This was exactly what I needed. Sometimes all it takes is for a really amazing woman to tell you that it’s okay to be you, it’s okay to be loud and never back down. I cried more than expected during this book. I love Drew so much.

Overall 4.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley, Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, and Drew Afualo for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Being such a big Drew fan I was so excited when I got approved to read this ARC. This was such a beautiful book and allowed the reader to see more into Drew's life and mindset outside of her TikTok and podcast presence.

The writing style also felt true to who she was, it felt like I was reading advice from an older sister rather than reading a book. This really solidifies the target audience while also reaching outside to a wider audience. It is meant for teens to young/new adult women and femmes but I feel that it can extend to an older audience as well.

Her vulnerability, advice, and stories really reflect her power and ability to inspire those whose lives she impacts. I will say there was a but of repetitiveness but I think that was intentional especially for the younger audience for the book. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to most of my friends.

Drew was my reason for being on TikTok! I was thrilled to find out that I was approved to read her book from NetGalley. This books has a bit more of a serious twist from her typical presence online. It was such a great read of life advice, her stories of stopping men in their tracks and the life that lead her to where she is now!

This memoir by Drew was fantastic. Despite her young age, she writes like a big sister, offering advice on life, dating, finding your voice, being true to yourself, and handling mistakes. It’s perfect for young women in their late teens and twenties. Drew’s feminism is intersectional, addressing race, sexuality, and gender identity, and she discusses her Samoan heritage throughout. A key takeaway is her distinction between misogynistic men's fear of ridicule and women's fear of assault or murder, highlighting the empowering nature of her work.

Loud is a love letter to women in their late teens and early twenties. Drew's passion for women to own their own lives, be confident, and have zero tolerance for disrespect bleeds through every page. Women who have read other feminist works may find Loud to be a little reductive and repetitive; however, it's an accessible and digestible introduction and it reads like it was written by your best friend. I really enjoyed Drew's moments of vulnerability in sharing her own experiences. Thank you NetGalley and AUWA for the ARC!

This is Drew through and through!

I think anyone who is a fan of Drew’s content will be a fan of this book. Drew was successful in staying true to her brand and her stance. While I did find the book a little repetitive at times, there were some really beautiful moments that allowed us to see a side of Drew that we don’t often see in the material she puts out online. Not to say she’s a different person, but it adds layers and depth to the person we see on our phone screens regularly.

There were moments I wished she would’ve opened up even more, particularly about her experience working in social media as a younger woman. I ultimately felt this book would be perfect for anyone in their 20s or even young adults/teens. Not to say someone older can’t read and appreciate it, like I did. The self-help aspect of this book is familiar and not necessarily nuanced, but some people need to hear the message multiple times before they get it. So, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the lessons and guidance she provides, considering it’s still informative and delivered in an organic and true-to-herself manner.

This book feels like you’re having a conversation directly with her. My favorite aspects of the book were the ones where she talks vulnerably and provides insight into the decisions she made for herself, specifically as a young woman, and some of the challenges she’s faced. If you’re looking for a book that might give you a little boost and help you get to know one of the larger creators on a different level, I definitely recommend this read. It’s funny, positive, and authentic.

this was such a fantastic read. i think im at a point in my life where i needed to read this. thank you drew afualo, your words were so impactful

Love her so much! She is unapologetically herself and this book is a great example of that! If you didn't know drew before, you will after this book.

When I was 15, I probably would have read this and gone, I dunno if that's the right way to handle things. When I was 20, I probably would have thought, she has some good points. Now, in my 30s, I read this and I go, this is what I wish younger me would have heard from the generations of women before me.

Drew Afualo is a content creator who has been consistently responding and taking down men who get on tiktok with the audacity to try to tear down women for their looks and other qualities that don't define their worth. The first time I heard her cackle, I immediately followed her. She is bold and unashamed, and I would love to have her kind of courage. This book is a great encouragement to build that kind of boldness.

This read very much like listening to Afualo talk on tiktok or on her podcast. She is very open, honest, and funny, and that conveys very well. It's not too long of a book, and if you're in need of something to go, hey, you're a total baddie who deserves the world, this book can be that for you. Afualo writes with candor about her own growth and hurdles, which I think made me feel even more comfortable and confident while reading.

The target audience for this book is women and femmes of all ages, but particularly younger ones, late teens to twenties. Regardless of target, most women/femmes could use a little boost like what this book offers. If you love watching Afualo's tiktoks, you're going to enjoy the book. 4.5 stars, I think I loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux | AUWA for the e-ARC!

I don’t typically read nonfiction, but I will consume quite literally any content from Drew.

I fell for Drew on TikTok, like most did, and to see how much she’s done since then and the big things she’s doing is such an amazing feeling. Not only for women in general, but Samoan women and culture, who already have such little exposure.
This memoir is everything you’d expect from a memoir by Drew. I laughed, I cried, I felt seen in a way I feel most women, especially from this generation will understand.

Thank you to NetGalley, Farrar, Straus and Giroux - AUWA for this ARC.
Publication date 7/30/24

There are no words to fully describe how important Drew Afualo is to the people who are alive alongside her. This book is no exception in showing her love and light for everyone, except horrible men of course. While she speaks about misogyny at length online, this book moved men to the background to empower women in doing the same. Drew Afualo's point of view, her intellect, and her experiences are all so very validating to feminine humans.
The content of this book was insightful, meaningful, and so very inspiring. Reading this has once again solidified that yappers are the best writers. Drew's voice translated through her writing wonderfully. I laughed and cried, but remained in awe of womankind. I have never gotten through a self-help type book before this, let alone in a few hours. The internet can be such a scary place, but I feel confident that as long as we have creators/humans like Drew, there will be light in the darkness and the hope of equality for all.

