This was so good. A lot more people need to be reading this. “Loud” serves as an energizing call to action for self-advocacy and the dismantling of outdated societal expectations. 100% worth the read!

Drew. Never. Misses. PERIOD.
Not only is she someone I can look up to, but I take what she says to heart and she is SUCH an inspiration for me. I’m not normally someone who really values opinions or works from influencers or content creators but if Drew’s in on the creation or a part of it…I want it *grabby hands*

If you don't follow Drew Afualo on TikTok, your FYP is doing you dirty, because Drew is a delight. I mean, for me, anyways.  Not so much for the ignorant, the misogynistic, the bullies, the shit talkers. For them? Drew is - or she should be - the absolute last person they hope to see.

And she revels in it, as is obvious in her book Loud: Accepting Nothing Less than the Life You Deserve. The book is rooted in her work on her platform (8 million strong & growing on TikTok), but also serves as both part memoir & part advice column. She manages to weave the three parts together quite adeptly, so that I was definitely left with a new & deeper understanding of both the woman & the activist.  Because make no mistake - the work Drew is doing is social justice work:

“I've put it into the world as your emotional support guide to help you in your journey toward decentering men.”

"Humor, I realized, was the gift I could share w/every woman and femme out there who was over it, just as much as I was.  If comparing these dudes' teeth to the doors of a haunted house could bring, at the very least, a snap of joy into someone's day, while possibly having others question why these men have any say in how they feel about themselves, then I would gladly crack jokes all day long."

"If terrible men are going to disrespect your boundaries, regardless, you might as well come out swinging."

Drew isn't using her formidable voice (and signature laugh) to just randomly destroy men on the internet, though some certainly see it that way. I would argue that that is a very surface-level take, and that they should read this book, because Drew is very clear about the feminist intentionality of her work, the community she's building, & the impact she hopes she is making. She talks about her time as a 'Pick Me,' and how she recovered from that stage of chasing after misogynistic men's approval, a stage of her growth I found particularly surprising.  I've never really hit 'Pick Me' levels of desperation  over men, but I've certainly been in situations and stages of my life where I was being less than my whole self, in response to/fear of the actions of the men around me, and I found it relatable & inspiring for her to discuss what went into her breaking out of that toxic pattern of behavior, and how she moved into her current attitude towards chauvinistic men & their awful actions. Which, I don't think it would be an overstatement to claim, are anti-pick-me; a 'Reject You,' if you will.

Drew's voice is in every paragraph of the text, and the book is also available in audio, so you can authentically have that experience, should you choose. The whole book is like listening to your best friend's older sister tell you stories -> The one who knows which teachers to avoid when you get to high school, and won't let her sister borrow her clothes, but will show up randomly & drive you both to the mall, on a Saturday, for no reason. Which, considering Drew is 17 years my junior, is quite a trick to pull off.  But I'm a big sister, and I recognize the wisdom of one when I hear it.

In fact, Drew is the middle child (of three), a Virgo (and vocal about it), & talks a lot about how one of her biggest wins - her platform - came about only because she lost what she considered her dream job. Her discussions about her family - her breadwinning, hardworking, confident mother; her supportive & professional athlete dad; her actual big sister & BFF, a bit shier that she, but just as kind & caring; and her little brother, who she sometimes takes a lovingly poke at, but what kind of sibling would she be if she didn't? - really highlight her core values & why she has the inner strength she embodies so clearly in her work. Recently, for example, Drew took a break from her TikTok, and talked openly about how she was struggling with her mental health, and that inner knowledge of how to continue doing the work she feels called to do. I'm sure, in this "must post & keep content rolling 24/7" social media environment, most managers or whatever teams content creators have around them would have had a major issue with that, but I feel certain that Drew's support system - which mostly consists of her family, immediate & larger, & her fiancé - not only validated her decision, but have been helping her do whatever she needs to feel more like herself in this period of adjustment & recalibration.  Here's how she talks about the women & femmes in her life, the support she finds within their circle:

“Support from women is a gift. It’s a resource in which you can find not only community, but empowerment. It’s a place you go to recharge and remind yourself that you are loved, important, and valid in this world. That’s what it always has been for me, and that’s what I always want it to be for all of you.”

