This book was not for me. I found the narrative and plot line to be extremely cringey and borderline embarrassing. I was excited to read a book about a demisexual but the highly sexual content matter made me pretty uncomfortable.

One bright spot was the narrator/ the performance was excellent. Very well acted. Five stars for the audiobook narrator

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Eleanor Pilcher’s debut novel, That’s What She Said, is a witty and heartfelt exploration of female friendship, sexual identity, and personal growth. The story centers on Beth, a 28-year-old demisexual woman determined to take control of her sex life. Enlisting the help of her confident and free-spirited best friend, Serena, Beth embarks on a series of humorous and enlightening experiences—including speed dating, sex therapy, and even hiring an escort. However, as both women confront their own romantic entanglements and personal insecurities, their once-solid friendship faces unexpected challenges.

Pilcher masterfully balances humor and depth, creating characters that are both relatable and complex. Beth’s journey of self-discovery is portrayed with sensitivity and authenticity, while Serena’s struggles with her past add emotional resonance to the narrative. The dynamic between the two protagonists is compelling, capturing the nuances of a deep platonic bond tested by evolving desires and life changes.

The novel’s pacing keeps readers engaged, with each chapter unveiling new facets of the characters’ lives and their evolving relationship. Pilcher’s prose is sharp and engaging, effectively conveying the internal conflicts and growth of her characters.

That’s What She Said is a refreshing addition to contemporary fiction, offering a nuanced portrayal of friendship and identity. It’s a must-read for those interested in stories that celebrate the complexities of modern relationships and the journey toward self-acceptance.

A very enjoyable, entertaining read.
Some typical scenarios with new focus - queer. Loved it! Also examining accessory items (i.e. sex toys) from a nonmainstream perspective.
So much rep - a sexual odyssey granting two women a safe arena to explore their actual wants and desires, not what society constantly dictates.
One extreme to another at some points. I would have like each main character to have their own book.

The narrator choices were spot on for the characters. They truly captured the personality of both of main characters and the diversity between them. The story itself was entertaining, but ultimately not for me. I didn’t realize the sexual aspects would be so in depth. That is simply a me preference and doesn’t take away from the joy I’m sure others will find in this book. There are some parts that had me chuckling and others that made my heart swell. I loved how accepting the girls were of each other despite their major differences. I really resonated with Beth during the beginning with her extreme need to people-please and avoid conflict or awkward situations.

Listened at 1.5x
Told in dual POV with good narration

There is so much dysfunction in this friendship that it made it completely functional. Codependency, exploration, odd experiences (the earbud scene was cringe and hysterical at the same time), and great explanations of various sexualities, this was a quick read that reflects what friendships are all about.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen.

This book wasn’t my cup of tea. I didn’t like the narrative tone, it felt way too pandering and like I was reading ad copy from a brand that was trying really really hard to be hip and cool and relatable, but it came off as robotic. The jokes also just weren’t landing for me, way too corny. I also wasn’t much of a fan of the dual perspective.

That's What She Said had me laughing out loud! The humor is sharp and delightfully unfiltered. I also really appreciated the thoughtful and authentic ACE representation. On top of that, I loved seeing the characters grow emotionally and in their relationships. 4.5

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio Adult for the chance to listen to this title in exchange for my opinion.

I loved the demisexual representation in this book. It felt fresh, authentic, and offered a really thoughtful look at a part of the sexuality spectrum that isn’t often explored.

Best friends Beth and Serena, total opposites in love and life, are put to the test when Beth, a demisexual lacking confidence in both her career and relationships, decides to tackle her fears and explore her sexuality with Serena’s help. From speed-dating to sex therapy to encounters with an escort, Beth’s “Sexual Odyssey List” pushes them both out of their comfort zones. But when old and new romantic entanglements complicate things, their unbreakable bond faces a reckoning that could either bring them closer than ever or break their friendship apart for good.

The escort scene was completely hilarious and over-the-top in the best way. I also really connected with the scenes where Beth processed her friendship with Serena during therapy; some of the reflections on friendship really hit home for me.

It was also great to watch Serena confront her feelings about her parents and how that shaped her views on love and relationships. And I completely adored Evan! This book had so much heart, humor, and depth, and I’m glad I picked it up.

This is on the light hearted scale of Sally Rooney-esque books....however it just fell flat. Our main characters were terrible friends to each other and I didn't really believe their redemption arcs by the end...friendship is work and they did not really work for it, only suffered.

I just really couldn’t get into this one. I think it partially just wasn’t for me. I think the kind of humor in this book is going to work for you or it’s not. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t connect with it. As a demisexual person myself, I really didn’t love the representation in this book. There was just so much constant sex shaming, both overt and implicit, to the point where I found it a little bit triggering. I even feel like her friend who is supposed to be looking out for her was a lot of the time crossing her boundaries and passive aggressively sex shaming her. Also, there wasn’t really much more to this character besides the fact that she was a virgin, and to me that defeats the whole purpose of having demisexual representation. We are more than the fact that we have had a little to no sex and experience little to no sexual attraction and it felt like the author doesn’t believe that. Also, there is so much drinking culture and alcohol and personally I just really hate that. I really wanted to love this, but it just didn’t work for me.

"That's What She Said by Eleanor Pilcher" is a really solid debut novel. That was also a fun approach to demisexuality rep.

A sweet and reflective story about sexuality, friendship, and setting boundaries. Serena and Beth are on a journey to understand Beth's sexuality and along the way endeavor to understand each other better.