staciam's review

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5.0

Absolutely loved this as an audiobook. Elaine‘s parents being woven throughout was awesome, including the interview with them at the end.

lilmeze's review

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5.0

So inspiring! This spoke to be deeply because of the season that I am going through in my life. Her experiences and inspirational message was so moving and applicable to me. Highly recommend!

shavon713's review

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4.0

A moving read for those in their 20 somethings and on the path to achieving career goals. Love that she included her parents as narrators for the audiobook! Her dream changed, challenged, and adapted with her. Love that it wasn’t just a perfect story to achievement!

brontejane's review

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4.0

Before reading this, all I really knew about her was that she is a judge on Project Runway. I liked that there were many pearls of wisdom in this book without sounding preachy and without trying to say there is only one path that everyone must follow. Just "this is my life and this is what I have learned so far." I know I will look at her differently when watching Project Runway now.

bribeemajorlee's review

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5.0

I needed this book. I didn’t know how bad I needed this book but I did. This book has started a shift and a awakening that I am beyond thankful for. Elaine Welteroth was able to so plainly put into words what it’s like being young and black in corporate America that is holding onto the old guard with both hands. How we make ourselves small and try to conform to not seem as other as we are. This book made me laugh, cry, SOB, rejoice and reevaluate my life and my future. This book reminded me that it’s more to life than a job and to not only focus on your passion but to stare fear in the face and say BRING IT. Relationships were also touched on and that they come and go but at what cost, hopefully not ourselves. This book is full of wonderful gems that filled my heart and are now quotes on my vision board. Elaine thank you for your story. Thank you for sharing your journey. Thank you for the reminder that I am more than enough.

olicooper's review

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3.0

Once she gets into her career, the book starts taking off. The most interesting and for me, valuable, sections were when she talks about navigating pay and promotions and then through her career, advocating for herself-- especially with the stakes at play. Granted, sometimes it seems a bit easy to grab a hold of a job or so (it's all about who you know), the bravery to risk it all to demand what you are worth was inspiring.

Though, I think this is is too long. As the author is a former Editor in Chief, that was a little unexpected find.

And it's not that length is an issue, it's what was chosen to fill the space-- at one point, she takes a couple pages to just tell you about her friends, who really have nothing to do with the narrative. Which I promptly just skipped over.

Also, anyone else think it was a little grating when she was describing the other woman her ex ("Future Husband's") was having an affair with? Albeit, she quotes them as his words, but calling her overweight and pathetic, but I really wanted to see something expressing how fucked up that was or about how dragging the woman he was having an affair with like that is some petty, twisted psychology men who cheat use, to try and make their other woman good, since they are the "prettier" etc.

Even though a couple of spots kinda grated me, overall, the accomplishments are amazing and her experiences she share are valuable. Plus, her couch chat with Ava DuVernay is EVERYTHING and is worth an extra star.

eviereads124's review

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5.0

Absolutely loved this book - it took me completely by surprise! I got so swept up in the story I engulfed it within 24 hours. Such an empowering, thoughtful, brilliant book.

katiez0314's review

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5.0

Phenomenal read. Tons of perspective on race, gender, relationships, and how to be a strong female regardless of life. I found myself loving the exposure to her experience as a biracial woman but also relating to her disastrous love life at the same time. Like, we have to acknowledge racism and racial bias, but also, we’re all women who have had asshole boyfriends.
Read it. You’ll nod in empathy and cheer on her accomplishments and clap for her success.
Smart and authentic. Driven, honest, and stylish.
And the last chapter had me weeping.

clpaige's review

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emotional informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.0

courtney902's review

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5.0

Will be my second time reading her story. I read this book in 2020 and I resonate heavily with a different topic each time.