3.5 stars

In Paper Doll, Dylan Mulvaney breaks down her experience transitioning publicly, the consequences of social media fame, and her mental health. I have followed Dylan (like many others) since her day 1 of girlhood video came across my feed, so I was very excited to learn more about her journey and the things that didn't make the social media highlight reel. I was gifted an audiobook for review which is narrated by Dylan which is a huge bonus when it comes to memoirs. Dylan's joy is infectious and that 100% translates to this audiobook.

As expected, Dylan isn't afraid to talk about the more taboo elements of transitioning that others might find uncomfortable to talk about, which is such an valuable source of information. I think memoirs like this one are more important now more than ever before, particularly for audiences in the US, and I wholeheartedly believe Dylan's warm and open discussion of the trans experience has the potential to really help others. I also love how Dylan talks about the women in her life who offered guidance and support through the highs and lows, and the she paints the queer community in general.

Mental health is one of the main focuses of Paper Doll, particularly during and following beergate. I was a little disappointed here because I felt like the discussion of mental health was very surface-level (OF COURSE the author owes the reader nothing and I'm not suggesting she should divulge more than she wishes) and not treated with the same vulnerability that we see at other points. I did find it really impressive how she was able to talk about the unintended consequences of overnight fame and dealing with overwhelming hate in your digital space. My favourite part of the book was about the early days of her girlhood series on TikTok and the ways she would try to, as a people-pleaser, appeal to the women who didn't like her, because I don't think that is something a lot of influencers would confess to.

Overall, Dylan goes into depth about really important topics, never losing her ability to entertain and tell a good story. I didn't get the 'peak-behind-the-screen' impact that was intended (because Dylan is so transparent on social media, so this isn't necessarily a criticism) but I think if you go into this book expecting an extension, rather than a new perspective, you'll enjoy it. This isn't a long book yet there were a few repetitive elements that could've been improved upon.

Eventhough I've never really followed Dylan's journey, I always loved when she popped up on my for you page. She has such an amazing signature way to talk, so I was very pleasantly surprised when I realized she narrated the audiobook herself, which made me like this audiobook a lot more. The story was very entertaining, and as a trans person myself I was able to see myself in some of her experiences, which made me quite emotional sometimes. The story wasn't boring at all, and the way she parted it into old journal entries and the present made it very interesting to listen to. There were funny and cozy parts and then there were sad and even some melancholic parts.

All in all I reall enjoyed this insight on her journey and had a great time listening to this audiobook. -1 star for a few misshaps with the audio such as sentences that were recorded twice or repeated words. Other than that, it was very entertaining.

“Paper Doll”, trans content creator Dylan Mulvaney’s story of her very public transition, is funny, exceptionally candid, and informative for readers outside the trans community.

She recounts her childhood and the time she told her mother at age four or five that she felt like God had made a mistake with her and put a girl in a boys body, all the way through to present day when she has transitioned and is one of the most well known trans women in the world with over 9 million TikTok followers.

A singer and actress, Dylan is also a great narrator and storyteller so this book is great on audio and makes you feel like you’re on the phone with a friend. The only downside to listening to this on audio is that you miss out on the cute illustrations in the book that she references, and it can be challenging to keep track of when she is reading from a diary every from her first 100 days of girlhood and when she is sharing about her earlier and later life.

I’d recommend this book to fans and followers of Dylan as well as readers who would like to learn more about the joys and struggles of trans women.

Dylan Mulvaney’s Paper Doll is a heartfelt and honest reflection on her journey of self-discovery, navigating her transition, and dealing with the spotlight that came along with it. The book gives readers an intimate look into her life—her joys, struggles, and everything in between.

What really shines in Paper Doll is Dylan’s voice. She writes with warmth, humour, and vulnerability, making it feel like you’re having a conversation with a friend who’s letting you in on her most personal moments. Her ability to share her truth so openly is both inspiring and relatable.

