5/5 STARS!!!
Drew, this is an amazing debut book, the perfect blend of memoir and educational handbook. Normally, I binge a book in a day. While I wanted to do this SO badly, it was after the first chapter that I knew that this was a book that I needed to read chapter by chapter with breaks to reflect on what I discovered.

This book helped me discover pre-existing beliefs that I had so deeply rooted and suppressed in myself. I also (unfortunately) recognized many instances in my life where my friends and family, men and women, have displayed misogynistic behavior that I never would’ve identified before. While it hurts to process these emotions now, it is something that I am proud to have learned.

I would’ve always called myself a feminist, but now, I feel that I can behave fully like a feminist. In Chapter 11, Drew shares a quote from a friend, Tefi, that at times when they don’t want to speak up for themselves, they imagine that Drew is doing it. This is a similar sentiment to my newfound confidence where Drew has truly inspired me to stand up for myself and be confident in my actions.

From this point forward, I want to join her in saying that “I. Said. Something.” I will no longer let these disgusting men and patriarchal societal expectations lead and have a hold on my life. I urge you to pick up this book when it is released in late July!

As per usual, here are some of my favorite quotes:
→ Chapter 5:
“There aren't just insensitive comments we hear once or twice a year from right-wing family members at Thanksgiving dinner. These are beliefs each one of us is forced to endure on a daily basis, and all of this messaging has a compounding effect, weighing behavior on our self-worth with each passing year on this earth."

→ Chapter 7:
“Masculine, feminine, it's all a complete hoax, because gender isn't real. It's a man-made invention, a by-product of colonization and religion, washed into our culture so that people coming up in society would be taught to hate themselves if they even dared to step foot outside of the very specifically curated gender binary that was imposed on all of us. Capitalism feeds off of that ideology as well.”

→ Chapter 8:
“You can talk all day to a terrible man, but you can’t make him see you as a human.”

“This man is describing basic human decency, but it’s being weaponized as a reason that women should settle.” (Drew’s thoughts on “nice guys”)

I think this book is so beneficial to every woman out there. It's a blend of a self help-ish book and memoir. There was really only one or two new to me moments as a deep fan of Drew's for years now! I loved getting insight to her life and her culture. I can't wait for it to come out on audiobook so I can hear her intonation and iconic laugh.

As a black, queer woman I have been aligned on the messages conveyed for almost a decade now. Not exactly super helpful to my everyday life reading this as I may be past the target audience, but absolutely truthful and potentially life changing for someone who does not know Drew and her content that she makes or just knows it in passing or might need a reminder on their self worth. She is not a professional in any of these topics so I feel like there are lots of other books I've read that might be able to articulate more if that's something someone is interested in, but definitely a good dip in the water. Intersectional feminism is actual feminism! All hail Queen Drew 🫶🏾

This is a bit of everything and oh my, Drew, you KILLED it. Just like you kill the egos of these crappy men (they deserve stronger descriptions). I can't wait to have a physical copy of this in my hands to go back and annotate. Part comedy, part memoir, part Drew Talk. I HIGHLY recommend picking this up!

ive been watching drew on tiktok since before she has 20k followers and her opinions never fail me so this book was a must for me. truly the voice of a generation of women who arent going to allow society to force us into a box. i loved this book and will be recommending it for book club

Unequivocally & utterly Drew. For those that follow Drew Afualo on social media, or who have watched her tiktok's--this book feels like a longer extension of her videos. i read this, but i could hear Drew saying the words aloud inside my head. Hard-hitting, honest, & impactful; Drew's writing has the ability to benefit any and every woman, no matter her age or point in her life. Part self help, part memoir--Drew writes about her family & her lived experiences and uses them to show the lessons she's learned, sprinkling in bits of wisdom throughout. she's careful to respect the privacy of her family & friends while still giving us a detailed, accurate background. my only qualms are with the way the story flows together (not smoothly, in my opinion) and the somewhat abrupt-feeling ending. oh, and I couldn't gone without the six mentions of being a Virgo she used to describe her personality & lifestyle.

thanks to Drew, Netgalley, & Farrar, Straus, Giroux Publishing for allowing me an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalleyARC. I didn't know too much about the author prior to reading this book but I definitely feel like I know more about her now and that I understand her better. I've enjoyed seeing her on social media and figured I would give this book a try, I'm glad I did. I appreciate the honesty and feelings behind the author's words and I finished reading it feeling empowered.

