This is a wonderful book, especially for younger adult women (even as a 30 year old there were some GREAT nuggets of wisdom!). Drew is as hilarious as ever, and it was a perfect choice for her to narrate her own words. It was done so passionately and her voice shines in this memoir!

This is labeled self-help and memoir, and I didn’t feel like the target audience. This is more like a big sister book, someone you look up to giving you advice and hard truths. But I enjoyed learning about Drew’s life and upbringing, and some of the concepts were eye opening and helped me see things in a new way (especially her chapter on body neutrality). The tone of this book is much more subdued than Drew’s online personality which worked well for a more formal medium, but it’s also true to her voice. It’s a very quick read that I think would be especially great for teens and young adults. Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Drew Afualo for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If I had a sister, I would expect all of our voice notes to sound like the audiobook for Loud. Honestly, I didn't think I would enjoy this as much as I did, but I was laughing, clapping, and yes, I even shed a tear or two. I had very little knowledge about Drew Afualo other than the vague ideas that she's a feminist and that she's popular on TikTok, but after reading her memoir, I'm now a huge fan. Because Drew shares her own story with such unvarnished honesty, I felt so empowered every time I turned a page in this book. It was unexpectedly raw and incredibly relatable. Drew came up with a really original method to tell her story and express her truth.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Drew Afualo’s “Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve” is a powerful and unapologetic manifesto that challenges societal norms and empowers listeners to reclaim their voices. Narrated by Afualo herself, the audiobook is an electrifying experience that combines her signature humor, fierce advocacy, and personal anecdotes to create a compelling call to action.

Afualo, known for her fearless presence on TikTok and Spotify, brings the same energy and authenticity to her narration. Her voice is both commanding and comforting, making listeners feel as though they are having an intimate conversation with a trusted friend. This personal touch adds a layer of depth to the audiobook, making Afualo’s messages resonate even more profoundly.

“Loud” is part memoir, part self-help guide, and part social commentary. Afualo shares her journey of self-discovery and empowerment, detailing the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned along the way. Her candid storytelling is both inspiring and relatable, offering listeners a roadmap to navigate their own paths to self-acceptance and confidence.

One of the standout features of the audiobook is Afualo’s ability to blend humor with hard-hitting truths. Her witty observations and sharp critiques of societal expectations provide a refreshing perspective on issues such as body image, gender roles, and self-worth. Afualo’s humor serves as a powerful tool to disarm and engage listeners, making the audiobook not only informative but also highly entertaining.

The structure of “Loud” is thoughtfully organized, with each chapter building on the previous one to create a cohesive and impactful narrative. Afualo’s insights are practical and actionable, encouraging listeners to take tangible steps towards embracing their true selves and demanding the life they deserve.

For those who appreciate audiobooks that are empowering and entertaining, “Loud” is a must-listen. Drew Afualo’s dynamic narration and compelling content make this audiobook a standout in the self-help genre. It is a testament to the power of owning one’s voice and living unapologetically.

“Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve” is an inspiring and invigorating audiobook that challenges listeners to break free from societal constraints and embrace their full potential. Drew Afualo’s passionate narration and insightful commentary make this a transformative listening experience that will leave a lasting impact.

I first became a fan of Drew's through her presence on TikTok, and have enjoyed her podcast, content, and other ventures into media. I think this book is such a gift to younger readers - something I wish I had about 10 years ago. Drew writes in a very accessible way and does an excellent job discussing de-centering men, focusing on investing in friendships, and breaking down gender norms. I have no doubt this will be popular with teens and young adults.

This book is EVERYTHING! i've always been a fan of drew, but this book is amazing. It takes my love for her up 47 degrees. She's just perfection. I got the audiobook as an ARC but i plan on buying the physical book just to support drew.

LOVED THIS. LOVE DREW. LOVE EVERYTHING THIS WOMAN CREATES AND PRODUCES.
When I tell you Drew Afualo changed my life I am not being dramatic. Okay maybe a little bit but that isn't going to stop me. This woman has changed the way I interact with the world, she's given me so much confidence and allowed me to pull my self worth from myself instead of idiots on the internet. I didn't even realize how much I let their bullshit weigh on me until I had her cackling in my ear reminding me that they're not worth any of my energy.

If I had a sister, I would expect all our voice notes to each other to sound like the audiobook for Loud. Honestly, I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did but I was cheering and laughing, and YES I DID CRY at one point. I didn't know much about Drew Afualo beyond the vague notion that she was huge on TikTok and that she's a feminist but after reading her memoir, I'm definitely a huge fan. Drew tells her own story with such vulnerability that I felt so empowered with every turn of the page and it made this book highly relatable and unexpectedly raw. This was truly a brilliant way For Drew to tell her story and say her truth.

