyone checkout this celeb memoir! There are a ton of laugh out loud moments! and some really great life lessons!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

I love a good memoir and Dulcé Sloan has written a wonderful and incredibly candid picture of her life.

She paints a vivid picture about being Black and the quotidian racism she has dealt with her entire life. One of my favorite stories she tells is how she absolutely dressed down the head of the theater department at her college - it was an excellent clapback moment. Dulcé also knows how to HUSTLE. This woman has worked so hard her entire life and shows how much time and work an overnight success truly takes.

I knew of Dulcé from her time on the Daily Show and as a panelist on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and truly enjoyed learning so much more about her and reading her voice. Her stories about all her relationships are not to be missed and at one point I just wrote "the audacity of men" for some of the absolute insanity she has gone through.

I read this whole book in one sitting and would heartily recommend for anyone looking for a great memoir. It's very fast paced, easy to read, and a great time.

I am a huge fan of Dulce Sloan, however this book feels...unfinished, or unpolished. I think it's likely something that works better in audiobook or in a live format,

There is a lot of Dulce's childhood and her lead up to her comedy career. It's funny, but I know that she's funnier.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

Description
WELCOME TO A COMEDIC TRIP THROUGH THE LIFE OF ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S MOST EXCITING COMEDIANS. MEET DULCÉ SLOAN, WHOSE LIFE HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY FILLED WITH LESSONS AND LAUGHTER. IN ADDITION TO DOING STAND-UP AROUND THE WORLD, DULCÉ IS A TRAINED ACTOR, SINGER, AND HAS BEEN A CORRESPONDENT ON THE DAILY SHOW ON COMEDY CENTRAL.

Dulcé Sloan’s first memoir is organized into essays from her life. From a childhood moving between cities, starting her own business selling toys at a Miami flea market, to being a Black kid in a predominately white school, she’s always used her masterful wit to challenge the status quo. Her purpose in comedy unfolded while navigating clubs and the set of The Daily Show. Have you ever dated an adult who roller skated, or went out with a mechanic just to get free auto service? Yup, she’s got that story for you. Her stories are both wildly entertaining and culturally resonant.

Publication Date: February 06, 2024

My Take:
I'll admit that I knew of Dulce' Sloan in passing, as I am not a frequent viewer of "The Daily Show." I was curious about her life, as I do find her viral moments humorous. I think this book is aptly titled, as it may be better consumed amongst people who are more familiar with her work-friends, if you will. That said, I did learn more about her, but not enough to call myself "friend."

I will admit that I was not familiar with Dulce Sloan before reading this book. I am certaintly a fan of hers now! Sloan is much more than a comedian she is also a thrilling writer. I laughed outloud at certain parts which lead to some strange looks from the people around me. I am excited to see what she does next in her career and hope that includes writing another book.

On the one hand, I love Dulce Sloan. On the other hand, most of this book was about her before she was an adult, and I felt like I was the wrong audience. On the OTHER other hand, I absolute LOVED every story she told about her kick butt momma.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

I loved dulce on the daily show on comedy central. I enjoy reading about her life. It was entertaining and kinda like you were sitting down to lunch with an old friend. I liked those vibes. Thank you Hyperion avenue and netgallery for this arc. #hellofriends #netgallery

I was so excited to get an early copy of Dulce Sloan’s book, because she is hilarious and I always want more of her comedy. That being said, while she is a brilliant comic, she is not a great writer. The book itself often felt disjointed and draggy, and often without a through line of one section to another. I will say, I’m betting that it will be better in audio (assuming Sloan narrates herself) as her voice will I think come through more in an audio format.

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for the review copy.

Pub date: February 6, 2024

I've enjoyed Dulce Sloan on The Daily Show and getting to hear her story in her own words was fun. This book had some good moments, though there were also some parts that dragged. This could be a good option for a nonfiction/memoir course in a high school

Dulce Sloan has had a really interesting journey to find success in comedy. With the never-ending support form her mother, Dulce worked hard to earn her success. As a child, Dulce moved around a lot and that experience helped her develop a low tolerance for other's nonsense, but it also gave her a lot of perspective (and material) to fuel her comedy. She worked all sorts of jobs and continued to have experiences that helped to make her a powerful force on stage. She has a wonderful conversational style to her essays and will absolutely read anything she ever decides to write.

I was lucky enough to win an e-ARC of HELLO, FRIENDS! by Dulcé Sloan through the PW Grab A Galley giveaway. Thank you for the early look, and have a safe and happy holiday season!