I listened to the audio version of Paper Doll, and hearing Dylan Mulvaney narrate her own story definitely added to the experience - it brought a personal, authentic tone that helped me connect more with her journey. The book itself was an eye-opening read, offering insight into gender, identity, and the unique pressures of living so publicly online. Mulvaney’s voice is candid and engaging, and there’s a strong sense of vulnerability throughout. That said, I found myself feeling a bit old at times while listening, despite Mulvaney not being that much younger than me. The cultural references and tone seemed more geared toward a younger audience, which occasionally made me feel slightly out of step. Still, it was a worthwhile read that offered perspective and provoked reflection. I wouldn’t call it life-changing, but it’s a thoughtful memoir with moments of real honesty and impact. Worth a listen if you’re curious about her story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

i’ve been following dylan on tiktok for some time so this book was a beautiful narrative of her story. having her narrate it was even better! loved the book.

I loved listening to Dylan's audiobook for Paper Doll. She's an excellent, funny, compelling narrator. My only complaint is that I desperately wanted to see the illustrations she was referencing. I'd highly recommend Paper Doll and am so thankful I got the chance to give it a listen.

I've read quite a few transfemme memoirs, and Dylan Mulvaney's voice is unique. If you've loved her on social media, you'll love this book, as her voice comes out strongly. The book revisits things you may have heard about, but gives new insights.

I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. Dylan is hilarious and hearing her words in her own voice made it feel more personal. She's a natural entertainer. She had me laughing out loud in parts as well as covering the more serious elements of being trans.

I've followed Dylan since the start of Days of Girlhood and it was so interesting to see more of behind the scenes. The shit she's had to put up with just for living her life is disgusting.

Dylan is a ray of sunshine and listening to this book felt like sitting down for a gossip with your girlfriends.

I loved this one and would like to listen to or read more from this author. I liked it and enjoyed it , thank you for the early arc!

Love love love. Internet It girl Mulvaney is honest, funny, and a great narrator. Great audiobook but I’m sure it’s equally delightful in print.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard of internet sensation and content creator Dylan Mulvaney - singer, dancer, advocate, and overall It Girl whose online coming out and transition captured the heart (and the ire, in the case of bigots) of the internet. Though her "Days of Girlhood" series, Dylan revealed snapshots of what it was like to 'be a girl' from makeup, to laser hair removal, to public and privately-endured transphobia from strangers and family alike. Following the year of Dylan's life encompassing this series with flashbacks highlighting other poignant moments of her life in and out of girlhood - including the #beergate incident and the vitriol that followed - Dylan offers readers an intimate look at her transition, her explosive rise to fame and the bumps along the way, her thoughts and fears and hopes, and how she remained a beacon of positivity even in the face of hatred, violence, self-doubt, and depression.

I was aware of Dylan Mulvaney in the TikTok space and in the face of a few right-winger tantrums over a certain beer sponsorship, but I learned so much more about her in listening to her memoir and can see why people (me included) have fallen in love with her. Dylan is hilarious, blunt, and achingly honest in this remembrance - there are a lot of aspects of her transition and life in the limelight which aren't pretty or fun or iconic, and she doesn't shy away with how much she struggled at certain points in her career, and the self-reflection she needed as someone who has become a very public advocate for the trans community.

I liked the presentation of this book - as Dylan explains in the opening chapters, there is a lot of back and forth between the linear progression of her "Being a Girl" series and snippets of her life from childhood through present day, and I think it really worked with the overall story that was being told here and didn't feel disorganized, which I think can easily happen with this format. I especially recommend listening to the audiobook, which is narrated by Dylan herself. Overall, this was a great listen while I was doing some unpacking and a timely and poignant memoir in time for Pride Month!

✨ Review ✨ Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer, Written and Narrated by Dylan Mulvaney

Thanks to Recorded Books and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

Dylan rose to TikTok fame with her Days of Girlhood series documenting her transition. This book recounts that year of features as well as essays on her life before and after. Covering topics from carrying tampons to fit in in the bathrooms to tucking, from gender-affirming care to family relationships, this crosses so many important moments in some people's trans journeys (Dylan's frequently reiterating that this is just one transition story and emphasizing her privilege in how it went and her ability to tell it). Even if you've never heard of her or barely knew of her (like me), this book has so much to offer!

It's the perfect blend of roll-on-the-floor laughter with the more serious issues of trans rights, bullying, etc., and it for sure will make you think, feel, and empathize. This is perfect for Pride Month or any month!