And it is clear that she means what she says, that she hopes for this kind of support and community for the people who follow her, who look to her; For her humor, yes, but also for her kindness, the respect she has for those who are in vulnerable communities, the inner power & outer caring foundations she wants for us all. I feel like her kindness is overlooked & underestimated, sometimes, because of the mocking tone of her videos, but it's obvious to me, and to others like me, who understand that Drew's responses are to bullying, they're not bullying in and of themselves.  They're the clapbacks that misogynistic and prejudiced men earn, but never expect. And I delight in her ability to deal out some in-kind justice:

"The same men only care about me attacking bigots but feel zero remorse for those who get bullied for just existing as someone outside of the very shallow parameters of cis, thin, and white. I do not, and will not ever, feel bad for this man. And neither should you. He's hurt enough people in life, up until this point, and his hardwiring is faulty. It is not our job, or our responsibility, learn how to rewire him. All that ends up happening, in that case, is that we get electrocuted. What I choose to do instead is recognize that this man is a grown adult with a fully functioning brain, who makes his own choices.  And those choices happen to include being a bigot. So as a fellow grown adult with a fully functioning brain, I chose to humiliate the shit out of him for upholding  the violent systems of oppression.  I highly encourage you all to do the same."




As she mentions multiple times, her brand of humor, her refusal to let sexists/transphobes/fatphobics/racists etc. exist & operate unchecked is all rooted in the simple idea of respect. That those who are different from the cowardly men speaking (in whatever way) may not realize, in a system set up to center cis-white-heterosexual white men, that they deserve respect, and what's more, they can insist on it? Is simply an untenable situation to Drew, and her entire platform is geared toward empowering those in marginalized communities to claim that respect, when their safety allows.  And often, when their online safety does not? Drew will insist on their due respect for them, in the form of dragging their opponents to the depths of hell, if necessary.  It's a service I'm glad she provides, and an attitude my recovering people pleaser finds near-impossible to emulate.  But I'm working on it, and it's nice to know that Drew, and her community of likeminded crusaders, have our backs in the meantime.

“Fuck being cool and fuck being chill. If the reward for being the coolest girl in the room is a sliver of attention from the world’s most mediocre men then I would happily commit to never being cool and never being chill.”

"Men like this expect you to consistently make you comfortable and prioritize their feelings. And why should you have to? Stop being afraid. When people ask me if I'm ever bothered by being perceived as mean, I always answer the same: I am mean. I have the capability in the world to be mean, just like everyone else.  What I think matters most and what is a true measure of integrity, is how we choose to use it. So yes, I am very fucking mean, especially to terrible men, and they would do well to remember that."

"That's where I always saw, and continue to see, myself coming in: If no one is going to remind you that you are worth more than all of these awful men combined, I will."




My copy of the book was provided, free, by Netgalley, but it was so long ago now, that the book is already out & available for everybody.

4 stars

I always feel weird rating someone else's life story / memoir, but i liked this one.
i really appreciated that fact that Loud felt like Drew was speaking to me directly, i liked that the book managed to catch her voice and personality really well. although the book definitely has some dry & slow parts which were an obstacle to get through at some points.

but i will say that most of the book's content feels like what she already shares on her social media. which is still perfectly fine because it still brings all of her points across and will be insightful to anyone who doesn't know her social media or doesn't follow it closely.

i also don't think that this book should be categorised as self-help, it's too chatty and memoir driven for someone who might be looking for self-help or thinking this is a self-help book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Loud by Drew Afualo!

if you are a fan of any of drew's podcasts, i could hear her yapping at me through the pages. her persona and brand translates perfectly to the page

I love Drew Afualo and her TikTok page, but I didn't fully enjoy this memoir. Sometimes it felt like I was being told the lesson way too much, instead of being allowed to figure it out for myself. On one side, it did have good messages about self acceptance, family, and independence, but it didn't feel polished as a professional writing. It is very on par with other memoirs by internet celebrities, I think it definitely could have used a bit more editing to make the prose a bit more compelling. I still love Drew, and I'm excited about how she may venture into writing in the future.

As a long-time follower of Drew Afaulo on TikTok, I’ve always loved her sense of humor which will literally make me laugh out loud. So when I picked up her book, I had high expectations.

Loud follows Drew’s personal journey on how she got to where she is today (and why). The books touches on relationships, friendships, self-discovery, advice, and of course humor.

The first thing I noticed was how the book feels like Drew is speaking directly to you. The conversational tone makes it feel like you’re watching one of her videos (especially if you’re listening to the audiobook which she narrates). For a first-time reader, this may feel a little hard to connect with. Overall this book is a fun and authentic read that will especially resonate most with those who are already familiar with Drew and her online presence. It’s filled with both heart and humor.

A huge thank you to this book’s publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Hey everyone! 📚✨ I just finished reading Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve by Drew Afualo, and I’m so excited to share my thoughts with you!

This book is an empowering and inspiring read that will make you want to stand up and cheer. Afualo’s writing is both bold and heartfelt, making it a perfect guide for anyone looking to reclaim their confidence and live their best life.