When I had TikTok, I absolutely LOVED seeing Drew’s videos pop up on my feed because I KNEW someone was about to get destroyed 🤣 I loved listening to this audiobook and learning more about her family and her advocacy 👏🏻

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Loud by Drew Afualo is a powerful and engaging debut that showcases Afualo's unique voice and incisive commentary. With its dynamic prose and sharp wit, Afualo addresses contemporary issues with both clarity and depth. The book's narrative is not only thought-provoking but also refreshingly candid, providing readers with a compelling perspective on modern society. Afualo's ability to blend humor with serious reflection makes Loud a standout work, offering an evocative and memorable reading experience.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I really love that this small book packed a big punch! The book might have been short, but it was full of interesting thoughts and important things that people need to hear. I feel like the people who pick this up are going to love it, but I fear the people who truly need to hear this message would never read a book like this. I think I love Drew even more after getting to know her more through this journey and will continue to follow her in the future.

This is straight up giving Drew Afualo, which she wrote it so I would hope so. But at times I literally felt like I was sitting down and having a conversation with her, not listening to her book.

Drew is powerful and stands up for what she believes in and that is all evident and shown in her writing. I was honestly so disappointed though that we only got her laugh at the end. I was hoping it would be sprinkled throw out.

If you enjoy watching Drew roast mediocre men on TikTok I would highly recommend reading/listening to Loud!

Where to begin with this review...

I know this is truly not about me but as a preface to this review, I want to give context as to why I decided to request/read this arc. As a youtube girly to my core, I first heard of Drew from her involvement in the social media industry and interacting with some of my favorite creators. I have seen a few videos here and there and found her to be entertaining! I wouldn't say I was a fan of Drew’s or knew any deep lore about her, but she was a guest on a podcast I listen to regularly which gave me the opportunity to see her funny and animated personality. I was looking forward to learning more about her life through this memoir!

My favorite parts of Loud were the memoir style chapters where Drew detailed her deep connection to her heritage, her family and her friends. It was beautiful to learn about Samoan culture and I enjoyed reading about Drew’s life experiences that shaped her into the person she is today. I admire Drew's commitment and dedication to fighting a fight she believes in wholeheartedly. In a culture where so many people are wishy-washy, can't commit to anything or define their own beliefs, this is encouraging to see. I do think that Drew really wants what's best for women and believes she is fighting for what's right.

I am giving the audiobook narration of this book one more star than my review for the written book because I truly did love hearing Drew's voice and personality come through the audio narration! It felt like she was right there cheering me on.

While I adored the memoir parts, the rest fell flat. Unfortunately, I was already not a fan of the self-help genre so that did not put this book in a great position to begin with. A huge reason this book did not resonate with me is because Drew has so many opinions and says them all so… loudly... and I don't agree with everything she says. This is just my impression of the book, not of Drew as a person, but her views feel so angry. It honestly seems exhausting to live that way. She makes so many generalizations and has an overall negative outlook of the world. Drew appears to judge society by the worst of us and frames her narrative with this lens. I would argue that we should judge society by the best of us, meaning the peacemakers and saints. We ultimately have a choice about our outlook on the world and our internal thought patterns. I am in no way siding with or defending the disgusting actions of misogynistic men or bigoted people, and I believe all of Drew’s hurts/emotions are valid. It is true that we need to be vigilant when facing misogynistic men, expanding our worldview, identifying our privilege and fighting for those who are not as privileged as ourselves. But I do believe that whether our internal thoughts are positive or negative does have a great impact on the life we choose to live and the effect we wish to have.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

I love Drew. Her tiktoks ripping apart male trash bags to let all the garbage fall out? Perfection! 10/10 could watch forever. I thought this memoir would either keep that same energy and make me laugh a lot, or alternatively, get deeper into who she is as a person, what she wants from life, and what's brought her here to this massive popularity and persona, if she feels weighted by it. Where she wants to go next.

This really wasn't either of those things. This felt a bit like a patriarchy primer for young women, which I'm not sure was really needed. I think Gen Z and younger are miles beyond where we were at that age. I feel like this book might have helped me as a teen or in my early-20s but I honestly don't know if it will hit the same for the next generation. Sort of seems like they already know a lot of what Afualo is talking about here, about knowing your worth and not settling. I guess I wasn't really expecting this to be such an attempt at self-help.

