Alderton isn’t afraid to share unflattering moments or to laugh at herself, and readers may find solace in realizing they aren’t alone at the party ... a vivid retelling of a woman’s growth from neophyte to independent adult, and the depth of the essays increases as Alderton’s own life experience increases. This memoir, already a bestseller in England and translated into 20 languages, is sure to remind others that it’s OK—even normal—to stumble on your way through life.
... particularly entertaining as a kind of middle-class Bildungsroman, with tales of drunken romps through London, drug dealers called Fergus and pricey late-night cab rides up the M1 ... Nora Ephron for the Tinder generation
Rather than get into the sordid details, Alderton’s portrayal of this time is assuredly self-aware and reflective. She deftly balances more humorous anecdotes with an exploration of difficult experiences, including her struggle with disordered eating and the death of her best friend’s sister ... This relatable reflection on love and the importance of friendship is an international best seller, so expect demand from readers interested in modern life as well as intimate, confessional memoirs.
[Alderton] draws her coming-of-age story with tender flair ... [an] incisive tribute to women’s friendships ... The narrative is also a splendid mashup of recipes, hyperbolic group e-mails mocking the smugness of the coupled and the resentment of singles; and lively recollections on everything from awkward online encounters to body image and blackout drunkenness. Alderton paints British suburbia in hypercolor while drawing herself as a woman who’s prone to excess. How her view of love matured is steeped in anxious charm, striking a clever balance between painful humor and self-forgiveness ... Alderton’s portrait exemplifies love ... A poignant breath of fresh air for those who struggled—or are struggling—with the dramedy of early adulthood.
... wryly humorous ... Alderton writes with self-deprecating humor throughout, though her most moving essay focuses on the funeral of her best friend’s sister, who died of leukemia. A hit in the U.K., this clever collection will likely speak to American audiences as well.