One of my favorite moments is when Drew shares her journey of overcoming self-doubt and embracing her true self. She talks about a time when she was struggling with body image issues and feeling pressured to conform to societal standards. But instead of letting those negative thoughts define her, she decided to embrace her unique beauty and use her platform to spread positivity and self-love. This moment is so relatable and powerful—it’s a reminder that we all have the strength to overcome our insecurities and shine bright.

What I love most about Loud is its unapologetic message of self-acceptance and empowerment. Drew’s story is filled with valuable lessons about resilience, self-worth, and the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people. Her signature laugh, which she describes as a feminist call to arms, is both empowering and infectious.

If you’re looking for a book that will lift your spirits and inspire you to live your best life, Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve is a must-read. Trust me, you’ll be cheering for Drew and her mission to spread positivity and self-confidence.

Drew is the self-esteem queen that we all need in our corner. The book is an unapologetic reflection of her no-nonsense, take-no-shit attitude.

I first discovered Drew through TikTok, where her boldness and authenticity immediately inspired me. Her fearless approach to life and self-expression left a lasting impression, and this book is a true reflection of that. It not only captures the essence of her message but also dives deeper, offering even more insight and empowerment. If you’re looking for a source of motivation and encouragement as a woman, this book is an absolute must-read!

I'm starting to think every influencer has a podcast or a book deal. Some even have both. Regardless, thank you for this e-arc of Loud by Drew Afualo. I typically like a certain level of blindness when absorbing myself in a book which I know is both unrealistic and unfair when picking up this book because the whole interest is around Drew Afualo herself. I watched some of Drew's videos when they came up on my for you page on Tiktok and even followed her at a certain point in time, and I think this book is more of the same - meant for people who love her content. I think she has powerful insights and great advice with her usual humor, and this is a great pick up book for fans of hers and people who are interested in getting to know her as well.

I adore Drew so this was so entertaining. She has a way of being so aggressively inspiring and it kicks me into high gear and makes me want to be better and stand up for myself.

I'm a fan of Drew's content, but was still pleasantly surprised by how well written this book was. Not quite memoir, more of a manifesto, I wish I had been able to read this book when I was 16 (or 20, or 24).

I loved this read! It was raw and real. Drew is never afraid to speak her mind, and we love her for it!!

This was pretty good! I like Drew a lot and was really invested in reading what she’d put in this. I’m not much of a nonfiction reader usually, but this one was good and kept my attention for the most part, and I think this is partially due to its short length, which is nice. Some of it might be a bit repetitive if you’re a loyal Drew fan like me. Much of what she says about men in particular are things she says frequently in her videos. This isn’t a huge deal, but something to note. Overall, a good read!

this book really made thinking a lot about everything
it deserves all; the starts and drew its just amazing and wow... love
652647837843 million starts because wow

Drew is a G. She's unfuckwithable. You just can't. You just can't mess with her. She has the power of her ancestors, the limitless power and well wishes of women, girls, and femmes on her side. She has that familial love, the wise and wonderful teachings of parents that gave a fuck, the love and kindness from siblings she cares about and who show up for her (and she for them). She has that romantic love and a passion inside. Her words are literally the sword that has slain, and continues to slay, a thousand misogynists online, and I love that for all of us.

This book was amazing. It's self aware. It's reassurance and a reminder that you can come back to reality, all of us, men and women we can lean into a world where we treat each other with kindness and respect. She reminds us women specifically that, if you're not getting that tho, it's okay to fly off the handle. You don't have to play nice, and you don't have to be quiet.

Sometimes I see people like Drew and U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett and I feel like the world can change if people just sit and listen to reason for a second. The fact that Drew has read and puts forth the work of Audre Lorde; the fact that she's always willing to remind you of the bitch that you are and the bitch you can be! The bitch you're allowed to be, if you want to, the fact that she reminds you to lean into that person and go after your dreams and demand the respect you deserve or burn it to the ground. I love that. Like, this book should be given to every kid on their first day of high school. That's what I'm thinking, just buy them for the whole class.

I loved this read - it gave me life, it powered me up and you know what: Drew is out here doing the Lord's work. Keep going girl, the brightest futures are ahead for young Drew.

“Loud” by Drew Afualo was truly a life changing book. As someone who usually doesn’t read biographical/self help books, this was one of my favorite reads of the entire year. It is a love letter to herself, her loved ones, and so many others

I love Drew! I’m so so thankful that she got so successful because of starting out on the clock app. The way she talks about her family and friends and loved ones is heartwarming! Having people in your life who unconditionally love you is the best thing! Also loved the
descriptions she uses for some men in this book, its so funny!!
The way nothing in this book was completely new to me (not talking about her personal life!!) but it still hit and I absolutely will keep thinking about everything she said! Im so thankful that I got the arc from netgalley & the publisher!