Too often, time in a state legislature is treated as a brief stop in a political memoir: if we're reading the book by this president or governor, odds are they quickly moved on to higher office. So as someone who ran for local office (state representative) in 2024, I was really excited to see a memoir from someone who is a local official. I really appreciated how honest she is about the process of running for office, since even running for local office involves raising such an incredible amount of money, and how local elected officials have so much more influence over your life than a presidential candidate. I appreciated the tips that a lot of people don't know - making an appointment with your local representative (so much easier than finding your local congressman), and her focus on the importance of childcare and paid family leave.

To a lot of people, the world feels scary right now. McMorrow's book is a great start if you're wondering what to do next for your community.. I'd recommend to anyone who is wondering "how can I help?"

In April of 2022, I found myself captivated by a speech spoken by a woman who healed the hearts of many, not just in the state of Michigan, but in the US and that is what we needed and what we still need.

While this is about Ms. McMorrow’s life, this is also a carefully laid-out how to guide that gives the reader insight on making a difference in today's political climate. She gives us a road map on how we can do better and on how we can help fight this current malignancy so hate won't win.

I really loved this book.I highly recommend this to those who want to make a change in the world around them.

Hate Won’t Win is the book many need and many more should embrace. Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow doesn’t just recount her rise in politics; she invites us into her world with the kind of candid, engaging storytelling that makes you feel like you’re sitting across from her, coffee in hand, talking about the state of the world. And in a time when political discourse often feels like screaming into the void, McMorrow offers something radical: hope.

Part memoir, part call to action, Hate Won’t Win traces her journey from a frustrated citizen to a national political voice. It’s packed with behind-the-scenes insight into campaign struggles, political roadblocks, and the viral moment that made her a household name. Her story is compelling—sometimes infuriating, often inspiring, and never dull. She takes us inside the trenches of Michigan politics, where sexism, misinformation, and outright threats are part of the job description. But she doesn’t stop at the struggle; she focuses on the work, on what’s possible when people engage rather than retreat.

The book’s second half shifts gears, moving from personal narrative to something closer to a guidebook for civic engagement. Here, McMorrow lays out the small but powerful ways ordinary people can impact politics—far beyond just showing up to vote. While some readers might find this section less gripping than her personal journey, it’s still packed with valuable insights.

McMorrow isn’t just a promising leader for Michigan—she’s a voice the entire country could use right now. Hate Won’t Win isn’t just a memoir; it’s a rallying cry. And if she ever takes her fight to the national stage, count me in.

Grade: A

This was absolutely the book my heart needed. With the political climate feeling topsy turvy, Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow delivers a hopeful message to her readers. Her book details how she came into politics and reads like a memoir. McMorrow 's writing style is intimate and candid, in a way where I felt really connected to her. (Almost like we were sitting down for a cup of coffee together!) Thank you Senator McMorrow for giving us hope, and inspiring Americans everywhere to take meaningful action steps to help better our world. And thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Pub for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Content warnings: sexual harassment and rape

In terms of practicality, this was a wonderful book. Its usefulness for anyone who wants to change the system is unmatched. I loved it.

An interesting read, I enjoyed learning about Mallory McMorrow's back story. How does one end up with a career in politics? How does one deal with the "boys club" of our society? How does one keep hope alive? I love this notion that Hate Won't Win. Hopefully it won't.

Mallory McMorrow became a brief, nationwide political star when a speech of hers on the floor of the Michigan State Senate went viral, and she’s smartly capitalized on that with a book.

Plus, now she’s potentially running for the United States Senate.

Hate Won’t Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than You Found It is a tri-purpose book. She wants to introduce herself to the widest possible audience while also talking a little about her beliefs and providing hope for people so that their effort isn’t for nothing.

Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Learning her backstory was interesting and infuriating.

She has a great backstory.

If she does end up running for the US Senate out of MIchigan, she’s got a lot of ammo ready to rock and roll to boost here to the top of the polls.

I do have a problem with the sometimes dismissive approach to Democratic voter frustration with the Democrats.

It’s easy to criticize the Democratic Party for their weaknesses. There are a lot! It’s even easier to criticize people for criticizing the Democrats.

McMorrow does a bit of the latter here, but I don’t think it’s too much. I get annoyed when folks refuse to engage in legitimate criticisms of the Democratic Party, but I don’t think she goes that far here.

There’s a lot of good advice for people who want to actually be involved in politics.