This is the Boss Babe's bible. The Ladies' Lexicon. The Good Book for the gagged. It's Mutha's memoir - straight from Drew to every woman and female presenting person who needs the reminder that we are worthy of the space that we take up, even when we don't think so.

'Loud' is from Drew's mouth to our ears, literally; it feels as though I'm a guest on her podcast or I'm on facetime with her discussing the latest man who dared overstep a boundary or digging deep, laying out our emotions because we got wrongfully terminated from that job last week. Although the book's main focus is uplifting women in the face of misogyny and how to stay strong and connected to ourselves while navigating a male dominated world, she also tackles the heavy topics of body image and positivity (and the toxic side of it - there is one!), confidence and "being mean" (because, honestly, we need to be. Way more than we are.), racism, and the pressure of the 'maternal ticking clock'. What was that again about women having it easy?

Some of the points that Drew asserts are that an incels' bread and butter is the belief that gender roles are still being perpetuated and should be the natural order of things - a woman's work is domestic and a man is the breadwinner. This is a myth because no work is lesser, and any person who has cared for children of any age for a day or is in charge of all the household work will tell you it's less difficult than a typical 9 -5 job, and most likely even harder.

When I came across Drew on Tiktok it only took one sixty second clip to get hooked, and when I heard she had written a book it was as good as mine. It did not disappoint, and in fact, it's my reference guide for whenever I'm feeling down or my confidence takes a hit. Whenever I finished a chapter I felt as though I'd had a venting session with my best friend and left inspired and empowered to move forward through the word, leaving it in a better way than I found it.

Thank you to Drew, NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Drew Afualo's "Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve" isn't your typical self-help book. It's a firecracker of a read, packed with Afualo's signature humor, feminist wisdom, and empowering calls to action.

A Powerful Blend: This book seamlessly blends memoir, self-help, and a healthy dose of social commentary. Afualo shares personal stories that illuminate the challenges faced by women and femmes, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. Her experiences resonate and inspire, reminding readers they're not alone in their struggles.

Unflinching Voice: Afualo doesn't shy away from difficult topics. She tackles issues like societal expectations, navigating toxic relationships, and dismantling the patriarchy. Her voice is bold and unapologetic, encouraging readers to find their own voices and own their power.

Actionable Advice: While the book is a powerful call to self-love and acceptance, it doesn't stop there. Afualo provides actionable advice and strategies for readers to implement in their lives. Whether it's setting boundaries, advocating for yourself, or simply learning to say "no," Afualo equips readers with tools to create positive change.

A Must-Read for: This book is a must-read for anyone who feels like they've been silenced or underestimated. It's a call to embrace your individuality, challenge the status quo, and live life on your own terms. Afualo's message is particularly powerful for young women and femmes navigating the complexities of the world.

Final Thoughts: "Loud" is a breath of fresh air in the self-help genre. It's honest, funny, and fiercely empowering. Afualo's message will stay with you long after you turn the final page, urging you to raise your voice and live your most authentic life.

"I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

This book is a great one to put in the hands of the teen girls in your life. I wish I’d had it when I was in high school; I think it would’ve given me the pep talk I needed to step into myself unabashedly. It reads as a good reminder of your worth and value at any age, but would be especially hard hitting when you’re coming of age.

I couldn’t resist asking for this ARC when I saw it, as I’ve followed Drew on TikTok for ages. The way she absolutely annihilates terrible men on the internet will never not make me cackle and cheer.

