I cried throughout this entire book. Is that a sign I’m in the flux? Most certainly. If you are in your late twenties or early thirties, facing questions of identity, family, independence, and motherhood, I highly recommend you read this book. We don’t talk about these panic years nearly enough, and it is nice to know I’m not alone in struggling with many questions the author posed.

For fans of Dolly Alderton, this book aims to be a "Everything I Know About Love" for women in their thirties, blending personal anecdotes with broader reflections on society and culture. Unfortunately, it falls short of delivering the same wit or meaningful insight.

The first half of the book critiques how society pigeonholes women in their thirties into two categories: mothers and non-mothers, layering intense expectations and pressure to have children "before it’s too late." However, in a jarring shift, Nell Frizzell transitions to narrating her own pregnancy and childbirth experience. To me, this felt incoherent—she ultimately conforms to the very societal expectations she critiques.

While young mothers might find solace in her honest portrayal of early motherhood, I felt disconnected and unrepresented. Rather than challenging traditional patriarchal values, the book seemed to validate them, leaving me with a sense of intellectual dishonesty.

Ultimately, it wasn’t the book for me, and I found it lacking in the sharpness and authenticity I’d hoped for.

I feel like there’s not another book like this. I disconnected towards the end but still thought the insights were incredible and everyone in their late 20s/ 30s should read this

I needed to read this, so good!!!