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Act Like a Lady: Questionable Advice, Ridiculous Opinions, and Humiliating Tales from Three Undignified Women
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The hosts of the popular podcast and E! show LadyGang offer a relatable, empowering, and hilarious take on being unapologetically yourself (even if that's not always your best self) in a manifesto that redefines womanhood for the twenty-first-century lady.
If you're tired of being bombarded with the curated perfection on social media and you're starving for something raw, honest, and a little bit messy, welcome to the LadyGang. Keltie, Becca, and Jac are here to clear away the bullshit and give you the confidence to live your best lady life.
Unabashedly sincere, clever, and full of questionable advice, Act Like a Lady explores the complexities surrounding topics like body image, breakups, navigating a career, and adult friendships through their own embarrassing experiences. The LadyGang has your back with essays like "Maybe She's Born with It, Maybe It's Photoshop" and "If You're Happy and You Know It, Thank Your Ex." You'll learn there's a million different ways to be a lady--and that includes accidentally farting during sex or having the guts to tell your friend she's being a selfish assh*le. No matter what you're going through, you'll find a space to bond over the sloppy, heartbreaking, joyous, and often ridiculous realities of womanhood. Nothing is TMI here.
If you're tired of being bombarded with the curated perfection on social media and you're starving for something raw, honest, and a little bit messy, welcome to the LadyGang. Keltie, Becca, and Jac are here to clear away the bullshit and give you the confidence to live your best lady life.
Unabashedly sincere, clever, and full of questionable advice, Act Like a Lady explores the complexities surrounding topics like body image, breakups, navigating a career, and adult friendships through their own embarrassing experiences. The LadyGang has your back with essays like "Maybe She's Born with It, Maybe It's Photoshop" and "If You're Happy and You Know It, Thank Your Ex." You'll learn there's a million different ways to be a lady--and that includes accidentally farting during sex or having the guts to tell your friend she's being a selfish assh*le. No matter what you're going through, you'll find a space to bond over the sloppy, heartbreaking, joyous, and often ridiculous realities of womanhood. Nothing is TMI here.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
April 12, 2020
I mean, this is a book I helped to write so do I think it is the great book of all time? yes, yes I do.
June 4, 2020
I thought this was a fantastic read for women in particular. This group of women own their own Podcast called "The Ladygang". I admit I had not heard of this until I read this book. But I will definitely be checking it out. This book let's you get to know each member on a much more personal note....well, not to dismiss the podcast. What I read, it sounds like that also gets rather personal sometimes! Either way, you're getting personal no matter which way you go.
They share so many stories in this book, funny ones, embarrassing ones and some humbling ones. There is so much vulnerability in this story. I appreciate them sharing that with me. It was very relatable in many ways. At least one of those stories you can relate to in your own life. It was overall, an entertaining, nice and quick easy read. It's also somewhat inspiring knowing their story and how they unexpectedly shot up to fame with this podcast. Color me impressed! Kudos to these ladies!
Thank you to Rodale Inc. via NetGalley for this digital copy review!
They share so many stories in this book, funny ones, embarrassing ones and some humbling ones. There is so much vulnerability in this story. I appreciate them sharing that with me. It was very relatable in many ways. At least one of those stories you can relate to in your own life. It was overall, an entertaining, nice and quick easy read. It's also somewhat inspiring knowing their story and how they unexpectedly shot up to fame with this podcast. Color me impressed! Kudos to these ladies!
Thank you to Rodale Inc. via NetGalley for this digital copy review!
May 4, 2023
Great fun from The LadyGang (what else is new?). They ladies give you what you expect and then they get vulnerable about their lives. Some of the book is really moving and some parts are totally fun and silly. The illustrations add a lot to the overall vibe.
March 14, 2021
Slow and repetitive. Not nearly as supportive of women as they want you to believe. Pretty elitist, classist, narcissistic and self-aggrandizing. If you really want to read it, borrow from a friend :)
June 11, 2020
Thanks to @randomhouse for this one on @netgalley! // When you say in your own subtitle that you’re offering questionable advice... it’s hard to take you seriously. This book was suuuuper cotton candy fluffiness with a lot of made up vocabulary (like they were trying to be a white lady Urban Dictionary???) and stories about their sex lives and dating fails. I wasn’t a fan but if you’re into unfiltered women and the whole #ladygang #girlboss movement, you might enjoy it.
November 30, 2020
There were some entertaining stories in here but the rest was kind of a big nope for me. However, I don't think I'm the intended audience for the book - I've never listened to the LadyGang podcast and had zero clue who any of the authors were. If they hadn't already lost me at the made up terms like yesterbae and dickpressed, I was definitely gone by the time they were giving the literal advice to always keep "playing games" in a relationship in order to keep it happy.