🎧 Because it alternated between the Days of Girlhood timeline and other points throughout her life, these multiple timelines made it feel a little jumpy, especially listening to the audio.

🎧 I love that Dylan narrated this - you get such a sense of her voice and point of view through this narration.

Content warning: transphobia, family conflict, etc.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: memoir
Length: 6 hours 15 minutes
Pub Date: March 2025

Read this if you like:
⭕️ memoirs of trans people
⭕️ learning more about transition, gender affirming care, and trans joy
⭕️ celebrity stories

I've followed Dylan on socials for years. When I found out that she had written a book, I was so excited. Not only did this feel like spending time with a good friend but it felt like I was getting a sneak peak into the first chapter of a long beautiful story of a woman coming into her own.

Always a pleasure to be in Dylan’s company! Lovely debut book - thank you so much for the advance copy, I adored it.

Absolutely fabulous. Dylan has such an upbeat, enchanting narrative style that I was instantly drawn toward. Her story is one of triumph and deserves to be amplified for more to hear. Thank you, Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this gem of a story!

I’ve followed Dylan online for a while now, and reading Paper Doll felt like sitting down with her over coffee and getting the full story — raw, radiant, and beautifully human.

This book is heartfelt and brave, but also full of wit and charm. Dylan brings her signature vulnerability and humor to the page, sharing moments that are painful, joyful, awkward, and real. It’s not just a memoir, it’s a reclamation. Of identity, voice, and space.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to shape-shift to be accepted, this one will hit you deep. I laughed, teared up, and finished it feeling more tender toward the world and myself.

So proud of Dylan for putting this out there. It’s a gift.

My Ranking: ★★★★

I received a copy of Paper Doll through NetGalley, and as someone who has followed Dylan Mulvaney on TikTok for a long time, I was excited to dive into this one. What I found within these pages only deepened my admiration for her.

Dylan's voice shines through with authenticity, humor, and vulnerability. Paper Doll is more than a memoir, it's a raw, heartfelt glimpse into her life, her transition, and the emotional journey that has shaped her into the woman she is today. She brings both the highs and lows to the forefront with grace and courage, never shying away from the messy, complicated, or beautiful parts of being human.

This book made me laugh, cry, and reflect. Dylan’s strength, compassion, and unwavering sense of self are truly inspiring. She is, without a doubt, a beautiful soul, and her story deserves to be read and celebrated.

If you're looking for a memoir that’s deeply personal, empowering, and full of heart, Paper Doll is it.

I received a free audiobook of Paper Doll from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Paper Doll is a lovely listening experience- much like sitting down for an intimate chat with a friend. Mulvaney is irresistibly likeable and it was a real treat to spend so much time listening to her vivacious, bubbly voice. In Paper Doll, she remains as effortlessly funny as she does in her social media content. I can’t imagine even those unfamiliar with her wouldn’t be won over after this memoir.

This isn’t a deep, philosophical, intersectional mediation on transness and it doesn’t pretend to be. This is one individual’s journey- not just through her transition but through her fame and coming-of-age as a young adult. It’s thought provoking and honest. I had an awful lot of sympathy for the pressures Dylan faced getting thrust it into a very particular kind of spotlight- I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, and it was fascinating to hear how she dealt with (and struggled to deal with) the position. I’m so proud of the grace she’s handled everything with- speaking as just one trans person, she’s doing far better than I would’ve in her shoes (I can’t walk in heels anyway!)

I think pretty much anyone could get something out of this memoir- a glimpse into a very interesting life, that for most people, is going to be very different to their own. I’d recommend giving it a shot, whether you know of Dylan or not.

I do like it when a book is narrated by the author themselves. I actually had no idea who Dylan was and had never seen or heard them on TikTok but the story was a fascinating insight into their reality

Highly recommend the audiobook - Dylan absolutely nailed it & brought the book to life! Such a charming memoir that keeps you engaged & rooting for her ‘til the very end. An important read from a fresh perspective!

A big thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this advanced reader’s copy exchanged for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest rating.

I have loved Dylan since stumbling early to her girlhood journey on TikTok. I was thrilled to learn that she had written a memoir. I think she is one of the bravest people in the world to share her journey. I learned a lot from her and also find her to be not only funny but an amazingly talented performer. I hope she gets her dream of performing on Broadway fulfilled.

Thank you NetGalley and RBMedia for my advanced audiobook of Paper Doll by Dylan Mulvaney.. I loved listening to Dylan tell her story and hear things we hadn't heard before from social media. It almost felt like I was listening to a friend tell a story on a phone call or voice memo at times.