Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields
Audio Version
Overall Grade: A-
Information: A-
Writing/Organization: A-
Narration: A-
Best Aspect: Very real and will be helpful to many women.
Worst Aspect: A little repetitive.
Recommend: Yes.

Brooks Shields has been a well-known actor/model my entire life. She’s 9 years older than me and this book about growing older resonated with me in several ways.

Yes, Brooke Shields is famous and beautiful and can afford fancy clothes, but she’s also funny and down to earth and relatable. She shares personal anecdotes and mixes in observation on society and statistics that back up her points. She discusses gaining confidence as she gets older, about worrying less about others’ opinions and finding joy in middle age. But also about being overlooked and undervalued as a “woman of a certain age.”

Shields discusses her recent interactions with the healthcare system and how we need to advocate for ourselves, even if we’re sometimes (often) seen as difficult. She points out, from personal experience and research studies, that there is a definite lack of knowledge surrounding perimenopause and menopause and considering how many women are in those life stages, that’s ridiculous.

Shields narrates the book herself, which was a perfect choice. She can laugh at herself and allow her emotions to come through. I like that she is purposefully still growing, learning, strengthening her body, and focusing on what makes her happy and fulfilled.

I haven't read any of Brooke Shield's previous memoirs, nor seen her documentary Pretty Baby (although I want to now). That being said, this was an eye opening read. I was expecting anecdotes about mid-life, and yes, there were quite a few. But, it also read, at times, like a research paper, full of statistics and facts. I understand she felt she needed to back up her commentary, but it felt a bit dry at times. I do like her advice about facing this phase of life head on with confidence.

I listened to this book simply because I love Brooke Shields and it did not disappoint. Although targeted for women over 40, I think it’s a must-read for women of all ages. This book is encouraging, empowering, thought-provoking and hilarious! I highly recommend choosing the audio version as Brooke Shield’s narration adds so much to the book! This was honestly such a joy to listen to.

This title immediately caught my eye and when I saw the audiobook was available through NetGalley, I was very excited to get listening to Brooke Shields talk about her life as a woman today. Since she is a mere 3 months younger than me, I could relate to a lot of the menopause-related stuff that she wrote about. On the other hand, since I haven't been in the public eye since I was a small child, as she was, I can't relate to that but I can feel sympathy for what it must be like when people expect her to still be young and look the way they remember her looking in a particular film or ad campaign, never thinking that as we the public ages, so does she.

I will definitely recommend this title to readers at the library although I'm sure that she will do just fine with this memoir without me encouraging my patrons.

Fantastic! Wise and witty, with a down-to-earth style of writing that really spoke to me. Covering topics including relationships, careers, menopause, healthcare, and the empty-nest years, the audio version, narrated by Brooke Shields herself, was exceptionally well done. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and highly recommend it, especially to women of "a certain age,' but also to those approaching it.

Brooke Shields newest book is a must read for women approaching middle age. She tells her story of getting to a certain age (59) with refreshing humor, honesty and great joy. She is definitely a very intelligent, funny woman and entertainer who has had her share of life hacks and is now very openly sharing them with the rest of us. There is a lot of backup data that she shares regarding being a woman in this day and age as well. I loved listening to her narration of her reading her own book, lots of fun. Very Highly recommended. 5 stars.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for a chance to listen/read an ARC version of this delightful book. All opinions are my own.

Brooke Shields and I are almost the same age and going through a lot of similar female issues as we age. What she has to say about menopause, being an empty nester, and the female sex drive as we get older certainly resonates with me. I grew up with Brooke Shields and of course, had Calvins. She starred in 'Endless Love' with a friend of mine and I was a big fan of hers,.I loved 'Suddenly Susan' and her comedic side. She narrates her story well, I enjoyed listening to it, and wish her the best in all her endeavors.

This book is a must read for everyone. I even think men should read it for insight regarding women they love and their struggles. Author Brooke Shields has written and put together a great book that touches on so many topics that women deal with throughout their lives. She does it with humour, bluntness and fairness. I had no idea how funny she was and I must say my respect for her grew with this book. Though to be fair I have always loved her.

Within the storyline of this book you will find a part of yourself but listening to the audio you will feel like you are sitting across the table from your BFF disussing your struggles and truimphs. It was very rewarding and fulfilling to listen to.

This is an audio that I will listen to again and again.

Don't sleep on this book, especially if you are woman of a "certain age." Hard for those of us in our older years to believe that Brooke Shields is now approaching 60, and what she has gone through and the way that she has handled it is illuminating.

Frankly, I'd just about forgotten about her.! But this book offers a real look at a woman who is aging, and given her fame as a child and youth, she has suffered with the public not allowing her to age. In this book, she tells of the many levels of poor care she received from doctors, (including one who was operating on her for labial pain and without her consent, gave her a "tightening up), Moreover, she offers her insights on how it feels to age, and how to do so with grace and dignity, without feeling the need to "do something about it tit."

I identified fully with everything that she said (especially the parts about thinning hair, cellulite and other not so nice changes that befall our bodies. She talks about her changing relationship with her husband, her now grown daughters, and the power and confidence that she has gained over the years.