We love Drew.
We love her laugh, her wit, her sass, we love her.

Did we anticipate a self help concept? No.

We love her nonetheless.

Hey guys!

She has one of the most recognizable laughs in today's world. Depending on what kind of person you are you either love it or hate it. I, personally, LOVE her laugh. It means that a sexist, misogynistic, fatphobic (usually) man is about to get an ear full in the same tone that he dished it out. Drew Afualo gives it back the way it was served.

This book does have her beloved comedic approach to it, but it does highlight what an intelligent, well-spoken woman she is. She covers her early life and even how she met Pili Tanuvasa, the love of her life. It gives insight on how she gained the confidence she currently has.

This is part memoir, part self help. I wish every person who has or is doubting themselves would read this book. In Drew's own words:

"A bad bitch is still a bad bitch, regardless of how many times she doubts herself."

This is a book about learning to be comfortable with you body, your feelings, and your place in this world.

Thanks to Netgalley and Farra, Straus, and Giroux for the e-ARC to read and give my honest opinion. It was a 4 star read!

"Loud" is being released here in the U.S. on July 30, 2024 so preorder your copy now! I think this will even be a great audiobook if read by the author!

Happy Reading!

I have followed Drew since late last year, and I am so grateful for NetGalley and Farrar, Straus & Giroux for the ARC!

As much as I love her podcast and videos, I am very much a visual person. This book provided a more in-depth and impactful resonance with her message and mission than I can get from animated content.
In an age where women are picking the bear and cis, het men's response to that is 'septum arms' and 'the 5g movement', I am so grateful to have a strong, intelligent woman to laugh at them with. And as she said in her book, I AM FUCKING TIRED. Knowing that there are women like Drew who are keeping them on their toes and rage-typing at their computers gives me a second wind.
There was such a great balance between memoir and manifesto (it is not often I get to say that word positively lol), and read so naturally and easily! This is a book I would give to someone who is just surfacing out of the patriarchal/com-pet fog before tossing them into deeper, more academic feminist literature. Takes very complex ideas and makes them very digestible and approachable.
Great job!

I would probably rate this book even higher, if I had read it at a different time in my life. I think I was expecting a little more memoir than self help/advice, so some of it didn’t resonate as it might have when I was younger and less self assured. This is going to be a fantastic read for a lot of women, and Drew is an amazing voice in this generation.
3.5 ⭐️

I’ll preface this by saying I normally don’t read non-fiction books, and if I do they’re usually audiobooks. However, I got the arc for the ebook, and this book didn’t bore me to sleep like others do!
I have followed Drew for a while on TikTok, and absolutely love her content. She’s so funny, and I wanted to learn more about her. Hearing her life story so far was really fun. I love how close she is to her siblings and parents. I love her love for Pili, and hope I can find my person one day too. Her stories and attitude made me realize how similar we are!
I especially loved chapter 9. I feel like it’s so rare to hear someone with a big platform say they don’t want children. I feel the same way as she does, and I’m so glad she opened up to share her feelings. It’s really nice to know I’m not alone in my feelings about such a tough topic.

I LOVE Drew Afualo. I think her work as a women's right activist is stellar and hysterical. She's popped up on my FYP more than once since 2021, and I've been an avid follower of hers since then. But this isn't a review of Drew Afualo. It's a review of her book.

Turns out: I also really enjoyed this book. I was very curious to see what she had to say in a memoir, since she's about my age and that's not really the average memoir-writing age. But I loved her little anecdotes, the way she unpacked a lot of feminist theories and I vibed with it. I especially loved chapter 9 'There's No One Way to Be a Woman But Only One Way to Be Yourself'. I related to that chapter so hard.

The only point of criticism I have is that it was a bit repetitive. Drew has a lot to say, but she also repeated some phrases and topics multiple times in a slightly different way. I think that it needed some slight editing for that reason in particular. However, that again is something that would work when reading these chapters as different kind of essays. But it's a bit annoying when reading the book from cover to cover.

But besides that small issue, I think this is a great book. I think it's great source material for teenage and young twenty-something women and femmes. Drew is, I think, just a great role model. It’s really inspiring to read about a woman who asserts herself and is not afraid to be loud and completely herself. Contrary to popular believe - and her own words - Drew is not mean. She's just advocating for herself in ways most people are not used to. And oops! This turned into a gushing review of Drew herself again. I'm just excited to see what Drew's going to do next. I'm sure she has a lot more wisdom to share in the future.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

Drew is going to change lives with this book.

The assuredness, intelligence, and experience with which she speaks on the topics in this book are all notable and exceptional.

She writes about the reasons and ways men should be decentered and provides detailed ways that mission can be accomplished. Her observations and opinions will stick with you after reading this book. Drew’s stories about her relationships with her family, friends, and partner are so beautiful, I cried *SO* many times.

I highlighted so many passages in this book to come back to. One of my favorites is: “When you look in the mirror, that is the person you are stuck with, day in, day out, for the rest of your life. And that is the most important relationship in your life, no matter what.”

Drew has SUCH a strong narrative voice. I haven’t listened to the audiobook yet (pre-ordered, so excited for it!) but I heard her voice in my head as I was reading the e-book.

I’m so happy that this book is going to be out in the world and help so many expand upon and defend the thoughts & feelings that come with living in this patriarchal hellscape.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the chance to read this early through an ARC!

Although I thought it was a little repetitive, I really enjoyed Drew’s writing style and the story she has to tell. I went in as a fan already and left enjoying her even more. If you are a fan of hers I highly recommend giving it a shot!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me this arc! As a longtime Drew Afualo fan, reading this was everything! At such a young age, drew has left such an AMAZING impact on the world and hearing/reading her talk about her life and where she is now is so inspiring. Loved it!

4 ⭐️