Each essay had something that felt relatable and inspiring. Always validating, often funny—I might need to buy a copy for all my friends.

What a great collection of essays on the topic of midlife. They touched on the big topics of body changes, relationships, health, identity that occur during this time and I really felt seen. I am thinking that I will come back to this work as I continue to move forward when I need some kind words, some validation from the voices of these female writers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Regalo Press for the ARC!

I enjoyed this honest, heartfelt, relatable collection of essays written for and by middle aged women. Very inspiring and genuine writing. Well worth a read if you are peri or menopausal.

Admitting your age is hard, and even more so, aging is hard. And while there's an endless barrage of influencers offering their reels with questionable content and the ever-present illusion of quick fixes, Midlife Private Parts is refreshing. The narrative format from many perspectives explores aging in a hope-filled reflection of overcoming an obstacle life throws at you. That's the thing - as a woman on the verge of this era of life, I've got questions. This book has answers, conversation starters, and wisdom seldom shared outside of a generational exchange of bemoaning one's fate. We need to talk about these things, and Midlife Private Parts grants permission to open the door to empathy, understanding, and transformation. It is self-help from those who have lived it; what was once secret is shared. I've learned so much and the anxiety about age is there, but the advice I'll earn on each read of this anthology is uplifting.

At a first glance, I thought this would be an important publication - a collection of essays from the most invisible social group: middle aged women. The idea seemed great, I always appreciate a good representation of voices that are somehow pushed to the outskirts of popular culture.

Once I started reading the essays, I realised the biggest flaw of this collection. Yes, there are essays written by women in their midlife but they are women of certain privilege, so their relatability is quite low. Because it is privilege if you can afford going for a couple week long trip to Asia to find yourself, to enrol in writing courses, focus on creating online content or indulge in costly beauty treatments that make you seem ageless.

There was also a strong Christian angle present because quite a few women either mentioned God, praying etc. Sounds minor but it communicate certain values.

And lastly, "censoring" F-words with "***" always seems so juvenile to me. I guess this was an editing choice but c'mon, middle aged women are mature enough to swear from time to time.

I would appreciate way more diverse voices because this kind of "representation" does not make me see myself in the stories.

This essay collection highlights the experiences of women in the menopausal years- a demographic that is underrepresented in literature. Against the backdrop of the pandemic, these women talk about the dramatic shifts they made in their lives challenging the common narratives that come with middle-aged woman. The essays are short and to the point allowing readers to read in a few sittings and to pick up randomly. As an older millennial, I appreciated the authors' candid approach on various matters and they make it clear that they want to help the debunk the myth that your life is over past 45. Overall it was an enjoyable read.

This book offers a smart, candid, and often funny glimpse into the ups, downs, and unexpected turns of living life during midlife. Blending humor with heartfelt reflection, the authors dive into everything from love and loss to self-discovery and aging. It’s a fast, relatable read that feels like an honest heart-to-heart with your closest girlfriends.

The collection format allows for diverse perspectives on shared experiences, which can be particularly validating for readers feeling isolated in their struggles.

A sometimes funny and sometimes sad look into middle age. We begin to lose our loved ones but hopefully find ourselves somewhere along the way.

It makes my heart sing that we are finally giving middle-aged woman that voice they deserve! This is a realistic and sometimes fun look at the ways aging affects us. Grab your readers and read on!

This book is a collection of essays about midlife.
There is not enough coverage of the voices about midlife, and this collection offers several perspectives on many topics ranging from our relationship with our bodies to the sacrifices we make for our loved ones, late blooming to travelling in mid life.
It has exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed all of the essays and found them valuable.
This is a very well curated book, and reading it when you are in your early 20s can be very eye-opening.
I am in my mid life by some definitions of it, and this book resonated with me so much.