This book was everything I wanted it to be: insightful, witty, and a blast from the past. I will be recommending this is to everyone this year

What a fun read! I am not quite a millennial (1980 - holla :)) but I am barely a Generation X-er. I feel so left out. Ha!

The beginning of the book was slow for me, and I did not love the lonnngggggg analysis on penmanship. But, once that segment was over, I really enjoyed the book.

There were so many relatable areas -- and I definitely felt seen. The segment on church, the analysis of Saved by The Bell (is there any wonder why boys of the 80s/90s may have looked down on girls?? They were told by TNBC that girls were dumb and shouldn't be taken seriously. Which by the way makes me super annoyed by those TV writers), the clothing choices, wanting to fit in, etc., etc., etc.

Many times, I felt myself reminiscing about my own childhood. I had a phone in my bedroom. With my own line!! But, sadly, we did not have cable or a pool. I drove a hunter green Grand Am and dresses in Abercrombie.

Man, this book was a trip down memory lane. And, it was definitely enjoyable. Also made me sort of wish this new generation, babies born in the late 2000s, tried a little harder to fit in and not stand out so much (as a mother of a 16-year-old, I wouldn't mind a little more JCrew and a little less angsty teen. :)

I really related to the author in many ways, and I had so much empathy for her.

I definitely enjoyed the audio version of the book more than the written version (the poems were a little long for me in the written version, easier to listen to on 1.25x speed).

I recommend this book if you'd like to take a walk down memory lane.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillian Audio, and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy of One in a Millennial in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was well written and well thought out. I really enjoyed the beginning part and came to some self/millennial culture realizations. Towards the end some of it felt more repetitive. It was definitely not the nostalgic, fun memoir I was expecting from the fun cover.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillian Audio for the audiobook ARC of One in a Millenial from Kate Kennedy. As a millennial woman, there was so much that was relatable in this audiobook! I was laughing out loud and nodding my head to the references to Limited Too, having a daybed, getting conned into a credit card at college football games, and AOL instant messenger (and so many more -- don't get me started on all the pop culture references). Kennedy also explores more serious topics, from mental health, beauty standards, diet culture, and validation to mass shootings. I felt seen while listening to this one and loved hearing Kennedy's authentic voice discussing both her girlhood and womanhood (and everything in between). While I think this would be a fun read with a physical book, I definitely recommend the audio version — Kennedy is a podcaster and did a fantastic job narrating the book. This one publishes on January 23, don’t miss it!

💿 One in a Millennial - Kate Kennedy

If you’re a Millennial, you NEED to read this. I laughed, I cried, I felt SO seen. I didn’t know what I was expecting when I read this, but I’m really glad I started the year off with this light, funny, easily connectable, memoir-ish book.

Every chapter had something I could identify with. I’m in the late end of the “millennials” as I was born in 1994 (yikes, 30 soon) but I still felt so seen by all of these memories. I loved Kate’s ability to laugh about how we grew up, reminisce about our favorites and least favorites in the 90s, 2000s, and today, and her ability to identify our “issues” and how that’s effected the way we are today. I connected with her stories and laughed with her, I was pissed at some of the bad things were blamed for, and I loved her story telling. I’ll say it one more time, if you’re a Millennial, this is a must!

Keep your eyes open for this one coming out 1/23! Thank you Netgalley, MacMillan Audio, and St. Martin Press for the early ARC copies!

This audiobook was completely engrossing and had me laughing out loud the entire time. Loved this one!

Look, just like Be There in Five, this isn’t going to be for everybody, but it certainly was for me! This is a collection of essays that covers a wide range of topics — from romcoms to going out tops to reproductive care. It has reflections from Kate’s own life, while also speaking more broadly to the things that shape who we are. There are tangents galore, so if that bugs you, maybe stay away.

My pop culture loves (much like my upbringing) don’t always overlap with Kate’s, and still, I just adore somebody speaking to their experience in a way that’s thoughtful and that places value on things we aren’t typically taught or encouraged to value. Have I ever even come into contact with an American Doll? Was I ever even allowed to go to a sleepover or slumber party? Will I ever fully relate to a white woman? No, no, and no, and yet this was a joy to read. Its more tender and heartfelt moments really landed for me as well. (I'll note content warnings for miscarriage, fertility, and school shootings.)

I’ll add that I’m so happy I held out for the audiobook because listening to Kate read this was truly a pleasure!

