I liked her first book, this one seemed rushed to fulfill what must have been a two book deal. I wish there was more there but it seemed hurried and sloppy.

Another wonderful book by this author.She shares her life advice she is open honest hilarious wise.zLove her talk with Monica Lewinskey.Will be recommending this wonderful book.#netgalley #twelvebooks

While I agreed with a lot of what she was saying, it was a bit preachy at times, but I think fans of Alyssa Mastromonaco will find a lot to like!

So Here's the Thing by Alyssa Mastromonaco, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff in the Obama administration, is very good. So many essay collections feel disjointed and half-assed but neither this one nor her first book, Who Thought This Was a Good Idea, both written with Lauren Oyler, fall into that category.

So Here's the Thing (swipe left for a full summary) has everything from tough love advice to humorous anecdotes about people famous people, and everything in between. It's specific enough that women in politics will feel like it's written for them, but broad enough that you can enjoy it even if you had no idea who Mastromonaco was prior to reading the book. I especially enjoyed the little lists that rounded out sections of the book like 'Things You Should Never Say to or Around Your Boss' and 'Seven Things That Are Always In My Suitcase'. The interviews with friends and former colleagues like Amb. Susan Rice and Dan Pfeiffer were fun as well.

My one complaint is that the book at times felt a little lacking in heart and love. But it was very funny and I suppose not all self-help type books are filled with love and hugs.

I'll also be posting a review of this book on my blog, HopefulHanna.com, on August 31st, 2020. At that point it can be found at https://hopefulhanna.com/read-in-august-2020.

Hands down, one of my favorite books ever. Such an unfiltered, honest and witty view into the Obama administration. Simply put, I’d like to be friends with Alyssa!

Prior to reading this book I had no idea who Alyssa Mastromonaco was - I’m Canadian. I actually had no idea this book would be about politics, which leads to the only negative thing about this book - the title is misleading. I was expecting some interesting information/self-help surrounding “growing up, getting older and trusting my gut”.

What this book did bring is comedy and a lot of interesting information about American politics and the inner workings of the White House. A very quick read that will leave you smiling and even laughing the odd time. :)

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy for an honest review.

It goes without saying this book is full of valuable political insight, but there is so much more: Humor, honesty, lots of lists, great job advice (like if you're in a job that doesn't have a clear path to promotion, make sure to ask when you're interviewing what that process looks like), and a very candid take on child-free living and living with IBS. I'll look forward to reading about Mastromonaco's many next acts.

Two years ago, I read and reviewed Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House. I admitted I wasn’t very familiar with author Alyssa Mastromonaco prior to 2017, but after Obama left office, I began to hear her on the podcast Pod Save America, from time to time. I loved hearing her stories about her time working in the Obama White House and I loved her commentary about the current mess the country is in, so I was pleased to receive a copy of her second book, So Here’s The Thing…Notes On Growing Up, Getting Older, and Trusting Your Gut from Twelve Books in return for my honest review. (It actually came out in 2019, but somehow I missed it).

Full disclosure, her politics pretty much aligns with mine, and she shares the sense of wonder I feel when I wonder “How many times has some news story broken to cries of “This is finally the nail in the coffin for Trump? And it never is.” She’s aware that “Trump is a propaganda machine, sowing anxiety in order to scare his base into voting for him. “And as we near the 2020 election, my anxiety level continues to rise because, like her, “...it sometimes seems as if the Democrativ Party is engaged in a slapstick performance of ineptitude for laughs.”

While her first book was more of a memoir of her time in the White House, this book is described as “ twenty-first-century girl’s guide to life, tackling the highs and lows of bodies, politics, relationships, moms, education, life on the internet, and pop culture.” The title comes from her use of the phrase “So here’s the thing,” which she covers in the book, including her colleagues’ reaction to its (over?)use. The book includes some great stories about the White House years as well as some of the TMI episodes she is known for, and I loved her honest voice and willingness to reveal her (many) insecurities, health issues (including fertility and IBS), and relationships that led up to her marriage to someone who truly “gets” her. My favorite chapters were the one on Susan Rice (currently on the short list as a VP candidate), “Why You Should Always Listen To Michelle Obama,”and the ones on Monica Lewinsky (and I totally agree…the podcast Slow Burn is a must-listen!)

Bottom line, she knows how dire our situation is, and that currently “Everyone in government seems more concerned with their images than with the clusterfuck they’ve wrought on the American people.” And I am glad that she is willing to continue to be an activist, recognizing that although it’s “not like I think my participation in politics is necessary or meaningful. Nobody’s is. But I worked too hard, and saw too much, to sit idly by as a bigot reigns over the Oval Office. “

I love her. I’m now subscribed to the podcast “Hysteria” just to hear more from her, and I hope she keeps writing. It’s not earth-shaking or literary. But it’s fun and informative and honest, and a good reminder of the importance of restoring normalcy to the White House. Five stars.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

Someone really needed to say everything in this book. I’m surprised it took as long as it did, but I am awfully grateful that she said it now

This was a pretty interesting journey to read of someone who has lived and worked in such a high office in the White House and worked with so many presidential campaigns. It was funny, sad and heartwarming all at once. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed the author’s earlier memoir about her time in the Obama White House and thought I’d give this a try. By the time my request was granted, this book had been out for 16 months and the Covid-19 crisis was raging. So, context.

But, the review. This book is a series of lists and vignettes and a few short q & as with notable politicos. A quick and easy read, but not an enjoyable one.

The tone is even more name-drop-y than the first book and her personal lists were sometimes cringeworthy. And, in the middle of the pandemic the entire book feels tone deaf, rather than adorable, which is the vibe I think the author is aiming for.

Alyssa is my ultimate role model in life, tbh. I absolutely loved her first book and this one was just as fabulous. I suggest her books to any women (period, but also) who are looking at their lives and wondering how they get to where they want to be. Her thoughts have been invaluable to me in my growth and I know her books would help anyone who may come across them. Read this!

(I posted this review to Goodreads in March 2019. I purchased it since I didn't receive an ARC before publication.)

Having read her first memoir about her time in the White House, I was excited to get to read Alyssa Mastromonaco's second book. This funny and insightful collection of essays and interviews covers a range of topics with a focus on female empowerment. I especially enjoyed the interview with Monica Lewinsky and get thoughts on The Bachelor franchise.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.