Book Summary: Drew Afualo is at the head of a new generation of rising stars in entertainment, with more than nine million followers across her social platforms. She realized that men on social media were creating sexist content aimed at disparaging women, containing rampant fatphobia, racism, and other forms of bigotry with very real-life consequences. She stepped into the role of unofficial watchdog for misogyny, and her signature laugh is now recognized as a feminist call to arms. Loud is part manual, part manifesto, and part memoir. It is a summoning cry to rid the internet (and our hearts, minds, and lives) of “terrible men” and create a space to fight outdated patriarchal ideals. Above all, it makes it clear that behind Drew’s fearsome laugh is a mission and a life philosophy, a strategy for self-confidence from the inside out, and a pathway to once and for all remove men from the center of how women and femmes think about themselves.

It is easy to dismiss Loud as a feminist book written by a young woman with not enough life experience. However, that would be wrong. Throughout the book, there are valuable lessons about work, friendship, love, society, and patriarchy. Ideally, this book is aimed towards teenagers and young 20-somethings, starting on their life’s journey. However, it can also serve as a reminder for those that are older and have lost their way or those that are lacking self-confidence. Could these lessons be found in other books or media? Yes, of course. However, Afualo’s social media presence and writing style are reminiscent of an older sister or best friend talking to someone she loves about healthy boundaries.

Thanks to NetGalley, Drew Afualo, and AUWA for providing a complimentary copy of this book in hopes that I will leave my unbiased review. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and the above review is simply my opinion of the book.

I would like this to be required reading. I feel seen and heard. I feel powered up and ready to fist fight in a parking lot. I loved this and I’m so happy it exists. This book could change your life for the so much better.

I sadly don't get to read many memoirs or personal stories as much as I want to but when I was gifted this eARC (thank you to NetGalley & the publisher!!), I was so excited to read anything coming from Drew. Following her on socials, loving her humor, sharing similar views on feminism and other human rights topics, I couldn't wait to read what she would tell the world.

Along with her sharing more of her voice and humor, we got to see a much deeper and personal side in this memoir. I loved this so much, especially as we don't get to see too much of her personal life on social media (which is great because not everything needs to be shared always so props to her for being able to keeps some things private and close to her), we get to know her and her background, her culture, her upbringing, her reason for why she is, talks, acts, thinks the way she does. It is all so amazing and I enjoyed every moment of this book! SOOO recommend for anyone thinking about picking up her book, definitely pair it with her audiobook as well. Hearing it in her voice helps.

4.75 stars!!

I originally got this book, because I have been a fan of Drew for years! I was not prepared for how much I would love this book. By the time I finished it I felt so empowered, this was such a roller coaster of emotions, and for how you she is the memoir was phenomenally written and I she gets her flowers for this beautifully written book. I wish I could ready this book for the first time to experience the emotions this book put me through. I recommend this to everyone and I hope to see more from her in the future.

I don’t often read memoirs, so this was a departure for me, but I have followed Drew on Tiktok for some time and I wanted to read this to support her and the work she does.

I didn’t expect this to make me cry though. Not because it’s sad in anyway, it’s not, but because it made me happy. It made me proud. It made me feel strong and empowered and supported and believed in.

Read this on audio for the best experience since she narrates it entirely. Incredible. It was everything I needed in this moment in time and I’ll probably reread.

Drew is incredible. I read this book at a time when I really needed to hear everything she says. It’s like having your most real bestie tell you exactly the advice you needed. If I could give it more than five stars, I would.

4.5⭐️ for this quotable and annotation-worthy memoir. Drew serves humility and humor in equal measure as she takes readers through different eras of her life. She has a fresh voice that gives language to common female/femme experiences. I found myself wanting to highlight and share quotes and sections with my teenage daughters. Her perspective and understanding have encouraged me to find more resources and dig even further into an understanding of the patriarchy, misogyny, fat-phobia, and racism that underpins our experiences.

Love Drew so much and I'm so proud of her. This is such a solid debut! I really enjoyed the way it's written!!! She's such an inspiration and honestly I'd love to have her as my best friend!

I'll admit I was only a casual viewer of Drew's content, but I enjoyed her book. Drew has a good head on her shoulders and intertwines her own life experiences with sort of a "big sister life advice" vibe. Granted I'm a bit older than her target audience but I think her "love yourself more" attitude is one that a lot of women and girls would do well to listen to.

Heeeey!