That said, while the book does a great job of capturing her emotions and experiences, it sometimes feels a bit surface-level when it comes to digging deeper into the bigger picture. For readers looking for a deeper dive into trans advocacy or the challenges of being a public figure in today’s world, it might leave you wanting more. There are also moments where certain stories and reflections start to feel repetitive, which slows things down a bit.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Was probably the first auto-biography I've read in a bit but it definitely won't be the last! Dylan's personality really shines through and I appreciated all the references to the "Day 100 of girlhood" series that I've seen on tik toks. This book provided more perspective into the live of a transgender person and gives the reader a greater sense of compassion. Really enjoyed this book!!!

I knew I would love this audiobook and it 1000% did not disappoint! Dylan is such a fabulous storyteller. I found Dylan’s Tiktok during the single digit days of Girlhood and have been following along with the journey ever sense. This book was everything I wanted. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me binge the audiobook even though I found it after release day!!

I am absolutely in love with the audio version of this book too! I got the ARC first then and ALC and it’s so good to hear it told in Dylan’s actual voice rather than the Dylan voice I read in my head. She is a trail blazer and an icon and I’m so happy young trans people have her to look up to

First of I love love Dylan I have been following their journey from the beginning! I am so happy I got the opportunity to listen to her book it has help me as a cis woman have a better understanding of what’s goes on behind closed doors! I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand more about trans people or just wanting to learn more about her story!

5 stars!

Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer is funny, heartfelt, deeply honest, and exactly what I hoped it would be. I listened to the audiobook (narrated by Dylan herself!), and it felt like being on the other end of a long, slightly chaotic, extremely honest voice memo from your most charming friend. An It Girl with emotional depth? Yes, please.

The structure bounces around—from Dylan’s childhood Broadway dreams, to the early days of their transition, to the chaos that followed "beergate" (she calls it "generic beer" for legal reasons, which honestly made me laugh)—but it works. It's conversational, vulnerable, and full of the kind of disarming humor she’s known for. I was really moved by how open she is about not having all the answers, about being conflict-avoidant and sensitive, and how fame was never the plan. And yet, here she is, handling it all with a surprising amount of grace (and a healthy amount of oversharing, which I loved).

She also does a great job acknowledging her privilege without brushing past it. She knows not every trans woman gets to navigate their journey with the same safety and resources she’s had, and she doesn’t pretend otherwise. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s been easy. Especially post-365 Days of Girlhood, things got dark. But Dylan kept showing up, and this book is proof of just how much she’s grown—into herself, into her confidence, and into her power.

Dylan helped me see how even small moments of support matter. Trolls are loud—but so are we, when we want to be.

If you’ve been following Dylan on TikTok, this book is an instant yes. If you haven’t, it’s still a beautiful, bold, and hilarious exploration of identity, joy, and the cost of visibility.

Thank you NetGalley & Abrams for the audiobook ARC! This book is not only superbly captivating, but extremely important. Absolutely love Dylan, and I respect her courage in telling parts of her journey through these chapters. I laughed, I cried, and I reflected. What a blessing to have someone as welcoming and loving as Dylan in the zeitgeist of fame. I hope to read more work from Dylan in the future, whether it is long format like this or short format such as an article, Substack, or essay. I definitely recommend this book, even if you don’t know who she is!

Such a good audiobook with insights into Dylan’s experiences. Always enjoy hearing books in the authors voice.. Highly recommend.

First of all, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook!

Dylan Mulvaney's memoir is everything I expected it to be and more! Dylan uses humor to relay her raw, and inspiring story. She takes us on her journey of transition to who she is today - from her childhood, to her relationship with her mother, and beyond. I appreciated Dylan's honesty in revealing the parts of her transition that weren't so perfectly curated into her social media persona, and for being brave enough to share and take accountability for her privilege along the way. I loved the way the story flowed through journal entries, making it feel like a true glimpse into Dylan's thoughts. This was the perfect length for a memoir, providing the right amount of smaller stories to get us to the big picture of who Dylan is.
Dylan's voice as the narrator was absolutely perfect for bringing the story to life.

this was absolutely 5 stars!!! dylan you are an absolute icon. i have followed her since the days of girlhood on tiktok and i absolutely loved getting to dive into a more behind the scenes look on her transition. this book had me laughing and in tears. i 100% recommend this book.