One in a Millennial brought back so many memories from my childhood. The hanging door beads, dial-up internet, and American Girl Dolls were some of my favorites then and I still look back fondly on getting a new American Girl Doll and accessories at Christmas and playing with my cousins. This does lean towards a memoir in my opinion. I do think this book is the perfect example of growing up in different times and how the things that your are exposed to really shape your character and outlook on life. Millennials are referred to as quirky and this definitely can help explain why. This leads me to wonder if any of us have ever had an original thought (lol).

I did not know that Kate had a podcast, but I definitely plan to look into it after this book.

I was pretty excited to read the book as I got an advance copy, however, I was quickly let down as the marketing of this book clearly says “it’s not a memoir” and it completely is.

The marketing team should take another look at the way the market this book before publication.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ah, the glorious '90s and early 2000s! The era of dial-up internet (I can still hear that sound 😆), American Girl Dolls, and the Spice Girls strutting their "Girl Power." Kate Kennedy's "One In a Millennial" is like a Time Machine back to those days when we rocked AOL Instant Messenger, donned our favorite "going out" tops (bejeweled everything), and navigated the maze of millennial life. So much cringe but it was so wonderful.

There is so much to unpack with this book. Part memoir, part reflection of pop culture in the ‘90s and ‘00s while breaking down the impact these eras had on her life growing up and shaping her mental identity. There is something to take away deeply from this no matter who you are but hits home for anyone who is in the millennial group or near it. To be honest I had not heard of Kate till this one but I am subscribing to her podcast as I loved her quirky and acute take on life through pop culture references. Girl after my own heart.

Kate, a pop culture aficionado turned podcaster, has penned a gem that's part humor, part heartfelt nostalgia trip. In this auditory treat, she dives into the quirks of growing up in a time when our biggest worry was remembering to sign out of AIM.

From poking fun at purity culture to delving into the profoundness of Spice Girl feminism (there are some fun facts that I never knew about like how they got their names), Kate weaves a tapestry of laughter, tears, and a whole lot of reminiscing. Her observations about millennial motherhood and the bittersweetness of being a child of that era hit close to home.

But hold the phone! Before you think it's all giggles and reminiscing, Kate dishes out some serious life lessons amid the laughter. She's not just cracking jokes about American Girl Dolls; she's tackling the complexities of celebrating the culture that shaped her and all of us. I loved her takes on how we romanticized the concept that women need a partner to feel complete instead of romanticizing the idea of loving yourself and getting to know who you are on a deeper level. So many great ideas throughout that chapter.

Now, about the brains behind this nostalgia-driven rollercoaster: Kate's no one-hit wonder. From inventing the remindoormat (genius!) to navigating the jungle gym of her career path—from market researcher to podcasting poetess—she's a testament to embracing your passions. Inspiring to me as I am going through these changes myself to explore my entrepreneurial spirit.

In a world where the norm is sticking to one lane, Kate's career sprawls across various playgrounds. She's proof that life's a mixtape, and you gotta groove to different beats to find your jam. Her journey from PowerPoints to painting rugs to pop culture punditry is as quirky as the subjects she covers.

So, if you're ready for a laughter-infused trip down memory lane and a side of life lessons served with a sprinkle of pop culture references, Kate Kennedy's "One In a Millennial" is your ticket. Strap in for a ride that's as sharp as an AIM away message and as heartwarming as a reunion with your favorite childhood doll. Cheers to the '90s and 2000s—the eras that molded us into the unique, quirky millennials we are today!

Kate, (God definitely spent) A little more time on you! 😁

Thank you to NetGalley and A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

Full disclosure: I don't listen to podcasts and due to a busy scheduling juggling work and family, and I don't have time to keep up with pop culture much anymore, so I had never heard of Kate Kennedy prior to this book. But as a millennial myself, I was intrigued by the title and description blurb, which led me to request an arc of this novel. I alternated between reading the digital version of the book and listening to the audiobook, which was narrated by Kate Kennedy herself, so I enjoyed that more.

I was very surprised by how much this book resonated with me and with how much in common I have with the author. From rehashing the trends of my childhood in the 90's (Yes, I was an American Girl doll collector), to experiencing a mass tragedy as college students (Her: The Virginia Tech Massacre; Me: 9/11), to later discussing the political issues that impact women today (See: Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson WHO), this book was a trip down nostalgia lane that connected how (many) millennials like myself evolved within the context of the socio-political-pop culture of our time.