Thank you Netgalley for the free E-ARC! I'm not really a memoir or self-help kinda gal, but I've been a big fan of Drew for some time now - so I was very excited to read this. Drew's personality and humor is woven throughout this entire book. The way she speaks about her family and culture is admirable. She shared some extremely important knowledge, and was also vulnerable about her own personal experiences, and it gave me that much more respect for her. Whether she's talking about patriarchy, feminism, self worth, body neutrality, or relationships - there are some true gems in here. My only disappointment is that younger me didn't get to read this. I've learned quite a bit about these important topics in my 30 years, but learning them a lot sooner would have altered my life immensely.

In LOUD: ACCEPT NOTHING LESS THAN THE LIFE YOU DESERVE, Drew Afualo combines personal experience with hard-won advice, in service of uncovering misogyny, both subtle and overt, racism, body shaming and anything that robs a person of self-respect, autonomy and self-love. Dismantling the patriarchy, so to speak, a system which harms everyone. She’s passionately devoted to saving women and femmes, even ones unaware of how far they’ve bought into the oppression. Her explanation of the “pick-me” girl syndrome was incisive. She claims she “makes a living by fumigating the internet of these roaches,” the hostile male contingent in her audience. The book reads as though it has its origins in speech, certainly passionate, often repetitive, but at this moment in history, some things bear repeating.

With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

I really love drew. I love her content so I really wanted to like this book. The bones are there. I think this could have been a better book with more workshopping and edits. It reads like prompts to essay questions. There are nuggets of gold here, but the actual writing needed to be more polished. I think this was meant for an audience in their early twenties, and I am not that.

Overall I enjoyed this. I love Drew's TikTok and I think she's smart, funny, and inspiring.

This book I think is geared toward an audience a lil younger than me--and that's ok! I think for younger folks this will be a fantastic read; I def could have used it in my teens and into my early 20s. Being that I am an Elder now (lmao) I have read a lot of similar modern feminist manifestos so I can't say that much here felt particularly original or groundbreaking to me specifically.

That being said, I did enjoy reading Drew's take! I especially enjoyed the chapters "The Fallacy of 'Leftover Women' and other Misogynistic Myths," "I'd Rather Die Alone," and "It's Okay to Be Mean."

I’m a Drew fan so I was excited to read this! I think this might be most impactful for those that are young (high school age) and don’t know as much about feminist theory since I don’t think it added much to that field. I did enjoy and appreciate the personal anecdotes and big sis type advice at the end. I love that she ended the story where it started, with having been fired and starting her TikTok journey. I’m glad I read this. My favorite quote comes from Drew's friend about her: “Sometimes when I don’t want to speak up for myself, I imagine you doing it.” From now on, I'll channel Drew when I need to stand up for myself.

I’ve watched Drew’s TikTok videos on and off for the last three years, so I was really excited to be afforded the ARC of her first book! Even though I read the kindle version of this, I’ve grown to know her voice, sense of humor, and cackle to the point I was able to read this in her voice. I swear I even heard her cackle after some of the absolutely feral clapbacks she dropped 😂 An audiobook of this narrated by her would be hilarious.

Some of Drew’s experiences as a woman, I’ve also shared and some I have not (and of course, vise versa). But some of them I deeply relate to and empathize with. She’s right, this is a man’s world. Well, it always has been thus far in history, that is- but we fight and will continue to fight for a better future for women. As a woman, I can attest to all Drew said; we face all sorts of extra societal pressures, are targeted in many ways most men will never experience, are sexualized from young ages, and are STILL somehow seen as inferior to men although we’ve proved time and time again our limitless abilities. While I don’t believe all men are terrible, I KNOW that being a woman is not easy. It’s HARD. Honestly, 5/10 recommend.

With my love and support for Drew’s content on the table, I DID agree to an honest review of this book and I have to say that I did find it particularly difficult to get through. It seemed incessantly repetitive and over-explained. I think this book would have suited me better 10 years ago, at the ripe age of twenty, when I was getting out of my first long-term relationship with my first truly terrible man. My favorite part about this book, aside from the roasts, are all of the uplifting, empowering quotes I was able to gain from Drew’s messages and experiences. I love looking back on my favorite book quotes and I will be adding several from this book to my notebook!