The parts of this book when Afualo is talking about her Samoan culture, family and upbringing is what I really found interesting. The moments it did, like when she talked about her poor reaction to her sister coming out to her, she was really vulnerable and that felt powerful. I wish there was more of that, but most of the time it didn't really feel like it got all that deep. I'm just not all that sure what this book was trying to be.

The audio also wasn't my favourite. It felt like the way it was written and the way it was read were two very different tones and vibes. Sometimes she sounded bored or annoyed with having to read it at all.

So, I think I'd have liked this more in physical form.

Still love Drew, will continue to enjoy her content, but not sure I'd pick up another book by her.

I’ve followed Drew on social media since she started reading misogynistic men for filth on the internet like it was her job. I guess it kind of is her job now, so good on her for turning her passion into a lucrative career. Anyway, I love Drew so when I heard she was writing a book I immediately requested it, a move that turned out to be a great decision. Loud is raw and real, and in telling her story, Drew is refreshingly honest. Her story is immensely relatable and inspiring, and her narration made it even better. I’m much older than she is, but I’m so glad women like her exist as positive role models for the younger generation. It gives me hope for the future.

Drew Afualo's Loud is a Powerful Audiobook Experience
Loud by Drew Afualo is more than just a book—it's an experience, especially in audiobook form. Hearing Drew narrate her own words adds authenticity and authority that truly elevates the message. Her voice resonates with confidence and passion, making the themes of self-love and femme empowerment all the more impactful.
In these challenging times, Drew's unapologetic and bold approach is exactly what we need. She speaks directly and from the heart, urging readers to embrace their true selves and stand unwavering in the face of adversity. By personally narrating the audiobook, she creates an immersive experience, as if she's right there in the room, leading readers on a journey of empowerment and self-discovery.
I finished this book feeling inspired. Drew Afualo has not only delivered a powerful message but has also solidified herself as a voice worth listening to. I’m officially a lifelong fan and will always recommend Loud —especially in its audiobook form.

I LOVED this. I love Drew and this was such a fun read. I loved her talking about the things she’s learned and the mistakes she’s made and how that’s led to where she is now. She narrates her audiobook and it’s so exquisite, chef’s kiss.

Words can not express how much of a gift Drew Afualo is to the world. I can't tell you how many times, as a woman, advice is thrown to me about how to be a "better woman" or how to be "happier" but all of those things--all the "self help" advice I've been gived is always rooted in misogyny. Drew is one of the first people who approaches looking at life and reclaiming it on your own terms and unabashadly laughing in the face of all the ways women have been taught to be women for so long. I was deeply moved by her words and I can not wait to talk about how much this book has changed my outlook.

TikTok star Drew Afualo’s book is part memoir and part “manual” on how she became the “Crusader for Women”. I wasn’t familiar with Drew’s content, though I recognized her name and I enjoy a good Feminist comedienne targeting misogynistic trolls on the internet, so this looked promising.

I think the target audience for this book is late teens to early twenties — young women learning how to navigate the world full of misogyny and needing the confidence to stand up for themselves. As a (I can’t believe I’m calling myself this) middle-aged woman, I appreciated some of the content and can relate to her experiences, but I didn’t feel connected to it in the way a younger audience may. I certainly could’ve benefited from someone reminding me that I didn’t need to dim my light to be less “intimidating” or desirable to my male peers at that stage of my life. I even benefited from the reminder listening to Afualo now.

However, a couple things about Afualo’s approach rub me the wrong way. Her bullying the bullies attitude followed by the “it’s not my job to teach them” perspective is counterproductive to progress. It is not about teaching tools on the internet that saying fat phobic and sexist things is not okay. It is absolutely the right thing to call out this behavior of keyboard warriors and the real life scenarios in which this occurs. But dragging these people just perpetuates the problem by causing defensiveness and a cycle of hate. It’s a culture of taking things too far and widening the divide, and I think the positive message gets lost. It’s a fine line to walk.

I did enjoy Afualo’s narration of the audio book. Her personality shines through her storytelling. I am tempted to checkout her podcast after listening to her read her book.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love love loved drew narrating her own book! It was super interesting to learn about Samoan culture, her family dynamics and her life. I would read a memoir of hers for sure in the future.

I think this book would’ve been better suited to a younger crowd though, one that is dabbling in the dating scene, friendships and feminism. For me who has been around the bend with these topics it was a bit too common knowledge for me. But ones common knowledge is someone else’s revelation!