I was so thankful to receive an ARC for this book. I have been a loyal follower of Drew Afualo for a while and I truly believe she is one of the most important influential voices of this generation. What I love the most about her, and this carried into her writing as well, is her love and commitment to her family. Specifically her relationship with her sister, which in so many ways mirrors there relationship I have with my own sister, the chapter that focused on their relationship and reading how Drew describes her sister had me in tears on more than one occasion. I also always appreciate her commitment to lifting up women and empowering them to stand up for themselves and release themselves from the firm grip the patriarchy has on us all. I learn so much from consuming Drew's content online and was worried she wouldn't have anything else to teach me when it came to the book. I was so glad to be proven wrong. Although I did really love this book, I do have a few criticisms that come down to the writing style. It was written in the way I imagine it would have been spoken, in terms of adding adlibs or side commentary, which I felt sometimes distracted from the message. I also did feel that some chapters and topics got repetitive. Overall, this is a beautiful debut novel and I can't wait for more women to get their hands on these words and the powerful change I believe can come from this knowledge being shared.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! (yall have no idea the scream I scrumpt when I saw I was approved)

I adore Drew and her content! Who doesn't love seeing terrible people taken down?!

Part memoir, part self-help, part call to action- I really think there are some really great takeaways for all in Loud.

I found some parts would probably resonate with someone a bit younger coming into their own as an adult, but like I said earlier I did find some great things to take away for myself. Not to get sappy but imposter syndrome has been real for me so Drew's pep talks were much needed.

I'm glad to live in a world where women and femmes have someone like Drew in their corner. I hope if you read this you find something great to takeaway too.

"Learning how to love yourself - like truly love yourself - is not easy. In fact, it might be one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do. But look, there's only one person you'll be with from the moment you are born until the moment you die - yourself. Give yourself a chance."

Wow! This was so much more than I expected it to be.

I don't even know why I doubted Drew in the first place, I knew that she studied journalism and that she was very eloquent and intelligent when speaking, but this was really eye opening and this book sets the standard for what an "influencer" book should be.

I'm trying to as unbiased as I can be, since I do listen to her and her sister's podcast, but I did really enjoy this book. It was so authentic to who Drew is and when reading you can truly feel Drew speaking to you. It is evident that Drew knows who shes is and that she has no problem expressing herself and giving great advice to all fem representing people that need help. I can't even tell you how many passages I have underlined and how many times tears have streamed down my face as I read this book. It was well structured, we got to know Drew, her family, friends and we got a good insight into who she is and why she preaches the things she does on her social media apps.

As many self help book can come across as preachy, generic and pattern based, "Loud" possesses a certain rawness and honesty that most internet creator based books lack. It gives actual helpful advice that feels like a friend trying to help you out and it doesn't miss on being funny, witty and serious at times.

This book is so Drew, in the best way possible and you should read it!

I loved reading about Drew’s life experiences. It was part memoir and part self help. I really liked how it wasn’t preachy.

Debut book from TikTok sensation and women enthusiast, Drew Afaulo - is one not to miss. Her autobiography is vulnerable, comical, and an easy read. If you are a Drew fan or have tuned into her podcasts, you will absolutely enjoy. She gives valuable life advise and lots of perspectives to day to day issues she sees with society, this book is a combo of memoir, self-help, and fiction. Very fun and easy read, highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Drew Afualo, and the publisher for granting an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was hesitant to read at first because I wasn't sure how Drew's voice would translate from screen to page, but I didn't need to be worried. Drew touches on sensitive topics with such courage and passion that you can't help but turn the page. I laughed, I cried, I thought very deeply. Thank you for sharing your perspective, Drew. I can't wait to recommend this to all of my friends.

I love Drew’s videos and this felt like an extension of them, with time to go more in depth. Her voice came through so, so clearly in writing — I could practically hear her saying every line. The chance to learn more about her and her family was really interesting, as well as the way she approached different topics related to patriarchy.

If this book had existed when I was a teenage girl, it would have saved me YEARS of heartbreak. I think what Drew has written here will be pivotal for so many women who are struggling to find their worth and with decentering men. Part memoir, part self-help, this is a quick read that will surely leave a lasting impression. Truly like a book written by a loving and protective older sister that wants the best for you.

I had high hopes for this book, but it was a bit too feminist manifesto for me. I appreciate her views and agree with a lot of points, but it got very repetitive and I stopped reading at 32%. I'm sure this book will be right for other readers, but it wasn't for me.

Absolutely loved the book. Drew is a champion and revolutionary thinker. Learning more about how she became this way and her family dynamics really makes you realize how influenced by the patriarchy we are. This was well written with just enough of lightheartedness.

Afualo gives a very honest and funny response to her rise in fame on Tiktok and how her videos have sparked debate among both men and women alike. I really enjoyed her stories and honest sharing of her feelings and struggles, while still trying to maintain her brand.

Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Strauss and Giroux for this ARC!
As a personal fan of Drew Afualo’s online man-defeating persona, I expected to learn a lot from her experiences dealing with the patriarchy. Unfortunately, this book did a lot more telling than showing. Although Drew broke down many of the components of her life that aid her in fighting against prejudice, the book contained little in terms of tangible advice. Some sections, such as when she breaks down the “myths” of the patriarchy, felt closer to offering me real advice I could apply to my life, but even these fell short in some regards. As much as I love her no-holds-barred personality, one that was shown through her writing, but this book was ultimately not up to my expectations.