There are a few views I do not share with Drew (which is ok and respectable as two different individuals with different experiences)- one being “all men” are terrible men (AKA: misandry). The fact that Drew battles misogynists by being a misandrist is all very hypocritical to me. There are two quotes in particular from this book that I find rather ironic and off-putting. The first is when she said, “Being mean is an effective tool for asserting the dominance that exists within all of us…” First of all, if that ain’t the exact kind of outrageous nonsense I’d expect to hear out of a misogynistic, bigot then I don’t know what is 😂 The second quote, “I truly believe that my confidence does not come at the expense of anyone else’s; it does not dim or stomp out other people’s lights. How can she say that with honesty when her career is built on her lack of respect for men as a whole? I don’t raise that question as a woman who stands for misogynistic men (because I absolutely don’t), but I do raise that question as a human being who doesn’t believe gender has any affect on lack of morals, basic respect, and ability for compassion. There’s just as many terrible women in this world. We shouldn’t be worrying about the correlation between gender and basic decency, we should simply be worrying about being GOOD HUMANS in general, regardless of how we identify. Don’t get me wrong, I support Drew in her mission to protect and empower women wholeheartedly and I do my fair share of roasting, but that doesn’t mean I don’t also want to shake her shoulders at times and say, “GIRL STOP GIVING THESE TERRIBLE MEN ATTENTION. ANY ATTENTION AT ALL.” Whether it is positive OR negative attention, it is still attention to men (and well, kids). That’s all they want, they are getting it, and in the end they won. Sometimes no reaction and no attention speaks the loudest. Show them they aren’t worth your time or energy. Luckily, I’m a grown woman who can still respect someone else who doesn’t share the same opinions and beliefs as me (thanks mom and dad) and more people in general should adapt that mindset.

I respect Drew to no end for her ability to allow herself to be so vulnerable and open in this book. While she wrote this books for women, “terrible men” also have access to reading it. She knows that and still published anyway. That’s valor. She admitted to weaknesses and mistakes, owned poor past reactions and decisions, and she’s shown personal growth in many different areas. That all requires a lot of fortitude.

I also really enjoyed learning about drew’s childhood, friends, and family. Also, what is this Somoan-style POTATO CRAB SALAD she speaks of and how do I get some immediately?! Sounds delicious 😍

Thank you NetGalley and AUWA for the ARC edition of this book!

This right here. YES.

I have followed Drew on Tiktok for several years. The way she destroys men that go after women and minorities - it's amazing to see them put in their place. So when I saw she was coming out with a book, I have never requested something so fast on Netgalley.

As someone almost a decade older than Drew, there were still so many take-aways from this book. I loved getting to know more about her personally, and then just random tips and inspo sprinkled in within the book. I WISH there was someone like Drew when I was a teen and early adulthood. The amount of times I have let others, especially men, put me down and disrespect me is astounding. I had no idea how to even respond.

This book was so inspiring and I'm hoping to remember this when the moment comes.

I loved this!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this and I know everyone that picks it up will as well. This will be in everyone's bookcases, and whoever hasn't read it SHOULD.

Amazing addition to modern intersectionality broken into convenient segments that I will be happy to revisit. The weaving in of Drew's personal experiences and observations are relatable and insightful.

Oh, and Drew is absolutely hilarious in case anyone hasn't realised yet??? Hilarious.

A honest and uplifting book, that makes me hopeful for the direction the women of our generation and younger are heading towards.

As a personal note, I really liked the honesty in Drews much later chapter on motherhood and was teary-eyed to hear my own thoughts put into words so well.

I quite enjoy Drew’s videos on Tiktok and other platforms but this memoir just wasn’t for me. Personally I don’t think it was very well written and didn’t do a very good job at grabbing my attention

Like many people (mostly and especially women), I fell in love with Drew Afualo when I stumbled across her TikTok account. Her fierce defense of women and ruthless takedown of awful men are just *chef's kiss.*

This book was so much more than I thought it would be; I assumed it would be full of quips and sarcasm -- which it was -- but I didn't expect it to be so inspirational, well-researched, and powerful. She has such a strong voice, and it's incredible being able to learn about how she got to where she is now.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.