October 29, 2020
Parts of this book are entertaining but my guess is that I'm not the target audience. To be fair, they basically lost me on page 60 when Becca advocates for lying to your significant other and to never stop playing games because it's what keeps a relationship happy.
June 10, 2020
Cute, quirky, fun light read. I love the ladygang podcast so it’s not surprising that I love this book. Great job ladies! It was a great read.
October 16, 2020
They got me with ”what doesn’t kill you makes you weird at parties”
If one seeks a book of this type this is the one for me (and I’ve went through many of these!)
If one seeks a book of this type this is the one for me (and I’ve went through many of these!)
April 20, 2023
The prompt for the Diversify Your Reading challenge for January was Self Help. I have tried reading 5 self help books and haven’t gotten through any of them…
This title was my last attempt. Giving it 2 stars because I am not the audience it was written for.
This title was my last attempt. Giving it 2 stars because I am not the audience it was written for.
May 27, 2020
The Ladygang podcast came to me at a low point in my life. I had just graduated grad school and was going on 3 months unemployed and was draining my savings, driving for Lyft more to pass the time than to make any profits. The hosts were funny and crass and relatable in a way that still felt fresh, and not like the now tired “I’m a hot mess” trope so many aspiring comedians and personalities fall into. I was still getting through the loss of my dog (way too long earlier to still be able to bitch to friends and family about it) when Keltie, one of the hosts and moderators of their Facebook group, mentioned having to put her beloved dog Hobo down. I commented that I got how hard it was and she responded (this was a group of like 17,000 women, so I was surprised) “am I gonna be ok?” I don’t know my exact words but I know being able to share with someone who seemed to have it all together, but had showed me vulnerability and transparency, what my grief was like and how I was finding a way through it felt like putting a puzzle piece back in. It felt like, “if this person trusts what you have to say, you’re gonna be alright.” That’s what reading this book is like. It’s funny and silly but also vulnerable and universal and they don’t condescend to you or make you feel bad. They’re three straight cis white women and they’re not rocket scientists but they have consistently been a friendly, funny, supportive presence in my life for three years whether they know it or not and I’m so happy to support this book. Spoiler alert I’m a Becca.
June 2, 2020
Welcome to the snarkiest “self-help” book you’ll ever read. If you haven’t met @theladygang (and why haven’t you?) you’re in for a real treat. Let me introduce you:
Keltie “𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦-𝘈 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘢𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘋𝘐𝘠 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮”
Jac “𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵, 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭-𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 “𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥-𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭” 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥, 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦, 𝘰𝘳 𝘑𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦”
Becca “𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘺𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭, 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘱”
Act Like a Lady is a book filled with essays, illustrations, and sometimes slightly TMI facts about life. If you’re a fan of the Ladygang podcast, you’ll already recognize some of these stories about love, friendship, and careers but they spill plenty of new tea too! And if you’re a longtime listener like me, you’ll probably hear the ladies themselves reading these hilarious essays in your head. Even if you’re not apart of the gang, it’s never too late to join!
This book is on shelves today! So buy it and get ready to laugh, love, and cringe with your favorite boss ladies.
Thank you Netgalley for my copy of this book
Keltie “𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦-𝘈 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘢𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘋𝘐𝘠 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮”
Jac “𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵, 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭-𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 “𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥-𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭” 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥, 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦, 𝘰𝘳 𝘑𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦”
Becca “𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘺𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭, 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘱”
Act Like a Lady is a book filled with essays, illustrations, and sometimes slightly TMI facts about life. If you’re a fan of the Ladygang podcast, you’ll already recognize some of these stories about love, friendship, and careers but they spill plenty of new tea too! And if you’re a longtime listener like me, you’ll probably hear the ladies themselves reading these hilarious essays in your head. Even if you’re not apart of the gang, it’s never too late to join!
This book is on shelves today! So buy it and get ready to laugh, love, and cringe with your favorite boss ladies.
Thank you Netgalley for my copy of this book
July 1, 2021
A fun enough audiobook but mostly was just millennial buzz words & #girlboss energy. it was funny enough but felt like they were trying a bit too hard
November 15, 2020
If you’re a fan of the LadyGang podcast, you pretty much know what you’re getting with this book. I enjoyed this book but I was hoping for more. Yes, there were a few parts that they dug deep with, but honestly I was hoping for more depth. I didn’t feel like I was learning much about them and it essentially felt like the podcast in book form. Which I guess is what they were going for. Some essays were stronger than others, and I wish there would have been more from Becca. It felt like there wasn’t much from her. I did listen to the audiobook version, and they did a great job on it.
June 30, 2020
Not really my thing, but a very easy, light read. Kind of like reading Cosmo but in the era when everyone uses words like “girlboss” and “dicksand” seriously.
