Honestly, this book was everything I wanted it to be, and I loved it. As a queer twenty-something who devoured the original when it came out, I wanted to know that the characters loved the show as much as the fans, and I wasn't disappointed. It is also such a great testament to chosen families and the power of queer community. Definitely recommended!

The L Word was my secret show for a long time, apartment bedroom door shut as I watched my “guilty pleasure” show well before figuring out my own identity. Now, we get the pleasure of reliving the early days of the show and that of our two Pants Podcasters 👖, Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, as they discovered their own identities, their lifelong friendship, and the dynamics that created a show beloved by so many.
This memoir was such a joy to read, both on a very personal level and on a modern look back on the industry of the time and the transformation The L Word helped create in media. Kate and Leisha, yes first names I’d like to pretend they’re my friends, capture how the show helped them through their own self identification. They hit the nail on the head when they discuss how women also sexualize women and that the show helped that message finally be shared. They discuss how they didn’t get it all right, how they worked with the knowledge they all had as the first major mainstream LGBT+ show, and the things they wish they could do or say now. It was such a pleasure to go behind the scenes, I’ll admit I cried as I learned about the family bond the cast created and the personal journeys both Leisha and Kate went through coming from small towns and hitting it big in the early aughts.
This book is perfect, totally and completely perfect. You can hear Leisha and Kate as you read, especially when they talk so passionately about their memories that they hold to so fondly. The L Word remains one of the most discussed television shows and is heralded as the first lesbian show; getting to go behind the scenes felt so special, especially as someone who can now honestly admit to rewatching it well over 5 times through. It’s validating, so fun, and such a personal joy to get two of my favorite people’s take on this show and what it did for so many queers, including themselves.

SO GAY FOR YOU by Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey is a very enjoyable read about friendship. My expectations for this book were fairly low: even though I was a fan of The L Word, I often feel like I've heard (read) all the behind-the-scenes experiences shared by the various actresses and executive producers. However, the way Moenning and Hailey weave their L Word experiences into sharing other aspects of their lives is very effective. May everyone find a friendship and meaningful as that of Moenning and Hailey.

Thank you to the authors, NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited when I heard that Leisha Hailey and Kate Moennig were writing a book about their before, during, and after their time on "The L Word"! I was pleasantly surprised by how honest they both were. They mentioned a lot of the magic that came with filming such a groundbreaking show. They also shared their frustrations at parts of the show that missed the mark in terms of plot points, costumes, and diversity. This is also true for the recent reboot, "Generation Q". This book is a must on audio as Kate and Leisha's emotions were palpable. I highly recommend watching the original show to get the most out of the book.

Incredible book, I really enjoyed reading the authors personal stories and anecdotes from the L word

An intimate, hilarious memoir of art, friendship, queerness, and found family by Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, stars of The L Word—including never-before-shared stories and photos from behind the scenes of the show and their personal lives.

So Gay For You is a combination of Leisha Hailey and Kate Moennig's individual life stories and their combined experience of filming The L Word. I loved learning more about these two women and about the show. Their stories are so interesting and they describe everything so well. Reading this felt like sitting down to have a chat with two friends.
As a fan of The L Word, it was neat to learn the behind the scenes stuff. Casting, storylines, how they promoted the show, etc. It was also a reminder of where the world was at in 2004 when the show started. Gay marriage didn't exist, Don't Ask Don't Tell was still in effect and technology was completely different. We didn't carry the world in our pockets. The show, which ended in 2009, is kind of like a time capsule in that way. I also enjoyed hearing about what Leisha and Kate did outside of the show.
I recommend this to fans of Leisha, Kate, the show, biographies, LGBTQ+ stories and good books. I was provided a free copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinons are my own.

As a huge fan of both Leisha and Kate I was super excited to get my hands on this book and it did not disappoint!! I love the way the way they co-wrote the book. Each chapter flows seamlessly between both of their recounts of the same time period. The way they weaved what was happening in their personal lives set against the backdrop of filming the L Word really helped connect you to their stories. It was a great read and I purchased a few copies for my chosen family.

An honest, funny and reflective look into these two actors life journey so far and the joys of decades of friendship. I enjoyed all their reflection on L Word time and lore. I loved how frank Kate especially was during the downfalls of the reboot, especially as far as the heteronormative nature of the storylines.

There was so many passages and lore I had no idea about, this book was a great distinguisher to differentiate the characters vs the actors. They shared a lot of information I'd never have know about them, their characters, their real lives, their friendship and how different their own journeys were from those they played.

I love that they address the problematic nature of the original series, as well as the sanitization of the reboot, I wish they expanded a bit on that and maybe other work they've done to further LGBTQ+ rights/representation (if any) other than being on the L Word and living out and proud.

Structure-wise, I wish the name of the person's perspective was displayed at the top of the page. Multiple times, I had to flip back to figure out who was speaking, especially early on when I can't really distinguish their voice as clearly. A bit nitpicky, but editing-wise/publishing, some of the super short page-long chapters could've definitely been added together.

Overall, very interesting and a must-read for fans of the show.

If you're a fan of 'The L Word', I definitely recommend this book! I enjoyed the behind the scenes stories about their lives before the show, during the show, and after the show. I liked the context that was provided to the creation of the show.

