Reviews

Thanks for Waiting: The Unexpected Joy (& Weirdness) of Being a Late Bloomer by Doree Shafrir

stbeaners's review against another edition

4.0

Open, honest, and maybe too much about nipple shields and milk duct clogs. But Dori has a great and unique voice and uses it to express what it’s like to get to points in life just when you’re meant to. I liked this book quite a bit, but it was also satisfying to have it end. Solid 4 stars.

skynas's review against another edition

2.0

It was an ok read.

chrizten's review against another edition

4.0

If you can get past the annoying amount of times she name drops every place she’s ever worked this is a really great read. Especially for women in their 30s and 40s.

stephstephstephsteph's review against another edition

2.0

I’ve been a fan of doree’s for many years and was disappointed by this read. It’s more of a case study on a someone who goes through typical heteronormative life stages a few years delayed, rather than a reflection on the joys (as the title suggests) of being a late bloomer. There’s not much insight here, unfortunately. The main takeaway is, ‘sometimes things happen later for some people than others, but it can still happen,’ which isn’t exactly groundbreaking stuff.

kimmeyer's review against another edition

3.0

She's a great writer, but I wish there had been more career and general life content and less infertility focus.

katiez624's review against another edition

5.0

My first encounter with Doree was through her podcast, Matt & Doree's Eggcellent Adventure, which chronicles Doree and her husband's difficult journey in trying to have a baby at an older age. I then started listening to Forever35, another podcast Doree cohosts with Kate Spencer that interviews celebrities and discusses self-care practices and products geared towards middle-aged women.

Doree has had an unconventional life on an unconventional timeline. In this memoir, she shares her struggles with feeling left behind in terms of marriage, career, and starting a family. The societal and familial pressures she feels are enormous, and the idea of settling for less than she deserves is tempting and distressing. Over time, she is able to come to terms with how she is not "behind," but rather thriving and living life on her own terms. This is such an important issue that needs to be addressed and shared more often.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my ARC.

tklassy's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

3.75

Listened to half as an audio book and finished it as a digital edition. Better as an audiobook - 4.5
Digital book - 3.5

jess_westhafer's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility and Pregnancy

nikixoxo's review against another edition

5.0

I honestly loved this memoir. I found it refreshing and honest, and incredibly well-written. I love everything that Doree has created in the past, and this book is no different. Would recommend for anyone who feels like their life is taking a meandering path, or they're constantly playing the comparison game. We all take different journeys and Doree celebrates that fact!

momsa's review against another edition

medium-paced

2.25