I think McMorrow does a good job in this book in providing advice from folks who are looking to get into the political process beyond showing up to vote for someone every few months. (I say few months, because I feel like there’s something to vote for at least three times a year. At least, here there is.)

She talks about how during her campaign when she was a “nobody”, they went door to door regardless of who the person would be voting for to have that conversation. Because, you can’t make your case if you don’t have conversations with people. Especially when it comes to smaller races.

I remember when Mallory McMorrow rang our doorbell, campaigning door to door when she first ran for the Michigan Senate. Yes, we voted for her. Hate Won’t Win is both her memoir about how she got into politics and her career in Lansing and a how-to guide on how to become political forces as voters and citizens.

McMorrow was frustrated about the political chaos in the country and was inspired to run for office. She believed in the American dream where everyone mattered. Her mother had patterned a life of service. McMorrow’s education and career had taken her across the county. Then, she married a “fourth-generation Royal Oaker”–where I lived from age 11 to marriage.

McMorrow ran in a traditionally Republican area against a Republican incumbent under criticism for lack of dedication. And she won, the same year that Gretchen Whitmer was elected governor. McMorrow was the youngest woman ever elected to the Michigan Senate.

She soon came up against the ingrained ‘Old Boy’s Club’ acceptance of sexual harassment. At orientation, another senator touched her inappropriately, and when she learned that other women had experienced the same unwanted advances, she reported him. Consequences for the man were limited, but the atmosphere in the Senate changed for the better. Whitmer later told her that “this place has been a snake pit for years.”

But the challenges were just beginning. McMorrow saw the Michigan Capitol overrun with armed extremists, some of whom later participated in a kidnapping plot against Governor Whitmer. There was the COVID-19 crisis, the January 6 violence. Another senator accused her of grooming children.

McMorrow was the second sitting Michigan senator to give birth while in office; the legislature required in-person participation. McMorrow introduced a family leave disclosure act requiring disclosure of family leave policies upon hire.

You are our voice of reason in a world gone mad. from Hate Won’t Win by Mallory McMorrow

McMorrow gave a speech decrying politically based dehumanization. It ended, “I know who I am. I know what faith and service means, and what it calls for in this moment. We will not let hate win.”

She had not planned to run for reelection. She was tired of being targeted by Republicans, tired of introducing bills that went nowhere. But after her speech went viral, she was invited on all the news channels and messages came in supporting her.

McMorrow decries the division that separates and demonizes neighbors. She warns against the cable news designed to bait you into binge watching and rile up emotions. She notes that liking and sharing memes isn’t political action. Then, she clearly offers how to practice politics, influencing those in power or supporting candidates who stand for your values.

People have lost faith in politics and politicians. But to change the world we have to connect, act, and participate. Start local. Find your people. Embrace your civic duty. The state government has more power over you than the Federal, she states. We can’t impact every issue. Voting and protests alone can’t change things. But we can’t retreat, either.

It took five years for McMorrow to get a bill into law, a red flag law that helped the Royal Oak police manage a situation blocks from McMorrow’s home. The fight is always worth it.

She ends, “let’s create the future we want to see, together.”

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

This book was so empowering & a breath of fresh air in the midst of the tense political climate we are in! If you are feeling, like myself, powerless and hopeless right now, because you are only one person and don’t know how you can make a difference, this book is for you. I love how the author used her personal experiences in the state senate to give a bipartisan how-to on how to effectively get involved in your community & state politics. While I’m a political science major and really enjoy politics, I get that politics can be very intimidating and draining, and this book gives really great resources for small things you can do to make a difference as well as providing purpose for why those actions are important.

I would recommend anyone read this, no matter what party or views you align with. It was enlightening, well researched, and truly made me feel like I can make a difference.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing, Mallory McMorrow, & NetGalley for sending me ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the advance ebook copy of Hate Won’t Win by Mallory McMorrow.

I’ve been a fan of Mallory for several years, and it was empowering to take a deeper dive into her work and advocacy as a Michigan State Senator. In a time when the world feels especially dark, this book was a refreshing and motivating read—reminding us why strong, political leaders like Mallory are so important and vital.

The first part of the book reads as a memoir, offering insight into Mallory's personal journey and experiences, while the second half serves as a powerful call to action. It energized me, provided guidance, and laid out tangible steps for getting involved. Hate Won’t Win is both an inspiring and necessary read for those who care about fighting for what’s right.

