I read this book in a week, which with two small kids in isolation for part of that is no mean feat! It's very easy to read as it sounds like having a chat with a friend, the style is warm and funny, but it's also not afraid to tell you the truth. As a WW I learned a lot and related to a lot. The chapter on grief/death made me cry. This is a wise book I wish it had existed about ten years ago! I highly recommend it

3.75 stars for this insightful, well written guide from the author of I Am Not Your Baby Mother. In this part memoir, Brathwaite gives an insight into what it's like living as a Black British woman and shares some of life lessons she has learned, so you don't have to. This book is not just for Black women, anyone and everyone can take something away from it.

Brilliant...exactly the type of relatable advice and life lessons that can be helpful for everyone.

Great writing. Raw and honest. Excellent follow-up to her first book „I am not your baby mother“.

This is a fantastic book, there is so much good advice & hard won experience in it that ALL women can absorb & benefit from. I'm a white woman in my 40's & probably not Candice's imagined reader, but she is right about many issues such as recognising your self-worth & how to recognise & value the important things in life. Her relationship advice is sage particularly on finding the worthwhile partners & instilling confidence & values in children to see them successfully through life. Her insights...

This is an okay book from me. I love every single thing the author wrote in this book, yet the long chapters though. 😭

GOOD BITS: Having grown up in the same area to Candice (she literally mentions my school in lesson 2), this book felt very relatable. Her struggles with her hair and dating white guys made me yell “preach Sista, preach!”. She articulates the issues so well that if anyone asks me about colourism and how that affects relationships for dark-skinned girls, I will simply refer them to this book from now on. However, it was the lesson on money that I found most useful because I think it’s an important...

Gem after Gem! 💎This compilation of essays resonated with every version of myself that has existed so far in this funny old thing we call life. Hair, Colourism, death/grief, money, friendship and a lot more. It's a book that I will definitely be revisiting over the next few years due to the gems Candice shares throughout! I can't quite put into words how it feels to have parts of yourself acknowledged in a book without ever being seen by the person writing it. At times I honestly felt naked whil...

Sista Sister is a book that I think everyone should read (or listen to!)I listened to the audiobook version and I honestly feel like I could listen to anything that Candice narrates.Broken down into ten life lessons that Candice learned the hard way, it opened my eyes about a lot of different topics.The book touches on everything from hair (I loved Candice's description of getting her head shaved for the first time) to finance, grief and self-love.For me, the lesson on social media was an intere...

This book wasn't written for me, obviously, with me being white. That being said, I do think that there were elements that aligned with my own experiences, that were worth me thinking about. Some of the advice and the thoughts were broad enough that I could take things on board. The parts that weren't were also extremely helpful to me. Understanding certain aspects of life that I take for granted as a white person - like finances in certain circumstances - through the lens of personal stories fr...

Candice Braithwaite absolutely smashed it with this collection of essays. The advice we wish we heard in our youth about everything from self-love to hair, money and friendship. My goodness, I longed for the day to roll-by until night so that I could indulge in yet another chapter of this gem. Candice's writing style is so fluid; her anecdotes so punchy; and her diction so elevated. I loved this book and now want to buy it for absolutely everybody!

I really love Candice Brathwaite's writing - it's honest, vulnerable and powerful. Written as a series of life lessons, this is a collection of essays about life, love, financial security, and self love written from the perspective of and for Black women. A fantastic piece of writing that I'm sure I'll return to.

Candice Brathwaite second book is about everything she wished she’d been told when she was young and needed guidance. Even if the book was mainly addressed to all young black women there is so much that I’ve learned and could relate to and will make treasure of.There are some great lessons to learn from this collection of essay, I definitely find interesting the chapter about colourism, which I heard about but didn’t really know the depth of it. This collection not only highlights topics as race...

I’ve followed Candice Braithwaite on Instagram for a while and was intrigued by this book, which I ended up reading as part of my book group. I’m so glad it didn’t pass me by! It was a fascinating read, and full of insight. The subtitle, ‘things I learned the hard way so you don’t have to’ sets the right expectations, although it isn’t a self-help book of the smug variety at all. It’s a candid, well-composed and refreshing memoir which does impart some tips along the way, dealing with tough issu...

I read and loved I Am Not Your Baby Mother by Candice and so was very excited to read this, her follow up. While I didn't love this quite as much as I Am Not Your Baby Mother, it did not disappoint and gave me lots to think about. The book is divided into 10 key lessons from Candice's life that she shares with the reader. These lessons cover a number of topics including love, colourism, hair and family. Much like her earlier work, Candice is open and honest sharing the mistakes that she made in

Honestly, what an amazing read ...er, listen! I reckon there's something about an audio book when the author reads it but the 'story line' in this is very factual! This is REAL LIFE, and every black girl and man ought to hear Candice's story. She touches on: love, finances, death, friendship, therapy, sex work, drugs, social media, and self-love.

Definitely felt I could relate to this. Candice has a way of being able to tell her stories and experiences that make other black women feel seen and heard. There were times where the book made me cry because her words and experiences especially in love had hit too close to home. Amazing book and great insight to the black experience for both black and non black readers.

So happy I picked up this book. I learned so much, related to it too. It made me feel heard, sad, happy and blissed throughout. I will be passing this book on to many others as there are lessons in here that need to be shared. This was a thoroughly insightful and wonderful book that I struggled to put down.

A collection of essays about all the things Candice wishes someone had talked to her about when she was a young black girl growing up in London.These essays are written in Candice’s trademark style, full of humour and vibrancy but unafraid to be totally honest and upfront. They are easy to read and digest and feel like speaking with a friend. At times they are uncomfortable and confronting however she is so passionate about the topics that you are fully swept along.As a white woman there was so

I love to listen to authors read their own books because I enjoy hearing their work as they meant it to sound. Candice does not disappoint. She writes thoughtfully with wisdom and her use of words is masterful. She reads with nuance and emotion. She seems to have gathered the life experience and reflectiveness of a person twice her age, and comes across as an old soul. I don't hold the same views she does about everything she discusses, but I appreciate her honesty and openness in sharing the th...