Just F**king Say It: The Ultimate Guide to Speaking with Confidence In Any Situation

by Susie Ashfield

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Are you worried about what other people think of you?

Do you want to feel confident and in control the moment you speak?

Just F**king Say It is the ultimate guide to speaking with confidence in any situation.

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With this empowering step-by-step guide from Britain's leading speech coach, you'll soon

* Requesting the pay-rise you deserve * Delivering a knockout pitch

* Networking like you enjoy it

* Acing that interview

* Giving an unforgettable speech

* Speaking with clarity in any situation

*Communicating and connecting with authenticity and impact when it really matters

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'This is the straight-talking, practical confidence boost we've been waiting for.' Jennifer Cox

Genres: Nonfiction

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2025

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the first line of the book description, I was expecting this to focus on public speaking. Which it did, at least for the first half or 2/3. The "how to give a speech at a wedding" section offered some great advice, too.

Then it shifts into more conflict resolution style conversations, based on the type of person you're dealing with. (a mosquito, a hookworm, or the third one that I can't remember offhand). It also talks about giving (and receiving) feedback effectively, which in my experience good lord people need to learn how to do better. I'd like some of my former professors to read that section lol.

Overall it's a practical guide.

Thanks to the publisher and Libfro.fm for the ALC to review.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me—in a good way. I picked it up thinking it was just for public speaking, but it’s actually super useful for everyday conversations. It gives straight-talking advice that helps you speak more clearly and confidently, whether you’re asking for a raise, setting a boundary, or just trying to get your point across without overthinking.

What I liked most is how practical it is. It’s not about sounding perfect—it’s about being honest, direct, and not watering yourself down. The tips are easy to apply in real life, and the tone is no-nonsense but encouraging.

If you’ve ever struggled to say what you really mean, this book gives you the push (and tools) to just f**king say it.

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this book certainly lives up to it's title bold in cover and title and bold in promoting you to act in steps building up your confidence and tackling anxiety that maybe trying to control you in a situation you need to be bold and fearless in speaking or presenting in.

With many examples of situations of aiding others snd steps breaking down how to act to reach peak confidence and ability in yourself with great detail I feel like I've learnt from the book to simply stand tall, believe in myself more when I speak and confidence can come through.

[Halyard Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a real confidence booster. It’s one of those ones I’m going to keep going back to, because it covers so many different situations where you need to get a message across. The chapter on wedding speeches was especially good, and the advice was refreshing and practical. Despite the fact that it’s a practical handbook, it doesn’t get dry at any point and the stories are funny and interesting. Motivational, witty and clear. It has massively improved how I feel about communication and made me comfortable in speaking up.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in an engaging style with good information, Ashfield's books covers any number of situations where it might be hard to speak. For each of the situations, she gives examples of what you should say, and sometimes what you shouldn't.
The book starts with how to have general confidence. Then examples of when she used each of these in her job as a speech coach are added for things like self-promotion, presentations, interviews, and even personal instances like giving a wedding speech or a eulogy.

[wellreadtraveler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need to put down the fiction and pick up a book that can help you become a better you. Although I liked this book I loath public speaking and all this "yea you can do it" makes me anxious. LOL
I am an emotional person and don't often say what I'm feeling for fear of confrontation so I like to read books that can help me figure out why I'm this way. Can't say I've figured out beyond the fact I'm a people pleaser and who in their right minds want's to get in a fight? LOL
I liked this book but it wasn't really what I was looking for.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone from a technical background now in a leadership role, Just F**king Say It was a game-changer. It’s not about public speaking in the traditional sense—it’s about being clear, direct, and confident in everyday conversations.

Susie Ashfield’s advice helped me cut the waffle, give feedback more effectively, and speak up without second-guessing myself. Super practical, no fluff. If you’re a techie stepping into management, this book is well worth your time.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of what is in here feels obvious, but there are some good practical tips for certain types of speaking (solid outline for wedding speeches and project updates) that can make doing them (or listening to those who do them using these tips) far better. As she notes at the end, it's not possible to go and do all of the things in the book immediately, but that starting small and concretely is worth it to build confidence in being able to speak in front of audiences, big and small.

[Raj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book because it is engaging, relatable and it provides useful instruction about how to navigate various scenarios. As someone who is scared of public speaking, even within meetings at work, this book offers excellent advice and clear steps about how to remedy this. The book is also very funny, I highly recommend!

[Clara Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected a book about public speaking, a got a handbook to handle most if not all the times my voice may fail me. From negotiating pay, handling criticism and writing an eulogy, it offers a comedic and approachable toolkit. Highly recommended.

thanks to the publishers for the copy.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical, a few later chapters are even too specific on the situation, but again, practical. I would recommend the audiobook because her British accent makes the book feel even more no-nonsense, like a sassy lady giving you tough love.

[Peter Goligher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the first few chapters very engaging but felt it became quite stale around the wedding speech chapter; Veering away from helpful and relatable advice into overly specific filler.

[anie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone with crippling stage fright of any kind - a school presentation in front of few people gives me nightmares, I had high hopes for the book. The ideas are quite good, explained step by step, so you can follow them quite well. A great tool for someone who has a mild fear, but if it's anything deeper, I don't see this all that helpful, at least it wasn't for me.