Of course, like the author, I have the privilege of being a blonde white woman hailing from a middle-class suburban family. So her (and my) experiences highlighted in the book certainly do not speak to all millennials. That being said, it was meaningful to me, and I'm glad I read this book as my last of the year to reflect on the past as I move forward into 2024.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and Kate Kennedy for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I have never listened to Kate Kennedy’s podcast, but now I certainly will. I picked up this book solely based on the cover art and title but throughout this reading experience, I genuinely questioned if I AM Kate? I kept thinking of girlfriends to recommend this to but, at times, I’d think “maybe they wouldn’t really relate to that” but there was not one thing that didn’t hit home for me (though my college tragedy was the suicide of a partner I never truly dealt with/healed from versus Kate’s experience).
I feel this is a must-read for all millennial women. Seriously. Maybe not every topic/memory will connect as it really is a tailored memoir to Kate’s lived experiences, but anyone will find aspects to relate to and learn from. I already have a list of like 25 girlfriends I want to gift this to.
This book is sweet, nostalgic, and heartfelt. I laughed out loud and literally teared up. Kate narrated the audiobook herself and I loved it (again, I WILL be listening to this podcast now). At times, her emotions were so palpable, I wanted to cry with her and giggle with her in the giddiness of a silly memory or pop culture reference. Excellently done.
Highly recommend.

This was a good book about the realities of growing up as a millennial and all of its glorious contradictions.

From being taught from the time were infants how to people please to being brainwashed into thinking our 14yo belly buttons being exposed gave boys and men a valid excuse to mistreat us. We are caught in between following the traditional expectations of prior generations and the proudly be yourself mentality of those who are younger. All of that while trying to just make it paycheck to paycheck in a world that no one prepared us to navigate, simply because it didn’t exist before.

The author and I had many of the same experiences growing up, and a lot of the same feeling looking back on those experiences.

Some of these talking points were addressed briefly in the recent Barbie movie, but this book offers a more detailed look into the psyche and never ending list of struggles that face the average female millennial.

A fun memoir for any millennial that lays on the nostalgia thickly. Although I've never listened to the author's podcast, I enjoyed her story and how many aspects of our youth overlapped despite a few years age difference and growing up in different parts of the country.

My only negative comment is regarding Kate's narration - she spoke very quickly and I had to actually slow the book down a bit to be able to fully enjoy it. Usually, I'm opting to increase the speed so this was the first time I've had to slow the narration down. I'm not sure if this is how Kate is on her podcast but it was difficult to keep up with the story at time at 1x speed.

Thank you to Kate Kennedy, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for this advanced listener copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! Kate Kennedy's essays made me laugh, cry, and everything in between. I have never felt so seen as a "basic millennial!" Thank you to Netgalley & Macmillan Audio for the ALC. I can't wait to celebrate on pub day!

Wow. One in a Millennial had me from the start and I didn't want it to end! This audiobook is read by the author, which made the experience of listening feel like I was having a conversation with a friend about our childhood memories and how we became the people we are today. This book was my introduction to Kate Kennedy and I will definitely be looking into her podcast and other works. Before the book was even over I knew it was going to be at the top of my recommendation list for patrons and fellow millennials. I highly encourage reading this book for many reasons but what stood out the most to me is that I felt less alone in a world where disconnection is prevalent, thanks to connecting over 90s-00s nostalgia.

I received this audio ARc and it was such an enjoyable listen! This was a mixed bag, part memoir, part essay, part poetry. As a 35 year old woman, I believe I am the target audience as I found almost every single anecdote mentioned to be relatable content. It was nostalgic and fun to hear others with such similar adolescent experiences. And it brought up memories I had completely forgotten about!

First thing, in complete honesty, I don't know who Kate Kennedy is. As a millennial, I was intrigued by the title and synopsis. I was born in 91 and categorized as an elder millennial. I have never related to a nonfiction book so much before. We grew up very different however still went through the same things and same feelings. I had an American girl doll, loved the books, a day bed and an obsession with pop culture. This book was comforting to know that someone else went through the same things. Watching one generation end while the next developed. I think a lot of Millennials would enjoy this book and will definitely be recommending it.

I received a free Advanced Reading Copy via NetGalley in exchange for a complete and honest review.

One of the best books I've read in a long while!!

This is like reading my own memoir, but not in a relatable way, rather a redundant one. There are universal truths that all millennials know in our bones, and because of exactly that, they don’t really need to compiled in a book. I think this works really well as a time capsule. I wouldn’t be surprised if my (theoretical) children have it show up on a Sociology freshman seminar syllabus - “Millennials and the death of the American Dream.”

As an audiobook, I found Kennedy as a surprisingly robotic narrator. I’m a big fan of her podcast, so that was disappointing.

Note, I will not be sharing this review publicly until St. Martin’s Press addresses their very troubling role in perpetuating racism in publishing.