If you had a TikTok account during the pandemic then you know Drew Afualo. You know her laughter. You know her advocacy for women and femmes. Drew’s mission is to face bigotry head on and watch it collapse as fast as she dishes it out. 

Loud is part self help guide part memoir. Her entire life she has stood up to the bullies and advocated loudly for those she loves. Her adulthood is no different, she is still standing up for those who have been marginalized and put down by society. In Loud Drew takes us on a journey of how to unlearn the harmful ideologies that the cis heteropatriarchy have place upon us. Showing us just how outdated and rooted in colonialism and white supremacy these ideologies are. She shows us how to advocate for ourselves and to stop centering life around terrible men. Reminding us that no matter what our body type, race, gender or sexuality we deserve the very best love there is. 

Drew is extremely honest and candid in this book. At times I felt like I wasn’t reading a memoir, but catching up with old college friends. Reminiscing about the men who we’d destroy at bars who thought they had a chance at hitting on us. Or discussing how fiercely we love and protect one another. I found myself tearing up more than once reading this because it houses such powerful messaging that I think is vital to, not just younger generations, but to anyone who considers themselves a feminist. 

Loud is out July 29, thank you netgalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!