If you grew up watching The L Word, this book is for you. I felt like I was Kate and Leisha's shadow walking along side them as they take you through the trajectory of birth of this monumental show. Highly, highly recommend to all LGBTQIA+ individuals.

• stars of the iconic queer tv show from the aughts, leisha hailey & kate moennig, with their trademark combination of wit, humour, & unflinching honesty, share stories about how they were cast on ‘the l word,’ filming, living in vancouver, coming out, and what they’ve been able to do because of the show. from their first day on set, kate & leisha were inseparable, and that sentiment remains true today.
• as a fan of the show (in the way that so many queer millennials are), it was so much fun to get insight from two of my favourite characters on what the casting process was like, and details into filming a show for 6 years.
• kate’s discussion of her discovery of her queer identity, and how that was a huge topic of discussion in the public space (basically forcing her out at a young age), was my favourite part of the book!

I truly enjoyed reading/listening to this book, I read the hardcover I received while listening to the audiobook at the same time and I recommend it to truly feel immersed in the story.

I love reading celebrity biography/memoirs, and this one did not disappoint. I admit, I’ve never actually seen The L-Word, and wasn’t familiar with any of the characters/actors before reading this. However, listening to Kate and Leisha describe their lives before during and after the show, I definitely want to find where to stream it and catch up! These two have a great way of telling their stories, are incredibly funny, and have faced so much adversity I couldn’t even imagine.

One of my favorite parts of the way this book is written is that each of them tells their stories, and intertwines their perspectives of things. Words fail me, but basically you get Kate’s POV and Leisha’s POV of things happening in the same timeline. While each of them describes similar events, their viewpoints and way of telling the story are radically different. Each of their personalities really shines through and neither one overpowers the other.

My only negative is that the chapters were so long. It would have been easy to stop mid-chapter because of the way the chapters are broken into sections by author, but I also feel like each chapter could have been each of their POV once, and then next chapter.

It reads easily on screen/paper, but not as easily for someone listening.

I really enjoyed this memoir from two best friends who I have enjoyed watching on The L Word. It’s neat to hear about the behind the scenes of how the show was made and how they became friends through the experience.

After watching the LWord and following the cast as they move on, it was nice to get some insight I about these two. It was also great to read a biography where there is only positive comments about fellow cast members rather than infighting.
Goodreads

Picture it - it's the early 2000s, I'm watching the L Word with my boyfriend. I am very closeted, but very open about my love and absolute admiration of women. But still living the straight life. And here comes Jenny. GAH she wrecked my life - all the women on the L Word wrecked my life. I spent YEARS wondering how I could live that life.
Now it's 2025 - I'm out loud, still very open about my love and adoration of women. Walking the line between femme and butch on the daily.
And now I have these women - this audiobook is gonna be on repeat for a long time to come.
Hearing these women were just as close in RL made the show that much better. Hearing their truth, their lives - AND that Yoplait commercial - So Gay for YOU! Gah!

As a fan of Kate and Leisha - from The L Word, to Leisha's music, to their podcast Pants, I almost had no choice but to enjoy this! As someone familiar with them and their stories and storytelling, this book delivered nearly exactly what I hoped it would. Despite there being a wealth of blogging, recaps, articles, and podcasts episodes about the creation, development and production of The L Word, I was really glad to see that these stories felt fresh and furthermore like it felt like Kate and Leisha went out of their way to include never before heard stories. I also really appreciate hearing their perspectives looking back on the show all these years on, with all the experiences they've had since and plenty of time having passed to allowed their memories of it to evolve and grow. It still feels so important and significant, the role this show played in the lives of so many LGBTQ people. And there's definitely still a hole left that has yet to be filled by its loss. It was nice to spend hours with these equally significant people hearing about not only what it meant to them, but their personal backgrounds and intimate lives. I'm very very glad they did the book!

Additionally, in the audiobook version I enjoyed listening to them perform their impressions of one another, casemates, crew, and friends and family members across each of their lives. I also really enjoyed the back and forth delivery of their sections, with each of them reflecting on typically the same time period from their overlapping perspectives.

Edited to add: The sections where Kate rails on the production decisions made during the L Word reboot Gen Q are soooooo satisfying. We actually really needed this peak behind the curtain, for the culture. It genuinely needed to be put down on the record to explain what exactly happened there for so much to go so weirdly with the show. It's sad to hear that their suggestions weren't heeded and that they were left out of the major decisions for the show when for the fans, they really were the heart of it. All to say, I'm truly glad they shared and explained what happened. It seemed like it was satisfying for them too!

Book 113 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This and Queer as Folk were such eye openers. How these two actresses write is how I expected them to be irl if it makes sense?

Finding out how they first met, found each other, and more importantly, what this pair of pants go through... they generously let us into their world.

I read the ebook, and then after I got their voices in my head after the first two chapters, I synced my reading with the audiobook.

It fits like a glove.

Will make you laugh, will make you sigh, on a whole will make you feel.

Love this.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook and audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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This is just such a fun, nostalgic read. I enjoyed having the dual perspective, made it more broad coverage of the show and what the group was like.

I watched the original series but not the reboot or Kate & Leisha’s podcast. That said, I loved this joint memoir. Thank you both for sharing your stories! It makes me want to watch The L Word again.