She narrates the audiobook, and tells her story with honesty and candor. Highly recommend!

#netgalleyaudio

The title alone sets the tone of this witty and introspective narrative from a Hollywood icon as she ages and the perception of others as she does so. Women who are peri-menopausal, menopausal, or post-menopausal will enjoy Brooke's take on what it means to age as a woman. She weaves clinical studies and personal anecdotes into her account and offers optimism as a woman in midlife.

offers a candid and engaging exploration of her life, blending humor with poignant reflections on aging and identity. Shields' warm and relatable narration invites listeners into her world, where she shares both the struggles and triumphs of navigating fame and personal challenges. The audiobook stands out for its authenticity, as Shields addresses societal expectations and her own journey with a refreshing honesty that resonates deeply. This heartfelt performance makes it a compelling listen for anyone interested in the complexities of growing older in the public eye.

I really enjoyed this. Brooke tells it like it is in her story of battling age and the people who think women should quietly slink off after 40. She expounds on the discrimination she has faced, the medical issues she has overcome, and starting a company. Most of all though, she is joyful through all of it.

In her newest work, Brooke Shields offers a candid perspective on mature womanhood, aging, and how society views women in these contexts. This insightful book draws from her own life experiences to strengthen the narrative that women are systematically treated differently as they age. She shares her first-hand experiences as she navigates this new phase of her life, providing relatable insights for many readers. It's a coming-of-age story, but the script is flipped, as she examines what happens when women begin to define their own goals in the second half of their lives.

Several aspects of Brooke’s story resonated with me. As we age, we may gain confidence, but she is right to point out that there is also a newfound freedom from worrying about others' opinions when expressing our own. This can come across as uncomfortably confrontational to the patriarchal system, especially when it comes from an older woman considered past her “prime.” Brooke defines this as an age beyond childbearing. This is not a new issue; we can trace it back to the Middle Ages, when the age bracket most associated with witch accusations often included mature women. A confident older woman should not be seen as a threat, yet society often views her that way.

Brooke also reflects on her career—examining the choices she made and those made for her—ultimately finding her own power. This journey is accompanied by thoughts on mortality, not from a morbid perspective, but rather as an exploration of making it one-third of the way through her life while still seeking validation. Many women at a certain age will find this particularly relatable, especially as their children reach maturity and become less reliant on daily parenting.

I found her exploration of the healthcare system especially engaging. Frequently, medical professionals dictate how we should feel about our bodies, and when we question this, it is often dismissed as us being “difficult”. The lack of knowledge surrounding perimenopause and menopause is astonishing, and advocating for oneself can be an overwhelming task. For many women, particularly those with less privilege, this advocacy is an impossibility.

While I enjoyed most of the book, I found the inclusion of statistics to be off-putting. It felt inauthentic for her to share her personal experiences only to follow them up with generic statistics about how other women feel. Brooke's truth should stand on its own; if I found her relatable despite my vastly different background, many other women likely will too. Presenting statistics to validate her points felt like another nod to patriarchal expectations, as if her experiences weren't enough without evidence that others share them.

I would recommend this book to many of my friends over forty and suggest listening to the audio production. Brooke does a fantastic job with her narration, and her passion for various women’s health and wellness issues shines through.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for my gifted audiobook in exchange for an honest review.


I always enjoy celebrity memoirs about celebrities I don’t know much about. Brooke talks about growing up as a model, her pregnancies and her interactions with Tom Cruise after talking about postpartum depression and her career in acting.

Enjoyed this thoroughly. Brooke Shields is down-to-earth in this narrative and comes across as genuine, caring, and understanding. Women of all ages will benefit from her insights.

Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old is a thought provoking interesting read. It thoroughly explores many aspects of aging as a woman, including menopause, mothering adult children, being ignored by society, and running a business. It is an inspiring read and very grounded and relatable. I highly recommend the audiobook to hear it in Brooke's own voice.

A really funny book—Brooke is self deprecating but also draws from a ton of research. I’m really impressed with the writing of the book and she helps me look forward to aging. Not surprising caveat that a lot of her data is about women overall, but broken down by intersectional identities so it slants to white women. But I still enjoyed this one a lot!

In a friendly, relatable voice Brooke Shields explores mid-life womanhood both in her own life and in the broader culture

I was excited to dive into this book and it truly felt like a conversation with an old friend. Listening to the audiobook, which Brooke narrates herself, made the experience even more special—her warmth and sincerity shine through every word.

Brooke shares her journey with such honesty, from growing up in the spotlight to embracing life at 59 with a renewed sense of confidence and freedom. She talks about aging, motherhood, marriage, and health challenges in a way that feels so real and relatable.

I loved how she balanced personal stories with meaningful insights, even weaving in statistics to back up her points about ageism and the beauty industry. She tackles big issues, but there’s a humor and lightness in how she approaches them that kept me engaged.

What stayed with me most was her optimism—her belief that midlife is a chance to rewrite the script and own your story. It’s inspiring, especially coming from someone who has faced so much scrutiny in her life.

This book is heartfelt, thought-provoking, and left me feeling more hopeful about what’s ahead.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.