DNF at 50%. I enjoy Drew's content and was really intrigued by what she would have to say in her book but it just felt very repetitive to me. Autobiographies aren't my favorite genre so it could absolutely just be a personal preference issue. I really enjoyed when she spoke about her family and her upbringing, as well as the regrets she has with her sister but somehow it all felt surface level and disjointed. I don't think it was a bad book, I think that perhaps I just wasn't the intended audience. I'll continue to watch her videos and listen to her rants and honestly, if Drew reads the audiobook, I might even give it another chance!

Thanks to NetGalley, Drew Afualo, and the Farrer, Straus and Giroux for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Like many people, I'm familiar with Drew Afualo by her infectious laugh and her ability to put toxic men in their place on Tiktok but not so much of her brand outside of that. So when I had the opportunity to request an ARC copy of "Loud" via NetGalley it was a no brainer that I had to do it. I went into this book expecting a very influencer perspective on a memoir and by the first 10 pages I was surprised to find my assumptions were completely misguided.

Like some of the reviews I've seen already on GoodReads, I too have at least 10 years on Drew and while some of the lessons she speaks about are things I know and practice myself they are incredibly impactful for the young women and femmes coming up behind my generation and beyond. It is a war cry that I feel is so incredibly important for all women/femmes to hear.

That said, I felt like this book was a conversation with a best girlfriend whom I haven't seen for a bit. It was real, honest and grounding. I loved hearing about her relationship with her family (I might not have a big family like hers but mine is a tight group of 3 generations of strong women whom I'm extremely close to) and respected her candor about her own struggles and misgivings. She stands strong in her convictions and she is not afraid to admit when she's wrong which in my eyes is what makes a strong leader. I will quickly be checking out her podcast now that I've finished this book.

As I mentioned earlier, this book can and should become a handbook all women, femmes and even allied men who want to learn more should read. 4⭐️ and thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy of Drew Afualo's "Loud"

This book just wasn’t for me. I adore Drew and find her incredible on TikTok, however, I wanted to get a little more from her book. Self help isn’t usually a genre I enjoy so I went in optimistic. If self help is a genre you enjoy, then this would be a refreshing, easy read.

Reading Loud was a journey for me. Having watched Drew’s videos for some time now I was curious at what made the woman I admire, well herself. There were stories from her past that she’s light into how she is now as well as learning lessons to keep going back to when you need them. I knew I was reading words Drew had written herself and it was refreshing hearing her cackling throughout (iykyk). I’m excited to get my hands on a hardback edition to lend out to friends who need a little support in their corner, because reading Loud let me know she’s always there.

Drew is an absolute force using her voice for justice. I was very excited to read this and I’m pleased to say I was not let down.

There is so much to learn from Drew. For many she is seen as a woman who uses her platform to drag misogynists on the internet (I love that for her!) but she is also a symbol for what it means to stand your ground and defend yourself and others in the face of a system that is intent on crushing you.

I loved this book and I love Drew Afualo even more after reading it.

I have always loved reading books like these, so when I heard a content creator I like was writing one? Sign me up!

Drew delivers her comedy she displays online, into her writing. So many witty jokes is just what I would expect from her. However, I wasn't expecting to finish the book feeling better about myself. I actually was able to take a lot of lessons/pointers she was giving and apply it to my everyday life. She's really good at helping women feel empowered.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

Loud was an incredible introduction to not only Drew, but the issues that matter most to her. As a follower of Drew, it was fascinating to see someone who keeps their cards close to their chest on their public platform open up in such a raw way through their book. You can tell that this was not only a love letter to her audience, but a love letter to all those in her family and inner circle.

Firstly, this memoir was incredibly accessible. I think a lot of the issues Drew touches on (internalized misogyny, body-image, the patriarchy, etc.) are discussed in a way that anyone, no matter their age, can take something away from it. Personally, I think if high school me had this book, I would have thought a lot differently about myself and how I engage with the world. Sometimes authors of memoirs can get caught up in proving themselves to their audience, but I think Drew does an incredible job of combining her own life story and a comprehensive guide to confidence all in the story. You can also really feel her personality throughout the entirety of it, which was so pleasant for someone who has watched Drew since she started posting online.

The only thing I found taking me out of the experience was the organization of the chapters. I think some concepts could have been combined to make it flow better for the reader, but this was not something consistent throughout the entirety of the book. I noticed it at some points and not at others.

Overall, I think this book did what it needed to do! We learned more about Drew's personal life and her experience in her content creation niche, what her advice is on becoming the most confident version of yourself, and so much more. Great first book!

drew afualo, the woman you are.

If I had a physical copy of this book, it would look beat-up, and full of highlights and notes. And not in a cute way.</p>

drew writes so well, formal yet informal, I felt like I was having a conversation with her. I felt that I was having a conversation with a big sister, someone who was forcefully, yet lovingly, reminded me I deserve better. I cannot recommend this book enough. she also includes her own experiences, and brought tears to my eyes. she is such a bright light in this world.

some of my favorite quotes from this (without making this review ten pages long)

"Now repeat after me: "No, I cannot fix him." And: "No it is not my job to.""
"The word "no" is a complete sentence."
"You are worth all the love and respect you put out into the world, and you are destined to receive it."

I can't wait to buy a physical copy and I too, will be thinking of Drew when I stand up for myself, sitting up straighter, shoulders back, chin up.

thank you netgalley, the publisher, and drew afualo