Paper Doll is an absolutely moving and deeply personal memoir. Dylan Mulvaney's story broke my heart—her vulnerability, resilience, and unwavering desire to find belonging made this an emotional read. She tries so hard to fit in while transitioning, and her journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring – the rejection she gets from people all around her is so heartbreaking, while the way she endures the rejection and keeps a positive outlook (on the outside) is inspiring. Her honesty and raw storytelling made me feel every moment of her struggles and triumphs. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of identity, acceptance, and the courage it takes to be yourself. Thank you to RB Media and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this advanced release audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

oh i adored this so much!! listening to dylan's story in her own words was such a poignant & moving experience. i have so much respect for her! it was also fabulous discovering we both love musical theater, sour candy & the color pink. 💫🩷🩷 thank you dylan mulvaney, netgalley & the publisher for the ALC! 💫🎧🩷📚

I’m personally no longer in my days of girlhood – they’re behind me and quite frankly good riddance to them. But I have loved Dylan’s TikTok series for years (not to brag, but I was an early investor at day 1). There’s something so special about trans joy and Dylan Mulvaney brings that in abundance. However, she’s always had a kind of Disney princess energy; incredible levels of positivity that sometimes come across as naivety. This book, cataloguing her days of girlhood through a combination of diary entries made in that first year and retrospective essays shows a whole new side of Dylan, a woman who worries and desperately wants to be liked by people. It’s incredibly humanising, stripping back the façade of social media, and a must read for anyone who has ever found themselves on the wrong side of the Internet.

Days of Girlhood was (is?) a TikTok series where trans creator Dylan Mulvaney tracked her first experiences of being publicly out as a trans woman. In the series, she talks about learning how to dress in a way that makes her feel confident, going shopping with her friends, undergoing procedures like facial feminisation surgery and laser hair removal, and so much more. From day 1, the comments were mixed, with some people cheering her on and others saying they were personally offended to see someone ‘appropriating womanhood’. Dylan handled all of this with grace and positivity, but I always considered how it was affecting her behind the scenes.

This book is such a touching insight into the different personas a person can present. Behind the pink, bouncy, musical woman who took everything in her stride was a girl desperately trying to be accepted by the community she had just entered into: girlhood. In her journal entries, Dylan signs off with her signature ‘Love ya!’ and, paired with the often existential and emotional passages, the cheery phrase I’d always seen as an affection to her audience seemed to become a mantra to herself – ‘I love you, and that’s what matters’.

It’s hard to read how difficult Dylan’s experience was, but this book is by no means a negative one. Alongside all of the challenges is a monumental helping of trans joy. From living out childhood dreams to meeting other trans women, Dylan shares the ups as well as the downs. One day, she shares her first day going back to church since coming out, and talks about her dream to run a summer camp for queer folks to reclaim that part of their childhood. She writes,
“I bet I would feel God somewhere like that.”

On her first birthday out as a woman, Dylan is recovering from her nose cast off after surgery, so her entry details memories of past birthdays, including:
- Seeing Wicked in LA aged 12 (and getting to sit in the front seat of the car for the first time)
- Seeing Next to Normal aged 14
- Getting gelato and crying in a stretch limo because her mom wouldn’t let her get her cartilage pierced aged 16

These moments of silent religious reflection or memories of silly childhood antics really remind the reader something that is easy to forget when a person comes out as an adult: they lived a life before. Dylan exploded into success overnight (despite being a musical theatre star in her own right beforehand) and this book helps in reclaiming her personhood rather than just being a persona who exists in one minute TikTok videos, a microcosm of a life.