January 7, 2024
This is the perfect audiobook. I love their take on friendships and how to be alive in the world as a woman. They were funny, inspirational, and vulnerable. 10/10 recommend!
November 25, 2021
Probably the perfect book to read as I enter adulthood.
As a massive fan of the podcast I couldn’t wait to read this book. I wasn’t disappointed. This book is funny, informative, sad at times- just like life. A perfect guide to navigating life as a female where they talk about the issues that no one else does!!
I’ve highlighted it since some quotes are so utterly perfect it teaches you to “ be yourself” which is cheesy but true. A very easy and enjoyable book. Just plain fun but it’s so much more. I’ll be flicking back at sections throughout the next few years I imagine.
As a massive fan of the podcast I couldn’t wait to read this book. I wasn’t disappointed. This book is funny, informative, sad at times- just like life. A perfect guide to navigating life as a female where they talk about the issues that no one else does!!
I’ve highlighted it since some quotes are so utterly perfect it teaches you to “ be yourself” which is cheesy but true. A very easy and enjoyable book. Just plain fun but it’s so much more. I’ll be flicking back at sections throughout the next few years I imagine.
November 11, 2021
DNF at 23%. Some good advice tucked between really shitty, toxic advice and behavior. The kind of "feminism" that's just a little bit misogynistic and misandric at the same time. Full of double standards while claiming to fight double standards. Would not recommend to people who are: LGBTQ+, victims of an abusive relationship, living sober, or don't conform to gender norms. News flash straight women - the only reason you want to date someone taller than you is because of patriarchal standards requiring women to be small and dainty and not take up space.
May 16, 2021
I loved this
June 9, 2020
This was a light, easy-breezy, quick summer read. I used to be a die hard LadyGang podcast listener. I think I started listening on their 3rd ever released episode, so I really so I witnessed the growth of their podcast from side hustle to full blown company/subscription box/tour/book release, etc. I did, at some point, grow out of it. I felt that the authentic voices I loved at the beginning, were becoming a little too preachy for me.
I thought I would jump back in with this book and support female entrepreneurs, first time authors and women I genuinely think would be fun to hang out with in real life. Becca will probably troll me for this review, saying I am high and might hiding behind my screen, but this book just fell a little flat for me. They warn you in advance about their questionable advice and ridiculous opinions, but I found it to be a little too forced and maybe a little too embellished.
I also am someone who happily lives in my Fictional corner of book land. I am not usually one for non-fiction anything, let alone "self-help", but this one just didn't do it for me. If you are looking for an easy read or audiobook listen, go for it! Just don't take their harsh opinions too seriously, they're just that opinions.
58/100
I thought I would jump back in with this book and support female entrepreneurs, first time authors and women I genuinely think would be fun to hang out with in real life. Becca will probably troll me for this review, saying I am high and might hiding behind my screen, but this book just fell a little flat for me. They warn you in advance about their questionable advice and ridiculous opinions, but I found it to be a little too forced and maybe a little too embellished.
I also am someone who happily lives in my Fictional corner of book land. I am not usually one for non-fiction anything, let alone "self-help", but this one just didn't do it for me. If you are looking for an easy read or audiobook listen, go for it! Just don't take their harsh opinions too seriously, they're just that opinions.
58/100
May 28, 2020
I had heard of The LadyGang podcast but I’m not an avid listener. In fact, I have never listened to an episode, but this title and synopsis grabbed me. This was a cute, light, and quick read. Being the founder of a women’s organization, I understand the dire need for a sense of community among women. The LadyGang women have harnessed that in an unique way. I admire them for all they’ve accomplished and built with the brand and genuinely enjoyed the book. Looking forward to keeping my eye on these women! Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2020
I think this book looks like the type of pretty, eye catching book that you’d find in a table in Anthropologie. But there’s real substance here, it is delivered in a friendly style but it’s very serious at times too.
I watched The Lady Gang on tv and if was always funny and somewhat over the top. I wasn’t familiar with the podcast, I’m sorry I just don’t listen to any podcasts. I found the tv show because I was familiar with seeing Becca on Glee. It was fun to watch a show with everyone’s real personalities and not characters.
I feel like this book accomplished that too. Sure, it’s written by three very funny and entertaining women. It handles serious issues between sillier topics. But all three women have been through some very serious situations in their lives. They open their hearts about their own experiences to share advice with others.
They talk about friendship, relationships, careers, divorce, losing someone you love, low self esteem, weight issues, emotionally abusive relationships, and a bunch of other topics.
I think they offered a lot of good advice. It’s not always easy to love yourself but you have to learn to. Don’t settle for a relationship with a man that you can’t picture actually caring for when you’re elderly. Don’t be hard on yourself but work hard for what you want in life. And it’s ok to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.