I feel the need to clarify that I am a fan and social media follower of Drew. I have been since the beginnings of lockdown and was in desperate need of positivity. Drew Afualo is a source of positivity. Once I discovered she was writing a book, I knew I had to check it out. I requested this advanced copy not knowing what would be in the pages, but I trusted the author to be honest and conversational.

Loud has become one of my favorite memoirs because I enjoyed reading every page and, eventually, listening to parts of the audiobook (narrated by Drew!) as I went over my notes. I enjoyed her honesty when she revealed her regrets when her sister first came out to her and she felt she wasn't able to show support in the moment. I appreciated that she didn't try to sugarcoat the experience or explain it away. She owned up to it, knowing the vulnerability would be exposed to a multitude of readers. This book is about her. From cover to cover, the reader learns about her experiences, her love for family and friends, her relationship with Pili, and her inspiration to talk back to toxic people (mostly men) online. This is an excellent read and one many readers, whether they follow her or not, will enjoy.

Loud
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love love love!
THANK YOU #netgalley for this #arc . I am so in love with this woman. I was so. Impressed, that EVERY time she referred to women, she MADE A POINT to include all femmes as well. It’s so easy to hold space for EVERYONE (except shitty men 🤭), and she does it so well…

The audiobook was *chefs kiss*. Full stop.

I truly wish I had this to read when I was growing up. Things would have been so much…. healthier for me lol.

I wish she laughed more in the audiobook 🤭 It’s so contagious 💜.

Drew Afualo is incredibly vulnerable & insightful on the nuance experiences of women, specifically BIPOC women experience in this country. I appreciate her honest feedback on self-love, relationships, and the male gaze. I will read anything she writes!

I love Drew Afualo's humor, so I was excited to read Loud. Those who also appreciate the author's signature cutting and creative style of comedy (for example, "unfunny men with heads shaped like Abraham Lincoln's hat") will not be disappointed! Afualo weaves jokes throughout her stories about everything from being a "pick me" in high school to how she reacted when her sister came out. This book is also a good introduction to concepts like intersectionality and the male gaze. I would recommend this book!

Whilst it's not the best written book in the world, Drew's personality shines throughout this book. If you know her, watch her content, follow her, this is undoubtedly entirely and fully her.

Drew is “the unofficial watchdog of misogyny” as the blurb says and I love her on til too. This book brings her message to the people in a different medium but it is no less important. There is advice here that I know the young girls I teach need to hear and her delivery makes them more likely to listen! Can’t wait to get it in my classroom!!

Ah, this book. Who hasn't watched and cheered on Drew on TikTok at this point? I know I have, so when I saw she had a book coming out, I was here for it. I liked that the "don't take anything from anyone" attitude could translate to written work, and I know I'll be referring to this when I want to feel empowered and shrug off imposing ANYTHING by ANYONE. I can't say that about very many titles. Solid 4.5, rounded.

*Loud* by Drew Afualo is a bold and empowering read that blends humor, wit, and unapologetic confidence. Afualo's candid voice and sharp insights make for a refreshing and inspiring narrative that encourages readers to embrace their authenticity. It's a fierce and entertaining celebration of self-love and resilience.

Drew is an absolute QUEEN and I deeply enjoyed this book!

I have been a fan of Drew’s for a long time now and I was so excited to hear that she was releasing a book. This book was full of so much wisdom, but also a lot of laughs. I loved it so much!

This should be required reading!

I was very fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy from NetGalley but all thoughts are unbiased and my own!

I love Drew and have become so fond of her and her TikToks. When I saw she was writing I book I was so excited to read it!

I found that the book was focused on at the start the foundations of sexism and the patriarchy, but around half way I found she was sharing more and more personal experiences. In college I was very into my gender studies classes so I found this information wasn’t necessarily new or mind blowing to me.

HOWEVER I LOVED HER STORIES! The parts of the book I enjoyed the most was relating of these topics to her lived experiences through childhood and who she is now. So I totally understand why at the start of the book doing a deep dive on these topics would help readers not as familiar with social systems that give privilege to others. I also liked her snippets of advice through the book about building confidence and not taking shit.

Overall, really enjoyed the read!

DNF at 59% - I really like Drew and I love what she stands for. And while this book was like listening to her on any of her podcasts or TikTok - I couldn’t get into it. And I tried, it just didn’t stick - I think it’s probably due to the fact that non-fiction is rough for me in any capacity, and my DNF is not on her part but fully on me.

I’m so proud of Drew and all that she stands for and the representation she brings to the table in all facets. I’m rooting for her and can’t wait to see how far she goes.