This book by Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow is part memoir and part instructional guide. The first half details how she got into politics and her time in the Michigan legislature. It's a memoir, but with a fairly narrow focus. It also goes in depth about her viral Hate Won't Win speech and the events leading up to it. The second half reads more like a self=help book at times, taking a broader view by outlining the tangible steps you can take to build community, fight for what's right, and create real, lasting change.

I enjoyed learning more about Mallory and was inspired by her journey. I do wish the description for this book was clearer about the first half being a memoir so that readers have a clear understanding of what they're about to read.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.

State Senator Mallory McMorrow's "Hate Won't Win" is a fresh, motivating read that is part narrative, part "how to," and part workbook. It's exactly the kind of book I would have loved to use as my guide when I ran for office alongside her in 2018 for the Michigan legislature.

In this time of great uncertainty in our country with the re-election of Donald Trump to the presidency and Republicans winning majorities in both houses of Congress at the federal level and making some gains across the country downballot, McMorrow's book can and should be a seminal read for those looking to engage in our political system in the Trump 2.0 era.

Mallory McMorrow’s Hate Won’t Win offers a deeply personal account of her political journey, interwoven with reflections on leadership and resilience. While the book’s intentions are clear and its message inspiring, its structure creates a split experience for the reader.

The first half is where the book truly shines, detailing McMorrow’s rise in Michigan politics, her groundbreaking achievements, and her response to a public smear campaign. Her storytelling here is captivating, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of modern-day politics.

The latter half shifts gears, incorporating broader reflections and advice for navigating life and societal issues. While parts of this are heartfelt, the tone feels uneven, and the content may appeal more to readers new to political engagement or self-improvement literature. For those hoping for a more sustained focus on McMorrow’s political insights, this section might feel less compelling.

Overall, Hate Won’t Win is an empowering read, particularly for those seeking a blend of inspiration and actionable takeaways, though its dual focus may leave some readers wanting a clearer narrative thread.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for my free review copy.

I loved the first half and Mcmorrow tells her story VERY well. the second half was, i found, a significant chunk weaker, though. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thank you, Grand Central Publishing, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Mr. Book just finished Hate Won’t Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than You Found It, by Mallory McMorrow.

This book will be published on March 25, 2025.

This book is by Mallory McMorrow, who was the youngest woman ever elected to the Michigan State Senate. She made national news when a speech she made on the floor of the Senate went viral in April 2022.

I felt like I was reading two different books. The first part of the book, when she limited herself to politics was very interesting. The author wrote about how she got started and defeated an entrenched Republican incumbent. She then was victimized by sexual harassment during her Senate initiation sessions by another member of the Senate. The speech that went viral came after she was the target of a vicious slandering by one of the Republican Senators.

But, then the second part was a mixture of life tips, as well as sometimes incorporating politics into it. When she was writing politics and was writing about her interactions with people., that part was effective, but when she started talking about politics in general, it felt too much like a “politics for dummies” book. I wouldn’t say she was talking down to the audience, but it did seem like her audience was people who are not interested in the topic. And, when she wasn’t writing about politics in that part of the book, I was definitely not the target audience for that either.

I became a fan of Senator McMorrow while reading the book and hope she has a great future ahead of her in politics. But, when it comes to this book, unfortunately, the best I can do is give it a B.

Goodreads and NetGalley require grades on a 1-5 star system. In my personal conversion system, a B equates to 3 stars. (A or A+: 5 stars, B+: 4 stars, B: 3 stars, C: 2 stars, D or F: 1 star).

This review has been posted at NetGalley, Goodreads and Mr. Book’s Book Reviews

I finished reading this on December 23, 2024.

Mallory McMorrow is a state senator of Michigan. You may have seen her on various news outlets and at the recent DNC convention, holding a giant Project 2025 plan book. But you have never heard her story. How did she get the urger to run for her local state Senate? She explains her path in this book, and how you can be involved in local politics. She advocates that if you want to see change, get involved. Ms. McMorrow's story is inspiring and heartwarming, but it is also a story with dark themes, so there is a trigger warning of SA and suicide.

Ms. McMorrow is like a friend who encourages you to be a change-maker instead of sitting there and complaining. At the end of this book is a workbook showing how to start making those changes slowly. This book was an interesting read and she weaved in stories of real people throughout her book on both sides of the aisle. We learn an honest look at the world of public life and it will not be easy there is a lot of cutthroat competition. If you are interested in learning about her life and getting involved in local politics this is an excellent book to have in your lib