I will say, the ARC I received (and I’m very grateful for!) was an audiobook, and I do feel like this book is probably best experienced in print. Though hearing Dylan narrate her own book is glorious and feels like having a chat at a sleepover, there are elements that I feel like I missed out on by not having the physical book. I requested an audio ARC specifically because I like to hear a memoir from the person’s own voice, but also because I’m an advocate for accessibility in publishing and I think it’s important for reviewers to acknowledge that not everyone reads a book physically, some prefer to listen. So I try to accept a balance of print, digital, and audio versions of books. This is one of those times where I think a book maybe suffers in an audio format.

Occasionally, in her narration, Dylan will reference a drawing or a particular way a page is laid out that, obviously, a reader who is listening can’t see. I think this is unfortunately just a result of it not being scripted quite right from print to audio, which is a shame. Many of the details feel like they could have been omitted without losing anything in the audiobook, and that mentioning them only highlighted that this book was intended for a particular format. However, I do appreciate the image descriptions because not only does it let listeners understand the context of certain sections, it really sets the bar for other narrators and publishing teams to consider visual accessibility as a matter of importance in their translations.

Overall, this book is just a really lovely insight into the life of an overnight celebrity, a unique examination of coming out in a really turbulent time for trans people with real-time reflections, and a hopeful sign for the future. However, I would recommend getting it in print if you’re able to – both to experience it fully, and because that pink cover is SOOO Elle Woods.
Love ya!

A refreshing account of a trans celebrities life. As a trans person I found a lot of comfort in reading Dylan talk about her different stages of transition, her discovery of her trans identity and how that discovery shaped her future. Being transgender is not smooth sailing and its refreshing to see a light hearted account of how transgender lives are affected by society. A very important novel and Im thankful to Dylan for sharing her story with a world that is often not receptive.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Dylan has been on the periphery of the trans/nb public sphere for some time now, but I kind of avoided actively engaging in her content because I didn't expect much nuance or intersectionality in her trans journey. But it was a refreshing surprise to listen to the audiobook and discover her utterly sincere and funny voice that can cover everything from recognizing that it's a journey of learning, and that her path is one of relative privilege. With that fundamental humility, all her escapades, whether silly or profound, all just end up making you root for her and grateful for her existence in the public eye, as tentative as that position is. I might check out the print copy because I understand there were accompanyi illustrations for some of these anecdotes.

This book is the perfect example of why baby gays are a stereotype.

Dylan is just a girl. The most basic white girl. And that’s okay. I’m just not sure how I feel about Dylan verbally recognizing her wealthy white thin conventionally attractive privilege but seemingly not doing the work to protect those who don’t have her privilege.

This book frequently felt out of touch because Dylan has always been rich and had absolutely no reason to even think about anything political until it affected her directly. She didn’t know the Biden had a dog when she interviewed him in 2022 even though the biting incidents made national news for several weeks straight in 2021. Her journal entry for the day of the interview said “It was like looking under the bed for monsters and seeing there weren’t any there. I’m sure there were a few skeletons locked in the linen closet but dare I say it I was proud to be an American.” All that because he said he supports trans people. Mind you the book itself was written post Oct 7, 2023 and we now know the skeletons are genocide and had done absolutely nothing to codify protections for trans people or any women at all.

Dylan truly is living in her own world full of (mostly white) queer celebrities. In fact, there were so many name drops that my head was spinning and several of them were problematic (ahem Ellen and Chelsea Handler and the Kardashians).

I know I’m being critical but I truly cannot stand to see someone with such a massive platform and access to so many influential people do so little for their community

I remember coming across Dylan’s Days of Girlhood TikToks on my FYP, and her enthusiasm and positivity were infectious. So, when I saw she had a book, I had to listen.

Paper Doll is a Dylan Mulvaney’s honest, witty, and deeply personal reflection on her journey through girlhood. Shares the highs and the lows throughout her journey, Dylan's positivity continues to shine through in this love letter to queer joy and resilience. Hearing Dylan narrate this herself made it all the more engaging. It’s a book that’s just as full of light as it is raw honesty, and I loved getting to hear her side of things.

Thanks to RBMedia and NetGalley for the ARC!