I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thank you!
I watched The Lady Gang on tv and if was always funny and somewhat over the top. I wasn’t familiar with the podcast, I’m sorry I just don’t listen to any podcasts. I found the tv show because I was familiar with seeing Becca on Glee. It was fun to watch a show with everyone’s real personalities and not characters.
I feel like this book accomplished that too. Sure, it’s written by three very funny and entertaining women. It handles serious issues between sillier topics. But all three women have been through some very serious situations in their lives. They open their hearts about their own experiences to share advice with others.
They talk about friendship, relationships, careers, divorce, losing someone you love, low self esteem, weight issues, emotionally abusive relationships, and a bunch of other topics.
I think they offered a lot of good advice. It’s not always easy to love yourself but you have to learn to. Don’t settle for a relationship with a man that you can’t picture actually caring for when you’re elderly. Don’t be hard on yourself but work hard for what you want in life. And it’s ok to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.
I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thank you!
May 25, 2020
*thank you Netgalley and the authors for the gifted copy, all thoughts are completely my own*
I have never listened to these awesome ladies podcast before but now it's definitely something I will look for. This book is hilarious! It's real and nothing is sugarcoated.
I absolutely loved it. If you find foul language or just wide open conversation offensive then this book is definitely not for you.
I have never listened to these awesome ladies podcast before but now it's definitely something I will look for. This book is hilarious! It's real and nothing is sugarcoated.
I absolutely loved it. If you find foul language or just wide open conversation offensive then this book is definitely not for you.
September 10, 2020
My sister got me into the LadyGang podcast, and while I don't listen all the time (love the Allegedly Wassa Happening ones though!), I do follow the ladies on Instagram and enjoy their posts and stories. This book was more serious than I was expecting and while not entirely applicable to me in all areas, it was still a great read. I laughed and cried and thoroughly enjoyed their tales of mistakes and victories in love, career, and friendship.
July 16, 2021
3.5 stars
🎧 I forget how I found out about this book, but I didn’t realize these ladies have a podcast together and are close friends. I agree with my sister in that the love section wasn’t my favorite - I disagreed with majority of their advice and it felt outdated to me. However, I enjoyed hearing different women’s perspectives and stories about life (especially from those older than me with more life experience to discuss). There were some good overall takeaways, but not my favorite book.
🎧 I forget how I found out about this book, but I didn’t realize these ladies have a podcast together and are close friends. I agree with my sister in that the love section wasn’t my favorite - I disagreed with majority of their advice and it felt outdated to me. However, I enjoyed hearing different women’s perspectives and stories about life (especially from those older than me with more life experience to discuss). There were some good overall takeaways, but not my favorite book.
June 22, 2020
I’ve been a member of the Ladygang for years. Their community (and subsequent Facebook page) are my go-to place before I buy anything, go on a trip, or make big decisions. In this book, each of the women shared vulnerable stories and opened up in new ways, all while keeping the book fun, cheeky, and on brand. I loved it.
July 8, 2020
I’ve listened to the Lady Gang podcast since Day #1, but this book just makes me love them even more. It will by far be the most beautiful book on your bookshelf, that’s a guarantee. Some stories will make you laugh so hard you can’t breathe, some stories will make you want to cry, and their vulnerability will make you want to give them a big group hug! (But you can’t because #socialdistancing). I wish they could have had a chance to have a book tour so I could tell them in person how much I loved this book, so hopefully if you read this review it will convince you to go grab a copy and the sales will speak for me. Great job Keltie, Jac, and Becca! Your hard work paid off and you made a lovely (best-selling) book!
August 14, 2020
As an avid fan of the podcast, I was surprised to learn new things about each LadyGang member. I loved their displays of vulnerability coupled with laugh out loud moments. Even in the closing credits, Keltie’s ode to her Emmy made me smile and then say “That’s so Keltie”. Thankful to have found the LadyGang and proud to be a fan of these NYT best selling authors!
October 2, 2023
Picked this up when my local bookstore was closing. *sniff* Hadn’t heard of these authors or the LadyGang before, and this is very entertaining, heart-wrenching, and cringe-inducing…all ingredients for any successful relationship. Their honesty and candor is so refreshing, and I found more of myself than expected among these pages. An excellent impulse buy.
June 18, 2020
I got this one purely based on entertainment value. This is one of the few podcasts that I have listened to, and I follow them on IG. I wouldn’t have really considered myself to be a Lady Gang member though. I enjoy their stories and they make me laugh. But I also was encouraged by a lot of their viewpoints on social media, friendships, being a lady boss, and also a lady with insecurities. All 3 made me tear up with their stories. And all 3 made me smile and laugh. I really enjoyed this one.
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